Reviewed by Lorraine Cobcroft for Readers' Favorite

All Daniel Robinson ever wanted was a normal loving family. To escape an abusive father and mentally ill mother, he leaves home at sixteen to seek refuge with a pastor. But a man he believed would protect him — a man he should have been able to trust implicitly and depend on — sexually assaults him. From thereon, his life takes many twists and turns as he struggles to find his place in the world, facing repeated challenges and betrayals and becoming increasingly disillusioned with the church and the authority figures he looks to for help and protection. While benefiting from the wisdom and caring guidance of a few good people he meets along the way, he also learns a great deal from troubled folk to whom he extends the hand of friendship. Eventually, he finds his soulmate in Kate Fitzgerald. Together, they build the family he always wanted. But can he ever outrun the demons that haunt him?

Running As Fast As I Can is a genuine page-turner. A good writer makes you either laugh or cry. John David Graham did both. Daniel’s story had me struggling at times to read through my tears. Graham is a truly great author, in my view, because long after putting the book aside, the characters still live with you. Graham takes you into their world to walk in their shoes, to feel what they feel, to think what they think, and to know what they know. You learn with them. You love with them. You cry with them. And in the end, you draw on the experiences you share with them to shape your view of the world. This book shines a light in dark corners. The author does not hold back in his judgment of human behavior and a society shaped by prejudices. But he reminds us that life is written in pencil so that we can erase a mistake and start over. As we join Daniel on his journey, I suspect most of us will reflect on the times we needed to erase a chapter and rewrite it. We ponder the race we are running; our own search for love, for a place to belong in the world, and for a way to light the path for those who struggle in a dark place. Running As Fast As I Can is told with deep compassion and understanding. It’s a story of love and forgiveness. Intensely emotional, it is also timely and relevant, highlighting social issues our society still struggles with today. It is, in my opinion, truly a masterpiece.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

In Beautiful and Terrible Things by S.M. Stevens, early in the summer of 2018, Charley's mundane routine is disrupted by encounters with death and a mysterious stranger. Her morning jog is interrupted by the sight of a dead squirrel, triggering reflections on responsibility and mortality. At work, she has awkward interactions with Xander, a charismatic activist. Meanwhile, Xander and his colleague Terrance celebrate a victory against a corporate giant. As the storm rages outside, Charley is beset with existential fears, unaware of the subtle impact Xander has had on her life. Her fear dissipates as she gets closer to Xander, and as their friendship deepens, she even participates in protests. But betrayal soon threatens to upend her life, and she might even lose her beloved bookstore, which is the one thing that has held her life together. Can Xander and the circle of friends she has learned to cherish save her from depression and rescue her bookstore?

Beautiful and Terrible Things brilliantly articulates contemporary social issues, featuring characters with different ethnicities and backgrounds. The protagonist is genuinely flawed, and readers instantly sympathize with her inner struggles. There is excitement in watching her evolve and emerge from her shell. The conversations between Charley and Xander help Charley confront her past traumas and rediscover herself, while Xander's exuberance and compassion offer her a glimmer of hope. Their evolving friendship hints at the possibility of healing and connection amid life's uncertainties and challenges. The emotional fallout among friends, mainly Xander's disappointment and Charley's sense of betrayal, is palpable. Amidst the turmoil, memories of happier times provide a bittersweet contrast, highlighting the depth of their relationship. Through vivid descriptions and dialogue, the author creates emotionally rich, often tense, and heartwarming scenes. One such moment is the description of the panic and uncertainty surrounding Jess and coworkers. The unfolding events create a sense of urgency and dread. Beautiful and Terrible Things by S.M. Stevens is a compelling literary novel with resonant themes and characters that stay with readers after the last page is turned. The pathos is balanced by bittersweet moments.

Reviewed by Keyla Damaer for Readers' Favorite

The Committee Will Kill You Now by JL Lycette is a medical thriller that takes you into the mad world of a hospital residency program. Noah, the protagonist, is a young intern struggling with a tormented past. When a fellow intern dies tragically, Noah stumbles upon a secret involving both the hospital and his deceased father. Back in the 80s, his father was a member of the committee responsible for the first dialysis trials. They basically signed the death sentences of many Americans. His father's lack of ethics and the recent loss led Noah to make a mistake that might have caused the death of a patient, and the hospital accuses him of making a mistake he didn't commit. All this causes a surge of doubts about his role as a physician.

The Committee Will Kill You Now is a gripping medical thriller with well-rounded characters that seize your attention from the start. Noah, the main character, is someone to root for, and Marah's strength and intelligence are refreshing until they aren’t. Author JL Lycette, a physician herself, doesn't shy away from difficult questions about medical ethics and the pressures physicians have to endure when practising their profession. The most impactful scene for me, as a woman, was the one inside the O.R. when Andrews asks what Marah is wearing under her scrubs. Overall, I recommend The Committee Will Kill You Now to anyone who enjoys a good medical thriller with a thought-provoking twist.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Crossing the Tracks is a work of fiction in the historical fiction, interpersonal dramas, and social issues subgenres. It is best suited to the adult reading audience and mature teens wishing to learn about the dark realities of recent history. Penned by author Drew Hill, this is a powerful story set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement unfolding in Kansas City. The novel follows a white, working-class family man who takes a bold stand for justice and inclusivity amid a society marked by racism and bigotry. As history unfolds with pivotal events like Greensboro, Selma, and Memphis, the protagonist faces personal and moral challenges that force him to confront his own biases and the systemic prejudices ingrained in his community.

Author Drew Hill has crafted an enlightening experience that provides a vivid portrayal of the challenges individuals faced in confronting racial injustice during the Civil Rights Movement whilst also offering a powerful and emotive family drama at its heart. The story's authenticity and exploration of personal transformation made it a poignant and thought-provoking read that resonated long after the final page, not least because of Hill's capacity for emotional depth, creating a narrative that captures the essence of a transformative era in American society with the reality of how it directly affects people. The book shines a light on the individual's struggle against deeply rooted societal norms and offers a perspective on the significance of personal integrity and moral conviction during a tumultuous era in American history. Overall, Crossing the Tracks is a highly recommended read which delves into the complexities of family dynamics, community pressure, and personal growth, presenting a compelling narrative of one man's journey to overcome prejudice and advocate for change.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Of White Ashes is a work of fiction in the historical fiction, military adventures, and emotive slice-of-life subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author duo Constance Hays Matsumoto and Kent Matsumoto, this WWII historical novel follows the lives of two Japanese Americans, Ruby Ishimaru and Koji Matsuo, whose paths diverge after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Ruby is forcibly relocated from her Hawaii home to incarceration camps on the mainland, while Koji navigates the dangers of wartime Japan, concealing a perilous secret. As their journeys unfold, they eventually cross paths in California, where their magnetic chemistry is overshadowed by the trauma of war. Inspired by true events from the authors' family, the novel delves into themes of resilience, love, and the human capacity to endure hardship with dignity.

Author team Constance Hays Matsumoto and Kent Matsumoto have crafted a powerful tale of courage and adventure that is sure to deeply resonate with readers and blurs the lines between fact and fiction so well to deliver a blend of realistic, exciting fiction and real-world poignant lessons. I was very impressed with the development of the plot, set out in such clear beats with a strong rise and fall that keeps readers in suspense as it takes each bend of history’s path and surprises us with new, unforeseen challenges that really test the mettle of the central characters. The work succeeds in illuminating the struggles of ordinary individuals caught in the tumultuous tide of history, prompting readers to contemplate the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of remembering past injustices to prevent their recurrence. Overall, Of White Ashes is a highly recommended read for fans of wartime fiction that tugs at the heartstrings whilst also staying true to its real-world roots.

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.