Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Slummer: Quarters Till Death by Geoffrey Simpson is a compelling, futuristic novel that features a sport scarcely written about: running. Set in 2083, Benjamin Brandt is among those who live on the fringes of society. He belongs to the class of poor people commonly referred to as slummers. The social and economic gap between those of his world and the enhanced elite is enormous. They have nothing in common. Yet Ben is fascinated whenever he watches athletes who are genetically enhanced compete on the television. Instead of being intimidated, he feels inspired by the national track championship. He sets himself to work, determined to make a difference. He feels alive when he sucks in the damp air, running through the dark, uneven streets of Cleveland’s east side. In fact, running is the easiest part of his life, easier than tying laces. But what are his chances of winning against enhanced runners?

The Slummer is a gripping tale of courage, resilience, and grit; the story of one man’s desire to change the rules of the game and the status quo. The setting is a future world where those who are genetically enhanced live in affluence while millions suffer in poverty, laboring in the Industrial Valley. The story starts with vivid descriptions of the world of the protagonist, his emotions, and his worldview. The story is set in the future and in a world like ours. Geoffrey Simpson’s protagonist is a character of grit, someone who inspires readers to believe in their dreams and to stop at nothing. I found myself rooting for him from the very moment he was introduced into the story. The author describes his sporting activities with such clarity that the reader can see him in their mind’s eye. The elements of the setting, from the uninviting locales inhabited by the slummers to the social atmosphere, are brilliantly written. The prose is stellar, filled with terrific descriptions and strong imagery, and the plot so skillfully crafted that it transforms the tale into a page-turner.

Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Walks with the Wind by Steve Physioc is a beautifully written and character-driven story that follows the life of two strong characters: Sam Cloud-Carson and Drake Dixon. Sam Cloud-Carson is a prodigy who led Ignacio to the state playoffs in both basketball and baseball. He is a natural tracker, incredibly sensitive to the mysteries of the wilderness that seem to be readily accessible to him. He is the pride of his family and his town. But Drake Dixon of DiamondBar Security has a special interest in young Sam. Drake is someone with no sense of altruism. He works for power and profit and that is what defines his relationships. Sam is an asset that he will stop at nothing to win over as a tracker, especially with the promise of wealth in the Afghan mountains. But what are the stakes for Sam?

This is a mesmerizing tale that is fast-paced and filled with covert activities. The story takes readers across the globe as they follow the characters through the treacherous landscapes and a setting characterized by conflict. The setting has historical hints, with the political games and war in Afghanistan evoked beautifully. Sam is a character that I rooted for and it is interesting how a bad day played him into the hands of the one man who’d always wanted him. His natural instincts make him the best tracker. Steve Physioc is a great storyteller who writes believable characters, with a conflict against a historical backdrop that has been widely written about yet he creates unique scenes and a plot that is original. Walks with the Wind is tightly plotted, gorgeously written, with political themes and a strong appeal to fans of espionage.

Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Everyone Dies Famous by Len Joy is a work of literary fiction. It is July 2003, Maple Springs in Missouri. All around them, storms and tornadoes batter America and now one is aimed straight at their little town. Dancer Stonemason is a stubborn old fool. He lost his son, Clayton, in a car accident and his house has been sold. Forced to move in with his other son, Jim, he needs to clear the jukeboxes he and Clayton restored. Getting together with Wayne, a soldier separated from his wife, he delivers the jukeboxes to Ted Landis. A month-long drought is about to break in spectacular fashion and, as the storm approaches, Dancer decides that old scores need to be settled and Wayne discovers his wife’s affair – the only thing on his mind is revenge. As the storm barrels through the town, destroying everything in its wake, only one of them will survive.

Everyone Dies Famous by Len Joy was a riveting tale. Written in a kind of diary format, like a real-life story, it starts off after the storm and then goes back in time. A story written from the heart, it follows the lives of some very ordinary people, the way they live, their life choices, the way they die and, in places, it really does tug at the heartstrings. There are several stories here, different people whose lives are bound together in one way or another, and they all converge at one terrifying point in life. The characters were really well written, very different people, unlikely friends and allies, and although their lives are nothing short of normal, it doesn’t take long until you become invested in those lives, taking sides and hoping for the best in the worst circumstances. There’s plenty of action but it isn’t written like a thriller, more a peek at daily life, and it is enthralling reading. I really like Len Joy’s work and I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to escape from their own world for a bit.

Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Finding George Washington by Bill Zarchy is a time travel tale. It’s 1778 and the weather is freezing. New snow falls constantly, making life difficult for the soldiers at the Valley Forge encampment. General George Washington leaves the encampment and suffers a fall, knocking himself out. When he awakes, he is not where he should be. George Washington has vanished – and reappeared in 2014, at a San Francisco dog park. Making friends with a couple of Berkeley Students, Washington learns all about the 21st century, a time he would never have seen. But his disappearance from Valley Forge brings its own consequences. As the world begins to change, and the Giants are in a fight to make something of a bad baseball season, George and his two new friends need to find a way to get George back to where he should be before things change too much. Can George Washington get back to 1778 or is he forever stuck in the 21st century?

Finding George Washington: A Time Travel Tale by Bill Zarchy is a wonderful story. It’s funny, it's gripping reading and it's highly entertaining, a real story of the past meeting the present with comical and sometimes disastrous consequences. Baseball, time travel, this story has all the elements of an epic tale and you will struggle to put it down. It’s action all the way, in the past and the present, in a unique tale that is as far away from the normal time travel tales as it could be. With fantastically developed characters, you come to know a George Washington that you’ve only ever read about in history books personally. If you love time travel stories, if you love US history and baseball, then this is the perfect book for you.

Reviewed By Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Being Brothers is a nostalgia-driven, coming-of-age sports drama written by Mike DeLucia. The story is narrated by the character of Mark Marino, a New York-based author whose screenplay "Being Brothers" -- about a man named Jack Amato reminiscing his childhood in the Bronx in the early 1970s -- forms the bulk of the narrative. Eleven-year-old Jackie Amato always felt overshadowed by his older brother Sal, a baseball prodigy. But when coach Charlie George offers him a chance to play for the Panthers in the majors, he must grab the opportunity with both hands. As baseball season commences, Jackie must find a way to make his spot permanent in the team and take them to glory. In the meantime, he navigates school, friends, brotherly rivalry, and his childhood crush, Carmen Capriano.

A coming-of-age sports drama at its core, Being Brothers is filled with a sense of nostalgia. Author Mike DeLucia combines baseball and brotherly rivalry to craft an engaging tale that transports you to a time devoid of iPhones, the internet, or video games, which at times feels like an ode to the 1970s. The narrative is well-paced and written like a screenplay rather than a conventional novel. It gives a unique and almost cinematic perspective to the reader, seamlessly conveying the experiences of Jackie's childhood that shaped him into the man he later becomes in life. The characters felt relatable, and Jackie's scenes with his friends provide plenty of entertaining moments. If you love coming-of-age sports stories, I urge you to check out Being Brothers.

Reviewed By Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

It is 1912 and baseball, a young sport, is floundering to find its way. Dead Ball by GP Hutchinson is the story of Hal Gerecke and Rube Wannamaker and the role they played. Hal is a pitcher and Rube is the batter as the season is coming to an end and two last place teams are playing. Hal’s pitch hits Rube and it leaves him bleeding and unconscious at the plate. There is a very mixed reaction – some believing that Hal intentionally hit Rube, others accepting it for the accidental throw it was. Hal spends many hours in the hospital, watching Rube lying unresponsive in the bed and offering to help any way he can. Rube's wife understands it was an accident and forgives him but there are others who vow to get even and make Hal pay. Hal and his new wife are suddenly in danger and must keep a step ahead to stay alive. You must read the rest for yourself because I do not want to offer spoiler alerts to the chase and conclusion.

Dead Ball: A Novel of Murder and Passion by GP Hutchinson has it all – baseball, romance, murder, suspense, and history. I really enjoyed Dead Ball very much. The characters and plot kept me involved and rooting for Hal until the very last page. I believe that if this novel were to be made into a movie, it would skyrocket to the top of the sports category. GP Hutchinson took the history of early baseball and created a winning fictional story. I highly recommend that you put Dead Ball on the top of your reading list.

Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Murder at First Pitch is the first entry in the Ball Park Mysteries by Nicole Asselin and an enjoyable read for fans of murder mystery and baseball. Thirty-two-year-old Madeline Boucher loses her corporate job and goes to work for her family's baseball business. She is the face of the business as she works as Social Media Director. But when she discovers the body of someone linked to the team, someone she's witnessed arguing with her brother at the business function, she wants to be sure that her brother is not suspected of murder. Her brother gets arrested for the murder of Christopher Dailey, a former felon and baseball scout. Maddie wants the truth and freedom for her brother. But does she know her brother, and what if the crime was actually committed by him?

This novel is well-written for fans of baseball and mystery, a story with a strong female protagonist. Madeline is a sophisticated protagonist and it is interesting to watch her go through the dilemma, caught between the quest for truth and the love for her brother. The story is well-plotted and emotionally rich. The author does a great job of making readers guess what could happen next. The short chapters and the timely paragraph breaks augment the enjoyable reading experience and build up the drama that culminates in a strong denouement. Nicole Asselin has a gift for character and knows how to explore emotions in readers. The descriptions are terrific and create strong imagery. Murder at First Pitch is absorbing and deftly written for sports fans.

Reviewed By Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Watermark: The Broken Bell Series by Elise Schiller is a heart-breaking story of teenage angst, coming of age, family dysfunction, and poverty in the inner city. Angel Ferente is a little more damaged than your average teenager and yet, she has managed to rise above her circumstances and become a high-school sports star. Angel lives with her mother, her step-father and three half-sisters in one of the poorest areas of urban Philadelphia. Her mum, Pic, is an alcoholic, drug-taking, often absentee mother and her step-father is an unemployed, drug-dealing and abusive, layabout. For most of her eighteen years, Angel’s life has revolved around balancing caring for her three younger half-sisters, working a part-time job at the local laundromat, and attending school when she is able. What lifts her out of this grind is her love of and her excelling at competitive swimming. Swimming is a way for Angel to get away from and forget the awful realities of her daily life but, even more importantly, for Angel, it is something she is able to excel at – something that can finally give her some pride in herself as a woman. Even swimming, though, it seems will not be enough to keep Angel totally on the straight and narrow.

I found this book to be fascinating and insightful. Watermark: The Broken Bell Series delves inside a world that is not often open to inner-city children, especially those of color; the world of competitive swimming. Author Elise Schiller has produced a lead character that is both compelling and frustrating from a reader’s perspective. As a reader you just wanted to grab Angel and give her a good shake, telling her how damn special she is and how she shouldn’t waste this God-given talent that could take her places she’d never dreamt of, like college. The author told her story using three separate voices and perspectives: Angel, her sister Jeannine, and her best friend, Alex. This method was fraught with danger, from a reader’s perspective, yet the author made it work perfectly. In fact, Jeannine emerges from the tale as one of the more fascinating characters of the three and one that evinced great empathy from the reader. All of the main characters were incredibly easy to identify with and to root for. I particularly enjoyed the swimming coach and his assistant who were character summations of wonderful people all over the world who return to their roots and try to give back to the children of their own hometowns some of the opportunities they themselves were denied or were unable to achieve. Yes, the story is bittersweet in many ways but incredibly compelling and a wonderful read. I can highly recommend this story and look forward to the next iteration of the Broken Bell series.

Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The Conman: A Baseball Odyssey by Mike Murphey with Keith Comstock is an interesting way of telling a true story in a fictional manner and throws light on the lives of professional baseball players and the challenges they undergo to make it to the top leagues. This is the story of Conor Nash who was no stranger when it came to failures; he had been released from professional baseball contracts, major league teams, and minor league affiliates. Conor put his womanizing days behind him once he got married to Kate and he avoided drugs because baseball was his drug. What happens to an addict when he cannot get high again? Would it be easy for him to deal with it and get over it?

The Conman is based on the life of Keith Comstock who played baseball professionally for sixteen years. The memoir chronicles his journey, the challenges he faced, the ups and downs, his personal life, and most importantly his passion for baseball. Conor Nash and his adventures will take readers on an entertaining trip, and his sheer strength, determination, courage, and perseverance will fill readers with admiration. Keith Comstock's on and off-field encounters and moments have been woven into the story of Conor Nash. The memoir is all about hope, perseverance, and love, and will encourage readers to stay motivated while playing a sport.

The Conman also reveals the life of a sportsman, the challenges, hardships, the injuries, and sacrifices he endures to make his dream of playing for major leagues come true. This book is a treat for all baseball lovers and will make them aware of the long journey these players have to take to reach their goal. Mike Murphey's writing style is simple, neat, and elegant, and the detailed narration takes readers into the world of baseball, and the ugly side that exists under all the glamour.

Reviewed By Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

It all starts at Rome High School, the heart of the football-obsessed community where Marcus Brinks learns the childish ways of successful adults, dodges the steroid-driven first string gladiators and falls in love for the first and only time. In 1994, all that mattered to the students, faculty, and community members of Rome was the next big win. With fixed grades and over-inflated egos, football players rule the halls of Rome High School, the streets of Rome, and the hearts of all the females who grace those halls and accompanying streets where Marcus Brinks bides his time until he can escape the archaic attitudes of small-town living. Twenty years later, a washed-up one-time rock star, Marcus returns to be with his dying mother to find nothing has changed other than his overwhelming attraction to Becca Walsh, who this time around meets him in the middle and beyond. Just when Marcus believes that something good can come from the ridiculousness of the values in Rome, familiar threats of days gone by remind Marcus that nothing in Rome changes, even when Rome falls.

In The Rome Of Fall, Chad Alan Gibbs shares a superlative wit and mastery of the English language with such observances as “the girl who’d, since I met her half a lifetime ago, owned considerable real estate in my mind.” Starting with the thought-provokingly appropriate play-on-words title, The Rome of Fall is a delightful, heartbreaking cause and effect storyline that makes this novel a must-read. Chad Alan Gibbs is a master storyteller not to be ignored. Loved this novel! Chad Alan Gibbs is my latest favorite author.