COOPERATIVE LIVES by Patrick T. Finegan
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: COOPERATIVE LIVES is a complicated but beautifully engineered book, with its intertwined secrets, interacting lives, and the carefully-woven story that emerges from them.
Read the full review here.
ON THE OCCASION OF A WEDDING by Ollie Bowen
Genre: Poetry
IR Verdict: Ollie Bowen’s debut poetry collection, ON THE OCCASION OF A WEDDING, is literate and lively. Bowen references natural motifs, Sufi mystical poets, Latin, Greek and ancient Chinese in this eclectic compilation. From free verse to sonnets, to couplets, to near haiku, Bowen assembles a vision of love that is sensual, playful and often deeply romantic.
Read the full review here.
INVENT, INNOVATE & PROSPER by Michael G. Colburn
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: INVENT, INNOVATE & PROSPER is a thorough and well-crafted manual for readers interested in learning how to become inventors. From the process of idea-generation to marketing a completed product, no step in the process is overlooked.
Read the full review here.
ELEVATION by Samantha Connor*
Genre: Chick-Lit
IR Verdict: ELEVATION, the accomplished debut novel by Samantha Connor leaves the reader wanting more of the author’s tempting plot, appealing characters, sense of time and place and bittersweet storytelling.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
RESURRECTION LILY by Amy Byer Shainman*
Genres: Memoir, Health
IR Verdict: In a unique reflective synergy, RESURRECTION LILY, with its balance of clinical documentation and familial comfort, stands as a pre-emptive strike for taking pre-emptive action against the scourge of cancer.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
ELASTIC GIRL by Olivia Rana*
Genre: Women’s Fiction
IR Verdict: Olivia Rana’s ELASTIC GIRL is a powerful debut novel about abusive employment of children in circuses. Its a haunting story, beautifully told, that honors the strength of the human spirit.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
FRECKLED by T.W. Neal*
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: The memoir FRECKLED reads like the best kind of novel: the characters are engaging, the plot moves along with heart-thumping briskness, and underlying themes have universal merit.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
BE MORE STRATEGIC IN BUSINESS by Diana Thomas & Stacey Boyle*
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: BE MORE STRATEGIC IN BUSINESS might just be the best book around for aspiring leaders looking to grow personally and professionally. Thomas and Boyle have consolidated years of learning into this well organized, well written, easy to understand guide.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
THE WATER PRINCESS by Ron Ricci
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: A story within a story, THE WATER PRINCESS is a unique tale about how one of the most well-known constellations came to be.
Read the full review here.
THE GATES OF EDEN by Nadene LeCheminant
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: In THE GATES OF EDEN, gifted storyteller Nadene LeCheminant has written an inspiring historical novel, rich in detail and elegant prose, that is sure to entertain and educate. History buffs and fiction fans alike will enjoy it immensely.
Read the full review here.
THE UNSPOKEN TRUTH ABOUT RELIGION by Dick Johnson*
Genre: Religion
IR Verdict: Whether or not one believes in God or religion, the ideas explored in THE UNSPOKEN TRUTH ABOUT RELIGION by Dick Johnson are sure to startle, provoke, and invigorate (if not inflame).
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
STRANDED ON THIN ICE by Sharon CassanoLochman*
Genre: Action/Adventure
IR Verdict: Humor tempers peril in STRANDED ON THIN ICE, an excellent coming-of-age journey in which new friends join wits and will to overcome fearful challenges.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
GATHER & MAKE by Genevieve Layman*
Genre: Crafts
IR Verdict: Whether one wishes to create a simple terrarium, learn how to weave lavender, or make paper embedded with seeds for a unique gift, there is much to learn from GATHER AND MAKE, a gorgeous and informative book with a plethora of ideas, projects, and growing tips that contains all one needs to begin or continue the journey into gardening with passion and purpose.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
ALL THE BIG ONES ARE DEAD by Christopher A. Gray + Howard E. Carson
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: ALL THE BIG ONES ARE DEAD is a classic spy story told with humor and vigor, and though it is sometimes weighed down with details about minor characters, its detail-oriented approach generally contributes to the joy of reading it.
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CRIMSON ARROWS by Eyad H. Yehyawi
Genre: Action/Adventure
IR Verdict: CRIMSON ARROWS can be enjoyed as adventure tales, a heartfelt poem about the sacredness of the hunt or a 30-year journey about one man’s passion. Regardless of how readers take in the tales, they are sure to be satisfied.
Read the full review here.
THE UNNAMED GIRL by Mike H. Mizrahi*
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict:
Readers won’t want to miss this fascinating story of one man’s search for redemption after the horrors of war. THE UNNAMED GIRL is a page-turner filled with all the elements of great storytelling–compelling characters, fast-paced plot, and a satisfying and refreshing resolution.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
STEALING HOME by Ron Seybold
Genres: Memoir, Sports
IR Verdict: Rich with sports metaphor, STEALING HOME: A Father, A Son, and the Road to the Perfect Game by Ron Seybold, offers a touching and complex look at how, experience by experience, individuals repair generations of fury-fueled despair.
Read the full review here.
THE FRIENDSHIP KEY by Winfried Sedhoff
Genre: Self Help
IR Verdict: THE FRIENDSHIP KEY offers practical and inventive solutions on how to genuinely connect–to ourselves, others and the environment. In fact, some of the ideas in the book are so profound, readers are likely to go looking for whatever else author Dr. Winfried Sedhoff has written.
Read the full review here.
GHOST BUSTING MYSTERY by Daisy Pettles*
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: The snoopy elder ladies behind the Shady Hoosier Detective Agency deliver a satisfying mystery and cozy, homegrown comedy in Daisy Pettles’ GHOST BUSTING MYSTERY.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
IT’S WITHIN YOU by Rabbi Aryeh Weinstein + Ilene S. Cohen, Ph.D.
Genre: Self-Help
IR Verdict: IT’S WITHIN YOU is a direct, clear, useful book in digging deeper into the self and fashioning a strong core with which to meet the world.
Read the full review here.
SLEEPING TOGETHER by Kitty Cook*
Genre: Romance
IR Verdict: SLEEPING TOGETHER is an entertaining and evocative marriage of romance and thriller that turns a modern-day love triangle into a thought-provoking story about humanity’s need to seek stability while avoiding stagnation.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
LEADER BOARD by Omar L. Harris
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: LEADER BOARD is a business text with a human touch, and one that makes it feel incredibly appealing to take action in your own work and life.
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THE DNA OF DEMOCRACY by Richard C. Lyons
Genre: Politics & Current Events
IR Verdict: Smoothly written and, at times insightfully speculative, THE DNA OF DEMOCRACY will engage poetically minded readers interested in the deep history of democracy in America.
Read the full review here.
THE THIEF’S TALE by Joel Manners*
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: In THE THIEF’S TALE, Joel Manners delivers a thrilling and exhilarating heist adventure that doesn’t shy away from the shadows lurking underneath.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
AWAKE ETHICS by Hilary Jane Grosskopf*
Genres: Business, How-To
IR Verdict: AWAKE ETHICS is a straightforward and sensible guide to business ethics which manages to be both practical and compassionate, and to maintain a steady focus on both business and human needs.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
FISHERMEN’S COURT by Andrew Wolfendon
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: FISHERMEN’S COURT is a well-plotted, tightly organized mystery that will successfully keep readers guessing until the very end.
Read the full review here.
HEROINES OF AVALON by Ayn Cates Sullivan*
Genre: Inspirational
IR Verdict: HEROINES OF AVALON is an elegant and gracefully written book that will aid women in their quests for healing, power, and strength.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
THE AMAZING AFTERLIFE OF ANIMALS b
Genre: Gift/Holiday/Specialty
IR Verdict: Anecdotal evidence may not convince skeptics, but THE AMAZING AFTERLIFE OF ANIMALS is an interesting, uplifting and clearly written book that shares the author’s experiences communicating with animals (both dead and alive) as a psychic and medium.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
HERE COMES INGO b
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: HERE COMES INGO by Odeta Xheka is a stunning visual story about a female macaw’s elaborate dream with underlying themes of love, tolerance, kindness, and inclusion and will make an excellent addition to any storybook collection.
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THE CHOKER b
Genre: Popular Fiction
IR Verdict: Lee Carl’s THE CHOKER is a pleasant and imaginative story with a top-notch hook to kick-start it all and a tour de force ending.
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*IRDA Winner
BRAIN XP: Living with Mental Illness, A Young Teenager’s Perspective b
Genre: Psychology/Mental Health
IR Verdict: A valuable resource for those with mental illness (or those who wish to understand life with one), BRAIN XP offers guidance, compassion, and education.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
YEAR OF THE AMPHIBIAN b
Genres: Literary Fiction, Young Adult
IR Verdict: Christopher Pickert’s YEAR OF THE AMPHIBIAN is a reflective and poignant literary novel for young adults with a strong narrative voice, nuanced characters, and vibrant settings.
Read the full review here.
*IRDA Winner
EXPONENTIAL LEADERSHIP
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: A thoughtful, meandering tale of one man’s journey through business theory and application, EXPONENTIAL LEADERSHIP is conceptually interesting and told in a simple, story-telling dynamic.
Read the full review here.