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.

Reviewed by Lucinda E Clarke for Readers' Favorite

On the opening page of Jenna Takes The Fall by A R Taylor, we first meet her in the inner sanctum of her boss’s office, staring down at his dead body. Did she kill him? No, but she’s asked to pretend he died of a heart attack while in the throes of passion with her. As a young and naïve girl who recently arrived in New York, and very unsure of herself, she complies, partly as a result of a very generous incentive. But what was behind the promises she made and the papers she signed? The answers to these questions swirl around in her mind and haunt her for years. A new life and a new career beckon but this means exile from her home country and friends. The family has a secret to hide and they are not sharing it with Jenna. She is forbidden to contact the people who might be able to tell her, but as she reinvents herself, she cannot rid herself of the past.

When I read the opening to Jenna Takes The Fall by A R Taylor, I was so intrigued that I had to download this book. The scenario of wriggling beneath the dead body of your boss was one of the most eye-catching beginnings to any book I’ve ever picked up. While I liked Jenna and felt for her, I did get annoyed with her for feeling so sorry for herself. Although she could not understand why she had been substituted for the real culprit, her recompense would have kept me happy for decades. It was a laugh-out-loud book to begin with that then became deeper as Jenna became more introspective. I loved the quotations at the beginning of each chapter, especially the ones from Jenna’s late grandmother, not someone who ever became famous, but so apt. The flow was excellent, an easy book that kept me turning the pages, wanting to know what happened. The end was satisfactory and tied up all the loose ends. The author’s ability to ‘show and not tell’ is excellent, putting the reader right into the scene. I just wanted to get my hands on Jenna and give her one good shake to remind her there is a big wide world out there so she should enjoy it.

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

Transient by Zachry Wheeler is set in a dark and distant future where death is obsolete. Jonas is a transient — a human spy living among immortals. His mission is simple: always learn, never get caught. In the year 2578, the planet is controlled by immortals and humanity struggles to survive in the mountains and forests, far away from the high-tech cities. Jonas has spent years in the lion’s den and he’s grown to admire the immortal civilization; he’s learned to love what he previously and blindly hated. A reckoning is coming. The fates of billions hang in the balance and when the ax falls, Jonas must choose between his species and the immortals he’s come to know as family.

I’m an absolute fan of authors, writing in any genre, who can create an entirely new environment and characterization from previously well-known characters—in this case, vampires who embody the noblest, equitable, and familial environment ever envisioned but never attained by humanity. Excerpts from historical articles and recon notes assimilated by Jonas over his years as a transient artfully fill in the blanks of his world and his purpose. Wheeler adeptly uses this plot tactic to add verisimilitude in building this strange new world without massive data dumps and simultaneously providing some breaks in the action. Transient is an exceptionally well-written, thought-provoking novel that ultimately carries a humanist message, contrasting feigned morality with perceived evil. The conclusion is, as usual in a series, a bit of a cliff-hangar. It’s not a steep cliff, just enough to leave the reader hungry for the next book, and an answer to the question, “did Jonas follow orders or not?” Fortunately for me, and I’m sure many readers to come, books two and three (Thursday Midnight and The Mortal Vestige) are readily available.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Two Hearts’ Reconnaissance (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 13) by Tamara Ferguson is a continuation of her fantastic romantic adventure series that centers around “wounded warriors”, returnees from war who are suffering from physical, mental, and emotional wounds in their service to the nation. The stories, based around Crystal Rock, the Dragonfly Pointe Inn, and FBI Agent Jake Loughlin are full of adventure, romance, and most importantly, hope. Thirteen-year-old Harry had been through a number of foster homes in his short lifetime, some good, some bad, and some positively evil. At present, he is with the Hamlins where his main task is to protect his six-year-old fellow foster child Amy from the Hamlins’ brutal and often violent treatment. When Harry realizes Ed Hamlin has discovered Harry’s secret -- a little dog, Millie, and her puppies -- he understands that Ed intends to drown the dog and her puppies in Crystal Lake. In desperation, Harry searches for a boat on the dock to rescue his beloved animals when he meets thirteen-year-old Eve, daughter of Tony and Danielle Loughlin, whose background and circumstances are eerily similar to Harry’s. It is apparent that a child-trafficking ring is still operating around Crystal Lake and Jake and his friend Gabe are determined to smash it once and for all, not to mention saving the lives of two little foster kids, Harry and Amy.

I’ve read a number of author Tamara Ferguson’s books both in this series and in other series. She is an author who has the wonderful knack of developing endearing, relatable characters and combining them in an exciting, often danger-packed adventure. The underlying thread of love, romance, and compassion runs through her stories, seamlessly and beautifully. Ferguson is a master of this genre. Two Hearts’ Reconnaissance (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 13) is another winner that captures readers’ hearts from the very beginning. The horrific nature of child abuse and exploitation is handled with care and great skill without dwelling on the actual gory details, which makes this and other works of hers so readable by such a large audience. The romance, the teenage angst, and the longing for acceptance and a home where he feels loved are screaming from Harry in every line of this story. A recurring theme of many of Ferguson’s works is this desire for the character to “give back” in some way for everything they’ve received, as part of their rescue and rehabilitation from the horrors of their past. In many ways, it is this desire that makes her characters so likable and so easy to empathize with for a reader. Her stories flow beautifully and her conversational writing style means most of her books are easily read in one concentrated sitting, perhaps in front of the fire on a cold afternoon. I love this author’s work and can highly recommend this iteration of the Wounded Warrior series.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Missing by Mian Mohsin Zia is a novel of mystery and crime inspired by true events. It centers on the main character Zia, also known as Z, a man who suffers the heartache of losing his wife and daughter, but whose strong character leads him to recover. Once back on his feet and needing a distraction to take his mind off things, he goes online and meets a woman named Lena, forming a friendship with her by sharing cultures. She says she is a Russian grad student in need of finances for a conference but is she really? Worse, she goes missing, and when Z tries to help her, he goes missing too. What's going on? You'll have to read this intriguing tale to find out. But circumstances aren't always what they seem.

Zia has created a compelling story of mystery and crime. Z is the perfect character for the situation as he is sort of a fish out of water and doesn't always understand what's going on, or why. Has his generosity and goodwill been taken advantage of? I like Z's character very much. He seems like a real person and actually so does Lena, but I wish more had been said about her and her background. I enjoyed reading about how the cultures interacted. The beginning of the book is a slow burn, and then it ramps up into a roller coaster of events that will leave you guessing. If you like books that have shifting points of view from past to present, and enjoy a gripping mystery that has you hooked until the end, you don't want to miss out on Missing by Mian Mohsin Zia.