Reviewed by Frances Deborah Kerr-Phillips for Readers' Favorite

Doubleday Doubletake by JB Manheim is the third novel in the Cooperstown Trilogy. Manheim does not disappoint his fans, managing yet again to create a plot of dazzling ingenuity. The Commissioner of Baseball plots to halt and reverse the financial demise of Major League Baseball. Professor Dickens of the mysterious Applied Human Potentiality Department at Columbia University is funded by the billionaire Paul Chi Mannington to unearth anything in the beliefs of Theosophy that could have a technological application. Mannington appoints Adam Wallace to unravel a mystery involving Abner Doubleday, one of baseball’s forefathers and a Theosophist to boot. Manheim keeps the reader intrigued as to how on earth these seemingly disparate storylines will ultimately collide and resolve. The reader cannot but be hooked!

JB Manheim is a master at luring his reader into his stories. The title Doubleday Doubletake is immediately enticing, whilst the chapter headings are somewhat unusual, with the potential to turn a casual perusal of the novel on a bookshop display into a definite sale. I particularly enjoyed Manheim’s incorporation of photographic ‘evidence’ into the novel as this lends a sense of reality to what is already a blur of fact and fiction, rendering the reader malleable to what actually could be or could have been true. The plot gathers momentum, and Manheim’s twists and turns continue apace until the very last page, where the final twist is sprung. I was left wondering – is this it or could there possibly be a fourth book?

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Catching the Wind by Steve Physioc continues the story of Sam Cloud-Carson who we first met in Walks With The Wind. After losing his freedom, his family, and everything he loved, Sam thought his life was over. Reluctantly working for Drake Dixon was Sam’s personal hell. However, Sam was finally able to get away from Drake’s clutches and find a fresh start in Nicaragua. There, Sam was able to be himself and play baseball as much as he wanted. Getting the attention of scouts, Sam was relieved to find his groove back. However, that relief was short-lived as someone from Sam’s past was back, and he wanted Sam to lose everything once again. This was not the time for that. Sam needed to keep his attention on the Big League and prove his talent. He wasn’t ready to face his demons once again. Can Sam win this time?

Author Steve Physioc is a grand storyteller. He is a maestro with words and knows how to make things work for his readers. The descriptions are out of this world. I felt like I was transported to Nicaragua with Sam, I felt the change in the winds and could see the colors of the wilderness. I could feel Sam’s passion, his frustration, and then his determination as he fought to reclaim his life. Sydney’s character was fascinating, to say the least. She was relatable and very vital for Sam’s recovery. Physioc made sure to give enough attention to Sydney’s story and keep the main focus on Sam’s journey to redemption. As expected, the dialogues were crisp, the plot was thrilling, and the narrative was entertaining. There was never a dull moment in Catching the Wind, and Sam’s progress made me love this sequel even more. I loved the change in Sam, and enjoyed how he stood up for his dream! I would highly recommend both novels to the fans of sports/action novels.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Last At Bat: Small Town Big Secrets by Mark Donahue is a remarkable story of the human spirit in its capacity to beat tremendous odds. The story opens with the crash of a passenger airplane where baseball star Dylan Michael is among the passengers. The sporting world and his wife mourn his passing, and even Dylan himself has no remembrance that he survived. Only the four people who rescued him from the crash know everything. Living a new life as Matt Wolf, he slowly tries to recuperate. And as his body is beginning to gain strength, he begins to have a persistent memory of playing baseball and tries to reclaim who he once was. Of course, he could resurface in a world that has already moved on and has long accepted his death. This could prove costly as his former self is expected to do time in prison. But Matt is determined to make a comeback, and he will need the help of the folks in the small town of Blossom, South Carolina, a black town that is not fond of white guys like him.

You can feel the angst of Matt Wolf/Dylan Michael as he tries to make sense of the unusual circumstance that he finds himself in as he tries to reclaim who he once was. The headlines will not focus on the hostile black community but the white player who has been resurrected from the dead. This premise is what makes Last at Bat a powerful page-turner, and Mark Donahue is aware of this. That is why he writes his chapters in short, intense bursts. Matt Wolf/Dylan Michael is a brilliant study in character, working as the fiery, intense protagonist who, unconsciously, is making history by trying to redeem himself. What better way to examine the moral scale of racism than to place it in the competitive and emotionally-charged world of professional baseball. Last At Bat rises above the standards of race themes in fiction. It’s a must-read story for its rousing and sensitive treatment of social issues that most of us find difficult to address.

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 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 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.