Reviewed by Steven Robson for Readers' Favorite

The Twelve Sisters by Don Gordon Pierson and David Thompson Dorris is a sweeping epic packed with intrigue, love, personal justice, obscene wealth, greed, crime syndicates, and family bonds spanning centuries. Tailored superbly into three distinct periods, each part deals with an interesting story revolving around 12 paintings. The first is set in the 1400s when an unknown artist created works of art; the second is set in 1975 where events lead to an ongoing plot involving revenge; and the third is set in 2018 where the plot is played out. The background for this amazing tale is Italy and the primary players are Madeleine Costanzo and Bruno Porcelli. Both are extremely intelligent individuals coming from vastly different worlds, who meet by chance at a Monaco Grand Prix. This meeting sets in motion an incredible series of events that will keep the reader spellbound until the high-stakes climax of this amazing adventure.

In The Twelve Sisters, Don Gordon Pierson and David Thompson Dorris have managed to create one of the best dramatic adventures I have read in a long time. Not only is the story compelling and engrossing, but the background created around the Italian way of life and the art world is equally fascinating, clearly indicating a thorough knowledge of these areas. The characters were superb and crafted intelligently to reflect their backgrounds, while the evolving character of Bruno throughout the story was particularly well handled. I also found the writing style to be engaging and one particular event was handled amazingly well. The hit, told from multiple perspectives, was enthralling and helped make this a chilling experience. The book is a quality read at the highest level that I would readily recommend.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Inoculated: The End of One Pandemic and the Beginning of Another is a work of fiction in the medical thriller, conspiracy, action, and suspense subgenres. It is best suited to the mature adult reading audience and was penned by author Todd M. Thiede. Holding up a chilling mirror to the events of recent years, we find ourselves exploring the world shortly after the outbreak of a deadly virus, as a miracle vaccine hailed years ahead of its time is distributed amongst the citizens of America. Justin Martin is a doctor with a secret past in SEAL Team 6, who discovers a deadly series of side effects from the vaccine that could make the cure more dangerous than the virus ever was, but will anyone listen to him?

Author Todd M. Thiede presents a conspiracy thriller novel with plenty of clout and one which will certainly please those who enjoy conspiracy fiction and perhaps those who also prefer to take it as fact! One of the strengths of the novel is certainly the scale of panic and urgency that Thiede creates with the immediacy of his narrative and dialogue, which feels suitably global and touches on all those deep-set fears of a newer, even worse pandemic that I’m sure we all suffer from these days. This sense of dread is suddenly sent into overdrive by the excellent, visceral descriptions of dangerous side effects that Justin predicts, witnesses, and accounts for as his discoveries mount up. Overall this makes Inoculated a breakneck-pace action read that will sweep readers up in its hurricane of intrigue, danger, and thrills from cover to cover.

Reviewed by Alex Ndirangu for Readers' Favorite

We have a tendency to flee our unpleasant past in pursuit of a better present and future. But what if your dreadful past caught up with you and the only option was to confront it head-on? Shadow of the Gypsy by Shelly Frome leads us through a unique mash-up mystery narrative about a man's journey as he tries to make sense of his haunting past and live in the present. Josh, then a young man, sees Zharko, an Eastern European mafia figure, kill a man. In order to keep Zharko from finding him, his mother enrolls him in a boarding school and gives him a new name. He spends most of his youth there. Josh later moves to a small town where only his mother and his childhood sweetheart are aware of his presence. Josh's hopes for a normal, peaceful life are dashed when he discovers that Zharko, the gypsy, has been recently stalking him. Zharko wants to involve Josh in a sinister plot that will put both his life and the lives of those closest to him in danger.

The classic plot of Shadow of the Gypsy explores the depths of human psychology to show the lengths to which individuals will go to maintain their sense of well-being. I was interested in seeing how Josh would avoid the strong forces that posed a threat to his world. I found the plot to be character-driven because the characters engineered the plot development. None of the characters made dull or insignificant plot contributions; instead, they all engaged in the narrative, giving it a lively feel. I believe that a work of art should strive to evoke mental images in the reader's mind. Shelly Frome accomplished this admirably by extensively using figurative language, which transformed ordinary descriptions into evocative events and increased the emotional significance of the narrative. The language used was simple to understand and appealing to me. This stems from the author's love of language and their love affair with words. The dialogue between and among the various characters breathed life into the story and placed the events in their immediate context. Shelly used these dialogues to highlight events without deviating from the plot. Based on how suspensefully the first installment ended, I'm hoping for a sequel as intriguing as this one.

Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite

Susan Rogers and John Roosen’s Dead Man’s Pose is the first book of the Yoga Mat Mysteries. Tragedy strikes Elaina’s class when one of her students, Mario, dies when the class goes into a deep and tranquil state while transitioning into the final relaxation pose. Elaina is devastated and she becomes angry when she sees Ric Peters, a student who is always late to class, taking pictures of the mat Mario died on. Ric apologizes and explains that he finds the entire thing strange. No one taped the area off and his gut tells him they should keep people away until they get an official cause of death. Elaina is confused and brushes it off as an accident, a heart attack, or something like that, but Ric’s clear and concise explanation makes her doubt her initial thoughts. Little does she know that this is just the beginning of an unexpected mystery.

Dead Man’s Pose is a well-hatched murder mystery with an exciting and entertaining plot. The moment I started the first chapter I was immediately drawn in by Elaina and Mario’s friendship. I was so devastated when he silently died in the middle of class. If I had encountered Ric in Elaina’s place, I would have probably screamed and kicked him out for the sheer disrespect but Elaina kept her cool and even listened to this tall, watchful man. The characters are distinct and well fleshed out. Elaina, Ric, Jack, and Alfred, to name a few, are like puzzle pieces that help set up a strong foundation for a fast-paced, exciting plot. Once I started, I could barely put the book down. I found myself going back to reread a few chapters just to make sure I didn’t miss out on anything. I enjoyed reading about the food and place descriptions and I appreciated the sketch map at the start, which helped me easily visualize how everything played out. The twists and turns of this story built up my appetite for more and I can’t wait to read Susan Rogers and John Roosen’s second book of the Yoga Mat Mysteries!

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Bruce J. Berger offers a mesmerizing novel about the dimensions of healing, faith, and family in The Music Stalker. Kayla Covo has traveled the world and gained global recognition as a renowned pianist. But behind the glamor and fame lies a secret that is about to tear her apart. The plot is told as a story by Kayla’s brother, Max, through letters to his estranged children. Max is believed to be a prodigy, but younger Kayla has showcased more talent and flourishes in the process. Kayla begins to manifest symptoms of mental illness—a malady she has inherited from their schizophrenic mother. Max makes the effort to help her as Kayla, on the brink of instability, turns her back on the career she has built and finds refuge in the comforts of religion through an Orthodox Jewish community.

The Music Stalker works because Kayla’s descent into madness is concentrated. When the story opens, you are immediately introduced to the world she inhabits, and therefore you know what to make of her. They say that many artists are tormented and are battling their own demons. Kayla may well fall into the trope, but the demons that haunt her feel real judging from the way she takes it upon herself to shake them off. It’s a disturbing scenario, a tale that Bruce J. Berger illustrates with plenty of emotional, mental, and kinetic moments that you can’t easily ignore. In the end, its greatest strength lies in the power of family support—the greatest form of therapy that any tormented soul could receive. The Music Stalker is a redemptive story that will keep you turning pages.

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

Standing before the world's largest oil painting, Tintoretto's Paradise--a monumental depiction of Heaven--in Venice, Nick hears a disembodied whisper, "Amore mio." His wife Julia believes him to be delusional and insists he see a doctor, but Nick insists the voice is real and returns to the museum. Blacking out in the museum, Nick flashes back to life as a 16th-century Venetian swordsman tasked to seduce a married aristocrat, Isabella Scalfini, but instead, he falls in love. In the present, through the painting, Isabella implores Nick to liberate her from a powerful order of religious vigilantes who judge and sentence souls to the canvas for eternity. The religious order still exists and will stop at nothing to keep Nick from releasing not only Isabella but thousands of other imprisoned souls whom the order claims are evil.

Rob Samborn's debut novel, The Prisoner of Paradise, is a winner. Combining romance, historical, metaphysical, and conspiracy elements into a thriller that supersedes several of today's best-selling authors is no easy task. However, Samborn's writing style indicates a writer whose skill shines through its smooth flow, akin to that of the great names in thriller fiction from Poe to Ludlum, Koontz, Child and, yes, Dan Brown. The art world setting of Venice, Italy's past and present is carefully and explicitly portrayed, exposing a sense of reality interwoven within a masterfully orchestrated fiction story that first-time novelists often miss. Rob Samborn doesn't miss a trick. Every character is true to life. Every scene is perfectly set, and the action flows like the scenes from a well-directed and photographed movie. The Prisoner of Paradise is a tale with a solid sense of reality, which moves through time periods, entailing action, adventure, romance, the everlasting battle between good and evil, and the possibilities of a metaphysical universe. It's a story you don't want to miss by an author you'll be hearing a lot more about.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Bad Blood Sisters by Saralyn Richard is a thrilling murder mystery. Dead bodies are nothing to Quinn McFarland; after all, her family owns a mortuary. But now things have changed. Her brother has finally been accepted for transplant surgery and a new dead body turns up at the mortuary – Ana, Quinn’s old best friend, a blood sister. The past comes rushing back as Quinn comes under suspicion, and she is faced with memories of a blood oath she and Ana made, a secret Quinn needs to keep. Then Quinn is threatened to keep quiet, and an old boyfriend reappears on the scene. Quinn could bring the killer to justice but secrets from the past put her in danger. Where does Quinn’s doctor boyfriend fit in? Is Ana’s husband to blame? And can Quinn get to the truth before she becomes a victim?

Bad Blood Sisters by Saralyn Richard is a quick but exciting read, with heart-thumping action all the way. Ms. Richard has a way with words that draws you into the story and keeps you turning the pages until you reach the end, with characters you’ll love. Every character had their own story to tell and they all intertwined effortlessly into the perfect cast, right down to Calvin the dog. The chapters are short but end in such a way that you have to read ‘just one more chapter” until, before you know it, you’ve read the entire book. This story will intrigue you with a mix of current-day life combined with memories of the past. As the plot unfolds, you’ll find yourself questioning every character – are they involved? How? With plenty of twists and turns, this book builds suspense and covers lots of subjects, including human trafficking, organ transplants, and much more. Perfect for mystery lovers everywhere and a great way to unwind after a hard day’s work.

Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite

Two Hearts’ Alliance by Tamara Ferguson is a contemporary romance that follows two captains who form an instant alliance. Captain Christine McKay and Captain Jeremy Northrup meet for the first time in Arizona during training. While observing how Christine deals with the Iraqi soldiers and how easily she gains their respect, Jeremy begins to admire her and have feelings for her, despite knowing she is married. But when Christine returns to North Carolina, she learns about her husband's dirty secrets and decides to divorce him. When Christine flies to Germany to serve as a replacement for another female officer, to discreetly investigate Major Darnell’s behavior and prove the allegations of sexual misconduct against him, she meets Jeremy once again. Unfortunately, their paths split quickly when their mission against Darnell doesn't go the way they want. Are they fated to meet once again?

Two Hearts’ Alliance is the second book I have read from the Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance series and I can say that Tamara Ferguson has a unique way of getting under your skin. Her writing and the epic love stories she crafts are gripping, smart, and heartwarming. In Two Hearts’ Alliance, Tamara Ferguson elegantly captures love in its myriad shades: infatuation, romance, lust, commitment, and obsession. This is a touching and charming novel about love, betrayal, wounded warriors, and taking second chances in life and in love. The dialogue and story flow nicely, which makes the story easy to devour. This romantic tale has the perfect balance of courage, romance, suspense, and adventure. I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Black Market News is a work of fiction in the dystopian genre. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Roman S. Koenig. The story follows Quinn Kellerman, a man living in a vision of America that exists according to the will of eState, a seemingly benevolent corporation that has infiltrated every aspect of its citizens’ lives. After an act of violence compels Quinn to action, he gathers his friends to create a news outlet that exists beyond eState’s control. Focusing their reporting on the truth behind eState and its dangerous leaders with their subversive methods for maintaining control, Quinn discovers he has the power to challenge the status quo.

As Quinn embarks on a mission to reveal the truth, we journey into a well-conceived and highly engaging work. The plot is a thought-provoking and intellectual one, which will make you feel uncomfortable at times as it parallels the world we live in, but this just added to the impact and the excitement that I felt during reading. This is a novel that will make you question and think deeper about the world around you, and one that will stay with you long after you put the book down. Author Roman S. Koenig has a keen sense of atmosphere, which he builds through tension and clues that he delivers in the clever use of both dialogue and scenic descriptions. The characters in this novel are fully realized and three-dimensional, and even our hero Quinn has flaws, which makes him a character you can easily connect with and learn alongside. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Black Market News to fans of dystopian fiction, and those that enjoy political and social thrillers.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Legend of the White Lion is a work of fiction penned by author Kathy Coons, and it fits well into the modern folk tale and mythology style of novel writing. The story is suited to the general reading audience, and it begins with the central character Mariah Brooke, who is frustrated that she isn’t where she wants to be in life. Knowing that her true calling isn’t to stay stuck in a small town in Kansas, Mariah takes the leap and moves to Seattle. But once there, Mariah discovers a valley village being terrorized by a mysterious white mountain lion, one that bears the same yellow eyes which call to her in dreams. Could this be the destiny she’s wished for all along?

Kathy Coons sets the scene for a transcendent and somewhat surreal story, but one which is deeply grounded in the emotional reality of the central character. We get to know Mariah so well right from the off, with a solid portrait of her grieving state and her very relatable desire to get out into the world and find her true place. What unfolds within the pages of Legend of the White Lion is a journey to strength, insight, and inner peace, but it does so with all the dark moments and sharp edges thrown in that real life hands us every day. The setting, atmosphere, and side characters in the work also beautifully highlighted these highs and lows in the drama, foreshadowing some gritty moments and alleviating others. I would highly recommend Legend of the White Lion for readers seeking something totally different in modern fiction: an original and heartfelt work indeed.