Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite

“This framework of bone protruded against his olive complexion like a demon attempting to escape its elastic cage.” This impeccably written simile demonstrates the incredible level of creative intelligence and literary skill one finds in the superb collection of short stories authored by James Musgrave in Valley of the Dogs. Intelligence and skill permeate and inform each story, imbuing all with the kind of refreshing energy and interest necessary to qualify this achievement as a true renovation and celebration of an otherwise (somewhat) moribund genre of fiction. The golden era of short story writing often seems lost in a past made hazy by the high-tech sponsored emasculation of attention spans and the elevation of hyper-short, sparsely limpid flash fiction into a respectable replacement for adulation. Musgrave shows this new emperor is also without clothes. Rejoice.

Valley of the Dogs by James Musgrave does not resurrect those golden days of short story writing, but it certainly reinstates the field’s dignity and stature, even while adhering to a more concisely told tale – an understandable concession to the modern mind. What these stories lack in unduly protracted exposition is more than compensated for by their acute perfection of voice and quality of expression. Repetitively, each story reeks of editorial precision and literary skill. They are remarkable, really. Franz Kafka and George Gershwin collaborate on Broadway – with inevitably Kafkaesque results. Insanity explored from the inside makes sanity look crazy. Suicide prevention works both ways. Plots like these, so novel as to seem utterly unique, make Valley of the Dogs a collection to be savored, saved, and saluted.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Voice, the Revolution and the Key by Jenny L. Cote is a Christian action and speculative fiction children's book and the fifth in Cote's The Epic Order of the Seven series. This review is of the audiobook as narrated by Denny Brownlee. The Order of Seven is a group of animals tasked with missions that defy time, space, and mortality, each one individual in their skillset and backstory. Liz is a sleek black cat with an incredible intellect and dripping with the sophistication one would expect from her native France, whereas the orange Irish cat who loves her, Al, has qualities not quite so visible to those who do not know him. Kate and Max are terriers from Scotland, and Nigel is a British mouse with highly polished deportment and is an academic to boot. Gillamon and Claire round out the group with spiritual guidance, presenting themselves how and when they are most needed.

The Voice, the Revolution and the Key is my first introduction to The Epic Order of Seven, and I feel like I've missed out on something by only discovering the work of Jenny L. Cote now. I am a British reader with the unique pleasure of having an American wife. We live in London and—I kid you not—within a mile of where Benjamin Franklin lived for 17 years. This book is really pleasant to listen to and creative to the extent where, as a grown man, I was able to quickly get on board with time-traveling animals who have seen it all, including their experiences during the time of Noah. Yes, that Noah. This is a Christian-themed series and the religious incantations are frequent and direct, as are conversations like the one Gillamon and Claire have as they reminisce over St. Andrew and his martyrdom as a true follower of Christ. These tie in with the foundation of American history as it is told through the experiences of The Order, and for me, meeting the Founding Fathers as children was an absolute treat! The assignments of each in The Order are critical in their roles of shaping them into the adults that will ultimately fulfill their destiny. Cote casts the net deep and wide here, and this is where the necessity of a novel that flirts with 800 pages has to be. The measured pacing of a book this size promises character development and equal billing to each protagonist, and Cote delivers.

As for the audio narrator Denny Brownlee, the projection of words and the clarity of speech are of a very high standard. There is an enthusiasm in his voice that is almost palpable. I have no doubt whatsoever that children listening will be as entertained by the reading as they are by the story itself. The voice of each character is projected as strong, distinct, and energetic, even if to the adult British ear the accents are more parody than precision. The benefit of audio is that it can be listened to while one is stuck in traffic or pretending to exercise on a treadmill, and I look forward to going back in time myself to “read” the first four books in the series.

Reviewed by Delene Vrey for Readers' Favorite

The Roach by Rhett C Bruno is an excellent example of noir fiction. Set in the 1980s in Iron City, The Roach, or Reese Roberts, is a vigilante who prowled the streets and took out the criminals in the city. After making a rescue, he is shot and paralyzed. This is where we meet him, on the river’s edge in his wheelchair, contemplating suicide. A cry for help diverts him from it, and from this point on, the story develops into an adrenaline-pumping grunge thriller. Sustaining immense injuries while saving a little girl, Reese wakes after a month in a coma to find that someone had stolen his identity and was killed in the city. Reese, in his wheelchair, solicits the aid of a young man he tried to help and embarks on the search for the one scumbag reporter that may have answers. Reese makes the comic book heroes look like little girls playing dolls as he races through the city in his wheelchair to catch up with the imposter who is out to harm the two people that matter most to Reese.

Rhett C Bruno has written a page-turner; it is impossible to put it down once you start the story. The descriptions of Reese wheeling around and even fighting from his chair are impressive, and one can vividly imagine the hardened crime-fighter who will not let paralysis get him down. Child abuse is a very relevant and clear theme throughout the story; the primordial ooze formed Reese and motivated him in his actions. I like the book because Reese did not try to justify his actions; in his heart, he knew that killing was wrong, but he had something inside that drove him to kill in his cause to save innocents.

RC Bray must be one of the best narrators around. He has the voice that “sounds like he hugged a handle of whiskey, ate a box of cigarettes, then decided to try narrating,” according to Rhett C. Bruno. This is precisely what I imagined Reese to sound like. RC Bray uses his voice successfully in portraying a damaged and vulnerable man out to do what he thinks needs to be done. You can conjure up an image of the poorly shaven, beat-up but strong man in the wheelchair, confronting the ghosts from his past. The narrator makes the book even more believable than it already is. RC Bray has received multiple rewards and has done more than 200 audiobooks in varying genres.

Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

The Ninth Session by Deborah Serani is a fiction audiobook that would appeal most to audiobook lovers who enjoy psychological mysteries and thrillers. Dr. Alicia Reese is a psychologist whose professional and personal life is forever changed when she takes on a patient by the name of Lucas Ferro with a serious anxiety condition. Each session with Lucas Ferro brings Dr. Alicia Reese closer and closer to the truth of Lucas Ferro and the danger of him. Will Lucas Ferro be Dr. Alicia Reese’s last patient?

The Ninth Session by Deborah Serani is a well-written book that quickly pulled me into the story and held me captivated within the first ten minutes of listening. As a psychology graduate student, I really appreciated the author’s attention to detail and the level of accuracy she had in her portrayal of psychology and Dr. Alicia Reese as a psychologist. It was easy to become enraptured with the story as the author wove together elements of danger, suspense, and mystery into Dr. Alicia Reese’s experiences with her new patient.

The Ninth Session was both written and narrated by Deborah Serani. This audiobook is Serani’s first foray into narration, but I would not have known this was her first performance from the quality of her narration. While the narration was well done for all of the characters, I personally found that Serani’s narration was perfect for Dr. Alicia Reese’s character. I just felt like she really got into the character and her narration made me feel particularly connected with Alicia.

Reviewed by Renee Guill for Readers' Favorite

The Accidental Text by Becky Monson is a lighthearted romantic comedy. Maggie Cooper always enjoyed taking risks and doing things like skydiving. But, after her mother died, she lost her mojo. She tried texting her mother’s phone, hoping it would be like therapy. Turns out she was texting someone else, and that someone else was a hot guy. Maggie already had a crush on a co-worker, so she was not sure how this would end up, if she would be able to get her mojo back and if she would ever fall in love.

I thought that The Accidental Text by Becky Monson was a fun read. I loved how she was able to make a tough topic into a lighthearted and hopeful one. The story had a great cast of characters. I loved her best friend Hannah; she had a lot of spunk. I thought that Becky Monson did a wonderful job with world-building. Made me wish I could be there. She also did an amazing job describing in great detail the things that Maggie did, like skydiving. I loved the fact that I got an aha moment from a line Maggie’s father said. It was another one of those love triangle tropes, but I loved the way it ended. There is a trigger warning; the story does talk about death, which is what this book is about - the way Maggie handled the death of a loved one. If you have lost a loved one, or love romantic comedies, then I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Body in the Woods is the first book in the Carlos Jacobi series by Dawn Brookes and a perfect read for fans of crime thrillers. It is supposed to be a quiet Christmas at his sister’s place. At least, that is what private investigator Carlos Jacobi wanted, but everything changes when his ex-police dog discovers a body in the woods. The old man’s widow hires Carlos to investigate in this seemingly peaceful town with dangerous secrets. As he begins his investigation, he runs into someone he hoped he would never see again, and their experience in Afghanistan, characteristic of bad blood, makes it hard for the two to work together. Someone wants him out of the investigation, but when his dog makes another discovery, the conflict escalates. Can Carlos get to the bottom of the mystery?

I love it when an author takes time to develop characters that have depth, and Dawn Brookes does just that. Carlos is not just a strong character with a military background. Exploring his experiences in Afghanistan and the animosity between him and a mate that he runs into adds a deeper layer to the plot, and while this detail builds suspense and deepens character, it helps in moving the plot forward. DCI Terry Masters is a well-written character as well as DS Fiona Cook and many others. The setting is detailed and I enjoyed how descriptive the author is when exploring the features of the natural environment in which the story takes place. Dawn Brookes not only poignantly captures a sense of mystery and raw emotions in a quiet small town, but creates such relatable characters that any reader will want to follow on their journey. Body in the Woods is a bold and haunting story of murder and suspense.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Big Tilt by Dan Flanigan is the second book in the Peter O’Keefe series. Peter O’Keefe has had some close shaves in his life, not least the Vietnam War and a showdown with a crime boss called Mr. Canada in the Arizona desert. A year on from that, O’Keefe finds himself in deep trouble in his own hometown, when an old school crush is murdered. But something doesn’t seem right. A friend of O’Keefe’s, Mike Harrigan, is in serious trouble, accused of things he didn’t do and O’Keefe now has a price on his head. Going deep into the criminal underworld, O’Keefe begins to uncover things that some people would prefer stayed hidden and his life is suddenly in the balance. Can he uncover the truth in time or will he become another statistic?

The Big Tilt (Peter O’Keefe Book 2) by Dan Flanigan is a thrilling read. I did find the beginning a little confusing but I suspect that’s because I haven’t read the first book – this is one of those series where the books need to be read in order. There is more than one story here, at least three different ones, but they are woven together with all becoming clear at the end. It is written well, very clear and easy-to-understand language (no jargon, which is a bonus), and a great plot, albeit a little complex at times. There is plenty of action and the author’s legal background really shone through at times. A gripping tale, this has some great characters, believable, real people who grow throughout the story. With plenty of action, this is one story you won’t want to put down.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

An intense historical novel that spans decades, The People of Ostrich Mountain by Ndirangu Githaiga chronicles the life of a Kenyan family that begins in 1952. A 14-year-old girl named Wambui Karanja, who lives in the small village of Kiandutu, is witness to the oppressive British colonial rule as they try to suppress the Mau Mau uprising. Wambui is a math prodigy and has been accepted at a prestigious boarding school where her math teacher, Eileen Atwood, becomes her mentor and friend. After graduation, Wambui returns to her village to help with her family’s finances by running a hardware store. After forty years, Eileen goes back to England after being forced into retirement, but she feels alienated in her own country after decades of absence. Wambui has a son who becomes a doctor in Chicago, where he similarly experiences the pain of alienation through discrimination.

Written with keen realism, Ndirangu Githaiga’s debut novel is rich in lyrical prose brimming with dramatic moments. He paints with words and ensures that he provides the right colors to represent all aspects of identity in his characters. He writes with a confident knowledge about his subject—that sensitive part in Kenyan history that needs to be told. He captures the conflict between the Mau Mau and the British with ease as if he has been a first-account witness. Similarly, as the plot progresses forty years after, Githaiga is in touch with the persistent contemporary social issues that people of color find themselves battling. The People of Ostrich Mountain is a great historical literary piece. For an author who comes from an ethnically and culturally diverse continent like Africa, it isn’t surprising that Githaiga writes about war, culture, and identity, much like writers such as Chinua Achebe, Ayi Kwei Armah, and Alain Mabanckou. Powerful and absorbing, this novel is a must-read for its vivid depictions and literary relevance.

Reviewed by Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite

The Walk of the Wandering Man by Ric Szabo is an epic story of humanity that starts 5000 years ago in the harsh environment of Central Europe. The story begins with the intertwining of the fates of a young boy called Konli and a young man, Vratu, a Mesolithic hunter, brought together by tragedy. When Vratu is sent on his rite of passage, to walk with the Earth Spirit, he has no idea what the gods have in store for him, and how his quest will bring him manhood, pain, suffering, joy, and ultimately love. He knows treachery and killing, finds his conscience and learns compassion, and discovers a moral certainty to do what is right. Who is the mysterious boy with the strange tattoo and the intriguing necklace? Why has Vratu been chosen to protect him?

Fans of Jean Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear series will absolutely love this book. The plot is complex in that it encompasses the lives and deeds of a number of characters and their clans. The reader embarks on a journey with Vratu that informs as it entertains. The age of the hunter-gatherer was ending as the farmers began to assert their right to land. Clashes and killings, and some degree of xenophobia were inevitable as the fight over resources raged. Alliances are formed, then broken, then remade in an intricate story line. The reader who enjoys prehistory and its detail will be impressed, as I was, at the meticulous research done to bring the epoch to life. The author writes in a lyrical style that is appropriate for the genre, slightly archaic but most pleasing to read. A modern author voice would not have worked, and Szabo gets it just right.

I enjoyed the descriptions which are vivid and immersive; indeed, readers find themselves thrust right into the action, be it fighting to survive the elements or in the midst of battle. The story takes the reader back in time most amazingly. One wonders how early man managed to survive, how they learned to create tools, to make clothing, shelter, medicines, all the things that the modern reader wouldn’t give a second thought. Social constructs and mores, traditions, customs, and laws are explained by seamlessly integrating them into the plot. The themes of spirituality and worship, and the place of nature in an emerging society’s ethos are clear. The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, although the prologue starts with action and mystery, and death. This is an epic adventure and one that belongs not only to Vratu, but to the communities he encounters and the people he calls his friends and companions. A thought-provoking, instructive, and extremely enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Cecelia Hopkins for Readers' Favorite

The First Robot President by Robert Carlyle Taylor is a sparkling satire. Geraldine Jenkins is shocked to discover her son has purchased a robot wife. Powerless to change his mind, she insists he marry the android in a traditional ceremony. The robot is supposedly programmed to obey the husband in every way, but Thomas Jenkins purchased a model endowed with a college education. The robot desires to experience motherhood, so the couple immediately adopts a child. She also wishes to put her knowledge of political science and economics to use and desires to run for parliament. Thomas stalls her with support roles for some time but eventually has to agree. Esmerelda’s objectivity and refreshing candor result in a surprise election win and successful committee work. She is chosen as a candidate for vice president, and then the unthinkable happens; the president-elect dies, leaving Esmerelda in the highest office.

The First Robot President by Robert Carlyle Taylor is a political comedy the reader can enjoy whatever their partisan affiliation. The narrative is gentle and humorous, with a plot cleverly following the Greens, and a ridiculous robot candidate presented as an alternative to the two major parties. I enjoyed the ironic representation of political manipulation and maneuvering. I also liked the ambiguity that left me uncertain which group Carlyle was mocking the most; the Greens, Republicans, or Democrats! I could identify with the story even though I am an international reader, which proves the caricature has appeal beyond its reflection on domestic politics. I heartily recommend The First Robot President by Robert Carlyle Taylor for its entertaining qualities.