Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Seed of Corruption: A Novel by A.I. Fabler is an action-packed conspiracy thriller with two powerful protagonists. Anton Faraday is a British wildlife painter who loves nature and wants to capture and beautify it in his art. However, things turn bad when someone makes a copy of one of his best paintings and makes money from it. Angry and desperate for answers, Anton packs his bags and travels to Vietnam to find the culprit. There he meets the pretty and fierce Caroline Brinkley, a freelance journalist on the hunt for her adoptive brother and a breakthrough story. They decide to travel together without knowing the SARS epidemic is ready to strike and make life hell for everyone in the country. Now, Anton and Caroline have to find what they are looking for, survive the epidemic, and come out of this ordeal in one piece. Seems impossible, right?

The suspense is alive in The Seed of Corruption. Author A.I. Fabler is a magician with words and storytelling. Some twists and turns make the story more entertaining, the dialogues are refreshing, and the character development is on point. There is not a moment where the reader is confused. The plot is intricate, intense, and packed full of action. You can feel when Anton is lost and feeling the pressure of being overwhelmed by his surroundings. The descriptions are evocative and vivid enough to make you feel like you are right next to Caroline and Anton. The two work together very well and make the perfect sleuth duo. The themes of art theft and missing family members run in the background as Anton and Caroline grow and develop. You can tell Fabler did a lot of research on the SARS epidemic in Vietnam and its surrounding countries and that enhances the reading experience. Loved it!

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Tree Pose: Yoga Mat Mysteries is penned by author duo Susan Rogers and John Roosen in the cozy mystery, crime thriller, and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. We’re back with this fantastic series in a gripping tale set in Tasmania, Australia, where Ric Peters and Elaina Williams find themselves ensnared in a nightmare. As Devil's Island lives up to its ominous reputation, Ric confronts his own demons while facing the repercussions of a catastrophic mistake in Indonesia. With death closing in from all sides and a vengeful hitman on the prowl, Ric's past threatens to unravel his relationship with Elaina as they navigate corruption, secrets, and the specter of revenge.

Author team Susan Rogers and John Roosen have brought their very best suspense skills together to craft this fantastic narrative brimming with twists, secrets, and heart-pounding intrigue. The dynamic between Ric and Elaina is palpable, and I enjoyed the unique dialogue twists that characterize them both as well as their humor and the ways they challenged one another. The authors' vivid descriptions also extend into the vibrant setting of the novel, bringing the island to life with every sight, smell, sound, and sensation, and immersing readers in both the beauty and the shadows to match the tension of the plot. I found the mystery elements to be well-paced and varied with different ways of revealing clues, which certainly keeps you on your toes and guessing at the conclusions before Ric and Elaina start putting the pieces together. Overall, Tree Pose is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense, offering a captivating blend of intrigue, romance, and adventure against the backdrop of Tasmania's mysterious allure.

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

Contention: A Novel of International Suspense and Intrigue by Gary D. McGugan introduces readers to Fidelia Morales, the leader of one of the most prominent groups in the sinister world of organized crime. Living under Fidelia's strict control, Howard Knight masterminded various crimes for her and her illicit organization. Howard wanted his freedom and asked Fidelia to give him a chance to create a new corporate espionage operation based on the island of Aruba. Suzanne Simpson, a wealthy, intelligent, and honorable woman, was the chief executive and owner of Multima Corporation but she was in the way of Fidelia and Howard's plans. Fidelia had always wanted to take over Multima Corporation, one of the biggest companies in the world, and was determined to accomplish her goal. Would Suzanne recognize the warning signs of imminent danger in time to protect her company?

Contention by Gary D. McGugan is an edge-of-your-seat thriller, and I was hooked from the first page. It was fast-paced and full of action. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what would happen next. There was always a surprise waiting around the corner. The characters were well developed. They were authentic and relatable. The stories of the three main characters were woven together intriguingly. Each character had a background story, and I got to know them better as a result. The story is well-written, and I was engrossed throughout. Reading this account was a nail-biting experience that had me guessing until the end. It was much more than I expected.

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

In Lily's Payback, a thriller by Andy Rose, while researching potential cheap fuel alternatives that could be commercially viable, Lily Ferguson's twin brother, Kyle Ferguson, was murdered. Lily touched Kyle's casket during his funeral and swore to her Scottish ancestors that she would get revenge. Lily met Bobby, Daniel, and Mimi, her fellow teachers at a school in New York City. The four were romantically involved and helped Lily through her loss. The man who killed Kyle was Russia's legendary figure, Zokov. After his mother was murdered, Zokov was left an orphan and had to fend for himself on the streets of Moscow. Bobby suggested that they ask his uncle for help when the police were unable to find the killer. Bobby's uncle knew what was happening in New York City's streets.

Lily’s Payback by Andy Rose is filled with drama, romance, mystery, and excitement. I found the descriptions of the various city areas interesting, and I had no trouble visualizing the places described in the story. It was an action-packed thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. The characters had considerably more depth, and their history played a significant role in who they were; they were not your usual villain and heroine type. In addition to their dedication to the teaching profession, the teachers in this story were also heroes outside the classroom. There were frequent descriptions of Zokov's past, and I better understood where he came from. Loyalty, bravery, and mystery were all skillfully combined in this well-written tale.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Two Hearts’ Christmas Wedding is a work of fiction in the romance, interpersonal drama, and slice-of-life genres, and is the twenty-second novel in the epic Two Hearts' Wounded Warrior romance series. It is best suited to mature readers owing to scenes of a sexual nature throughout. Penned by author Tamara Ferguson, in this latest novel, we meet Camille Laurent and Rafe Broussard as they experience their unique take on love at first sight during the holiday season. However, their bliss is disrupted by intrigue and drama when Camille discovers she has a stalker, and Rafe is recruited to aid the FBI domestic terrorism unit while serving as an Army Ranger. Will they ever achieve their happily-ever-after amidst these challenges?

Author Tamara Ferguson utilizes her many talents in deep characterization and sensational love stories to craft a captivating read filled with romance, suspense, and heartwarming moments. Camille and Rafe's love story unfolded against the backdrop of danger and uncertainty, with an ever-growing tension in their relationship that is highlighted by their emotional bond growing as well as the many harrowing and exciting challenges of the plot. Ferguson's skillful storytelling kept me engrossed with every brilliantly paced moment as I followed their journey, rooting for them to overcome the obstacles in their path to happiness thanks to the close narrative of both personalities. The dialogue really showcases their similarities and differences as they work through different issues, making them both seem like real people we’ve gotten to know and fallen for. This makes their triumphs and struggles feel genuine and relatable, grounding the plot in reality even when the stakes get daringly high around them, and keeping readers eagerly turning pages until the eventual mercy of a very heartwarming conclusion. Overall, Two Hearts’ Christmas Wedding was a delightful blend of romance and intrigue, showcasing Ferguson's talent for consistently crafting engaging and emotionally satisfying stories. I’d highly recommend this and the series in general to romance fans everywhere.

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 Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Cobra Pose by Susan Rogers and John Roosen is part of the Yoga Mat Mysteries series. When Elaina discovers that her father is missing, she turns to the person she trusts most - Ric. They take a trip to Brisbane to investigate only to learn of an impending threat that could be devastating on a worldwide scale. The search for her father sends them on a chase after cyber-attackers that have a disastrous plan in store and seek to uncover Elaina’s father’s involvement. This creates a game of cat and mouse that becomes more dangerous as events unfold. Their trip takes an unexpected turn that makes Ric question how best to keep Elaina safe as her life may be in danger.

Elaina and Ric make a beeline for Australia in search of answers concerning Elaina’s father and become involved in a deeper conspiracy. His disappearance creates an intriguing background for exploring the father-daughter dynamic. The plot is action-packed with suspenseful elements that create a thriller-like structure. The story focuses on cyber-attacks which are an increasing reality, especially with advancing technology providing more opportunities for hackers. Susan Rogers and John Roosen create a mystery that is exciting, ominous, and dangerous. Underneath the suspenseful elements, Australia provides a peaceful backdrop with lights in the sky, tour boats plying the water, and beach scenes. Yoga is a prominent theme throughout, despite Elaina taking a week off from Yoga Boronia.

Elaina uses yoga as a way to keep her mind steady and to remain calm as she is often seen using it to ground her mind and even trigger a deeper breathing pattern. The use of yoga is an interesting way to introduce a peaceful tone to the story and help to ground the plot in the same way it mentally grounds her. The dynamic between Elaina and Ric stems from the sweet chemistry and respect they share. The way they work together to investigate shows how they’ve formed a true partnership. Several moments show this connection with how Ric keeps his promise to be there for her and comforts her when she needs a shoulder to cry on. Cobra Pose is a thrilling mystery that blends suspense, action, and investigation with a gorgeous setting and a plot that is grounded in reality.

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!