BOURGUEIL TAPESTRY
Genre: Historical Fiction
IR Verdict: BOURGUEIL TAPESTRY (A history of everyday life in France 1003-1905), Douglas Bullis’ excellent social history of the fabric of French, is a lyrically written, beautifully imagined and unique approach to understanding the day-to-day experience of French common people.
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BLOOD SAPPHIRE’S REVENGE
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: With a central premise of a globe-trotting duel between a sophisticated and complex female sniper and a cartoonishly monstrous villain, Bruce Farmer’s BLOOD SAPPHIRE’S REVENGE is a top notch action thriller that is both compelling and highly entertaining.
THE GARDEN BEFORE EDEN
Genre: Women’s Fiction
IR Verdict: Les J. Whitmore’s THE GARDEN BEFORE EDEN is a light, fun and breezy read romantic comedy, featuring likable characters, a supernatural bent and a heartfelt message.
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RECLAIMING THE SACRED
Genres: Inspirational/ Spiritual
IR Verdict: Well-researched and relatable, Jeff Golden’s RECLAIMING THE SACRED is a book that seeks to uncover the key to happiness–and in the end may actually do so.
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WHEN NO ROAD IS SAFE
Genres: Action/Adventure
IR Verdict: WHEN NO ROAD IS SAFE by Keith Reiss blends high octane drama with just a touch of romance to make a page-turner of a novel that keeps the reader at the heart of the action–from its dramatic airborne opening onwards.
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DOCTOR REFURB
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: Though Republicans and evangelical Christians might balk at some of Doctor Westin’s antics and opinions, readers with an open mind and a good sense of humor will greatly enjoy Marty Essen’s DOCTOR REFURB, a thought-provoking read peppered which uses satire and comedy to raise important issues about the state of the planet.
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THE LION TREES
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: A stunningly realized debut evoking shades of vintage John Irving, the recently released audiobook version of Owen Thomas’ THE LION TREES has transformed this must-read novel into a ‘must-listen.’
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LIGHT, DARK, AND THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
Genre: Education
IR Verdict: Beautifully packaged and meticulously researched, Scott Benjamin Gracie’s LIGHT, DARK, AND THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM makes for a great addition to any professor’s syllabus, curious child’s bookshelf, or even your coffee table.
SEND HER BACK AND OTHER STORIES
Genre: Short Stories
IR Verdict: Writing with clear, urgent prose, Munashe Kaseke’s stories in SEND HER BACK AND OTHER STORIES are well-crafted and offer glimpses of immigrant life in the U.S. and Zimbabwean culture.
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PEACE REDEMPTION
Genre: Spiritual
IR Verdict: Though a bit heavy at times on the religiosity, Gwen Chavarria’s PEACE REDEMPTION is a funny, mesmerizing and down-to-earth coming-of-age tale.
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THE PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: With an epic compelling story and sympathetic characters, Maria Ereni Dampman’s THE PRODIGAL DAUGHTER is a fast-paced tale of a dystopian, war-torn America that’s structured solidly enough to stand on its own and delivers a satisfying conclusion with enough loose ends to keep readers anticipating the next book in the series.
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PLACE OF COOL WATERS
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: A well-written and compelling novella, Ndirangu Githaiga’s PLACE OF COOL WATERS relies on first-hand knowledge of Nairobi, Kenya and features interesting characters, descriptive settings, a unique plot, and significant roadblocks for the protagonist.
STARTING TOMORROW
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: Exploring the many facets of an eating disorder through a briskly-paced, contemporary YA drama, Nikki Lampe Nalchajian’s STARTING TOMORROW is a must-read novel for teens and parents alike.
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A SHORT PRIMER ON WHY CANCER STILL SUCKS
Genre: Health
IR Verdict: Dr. David J. Stewart’s considered prose and meticulous referencing make A SHORT PRIMER ON WHY CANCER STILL SUCKS a comprehensive, academically rigorous and easily comprehended guide that warrants a place on the shelves of health conscious individuals and is serious enough to be useful to healthcare practitioners.
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THERE WERE NO FLOWERS
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: In THERE WERE NO FLOWERS: A Surgeon’s Story of War, Family, and Love, William Meffert revisits his experience as a combat surgeon in Vietnam, bracing the resultant reality - full of gore and despair - with the sentimental shrapnel from his childhood. From reflections on war and fatherhood to scenes from the operating room, the author treats the reader to a tale that proves wondrously adaptable.
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THE KEY TO KELLS
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
IR Verdict: A lively thriller with a mystical prize at the end, Kevin Barry O’Connor’s THE KEY TO KELLS explores ancestral memory, history, family, and religious devotion, with a sweet romance, complex characters, and an energetic, suspense-filled plot.
OFF MY KNEES
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: In OFF MY KNEES, FROM SKID ROW TO SUNSET BOULEVARD, Julie D. Summers discloses the story of her life, presenting the extent of human anguish, and rage, with phenomenal brutality. Both a rousing cautionary tale and a haunting confession, the memoir serves as a soothing word uttered to all those enduring the ache of existence.
ALL THE LITTLE THINGS
Genre: Young Adult
IR Verdict: Beautifully written by Heidi Dischler with valuable insight and compassion, ALL THE LITTLE THINGS tells a cautionary tale about how one young woman gets past the pain by sharing her inner struggles with those who can help.
FLYBOY AND THE LIGHT-SPEED RANGERS
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: A lively romp at near-light speeds with a cast of bizarre characters, unexpected events, and a plot that wanders through alternate universes but never quite gets lost, Wayne Edward Hanson’s FLYBOY AND THE LIGHT-SPEED RANGERS is a quirky charmer of a book best enjoyed with a healthy suspension of disbelief and a relaxed sense of humor.
THE VIOLIN THIEF
Genre: Literary Fiction
IR Verdict: THE VIOLIN THIEF is a beautifully-written, distinct novel that blends an interesting plot, vivid characterization, and thought-provoking prose into a delightful story about a young boy and his love for music.
AMERICAN AIRMAN
Genre: Memoir
IR Verdict: Jonathon Benjamin’s AMERICAN AIRMAN is a well-written, interesting and compelling memoir told from a collection of emotional truths that evoke compassion and serve to educate and inspire.
SERVITUDE
Genre: Science Fiction
IR Verdict: Costi Gurgu’s multi-perspective narrative structure amps up the stakes and bolsters the world-building in SERVITUDE, a compelling dystopian thriller with an explosive and surprising end.
REQUIEM FOR A QUEEN
Genre: Horror
IR Verdict: Kaylin McFarren’s REQUIEM FOR A QUEEN is a well written and very pacy fantasy thriller with elements of dark romance and passages of explicit erotica.