WINE DARK DEEP
Genre: Action/Adventure
IR Verdict: Captain Calvin ‘Cal’ Scott leads the crew of the Ulysses through a difficult encounter with a band of rebels on the asteroid Ceres in R. Peter Keith’s well researched, entertaining and very enjoyable science fiction adventure.
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TAKE ME OUT THE BACK
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: TAKE ME OUT THE BACK is a taut, engrossing and talented debut novel that provides a mosaic of perspectives on a mental health horror story.
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CITADEL OF THE FALLEN
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: JR Konkol’s CITADEL OF THE FALLEN is a worthy entry in the high fantasy genre featuring distinct characterization, strong world-building and great action scenes in which good and evil, necromancers, warriors and demons contend for the survival or destruction of humanity.
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HEIR OF DARKNESS
Genre: Paranormal
IR Verdict: Though the historical European vampire novel may sound predictable, HEIR OF DARKNESS delivers an enjoyable diversion from the expectations of the genre as well as engaging characters and a lush world for readers explore.
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TIME TO PAY THE PIPER
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Andrew Mooney’s TIME TO PAY THE PIPER is a near-perfect and deliciously cynical political thriller with a sci-fi edge and the makings of a future series featuring an odious, but readable, central character.
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ANXIOUS FOR ANSWERS
Genre: Self-Help
IR Verdict: Approaching the treatment of chronic anxiety through the lens of Bowen Family Systems Theory in her book ANXIOUS FOR ANSWERS, psychotherapist Ilene S. Cohen, Ph.D., writes with compassion and confidence in the reader’s ability to manage the problem successfully.
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THE SURVIVAL OF THE RICHEST
Genre: Finances
IR Verdict: Linking biology, economics, finance, personal growth, plus down-and-dirty wilderness survivalism within one densely primal (though quite comprehensible) book aimed at readers interested in such a variety of subjects is no minor accomplishment; yet THE SURVIVAL OF THE RICHEST by Dr. Anthony M. Criniti IV manages to do just that.
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THE LACQUERED TALISMAN
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: THE LACQUERED TALISMAN, the first part of a biography of the first Ming Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, is a vivid and engaging portrayal of a young man determined to honor the love and sacrifices of his tragedy-stricken family, set against the beautifully-drawn backdrop of 14th century China.
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THE SINGER AND HER SONG
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: THE SINGER AND HER SONG is a somber delight; a well-researched novel that brings to life the very human characters caught in a time of war and tragedy, yet equally at the mercy of their own foibles and forced to find a way to survive tangled interpersonal relationships.
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CROOKED PATHS
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Perfectly paced with clear, descriptive prose and a sharp sense of humor, Deb Pines creates the right amount of tension in CROOKED PATHS to keep the pages turning, and injects suspense around every corner. The conflict never abates, though it’s balanced with meaningful interactions between characters, emotional stakes, and breezy, slice-of-life vignettes in Chautauqua, making it an enjoyable read to the very last page.
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TORO
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: Great messages for young people of love, acceptance, gender empowerment, honesty, friendship, and going after what one wants abound in TORO, Andrew Avner’s one-of-a-kind, animal-populated novel for middle readers.
SUZY SPITFIRE AND THE SNAKE EYES OF VENUS
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: Joe Canzano’s SUZY SPITFIRE AND THE SNAKE EYES OF VENUS’ fast pace, clean narration and clever dialogue makes way for an animated blend of gun-slinging, space-traversing action and affecting characters with a leading lady who is as compelling as she is badass.
MY RITE OF PASSAGE DURING THE SUMMER OF ’76
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: MY RITE OF PASSAGE DURING THE SUMMER OF ’76 is a riveting coming-of-age memoir about adventure on the high seas with philosophical musings that add a resonant layer of depth.
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DREAM PHAZE — GERMINATION
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: When technological jargon is well explained, the fascinating virtual reality and complex drama among the multitude of intelligent and diversely motivated characters makes DREAM PHAZE — GERMINATION an exhilarating science fiction thriller.
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BLOOMS OF WAR
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Engaging and skillfully written, Suzanne Tierney’s historical romance BLOOMS OF WAR offers suspense, drama, and intrigue in spades.
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THE FLASHFALL SWORD
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: THE FLASHFALL SWORD is an action-packed post-apocalyptic tale featuring creative worldbuilding, a cast of well-developed characters, and clever plot twists.
THE FLIGHT OF THE VEIL
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: With deft, vivid prose, Bruce J. Berger’s THE FLIGHT OF THE VEIL takes the reader on the searing and inspiring journey of Nicky Covo, a man who thinks he has buried his World War II memories, only to have them demand his attention again with news of a possible modern-day miracle.
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DRAGONFLIES AT NIGHT
Genres: Women’s Fiction
IR Verdict: Anne Marie Bennett’s DRAGONFLIES AT NIGHT is an expansive, gorgeously designed and beautifully written book for anyone who has ever hoped that soul mates and love-at-first-sight were possible.
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LET’S BLOW UP THE ELITE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS BLACK BOX
Genre: Education
IR Verdict: Terry Connelly has written a powerful exposé with LET’S BLOW UP THE ELITE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS BLACK BOX that calls into question the integrity of America’s post-secondary education system and while some readers may find the book’s dense style intimidating, the subject matter is of great importance, benefiting parents, students and educators.
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THE TAILOR OF RIGA
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Jonathan Harries’ inventive novel THE TAILOR OF RIGA takes shape as a fictional family memoir, blending fiction and history with patently made-up tales of intrigue and assassination that afford fresh perspectives on world-historical events.
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NIGHT LIFE: New and Selected Stories
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Shelby Raebeck has an inimitable talent for writing complex characters with depth and precision and his second short story collection, NIGHT LIFE, is an evocative, bold collection in the traditions of Raymond Chandler and John Updike.
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SYNCHRONICITIES ON THE AVENUE OF THE SAINTS
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: A tale of good and bad medicine, Deborah Gaal’s SYNCHRONICITIES ON THE AVENUE OF THE SAINTS is the kind of fiction likely to leave readers breathless with laughter, deep contemplation and suspense, as family members mess with each other’s lives from beyond the grave.
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CALLING MY SPIRIT BACK
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: In response to the oft-repeated question of why navigating towards positive change always seems so difficult, CALLING MY SPIRIT BACK by Elaine Alec provides mythical and modern-day answers regarding what it takes to become whole within an overall system still structured to uphold the harmful colonial priorities of profit before people.
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BOUNTY CALLS
Genres: Urban Fiction, Fantasy
IR Verdict: BOUNTY CALLS, the fourth in Markus Matthews’ Bounty series, is a bright, energetic and playful next installment and fans of the series, along with new readers with a taste for contemporary fantasy, will be pleased.
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MAGNIFICENT MIND
Genre: Inspirational/Spiritual
IR Verdict: MAGNIFICENT MIND by Jan Christenson is a short and snappy guide with a valuable message: as aspects of creation with the ability to reflect Divine Intelligence, there is no one who knows how to deal with any situation which might arise than each and every single one of us.
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THE SECRET DIARIES OF JUAN LUIS VIVES
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Tim Darcy Ellis’s THE SECRET DIARIES OF JUAN LUIS VIVES is a fast-moving, highly enjoyable historical drama, which features one of Western civilization’s most interesting men during the dazzling age of the Renaissance.
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