Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

The Guardian of Secrets by Jana Petken is a historical fiction that chronicles the ordeals of a recently wedded British woman, Celia Merrill Dobbs, and her family during the Spanish Civil War. In 1912, Celia’s marriage is a dire one when she discovers her husband Joseph is the one who killed her father, and that he used their marriage to get his hands on her father’s prosperous farm in the English countryside. She and her newborn son Peter escape to Spain, where she takes refuge at the Martinéz home, aristocratic landholders in Valencia. Celia falls in love with widower Ernesto Martinéz. Before long, they get married and raise their four children in the middle of increasing political tensions in the country.

Petken does such a good job that easily evokes the elements from the early 20th century, culture, and politics with her complex characters’ development that I effortlessly immersed myself in the story. Her skill certainly resounded with this reader. This is a very compelling historical family drama with a dash of romance. I constantly rooted for Celia, especially when she finds new love, while hoping that her dreadful first husband Joseph won’t ruin everything. The Spanish Civil War serves as a powerful background in The Guardian of Secrets, which is well-written and well-researched. The rich, vivid descriptions of each scene and surroundings, from England to Spain, are excellently portrayed and easy to visualize. All in all, The Guardians of Secrets is a thrilling and engaging read. It will definitely please historical fiction fans.

Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Blake's Story: Revenge and Forgiveness, Second Edition is a historical fiction novel written by J. Arthur Moore with plotline created by Bryson B. Brodzinski. In April 9, 1862, Mrs. Micah Bradford, mistress of Bradford Plantation and Blake’s mother received a letter informing her that her husband had died in the battle in Shiloh. The US Civil War rages and Blake Bradford, eleven years old, is now consumed with the desire to avenge his father. He runs away from home and becomes a Confederate soldier. Blake is eventually wounded in Perryville, but a young Federal soldier helps him and he is taken into the enemy’s camp to get treatment. The two opposing soldiers eventually become friends and Blake’s idea of war will never be the same again.

Kudos to J. Arthur Moore and Bryson B. Brodzinski for coming up with the second edition of the historical fiction novel, Blake’s Story, Revenge and Forgiveness. Blake Bradford is but a child when he comes face to face with the loss of his father who fought in the US Civil War. He joins the war as an eleven-year-old boy with revenge in his heart, and this makes him a remarkable yet naïve character. It is not surprising if readers will be moved by the need to protect and guide this child as he embarks on a mission to avenge his father. The plot, however, goes in a direction that is most unexpected and herein lies the real lesson of Blake’s Story. The novel also offers a refreshing perspective about war as seen through the eyes of young soldiers during this time. Well researched and informative, this book is an effective way for young readers to learn about an event in the past that has greatly influenced the course of US history and also to learn to look at war through the eyes of Blake Bradford.

Reviewed by Michelle Robertson for Readers' Favorite

Ever wondered what happened after the end of Alexander the Great's legendary life as Greece's greatest soldier, hero, and leader? A lot can be read about Alexander the Great and his quest to dominate the world, but not much is stated about how "his" people were affected by his sudden death. The death of Alexander brought a split of his conquered lands as well as the political hoopla leaders, army generals, and citizens faced. Author Christian Kachel brings this riveting tale to life by telling the tale of Andrikos, who as a boy watched and admired Alexander as he led his army through his home town of Ionia, a Greek town, while defeating the great Persian army at the Granicus River. Andrikos not only suffers like the rest of the Greek people, mourning the loss of their great leader, but he also battles the insecurities of a young man trying to prove himself to his uncle after his father's death. After much thought, and a little encouragement from his uncle (if you could call it that), Andrikos decides to join what was left of Alexander's army. His struggles, however, are far from over. Little did he know how much he would endure through training under one of Alexander's generals as the army sought to conquer and bask in the successful spoils of Olympus. Will Andrikos follow many soldiers' fate and die on the battlefield just a soldier, or is he destined for something better? Come find out.

Christian Kachel has done his homework, researching the facts, details, and time lines for his historical fiction novel, The Spoils of Olympus: By the Sword. The character development and scenes are skillfully well written and amazingly intriguing. A reader will find themselves enthralled with each scene, page, and word of this epic tale. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As an avid historical fiction reader, I am anxiously awaiting news of a second book release, and recommend this book to any reader interested in historical fiction, or just history and fiction in general.

Reviewed by Heather Osborne for Readers' Favorite

Letters to Kezia: Book Two of the Puritan Chronicles by Peni Jo Renner tells the tragic, yet heartwarming story of Mary Case, a Puritan girl in the settlement of Hereford, Connecticut. The daughter of the minister of the settlement finds herself enraptured with a thief and rogue, Daniel Eames. Succumbing to his pleas to help him escape the jail, Eames flees, with Mary in tow. Thrown into this mix is a man, Noah Parker, whom Mary and her family trusted to be a loyal successor to her father, but he is less than honorable. Forced to return to the village by ruthless men on the hunt for Eames, no matter what the cost, Mary must face her own accusers, as well as her conscience.

A bittersweet novel, Letters to Kezia captivated me from page one. I felt so much for Mary’s plight, attracted to a man who was considered beneath her by Puritan society. She was used as a pawn in many cases, both by Noah and her father, although his motives were entirely selfless. I enjoyed how the novel was laid out, third person narrative interspersed with first person perspective in the form of the letters to Mary’s daughter, Kezia. I must also comment on the historical accuracy. Miss Renner has clearly taken great time and effort to convey as realistic an environment as possible, while still providing a very engaging story. Letters to Kezia: Book Two of the Puritan Chronicles by Peni Jo Renner is a definite must-read for any fan of historical fiction with an interest in Puritan life, with the added bonus of a tragic love story.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

In The Blood of the Greeks by Mary D. Brooks is set in the period of World War II. Eva is the daughter of a German commander who has taken the helm of a small Greek town and is “purging” it of Jews. Eva does not accept her father’s views of Jews and does not believe in the injustice of the system inflicted upon her fellow humans. Her heart bleeds and she takes refuge with God to help her come to terms with her life. Zoe lost her family in this mindless war. Her heart is filled with hatred and revenge. When she meets the daughter of the German commander, she wants to claim her life, but soon the two of them bond and form a friendship. Although reluctant at first, soon they soon rely on each other’s strengths to fight the evil within and outside, and win this war against their human nature.

Mary D. Brooks has written a novel that is not only superb, but the plot, the development of the characters, and the setting are perfect. It is an emotional roller coaster ride, but a good one. The story is gripping, the protagonists are amazing and well formed, the setting is realistic, and their friendship is wonderful. Being the first book in a series (promised to be great), the relationship between the two women has not happened yet, but I am absolutely sure that the romance between Eva and Zoe will be affectionate and proper. I loved it! This is one novel that I would love to read again and again.

Reviewed by Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite

Antonia, Dowager Duchess of Roxton, has been in mourning for three years for her beloved dead husband and soul mate. Antonia has lost the man who meant everything to her and it appears she no longer has any enjoyment in life. That is until Jonathon Strang, a larger-than-life, forceful character, bursts into her life like a hurricane, and turns it upside down. Although Antonia is easily ten years older than he is, her amazing beauty and enchanting aura soon have him captivated. Jonathon began life as the second son of an impoverished second son. However, by virtue of hard work and good fortune in the colonies, coupled with several family deaths that have put him in line for a title, Jonathon is very eligible indeed. He also has links with the Roxton family that he wishes to pursue, namely, the illegal misappropriation of property that rightfully is his. One of these properties can only be signed over to him by Antonia herself.

Antonia is initially repelled by the buccaneer: a man whose casual manners are almost insulting in a society obsessed with the niceties of conduct. His blunt approach, his sharp brain, his sense of humor and finally his blatant adoration serve to break down her icy disdain. Set in 1777, in Georgian England, against a backdrop of the imminent French Revolution and the American War of Independence, this compelling love story will appeal to romantics of all ages.

I recently reviewed "Salt Bride" by the same author and was keen to revisit Georgian England. Lucinda Brant has carved a niche for herself in this particular patch of history and she is gifted in weaving both story and history into a compelling read. Passion is the keynote of this novel: abundantly clear in the passion of the main characters, the robust energy of the age, and the pulse of action that creates an energetic and well-paced novel. The author has a wonderful turn of phrase, creating a sense of the opulence and oftentimes excessive luxuriance of the era. Food, drink, clothing, entertainment, and appetites are all described in glowing detail in an era that celebrated abundance and sensual gratification. Although this is the third book in a series, and readers would derive even greater enjoyment by reading the first two as well, this story can stand alone with enough back history threaded through to keep readers in touch with prior events. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite

The Earl of Salt Hendon, with good looks, fortune, and the reputation of a lover par excellence, could have any woman he pleased just by crooking his little finger. So when he seemingly lost his reason and married a squire’s daughter, Jane Despard, Society is aghast. Despite being a noted beauty, Jane’s reputation is clouded, an incident in her past having cast a shadow over her marital prospects. What Society does not know is that Jane and the Earl share a dreadful secret: a past encounter that brought them both nothing but misery, misunderstanding, and mistrust. Their marriage four years after that encounter is sealed so that the Earl can discharge a promise to a dying man and Jane can save her stepbrother from financial ruin. Jane holds out the hope that the Earl will finally come to love her. Her husband, alas, is deeply influenced by the scheming Diana, Lady St. John, widow of his cousin and the mother of his nominated heir, his young godson. Can Jane’s love prevail and will the Earl finally open his eyes to the Machiavellian maneuvers of the wicked Lady St. John?

It is the year 1763 and King George III is on the throne. Georgian aristocratic life is synonymous with elegance and a devil-may-care pleasure, and the upper classes enjoy a kind of amorality in their love lives. Men, and women, are inclined to take their pleasure where they choose. It is this angle, the tawdry underbelly of high society that the author captures so brilliantly in this eminently readable novel. The rakish, raucous character of the Georgian period is contrasted superbly with the sophistication of the age. The author has created a love story that fans of historical romance will relish. Details of the politics, manners, social mores, and dress are deftly interspersed within the plot lines to fully flesh out the era and the people in it. The author’s characterization, even with secondary characters, is accurate and believable. The plot is complex and interesting; the author guides the reader though the maze of misunderstandings without ever giving the game away. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

When we first meet Sheila, the main character in Sheryn MacMunn's contemporary fiction novel, Finding Out, she's enduring the public humiliation of being dumped by her live-in boyfriend, in front of her neighbors, on the street outside their co-op building. Sheila is shocked to find out that he's moved out of their co-op while she was on a business trip, taken their joint savings, and found someone else. After their 7-year relationship, she's not sure how to reestablish herself as a single. Her job has also gotten more stressful with the introduction of Crystal, a young, spoiled woman with an important father, who has been made Sheila's direct responsibility. While she's struggling to make sense of it all, she accepts an invitation to dinner with Ruth, an elderly neighbor, for Sunday evening. Ruth says that Sunday evenings are the hardest in the kind of situation that Sheila finds herself in. Along with the dinner, Ruth begins to tell Sheila stories about her life.

Finding Out by Sheryn MacMunn is an impressively smooth and readable novel that weaves present and past together with deceptive ease. Sheila's business and personal problems are crazy and will seem all-too-familiar to many of those who've worked in an office and endured office politics; as well as those who've been on the receiving end of a poorly executed breakup. Where Finding Out really shines, however, is Ruth's series of stories about her childhood and coming of age in Nazi Germany. I felt like I was reading tales spun by a Scheherazade, as the beleaguered family hikes through the woods to find safety and ends up camping throughout the winter in the snow and cold. I have long been a student of WWII history and read many historical novels on the subject. Finding Out ranks up there with the best of them. Finding Out is a remarkable fusion of present and past and well worth reading.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

1918 by David Cornish is a well-researched historical novel about the pandemic that killed up to 100 million people in the midst of the ending of World War I. The story is told through the eyes of Dr. Edward Noble, an army major and infectious disease sub-specialist, who identifies an unprecedented and dangerous influenza strain. We join Dr. Noble in his war against the disease that caused pandemonium in the United States. At the same time, readers will get to know the man himself and his family.

David Cornish lives up to his expertise as M.D. with the detailed medical history and explanations in the story. The 1918 pandemic is not a piece of history that I know very well, thus this novel is an excellent way for me to learn more about it. The meticulous narrative undeniably has the ability to transport readers back to that era with its actual medical literature and terminology. It also highlights some particular gaps between the medical system of the 20th and 21st century. As a reader with a lack of medical knowledge, this is an easy read for me.

The important element of this novel (and one that should not be understated) is the determination to rise against any odds. Dr. Noble, his associates, and even his family persevere and keep the people around them united. On the whole, 1918 is a must-read, particularly for any medical practitioner, medical student, and epidemiologists, as well as anyone that would like to know more about one of the deadliest pandemics in history.

Reviewed by Stephanie Dagg for Readers' Favorite

"Life's What Happens" by Kathy Clark and Alan Parker encapsulates what happened in 1969 and 1970 to a generation of young people whose lives were irrevocably changed as a result of the first draft lottery in the Vietnam War. We begin and end the story in the present day, seeing some of the characters as they reunite at the Kent University Campus under mysterious circumstances. Their memories and their feelings on revisiting University now that they are so much older and wiser are very poignantly and beautifully portrayed. Those of us of a certain age can all sympathize with Don’s feelings of being invisible to today’s youth. The rest of the novel is the flashback to the fateful time shortly before and after the draft. From party-going youngsters out to have a good time and fit some study in, they are forced to grow up overnight and face huge responsibilities. Some cope, others don’t. Some act wisely, others panic and become victims of their circumstances. There are triumphs and tragedies, happy and sad endings.

This is such an atmospheric novel, cleverly helped along by naming each chapter after a pop song of the period. The authors spare no detail and effort in recreating settings and sensations from the period in question. These range from the minutiae of fashion to the political background to all the turmoil that invades the students’ lives. It seems to be done effortlessly on their part but it calls on great skill and writership qualities to be so evocative. We feel we’re there in all the action, sharing the fun and then the tension and horror or the situations that arise. All the characters we meet are believable and persuasive, both as youths and their older selves. It’s not always easy to maintain interest in a large group of protagonists in a novel but these authors achieve this well. This is a gripping read, with its educational, historical, imaginative and very human ingredients. Brilliant writing.