Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Abducted is the second book in the Red Heeled Rebels series by Tikiri Herath, a suspenseful thriller with strong characters and intriguing themes. When Asha and Katy arrive at London's Heathrow Airport, they are sure they have left behind the terror that haunts them. But a few hours after their arrival, Katy disappears. Asha frantically searches for her friend across the city, with the border police on her tail. She follows a shadowy woman to a house that holds deadly secrets, but will her friend be there and what awaits them?

This novel is filled with twists and surprises in the plot that readers won’t see coming. The story takes readers across major cities and countries, from London to Brussels to Luxembourg, following a crime story that is expertly plotted and skillfully written. The international setting adds to the exhilarating sense of adventure that accompanies the sleuth work in this novel. The characters are extraordinary, multidimensional, and real. Asha was my favorite, and I enjoyed the bond between her and her friend, which makes the premise of the story even stronger, for it is that friendship at stake when Katy goes missing.

The writing is fluid, with measured sentences and a phraseology that is designed to add to the dramatic depth of the story. I enjoyed the timely paragraph breaks, the careful selection of words, and the mesmerizing narrative tone. Abducted: An International Suspense Thriller is filled with thrilling action; an engaging story that will have readers on the edge of their seats for hours.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Working with a team of Ukrainian mercenaries, Nick Hudson has scored a brilliant success, sinking Camp Cachibache and taking down the Director. But success doesn’t last long because the older sister of their interpreter, Svetlana, gets kidnapped. Nick is irresistibly pulled back into the dark world of human trafficking with all the intricacies of crime, danger, and betrayals. Can he and his team save Svetlana with all the odds stacked against them? Izadi is the third book in the Director series by Zach Fortier, a deftly written and balanced thriller with intriguing and fascinating characters.

The reader is plunged into a world of crime where Zach Fortier introduces elaborately developed characters — Nick Hudson, Katerina “aka” Special K, Bex and many others. The pacing is good and the author uses the sense of danger to get readers emotionally connected with the characters and intrigued by the quick action. Yes, the conflict is intense and the stakes high for the protagonist. There is a quirkiness that accompanies the character development that readers will enjoy; the humor comes out through the well-crafted dialogues and Fortier’s unique gift for unusual descriptions. The plot structure is clear and the conflict is introduced right off the bat; it proceeds at a measured pace and escalates into a crisis. I love great writing in novels and I enjoy a world that can be easily visualized and this author succeeds in creating that world in my mind. Besides crafting a spellbinding story, Zach Fortier creates characters that readers will love.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Cold Betrayal is a novel of suspense written by A.J. McCarthy. Quebec in the dead of winter was something even the Quebecois had some difficulties with at times. For Tori, a Florida native, her two-week stay had made her seriously question her judgment in even having made the trip. This was especially the case now, as she fingered the swelling bump on her forehead and noted the sticky blood it left on her fingers. Tori had never dreamed the soft white snow could become such an implacable force when her car skidded into it. After trying to reverse out of the snow bank, she decided that her best option was to travel by foot. She couldn’t stay on the roads as they would be looking for her, and the next time they got their hands on her would probably mean her death.

A.J. McCarthy’s novel of suspense, Cold Betrayal, is a taut, action-packed story about a young woman who risks her life trying one more time to get through to the drug lord she’d driven north to see. McCarthy’s characters are unique and credible, especially Ben, the rugged cabin owner who dives into an ice-covered pond to save Tori from drowning, and his German Shepherd dog, Riley. I also loved getting to know Quebec through the eyes of Mario, who introduces Tori to the delights and culture of Quebec in winter. McCarthy’s plot is fast paced and exciting, and her writing style fits this thriller novel to a T. Cold Betrayal is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

A young doctor lives a busy and satisfying life, but in an unprecedented and inexplicable turn of events, she finds herself exiled in the one place she fears the most in Storm Island (A Kate Pomeroy Mystery) by Linda Watkins. After experiencing a disturbing psychological episode while doing a medical procedure, Dr. Kate Pomeroy unwillingly retreats to her family's island estate to recuperate. Despite her childhood trauma of discovering her mother's body there, Kate's family insists she undergoes therapy with her noted psychiatrist aunt at her home. Not understanding the sudden, triggerless onset of her psychosis and not wishing to be hospitalized, Kate reluctantly agrees to the latter. Fortuitously, soon after her arrival, Kate runs into Jeremy, an old friend and a lifelong resident of the island. Their instant attraction turns into a romantic relationship, and Kate is happier than she has been in a long time.

Busy with Jeremy, the symptoms of her psychosis seem to have disappeared. However, when Kate discovers a stone structure without any perceivable entrance sitting in the middle of a clearing and describes it to Jeremy, not only can he not see it, but he also denies knowledge of its existence. Now, even Jeremy, the one person who didn't doubt her sanity, has begun to wonder if Kate is delusional. With her family threatening to have her institutionalized, time is running out, and Kate must find a way to prove she is as sane as they are. But with the evidence stacked against her, how can she prove it? Is Kate losing her mind, or is there something more sinister happening behind the scenes?

An intense and intriguing puzzle, Storm Island by Linda Watkins is a thrilling and suspenseful mystery novel that you can't put down once you pick it up. Complete with a complex plot, a fascinating story line, and wicked antagonists, it is a stunning story that keeps the reader enthralled until the very end. Beginning with the first chapter, it seems as if someone is behind Kate's psychotic episodes, but as the story progresses, you start to wonder if she might be delusional. Kate's ineptitude with human behavior and her slowness to question her circumstances give a realistic facet to her character that makes her relatable. Even though I thought I knew what was happening to her, I was kept guessing until the denouement. With all the psychological twists and turns, this captivating novel reminds me of a cross between a Hitchcock film and a Phyllis Whitney novel. It is an exciting tale of deceit and betrayal, with just a small hint of the paranormal, and will delight those who enjoy a good psychological thriller.

Reviewed by Debjani Ghosh for Readers' Favorite

A well-known businessman is assassinated in a drive-by shooting. Detective Ryan Clark is convinced it is connected to another high-profile murder that happened weeks ago. His friend, FBI profiler Agent Sean Kruger, agrees with him but is reluctant to be associated with the case. Kruger is tired of his FBI job due to the red tape and constant traveling. He wants to hang up his boots and settle down with his long-time girlfriend. However, another deadly strike by the assassin, this time close to Kruger’s home, prompts him to join the investigation. With the help of some brilliant individuals, Kruger zeroes in on a likely suspect in Alabama. But the arrest turns out badly, and Kruger is suspended. Now, Kruger must make a crucial decision—should he retire as he had planned, or should he pursue the assassin on his own at great risk to his life? He must decide fast, since the criminals are planning to strike at the heart of America, action which has the potential to cause more damage than 9/11. The Assassin’s Trail by J.C. Fields, the second book in The Sean Kruger series, is a thoroughly enjoyable action thriller. Nevertheless, it can be read as a stand-alone and fortunately does not contain any cliffhangers.

The Assassin’s Trail is a fast-paced and realistic tale with a solid plot and fully fleshed-out characters. I was rooting for Kruger throughout the book. There is no unexpected twist here. Fields shows the actions of both the FBI agents and the criminals in parallel. So, right from the beginning, you know the criminals are up to something big—just how big is unrevealed at the last. The beauty of the plot lies in the anticipation; will Kruger be able to establish the sinister motive behind the murders and stop the criminals in time? The pieces of the puzzle come together bit by bit, culminating in a high-octane climax. The novel is taut with suspense due to short dialogues and straightforward language. Fields has crafted a highly original tale. The method of communication between the criminals was unique. Fields’ expertise in weapons shows through in the text, but no unnecessary details bored me. I heartily recommend The Assassin’s Trail. It will mostly appeal to action aficionados.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

A Tale of a Rough Diamond by P.J. Mann is a gripping thriller, suspenseful and riveting, a tale of envy, of brokenness in a family, and brothers pitted against each other. Stephan Mills lives the kind of life many would envy, the life of the son of a wealthy man. His older brother, Roger, is very envious of the attention their father gives Stephan and, using his connections with the Russian mafia, he succeeds with just one tip-off to the police that lands Stephan in prison. Now he has all the cards and he plays them well to ensure he turns their father completely against Stephan. And he succeeds! Stephan won’t be hearing from his family for a year — and it is just according to Roger’s plans. Can Stephan recover from the rejection and get his life back on track?

P. J. Mann has written a hugely entertaining novel filled with family drama and relationships gone bad. It’s a tale of envy, betrayal, and revenge. How far will the two brothers go to break each other and can this family discover trust once again? The psychological underpinnings of this novel are strong and readers will get pulled into the strong whirlwind of the conflict, the depth of character, and the deviousness of the plot. The scenes are well crafted and they are emotionally rich. Mann understands the dynamics of a wealthy family and the kinds of problems they face, and weaves this knowledge skillfully into the narrative. The writing is compelling, the narrative voice irresistible, with points of view that are expertly handled. A Tale of a Rough Diamond is fast paced and it features an explosive conflict between two brothers.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Twisted Deception: Love Can Be Dangerous by Isabella is a tale of romance that begins with a deceptively simple premise for a romance that suddenly develops complexities as the story gets involved with murder. Handled with great tonal balance, it’s a story that shimmers with feverish, fatalistic intensity, with themes of murder, identity, and obsession brilliantly introduced into the narrative as well as lesbian relationships. The characters are complex and I found myself following them closely.

Addie Blake and Drake Hogan are girlfriends — in a relationship — but Drake doesn’t see much of Addie, who seems more attached to her job than to her lover, and no matter how irksome this might be for Drake. But Addie will soon have enough of her mechanic girlfriend. Greyson Hollister’s life is built around the success of her company, Integrated Financial. But can she protect her company from the harm that rumor-mongering can cause it? When an attack is orchestrated on Integrated Financial, she will have to deal with one of the most relentless and skilled detectives, Nancy Hill.

I love authors who transform ordinary experiences into strong plot elements and Isabella seems to do it very well. Her writing is crisp and she has this uncanny gift of transporting readers into the very center of the heart of her characters. Stress and anxiety are obvious in the characters and it seems to fuel the tension that moves the story forward. The conflict is beautiful developed and the masterful use of suspense makes it hard for readers to put down Twisted Deception: Love Can Be Dangerous.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

In Stronger by Suzanne Jenkins, Karen Pruitt is smart, beautiful, and fit. She comes to New York with her friends for a long weekend holiday organized by the airlines she had worked for. And then she meets Michael Calder, an FBI Special agent, who instantly falls for her, a bachelor twice her age. The encounter transforms Michael and everyone can see it. But then when Michael’s team puts a gangster in jail, everyone connected to him is put in grave danger, including Karen. And can Karen love the man whose work puts her life at risk?

Stronger by Suzanne Jenkins melds crime and romance, introducing very sophisticated characters and a conflict that infuses the narrative with the tension readers want to follow. We encounter characters that are rock solid, deeply explored, and the embodiment of two distinct cultures. Michael is not the outgoing, easy to be with kind of guy, but the effect that Karen has on him is almost magical and readers become intrigued, longing to discover what happens after that.

Suzanne Jenkins writes in a style that is friendly, with a voice that is compelling, and in prose that is crisp and delightful, merging exciting dialogues with intense drama and vivid descriptions to create scenes that are as absorbing as they are focused. Stronger is emotionally charged and features situations that are real and believable. I felt as though I was part of the décor in most scenes. The narrative is fast paced, cunningly plotted, and conflict driven. A real delight, absorbing and hard to put down!

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Wicked Fallout by Kelly Charron is Book 2 of the Pretty Wicked series. Ryann Wilkinson has been in prison for 12 years, convicted of the murders of six people. She has kept her nose clean, hiding her dark urges, seeking the day when she can start hunting again. She has failed every appeal, but she has just one more hope. A legal team has decided to take her case, to attempt to have her sentence commuted and have her released immediately. Nancy Clafin is a forensic psychiatrist and her job is to evaluate Ryann, to determine if she has changed during her time in incarceration. What will Nancy find – a cold killer who will never change her ways or a woman who is repentant for her crimes and has changed? Will Nancy recommend release? Has Ryann really changed or is she playing a clever game?

Wicked Fallout (Pretty Wicked Book 2) by Kelly Charron is a great book. Although it is a sequel, I believe that this can be read as a standalone book; there is sufficient background from the first book given in this one. The story is told from two points of view – the psychiatrist and Ryann. It is written in the first person from both perspectives and this makes it feel as though you are listening to each person telling their story. The detail is amazing, very descriptive, drawing you into the story so you live it as you read it. It is a bit gruesome in places, but nothing that you wouldn’t expect to find in a book like this. This is an exceptionally well-written story, with enough character development to allow you to feel a connection with the two main parties to the story. Gripping story, one you will find very difficult to put down – there is much that you won't see coming and I sincerely hope that the ending is a lead-in to another book.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Busted by Michele I. Khoury is a riveting story with characters that readers will enjoy. Twenty-four-year-old artist Gina McKenna is literally broke and she is about to spend the last of what she had left when a rich businessman buys one of her paintings and asks her to do more. She is slowly sucked into his world of wealth and opulence and, when she falls for him, she discovers that Miguel Lopez is a ruthless drug lord and he kills anyone who comes between him and his business.

A new player comes into the game, DEA Special Agent Bobby Garcia, who has been looking for any means to bring down the mastermind behind the drug distribution network in Southern California, a mission that quickly turns personal with the overdose of his teenage daughter. There is a lot waiting for the reader in the plot as relationships become complex and dangers multiply. Who will be left standing when the curtain falls?

Michele I. Khoury’s novel is a gem, the kind of story for readers who love suspenseful plots, character-driven writing, and well-developed conflicts in what they read. I loved the cast of characters and Gina is well-thought out and developed with mastery. The reader will love the role she plays in the story and how she evolves through it. Yes, there is content for mature readers like steamy sex, violence, and foul language. The story is fast-paced and absorbing, the writing balanced, with impeccable world-building. Busted is a page-turner, as exciting as it is entertaining.