Terry Broxson et al. | Fiction - Anthology

12 New Christmas Stories is an anthology comprising holiday-themed tales that examine the family, hope, generosity, and the magic of the holiday season. The collection combines the talents of Lee Allen Hill, Diane Kenel-Truelove, Terry Broxson, Ann Mullen-Martin, and Jay Squires, each contributing their unique narrative style and creative imagination. This anthology reflects the authors' compelling storytelling ability, intertwining poignant moments with heartwarming humor to evoke the spirit and traditions of Christmas. “Jesús and Donkey” by Lee Allen Hill follows a young boy, Jesús, and his dog, Donkey. As Jesús prepares for Christmas, he wishes to buy a turkey for his mother. However, his...

J. Michael Dolan | Historical Fiction

Mrs. Wallenberg by J. Michael Dolan is set against the backdrop of World War II and the Holocaust, immersing readers in a profoundly human tale of love, bravery, and sacrifice. In 1944, amidst the harrowing events of the Nazi extermination of Budapest's Jews, the Swedish government sends diplomat Raoul Wallenberg on a crucial mission to curtail the bloodshed. Remarkably, he manages to rescue nearly 100,000 Jewish lives destined for Auschwitz while also sparking a passionate romance with the spirited Dutch interpreter, Berber Smit. With Berber recounting these pivotal experiences—hers and Raoul's—five decades later, she delivers an unfiltered narrative steeped in raw emotion. Berber...

Eliza McJames | Romance - Contemporary

Southern Refuge: Cowboy's Song by Eliza McJames delivers a delightful narrative that intertwines themes of identity, freedom, and emotional healing through the lives of its main characters, Elle (Ellie Thompson) and Dawson Barkley. The story unfolds as Ellie, a pop star haunted by fame, escapes from her controlling life and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, while Dawson, a former Marine dealing with trauma, seeks purpose on his family's ranch. The plot centers around Ellie’s decision to flee her glamorous but suffocating life during a concert tour. Hidden beneath layers of image and expectation, she craves authenticity and autonomy. Her initial act of rebellion leads her to Dawson...

Wes Snowden | Historical Fiction

Wes Snowden's The Seagull delivers an emotionally rich tale fraught with adventure, romance, and an intriguing protagonist’s moral dilemmas set against the backdrop of 18th-century America just before the War of Independence. The narrative follows Jeremy Whitehall, a London gentleman forced by his greedy and unscrupulous uncle, Rolland Silas Crabb, into a dangerous quest to uncover trade secrets in Nantucket. As we follow Jeremy's journey, we see him struggling with his precarious task and his interactions with distinct characters that enhance the story's depth. His interactions with Monique Saffron and Faith Mitchell reveal a transformation in Jeremy—he evolves from a self-indulgent wastrel...

Kasey Compton | Self- Help

Kasey Compton’s In Search of You: How to Find Joy When Doing More Isn’t Doing It Anymore is a profound exploration of self-discovery, inner freedom, and the pursuit of genuine happiness amidst life’s chaotic nature and contemporary fast-paced culture that is characterized by stress and manifold distractions. The book integrates personal narrative with therapeutic guidance, emphasizing the importance of excavating one’s past to construct a meaningful future. In this book, readers will understand what joy truly is and how to tap into it, allow it to possess them, and spread from their inner worlds to the world around them. It is a journey that helps readers move from their brokenness...

Helen Montague Foster | Thriller

Dr. Nancy Thomas, a psychiatrist accustomed to delving deep into her patients' lives, finds her beliefs challenged after a colleague is shot, revealing unsettling truths that force her to reconsider her methods. Despite warnings against continuing treatment for her severely ill patients, Grace and Alan, Nancy fights to provide care as her personal and professional worlds begin to unravel. Set against a backdrop of late 1990s Richmond, Virginia, and inspired by real-life criminal events, the story unfolds a gripping tale of a psychiatrist haunted by her past and the looming threat of a serial killer. Helen Montague Foster's Lost Graces delivers a delightful narrative that intertwines the comp...

Colin Dodds | Fiction - Literary

The Reign of the Anti-Santas by Colin Dodds is a unique and audacious Christmas tale that takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through a world where the holiday spirit collides head-on with corporate greed, scandal, and societal change. The story is narrated by Elvin, an elf with a front-row seat to the evolution and devolution of Christmas. Elvin's journey begins when he unwittingly accompanies Santa Claus on a Christmas Eve trip, setting the stage for a decades-long adventure filled with intrigue and danger. Dodds creates a narrative that includes Santa's secret affairs, the PR scandal that catapults Rudolph to fame, and the encroachment of humanity on the North Pole. What makes this book...

P.S. Glyckherr | Poetry

P.S. Glyckherr's poetry collection, I Believe, and Jesus Knows! resonates deeply with themes of faith, love, hope, and the profound connections among family and friends. This collection offers a heartfelt tribute, particularly to the author's daughters and future generations, weaving threads of personal experience with universal truths. The poems reflect a rich canvas of emotions, highlighting the beauty in life's fleeting moments, the struggles of personal loss, and the healing power of love and faith. Glyckherr's work delivers vivid imagery and relatable metaphors that bring her experiences to life. In “If I Were a Clown,” the poet uses the clown as a symbol of transformation and freedom,...

Kirsten Pursell | Romance

In The Scarlet D by Kirsten Pursell, Scarlet embarks on a daring journey of self-reinvention after a thirty-year marriage crumbles. Seeking solace on Sullivan's Island, she joins a divorced women's book club, hoping to connect with like-minded souls. Amidst the stunning backdrop of South Carolina, her dormant desires come to life when she encounters the charming Ben, a younger man who challenges her boundaries. However, the confident Beau, a maturer suitor and a man more suited for her age, offers a glimpse of true connection. As past wounds resurface with the arrival of an old flame, Scarlet must navigate love, judgment, and the possibility of a second chance. The novel opens with Scarlet's...

Aishah Hight | Children - Grade K-3rd

 In Cake, Lemonade, and Sprinkles, Aishah Hight beautifully captures the universal struggle for self-identity through the experiences of a young girl named London. Set against the backdrop of a costume birthday party, the story unfolds as London struggles with choosing a costume that reflects her individuality and personality while yearning for her friends' approval. Facing the dilemma of fitting in with her friends or showcasing her unique style, London explores creative ideas that just don’t feel like her. With inspiration, she learns the importance of self-expression and the courage to stand out. Aishah Hight’s colorful storytelling, paired with exquisite jeweled-toned illustrations,...

Alisse Lee Goldenberg | Teen & Young Adult

Alisse Lee Goldenberg’s The Ghost in the Garden is a captivating middle-grade novel that deftly navigates themes of friendship, grief, and the supernatural through the lens of a young girl named Sophie Madison. After moving from her bustling city life in Calgary to the quieter Stratford, Ontario, Sophie struggles to adapt to her new surroundings and confronts unsettling experiences in her new home. The narrative begins with Sophie’s reluctance and disdain for her new life—emotions relatable to anyone who has faced significant change. Goldenberg’s portrayal of Sophie’s alienation captures the complex world of young adolescence while employing a charming blend of humor and angst. The real twis...

Scott Bollens | Science Fiction & Fantasy

In 2032, the AI supercomputer Interconnect promises a utopian future through flawless algorithms and constant connectivity, but academic Jared Rohde becomes troubled by its growing control over human behavior. As he grapples with the turmoil of living in a machine-curated world filled with hate and division, he encounters a group of “organic” resisters who reveal the sinister tactics of a power-hungry President manipulating the system. Determined to confront Interconnect’s dark influence, Jared embarks on a quest for truth and liberation, all while battling his mental struggles in a reality increasingly blurred by the machine's grip. Precipice: When Algorithms Triumphed by Scott Bollens is a...