One of the joys of being a book reviewer is suddenly discovering a brilliantly talented author like Peg Brantley. Brantley is a crime fiction writer with three previous books to her credit. If Trafficked is any indication of the kind of writing one can expect...

Kurt and Bongo and the Hippies by Al Gromer Khan revolves around three main characters: Kurt (a German), Bongo (an African), and Toby (an Indian). There are other side characters in the story, but they are just that -- side characters. This does not mean...

Key Largo Blues: The Sequel to Dakota Blues (Karen Grace) by Lynne M. Spreen is a compelling novel that explores social issues and follows one woman’s struggle to come to grips with problems in her life. The story takes off from the previous book, where...

The symbolism in the title of this spellbinding novel caught my attention and I was irresistibly pulled to it. In The Midst of Fire: A Novel by Sierra Kay surpassed my expectations, a story that features great characters, two powerfully contrasting settings, and a conflict...

After All by Alan Johnson is a beautiful coming-of-age story, set against the backdrop of the turbulent years of the ‘60s in Lincoln, Tennessee. Cubby James has two years left to complete college and it already feels like it will take an eternity, and he...

The Book Sisters by Hope Andersen tells the story of the Book family, husband and wife Vern and Valley, and their six daughters. Set in the wilds of Iowa during a period of unrest in the world around them, and having experienced horrors in the...

What is it like for an American to survive in Paris? Boulevard Beauséjour by Jane Foster and Anne Yelland reflects on this question and weaves a stunning answer in a novel that explores the clash of cultures, the prejudices people could have about each other,...

What Mountains Teach by Michael Herrick is an inspiring story of a man’s journey back to himself. It is a spellbinding story of a man facing a midlife crisis, unable to come to grips with the distance between his wife and himself, and not able...

The Soldier's Seed: Southern Skyes Book 1 by Sharyn Bradford Lunn is a story set deep in the rich, dynamic and very diverse history of Australia. Book 1 in the series follows Nicholas Thomas, who is a soldier in the New South Wales Corps. Nicholas...

The Regrets of Cyrus Dodd by Bette Lee Crosby is a wonderful tale of life and regret. Cyrus Dodd promised Ruth that he would give her a life she would love. The trouble is, he has a lot of pride and we all know that...