Best Reviewed Books of the Month

 

BUDDIES By Kip Cassino

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

IR Verdict: Well-written and taut, BUDDIES offers some complexity in the characters whose perspective force the readers to contend with war, psychic wounds, isolation and barbarity.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

THE KNOWING By Brit Lunden

Genre: Romance

IR Verdict: THE KNOWING is a wonderfully written romance, a time-hopping supernatural mystery, and an all-around good time—a worthy addition to Brit Lunden’s Bulwark anthology.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

ANNA INCOGNITO By Laura J Preble

Genres: Literary, Women’s Fiction

IR Verdict: ANNA INCOGNITO’s healing journey of lost souls trying to move beyond the ravages of Life by Laura J. Preble unfolds so brilliantly, it’s the kind of book readers finish and turn right around to reread from the beginning in order to enjoy the experience all over again.

Read the full review here.

 

 

ANONYMOUS IS A WOMAN By Nina Ansary

Genre: Women’s Studies

IR Verdict: With powerfully evocative text and beautifully illustrated watercolors, ANONYMOUS IS A WOMAN: A GLOBAL CHRONICLE OF GENDER INEQUALITY by Nina Ansary is so deliciously important, it could be expanded into an equally useful series.

Read the full review here.

 

COULD ANTHONY NEWLEY BE MY MUSE? By Joellyn St. Pierre

Genre: Inspirational/Spiritual

IR Verdict: Those who embrace the concepts of mediumship and a belief in the afterlife will likely be mesmerized by COULD ANTHONY NEWLEY BE MY MUSE?, author Joellyn St. Pierre’s account of her contact with the the late British singer, songwriter and actor. Those who eschew such ideas may still enjoy the book, though it will require a suspension of disbelief to fully experience its entertainment value.

Read the full review here.

 

 

TRANSFERENCE By B.T. Keaton

Genre: Science Fiction

IR Verdict: Author B. T. Keaton creates a science fiction masterwork in TRANSFERENCE that explores human identity and the dignity of the person without unnecessary moralizing.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

COLLECTIVE AMNESIA By Eugene DeFriest Bétit

Genre: History

IR Verdict: This comprehensive, richly documented history of African Americans’ experiences in America is not just an eye-opening investigation of the violent oppression to which black people have been subjected for centuries, but also a compelling call to consciousness raising, political action, and institutional reform.

Read the full review here.

 

 

A MAN OF HONOR, or Horatio’s Confessions By J. A. Nelson

Genre: Historical Fiction

IR Verdict: Like a train, A MAN OF HONOR, , or Horatio’s Confessions’ narrative builds speed and takes off into an often gripping adventure of love, war, and discovery.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

WATER IS WIDER By Marie Green McKeon

Genre: Women’s Fiction

IR Verdict: WATER IS WIDER by Marie Green McKeon is a quirky, charming story about new beginnings in the face of loss and despair, with a heartwarming message and sympathetic characters.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

ELEPHANTS IN MY ROOM By Christie Nicholls

Genres: Humor, Memoir

IR Verdict: The 17 stories in Christie Nicholls’s memoir ELEPHANTS IN MY ROOM speak to readers in an infectiously appealing, compassionate, sarcastic, observant narrator’s voice, and are both funny and moving.

Read the full review here.

 

 

THE JOURNEY OF AN ACORN By Corey Wolff

Genre: Inspirational/Spiritual

IR Verdict: A moving parable that speaks of the need to relinquish pain and disappointment in order to grow to our fullest potential, THE JOURNEY OF AN ACORN is an inspirational tale that has much to offer readers of any age.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

SPIRALS OF FATE By Tim Holden

Genre: Historical Fiction

IR Verdict: SPIRALS OF FATE is an engaging and immersive historical tale that gives us an immediate, human perspective on the social and economic struggles of 16th century England.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

ENTWINE By Tracey Shearer

Genre: Paranormal

IR Verdict: A witty ghost-busting thriller, Tracey Shearer’s ENTWINE is at its spooky best when following a trio of tough women, each of whom possess a unique paranormal gift.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

TOXIC COOKOUT By Rob Dinsmoor

Genre: Humor

IR Verdict: Fast-paced and fanciful, the horror stories of TOXIC COOKOUT grabs the reader and zings with twisted, Lovecraftian views of current events and bewildering modern gadgetry. It’s a trip.

Read the full review here.

 

 

UNTOLD MAYHEM By Mark Tullius

Genre: Short Stories

IR Verdict: Fans of the darker works of Bret Easton Ellis and Stephen King will find a lot to like in UNTOLD MAYHEM in terms of horror and first-rate storytelling. Any readers squeamish about violence and gore should probably skip this one.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

HOMOAMERICAN By Michael Dane

Genre: Memoir

IR Verdict: HOMOAMERICAN is a vividly-written biography that throws the reader directly into the emotional, intellectual, and physical life of a gay man growing up in homophobic times, told with vigor, charm, and heart.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

NINE WAYS TO EMPOWER TWEENS #LIFESKILLS By Kathleen Boucher

Genre: Self Help

IR Verdict: Engagingly written and well-designed, NINE WAYS TO EMPOWER TWEENS #LIFESKILLS by Kathleen Boucher should be required reading for teenagers and even older readers interested in building personal strength, developing a positive mind-set and achieving goals throughout their lives.

Read the full review here.

 

 

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT STUART’S DESERT BURIAL? By David Bath

Genre: Literary Fiction

IR Verdict: David Bath brings noir to the deserts of Las Vegas, Moab and Arizona in DID YOU HEAR ABOUT STUART’S DESERT BURIAL?, a deliciously dark, moody novel which adds a sexy, modern twist to the classic American heist and road trip tale.

Read the full review here.

 

 

HANDS OF THE SON: Christ Victorious By Michael E. Doren

Genre: Fantasy

IR Verdict: HANDS OF THE SON is an action-packed and imaginative epic about the end of the world that blends fantasy with Christian theology to superlative effect.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

THE DAGDA RING By Neal DenHartog

Genre: Action/Adventure

IR Verdict: Loaded with action and imagination, THE DAGDA RING is a fine continuation of what is shaping up to be an unforgettable YA series.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

 

VESTIGE By Monique Gliozzi

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

IR Verdict: VESTIGE is a smart, engaging ghost story that offers plenty of genuine chills. The ending may not please everyone, but the overall product is highly entertaining.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

FALLIBLE By Kyle Bradford Jones

Genres: Memoir, Psychology

IR Verdict: Kyle Bradford Jones’s memoir FALLIBLE travels the many rugged mine fields of being a young physician struggling with mental illness with a winning strength and grace.

Read the full review here.

 

 

SAY YES TO LIFE By Elliott Robertson

Genre: Self Help

IR Verdict: Filled with hands-on, you-try-it exercises and meditations and announcing itself as a book for anyone longing for the day when modern-day corruption will be replaced by God’s goodness, the succinct, creative SAY YES TO LIFE by Elliott Robertson should appeal to many.

Read the full review here.

 

 

EVE OF SNOWS By L. James Rice

Genre: Fantasy

IR Verdict: An engrossing and immersive read, EVE OF SNOWS offers an original fantasy world replete with impressive worldbuilding, cinematic visuals, and lively characters. An intense, fast-paced storyline that plays well with high-stakes action.

Read the full review here.

 

 

 

THE SAGA OF OL’ RAUSCH By Nick LaTorre

Genre: Historical Fantasy

IR Verdict: THE SAGA OF OL’ RAUSCH is a funny, twisted trio of stories about a monster with an indelible link to humankind that is just a little heavy on biblical scripture. Author Nick LaTorre shines brightest when relying entirely on his own imagination.

Read the full review here.