Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite

Valerie J. Brooks's 1 Last Betrayal follows the gripping journey of the protagonist Angeline Porter, a former criminal defense lawyer, as she is thrust back into the dangerous world of organized crime to protect her sister, Bibi, from the clutches of a cunning and ruthless mob boss named Shawn. From the bustling streets of Portland to the sun-soaked shores of Hollywood, Florida, the tension rises as Angeline races against time to unravel the secrets and dangers lurking within the criminal underworld. Readers are immersed in the gritty world of mobsters, where loyalties are fragile, and trust is a rare commodity. Angeline evolves from a conservative lawyer into a determined and fearless protector as she contends with internal struggles and an unwavering determination to keep her sister safe.

Valerie J. Brooks's attention to detail shines through, bringing each scene to life and creating a palpable sense of danger that permeates the narrative. The pacing of 1 Last Betrayal is expertly crafted, with the skillful balancing of moments of intense action with quieter, introspective scenes that allow readers to delve deeper into the psyches of the characters. The narrative unfolds precisely, building suspense and keeping readers guessing at every turn. The author's ability to maintain high tension throughout is commendable, creating a sense of urgency that propels the plot forward. One of the novel's greatest strengths is exploring themes such as trust, loyalty, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. Through the intricate web of relationships and alliances, the story delves into the complexities of human nature, highlighting the moral dilemmas the characters face and the sacrifices they must make in their fight against the mob. Overall, 1 Last Betrayal is a stellar thriller that will captivate fans of the genre from beginning to end.

Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite

Wyatt Dardin spends time teaching art to young boys and girls. During his classes, he notices a young boy with a broken arm who displays the silently suffering presence that Wyatt recognizes all too well. Memories of his abuse play around the edges of his mind, prompting him to reach out to the little boy in a way that would have been good for him during his traumatic childhood. Unfortunately, a brawl gone wrong leaves the boy’s abusive father dead, and Wyatt tries to figure out if the accidental murder was right or wrong. The event leaves Wyatt wanting to do more to help victims under abusive people's control. Will his talent for vigilante justice, combined with the flashbacks from his tortured past, be his motivation or downfall? Find out more in A Shot at Justice: A Vigilante Story by Karla M Jay.

A Shot At Justice by Karla M. Jay is a suspenseful story that tells of the pain and torment abuse victims face. Jay’s uncanny ability to understand the motivations and internal conflicts of the victims and the villains keeps you on every page, wondering if Wyatt and his need for vigilante justice will ever be discovered. In addition, I love the way Jay goes into detail about the murderer himself. This impressive move leaves us wondering who they are rooting for; the bad guys, the good guys, or the killer. I recommend this story to anyone who loves action-packed thrillers that keep the gore to a decent minimum, and I look forward to more stories like this one from the author.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

On Lonesome Roads by Dan Flanigan is the third novel in the Peter O’Keefe series. Private Detective Peter O’Keefe was still recovering from the burns he received from a car bomb blast. While the media was sure the bomb was planted by the notorious mafia group called The Outfit, the police and Peter thought otherwise. There was someone else out there hoping to kill Peter and end his story once and for all. But finding that person was proving to be more troublesome than Peter anticipated. To add salt to his wounds, his ex-wife Annie was refusing to let him meet his daughter without a bodyguard. While Peter understood, it still stung. All Peter needed was to figure out who was after him and wanted to kill him. He was ready to do whatever it took to end this issue, even if it meant making a deal with The Outfit. But that deal might cost him more than his life.

Peter was such a complicated character who demanded attention instead of sympathy. He was still kicking and screaming, even though he was badly injured. The suspense was alive in this story, and I felt as if it was a constant companion to Peter. The pace was fast, the characters were developed, and the overall feel of the plot was great. You could not guess what would happen next. I have to admit, I, too, had my money on The Outfit, but Dan Flanigan surprised me. There were new shifts in the story when I least expected it and I was amazed when something equally thrilling happened again. I wanted to know who tried to kill Peter, why wasn’t the person out in the open, and what would Peter do to get out of this mess. On Lonesome Roads is a great new addition to the series! Entertaining and consuming!

Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite

High Risk by T.S. Maynard and W.J. McNally is a thrilling journey through the high-stakes world of corporate finance and personal redemption. A successful executive, Jim Sloane finds himself hanging by a thread on the edge of a skyscraper, reflecting on how he ended up in this precarious situation. As the story unfolds, Jim navigates a web of deceit, greed, and ambition, making daring choices to protect himself and those he cares about. The gripping narrative culminates in a climactic showdown that tests Jim’s courage and forces him to confront his past. He’s torn between his personal ambitions and moral choices. With themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and second chances, High Risk delivers a pulse-pounding tale of survival and redemption in the face of immense danger.

The authors, T.S. Maynard and W.J. McNally, have crafted a gripping thriller that blends action, suspense, and human drama. The vivid descriptions of Jim’s harrowing predicament on the skyscraper’s ledge evoke a sense of vertigo and urgency, drawing readers into his desperate struggle. The narrative is fast-paced and filled with unexpected directions that turn the story on its head and keeps readers guessing. Each character is well-developed and has motives and secrets. Jim Sloane is a flawed protagonist who adds relatable characteristics. The supporting characters, like Robert and Frank, add depth to the story with their complex relationships and hidden agendas. With its well-drawn characters, a high-stakes plot, and themes of redemption, High Risk delivers a satisfying reading experience.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Bobby Truax by Denise Cassino follows a former Vietnam War veteran who lives a solitary life on a remote mountain in Colorado. Life hasn't been quite the same for Robert Livingston Truax (Bobby) ever since he got divorced from his beloved wife, Sandy. Carrying guilt over the death of their ten-year-old son, who died in a tragic gun accident, Bobby distracts himself with copious amounts of alcohol and marijuana and obsesses over UFO conspiracy theories. He also harbors a severe hatred for law enforcement and the IRS, who confiscated all of his equipment due to unpaid taxes. As the days go by, Bobby becomes increasingly unhinged, and when an unfortunate IRS agent trespasses on his property, an escalating chain of chaotic events ensues, making sure Bobby finally gets to use the arms and ammunition he has collected over the years.

With a narrative filled to the brim with suspense and tension, author Denise Cassino keeps your eyes glued to the pages in this captivating tale about a former Vietnam War veteran. Bobby Truax is the story of a man suffering from PTSD who has never been the same after he lost his brother in the war. A couple of tragic events in his life only make him more deranged with the passing years. Bobby is a fascinating character because, despite his flaws, you can't help but feel pity for him. Cassino also brings a sense of levity to the story by adding a decent amount of humor to the narrative. Recommended to readers who like character-driven tales full of dark humor.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The Price of Silence by Ulla Hakanson is the story of Amy Robinson who joins her cousin on a kayaking trip in the wilderness of British Columbia. She tries to put an abusive relationship behind her and start life afresh. She makes new friends and together they enjoy the kayaking trip. But she finds herself trapped because her ex-fiance Tyler has been following her. He is on the run from drug gangs and he desperately requires money. He knows Amy has saved some cash for expanding her hair salon business. One of Amy's new friends, Ben Malik, is a cop and she finds herself drawn towards him. But then Tyler pulls her away from her good friends and drags her along with him into his world of drugs and gangsters.

The story is thrilling and exciting. It makes the reader want to know what is going to happen next. The plot is extremely intriguing and filled with suspense. The reader gets a peek into the filthy world of drugs and gangsters. The theme of the story is relevant. It is something that can happen to anyone, getting trapped with the muck of bad boyfriends. The character of Amy trying to escape and find a good life for herself is understandable. British Columbia lends a good backdrop to the story. The destruction that drugs can cause in one's life is portrayed well here. Will Amy be able to get out of the mess? Will Ben Malik be able to save her from Tyler and his group?

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

A Hole in the Head (James Strait Mysteries Book 3) by John Eidswick is an out-and-out action thriller that takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of action, excitement, and emotion. When retired F.B.I. Special Agent James Strait’s estranged brother is murdered, the day after he had sought help from James and been refused it, the former law enforcement officer is stricken with pangs of guilt. Forced to leave his partner and their troubled, teenage foster daughter behind in the small northern Arizona town of Pine River to travel to Tucson to formally identify his murdered brother, James has little idea of the chaos and mayhem he is about to encounter and his own family secrets that he will uncover along the way. James will find himself not only caught up in a massive manhunt for the man who killed his brother but also a serial killer guilty of murdering scores of illegal immigrants who have crossed the Mexican border seeking freedom, asylum, and a better life. James, with his immense bulk and height, plus his history with the F.B.I., is considered by many to be a true American hero but this adventure will test all his physical skills as well as put his emotions through the wringer.

As a professional reviewer, I read hundreds of books a year but few have captured my absolute and undivided attention as much as A Hole in the Head did. Author John Eidswick grabs your attention from the very first paragraph and never lets you get even the slightest bit distracted from the compelling narrative he is spinning. The author’s plotting skills are second to none and even I struggled to pick some of the intricate plot twists he throws in along the way. I particularly enjoyed that this was a substantial story and one that, once started, was impossible to stop. He did a superb job of not only narrating the violent and graphic action scenes in the story but there is also a significant amount of time and effort that went into character development and analysis of James’s motivation and his emotional state. I did appreciate that the story was incredibly timely with the current political situation in America and the state of illegal immigration, especially across the Mexican border. What the author highlights perfectly in this book are the incredibly entrenched viewpoints that seem prevalent across all aspects of American society these days. There are no grey areas anymore, it seems, no middle ground, just two firmly delineated sides to every argument, both of whom appear incapable of empathizing with even a smidgeon of the other’s opinions or beliefs; understanding and compromise are things of the past. This is the third book in the James Strait Mysteries and if this book is to be used as the benchmark, I definitely want to read the first two and indeed any more iterations that this author pens. This is a fantastic story, one of the best books I’ve read in a long time and I can highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite

An accomplished psychiatrist named Veronica Kwan Lewis was running from an unknown danger. Veronica found herself in Nevada, where a vehicle hit her, causing memory loss. She had retrograde amnesia that wiped out the last nine years of her life. Veronica only remembered being a student at NYU and her best friend. Detectives also turned up at the hospital to tell Veronica of her husband’s murder, and that she was a prime suspect. Veronica did not know who she was in the present, and the only friend she could recall wanted nothing to do with her. Alone and with no one to trust, Veronica must unveil the truth and secrets within the last nine years of her life or risk jail time. Enjoy Last Liar Standing by Danielle M. Wong.

Last Liar Standing by Danielle M. Wong is a fast-paced and captivating novel that I couldn’t put down. This fantastic page-turner showcased manipulation, greed, and life lessons. I also loved the unique plot and unpredictable yet realistic storyline. The character development was brilliant. I connected with Abby the most because her predicament with Veronica was relatable. We often get so carried away by the new lives we make outside our circles that we forget those who held us back until trouble comes calling. Veronica’s situation with Cheryl was also an eye-opener. Sometimes, it is better to idolize people from afar because getting close will expose you to secrets and darkness about these idols that you can't handle. Wesley was a shocker, and I didn’t expect that twist. The enemy is always within. Congrats to Danielle, a talented writer, for writing this beautiful book.

Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

In Evasive Species, Bill Byrnes writes the story of Kodra, a Komodo Dragon, and the humans that she encounters after being smuggled into Florida. While Sanchez is giving her food, Kodra bites into his arm. Attempting to free himself, he releases the latch that keeps the massive reptile penned. Kodra rushes off into a canal and vanishes. When Sanchez tells his boss, Kirkland, the hunt begins. Meanwhile, a hungry Kodra begins her hunt. After the mysterious disappearance of two people, the Palm Beach area panics with claims of a man-eating alligator. To throw off the law, Kirkland releases a Nile Crocodile into the reserve, claiming the animal escaped from his reptile zoo. TJ Forte, a specialist in invasive species, is called in by Sheriff Rodriguez. Samantha Brown joins the group in the search. As they discover clues along the way, they realize that they are no longer looking for an alligator. How many people will the Komodo Dragon kill? Will they catch her before she disappears into the Everglades?

I enjoyed how Bill Byrnes gave Kodra a personality. Instead of a mindless creature that just killed, he created her with calculating thoughts and actions. TJ was my favorite character in the story with his empathy for other people, including a boy who was catching Iguanas and selling them. His confidence didn’t waver in the governor's face, even when she fired him from the case. Instead of telling her she couldn’t fire him since he was a federal employee, he let her think she had some sort of authority. The vivid imagery of the surroundings that Kodra entered was easy to envision, and the story flowed well, with enough action and building suspense. The end of the story is left open for a sequel. I also learned several facts about Komodo Dragons, including they can be asexual. As the story progressed, I could see how Kodra learned and could hone her skills, making her a formidable predator. I would recommend Evasive Species to readers who like a story full of action, scenarios of what bringing non-native species into the ecosystem can cause, and crime stories.

Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite

Dr. Nick Carlotti was an accomplished craniofacial surgeon at odds with God, faith, and Christianity. His mother, Liza, was the most devoted Christian he knew, yet God didn’t save her from a horrifying accident and death. However, Nick didn’t believe that Liza died as reported. Someone killed her. His father, Tony, was a drug baron who had many enemies, and they were at loggerheads because he chose a different path. Did Tony kill Liza, and why? Then there was his elder brother, Eddie, filled with hate for whatever reasons. Did he have motives? Nick vowed to find his mother’s killer, but the closer he got to the truth, the more dangerous it became. He will discover that there is more to some things than meets the eye in Carlotti by David Dalrymple.

Carlotti by David Dalrymple was a riveting novel that held my attention from start to finish. This book will appeal to lovers of crime, law enforcement, and cartel stories. I loved the unique plot and realistic storyline as they resonated with me. David juxtaposed faith, medicine, and tribulations, and I could relate. Often, I come across cases, especially in pediatrics and oncology, that question my faith in God. However, He is always there in the storm with us. I loved the character development and enjoyed watching them evolve. Amongst a people ruled by greed, no one is indispensable. This phrase was the case of Rock, Peter, and Scalise. The novel had a steady pace that became intense and resulted in the perfect climax. David wrote with style, told a beautiful story, and served up a satisfying ending.