Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Heather and the Jabberwocky: An Amorous Journey into the Mythical Antiquity of Now by Peter Kelton is the story of a married couple just trying to enjoy a good holiday, but MI6 and the Italian Mafia have other plans. Heather never had a good life until she met Paul. She might have killed a man or chased a mailman with an ax, but she had her reasons. Tried and pardoned for the murder, she was put under psychiatric care, but she and her husband found that she was most stable when she was near water. They were enjoying their holiday at the Straits of Messina when she was kidnapped while swimming in the ocean and her husband was left baffled by what was happening. She had been kidnapped in a crazy scheme to trade her for a Mexican criminal being held in Brazil before being sent to the USA. Now Paul has to come up with an obscene amount of money to get Heather out of the clutches of her kidnappers, while Heather is trying to make sense of what is happening.

Best described as eclectic and fantastic, this is the perfect example of modern absurd literature where the reader has a grand time trying to solve the mystery and come up with their own conclusions. Even after spending a good amount of time thinking about it, I have not decided if Heather is delusional or if she is a genius. She and Paul are as bizarre and extraordinary as anyone could be; their adventures were filled with witty humor, impressively crafted scenarios and amazing ways through which this couple handled the situations. At first, I was confused but as the story continued, I knew that this was going to be a gem of a novel that I would love. The author is very good at building up a situation, taking it to epic heights and taking the reader there with it so that they experience the best literary adventure. Imperfectly perfect and simply a magical novel that I loved!

Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

John Graves’ Death by Design is not a novel for the faint of heart. It tells one of the most detailed stories about humanity’s extinction as orchestrated by a resolute, cold-blooded, and indomitable woman, a field veteran named Tracker. Through a series of well-planned attacks, Tracker aims at eradicating humanity from Earth and the sooner the better. Her plan works and humanity is really on the verge of extinction. However, people reveal unexpected resilience while others are at work to stop the calamities. Dr. Sharon Blake and her team try to find a cure for leukemia and then to save humanity. Will they make it on time?

Death by Design is worthy of admiration from many points of view. On the whole, this is one of the most intelligently developed novels I have ever read. I praise Graves’ extensive knowledge, necessary to write the many scientific passages of the book. I also like the representation of the characters. Tracker is so brilliantly portrayed that she made me shudder with her speeches and actions. On the other hand, her “opponent,” Dr. Blake, is a straightforward person with admirable traits, also because she has her personal fight to win. Furthermore, the development of Tracker’s plan is praiseworthy. Through the increasingly destructive catastrophes, Graves keeps the reader in suspense. He also shows “personal” repercussions on common people, who make their entries just before Tracker’s attacks shatter their lives. This is a delicate and tragic touch of realism. Readers will not be disappointed by Death by Design.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Webs of Perception is a work of general fiction and interpersonal drama penned by author Darlene Quinn. As the final novel in the Webs series, we return to the tumultuous lives of the Taylor family in a story which continues the dramas of some family members, but also introduces a new storyline for twins Callie and Marnie. Whilst their father Conrad struggles with work issues, mother Ashleigh works tirelessly for her three daughters, and sister Juliana bonds even more deeply with her sisters, the twins face separate and equally damning tragedies when the ship they are traveling on is hit by a rogue wave. So begins a torrid family drama with plenty of crests and troughs.

Life at sea has been anything but simple for the Taylor family, and author Darlene Quinn certainly doesn’t let them go out on anything but a high in this superb work of high drama at sea. The backstory is easy to catch up on, to see what most of the family members have been through, and now Callie and Marnie are caught up in a powerful story of forgetfulness, isolation, and loss as the family makes its way towards disembarkation at last. The dialogue between them is really realistic and relatable to a lot of families with grown-up children, and each person gets a dedicated treatment and development to feel very real indeed. The plotline switches between both sisters and is sure to hold the reader’s interest for its many twists, making Webs of Perception an essential read for fans of the series so far.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Two Hearts: Unlikely Heroes is a work of fiction in the romantic suspense sub-genre, and was penned by author Tamara Ferguson. The ninth book in the continuing series of Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romances, the work is recommended for mature readers due to the depiction of sexual scenes, though they are not overly explicit. The pair of protagonists at the heart of the action and romance within this novel is Captain Samantha Caldwell and Captain Benjamin Nash, both of whom have served time in Iraq. After a chance meeting some years ago, the past reunited them, but also brings a terrible danger for Sam that Ben has been tasked to protect her from. So begins a tense and tentative romance on the edge of danger.

Author Tamara Ferguson knows her audience well, and she is able to amp up the suspense to keep them on the edge of their seats whilst reading this highly passionate and engaged romance novel. The wounded warrior theme gives a unique perspective to the character development, as both figures are hardened heroes who understand real consequences beyond their passions. What results is an emotionally down to earth and tuned in drama, with plenty of real plot interwoven between the tense romantic scenes. I also really enjoyed the dialogue between the central pair, which served to present a lot of emotion and withheld feelings to ramp that suspense up even more. Overall, I would certainly recommend Two Hearts: Unlikely Heroes to fans of the existing series and new readers seeking intense and believable romantic drama.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

High Flying is a work of intriguing drama and time travel fiction penned by author Kaylin McFarren. In a story written for adults due to its explicit language and depictions of violence, we find ourselves following the trials of Skylar Haines, who can’t seem to subdue the deep-rooted anxiety from her dark past. When she learns to be a stunt pilot, the danger and adrenaline take her out of herself and her worries, until a terrifying storm changes everything. With the help of a mysterious voice, Skylar weathers the storm, but finds herself in a time just before she was born, one week before her father was murdered. What follows is a gripping tale of choices, emotions and personal strife.

Mixing science fiction concepts with both mystery and suspense, Kaylin McFarren is an author whose work will span many different genres to entertain different reader types. Skylar’s tale of personal woe and the desire to reinvent herself rings true with genuine emotional depth, which is given plenty of space to be explored when she visits her own pre-birth past. Here, the danger level spikes too, developing into a psychological mystery surrounding her father’s death and what it means to trust and be loyal to people. The writing is solid and well paced for a suspenseful feel, whilst the plot has a fair few twists to keep the pages turning. Overall though, High Flying is most likely to entertain those seeking a deeply personal drama and a strong but damaged heroine whom you can root for to the bitter end.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Paper Shepherd is the first book in the Grace Everlasting series by Olivia Landis - a powerful meld of Christian romance and coming of age with a great exploration of the emotional and personal development of the characters. Max and Tiar meet in very unusual circumstances. In fact, Max rescues her from bullies who circle her and treat her like a terrorist. Tiar is an orphan who knows very little about her past. They’ve told her lies about her past, starting with her great-grand father who lied about who he was. While she struggles to make sense of why they abandoned her the way they did, Max has to become not just a friend, but her hero. And he is about to make a decision that will change both their lives.

We encounter characters that are young and broken. Tiar immediately draws the sympathy of the reader. The setting comes out vividly through the narrative, from apt and vivid descriptions of places like Hectortown to elements of the weather like the wind and the darkening skies. The author makes it easy for readers to imagine the setting and feel as though they know the places and the alleys the characters walk. The psychological aspect of the conflict just blew my mind. Olivia Landis writes about relevant themes — family, friendship, love, and religion — and she does so in a way that is intimate and that allows readers to think about the themes without losing any of the entertainment the narrative offers.

The writing is impeccably good, with dialogues written so they sound natural, and the plot structure is well thought out. The Paper Shepherd feels real and the characters are appealing. I enjoyed the journey the two key characters make and readers will appreciate the psychological implications of dysfunctional families. This book showcases the author’s great gift for character, a fast-paced, gripping plot, and awesome thematic development.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Snooker’s Legacy: Matt Preston Series, Book 5 is a noir political thriller novel written by Paul Shadinger. Matt was in the decidedly uncomfortable position of still feeling the aches and pains from his recent foray into the Middle East, where he helped a friend in need and nearly lost his life in the attempt. The slowness of the healing process this time around made him aware that his aging body just didn’t heal as well or as quickly as it used to. He also realized that he wanted his long-distance relationship with Lois to get to the next level -- or did he? They were perfect together, and he always couldn’t wait to see her, but was she the one? While he mulled over his rather uncertain and short-term future, Matt received a call from Senator Albert Bradson, a long-time friend, who had an important decision to make and needed Matt’s help. Matt knew he would not leave his friend in the lurch.

Paul Shadinger’s hero finds himself in a darker place than his previous tales. Matt would be the first to admit, to Lois at least, there was an anger that fueled his actions since that nearly fatal Middle East mission, and the reader can’t help but see it in his occasionally brutal responses to the bad guys he encounters and his air of nonchalance about that brutality. Though PTSD is never really mentioned, Matt and his veteran friends are no doubt fairly cognizant of the condition and Matt’s vivid dreams and acknowledgment of that anger seem almost to lead to something that might be addressed in a future book. Anger aside, Matt is his usual caring and compassionate self, whose “knight in white armor” persona shows up again and again, most vividly when he rescues an abused wife on the run. As I read, I couldn’t help but wonder what comes next for the hero who is clearly having issues with change, anger, and the future.

Snooker’s Legacy is well written, and the plot will delight thriller readers who like their literature thought-provoking and occasionally deep. Shadinger’s characters are intriguing and credible, especially the diminutive Mouse whose inner rage is also something the reader is witness to in this book. Classic detective fans will also encounter the occasional nod and homage the author pays to his forebears in the genre. I appreciated the marvelous entree into the world of classic cars the author leads into later on in the book. Snooker’s Legacy is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Author Tamara Ferguson regularly brings us new iterations of her wounded warrior series and Two Hearts Under Fire (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 8) is the latest story in that franchise. Airman Russ Quinlan and his team are targeted and their transport destroyed en route in Iraq. When Russ returns to the States, he realizes that someone has been trying to frame him and the subsequent inquiry may well lead to his own court-martial and a lengthy prison sentence. Whilst looking for help, he contacts his old friend, AFOSI Agent Brand Reardon, but instead finds the beautiful Claire Ellis at Brand’s apartment, a friend of Brand’s fiancée, Sarah. When a gunman attacks the pair for no obvious reason, they aren’t sure quite if the target is Russ or Claire. Claire, it seems, is on the run and hiding from a violent and deranged ex-husband who wants to kill her. The pair takes to their heels in a mad dash across country in upstate New York and the Great Lakes area to escape whoever is after either one of them. The attraction between the pair is electric from the first moment they meet and can only get deeper and more intense the more they are thrown together in this race for their lives and safety with their friends Brand and Sarah in Crystal Rock, Wisconsin.

This is not the first Tamara Ferguson book I’ve read. I can honestly say Two Hearts Under Fire is up there with the best of the stories I’ve read from her to date. Two things I particularly love about this book and about all of this author’s work is the immense amount of action, excitement, plot twists, and romance, she can jam-pack into what is essentially a smallish novel. I’ve read some books with this much excitement that are double the size and yet Ferguson loses nothing in the paring down of her work. There are no wasted words or padding in her books, which make them simple and easy to read in one sitting. In fact, it is always hard to put a Ferguson novel down and this one is no exception. The second thing I love about her writing is the sensitive and caring natures she manages to build into these giant, hulking men, many ex-special forces operatives, whom she shows are capable of feeling and expressing deep emotion without shame. I also appreciate that much of the action takes place against the backdrop of The Wounded Warrior Hospital and the school for children with disabilities, both in Crystal Rock. These are obviously twin passions of the author and they fit in perfectly with her stories. This is a great read and one I can highly recommend.

Reviewed by Trisha Dawn for Readers' Favorite

Blackwell: Prequel to the Magnus Blackwell Series tells the history of the titular character. Written by Alexandrea Weis with Lucas Astor, the story explains how Magnus lived his life and how he ended up with such a fate. The year was 1886 when the rich Magnus Blackwell met orphan Jacob O’Connor at Harvard. Despite their great differences, they developed a close friendship. However, both fell in love with the same woman. Although Blackwell denied any ill feelings towards his friend, this drove him to the dark side which eventually led to his own undoing.

Authors Alexandra Weis and Lucas Astor have created a seductive world in which readers will not have difficulties getting deliciously lost. The novel is quite addictive; it won’t be easy to put down! It’s the cohesiveness of the characters, them being at the right (or wrong) place at the right time and human imperfection which make it a successful narrative. Magnus Blackwell is your classic bad boy, chasing skirts even when he had an interest in someone, but his character evolution made him unpredictable and who wouldn’t want to know what he does next, right? Jacob O’Connor, the good guy, had an interesting turn and I doubt people wouldn’t want to follow up on what happens to him. The main women – Frances and Katherine – deviate from the usual 1800s ladies and having them in the story made everything extra spicy.

The authors have also presented us with interesting, mystical and sexy themes but they wrote in such a way that it wouldn’t be confusing or messy. This novel was able to present humanity seriously while injecting seduction and something supernatural, shaping it into a very sexy, magical and compelling read. This book is highly recommended most especially for those who want to get away from daily life for a little while.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

In the scintillating supernatural mystery, Eye of the Moon by Ivan Obolensky, two young men battle family discord and the forces of the occult. Percy's parents had no place for him in their busy lives and left him with their close friends, the Dodges. Percy was the same age as the Dodges' son Johnny, and the two boys grew up together as brothers. When they were young, Johnny's Aunt Alice died unexpectedly during a house party. Alice had lived an extraordinary life, and her death was out of the ordinary. Rumors of murder had been whispered about, but nothing ever came of the innuendos. Many years later, at a weekend house party the Dodges are giving for old friends and family, things again take an unexpected and shocking turn, and Percy is surprised to find himself in the midst of it. For a bit of fun, Johnny and Percy delve into one of Alice's ancient occult books and receive unexpected results. A lot of old secrets are revealed, and the familial fur begins to fly. Will Johnny and Percy survive the family celebration without being disinherited or exiled? Or even worse, will they suffer the same fate as Alice?

Eye of the Moon by Ivan Obolensky is a thrillingly eerie mystery novel with a Gothic ambiance and supernatural elements seeping through the story line. The intriguing tale is told from the main character Percy's point of view, engaging the reader with his articulate and conscientious personality. From the beginning, Percy relates his history and that of each person in the narrative, melding their past with the present. Despite the chronology of the many events the characters had experienced before the story began, they are combined to create a fabulously spine-chilling plot. This is an amazing novel, and I recommend it to those who love a spooky mystery with a supernatural flavor. However, it would be more suitable for a mature audience as there are a few mild references to drug use and sexual encounters.