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A riveting sea adventure with a top-rate protagonist, Bravely and Faithfully by Edward M. Hochsmann throws the reader into a series of missions carried out by the Cutter Kauai and her crew. When a young Coast Guard officer gets her first command, she thinks she is on top of the world until she finds herself supporting dangerous operations which require her to go far beyond her training. With strong characters that have ties to the other books in the series, this military thriller enthralls with fast-paced action and carefully-crafted detail, which brings to life the setting in every scene. Hochsmann […]

A stirring work of paranormal fiction, Birds in the Black Water by Kodie Van Dusen is an intricate and original novel. Neviah has seen The Other Side since she was a child, where supernatural beings she’s named Koels, like the birds, appear to her everywhere, ominously keeping watch. This dark paranormal story spans Neviah’s psychic childhood and adult life, navigating The Other Side with its own strange rules, and how they affect her relationships. Although at times the plot and characterization are overwhelmed by dialogue, the world-building is immersive, the premise is singularly inventive, and Van Dusen delivers engaging prose […]

An inspiring romance novel with a unique focus, Courageous Love by Paul Nankivell offers an important perspective on romantic relationships. Alan and Catherine both have cerebral palsy and have overcome the challenges that come with the condition to become successful in their fields, but now new trials arise in the world of romance, as Alan pines for Catherine from afar. Highlighting issues about disabilities, the corporate workplace, and the innate humanness of love, this is a multilayered contemporary romance that is handled with great skill and sensitivity. Though the cover may not reflect the draftsmanship inside, Nankivell is a subtle […]

A sprawling but delicate story of personal evolution, Journey to the Heartland by Xiaolong Huang expertly navigates the fine line between heartbreaking and inspiring. This story is woven together on multiple levels, with themes of sexuality, cultural pressure, academia, and personal exodus, for a poignant meditation on freedom. The tone of the writing is unique and striking, boasting unexpected flourishes of description that make the prose vivid, yet understated. Huang captures the intersection of personal autonomy, conscious liberation, and critical thinking in a timely and undeniably powerful read.

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A Fledgling Bond (A Night Fae Novel) by A.E. Kost is an engaging and creative work of fantasy that will satisfy readers of the growing fae genre. The Night Fae are on the edge of extinction after a war with witches, and Lye, a rare young male, must leave his world and enter the human one, for a clash of cultures that might ignite a larger conflict. This dark fantasy epic has sorcery and beasts woven throughout that fans of magical quest fiction will soak up. However, the prose suffers from redundancy and too much detail, diluting the plot, engaging […]

A short but evocative novel taking place in biblical times, The Scribe by Liam Robert Mullen tells the story of major events immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus. Following a variety of characters, some from the Bible and some who are new, the reader is shown in vivid detail how religion and the world were impacted by the death of the Son of God. Working both as historical and spiritual fiction, Mullen excels at establishing the culture of the time, and providing background to tales many learned as a child. Though there are grammatical issues peppered throughout the text, Mullen’s […]