Reviewed by Brenda Ballard for Readers' Favorite

Five women, each with their own tribulation, walk through life with their dreams that mean everything to them. The Visitor comes to make changes, to provide each a gem that, if things go well, will be the pivotal point that they yearn for.

The plot twists and the enticement of what the next page may unfold will leave the reader with chores still to be done and dinner uncooked. It is that impossible to put the book down! I loved the uniqueness of the plot; I have never read a story like this before. The author is very skilled at pulling the reader in and does not disappoint. She is a descriptive writer who manages to make the lucky reader feel as though they are right there in the story. Being the mom of four, it is clear that Karen Mc Dermott surely has a lot of opportunity to utilize her fantastic imagination but she doesn't stop at the family: she shares her gift with the world. I went back and re-read a couple of parts just because I enjoyed them so much. I cannot say that I do that often (if at all) normally. The author's name is one that I will look for now and then, just to see what else she has written. While I am really not the groupie type, I will definitely follow this woman's work! I highly recommend "The Visitor" to readers who enjoy this genre. It is that great!

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Ana is a beautiful and elegant woman who suffers from bipolar/schizo-affective disorder. She writes letters and keeps them in her backpack never mailing them. She feels her family is better off without her; however, the Rhode Island State Hospital didn’t suit her and she left after five days. After her escape she headed toward the Florida Keys. She was unaware of the angel that both guided and protected her along the way. Ana’s desire for death certainly kept her angel on his toes. The story of Ana hits too close to home for those whose loved ones have a mental illness. I know someone with a mental illness. They will take their medications until they feel better. Then they stop, believing they no longer need them. While this is difficult for many to understand, Grieme has a clear understanding and sheds light on this aspect of mental illness in her book. Medications take the edge off of the emotional high. Most bipolars enjoy the high and miss it when medication puts them on an even field. As Ana sinks farther into instability, the handwriting of the letters changes.

Grieme manages to capture the essence of the struggle of dealing with mental health issues. She clearly demonstrates the problems with the health system when it comes to dealing with mental illness. Grieme also points out the “guinea pig” reality of the drug companies. Author Amanda Grieme is a talented writer. In "Dear Prudence" she teams up with illustrator Amanda Kunzman. Students Mishelle Willson and Jean Melancon also contributed with their special artistic talents.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Zachary Kirk, with the help of two friends, was doing historical research relating to the coal mining communities of southern Alberta, for an assignment. As Zach looked through old newspapers he found a man named Dhugal Campbell. Zach found Dhugal’s story much more interesting than a coal mine. Dhugal, his wife Moira, and their 9 year old daughter came to America, the land of promise, in 1901. After working for 3 years they migrated west to the province of Alberta. Learning to farm was not easy and there were many hardships. In 1909 Moira died in childbirth. Dhugal was a changed man. What began with such hope ended with such sadness. Zach felt drawn to see the Campbell farm for himself. Something bizarre happened in the old Campbell house. Zach seemed to go back in time; something or someone was calling to him. After the death of her father, Miriam Campbell took over the farm. She was visited by angels that brought her visions and prophecy. She recorded all she saw and heard. Her brother in law, a politician and a con man, sees a way of exploiting Miriam. Years later the Miriam Church has power and Zach stands in their way.

WOW! I hardly know what to say and that rarely happens. Bob MacKenzie offers readers a masterpiece of fiction. I have to keep reminding myself that this is fiction. Alberta does not exist and this book is not based on any fact. My review can never do this book justice. Bob MacKenzie is a talented author. He made this book come to life. While the book’s genre is definitely thriller I found a wee bit of horror and paranormal in it. The characters are well done. Evie and Zach play well together. But what really makes this book unforgettable is the Campbell story and Miriam’s manuscript. I read this book in one setting. I just couldn’t put it down. I am not sure where MacKenzie got the idea for his plot but he developed it brilliantly. Mr. MacKenzie, you have just moved to the top of my favorite author list.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

At this time of political ups and downs, "Mockery" deserves a starring role as a book people who care about politics should read. The narrator is Sam Walker who was just a struggling writer as he began looking into the miraculous election of Third Party presidential candidate Mitch Taylor. Sam interviews those who worked for the major candidates who lost the election and finds that two party workers are deeply involved. He writes a book about the election and it becomes a best seller, making him wealthy. What happened? Laura Prestini and Terry Letizzle may have switched secret video tapes inadvertently, thus causing both of their presidential candidates to lose the election. One video tape shows Terry's candidate, Gotchell, having sex in a closet with an unknown woman, obviously not his wife. The other tape records presidential candidate Frakes making highly derogatory comments about senior citizens. Woops! Terry commits suicide while Laura climbs to the top politically. Sadly, he finds that Laura ruined Terry on purpose while she rigged an American election for her own benefit. Sam knows that he is being followed and even torn apart by malicious, baseless rumors. Can he survive all this intrigue or will Laura triumph again?

"Mockery" is a well-written, well-edited story with a plot that flows believably to its shocking conclusion. The games that people like Laura play do occur in our country's politics, although hopefully not at the Presidential level. Readers will be drawn into the story with plenty of good guy characters as well as bad guys or just weak and corruptible characters. Someone like Sam who fight against the system are not likely to win but the reader knows this already. Laura Prestini has made a mockery of U.S. elections and I am sure readers will be drawn to this book as to a magnet.

Reviewed by Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite

Former military intelligence operative, now small town lawyer James Becker, and his ex-CIA wife, Beth, have retired to Beck's hometown of Red Wing, Minnesota. Their retirement hasn't been exactly what they'd expected. Now, a new source of crime and intrigue has settled in their small community. A large Mexican drug cartel, tired of risking everything in cross-border actions, has set up shop in their county to make and sell crystal-meth. The new meth production facility is the largest in North America. But, to complicate things a little more, Becker's slightly eccentric, good friend and ex-special operations soldier, Terry "Bull" Red Feather, tells him that there may be other trouble coming their way. Bull's former comrade-in-arms is coming to Red Wing on a mission. After decades of assaults on the cartels, he is determined to finish it, once and for all, with plans to blow up the Minnesota meth plant. He wants Bull to help. The Beckers want no part of that but realize they must do something to dismantle the cartel operations before a full-blown drug war breaks out in Red Wing.

This story is very well written with interesting characters, good straight forward dialog and plenty of intrigue and action to keep the reader's attention and interest. I found it interesting that the author chose to use different points of view within the story. For the protagonist, and actions and scenes centered on him, it was first person; for the other characters, to include other major players as well as numerous flashbacks, it was third person. Although more writers are using the multiple POV format, it isn't widely done. In this case, the author managed to pull it off without any major distractions. I'm not sure if I'm a fan of this particular style of writing, but each reader can make up his/her own mind. Overall, The Covert Element is a good story with a good amount of suspense and action.

Reviewed by Lynette Fowlston for Readers' Favorite

Fatal Connection centers on the Sicilian Mafia, also known as La Cosa Nostra, and their international operations. It takes place in 1960-71, and the action moves between Italy and New York. Don Leonardo Marletti, who owns a distinctive winery, is the head of the organized crime family in Sicily. Three months following an assassination in his family, a will is read leading to deceit and greed among the family members—interactions that carry into the United States.

Fans of the Godfather movies will love this story. Fatal Connection is filled with suspense, deceit, romance, jealousy, infidelity and murder. The plot was interesting. It was difficult to keep up with the characters and there is extensive adult language used to make the mafia more realistic, which may not be for everyone.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Nick Farrington was a graduate of Windfield College. When he returned to Windfield to teach English, he was known as Nickie Farrell. Years before, Nick had an affair with Luanne Skinner, the abused wife of Jay-Bob, a state trooper. Nine months later she gave birth to her beloved son Collie, who was born with a distinct genetic trait: his eyes were two different colors. Nickie has the same genetic trait. By now the reader has guessed where this is going. Nickie was Collie's dad.

She's My Dad has a unique and interesting plot. The lead characters are Nick/Nickie, a transgender, and Collie. There are several secondary plots played out at the same time. Ambassador Eamon Douglass is dying of cancer. He wants to go out in glory knowing he has "saved" society. He plans to sacrifice himself as he takes out the Windfield College. Author Iolanthe Woulff offers readers a contemporary character-driven plot. She carefully weaves the threads of the various plots together to create a book that the most discriminating reader will enjoy. Woulff handles this topic with ease. Not all authors could draw sympathy for the characters and a tender love story. I particularly enjoyed the beginning of the tale with Nick and Luanne. Jay-Bob was a very abusive bully. Woulff successfully conveyed his anger and lack of regard for others. Most importantly, this book shows how Collie reacted when he discovered his father was a transgender.

Woulff manages to demonstrate hope and unconditional love in this tome. This book has Christian undertones; it is never preachy but gently lets its light shine.

Reviewed by Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite

Within the fiercely competitive world of horse racing which includes owners, trainers, vets, and jockeys, something has gone terribly wrong. As opening day approaches, one racehorse is poisoned, another has her leg crushed by a lead pipe and a third mysteriously disappears. Shock and horror grip the racing community as the message is simple: pay and your horses will not be touched. Despite all security efforts, the brutal killings continue.

In racing, a truly special horse may come along only once in a lifetime. Dan Morgan is an owner who has been waiting a long time; now it looks like he may just have it all in one wonderful horse named Aly Dancer. After an extortion scheme is hatched at the track, several horses are killed, and Aly Dancer could be next. Dan decides to pay off the extortionist, but at the same time, begins a search to find the monsters responsible. Dan joins up with AJ, a young hot walker, horse whisperer and more, to take on the system, protect Aly Dancer, and find the persons responsible for these heinous acts. But could this also put his life at risk?

Absolutely the best book I read in quite some time! Although this is not a classic mystery, spending a great amount of time determining who the bad guy are, it's a solid action-adventure-mystery filled with large doses intrigue. I quickly got caught up in the story and didn't want to stop reading. Bullet Work grabs you from the beginning and continues from there. In this book, the author gives the reader the chance to see the world of racing from a different side, the backside where everything is not all glamor and glitz. I found the cast of characters to be outstanding and the plot suspenseful and excellent. The author let the suspense continue to slowly build through each chapter to a thrilling end. Bullet work has it all: a great beginning, an excellent middle, and super ending. Very well done.