Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

"Flying Solo" by Jeanette Vaughan begins with a shocking surprise for Nora; she is pregnant. This is not the happy occasion you may expect; her husband is not the father. Nora married Frank Greenwood, the son of a wealthy family and several years older than her. It was not a fulfilling marriage; their intimate life was more marital rape than romantic union. Nora wanted to take flying lessons but Frank forbade it. Her life was to revolve around him. Frank was determined to have a son. After giving birth to three girls they finally had a boy. They lived with his parents where her only friends were the maids. Eventually she met Charlene Hebert and they became close friends. Nora still wanted to learn to fly and answered an ad for lessons. The instructor was Steve Novak; the sexual tension between them was overwhelming and soon they found themselves in bed together. Steve was married and had six children. He had no plan to leave his wife. What would happen to Nora and her baby?

"Flying Solo" is a romance filled with twists and turns. The plot will draw the reader deep into its depths. Nora is a delightful character showing resilience, unwavering determination, and a headstrong personality. She lives life her way, not bending to the will of the society. Although this is a romance, it is much more; this is a psychological thriller that will keep the reader up all night reading so that they could learn the answers to all their questions. There is a message too in this book: money cannot buy happiness.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

It is 1995 and South Carolina Senator Buck Ravenel smiles, knowing that his gift of special snakeskin cowboy boots to his friend Judge Dupree Jones was a good thank you for political favors. Ravenel, Jones, Ravenel's longtime friend Vince Stone and all their associates and friends understand well the Code of the Forest which is "friends to the end" and making sure all of their allies have "ducks in their freezer"(political payoffs). Now Buck has friends who want to build the Carolina Phosphate plant on the Waccamaw River on a location just above Wright's Landing, once the site of the old Rice Heart Plantation and now the property of the Wright family, whose ancestors were plantation slaves. Environmentalists oppose the phosphate plant as it will poison the Waccamaw River and destroy the Carolina low country's balance of nature and its intricate food chain. Wade Hampton's family newspaper, the "Georgetown Pilot", publishes information that reveals Carolina Phosphate's money involvement with South Carolina's politicians, notably Buck Ravenel, and lawyer Kate Stewart defends Wade in Judge Dupree Jones' court. Now how do they have a chance against the network of South Carolina political intrigue?

"The Code of the Forest" is a brilliantly written and well-edited story that will hold any reader's interest until its very last page. Jon Buchan is a first-rate writer and his abilities come through loud and strong in this story of intertwined lives and political intrigue that is second to none. The characters of Kate Stewart, Wade Hampton and their families are memorable. Buck Ravenel, Judge Jones, Vince Stone and the men who use Bowman's Forest, a hunting and game preserve, are well-created and totally believable, despite their behind the scene corruption or as they called it, "friends to the end". "Code of the Forest" is a memorable story of memorable people with that flavor that only novels of the South can give.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

Bo (Beauregard) Kelso is an old man, a wealthy Texas rancher who has outlived his beloved wife, Mary Beth, by three years. Seventy-three years have passed since Bo's intolerant, hateful father Leroy nearly hanged his black ranch hand, Calvin Mercer, for attempting to steal what turned out to have been a bag filled with food for his hungry family. Bo knows that his background of racial intolerance caused by his father has caused terrible problems in his past and he grieves over what he'd done back in 1942. He has given anonymous gifts to local needy causes, but Pastor Clover tells Bo that giving gifts to church doesn't make a person right with God. Bo now rides his beloved horse, "Whisky By The Drink", all over the acres of his ranch, but when he comes upon young teenagers Kevin and his friend Leonard, one white and the other black, fishing on his property, he knows just what to do. And with the help of his ranch manager, Clint, whom Mary Beth rescued years before, Bo succeeds.

"Forgiving Waters" is a highly readable and very well-written and edited story of a man's life. Bo Kelso is a wonderful literary character as are Clint, the boys Leonard and Kevin, their parents, Matt with his shortcomings, Elijah Waters, and Bo's loved wife, Mary Beth. Readers will not be able to put this story down until its last page as "Forgiving Waters" is just one of those literary works that will penetrate the reader's heart and mind as its plot runs smoothly to the story's final words. Kenneth Capps has created a monumental story as big as the state of Texas where it is set. Put this book at the top of your reading list, everyone out there!

Reviewed by Author Anna del C. Dye. for Readers' Favorite

What a fun ride "Dancing Naked in Dixie" has been! I wondered about the name and almost didn’t pick it up. I am glad I did. If not I would have missed out on an excellent, clean tale. I really enjoy the witty and exhilarating scenes that seem to leave you without breath until you turn to the next page. It is a well-done tale, written in a very fun and fast pace. The given descriptions and history are quite complimentary to this story and are delivered nicely.

Reporter Julia Sullivan lives a hurried life in the middle of New York. The fact that she is attention deficit doesn’t help. Her pace has doubled since her mother died two years before. Her father had left her mother after she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Julia will never forgive him for that, nor that he packed up her mother’s apartment after she died and before Julia could look at it. Now this man has become her new boss and she is furious, especially when he sends her to a small town in Alabama. The Southern hospitality almost kills her when it takes her from one big plight to another. These range from killer bees that attack her to the manicured nails of the town’s Barbie who sets herself to keeping Julia from taking away her boyfriend. Each problem brings new people into her life and many possibilities for her news article.

This is a very well-written story that will thrill you to the last page. You will find action, secrets, love, and more in every chapter of this tale. It is great entertainment for any reader from late teens to adults.

Reviewed by Lynette Fowlston for Readers' Favorite

Angel Through The Storms by Clement Binnings Jr. is a powerful fictional story that grabs the reader from the first page. Lola Parrish grew up watching her father in drunken rages abuse her mother. As she grows up his attentions turn to her, and one night in a drunken rage, he rapes Lola, his own daughter. Fleeing, Lola heads for the only refuge she knows, New Orleans and her best friend Corinne. When she discovers she is pregnant, there is no doubt she will keep the baby; her personality changes, her panic attacks lessen and she becomes serene. This child that was conceived out of evil will come into this world as a special child: a crystal child who shows a powerful force of love; a child who, when his eyes gaze upon you, you can't look away; a child who is wise beyond his years. This is Grover Parrish. When her father enters her world again, can Lola weather the storms of life? Will she let go and learn to love the only man that has been in her life, her former doctor?

This book is difficult to review because I do not want to give away the plot. The plot was delicious, making it difficult to lay down. This book is a love story with a spiritual side and a tragic side; a story that shows good and evil existing together and fighting against each other. The characters are powerful and seem to draw the reader into the midst of them. The book does start out a little rough, but that sets the stage for what is to follow: a deeply riveting novel.

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

Soul and Shadow is the story of Amisihathor, a songstress in the temple of Hathor who, though she was buried along with her husband in his tomb, was in love with another. As Lily Evans, a research assistant views the exhibit of Amisihathor, she meets an older lady, Dame Ursula Allingham, and has the most interesting, but somewhat strange, conversation with her. Ursula tells Lily the story of Amisihathor and wants Lily to help solve the mystery of something that happened so very long ago. Follow Lily on her journey as this exciting, and sometimes dangerous, mystery unfolds. The author wonderfully blends the past and present, love and romance, mystery and history to give us a most intriguing story that will keep you on the edge of you seat until the mystery is solved. The surprising twists and turns as the story comes closer to an end will make this a most fascinating read.

This book is not my usual kind of reading, but I did find it a pretty fast-paced, interesting mystery and love story. Being the author's debut book, I was impressed by her ability to tell a story as a seasoned writer. The characters and dialogue were interesting enough to keep the book flowing nicely. I will have to say I didn't find the cover very appealing. A more striking cover designed more to fit the story would capture the interest of readers. Both young and older readers who enjoy ancient Egyptian cultures will enjoy this book.

Reviewed by Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite

Legacy of the Gray Ghost is Historical Fiction. A rather large prologue tells the true story of the legendary John Mosby, leader of a band of Confederate cavalrymen on daring raids deep behind Union lines during the Civil War. His fame came from his ability to strike quickly and then seemingly disappear, earning him the name of the Gray Ghost.

The book turns to the story of how one of Mosby's Raiders, at the end of the Civil War, goes on to found a family that becomes very successful and then establishes Mosby University in Virginia in 1908 in honor of the old Gray Ghost.

Much of the story takes place in 1958, the 50th anniversary of Mosby University's founding, and features the very funny behavior of the students and the football team, which had been floundering and was on the verge of being canceled.

Readers of historical fiction, humor and football will enjoy reading this story and will cheer the Mosby Raider football team during the historic 1958 season.

As a lover of history, I was pleased to read the opening of this story. I was then pleasantly surprised when the story turned to more modern days with an excellent look at university life in the 50's. The setting for the story is quite memorable; the characterization is first rate and the dialog spot on. I particularly appreciated the humor as I read through the exploits of the football team. The author managed to capture the essence of college life in the middle of the century. Well done.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

This book also comes in an audio book. This review is of the paperback.

Recently at a book fair in South Carolina, I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Tarrin P. Lupo, author of Pirates of Savannah. How could I not approach his table when he was dressed in a pirate costume? When he asked me to review his book I was thrilled, not only did he ask me to review the written copy but also the audio copy. I enjoy historical fiction and it is even better when a few facts are thrown in.

In this stunning account of pirates the reader is transported back to the 1700s. The plot centers on a group of men and women that were criminals and outcasts. They were tired of living under the thumb of the harsh Red Coats. They wanted liberty at any cost. The brave men and women risked their lives to live as freemen.

I learned a lot of facts concerning pirates. Rulers and governments encouraged and benefited from privateers for many years until it back fired on them. Ambergris, is a gray waxy glob of whale sperm and is worth a great deal of money. Savannah was the first purposely planned /organized city in the south. It is no wonder small pox, tuberculosis and other diseases were rampant, hygiene was not at the top of the peoples list of things to do. Captains of the ships bought prisoners and sold them as indentured slaves/servants; they were forced to sign contracts to serve for 5-7 years. The pirates were very superstitious. When launching a new ship they poured rum on the deck. Black cats were considered good luck, along with dolphins. Keelhauling was the most severe punishment on a ship.

The reader will recognize the names of most of the places mentioned although the spelling might be a bit different in that era. Savannah, St. Augustine, St Simon Island, Jekyll Island, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach Charles Towne, Cape Fear and the Keys are just a few of the settings for this adventure.

While I very much enjoyed the book and felt the author did an excellent job, I preferred the audio book which is read by the author. He did a wonderful job of changing his voice and intonation with the characters. His female voice left a lot to be desired but I loved his Scottish brogue and the other inflections. The author has included a map of locations included in the book. In the back of the book he lists the facts and fictions of each chapter. Liberty for all is the theme that runs throughout this book. Not only has Lupo incorporated freedom for Scottish, African American, Indians and other nationalities but he also included women. The illustrations are wonderfully done and added depth to the text. At over 500 pages you would think this would be a daunting read but in reality I wanted the adventure to last longer. I found this book fascinating and highly recommend.

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

The setting is 1846 New Orleans.

Desiree was only ten years old when she fell in love with Marcel. She was sure the seventeen year old man loved her and would return from France ready to marry her. She was devastated when several years later he returns to New Orleans with his new bride on his arm.

Desiree lived on Chene Vue, a plantation, with her grandfather, a heavy drinker and gambler. His sudden death was a shock. Desiree was in danger of losing her beloved home.

Philippe Jaunet wanted the plantation and saw Desiree a means to get what he wanted. He attempted to force her to marry him. Lance Van Buren was a wealth northern in love with the beautiful young woman. Desiree wanted only her Marcel.

Behind The Columns by Arlette Gaffrey is a story of love, passion, and deception. The characters are well defined. Lance and Desiree play well off of each other. Neither is adept at romance. Philippe is cruel. The characters come to life on the pages of this lovely romance. The plot is well developed and flows along nicely. MS Gaffrey clearly brings to life the charm of New Orleans history. She brings to this book her great knowledge of the area.