Zoe Disigny | Fiction - Womens

Zoe Disigny's The Art of Traveling Strangers explores personal transformation against the backdrop of art and travel. Claire Markham embarks on a transformative journey to Europe as an art guide, hoping to escape the emotional toll of her recent divorce and strained relationship with her daughter, Amber. The novel reveals Claire's internal struggles and features vibrant characters, particularly her employer, Viv Chancey, whose exuberance and impulsive nature challenge Claire's sense of control. The novel begins with an evocative scene aboard Claire’s flight to Europe, where she reflects on her life through the lens of art. Disigny skillfully illustrates how art can symbolize personal experie...

Bryan W. Conway | Thriller

In Sandusky Burning, Bryan W. Conway crafts a tale of unseen chaos amidst the tranquil facade of a lakeside campground. The narrative follows multiple characters, unraveling the intermingled lives of seasonal workers and campers at Sandusky Shores. Central to the plot is Brady Sullivan, a remote worker facing marital issues, who becomes entangled in a series of escalating incidents ranging from petty theft to drunken escapades. As the story unfolds, it reveals the darker undercurrents of addiction, manipulation, and desperation, culminating in a suspenseful crescendo involving a mysterious fire and a train disaster that force the characters to confront their fates. Brady just wants to get ho...

Diana Waldman | Poetry - General

A Woman's Song by Diana May-Waldman is a gorgeous collection of poetry that is as exciting as it can be, a collection that uncannily captures the essence of womanhood. In these poems, readers will hear echoes of longing, feel drawn into the currents of passionate encounters, understand the ache of wanting a man or seeking revenge, savor the beauty of friendship, and be pulled into a place — in the deep recesses of the heart — where a woman finds her strength and her weakness. The poem “Penis” sets the tone for the raw emotions that are noticeable in Diana May-Waldman’s poetry, and she says it as she feels it: “I want a penis / I want to give birth to it / So I can teach it to...

Sam Polakoff | Fiction - Historical - Event/Era

In The Diary of Essie Lassiter, Sam Polakoff delivers a gripping historical narrative set in 18th-century England and the American colonies, following Essie’s tumultuous journey after the devastating loss of her husband, Thomas. After succumbing to smallpox, Thomas leaves Essie to face a cruel world where she is plunged into debt and ultimately imprisoned. As Essie navigates the treacherous waters of London Debtor’s Prison, she is later indentured to Aquila Wright, a wealthy mill owner in the British colony of Maryland. She saves his life and gains his trust, leading to the request for her to run a hospital in the colony. She encounters a vivid cast of characters, from the treacherous Elias...

MIKE J B | Children - Fiction

In The Angry Toolbox Adventures, author Mike J.B. crafts a whimsical and engaging narrative that explores themes of friendship, teamwork, and perseverance through the adventures of a young boy and his animated toolbox. Set within the cozy confines of Leroy's home, the story begins on a frosty winter morning, with Leroy's enthusiasm for his toolbox foreshadowing the adventure ahead. As the festive decorations are taken down, the household dynamics are beautifully illustrated, providing a backdrop for Leroy's close relationship with his family, including his forgetful Grandad. The central conflict soon arises as the angry toolbox, personified with delightful characteristics, awakens to a...

Laura Burke | Murder - Mystery

The FBI has an asset in Jolene, a shrewd woman who can get to the bottom of cold cases. The local agents give her carte blanche in picking the unsolved mystery and then begin the investigation. The two FBI agents place a bet on the most likely case Jolene will choose, but Jolene manages to surprise them with her selection. When choosing from a sword murder, an unexplained death of spouses, or skeletal remains, Jolene selects the case involving skeletal remains. The latest case involves a trip into Wisconsin where Jolene along with Agents Bley and Haines find more than they bargained for as their case leads to a string of deaths involving an ancient curse dating back over a century. They wil...

Michael L. Kaufman, MSW, PhD | Non-Fiction - Business/Finance

In Doing Good and Doing Well, Michael L. Kaufman skillfully explores the intersection of altruism and leadership for helping professionals. Kaufman elucidates the core message that those in service-oriented careers possess inherent traits that resonate with their roles as helpers and equip them to ascend into leadership positions. This duality of purpose—doing good while thriving professionally—is the core message of this book. The book's organization mirrors Kaufman's guiding philosophy, combining personal narratives, historical context, and practical advice to engage readers. It opens with an empowering introduction, followed by ten chapters that dissect various aspects of leadership relev...

Robert Jaffee, MD |

Eyes of a Different Color by Robert Jaffee, MD, is a tale of cultural clashes, complex relationships, and personal growth that follows the love story of Bob, a Jewish-American ophthalmologist, and Iris, a young woman from Israel. The narrative begins with a gripping prologue where Bob mourns the tragic loss of his wife at a grave site in Israel. Following this, the plot unfolds through their meeting, brief yet impactful romance, grappling with differing cultural expectations, and culminates in a rollercoaster of emotions tied to proposals and the logistics of a wedding amidst military bureaucracy. Set in 1979, this narrative examines their life post-marriage and the challenges they must face...

Arthur J Dorety III | Fiction - Fantasy

In Tales of Urath, the first book in the Of Dragons and Drakes series, Arthur J. Dorety III delivers a sweeping fantasy adventure set in the richly imagined world of Urath, where dragons and drakes, remnants of ancient divine beings, dominate the landscape. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of several characters, including the determined Helm Boargut, who searches for the magical sword Father Frost to restore peace to his war-torn kingdom. Simultaneously, the cunning Lord Kavalla teams up with drakes and the malevolent Fire Witch Al Khimia, whose ambitions challenge the fragile balance of power in the realm. In this narrative, a half-elf wizard seeks artifacts to control dragons, while...

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...

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...

Laurel Colless | Children - Adventure

Knights Unite is the fourth book in the Peter Blue Series by Laurel Colless, and it follows Riva du Lac, who is determined to uphold her promise to avoid detentions at Spiral Hall. But a sea cleanup reveals Shem, a mythical fish boy, and a surprise honor from the Spiral Knights forces her to choose between rules and friendship. Meanwhile, Peter Blue has a vision of a water-dwelling monster. Can their unlikely alliance save the knights—and the world? Laurel Colless captures the delicate balance of environmental activism and adolescent adventure through the eyes of Riva, the determined twelve-year-old protagonist. The character development is both nuanced and engaging, particularly in Riva’s j...