Reviewed by Jane Finch for Readers' Favorite

A Slave of the Shadows by Naomi Finley tells the story of Willow Hendricks and her life at the Livingstone Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina during the mid 1800s. Willow finds herself increasingly disturbed by the treatment of the slaves on not only her own plantation, but on neighbouring ones too. She is raised by Mammy, a black slave, and Mammy’s daughter becomes her best friend. Willow is tormented by the little knowledge she has of her own mother, and resentful of her father who is strict and uncompromising. Willow makes friends with Whitney Barry from a neighbouring plantation and together they set out to try to make life better for the slaves, and to fight against the slaves’ oppression. However, the actions of Willow and Whitney threaten to get out of hand and when Willow finally finds out the truth of her past, she realises that life will never be the same again.

The author, Naomi Finley, has skilfully crafted an epic story of oppression and obsession set in the deep south during a time when equality was unheard of and slavery was the norm. The characters of Willow and Whitney are perfectly developed, and the descriptions of life in these times is both upsetting and awe-inspiring. This is absolutely a book that has to be read if possible in one sitting, because it is impossible to put down. Each chapter leaves the reader hanging and consistent reading is compelling. Well done to an author that not only has a message to portray, but has done so in a professional and incredible way. An amazing book, and I, for one, can’t wait for the sequel. I enjoyed it immensely.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Constant Guests by Patricia Nedelea is a complex story with multiple themes, and, as a debut novel, it is little short of a masterpiece. Isa’s story covers so many centuries, involving a tarot deck from 1389. It isn’t until the time of her real mother’s death that Isa finds out that the person she’d thought to be her mother isn’t her real mother. She doesn’t even know who her father is. When she discovers the truth about her parents, she sets out on a very dangerous journey to uncover her real identity, but little does she know that things have been kept hidden from her for a reason. She’s in for the most disturbing discovery of her life, if only she can live long enough to find out what it is.

Constant Guests combines different elements of storytelling to deliver a literary treat that readers will find irresistible, the kind of work that will appeal to lovers of fantasy, thriller, and mystery. Patricia Nedelea seems to have done her homework and her work features compelling historical elements, a bubbling imagination, and characters that are hard to let go. The reader is hooked from the opening lines of this interesting novel. The girl wakes up behind bars and has a hard time determining why she’s locked up. Her recollections of the previous night offer readers a powerful glimpse of her personality and set the tone for the entire story. The writing is polished and reads smoothly. I was most impressed by the powerful plot lines and the seamless integration of different historic moments into an absorbing story.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Set in the glitzy atmosphere of eighteenth century England, Deadly Peril: A Georgian Historical Mystery by Lucinda Brant is book 3 in the Alec Halsey mysteries. When Alec Halsey escaped from Midanich for the first time, he vowed never to return there again. But now, Emily St. Neots and Sir Cosmo Mahon are imprisoned in this place that holds many dark secrets and their lives are in grave danger. This time, Alec has no choice but to go back to the place where the Margrave and his sister await him, not as an old friend, but with deadly intent. What was it he did to draw the anger of the Margrave and can Alec, with the English delegation, outwit the enemy and save their friends?

Lucinda Brant is a gifted storyteller and she has the gift of recreating history, making readers relive a historical era with vividness. This is a book with well-explored themes, like love and romance, kidnapping, war, and much more. The author lets these themes come across beautifully through the narrative. The book is laced with action and I enjoyed the fact that Alec and his companions have to brave many odds, including the inclement weather and a solid army as they journey to the rescue of their friends. The romance featuring Alec and Selina that is introduced in the story beefs up the plot and helps in adding to the powerful suspense. The setting is nothing short of glorious, with the rough landscapes, the people in a culture of war, and fascinating landscapes captured in elegant prose. From plot to character, Deadly Peril: A Georgian Historical Mystery is an intriguing, beguiling, and utterly entertaining story.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

It’s somewhat disconcerting to be all caught up in the latest plot twist which has come suddenly toward the end of a book, to turn the page and suddenly find yourself reading the “Acknowledgements”. What happened after the protagonist put a letter in her pocket and decided she knew what she must now do? Then it dawns on you: of course! A Ring of Truth is the second book in a series set in Chicago in the mid 1930s, starring the beautiful Henrietta and her handsome, rich fiance, police inspector Clive Howard. We have been so caught up following the romantic love story of these two, who have just had an elaborate engagement party and have set their wedding date for three months away, that we’ve forgotten A Ring of Truth is part of a series that began with Michelle Cox’s first book, A Girl Like You. How clever of the author to hook us like that. Will we be able to wait to find out what Henrietta’s decision was in book three, A Promise Given?

While the primary focus in A Ring of Truth is the beautiful love story of Henrietta and Clive, which reminds us of classics like Pride and Prejudice or the movies My Fair Lady and Pretty Woman, it comes with a sinister sub plot involving criminals, violence against women, theft and murder. This subplot is what first brought Henrietta and Inspector Clive Howard together. It leaves Clive worried what danger may befall his beloved Henrietta in the months ahead, while she and his high society mother, Antonia, plan the wedding of the year. Simultaneously, it leaves the reader anticipating the upcoming book. Where will Michelle Cox take us, her protagonists and their immediate families?

Michelle Cox is wonderful at creating characters who come alive on the page. As Henrietta, who comes from a very humble, lower class part of Chicago, wonders how she can possibly fit in at Highbury Estate, where she feels more at home with the servants than with Clive’s often very proper parents, her struggle is so real that readers feel her every emotion and doubt. The same applies to Clive, who, while he never questions his love for his bride-to-be, is also dogged by questions about his future as a police inspector and/or, one day, the master of Highbury Estate and taking over his father’s business. Cox weaves a rich tapestry of characters into the primary plot of A Ring of Truth and keeps her readers guessing till the end…and then even after the last page is read! If you enjoy series of this kind, love touching romantic stories, well defined characters, and just enough nastiness to keep you turning pages, you’ll love A Ring of Truth.

Reviewed by Sarah Rollins for Readers' Favorite

The Scattered Flock is the second novel in The Flock Trilogy by Jana Petken. Set in Spain during the Spanish Inquisition, the book immediately struck me as incredibly well researched and thought out in terms of the historical elements built into the story. The author has a very natural writing style as she develops her characters and the plot itself. David Sanz is the lead character, who is re-introduced following the first book, and is a Spanish Jew who has endured many tragedies in his life to date. We are then introduced to a second protagonist, Rafael Perato, leading a much more regal existence, who gives the reader a definite contrast to the life and times during this era. Both, however, are on their own quest for justice during what is evidently a cruel and torturous period of history.

Jana Petken writes a real page turner in The Scattered Flock, and I didn’t feel that I had missed out by not reading the first book in this series. This is the art and quality of a good writer, one who allows a reader to pick up any novel in any order, but at the same time, leaving me, as the reader, wanting to go back to the start and read the first book in this intriguing and cleverly written trilogy. I congratulate Jana on her style, poise and passion, and whilst the story line can be graphic at times, she does this with grace, making me feel like I was there watching every moment in her characters’ lives. Truly deserving of its five star rating, The Scattered Flock is a fantastic read! Really excellent story - I literally could not put it down, reading from cover to cover!

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Corrigans’ Pool is an historical fiction drama that will transport you back to the 1860s of southern plantation days. The Civil War is about to begin and life will soon change for Ella Corrigan and her family. Ella meets and falls in love with Gentry Garland. Gentry is far from his Texas home and hoping to find some good horses to add to his herd. Victor Faircloth is the owner of a nearby plantation and hopes to win the hand of Ella, even though he knows she has no interest in him and tries to avoid him at all costs.

Events follow that change the lives of many, but mostly Ella's. She soon finds it necessary to marry Victor and give up the life she has always dreamed of. Victor is a mean man, who shows his cruelty to all; his new wife, his slaves and anyone who gets in his way. Gentry has left and gone back to Texas. Ella soon gives birth to a son that is the only light in her life. We are drawn into the events, adventures and actions that mold each of these characters and we cry, laugh and hope right along with them for the answers.

Corrigans’ Pool by Dot Ryan will remind you of Scarlet O’Hara and her precious Tara and if you enjoy this kind of history then you must read this book. I was hooked on the first page and never disappointed. I so wanted it all to work out for Ella and see justice against Victor. The supporting cast was equally as entertaining and they too had me totally involved in the story. Corrigans’ Pool is definitely a winner and Dot Ryan is a master writer on matters of the “Old South.”

Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

Sherlock Holmes and the Dance of the Tiger (The Great Detective in Love Book 2) by Suzette Hollingsworth is a historical mystery fiction novel that takes place after Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Sword Princess. This is a book that would appeal most to a diverse audience of adults and young adults who enjoy Sherlock Holmes stories, as well as those who have enjoyed the previous book in The Great Detective in Love series. An undercover British agent becomes the victim of a tiger attack and the Queen’s cousin, the Commander-in-Chief of the British army, begins to romance a circus rider in the middle of a spy ring. Sherlock Holmes is brought in to handle the situation, but finds himself unable to infiltrate the Cirque d'Hiver due to his gender. That leaves only one choice; to send in his laboratory assistant, Mirabella Hudson. Will Mirabella have what it takes to be a tiger trainer’s assistant, and will she be able to investigate the espionage, murder, secrets, and the lost princess without being caught?

Sherlock Holmes and the Dance of the Tiger (The Great Detective in Love Book 2) by Suzette Hollingsworth was a very well written story that set itself apart from the large number of Sherlock Holmes books with the addition of Mirabella Hudson. I really liked the fact that Mirabella Hudson added a female element to the book; it was nice to read a Sherlock Holmes story with a main female protagonist. I personally found Mirabella to be my favorite character as she was able to think on her feet, roll with the punches, and somehow come out on top. I greatly enjoyed reading this novel and I hope to see more books featuring Mirabella from this author!

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

The Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure is a historical mystery by Richard T. Ryan. In 1501, Michelangelo is commissioned by the pope to create cameos of specific cardinals portraying the seven deadly sins they commit. Michelangelo becomes a pawn in a scandalous religious game among members of the Holy Order. In 1901, Pope Leo XII hires Sherlock Holmes to retrieve the precious cameos that were stolen from the papal apartments. The thief gives the pope an ultimatum, which he is reluctant to agree to, but the cameos will cause the Vatican embarrassment if they are shown to the public. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson find themselves playing cat and mouse with a crafty thief who knows how the game is played, but so does detective Holmes.

The Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure is a historical mystery I found intriguing and thought-provoking. “Practice what you preach,” is a phrase many cardinals did not observe and Richard T. Ryan’s vivid descriptions of their activities make this cleverly written story engaging and witty. It is also somewhat similar to certain incidents that have occurred in modern society. There are sections in the novel that are based on historical facts, such as “The Ballet of Chestnuts,” and the characters of Cardinals Medici and Rovere existed. I have more appreciation for Michelangelo’s art as I learned more about his talents as an artist and sculptor while reading. Sherlock Holmes is another character who made this book more fascinating and I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

Henrietta, eldest of eight children, often feels the burden of trying to keep her family afloat after the death of her father. While her mother takes in mending and her younger sister does the same, most of the living expenses fall on Henrietta’s shoulders. Henrietta does not complain, though, as her assortment of jobs gets her out of the small home filled with children and misery. Her employers are kind folk and always willing to do what they can to help Hen, but times are difficult and the economy suffers.

So, when her friend, Polly, announces that Hen really needs to apply for an usherette position at the Promenade, Henrietta is forced to lay aside good judgement in lieu of the extra money she can earn working at a job of which she knew her mother would not approve. All goes well until Mama Leone, the proprietor of the Promenade, is found dead, putting everyone under suspicion and the careful eye of detective inspector Clive Howard. With Howard on the case, Henrietta is alarmed when she realizes that this is much bigger than one dead woman. As the body count grows, so do Hen’s feelings for Clive Howard.

Reminiscent of clandestine affairs with a Philip Marlowe vibe, A Girl Like You: A Henrietta And Inspector Howard novel by Michelle Cox, will transport the reader into that golden era of gumshoe romance. Cox’s use of literary detail brings scenes into full focus as the reader anxiously races through the pages of this deliciously written cloak and dagger affair. A delightful story.

Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite

Last Stop: Paris by John Pearce is the thrilling sequel to Treasure of Saint-Lazare. Ex-soldier Eddie Grant is just starting his life over in France with his beautiful fiancée, Aurelie. As a favor to a friend in the CIA, Eddie and Aurelie attend a banker's party in Paris. Excusing themselves from the party early, they plan to meet some friends at a small cafe within walking distance. On the way, they witness a man thrown from Aurelie's rental apartment. Suddenly, Eddie and Aurelie are flung into the middle of a conspiracy that spans several years. As they become more involved in the plot, Eddie's happiness is threatened when his old flame, Jen, appears, asking for his help. Through her, he finds out that the elusive man he is after is the same man that killed his family a few years ago. Can Eddie focus on the present and stay true to Aurelie? Or will he succumb to Jen's seductive charms and their recent past? Things heat up when Aurelie disappears and they discover what the abductors really want: Eddie.

Last Stop: Paris by John Pearce was a fast paced book set in various, richly described locations in Europe. Although it's the second installment in The Eddie Grant Series, I didn't have difficulty following what had happened in the first book, Treasure of Saint-Lazare. I loved that the reader is thrown into the story immediately and the action just keeps going to the last pages. Last Stop: Paris is filled with action, political espionage, and a murderous vendetta carried out by one of the world's most elusive and richest men. A fascinating book and a great sequel. I would suggest Last Stop: Paris to those that enjoy action, thrillers, espionage, and seeing politics from a different vantage point. A great thriller by John Pearce. The book was awesome!