Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

Beyond the Goodnight Trail by Roy V. Gaston is a boisterous Western novel filled with breathtaking adventure and action. Pete Horse is a former Texas Rangers scout who accepts the invitation of his friend, Charlie Goodnight, to go on a trail ride across Texas to New Mexico Bosque Redondo Navajo reservation. Pete knows these lands and is aware that it is infested with bandits and scum who will kill just anyone as long as they get something — or they just kill for the sheer pleasure of killing — so he expects to encounter a horde of night riding gangs and unfriendly Comancheros. What he never expected was to encounter factional groups fighting over a thousand stolen Army rifles. When he kills two men who attempt to steal his horse, he attracts the explosive wrath of a renegade sect leader and his followers. It is the beginning of a nightmare that could engulf the entire West.

Beyond the Goodnight Trail is written for anyone who loves Westerns. It is littered with action and well-described gunfights. Characters like Pete, Charlie, Bigfoot Wallace, Bass Reeves, Britt Johnson, and many others are well-developed. Roy V. Gaston plunges the reader into a world that is rife with conflict and chaos and gives readers the real definition of survival-of-the-fittest. The worldbuilding is wonderful and the story takes place in a setting that is not just rough but lawless. Beyond the Goodnight Trail is captivating and written in elegant prose. I enjoyed the way the author crafts the dialogues, mimicking the accents of the characters, and beefing up the plot with action. It is filled with adventure and fun; deftly plotted and skillfully written.

Reviewed by Lorraine Cobcroft for Readers' Favorite

The Fabric of Us by Kimberly Wenzler is a delightful work of women’s fiction that reassures us beautiful, lasting romance is possible, even against the odds. Olivia Bennet has just turned fifty. She and her husband, Chris, married young. With their oldest child now adult and married and their younger child close to finishing college, they are planning the life they feel they missed when the first of many curveballs plunged them into a life of hard work and financial struggle. They made their bucket list, and now they are planning to travel. But life throws them more curveballs.

Kimberly Wenzler relates Olivia and Chris’s story in chapters that alternate between past and present. I found this a little off-putting at first, but the characters came to life, and I warmed to them. It was easy to relate to the challenges they faced. The story begins with the couple studying at Boston College and Chris playing in a band with college friends. When an unplanned pregnancy disrupts their career plans, they face a tough choice. Years of struggle do not weaken their deep and abiding devotion to each other. Life happens for all of us. Plans get disrupted, and you make adjustments. Challenges break some couples, but others, like Olivia and Chris, weather the storms together. Like all couples, Olivia and Chris faced challenges that threatened their bond and tested their personal strength. But their love carries them through, and they set an excellent example for readers who may be just beginning their journey as a couple or a family. The Fabric of Us is an enjoyable and beautiful love story, and I look forward to reading more of Kimberly Wenzler’s works.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

The Sound Between the Notes: A Novel by Barbara Linn Probst is a great story that had me turning the pages nonstop, a tale of passion, identity, and art. It has been almost sixteen years since Susannah Lewis stopped pursuing a career as a pianist, choosing to devote her time to her first child. Now, she has one chance to reconnect with her passion, the only opportunity to be recognized as one of the musical talents to reckon with. In spite of the length of time she hasn’t been able to play, she still trusts her instinct—muscle memory, they call it—and her emotions. It will be easy, or so she thinks. But right into the audition, she notices something bizarre: her fingers won’t respond to her as they should. She learns that she has a hereditary disease that makes her fingers cramp and curl. As someone who was adopted, she wants to find out who she really is. Follow this compelling protagonist on a breathtaking, emotional journey as she wades through past memories while pursuing a path that redefines her.

The Sound Between the Notes is so beautiful, so lyrical, so musical that it was hard to put down. It is a story that will not only appeal to fans of music but to mothers and anyone looking for a good read. There is music in the writing and Barbara Linn Probst knows how to evoke strong emotions in readers and how to create sounds that they will enjoy. Susannah’s relationship with her husband, Aaron, and her teenage son, James, is skillfully written. As I read the story, it felt like I could hear the protagonist, her questioning moments, her anxiety, and her confidence. I also enjoyed how the author writes about the experience of auditioning. This is a wonderful story from a skillful writer, one that appeals strongly to the heart. It features awesome characters, a twisty plot, and gorgeous writing.

Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

If you have any doubts about your next trip's location, you will opt for Florida as soon as you start reading Kvaala's The Couple's Adventure: 85 Ideas to See, Hear, Taste, and Try in Florida. This delightful travel guide helps you define your trip effortlessly so that you will enjoy a beautiful holiday with your significant other. In The Couple's Adventure, you will find everything you need about attractions, food, music, and a variety of ideas to make your trip to Florida the best holiday ever. The information on each place is just one page long but gives you an accurate description, links to websites and Facebook pages, and addresses - in short, all you need to start planning immediately!

Whether you decide to leave for Florida tomorrow or a year from now, or you are reading The Couple's Adventure just for inspiration, you will have a good time. Kvaala's travel guide provides you with tons of information, sparing you the stress of planning your holiday all by yourself. Moreover, it is so well written that you would read it just for the pleasure of discovery. I did not imagine Florida could be such an exciting place. Now, I cannot wait to book my trip and explore the culinary, musical, and artistic destinations that The Couple's Adventure suggests I try. Kvaala's descriptions are short but effective and give you a taste of the places you will visit. I did not expect a travel guide could be so much fun. I advise you to get your copy - see you in Florida!

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

As Lorilyn sat at traffic lights in a small town in Florida, she experienced the strangest feeling that made her deeply question her life. This began a journey of self-reflection and a desire to turn away from chasing materialistic objects and instead to follow God's guidance. Follow Lorilyn's journey from childhood to adulthood and the many pivotal events and beloved furry friends that impacted her life in Tails and Purrs for the Heart and Soul. As Lorilyn suffered the trauma of divorce, grief, serious illness, and many of life's challenges, she has been blessed with the companionship and love of her furry helpers. Throughout her life, the joy and blessing of animals have taught her that God is always good and virtuous even if there are times when we doubt his existence or question his motives. Lorilyn's memoir is filled with stories of amazing kindness, bravery, joy, and extraordinary, unexplained incidents. Throughout the Bible, there are stories that reveal how animals have been sent to protect and help us. Tails and Purrs is a perfect example of this.

Tails and Purrs for the Heart and Soul, Lorilyn's memoir, is absolutely captivating, very honest, and comforting. Her accounts of the many animals that have touched her life and brought her so much love and happiness will resound with any animal lover. Gypsy's story sent goosebumps down my spine; her time spent with this wonderful dog and their shared appreciation of nature will bring tears of joy. The concept that animals come into your life when you need them most is so very true. I found Lorilyn and her family a great inspiration as they selflessly rescued, fostered, and adopted so many animals. I loved her daughter's abundant kindness and generosity towards those in need; she had a truly beautiful soul. The vision Lorilyn experienced on the beach was very powerful as she questioned if we can influence our destiny. You will experience a wide range of emotions while reading this memoir, from complete joy and warmth as animals were rescued and nursed back to health to heartbreak as they faced the end of their lives or illness. Peasy's story reminds us to be patient with animals who have experienced trauma or abuse. The two stories that touched me the most profoundly were Faye the Momma cat and Molly the Jack Russell terrier; be prepared to reach for a handkerchief before reading these. Superb read and highly recommended.

Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

Life on a farm is something many of us cannot even imagine. There is something special about being in contact with nature and animals, and The Parables of Sunlight by Margaret Dulaney explains it very well. In her splendid book, Dulaney tells how she bought a farm, why at the beginning she did not want to be involved in it, and her relationship with Allie, a wounded horse. Most importantly, she writes her reflections on animals and the afterlife. The Parables of Sunlight is an amazing book, and it is up to nature and animal-loving readers to discover all the depth that it contains.

When I started reading The Parables of Sunlight, I never imagined I would find a book so full of ideas and considerations. Initially, I thought its story focused only on life in the countryside, and I was happy to find out that much more is going on here. I loved to read about Allie, the wounded horse, and I hoped her story would end well. Above all, however, what struck me were Dulaney's reflections on souls and the afterlife. This is something I did not expect to find in a book about life on a farm. I have to say that many of the things Dulaney writes are a great starting point for meditating. Also, they can bring some solace to those who have lost a loved one or animal. The Parables of Sunlight is an inspiration, and I recommend it to thoughtful readers who love animals.

Reviewed by Randy B. Lichtman for Readers' Favorite

As I write this review in January 2021, we continue to experience the terrible circumstances brought to us by the pandemic, COVID-19. In spite of our individual differences, so many similarities are brought to light in the powerful anthology of memoir articles contained in Voices from the Pandemic, compiled by Headline Books and edited by Don Helin. The book contains a variety of authors with different professional backgrounds including health care professionals, entertainers, teachers, writers, administrators, and so many more. In addition, the writings of seven student authors who are currently experiencing school online in 6th grade are just as important, as these experiences will be memorable in their future educational experiences.

So many common experiences are here, such as working from home, entertainers not able to work, students and teachers working online, people unable to get simple grocery items such as toilet paper, health challenges, loneliness, experiencing and viewing the death of patients, and families not being able to be with their loved ones as they lose their lives from Covid-19. These are only a sample of the issues expressed so personally and sensitively throughout the book in diverse voices. They remind us that we are not alone and that others are going through some of the same challenges we are—and some are having very different ones. Together the book paints a tapestry of life in the Covid-19 world from different people, perceptions, professions, ages, and backgrounds. Many of the writers have published articles, short stories, and books while many are expressing their personal experiences to help themselves cope and understand their own situations in this collection of memoirs.

After the pandemic ends and life becomes more “normalized”, these memoirs will become even more valuable as we look back and see what we lived through, how we survived, and how we have been impacted in a post-pandemic world. Pandemic history is still being written at the time of this publication. Voices from the Pandemic, compiled by Headline Books, and edited by Don Hein stands as a testimony to the courage of ordinary people as they survive one of the most challenging times in their lives. I continue to be very moved as I reflect on stories I read from this remarkable anthology. There are so many personal and sensitive stories that make this volume a monument to all who have lived through this extremely challenging time for all of us. An excellent book to remind us of how we are surviving during this unique time in our lives and the resilience that will bring us into the next stage of our lives.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

The National Parks: A Century of Grace by Karla K. Morton and Alan Birkelbach is a fabulous collection of pictures, poems, and facts about the National Parks of America, which are extraordinary places where the beauty of the untouched wilderness can be experienced. Humans are always in search of finding meaning in Nature. The magnitude of what Nature offers can be felt through the pictures, descriptions, and poetry shared and will make readers aware of how blessed they are living close to the stunning beauty of natural wonders of nature in their lifetime. The two poets share their views on the seen and unseen beauty of the National Parks of America and take readers on a fascinating and adventurous journey to appreciate the offerings of nature.

The National Parks: A Century of Grace will encourage travelers to visit any one of these National Parks to experience the wonders of nature. The pictures and the poems capture the beauty of these National Parks, making it tangible to readers. 'Crater Lake Blue' is my favorite poem in the book, more so because I am fascinated by different shades of blue, and the poet, Karla, pulls readers into the beauty of the Crater Lake National Park and will leave them speechless. Alan Birkelbach captivates readers with his poem 'What We Abandon,' which makes the beauty of the Glacier National Park, Montana, and Canada palpable to readers. All the poems are unique in their own way as they speak about each one of the National Parks mentioned in the book. The approach to the topic is avante-garde and I liked the poets' poems on all the National Parks based on their perception of these places. This book will no doubt be re-read and also used to plan trips to any one of these National Parks.

Reviewed by Erin Nicole Cochran for Readers' Favorite

The Mourning Report by Caitlin Garvey is raw with edges of true honesty that you won’t read anywhere else. A non-fiction memoir, Garvey sits her audience down to listen in as she interviews five people who were part of her mother’s passage from life to death. A priest, hospice nurse, hairstylist, estate planner, and funeral director do their best to give her the answers that she seeks. Each no doubt hoping to bring Caitlin Garvey some small bit of peace.

Caitlin Garvey’s The Mourning Report is able to put you in the center of what it feels like to lose someone too soon and to a debilitating illness. It also takes us on the journey of Garvey’s own recovery process from her days spent in a psychiatric facility. The strength and courage that Garvey exudes go beyond awe-inspiring. Her candor throughout is another connecting thread that draws the reader into her words; she doesn’t sugarcoat or exaggerate, and anyone that is human responds to that kind of voice. One of the instances that pulled me in and rang so true was on page 37: “Spirituality is strange because it’s invisible. You have to feel it. At that moment, I feel something, too. I feel warm…” There were many times that Garvey’s writing overtook me. And I honestly can’t tell you how many times I was overcome by emotion. Too many to count. All I know is that you will be able to understand grief more in depth and in almost every form that it can possibly take when you finish reading Caitlin Garvey’s The Mourning Report.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

What defines a single person’s life? Is it the number of people they reach out to? And how they reach out to them? The memories of award-winning author Rachel Field speak of her humble ability to love and show compassion, to care about others, and, most poignantly, her “welcoming smile.” But, sadly, the memories of this person speak little of the writing that earned her some recognition. She wrote poetry, prose, children’s books, plays, and won awards for her work, most particularly the esteemed Newberry Medal, but there was so much mystery surrounding this woman and, sadly, a compelling sense of loneliness. How could someone so loved and revered by others be so painfully lonely?

When Robin Clifford Wood purchased Field House on an island off the coast of Maine, little did she realize that she was walking into a time capsule of an early twentieth-century woman’s life, an icon in American literature who has been sadly forgotten over the years since her passing. Memorabilia from the author’s time spent at this special summer get-away were scattered around the house and the island on which it sat, memorabilia full of stories in themselves. Robin felt a connection and was compelled to do research on this fellow author; the end result was an in-depth, much-needed biography of Rachel Field, The Field House: A Writer’s Life Lost and Found on an Island in Maine. The intention was to write a biography, but the book took on a story of its own: a creative nonfiction story combining the lives of Rachel Field with that of her biographer, Robin Clifford Wood.

Chapters include detailed accounts of various time periods in Rachel’s life while also including the biographer’s experience in researching these snippets, written cleverly as a letter to Rachel explaining her intention and focus. In her very compassionate Prologue, the biographer concludes: “Rachel Field gave me many gifts. One of them was a reminder to embrace life with the heart of a child and the soul of a poet. Another was the inspiration to write.” This is a powerful biography/memoir/work of creative nonfiction about an icon in American literature.