Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Willow's Way is a contemporary fiction novel written by Sharon Struth. Pound Busters was Willow’s masterpiece, a wildly successful weight loss empire, which used her guiding principles to help people lose the weight and keep it off. Willow herself was the keystone and inspirational image -- she was elegantly slim and hardened against any form of food frivolity. Pound Busters was also Willow’s own personal albatross as she discovered when a video of her indulging in an awesome slice of pizza went viral. Celebrity Secrets’ video of her fall from grace had garnered thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. Willow’s Board of Directors was clamoring to toss her out as the company’s CEO.

Losing weight had always been Willow’s bete noire, or at least that’s how she had been made to feel growing up with a stepfather who instilled in her from the time she was small the fear that she would never be loveable because of her size. Pound Busters was her way of ensuring her continual triumph over that bleak future, but her carefully erected defenses proved insufficient when disaster struck. First, her husband had publicly announced their breakup and his new romantic interest. Then, her business advisor ran off with both the company’s and her personal funds. Soon, her carefully managed size six had yielded to a more comfortable size ten or twelve (horrors!). Willow rummaged through her mom’s old effects in the hopes that there might be an old bank book she had forgotten about -- and yes, she did find one with a decent balance that was still earning interest. She also found a manila envelope that held secrets about her family, secrets her mom had never shared with her, about a life in England -- and grandparents she never knew about.

Sharon Struth’s contemporary fiction novel, Willow's Way, is a heartwarming and adventure-filled story about a New Yorker who finds her heart and soul in the Cotswolds area of England. Struth deftly addresses image issues and fat shaming, and the disastrous impact these can have on young people as they are growing up. Willow’s inability to see herself as a person of worth because of her size is heartbreaking, and the change in location and culture definitely seems to work for her and in so many ways. The budding romance between her and Owen is a joy to behold, as are her growing attachments to Owen’s daughter, Jilly, and her dog, Henry. Is being elegantly gaunt worth a lifetime of deprivation and unhappiness? Struth’s story answers that question most eloquently. Willow's Way is very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Katherine Williams for Readers' Favorite

A Dress the Color of the Sky by Jennifer Irwin is a romance novel featuring Prudence Aldrich, also known as Prue, a woman who is having a hard time navigating her life. Under the control of her abusive husband, Nick, Prue copes with her pain through various addictions. After having several dangerous sexual encounters with strangers, Prue realizes she is not at fault for her emotions, and checks into Serenity Hills rehabilitation center. There, she discovers who she truly is as a person. She comes to understand that the abuse she has endured her whole life, including her childhood trauma, does not define who she is. She learns that she is here on this earth for a reason, and that it is okay to allow herself to heal and become free from the chains of all her negative experiences.

A Dress the Color of the Sky is a raw, emotional and compelling novel that will help you understand just how resilient victims of trauma can be. Prue is a character you will come to love and admire by the book’s finish; her self-destructive behavior is hard to stomach, but you will cheer for her as she learns to love herself for who she is. Jennifer Irwin’s writing is inviting; the plot goes into a considerable amount of depth that will stick with the reader; her characters are well-rounded and the dialogue is light and witty but heavy when needed. The pacing is just right, and overall the narrative flows nicely and does not seem to miss a beat. This is not your typical romance novel; it is so much more and manages to cover tricky themes like sex addiction in a thoughtful manner. I suggest this book to anyone who wishes to learn more about abuse victims. This book teaches you that no matter what you have done in your past, you are person who is worthy of unconditional love.

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

Outlander meets art in Storm at the Keizer Manor by Ramcy Diek. Annet, a pregnant woman from the 21st century, finds herself in the 1800s after she had gone for a walk in the dunes with her boyfriend, Forrest (the father of her unborn child). A storm had surprised them, and apparently transported her - but not him - back in time. Unfortunately for Forrest, some people became suspicious of him because he had last been seen having an argument with his girlfriend. Part of the novel concerns itself with his search for Annet, but the majority of the novel is about how Annet deals with life in the 1800s, and how the outspoken woman who loves to swear and carries a child out of wedlock ends up in a monastery of all places. Initially, Annet thinks it's all a prank, but then she meets the 19th century master painter Alexander Keizer, whose paintings are exhibited in the museum she work for, and who should be long dead. Annet accepts her fate, but wants to find a way home. However, the longer she stays in the past, the more she learns about what has been going on in her life, and what she really needs for happiness.

Readers who love time travel romances, Outlander for example, will feel right at home in the pages of Storm at the Keizer Manor by Ramcy Diek. The novel is not as rich in history as the Outlander series (which has a bit too much of everything for my taste - too much sex, too much history, too many long, winding passages that say nothing at all), but that's not a bad thing. Readers will learn quite a bit about industrialization, especially when it comes to sewing and the sewing machine. The main focus, however, is not on history, but on the development of Annet. I found the novel to be a very pleasant experience and it was also exciting in a certain way. There is, obviously, some romance going on, but it's not over the top, and naked bodies are clearly not the selling point of this novel. It has substance, and I found the ending rather satisfying. I was hoping it would end that way! It's not a taxing read, and ideal for comfortable reading sessions at the end of a busy day.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Arms of Grace by Eleanor Chance is a soul-searching story that explores the power of unconditional love, following a woman who will do everything to protect the life of a helpless little baby, even risking her career. When a baby is abandoned at the hospital, Nurse Grace Ward instinctively develops a strong attachment to him and feels the need to protect the child. She names the unconscious child Johnny. In spite of the skill and the attention of the hospital staff, Johnny’s life hangs by a very thin thread. Things change suddenly when a deadly infection spreads through the hospital, distracting Grace from focusing on the baby. But she vows never to give up on the child, even when the prognosis creates conflicting ideas among the staff. Grace stays resolute, determined not to give up. But who is this child and what are his true origins? Could Grace’s life ever be the same by the time she finds out?

Eleanor Chance’s novel is a great success at multiple levels. First, the writing is captivating, featuring powerful and emotionally charged passages, vivid descriptions of both settings and characters, and dialogues that read like real life conversations. The story has a strong psychological depth and the author takes readers into the inner workings of a woman’s heart — a real mother’s heart, indeed. The plot is well-paced and it is constructed to keep the reader turning pages nonstop. I enjoyed the way the author gets the reader to focus on the characters, creating a strong sense of mystery around Johnny's origins and making the reader curious to find out how the child will affect Grace's life. Arms of Grace is intelligently written, a story that inspires and entertains. It’s a must-read!

Reviewed by Stacie Haas for Readers' Favorite

In The Comfort of Secrets: A Sweet Lake Novel Volume 2 by Christine Nolfi, Cat Mendoza is a stunning, thirty-year-old woman trying to find herself as she begins a new job as marketing and events coordinator for the Wayfair Inn in Sweet Lake, Ohio. Cat’s early attempts at confident decision-making are thwarted by the Sweet Lake Sirens, a group of eccentric women who serve as self-appointed guardians of the country town. When Ryan D’Angelo, an up-and-coming advertising executive, travels from Cincinnati to help her promote the Inn, Cat finds herself falling for a man whose secrets endanger their chances for a relationship and may just threaten both of their lives.

The Comfort of Secrets by Christine Nolfi is an elegantly written novel with an endearing protagonist, Cat Mendoza, who is desperately trying to overcome a lack of confidence in her career and life choices. Her life begins to come into focus when she meets Ryan D’Angelo, but he is not who he seems. His life before Cat was filled with uncertainty and pain, a history that irrevocably ties him to his mother, Julia. It’s in the unveiling of the secrets of Ryan, his mother, and their ties to Sweet Lake that this novel really shines. The love story is penetrating and enjoyable, and I loved its depth and meaning as the pair learns to trust each other and determines to acknowledge the past so they can have a future together. Every character in this novel—overbearing Silvia, secretive Frances, skittish Julia, eccentric Ruth, and hopeful Gemma—are more colorful than the next. This is a delightful read and the journey is one I’d take again and again. The Comfort of Secrets is perfectly titled and highly recommended.

Reviewed by Samantha March for Readers' Favorite

Whew. The Taste of Air by Gail Cleare caught my attention from the moment I began to read it. What begins to unfold from page one is a captivating story filled with mystery, suspense, love, longing and family. As I write this review and begin to relive the story once again, my eyes are filling with tears. This is a book that I have told many people about already, recommending it to all of the book lovers in my life, because I have the hope that it will stay with them like it did with me. The writing was emotional, the scenery was imaginative, and each plot point revealed was mesmerizing. From beginning to end, I was wrapped up in this story and I found myself trying to prolong the ending, not wanting the story to close, but finding myself far too curious to leave this down for long.

The story of two sisters and their mother that unraveled throughout this novel was actually breathtaking at times. From love and war to secrets ready to be uncovered, each little piece played a pivotal part in how this entire book came together. It was wonderful watching the personal journeys of Nell and Bridget, two very different sisters yet also alike in so many ways, as they tried to find their own happiness amidst their mother’s sudden illness. Their bond was a comfort to me as I read. Overall, I hope you can see that I truly loved this story filled with plot twists and unpredictable moments, so get ready for a wild ride. I promise you it’s worth it, though. The Taste of Air by Gail Cleare is a poignant tale not to be missed.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

A Bend in the Willow by Susan Clayton-Goldner is the story of Catherine Henry who lives with her husband and son in Tucson, Arizona. Circumstances force her to return to Willowood to face her family and her son, whom she gave up for adoption as he was the result of a rape. She has to save Michael, her five-year-old who is diagnosed with leukemia, a form resistant to chemotherapy. Doctors tell them that only a bone marrow transplant can save the boy and Catherine knows that it is time to go back to her past. Since blood relatives have the best chance of matching, Catherine has to tell about her 19-year-old son. Her husband, Ben, is shattered when he learns about her past and feels betrayed that she has kept it from him till now. Will Catherine be able to save her dying son? Who comes to her help finally?

The story is poignant and will awaken readers' emotions. The narration switches from the present to the past, connecting Catherine's present to her past. Ben’s feelings of being betrayed and let down are palpable, and Catherine’s guilt about her past and wanting to disassociate from it and start a new life is understandable. There are a lot of twists and turns in the plot which make the story a compelling read. The main character with a hidden past, her childhood problems, and her reasons for admitting to her past, running away from it, and finally going back to it have been woven together beautifully and this gives the story a mysterious vibe. The book will grab the attention of readers right from the first page to the last and the author captures the tension, family life, and small town ambiance perfectly.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Eden: A Novel is a family saga. It is a story that spans the years from 1915 until the present day. Eden is about a family that, like so many real life families, is dysfunctional, loving, and faces many ups, downs , happy times, sad times and scary times. Eden is the summer home in Rhode Island that will see not only all of the family secrets from one generation to the next, but always the underlying love of family for each other.

The story of Eden begins in Long Harbor, Rhode Island during the summer of 2000. We are taken back to the beginning in 1915 when Bunny and Sadie first meet, fall in love, marry, build Eden and share their life story of family, disasters, happiness, and success. Eden has a fantastic ocean view and a lovely interior. We, the readers, learn the secrets, live through the hard times and the good with Bunny, Sadie, their children and their grandchildren. Each generation is forced to face the world and the events going on around them.

I was drawn in immediately and could feel myself being transported to Eden; feeling the sand between my toes and the love, hate, happy times and scary times right along with all of the family. If you enjoy reading family sagas that cover real history and life, this is a must-read for you. Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg has written her first novel with compassion, caring, love and understanding. I can hardly wait for her next book.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Dear Stephanie by Mandi Castle is one of the most gorgeous books I have read this year, a story of Paige Preston, a woman who has everything anyone would want, and a life of opulence and luxury. But then she isn’t the happy woman that her world would suggest. She tries to kill herself with an overdose, but fails. Now on mandatory therapy, Paige works with a sexy psychiatrist and she begins to feel the stirrings of a new relationship. Could this be the answer to her inner struggles or will it be another step into the darkness that has inhabited her soul? Here is a beautiful story beautifully told, with great moments of humor, wit and emotional depth.

I couldn’t stop reading when I read the first lines of this awesome, very sexy story. I knew instantly that I was hooked and that I would have to read it to the end: “I look across the kitchen at the granite bar and see my seven oxy pills lined up in a perfect row. I can hardly believe it’s here. The last day of my life.” The narrative voice is gorgeous, somewhat nonchalant and — again — sexy in a way the reader can’t ignore it. The writing feels awesome with sentences and thoughts that unveil the mood of the protagonist and penetrate her psychology; it has the reader fully involved in the emotional and psychological aspects of the story. Great paragraph breaks, awesome sentence structure and punctuation are some of the elements that make the read exceptional. But what kept me going was the writing, the plot, the gripping story, and the believable, compelling characters. Dear Stephanie by Mandi Castle is a unique story that is absorbing and highly entertaining.

Reviewed by Chris-Jean Clarke for Readers' Favorite

Perfect for Him by Suzanne Jenkins is a very touching story about Harley Jones, a young Staff Nurse who works in the post-anesthesia Recovery Room of her local hospital, discovering that she has Stage IV Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Even though Harley and her family are clued up on the facts regarding her diagnosis and treatment as her husband, mother and older sister also work in the nursing field, nothing can prepare them for coming to terms with the news that Harley is terminally ill.

I love the fact that following the diagnosis Suzanne Jenkins doesn’t just have Harley making a ‘bucket list’ of general things she needs to accomplish for her own self-gain before she dies. Instead, Suzanne Jenkins allows Harley to strive for something that will enable her to feel as though she has a small amount of control over her situation, whilst also giving her peace of mind that she is doing something advantageous to her four daughters and husband’s future well-being.

I believe those who read Suzanne Jenkins' Perfect for Him and have, or have had, a family member or friend diagnosed as terminally ill will emphathise with, or relate to Harley and her family on so many different levels. For example, they will be able to relate to feelings of anger towards God, and the medical staff that they are unable to control the situation or outcome; feelings of sadness and grief; understanding the need to find the strength and energy to participate in fun times with their loved ones while still wanting to or needing to make plans for the younger ones' future.