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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THE FREEDOM BUILDING
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Tautly-paced, THE FREEDOM BUILDING by Martin Kendall churns from one mysterious development to another as hero John Gowan along with the book’s reader tries to figure out what exactly is going on.
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THE WIZARD OF SACRAMENTO
Genre: Politics & Current Events
IR Verdict: THE WIZARD OF SACRAMENTO by William Smithers is a brief but powerful tome bringing to light murky events and legislation of four term Governor Jerry Brown and a pithy political post-mortem and an alternative history to what mainstream publications may have glossed over in assessing the Governor’s recently concluded reign. A must read for political junkies.
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THE MORTAL GOD
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: E.F. Skarda’s THE MORTAL GOD is smoking science fiction at its best, and only volume one of the Infinity Chronicles, which seems likely to become a stimulating series.
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WALKABOUT
Genre: Biography
IR Verdict: WALKABOUT , a carefully-researched account of Ricardo Suarez-Gartner eventful history, will appeal not only to the grandchildren he intended it for, but to historians both amateur and professional, and anyone interested in the human stories of people living in dramatic and turbulent times.
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CALENDULA COOL
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: A perfect summer read for all ages, Steve McManus’ CALENDULA COOL is a feel-good, nostalgic story bursting with action, loveable characters, and a page-turning mystery.
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SPIRITS BESIDE US
Genre: Inspirational/Spiritual
IR Verdict: Lively information about spirit guides, opening up to one’s spiritual abilities, and the fact that the realm of spirit is much closer than perhaps many people realize abounds in Chris Lippincott’s instructive SPIRITS BESIDE US.
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THE INVENTOR IN THE PINK PAJAMAS
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: David and Emberli Pridham’s THE INVENTOR IN THE PINK PAJAMAS is a cute and educational picture book that will inspire young inventors everywhere to get creative and see how they can improve the world.
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WALK THE DOG
Genre: Romance
IR Verdict: WALK THE DOG by Isabel Jolie is a sexy romp of a romance novel that also manages to take a look at some tough, worthy questions about what it takes to build and sustain–not only joyful, organically heartfelt relationships–but also a joyful, organically heartfelt life.
EMPIRE PALADIN
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Whether it is blood and guts, the lush imagery and unique characters, or the fireballs and maniacal laughter – fans of action-driven historical fantasy are bound to find something to love about EMPIRE PALADIN.
A THIN PORRIDGE
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Benjamin Gohs’ enthralling novel A THIN PORRIDGE is a tour de force and gripping historical fiction at its very best. Characters and places, especially throughout the Africa sections, are so richly and vividly described that readers may find themselves half-listening for sounds of twigs cracking and grunts emanating from foliage that happens to be nearby.
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INDEPENDENCE DAY
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: INDEPENDENCE DAY by Rachel Teller is a dynamic YA journey into mental health that is handled with a skillful touch in a fresh, teen-savvy way. Even young people not suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) with obsessive-compulsive tendencies are likely to find the story–and the becoming-a-grownup territory it delves into–engaging and potentially helpful.
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THE NEWTON CODE
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Liam Fialkov’s THE NEWTON CODE is a perfect mystery thriller for readers interested in counter-factual history, religion, science, and current politics. Few novels pack as much punch as this potboiler.
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NAKED TRUTH
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Divisiveness. Chutzpah. Seduction. Politics. Oppression. Spirituality. Gender relations. Betrayal. Healers -vs- scam artists. Fortitude. Dismay. Against-all-odds battles. Fighting the good fight. Just like the plight of humanity today, the historical and excellently well-crafted novel, NAKED TRUTH: OR EQUALITY THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT by Carrie Hayes has it all.
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BLACK FOREST
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: BLACK FOREST by J Scott Boyd is a modern suspense thriller for mature young readers that will keep them hooked until the very last page. Parents should probably take a peek before letting readers under the age of 13 or so read the book as it does feature drug use, violence and some sexual content, although none of it particularly glorified or explicit.
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MY TRAVELS WITH A DEAD MAN
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: Steve Searls’ MY TRAVELS WITH A DEAD MAN is a weird, wild and highly imaginative whodunit.
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