Reviewed by Lucinda E Clarke for Readers' Favorite

The Still Small Voice, what we could also refer to as a conscience, is such an apt title for a story that revolves around a dying man’s fears for his future after death. Brenda Stanley opens with a scene by a high cliff at a summer camp. There is a tragedy but we are unsure what it is, only that Madison Moore’s father was there and witnesses a crime that causes the incarceration of an innocent girl. She has been in prison for forty years after confessing to murder. It is his dying wish that his daughter right this wrong. Throw into the mix a family who outed Madison more than ten years ago and is less than welcoming. As she battles to uncover the truth in the town where she grew up and which holds many painful memories, Madison only wants to run back to her home in Las Vegas, but her own still small voice urges her to continue her quest to uncover the truth.

I enjoy thrillers and mysteries but when reading The Still Small Voice by Brenda Stanley I was not expecting the extra layers it includes. It is an excellent read and includes some interesting facts about the Church of the Latter-Day Saints. The heroine Madison Moore has been rejected by her family for not adhering to their beliefs and it is only in the last few pages we discover the reason why. This had me guessing all the way through and I didn’t see it coming. The book moves along at a satisfying pace, it held my attention from the first page, and it caused me to think and question many of the attitudes held by the various characters. I found this a really good read. I was unable to put it down once I started. I have found a new author to love.

Reviewed by Jennie More for Readers' Favorite

The Beautiful Misfits by Susan Reinhardt is the story of Josie, a mother suffering as a result of her son's drug addiction. She spirals out of control and loses it while appearing live on television, pouring out her heart to the world. Thinking her life couldn't get worse, she's proven wrong when the TV station fires her from her news anchor job, and no other station will touch her as her video goes viral. She leaves her hometown of Atlanta and moves to Asheville to start a new life without her beloved adult son Finley, and Frank, her tormenting ex. She starts a new life as a cosmetic consultant, hoping to give herself and her late-in-life daughter Dottie, who has Down’s Syndrome, a fighting chance. As much as Josie attempts to escape her problems in Atlanta, they follow her to Asheville, mainly because her undying love for her first-born son pulls her back to the life she tried to avoid.

The Beautiful Misfits by Susan Reinhardt is an emotionally charged, riveting, gripping, and heart-warming story of the endless depths of a mother's love. Reinhardt unpacks almost every issue women face while giving each topic the perfect amount of time required to unravel its complexity and impact. The novel covers marriage, divorce, motherhood, childhood trauma, weight, and beauty, and the societal pressure on women to maintain composure while fighting their personal and family battles. This is undoubtedly a page-turner that depicts one woman's journey beautifully. Readers will see their own reflections as they relate to one or more parts of Josie's story. It is well written and a phenomenal contribution to women's fiction.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

In the novel Look Unto the Land by George Rollie Adams, the aftermath of World War I sends protagonist Henry Grant on a mission of vengeance from Indiana to the bustling oil town of Berrytown, Arkansas. Amid the boomtown's chaotic mix of oil field workers, gamblers, and criminals, Henry navigates this foreign environment while learning the trade of a mule skinner and becoming an unlikely champion for the marginalized. Concurrently, Mary Dutton, a widow and mother striving to stay afloat, is compelled into an illegal drug trade by her employer. Mary's Uncle Otis, an eco-conscious farmer, fights the devastating environmental impact of oil drilling, clashing with his best friend Isaiah Watson, who views the oil industry as an escape from racial prejudice. As Berrytown expands and oil tarnishes the land, all must confront transformative choices.

The historical elements make Look Unto the Land by George Rollie Adams stand out to me as good literary fiction. The novel itself is not a steamrolling page-turner, but the benefit of a slow and methodical moving forward is the ability to immerse a reader in the story. There is a scene where Henry is driving to the Leatherhouse farm and he comes across the Taylor family with their Ford Model-T stuck in a creek. A creek! And, they invite him back to their tent. Nuggets like these build atmosphere and show us how things were at that time and are really wonderfully done. Henry is very likable as a character. He returns to the Taylor camp to give them back their stolen quilt, which seems small, but it is the accumulation of small deeds that create the whole man, and Adams has built characters from the ground up. The plot is clear, the writing is clean, and the narrative flows nicely. Overall, this is a thoughtful novel with a unique series of settings, set in a time of profound change. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Cecelia Hopkins for Readers' Favorite

Antipodes by T.S. Simons sees Campbell Mackintosh urged by his sister, Sorcha, to attend an information session regarding a virus that is threatening the global population. As Campbell fills out the questionnaires and undergoes a battery of tests, it becomes evident this is no ordinary session. He is selected to join an elite group of students within a “permanent geodesic dome” on a remote island. Although this means leaving his family, his mother is adamant Campbell ought to preserve their heritage. Encased within the controlled environment, the settlers attempt to rebuild society. Campbell develops a relationship with the beautiful Freyja, but, after she disappears, the others view him with suspicion. There is no visible way out of the dome but Campbell needs to solve the mystery.

Antipodes by T.S. Simons is hypothetical science-based fiction. I liked the way the relevant theories were worked out and supported by footnotes. I also appreciated the liberties taken with known technology to make the story speculative. The protagonist, Campbell, suffered from anxiety and experienced migraines, making him vulnerable and relatable. I was curious to see how the new community would develop and whether the disease would destroy the outer world. I was also curious as to where the author was going to take the social experiment aspect of the story. I was excited to find a few wild-card events thrown into the plot that allowed the main character to become an explorer and find his true place in the new world order. Antipodes by T.S. Simons will definitely interest the reader who likes dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Bone Necklace by Julia Sullivan takes a fictionalized look at an infamous period of American history, when the Native American populations were cajoled, harried, and ultimately forced onto reservations by the U.S, Government. The Nez Perce were a tribe known to be amenable to the exploration of their lands and were generally accommodating to the white settlers and their representatives. However, when it became obvious that treaties were intentionally being broken and injustices perpetrated upon their peoples, the Nez Perce made their stand. This story concentrates on a small band of Nez Perce warriors who fought bravely and tactically well to defeat a much larger, better-armed, and better-equipped adversary and effect an escape for their people from the U.S. to Canada. The cost to both sides in this conflict was horrific and the author approaches the narrative from the perspective of two main protagonists: Jack Peniel, the drunken son of the local sheriff, who desperately wants to earn his father’s respect and atone for his perceived failure to protect his step-mother from death at the hands of the Nez Perce; and Running Bird, a Nez Perce warrior who is consumed by the guilt from his careless actions that precipitated this headlong dash by his tribe for sanctuary in Canada.

Bone Necklace is a deeply enthralling read on many levels. Julia Sullivan takes readers on a rollicking and intensely dramatic journey of war, hardship, privation, and moral justification that was part of the exploration of the west, at the expense of the local indigenous populations. She gives readers clear insight into the motivations and constraints experienced by both the soldiers and the Nez Perce families. Her ability to ascribe to the Nez Perce the familial love, care, and concern is a real tribute to this story’s realism and certainly creates a feeling of empathy for the plight of Native American tribes of the time. I particularly enjoyed both main characters who have major character flaws, but who are similar at their core. The story’s ability to evoke sympathy for both the common soldier and the Native American brave is a hallmark of this narrative and does the author credit. I particularly appreciated that the author highlighted both the disconnection from reality of those who make the decisions in Washington and those forced to implement those decisions on the ground, plus the bias and prejudice of those reporting the situation. It questions whether anything has changed in 150 years. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and believe it will appeal to more than just the die-hard western fan. This is a story that highlights another shameful period of history and I can highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Bridgetown: A Harm Reduction Novel, by Jordan P. Barnes, is a gripping social issues novel about addiction and recovery, but it's also a deep dive into the subject, coming at it from more than one angle. Even though this is a novel, it represents factual lives affected by substance use, their families and friends, and the professionals who try to help them. This drama revolves around the Bridgeworks Syringe Access Program, where a committed team and main character/harm reductionist Harley Hammond advocate for the health and safety of those who use drugs. The War on Drugs didn't work as planned, and now fentanyl-laced heroin takes center stage and lives along with it. Harley's team does all they can to take supplies to those in need, but deadly overdoses seem to be winning. There is enough criticism, hard feelings, and accusations to go around as the epidemic reaches a critical climax in the public. Harley is the kind of character that puts her money where her mouth is. She will go to any lengths to help, even it if means dealing with dealers and possibly going to jail. How far would you go to help someone else?

Jordan P. Barnes delivers a powerful punch with this harm reduction novel, and it covers issues like human rights, mental health issues, and social justice. Not everyone agrees with this kind of help, and it can be difficult to read at times, but necessary if we are going to make a dent in the problem. The author writes with intensity, emotion, and pathos, and you will find yourself hopelessly caught up in this riveting story. As hard as it is to read at times, you'll begin to care about the team and those they try to help. Trigger warnings apply for overdose-related deaths, substance use, and mature language. As a former social worker, I can't recommend this book enough, and as a reviewer, I know that fans of Dopesick will love this novel.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

It’s rare for me to finish a book and really want to read its predecessor, but that’s what happened after reading A Dress the Color of the Moon by Jennifer Irwin. What a fascinating book, so realistic and touching on so many levels that I had to double-check it wasn’t a memoir. While the protagonist, Prudence Aldrich, a recovering sex addict, is front and center throughout, the lives and feelings of a handful of supporting characters - Alistair, Gloria, Mitch, Mike, and Lily - are equally unforgettable, as are the circumstances that bring them together.

The primary setting is the Serenity Hills Rehab Centre. Apart from Lily, Prue’s closest friend, the others with varying addictions have become a caring and tight-knit group under the guidance of Mike, a rehabilitated alcoholic, now a counselor. As narrators switch throughout the book, readers get an in-depth look at where and how addictions start and a realistic view of just how overwhelmingly difficult recovery can be, including why some relapse, some never survive, and others move on to better futures by remaining ever vigilant and building inner strength. We all make mistakes; we all have addictions, but for some, mistakes and addictions are life-changing.

Those unfamiliar with what happens in rehab will get an education by reading A Dress the Color of the Moon. Those who are considering rehab will find themselves encouraged and feeling more positive about how it can help them. All readers will enjoy Jennifer Irwin’s writing skills: her use of humor, pathos, and dialogue evokes such strong emotional, mental, and spiritual responses. If we are honest with ourselves, we will easily identify with so many aspects of each of the characters. Little wonder Irwin’s previous book, A Dress the Color of the Sky, has won several awards and has been optioned for a feature film…not to mention how much I want to read it!

Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite

We Did This Once Before by Lynne M. Spreen follows the story of Kim, a fifty-year-old expert marketer and publicist. Kim’s divorce from her husband in California left her in debt. She also lost her home and was dealing with a health issue. Unfortunately, there was dissatisfaction in her work life too. Kim was a lowly servant in the real estate brokerage firm she set up with her friend. Kim’s life was an all-round mess, and the only respite was to move back home to Florida. There, she would face a manipulative mom who shocked her with constant surprises, from an elderly aunt to a crazy cousin and a domestic hostage situation. Kim was a perpetual slave to everyone. Would she ever find her way to peace and fulfillment?

We Did This Once Before by Lynne M. Spreen was an educative novel. I loved everything about it as the story was captivating. This is a tale of sacrifice, deceit, manipulation, and resilience. I loved Kim to bits because the chaos she dealt with never affected her vision. I realized that there are many people like Kim who are plagued with the messiah complex. Unfortunately, you can’t save everyone or solve all the problems in the world. You risk burnout. Amala was another striking character who had solutions to everyone’s problems except her own. I felt that Norma put everyone else before her daughter, which was unfair. Norma and her sister were the ultimate patriarchal princesses who let men get away with everything and shame the victim instead of offering protection. I didn’t like Norma and Virgie that much. This novel was worthwhile, and Spreen is a talented writer. Please write more.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

A troubled young man targets specific women for murder, and with nothing but a few enigmatic rhymes to follow, the police must stop him before it's too late in the thriller novel Primed For Vengeance by Gill D Anderson. Butch suffered violence and abuse from early childhood, and the only person who gave him any comfort or consideration during his formative years was his neighbor, Kate. After witnessing his father murdering his mother, the authorities place Butch in the Woodlands Residential Care Unit. There Sarah gives him the care and attention that Butch has always needed. However, when Sarah takes a leave of absence shortly before he reaches age and moves from the facility, Butch feels betrayed. Another woman has rejected him: first Kate, and now Sarah. Butch resolves to get even.

Set in the stunning city of Adelaide, Australia, Primed For Vengeance by Gill D Anderson is an unsettling thriller that makes your blood run cold. This disturbing story, shown from multiple points of view, realistically depicts the devastating effects of childhood trauma due to severe abuse. With a heart-rending plot, exciting scenes, and a larger-than-life antagonist, the enthralling story held me captivated from the first page to its shocking conclusion. The antagonist's psychosis has a terrifying realism that is hauntingly memorable. This book will thrill true crime enthusiasts and fans of thrillers who relish a story with actual people woven into a fictional setting. There are some triggers that the author clearly states at the beginning of the book, including violence, murder, and mental health issues, to name a few.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

“We are in this world to climb life’s mountains...” states Tracy Stopler through her fictional self, Tali, in her unique, based-on-fact novel, The Ropes That Bind. Tali believes that we feel our best “when we overcome obstacles” because in the “middle of life’s difficulties lies an opportunity for personal growth.” As a victim of child sexual abuse, I couldn’t agree with her more, and it was insights like this that spoke most loudly to me in Stopler’s unusual approach to writing what is, at its core, a memoir. The opening chapter of The Ropes That Bind is a frightening, heart-stopping account of a 9-year-old ignoring parental warnings about stranger danger. For the next several decades of her life, Tali battles the memories, protects the abuser with her silence, is fearful of trusting herself and others, is obsessed with details of similar kidnappings and abuse, and constantly searches for love and peace.

Her search finds her climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, studying the Kabbalah, and exploring the beliefs and practices of her Jewish roots. For me, the depth given this exploration was an unexpected, but interesting inclusion. But ultimately, it was the challenges Tali gave herself as part of her ongoing search for the self-love critical to the mental and spiritual recovery of abuse victims that resonated most loudly with me. Ultimately, her story is a success story, though as all abuse victims know, one may forgive but one never forgets. Stopler punctuates her story-telling with a timeline of world events, developments around HIV, and statistics on child abuse. Included at the end of the book is an author interview that is fascinating and offers further insight into important characters in the story and why Tracy Stopler chose to write her book as fiction based on a memoir. This may be very interesting to other abuse victims who are considering writing a memoir and are unsure about an approach. Highly recommended reading for many reasons!