Jeffrey L Carrier | Non-Fiction - Memoir
Jeffrey L. Carrier’s memoir is a compelling exploration of what it is like growing up as a gay preacher's son in the conservative South. Spanning from his childhood in rural Tennessee to his struggles with identity and acceptance, Things I Never Told My Father: Growing Up Gay as a Preacher’s Son intricately intertwines personal anecdotes with broader themes, such as the conflict between sexual identity and religious norms. The narrative arc begins with Carrier's idyllic early childhood memories but quickly unravels as he navigates the dissonance between his burgeoning sexual identity and the expectations of his environment. The central conflict arises from Carrier's inability to reconcile hi...
Continue ReadingGolden November | Fiction - Drama
Milestoneville Drama Series is the first book in a new series by Golden November. It delivers thrilling drama that examines the intersection of several lives and characters within the vibrant and tumultuous setting of Milestoneville. This drama deftly explores themes of ambition, self-discovery, and the relentless pursuit of success, all while maintaining a grounded sense of humor and camaraderie among its cast. The drama features intriguing characters like Jimbo (JBT) and Good (G), whose camaraderie is marked by their shared experiences as Book Hunters. JBT is charismatic and confident, often leading their adventures with a reckless abandon that masks a deeper level of desper...
Continue ReadingConnie Lacy | Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Connie Lacy’s The October That Changed Everything offers a compelling narrative set against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis, intertwining personal and political conflicts that resonate deeply. In 1962, Cheryl Donovan falls in love with an Army pilot just when the Soviet Union deploys nuclear missiles in Cuba aimed at the US. While her love interest has different values from hers, Cheryl is thrust into a world of uncertainty and must struggle to remain true to her heart and values. What chances does she have in love in a world on the brink of nuclear war? In this story, Lacy excels in character development, particularly with her protagonist, Cheryl Donovan, a bright and determined se...
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 ReadingRita H Rowe | Fiction - Womens
Rita H. Rowe’s Gin and Toxic delivers a gripping exploration of love, identity, and the threads of an abusive relationship that will cost the heroine almost everything. The plot spans decades, beginning in post-colonial India and extending into a new life in Australia. This vast timeline enables Rowe to delve into Elizabeth's evolution, tumultuous relationships, and the psychological ramifications of her choices. When Elizabeth D'Souza falls in love with Mike, an officer who likes gin and passion, her life changes unexpectedly. She comes awake with him, but as time passes by, Mike becomes unfaithful, pushing Elizabeth to embrace destructive behaviors, taking flight gin. The spirite...
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 ReadingKB Richards | Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
K.B. Richards’ The Gallucci Gallery is an expertly woven psychological thriller that intricately weaves trauma, identity, and morality. The story follows a mother struggling with her tumultuous past—specifically with her abusive father—which has manifested as a dissociative identity disorder, introducing the formidable persona of Elizabeth. She is accused of murder, but she isn’t even sure whether she committed it or not. Things become more complicated for Bianca when a mysterious character enters her life. She can’t believe that Vincenzo Gallucci, also known as Pascal, is her father’s brother. When she is confronted and asked to return a stolen painting, The Sea of Galilee, she denies...
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 ReadingPS Conway | Poetry & Short Stories
PS Conway’s exquisite poetry collection Echoes Lost in Stars delivers a transcendent journey through a constellation of themes, prominently highlighting love, loss, and existential reflection. Each section—Sun, Sun (light), Star (light), and Stars—invites the reader to contemplate the intricate back-and-forth between the celestial world and human emotion, akin to the works of John Keats. One of the most compelling aspects of Conway's work is his expert use of vivid imagery and symbolism that lends depth to the reader's experience. For instance, in the poem “Long Before the Christ Child,” the frankincense tree represents a duality of hope and despair, grounding spiritual significance within e...
Continue ReadingKirsten 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...
Continue ReadingKirsten 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...
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 ReadingJ.R. Vaineo | Science Fiction & Fantasy
J.R. Vaineo's Kings of Muraine launches The Journals of Ravier series, delivering a richly woven tale about loss, the struggle for identity, and the intersection of fantasy with reality. Tyler Ravier has a hard time recovering from the death of his father and the emotional turmoil that followed the loss as he encounters magical beings and realms tied to his lineage. The plot unfolds with Tyler struggling with the dual realities of his mundane life and the burgeoning world of Muraine, a land his father cherished but never revealed to Tyler. Following dramatic events leading him to a hidden painting and cryptic letters linked to his father’s past, Tyler sets out to uncover truths challenging h...
Continue ReadingKirsten Pursell (Kirsten Pursell)
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 re...
PS Conway (Literary Revelations)
PS Conway’s exquisite poetry collection Echoes Lost in Stars delivers a transcendent journey through a constellation of themes, prominently highlighting love, loss, and existential reflection. Each section—Sun, Sun (light), Star (light), and Stars—invites the reader to contemplate the intricate back-and-forth between the celestial world and human emotion, akin to the works of John Keats. One of the most compelling aspects of Conway's work is his expert use of vivid imagery and symbolism that lends depth to the reader's experience. For instance,...
Jeffrey L Carrier (Anson Breck Publishing (April 5, 2024))
Jeffrey L. Carrier’s memoir is a compelling exploration of what it is like growing up as a gay preacher's son in the conservative South. Spanning from his childhood in rural Tennessee to his struggles with identity and acceptance, Things I Never Told My Father: Growing Up Gay as a Preacher’s Son intricately intertwines personal anecdotes with broader themes, such as the conflict between sexual identity and religious norms. The narrative arc begins with Carrier's idyllic early childhood memories but quickly unravels as he navigates the dissonanc...
J.R. Vaineo (JRV Books, LLC)
J.R. Vaineo's Kings of Muraine launches The Journals of Ravier series, delivering a richly woven tale about loss, the struggle for identity, and the intersection of fantasy with reality. Tyler Ravier has a hard time recovering from the death of his father and the emotional turmoil that followed the loss as he encounters magical beings and realms tied to his lineage. The plot unfolds with Tyler struggling with the dual realities of his mundane life and the burgeoning world of Muraine, a land his father cherished but never revealed to Tyler. Foll...
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