Reviewed by Melanie Kennedy for Readers' Favorite

A Chinese Remedy: Mercenaries in Suits Book 1 by Shawe Ruckus introduces us to two eccentric and somewhat reluctant investigators. Chance Yang is flown to London to investigate a suicide in Holborn. What seems cut and dry is anything but, and Chance’s aloof, wise-cracking boss Felipe Kazama is testing his patience. As a mergers and acquisitions consultant, Chance’s skills are put to the test when he’s contracted to play bodyguard to Catherine Roxborough. At first reluctant to accept the need for a bodyguard, Catherine grows fond of Chance, so much so that his inevitable departure creates a space in her house and her heart. But Chance is a professional through and through. From London to Shanghai, Chance is willing to stop at nothing and use his meticulous skills to solve the mysterious case and bring closure to all involved.

The story is fast-paced and quick-witted. Felipe is the wise sage to Chance’s often stoic character. His seemingly quirky stories and parables belie his wisdom and the fact that he knows more than he is letting on. I also enjoyed Chance and Catherine’s romance. They found each other at just the right time, while busy overcoming their pain and mourning. Shawe Ruckus does a magnificent job of detailing picturesque London and its various attractions. By switching character viewpoints, Ruckus creates the illusion that we are part of the case and we are figuring it out along with the characters. However, A Chinese Remedy is filled with mystery through and through and although some mysteries are solved, many more are introduced, hopefully to be solved in the next installment.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Sweet Dreams Boutique is a crime mystery thriller by Joyce F. Sims. LaShaun Delaney has worked hard to be where she is. On top of being the first lady to Bishop Langston Delaney of Atlanta-based mega-ministry Delaney Ministries International, LaShaun is also the proprietor of a high-end lingerie boutique. However, LaShaun has a deep secret that she hides from her husband and the general public. But when the murder of a deacon of their church threatens to spill her secrets, LaShaun finds herself trapped between a rock and a hard place. With an innocent young woman named Karisma charged by the authorities, will LaShaun let go of her pride and help Karisma? How much is she willing to sacrifice to do the right thing?

Author Joyce F. Sims weaves a captivating tale soaked in mystery, betrayal, and secrets. Sweet Dreams Boutique is a stellar start to the LaShaun Delaney Series. Moving at a brisk pace, the plot takes unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader glued to the pages. Almost all the main characters have backstories that make them feel well-developed, adding layers to their personas and making their motives and actions understandable. LaShaun is a complex protagonist who faces a difficult dilemma trying to navigate two different worlds between which she finds herself stuck. Her interactions with other characters add plenty of drama and intrigue to the narrative. If you love fast-paced crime thrillers, you won't go wrong with Sweet Dreams Boutique.

Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite

As The Secrets Turn: My Darkest Secret Book 3 by B. Truly is a completely engrossing romantic suspense novel about family drama, secrets, forbidden love, and self-discovery. Justin and Madison thought that Ocho Rios was the most romantic place to marry. But the trip to Jamaica proved to be quite challenging, and bad luck seemed to follow them. At only twenty years old, they each had a complicated past. However, right before the wedding, Madison had her palm read, and she learned that there would be many terrible obstacles and tragedies in her path, leaving her skeptical about her future. Will Madison and Justin make it to the altar, and if they do, what tragedies will they have to face?

Forbidden love and family drama have never been more alluring than in As The Secrets Turn by B. Truly. There is a mystery, suspense, intriguing characters, and a touch of the supernatural to be found. This enthralling novel is so beautifully written and haunting that it captured my attention right away. It’s filled with many dark secrets, twists, and sisterly drama that left me breathless and clinging to the pages, wondering what could come next. The story is packed with romance, heartache, and also wisdom. I love Madison for her non-judgmental nature, her ability to fight for justice, and her never giving up despite all her dark secrets, fears, and vulnerabilities. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great suspenseful read.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Road to Elysium: A Heartfelt Story of Self-forgiveness, Bold Verdicts, and a Neighborhood is a work of fiction in the urban and interpersonal drama subgenres, and it was inspired by true events. It is best suited to the older YA and adult reading audiences due to its thematic content. Penned by author Kay A. Oliver, the story initially follows Ken, whose perfect life collapses around him in tatters when tragedy strikes. After a group of neighborhood kids add insult to injury by trying to rob Ken’s house, an unlikely moment of bonding and realization occurs. As Ken begins to interact with the world again through his new friend Mykel, the path to hope becomes a little clearer.

Kay A. Oliver delivers a superb tale with plenty of positive and inspiring moments that balance the tragic circumstances of the lives touched upon within the characters of this intimate drama. Ken provides an accurate portrayal of a person crushed by tragedy. Despite the harrowing, raw, emotional narrative, Oliver balances his hard life with increasing moments of joy, pathos, and hope. The tale feels like a release from grief, with every day getting just a little better if we remember to let light, love, and other people back in. I really enjoyed the dialogue, which did a lot to carry the plot forward in a natural style, especially concerning Mykel. I recommend Road to Elysium to fans of realistic fiction; readers who have experienced loss will relate.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Mothers Vol. 1 is a work of fiction that covers interpersonal drama, and urban as well as sociocultural issues. It was penned by Ben Burgess Jr. as the emotive and detailed prequel to the novel Defining Moments: Black and White. It is best suited to mature readers owing to scenes of violence, sexual situations, drug use, and explicit language used throughout. The novel follows Juanita, a single mother desperately trying to care for and provide for her children after her husband is killed by a stray bullet. When one child develops cancer, and the other is led astray on the streets, Juanita struggles to hold it all together and keep her family safe from yet more tragedy.

Ben Burgess Jr. has developed a poignant and brilliantly written sociological drama that works on many different levels to satisfy its readers. In terms of its storyline as an urban family drama, there are plenty of emotive twists and shocking turns to keep you invested in Juanita and the family’s struggles as the plot rolls forward. Beyond this, the level of emotional and psychological development in the family and their immediate social circles is fascinating. The author is dedicated to expressing the plight that our current capitalist and discriminatory society puts many families into through no fault of their own. The work certainly left me with a lot more thoughts and questions about real people just like Juanita. Mothers Vol. 1 is a highly recommended read for all realistic drama fans out there.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Beyond The Gate is an urban crime novel by Nicole E. Avery. Seventeen-year-old Nyla Slayings' life didn't turn out quite the way it was supposed to after her parents were deported six years ago. Forced to live with her abusive foster father, the only respite she gets is being a vendor of food products at the local baseball stadium. However, things take a turn for the worse when her foster father catches her being intimate with her boyfriend, Juan, leading to a confrontation that results in his death. Plagued by guilt, Nyla and Juan find themselves blackmailed by a corrupt detective who wants to take advantage of their situation. Deeply in love, Nyla and Juan are determined to get through their predicament together. But Juan's untimely accident puts Nyla into a dire situation she never could've envisioned.

A tragic tale about parental abuse, systematic corruption, and the loss of innocence, Beyond The Gate is an absorbing read from start to finish. Author Nicole E. Avery tells a gut-wrenching story of a foster child who finds herself being the victim of abuse by the very people meant to protect her. The narrative follows Nyla, an enterprising seventeen-year-old who struggles to navigate her precarious situation surrounded by an abusive father, corrupt cops, and a hostile work environment. Through this captivating crime thriller, Avery tackles some heavy topics, such as child abuse, rape, harassment, corruption, and much more. Nyla is someone you can't help but root for. If you enjoy books containing relevant social issues, don't miss out on Beyond The Gate.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

The Buzz Boys, by Edward Izzi, is a touching and powerful coming-of-age novel about secrets, trauma, and friendship. The Buzz Boys centers around a group of friends who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s. They could have called themselves the Z Boys because each of them had a Z in their last name. But they were dubbed The Buzz Boys because their voices made a buzzing sound when they were talking in shop class. The unique thing is that each of them suffered physical and emotional abuse, and grew up with the aftereffects. They had to live in the shadow of their fathers' abuse. Each boy is different, and so is affected in different ways. The main character Robert Mazzara is an attorney in Chicago, and when he hears about the suicide of one of his best friends, he realizes the Buzz Boys were a long time ago, and it's been fifty years. They've been through a lot together, and this is their story.

Izzi has created a novel that is compelling, dark at times, and has its finger on the pulse of trauma and how it follows victims through life, coloring their choices, emotions, relationships, careers, self-worth, just to name a few. Opening with Mazzara's friend Marco and his father, this impactful, heart-twisting novel gets to the point of how damaging abusive fathers can be. This author writes characters that could walk off the pages and into your living room. They're real, personal, fully formed, and different from one another, yet share similar pain and outcomes. The writing is captivating, the plot strong and poignant, but there are some unexpected events to keep you wondering what will happen next. I love how Izzi takes you back through the decades and makes their childhoods real for you, and then leads you through their process of going from boys to men. Mazzara is a great character to know.

Though this is a hard book to read at times, as a former child/adult protection social worker, I can say that you will be emotionally rewarded if you stick with it, and there are some uplifting parts to balance the dark. The end gave me a chill, and that rarely happens when I read a book. As you read and get to know these characters, you want to right the wrongs, you want to do something to change their lives for the better, you want to help them. If you like friendship stories and character studies as depicted in works like Stand by Me, It, or Mystic River, you will connect with The Buzz Boys by Edward Izzi.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

When a young man takes his injured friend's place in his band, he gets caught in a mad world of murder, magic, mythology, and time travel in the urban fantasy novel, The Devil Pulls the Strings by J. W. Zarek. Boone Daniels inadvertently injures his friend Flynn when someone blows an air horn during a jousting contest at the Renaissance Faire. Due to Flynn's injuries, Boone agrees to stand in for him in his band, The Village Idiots. The gig takes place in NYC, and Flynn insists that Boone go ahead of the band and meet their contact, Professor Stone. When Boone arrives as instructed, a piano and a dead body falling from the balcony above him nearly crushes him. Things get worse when two thugs start shooting. While fleeing the bullets, Boone's life takes a drastic turn when floating taxis, disappearing doors, and altering realities save his life. Why are they chasing Boone? What do they want?

The Devil Pulls the Strings by J. W. Zarek is a brilliant urban fantasy enhanced with magical beings and time travel. It has a dramatic storyline with an action-filled plot, and I enjoyed every element of the story. The storyworld's imagery is incredible, transporting the reader between modern-day New York City to nineteenth-century Italy. A combination of the television series Warehouse 13, The Librarians, and The Magicians, the storyline flows swiftly and is spellbinding from the first page until the last. The story ends on the ideal place to segue into a sequel and is the perfect beginning for a sensational series. It is an engaging and exciting urban fantasy that promises to thrill everyone from twelve to a hundred.

Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

Thorn of Secrets by B. Truly is the sequel to Scorn of Secrets. Madison moved to Baton Rouge with her daughter, Justice. She mourns the loss of her relationship with Justin, especially since his twin sexually assaulted her, and is mortified that her sister began dating Jackson. As her family gathers for Thanksgiving, her mother reveals that she has married Regan Jenkins, making Justin and Jackson her stepbrothers. To complicate the story further, her sister Tanya is actually Regan’s daughter and Aunt Cassandra’s ex from nineteen years ago. Madison recovers from the revelation and confides in her cousin, Dariel. When school starts, Madison becomes friends with Chauncey, who makes it obvious that he is infatuated with her. Madison consents, but as soon as they attempt to become intimate, she feels panic from her rape invade her mind. While Chauncey doesn’t push her, Madison doesn’t know how she will be able to tell him about the truth of her past.

B. Truly made this an increasingly intense story told through Madison’s eyes. Thorn of Secrets had me hooked in with the suspense to see if Madison would be able to make Jackson face justice. I was able to understand the cold feelings she had for her mother and sister. Knowing someone had raped me, I would hate my sister if she chose to date the monster. To add salt to the wound, having my mother marry the father of my attacker would probably have me disown my family. I appreciated that Madison did not fit the normal victim mentality because she had the fortitude to move forward with her life. The pace of the story blended well with the vivid imagery. Tastefully written intimate details are left to the imagination. There are several young adult social issues addressed, including being aware of your surroundings, dating abuse, and having someone that you can trust if you are struggling with trauma. I highly recommend this book to young adult readers who enjoy a suspenseful story of a young woman’s recovery from trauma.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

The 'Great' Kickin' Dog: A Family Tree by Kenneth Allen Crutchfield, Sr. is a novel with its own beauty and dignity in exploring the life of a dysfunctional family. John Coleman is the main protagonist, an ex-musician, assembly line worker, and alcoholic. Don’t call him a loser yet. He tries his best to be a good provider. You might even think that he is the sanest member of his family when you get to know the members of his coop. His wife, Mary, is struggling to overcome her own neurosis. Together, they are raising a large family of four girls and two musically-inclined boys in the low-income housing unit of Chicago in the 1960s. The neighborhood is not exactly a conducive place to raise a family, as it is infested by drug-dealing, gun-toting gangs. But John is determined to make a better life for his family. As he battles with his alcoholism and copes with domestic challenges, a tragedy strikes that will test his mettle to the limits.

The ‘Great’ Kickin’ Dog is a tribute of intense passion to those lives fractured by marginalization and injustice. Its protagonist puts into action his heroism through his resolve to keep his family away from a corrosive society. Richly evocative, Kenneth Allen Crutchfield, Sr.’s characters blend well with the time period that they represent. It is a work of intense moral seriousness with a literary quality that might remind you of the works of James Baldwin. As the story is based on the author’s family, you get a stab of realism in the narrative artistry. It is supercharged with a good balance of humor and drama working together like a Yin and Yang to bring forth a storyline that transcends the consciousness of today’s racist world. This is the type of novel that I will not hesitate to recommend.