Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Daniel is a teenager with an unusual talent: he can read people's thoughts. He's also a young Jewish boy living in 2015, one with a troubled past that is marred by disappearances and deaths of loved ones that ultimately sent him to a psychiatric facility for rehabilitation. He quickly learns that rehabilitation isn't something that science can fix and he leaves in frustration, only to return home and have his world literally disintegrate around him. That's when he travels back in time to the first century, to an Israel that is totally foreign and a life that challenges not only his well being, but also his shattered beliefs, his shattered faith. Daniel crosses paths with Jesus of Nazareth. He meets others from this time period, good people and not-so-good people, and he chooses diverse paths in the misconception that money will solve his problems. In the end, he loses all that he earns in this first century world, justifying a need to find a purpose, to reclaim his Jewish faith and heritage, and to come to understand this person - this rabbi, this teacher, this healer - that people are claiming is the Son of God.

Lorilyn Roberts has written a thrilling time travel story that will inspire young readers to look into themselves to discover their beliefs and their faith, and to strengthen their passion to follow their God. This is a page-turning thriller, a coming-of-age time travel fantasy that challenges a young man's faith and belief in God.

Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Vaya Dauphin’s novel, The Turquoise Tattoo, is a mystical tale set in North Island, New Zealand. Scarlet Flint’s mother is dead and she is left by her absentee father in the care of her Aunt Sarah. The young woman is telepathic and before her departure from Australia to New Zealand, where her Aunt Sarah is opening a veterinary practice, she starts to be bothered by new images that keep appearing like turquoise tattoos on her skin. In her new school in Waihi College, she picks a fight with Manu James and meets Sterling, who tells her that she has special abilities given to her by her Maori ancestors. Scarlet thus discovers her elemental powers and learns the secrets of her past. In the process, she is caught in an ancient battle that for her is a matter of life and death.

The Turquoise Tattoo is a young adult coming of age fantasy that takes us from Australia to the Maoris of New Zealand. As we follow the adventures of unwilling elemental Scarlet Flint, we cannot help but empathize with her. Technically an orphan, she is ripped away from Australia and thrown into a new environment that is foreign to her. In the first few chapters of the novel, Vaya Dauphin has successfully set the stage for the next chapters in Scarlet’s life and, at the same time, intensifies the reader’s curiosity and excitement. What follows certainly does not disappoint - and the ending is something that one may not expect at all. Written with just the right pace and in crisp language, the plot of the story is as fluid as it is creative. This is a book that will keep you burning the midnight oil until the very end.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The She Wolf is a fantasy novella for young adult and preteen readers written by T.L. Needham. Ted Bredwell and his family have moved away from their house in the city to the outer suburbs. Ted's not too thrilled with the change, but his parents have explained it all to him. His dad had been out of work for a year, and they needed to sell their house. The builder of this new housing development had offered them this rental property at an affordable rate. Still, Ted misses the city and wonders about the farms and wilderness surrounding him. When we first meet him, it's a late summer evening and he and his little sister, Skye, are waiting for their parents to come home. They're late and both kids are hungry. Ted's on the front porch with his dog, Chase, when suddenly Chase is up and alert. They see a huge dog where the pasture lands meet the woods and hear a mournful howl, and Chase breaks free to pursue it. Ted's parents do finally arrive with all their possessions, but Chase doesn't return.

T.L. Needham's young adult and preteen coming of age fantasy, The She Wolf, is engaging and quite fun. Ted's adventures in the woods across from his house are marvelous, and the author's deft touch with nature writing makes each scene come alive. Coming of age stories are one of my favorite genres and The She Wolf did not disappoint my expectations. Ted conquers fears and risks parental displeasure and injury to find his missing dog. Along the way, he discovers an inner strength and resolve, and comes to appreciate and love the natural surroundings of this new home and its inhabitants. There's so much to The She Wolf: adventure, mystery, fantasy and football, and it's all beautifully put together. It's highly recommended.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Twist is a contemporary thriller written by Roni Teson. Beatrice Malcomb has been living with her aunt and uncle in Southern California ever since her mother died of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, an incurable neurological condition, and her father was put on the FBI's most wanted list. She misses her home and life in Seattle, especially her best friend Amilee. Bea meets Lucas Drake when he accompanies his father, a plumber and friend of her aunt and uncle, on a repair job at their home. She's never been very interested in the boys who seem to flock around her, but Lucas is different. Somehow, Bea is intrigued by the blond, funny surfer boy who just happens to go to the same school as she does. Their instant attraction leads to an intense and wonder-filled afternoon at the beach, a blissful moment which becomes a prelude to a nightmarish series of events.

Roni Teson's novel of intrigue, Twist, is powerful and compelling. It starts out as a 'love at first sight' story, but it is so much more than that. Twist is narrated alternately by Bea and Lucas as they try to navigate the forces arrayed against them. Bea has a series of unsettling interactions with her fugitive father and the FBI, and Lucas is savagely beaten and left with traumatic brain injuries and amnesia. Teson is a masterful storyteller who weaves high technology, intrigue, and advanced medical research into this modern-day tale of star-crossed lovers. I got so involved in their stories that I couldn't put the book down. Twist is a marvelous story and is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite

Sinful Purity by K. A. Standen, is a coming-of-age story of a young girl, Mary Elizabeth (Liz), who was orphaned at the age of four and placed under the care of Mary Immaculate Queen Orphanage. Not having remembered anything of her life before the age of four, her identity was wrapped up within the walls of the “prison” of the orphanage and the nearby St. Matthew’s church. Along with a friend, Kelly, they begin to dream of a life outside the walls and iron gate. Kelly’s brother Bart even helps feed Liz's dream by sneaking “unauthorized” reading material to her. When Liz finally escapes the iron gate of MIQ to go to college, she is still shackled by its spiritual bonds. With the help of two good friends, Caleb and Lucy, and the unfailing love of Zack, the love of her life, she begins to see what life outside the physical and spiritual constraints of MIQ and St. Matthew's is really like. She has to fight not only the forces of the institution, but her own inner demons in order to hold onto her new found freedom as she grows to discover her true identity.

In Sinful Purity, K. A. Standen expertly contrasts the issues of bondage and freedom on two different levels: the institutional and the inner spiritual. It is a story filled with deep inner tension as Liz works her way out of the darkness of hidden childhood and into the light of freedom. The plot is thoughtful and well-developed and the reader will feel the inner conflict and tension that grips Liz. It is almost impossible to put this book down as the reader pursues each of the suspenseful twists and turns which Liz faces as she unravels the identity that lies beneath. This is a thought provoking masterpiece which will serve the reader well as it questions the deeper truths of bondage and freedom. An honest book. Highly recommended reading.

Reviewed by Kelly Atwood for Readers' Favorite

“Out of Bounds” by Bob Moseley is the gratifying and intriguing story of Jason Jefferson, an injured high school football player who turns to journalism while recovering from a torn ACL. Jason begins writing for the school newspaper after being inspired by a film in his journalism class. Naively Jason dives into investigative reporting trying to emulate his heroes Woodward and Bernstein, and ultimately uncovers a real scandal at his school that lands a little too close to home. Jason must grapple with his desire to hold on to his friendships, or save the people he cares about while investigating a story that could affect the lives of everyone at Hillsboro High School.

Bob Moseley really hit home on a heartfelt and unique coming of age story, and kept me at the edge of my seat throughout the story. I couldn’t put it down. I felt myself become nervous for Jason, and eager for him to uncover the plot. Even though the story breached some more serious topics plaguing professional and high school sports today, it made me feel content and relieved when the last page was read. The story proved that doing the right thing, even though it may not necessarily be what everyone wants, can be exactly what you need. I would recommend this story to readers of any age, because you are never too old to learn to have the courage to do what is right. Had me from the very first page!

Reviewed by Dianne Bylo for Readers' Favorite

Set in a world that is similar to our own, “January Black” by Wendy S. Russo is an intriguing mystery, a sweet love story, and has a twist at the end that will bring a smile to your face! Young Matty Ducayne has caught the eye of King Hadrian with his brilliant mind, intense curiosity and his ability to think outside of the box. Hadrian gives Matty a deceptively difficult question to answer: What is January Black? Matty has no time constraints, but there is only one correct answer and with the help and support of Iris, he undertakes a two year journey to find the solution to the king’s question. Throughout his search, Matty comes to many wrong conclusions, finds a sweetly sincere love shared with Iris, opens his eyes to the reality of the world around him, and learns that knowledge should always be shared. Once Matty realizes he has the answer, he makes a daring move that could cost him his life. He must trust in what the answer means, how it will affect the actions of those closest to him, and that his life will be changed forever!

I was completely enthralled by the world Wendy Russo created in this story and kept hoping that I would magically find more pages after reaching the end! With its unique plot-line, smooth prose, and charmingly brilliant characters, I can highly recommend "January Black" to anyone who loves a book that can be read and re-read, again and again!

Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite

When twelve year old Samantha wakes up to a dead mother, she and her fifteen year old brother Jacob have to hide the body and scramble fast to leave their West Virginia home or face the possibility of being forced into being charges of the state. The prospect of being separated in foster care is not an option. They have to make a run for it, leaving Jacob in control of their destiny. They pack their personal belongings, raid their sparse pantry, collect what money they can find, and flee the confines of their tattered mobile home to ride off into the sunset in their junky Chevy. Days turn into nights and then into days as they struggle to drive on gas fumes, camping in the car and surviving on canned foods. Jacob is aware of the danger of his budding sister’s appearance. He cuts her hair and insists that she dress as a boy. Samantha is not happy with this dysfunctional transition into teenage years, but does as her brother says. Their dwindling finances forces them to halt their travels in Arizona long enough for Jacob to find work and for Sam to meet Jesus.

"Desert Rice" is a heart-wrenching tale of two youngsters fighting to stay together and doing whatever is necessary to escape an abusive past. I applaud Angela Scott’s depiction of one brother’s loyalty and devoted sense of responsibility to his sister. The guilt he feels in not keeping her safe is palpable in every turn of the page. This book is character-driven. The plot flows smoothly with excellent pacing. This book will stay with you long after you close the cover.

Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

The year was 1944 and twenty year old Rudolph Meier was a Nazi POW working in local cotton fields while he was held at Camp Papago Park near Phoenix, Arizona. He was serving as a radio operator on a German submarine stationed near the eastern coast of the United States. After it was bombed the survivors were taken captive. Rudolph, or Rudi, still believes in Adolph Hitler and the Third Reich of Germany; he was convinced that Hitler had put food on the Germans' tables, given them work, and made life better for them than it was under the Wiemar Republic and the injustice it brought Germany from the Treaty of Versailles. Rudi was a twelve year old boy when he became a willing member of the Hitler Youth, despite the unspoken caution of his grandparents with whom he lived. He even had a swastika tattooed on his right arm. As a POW, Rudi met Bob Feller and his mother and sickly father Vern who owned the cotton farm where he worked. Rudi was adamant in his beliefs that America is a country of mixed races with a foolish love of individual freedom. Then, he got to know the Fellers, who were Jewish, and watched the American guards at Papago Park. Will Rudolph Meier rethink his hardened beliefs and the intolerance of other people and their cultures?

"The Swastika Tattoo" by Geraldine Birch is a brilliant, extremely well-written book that demonstrates how a young German POW, indoctrinated by his school teachers and leaders came to question the intolerance of other people and cultures. The characters and dialogue are fine. Rudolph, Bob Feller and his mother, Ruth, Rudi's friends, his grandfather and grandmother and all the other characters are all believable and highly relevant in the story. The plot proceeds realistically to the story's end. The author's glossary of German words and their meaning is a terrific asset to readers. The essay questions help reinforce the message behind this book. This book is a potential classic, for it portrays the world so accurately.

Reviewed by Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite

Nathaniel, Orah, and Thomas, best friends since childhood, live a peaceful, bucolic existence in Little Pond, a place as small as its name suggests. Their lives are simple, governed by the teachings from the Temple, and the ministrations of the Vicars and their squadron of Deacons. Hints of the past, the ‘darkness’, are resolutely squashed by the Vicars who explain that to doubt is to reject the ‘light’ of their teachings. Subsequently, the perceived ‘magical’ elements of the past are crushed in favor of so-called mystical teachings. For a thousand years, this peaceful existence continues. Nevertheless, secrets have a way of revealing themselves. Nathaniel doesn’t accept the Vicars’ teachings; he believes there is more to life. A legend exists of earlier magic, hidden away in a place called the Keep. The secret path to the Keep has been preserved by Keepers, who will pass on the clues to a group called Seekers. But of course no one dares question the Temple, until Thomas is taken away for a ‘teaching,’ and he comes back broken in mind and spirit. Seeds of rebellion grow in Nathaniel, and come to fruition when his friend Orah is taken. Determined to save her, Nathaniel ends up in the prisons of Temple City, and finds out the truth from a long-time prisoner. Armed with knowledge, he sets forth with Thomas and Orah to find the Keep. Can they survive the journey, and can they inspire their people to realize the truth behind the Temple? Will the fulfillment of their mission destroy their world?

Author David Litwack has created a believable dystopian world devoid of technology. Technology overtook humanity (perhaps a salutary lesson here?) and led to social collapse. Hints of the hideous effects of indoctrination in a totalitarian society remind us of the dangers of the suppression of knowledge. This is a coming-of-age story, a tale of friendship and loyalty, and of self-discovery and self-belief. Each of the friends discovers their own talents, and with that, their purpose in life. The author takes a philosophical approach and engages readers in ideas of freedom and choice, both personal and of thinking. This is such a well-written book, with so many thought-provoking concepts, that I am sure readers will thoroughly enjoy it and appreciate the author’s message.