Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

A modern-day fable that is sure to captivate both young and old, Time and the Tree by Róisín Sorahan is about the value of wisdom, the sanctity of inner peace, and the mutability of time. After sleeping for a long period, a boy wakes up thirsty under a large tree. The tree directs him to a fresh spring that feeds the forest. The tree becomes a friend to the boy, providing him with shelter, watching him play in the woods, and witnessing him grow up. The tree experiences the different seasons and encounters different visitors seeking guidance. Every visitor has a different interest and agenda. But the tree, being as old as time can remember, has accumulated enough wisdom to understand the ways of the world, and as it witnesses many comings and goings, it continues to probe further, always toward that which lies just beyond its reach.

Róisín Sorahan’s story is reminiscent of beloved tales like The Giving Tree and Hope for the Flowers. But Time and the Tree takes a step further as it addresses the mystery of ontology and the agency of time. Philosophical but not complicated, its simple and crisp plot can only be described as sublime. This is the kind of story that you read because you want to. You are free to interpret it as a practical philosophy for life and work. Time and the Tree has the potential to gain popularity for the relevance of its message that we all need in this volatile, predictable, and emotionally draining society. As a protagonist, the tree as an immovable living entity has no control over external events and situations, but it puts emphasis on learning to understand and control what it can give and what is within its power. Sorahan’s enchanting prose has the ability to touch you in a way that no other stories can. It is not exactly a feel-good story, but it is brimming with symbolism and existential undertones that will move you to read it over and over again.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Mystic and the Secret of Happiness is a fictional journey intended to uplift and inspire, penned by author Anne-Claire Szubaniska. Though the author states that the book represents her own emotional journey to happiness, the plot is relayed through the perception of a cat called Mystic. When Mystic’s dear friend Bumpa goes missing, his life seems to collapse entirely. Losing his purpose and his desire to go on, Mystic is lost and directionless, constantly looking inward to the negativity he feels. When he looks at the world beyond his own whiskers, however, the world opens up again in a dazzling new way. The beauty of the world and the power of happiness is revealed to Mystic and the reader, with a bright promise for the future if you can change your thinking to be more like this delightful little cat.

As a straight novel, Mystic’s adventure could be viewed as simplistic in parts, but it’s the overall purpose of Anne-Claire Szubaniska’s writing which makes this work stand apart from its predecessors. Seen through the eyes of small, furry characters, the metaphors for life are stronger than ever by their distancing from the human brain. I found myself wanting Mystic to appreciate life, and in doing so highlighted the self-damaging processes that I know I and many others are prone to do. Mystic and the Secret of Happiness holds up a mirror to the reality of the cages we put ourselves in, and I’d recommend it as an essential read for anyone who knows they are their own worst enemy.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Shoes on the Stairs by Jan Steele is the story of a mother struggling to face what she’s lost. Claire Blackwell is dead, taken too early after an accident but she can’t seem to find the white light and move on. Instead, she’s left watching over her husband and children as they fall apart. She watches her son struggling with being bullied, her eldest daughter feeling like no one ever notices her, and her youngest daughter never being able to find her shoes. She sees her husband struggling to cope with everything and another woman trying to insert herself into their lives. While Claire tries to find out why she is in limbo, she suddenly starts appearing to her family. Now is her chance to put things right, to help everyone move on, but not all the family wants to acknowledge her presence. As tensions rise and Claire’s time is nearly up, can she save her family before it’s too late?

Shoes on the Stairs by Jan Steele is a wonderful, heartwarming story that many mothers will likely relate to. You will feel Claire’s pain, her sorrow, and her struggles to pull her family together from beyond. The characters are so well-developed, you feel like you know them intimately; you feel like you are the one watching from above as the story unfolds. This will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride, all the ups and downs, sweetened somewhat by a little humor. It will leave you breathless as you wonder how the journey will end – you won’t be disappointed, I assure you. Multiple themes are covered here, not just death and having to say goodbye but also bullying, healing, and learning to live again. There is a lot going on in the story so you must keep your wits about you to keep up but, overall, a good read and it will keep you reading to the very end.

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

Standing before the world's largest oil painting, Tintoretto's Paradise--a monumental depiction of Heaven--in Venice, Nick hears a disembodied whisper, "Amore mio." His wife Julia believes him to be delusional and insists he see a doctor, but Nick insists the voice is real and returns to the museum. Blacking out in the museum, Nick flashes back to life as a 16th-century Venetian swordsman tasked to seduce a married aristocrat, Isabella Scalfini, but instead, he falls in love. In the present, through the painting, Isabella implores Nick to liberate her from a powerful order of religious vigilantes who judge and sentence souls to the canvas for eternity. The religious order still exists and will stop at nothing to keep Nick from releasing not only Isabella but thousands of other imprisoned souls whom the order claims are evil.

Rob Samborn's debut novel, The Prisoner of Paradise, is a winner. Combining romance, historical, metaphysical, and conspiracy elements into a thriller that supersedes several of today's best-selling authors is no easy task. However, Samborn's writing style indicates a writer whose skill shines through its smooth flow, akin to that of the great names in thriller fiction from Poe to Ludlum, Koontz, Child and, yes, Dan Brown. The art world setting of Venice, Italy's past and present is carefully and explicitly portrayed, exposing a sense of reality interwoven within a masterfully orchestrated fiction story that first-time novelists often miss. Rob Samborn doesn't miss a trick. Every character is true to life. Every scene is perfectly set, and the action flows like the scenes from a well-directed and photographed movie. The Prisoner of Paradise is a tale with a solid sense of reality, which moves through time periods, entailing action, adventure, romance, the everlasting battle between good and evil, and the possibilities of a metaphysical universe. It's a story you don't want to miss by an author you'll be hearing a lot more about.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Bruce J. Berger offers a mesmerizing novel about the dimensions of healing, faith, and family in The Music Stalker. Kayla Covo has traveled the world and gained global recognition as a renowned pianist. But behind the glamor and fame lies a secret that is about to tear her apart. The plot is told as a story by Kayla’s brother, Max, through letters to his estranged children. Max is believed to be a prodigy, but younger Kayla has showcased more talent and flourishes in the process. Kayla begins to manifest symptoms of mental illness—a malady she has inherited from their schizophrenic mother. Max makes the effort to help her as Kayla, on the brink of instability, turns her back on the career she has built and finds refuge in the comforts of religion through an Orthodox Jewish community.

The Music Stalker works because Kayla’s descent into madness is concentrated. When the story opens, you are immediately introduced to the world she inhabits, and therefore you know what to make of her. They say that many artists are tormented and are battling their own demons. Kayla may well fall into the trope, but the demons that haunt her feel real judging from the way she takes it upon herself to shake them off. It’s a disturbing scenario, a tale that Bruce J. Berger illustrates with plenty of emotional, mental, and kinetic moments that you can’t easily ignore. In the end, its greatest strength lies in the power of family support—the greatest form of therapy that any tormented soul could receive. The Music Stalker is a redemptive story that will keep you turning pages.

Reviewed by Tanja Jurkovic for Readers' Favorite

Still The Night Call is a novel written by Joshua Senter, whose main character Calem Honeycutt tells the story of his experience growing up and living on a dairy farm in rural Missouri, USA. Calem and his family run one of the last dairy farms standing in the Missouri countryside and their way of life, although seemingly simple to the outsider, becomes endangered by the political and social issues in contemporary America. When their livelihood suddenly becomes a part of the harsh reality of the world they live in, Calem's purpose in life is blurred, and he makes one of the toughest decisions in life to end his suffering.

Still The Night Call is a well-written novel with a contemporary voice echoing the attitudes and troubles of country people, caused by the relentless reality of the dark fate of the farm industry, due to the changes in the country's politics and economy. Author Joshua Senter creates a balance between the subjective point of view of the middle-aged white farmer and the objective view on contemporary politics and economical issues, describing in his own crisp and straightforward style the effect these events have on farm life in America. The bitter reality of our contemporary world comes forth through the equally dark atmosphere that Senter creates while writing. He raises current issues just enough to make the reader wonder, examining them according to one's own perception and point of view. Still The Night Call is an interesting read that questions the political and social problems from a writer's point of view, offering hope for change at its impactful ending.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Blood of the Lion by C. D. McKenna is an epic fantasy and the first book in The Vorelian Saga. McKenna gives us three distinct point of view characters all in different stages of a journey that we will likely see converge at some point in future books. The introductions are made in the same way the novel is written, solidly interspersed with enough information to craft a good scene but not so much that we lose sight of the other two characters. The first is a king named Morei or, as bad luck would have it, the “Demon King”. He is desperate to do right by his people, and has the fantastical power of moving energy, but is lonely and hamstrung by what he is and is not able to do. Dragon riders have been non-existent for centuries until Cyrus and his dragon Sozar burst onto the scene, with mixed but mostly hostile reactions, so they stay in the mountains. Not the mountain range with a history I might choose but, I don't ride dragons. There they remain until Cyrus is ready and better equipped to understand why he's the only dragon rider. Between these two males is Syra, who is in possession of a blade called the Demon Killer and has a price on her head. She's never more than a heartbeat away from peril but is in the company of two guardians bound to her security.

The Blood of the Lion is an extremely involved read that requires more than the usual commitment that a fantasy novel might, given the promise of a protracted series. C.D. McKenna didn't call it a saga for kicks, I'll tell you that. The character I thought I would like the least is the one I liked the most. Poor Morei might be one of the most misunderstood kings I've come across in recent fantasy. He's got some stability issues but not in the “off-with-their-head” sense, and he is, fundamentally, a good king with great potential but a crappy hand was dealt to him, and other players are definitely cheating. Syra is awesome and as a girl-dad reader, a firebrand of a female protagonist is non-negotiable to me. She's strong and valiant and flawed and brave and all-round awesome in the handling of the Demon Killer she has guardianship over, for better or worse [or way worse]. The bond between Cyrus and Sozar transcends lovey-devoted-pet territory and is a hybrid empathic-telepathic mix. It will take readers more than a few minutes to find themselves engrossed in the novel because the start is what can be best described as a long beginning. World-building is tricky and complex and authors need to be given the time to lay the foundation for us. McKenna executes this well and once a reader is in, they are in. Overall, this is a fantastic entry into a fantasy series that will undoubtedly garner legions of fans. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Wand by Marieke Lexmond is book three of The Madigan Chronicles. The drama around this magical family unfolds with more chaos that includes love potions, fairies, agendas, and fracturing relationships. It's time to choose the next Guardian of the Wand of Wisdom and Tara has already made her choice but circumstances that unfold could change her decision. Ceri thought she had the ideal life with her husband and children but Fairy and her role as Keeper of the Land keep drawing her back and pulling her from what it means to be human. The decision she makes for her future could unravel the life she has and divide her family while allowing her to start a new life, which pushes her daughter away and into the trust of Queen Mab. She's not the only member of the family facing a turning point. Maeve must face the trauma from her past in order to embrace her future while her twin sister faces her guilt for leaving years ago and her decision to take on significant responsibility. Meanwhile, Lucy has her own problems when she reaches out to her son Set for help, which puts a plan into motion that will have devastating repercussions that coincide with her grandson's search for his place in the family.

The story weaves between the perspectives of various members of this family and the drama that enters their lives primarily through the magical elements. The family drama reflects the dynamics of a real family with butting heads, divorce, affairs, and miscommunication, though with the added mix of fairies, love potions, and magic. Each family member has their own journey that coincides and draws them together as they must rely on each other for support, love, and help. These relationships also drive a majority of the drama that moves the story forward. The choice of the next Guardian of the Wand of Wisdom simmers in the background of the story and the striving to obtain power. Stunning tarot cards are incorporated throughout with vivid images that feature a variety of animals. These provide backdrops to the story with the meaning of the cards providing a foreshadowing of how each section unfolds. Several locations are seen throughout as the story weaves between the characters and uses the locations as poignant elements in their lives such as Fairy, New Orleans (the family shop, Under the Witches Hat), Nevada Desert, Big Sur, and the Astral Plane. These create a background to a story that dips between a human world and a fairy one with magical elements blended into both. The Wand by Marieke Lexmond is a family drama with a variety of voices that explore self-discovery, empowerment, growth, magic, and relationships.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Magicians of Ysavar by Z.B. Lee is the first book in a new series. Johan Finley has always dreamed of being a Guardian for Center City. It's all he's ever wanted. But his inability to work with others costs him everything he had been working toward. His life is flipped upside down when a strange man arrives at his door claiming to be a halfling, that magic exists, and Johan is one of the Called. It gets crazier when Johan is drawn into the Order of Ysavar where he trains to learn magic and embarks on an adventure to retrieve a sword called Blazer now in the hands of the evil Zebub, who has sinister plans in store. His failure to become a Guardian transforms him into the hero he always dreamed of being.

At its heart, this is a story about growth which is seen through how Johan goes from a lone wolf into a hero working with a team. Z.B. Lee weaves a tale with a rich history that dips into a time when all creatures once banded together until too many rivalries caused strife that drove them apart and created the world that Johan lives in. Studying with Pius and Arlo teaches Johan about what it means to be Called and how he needs to answer that call through his whole being, not just words and deeds. His fantastical journey allows him to find other layers to heroism that involve patience, magic, and learning to work with others. His journey is more than a quest. It's about allowing Johan to become a hero by learning to trust something else in himself through the belief of those in the Order that sees more in him and what he's capable of. Magical elements are woven throughout that open Johan's world from an intense focus on becoming a Guardian to epic adventures that involve Redkaps, gnomes, goblins, and the fight of good versus evil. The Magicians of Ysavar is a lighthearted adventure aimed at all ages that has action, magic, and humor that delivers a coming-of-age journey about a hero.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Long Way Home is a work of fiction in the mystery and suspense subgenres and was penned by author Betta Ferrendelli. It is intended for the general adult reading audience and forms the sixth installment of the Samantha Church Mystery series. In a chilling and thrilling novel with sleuthing and raw emotion at its heart, our protagonist Samantha Church is still reeling from the death of a dear friend and co-worker. On her journey to healing, Sam goes in search of her friend’s younger sister, Jenny, but this decision leads Sam into an intricate web of underworld networks and shady dealings in both the past and the present day.

If you’re a fan of slow-burning mysteries that build and build until you suddenly can’t look away, then this is the book for you. Author Betta Ferrendelli delivers a carefully-plotted story that has a great amount of detail, sensational pacing, and suspense, but also manages to still feel natural as it flows along, never forcing the audience into conventions of the plot. This is aided enormously by the loving work put into the portrayal of protagonist Sam, her emotional state, her loves and losses, which are sure to touch the heart of any mystery/thriller reader seeking a capable-but-vulnerable heroine at the center of events. I also really enjoyed the mystery around Jenny and her development as a character, and the Texan setting was full of vivid characters and life. Overall, I would definitely recommend The Long Way Home for fans of the existing series and newcomers to this great author.