Reviewed by Andy Hutchings for Readers' Favorite

Few concepts have left such hideous scars on world history as slavery, with the wounds caused by centuries of kidnapping and selling human beings still being healed around the world. In David Calloway’s debut novel, If Someday Comes: A Slave's Story of Freedom, I was given an insight into the life of a slave that added humanity and a sense of hope to the tale of George Calloway as he lived under the eyes of the people who owned him and his family. The events in George’s life were extraordinary, from his participation in rescuing fellow slaves to his role in the Civil War.

I’m profoundly grateful that George’s story has been shared in this way so that the oral history passed down through the Calloway family can be read by the whole world to deepen their understanding of the lives of slaves in the 1800s. George is an inspiring figure, and the lines that David Calloway blurs between fiction and fact throughout this book create a fascinating mythology around a very real experience without ever letting us forget the brutal truths behind it all. If Someday Comes chronicles an incredible life that showcases the horrifying evil of the slave trade as well as the complex sense of bravery shown by the men and women living under it. Works such as this which highlight an individual's journey are powerful tools for understanding our history. This book uses stunning and gripping prose to take readers on an unforgettable experience into a time and place that we must never forget about.

Reviewed by Lexie Fox for Readers' Favorite

Doolittle’s Men is a historical work by Paul D. Burgess. It follows several pilots and their support crew as they take part in the Doolittle Raid, an immediate retaliation by the USA against Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbour during World War Two. Using vivid descriptions of the conditions of the raid and the constant feeling of danger felt by all crews throughout the operation, this story brings this historical event to life with a visceral and immersive narrative that closely follows its historical reality. From the launch of the USS Hornet to the attack to the desperate bid to escape back to the Allied territory, it authentically portrays the risks the flight crews undertook for today's modern audience.

The secret to getting invested in a dangerous mission like this is to bring each of the characters entering the lion’s den to life, a feat that Paul D. Burgess accomplishes in spades. Characters such as Thatcher, my personal favorite of the ensemble, face the realities of prolonged exposure to life-threatening danger and constantly evolve and struggle to keep going. All the characters feel fleshed out and as real as any of the men who flew the mission. The danger they subsequently expose themselves to for their country strikes one so much harder because of it. Doolittle’s Men is a treat of historical fiction that handles the source material with respect in sharing an important part of US history without compromising on the suspense, action, and thrills.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Return To Hardscrabble Road is a work of fiction in the historical and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience and contains some scenes of violence and the use of explicit language. Penned by author George Weinstein, the story centers on the same initial group of characters as those of Hardscrabble Road, the author’s previous novel, but the work can be read as a standalone as the MacLeod brothers return home from military service when their father dies. Far from a heartfelt family reunion, the appearance of Papa’s siblings sparks a violent new era for the family and a fight for the central protagonist Roger to rise above it all and become the man he wants to be.

This was an emotionally charged work that really elevates the family drama genre with its brutal honesty and no-holds-barred narrative style. It is never overly graphic or sensationalized, but the emotions and experiences that Roger and his family undergo at the hands of evil-minded relations really hits hard on the reader’s psyche and make for harrowing and highly engaging reading. I also felt that the dialogue was a particular triumph of this work as it served to bring important events to the fore without the need for huge chunks of prose, and kept readers engaged in the present moment. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Return To Hardscrabble Road for fans of the previous novel, and newcomers to the accomplished emotional storytelling skills of author George Weinstein.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Audrey is the sister who remains at home in Connecticut, struggling through the police academy as the only woman among many men who believe she should not be there. Hannah has moved to New York and works on the 84th floor of the South World Trade Center, has just met Travis, the man of her dreams, and loves her life. Travis is totally in love with Hannah and works on the 104th floor of the North Tower. On the morning of September 11th, Hannah is looking out the conference room window and is horrified to see a plane come crashing into the North Tower - her life will never again be the same. Against her boss's wishes, she immediately heads for the stairwell and begins the long journey down the stairs. Shortly after plane number one, another crashes into the South Tower. Hannah fights to make it to ground level. Audrey learns of the tragedy and joins a group of policemen who will be traveling to New York to help in any way that they can. The survival, the damage, and the aftermath take years for both sisters to understand.

Blue Sky Gone by J.S. Farmer is a unique real-life story turned into an excellent fictional book; taking the events of the bombing of the Twin Towers and weaving it into the story of Audrey's and Hannah’s experiences. Blue Sky Gone hit a very personal note for me as my husband had been working in the towers only a short time before and we were blessed that he had moved on to another job at another location. I found myself fully immersed in Blue Sky Gone and felt for both Audrey and Hannah. J.S. Farmer has written an amazing book incorporating a great plot, characters that were impossible not to like and root for, plus a beautiful tribute to a time in history ‘We Must Never Forget’. I cannot say enough good things about Blue Sky Gone and urge everyone, young, old, male, and female to put this book at the very top of their reading list. This book must be read for you to feel the pain, the agony, the joy, and the sacrifices; there is no way I can express these themes strongly enough in a book review.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The River Remembers is a work of historical fiction, interpersonal drama, and cross-cultural themes. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and was penned by Linda Ulleseit. In this poignant and compelling historical drama, we find ourselves in the early 19th century with our three central protagonists: Samantha Lockwood, Day Sets, and Harriet Robinson. White, Native American, and Black narratives intertwine on the frontier as these very different women search for love, companionship, and a better future for their children in a rough world where men rule all and the boundaries between races and their chances in life are harshly set.

Linda Ulleseit brings together her triple-stranded narrative incredibly well to create a novel about the American frontier that is unlike anything I have encountered. There is something quintessentially feminine about the work, which is rooted in motherhood and sisterhood. This gives the story a deep emotional grounding, yet it extends far beyond the realms of typical women’s fiction and offers a universal message about society, culture, acceptance, and banding together for a better tomorrow. I particularly loved the dialogue and found it deeply compelling to hear the different perspectives and how the narrative skill of the author molded itself to each woman to speak accurately about her experience and heritage. I think that perhaps Day Sets was my favorite of the three central women, although every reader will find something touching to cling to in this rich tale. I would not hesitate to recommend The River Remembers to historical fiction fans everywhere. You won’t regret it.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

A sequel to Meryl Ain's award-winning historical fiction novel The Takeaway Men, Shadows We Carry follows the life of the daughters of Holocaust survivors Aron and Judy Lubinski, who migrated to the United States after the war. Fraternal twins Bronka and JoJo Lubinski chase their dreams of becoming a journalist and an actress, respectively. But an unexpected pregnancy causes JoJo to marry her longtime boyfriend, Bruce Stern, and settle down. Amidst the political turmoil and societal unrest of the 60s, Bronka pursues her career in journalism but struggles to form meaningful romantic relationships with men of her faith. When the father of one of her coworkers turns out to be a Neo-Nazi, it opens her eyes to the Nazis hiding in the general populace in post-World War II America. Finally, Bronka meets a kindred soul whose interests align with her modern beliefs.

Author Meryl Ain takes readers on a nostalgic trip through the 1960s and 70s, a time of monumental societal changes, anti-war rallies, and civil rights movements in America. Shadows We Carry tells the tale of two young twin sisters and descendants of Holocaust survivors navigating religion, love, and family legacy while coming to terms with a rapidly changing society. Ain's characters are fully fleshed-out and feel like real people going through life trying to overcome the odds they were born with. Each character is layered, and Ain's moving prose creates an immersive atmosphere and setting so that you can almost see late-60s Manhattan in your mind. Overall, a gem of a book for historical fiction lovers.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Sinner’s Cross: A Novel of the Second World War by Miles Watson is a no-holds-barred account of one of the lesser-known actions in Europe of the Second World War. Prior to the well-publicized and dramatized Battle of the Bulge in the Ardenne Forest, an equally violent and deadly encounter took place in the forests of Hürtgen on the German/Belgian border, from September 19, 1944, to February 10, 1045. American and German troops faced each other in the dense forests of Hürtgen as the winter of 1944-45 descended, where the flower of both country’s youth was sacrificed in a futile battle over an unknown and unwanted piece of land. The author introduces us to both sides of this titanic and bloody conflict. Half the story is dedicated to a group of American G.I.s led by the inexperienced and terrified Lieutenant Breese, facing off against one of the most formidable of Germany’s units, the Paratroopers, led by multi-decorated and seemingly fearless Major Zenger, affectionately known to his troops as Papa. The author takes us deep inside the psyche of these terrified, mud-splattered, and intensely uncomfortable men as they prepare, yet again, for a counter-offensive, which like so many of them seems rooted in both pointlessness and failure. In this maelstrom of battle, blood, and gore, each man must face up to his own personal demons, fears, and horrors and either overcome them or walk away.

Sinner’s Cross is without a doubt one of the most powerful anti-war novels I have ever read. Miles Watson’s incredibly descriptive narrative takes us right into the infernal “hot zone” of the battle and describes the actions and the reactions of the soldiers with sharp, incisive, and incredibly descriptive prose. It is powerful and compelling, as much as it is sickening. What I particularly liked about this book was that the author showed the battle from both sides of the fence. His description of what occurred in the mind of Major Zenger was a clear attempt to remind us that the enemy soldiers were just human beings long before they were Nazis. The German troops were just as horrified, terrified, and tired of the endless battles as the Americans. He did a wonderful job of outlining the different perceptions of war from the psychological makeup of each individual soldier, his needs, wants, and fears. No-one can possibly read this book and conclude that war is, in some way, heroic or worthy of honor. The reality is clearly displayed in the crushed, broken, dismembered, and devastated bodies that would forever lie in the forgotten forests of Hürtgen. A truly powerful novel but one that left me drained by the end of it.

Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

Laura Beers’ A Devious Secret features Stephen Wycomb and Gemma Hawkinge. Both characters are deeply depressed, though for different reasons. Stephen is a commoner who served as a captain in the Royal Navy. France captured his ship, and the majority of his crew is killed. He thought it was his fault and felt the necessity to provide condolences to the loved ones of the dead. However, he discovers his best friend, Benjamin Heathcote, is alive despite the Royal Navy listing him as deceased. He begins his search for Benjamin. Meanwhile, his sister, Marielle, has insisted he attends several social events and accepts her husband, Lord Hugh, who is a childhood nemesis. Gemma is still mourning the supposed death of her husband, Benjamin. Her aunt has invited her to London, and intentionally going against the advice of Lord Henry, her brother-in-law, she accepts. Lord Henry follows Gemma without her knowledge.

Laura Beers depicted England in 1813 with incredible accuracy. Stephen was wealthy but wasn’t accepted by high society. Gemma was considered poor, but since she was a countess, she was accepted by high society. I could understand why both of them were depressed; losing people who are a large part of your life is a crushing feeling. Stephen’s feeling of guilt came with the saying that a captain goes down with his ship. However, being captured while unconscious would be tragic as well. His pursuit of Benjamin ended unpredictably; however, he learns a valuable lesson. Gemma’s meekness was infuriating when she didn't speak her mind. Her growth as a person is slower than Stephen’s but fits the plot well. I enjoyed seeing the alternating views between Gemma and Benjamin. Their emotions were portrayed realistically, which allowed for a natural feel to the romance. A Devious Secret has an air of mystery, romance, and personal growth in characters and I recommend it to all fans of this genre.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Back of the Yard: A Great Depression Family Saga by Meg Lelvis follows an Irish Catholic family during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Growing up near the stockyards of South Chicago, Betty O'Leary, the youngest of her siblings, desperately wanted the confidence and quick wit of her pretty older sister, Maureen. However, the accidental death of her brother Joey leaves the O'Leary family in an abysmal state they struggle to recover. While Betty is sent to live with her aunt and uncle, her mother is admitted to a mental asylum. As the years pass by, Betty grows up and lands her first job in Milton, Wisconsin, where she meets Philip Lundgren (Phil), an English college instructor. Now married with two healthy sons, Betty's postpartum struggles become increasingly worse as she is plagued by nightmares. Can she cure herself of her cursed family legacy?

Meg Lelvis draws a vivid portrait of mental illness with grounded characters who face overwhelming challenges in their everyday lives. Back of the Yard is a tale about a family hampered by the unexpected twists and turns of fate, now having to rely on each other to get themselves out of their testing circumstances. Mental health plays a crucial part in the narrative, with two main characters, including the protagonist, suffering from depression-related psychological issues that they have to navigate. Despite the seemingly enormous problems faced by the O'Leary family, there is a sense of love and care between them that makes them easy to root for, especially the siblings, Betty, Maureen, and Dennis. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

The Only Way Home is a walk through 1933 and the Great Depression with 15-year-old Robert and 17-year-old Tucker who he meets on the road. Robert and Tucker have both left their homes in hopes of finding work as they travel the rails. They spend many nights sleeping in uncomfortable boxcars, heading to a new town and a new opportunity. Robert and Tucker often are hungry, without shelter, and in danger of the ‘bulls”, aka the police, locking them up if they get caught jumping off the freight trains. The boys also have good days meeting people who want to help and offer them a warm barn to sleep in, a hearty meal, and a hard labor job. Robert suffers and struggles through it all with his end goal of having earned some money to bring home to his mother and siblings. Tucker’s story is different; his father has told him he had to leave and find work because he could not afford for Tucker to stay at home any longer. Both boys form a quick and tight bond watching out for each other in all ways.

The Only Way Home by Jeanette Minniti is a sad story of the times but there are also some uplifting moments of sharing, friendship, and caring. Robert and Tucker showed a huge amount of courage and determination and never gave up on themselves or the journey to get to the end of the road; for Robert to get back with his family and for Tucker in finding a job and just surviving. I was not alive yet and had only second-hand knowledge of the struggles of the 1930s but this book brought it to life and, as I read, it was impossible not to feel the fear and pain of the times. The Only Way Home should be required reading for young and old. Jeanette Minniti has written a winner.