Readers Favorite: Book Reviews and Award Contest

Debra Gaynor
Founder of ReadersFavorite.com

Readers Favorite was founded by Debra Gaynor to provide readers with quality books, to help authors with honest reviews of their work and to assist them in obtaining more recognition and exposure through a professional Award Contest.

Debra's love for reading started while working as a librarian in universities and public school systems. She then spent several years as a reading coach for children and quickly realized what a dramatic difference the right book made.

A good book not only educated children, but made them want to pick up another. This applies to adults as well. The more good books we read, the more good books we want to read.

In 2002 Debra started reviewing for online companies to help authors with meaningful reviews and to help readers pick books that would foster their love of reading. In 2005 she began reviewing full time and started her own online review company, which was later transformed into Readers Favorite, a comprehensive and easy-to-use hub for authors and readers. Over the years she has earned the respect of such industry giants as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins, as well as the gratitude of thousands of authors. She has also been a judge for several book award contests and has a regular book advice column in her local newspaper.

Readers have access to a simple but complete review page for an ever-increasing number of books. Each book features a straightforward review from a member of the Readers Favorite team, as well as reviews by individual readers. Because we only list premium books, the reviews are primarily positive, creating an enjoyable community for book enthusiasts.

But Debra's primary purpose for this site is to help authors, so we do not list one or two-star books. Unlike other review sites, we do not pad our site with reviews that would only hurt an author. If you are looking to read scathing reviews of bad books, try some of our competitors. Instead, we help those authors with private constructive criticism to help them improve their work.

Debra has always wanted to provide a competition for her authors that would give them the opportunity for broader recognition and greater success. Over the past decade she has been fortunate enough to become friends with some accomplished literary professionals, and have asked them to sit in as Readers Favorite Contest judges. Each of our judges has extensive literary experience and has joined Debra in creating a fair and respected Annual Award Contest.

Debra also attends and often speaks at local and regional book fairs to offer tips and advice to authors on how to navigate the complicated literary industry to find success for their work. Debra loves to meet new authors and invites you to visit her and all the other authors at any of these book fairs.

Look through the calendar for upcoming book fairs. Click the orange date for more information on the fair, including the dates of the fair, which days Debra will be there, and a link to the fair's website for more information.

"I hope you enjoy our site and I look forward to seeing you at a book fair. Good luck to all the authors in our Award Contest!"

Debra Gaynor - Signature

Meet some of our Volunteer Reviewers

We are growing by leaps and bounds and need all the qualified reviewers we can get. If you are
interested in becoming a Readers Favorite Reviewer, please fill out our Reviewer Application form.

Steve Gaynor has been married to Debra Gaynor for over 37 years. He is employed by the Domtar Corporation (paper company) as a Supervisor and also raises Angus Beef Cattle. The Gaynors have 3 grown children, 11 grandchildren and reside on a small farm in Kentucky.

In addition to assisting with all the shipping needs of Readers Favorite, Steve also enjoys reviewing westerns, autobiographies and audio books.

For nearly fifty years, award-winning author Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot worked with children and their families in various settings including private practice, hospitals, schools and nursing facilities. As a Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Pirnot worked in conjunction with the Department of Human Services and the Juvenile Justice Systems while practicing in Iowa. Both her novels and her children’s books are written to explore and facilitate individual learning as well as to promote feelings of self-efficacy.

After winning several awards from Readers Favorite, Dr. Pirnot has joined the Readers Favorite team as one of our valued volunteer reviewers. You can learn more about her on her website.

Howdy partners, my name is Dennis De Rose. I'm 56 years old and married to a wonderful gal. We are blessed with 3 children and 4 beautiful grandchildren. I have a deep love for the printed word. I have a talent for editing and have been affectionately referred to as "detail oriented" and a "walking dictionary."

In addition to reviewing for Readers Favorite, I also offer my editing services at a reasonable cost to any authors who believe they would benefit from a thorough proofreading/editing. Feel free to contact me directly for more information or visit my Facebook page.

My name is Kim Chaffins and I am always my happiest when reading or writing. I am a senior at The David School and I love it. I have a huge family of 8 and I would not have it any other way. I love spending time with my best friend and walking. I have been reading my entire life.

Getting to review other peoples work is going to be really exciting for me. I plan on working with a publishing company and writing in the future.

Hello! My name is Molly Edwards. I am a mom to two wonderful boys who hold my heart. I am also a part time pharmacy technician, which is my dream job...I love what I do! In my spare time, which I have a lot of since I only work part time, I love to read, quilt and collect books. I have bookshelves overflowing with books of all genres! In fact, you could say that I have a mini used book store right in my bedroom!

I am fortunate to be able to review books for Readers Favorite and Thomas Nelson, as well as many other publishing companies and authors. I review books for the sheer enjoyment of reading a good book, and to help spread the word about new, wonderful authors and their creations! I also have a blog called Reviews by Molly, where I post many of the reviews I have done. That's me in a nutshell!

My name is Stan Almendro. I live with my wife, June, and our four children in Alberton, South Africa. I am a Sales and Marketing Director for a group of companies and have ministered the Word of God for over 40 years. I am also a writer and editor for the "Whisper from the Heart Poetry Club."

I believe that the greatest gift given to us are the people around us. The passion of my life is people, which is reflected in my choice of career, my involvement in the ministry and my writing. Hosting the Whisper Poetry Club allows me to help thousands of students and adults world wide.

Another of my passions is travel, which has taken me all over the world. Our children are all married now, and besides sports and traveling, I am a voracious reader and love to help new authors with an honest critique of their work.

My Name is Lynn Fowlston and I live with my husband in Tennessee. We have 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren! I have many hobbies, including counted cross stitching, puzzles, working with animals and of course, reading.

I have loved reading all my life, and have amassed a home library of close to 1,400 books from the 1800's to 2010. I have tried to pass my love of reading to my children. Reading is not only an adventure for children, it also helps them tremendously in school.

I will read almost any genre, and enjoy being one of the first to read works from new authors, because you never know who will be the next James Patterson! You can read more about me on my blog.

Dr. Robert Rose has spent 43 years teaching from K -12. He has devoted the past 7 years to teaching teachers in two universities. His many education and self-help books are available through Amazon, Borders, and Barnes & Noble. He and his wife, Marie, have raised a blended family of seven.

Dr. Rose won a Gold Medal in our 2009 Award Contest for his manuscript, "Joys of Teaching: They Touched My Life." After winning he wanted to give something back to Readers Favorite and other new authors and has recently become a volunteer reviewer. Dr. Rose reviews many genres, but specializes in educational books. You can learn more about him on his website.

He also has his own online radio show where he interviews other authors of education books. If you would like to appear on his show, please send him an email.

My name is Jill Buck and have been an avid reader for years. The first book I can recall reading myself was Green Eggs and Ham. In second grade I remember making the transition into chapter books and then I was totally hooked. I am never without a book. I carry them with me in my purse and in the car for those just in case moments.

Currently I am a stay at home mom to my four children. My unwinding time at the end of the day usually involves a book. It is very tough out there for new authors, and it has been very exciting and rewarding to review their books and help them with a professional review, and when necessary, constructive criticisms.

Rita Goatley grew up in Cloverport, a small town on the banks of the Ohio River. Currently she and her husband Alvin live in Hawesville, KY. Rita is employed by Southern States Coop, where she works in sales. She has two children: Adam, who is a student at Western KY University and Sara, a student at Hancock Middle School.

Rita is an active member of Hawesville United Methodist Church. She enjoys Bible Study, reading, and an occasional night out with the girls. Although she enjoys many genres, she prefers those with a Christian theme.

Hello, my name is Dianne Carter. I live in Lewisport and I am a mother of two grown girls and one 10 year old granddaughter. I have always enjoyed reading, it was my favorite pastime when I was growing up in St. Louis, MO.

I am on the right in this picture, with my oldest daughter Rebecca. She loves hearing about the books I am reviewing for Readers Favorite. I find reviewing very rewarding, and hope that I am not only helping helping others choose books that are fun and exciting, but also helping the authors as well.

Hello! My name is Diana Shepherd and my favorite author is Karen Kingsbury (pictured left). My wonderful husband and I have been married for 4 years and we are the proud parents of 6 dogs and 3 cats. I work at a paper mill in the environmental department. My husband and I also have an outreach ministry at our Church. We are in charge of the Church's food pantry and our Thursday night service. I have been a Christian my entire life but have really embraced my personal relationship with God in the past 3 years.

I love to read and it has been a passion of mine since I was a child. I have a book with me at all times. I like sharing my thoughts about the books I read with others and I hope my feedback will help readers and authors alike.

Anna del C. Dye was born in the extreme South along its famous beaches. She is the third child and twins with her sister Elena. She loves sewing and cares for the costumes of four different plays.

Anna has received the Editor's Choice Award for her article "A New American Mother," which was published by Desert Saints Magazine. Her award winning short story "Amerine-Fairy Princess" was published by Kalkion Magazine. Other articles about family and relationships have been published in the MOMS CLUB(R) of Salt Lake Valley-West.

Anna has found reviews critical to the success of her books, and is excited to help other authors by volunteering her time as a Readers Favorite reviewer. You can learn more about her on her website.

Hello! My name is Sylvia Heslin. I work as a pre-school teacher and love reading to the children that I work with. Two of my favorite children's book are "Good Night Moon" and "Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." I have always loved to read and I own over 500 books.

I'm also a classical ballet dancer and perform with the Santa Clara Ballet Company in Santa Clara, California. I love stories and enjoy them whether as a book, movie, ballet, symphony or on stage. You can read more about me on Facebook.

My name is Fiona Ingram, I grew up surrounded by books so reading came naturally to me and I developed a love for them from an early age. Life took me into theater studies and then journalism, and then into writing for children. My first book "The Secret of the Sacred Scarab," was a winner in the 2009 Readers Favorite Awards. I then realized just how important book reviews are for authors and decided I would volunteer for the Readers Favorite review team.

I read widely on almost any topic and look forward to being of service to other authors. My interests include (you guessed it) reading, writing, ancient history, art, music, travel, theater, antiques, animals, and anything cultural. I recently adopted a disadvantaged child with reading problems, so I have become very involved in issues of child literacy and encouraging parents to engage more in helping their children discover the magical world of books.

I live in South Africa where illiteracy is a huge problem, so I hope my small contribution will make a difference. You can learn more about me on my website or on Facebook.


	My name is Kady Garrett and I love reading and writing. I'm a teenager and I currently post my reviews of books on my blog. I really enjoy blogging my opinion of books. I also enjoy music, my puppy, volleyball, and being outside. I am involved in my church's youth group and love it. Church and God are number one priorities with me and I try to incorportate them into whatever I choose to do.

Paul F. Johnson is a military and civil service retiree with over two dozen short stories published under the pen name P.J. Lawton, as well as three Private Detective mystery novels, two volumes of horror and SciFi short stories, and four children’s books.

Paul loves to read and has been a reviewer for several years. Paul has always felt that authors, especially new authors, need feedback and in many cases, constructive criticism. An honest, professional review is a step in the right direction. Paul reviews in many genres but specializes in fiction, mainly mystery and SciFi. You can learn more about Paul, and view some of his work by visiting his website.

Santosh Kalwar is a poet, writer and researcher. He is a self-published Nepalese writer who writes in English about truth, love and relationships. He has published several books, as well as authored a number of newspaper columns and articles.

He knows the value of reviews and is very passionate about helping other authors with a quality review of their work. You can learn more about Santosh on his website.

Hi! I'm Megan, I am a wife and mother of two beautiful children. I have a twin sister and a younger brother, and I love reading, dancing, chocolate, and Diet Dr. Pepper.

I worked in bookstore management for 8 years, then in January of 2010, I became a stay at home mom and started a book blog called Inspired by Fiction. Christian fiction is my favorite genre because the entertaining stories challenge and motivate me in my faith, attitudes, actions, and views.

Hi my name is Brenda Casto and I live in a quaint little town in WV. I have been married for 24 yrs and have one son. I work full time in Home Health, which I have been doing for 23 years. In my spare time I love to read, cross stitch, garden, crochet for charity and spend time with my pets.

I have been reading most of my life. I love reading all genres from horror to Christian romance. Some of my favorite authors are Beverly Lewis, Bentley Little and Chad Arthur. I try to consistently read at least 100 books per year. I post reviews of some of the books that I read on my blog.


	Hello! My name is Michelle Vasquez. I grew up in central Missouri and now I live in Texas with my two teenage sons and my other 4-legged children: two cats and our miniature dachshund. I work full time as an accountant at a local government agency. I am very active in our church and I lead a women's Bible study group. I'm an avid reader and carry a book with me everywhere I go.

My name is Katie McCudy and I live a quiet, but busy life in Florida! I am the third eldest in a family of 10 children, so I keep pretty busy! In addition to absolutely LOVE reading, I am also an author. I published my first book - Journey of Faith - with Outskirts Press a few years ago. I am currently working on the sequel to this book - Journey of the Heart - and hope to release it in the beginning of 2011.

When I am not writing my books, I am either reading a good book or typing up a post for my blog. On top of that, I love spending time with my family, basking in the great Florida sun, hanging out with my friends and - last but not least - playing volleyball!! :-)


	Stephanie is a teenager who has loved reading from the get-go. She became a Christian at age 11 and has never looked back. Most of the time she is engrossed in Christian fiction, but occasionally she slips a Christian non-fiction, or clean YA or secular fiction into the mix. You can learn more about Stephanie on her blog.


	Hi, My name is Danielle and I am an Australian student. Reading and writing is my passion, and it is almost impossible to find me without a book in my hand or sitting at a computer writing one. Some of my favorite authors are Richelle Mead (pictured left), C.L Wilson, Robin D. Owens and Patricia Briggs. I hope to one day get a book published and in the meantime I plan to become a journalist.

My name is Noriah. I am a senior lecturer at Mara University of Technology in Malaysia and have been teaching ESL for more than ten years. Some of my favorite authors are L. M. Montgomery, whose ‘Anne of Green Gables’ series were of great inspiration to me, as well as Jane Austen and Anne Mather (pictured left). However, of late I prefer to read non-fictions which are informative and educational.

I love to read and write reviews and find it very rewarding. In short, I believe reading helps shape us into the people we are today, as quoted by Charlie “Tremendous” Jones: “You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read.”

Hi, my name is Mindy Detweiler. I live in Pennsylvania with my husband and daughter. I have two older children that are out on their own now. I work for an agency that helps developmentally disabled people with their living skills.

I read and review for several publishing companies. My interests in reading are varied and I love to read just about anything. I love to find new books and authors and share them with others, which I do on my blog.

My name is Samantha, I am a late-20-something mommy and teacher. I love my job (usually!) and my kids, and of course my very patient dear husband. I am a recent grad student, lover of books, travel, yoga, pilates, camping, animals, children, food/cooking, and fun. I am always on the lookout for adventure. I have traveled the world as a volunteer and a student, and have seen some amazing places, and met some wonderful people.

I love to read, and am a history buff (and some would say nerd). I love museums, learning new things, and trying out new cultural events and different cuisines. My kids mean the world to me, and I love that as a mom and a teacher, I get to help shape and enrich young minds.

Kristin is a former ballet dancer who studied at the Julliard School in New York. She performed as a dancer and as an actress and later taught Kindermusik, jazz, and ballet. Later, she settled back down in California, studied law briefly, and practiced as a paralegal in Personal Injury Law. She left the corporate world to raise her six children, home-schooling them for most of their early years. This added to her love and appreciation of reading and good books.

She has always loved reading, and can't simply keep a good book to herself. She reads, and re-reads, her favorites which make her well-loved books look quite well read, which drives her children crazy.

Hi my name is Ellen Hogan. I have been married for 36 years to my best friend, have three grown children and nine grandchildren. I live outside a small town in Georgia. My oldest son and his wife serve in the army and my youngest son is serving in the navy.

I have always loved to read and have overflowing bookshelves in every room. I read many genres, but my favorites are mystery, romantic suspense and Christian fiction. Besides reading I love to garden, play on my computer, knit dishrags and do counted cross stitch. I also have a blog where I post reviews.

My name is Linda and I'm an avid Christian book reader. I've been reading/reviewing/blogging for over a year now. I love promoting good Christian reads. Some of my favorite authors are: Steven James, James Scott Bell, Randy Singer, Frank Peretti, Dee Henderson, Francine Rivers, DiAnn Mills, Teri Blackstock, Brandilyn Collins, plus many, many more.

I also enjoy crocheting and silk ribbon embroidery. I'm married with one son and we live in the Twin Cities, MN area.


	My name is Hayley Kolb. I am a mama to two miracle baby boys, Callan and Mason. I stay at home with the kids while my U.S. Army Veteran husband completes his Associates of Science Degree. I absolutely love to read, a hobby which I have passed along to my children. I have bookshelves overflowing with books; I could open a bookstore! A dream! I also enjoy crafts and scrapbooking in my spare time.


	Hello, my name is Lucas Howard. I am 17 years old, I live in Kentucky and am a senior at the David School. In my free time I read and write poetry and play the guitar. I have always loved to read and am excited about reviewing books for other authors.

My name is Greg Smith and I have been married to my wife Jamie for thirty wonderful years. We have two grown boys and 5 wonderful grandchildren. I am a retired police officer. After retiring I went into youth ministry and then on to seminary and graduated with a Masters of Divinity in 2005. Currently I am a pastor for two small United Methodist churches.

I love to read, play music and craft, and am very eager to help authors hone their skills, and to assist readers in choosing quality books to read.

I'm Camille, a 23 year old law student halfway through law school. I have my B.S. in Psychology, and when I am done with law school I plan to go into estate planning, real estate law, trusts, and probate.

Ever since I was little and my mom would read to me at bedtime I have been in love with books. School can be really stressful, so part of how I relax is reading books in my spare time. I enjoy books from every genre: fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, biographies, books about animals, and more. You can learn more about me on my blog.

My name is Carly Kendall and I have been a book lover since I was able to hold a book in my hands. I credit my mom for my love of books. I am married to a wonderful man who understands my passion for reading and supports my efforts.

I have been reviewing books for several publishers including Thomas Nelson, Bethany House, and Revell for almost two years. Reviewing books has been a wonderful way for me to do what I love, and that is to read and support authors and their work. I post my reviews on my blog, Carlybird’s Home.

My name is Kriste and I am one of nine children. My husband and I have been married for six years and we have a 2-1/2 year old daughter and a 4 month old son. I work as a social worker with at-risk children and their families, so my job is never dull! I have my masters in School Counseling and love working with people, mainly children.

Growing up I developed a love for reading, which has grown throughout the years. I love to share my opinions about books in the hopes that both the author and readers will gain some insight into the work.

Hello, my name is Lisa Miller. I work in education and reading has been a lifelong passion for me. One of my favorite authors is Maya Angelou (pictured left). I have a son graduating from high school, and a daughter graduating from elementary school.

I am happy to be a volunteer reviewer on the Readers Favorite Team and am looking forward to reviewing many books and hopefully helping authors and readers alike.

My name is Kathy Sherman. I taught elementary school for 27 years, worked three years as a school librarian and taught/directed a church preschool for five years before retiring from education. I live in Owensboro, KY with my two cats, MiCal and Ginger and work part time at Fashion Bug. I am a member of St. John United Methodist Church where I serve as the Lay Leader and United Methodist Women's president.

I graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College where I am an active alumnus and avid basketball fan, and completed my Master's Degree at Western Kentucky University. I enjoy reading, volunteering and working crossword puzzles and suduko.


	Hello, my name is Maureen. My husband David and I have been married for 45 years, and have 2 grown children and 3 grandsons, ages 13, 4 and 5. We live in a home built by my hubby's great grandfather in 1855. I spend a lot of time reading and love reviewing, and am excited to be reviewing for Readers Favorite.

Hi, my name is Robin McCoy-Ramirez. I live in Putnam, CT with my husband and 7 1/2 month old daughter, Savannah Rose, as well as our 3 rescue dogs. When I am not reading, I love to cook, travel and spend time with family.

I received a BS in Public Health, and have worked 10+ years in the public health/non-profit sector. I also have a blog where I highlight other mom entrepreneurs and share my book reviews.


	Hello, my name is Trish Bacon and I am a 58 year old house wife, mother of 4, grandmother of 4 who loves to read and study. I live in Pembroke, Georgia. I am Christian and enjoy spending time at church, on the computer and reading and reviewing new books.

Hi. My name is Jolene and I love to read! I am an undergraduate English major as well as a legal assistant. In addition to schoolwork, I do freelance writing and book reviews. My all-time favorite author is Francine Rivers. I also enjoy books by Jane Austen, Lori Wick, Catherine Palmer, and Tessa Afshar.

Other hobbies I enjoy are scrapbooking, photography, practicing the piano, and playing Jeopardy with my husband. I live in Florida with my husband and three cats. You can read more about me on my blog.


	Alice DiNizo grew up in rural Vermont but has lived in New Jersey for over forty years. She loves her family, her pets and all animals, gardening, antiques, and books. She has been a children's librarian for most of her life and has always had a passion for reading. As a new author herself, she is excited to be able to help other authors with quality reviews of their work.

Living in Melbourne, Australia, with a degree in computer science, Stefan Vucak has had a highly successful career in the Information Technology industry.

His passion for writing hard science fiction has produced several short stories and seven novels in the Shadow Gods saga. In 2002, one of his Shadow Gods books, 'With Shadow and Thunder,' was a runner-up in the EPPIE awards. He has also written two contemporary thrillers, "Cry of Eagles" and "All the Evils."

At 24 years young, Elise has worn many hats in her life including wife, daughter, mother (to her four-legged child, a Jack Russell Terrier named Scooter), friend, and "Jill of all Trades." She has worked in a variety of industries including government, radio broadcasting, finance, website design and marketing, retail, automotive, and book publishing.

She was drawn to review for Readers Favorite because of her close current connection with the publishing industry. She enjoys reading non-fiction books (especially indie/self-published titles) in a variety of genres. In her spare time, she enjoys surfing the internet, reading, watching TV (especially reality shows), and spending time with family/friends.

Hi, my name is Becky Bilby. I am a mom of 5 children, have worked the past 10 years as a children’s librarian and worked as an elementary teacher before that. Currently I homeschool my 5 kids and read in my “free” time! I also love to dabble in photography and digital scrapbooking.

I have always LOVED reading – it began when I started reading Reader's Digest at the age of 4 and I've never grown out of it!! You can learn more about me on my blogs, And Jada Makes 7 and In The Pages.

Laura J. Davis is a former singer/songwriter with 30 years of experience in music ministry. In 1981, her song "Lift Up the Lord of Salvation" won a national contest and was included in an album that included various Christian recording artists throughout Canada.

No longer able to sing, Laura began writing full-time. Her first novel, Come to Me, is about the life of Christ through the eyes of his mother and has spoken to the hearts of many seeking to know more about Jesus. Laura is an avid reader and eager to assist her fellows authors with candid reviews.


	Tracee Gleichner is no stranger to helping authors, having spent 5 years reviewing and 4 years editing. This taught her the importance of writing thoughtful, precise reviews to ensure that each book was given the opportunity to have the positive aspects highlighted. She is the Founder and CEO of Literal Exposure and can be found there as well as on twitter.

My name is Kait, though I go by Jane quite often. I am a 16 year old homeschool graduate, the eldest of 8 children, and the daughter of a Navy helicopter pilot. In my spare time you'll find me either reading, writing, playing volleyball, cooking, or enjoying moments with my family.

My main goal in life is to glorify God, which is why I have decided to review books. I hope that through my book reviews I can help others glorify God through what they read, too.


	Hello, my name is Joy Hannabass and I love to read. I am so excited about being able to review books for Readers Favorite and help authors. I read mostly Christian fiction, but am happy to read and review other books as well. I am looking forward to being able to help authors promote their books through Readers Favorite, major booksellers, and on my own blog.

Hi I'm Amy and I've always loved reading. Though I’ve gone back and forth between not reading books and doing a lot of crafting (crocheting, cross stitch, jewelry making) I've always gone back to reading. And now since I've found this great concept of reviewing books online it's been amazing!

I post a lot of my reviews on my column at the Seattle Examiner. Have a look and subscribe if you are interested!

Laurie Gray is an attorney, author and consultant in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A former teacher, deputy prosecutor and guardian ad litem, Laurie also works as a bilingual child forensic interviewer (Spanish-English) at her local Child Advocacy Center. She is the founder of Socratic Parenting, LLC and has served on the faculty at the National Symposium on Child Abuse in Huntsville, Alabama, and at the Midwest Writers Conference at Ball State University.

Laurie is a Published and Listed (P.A.L.) member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Her debut novel, Summer Sanctuary (Luminis Books/May 2010), won a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award Gold Medal for excellence in young adult literature.

My name is Letty Seidl. I have been married for 22 years and have four children whom I adore. I am a fifth generation Hispanic American and the oldest of six girls. I have an Associate’s degree and have worked in a variety of areas in my lifetime.

My love of reading began when I was eight years old. I was severely burned and spent a few weeks in the hospital. My aunt would send me a book a day, which I would devour and eagerly await the next. Ever since then, I have been an avid reader and read as many books as I can get my hands on.

Michele VanOrt Cozzens is a journalist who has worked as a feature writer, editor, newspaper columnist and blogger. She is the author of three novels, including the award-winning "A Line Between Friends" and two non-fiction books. An avid reader and book reviewer, Michele's interests include memoirs, biographies, historical fiction and women's fiction.

As a reviewer, she considers herself "empathetic to the author," and is honest yet tactful when writing/publishing reviews. Michele has been married for 21 years and is the mother of two teenage daughters. Along with her family she splits time between Tucson, AZ and the Northwoods of Wisconsin. For more information, please visit her website.

My name is Geri Rusk. As a child, I could not wait until I would be able to unlock the magic and mystery of the printed word. Once I started reading, I haven’t looked back. Now as a stay-at-home mother of four children, I have passed on the joy of reading and discovering new adventures to my children. We are voracious readers in this household. I had the opportunity a few years ago to return to college and finish up my Bachelor’s Degree in English.

When I am not reading, I am a typical “soccer mom” as I run my children back and forth between school, band, choir, scouts, karate and church activities. I am excited to review for Readers Favorite so I can help authors as well as hone my own writing skills. I keep a review-based blog where I not only review books but I also review family-friendly movies, recipes, products, etc.

John Davies is a retired primary school principal who lives on the mid north coast of New South Wales, Australia. For the past thirty years, John has been writing musical plays for performance by the students in the various schools in which he has served.

He also enjoys writing action/adventure/mystery stories for children in the eight to twelve years age group. His first children’s novel, The Markwell Manor Mystery was released in 2010.

I’m Stephanie Dagg, wife to Chris, mum to Benj (19), Caiti (17) and Ruadhri (9). We live on a 75 acre farm in rural Creuse with llamas, alpacas and three lakes full of carp. I’m an English graduate (Somerville College, Oxford) and Publishing Studies postgraduate (Stirling). I began a career in publishing in 1985 as a desk editor, then in 1992 I became a freelance editor and indexer. I ventured into authoring and for eight years wrote prolifically for two Irish publishers and spent many happy hours visiting schools and libraries to do workshops with kids.

I’m currently in the process of relaunching my writing career, this time in adult fiction. Wish me luck! I have blogs at www.bloginfrance.com and www.booksarecool.com.

Brenda Ballard is a wife, a mother and a confidante. She resides near the mountain town of Granite Falls, Washington, a place that has been enjoyed by her family for generations for its beauty, outdoor recreation and rich history.

She enjoys traveling, cooking, spending time with loved ones and participating in outdoor activities...nothing refreshes her soul like a good adventure. She is a lifelong reader and writer, and is excited to put these passions to use as a reviewer.

Hi, my name is Debra and I've been an avid reader all my life. My favorite genres are fantasy, science fiction and thrillers, but I will read most anything except horror and memoirs. I have the pleasure of writing with a co-author and to-date we have published the first two books in an planned trilogy, "Quest for Nobility" and "The Crystal Facade" and two novelettes in our Dark Future series.

I also maintain a writing blog, Two Ends of the Pen, where I post book reviews as well as author interviews, panel discussions and timely articles about writing and publishing. I also do book reviews for Goldberg McDuffie Communications in NYC. It is a privilege reading so many different stories especially from up-and-coming indie authors and I am thrilled to join the Readers Favorite review team.

My name is Esther Talley, and I have always loved to read. As a child I read anything I could get my hands on, even encyclopedias. Books were a wonderful companion--always faithful, entertaining and could even transport me back in time. I've read the classics, the best sellers, the obscure, fiction and non-fiction.

My husband and I have been married 19 years and we have four delightful children ages 8 to 17. As I have read to them and helped them select books to read I've rediscovered some wonderful books from my childhood and have been exposed to some great new authors. Reading is a way of life for me and I am always looking for another good book to read, and now to review.

Tamera Lawrence grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, where she loved to read books and aspired to become a writer. After completing novel writing workshops, Tamera went on to work one-on-one with a well known author for several years.

Married with six children, Tamera prefers to create colorful characters based on personal life experiences. She is the author of The Pond, a mystery set in current day Pennsylvania. She spends her free time reading and reviewing for aspiring authors like herself.

My name is Gigi Murfitt. I am a wife and the proud mother of two adult sons. They both give me plenty of material to write about. I am the President of the Northwest Christian Writer's Association and I also serve as Finance Director for our family nonprofit organization, Gabriel's Foundation of HOPE, where we serve families dealing with disabilities.

As a published author, I know how difficult it is to write and get published. So I am excited to be able to review and encourage other authors. You can learn more about me on my blog and on Facebook.

My name is Tina Arnoldi and I like to read. A lot. It's not unusual for me to read two books in a long weekend. I started doing reviews a while ago for my blog on Nonprofit Technology and Social Media, then started reviewing for other sites as well. Since my interests and sources of books are varied, I started a separate site just for reviews called Love to Read.

Obviously, no one is the final authority on which book is a good one. If you don't like the reviews you're coming across, consider reading the book anyway. You might be pleasantly surprised!

Read the book or see the movie? I'd have to say that I'm a read-the-book kind of gal. Hello everyone! My name is Leila and I wear many hats. I am a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, an elementary teacher by trade, and a bibliophile at heart. I love being a mother and a teacher because I get to instill the love of reading into my own children and the children I teach. Reading is my favorite past time. There's almost nothing better than a good book.

I joined this site because I get to do two things that I love most- reading and writing. So, sit back, relax and enjoy my reviews. You can learn more about me on my Facebook page.

My name is Rita Kaye Vetsch and I am the Author and Illustrator of the multicultural children's book called The Many Colors of Friendship. Reading, writing and drawing are my passions in life and what inspires me each day. There is nothing like relaxing with a good book and letting your imagination take over!

I know personally how difficult it is to be an author and will offer honest feedback for all the books I review I see reviewing for Readers Favorite as a great opportunity to help authors like myself and am very excited to read material that is new and fresh. You can read more about me on my website and on Facebook.

My name is Carole Crosby and I was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia (a hundred years ago, according to my son). My schooling has been in three different countries and I speak quite a few languages. I have, in my time, been a national swimmer, athlete and a provincial squash player. I have two boys: the eldest one is at university in Brisbane, Australia studying Civil Engineering and the youngest has just left school, and is on his way towards a rugby scholarship in Holland.

I am currently a publishing consultant and author. I have an insatiable appetite for books. With the amazing growth of Amazon and on-line retail book-stores, the development of Print on Demand publishing, and the growth of the eBook market, the potential for new authors has never been better and I would like to support this wonderful and inspiring development.

Novels, Short Stories, Novellas, Poetry… You name it, I write it and I read avidly. My name is Tami Elder and I am a native of the great state of Nevada. I began seriously writing when I was thirteen. When I turned nineteen I began writing with publication in mind. I love to tell a story, but most of all I love to tell a romantic story. And so for the last nine years I have been putting my talent to use.

I am a published poet with five poems to my name and know what it's like to be a writer searching for the approval of their fans. I have reviewed for other companies and am a fair, honest reviewer and look forward to reviewing for Readers Favorite.

My name is Marilyn Ayer and I am a wife, mother, grandmother, nurse practitioner and a voracious reader. Reading has been a passion of mine since I got my first library card. Although I am not retired yet I still find time to read at least one book a week.

I am often awed at the amount of work that goes into creating a wonderful story, and am excited to be able to help new and existing authors with an honest and kind review of their work.

My name is Donna Mathews and I studied religious education at Oakwood College. Learning about the things of God has been a lifetime quest for me. I suffered a difficult childhood and having a spiritual center has helped me to overcome my life issues. I received a degree in Social Work from Morgan State University and a master’s degree from the American Film Institute -- AFI is the Conservatory of The American Academy of Films, which gives out the Oscars each year.

I was accepted in both the screenwriting and producers program but chose screenwriting because of my passion to write. I enjoy using my experiences as both an author and avid reader to help others in their writing endeavors with positive and insightful reviews.

My name is Patty DeDominic and I coach high achieving boards and professionals in business, philanthropy and government sectors. I received the prestigious RUBY Award and the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award. I am the former Chair of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and past national president of NAWBO.org. I am also the cofounder of the RealityBasedCertification.com programs and network.

I love the new world of publishing. There are so many extraordinary new concepts being shared in books! My experience in business and life is broad and since I coach high achievers I am always on the lookout for great new authors, wise mentors, concepts and ideas.

Janet Kay Jensen is an award winning author and in addition to two published books, her work also appears in Healing Ministry Journal, LDS Writing Secrets, Byline, Meridian, Everton’s Family History Magazine, Heart to Heart Newsletter and The Magic of Stories. She holds degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and is an adult literacy tutor. She and her husband, Miles, are the parents of three grown sons and three grandchildren.

Janet loves to read and takes her e-reader everywhere. As a published author she understands how valuable feedback is. She enjoys writing honest and tactful reviews that she hopes will be helpful to her fellow authors. You can read more about her on her blog, website and Facebook page.

Hello! My name is Ruthi Kight. I am 27 years old and I am currently studying Social Work at Columbia College. I have a 3 year old daughter who takes up most of my time and she is the light of my life. I am an avid reader and I enjoy many different genres such as fantasy, thrillers, crime dramas, suspense, and many more. If it's interesting, then it's for me!

I want to be a book reviewer so that I can expand my interests and have the opportunity to read new material that I might not have read normally. Another reason is so that I can practice my writing skills and keep them sharp. I am in school and use my writing skills quite a bit but this is completely different and a lot of fun!


	Hello, my name is Joyce Williams and I live in Jackson, Tennessee. I am a child of God, mother of two and Granna to three. I am nurse and I volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused children. I am an avid reader and experienced book reviewer and love being able to help authors. You can learn more about me on my blog.

My name is Stephen L. Brayton and I am the author of two books: "Night Shadows" and "Beta," as well as several short stories. I am also a Fifth Degree Black Belt in taekwondo.

I’ve enjoyed books for as long as I can remember. I have a very large collection of books spanning the spectrum of science fiction, horror, mystery, humor, and general fiction. I currently review for Suspense Magazine and have a book review blog. You can also read more about me on my website.

My name is Marian Krueger. As an avid reader from the time I first was able to read, I've never been far away from a book my entire life. Always an integral part of my life, books had such a profound on me that my undergraduate degree was in English and I devoured ever book that I had to read for my classes. I later went onto get my Master's in English and still read as much as I can as often as I can.

My favorite book of all time is "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte. A few of my favorite contemporary authors include Anne Tyler and Sophie Kinsella. Today I work as a travel consultant and enjoy the freedom it provides me to travel the world and work on my own writing habit. In between travel and writing I squeeze in as much reading as possible. You can learn more about me on travel blog.

Hello, my name is J. R. Simons. I am an Instructor of English Composition, Dramatic Literature, and Theatre for Lorain County Community College, Lakeland Community College and Indiana Wesleyan University, all in the Cleveland, Ohio area. I have an MFA in Creative Writing from Ashland University and an MA and a BFA in Theatre from Kent State University.

I am an avid reader. I believe that a person should read for at least 15 minutes every day, if not more. I challenge myself to read at least an hour every day. I am also an author, playwright, and poet. I regularly post book, music, and movie reviews on my blog, but I would like a wider readership so that I can really help authors to get their material recognized.

Rhonda Fischer was born and raised on a horse farm in Canandaigua, New York. Rhonda started writing and reciting poetry as a child. She is a classically trained pianist, who taught piano and played professionally for many years.

Rhonda loves helping other authors by reviewing their work and currently reviews books for Sacramento/San Francisco, HarperCollins and Random House. She also writes for the American Chronicles, Associated Content, World News and World Sentential, and is CEO of Whim Publishing and Author of Randy Kazandy, Where Are Your Glasses? You can read more about her on her publishing website.

Hello, my name is Vered Ehsani. South African by birth, I currently live in Kenya with my husband, 2 kids, a few tortoises and a dog. My day job is at the United Nations Environment Programme. My real job is writing novels for teens and raising a family.

As a writer, I'm interested in reading novels from other indie authors. As a reader, I would love to discover new authors to follow! You can learn more about me on Facebook, Twitter and on my website.

My name is Susan Roebuck and I'm a published author of "Perfect Score" and have been reviewing books for the past two years for several review companies. I love to delve into different genres and find new authors whom I'll follow long after I've written the reviews.

Readers Favorite has a vast amount of genres available which is "mouth-watering" to me and am eager to help new authors. You can read more about me on my blog.

What author doesn't also like to read? As recovering workaholic, reviewing books prevents me from sneaking back into my bad habits of working 3 or more jobs simultaneously! An avid reader, Lori lives in Louisville, KY with her husband and their 2 1/2 cats.

Lori holds a ridiculous number of college degrees and is an adjunct Business Professor of Marketing, Management, and Human Resources. You can learn more about her on her website.

J'son M. Lee, though born in Brooklyn, NY, is essentially a North Carolinian. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Speech Communication and a concentration in Performance Studies. He is 41 years old and resides in Baltimore, Maryland. J'son is the author of Just Tryin' To Be Loved and co-authored the 2011 Reader's Favorite Award winning title, How could my husband be GAY?.

J'son has a passion for writing and takes his responsibilities as a reviewer seriously. He understands the challenges of being an author and recognizes the value of having meaningful reviews from industry professionals. You can learn more about him on his website.

Amanda Stephan is a Christian-romance-a-holic. If she's not writing her own books, she's reading and promoting another author that she enjoys. You can find her in many different places like blogs, ACFW, John 3:16 Network, various Ning sites, but her favorite place to hide is her new website, BooksByAmanda.

She is the happy author of two Christian romance novels and loves meeting new people and making new friends. She is happy to be able to give back to other authors by providing honest reviews of their work as a Readers Favorite reviewer.


	My name is Tara Trainor and I am a preschool special education teacher and rescue dog transporter. I live in the south and am a proud mom to 5 rescue dogs. In my free time I read about everything I can get my hands on. I enjoy reading thrillers, coming of age books and historical fiction. I also love books by Margaret Atwood (pictured left).


	My name is Laura Nielson. I have been married for 18 years and have 7 children ranging in age from 1 to 17. I live in the state of Minnesota so there are plenty of cold months where reading helps to keep us sane! I love all kinds of books, from the kid's paperbacks to the epic novels. I especially love juvenile fiction and historical non-fiction.

Hello, my name is Pauline Reynolds. After many years both as a nurse and in academia, I retired to write stories. I am part of a small group of writers called "The Writers Dozen." We published an anthology of short stories and poems called Better than Chocolate, in 2008.

I am an active blogger and have written one novel and two thirds of a second one, as well as many short stories. Some of my life-writing pieces have made it into print in Australia.

For me, reviewing is a way of discovering new books to read and a better understanding of plot, narrative and structure. Not to mention, reading is always enjoyable!

VicToria Freudiger is an Editorial/Art Director with 20 years experience in the publishing, editing, advertising and marketing fields. VicToria has spent two decades editing in various media formats and is a published author. She has also worked with over 15 newspapers in various positions.

She knows the value reviews play in the literary industry and is excited to be able to contribute as a Readers Favorite reviewer.

Christy is an insurance agent by day and a Christian fiction addict by night. Her favorite genre leans toward the historical, but any form of Christian fiction will do. There are currently 1,600+ books in her house, with more arriving almost daily (much to her husband’s chagrin).

When she’s not reading, she’s either working on crafts, watching sports, or singing in her family’s Southern Gospel group. You can learn more about her on her blog and Twitter page.

My name is Julie Johnson. I am a wife, mommy to 2 adorable children, registered nurse, teacher, and book lover. I also enjoy watching a good hockey game (even though my hometown team went north!) and singing. In my spare time, I love to read and spend time with family/friends.

Some of my favorite authors include Ronie Kendig, Candace Calvert, Michael Palmer, Julie Klassen, and Julia London. I will read just about anything, because I feel that it enhances my vocabulary and knowledge.

My name is Brittany Popec, and I just recently got married to the love of my life and the father our beautiful baby boy. I love to read and collect books. I am also raising my son to be the same way by starting his very own book collection (along with all of my childhood books).

I want be a reviewer because I would like to be able to share my thoughts about books and be able to help the authors. Since I love to read, why not help somebody in the process.

My name is Nadine Larter and I'm a compulsive communicator living in the coastal town of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. By day I am an author and by night I watch far too much television. I'm a mom, a stepmom, a wife, a friend, a daughter and a sister and I am addicted to cupcakes and cookie dough.

I would love to review for Readers Favorite because I believe that in helping others I get to be part of creating a little bit of goodness in the world. I know that authors need all the help they can get, because I am one. I also know and appreciate what goes into a novel and how important honest feedback is. You can learn more about me on Facebook, Twitter, and on my blog.

Hello, my name is Trudi LoPreto. I am a 64 year old retired lady and an avid reader of many genres of books. Some of my favorite authors are Fern Michaels, Lee Child and Clive Cussler (only the Dirk Pitt series). I have a wonderful daughter and son-in-law, and two cats - Rascal and Harold. I have lived in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Michigan and now Mississippi. My husband and I enjoy traveling, especially cruising.

I want to share my thoughts about the books I read to not only help authors, but to help readers find books they will enjoy, because I believe reading is truly fundamental.

My name is Mackenzie Dohoney and I live in Rockport, IN. I am currently a freshman in high school where I am an avid softball and basketball player.

I also love to read. Some of my favorite authors are Stephanie Meyer, Nicholas Sparks, and James Patterson, but I am also excited to read young adult books by new authors. Stories of love, courage and adventure interest me the most. You can learn more about me on my Facebook and Twitter pages.


	My name is Charity Lyman and I am a 26 year old home-school graduate. I work online doing product reviews, video studies and building websites. I also do ministry volunteer work both local and national. I have always loved reading and review about a dozen books a month. I prefer family friendly books and enjoy finding new authors and great books! You can read more about me on my blog.

My name is Jorene. I have read and written books, articles, and poems from the tender age of 7. They began corny and disjointed, but the passion was there and I was encouraged by family and friends to pursue my gift of writing. I have since written for Associated Content, Ehow, and MarriageRomance.com, as well as ghost written novels and short stories.

I have a love for inspirational romance but I will read just about anything. I am honest but gentle, as reviewers of my work have been, which motivated me to be a better writer. You can read more about me on Facebook.

I am Joana James, a young writer from the beautiful island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. I'm an avid reader and will read pretty much anything I can get my hands on. I'm also a dancer and a singer. For a day job, I am employed in the Information Technology department of a major financial organization.

I am interested in being a reviewer because as a writer I realize how important reviews are in order for a book to succeed. I have sought the help of others in this regard and I wish to return the favor.

My name is Juli Williamson and I am a mom of four girls, ages 22 to 8. I recently returned to school and just completed my bachelors degree and am now working on my masters in adult education. I have always loved to read and have read everything from War and Peace to Peter Pan.

I enjoy most genres including romance, fantasy, science fiction and mystery. Some of my favorite authors are Stephen King, Louis L'Amour, and Laurel K. Hamilton (pictured left). I am excited to be able to help authors with reviews of their work, and hope my insights and opinions will help them and their potential readers.

Hello, my name is Lisa Annette McCombs. As a veteran RLA (Reader and Language Arts) teacher of 30 years, I am exposed to a wide variety of YA literature. I love to read and talk about books. In February 2011 I published my first YA novel (Abby) and am near completion of the sequel and its subsequent third installment of the planned trilogy.

I try to introduce at least one new author a month to my classroom library and being a reviewer for Readers Favorite provides an excellent opportunity to introduce new authors to my students. You can learn more about me on Facebook.

My name is Jackie Paulson. I work in security, have two cats, and I am an avid reader. I have been reviewing for three years and pride myself on reading every word of the books I review. I just cannot get enough words into my head. As long as I have eyes to see, I will read.

I am excited to be reviewing for Readers Favorite and plan to give authors extra exposure by posting reviews of the books I review on my book review blog.

Tominda "Tom" Adkins is the author of "Vessel, Book I: The Advent", a contemporary fantasy and the first in a series of five. As an independently published author, Tom is passionate about writers helping writers. She loves reading work by her peers, and feels that reviewing for Readers Favorite will not only lead her to more indie favorites, but give her yet another outlet to help them gain the exposure they deserve.

You can learn more about Tom on her website, blog and Facebook page.

My name is Anastacia and I love the written word! I majored in English and Communications in college, but ended up working in banking. Years later, as a new mother, I chose to concentrate on my writing. In 2008 I sold my first story to Shine Brightly Magazine. Since then, I have written stories for a Christian reading program based in CA, Pockets magazine, and an Italian/English parallel text book, Storie Italiane. Currently I am awaiting the publication of my first middle grade chapter book!

In addition to writing, I LOVE to read! I love character driven stories and mostly happy endings. Being a reviewer for Readers Favorite is a wonderful way to discover and help new authors like myself. You can learn more about me on my website.

Hello my name is Sandra, I am a published author, publishing coach, owner of a small business focused on authors, and an online radio host. Plus I also do public speaking engagements within my community. I love to help promote and advertise for authors.

One of my greatest passions is reading new and amazing books whether they are fiction or non-fiction. I truly believe that being a book reviewer for Readers Favorites will allow me to help new authors, which is my passion. You can learn more about me on my website.

My name is Benjamin Long. I am an artist and a decorated former US Marine. I have a BA in Business Administration,a BS in Computer Programming and a graduate degree in psychology. I am an author that writes novels on the topic of racial and political dystopia as well as Supernatural and Occult themes.

I am excited to be a Readers Favorite reviewer for books that pertain to fine arts, religious and racial dystopa, horror/Supernatural themes, as well as Pagan religious works so that authors that publish in these categories will have a review from someone that routinely works and speaks on their genres. You can learn more about me on Facebook.


	Hi- My name is Bernadette, although my friends call me Bernie. I have loved reading as far back as I can remember. I read every day, even while I am drying my hair in the morning! I am married to James, who also works for Readers Favorite. I have been writing reviews on books that I have read for school for years and am excited to be able to do it to help authors just like my husband.


	James is a currency trader, web designer and author. After winning a 2009 Readers Favorite Gold Medal for his book, Rick and Bobo, James offered to join the Readers Favorite team to help answer support questions and maintain our website. You can learn more about him on Facebook.

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