Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Full Circle: A Refugee's Tale by Joe Vitovec is a gripping historical novel that recaptures the horrors of World War II and the suffering inflicted on many people by the Nazi occupation, and the Communist regime that would transform Czechoslovakia into a place of oppression for many people. After his best friend is sent to a concentration camp by the SS Commander, Jan Neuman knows that the days ahead would become even darker, so he flees the country after the successful communist coup. But fleeing will not be an easy thing as he has many challenges, moving from Germany to France and to Italy, and finally to his adapted country, the United States. The reader follows Jan’s odyssey as he struggles to reconcile with his fears, his sense of guilt, and the nagging desire for revenge. The reader will discover the transformation that takes place within him and what happens when he decides to come back to his country when he thinks it is safe.

This is a heartbreaking story about war, racism, and man’s inhumanity to man, a story that describes the reality of post WWII Czechoslovakia in lyrical and compelling prose. Readers will love the way the conflict is developed, especially the internal conflict taking place within the protagonist. The story is beautifully told and it has psychological depth. Joe Vitovec articulates brilliantly on the themes of love, patriotism, war, and friendship. I also enjoyed the powerful political setting of Full Circle: A Refugee's Tale. This is a story that will bring tears to the reader’s eyes while taking them through the perils of war, a story with memorable characters, a gripping plot, and a realistic setting. It’s one of those books that haunt readers after they are done reading.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Her Castilian Heart: The Castilian Saga Book 3 by Anna Belfrage is a continuation of the journey of Sir Robert FitzStephen, the lowborn bastard son of a baron, knight of the realm, and his beautiful Castilian wife Lady Eleanor (Noor) d’Outremer, in thirteenth century Great Britain and Europe. King Edward (Longshanks) rules England with an iron fist and Robert and Noor have not only returned to English shores minus the Castilian Pomegranate jewel they had been tasked to recover but also with the young son of a Welsh rebel they had been instructed to leave behind. None of this is likely to please Queen Eleanor and Robert and Noor must walk a dangerous tightrope between unwavering obedience to the crown and their desires to raise the young Welsh orphan as their own. On their return to Orton Manor, Robert and Noor are seeking a quiet life reveling in each other and their growing family but fate has other ideas for this couple. When it becomes obvious that Robert’s insanely jealous half-brother Eustace de Lamont is determined to kill Robert and anyone else who may lay claim to his father’s fortune and title, Robert and Noor must do all they can to protect their hard-won peace and freedom in a world where title and privilege are everything and even the foulest of crimes can be pardoned or forgiven if you have money and power.

I have been fortunate enough to have read the first two books in this series, so I was waiting for its continuation with excitement. Her Castilian Heart surpassed all my expectations for this series. Anna Belfrage has become a master at the historical romance genre and I can recommend all she has written. When reviewing a continuing series I always ask if this book can still be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. The answer is an emphatic yes! The author does an exceptional job of dropping in the salient points from previous episodes so the reader is never left wondering about what went before. Her mix of fascinating real events and characters from history combines perfectly with the fictional experiences of her main protagonists in the story. The romance is real and you can feel the love and passion between Robert and Noor pouring from every page. The love scenes are sweet, romantic, and intensely passionate. What I particularly love about Noor is her strength of character and her unwavering courage to speak against those in power who make decisions, when she vehemently disagrees with them, despite the possible consequences. She was a woman not afraid to speak her mind at a time when women were very much decorative collectibles or tools for men to form alliances. For those who love medieval battles and fighting, they will slake their thirst well in this story but for me, it was the tender, beautiful, sweet moments between Robert, Noor, and their expanded circle that I will remember the most. I am so looking forward to the next iteration in this journey that is promised with the next book. This is a fantastic read and one I can highly recommend.

Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

The Girl Who Counted Numbers: A Novel by Roslyn Bernstein is a well-written and well-researched historical work that chronicles a young woman’s quest to solve a family mystery. Seventeen-year-old Susan Reich graduated from high school early and wants to take a break by going out on her own, like taking a road trip west, but her father has other plans for her. Instead, she is sent to Israel to try to find a missing uncle. Yakov Reich stayed behind when her father and his family left Poland for the US in 1920. When the Nazis arrived in 1939, no one knew what had happened to him. Against the backdrop of the Eichmann trial in Jerusalem, Susan is forced to confront her own identity, go to unexpected places, and witness the struggles of a country in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

Roslyn Bernstein’s The Girl Who Counted Numbers is a thought-provoking novel that offers a unique insight into this appalling part of history. There are already many accounts informing the reader of what the Holocaust was like, but this book increases our understanding and empathy. Revolving around a fictional young woman’s search for her uncle in Israel and not the work of a survivor, every word in the novel surprisingly rings true. As the main protagonist explores her growing emotions and gets entangled in the political issues of Israel, her character becomes highly relatable. It will not be easy for readers to anticipate the plot twist toward the end of the novel, but it also feels inevitable in the context of the action. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Margaret of Austria: Governor of the Netherlands and Early 16th-Century Europe's Greatest Diplomat by Rozsa Gaston is a historical fiction novel about Margaret of Austria, daughter of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, and her marriages and political role. Born in 1480, Margaret was raised to be a queen and betrothed to the Dauphin of France at three years old. However, Charles, now the king, married another woman, and Maximilian sought alliances with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Margaret married Prince Juan, but their marriage was cut short by Juan's untimely death. Four years later, Margaret married Philibert, Duke of Savoy, creating a rare love match. Margaret took an active role in managing the Duchy as her husband had little interest, preparing her for further diplomatic work after Philibert's death in 1504. Margaret's political skills were essential, and she was appointed governor of the Habsburg Netherlands in 1507.

In Margaret of Austria, Rozsa Gaston offers an engaging account of the life and achievements of one of the foremost prominent figures of her time. The book is a well-researched and meticulously crafted narrative, blending historical facts and fiction in a way that renders the story both informative and entertaining. Gaston's ability to balance intricate details of diplomatic events and relationships with the broader historical context makes the book a valuable resource for scholars of early modern Europe. The author sets the stage by providing an overview of Burgundy and a cast of characters that enable readers to follow the complex relationships and political intrigues that shape Margaret's life. Although the book may be somewhat dense for those unfamiliar with the period, Gaston's writing style, infused with lively dialogue and a spirited narrative, keeps the reader engaged. Overall, the book offers a nuanced portrayal of a powerful woman in a period when female leadership was often overlooked, and I think it will be embraced by readers interested in the history of women in power.

Reviewed by Lexie Fox for Readers' Favorite

Cold Blows the Wind by Catherine Meyrick is a poignant and thought-provoking tale set in bustling Hobart Town, Australia, in 1878. The story follows protagonist Ellen Thompson, a spirited young woman with a baby, torn between her attachment to her family and her desire to be accepted into respectable society. In this compelling and moving tale, Catherine Meyrick weaves a story of hope, love, and resilience against the backdrop of a society shaped by convict origins.

Catherine Meyrick's storytelling prowess shines as she intricately weaves themes of resilience, hope, and love in all its forms. All the characters are well-developed and relatable, making the reader invest deeply in their journeys and creating a story that will stay with you long after you put the book down. What sets Cold Blows the Wind apart from other novels in the genre is the author's ability to make us become part of Ellen's struggles and her love for the people in her life. The story is not a typical romance; instead, it delves into the various forms of love, including a mother's love for her children and a woman's love for her family, all of which Catherine Meyrick does beautifully through her use of dialogue, vivid descriptions, and passion for the story that is being told. An involved and moving family drama. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Bound by Honor (The Clan Donald Saga Book 2) by Regan Walker takes readers back to the rugged and exciting times of medieval Scotland and the seemingly interminable clashes not just amongst the clans, but with the eternal foe, England. When Angus Mor Macdonald met secretly with other Scottish and Irish Lords, they made a pact of honor that would bind them and their generations to come in a pledge of loyalty and support for the right to ascend the throne of Scotland and be crowned King of Scots. That honor, to these men, rightfully belonged to Robert Bruce and his successors. Angus Og Macdonald, the second son of Angus Mor Macdonald, finds himself thrust into the role of Lord of the Isles, following the untimely death of his father and then the murder of his elder brother. He must assume a leadership role in the battle for Scottish independence and Robert Bruce’s kingship against the notoriously cruel and harsh English King Edward 1 (Longshanks). Every warrior needs a strong woman by his side and Angus and Robert will be well served in this regard. For Angus, it is a Ulsterwoman, the beautiful and courageous Aine O’Cahan who steals his heart and his soul. Robert Bruce will marry Elizabeth de Burgh, a Norman heiress, to stand beside him in the quest for a kingdom. From inter-clan rivalry and deception through to the decisive battle of Bannockburn, this tale of courage, friendship, and love spans one of the most important times in Irish and Scottish history.

Bound by Honor is a powerful and solid story that resonates through the ages. Many readers, perhaps intrigued by the Outlander tales of the eighteenth century, will find in this story the genesis of the Scottish and Irish push for freedom from its ever-present overlord, the English. I particularly enjoy historical fiction that takes seminal events from a country’s history and creates a fictional narrative around known, yet often poorly recorded, persons. Author Regan Walker is an absolute master of this genre and I found myself immersed in the battle for freedom and independence that this tale encapsulates. The characters are beautifully drawn and the narrative flows seamlessly from domestic life to the horrors of battle and the struggle for survival in these tough and harsh times of the thirteenth century. This is a meaty tome and it is easy to get entranced to the exclusion of all else. At its core, this is a love story and the relationships between Angus and Aine as well as Robert and Elizabeth were the absolute highlight of the adventure. There is action aplenty for the adrenaline junkie and battles galore but it is the tenderness and sweetness of the relationships and the families that will endure for me. This is a fantastic read, certainly one of this year’s best books, and one I can highly recommend.

Reviewed by Sadiyah Bhamjee for Readers' Favorite

With a Yorkist husband and a Lancastrian family, Lady Elysabeth St. John is caught between two sides of the war for the crown. In 1470 Lady Elysabeth becomes godmother to Edward V and she is thrown into the middle of political turmoil. Centered around historical events, such as the death of King Edward IV, this novel draws the reader into the epic-style stories of medieval times. Look out for one of England’s historical mysteries as the plot thickens with deception, betrayal, and love. Whether you love history or just a good story, The Godmother’s Secret will captivate you. Using a historical figure with the same name as the narrator, Elizabeth St. John pays attention to detail that adds more magic and fun to this brilliant novel.

The Godmother’s Secret is beautifully written with a careful balance of fiction and fact made possible thanks to Elizabeth St. John’s meticulous research. The descriptions are breathtaking and well-placed. The blend of action, introspection, and drama is perfect. I loved that I did not always agree with Elysabeth. It made her character more human with independent decisions and thoughts and not simply the lovable storyteller. The other characters are also carefully fleshed out and masterfully imagined from the past. St. John has carefully added individual characteristics and behavior that breathes life into every person along the road and it made for a marvelous read. St. John’s experience as a brilliant novelist shines through in this flawless story that took me on a magical journey into the past. The only complaint I have is that it ended too soon. I can’t wait to get my hands on St. John's other work, The Lydiard Chronicles.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Blue Butterfly is a work of fiction in the historical fiction and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Leslie Johansen Nack. In a fictionalized account of a real-world relationship, the book follows Marion Davies as she falls in love with William Randolph Hearst and becomes his mistress. Over the years a secret daughter is born, a fling with Charlie Chaplin takes place, and the Great Depression threatens to crush Marion and Hearst’s lifestyle. But this threat pales when the movie Citizen Kane is made, and the parallels between Kane and Hearst incite rage.

Following the lives of real-world people to spin an engaging story is a tricky business; balancing the facts of the case with the dramatic ups and downs a story needs that real life may not provide. Fortunately, author Leslie Johansen Nack has picked the perfect subject matter in Marion Davies whose life on and off the silver screen was filled with glamour and high drama as she gave birth to a secret love child and struggled to survive the Great Depression. Marion is an engaging protagonist who never loses her relatability, no matter how deep she gets into the world of showbusiness, due to her characterization being rooted in her love for Hearst and her simple desire to succeed in a difficult industry. The Blue Butterfly’s depiction of history particularly comes alive when discussing the real hurt and fury felt by Marion and Hearst upon learning that Citizen Kane’s unflattering depictions were based in part upon them. An implication that could cause real harm to Marion’s achievements is handled with an incredible gravity that makes their attempts to slow or halt the release of the movie feel painfully futile.

Reviewed by Kimberlee J Benart for Readers' Favorite

The Spark of Resistance: Women Spies in WWII by Kit Sergeant is a work of fiction based on historical events and personages. It follows the clandestine operations of three women. Mathilde, a Frenchwoman, helps to create a network within the French Resistance to provide intelligence to the British. Odette, the French wife of an Englishman and a mother, is recruited by the British as a courier. Didi, an Englishwoman raised in France, is trained as a wireless operator. As the Germans compromise several Resistance networks, the lives of these women and their colleagues hang in the balance. Will they remain loyal at any cost, or will they succumb to torture or enticement? An epilogue provides the historical facts surrounding these three women and other characters in the story. A glossary is also included.

In The Spark of Resistance, Kit Sergeant gives us a dramatic, suspenseful, and well-researched tale about three women who initially share one simple purpose: to help defeat the Nazis. As the plot unfolds, love, dedication, patriotism, and courage will face deception, dishonor, cowardice, and treason. The descriptively written, smoothly paced, and utterly engaging narrative flows between the women’s stories in alternating chapters, interlacing their personal lives and emotions with the dangerous operations they conduct or support. All too often, German efforts to locate Allied and French operatives to brutally torture, kill, or use them as well as confiscate their codes, equipment, and financial resources prove successful. Whether you’re interested in WWII or the roles that women played in it, this is a thrilling and eye-opening read.

Reviewed by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite

What Girls Are Good For is a fictional tale about the real-life journalist Elizabeth Cochran or, as she went by a pen name, Nellie Bly. In an era where women were expected to run the household and attend to duties of the gentler sex, Nellie, born Elizabeth Cochran, never quite fitted the mold that was expected of her. Young and ambitious, she seeks work in a field that’s meant for men. It is one of the inequalities that drive her. She believes that women should have the same opportunities and pay as men do. In the 1880s, this is still a very controversial subject, but Cochran is determined to not be just another housewife. She lands her first big break with the Pittsburgh Dispatch when she writes a refute response to a reporter who goes by the pen name of The Quiet Observer. His article basically stated that a woman’s place was in the home, which was something that Elizabeth couldn’t stand. This angry and fact-fueled rebuttal about the real struggles of women gets her an invitation to the Pittsburgh Dispatch and a position as a reporter. From the Pittsburgh Dispatch to The World newspaper, we follow the young reporter as she makes news with the real injustices that occur in their very neighborhood. These stories will eventually lead to the one that gives her worldwide notoriety; pretending to be mentally unstable in order to get into the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell Island...

Author David Blixt delivers a great story about Nellie before she exposes the horrors she endured during her stay at the asylum on Blackwell Island. I like how a lot of what is in the novel is true and includes actual articles and places that she went to. What makes it unique though is that we are hearing Bly’s story from her own lips. The portrayal of Nellie Bly in What Girls Are Good For is astonishing and doesn’t give you the fake twists and turns and add-ons that a lot of historical fiction does. The characters are likable and I feel that Blixt did a wonderful job of capturing Nellie’s voice and personality in his words. I would love to read more of his work. Without a doubt, the best book I have read this month!