Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

In Renaissance of the Heart by Lori M. Jones, Amanda Lewis is in for the surprise of her life. She and her husband were happily married for the past fifteen years. They had it all and they had it good. But when her husband confessed to being gay, her life shattered into a million pieces. His being gay had nothing to do with it, but him keeping it from her for fifteen years took its toll on her. After a painful and teary divorce, she is resolved on getting her life back on track and keeping things as normal as possible for her teenage daughter. Little did she know that life had better things in store for her!

Just when she thought that her life could not be more boring and tedious, she meets Bradley. He is young, smart, handsome, and a famous NFL quarterback. The road ahead is not that easy, but she has to do a lot of soul searching before she can move forward and build a life for her and her daughter. Bradley is keen, but it is Amanda who has to forgive her past and be ready to live her future.

Renaissance of the Heart is such a beautiful story. Lori M. Jones has done a tremendous job with this moving story of a woman trying to find her place in the world after a heartbreaking revelation. Bradley is such an amazing guy. He is down to earth and very understanding. Amanda is a warrior, she deserves happiness and more. Plus, she does not need any man or someone else to help her figure out her life. She is smart enough to do that on her own. I loved that about her. I loved this story.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

A Whisper of Smoke is a historical coming of age story written by Angela Hoke. It's set in the 1960s in a suburb right outside of Louisville, Kentucky. While Susanna and her family live in a more suburban setting, her best friend Calvin and his family live on a farm that's literally across the street. That farm and the wilderness surrounding it form the background for the endless adventures the two friends and their siblings enjoy as they're growing up. Calvin's always been there for Susanna from the time they were small, but a game of truth or dare played out at night while sitting before a campfire has them sharing a kiss that seems absurd and yet unforgettable. While they continue on with their close friendship, nothing is ever said about that kiss, and each of them meet romantic partners and date.

Angela Hoke's historical coming of age story, A Whisper of Smoke, is lyrical and fueled by magic. It's told by Susanna who's learned from quite early on that her mother is capable of creating marvelous worlds and then turning into something cruel and frightening in an instant. Susanna's relationship with Calvin is inspired, each complementing the other's strengths and weaknesses, the two stronger synergistically than they ever could be apart. The letters they write to each other while he's serving in Vietnam are moving and so expressive of the times and troubles of a generation faced with a very different kind of war. Susanna sends a poem to Calvin that begins: "A letter from you is a surprise of stars in a velvet pouch."

I knew from the very beginning of A Whisper of Smoke that this was a book to savor and enjoy slowly, like a fine wine, from the funny stuff to the parochial school dances and the horseback rides through the country. It's a beautifully written and most compelling coming of age story that's got friendship and history and, not to be forgotten, magic, on almost every page. A marvelous achievement and an unforgettable story. A Whisper of Smoke is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Samantha Rivera for Readers' Favorite

Elizabeth is a woman whose sole purpose in life is to be a good wife and mother. She has no care in the world but to accomplish these goals and she works hard at them despite the treatment she is given at the hands of her husband. When Elizabeth falls ill suddenly during her pregnancy with their last child, her husband determines to have nothing to do with her. Unfortunately that means her children (including her newborn son) will also have nothing to do with her. It’s almost a year before Elizabeth is finally able to see her young children again, but even then things are not what they might seem in Cracks in the Sidewalk.

Cracks in the Sidewalk is the type of book that you can’t stop thinking about long after you put it down. Elizabeth is a woman that any woman would be proud to be. She is able to roll with the punches and even when people behave in a reprehensible way towards her she is incapable of truly hating them and can only feel sorry for the love they don’t have. Her plight is one no mother would ever want to find herself in, but at the same time it is one that will draw you in. This is a heart-wrenching story but it is also a beautiful one of love and devotion and forgiveness. For Elizabeth’s children and her mother it is also a story of miracles and of overcoming any obstacle life may put in your way. An excellent book by Bette Lee Crosby.

Reviewed by Lia Simitsiadou for Readers' Favorite

Stealing Fire by Susan Sloate is the captivating narration of a unique love story, set in Los Angeles and New York in the '80s. It will appeal to all romantic hearts and will even manage to put a smile on the face of the cynics. It seems as fate itself takes action as Beau Kellogg and Amanda Harary, a most unlikely couple considering their sizable age difference but both with a burning passion for music and Broadway, are brought together in a ardent, all-consuming love affair. Their union will bring each one face-to-face with their personal issues and insecurities but will also cause hidden dreams and inspirations to emerge. As the plot seamlessly unfolds with Beau and Amanda trying to grasp what is happening to them, all the reader can do is read on breathlessly......what will become of the two lovers?

Stealing Fire is the rendition of a love worthy of standing among all those fated lovers worldwide - fictional or not. Beau and Amanda, Rhett and Scarlett, Father Ralph and little Maggie, Cleopatra and Anthony, Napoleon and Josephine...Susan Sloate very smoothly and artfully weaves in the story of Beau and Amanda with historical facts of Broadway and the atmosphere of the ‘80s, in a fast-paced, engaging but also realistic plot that does not tire but enthralls, allures and keeps the reader alert. It is definitely a must-read for avid enthusiasts of romantic literature, one that will leave an indelible mark in your heart and soul. In my humble opinion, if it were ever made into a movie, it would make a huge box-office hit!

Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

At seventy-five years of age, Alice Williams is still a sharp, spunky character, but she does forget a few things. Her daughter Karen decides she can no longer live alone, and finds a place for her at the Sorrento Retirement Facility. Alice considers this a prison for old people, a place for them to die, and isn't going to stay, but she will look around for a bit. It doesn't take long for Alice to make a few friends, including a young girl named Lily who is doing community hours at the facility. She also meets an orange-haired woman named Ruby and they become fast friends. When a new man, Henry Taylor, joins their group, Alice is drawn to him, but Ruby likes him, too. Will this be the end of their friendship? While all this is going on, a theft occurs and Alice is determined to get to the bottom of it. Can Alice solve the mystery? Read Just Wondering by Jianna Higgins and find out.

The cover of Just Wondering really caught my eye, but the story inside really captured my imagination and wouldn't let go. Ms. Higgins easily grabbed me from the beginning pages with the character of Alice. She was such a funny character, even when she wasn't trying to be. She didn't hesitate to jump in and help a friend when she was being bullied, and I loved the way she didn't let the charge nurse Melanie Moth intimidate her. I really felt like Alice got a new lease on life by going to the Sorrento Retirement Facility, and it truly made me think differently about such places. The friendships that were made were wonderful, especially the friendships Lily made; it was just what she needed to boost her confidence. The character of Ruby Smith was great. I could easily imagine her, and honestly couldn't wait to see what she might say or do next!

There was never a dull moment with the story, and while there were a few serious moments, there were plenty of fun filled scenes. The mystery woven into the story wasn't easy to solve and lent a cozy feel to the story for me. While Just Wondering is the first book I have read by Jianna Higgins, it certainly won't be my last. Her writing style is engaging, her descriptions are very realistic, bringing the characters and setting to life. Anyone who enjoys a well-written, humorous read with strong characters won't be disappointed!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!