Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Walk With Me: One Hundred Days of Crazy is a romantic and bittersweet work of fiction penned by author Ernesto H Lee. Written for mature audiences, but not overly graphic in its romantic content, this tale focuses on love later in life. Our central hero Mark Rennie is a man who once thought he had a perfect life all figured out, but then his life and health fall apart aged forty-one. In a world of difficult choices, Mark chooses to drift the streets of London in search of some kind of answer. When he finds Karen, however, he gets a lot more than he was looking for.

This is an emotional and unusual love story in the realm of tragic romances, but it has so many beautiful and uplifting qualities in spite of the situation that Mark finds himself in. The backdrop of London is well drawn to bring out the atmosphere of each moment in Mark and Karen’s relationship, and author Ernesto H Lee has a cinematic sense of how to construct scenes and move the plot along without any unnecessary details derailing it. The narration is personal, close to the characters, and sensitive in matters of health, the future and the notion of hope. What results is an emotionally intelligent and realistic romance that will grip its readers from start to finish. Overall, Walk With Me: One Hundred Days of Crazy is a rollercoaster ride with stylish narration, compelling dialogue and a plot you’ll cry over again and again.

Reviewed by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite

The Colonel and The Enchantress by Paullett Golden is the fourth in her An Enchantress Novels series. Lady Mary Mowbrah waits faithfully for years for her sweetheart to return from the war, rejecting every suitor her mother attempts to shove her way. Duncan Starrett returns as a Colonel and a Baronet, but he also comes back with a battle-worn body and doubts about his future. The love they shared before the war has become more of a fantasy as they realize they have each changed in the past five years. Mary never doubted her devotion to Duncan, but she sees a different man now. His body is much more chiseled, but he lacks the carefree attitude that she loved. Duncan has seen the worst of men, and now he doubts if his low standing in society and crippled body are what Mary deserves in life, though he has been nothing but loyal to her. Will they both be able to set aside their personal baggage and stubborn attitudes for a chance at a love they have waited for?
 
Paullett Golden isn’t afraid to weave complex family matters into her historical romance, The Colonel and The Enchantress. The characters face the reality of recurring health issues that aren’t often seen in novels. The author’s strong points are her ability to reveal the vulnerability of her characters while showing you how they work through their differences. Though there are many sensual scenes within the novel, the characters develop a deeper love that overlooks the physical aspects of their relationship. This novel heralds the men that represent honor and bravery while showing a humbleness rarely seen. The women are strong and resourceful, yet know what they want. I look forward to reading more from Golden; she is an author that shows great promise in the historical romance genre.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

On Loving is a work of fiction in the romance and drama sub-genres and was penned by author Lili Naghdi. Cross-cultural and powerfully emotive from the get-go, this novel begins in 1972 and takes us through the tumultuous life of protagonist Dr. Rose Hemmings. Encouraged by the blessing of her adopted father, Rose travels and explores Iran to uncover her Persian heritage, and there she finds a man who loves her with a passion she’s never known. The problem is, Rose already feels deeply connected with another man back in New York City, one whom tragedy brought to her and whom she feels her life will never be separate from.

This is a work that swallows you whole into its deep tapestry of cultural beauty, making you think about love, companionship and the human need for closeness from entirely new angles and viewpoints. In the story itself, Rose is a well-developed figure who gives us confidence as she heads out to explore her heritage, only to be very emotively shaken by what she finds. These peaks and troughs of emotion are brought to life consistently and realistically in author Lili Naghdi’s prose, weaving a plot which brings romantic turmoil to the fore alongside important issues of mental and physical health. On top of this is the conceptual layer with its poignant philosophy and the uncovering of the mythologies of love, which is the part that really stays with you long after you close the book. On Loving is a highly accomplished and recommended romance read.

Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite

Vital Temptations: A Heart's Betrayal by K.L. Lewis is a novel of the heart, a story of passion and a love that could destroy a well-ordered life. Dr. Bethany McNeal has just suffered a very nasty breakup in a relationship, but she is happy living her dream as a pediatric resident in one of the top-notch centers in Seattle. The last thing she expects is to fall in love quickly, but then she encounters Dr. Brent Anderson, a fellow doctor and resident in the same hospital, a charming man with looks to die for. Love grows pretty fast between them, and then she makes the shocking discovery: Brent is actually married. She learns about his marriage many months into their relationship and this leaves her with only one option: a break-up. But can she live without this man?

This novel follows Dr. Bethany McNeal as she struggles to forget the man she’s learned to love passionately. She enters into a new relationship with a real estate professional, her trainer, but her mind has stayed on Brent. She is torn between going back to the man she loves, even if it’s like stepping into a forbidden zone, and staying with the man who loves her. The conflict in this story is very powerful and it has strong psychological and emotional repercussions on the characters. K.L. Lewis has a unique gift for prose, characterized by a rare signature of phraseology, compelling dialogues, and powerful descriptions. Vital Temptations: A Heart's Betrayal is fast-paced, engaging, and utterly satisfying. One of those rare stories that masterfully explore the thrills and perils of love.

Reviewed by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite

In Follow Her Heart you will find yourself touched by the extreme abuse young Jessie is subjected to at the hands of her brother, Martin. The author, M.L. Taylor, gives just enough detail to her condition which allows you to understand the measures she would take to rid herself of his cruelty. As her scheme to cheat rich noblemen begins to play out, an unexpected man threatens more than just her game. Lucian is a peril to her future and she finds herself at his mercy at every corner she turns until he is the only thing left for her survival. Yet, they each must deal with their own demons before peace can be found.

M.L. Taylor is exceptional in taking a topic, such as a nobleman falling for a poor girl, and twisting it to create a work all of its own. You will find Follow Her Heart is more than just a romance novel to enjoy as you become entwined in the lives of these two characters. The author's ability to weave suspense within the story line generates a web of possibilities as Jessie and Lucian's future unfolds. In my reading, if an author has the ability to make a reader want to cry, laugh, or get their heart racing, they are a good author; this book was more than good, it is outstanding. M.L. Taylor ends Follow Her Heart with the feeling there must be another book to tell the other half of Jessie's nightmares that haunted her.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Rachael Connor, outwardly successful and a budding author, seemed to have it all. An inheritance from her father had assured her financial stability and she was able to choose when she worked for wages and when she indulged in her one true passion, writing. In Sea Cliff: A Love Story by Mary Deal, we find that Rachael has a dark secret that rules her life, even now as an adult and long after her father has died. Rachael and her brother Brandon were brought up by a tyrannical and abusive father who ruled their lives with both physical and mental abuse that Rachael still carries to this day. She is unable to form lasting relationships with men as she simply doesn’t know how, and consequently has resigned herself to a life of solitude with writing and meditation as her solaces. Enter Matthew Knight, a successful, ridiculously handsome and well-adjusted man who sets his sights on winning Rachael’s heart. True love, though, rarely runs smoothly and both Matthew and Rachael have to overcome the many barriers that life and their pasts put in their way before they can truly find each other.

Sea Cliff: A Love Story is a simple, carefully crafted romance, but what lifts it above others in the genre is its willingness to address societal issues that might otherwise be glossed over. Author Mary Deal has imbued her character of Rachael with all the angst and fear a sufferer of an abusive childhood would feel. As readers, we want to take Rachael and shake her, telling her to “get with the programme.” She has a man who clearly adores her and yet she looks for and finds myriad ways to push him away. Although both of the main characters are too perfectly beautiful/handsome for my liking, there was no stopping me from enjoying the twists and turns their convoluted relationship took. The concept of combining the feelings and actions of the characters in this story with the characters in the story Rachael was writing had the potential to be trite and clichéd and yet Deal made it work well. The writing style is simple and unpretentious, which I did enjoy, and I found myself flying through this book. I can definitely recommend this story to lovers of romance.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

When Richard Winters points his Harley away from New York and heads south, looking for peace and a release from the memories of a devastating love affair, he wants nothing more than solitude and an opportunity to find himself again. The small town of Summitville in North Carolina where nobody knows him seems a great place to start again. What he doesn’t count on, though, is meeting the beautiful and desirable young Creole woman by the name of Noémie, whose desirability he must fight if he truly is to fulfill his promise to himself of no romantic entanglements. Set in the mid-sixties, against the background of the Civil Rights Movement, Noémie’s Journey by Victoria Saccenti explores the reality of life for a beautiful coloured woman in the South. Laws may have changed, but attitudes will take generations to change. Richard, a Yankee from up north, has no perception of what an interracial relationship will entail in North Carolina in the sixties, but Noémie knows well the ingrained racism of her fellow residents that she deals with every single day of her life.

Noémie’s Journey serves to remind us just how far we have come in the forty years in race relations, but equally it also makes us examine our feelings toward people who are different to us, today a touchstone for American society as much now as it ever has been. Author Victoria Saccenti does a superb job of highlighting the institutional and deep racism that was just below the surface of civil society, especially in the South, in those turbulent years of the mid to late sixties. At its heart this book is a love story and a beautiful one at that. I particularly loved the author’s ability to convey the depth of love and the power of their passion in her words without ever having to resort to crudity or erotica. As a reader, I felt the build-up of sexual tension and reveled in the “when will they”, just as much as the participants. This is a real fillip to the author and it is what makes this book so very readable and one of the best of its genre. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can highly recommend it to all readers who like a true romance, but also enjoy a bit of action and thoughtful social comment.

Reviewed by K.J. Simmill for Readers' Favorite

Nena knew the gods would one day choose a man for her, but at nineteen it seemed they were waiting. In earnest, Nena had no qualms about this delay. She loved her life as a warrior, the feel of a weapon in her hand, the thrill of battle. All the things she loved about her life would cease to be when the gods revealed the one they chose for her. The gods had their methods, but she had never expected the attack on a friendly tournament to be part of their plan. She had intended to fight to the death, and take as many of the enemy with her as possible. Fate had other plans. The proud warrior princess found herself at the mercy of the enemy. There was one way to secure her freedom; to give herself willingly to the one who held her captive. Their people were enemies, and yet she saw something in her captor, something that made her question everything she thought she knew, and her path no longer seemed clear.

Nena is the first book in Ann Boelter's The Viking Treasure Huntress Series. Straight off, I am going to say this is without a doubt a must-read book. It has everything you could ask for: action, adventure, romance, conflict, and amazing characters. Whether main or supporting characters, you will find them rich, vibrant, and believable as you join them on their amazing journey. As I neared the end, I found myself releasing a breath when I discovered another chapter. This is a tale I did not want to end. I loved the bonds and relationships between the characters, the intense wanting and drives. The intimate scenes were written to encompass passion, yet handled with taste. I loved this story, and I highly recommend every page of it. From prologue to epilogue, Nena will captivate your attention, and hold you in its clutches long after the final page. I whole-heartedly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good story, whether you're looking for action, romance, historical fiction, adventure, or just a tale to entertain. In my eyes, this is a brilliant read, and I look forward to reading more from Ann Boelter in the future.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Oliver's Diary: A LGBTQ+ Love Story is a nonfiction book about relationships written by Robert Groves. Oliver fell in love with Christopher Standridge from the time they were in third grade together. He wasn’t the first boy Oliver had felt attracted to, but he would remain an intense attraction for much of his young adult and adult life. As a child, Oliver knew he was different, and he seemed to revel in his unique gender identity issues. He loved to dress in his sister's clothing and play at being a beauty contestant with his cousin. His parents did what they could to keep him out of his sister's clothing, but did little else to discourage him as he strove to understand what made him tick. Years later, he’d finally come out to them and realize that they had instinctively known about him being gay all along. Chris had been a bitter enemy in first and second-grade, but third grade changed things. There was a cessation of hostilities, which gave way to a casual friendship and, eventually, a first kiss. Chris would be Ollie’s first lover, and the first man to break his heart. While Ollie had no doubts at all about his being gay, Chris wasn’t so sure.

Robert Groves’s nonfiction biographical memoir, Oliver's Diary: A LGBTQ+ Love Story, is a frank and stunningly beautiful account of a life well-spent, despite the odds. One can’t help but fall in love with Ollie as you read his story. There’s the heartbreak of the tormentors who make his life a misery, and the unconscious callousness of the people who seem intent in their ignorance on alienating and defining him by his sexual identity above all else. While the AIDS crisis affected everyone to some degree or another, I felt as though I were living it so much more intensely seeing it through Ollie’s eyes and experiences. Most moving in this simply incredible work is Ollie’s heart, his capacity for love and care for his patients, his friends and for those two awesome men he loved. I doubt there’s a reader who will be able to remain dry-eyed at portions of this profound and beautiful book; I know I wasn’t. Every so often, I’m fortunate enough to read a life-changing book, but rarely have I read one that has affected me as profoundly as this book did. Reading Oliver’s Diary was a privilege and an honor, and I’m so pleased I got the opportunity to review it. Oliver's Diary: A LGBTQ+ Love Story is most highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Vida Blue by Susie Perez Fernandez is the story of a young woman named Ariadne Cordero, who goes by Ari, as she deals with abrupt and unexpected changes in her life following the departure of her partner, Santos. Ari is the ideal woman: young, beautiful, intelligent, and wealthy. As she collects the pieces of her life and makes a transatlantic move, a series of introductions and men filter into her life in what, by all accounts, feel like happy accidents. As a renewed sense of affection and longing blossoms, Ari questions her feelings and motives. It isn't until she is catapulted into the dark machinations of danger that lurk behind every smile and around every corner that Ari is forced to confront a life - her own life - in danger and a heart that yearns to live and love once more.

Vida Blue by Susie Perez Fernandez will sweep readers across the globe with a narrative and plot that cross borders nearly as much as the story itself steers the heart rate up. This is an action romance, something we don't come across as often as we'd like, and the scheming that is drawn out by the author is spectacular. The characters are engaging (particularly Ari and her friends), and in a rich twist that starts at the book's beginning, the reader is hooked with questions, the answers to which are only slowly revealed. It's rare to find a story where every page is packed with suspense, but the pacing is even-handed and smooth. In less skilled hands Vida Blue might have felt rushed, but Susie Perez Fernandez has written a book that provides a perfect blend of energy, action, and...of course...romance.