Reviewed by Michelle Robertson for Readers' Favorite

Favor in the Rough: Discovering God's Favor in Challenging Times" is written by Dr. Debra D. Givens. This book is very well-written with a Religious-Christian plot, based on scripture from within the Bible along with personal experiences. It would appeal to all readers who are pursuing questions on scriptures and other religious matters. There are many heroes within the pages of the Bible that God has appointed to serve him in a unique way. Dr. Givens helps her readers understand their actions and purposes during good and bad times. Dr. Debra Givens is a pastor within her church and is no stranger in the field of helping to understood the word of the Lord. However, speaking the word of the Lord and writing about it are two different matters. It is often hard to get a person to visualize the words you are speaking aloud. For some, if the words are being read by them their own visual understanding takes place. That very thing happens when Dr. Given's words are read. Through this entire book she elaborates on the meaning of different scripture segments, the stories behind them, and how each can relate to every individual person in their own way.

Reading the book is like being at a sermon where the pastor is offering a question and answer session, but the reader has the ability to review what is already stated and go over it again if needed. The passages, scripture, scripture explanations, and the personal experiences of Dr. Givens have allowed me to understand certain circumstances in my life where I was previously lost. This book is a great self help book when the topic is understanding God and his ways.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

"Growing House Plants for the Beginner Enthusiast" by Cyril G. Bursell is a guide for any garden enthusiast. As the title suggests it is of better help to a beginner who is venturing into gardening. The author covers all the areas that a beginner would like to know. As always, a lot of questions run through one's mind before deciding to buy or do something. The author mentions that his purpose in writing the book was to make people aware of how to keep a plant alive. The book tells the reader about the type of plants that can be kept indoors and outdoors. I personally liked the chapters where the requirements for each plant are given making it easy for a garden enthusiast to follow.

I found the chapters on houseplant insects informative. Many a times I have heard garden enthusiasts complaining about pests destroying their plants and they don't exactly know what to do. The chapter extensively covers the type of pests that can attack your plant and what the remedies are to save your plants from such an attack. Plant diseases and the best type of plants that can be kept indoors are also discussed in the book. Plants that are poisonous for children, adults and pets are named. The symptoms that occur when in contact with those plants are also mentioned making it easy to understand. The topic is handled well with elan and simplicity. I thought the inclusion of a pictures of the indoor plants with the details is a very clever idea.

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

Alexander Rigby tells the story about a man’s redemption from his own regrets in "The Second Chances of Priam Wood". Seventy year old Priam Wood had died, but the afterlife wasn't something he had expected at all. Chloe, his Golden Retriever that died several days before him, appeared and greeted him as his guide. The old artist was told that he had second chances to change the seven days of his past life. It was a revelation that was double-edged, for he could easily fail and things might become worse. But with his beloved dog’s support, Priam Wood decided to make everything right and those seven days given to him were about to be a priceless life lesson that he overlooked when he was still alive.

The very first chapter started slowly for me but I was glad the pace picked up when Priam died and was greeted by Chloe in the world between the living and the dead. The writing is flawless; the seven days that the character had to re-live is told in details and isn't rushed. The concept of the story isn't new, nevertheless it is beautifully and genuinely written. Moreover, the lessons and inspiration that one could take from this book are plenty: live life to the fullest, nothing lasts forever and you don’t know what you have got until it is gone. The depth of this story was astonishing. This is a kind of book that you will want to read while you are relaxing no matter where or when.

Reviewed by Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite

Alexander McKee, a mixed-blood British Indian agent, was one of the few individuals in history able to unite Indians and exert unbelievable leadership on their behalf. When the War for Independence broke out between the Colonies and the British, McKee chose to remain loyal to his mother country. He played a major role on the American frontier during the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and the post-war era. Because of his selfless devotion to the British and the Native Americans, he forfeited massive real estate and social standing when he left his Pittsburgh mansion to organize Indian raids on the American frontier, for which he was branded a traitor by the Continental Congress. It is hard to make history come alive, but in the capable hands of Frederick Wulff, the historical character of Alexander McKee, a British Indian agent of the colonial frontier, springs vibrantly from the dusty pages of history books. The author uncovers the tragic realities and the bloody consequences of colonialism and the sad disintegration of the Indian way of life as the white man’s behaviour and lawlessness eroded their culture and their rights. The devastating effects of the rum trade cannot be underestimated. The author also reveals the incredible personal story behind the man who played a seminal role in this compelling and chaotic piece of American history. Born of a Shawnee mother and a British father, choosing sides could not have been easy for McKee in the culture clash between the land-grabbing colonialists, the traders, and the Indians, the original inhabitants of this new territory. McKee was a man who could straddle two cultures, understanding both, but ultimately choosing to speak up for the displaced Indians, and losing much in the bargain. McKee is revealed as an exceptional man, intelligent and educated, perceptive, and possessing great leadership qualities. From his mother he learned the values and traditions of her people. He helped broker a precarious peace between Indians, traders, and settlers. McKee earned the title “The Great White Elk,” and this term of respect and admiration was well-deserved as he maneuvered British frontier policy and promoted the interests of the beleaguered Native Americans in the post-Revolution era. His principles and actions did not appeal to later historians who branded him a traitor.

Frederick Wulff’s account of this remarkable man will keep history buffs captivated. Minutely researched and written with a deep understanding of the era and Alexander McKee, this book is an excellent read. The author has an easy-to-read style that makes the wealth of information easily assimilated. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite

It is the end of the Civil War and Frank and Jesse James and Cole Younger weren't as well known as Bloody Bill Anderson and Quantrill, yet. Then there was Charles Longstreet who was friends with the James’ and Youngers’. This is his story about a battle in the town of Lone Jack and meeting up with Ned Buntline. Buntline writes a dime novel and Charles unwittingly becomes The Lone Jack Kid. But, the story doesn't stop there. After leaving the Army, Longstreet sets out to help his brother in Virginia City who is having a spot of trouble. It is a long trip and along the way, the legend of the Lone Jack Kid grows as Longstreet meets several gunmen out to make a name for them by challenging him. As his travels continue, he helps out a wagon train and saves a mother and daughter from a group of Indians. Finally arriving in Virginia City he finds out the trouble waiting there. So, knowing he needs help, he sends for his old war friends to aid in his little war. And that is just the beginning.

"The Adventures of the Lone Jack Kid" is a well-written story. The author’s imagination sets a true tale of adventure in a raw land, only beginning to recuperate from a long deadly war. I found myself liking the Kid from the beginning as he unknowingly becomes a true western hero. With swagger and guns blazing, the Kid is determined to do what he thinks best, or else . . . Well done.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Chloe The Very Special Goat was written by her owner Rosanne Harper Glover. One snowy night Peg, the nanny goat, gave birth to three kids (a kid is a baby goat). John checked on Peg and saw two healthy little brown goats. What he didn't see was a tiny white goat lying in the snow. Eager to see the little girls Rosanne went to the field and she noticed what looked like a mound of snow, then she noticed tiny brown ears. She quickly took the little goat inside where it was warm, and after a few days the little goat grew stronger. Chloe quickly became a pet. She would lay in John’s arms each evening as he watched TV and loved to take a bite out of the center of the newspaper when John or Rosanne tried to read it. Chloe was a very smart and special goat, both John and Rosanne loved her very much.

Chloe The Very Special Goat is a heartwarming story made especially tender because it is true. This cuddly chapter book will make a fun read for any young child. Children love animal stories and this one will give them a warm fuzzy feeling that will last until they pick it up again for another read.

Reviewed by Kristie Ingerto for Readers' Favorite

“The Adventures of Penny and Tubs: The City on the Sea,” written by Marcie May and Margaret Zerhusen and illustrated by Maggie Chamberlin, is a story that will transport young readers into dreams and the magic of them. Penny and her cat Tubs go on an adventure one night after they go to bed. While sleeping they visit the city on the sea and have all kinds of fun adventures. Penny and Tubs meet new friends with whom they play both under water and on playgrounds. After a short time of playing, they hear mother calling them for breakfast and share their adventure with her. Penny says that her mother believes it was just a dream, but to Penny and Tubs it was so real and they cannot wait to go back and visit that night when they once again close their eyes to go to sleep.

This is a beautiful book and one that children will enjoy reading time after time. The story is fun to read and written with vivid descriptions. The illustrations throughout the book go along perfectly with the story and are very vibrant, filled with details and fun to look at. I also love the music and songs that are incorporated throughout this story as this adds to the fun, upbeat style of the book. This book will be an excellent one to share with children as a bedtime story that will also encourage a follow-up discussion the next morning at breakfast about what was dreamed about the night before.

Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite

“The Speed of Dark” is a horror anthology of short stories written by an assortment of authors, and published by Chase Enterprises Publishing. Editor Clayton Clifford Bye states in his Introduction that “horror” means many things to different people. It can mean an intense feeling of fear or shock or disgust. It can mean terror, dread and fright. He quotes Lovecraft as defining horror as a profound sense of dread. He quotes Stephen King as identifying three levels of “scary”: terror, horror, and revulsion. In “The Speed of Dark” the editors were going for a different level of horror: they hand-picked 27 authors to craft “disturbing” horror stories. They succeeded admirably. Don’t expect to sleep well after reading this book. Some of these stories will stay with you for a long, long time, continuing to disturb you long after you have read them.

Many of the tales in this collection are superbly written. They also happen to be very disturbing. One can be forgiven for wondering about the mental state of some of these authors. But for a fan of horror, there is much to revel in within the pages of this compilation. I believe that every word used above to describe “horror” represents an emotion you will feel during the course of reading this book. Some of the stories have unexpected endings, which create the horror you will feel. Others start out with disturbing circumstances, and maintain that sensation of uncomfortable dread throughout. The editors at Chase Enterprises Publishing have tapped some brilliantly twisted minds to contribute to their anthology. In their effort to produce “disturbing” horror stories they have succeeded far beyond what I expected, even in spite of the introductory warning. Horror fans take note: “The Speed of Dark” is a book you must add to your library. Now.

Reviewed by Danita Dyess for Readers' Favorite

Ladies finding true love is like ordering a meal in a restaurant? According to Olivia Engelstein, a happily married 40-year-old woman, mother and author of “Order the Man of Your Dreams: A Tasty Recipe to Find Love,” the process is the same. You look over the menu (or make a list of desirable traits), tell the Love Waitress what you want and wait for the Love Chef (higher power) to prepare you a delectable meal – the man of your dreams. So why are there so many love-starved women? They fail to appreciate their own self-worth. Engelstein says that you must accept yourself as a wonderful person regardless of past mistakes. Recognizing your value is key to wearing a symbolic, golden cape that radiates your positivity, confidence and openness that results in healthy, long-lasting relationships.

This book exceeded my expectations. The cover had a cheery, 1950’s flavor and the girly graphics contributed to the theme. Engelstein succinctly delivered her insightful message through 108 pages of practical, step-by-step tools. The pace was fast. The author’s sagacious wisdom and experience in the relationship and dating niche was evident; she really knows her stuff. Engelstein, the love coach, has also written “Mate Seeking – True Love Collection: Order the Man of Your Dreams” and “Your True Self – Practical Guide #1 of Order the Man of Your Dreams.” “Order the Man of Your Dreams” is highly recommended for women of all ages.

Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite

“The Dos and Don’ts” by Hayley Rose is a vividly colorful book to help teach good manners to children. Each pair of pages feature a “Don’t be (or do) something”, followed by a “Do…” whatever the “well mannered” child should do. For example, the story begins with, “Don’t talk with your mouth full of food.” The next page admonishes, “Do wait until you have swallowed your bite to speak.” Similar pairings of the improper and the proper way of behaving in a number of situations make up the remainder of the book. On every page the word “Don’t” or “Do” is printed in a bright, contrasting colored font, to further help children remember the good manners from the bad. This book is impressively illustrated by Mark Sean Wilson, who has been illustrating children’s books for the past one decade, and is quite obviously very talented. Really, the best way to describe the copious use of color is to say the illustrations are sensational. There is not a kid alive who would not be drawn to the attractive artwork, and while they are looking at the pictures, you and the text are teaching them good manners!

This book, though not overly long (it is 48 pages) and is fairly comprehensive. I almost hate to admit it, but even I learned a few new manners while reading the book! And it has been a long time since anybody could call me a kid. It has also been a long time since I had any kids in the elementary grades, so I don’t know if good manners is a part of contemporary school curricula, but this book is a valuable tool that every parent should have in his/her child’s library. I recommend “The Dos and Don’ts” for every child from preschool on up to…, well, up to whenever they learn good manners!