Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

“Whether I Live or Die” is a novel that juxtaposes two stories; one is about a woman who cannot seem to find the strength of character in her relationships with men and life in general and the other story is that of a rookie policewoman whose job is to protect those who do not have the strength to protect themselves. Amanda's relationship with Steve becomes abusive and she turns to Mark, her friend and gym trainer, for protection. Mark takes advantage of the situation and Amanda ends up pregnant and unwanted. Her tale of physical, mental and emotional abuse continues with her husband Josh and life seems to spiral down for her. On the other hand, Nicole graduates from the police academy on top of her class. She has a healthy relationship with Todd and is a dedicated police officer who faces crime every day. With an amazing zeal, she becomes involved with a number of cases involving women. How these two different lives merge at the end is a twist that nobody will ever expect.

Stacy Eaton weaves together two stories where the main characters are two poles apart. Amanda's story is a sad tale of a woman subjected to a series of abuses. Some readers may sympathize with her and cajole her into fighting back, while others may give up on the weakness of her character, but we cannot just look from the outside without empathizing with her. This is where the author succeeds in her narrative because one cannot help but feel for Amanda in her seemingly hopeless plight. Nicole's story inspires the reader and her persistence and determination as a police officer is admirable. In dealing with cases mostly involving women abused by their partners, it is a wonder where she gets her motivation from. “Whether I Live or Die” is a novel that centers on empowering the weak and it tries to send an important message to the readers: that all of us can choose to lead a decent life free from physical, emotional and mental abuse. This is a novel that will keep you mesmerized page after page and you will not be disappointed with the surprising and unique twist at the end. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

"A Just Man Is Hard To Find" by author Jeanne Hammond asks a question that is almost impossible to answer...what is just? The answer to the question seems to be relative. I suppose the answer depends on your culture, your situation at the time you are answering the question, or perhaps there is no answer. In Jeanne Hammond’s book we meet Will Gray. His parents dropped him off at school as most parents do. He plans to attend college in Washington DC, then on to law school. His path to success is clear...or is it? The year is 2010 and the economy is on a downward slide. Unemployment is at an all-time high. Suddenly his situation changes, he can no longer count on a college degree let alone law school. Like many others certainty is no longer part of his life. The courageous young man goes to the "common" people and asks what he can do for them, what are their rights as they see them. Two people touch his heart, an abandoned child and Maria, a beautiful young woman whom he discovers he cares about. He begins searching his own heart and soul for an answer to the question, "What is just?"

Rarely has a book touched me the way "A Just Man Is Hard To Find" has. This is not a book that can be read quickly or taken lightly. It is a story that reaches deep inside an individual and pulls out the true essence of the reader. Will Gray wanted to find the true meaning of “just.” I think he found that the meaning existed deep within his own person, just as it is deep within me and deep within you. "A Just Man Is Hard To Find" is a well written tale that is destined to be a classic.

Reviewed by Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite

The author describes this book as a novel based on a true story. It is not a nice story. This is the story of Taylor, a victim of sexual child abuse by her brutal stepfather from the age of three, a vicious and continuing horror that lasted well into her teens. Later, as an adult, she discovered that her emotionally distant mother knew about it all the time. From a tender age, Taylor was exposed to betrayal on all levels: emotional, spiritual and physical. This tragedy scarred her life, creating a sense of degradation within her, and blighted her perceptions on relationships for many years.

Child abuse is a dark, dirty secret in countless homes. Some grim statistics tell us just how prevalent it is. More than 90% of juvenile sexual abuse victims know their perpetrator in some way. Approximately 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18. Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education. About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse. Presence of a stepfather in the home doubles the risk of sexual victimization for girls. It is hard to imagine anyone enduring and surviving such unspeakable cruelty: a childhood stripped of trust and innocence, and all beliefs shattered. This book is a harrowing tale of relentless, violent sexual abuse that made it difficult for Taylor to rebuild a life destroyed before it really began, and to embrace relationships. Drawn to abusive men, she saw all men as sexual predators, and her inability to relate properly meant the inability to form a stable loving relationship. Years of stalled relationships finally resulted in a marriage that was dogged by her husband’s destructive mother. Matrimony and motherhood brought some joy into Taylor’s life, but not enough to heal the hideous internal scars on her psyche. Only a dreadful climactic event finally broke the shield of fear she had created, and forced her to stand up, fight back, and win! This event was unwittingly the way for Taylor to find redemption, self-love, and the feelings of self worth that make us human.

Taylor Evan Fulks is a talented wordsmith, able to conjure up the hideous experiences with remarkable clarity and emotion. She writes from the heart, and the agony of real experience lends authenticity to her riveting descriptions, fleshing out the sheer brutality of each moment of terror and pain for readers. It is one thing to read a fiction story about horrible events but it is another to read what a human being has endured and survived. This is not for the faint-hearted, but I would recommend this book for anyone who has ever suffered similar abuse. The story ends with light, hope, and the will to survive — part of the human condition.

Reviewed by Molly Edwards for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever had a dream that you just wanted to stop everything and chase? Or perhaps you chased that dream only to reach a different destination along the away? That is what Peggy Strack's new novel "A Stop in the Park" is about. This book is emotionally heart-wrenching and wholly captivating and will take you through a world of twists like no other novel. Books like this generally leave me reflecting long after I have read them, making it truly hard to move on to another book. I love books like this and can honestly say that I will not forget this book any time soon. Michael Stolis longs for the time when he and his wife were young and in love, devouring each other with passion. But, he is having a hard go of it, having long stressful days as an attorney. His wife Jamie longs for something more than just his anger and constant work habits. Then Michael meets Rufus, a man who will help him open his eyes and see the world for what he truly wants it to be. After visiting with Michael, he finds what his heart really wants, but the question he asks himself is is it too late? Can he set aside all he has worked for, all he has ever known, and strive for what his heart wants, the dreams he has always had? Or will Jamie give up and Michael lose all he knows?

This is a truly romantic, emotional drama of chasing dreams and finding true love. From start to finish, the reader is taken into the realm of the Stolis' as they reach out to others, and themselves, to find where they truly belong. I highly recommend this 5 star book to all who are looking for that dramatic escape into a poignant and beautifully written novel! Well done, Ms. Strack!

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

Tuesday Storm's mother named her two daughters and three sons after movie stars, but what Tuesday's mother does to her is hardly movie star quality and more shades of "Mommie Dearest". Rose Storm gave birth to her daughter Audrey, stricken with polio, as a teenage single mother. Then she marries Tuesday's school teacher father and gives birth to Tuesday and her brothers. When the entire Storm family comes down with Hong Kong Flu, it is frail, wheel-chair bound Audrey who dies and it is seven year old Tuesday whom her mother blames and tortures for Audrey's death for years afterward. Rose Storm falls down the basement stairs shortly after Audrey's death and injures her head badly, causing a personality change. And what a change it is! Rose now shows nothing but hatred towards Tuesday. She makes Tuesday keep a toilet bucket in her room, peel potatoes, clean the carpet by hand, calls her Weasel, says she is ugly, won't let her shower and starves her as well. Tuesday's father tries to intervene by having her stay with his mother during the summer but can Tuesday survive her mother's daily torture?

"Call Me Tuesday" is a highly well-written, well-formatted and well-edited story of a mother's disturbing abuse of one of her children. Author Leigh Byrne has written a story that will unsettle readers, for in every town everywhere, there are mothers who are lesser or equal versions of Rose Storm. The characters of Tuesday, her family and the friends she works so hard to make are believable and three-dimensional. The plot line unfolds to the story's end where it unfolds to state that a child will love its mother no matter what that mother has done. Blood is thick, indeed.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

Cloud seeding was developed, unbeknownst to many, in 1949, as rains fell for four months from lower Virginia to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Frank Benoit worked for that company, H.T. Wetco owned by Bob Thurston, which was contracted by the United States government. Frank could change weather patterns and create climate change around the world. Mostly, United States officials liked its capability of creating snow or rain, thus stopping wartime enemies from engaging our troops in combat in the Korean War. In the Vietnam conflict, enemy Viet Cong were drowned by this environmental modification in their underground tunnels. In 1983, President Reagan wanted to start a program that would control the weather but Bob Thurston and his workers had achieved this years before with their secret connection to government. Now, in the present day, Bob Thurston is an old man, Frank Benoit long retired and in failing health, and his granddaughter Clara an FBI agent, and grand daughter Tully a herpetologist who has worked for H.T. Wetco. Someone begins attacking people who might know of "Operation Seeding" and General Margate's longtime friend, West Point graduate Colonel Juan San Luis, is called upon to seek out the killer and find out who the mastermind behind all this is.

"Operation Seeding" is a well-written thriller that is guaranteed to keep readers turning page after page to find out who is next in line to get killed. The high level of suspense is kept throughout the story of a company's secret dealings with United States governmental agencies as well as members of Congress. Dialogue is often too long but could easily be divided into paragraphs interspersed with responses from the people being addressed. The characters of Frank Benoit, General Margate, Bob Thurston, Frank's granddaughters Clara and Tully, Clara's love interest Justin Beach, Clara and Justin's boss at the FBI, John Bloso and Colonel Juan San Luis, who is featured in other stories by author Michael Andrisano, are all totally believable. "Operation Seeding" is a book that should get into thriller lovers' reading lists everywhere.

Reviewed by Stephanie Dagg for Readers' Favorite

"View from the Edge" by Michael Kasenow is the sort of novel that smacks you in the face. It is an immensely powerful book, yet the hero is a gentle, damaged academic, who adores his son, and just wants one adult in his life to love and respect. The recollections of the childhood abuse Josh received from his father, while his mother did nothing to protect him, are painful in the extreme and still haunt him, day and night. And now his wife, Ashley, is treating him appallingly too, although somehow managing to be a good mother to their adored son. But she is on a downward spiral. In parallel with Josh’s recovery from his accident which runs alongside the gradual breakdown of his “train wreck strewn with fears” of a marriage, is the attempt by Josh’s university department to obtain the Mount Sinai Artifacts which brings a lot of media attention their way. His students are indulging in some weird behavior. Oh yes, and someone wants to kill him.

The book is populated by rounded, complicated, flawed characters. The hero/anti-hero Josh patiently sorts out petty and major problems at the university and is an attractive, likeable man. He copes but suffers. Such contradictions run throughout the book. The tone is angry and violent at times, but tender and humorous at others, even romantic. There is despair but optimism, as well as deception and betrayal but also love and loyalty. Kasenow shows great versatility in his writing and conjures up action and emotions that keep the reader hooked. It is moving and shocking at the same time. In short, "View from the Edge" a book you must read.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

African-American Duane Freeman has served a seven year prison term for assault and now works as a janitor for Sunnycrest Mental Hospital in Dinuba, California. He worked in the mental health buildings both at New Folsom prison and at Mule Creek State Prison. Competent at bio-hazard work and highly intelligent, Duane is hired right out of prison by Sunnycrest supervisor Rosalinda Burgueno who becomes his mentor. Living with his love, Graciela, and her three young children, David, Ramon, and Margarita, who just adore him, Duane is proud of his inner strength that allowed him to survive California gang wars and the prison itself. Working his shift at Sunnycrest, Duane sees one of the prison psychiatrists forcing himself upon a naked female inmate. What is going on at Sunnycrest Mental Hospital?

"Slapped by Injustice: Point Blank" is a highly readable and very well-written story of Duane Freeman and the life that he is handed. Duane is an incredible and very likeable main character who does fall to his knees but always manages to climb back to his feet. The many other characters in "Slapped by Injustice," such as Graciela, Dr. Schietzel and Princess Washburn, are well-created and totally believable and play well against Duane, making this story a first-rate read. The plot proceeds with the necessary stops and makes it a good drama. The dialogue is first-rate and adds to the story. Duane's success in living his life fully after seven years in prison will inspire many. Readers should put "Slapped by Injustice" at the top of their lists of books that are must-reads.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

McNeil begins his tale twenty years in the past. Jesse Pace was drowning while his father was passed out drunk. His brother Tommy tried to free his ankle but couldn’t, so he ran for help. Jesse was terrified he would slip under the water. “Keep your head afloat.” Twenty years later, Jesse Pace returned to Breckenridge in the capacity of deputy sheriff. Production of Meth was rampant in the area. Jesse made it his mission to rid the area of the drug lords, meth production and the officials who supported it. He was one man standing alone, keeping his head afloat.

I was eager to read "Breckenridge County" by Andrew McNeil. I live just a few miles from the Breckenridge County line in an adjacent county. Not a mile from my home a plastic bag was found “cooking meth.” Andrew McNeil was right on the money when he wrote this book. Although it is a work of fiction it reads like fact. I always thought I lived in an isolated area that was cocooned from the rest of the world. Crime stats always seemed low. However, the world of drugs has breached our comfy home.

McNeil has created a complex character in Jesse Pace. This eye opening book is well-researched. The plot is sadly realistic. He demonstrates how the local politicians easily become corrupt. The author successfully captures the essence of the rural southern culture. Too often our officials find it easier to ignore what is going on in their back yard or to assist in it. This book has it all: conspiracy, corruption, drugs, suspense, racism, perverts, and romance.

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.