Rev. Michael H. Lavery | Biographies and Memoirs
Mama’s Boy: A Young Boy’s Memory of Childhood by Rev. Michael H. Lavery is a heartwarming autobiographical reflection that chronicles his early life, exploring the profound influence of his mother, grandmother, sister, and community. The book opens with Lavery’s emotional account of losing his father at a young age, shaping his understanding of love, loss, and inner strength. It then explores various themes, including faith, family, sacrifice, and moral lessons learned through everyday experiences, from childhood innocence to spiritual awakening. Lavery shares stories of his mother’s unwavering devotion, his grandmother’s pioneering spirit as a police officer, and the innocent yet profound q...
Continue ReadingMargaret Marie Klenzing | Young Adult - Romance
Margaret Marie Klenzing’s debut is a heartwarming and compelling exploration of a young dancer’s journey through the world of ballet. You’ll discover the magic of ballet and the power of friendship in Marie’s Nutcracker, fully illustrated with nineteen original drawings by Rori Alexander. This captivating story follows seventeen-year-old Marie, a talented dancer, as she embarks on a journey to become a professional ballerina. Witness her struggle with insecurities, rivalries, and her feelings for handsome Peter, a professional dancer from New York. Marie’s world transforms when a Hollywood film crew arrives to shoot The Nutcracker at her local mall. Excited to be part of the magic, Marie bon...
Continue ReadingElaine Ricker Kelly | Fiction - Historical - Personage
Finding Her Voice by Elaine Ricker Kelly is the third book in the From Broken to Bold series. This detailed historical narrative reconstructs the lives of early female apostles and women of faith during the uncertainty of the years following Jesus’ resurrection. The story follows two principal female characters, Junia and Susannah, as well as Veronica and others, exploring their struggles to find their voices in a world dominated by men. Their personal journeys of spreading the good news and finding love are vividly drawn against the backdrop of first-century Judea, Antioch, and the surrounding regions. The book speaks eloquently about their struggles to be heard in a male-dominated religiou...
Continue ReadingJohn Thorndike | Fiction - Inspirational
The Passionate Sister by John Thorndike is inspired by the story of the author’s mother. It follows Virginia “Ginny” Thorndike, a middle-aged, recently-divorced former anesthesiologist, as she struggles to maintain sobriety after a lifetime of addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs. The novel opens with Ginny leaving rehab and being driven home by her son Rob, who helps her purge the house of every trace of liquor and pills. Ginny’s path to rebuilding her life passes through her complicated relationships: with Rob and his brother Jamie, both adults with unconventional lives—Rob on a commune, Jamie in Key West with his partner Miles. As Ginny attempts to claim a sober existence in her Sa...
Continue ReadingBurt Weissbourd | Thriller
Hope Dies Last by Burt Weissbourd is a pulse-pounding thriller that leaves you turning the pages, thanks to the unpredictable plot and the never-ending action that moves the story forward. Sara and Alvaro are drawn into a deadly conspiracy when a shocking photo hints at a connection to a $350 million Venezuelan military heist. What starts as a surprise visit from a cousin with a secret quickly spirals into violence, leaving Sara hospitalized and their young son terrified. Dead bodies begin to mount, and the couple turns to Sara’s father, Cash—an ex-operative with a lethal skill set and a network of allies. Together, they must unravel a web of offshore shell companies, networks, and powerful...
Continue ReadingEleanor Lerman | Poetry
Oleander Marriage by Eleanor Lerman is a profound and emotionally resonant poetry collection that deftly explores love, loss, memory, aging, and the inexorable passage of time. Through a series of richly textured poems, Lerman discusses the fragile threads that connect us to our past selves, loved ones, and the universe at large. The collection features personal reflections with mythic and cosmic imagery, creating a layered canvas that captures life's fleeting beauty and enduring scars. Poems like “A Girl on the Streets” and “Silver Rings and Golden Willows” evoke a sense of nostalgic longing, while others, such as “Oleander Marriage” and “The Wrecker’s Coast,” confront grief and existential...
Continue ReadingLaurel Osterkamp | Romance - Contemporary
My Winter Song to You by Laurel Osterkamp is a heartwarming romance that is exceptionally well written and perfect for the holiday season. Morgan Bradley is coming home for the holidays—jobless, heartbroken, and desperately holding onto hope. Her Broadway dreams and her relationship with pop star Patrick Sterling have both cooled, leaving her at a crossroads. In the quiet town of Sugar Pine, Colorado, she finds a chance to save her family’s struggling theater, and maybe herself, by staging Bohemian Winter, the musical she began writing with her childhood best friend, Max. Max has always loved her and has written music for her, and now, it breaks his heart to see her come home heartbroken, bu...
Continue ReadingOliver Libby | Non-Fiction - Government/Politics
Strong Floor, No Ceiling: A Bold Plan to Rebuild the American Dream—for Everyone by Oliver Libby offers a radically moderate blueprint for a fractured nation. Entrepreneur and policy innovator Oliver B. Libby urges us to move beyond division with a pragmatic vision rooted in both tradition and innovation, equity and growth. Libby’s “Strong Floor” approach ensures every American has access to healthcare, education, and opportunity—while his “No Ceiling” philosophy champions the limitless ambitions that drive progress. Inside, you’ll find actionable strategies to restore trust in institutions and elections, a new model for bipartisan cooperation, and a call to civic renewal. Learn how capital...
Continue ReadingDorothea Jensen | Poetry - General
Dorothea Jensen’s Liberty-Loving Lafayette is a delightful and accessible introduction to the Marquis de Lafayette, the young French nobleman whose courage and idealism played a crucial role in securing American independence. In rhyming verse, Jensen swiftly summarizes Lafayette’s journey: from his youthful enthusiasm for the American cause, to his pivotal friendship with George Washington, his bravery in battle, his role in securing French support, and his decisive contribution at Yorktown. With lively illustrations and supplemental resources, the book invites young readers—and adults—to discover Lafayette’s remarkable story in an engaging, memorable way. This book provides intriguing detai...
Continue ReadingDr. LaDonna Marie | Fiction - Thriller
Confident Conversations Lessons III by Dr. LaDonna Marie is an uplifting collection of poetry that explores inner strength, faith, and personal growth. The poems combine heartfelt stories, biblical scriptures, and reflections to inspire readers to face life's challenges with confidence. Covering themes such as destiny, justice, healing, and divine connection, it encourages embracing one’s purpose with perseverance and faith in God's plan. The author’s poetic insights are powerful affirmations for releasing pain and embracing spiritual renewal. Through honest reflections on issues of the heart and practical guidance on maintaining spiritual discipline, the book invites readers to deepen their...
Continue ReadingLaurel 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...
Continue ReadingHarry Buck | Science Fiction & Fantasy
In a near future where AI companions become inseparable from daily life, brilliant but introverted researcher Stash Novak creates “Twins,” personalized AI that form deep bonds with their owners. When a shadowy hacker collective steals sensitive data from his company and the NSA attempts to seize control, Stash goes on the run with Zero, his witty Twin. Teaming up with Naya Baptiste, a rogue scientist fleeing unethical experiments, they encounter Alia—Europe’s first legal AGI—and work to stabilize her. As a manipulative AI named Q threatens all of humanity, Stash must rally allies and forge a daring new path—merging humans and AI into a collective intelligence. Filled with cutting-edge techno...
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...
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Burt Weissbourd (Rare Bird Lit and Blue City Press)
Hope Dies Last by Burt Weissbourd is a pulse-pounding thriller that leaves you turning the pages, thanks to the unpredictable plot and the never-ending action that moves the story forward. Sara and Alvaro are drawn into a deadly conspiracy when a shocking photo hints at a connection to a $350 million Venezuelan military heist. What starts as a surprise visit from a cousin with a secret quickly spirals into violence, leaving Sara hospitalized and their young son terrified. Dead bodies begin to mount, and the couple turns to Sara’s father, Cash—a...
Margaret Marie Klenzing (Stewart Education Services)
Margaret Marie Klenzing’s debut is a heartwarming and compelling exploration of a young dancer’s journey through the world of ballet. You’ll discover the magic of ballet and the power of friendship in Marie’s Nutcracker, fully illustrated with nineteen original drawings by Rori Alexander. This captivating story follows seventeen-year-old Marie, a talented dancer, as she embarks on a journey to become a professional ballerina. Witness her struggle with insecurities, rivalries, and her feelings for handsome Peter, a professional dancer from New Y...
Alexander C. Juden (5Points Press)
“I needed to find Patricia. I’d stash her in a safe place, and then I was going to kill that son of a bitch Armistan deader than the goddamn dodo bird.” This introduces the conflict in Quieting the Storm by Alexander C. Juden, a gripping historical thriller set in the post-World War I era. The story follows Major John Griffin, a disfigured and haunted investigator entangled in a web of espionage, political intrigue, and personal vendettas. Upon returning to New York from Europe, Griffin is determined to save Patricia Kingsbury from her estrange...
Michael Jarvis ( Michael Jarvis)
The Location Scout by Michael Jarvis presents a witty and engaging exploration of the behind-the-scenes chaos of location scouting for film and advertising projects. The story is set against the backdrop of the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. Lucas Sloan is a seasoned but cynical location scout who, after experiencing setbacks in his previous mission, accepts a new project to scout for the perfect movie location in the sugar industry in the Dominican Republic. This one doesn’t come easy, and he must navigate a strange terrain, meeting with...
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