Radu Guiasu | Biographies and Memoirs
Radu Guiașu’s The Faraway Mountains melds the themes of friendship, freedom, and the haunting shadows of life under a repressive regime to deliver a spellbinding experience for readers. Set against the backdrop of Romania's communist past, the narrative hinges on a hiking expedition that unfolds as both an adventure and a philosophical exploration. The plot centers on three friends—Alex, Victor, and Dan—embarking on a challenging trek in the mountainous wilderness. Their camaraderie and personal struggles emerge vividly as they traverse the rugged terrain, revealing underlying tensions and past traumas. The journey to summit the enigmatic Bandits' Mountain becomes a metaphor for confronting...
Continue ReadingSusan Beth Miller | Fiction -Mystery-General
In A Beautiful Land by Susan Beth Miller, Raissa's family's flight from political violence forces her to confront her deepest desires and darkest fears. Bound by memories and maternal longing, she risks everything to remain in her childhood home, only to find herself driven into a mysterious forest. With sparkling prose and distinctive voices, Miller crafts a tale of strained family ties, displacement, and strong echoes of maternal imagination. Raissa's journey is haunting, drawing readers into a world of struggle and delight where the line between love and desperation blurs.A Beautiful Land by Susan Beth Miller is a captivating tale of survival and the enduring power of hope in a world torn...
Continue ReadingSusen Edwards | Fiction — Adult —Women
Susen Edwards’ Lookin' for Love delivers a deeply moving tale that spans decades. It chronicles the tumultuous life of Ava Novak, a character shaped by a painful childhood, multiple tumultuous relationships, and the search for self-worth and stability amidst chaos. The novel's depth lies in its rich character development, intricate conflicts, plot twists, and a setting that evolves alongside Ava's journey. It is 1963, and nineteen-year-old Ava is trapped in a cycle of violence and despair after marrying an alcoholic and being cast aside by her abusive mother. The weight of her circumstances forces her to bear two sons and ultimately turn to go-go dancing, desperately numbing her pain wi...
Continue ReadingKenneth James Allen | Fiction — Thriller
Kenneth James Allen’s Echo is a gritty thriller that follows Eli Cruz, a man whose life unravels in the wake of a tragic incident that claims the lives of his friends, Tyler and Dylan. He is a gifted hacker whose activity pits two powerful crime syndicates against each other. His curiosity and daring bring in more than he could ever have imagined, and it is not long before he is fighting for his life and those he loves. The plot is ingeniously conceived and skillfully executed, with a quick pacing that compels readers through Eli's journey's harrowing twists and turns. He navigates a treacherous world filled with criminals led by the ruthless Grigory. Grigory is portrayed as a cunning antago...
Continue ReadingJennifer Ivy Walker | Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker is a historical fiction set in medieval France, specifically in the 13th century. The story takes place during the Christmas season in the winter of 1250 and revolves around the themes of family, love, redemption, and healing. The main characters in the novel are Gaultier and Cardin de Landuc, two Breton knights defending the Atlantic coast of Aquitaine for King Philippe le Bel of France. Gaultier is the older brother who has taken on a fatherly role to Cardin, who is struggling with his past and his addiction to drinking and gambling. The novel also introduces Laudine, the Lady of the Sacred Spring, a renowned healer and priestess of the...
Continue ReadingPS Conway | Poetry & Short Stories
Echoes Lost in Stars by PS Conway is a poetic journey that explores the human experience through its connections with nature, mythology, and love. The poetry collection is imbued with captivating imagery that appeals to the senses and insightful lines illuminating readers' imaginations. This profound, powerful, and extensive collection of poems is uncannily precise and beautifully tuned. It is also direct and infused with metaphorical language, giving it a universal appeal. The imagery is striking, exciting readers in unspeakable ways. In ''Earthen Trails,'' Conway uses sensory details like the ''scent of pine shadows'' and ''worries of life long gone'' to evoke a sense of tranquility. ...
Continue ReadingPhil Brown | Romance - General
Phil Brown’s Edge of Destiny delivers a captivating tale woven from the threads of history, love, and the mysteries of time travel. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of World War II, the story follows high school seniors Theo Ferris and Claudia, who find themselves navigating the uncertain terrain of young love while facing the impending storm of global conflict. The story begins in Norfolk County, where the idyllic charm of rural life contrasts sharply with the horrors brewing across the Atlantic. Theo, a boy from the farm, dreams of enlisting in the Air Force. At the same time, Claudia, a brilliant and fiercely independent young woman, challenges the conventions of her time as she stakes...
Continue ReadingR. Christian Bohlen | Spirituality & Inspiration
R. Christian Bohlen's Miracle at Angels Bend is a profound and compassionate exploration of faith, healing, and personal transformation framed within the struggles of several characters in a small town. With an engaging and thoughtful narrative style, Bohlen weaves together various lives, each character struggling with unique challenges, dilemmas, and hopes for redemption through faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ. The book introduces readers to characters like Josh, Hannah, Dave, and Larina, who represent a spectrum of contemporary issues, including familial strife, grief, addiction, and the search for identity and belonging. Hannah is dealing with the aftermath of a tragic a...
Continue ReadingGretchen Bainum | Children - Adventure
Gretchen Bainum's The Three Secrets is a heartwarming tale that captures the enchanting transformation of a seed into a vibrant sunflower, delivering a thought-provoking metaphor for life’s journey and a gentle guide through the wonders of nature. The narrative begins with the seed receiving an enigmatic message from the wind, announcing three important secrets the seed must uncover as it faces the challenges of growing through the seasons. This story beautifully illustrates themes of hope, growth, and self-discovery, making it an engaging read for children — and, surprisingly, adults. Bainum’s thoughtful approach to storytelling, which entertains and educates young read...
Continue ReadingLawrence S. Pascoe | Self- Help
Lawrence S. Pascoe’s Innovative Legal Service Applications: A Guide to Improved Client Services is a groundbreaking book that offers a fresh and practical approach to enhancing client interactions within the legal profession. Drawing from over four decades of legal experience, Pascoe articulates a clear vision for how legal practitioners can evolve in an increasingly competitive landscape. The book is rendered accessible with clear writing, yet it delivers a substantive presentation of innovative techniques and technologies that lawyers can adopt to improve client service. The author emphasizes that the push for innovation is not merely about attracting more clients but also about minimizing...
Continue ReadingColin 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...
Continue ReadingAlisse 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...
Continue ReadingK.I.S. | Science Fiction & Fantasy
K. I. S.'s The Assays of Ata is a spellbinding fantasy tale brimming with intrigue, political machinations, and the struggle for survival against the backdrop of a nightmarish setting and formidable foes. Set in the richly imagined world of Áitarbith, the story follows Ata—a Pandial spy masquerading as a maid in the Cinnaen royal household. The setting—a glass-encased palace highlighted by its fragility and vulnerability amid a winter storm—acts as both a luxurious home and a precarious haven fraught with danger. Ata's covert operations reveal an unexpected war initiated by the Gruxhoon, mythic beasts long thought extinct. The rising action is tense as Ata must balance her mission, protect h...
Continue ReadingKenneth James Allen (Independently published (October 1, 2024))
Kenneth James Allen’s Echo is a gritty thriller that follows Eli Cruz, a man whose life unravels in the wake of a tragic incident that claims the lives of his friends, Tyler and Dylan. He is a gifted hacker whose activity pits two powerful crime syndicates against each other. His curiosity and daring bring in more than he could ever have imagined, and it is not long before he is fighting for his life and those he loves. The plot is ingeniously conceived and skillfully executed, with a quick pacing that compels readers through Eli's journey's ha...
Sally Dipaula (Defiance Press & Publishing)
In Captain Moretti’s Daughter, Sally E. DiPaula delivers a compelling narrative set against the backdrop of a 1960s cargo ship, creating a rich setting that intertwines with themes of identity, fear, and resilience. 15-year-old Francesca Moretti (Frankie) finds herself in the tumultuous waters of life after her mother's death and her father's absence, leading her into a world of danger and mystery. The plot centers around Frankie’s search for the murder of a crew member, the wiper named Kristian, aboard the ship Il Destino, captained by her fat...
K.I.S. (K. Schultz)
K. I. S.'s The Assays of Ata is a spellbinding fantasy tale brimming with intrigue, political machinations, and the struggle for survival against the backdrop of a nightmarish setting and formidable foes. Set in the richly imagined world of Áitarbith, the story follows Ata—a Pandial spy masquerading as a maid in the Cinnaen royal household. The setting—a glass-encased palace highlighted by its fragility and vulnerability amid a winter storm—acts as both a luxurious home and a precarious haven fraught with danger. Ata's covert operations reveal...
Susen Edwards (She Writes Press)
Susen Edwards’ Lookin' for Love delivers a deeply moving tale that spans decades. It chronicles the tumultuous life of Ava Novak, a character shaped by a painful childhood, multiple tumultuous relationships, and the search for self-worth and stability amidst chaos. The novel's depth lies in its rich character development, intricate conflicts, plot twists, and a setting that evolves alongside Ava's journey. It is 1963, and nineteen-year-old Ava is trapped in a cycle of violence and despair after marrying an alcoholic and being cast aside by...
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