Editorial Reviews

A thrilling, genre-busting work of fiction, Moms Who Lie treads the line between non-stop teen drama and intriguing crime thriller. Authors Brett Monk and McKenna Langford tell the tale of friends and families in a tumultuous small town where tensions rise when a child goes missing, secrets are discovered, and we’re given to wonder who, if anyone, can be trusted. This first novel in a planned five-book series is both deeper than your average teen drama, as it sensitively explores serious issues of trauma and its aftermath, and more complex than your average crime thriller, with each surprising revelation prompting […]

Celebrating a lifetime of creation and perpetual growth, Wolf Woman and Other Poems by Jo-Ann Vega is a poetic memoir that hums with ongoing curiosity. From examinations of the writing life and youthful betrayal to sage wisdom about connection and reflections on vulnerability, Vega’s free-verse style allows her to narrate her thoughts clearly, without forcing them into a meter or rhyme, so there is more room for vivid imagery and language. The third section, “Cronehood,” is the most confident and clear, evidence of the poet’s experience-filled life, but there are powerful and deeply personal pieces throughout this well-curated collection.

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Jean Jegel’s delightfully engaging and immersive historical romance Catching Nettie Gordon is a charming and worldly tale set in Los Angeles just after the turn of the twentieth century. The story follows our titular working-class heroine as she navigates the current affairs of the day – women’s suffrage, prohibition, and more – and has no intention of being entangled in any sort of romance, while suitor Emmet takes it upon himself to win her over with his sincere and thoughtful efforts. The story will quickly have readers captivated and invested in the outcomes of its various threads, which are satisfyingly […]

The strength of the individual and the family is showcased in Salou by Morenike McFaal, an original and captivating work of romance. Salou is living in Paris and looking forward to her new promotion when she is the victim of a hit-and-run accident where she is hurt badly, drifting into a coma. Her family, living far away in Guinea, has no way to know what happened or where she is, launching a desperate search to find her, while Salou fights her own battle to recover, starting an unlikely relationship in the process. Set against a vividly drawn international backdrop, Salou […]

Dead Man’s Pose is the engrossing first installment of the Australia-based Yoga Mat Mysteries by the writing team of Susan Rogers and John Roosen. When a student dies in Elaina’s yoga class – which may not be the accident it initially appears to be – Elaina paints a target on her back with her questions, teaming up with the eccentric Ric, as they investigate Australia’s seamy underbelly. At once fun and tense, this uniquely set mystery is a page-turning read from the start. The tone remains lighthearted throughout, and could have used a shade more of noir-ish tint, but this […]

A fantasy novel replete with magic, lore, and epic stakes, The Last War by Ian E.S. Adler is a classic questing adventure in the richly imagined world of Nim-Semalf. The Order of mages and the entire archipelago they protect faces invasion by the naga, catapulting five unlikely companions into the fiery crucible of destiny. Amidst ancient riddles, embattled dragon shrines, fearless storm swords, and the mysterious motives of Archmages, the fast-moving plot is enthralling, as is this new realm taking shape before readers’ eyes. Built on an elaborate mythology and supported by a classic fantasy plot of ultimate victory vs. […]

A riveting visionary read with a fantastical narrative, Mindbender by Avinash Naduvath takes the reader into the caverns of consciousness where you begin to question what is real and what is a dream. True to its title, the storyline tackles six points of view and weaves together a story cocktail packed with mystery and strife. Naduvath clearly has a great sense of the weird and wonderful, from the creation of dastardly Pogo to the kaleidoscopic structure of the narrative, though the writing sometimes veers into the purple to make a challenging narrative more obscure than necessary. What will keep you […]

Johnny, Ella, and Shawn return for another century-jumping adventure in Time Travelers of the Caribbean by Alan Frost, a charming and historical middle grade read with plenty of twists and lessons to be learned. Leaping four centuries back to the seafaring days of savage brigands, rock-hard biscuits, and international rivalries that reshaped the world, Ella and Shawn embark on a mission to rescue friends both old and new, and there may even be some treasure along the way. Subtly laced with historical references, events, and interesting facts, this quick and easy read boasts strong storylines in both timelines, as well […]