Reviewed By Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

In The Black Fox by Gordon Bickerstaff, scientist Gavin Shawlens has been targeted by the CIA for assassination for holding vital information that could bring the entire country to its knees. MI5 secret service captain Zoe Tampsin has been assigned to keep him alive and takes him underground until he can remember what is so valuable to the US government. A huge manhunt begins as not only the CIA trawl the UK to find them, but also British special forces who have been promised billions in military upgrades in exchange for Shawlens. With few weapons and even her own mentor trying to track them down, Zoe is facing her toughest mission yet and a decision that goes against all her instincts. But even she doesn't realize how far the intelligence services will go to flush them out.

I am not normally a fan of espionage novels but this author's skill in storytelling has certainly changed my mind. The plot is unique and fast paced with twists and turns throughout. I could not see how Zoe could escape from the dangerous situations, but somehow, she did. Every one of the many characters was so realistic, but all with personality flaws which made them all the more believable. The intricate details in the dialogue and narrative showed the author had researched his subject well. The deals that went on behind the closed doors of intelligence agencies were very interesting. I loved the relationship between Zoe and her brother Michael who knew her character so well; it was clear Zoe only allowed a few people close to her and he was definitely top of the list. Without giving anything away, I thought the scene between Karen and Zoe was a real tear-jerker. Zoe and Gavin had a great relationship too. They were complete opposite personalities and their exchanges were quite comical in parts as away from the subject of science, he wasn't the brightest or bravest. The tension and suspense were broken up cleverly with real emotional moments but also humour too. I highly recommend this novel but be prepared to go on a roller-coaster of never-ending action, thrills and intrigue.

Reviewed By Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite

In an exciting and highly engaging new read by author A.K. Celer, Moscow Venture is a true thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and obsessively turning the pages from the start all the way through until the very end. Follow the story of John Baran, a man determined to find out the truth behind the death of his best friend. John is convinced he didn't die from a stroke caused by natural causes, but from something much more nefarious. He heads to Moscow to find answers, and gets much more than he bargained for, including espionage, a bio-terror plot, and the middle of hard-line communists' attempt to reverse history, plus the opportunity to save countless American lives and help derail a second Bolshevik revolution. But he'll only be able to do that if he can stay alive. Will he? You'll need to read the book to find out!

I very much enjoyed Moscow Venture. Author A.K. Celer has done an amazing job in creating a real roller coaster of a read, as well as in creating characters that his readers will relate to, connect with, and truly come to care about. If those aren't hallmarks of a great author, I'm not sure what are. Any reader that loves spy thrillers with realistic drama and action adventure should absolutely read this book. I am so pleased to be able to highly recommend Moscow Venture and look forward to reading more from author A.K. Celer as soon as I possibly can!

Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Gazelle in the Shadows by Michelle Peach is an enthralling tale of adventure and espionage set in the mid-90s. Elizabeth Booth is a student of Arabic at Durham University, someone who loves to travel, obsessed with the desire to visit legendary places. When the opportunity is offered for her to travel to Damascus to perfect her language skills, it is a dream come true. In Syria, she feels welcomed and builds new friendships and a relationship, but little does she know that the calm waters of this culture hide dangerous currents. Soon she is caught up in a web of lies and betrayal, a murder that involves MI6 and the Syrian secret police. Can she make it out alive?

The narrative begins fairly slowly with an encounter with the professor but it gathers speed pretty quickly and the reader is soon immersed in the emotional life of the protagonist, following her through exotic and lush places as she navigates this new culture and an ancient city. The language is gorgeous and the terrific descriptions capture cultural and physical details of the city with precision, giving readers clear images of where the story takes place. Gazelle in the Shadows features an interesting cast of characters, a strong and suspenseful plot nourished by a multifaceted conflict, and a setting that equally entices the reader. Michelle Peach takes readers into an adventure that is fraught with danger, along with the compelling protagonist. This is a book that makes the reader feel as though they are part of the world it describes.

Reviewed By Lucinda E Clarke for Readers' Favorite

The Last Caliph by T L Williams is the fourth book in the Logan Alexander series and it takes the reader from the United States to Turkey and Syria as Logan goes undercover to track down the current Caliph who is continuing to run ISIS operations. While the President of the US has announced that ISIS has been defeated and is preparing to withdraw the American troops, Logan and his old allies at the CIA are not convinced. At great risk to himself, and despite strained relations between himself and his wife, Logan arrives in Turkey with the idea of crossing the border into Syria, with the help of a young Muslim woman who supports the extremist regime. The subplot involves Logan’s brother-in-law and adds an extra twist to the plot.

I loved The Last Caliph by T L Williams. It is an excellent, on the edge of your seat story in which the pace and action never let up. I was compelled to read this in almost one sitting. The book is crammed with technical details which only someone who was totally familiar with weaponry, aircraft and espionage techniques first hand could produce. This lends the book authenticity and takes it out of the realm of the usual run of the mill spy story. The author has created a believable character in Logan Alexander. While accomplishing his mission, he remains down to earth and human. There is no extraneous detail, just enough to inform the reader without slowing the story which gallops from beginning to end. I loved the realism, the possibility that these events could take place, and all the loose ends were tied up and followed through. Despite this being the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone and I for sure will be looking to read the earlier books in the series. A well deserved 5 stars for a book I highly recommend.

Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

A Fox in the Fold: A Runway Dreams Novel by T.K. Ambers is a crime thriller with strong hints of espionage. Bell Price is shocked and she knows things will never get back to normal. After her parents’ murder, an attack on the police department makes her think this is more than a coincidence. While the police department thinks a sniper has shot Bradley from two buildings away, with no one to blame, Bell isn’t convinced that the Price family is safe. But events that follow indicate this isn’t an isolated, somewhat random murder. Bell eventually becomes convinced that the Price family is involved in a deadly game and could be a target. And it really is. But who wants to take out her entire family and why?

A Fox in the Fold: A Runway Dreams Novel immerses the reader in a world akin to that which James Patterson creates for his characters. The characters are elaborately and skillfully developed and I enjoyed the way the author explores their psyches. Readers encounter a protagonist with her siblings caught up in a deadly game and they have to navigate a dangerous world together to stay alive and figure out who wants them dead. The writing is top notch for a new voice in the genre, tantalizing and packed with a lot of exciting dialogues. The drama starts from the first page and it brilliantly captures the depth of the characters and the fears that haunt them. A Fox in the Fold: A Runway Dreams Novel is a page-turner and a sheer delight for fans of espionage and crime thrillers.