Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite

Naomi Finley continues to captivate the historical fiction audience with A Guardian of Slaves, the second book in her A Slave of the Shadows series. In 1851, near Charleston, Charles Hendricks dies in a carriage accident. Mr. Hendricks is survived by his daughter Willow, and his estranged brother, Ben. In the year since Charles’ death, Willow has taken on full responsibility of the Livingston Plantation, while Ben is in charge of the import and export business. However, there is another part of the Hendricks legacy to oversee; it is the secret tie that binds them together. The Livingston Plantation is a safe haven for those who seek refuge from the atrocities of slavery. Ben and Willow remain an intricate part of the Underground Railroad; many lives have passed through the family’s hands over the years. When the mysterious Silas Anderson purchases the property next door, tensions rise, especially between Willow and her longtime suitor. Willow and Bowden Armstrong are very much in love; however, love isn’t enough when the value of human life comes between you.

A Guardian of Slaves by Naomi Finley wrenches the heart with emotion. The narrative is written using Finley’s love of southern history and her personal life experiences. These two writing devices create inspirational characters within a realistic story. The narrative is written in the first person; however, the point of view changes from character to character. I really enjoyed this technique of writing; it gave an in-depth panoramic view by revealing the thoughts and intentions of different characters. The plot is not forced, nor does it become stagnant and, with a few surprising turns of events, it unfolds with delicate precision. The issue of slavery takes center stage. Held within the man versus man conflict lay witless traditions, confused loyalties, and the horrendous acts against humanity. However, harboring underneath this divergence is a story of love and devotion, proving, whether evil or good, the intentions of the heart make all the difference.

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 Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Just put a word like “Ripper” into the title of a mystery book, and you’re bound to attract interest from Jack the Ripper fans. But Fanny Newcomb and the Irish Channel Ripper by Ana Brazil is not about that dreaded murderer. Nor is it set in the darkened alleyways of old England. No, this historical fiction is set in the Irish Channel section of New Orleans in the late 1800s. As you join Fanny Newcomb and her unlikely fellow sleuths, Dr. Olive Giddings and her sister, Sylvia, in solving the heinous death of a young woman at the hands of this other Ripper, you will find yourself not only enjoying the challenge but also learning a great deal about the attitudes of men toward women way back then. Moreover, if you’re a modern day woman who is big on equality issues, don’t be surprised if you come away just a bit incensed at the narrow-minded male thinking you’ll encounter. But that will make you admire Fanny and her intelligent, resourceful team even more as they do what the men couldn’t do: identify the killer! After the police arrest Karl, whom the ladies are positive is not the Ripper, and the bloodthirsty mob is ready to string him up, Fanny, a prominent lawyer’s daughter, is so relentless in her attempt to save Karl from the gallows that the more she digs, the deeper she puts herself in danger. Her list of suspects is short, and the reader, like Fanny, has plenty of reasons to suspect any one of them. And that’s half the fun of reading this novel: will the one you picked out early in the story be the right one?

Ana Brazil has gone to a great deal of trouble to research her information on the life and times in late 1800s New Orleans, rife with prostitution, poverty, religious and cultural conflicts. She has supplied an extensive bibliography, and that accounts for the very authentic settings and attitudes in this story. Further, in a rather personal approach in the Afterword, Brazil supplies facts on which her historical fiction is based, along with giving the reader insight into how the characters of Fanny, Olive and Sylvia were created. This section is as interesting as the story itself. Fanny Newcomb and the Irish Channel Ripper is an excellent first novel, and going by the ending paragraph, one suspects Ana Brazil is possibly planning a sequel. I can actually see this developing into a TV series like the award-winning Canadian series, The Murdoch Mysteries. Has Ana Brazil set the stage for a similar series with this book? Only time will tell.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Lost Spy by Kate Moira Ryan is a Slim Moran Mystery story set in 1949 in Paris. Slim Moran is an American detective who has been hired to find a spy that is presumed to be dead. Slim and her Nazi hunter boyfriend run a detective agency called Pitchipol and business has been slow – until now. With Daniel off on the trail of another Nazi, Slim is left to deal with the case of Marie-Claire by herself and she soon finds herself embroiled in a mystery that is embedded in the last war. Now Slim is in a race against time – if she doesn’t find Marie-Claire, both of them could end up dead.

The Lost Spy (Slim Moran Mysteries) by Kate Moira Ryan is a thrilling tale set in post-war Europe. This story is full of historical facts and is written in a way that pulls you back in time. The story feels real, the characters are likable and well developed, and it’s a tale of mystery, spies, romance and lots of thrills along the way. There is plenty of action and many twists and turns, some that will have you on the edge of your seat. The historical side has been covered very well, adding substance to the story – it’s a story that most likely happened many times over after WWII. Shades of “Allo, Allo”, albeit a more serious than the TV show and a truly good read. I would say that if anyone is offended by lesbianism in any way, there are scenes set in a lesbian bar – nothing that I would consider offensive in any way though.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Awaken, Shadows of a Forgotten Past by Marcia Maidana is a beautiful blend of mystery and romance, with enticing elements of the supernatural, a book that will appeal to fans of time travel and romance. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the reader meets a nineteen-year-old girl, Florence, who has to leave behind her work at the monastery to look for a job. She is employed by a loner, the rich General Alexander Sterling. Her boss is a troubled man, with very dark secrets, haunted by a past he wishes never existed. General Alexander feels strangely connected to his employee and as though he were seeing his dead wife in her. The reader follows these two compelling characters as they brave all obstacles, fast falling in love with each other. But their romance won’t last long when the past catches up with their present. Thanks to a stranger, Florence must travel back in time to reconnect with her destiny, but can she return in time to the present to save their relationship from grave danger?

I was pulled in from the very beginning of the story and I enjoyed how the author portrayed elements of the setting, immediately drawing the reader’s attention to the hardship Florence experienced. Character development is top-notch and the reader can’t fail to connect with the characters. The plot is well-imagined and constructed to move fast. The story is told in excellent prose, filled with emotionally rich text and powerful descriptions that capture elements of the plot. Awaken, Shadows of a Forgotten Past is a work of great entertainment, a tale with deep characters and an emotional intensity that will keep readers focused. Marcia Maidana has the gift of sustaining the reader’s curiosity for as long as her story lasts. She is a mistress in the art of entertainment.

Reviewed by Eeva Lancaster for Readers' Favorite

The Empress Holds the Key begins in 1944 with the scene where two Jewish boys were taken and murdered by high-ranking Nazi officers. A picture of this gruesome event falls into the hands of Jack Rogan and this ignites a quest to identify and prosecute this war criminal... and something else... but nobody knows exactly what yet. Clue upon clue is uncovered as they go deeper into the mystery of the unknown officer in the picture, who carried a most strange violin. From Nazis to the Holocaust to Egypt, back to the legend of King Solomon and the Knights Templar, we are taken on this quest to find something that will not be clear until the last part of the story. A relic that could ruin Christianity and the Roman Catholic Church? Something the Templars protected and died for...

Gabriel Farago is a fine writer who can weave several story lines and make them come together in a satisfying conclusion. The history satisfied my fascination with forbidden and hidden knowledge. In The Empress Holds the Key, we are given clues and trivia galore, and you must not try to make sense of it all right away, but instead allow the author to take you on an adventure until all the answers are found. Characterization is wonderful. Jack Rogan does not dominate the story, and I thoroughly enjoyed Jana Gonski and the other supporting characters. Farago will take you inside the minds of terrorists and criminals and the mystery underlying everything will keep you turning pages to see where it's all leading. And you won't be disappointed. This is a well-written book that you can look forward to reading every time you put it down... if you can put it down. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Hollows: A Midnight Gunn Novel is an historical mystery novel written by C.L. Monaghan. Detective Inspector Arthur Gredge had a serial assailant on his hands. The circumstances surrounding the latest victim, a Miss Emmeline Rowbotham, were particularly troublesome due to her being a member of a prominent family and to the fact that she had not survived the attack. The assailant’s other victims were from the lower classes of society and had been found alive, if barely so, and, while conscious, strangely devoid of volition. The case was bizarre and troubling enough that Gredge felt compelled to bring in Midnight Gunn, a paranormal investigator whose familiarity with the dark shadows made Gredge decidedly uncomfortable. But he was convinced that only Midnight would be able to resolve the situation.

C.L. Monaghan’s historical mystery novel, The Hollows: A Midnight Gunn Novel, had me hooked from the first page. Any Sherlock Holmes fan will delight in watching the two detectives look for clues in 1860s London and risk life and limb tracking down a diabolical miscreant. Midnight Gunn is one of the most exciting new detective characters to come around in some time. As I read this book, I began hoping that Monaghan comes up with any number of new and extraordinary cases to occupy the fine minds of Gunn and Dredge. This author makes her historical setting come alive, and watching as this finely plotted detective yarn unfolds is sheer joy. More Midnight Gunn adventures, please. The Hollows: A Midnight Gunn Novel is most highly recommended.

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!