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Pressed Pennies

Steven Manchester

2014 Honorable Mention
355 Pages
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Fiction - Womens

2014 Honorable Mention
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Rick and Abby find themselves being thrown together after many years in Pressed Pennies by Steven Manchester. Rick and Abbey are childhood friends who fall in love while young and then break up. Though they meet again and find themselves falling in love again and want to make up for lost time, there are other factors in their lives now which work as obstacles to their love story. Paige, Abby’s daughter, is very comfortable with being in her mother’s space all the time and does not seem to welcome Rick’s presence in her mother’s life. Rick, on the other hand, has no experience in handling kids and he finds it difficult to handle Paige. Will Abby be able to make things work for her this time? The author traces the lives of three couples in this story.

The book brings together many relationships and the love portrayed in the story is nuanced and vivid in its descriptions. Eunice and Bill and Carmen and Grant are the other two couples whose romance is followed in this story. The author weaves the stories of these couples into the main plot deftly and the language is simple and elegant, adding to the beautiful imagery of the settings. This intense love story will bring out heartfelt emotions in readers. The author has captured the joy of family and relationships through the lives of these three couples. This love story revolves around hope, faith, destiny and love.

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Safe & Sound

A Novel
T.S. Krupa

2014 Bronze Medal
312 Pages
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Fiction - Womens

2014 Bronze Medal
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Safe and Sound by T.S. Krupa is a year in the life of Jill, following the sudden loss of her husband of 2 years. When Jay is hit by a drunk driver while on a morning run, Jill is faced with having to make decisions she never thought she would have to make. Turning off the life support machine is just the beginning. Jill's best friends, Stella and Lanie, take it upon themselves to watch over Jill through concern for her well being. Jay's best friend, police officer Harry, also joins in but for very different reasons. As the year goes by, Jill learns things about her husband she never knew, leading to her decisions to change her life. One decision leads her to another chance at love. Should she take it or should she continue to mourn hear husband?

Safe and Sound by T.S. Krupa is one of those rare books that completely draws the reader in. It is written in such a way that you really feel as though you are there, living in Jill's shoes, leading her life. It is a book that will have you in tears, laughing out loud, and holding your breath, waiting to see what happens. I confess I read the entire book almost in one sitting because I couldn't bring myself to put it down. If I could only write one word about Safe and Sound it would be "Wow." Full credit to T.S. Krupa for such a wonderfully written book, full of depth and feeling.

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The Girl From Long Guyland

Lara Reznik

2014 Silver Medal
326 Pages
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Fiction - Womens

2014 Silver Medal
Reviewed by Kathryn Bennett for Readers' Favorite

"The Girl from Long Guyland" by Lara Reznik takes us into the world of successful IT executive Laila Levin. Laila seems to have it all; the great job, a great marriage, and overall just a great life. Suddenly life starts to seem not so perfect. Work announces a large layoff putting Laila in a bad situation with the CEO and her Boss, then she receives the sad news that a friend from college killed herself.

It is this news about the friend from college that stirs up dark secrets from Laila's past. At seventeen years old in 1969 Laila heads off to college in Connecticut and all the temptations of college come right at her! Between the war protests, free love, drugs and rock and roll, you are guaranteed to have things happen.

Lara Reznik masterfully creates a story that brings the past and present together seamlessly. Lara Reznik brought the past to life for me in the pages of this book. It is more than just the images from the past that make this book great, it is the whole story and the secrets that are revealed within it.

I can honestly say it is not often that the plot of a book surprises me the way this one did. This book is truly timeless. I would recommend "The Girl from Long Guyland" to anyone who likes to read no matter what their preferred genre. Lara Reznik has managed to make sure it has a little something for everyone.

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Pushing Through the Darkness

From Montserrat to Montserrat
Linette Arthurton Bruno

2013 Honorable Mention
110 Pages
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Fiction - Womens

2013 Honorable Mention
Reviewed by Amy Raines for Readers' Favorite

Pushing Through the Darkness: From Montserrat to Montserrat by Linette Arthurton Bruno tells the story of a young married couple, Clementine and Christophe, as they honeymoon in the Caribbean islands. The young couple revels in the history of events in both Montserrat and Martinique as they intertwine with the lives of their family. Can their discoveries uncover the change in Clementine’s father? Will the clarification of the family’s frightening past help Clementine discover herself and have a happier future with her new husband? Will the couple’s family see eye to eye upon their return home?

Pushing Through the Darkness is an interesting trip through the past and present with a well thought out plot that unfolds through the history of two islands tormented by volcanic activity that destroyed homes as well as lives. The characters are very interesting and easy to relate to as Clementine and Christophe discover and share historical events that left emotional damage on the people involved in the natural but tragic events. I love how Pushing Through the Darkness shows how the distant past can influence families and communities, causing them to change physically, emotionally and psychologically, as well as influencing the futures of the people who endure the trauma and the aftermath of events. I recommend Bruno’s Pushing Through the Darkness to anyone who enjoys history and its effects on the future of the people who survive and find a way to carry on after the tragedy has passed.

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Good Sam

Dete Meserve

2013 Gold Medal
237 Pages
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Fiction - Womens

2013 Gold Medal
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Readers' Favorite

Kate usually covered what reporters referred to as "bummer" stories, stories that covered “death, destruction and weeping survivors.” She was shocked when the news director assigned her to cover a human interest story. Someone had left a stack of cash amounting to $100,000 in a woman’s mail box. Begrudgingly, Kate and her new photographer and producer made their way to Christina Flores’s home. Christina lived in a rough part of town leaving Kate to suspect the money was part of a drug deal. However, to Christina it was nothing short of a miracle. Kate placed little faith in miracles or people for that matter. But Christina wasn't the only one to receive $100,000...now Kate was intrigued.

“Good Sam” by author, Dete Meserve is one of the best mystery romance tales I have read in a long, long time. The reader is there as Kate slowly unravels the mystery of the identity of good Sam; even more enthralling was the reason why he was giving away money. Kate had little faith in people but finally she found someone she could trust. “Good Sam” is filled with mystery, betrayal, romance, and love. I enjoyed watching Kate change from a skeptic to someone that could trust; from a cynical reporter to a caring woman. Kudos to Dete Meserve, great book!

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Far From Perfect

A Novel
Rebecca Bryan

2013 Finalist
334 Pages
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Fiction - Womens

2013 Finalist
Reviewed by Dianne Bylo for Readers' Favorite

With “Far From Perfect,” Rebecca Bryan has created an intense, emotionally charged tale of the despair of alcoholism and the redemption of recovery. Cassidy Young, filled with horrific memories some of which she feels are her fault, succumbs to alcohol dependency, drops out of college, and is now back home with her parents while on a six month probation for driving under the influence. The roller-coaster that is her life takes its toll as she struggles with seeing the changes in those she loves, including James, whom she has loved since she was a child. Cassidy has setbacks, feeling even more like a disappointment and failure. If not for the help of easy going Drew Barnes, her AA sponsor, and James Maughn, with his warmth and friendship, Cass may never have pushed herself on in the uphill battle, across the landmines of life. What she finds at the other end makes it worth all of the pain.

Rebecca Bryan has gotten to the heart of the struggles faced by addicts. By surrounding Cass with both tests of her will and the rewards of her successes, I felt that spark of realism that drew me into the story! With so many simple touches in the writing, symbols of healing (ie., a charm bracelet, Cass’s dream of her younger brother), by the end of the story, I knew Cass would make it! When an author can blur the line between fiction and reality for me, they've done their job well!

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The Illusion of Secondhand Smoke

Janice M. Van Dyck

2013 Honorable Mention
262 Pages
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Fiction - Womens

2013 Honorable Mention
Reviewed by Ty Mall for Readers' Favorite

"The Illusion of Secondhand Smoke" by Janice M. Van Dyck is about Maria DeLuca, a successful motivational speaker, whose personal life is anything but happy. She is into drugs and is having an affair with a married man. She is not without her reasons for giving up on Mike, her abusive husband, even before he got cancer. Years before, her brother Tee was murdered by someone in town over a rumor. Everybody thinks that their reason why the murder occurred is the right one, but Mike, on his deathbed, gets his neighborhood buddies and family together. The missing pieces he fills in about Tee’s death shock everyone more than the secrets they think they have successfully hidden from everyone. And all those dark secrets tumble into the light of day.

I was surprised by how insightful the main character Maria is. A lot of writers don’t choose a character’s profession well, but this author did, and made great use of it. I really connected to these characters in their struggles, because of how well this author described events from each character’s perspective, with no explaining. I thought Jeremy would have been bitter. I enjoyed watching the pieces of the plot fall into place. And even after I started figuring things out, this book kept me guessing. The last few chapters were definitely unexpected. I was also surprised by the discussion questions and the notes at the end. This is a great book.

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The Last Supper Catering Company

Michaelene McElroy

2013 Silver Medal
266 Pages
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Fiction - Womens

2013 Silver Medal
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

“The Last Supper Catering Company” by Michaelene McElroy is a book with a different flavor. This is the first novel by the author. I certainly hope it will not be her last. I have nothing to compare the plot to; it is unique, imaginative and wonderfully developed. In "The Last Supper Catering Company" we meet an original character, B. Thankful Childe Lucknow. To say her life was simple would be somewhat misleading. From the day of her birth B. Thankful was different. B. Thankful was in fact the epitome of innocence. Her mother died before she was born. Little G pulled her granddaughter out of the womb and willed her to live. B. Thankful had unruly red hair and eyes of two different colors. But the most unusual thing about her was her ability to hear whispers of the departed. B Thankful had a happy childhood although somewhat isolated. She was rejected by the town’s people but was loved and nurtured in her home in the woods by her grandmother Little G and her father. B. Thankful allows readers to travel with her as she comes to discover why God blessed her with a special gift and his plan for her life. B. is sweet, kind, loving and caring. She doesn’t judge others and has an air of innocence about her. But don’t be fooled; she is highly intelligent. During her journey we will meet many characters often with a quirk or two and the reader will come to love each one.

It is difficult to believe this is Michaelene McElroy’s debut novel. Her talent outshines some of the most experienced authors of her time. Her writing style is the use of prose that floats off the page. She illustrates emotion through her words. In this book the reader will experience joy and sadness often, just a few words separating the two. As I savored this tale I found myself smiling, giggling, laughing out loud and in the next paragraph sobbing for the pain B. was facing. My mere words cannot possibly do this book justice. I highly recommend this book. Get your copy today.

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Spirit Unbroken

Abby's Story
Jeanne McElvaney

2012 Finalist
480 Pages
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Fiction - Womens

2012 Finalist
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Jeanne McElvaney begins her book "Spirit Unbroken: Abby’s Story" by defining three types of memories: Ordinary Memories - retention of experiences; Trauma Memories - memories themselves cannot be recalled at will; and Dissociation Memories - a biological response that separates awareness from consciousness. Abby was a mere toddler when her father would rub her along his penis. She was approximately 3 years old when he jerked her up and hung her body upside down from the rafters in the basement and spun her around and around and then pressed his fingers in her anus. At four he pressed a pillow over her mouth to keep her quiet while he pressed his fingers into her orifices. She found a secret room inside of her where she could hide when she was in danger. Abby faced the ineffaceable. I have absolutely no sympathy for a man or woman who abuses a child in any manner. Abby’s mother pretended to know nothing while her father became more and more out of control. He was violent, manipulative and controlling. I admire Dennis for his stance. I admire Abby for standing up to her parents. I am glad Abby has Dennis and Katie has Abby.

Jeanne McElvaney is a talented writer. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up this book. I will not say that I was entertained or that I enjoyed this book for the content bothered me. But I am glad I read it. McElvaney writes in a frank, no-holds-barred manner. This book is a work of fiction but reads like non-fiction. I hope the telling of this story helped the victims in some small way. McElvaney breathed life into the characters of this book. I continue wanting to rant and rave over what Jerry and Betty did to their daughters. However, I will just conclude by saying that McElvaney is a storyteller extraordinaire!

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Calya Journey-Wise

The Keeper of the Realms (Volume 1)
Catherine L. Avizinis

2012 Gold Medal
337 Pages
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Fiction - Womens

2012 Gold Medal
Reviewed by Robin Clark for Readers' Favorite

The Calaithian people are kind, proud, hardworking people. Many walk blindly through the Kingdom of Moeth without remembering or knowing of the Kingdom they walk on, a kingdom not of this world: Hammeril. It is said that a thousand years has passed since the magickal gate between the two worlds was closed because of the jealousy and hatred that had grown between those with the gift of magick and those without. A war waged for two hundred years after that day — waged by the citizens of Calaith and the few aMaun people from Hammeril who had vowed to stay in the Kingdom of Moeth to help those they had come to love and to keep alive the memories so that one day the gate could again be opened. All Calaithians are given a life’s work — a vocation, something each is deemed to do according to their signs of election: a scribe, musician, cook, warrior. It seems all around Princess Calya-Tril have their vocations except her. Thirty-four years old and unmarried, she is considered an old maid. What will her life be but a waste? The day comes about, however, when she is found to be The Seeker—The One Who Is Found - the very one who is forged to open the gate between the two worlds and restore magick to the Kingdom of Moeth. Will she be strong enough to do this for the Kingdom she loves?

I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end. I am left in a state of restless anticipation for the next installment, for surely there will be more. The author uses such descriptive words that you can feel yourself in each magickal realm, smell the scents of the home fires burning and want to be upon the beautiful unicorns with crystal horns. You want to be shimmering from realm to realm in search of your magickal consort, your one true heart. Two thumbs way up to Catherine L. Avizinis for her eloquently written story of life’s journeys and choices, and to her ability to transport the reader to the magickal world of Hammeril.