Reviewed by Kathryn Bennett for Readers' Favorite

The Walls of Lucca by Steven Physioc takes us back in time to Italy during the First World War. A love story set in tense times while the fascist government of Mussolini is on the rise. Isabella Roselli, a young woman who has spirit and is also spiritual, works to bring down barriers that separate families. Isabella was orphaned and was raised by convent sisters who help her grow into the wonderful young woman she is. Her gifts include an ability to grow things and cook, all coupled with a kind heart. Many in Lucca are also inspired by Isabella’s kind heart for anyone who is hurting. Some of the lives she touches include Franco, a soldier who can't escape the horrors of war, and Angelina, a mother of four who has been widowed by the war.

I love a good historical romance and when you dive into one that is set during one of the worst times in history, you know you will get something that is full of a variety of emotions. Whether the backdrop is right in the war or right after, there are so many feelings and emotions, horror, and the strength it takes to get through and everything else. This book ticks all of those boxes for me. Author Steven Physioc has really managed to find the perfect balance of romance and real life. On a personal level, when I am reading a story I need it to feel as if it could be real in order to really enjoy it.

Isabella is the type of character I immediately understand and feel a connection with. She has had a tough start in life, but rather than allowing it to control her and turn her into a person soured by it, she thrives and turns into someone who spreads love and kindness. I don't want to spoil the story, but I can say if you love a good romance and a good solid story, you will enjoy this one for sure. Isabella has such a fantastic spirit, the kind of girl I could see myself being. Again, to me that makes the best type of book when you feel like you are walking with the characters. I can't wait to read the next book.

Reviewed by Jane Finch for Readers' Favorite

Lights on the Sea by Miquel Reina tells the story of Mary Rose and Harold Grapes who live high up on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea. Threatened with eviction from their home because of safety concerns, Mary Rose and Harold contemplate what life can hold for them if they have to leave their beloved home, which holds the memories of their lost son, Dylan. Fate intervenes and, after a violent storm dislodges the house, they find themselves adrift and alone. The currents and tides take them towards a cold and inhospitable place and they are certain they have met their end, until fate again intervenes. Just when their very lives are at stake, what they encounter causes them to reevaluate their whole life’s purpose.

This is an incredibly moving book, encompassing not only a simple yet awesome story, but weaving in the value of hopes and dreams, of the desire to survive the most unrelenting elements, and the need to fight for one’s very existence. More than that, this book makes the reader consider their view of life, their aspirations, what is really important, and to have the courage to admit when we get it wrong. The author, Miquel Reina, has really crafted a whole bucket full of life lessons from a fable, including appreciation for the life one has, having the courage to strive for one’s dreams, to consider that those dreams may be stifled by sadness, to hold your head up and carry on, and not to be afraid to fail. But more than that, this is a book about coping with the loss of a loved one. The emotions are real and gut wrenching and life changing. Every reader will relate to Mr. and Mrs Grapes and be rooting for their happiness. Incredible writing from an inspiring author.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Harsh Truths by W.T. Hamilton isn't your run-of-the-mill novel but is a uniquely inspirational story that explores the secrets of failure and success. In the tradition of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, the author of this book presents an enigmatic character, Peter, a struggling entrepreneur who wants success. Peter seeks the help and counsel of a friend and what follows is a journey that unveils truths about what it takes to win and why many fail. The protagonist is forced to look at himself, at the reality before him, and at the challenges that lie between him and his dream.

In The Harsh Truths, W.T. Hamilton shares powerful secrets about success and unveils the code that will help readers find their path to success. The book is intriguing and filled with uncomfortable truths. It is well imagined and written in a style that is both accessible and engaging. Peter is the character that I identified with the most. He is overwhelmed and literally going under. But an unexpected intellectual journey opens his eyes to life-transforming truths. The message contained in this slim yet compelling narrative is challenging and the author adopts a style that enables readers to enjoy both the relationship between the characters and the art of communication. A gold mine for those who are looking for what it takes to succeed in life and business. A page-turner, packed with wisdom and insight.

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Paper Shepherd is the first book in the Grace Everlasting series by Olivia Landis - a powerful meld of Christian romance and coming of age with a great exploration of the emotional and personal development of the characters. Max and Tiar meet in very unusual circumstances. In fact, Max rescues her from bullies who circle her and treat her like a terrorist. Tiar is an orphan who knows very little about her past. They’ve told her lies about her past, starting with her great-grand father who lied about who he was. While she struggles to make sense of why they abandoned her the way they did, Max has to become not just a friend, but her hero. And he is about to make a decision that will change both their lives.

We encounter characters that are young and broken. Tiar immediately draws the sympathy of the reader. The setting comes out vividly through the narrative, from apt and vivid descriptions of places like Hectortown to elements of the weather like the wind and the darkening skies. The author makes it easy for readers to imagine the setting and feel as though they know the places and the alleys the characters walk. The psychological aspect of the conflict just blew my mind. Olivia Landis writes about relevant themes — family, friendship, love, and religion — and she does so in a way that is intimate and that allows readers to think about the themes without losing any of the entertainment the narrative offers.

The writing is impeccably good, with dialogues written so they sound natural, and the plot structure is well thought out. The Paper Shepherd feels real and the characters are appealing. I enjoyed the journey the two key characters make and readers will appreciate the psychological implications of dysfunctional families. This book showcases the author’s great gift for character, a fast-paced, gripping plot, and awesome thematic development.

Reviewed by Aimee Carol Dixon for Readers' Favorite

Ending the war is one thing. Becoming queen is another affair entirely. Kitlyn and Oona have come a long way from the young women who successfully ended the war between Lucernia and Evermoor, but their fight is far from over. With the revelation of King Talomir's deception comes a crisis of faith among the people of Lucernia. Between that broken trust, the weakening belief in their god of truth and purity, and the shocking love their princess has for another woman that many still cannot accept, Lucernia is heading quickly for a costly reckoning. Following the advice of her advisors but also her heart, Kitlyn introduces few yet crucial changes to her kingdom upon her coronation. The acceptance of Tenebrea coupled with the successful completion of their marriage rites gain Kitlyn and Oona a much-needed reprieve and a great deal of acceptance from the people they now rule over. And just in time, as Kitlyn and Oona will have to rely upon all of their strength, wits, and magic to survive when a new threat emerges to prey upon the people of Lucernia and Evermoor alike. Led by Oona's faith to the Underholm, what Kitlyn and Oona discover in the dark recesses of the earth will expose secrets long hidden and show just how little the citizens of both kingdoms know about their past. The Cursed Crown, sequel to Matthew S. Cox's The Eldritch Heart, will leave fans guessing until the very end.

The pacing is superb, each event coming along according to its nature, making the entire novel something pleasantly organic. There is always a little concern when going into a sequel; are the characters going to feel the same, will the world be familiar, how much recapping is necessary for the next installment? All these fears and more are set aside within the first few pages of The Cursed Crown. The clear dichotomy of the two main characters holds true in the sequel and gives credence to both sides. Oona grieves for the man she knew as her father and holds Kitlyn’s suffering above all. Kitlyn feels nothing for the man she now knows as her father and finds anger the most ready emotion, but on the behalf of the people of Evermoor and Lucernia who were killed and betrayed by his greed-fueled actions rather than his actions against her personally.

Cox's skill in showcasing each woman's strengths as a queen and as a maturing young woman is paired poignantly with their struggles to return peace to their struggling kingdom, the flip between perspectives actually enhancing the story, with Oona and Kitlyn's very different personalities pulling out details the other wouldn't have if their chapters were switched. Characters old and new populate the unfurling world of The Cursed Crown, packed with the clever and often hilarious dialogue that made The Eldritch Heart so enjoyable. It isn't all political intrigue and games, however. The Cursed Crown tracks through some heavy topics, including suicide, pride, religious differences, and self-sacrifice. The end result is a novel I cannot recommend strongly enough.

Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite

A.D. Pritchard’s young adult novel, The Pebble Champion, tells the poignant story of fifteen-year-old Chris in the aftermath of surviving the car crash that killed his mother. Sent by Auntie Wendy to live on the Isle of Wight with the father he has never known, Chris takes solace in walks on the beach and an imaginary world where he becomes the pebble hopping champion. But Chris is wracked with grief and confusion that he was to blame for his mother’s death. Hiding his pain from new friends, Thane, Deidre and Evelyn, and his father hinders his healing and relationships. Is his hopelessness and bewilderment at life, love and relationships a normal teenage challenge or is he really condemned (by himself) to an existence of misery?

The Pebble Champion is beautifully and sensitively written and I very much enjoyed reading it. Author A.D. Pritchard really gets inside the minds and emotional states of his characters and conveys this to his readers perceptively and brilliantly. With believable characters, this is a well-structured story with lots of depth and pace, and I found it a page-turner from start to finish. I especially like the method of using flashbacks to very gradually reveal Chris’s past and the build up to the tragic accident. This is more than a story of one boy dealing with profound loss and grief; it is also very much about growing up/coming of age, finding who you really are, your talents, and allowing yourself to be that person. I feel the author captures Chris's inner world perfectly and with empathy - his anger, heartfelt guilt and despair, and fear of further losses.

The imagined “pebble hopping championships” mirror Chris’s real life growing ability to let go of the past as he slowly builds the emotional skills to begin to do this. Chris grows through his pain and eventually realizes that he must also be true to himself to be happy. I liked his friend Evelyn’s gift of an acorn and wise words that no matter how much it may wish to be an apple tree, “it will always be an acorn” (oak). So The Pebble Champion is a story about grief and guilt, empathy and self-compassion/acceptance. As such I’d especially recommend it to teenagers, particularly those struggling with loss, personal identity or other growing up issues. An author and book you'll be glad you discovered.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Alchemy of Noise is a work of literary dramatic fiction penned by author Lorraine Devon Wilke. Written for adults due to its complex themes and mild but mature content, this is a love story and family drama taking the day to day struggle of American life into context. Chris Hawkins and Sidonie Frame both work in Chicago and its surrounds, but their lives couldn’t be more different. When Chris is seconded to work at Sidonie’s elite club for the night, the sound engineer falls head over heels for the manager. But their relationship is fraught with the everyday drama of hidden racial class divides, Chris’s unwilling involvement with the Chicago police, and families who struggle to accept the coming together of two very different souls.

Author Lorraine Devon Wilke brings interracial relationships to the fore in this modern love story which shows us, sadly, that things haven’t progressed anywhere near as much we’d like to think they have. The writing is emotive and highly descriptive, painting snippets of life for Chris as he struggles with the everyday racism and assumptions put upon young black men all across America, and Sidonie’s struggle to connect and understand is intelligently handled. Neither of them is perfect, but together they find something special of their own. Wilke’s superb pacing and frank dialogue guide us through every harrowing moment as they fight hard to protect it. Overall, The Alchemy of Noise is a highly entertaining and engaging piece of drama which shines a light on pivotal issues of today.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Pushing the River by Barbara Monier is a family drama that highlights many of the difficulties we all face in our busy lives as we try to hold our families together, especially as our children grow up and leave the nest to spread their wings. Madeline is a typical suburban middle-aged mother. Now in her mid to late fifties, with her ex-husband departed several years ago and her children grown up and living away, she lives alone in the big old house she grew up in. Despite its size, Madeline uses just a few rooms, with the remainder still containing the memories and collections of a family’s lifetime. Over a short period of time, Madeline’s solo and lonely existence begins to change. She meets a new man, who then suddenly decides he’s moving in with her, and an empty house begins to fill as first her daughter-in-law and then her daughter-in-law’s pregnant fifteen-year-old sister arrive, seeking help. Suddenly Madeline goes from being all alone to managing a new relationship as well as providing comfort for a teenager and her baby. Madeline faces the upheaval and the associated angst with a mixture of terror and determination as she seeks to “push the river” and meet all her family’s needs and demands, whilst still looking after herself.

This could well be the story of any modern family, broken by dislocation and divorce. As a mother, Madeline feels the need to hold her fractured family together and to keep and recreate the many traditions that defined them as a family. I particularly enjoyed author Barbara Monier’s description of Christmas together, as the new cast of characters sought to compete with and dispute the traditions of Madeline and her children, who had also returned home for the holidays. Looking at Pushing the River as a social commentary on the family structure, I have no doubt many readers will identify with it, particularly Madeline and the struggles she has to begin a whole new adventure at an age when she should be relaxing and enjoying the fruits of her labour. I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks to Madeline’s mother and Madeline’s life as a child, which shaped the woman she was today. This is a very readable book and one that reminds us that we are not alone in our own struggles with family and the desire to keep it together and alive. Madeline’s abiding love for others is what comes through most strongly in the narrative and I am sure we can all identify with that.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Lion Trees is a powerful and unique work of fiction by author Owen Thomas. Taking the slice of life multi-perspective approach to its literary maxim, the plot follows four key members of the Johns family through their past, present, and the potential of their future. Patriarch Hollis struggles with retired life, filling his time with temptations and frivolous hobbies, whilst his wife Susan dreams of the life she might have had if she had never consented to a forty-year marriage. Down the generations, rising starlet Tilly struggles with the dark realities of getting what she wants from directors and writers, whilst her brother David, a teacher, deals with a scandal of his own at school. So begins one family’s journey to discover the limits they must push themselves to in order to be truly happy, and face the question of whether that happiness is even possible.

This is the sort of novel which a light fiction reader might put down after the first dozen pages, and I’m here to implore that you don’t. Once you get used to the time-hopping, perspective-switching style of Owen Thomas’ deep and beautiful prose, the story of the Johns family flutters like a paper bag in the breeze that you can’t stop watching. Unpredictable, philosophical and deeply, intrinsically human, The Lion Trees explores a lengthy gamut of powerful emotional depths, asking important questions about life which we readers, like the Johns family, so often forget to stop and ponder. A superb and high quality literary drama.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Vatic Confluence by Edie James is the second installment in the epic fantasy series The Ardent Halo, following in the footsteps of book one, The Steel Road. The story is told from multiple points of views, giving readers varied and fresh views of the expansive world of Arizware that James has built. The world has changed and the coming of a storm sets the stage for the continued adventures of Dreyah (a half-human, half-elf crossling) and Kennason, the lady steward, who is uncomfortable and precariously perched in a scheming royal court, waiting for her own opportunity to strike. This is a story of survival, not just of self and family, but of the people and the future. This is war.

Edie James delivers a masterful book two with The Vatic Confluence, further elevating two worthy female protagonists in a world that is depicted beautifully. The writing is clear and eloquent, and the characters dance comfortably within the narrative, the dialogue, and their internal thoughts—some of which provided my favorite ones in the book i.e. “The tongue talker is the shadow thief... Let the lady steward hear the truths he has stolen from her.” The battle scenes are so perfectly drawn that they unfold seamlessly, driving a reader from one scene to the next and unveiling a climax that explodes onto the page. Even ancillary characters come to life, but it's Dreyah and Kennason who, both jointly and independently, keep the pages turning. I would absolutely recommend this to readers who love first-rate epic fantasy.