Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

When Carly Matthews is at the end of her tether with the life she and her brother, Mitchell, are subjected to, she discovers an amazing escape. In the Storm by Karen Metcalf poignantly and heartbreakingly describes the force of Carly’s will as she discovers an alternate universe into which she escapes. In this special place that opens to her after tremendous stress, and is represented by varying degrees of weather and severe thunderstorms, Carly meets Morgan, who is supposed to try to protect her. Unfortunately for Morgan, Carly is too stubborn and finds out more about this different path of reality than she is supposed to know. Torn between protecting her little brother from their drunken, dangerous step-father and enjoying the peace of her special clearing at the base of a tremendous tree, Carly tries to find a way to save the two of them and escape the horrors of home. What happens is a lesson in determination, but is tempered by the whims of fate – knowledge that Carly should not have had.

In merely 86 pages, Karen Metcalf provides a universe full of amazing action, emotion and personal choices. In the Storm gets right to the heart of a teen’s struggle with the horrible reality of her life as she takes responsibility for her 5-year-old brother while she wishes that things could be different. Vivid descriptions of nature provide a stark backdrop to the feelings Carly experiences and heighten the impact of the story. With several amazing twists, the story leaves you breathless, with plenty to think about long after you close the book. Incredible story that is as gripping as a full length saga! It's hard to believe that so much emotion fits into so few pages! This is an amazing read for YA and adult readers who are looking for something different and quite stimulating.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Adam's Stepsons is a military science fiction novella written by M. Thomas Apple. To the military establishment at Armed Forces HQ, the clones were things, to be addressed using the pronoun "it", but their creator, Dr. Heimann, had considerable difficulty conforming with that protocol. Granted, they were the result of a scientific act rather than begotten as a true human would have been, but they were still flesh, blood and brain, fully functional human beings. Heimann's quandary was increased by the fact that the cloning had used the cells of his nephew, a young man he had raised ever since the boy's parents died in a skirmish years before. Patel had died in a crash and using his cells for the process was the most expedient means of getting the cloning process going. While his theories had formed the basis of the entire project, Heimann had been vocal in opposing it. The clones would be subliminally programmed and engineered to be killing machines. They would be sent to Mars as a genetically enhanced and deadly force whose target would be anyone of the Far Asian Consortium. The process was riddled with problems, however, as these cloned organisms sprang forth as fully formed adults with no childhood or developmental phase. The AF’s rigorous dehumanizing treatment seemed reckless and insufficient, prone to failure. Number Six was one such possible aberration. He had inexplicable memories of a crash on Mars. He also wondered why Dr. Heimann called him Seth instead of Number Six, and he began to question the restrictions imposed upon him and the others. Much as Dr. Heimann cared for that being who so recalled his nephew, he began to fear the clone who might have retained the worst of human emotions.

M. Thomas Apple's high-tech science fiction novella, Adam's Stepsons, confronts the ethical issues surrounding cloning head-on as Dr. Heimann's "sons" are systematically dehumanized and considered as little more than high-functioning military equipment. Apple's thoughtful and ethically minded Dr. Heimann is the perfect narrator for this thought-provoking and chilling science fiction story, and anyone who remembers Patrick McGoohan's mesmerizing futuristic television series, The Prisoner, will appreciate Heimann and Seth's conversation about the significance of Number Six. As I read, I could hear McGoohan's character proclaiming loudly and angrily, "I am not a number; I am a free man!" and found it a startling contrast with the way the clones are treated in this gripping futuristic tale. The characters of Heimann and Six are well-defined, and the developing tensions between the erstwhile father and son make this tale hard to put down. Adam's Stepsons is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Taking a Chance is a romance novella written by Becky Monson. Eliza (Liza) Parker feels like she is crumbling within herself, riding in an elevator within the Empire State Building. Absolutely terrified of elevators and heights, Liza feels her chest tighten as it becomes more and more difficult to breathe. The kindness of a stranger, Jay Sanders, pulls Liza out of the mental quicksand which is drowning her, enabling her to make her way to the top. Only in town for one day during a stopover to London, Jay is determined to see the city while helping his new friend overcome her debilitating fear of heights and closed in spaces. When he learns of Liza’s reasons for trying to conquer her fears, doing things she would otherwise never do, his heart sinks, but he is all the more determined to free Liza from her agoraphobic prison. As the day moves on, not only does Liza feel more and more liberated, but she also finds herself falling for her volunteer therapist.

As a long-time sufferer of Agoraphobia with Panic Disorder, I was easily able to empathize with and relate to Liza during her terrifying ride to the top of the Empire State Building. A person who suffers from severe and crippling anxiety disorders doesn’t experience situations normally, instead finding themselves thinking about the worst case possible scenario that could happen if disaster were to strike. Becky Monson’s descriptions of the mortifying sensations which go through an Agoraphobic’s mind and body are right on the money, showing that the author has either experienced it first hand, or is very close to somebody who experiences panic attacks on a regular basis. With the use of distraction – a technique which can take an Agoraphobic’s mind off the situation they find themselves in – the visual images created within the mind change from disturbing to pleasant, sometimes taking away the feeling of panic completely.

Although I suffer from extreme phobias, I will most definitely be reading this book again, not only due to the wonder of the unusual romance which takes place inside the story, but also as a way to help me relax my mind, even if just being able to see the world through Liza and Jay’s eyes. Taking a Chance is a quick read, filled with fun and humor, while tackling the sensitive issue of anxiety and panic in public places. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good romance novel, especially if they are plagued with irrational fears which they wish to rid themselves of.

Reviewed by Hannah Richburg (Teen Reviewer) for Readers' Favorite

When Leaves Fall by C.A. King is a gripping story. Ralph, whose identity we have yet to learn, wakes up in a dilapidated shed. He is tied up by his neck and held captive there. He doesn't know where he is or why he is there. During Ralph's confinement, he is mistreated by his captor and fed only small portions of food that do not satiate his hunger. He believes that he committed a horrible crime to be treated in such a way. The only thing that keeps Ralph going is the idea of his family rescuing him from the shed.

When Leaves Fall by C.A. King is a powerful story that strikes at the hearts of everyone, even those made of the hardest stone. C.A. King builds intense suspense throughout his short story as he delays the revelation of the captor's identity and his place in Ralph's life. When Leaves Fall made me appreciate everything that I have in life, even the smallest of things. Ralph had close to nothing, although he captured my heart from the beginning and never released it. C.A. King's work struck me on a deeply emotional level and made me want to be more diligent in my community. When Leaves Fall conveys a strong message that drives the reader into action. It's a powerful and necessary story that tugs at your heartstrings and inspires you at the same time. I would definitely recommend this tragic thriller to any reader.

Reviewed by Tshombye K. Ware for Readers' Favorite

Unwrapping Noel by Jennifer Theriot is a romance novel about Noel, a public relations expert juggling her personal life and career. After suspecting her husband of infidelity, she files for divorce. A year later, she is still living with the man she divorced, due to feelings of guilt once she finds out that her ex-husband is stricken by testicular cancer. From that moment, her life is placed on hold. Later, through a series of events, a secret withheld by her ex-husband sends her emotions into a frenzy and starts her on a new path.

The novel starts off with a bit of action as Noel ponders on the events of the last year, involving her divorce and reason for choosing to live with her ex-husband. He's been stricken with cancer and she feels it's her duty to remain by his side. I felt for Noel. In my opinion, she felt it would be inhumane to abandon anyone during a critical time. In the back of my mind, I hoped Dave would see her compassion and ultimately change. His unprecedented office exploit was rather surprising. I love how the author didn't reveal the act until Noel was staring at the humiliation. One again I thought she would go into an emotional frenzy. The fact that she held her peace, to a degree, showed strength and character. As the story continued, she travelled far away and became swept off her feet by Leon, the Adonis type.

The story, even though romantic, had just the right amount of drama. Whenever an author balances romance with other themes, it creates a powerful climactic read. For those who enjoy romance sizzlers with just the right amount of drama, I recommend picking up a copy of Unwrapping Noel by Jennifer Theriot. You will not be disappointed. Maybe a little shocked, but not too much.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

A young girl, scarred for life from a brutal assault, thrown out of her home by a mother who no longer can stand to look at her – this girl now lives above the comic book store where she works. She hides her scarred face from the world with a hoodie and sneaks around in the shadows of the store doing inventory and trying to remain nameless, a mere shadow, a ghost. The girl’s name is G, short for Georgina, and the store owner, Jimmy, is just a little bit in love with her – in spite of her scarred face.

Determined to do right and help the girl emerge from her protective shell, Jimmy insists that G joins the rest of the staff, dressed in comic book characters, at a fundraiser event. G is presented with the costume of a superhero. She balks at the thought of going out in public, attending an event where there will be too many people in a small space. She gives in and reluctantly tries on the costume that was specifically designed for her. Once dressed, she feels like a whole new person. The old G continues to lurk behind the mask that covers the scarred half of her face, but a new G, a confident, fearless young woman, a real superhero emerges.

In Justice for G, Jennifer Fales excels in the art of storytelling. From the very first line, the powerful punch of dialogue and narrative lead the reader up the curve of excitement to a chilling climax where G meets her attacker face on, challenging herself with the conflict of standing her ground and defeating her fears, or becoming yet another victim. In creating the character of G, the author has implemented the unspoken fears of many other victims. She vividly explores the dual personality of the hidden victim and the victorious superhero evolving from a protective shell, a sanctuary in which the victim once hid from the world that abused her. This is a powerful story about one woman’s struggle to overcome evil and reclaim her life through her own ability to obtain justice. Well done.

Reviewed by Vincent F. A. Golphin for Readers' Favorite

For its author, who writes as The Behrg, a pen name, The Girl Who Couldn't Come Up With An Original Title is an admitted toss at the trend to have "girl" in so many titles. The idea struck me as trivial, yet readers will find the short story and Reluctance, the accompanying tale, to be anything but light. The title story pulls the reader into the worldview of a clinically depressed teenage girl. She is on the edge of destruction. The author takes the reader there too.

The intense detail, imagery, and pace of the tightly woven prose added to the work's almost hypnotic attraction that places readers on the unsteady walk toward a difficult decision. Then, in the end: "The stars on her wrists had finally landed, breaking through flesh and opening a crater no suture would calm. Not this time. Her notebook lay open beside her....Instead, she dipped her fingers into her memories. Etched out the title to the story she had been trying to write her entire life."

I couldn't put this book down, which admittedly sounds clichéd. I wanted to stop at so many points in the story. The images were too much. The Behrg wants readers to understand the thoughts and pressures faced by people with mental illness. Reading The Girl Couldn't Come Up With An Original Title does that and more. It is like being witness to someone's horrible moment, but you are too wrapped up in the action to look away.

Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite

Man’s Best Friend by Taylor A. Davis is a short story based in the time of The Great Depression. One of the “Wild Boys,” Thomas, is shackled and journeying by ironclad steamer towards a state prison. But what events and experiences occurred to bring him to this point in time? As Thomas looks back, the reader discovers the actions and behaviours of the characters that eventually caused fate to unfold as it does. Discovering the betrayal of his friend, Thomas reaches new heights of anger and fury, and unleashes his revenge in shocking ways.

Man’s Best Friend is a competently and carefully plotted story which moves between the present and past moments of the characters. I found this a page-turner of a story and was intrigued from the beginning. It has both pace and depth. As the scenes gradually unfold, the pieces of the story fit slowly and revealingly together. Taylor Davis is an excellent young writer and storyteller, using particularly vivid descriptive language. He has a wonderful perception of his characters’ emotions, motivations and behaviours, bringing their individual personalities, hopes and despairs alive.

The characters are strong, well-defined and believable. I liked the suggested connection between the thundering onward of the steamer, or the seemingly endless trail into the horizon of the tracks, and the way choices, frustrations and despair lead to such a disturbing and seemingly unavoidable fate. This is a tale that explores aspects of humanity in a real and gripping way. Entertaining and perceptive, it is a powerful and suspense-filled short story. Recommended.

Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite

Two Hearts Undone by Tamara Ferguson is romance at its best. The writing is great and well balanced. Every aspect of Two Hearts Undone is very well crafted. From the beautiful setting in Crystal Rock, Wisconsin, to the details and problems of running the Crystal Visions rehabilitation center, Tamara Ferguson guides us through the lives and hearts of the two main characters, Melinda McDaniel and Steven Ryder. I instantly liked both of these characters and wanted them to get together and be happy. They are good people doing noble work for all the right reasons. Their hearts have indeed become undone by past tragedy and there is no guarantee that they can put the past in its proper place so that they can relax, love again, and make each other happy.

Tamara Ferguson has a deft hand when it comes to writing romance. She chooses her words and scenes carefully so that the reader never forgets that romance doesn't always come easy in the real world. Sometimes it may need a little help from a magical setting, a good friend, or an innocent child. What I liked most about Two Hearts Undone was the sensitivity and care with which Tamara Ferguson crafted each scene and interaction as she guided Mel and Steve towards a very satisfying conclusion. I grew up in a small town and I also liked Ms Ferguson’s portrayal of the closeness and warmth of small town America at its best. Two Hearts Undone is an excellent read, especially if you need to renew your faith in romance.

Reviewed by Brit Rossie for Readers' Favorite

In the short story The Post-It Note Affair: A Romance Novelette of Love Lost and Found by Justine Avery, we find our heroine, Emily, discontented and in a passionless marriage. But that all changes while she is at work one day. At the office she discovers someone - an admirer - has placed a post-it note message in her purse. There’s a handsome, new guy in the office. In spite of guilt and in spite of her being upfront about her marital status, the notes continue. Is the office romance the spark she needs in her passionless love life? Her husband is sure and steady, but what our heroine wants is a little spice in her life. Should she take the opportunity and allow the post-it note admirer to pursue her?

This was a really sweet short story. A lot of punch behind a powerful moral in such a short number of pages. Now that’s really good writing. To be able to draw in the reader and make them root for or stress about a character's decisions in such a short space is a positive reflection on an author's skill. The story itself is a good reminder not to take for granted the opportunities that present themselves nor the people in front of us. I had my suspicions about the admirer, but loved how Avery left the admirer so artfully ambiguous, allowing for the story to potentially take multiple directions right up until the end. I know which outcome I was rooting for and my wish came true.