Reviewed by Ioana Drever for Readers' Favorite

In the Company of Like-Minded Women by Elaine Russell follows the lives of three sisters over six weeks in summer 1901, against the backdrop of a developing city - Denver - and the Colorado women’s efforts to advocate and implement political and social reforms. Elizabeth (Lida) Clayton is a widow who is working hard to support her two children. She’s recently qualified as a doctor, fighting against prejudice and trying to balance her studies and being a mother. She’s even converted to Catholicism in order to secure a job. Lida hasn’t seen her sisters in eleven years, but she is very happy to welcome to Denver the much younger Eva who is recovering from scarlet fever and with whom she’s kept in touch, as well as her older sister Mildred with whom she once was very close but who decided to take their mother’s side in a family rift a long time ago. Many things change during their six-week visit - their perspectives, their determination to follow (or not) their hearts, as well as their relationships.

Elaine Russell creates very believable characters. I like that each chapter is written through the voice of a different person, showing things from varying perspectives. The setting - Denver and its surroundings - is vividly described and transports the reader into that time and place. Elaine Russell has clearly done a lot of research into the topography, the fashion, the approach to religion and the topical issues of 1901. I liked the historical references to the fight for women’s rights and the (maybe) lesser-known movement of temperance. If you’re after an easy read with some substance, you will enjoy this book.

Reviewed by Kayti Nika Raet for Readers' Favorite

The Whip by Karen Kondazian is a Western inspired by the true story of Charlotte “Charley” Parkhurst, an extraordinary woman who lived most of her life in the west as a man. In The Whip, Charley sets out West seeking revenge after falling in love with a runaway slave, then losing him and their family in a horrible way. Dressed as a man she's determined to track down the killer. Once out West, she becomes a stagecoach driver, “Whips”, and along the way to her revenge she kills a famous outlaw, becomes the first woman to vote, and has her housekeeper, unaware that she's a woman, fall in love with her. An extraordinary tale worthy of a movie, The Whip by Karen Kondazian is steeped in historical drama, action, and wonder.

Charley Parkhurst makes for a compelling main character, and especially since The Whip is inspired by a true story, it makes for a very compelling read. It was also very well researched (I loved all the historical tid-bits about piano legs, cat-hauling, and the stagecoach business itself), and Kondazian's novel unfolds cinematically; you can almost feel the sun's rays and smell the horse sweat. While the West has always provided a deep well of creative content, it is always the lesser known, but no less interesting stories that provide the most satisfaction. The Whip by Karen Kondazian is a truly fascinating novel of one woman's determination and grit in the heart of the Old West.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

The Inheritance is Book 7 in The Guernsey Novels by Anne Allen, a compelling narrative steeped in mystery and featuring a historical personage that immediately catches the interest of the reader. The novel is set in 1862 and 2012. When her husband dies suddenly in 1862, Eugénie knows she has no future in Guernsey. When her path crosses with Victor Hugo, living in exile on the island near her home, everything changes for her. She becomes his copyist. A strong friendship quickly develops between the young widow, Victor Hugo and his mistress, Juliette Drouet. It is 2012 and Doctor Tess Le Prevost, born in Guernsey, is living in Exeter, but she is shocked when she learns she is to inherit her great-aunt’s house on the island. There have been stories in her family about Eugénie and that she knew Victor Hugo. Was Victor Hugo the biological father of Eugénie's child?

This is a suspenseful story that is intelligently plotted and beautifully told. The author uses the first person narrative and shifts the story from the past to the present, a literary technique that reinforces the suspense as the reader moves from one timeline and from one point of view to another. The prose is beautiful and it is filled with wonderful descriptions. The story is infused with humanity and realism and readers can feel as though they were sitting in the same room with the legendary author and the other characters. The Inheritance is deftly plotted and it features characters that are real and compelling. I enjoyed every bit of this story.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

The Far Horizon is the second book in The Macquarie Series by Gretta Curran Browne, a historical novel with strong and elaborately developed characters; a story that captures the beginnings of a nation that eventually became known as Australia. In this narrative, a British officer, Lachlan Macquarie, who has served his country in America, India, Egypt, and the West Indies is sent on a new mission, a place where life is very difficult. A strong hand is needed to help a population suffering from famine, tribal conflicts, and other ills, and Lachlan demonstrates a unique leadership. His young companion, George Jarvis, meets and falls in love with Mary Neely, a bitter young British woman who learns the joys of life from George. Can anything good be made of this convict colony?

The story is set in the early nineteenth century and follows strong historical characters in what once was a convict colony. The narrative is done in a clear and arresting voice. The plot is well imagined and it has wonderful historical elements, a setting filled with imagery that evokes the physical challenges. Against this backdrop, Gretta Curran Browne crafts a narrative that is gripping, weaving in themes of politics, love, colonization, and a lot more. The story is character-driven and I enjoyed the author’s ability to show how the characters evolve. The romance between George and Mary adds an interesting spice to the story and readers will enjoy how love can transform a woman. I enjoyed the strong narrative voice, the vivid historical details, the compelling characters, and the skillful development of the historical setting.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Master of the Forest is a thrilling work of horror fiction written for adults and penned by author Artyom Dereschuk. In this story set in Russia, a young man leaves his small town for the big city of Moscow, stumbling upon a unique opportunity to work on a Siberian expedition. Hired as a black digger, his job is to uncover ancient ivory from frozen mammoths, but our hero realizes that he has much more to lose than he thought once he finds himself out in the cold and the dark. Thousands of miles from home, what begins as a psychological struggle turns fully supernatural when rumors of a mythical beast that guards the forest start to come true.

Readers seeking a fresh twist on Bigfoot mythology will be delighted with this austere, noir-esque Siberian horror adventure. Artyom Dereschuk writes in an authentically Russian style, reminiscent of Tolstoy or Nabokov, but with a modern, urban feel that highlights the many shades of grey in the gritty life of a Russian laborer. The first person narration takes us deep into both character and action throughout the novel, developing a keen sense of eerie quiet and imminent dread. When the sudden, graphic moments occur they are beautifully jarring, shaking up the mood and inviting readers to keep turning pages. Horror, thriller and noir fans can all find things to love about the dark atmosphere, but I also really appreciated the cultural aspects of the black diggers and the attitudes of old versus new in Russia which were explored. All of this makes Master of the Forest a deep, engaging and truly terrifying horror read.

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

The Paradise Resort, an ultra-exclusive luxury retreat for the rich, located on a remote island, has lost communication with the outside world. Sam, the son of owner Landon Verger, is worried. Knowing that his father has many powerful enemies, he hires a professional to investigate the island. Mac is a former Special Forces officer, known for her prowess and success in dangerous and hot situations. She and her team of mercenaries accept the mission, believing it to be simple investigate and report action. She couldn't be further from the truth. What began as a simple mission quickly becomes the most desperate fight for survival they've ever faced and there's only one thing Mac is sure of; not everyone will get out alive.

The Last Resort by Matt Drabble is a horror thriller that is not only a fast page-turner, but it's also one of those rare treats that stays with you days after you've finished it. The action is palpable and non-stop; the characters (as in all great stories) are larger than life while remaining true to life. Mac is center stage through this adventure that pits her skills (look up MacGyver, the TV series and movie) against a zombie horde like none you've ever experienced before. Drabble has created a new breed of zombie, fascinating in their abilities and deadlier than any I've read about previously. The conclusion is conclusive but leaves a hint of more to come. Perfect! High energy, action, and horror gore make The Last Resort a must-read for fans of this genre and all readers who enjoy action-packed thrillers with strong female leads. I'm among the latter group and hopeful of the hinted sequel.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

Are you ready to open your mind to the possibility that the weird and unexplained tales of folklore and legend could actually be true? This collection of three disturbing novellas in Horrors Of The Mind by H.E. Kline will make you ponder if the impossible is possible, if myth is fact. The first novella begins with The Dream, where we meet Lacy, a nine-year-old girl who dreads falling asleep because that is when the constant nightmares begin. She is transported to Auschwitz, and experiences the Holocaust first hand. In The Haunting of the Hockomock Swamp, there is an unexplained outbreak of horrific seizures among the children of a small town, where each one seems to be tormented by a native American Indian. Journalist Janie is sent to investigate but what she uncovers is far from a medical problem, and is connected to a significant time in American history. The third novella, Immolation, sees father Doug King innocently pick up a hitchhiker, which sets in motion a terrifying ordeal of bloodthirsty killer cats, including his own.

The author's writing style reminded me of Roald Dahl's novel Tales of the Unexpected, where the weird and wonderful are a possibility. This collection of stories is a masterful creation of twists and turns, building suspense and taking you on a roller coaster ride of chilling surprises. Each of the stories had strong characters that you could relate to. The historical and medical detail is well researched. The author knows how to trigger fear and dread in the reader; he can certainly draw you into the mystical world of the paranormal. There are spine-chilling details within each story that transport you into the characters' world. The characters are believable and three-dimensional. I loved the relationship between Janie and Alan in the second novella, as it gave some light relief from the suspense of the main plot.

Each of the three novellas was compelling for different reasons but each pondered the question 'what if?' What if these events were to happen? Immolation has to be my favourite of the three. The moment Doug picked up the hitchhiker, I felt that sense of dread that something terrible was going to happen and I was not disappointed in the slightest. These stories will play on your mind and you certainly want to read this book with all the lights on and check under the bed; you never know what could be lurking.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Gordon Place by Isaac Thorne is a spine-chilling tale of horror and spiteful spirits. Graham Gordon, the newest – and only – constable in Lost Hollow, is going home. For the first time in 20 years, he sets foot inside his long-abandoned family home, a place that doesn’t instill warmth or good feelings in him. Used by local teens over the years, there have been rumors of strange screams coming from the house. Town administrator Patsy Blankenship is meeting with Afia Afton, a news reporter whose father is a hate-crime victim. She wants to come up with a ghost story for Hallowe’en and Patsy thinks the Gordon place is just right. Bad move. The past and the present are about to collide with deadly consequences. Can Graham ever escape his family home? Will Afia get the story she really wants? Are both prepared for a fight with the spirit from hell? And can they both finally move on with their lives and put the past behind them?

The Gordon Place by Isaac Thorne is a great story. Isaac Thorne builds up the suspense gradually, writing in a way that draws the reader into the web. The descriptive nature of the story has you feeling you are really there, hearing every creak and echo of the past. The main protagonist has an interesting back story that is brought out throughout the plot as we learn more about the childhood abuses he suffered. All the characters are exceptionally well developed. The story is very well paced, full of detail and plenty of action to keep a reader hooked. This book will have you on the edge of your seat, unable to stop reading until you reach the end. It’s a clever mix of horror and supernatural, perfectly blended, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Emily Dilemma is a work of humorous fiction penned by author Guy Sigley and is the second book in The Barney Conroy Trilogy. Continuing the theme of a man who is trying to get his life together, we find our hero in a fairly good position with his work life and looking at a bright future with his girlfriend. So when four-year-old Emily comes into the picture, chaos looms again. Emily is every nightmare you could wish from a child, so being tasked to look after her is something Barney wants to offload as soon as possible, ready to get on with his life. But the longer he’s stuck with her, the more he starts to see the value of a very special kid.

Author Guy Sigley writes with both humor and compassion in this heartwarming tale about people seeking solace, comfort, and companionship from one another. Little Emily is both a monster and a delight in a story filled with hilarious moments of dialogue and vivid descriptions of the scrapes and mess that she gets herself and Barney into. For his part, Barney is a lovable and realistically drawn character, initially a selfish anti-hero a la Hugh Grant in About A Boy. This brings on a lot of laughs, but also a deep emotional arc as the tale progresses and certain important plot secrets come to light. These are surprising, but convincing and well-timed, turning The Emily Dilemma into an adorable comedic parenting adventure with a lot more punch to pack than you’d first expect.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Winner's Circle by PJ Colando tells the story of three friends. Friends who want out of their mundane lives. Bonnie wins millions on the Boffo Lotto and both Bonnie and Jackie tell her she needs to get a lawyer, invest her money and hide away. But Bonnie doesn’t want that. Bonnie wants to get married so she invites her friends to their wedding in Vegas and on their Hawaiian honeymoon. After all, money isn’t an issue now! It's fun to begin with but things start to go wrong. Husbands end up in jail and everything tends to go horribly wrong. Consequences abound but when they are halfway around the world, away from everything they love, the homes and lives they wanted to escape from so much seem to be so welcoming.

The Winner’s Circle by PJ Colando is a cute story with some very funny moments. The story is told from the point of view of each of the three friends and is the third in a trilogy. I didn’t read the first two but felt that I had enough information from this book to understand the characters – it's probably better to read all three in order though. The story runs smoothly as we follow the fate of the three friends, follow their ups and downs, fortunes and misfortunes. The Winner’s Circle is well written, the characters are well developed and identifiable, feeling very realistic. I’m sure we all know people like Jackie, Fran, and Bonnie! I would recommend this for anyone who wants a quick, amusing story to read to fill a couple of hours.