Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The King’s Sword: The First Novel of the Metzlingen Saga by Rebekah Simmers is a delightful journey back to 15th-century Europe, where small kingdoms and principalities were the way of the European continent. Matthias is a soldier, pure and simple, after having first been sold to the crown and then pledging himself in service to King Girault of Ewigsburg. After one particularly harrowing battle, in which his prince was killed, Matthias is tasked with a mission for his king; to travel to the far Kingdom of Leuceria and to plight the king’s troth to the beautiful princess Avelina. Avelina has lived a life of prestige and honor, as the rightful heir of the Leucerian throne since the death of her father and mother, so many years earlier. The Regent Niro, who has effectively ruled Leuceria since her parents' death at his hands, has no intention of giving up the throne to the young princess. The simplest solution for Niro is to get rid of Avelina, be it through death or a foreign marriage. Matthias finds himself riding into a hotbed of intrigue and political backstabbing as he seeks to fulfill his quest; a quest that includes a dangerous and hazardous journey through the mountains back to Ewigsburg and safety, all the while pursued by Niro’s vengeful and vicious son’s men, hell-bent on killing Matthias, the princess and Matthias’ band of soldierly brothers.

I am an immense fan of medieval historical literature and The King’s Sword fits this bill for me as a reader spectacularly. Author Rebekah Simmers has created a tale redolent of the very best of knightly stories of honor, political intrigue, romance, and love. The author’s vibrant and rich descriptive prose brings the environment of medieval Europe to life. Matthias and Avelina’s journey through the mountains is beautifully crafted and one can picture the towering peaks, waterfalls, and hidden dangers as the pair make their way back to Ewigsburg. The two principal characters are wonderfully supported by a cast that is easily identifiable and relatable. What I particularly loved was the author’s ability to use her characters to ask and question some of the big issues of life; self-determination, purpose, the nature and power of love, the importance of doing what is right rather than what is expedient, and perhaps most importantly, being true to oneself. The balance the author achieves between the action of the story and the development of the characters, their emotions, their dreams, their deep-rooted fears, and their self-doubts is remarkable. At no time does one want to take a break from this story; it keeps dragging you forward relentlessly to its ultimate conclusion. I can highly recommend this book and look forward to more tales of Avelina, Matthias, and Metzlingen as this story is just the first in a planned series.

Reviewed by Diana Lopez for Readers' Favorite

Isaiah and the Orchestra of Sounds is a story based on a real condition. Tinnitus occurs when you hear a ringing or similar tone in one or both ears. At first, Isaiah hears music in his ears, like a full orchestra. When the problem begins at school, he tries to describe what he hears to his friends, but it is hard to convey the feeling. Eventually, he can’t eat, can’t study, and can’t rest at night. And it’s as if the sounds are intensifying. As the days pass, he feels exhausted, besieged, and hopeless. His grades start to drop, and he doesn’t know what to do about it because the ringing makes him feel confused. The good news is that tinnitus can be treated. Morenike Oyenusi approaches the subject from a professional perspective and the book will assist people who need to know more about tinnitus.

Isaiah and the Orchestra of Sounds uses a comic book format but includes useful information and descriptions between the images. Morenike Oyenusi’s goal is to create awareness about tinnitus and there is useful information at the end of the story. Although tinnitus is not a disease, it often affects people’s lives, as in Isaiah’s case. Readers will now be able to understand the ailment and are encouraged to talk about it. The book also explains that cases can be different. The book includes a glossary, a list of probable causes, possible solutions, and links to additional, more specialized information.

Reviewed by Heather Osborne for Readers' Favorite

The Last Daughter by Belle Ami is the harrowing story of the author’s mother during World War II in Europe. Dina had always lived comfortably in the loving embrace of her family. However, when Germany invaded Poland, all of that changes. Forced to leave her beloved home, her family is relocated into the Glinice ghetto. Gone are the carefree days of her childhood, replaced by fear and hunger, and hard work. Still, Dina’s family never gives up, even when they are deported to camps, bit by bit, their fates unknown. As Dina strives to survive the unthinkable, will she be able to keep her faith and make it through hell on earth?

A fantastic tale of perseverance, The Last Daughter by Belle Ami is an inspirational retelling of survival. So much is put on Dina and her family and she never gives up, constantly wishing for a better future. The novel is a stark account of her experiences during the Holocaust, without shying away from the horrors around her and all the other victims of the Nazis' atrocities. Yet, in the darkness, elements of hope keep Dina going. I particularly admired how Dina reflected back on the inspiration of her parents, using their strength and wisdom to survive, along with the unexpected kindness of strangers. It’s so important we never forget these parts of history and Dina’s experiences in the face of pure evil. I have read many memoirs of people who survived the Holocaust and The Last Daughter definitely is worth checking out for historical readers.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

The Only Way Home is a walk through 1933 and the Great Depression with 15-year-old Robert and 17-year-old Tucker who he meets on the road. Robert and Tucker have both left their homes in hopes of finding work as they travel the rails. They spend many nights sleeping in uncomfortable boxcars, heading to a new town and a new opportunity. Robert and Tucker often are hungry, without shelter, and in danger of the ‘bulls”, aka the police, locking them up if they get caught jumping off the freight trains. The boys also have good days meeting people who want to help and offer them a warm barn to sleep in, a hearty meal, and a hard labor job. Robert suffers and struggles through it all with his end goal of having earned some money to bring home to his mother and siblings. Tucker’s story is different; his father has told him he had to leave and find work because he could not afford for Tucker to stay at home any longer. Both boys form a quick and tight bond watching out for each other in all ways.

The Only Way Home by Jeanette Minniti is a sad story of the times but there are also some uplifting moments of sharing, friendship, and caring. Robert and Tucker showed a huge amount of courage and determination and never gave up on themselves or the journey to get to the end of the road; for Robert to get back with his family and for Tucker in finding a job and just surviving. I was not alive yet and had only second-hand knowledge of the struggles of the 1930s but this book brought it to life and, as I read, it was impossible not to feel the fear and pain of the times. The Only Way Home should be required reading for young and old. Jeanette Minniti has written a winner.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Back of the Yard: A Great Depression Family Saga by Meg Lelvis follows an Irish Catholic family during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Growing up near the stockyards of South Chicago, Betty O'Leary, the youngest of her siblings, desperately wanted the confidence and quick wit of her pretty older sister, Maureen. However, the accidental death of her brother Joey leaves the O'Leary family in an abysmal state they struggle to recover. While Betty is sent to live with her aunt and uncle, her mother is admitted to a mental asylum. As the years pass by, Betty grows up and lands her first job in Milton, Wisconsin, where she meets Philip Lundgren (Phil), an English college instructor. Now married with two healthy sons, Betty's postpartum struggles become increasingly worse as she is plagued by nightmares. Can she cure herself of her cursed family legacy?

Meg Lelvis draws a vivid portrait of mental illness with grounded characters who face overwhelming challenges in their everyday lives. Back of the Yard is a tale about a family hampered by the unexpected twists and turns of fate, now having to rely on each other to get themselves out of their testing circumstances. Mental health plays a crucial part in the narrative, with two main characters, including the protagonist, suffering from depression-related psychological issues that they have to navigate. Despite the seemingly enormous problems faced by the O'Leary family, there is a sense of love and care between them that makes them easy to root for, especially the siblings, Betty, Maureen, and Dennis. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The legend of King Arthur continues to provide a delightful tale of life and adventure in a different era. In Guinevere, The Dragon Ring, a modern-day Guinevere visits the Glastonbury Tor on two separate but fateful occasions. As a child, she finds a bracelet adorned with dragons, given to her by a man in strange attire. On a later visit in adulthood, she finds a gold dragon ring, which transports her back to the fifth century and a meeting with the wizard Merlin – the master planner of the events which were to follow. She learns that she is destined to become Arthur’s wife and queen and thereby fulfill an ancient prophecy. Fil Reid paints a vivid picture of the action that takes place in the vacuum created by the withdrawal of the Roman legions from Britain. The land is plagued by civil unrest as local kings vie for position. The death of Arthur’s father, Uthyr, precipitates a meeting of the remaining kings to determine who will assume overall authority. In order to take charge of Britain and restore stability, Arthur and Merlin must outwit their rivals, led by Arthur’s half-brother Cadwy and his other siblings. In this epic, Guinevere from the future must adapt to the medieval past, leaving behind her loved ones to assume the role of queen. She is forced to question her real feelings for Arthur. The dilemma then arises as to whether she can, or even desires, to go back.

There are many different versions of the Arthurian legends, which provide Fil Reid with ample scope to re-tell the story from a new and unique perspective. The Dragon Ring is a masterful description of life in early Britain and its warlords - real or mythical. The primitive agrarian lifestyle, with its lack of basic hygiene and medical care, plus differing moral standards, come as a shock to Guinevere. She has to assess her new role against what she has left behind. These dilemmas are intriguingly portrayed, along with the familiar and colorful characters. The legend of Arthur contains much archetypal material that readers will readily identify. There are kings, queens, wizards, knights, soldiers, and ordinary folk. The more noble aspects of courtly love, chivalry, and defending the weak are contrasted with greed, power, violence, and subterfuge. The story of King Arthur has a timeless quality and its essence has been beautifully captured. Those familiar with the legend will be enthralled by the richness and originality of this version, with all its drama and subtleties. This is the first of a series and the story is far from complete. The follow-up is eagerly anticipated. An original and enjoyable look at a story of which I have never grown tired!

Reviewed by Kimberlee J Benart for Readers' Favorite

The Spark of Resistance: Women Spies in WWII by Kit Sergeant is a work of fiction based on historical events and personages. It follows the clandestine operations of three women. Mathilde, a Frenchwoman, helps to create a network within the French Resistance to provide intelligence to the British. Odette, the French wife of an Englishman and a mother, is recruited by the British as a courier. Didi, an Englishwoman raised in France, is trained as a wireless operator. As the Germans compromise several Resistance networks, the lives of these women and their colleagues hang in the balance. Will they remain loyal at any cost, or will they succumb to torture or enticement? An epilogue provides the historical facts surrounding these three women and other characters in the story. A glossary is also included.

In The Spark of Resistance, Kit Sergeant gives us a dramatic, suspenseful, and well-researched tale about three women who initially share one simple purpose: to help defeat the Nazis. As the plot unfolds, love, dedication, patriotism, and courage will face deception, dishonor, cowardice, and treason. The descriptively written, smoothly paced, and utterly engaging narrative flows between the women’s stories in alternating chapters, interlacing their personal lives and emotions with the dangerous operations they conduct or support. All too often, German efforts to locate Allied and French operatives to brutally torture, kill, or use them as well as confiscate their codes, equipment, and financial resources prove successful. Whether you’re interested in WWII or the roles that women played in it, this is a thrilling and eye-opening read.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Blue Butterfly is a work of fiction in the historical fiction and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Leslie Johansen Nack. In a fictionalized account of a real-world relationship, the book follows Marion Davies as she falls in love with William Randolph Hearst and becomes his mistress. Over the years a secret daughter is born, a fling with Charlie Chaplin takes place, and the Great Depression threatens to crush Marion and Hearst’s lifestyle. But this threat pales when the movie Citizen Kane is made, and the parallels between Kane and Hearst incite rage.

Following the lives of real-world people to spin an engaging story is a tricky business; balancing the facts of the case with the dramatic ups and downs a story needs that real life may not provide. Fortunately, author Leslie Johansen Nack has picked the perfect subject matter in Marion Davies whose life on and off the silver screen was filled with glamour and high drama as she gave birth to a secret love child and struggled to survive the Great Depression. Marion is an engaging protagonist who never loses her relatability, no matter how deep she gets into the world of showbusiness, due to her characterization being rooted in her love for Hearst and her simple desire to succeed in a difficult industry. The Blue Butterfly’s depiction of history particularly comes alive when discussing the real hurt and fury felt by Marion and Hearst upon learning that Citizen Kane’s unflattering depictions were based in part upon them. An implication that could cause real harm to Marion’s achievements is handled with an incredible gravity that makes their attempts to slow or halt the release of the movie feel painfully futile.

Reviewed by Ankita Shukla for Readers' Favorite

If the idea of a tooth fairy warms your heart, then Davide Tarsitano's psychological thriller The Tooth Fairy will replace the feeling with a biting cold sensation that will haunt you for a long time. When Johnny Hawk caught his wife cheating on him, it triggered something inside him: the need to escape from everything. Pushing aside all rational and practical thoughts, he decided to quit his business and move far away. However, his escape led him to Wendy, a stunning dentist, albeit disturbed beyond his wildest imagination. From the first moment he laid eyes on her, he was smitten. As for Wendy, their encounter awakened an evil side of her that only knew cruelty, torture, and all things sadistic.

Even though The Tooth Fairy is Davide Tarsitano's debut novel, the narration shows the panache of a seasoned author. The story goes back and forth between different timelines, past and present, but the plot never gets confusing. Each character, whether a side player or main protagonist, has a unique personality and a backstory to help build a connection with them. An excellent psychological thriller is one in which readers are sitting in anticipation. They want to know more about this complex character whose mind keeps switching gears. The scenes of sexual abuse, though not too graphic, may disturb some readers. By creating an engaging thriller with relatable characters that readers will care about, Tarsitano has given fans of psychological thrillers a compulsive read. I highly recommend this book and challenge readers to dare put it down before finishing it.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Ruby Roy and The Murder in the Falls is a work of fiction in the mystery, suspense, and adventure subgenres and serves as the first installment in the Ruby Roy Mysteries series. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author Rima Ray. The book follows college professor Ruby Roy, an imaginative-if-clumsy woman, who loves a good murder mystery tale. After she finds the dead body of her Chair, she is plunged into a real-life murder mystery as she tries to get to the bottom of who killed him and why, aided ably by her husband, Cleo.

This was a highly engaging and exciting opening installment in what I hope is a long series of mystery novels, with a central web of mystery that grows deeper and more complex as the story unfolds and Ruby pulls at the threads until it perfectly crescendos with one last big twist in the tale. Author Rima Ray wastes no time in establishing her pedigree as a producer of dynamic and clever mysteries, and Ruby is a refreshing vision of a detective to work the case to completion. I loved the balance between the darkness of the crime being investigated and the gentle humor generated by Ruby’s quirky and imaginative approach to investigation. Overall, Ruby Roy and The Murder in the Falls is a breath of fresh air in a genre that often takes itself too seriously, bringing a likable and fun detective to life without compromising on the grit and drama that makes a mystery thriller exciting.