Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

A Million Little Lies by Bette Lee Crosby is a story of lies, pain, and redemption. Suzanna lost her mother when she was 10 and that was when the lies started. Small white lies, fibs, grew into more and now, with a daughter of her own, those lies are coming back to bite her. Suzanna was passing through Georgia, attending a wake on her way to New Jersey for a new start. It should have been nothing more simple than passing on her condolences but she didn’t bank on the grieving widow mistaking her for Ida’s stolen granddaughter. Suzanne plays along; after all, what's one more lie and it's only for a few hours after all. But she didn’t realize how deeply embroiled she would become. And now the past is back to greet her. Suzanne has two choices – run or face up to the truth. Either way, she stands to lose everything and hurt those she loves.

A Million Little Lies by Bette Lee Crosby is a fascinating story, heartbreaking in places, fraught with emotion, and entirely intriguing. It’s easy to get caught up in this story as you follow the trail of lies Suzanna has told and you wonder, all the way through, how this can possibly turn out for the good. After all, there’s only so long you can lie before you start to trip up and the truth comes out. And there’s only so long you can keep running. The characters in this story will become incredibly real. They are likable people and you will always find a way to relate to them, throughout every situation they stumble through and, when the book is done, you may even feel like you just lost a friend. This is a great story about the trials and tribulations of life, unique yet a story heard a thousand times before in different ways. You won’t put this down – you will become so invested in their lives that stopping reading simply isn’t an option.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Truth That Lies Between is a work of murder mystery and small-town crime fiction and was penned by author W. D. McComb. The action starts with a group of best friends, a trio of carefree young lads who have little to do with their time but race around farms on three-wheelers and generally have fun. But Case, Jack, and Jet are about to become prime suspects when they discover the remains of a murdered drifter. As their lives are all turned upside down by the effects of this killing, the boys realize that they must solve the case and clear their names before they lose everything that they hold dear.

Author W. D. McComb writes with beautiful imagery, and it makes this compelling murder mystery feel like a modern-day Steinbeck novel. The farmlands and the big skies come to life with compelling scene setting, and this is bolstered by authentic dialogue which characterizes Case and his friends well. Once the audience is hooked in and ready to relate to and fall in love with this idyllic premise, the shock of the murder and its domino effect on events is all the more visceral and exciting for the plot. The events are well planned out and well revealed to give us plenty of time to think and predict alongside our would-be investigators, and when the conclusion does come, it will never be what you expected, but it’s satisfying nonetheless. Overall, The Truth That Lies Between is an excellent work of fiction that comes highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Tales From The Beach House is a work of dramatic fiction in the personal drama genre and was penned by author James Aylott. Written for adults due to the inclusion of some explicit language and scenes of a sexual nature, this work focuses on the titular Beach House, a motel in South Florida in the modern-day, and its many residents. Each of the obscure and quirky people who now reside in the motel takes on a chapter of the tale, developing a series of short stories that also culminate in a social and cultural viewpoint of contemporary South Florida in general. What results is a fascinating journey of character study and an eventual coming together of people to face the threat of losing their home.

Author James Aylott accomplishes a great deal with this excellent work of drama, including a full range of human experiences and emotions through his bizarre and lively cast of characters. Although the residents of the motel seem larger than life, initially characterized by entertaining descriptions and dialogue, we explore their humanity as their stories and motivations unfold. What results is a really insightful exploration of what makes people tick, and the similarities that we all share despite our exterior differences and life choices. The stylistic choices in the narrative feel like a reporter digging into the scene, which gives the novel a truly unique voice too. Overall, Tales From The Beach House is a recommended read for fans of the likes of short story masters like Raymond Carver. A high-quality novel.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

In Beth Duke’s heart-warming novel, Tapestry, Skye Willis and her grandmother, Sparrow, decide to find out more about their ancestry, a decision that launches their lives on a course they would never have imagined. Skye had always been curious about her father’s side of the family. Raised by her mother and grandmother, she had no information about her father except the few details her mother divulged on occasion. At twenty-one now, Skye cannot dismiss the issue anymore. She resorts to genetic testing and convinces her grandmother to take the test too to prove her Muscogee Creek ancestry. Meanwhile, Pete Darling, CEO of PFD Pipelines, embarks on the most important project of his life: the repair and replacement of hundreds of miles of a natural gas line. But things are about to drastically change for Pete and the company.

Tapestry is centered on two eccentric characters, Sparrow and Skye. Their bond is well-developed throughout as Skye is fond of Sparrow and Sparrow remains supportive and loving towards Skye. Supporting characters in the novel play an important role in bringing out the themes of the novel. Set in two alternate places, Texas and Alabama, the story explores themes of corruption, control, and manipulation alongside uplifting themes about sacrifice, love, and true happiness. The story is rewarding as it follows Skye’s growth while she learns what she is passionate about and what truly matters. The two separate plots are carefully woven together when their paths intersect. Told with a touch of humor, Tapestry by Beth Duke explores important themes through an authentic set of characters.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

In The River Nymph by Anne Lovett, Tenny runs away from home, hoping to leave behind all the pain from her childhood. Her brother had gone off to war, never to return home, and Tenny is determined to find him. Tenny wishes to make something out of her disheartening situation and go back for her sister. She arrives at Ashbyville, Georgia unsure of what course her life will take. Her first days are fraught with obstacles but Tenny knows she has no place to go back to. Meanwhile, Pete and Gussie, two cousins from Ashbyville, meet Tenny by chance. Pete is beguiled by the image taken by Gussie, the image of the girl at the river. Gussie longs for a different lifestyle from her mother’s. She intends to become a renowned photographer but is she too far ahead of her time?

Anne Lovett’s The River Nymph follows Tenny’s story as she runs away and arrives in Ashbyville and her life after that. Her tenacity is inspiring as she fights every impediment on her path to following her dreams. The supporting characters anchor the story as their roles build the themes of the book. The work is also a heartfelt recollection of the drawbacks women in the early 1900s endured, yet they chose to hold on to their dreams and pave the way for others behind them. It also touches on social and political issues prevalent in that era, including racism. The plot is made compelling by the twists that each character encounters and lives through. The River Nymph by Anne Lovett is inspiring, making it a great book for readers who enjoy thought-provoking novels.

Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite

Little Tea by Claire Fullerton takes readers on a journey of betrayal, young romance, friendship, and racism in the '80s. Ava, Celia, and Renny had been friends since they were thirteen years old. Years after, when Ava struggled with her decision to leave her twenty-three-year marriage, they plan on getting together in Memphis (their hometown). Ava had been with Stan since she was twenty-two, but now she feels that they are in a rut. On reaching Memphis, Ava got back in touch with her ex-boyfriend, Mark. What nobody could have seen was that Celia's ex-boyfriend, Tate, was also in Memphis and was eager to talk to Celia. His presence brought up many memories of the past, sweet and bitter, that Celia had worked hard in keeping buried. Betrayal of Tate, good times with her brother, Hayward, and the heartfelt discussions with her charismatic friend, Little Tea, were the most significant of all those recollections.

Little Tea by Claire Fullerton is an experience and not just a book. Most of the time, Celia narrates the story, but that does not decrease the importance of other characters. Ava is a capricious woman that brings the fun factor into the plot. Renny is a straightforward woman whose personality oozes control. Celia is a thinker who does not speak without analyzing all the facts. Little Tea, whom Celia considered her best friend, only wishes to get far away from the racism of Memphis. Hayward, Celia's brother, brings calm and joy into the plot. He takes a firm stand against the racist comments of his family without showing any sign of anger or annoyance.

Claire Fullerton has done a commendable job of discussing the prejudiced opinion of a few privileged sets of people against the black community in the '80s. Although Celia and Hayward can find no flaw in Little Tea, not all members of their family tolerate this friendship. Claire Fullerton moves both the present and the flashback parts of the story almost in parallel. Drama, the innocence of youth, the banter of friends, and suspense are my most cherished elements of this book.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The McCoys Before the Feud is the first entry in The McCoys Before the Feud Series by Thomas A. McCoy, a historical western tale packed with action. It begins in the last few days of the Civil War when everyone knew that the South had lost. Thomas McCoy Jr. receives a letter from his former betrothed, Teresa, and the contents bore information that was troubling: “I’m sure you’ve heard of the rumors of all the valuables taken from the Southerners. It’s hard to believe it’s true. Come to me as fast as you can when the war is over.” The year is 1865 and Tommy McCoy is buoyed up with the desire for justice. He can’t let the corrupt general get away with the bounty of the Confederacy, so Tommy and his intelligent father hatch a plan to recover the spoils or die trying. And they have to recover the bounty before the general gets help.

Thus begins an engrossing western yarn that is filled with historical details and breathtaking action. The McCoys Before the Feud explores the legacy of a family bent on recovering the stolen wealth. The story is filled with action and gun fighting. The author captures the atmosphere during the Civil War with clarity, evoking vivid images of the setting and the general culture of the time. The narrative is composed in excellent prose and the descriptions are wonderful. Thomas A. McCoy seems to have researched the novel so well; the prose is impeccable with humor filling every page, and the characters are rock-solid. This is a rare gem for fans of historical novels and western stories.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Good Buddy: A Novel by Dori Ann Dupre is a southern romance with a powerful twist, sophisticated characters, and a satisfying denouement. Jonathan “Buddy” Cordova is a defense lawyer in a small town, practicing law from his home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is not a very successful lawyer, just the kind who defends clients who eventually end up in jail. But Jonathan has a dark secret. When he meets Julie Saint, a part-time kindergarten teacher and an army widow, he falls in love. He is delighted to be stepfather to Molly, Julie's daughter, and the bond between Jonathan and Molly grows every day. He is happy to have the perfect family, but when faced with a tragedy, he is forced to battle the demons of his past. He can also lose the family that wasn’t legitimately his. Can he look at himself with honesty and find a path to redemption?

Dori Ann Dupre introduces readers to characters that are real — they are genuinely flawed and their vulnerability quickly becomes a channel through which a strong bond is built. Both Julie and Jonathan have suffered losses in their childhoods and both of them bear the scars of the past with them. It is interesting how the relationships between the characters develop in the narrative and how well the author explores the hearts of the characters. Dori Ann Dupre keeps the writing strong, deepens the characters and keeps them real, and infuses the narrative with humanism. The story has powerful plot points, is emotionally engaging, and hides surprises that readers will want to discover.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Love, Loss, and Lagniappe: A Love Story That Defied the Laws of Nature is a literary fiction novel written by Richard Robbins. It was spring of 1982, and Drew was enjoying being a part of the Admissions Office tours that showcased the Tulane University campus to junior and senior high school students and their families from across the country. He was in his second semester as a freshman now, and he somehow felt so much older than those high school students were. Drew and his friends knew that fraternizing with any of the prospective students was strictly forbidden, and he ordinarily had no problem conforming to that, but then something strange happened. It wasn’t just her eyes, which were the most amazing color, or the way she looked. The attraction he felt to the girl from Virginia went much deeper than that. He was in a daze as he guided her group through their tour and rushed through the next one in the hopes that he would be able to see her again. Her group had already left, however, and, besides, he knew the rules about not making contact. But something about that momentary connection stayed with him. She was the ideal compared to which each girl he met while in college invariably paled.

Richard Robbins’s literary fiction novel, Love, Loss, and Lagniappe: A Love Story That Defied the Laws of Nature, is a sweet and enthralling tale about two lovers whose chance meeting resonates with each of them for years. Robbins is the consummate guide to Tulane University and New Orleans, and I loved getting to know that city through his story. While I’ve read travel guides about New Orleans, somehow following Drew as he showed “his city” to Kate helped me get a bit closer to the magic and mystery of that historic place. The plot is engaging and unpredictable in the best of ways, and the character study of Drew is unforgettable and profound, especially his time spent on the road and on the Appalachian Mountain Trail. Love, Loss, and Lagniappe: A Love Story That Defied the Laws of Nature is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Every so often a book comes along that you believe everyone should read. For me, The Emancipation of Evan Walls by Jeffrey Blount is that book, a story in which not only the protagonist, Evan Walls, is liberated from the demons of his youth, but through which receptive readers will be freed of uninformed notions about what it was like to grow up black in America before and after emancipation. This incredible story might shock you, or at the very least will move you to tears. Either way, you won’t forget it any time soon, if ever.

As a wide-eyed, curious and intelligent youngster, Evan loves the weekly gathering of friends and family for Kool-Aid, chatter and gossip on his parents’ verandah. At one such gathering, he tunes into Bojack’s grumblings on the status of the black people of Canaan who seem content with and intent upon staying where years of white suppression have put them ie. not seeking to better themselves, to get an education, and one day become somebody who matters. Evan takes Bojack’s views to heart and from that point on is determined to make something of himself. He learns to read; he slowly replaces his “black” way of speaking with proper English. He is mentored for years by both Bojack and his beloved great-grandmother Jennie, but along the way he is rejected, not just by his peers who see him as an Uncle Tom and as turning his back on his race, but by his own status-conscious mother and father. After schools become integrated, the friendless, unloved and abused Evan finds friendship in some white classmates. Unfortunately, that fuels even more anger from his family, and triggers complete isolation and violence from his black brothers. Despite a broken heart and incredible loneliness, Evan weathers it all to become a star athlete. But even that cannot salvage the damage his determination to become a somebody has caused in his personal life. He has broken the unspoken rule of accepting the status quo, of fitting in with everyone, and now he must pay the price.

The Emancipation of Evan Walls is a gut-wrenching read, delivered by a brilliant, award-winning author and television director, Jeffrey Blount. He is a master of telling a story, revealing characters and their motivations primarily through dialogue. This style of writing not only makes his characters utterly realistic and emotionally engaging, but also moves the story along quickly. This is one of those books that keep you turning pages, not because of non-stop action or unexpected twists and turns, but because of the stark reality and truths explored through the characters and setting. The Emancipation of Evan Walls is utterly riveting reading and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Brilliant!