Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Run! Katie! is a paranormal mystery thriller by Doris Pariso. It's been twelve years since Katie Parish's mother, Sharon, went missing without a trace, leaving Katie and her father, John, alone. Now a college student, Katie deals with the trauma of losing her mother the best way she can; running. Meanwhile, Peter Dorjen, a well-known psychic, has recently acquired the ability to listen to deceased souls from the other side. So when Sharon's spirit warns him of grave danger to her daughter, Peter must do everything he can to protect Katie. He travels to Harperstown and, alongside Katie's eccentric Aunt Patty, delves into deciphering Sharon's messages. But a dangerous man is back to his old ways, and Katie is the next victim on his mind. Will Peter be able to help Katie avoid a similar fate as her mother?

Doris Pariso has created a captivating yarn filled with mystery, suspense, and thrills. Run! Katie! is a thriller with just a hint of the supernatural to make it all the more intriguing. Pariso's smooth prose and easygoing narrative make the story a breeze; you can read it in one sitting. The characters have well-defined personalities that differ, but this is primarily a plot-driven story. A couple of well-placed twists take you by surprise and keep you glued to the pages. Grab a copy if you're in the mood for a fast-paced mystery thriller.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

House of Mirrors is a work of fiction in the paranormal thriller subgenre. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Nola Weeks Nash. In this chilling and mysterious story, we enter a paranormal world when Ruby Baxter, a local tour guide and sometime-medium in the little town of Franklin, Tennessee, finds herself wrapped up in the ghosts of the past and the troubles they bring to the present day. Taking us back through some of the atrocities and struggles of the Civil War as it took place in Franklin, Ruby must try to settle the restless spirits of the dead in order to give the living some sense of peace.

Author Nola Weeks Nash has crafted a multi-dimensional tale of paranormal drama that will enrapture fans of historical fiction, military tales, contemporary drama, and ghost stories alike. The writing in itself is impressive, as it captures perfectly the small-town atmosphere and environment in every tiny detail of setting and dialogue touches, whilst also keeping a confident hand on the pacing and progress of the overall plot. I really loved Ruby as a central protagonist as she was a reluctant hero and not without reasonable fear, but she was also brave and filled with interesting skills that helped her to solve problems and put the clues together in unique and unexpected ways. Overall, I would certainly recommend House of Mirrors for fans of ghostly and mystery fiction who want to discover a talented author with excellent storytelling skills.

Reviewed by Miche Arendse for Readers' Favorite

Vampire Witch, Book One of the Vampire Witch Trilogy by Eileen Sheehan is set in a world devastated by nuclear war where resources are scarce but monsters are aplenty. Casey Merker is trying to get by just like anybody else when a strange man appears, searching for her. The weirdest part is that he claims her mother sent him, the mother she presumed was dead. If only Casey knew that this wasn't the weirdest thing in store for her.

Vampire Witch by Eileen Sheehan is a stunning example of how a vampire novel should be done, and I hung onto every page. The storyline and concepts are original, ensuring you’re always left surprised at one thing or another. Sheehan has such a way with words; she seamlessly adds the right amount of information into any given scenario, thus allowing the story to flow without awkward breaks. By this, I mean it often happens that while trying to explain certain concepts within the story’s world, the reader becomes disconnected from the actual scene in the book. This was never a problem; I was constantly immersed in the story and the characters, resulting in binge-reading. The drama and complexities left nothing to be desired, and by the end of the story, I was at the edge of my seat. Vampire Witch had me in a chokehold, and I cannot wait to check out the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

Mystery at Raven’s Crest is a paranormal story by Salem Marlowe. Lee and Maggie, owners of a Victorian inn, accommodate a group of mystery writers who create a murder mystery, complete with 18th-century food and costumes. Despite the antics of three young spirits living in the attic, everything is going well until Rory, a new guest, is found dead. Lee and Maggie are worried their business will be ruined as this isn’t the first murder committed at Raven’s Crest. They use their supernatural powers to summon Amanda, another spirit, to help them. Something sinister is happening at the inn. Lee and Maggie don’t want the guests to be frightened and are determined to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.

Mystery at Raven’s Crest by Salem Marlowe is an entertaining and engaging story. It consists of several intriguing dramas that intertwine so well. It can’t be easy for Lee and Maggie to operate an inn that is haunted, but they keep a cool demeanor, at least most of the time. The author has written descriptively. Lee and Maggie are organized and methodical, so I paid attention to every detail, just in case I missed anything relevant. Salem Marlowe provided some information on 18th-century food and other vital topics of the story. The characters were also charming with lively personalities. I like the Wiggan siblings, too. There were a few twists that kept me smiling, but there were a few sad, touching scenes. Mystery at Raven’s Crest is a fun read.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Ark of the Apocalypse is a work of fiction in the science fiction and fantasy subgenres and it forms the opening novel of the Magellan ll Chronicles. The work is best suited to adult and mature teen readers owing to some moderate use of adult language, and it was penned by author Tobin Marks. After planet Earth is left desolate and waterless by the ravages of pollution, war, and the callousness of humankind, the arkship the Magellan II transports what’s left of humanity’s brightest hopes to a new constellation to start a better life. But here in the Draco constellation, the promise of water brings with it dangerous reptilian life that seems hauntingly familiar to humanity’s own draconic mythology.

Author Tobin Marks has much to offer in this insightful and thought-provoking story, and it’s a joy to read a work that balances plenty of action-packed adventure with interesting core messages about the destructive nature of humanity. Fans of fantasy will appreciate the blend of influences within this space opera setting, which deftly incorporates dragons into the storyline with lore and descriptive logic that make perfect sense in context. The travelers aboard the Magellan II are a huge variety cast as we see a colony develop over time, and Marks gives each one a unique perspective from which to continue the overall journey of humanity itself. Fans of big-picture science fiction will love Ark of the Apocalypse for its well-thought-out worldbuilding, scientific ingenuity, and lasting message for our future.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Ghost Town: A Western Paranormal Mystery by A.J. Thibault takes you on a journey through time in a tale that blends elements of military suspense, drama, and western-themed action. It all starts with a midlife crisis and ends with three people trapped in the past. Richard Hart is ready for something new in his life and to put his days as a CIA operative behind him, but when he gets the opportunity to meet CIA legend VM Moodbain, he's drawn into a dangerous experiment. When he's stood up at their meeting, Richard finds himself in deeper trouble as he uncovers secrets behind a military experiment and works to find his way out of a mysterious ghost town. Now he's not only trapped in a strange town but he's trapped in the past where he faces off with threats beyond anything he's ever seen with ghost riders hot on his trail. If he fails to find his way out, he'll be stuck in this ghost town forever.

The story weaves through time with a unique format that dips around various moments of Richard's life, from young Ricky to soldier Ricardo to the moment he became Richard Hart. Each moment that delves into Hart's life shows a critical transition for the character, and each builds to the present-day man that becomes trapped in the past. Moments such as Ricky showing his origins in instances as a child that drove him to prove everyone wrong, thanks to growing up in poverty and being bullied for it. He was a child who pushed back against the bullies, which set him up for the fight he faced as an adult. A.J. Thibault captures time through various facets of Richard's life, the journey into the past, and the setting taking place within a ghost town. The story weaves the genres of western and mystery with a CIA operative, a military experiment, and a western location that provides exciting dangers for Richard to face.

The ghost town setting brings Richard up against desperadoes and ghost riders. The whole western tone comes to life and draws you into it. The romantic drama stems from Richard's various encounters, such as his relationship with his ex-wife and his complicated connection with Honey, who engages with Boon. VM Moodbain is significant to the story as his status as a legendary CIA operative draws Richard into the experiment in the first place, and Moodbain serves as a mentor for him. Thibault delivers the action of a western and the suspense of a military thriller in Ghost Town, a unique read that everyone can enjoy with desperadoes, ghost riders, military experiments, and relationship drama.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

An effective work of suspense fiction has the power to trap you in a nightmare in which formidable forces elude your comprehension and stand in your way with seemingly no escape. This is the kind of fate that Kaitlin Maverick faces in The Catalyst by Selin Senol-Akin. Less than two years ago after marrying Paul Maverick, Kaitlin left her life in Toronto to join him in Norway for his new job as a computer specialist for Statoil Petroleum. But adapting to small-town life in Stavanger proves boring for Kaitlin. As she tries to meet new people, she encounters the enigmatic Finn and his friends. This is the start of a secret that she will have to keep from Paul. Finn has a way of awakening Kaitlin’s deepest desires, and he uses her life of dullness to get into her life. As Kaitlin begins to sense something evil about Finn, she will have to muster up her courage to escape from their intense affair.

The Catalyst is a romantic suspense novel, but it has the unique trappings of a supernatural thriller, and Selin Senol-Akin places the storyline in a plausible world. The dialogues between Kaitlin and Finn can sometimes get a little cheeky, especially in contrast to her relationship with Paul, which has undertones of a serious domestic drama since they often bicker over trivial things brought about by her uneventful small-town life. One of the novel’s subtexts involves ways to make the most of living in a small town. Kaitlin manages to settle into the rhythms of Stavanger by getting out of her comfort zone and, based on that, her life takes a significant turn—for the worse. And this makes for a brilliant conflict against herself and others. This book is highly recommended if you want to read romantic suspense with an unexpected twist and a little supernatural element thrown into the mix.

Reviewed by Ammaarah Seboa for Readers' Favorite

After recovering from a ruptured aneurysm, Morgan Cutler develops the ability to see and talk to the dead. Her first brush with the previous owners of her house came when she crashed one of their glamorous get-togethers. Contrary to the malevolent spirits we encounter in horror films, the Wilkersons are a sweet couple who try to help Morgan with her newfound abilities. Join Morgan and the Wilkersons in Distant Heart Sounds: A Nurse Morgan Series by Kate MacInnis as they navigate their new normal relationships, and a psychic or two.

Though this was a little different from my usual go-to genre, I enjoyed the book! Kate MacInnis puts her spin on supernatural, dimensional travel, and what happens in the afterlife. This was refreshing and created a great opportunity for world-building. Morgan reminded me of Jennifer Love Hewitt’s character on the TV show Ghost Whisperer, although instead of being an antique store owner, Morgan is a nurse. We also have Morgan’s love interest, Dr. Caleb Lightfoot, who has an air of mystery around him. I appreciated that Kate didn’t force the relationship between these two. Instead, it progressed as naturally as it could. I wasn’t a big fan of the Wilkersons. Although Elisabeth forgave Jonathan for his indiscretions, I never could, and neither would Morgan. Kate played on the generational differences between Morgan and Elisabeth, which was another tidbit that I loved. It was nice to see how Elisabeth reacted to what women can do in Morgan’s reality as compared to her own. Distant Heart Sounds is a great read, and a definite recommend!

Reviewed by Shrabastee Chakraborty for Readers' Favorite

Fran could still remember the fateful night when her mother died in a car accident. She has felt Lorette’s presence ever since as she bestowed little gifts on her and soothed her anxiety. However, she also doled out punishment if she misbehaved. Even though the reprimands were admittedly violent, Fran believed her mother had her best interests at heart. Unfortunately, her stay at her maternal aunt’s home becomes intolerable as her cousin bullies her, unleashing the spirit’s wrath. When her father’s aunt names Fran her heir, she hopes her situation will improve. However, Fran soon realizes that, along with enormous riches, she has also inherited a terrible secret that has plagued the family for ages. Can she break the curse once and for all? To find out, read A Perfect Night by Joseph Stone.

This multifaceted book touched on several genres at once, from dark paranormal to coming-of-age. Through Fran’s horrifying experiences, Stone exposes us to the ugly truths in our dysfunctional society. When the affectionate touch from your childhood turned into a lustful one as you grew up, how would you cope with the betrayal and trauma? Stone’s deftly built catacomb of dark elements compels us to feel an acute vulnerability. A sense of dread captured my mind as I tore through the novel. Each page opened up a plethora of disturbing secrets. A Perfect Night shows us how keeping a secret could destroy our minds in unsalvageable ways. Kudos to Stone for showing the naked truths without any sugar-coating! I would recommend this book to mature readers and should also warn them about the triggers such as incest, rape, and self-harm. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Coven's Secret by Alicia Rades is a paranormal tale that will send shivers down your spine. After losing her parents, Nadine goes to live with her grandmother where she discovers she is, in fact, a witch. On her 19th birthday, her powers will awaken but first, she must learn about magic. Attending a magic academy, she meets a warlock called Lucas, an enigma she can't work out. But she can't spend all her time mooning over him; she has to pass the goddess's test or face being banished from the coven for life. Lucas is a Reaper's Apprentice; his job is to take the dead's last thoughts with him to the afterlife when he dies. Not a job he wanted and he can't seem to find a good side to it. Until Nadine appears in town. But he can't fall for her. A curse means that anyone who falls for a reaper will die and Lucas is destined to live a lonely life. Or is he? Can he and Nadine break the curse? Can they save each other?

The Coven's Secret by Alicia Rades is a thrilling tale told from two perspectives. Each chapter is written from either Nadine's or Lucas's perspective, giving you an insight into how the two main characters think. An intriguing tale, this story will put you firmly in mind of the Harry Potter series. A delightful story, if a little steamy in places, this book is packed with cool characters, all well developed, especially the main ones. Each has their own story to tell and those stories come out over the course of the book. One thing that stands out is how Alicia Rades dealt with the subject of Lupus, a medical condition that few really understand. She clearly researched it and provided plenty of details to help us see how the condition fits into the story. The story has a lot of action and plenty of twists - the ending will leave you wanting to read the next book straight away.