Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

After the Evil by Cary Allen Stone is another in his exciting series of crime-based fiction surrounding the actions and reflections of his protagonist, policeman Jake Roberts. Cary Allen Stone introduces a lot of characters, including the perpetrator, within the first 10-15 pages of the book. Each of the characters grabs the reader from the get-go. Some readers may find themselves a bit confused by this quick onslaught of characters, wondering who all these people are and where this is all going. But Stone pulls them all together very neatly as the story unfolds into one of those books you just can't put down. Jake and his dedicated group of policemen, led by the talented and beautiful FBI profiler, Mika, take us down a trail of murder, mutilation, sexual aberrations, abuse, romance and mysogynism that still has you thinking about what happened once After the Evil is finished.

While readers may initially feel a bit disoriented by tense changes and unexpected switches between first and third person narration, they will get used to hearing Jake interrupting the narration of events. Well thought out characters and lots of twists and turns as the police desperately try to find a nasty serial killer keep readers turning the pages and leave them wondering what will happen in Cary Allen Stone's next thriller. Readers will also appreciate the realistic look the author gives into human nature. Allen is superb at showing that none of us is all evil or all good: even the killer is lovable, if quite insane ... all good reasons for picking up After the Evil by Cary Allen Stone.

Reviewed by Tyler F. Hosea for Readers' Favorite

After the Goode is Cary Allen Stone’s first novel since living in Arizona. He continues to incorporate his surroundings into his writing, since he writes what he knows. The reader gets a complete picture of Atlanta, or in this case, Phoenix, airplanes, flying, comedy clubs, and the human condition. I thoroughly enjoyed creating a picture in my mind of the surroundings in the book. I also enjoyed reading detailed police procedure, something else that the author does extremely well. It is very evident that Stone spends a great deal of time researching his material before beginning to write.

As a reader, I know and love Stone’s lead character, Jake Roberts. I look forward to each new novel with excitement rivaling the release of Apple’s newest iPhone! In After the Goode, readers are treated to a plethora of new characters. Phoenix Police Department’s Wynter Williams and her father, comedian Bobby Goode, airline pilot and Jake’s best friend, Fred, Fred’s loving supportive girlfriend, Andrea, are all new to the mix. I’ve had a difficult time deciding which new character I enjoy most. I really find the relationship between Fred and Jake so special. What a beautiful friendship. It leaves the reader wishing that they had a best friend just like that. I can't think of any real people I like as well as Stone's characters. The events of this book will leave readers wondering how many new scars Jake’s psyche can withstand. Be ready for an emotional and exhilarating ride.

Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

When estranged brothers Tom and Jason Prendergast are informed of the death of their father, a rare shared emotion of relief flits briefly across their individual minds. The man was evil. Always putting brother against brother, degrading each son at every opportunity. With the news of his death, neither Jason nor Tom gave any thought to the other. Until they read a stipulation that required the boys, now men, to travel across the country together to dispose of their father’s ashes. While tantalized by the mysterious dangling of a golden carrot under the guise of a last will and testament, Jason and Tom set off on a dangerously uncomfortable road trip.

Having nothing in common but their disdain for their father, the two Prendergast siblings endure many miles of emotional digs at one another’s character. While Jason has devoted his life to working with incarcerated men in the courts correctional system, Tom has spent the same amount of years in a more civilized business world as CEO of Silver Lining Aeronautics. Never thinking it possible to appreciate the other’s life choices, the Prendergast brothers survive the cross country trip with the ashes of their father in tow.

Ashes by Steven Manchester is a heartwarming tale of emotionally bruised brothers separated by the abuse of their alcoholic, gambling father. While at times pleasantly predictable, the reader witnesses a transition in language and actions that strengthens an ancient, buried bond between the brothers. At the conclusion of their physical journey, Jason and Tom make a discovery that changes their lives.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Playing for the Save by Rachelle Ayala is book three in the Men of Spring series, a well-crafted romance that will delight fans of Nicholas Sparks. Meet veteran relief pitcher, Ryan Hudson, a professional baseball player who keeps to himself and who doesn’t want his life entangled in any way by a woman or a family. Jamie Rush is a single mom committed to the care of her two boys, one of whom is autistic. She works very hard to provide for them, without the support of her ex-husband. She is the kind of woman who wouldn’t like her already difficult life to get more complicated with another relationship. But things change when her two sons “win a day” with baseball player Ryan Hudson. A powerful bond seems to happen between the baseball icon and the kids, and although she can’t trust him, Jamie can’t help but fantasize about him. On his part, Ryan feels an irresistible attraction for the devoted mother, but can he muster the courage to face it?

Here is a story that captures the finest feelings of humanity, exploring themes like solitude, motherhood, autism, and love. Although I haven’t read a previous book in this series, I found this one complete and masterfully crafted to read as a standalone story. The themes — sports, being a single mom, solitude, love, and courage — are so beautifully woven into the plot that readers are well-informed as much as they are entertained. The pace is steady and the writing is filled with insightful and emotionally charged passages. Playing for the Save is a novel for those readers who enjoy love stories that are well-fleshed out, with characters that are real and memorable. Rachelle Ayala has won a place as one of the best storytellers to feature on my library shelves.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

I liked Soldier On. I liked it a lot. I am a former soldier and I read a lot of books about soldiering and the military in general. I usually like them, but sometimes the writing is weak or the point of view or attitude is not something I can buy into. Soldier On is a first for me. Actually, it’s a first on two levels. The first level is that this is the very first book about life in the modern American Army that I have ever read written by a woman. On the second level, it is about a woman in a combat zone. I can’t remember ever seeing that perspective and I think it would have stood out. I was hoping Soldier On would be good, but I was wrong. It is great! J.D. Wynne is an excellent writer and it is apparent that she has an excellent wealth of life experiences to draw from. I easily related to the characters, the situations, and the raw emotion of Soldier On.

J.D. Wynne gets it just right. Not too much, not too little, just right. That is extremely hard to do, but when you can do it, the payoff for writer and reader is huge. I enjoyed the reminders of combat stress. I cringed at the reminders of post combat stress. Plot, development, characters; it’s all here. Little things are important. Little things count. This should be a huge book. Men and women, fathers and mothers, daughters and sons, every American should read Soldier On. It is an accurate portrayal of the modern American fighting man. Except she’s a woman.

Reviewed by Tina Gibbons for Readers' Favorite

The Year Mrs. Cooper Got Out More by Meredith Marple describes a group of people in the Great Wharf area. Several characters have had traumatic experiences that shape their behaviors in the book. Jean lost her husband, Richie's father, to an accident. Mallory has a childhood incident buried that she needs to deal with. There is a nosy, gossiping neighbor, an eligible doctor who refuses to give up bachelorhood, and a sexy redhead who runs a New Age business. The redhead wants the doctor. The doctor is in a friendship with benefits and his lover mysteriously dies. He finds himself attracted to Jean but they don't make their dating known to avoid the rumor mill. Mallory's husband grows weary of dealing with her paranoia and drinking, but he is supportive and loyal as the mysteries of her past and of the strange things presently happening are revealed.

Meredith Marple did an excellent job in this novel. I enjoyed all the characters and the Maine setting of The Year Mrs. Cooper Got Out More. Mallory and Jean's struggles were real. Empathy came naturally for them and I rooted for them to find happiness in their lives and success in their love lives. Doris was quirky and entertaining. I was impressed by the way Dwight handled his marriage troubles. Siren Angie really knew how to stir up trouble and spice up the plot. I couldn't put this book down. The mystery flowed smoothly and kept me curious. The story was addictive and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. The author's voice was pleasing and constant and the polished prose stood out as stellar. This is one of my favorite reads this year. I strongly recommend it.

Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite

Amina: The Silent One by Fiza Pathan is a compelling, realistic, and sometimes stark read. Amina is essentially a social commentary in the form of fiction. It is the story of Amina, a young Muslim girl born and raised as an unwanted girl child in the slums of India with an unique musical gift. The book starts with an introduction to Amina’s family at her birth and the social dynamics that make the family mourn and lament the birth of a girl child. We then follow Amina’s life as she grows into a teenager, deals with loss and death, and the daily problems that women face in a patriarchal society like India. Amina is then married off in her teens to a 34-year-old man called Iqbal in an arranged marriage, who in turn forces her into prostitution. Throughout all of this, Amina finds solace in her music. This is the story of her life and the life of women in general in India.

Amina: The Silent One is a gritty, powerful story written in a wonderfully engaging way. The writing style is extremely readable and I couldn’t put the book down; I read it all in one go. Fiza has succeeded tremendously in portraying the conditions of women in India and other similar male-dominated societies. I really appreciated the fact that a book like this truly brings to light the many severe issues that women face in over half of the world such as female infanticide, the practice of dowry and arranged marriages, the second-class status of women in society, an utter lack of basic and fundamental human rights, sexual harassment and abuse, and lack of education and opportunities for women. All in all, this is an outstanding book and one that I would very highly recommend to everyone.

Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite

Janie Jensen, who has learned to navigate the congested streets of New York despite being blind, is a strongly independent woman. Although she is a competent editor and is being considered for a promotion, her greatest desire is to write a romance novel. Boyd Hudson, a consultant at Janie’s workplace, finds Janie after a fall in the subway station. Boyd also works as a firefighter, while his life goal is to become a doctor. He also has unresolved issues surrounding a tragic event in his childhood. On the subway platform, a sizzling romance begins in Touched By Love: The Remingtons, Book Six, Love in Bloom Series by Melissa Foster. Janie’s best friend and next-door neighbor, Kiki, has been her closest companion since elementary school. Boyd’s family and friends are added to the cast of supporters for Janie and Boyd’s growing relationship. Janie and Boyd’s potentially conflicting goals add interesting complications to a future together.

Author Melissa Foster has incorporated many substantial components in her novel, Touched By Love. She has competently illustrated how people with visual limitations can succeed in work and city environments. A reader will learn how specific accommodations and a supportive attitude of treating them like sighted people are vitally important. Likewise, the character of Boyd demonstrates how traumatic childhood events can affect a person when these memories are not processed in healthy ways. Ms. Foster writes in a clear, succinct style. This novel is an enjoyable, relaxing read, with a good amount of sizzle!

Reviewed by Jeffrey Brooke-Stewart for Readers' Favorite

With graphic language and scenes of violence, John Manos introduces his readers to some very unsavory characters in the novel Dialogues of a Crime. Subsequently, the author skillfully develops some extremely complicated temperaments and patterns of behavior in these characters. Young and naïve Michael Pollitz is probably the most complex of these. Beginning with Pollitz’s arrest in 1972 on drug charges, and continuing through a violent attack in prison and his subsequent release, John Manos amplifies the difficulties the man faces and how he is simply unable to fully recover. The fact that he is on very close terms with the leading family in the Chicago-based mob only adds to the complexities of Pollitz’s life.

Moving forward to 1994, the reader is introduced to Chicago cop Larry Klinger. Klinger stumbles upon a link between the mob and Pollitz that promises to open up the opportunity of solving an old murder case. With the help of the state attorney Dan Whittaker, Larry begins to peel back layers of guilt, confusion and ambition as he tries to understand Pollitz and the other central characters. One surprising twist after another leads Klinger deeper into the complex relationships of the personalities. And he is even forced to take a fresh look at his own life.

In Dialogues of a Crime, John Manos causes the reader to weigh the sometimes conflicting balance of guilt and the need to move on in life with loyalty and honesty, and of truth and convenience. It is not always pleasant, but it is always challenging. Manos introduces enough side characters and situations to keep the reader guessing as the story develops. The build-up towards the end of the novel opens old wounds for the central characters and the reader will most likely not anticipate the conclusion. It is all written in a skilled manner and the reader who likes novels of this genre will love this one!

Reviewed by Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

Give Me Your Answer True by Suanne Laqueur is the second installment of The Fish Tales, a raw and heart-wrenching tale that exposes every wart, blemish and festering wound in the human psyche in search of forgiveness. Marguerite (Daisy) Bianco, her boyfriend, Erik (Fish) Fiskare and their friends, David and Will, have been to hell and back; battle-weary survivors of unimaginable violence that has decimated their fun young lives in one fell swoop, leaving destruction in its wake. The story here is being told from Daisy’s point of view and it’s a no-holds-barred accounting of her journey to hell and back, told in unapologetic flashbacks and in painful sessions to her therapist, Rita. Daisy and Erik and all who lived through the tragedy are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and all subconsciously – if not willingly – submit themselves to compromising and potentially harmful situations and decisions which have life long effects, yet none seem able to help themselves, Daisy most of all.

Laqueur’s prose is exceptionally visceral, made more so by the completely honest and painstaking approach she takes to unfolding her story. Daisy, Erik and her friends are all shell-shocked and scarred in such a way that no amount of medical ministration can make them whole again. They wonder why they survived while some of their friends weren’t as lucky. Confusion, anger and fear course through their minds long after the physical scars have healed, which causes them to act out recklessly, hurting the ones they love in the process. And what makes each of the characters so compelling in Give Me Your Answer True is that even as readers think they know what makes each of them tick, a new layer of ugly truth is exposed; a new layer of vulnerability revealed.

Our hearts ache for their absolution and our hopes for their happiness grow with each experience and each relationship – the good, the bad and the ugly. Daisy’s struggle is particularly poignant since she is her own worst enemy, unable to find joy for a long time in anything positive that happens to her, subconsciously sabotaging her own happiness in a quagmire of guilt and blackness that threatens to consume her. As a ballerina, her body is both her instrument and her meal ticket and it’s the one thing in her life she can control, but she comes close to destroying it at her lowest point.