THE GROWTH AND COLLAPSE OF ONE AMERICAN NATION
Genre: History
IR Verdict: THE GROWTH AND COLLAPSE OF ONE AMERICAN NATION is an erudite history of the country’s early development as a republic and author Donald J. Fraser traces the leaders, movements and events involved in building the American form of government and politics, and shaping its identity. Fraser’s readable style and scholarship give the volume its vigor.
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RIPPED AWAY
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: Author S.D. Christopher weaves a careful web of narratives with depth and emotion in RIPPED AWAY (Uncommon Senses #2) an action packed science fiction fantasy packing a wallop in intense suspense.
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A PERSONAL BOUNTY
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: A PERSONAL BOUNTY is a fine, satisfying addition to Markus Matthews’ growing contemporary fantasy Bounty series. Along with a lively plot, the greatest strength of this fun new volume lies in Matthews’ introduction of an enemy worthy of his heroic team.
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TRAIL OF PYRES
Genre: Action/Adventure
IR Verdict: TRAIL OF PYRES is a vital part of a dramatic, sweeping fantasy saga set in a rich and beautifully-designed world, with compelling characters and an action-filled plot.
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THE BLACK SUITCASE MYSTERY
Genre: History
IR Verdict: THE BLACK SUITCASE MYSTERY is not just the heartwarming and well-written true account of one soldier in a vast conflict. It’s a remembrance of them all, and of all that was sacrificed to bring an end to the Nazi regime and the evil it represented.
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THE ATROPOS MAKER
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: THE ATROPOS MAKER is a fast-paced and expertly plotted two-fisted political thriller focusing on corrupt international and domestic organizations, secret weapons, and conspiracies.
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TALES OF WONDER THE SAGA OF STICKITVILLE
Genre: Humor
IR Verdict: TALES OF WONDER THE SAGA OF STICKITVILLE is a hilarious farce set in a small town populated by a delightful cast of weirdos. Though its central mystery sometimes gets lost in the kerfuffle, the sheer absurdity will keep readers turning the pages.
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A DREAM TO DIE FOR
Genres: Mystery/Thriller, Paranormal
IR Verdict: In A DREAM TO DIE FOR, a uniquely imaginative debut, author Susan Z. Ritz delivers a wild psychological mystery brimming with intrigue, humor, and female empowerment.
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WE’RE HERE FOR YOU MY GODDESS
Genre: Romance
IR Verdict: Lynda Colucci effortlessly surmounts the thematic and textual challenges unique to the writing of a literary sequel, and with WE’RE HERE FOR YOU MY GODDESS, a strong second effort in Sharon’s story that sets the stage for what could be a multi-volume erotic franchise.
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THE LONG LOST WAR
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: Jeff Walker shoots for space opera with THE LONG LOST WAR, but scores something more meaningful than exploding starships by examining the endless march of war and the healing power of love in a simple tale, well told.
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LOVE & LIES
Genre: Women’s Fiction
IR Verdict: LOVE & LIES, a gentle story of a woman who must choose between settling into the mistakes of the past or risking her family for a second chance, is a beautifully-written story of love and family that will charm readers with its appealing heroine and atmospheric setting.
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PESTILENCE
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: PESTILENCE (Second Son Chronicles Volume 3) by Pamela Taylor is the continuation of her historical fiction series and, on it’s own, a well-written and well thought out book filled with courtly intrigue and drama.
THE SURVIVOR STORY OF ARNELLE
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Compelling and forceful, THE SURVIVOR STORY OF ARNELLE by Arnelle Cruz might well become essential reading for those interested in the kinds of ordeals other human beings have endured and survived.
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SINS IN BLUE
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Brian Kaufman’s SINS IN BLUE demonstrates the power of music, friendship, and following one’s dreams whatever the odds with lively and humorous prose that animate a captivating and well-crafted story.
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THE PRINCESS OF AENYA
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: THE PRINCESS OF AENYA draws from fantasy and science fiction to create rich characters, impressive world building, and a multifaceted story, with elements both familiar and refreshingly unique to the avid fantasy reader.
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TEN PAST NOON
Genre: Biography
IR Verdict: TEN PAST NOON by Tucker Lieberman is not a book that everyone will necessarily like–or get. But this thoughtful, multi-layered biography might be just the ticket for readers looking to be taken on a journey unlike anything else.
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THAYER’S RETURN
Genre: Poetry
IR Verdict: Part ghost story and part war history, author H.J. Koch intersperses bloody realities with fantastical elements via beautifully-written prose in four parts in THAYER’S RETURN.
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CARSON CLARE’S TRAIL GUIDE TO AVOIDING DEATH
Genre: Poetry
IR Verdict: CARSON CLARE’S TRAIL GUIDE TO AVOIDING DEATH is a fun, extraordinarily witty, poetry-based guide to avoiding some of life’s biggest pitfalls, for young and old alike.
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HOW THE V IS FORMED
Genre: Popular Fiction
IR Verdict: For some, HOW THE V IS FORMED will tread too close to the saccharine or twee, but if you’re comfortable with the sentimental, James L. Hayhurst weaves this politically charged yet tender fable of loss and recovery with aplomb.
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A SINGLE DESPERATE PRAYER
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Although we don’t find out immediately what memoir author Ludmila Ritz’s single desperate prayer is—one of the defining moments of her young life—her gutsy, sensitive writing builds our curiosity until we get there.
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BECOMING AMERICAN
Genre: Politics & Current Events
IR Verdict: Readers may not know Cary D. Lowe’s name, but the California lawyer and Democratic political activist weaves a fascinating and often poignant immigrant story.
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THE GREEN HOUSE
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Dan Lawton has written a lovely mystery novel with THE GREEN HOUSE, about love, grief, and family secrets, packed with both surprises and poignant moments, along with a gorgeous crescendo.
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DOES SHE THINK OF ME
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: DOES SHE THINK OF ME by Cathy Williams-Thrun is a resoundingly wonderful, touching, soulful look at the personal issues involved in adopted children and birth parents refinding each other. Keep tissues handy.
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LEO GRAY AND THE LUNAR ECLIPSE
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: LEO GRAY AND THE LUNARY ECLIPSE brings a whimsical, inventive future to life through a young boy’s eyes and takes readers on his adventure to uncover a conspiracy and save the world.
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Treasure of the Holy Quincunx
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: The first in a new series, TREASURE OF THE HOLY QUINCUNX feels rather like Neal Stephenson writing the Maltese Falcon – a funny, fast-paced, science fiction heist and a wild romp of a story!
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I Will Write Loudly So You Can Hear Me
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: The poetry of I WILL WRITE LOUDLY SO YOU CAN HEAR ME by Karyn M. Bruce is simple but devastating; a lost childhood conveyed in small, lean images so vivid, readers will feel like they are experiencing Bruce’s life alongside her.
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