Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

The Angriest Angel by Chris Halt is a compelling and neatly written science fiction story with powerful psychological underpinnings. The Caelans are a race that has advanced in technology and possesses great mastery of anger and interstellar travel. They have lived among humans for decades and have succeeded in blending in. But now something terrible has happened at their base and some of them are getting infected with anger, the one thing they have conquered long ago. When their leader, Regulus Lafaye, is hit by the disease, he loses control and gets so violent to the point that he begins to use his powers of “psying” to control others. Avery is one of the uninfected Caelans and he encounters Chase Madison who has ADHD and is immune to the “psy” of the Caelans. While Avery hopes to use Chase to find a cure, this also puts Chase’s life in the gravest danger.

Chris Halt is a great writer and one of the things I enjoyed about this story is the author’s ability to create vivid scenes. The writing is crisp and hugely descriptive and this makes it easier for the psychological and emotional connection readers make with the characters. Character development is elaborate. I enjoyed the multilayered characters. Chase has ADHD, but he is a character whose life is a mystery. While he has a psychological condition, he also has a unique gift, one that makes him immune to the influence of the Caelans’ psy. The plot is filled with surprises and from the very opening page, the reader’s curiosity is aroused. One of the things I enjoyed about this novel is the author’s ability to combine mystery with the mundane, to mix sci-fi with strong psychological themes. The Angriest Angel is a huge achievement and a delightful read for fans of psychological thrillers and well-crafted science fiction.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

In the Doghouse: A Couple’s Breakup from Their Dog’s Point of View is a quirky and unusual work of women’s fiction penned by author Teri Case. This refreshing and surprisingly wonderful romance novel features Skip as its main character: a rescued dog seeking love and purpose in life. Skip loves his owners John and Lucy very much, so when John walks out and Skip feels that it’s his fault, he does everything he can to help Lucy heal her broken heart. With the help of some quirky friends and new alliances, Skip builds a new pack as a support system as he and Lucy deal with losing John.

With switching perspectives between the enigmatic Skip and his owner Lucy, this is a real surprise of a novel that will hook you in when you give it a chance. Author Teri Case treads the fine line between the sublime and the ridiculous, giving us a truly alternative look at family ties and relationships, but also keeping the narration credible and grounded in real, deep emotional reasoning. The novel is largely light and fun, with Skip getting into new tangles as he tries to make things better, but the plot is woven masterfully to build to a new, deeper meaning and a genuinely moving conclusion to the emotional arc. I would highly recommend In the Doghouse: A Couple’s Breakup from Their Dog’s Point of View to readers who enjoy both romances and light women’s fiction: a must-read that will sink you into a unique reading experience.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Dog Thief and Other Stories is a collection of literary fiction stories written by Jill Kearney. Kearney writes about people living in impoverished and remote parts of Washington State, and the animals who form, in many cases, their reason for living and their connection with the rest of the world. She has been involved in animal rescue as well as worked as an in-home care provider, both of which gave her insights and anecdotes that fuel her stories. In The Dog Thief, Donald was the last surviving member of his family. His mother had been an unpleasant and vicious woman who alienated everyone who had the misfortune to meet her. Her two children, Donald and his sister, were dragged along behind her as they grew from terrified toddlers to reclusive teens grown soft from lives spent indoors. Blacksnake, their neighbor, had wholeheartedly despised the old witch. The daughter, who had actually attempted to be neighborly and took good care of her dogs, was a different story, but her passing meant those dogs were at the mercy of Donald, whose care of his own dogs left something sorely wanting. Elizabeth, another neighbor, had taken a not terribly welcome interest in helping Blacksnake care for his collection of cats. She heard the story of the sister’s dogs and decided it was something she had to look into.

Jill Kearney’s collection of short literary fiction stories, The Dog Thief and Other Stories, is a beautifully written and enthralling look at relationships between dogs and their human companions that survive even the harshest of economic conditions. Some of these stories are a bit dark and apt to be a bit on the depressing side, but I especially appreciated the way the author creates her tales, peopling them with characters who are unforgettable and dogs who seem to shine even in the darkest of situations. My favorite tale in the collection would have to be the title story. Kearney’s characters feel so real and the interactions between Blacksnake, Elizabeth, the animal control officer and the rescue worker are intricately and elegantly woven. Dogs do often seem to suffer from contact with humans, and Kearney’s collection highlights the need for low-cost neuter/spay, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. Her dog rescuers? They’re heavenly, and the animals all seem to know it. The Dog Thief and Other Stories is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Look For Me Under the Rainbow: A Novella by Bernard Jan is a beautiful story that speaks about the importance of protecting the treasures of planet Earth and thereby saving the environment. Danny, a harp seal pup, looked at the vast expanse of water stretching out endlessly between the giant icebergs. His mother told him he was too small to go swimming and Danny understood that it was dangerous for baby seals in the water. His mother told the story of the Big Seal and about the Big Land where there were more seals. She also told him about the multi-colored rainbow that appeared after icy rain and how it disappeared. She told Danny to be careful of the dangers lurking around them. Will Danny run into the most dangerous of them all, Man, and see the ice become red?

Set against the backdrop of glaciers, ice, and seals, the book introduces readers to the Rainbow Warriors, an environmentalist group whose mission to save animals takes them to Greenland, the land of snow and ice. The book will make readers respect animals and help them realize how important it is to live with animals in peace. Helen, through her work with the Rainbow Warriors, exposes the cruelty and brutality of the humans who try to kill these seals. It is a beautiful story that will tug at the hearts of all readers who love animals and who want to protect them and the environment. Danny's character is memorable and he will leave a mark in the hearts of readers long after they finish the book. Helen's love and compassion for animals are palpable and many readers will be able to connect with her feelings and love towards animals. The book also captures the beauty of Mother Nature in many ways, inspiring readers with a longing to protect the planet.

Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite

It is amazing how visually stimulating the audio presentation of a book can be, especially a book as evocative and superbly written as The Whip by Karen Kondazian when professionally narrated by the skillful and impressive Robin Weigert. Of course, the story carries most of the weight, and this story is based on a true historical figure of immense interest. Charley Parkhurst was a strong, enduring Western woman of the 1800s, who took on the look and persona of a man in order to survive and utilize her impressive horse-handling skills as a stagecoach driver. The narrative fulfills beyond measure the storyteller’s challenging task of handling and maintaining an avid reader’s interest. And rest assured, both Kondazian and Weigert succeed terrifically in presenting Charley Parkhurst’s compelling tale.

At its heart, The Whip by Karen Kondazian is a deeply engaging, fully authentic rendering of the Old West as experienced first by one young, naive orphaned girl, Charlotte Parkhurst, then by herself as a young maturing woman, and finally as a battle-scarred widow and surviving mother in a truly hard-scrabble life, one eventually lived by necessity and temperament as an independent, solitary man in a world dictated by such men’s rather boorish ways and wants. She masters the man’s world well, but at an extraordinary cost. It is Charley Parkhurst’s payment of this cost that makes for such compelling reading, and for listening in this special audiobook edition. Both Kondazian and Weigert excel magnificently at bringing into vivid presence the historical reality of a truly amazing woman. Bravo to them all!

As to the quality of the audiobook itself, one can only admire the immense amount of effort put into making this one so masterful. Technically, the production is flawless. The audio is clear, well-defined, and precise. The narration is skilled beyond any rightful expectation. Robin Weigert obviously studied the book and its characters in depth before putting voices to them. The result is more like listening to a movie than simply having a book read out loud. This allows the listener to deeply inhabit a powerful story while also experiencing a fine piece of literature.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Cull – Bloodline is a work of vampire fantasy thriller fiction penned by author Eric J. Gates and presented in audiobook format by narrator Marnye Young. Set as a genre mix between the standard FBI thriller and a paranormal fantasy novel full of vampire conspiracies, we follow two powerful female heroines into the darkness as they discover things they never thought possible. The infamous serial killer the Blood Sucker must be caught, but the means to trap this mysterious figure involve way more sacrifice than Amy and her partner could ever imagine.

Author Eric J. Gates has reinvented all things vampiric for the modern time, turning his beasts into elite killers without any of the old-fashioned shtick that often made them so laughable. What results is a passionate and powerful tale that is genuinely frightening in many parts, and an intriguing criminal plotline which keeps you turning pages right to the end. The narration presents as a crisp crime thriller with a dark, wry edge, giving those little chilling moments where it’s clear that something very bad will happen soon.

In terms of audiobook quality, the narration by Marnye Young provides much to enjoy. Editing quality and clean, crisp audio aid Young in her wry presentation, offering a slick performance that feels confidently delivered. The style adds flair to the characters themselves, lifting the novel to another level of smooth enjoyment, but with an excellent balance when the truly thrilling moments kick in. Overall, The Cull – Bloodline is a powerhouse of crime and fantasy fiction and a superb start to an engaging new series.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Tribulations of August Barton is a work of mature humorous fiction penned by author Jennifer LeBlanc, and this audiobook edition was narrated by James Oliva. The plot centers around Augie, our title character, who faces a coming of age as he prepares for life at college. Threads of his life are unravelling around him as the year begins, tipping the already anxious Augie over the edge. Just when things seem impossible enough, his retired grandmother Gertie decides to make a break for it and escapes her nursing home. As a retired prostitute, Gertie’s attitude couldn’t be further from Augie’s if she tried, but their unlikely pairing provides plenty of laughter and heart as the tale spins on.

Author Jennifer LeBlanc presents a riotous novella as Augie learns how to be a man from a woman who’s been there and done it all, and now wants to do it all again. The character development gives The Tribulations of August Barton its special quality, because they are both over the top but also highly relatable and representative of so many issues that people are actually dealing with at that vulnerable going-into-college time of their lives.

In terms of audiobook quality, the editing and clarity were superb to bring this short novella-length tale to life with plenty of pace and pathos. I particularly liked James Oliva’s many voices, male and female, which he twisted and developed just slightly over the top in order to make the characters really pop from a comedic point of view. This is a highly recommended tale only enhanced further by its audiobook edition.

Reviewed by Erin Nicole Cochran for Readers' Favorite

Norman Whaler’s Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge is a sequel to the title we’ve all come to know and love by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. It falls right in step with the original book so that one could almost believe it was written by Charles Dickens himself, which makes the story even more magical. Norman Whaler creates the perfect tale with Tim, Becky and Jimmy as the three main characters. One of the lines that struck me the most were the words, “But she also knew in her heart that it was the habit of despair that ultimately condemned a soul.”

This book took me through a whole gamut of emotions. The death of Ebenezer Scrooge and the way that his corner of the world had loved him and treasured him in his older years was hard to go through. It felt like someone close to you in your own life was dying; it was so expertly conveyed through the story line. There were moments that transfixed me, taking me deep into another era. The message that Scrooge was able to bring to Tim is one that we all need to hear from time to time. It had a religious bent toward the end and I cherished that; it felt very right and perfectly placed. A story to be shared at Christmas time and all the year round with your dearest of loved ones, and even those who might seem curmudgeonly themselves. It is a treasure to be gifted over and over again.

The audiobook is narrated in a hauntingly beautiful tone by Gordon Griffin and Naomi Frederick. Gordon Griffin’s ability to convey so many voices, from young to old, is absolutely praiseworthy. He is a man of many talents, including composer, lyricist, and established actor to name but a few of his varied abilities. Scrooge could be voiced by no one else. Naomi Frederick’s ability to bring Becky to life and into our hearts was nothing short of masterful. I have to presume she voiced the many children in the book as well, which again was done brilliantly. Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge was filled with creaking doors, footsteps, and the striking of church bells among other heartwarming and anxiety causing sounds that all pulled together to create an even more truly living world.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Ark, the Reed, and the Fire Cloud: The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz, Book One by Jenny L. Cote is the retelling of the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, but from the point of view of the animals. Max is a Scottish terrier who was just following his daily routine when he hears a voice telling him to follow the fire cloud. Curious, he follows the voice only to find that he was not the only who was being summoned. On his way, he meets with Liz, Kate, Al and many other animals who travel through countries to find themselves in front of the ark. Now they have to get on the ark, brave the oncoming flood and survive. But things are not easy, especially when you consider there are many different species inside one huge boat. There is also something very sinister happening that no one can explain. It is up to Max and his set of friends to find out what is happening and if they can stop it before time runs out.

Denny Brownlee did an excellent job at not only narrating a story that most adults have heard at least once in their lives but also making it exceptionally entertaining for young children. His voice conveys emotions so clearly that you don’t have to try hard to become invested in the story. From simply reading the narrative or giving life to the dialogues, he ensures that his reader is not going anywhere until he is done.

The story itself is very well-written. It is educational, very informative and a great way to teach biblical stories to young children. The author did a wonderful job of making the story adventurous and entertaining. The pace was wonderful, the characters very well-written and given ample time to develop. The author gives lessons of having faith in God yet working hard in a subtle yet very impressive manner. Max is a very good protagonist; he is firm, intelligent, ready to help others and always there to help his friends. His friendship with Liz and the way he treated other animals was a great experience. I enjoyed this book and I hope the author has another one like this to share with us soon.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

Turn the Paige by Roseanne Beck is an interesting first entry in the Love Hurts Series, a very engaging read filled with drama and hilarity. Meet Paige, a workaholic who spends the whole day in the office and, by the time she's done seeing her patients, wants only to get back to her condo. She has no plans to add any extracurricular activities in her down time, until she returns home to fulfill her Nana's last request and meets Nick Collins, someone from her past. It turns out Nick knows just how to awaken a fire she's kept hidden inside her. Does she have the strength to resist him or will she listen to the voice of her Nana and give love a chance — even create that time for extracurricular activities?

This is a sweet story with interesting characters. I loved the title as much as the characters. The story is told in the first person narrative and in a voice that is arresting. The point of view of the protagonist — Paige — comes out clearly and beautifully and I enjoyed how she appears as the epitome of the contemporary conundrum of all work and no play. The plot is well structured and I also enjoyed that the conflict is introduced right off the bat. Roseanne Beck is a skilled writer and she knows how to explore the hearts of her characters.

There is some part of Paige in all of us, the part that hides behind what we do. She may love her work, but her job seems to be a front, a means of refusing to become like others. But then Nick appears and he seems to understand the vulnerabilities in Paige's protective walls. The writing is strong, the voice is warm, and the characters are so real it feels like they live next door to the reader. Turn the Paige is a warm and entertaining love story filled with drama.