LOSING MY BREATH
Genre: Romance
IR Verdict: Unexpectedly poignant, J. Rose Black’s LOSING MY BREATH is a rare, emotionally driven contemporary romance that delves into PTSD, self-isolation, and grief from a veteran’s perspective.
Read the full review here.
DREAMS OF A DRAGON GIRL
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: With a distinct take on dragons, lush world-building, and great characterization, DREAMS OF A DRAGON GIRL enthralls with adventure, emotionally adept prose, and a vivid ensemble cast.
FULL BEAVER MOON
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Peter Skinner’s FULL BEAVER MOON is a captivating, challenging, and ultimately rewarding slice of historical fiction dripping with lyrical prose and Southern-tinged atmosphere.
Read the full review here.
THE GREAT BEING
Genres: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: Bill Harvey’s THE GREAT BEING is a complex and rewarding novel that offers a unique perspective on the nature of existence and the struggle for enlightenment.
Read the full review here.
MARGINAL MAN
Genres: Biography
IR Verdict: With MARGINAL MAN: Life of Emilio Goggio, Paul Redvers Brown makes good on a decades-old promise and delivers a fascinating glimpse of the socio-political climate surrounding World War II via the life and times of a man who lived through it.
Read the full review here.
THE MANCHINEEL
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Fans of romantic thrillers will appreciate this all-too-relatable debut by Jessica Carrasquillo. A legit page-turner, THE MANCHINEEL is exciting and addicting—so readers won’t be able to resist rooting for its unlawful protagonists.
Read the full review here.
SEVEN PERFECT DAYS
Genre: Women’s Fiction
IR Verdict: Built on the premise that “sometimes your friends break your heart the most,” Francesca Vespa’s SEVEN PERFECT DAYS grapples with this ugly truth in several contexts. The quirky, witty, and poignant writing makes for an especially engaging read.
Read the full review here.
SHELTER IN A HOSTILE WORLD
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: The compelling narrative and rich cast of Mack Little’s slim novel SHELTER IN A HOSTILE WORLD pack a powerful punch, painting a time, place, and cast that will not soon be forgotten.
TRIBAL LOGIC
Genre: Action/Adventure
IR Verdict: A rich, intricate story of interplanetary politics, Stella Atrium’s TRIBAL LOGIC is the fourth in a series and should be read that way. This is not a standalone book, but it is full of vibrant worldbuilding, an energetic plot, and well-developed characters.
Read the full review here.
GETTING ALONG WITH RUSTY
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Lasell Jaretzki Bartlett’s GETTING ALONG WITH RUSTY: Horses, Healing, and Therapeutic Riding is both an inspirational memoir chronicling a journey of healing and an informative glimpse into the world of therapeutic riding.
Read the full review here.
SARA SARQUE & THE DEMON EXECUTIONER
Genre: Horror
IR Verdict: SARA SARQUE & THE DEMON EXECUTIONER is a high-quality anthology of tales to spook and shock the reader. D.C. Mallery’s gallery of grotesques showcases his skills as an inventive writer with the ability to plot new angles on sometimes-familiar set-ups.
Read the full review here.
THE BARGAIN SHOPPER
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: An endlessly entertaining life story of its intellectual, misanthropic main character, W.C. Latour’s THE BARGAIN SHOPPER is a literary novel whose political and social commentary is not for the faint of heart.
BRINGER OF LIGHT
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: In BRINGER OF LIGHT, author M. Thomas Apple crafts a believably complex interplanetary future complete with twisting politics, well-drawn characters, and resource management woes.
MARRIAGE AND HANGING
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Genevieve Morrissey’s MARRIAGE AND HANGING is a splendid historical novel that will captivate fans of mystery as it explores questions of trust in marriage, religion, and oneself.
Read the full review here.
THE ENGINEER’S MECHANIC
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: A promising beginning to a new series, L.K. Wintur’s THE ENGINEER’S MECHANIC is an action-packed adventure set up in a well-crafted future world with engaging characters and an intriguing premise.
Read the full review here.
QUANTUM CONSEQUENCE
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: Readers new to Mike Murphey’s series would do best to read the first four novels first, but the worldbuilding and clever time travel mechanics in QUANTUM CONSEQUENCE are engaging enough on their own to make the unfamiliar circumstances worth navigating.
Read the full review here.
THE EMERALD CROSS
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: Ken Cruickshank’s THE EMERALD CROSS is a great, action-packed thriller about revenge and second chances.
Read the full review here.
MORAL FIBRE
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: Helena P. Schrader’s MORAL FIBRE is an excellent work of historical fiction that readers will love for its realistic depiction of war and the moving romance at its center.
Read the full review here.
PISA LOVES BELLA
Genre: Children’s (Early to intermediate readers)
IR Verdict: Combining an engaging narrative, an enduring life lesson, and captivating illustrations, Kimberley Lovato’s PISA LOVES BELLA: A Towering Tale of Kindness is as fun to read aloud as it is to look at.
Read the full review here.
FEARLESS: Leadership Lessons at the Crossroads
Genre: Business
IR Verdict: Steve Johns’s FEARLESS: Leadership Lessons at the Crossroads is an excellent exploration of leadership principles within the context of the unprecedented business challenges posed by government policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the full review here.
MISFIT’S MAGIC
Genre: Middle Grade
IR Verdict: With an enchanting blend of magic, humor, and suspense, Fred Gracely’s MISFIT’S MAGIC: Shades Of Winter is a fast-paced, satisfying YA sequel brimming with epic action and unexpected twists.
Read the full review here.
CULTS ON TRIAL
Genre: Politics & Current Events
IR Verdict: Lance Moore’s CULTS ON TRIAL is an intelligent and well-researched book that brings new insight to the world of cults and cult leaders.
Read the full review here.
THE THIRD MAN
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: THE THIRD MAN, Geoffrey M. Cooper’s latest installment in his thriller series starring Brad Parker and Karen Richmond, is a fun, fast-paced medical mystery that adeptly balances scientific intrigue and human drama.
Read the full review here.
THE CONTENTMENT DIVIDEND
Genre: Inspirational/Spiritual
IR Verdict: In THE CONTENTMENT DIVIDEND, Michael Goddart provides an earnest and thoughtful guide for seekers looking to cultivate inner-peace and self-realization amidst life’s turbulence.
Read the full review here.