Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Pilate Scroll is a work of fiction in the Christian thriller genre. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience and it was penned by author M. B. Lewis. The book follows the adventures of Kadie Jenkins, a scientist working to stop a lethal virus from devastating the world, and a woman whose faith has been worn down and broken by her experiences. After her mentor is murdered on the eve of a major announcement, Kadie rescues their research and flees for her life to Israel. Unsure of who to trust as she senses the danger drawing ever closer, the promise of a relic that could change the world forever draws the conspirators towards her.

Author M. B. Lewis delivers a highly engaging Christian thriller novel that follows Kadie Jenkins, a scholar who is struggling with her faith. One of the most striking things about this book was the author's intricate knowledge of the Bible and its teachings; this added depth to the story and made it feel very real. The cast of characters is diverse and fully fleshed out, each with its own unique personality. Our heroine, Kadie, is the female lead we have been waiting for: she’s strong, resourceful and brave. The Pilate Scroll takes you on a fast-paced and thrilling adventure, whilst also telling a story of hope that will lift your soul and make you shed a tear or two. I would not hesitate to recommend this novel to fans of action-packed thriller novels and those who are looking for a story that will take them on an emotional journey.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

A collection of short stories by Matthew C. Woodruff, 26 Absurdities of Tragic Proportions explores the characters displayed in the illustrations by Edward Gorey. The chapters delve into the backstory behind each of the characters portrayed in The Gashlycrumb Tinies. Maria and her daughter move to Sienna, Florida, to open a B&B, but her grand plan doesn't work out as she thought. Eight-year-old Basil travels back 250 years using his mother's time machine, causing trouble for his mother, only to end up in woods surrounded by wild animals. Ida's obsession with mermaids leads her to search for an old catfish in the lake, resulting in the inevitable. A kid named Titus steals a package that turns out to be a bomb placed by the IRA.

Filled with humor and irony, 26 Absurdities of Tragic Proportions deftly showcases the fragile nature of life and the unpredictability of death. Matthew C. Woodruff's tales are short, surreal, and tragic, adding layers of depth to the characters portrayed in Gorey's illustrations. The stories are set in various eras and diverse environments, and although they differ in tone, every single one of them contains aspects of the surreal and the absurd that culminate in death toward the climax. The narrative sails smoothly and feels well-paced. I particularly enjoyed the stories involving the characters of Ernest, Fanny, Ida, Kate, Leo, and Prue. Matthew C. Woodruff's 26 Absurdities of Tragic Proportions primely highlights characters from Edward Gorey's work. I will highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys short stories.

Reviewed by Cassie Widjaja for Readers' Favorite

Beyond: Tales of the Afterlife by James J Flanigan is a slightly morbid collection of fiction short stories with a dash of humor. Every one of us has wondered at least once what happens after death. This book will be the right fit for those interested in the afterlife. All sixteen original stories are a perfect blend of dark humor and barroom philosophy. They include stories from the past, present, and possible future. From seeing a very different form of God to a deal with a rebel angel, this collection has everything you could want. Written to make its readers laugh and think about life's ultimate destination, this book is bound to blow your mind!

James J Flanigan hit the ball out of the park with his collection of short stories. I love how James vividly described each scene, allowing me to properly understand what the character is facing and what he is feeling. Each sentence within these tales advances the plot and serves a purpose. James has interesting concepts for each short story, for example, 'Doggone.' My favorite short story would have to be 'A pop star and a deal with the devil,' seeing as I find it ironic that little things can make humans drastically want to end their lives. Each story made me laugh, just as it has made me rethink my perception of life after death. Beyond: Tales of the Afterlife definitely doesn't hold any punches back, and it's a book not to be missed!

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

The Weight of a Moment by Michael Bowe is a compelling story that explores the depth of failure, the pain of tragedy, the beauty of friendship and how it can empower people to retake control of their lives after experiencing hopelessness. The reader is introduced to two characters who are genuinely flawed and deeply human as they struggle to reconcile with their pasts. An award-winning journalist and columnist's name quickly becomes a valuable brand for The Philadelphia Post and his articles become more trusted than those of any other journalists. But he can’t forgive himself when one of his articles leads to a tragedy. His heart is filled with chagrin. He runs to Pennsylvania, escaping from his past and it is here that he meets Tom Corbett, a successful antiques dealer who has been shamed by an online video that has shattered everything he’s built — business, marriage, and family. These two men are going to experience a friendship that sets them on the path to redemption and to recreating life, not only for themselves but for others.

A beautifully written and inspiring story that is filled with realism and pathos. Told in the first person narrative voice, it captures the viewpoints of the characters with brilliance. There are insightful passages that compel readers to reflect on the human condition and the idea of meaning. The prose is excellent and it is interesting how the author captures the life of the journalist. The themes of pain, the quest for meaning, friendship, and purpose are deftly handled. The reader quickly understands that life is shaped by moments, sometimes very brief, and these moments could be glances, “tearful goodbyes, fortunate turns, unfortunate accidents, promises kept, promises broken, triumphs, failures, and regrets.” The Weight of a Moment is emotionally rich, psychologically exciting, and inspiring. Michael Bowe makes readers care about his characters and feel like a part of their world.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Lighthouse Keeper: A Story of Mind Mastery is a work of fiction in the dramatic, inspirational, and action and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author David Richards. Written for audiences of all ages, this accessible and interesting work focuses on central protagonist Sam. As the novel’s title suggests, Sam aspires to become a lighthouse keeper and starts work as an apprentice. But the job delivers a lot more than its initial promises and sends Sam off on the path towards an adventure like no other. What results is a beautifully told story of aspirations and making the most out of life.

Author David Richards has crafted a wonderfully adventurous book that will grab all different kinds of readers and sweep them up in its storytelling. The narrative quality of the book is well structured and penned with beautiful prose that helps us get closer to Sam and his surroundings. I found the descriptive work to be cinematic, and I was particularly captivated by the images of the sea and the lighthouse itself. There are stylistic shifts that give us different narrative styles and viewpoints, and this lends itself to the psychological qualities of the book and those deeper moments when Sam is really changing and growing with the tasks set for him. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Lighthouse Keeper: A Story of Mind Mastery for readers seeking a uniquely told story that offers so much more than a first glance may suggest. An accomplished work of dramatic fiction.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

NASA's 1st Mission to Mars — For What?!!! by Michael and Danny D'Agostino is a satirical comedy that answers the question: Why spend billions to send someone to a planet as harsh as Mars and why send someone who is not a career astronaut, but a penniless man who lives on the fringes of society in a cardboard box and who earns his keep by begging on the streets? Stanley Marczek is penniless, a man of grit who has learned to survive in extremely harsh conditions. He is tired of his cardboard box and begging on the streets, and the opportunity to escape his miserable lifestyle and the incessant pursuits of his ex, whose need for money never diminishes, presents itself in the form of an ad by NASA to travel to Mars for $3 million. And he ends up being NASA's favorite choice, but why?

Michael and Danny D'Agostino have created a compelling character in Stanley Marczek and readers become interested in him because of his outspoken character, his emotional and psychological depth, and the humanity he exudes. This is your perfect blend of sci-fi and comedy with powerful satirical undercurrents. I enjoyed the way the protagonist’s world is portrayed and readers will easily relate to him. Apart from exploring the benefits and raison d’être of the mission to Mars, this novel explores the protagonist’s relationships with people in Tent City, his girlfriend Hannah, a Viet Nam veteran, and his dog. The story is well-written and readers can feel the excitement as an unusual character gets picked for NASA’s mission, but his return to earth raises questions that should be considered in real life. The writing is awesome and readers are pulled in from the very first page. The story is told from the perspective of the protagonist in an absorbing kind of way. NASA's 1st Mission to Mars — For What?!!! is a work of great entertainment, but one that asks questions that need serious answers. Get ready for a delightful ride as you pick this book up.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In Ray Dennis Does The Secret by Gary Troia, as Ray Dennis sits handcuffed at the airport in Baltimore, about to be deported for drug offences, he wonders what his life has become. As he lands back in England, he is determined to discover why he sabotages every opportunity in his life. As he tries to improve his outlook on life, he struggles to find a place to belong. The only way he finds comfort and can escape from the feelings of loneliness and despair is self-medicating with alcohol. After much deliberation, Ray decides it is time to end the thoughts of resentment and his old identity. He transforms into Ramon Deneuve and, armed with a new passport, travels back to the US to try to piece his life back together. He is introduced to the teachings of The Secret and discovers the magic of visualization and manifesting your goals. Ramon manages to manifest his dream partner, success and wealth; life seems to be perfect. However, Ramon soon discovers that visualization can sometimes bring you what you fear the most, if your thoughts and actions contradict your desires. He becomes entangled in a drug cartel that kills his soulmate and young children. Ramon leaves the US and with a better knowledge of the power of manifestation, he exacts his plan of revenge.

As a lover of the Law of Attraction, the subject matter of this book intrigued me. I found the writing style of the book in the first person perfect for the story line. The character of Ray/Ramon was flawed and tortured but he made a great lead character. The supporting characters were also very realistic, especially Juan who made a great villain. The writing style of the author was natural and flowed effortlessly. The teachings of manifestation and visualization were superb regarding that true power lies within us, but that your emotions must be in line with your thoughts. The example of how Ramon gives all of his attention to what he feared, not what he desired, was a stark warning to the power behind the teachings of The Secret. The references to automated behaviour in humans and their lack of belief that they have the power to change their lives were also very powerfully relayed. The entire story is brutally honest about the mindset of an alcoholic too, as Ray's ego and mind battle for control. Either the author has done extensive research, or he has written from personal experience, because this is a gripping read and I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

The Last Great American Magic by L.C. Fiore is an epic tale of war and magic, featuring very interesting characters, powerful themes, and a classic conflict, a story that paints an exotic landscape with a unique culture in the tradition of The Last of the Mohicans. Two brothers, one a prophet and the other a warrior, reconcile their childhood grievances and work together to protect a culture threatened by post-colonial wars. Spiced with a love story between the warrior and a beautiful hostage, this story is packed with breathtaking action and surprising twists that make the read hugely irresistible.

L.C. Fiore is a master craftsman when it comes to characters and plot. Fast-paced and intriguing, the plot has many "Aha!" moments. The story begins with action and the evocation of powerful and interesting images: the warrior, Tecumseh, shot and languishing alone in pain, the forest, and the solitude, and then the practiced, sharp sense of hearing culling the sounds around him. The reader is immediately thrust into a powerful canvas of war and the chaos it creates. But the focus on the plight of the warrior is something that creates a driving sense of curiosity in the reader who wants to know if the warrior will survive and what will happen if he does. The language has a spell of its own, beautiful and utterly descriptive with a sensuality that transports readers into untraveled terrains. The Last Great American Magic is a captivating story, a hard-to-put-down tale of courage, nerve, and love from a master storyteller.

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

What an interesting idea Pratish Mistry had to write this very nice tale, Kineosho Learns to Walk. I have enjoyed learning in a most delightful way. Kineosho Learns to Walk has a narrative feel to it, but is full of exciting adventures. It also intertwines a lot of general education.

I can’t believe that Pratish Mistry talks about birth, death, growing up, and the love of learning with a beautiful voice and in such a subtle manner that you don’t even know you've just learned something about real life. The characters are animals and the story starts with a lion and lioness that are having a cub while being observed by a group of scientists. The interesting thing is that I thought they would be the main characters, but I was wrong.

I found myself enjoying this tale so much that I know it will be enjoyed by kids. You will learn basic things like birth, your senses, sleep patterns, acceptance of anyone, and also things such as how to become better at finding your place in life. This is an exceptionally well written book, with a great voice that will enthrall any reader and listener. I believe little kids will love to hear about the adventures of Kineosho and his adopted sister Viddi, and how they discover their place in the circle of life.

Young adults will love to read this book because of the interesting way it is presented. I would have to say that adults will love it too for the strength of the story. If you love the book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, or Star Wars, you will find a new treasure in this story. I hope they make it into a movie too. Great job.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Dear Maude by Denise Liebig is a novel that starts with an intriguing statement: “Today’s the day I bury my journal—not because it’s dead, but because it needs to live. This is the only way. I was so naïve when I first started writing in it.” This statement had me hooked, but it is what followed that was enchanting and kept me reading. It’s a perfect blend of time travel and romance, with wonderful twists to keep the reader’s heart racing.

Emily Stanton has a full scholarship for her education and everything seems normal. Then the call comes: her grandfather is dead. And so is her life, or at least the hopes she’d lived with. Things escalate pretty fast when her sponsor offers her a job — one without any disclosure, so she knows nothing about her position — a very secret job and she can either accept the job or reject it and then pay for the full scholarship. She accepts it. Now she finds herself working for a company that has the technology to manipulate time for profit, and the only link she has to a life she once lived is her journey. Read on as she connects with another person, the one working for a rival company, and the only one who can help reveal the secret of Evergreen Research Corporation. But can they survive long enough to bring the shady business to the light of justice?

This is a story that combines journaling, epistolary, and a unique art of storytelling to make the perfect gift to delight readers. Dear Maude is told in the first person and from the perspective of the protagonist, an absorbing narrative voice that will enthrall readers from the very first page to the last. I enjoyed most of the journal entries, written as letters to an aunt who is deceased. The plot is unique and complex and the reader learns pretty quickly to care about the characters. Denise Liebig had me entertained, transporting me right into the heart of her characters. This is a brilliant and gripping story and readers will find great entertainment in it.