Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

When her grandmother died, Melissa Schwedemann's life changed forever. The old woman left her a mysterious journal and a letter. Also, her grandmother gives her instructions that she has to follow before sunset on the solstice of that year. Not doing so may result in dire consequences to the whole world. It is imperative that Melissa takes her grandmother's place and complete a ritual and that she should only trust Charles and be wary of the rest of the family members, especially the males. As the story continues, Melissa uncovers the ancient secret of what happened to the dragons when she unexpectedly released them from prison where they languished for fifteen hundred years.

Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, T. D. Raufson is fascinated with magic, so it not surprising that his novel "Emergence" is about the supernatural. The novel starts with the premise that 1500 years ago, dragons vanished from the earth. Along with other magical creatures, the dragons have persisted only as a legend and the world descended into the dark ages. That is until the main protagonist Melissa Schwendemann uncovers the ancient secret and releases the dragons from their prison. I find the structure of the story excellent as the narrative develops smoothly and clearly, effectively bringing the reader to a magical world. Although there are many characters in the story, it is easy to follow and the main characters are well-developed. For those who are fascinated by magic and the supernatural, this is a must read. It is a book that will make the reader imagine the wonders of a world where magic is real.

Reviewed by Dianne Bylo for Readers' Favorite

Book two of the 'Coursodon Series' by M. L. Ryan, “Special Rewards”, is filled with a little romance, some fantasy and lots of mayhem! The once ordinary Hailey Parrish deals with her life now that the flamboyant Sebastian Kess, an enforcer from the parallel dimension Coursodon, has left her body, leaving behind some of his magical abilities. Hailey has also managed to fall in love with Alex Sunderland, Sebastian’s protégé, who is the target of an unknown assailant, oh and a royal Prince, too! Of course, a trip to Coursodon is in the cards for everyone, forcing Hailey to adapt to a new world, a new love and new powers. As she learns to control her new abilities, Hailey finds she is less than adept in the “Hocus Pocus” department, subject to temper tantrums that cause her powers to go haywire at the most inopportune times! Somehow she often manages to save the day when needed, all the while providing lots of humor along the way! Still, there are questions . . . Is Alex the real target or is it someone else? Which world are they from? Is there a plan involving the harming of humans?

I found “Special Rewards” to be funny, creatively brilliant and a great read! M. L. Ryan has crafted a unique world filled with a variety of characters, all full of their own special flare, personality and life! Her ideas for Hailey’s manifesting abilities are cleverly done, while the plot flows swiftly to its end, leaving room for me to eagerly anticipate the next book!

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

"Revelation 9:11" is a mixture of fantasy and fact. Authors Stuart and Franklyn have created a fascinating tale based in part on scripture. In "Revelation 9:11" readers meet Reverend Benjamin Price. In the beginning of our tale we learn that Father Price is teaching Ancient Near-Eastern Religious Folkore at Wyncliffe College and has also written a book on the topic. The 100 seat lecture hall had a lot of empty seats but the students who were there found the lecture much more satisfying than they thought. Father Price discussed the Nephalim. He continued his discussion by referring to Noah, Adam and Eve, Satan and numerous other angels and fallen angels. When word of his teachings reached the ears of the Vatican he had to appear before a Bishop and two cardinals. They questioned him extensively and passed judgment without having read his book on the subject. The council told him to stop and abstain from teaching or discussing that topic. When the Pope heard of their hasty and unfair decision, Father Price was sent to live and care for an orphanage. When he first heard of the assignment he was resigned to do his best but was not particularly happy. Once he arrived he had a change of heart. The children at this orphanage all had one special thing in common: a bright light “angel” appeared to them and rescued or protected them.

There is so much more in this story than I can possibly summarize in this review. It suffices to say this is an excellent read that kept me on the edge of my seat. The authors have created a plausible explanation for many of the questions I have encountered when I read certain scripture passages, such as who and what were the Nephalmin? I found Stuart and Franklyn’s hypothesis exciting. The discussion of a portal from Earth to a spirit realm was intriguing. The characters in "Revelation 9:11" are multifaceted. Lately, there has been much talk concerning the ending of the Mayan Calendar and whether it was predicting the end of the world. The two authors have handled that aspect well. I do have one small and insignificant negative comment. The cover of the book is not worthy of the content between the covers. I suggest the authors seek someone else to do the cover. I found "Revelations 9:11" extremely entertaining and read it all in one sitting. I was so enthralled that I began researching the part of the text that I was not familiar with. Well done Stuart and Franklyn!

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

The moment I saw the cover of "Future Tense" by Eddie Upnick I knew I had to read this book. The cover alone teases the reader with shades of muted green, the hint of a bright light and a not quite human looking figure standing in the shadows. How could any sci fi fan not want to delve into this tale for the cover shouted of adventure, fantasy, sci fi, thrills and suspense? I certainly wasn't disappointed: "Future Tense" has all of these qualities and more.

"Future Tense" is a sequel to "Time Will Tell". However, it stands well alone. Vito is the protagonist in this book. His personality won my affection from the beginning. Vito is called to serve his country by his old school mate, President Peter Taylor. The Secretary of State, Little G was also a former classmate of Vito. Unfortunately, Little G had little if any back bone and was giving in to all the foreign leaders and President Taylor needed Vito to keep the world leaders from running over Little G, just the way Vito protected him in school. Vito wasn't the most diplomatic or politically correct person that ever existed. He was never afraid to speak his mind and told several world leaders what to do. But this is just the beginning of the tale. It gets so much better. Vito adopts twins that have Leukemia and manipulates his wife to returning to him. He discovers he has magic powers. Then there are the secrets concerning his father. Upnick doesn't stop there; he creates a hero in Vito, for it is Vito's task to travel to the future to stop numerous threats to our existence.

This book is great. I love the way Upnick depicted time travel. The characters are multidimensional, intergalactic and thoughtfully developed. Upnick successfully draws readers into this plot. He has created twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. I can hardly wait for another book by Eddie Upnick.

Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

All I could think once I started reading this book was WOW! It's Diana's last days as a high school junior, and she is looking forward to becoming a senior and perhaps being voted president of their book club. The thing is that she has always been plagued with haunting dreams, and often the dreams are of people being killed. While the dreams seemed very real, she had always thought they were just that, dreams. When she sees a video on YouTube of a priest from the Vatican asking for warriors to join his crusade in trying to rid the catacombs of the demons that are living there, she is surprised to realize that she actually recognizes this priest from her dreams, and in her dreams she had saved him! When she calls him, she is shocked to find out that he knows her and that he wants her help. She decides to take the trip and invites two of her best friends from high school to go along. The journey she embarks upon not only helps her understand her past and her destiny, but it also allows her to meet with a man whom she has been tied to for centuries! Will Diana and her friends survive the journey, and what about the man she meets, just who is he and how does he play into this story?

To say I loved this book would be an understatement! The author weaves a fantastic tale of past lives and present time together so smoothly that it was easy to see Diana not only as a high school teen, but also to get a real look at her past lives and her fate in each one. The dreams that Diana had, especially at the beginning of the story, were really amazing. I could easily imagine the events happening as the author described them, especially the one that involved Alexander! As we learn of Diana's past lives we see the skills she has at fighting demons, and while ultimately I knew what her fate would be, I was heartened in knowing that she would eventually be reborn. I really enjoyed that I was able to feel the normalcy of Diana's high school life, but also easily felt what her true destiny was as a demon fighter. The twist provided at the end of the story leaves me anxious to know where the author plans on taking this story. I certainly couldn't wait to find out!

While this story is geared toward teens, I would easily recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great story filled with a paranormal flavor, that not only takes place in the present but the past as well. There is also the mystery and intrigue along with the bits of romance sprinkled in that will allow this book to appeal to many. My only warning is that once you start reading this story you are not going to be able to put it down!

Reviewed by Lynn Fowlston for Readers' Favorite

"Merryweather Lodge: Malevolent Spirit" Book 2 by Pauline Holyoak is a paranormal novel that takes up where book one leaves off. After being back home in Canada to attend her mother’s funeral, Emily has returned to England and Merryweather Lodge, back with her Aunt and the love of her life Jonathan. She is almost sure that they had got rid of the evil creatures and the ghosts that had plagued her before she left and now returning to what was left of her vacation and visa she would have a peaceful time. Or will she? It is not long before the cold feeling comes upon her and a strange cat has appeared and the Lodge. Not about to go back up to the attic room she soon learns that no matter where she is in the Lodge or the grounds she is not safe. Jonathon and her Aunt just chalk it up to her imagination. When her friend from Canada arrives to spend a couple of weeks they think they can get rid of the spirits again not realizing they have a stronger power and a hold over the Lodge. Now as they work towards their destruction can they actually destroy them this time and bring peace to the Lodge? Why won’t her Aunt tell her what she knows? What is the dark deep secret of Merryweather Lodge?

This book can be read as a standalone, but to get the full impact of the novel one should really read the first book in the series “Ancient Revenge”. As with the first one I found this book to be equally hard to put down. I did find some parts to be a little bit on the raw edge that was not the best reading while eating. It had a little bit more of a sexual side to it then I found in the first book and also dealt with the gay side of romance. Putting that aside I found it to be filled with a paranormal mystery and suspense, dealing with sorcery, reincarnation, witchcraft and much more. The ending leaves you with the feeling that there is more to come and Emily is not freed yet. A great book for those who are into the paranormal mystery genre.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

Darkarh's favorite and most honorable son, Egoragh, is murdered. Darkarh presses his seal ring to Egoragh's neck and sends Egoragh's body, via flamingos, to Steukhon, the priest, who transforms the dead Egoragh into mortal form as a baby, Egorh. Egorh is raised by St. Matthew who loves him dearly, but Egorh must grow up and fulfill his destiny, or the world will be ruled by evil. The epitome of evil is the sorceress Zinnia who, with her minions, conspires to do just that: rule the world with evil. Egorh is protected by an amulet he wears around his neck and by the dryads, Mirk and Kirk, who stay with him throughout his growing up years. Zinnia follows and attempts to foil Egorh through his growing years and enacts the curse of the flamingos, whereby she takes a human heart and turns the remaining body into a flamingo. Can Egorh with his helpers Daniel, Bubba, and Steukhon defeat Zinnia's powers?

The fantasy reader will love this well-edited, well-written and well-constructed novel. The plot flows smoothly to its exciting conclusion as Egorh and his companions go through one hair-raising adventure after another. The characters are believable and delightful. Kirk and Mirk go through amusing romps with the teenage Egorh, and Bubba, the drunken, corrupt magician's apprentice, is an unforgettable and lovable character. Curse of the Flamingo is visually attractive and a brilliantly executed fantasy.

Reviewed by Donna M for Readers' Favorite

This book was a page turner that I couldn't put down. It was exciting, thrilling, original and extremely creative. My first thought was that this story reminded me of Quantum Leap, but while the artist may have used this premise, she definitely made this story her own. The characters are very original with their own special quirks, which makes them fascinating and unique.

Sydney, aka Abithica, is a lost soul, at least she thinks she is. Sydney has the propensity to haphazardly jump into the souls of others. She never knows where she will end up or what her assignment will be. She has to figure out the logistics, as she muddles along with hardly any memory of her past experience and no knowledge of the host she possesses. Usually, she tries to stay detached from her subjects; but in her life as Sydney, she breaks the cardinal rule and falls in love with a dashing man and his darling sister, who is broken in spirit because she witnessed the murder of her mother. What will Sydney do about falling in love? She'd like to keep the body of her host, so she can love him til death do they part; but apparently that's not what she's signed up for, although she still doesn't actually know what she signed up for. It's all Greek to her. How long will she be able to stay with the love of her life before she is whisked away and imported into another soul?

Nothing is predictable about this story, which is why you can't wait to get to the next page to see what treasures the author will reveal next. This is a white-knuckled, roller coaster ride of excitement. This story has all the big elements: mystery, suspense, danger, humor, romance, great dialogue, and the fight between good and evil. You cry, laugh, root for the hero...and then some.

This book would make a good series for a book, movie or television. It's that good. Kudos to Susan Goldsmith!

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

Five years ago Nina Aschauer disappeared. She was searching for Valladine, a city no one had ever heard of it. She had been born in Valladine when her parents escaped the Nazis. Her search lead her to love, a village where time seemed to have stood still, and a codex.

Professor Henry "Henner" Marcus had always been protective of his cousin Nina. When he received a message from her asking for his help and a large sum of money, he left Chicago and headed to the South of France. He was quickly caught up in the mysterious codex. It told the story of Dina, a Jewess woman abandoned by her family after being sexually assaulted by a priest. The fourteenth century Jewess woman left a memoir for her sons. She told of the inquisition and the pain of feeling separated from her family and her people.

Brigitte Goldstein takes three threads and weaves a fascinating tapestry. The ancient story of Dina is interwoven with the story of Henner and Nina. The descriptions were vivid. It was easy to see the jail cell, and the village seemed to come alive in my mind. While I enjoyed Nina's story and Henner's family history, it was Dina's story that made me keep turning pages. It was fascinating! Both Nina and Dina are very strong female characters. Goldstein is a talented author, and I will be watching for more of her work.