Yvonne Blackwood | Thriller

In the dynamic setting of 1990s Toronto, brothers John and Carmine Cippione strive to elevate their father's humble HVAC business by partnering with a formidable development company, chasing the dreams of wealth and success. However, when an evil industry adversary threatens their family's legacy with ruinous schemes, they find themselves entangled in a dangerous web of deceit, adultery, and murder. As their world unravels, the brothers must navigate these treacherous waters to salvage their father's name and secure their future amidst fierce ambition and betrayal. The Ambition by Yvonne Blackwood intricately weaves the themes of aspiration, family, and the immigrant experience into a compel...

John H. Wulsin Jr. | Historical Fiction

In John H. Wulsin Jr.’s DRAUSIN and JOSEPHINE: We Too Shall Pass, Drauzin Valsin Bacas uncovers his father’s secret of passing as white in 1850s New Orleans. Banished and fleeing racial oppression, he and his wife, Josephine, navigate the perilous world of white identity in Cincinnati. As they confront family legacies, they must consider the cost of denial and the hope of future generations. This is a powerful work of historical fiction that richly weaves personal and communal narratives against the backdrop of early 19th-century New Orleans. The tale follows the intertwining lives of Drauzin Valsin Bacas and Josephine Young, exploring their struggles, identities, and the universal search fo...

Phil Fletcher-Stokes |

Phil Fletcher-Stokes’ Dying of Lassitude and Ennui is a candid exploration of the manifold frustrations and ironies that punctuate the twilight years of life delivered in a unique poetic voice. Though the book may appear heavy with personal lament, it sparkles with a piercing humor that offers readers both introspection and entertainment. Through loosely connected essays and poetic utterances, Fletcher-Stokes employs various stylistic devices, particularly wit and satire, to reflect on aging, isolation, and the human condition. The book's structure, a series of poetic musings, enables Fletcher-Stokes to ricochet between profound despair and almost slapstick observations. This kaleidoscopic a...

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...

Gail Ward Olmsted | Fiction - Womens

In Guessing at Normal, Gail Ward Olmsted delivers a gripping romance that deftly explores themes of identity, belonging, and the complications of love against the backdrop of the tumultuous music industry. The novel follows the journey of Jill Griffin, a young woman seeking normalcy amid a chaotic life filled with dysfunctional family relationships and a burgeoning romance with James Sheridan, a struggling musician. Readers are introduced to a cast of characters who contribute richly to Jill's journey of self-discovery and the quest for authentic connection. Jill is a relatable heroine whose insecurities stem from her troubled upbringing. Her interactions with James reveal her brok...

J.L. Hancock | Fiction - Thriller- Espionage

The Spear and the Sentinel by J.L. Hancock offers a pulsating narrative through military intrigue, personal trauma, and geopolitical manipulation. The novel unfolds with Major Igor Orlov investigating a mysterious and violent event on Kunashir Island, where soldiers' testimonies blur the lines between myth and reality. The interwoven plots of espionage and personal transformation are articulated through Hancock’s gripping prose and character-driven conflicts. As Voodoo's team embarks on a covert mission, tensions escalate with the introduction of new members who aggravate existing frictions. Old troubles from Voodoo’s past resurface, complicating the mission even further. They soon confront...

LJ Peace | Children - Adventure

Kitten Quest, the first installment in the kREEPY kITTENS Action and Adventure series by LJ Peace, is a delightful romp through a world that balances fantasy and reality with a deft touch. The narrative follows  Crissy, an imaginative girl whose summers in the peculiar town of Cliffside are extraordinary. This time, she is on a mission to rescue a kitten from the clutches of the nefarious Buzz, an evil bird whose scheming makes for a thrilling antagonist. The book promises excitement with a sci-fi twist, appealing to young readers and families seeking an engaging read. Peace skillfully weaves elements of action and adventure with a moral undertone, as the narrative frequently touches up...

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...

Pamela Starusta | Self- Help

Treasure: Gifts Received from Challenges, Struggles, and Trauma by Pamela Starusta is a memoir-cum-guidebook blending profoundly personal narrative with universal lessons on healing and self-discovery. Capturing the agony and aftermath of trauma, the book reveals how life’s darkest moments can transform into powerful sources of strength and enlightenment. The core message revolves around the transformative potential of trauma. Starusta asserts that challenges and struggles can break us and fortify us. Instead of succumbing to despair, she encourages viewing hardships as gifts that can lead to personal growth and self-awareness. When addressed and healed, this reframing helps readers understa...

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...

Hunter Malone | Children - Adventure

Knocktopia: Secret of the Mother Lobe by Hunter Malone starts with Ben Coolahan, a young boy whose life takes an unexpected turn after his father's death. The narrative begins with Ben at the National Bank of Boston, where he receives two items from his father's will—a mysterious copper medallion and a letter that sets him on a journey fraught with danger and enigmas. Despite his stable life in Boston, Ben is thrust into an unfamiliar world when he is sent to live with Delilah, his step-grandmother, in a lawless area associated with his family's past in gold mining. Forced to work in the mines by his domineering guardian, Delilah, young Ben finds solace with Jack, a seasoned Cornish miner wi...