WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: A coming-of-age Young Adult story featuring sweet queer romance and quirky characters, William Grant’s WITH YOUR FRIENDS is a quiet, character-driven story that tackles difficult issues with grace and nuance.
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THE PARK STREET SECRETS
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
IR Verdict: Yvonne Van Lankveld’s THE PARK STREET SECRETS is a well-written, well-thought-out, slice of life story fraught with engaging characters and situations.
FORGED BY FIRE
Genre: Self Help
IR Verdict: By including personal stories alongside hard won business acumen, Mila Grigg delivers an engaging guide to building a brand in FORGED BY FIRE, a comprehensive and clearly laid out book that will inspire readers to develop their businesses in new ways.
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OVERSIGHT
Genres: Young Adult
IR Verdict: Dennis Batchelder’s young adult science fiction thriller OVERSIGHT pulls out all the stops–time travel, reincarnation, a secret society that controls all the banks on the planet, a friend that could be a villain, or vice versa–in a page-turner narrated by a wry and resilient 17-year old orphan from Brazil who may or may not be tasked with saving the world.
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CATS, CANNOLIS AND A CURIOUS KIDNAPPING
Genres: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: CATS, CANNOLIS AND A CURIOUS KIDNAPPING, the first outing for the instantly engaging mystery writer and cat lover Anna Romano, is an enjoyable and entertainingly comic adventure. And though the book is short, Cheryl Denise Bannerman’s novel is a fun ride from start to finish.
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YOGA OF YARN
Genre: Crafts
IR Verdict: A thoughtful exploration of the relationship of fibercrafts–especially knitting–to yoga, meditation, and internal serenity, Liza Laird ‘s YOGA OF YARN (A Knitter’s Handbook for Self-Discovery) offers guidance on how to bring a dose of spirituality to your knitting projects.
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CHOOSING LIFE
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Recommended for readers grappling with self-acceptance and mental health issues, Blue Andrews’ CHOOSING LIFE is a powerful and inspiring memoir that will leave a lasting impression with its timeless, universal themes of choice, self-discovery, and resilience.
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HEL TAKES A HOLIDAY
Genre: Horror
IR Verdict: Despite its demonic themes, Ryan L Canning’s HEL TAKES A HOLIDAY is a horror novella with no shortage of gags and festive humor blending Christmas traditions both modern and ancient into a festive frightener.
ANGELS OF ANTILA
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: ANGELS OF ANTILA is the tale of drama, disease, and murder on the high seas as author RG Shacklett rewrites history in this fun, swashbuckling, alternate history adventure.
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SUBURBAN MONSTERS
Genre: Horror
IR Verdict: Each of the stories in SUBURBAN MONSTERS is a masterful exercise in building tension and creating a sense of unease, as author Christopher Hawkins delves into the dark, twisted inner lives of characters who may not be all they seem.
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THE SILVER SPHERE TRILOGY
Genre: Action/Adventure
IR Verdict: David Gittlin’s THE SILVER SPHERE TRILOGY is a blast of old-school science fiction with witty dialogue and a relentless pace.
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MAKING FRIENDS WITH MONSTERS
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: Sandra L Rostirolla combines C. S. Lewis-style theology with fascinating characters in her clever and entertaining YA novel, MAKING FRIENDS WITH MONSTERS.
STALKED BY REVENGE
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Lynn Lipinski’s pacy plot and hinterland characters – set against a Tulsa backdrop and narrated in uncomplicated prose – make her thriller, STALKED BY REVENGE, a cut above the usual.
IN SEARCH OF THE MAGIC THEATER
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: Karla Huebner’s IN SEARCH OF THE MAGIC THEATER is a well-told, bittersweet tale that evokes the certainties and uncertainties of youth, as well as the regret at the missed opportunities of middle age, and the possibility of redemption.
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LADY OF THE ARMY
Genre: Biography
IR Verdict: A magisterial recounting of the life of George S. Patton’s wife Beatrice, Stefanie van Steelandt’s LADY OF THE ARMY offers a frank and sympathetic portrait of the woman behind the general.
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ANXIETY HACKS
Genre: Self-Help
IR Verdict: ANXIETY HACKS is a comprehensive and approachable guide to managing anxiety issues and author Kate Hudson-Hudson-Hall’s warm, yet authoritative prose explains various techniques via clear instruction of the method and explanation of the theory behind it.
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CHASING TARZAN
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: A candid and keenly observed story of childhood trauma and its ripple effects, Catherine Forster’s CHASING TARZAN is by turns heartrending and inspirational, told with a straightforward honesty that never becomes trite or emotionally manipulative.
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OPEN SORCERY
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: Rob Sheely’s OPEN SORCERY is a clever, creative, and engaging answer to the question, “What would our world look like if magic took the place of computing?”
LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND MURDER
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Nicole Dieker’s LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND MURDER is a well written and highly entertaining mystery novel and part two in the Larkin Day Mystery trilogy.
A MOONSERPENT TALE
Genre: Fantasy
IR Verdict: With compelling protagonists, strong prose, and a lot of heart, Rosemarie Montefusco’s A MOONSERPENT TALE stands out as a shining example of original fantasy.
HE CHARGED ALONE
Genre: Biography
IR Verdict: John R. Strasburg’s HE CHARGED ALONE is an impeccably researched biography of one of the most decorated American soldiers in history – scrupulous, thoughtful, and immensely readable.
UNDERGROUND
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: UNDERGROUND: A Memoir of Hope, Faith, and the American Dream–author ‘Deji Ayoade’s reflections on overcoming enormous obstacles and emigrating from Nigeria to the United States–is candid, heartwarming, and inspirational.
A FERAL CHORUS
Genre: Humor
IR Verdict: Matthew J. White’s A FERAL CHORUS is a packed with hi-jinks and laugh-out-loud comedy. Though never shying away from the humor, debut author White finds moments to highlight the pathos of his lead character’s inner turmoil as he struggles to reignite his lust for life.
MORBID THOUGHTS AND THE DOMINO EFFECT
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Copiously illustrated and well designed, Perry Muse’s MORBID THOUGHTS AND THE DOMINO EFFECT is a pleasure to read. Muse shares his story in meticulous detail and with an openness and sense of positivity that can only inspire readers who find themselves in a similar situation.
METAMORPHOSIS
Genre: Psychology
IR Verdict: Balancing harsh realities with more lyrical reflections, John Frederick Zurn’s METAMORPHOSIS: From Mental Illness to Spiritual Awakening provides an insight into the author’s psyche and reveals the illuminative visions his writing and contemplations have provided.