Rasheed Abou-Elsamh | Memoir
Exile of the Heart by Rasheed Abou-Elsamh is a deeply personal memoir that chronicles his life across three continents—Europe, South America, and the Middle East—highlighting the complex intersections of identity, culture, and belonging. The story begins with Rasheed’s childhood in Geneva, Cairo, and Brasilia, where he steers through a multicultural upbringing, and continues through his academic pursuits in the U.S. and his career in journalism in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Philippines. The narrative depicts his struggles with loneliness, the pain of family and cultural dislocation, and his journey toward self-acceptance amid social and religious constraints. Rasheed’s story is peppered...
Continue ReadingEleanor Lerman | Fiction - Literary
King the Wonder Dog and Other Stories by Eleanor Lerman is a delightful collection of short stories that examine the quiet struggles and unexpected moments of ordinary lives. Laura is an aging woman seeking to adopt an older dog; Jeanne faces loneliness amid Macy’s bewilderment and her search for a lost pet. Cassandra struggles with her mental health in a hospital, and her husband provides care and unexpected responses in “Normal People.” “Old Dogs” follows Steven, a Jersey City maintenance worker, as he confronts aging and mortality while reminiscing about his life and his beloved dogs. You are treated to heartbreaking and heartwarming moments in these tales, from a young woman grappling wi...
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 ReadingKirsten Pursell | Fiction - Womens
Kirsten Pursell’s The Unabridged Life of Missy Kinkaid is a character-driven tale perfect for the holidays, one that examines family, friendship, and self-discovery. Set in Sullivan’s Island, the story follows Missy Kinkaid, who is feisty, bold, and an independent spirit. She belongs to the Scarlet Harlots book club and has always stood by her beliefs. But in the aftermath of her tumultuous marriage, she loses her mother, and her life spins out of control. It is a time of reckoning for her, and while caring friends and a secretive cousin surround her, she must choose whom she wants to be. Through a series of reflections, flashbacks, and intimate moments, the story explores her relationships...
Continue ReadingJames Sulzer | Mystery
All That Smolders by James Sulzer is a crime mystery with a finely drawn setting, a propulsive conflict, and unforgettable characters. Set in 1980 on the Island of New England, the story introduces a community of locals with different lifestyles and occupations. It is peaceful until a prominent lawyer is murdered. Peter Christie is a reporter for the Island Forum who has arrived on the island for a new start, and he becomes utterly invested in the murder case while developing a romance with Haddie Danville. The story opens with the shocking death of Quentin Douglas, a reclusive and wealthy man who had been digging up buried treasure—bags of gold and silver—in his yard. The investigation reve...
Continue ReadingGlenville Ashby | Poetry
Glenville Ashby's 40 Days of Fasting: 40 Inspired Recitations is a profound spiritual journey born from a period of disciplined fasting that coincided with Ramadan and Lent in April 2025. Through these forty days, Ashby channels a divine voice named Carlos, delivering poetic recitations that explore themes of divine mercy, inner purification, mortality, and spiritual awakening. The poems have a prayerful tone; at times they are exploratory of the spiritual sentiment of the personae, at times a direct engagement with God, and at times observant. They put together personal trials with universal truths, underlining the fact that true awakening comes through surrender, love, and divine connectio...
Continue ReadingAlisa Jean | Romance
Matthew (A Los Angeles Quakes Hockey Series, Book 3) by Alisa Jean is just as tantalizing as the first two books in the series. This entry introduces another unique, compelling hero, a character as genuinely flawed and lovable as those in the other books. Meet Matthew Holt, a Hockey player for the L.A. Quakes team and a man who will do anything for his team. He spares no energy when he plays and can even get brutal if that is what it takes to defend the team and teammates. Then something bad happens: he is traded to a team thousands of miles from home, away from friends and family. And he doesn’t like that. Now his anger has only one outlet—the hockey pitch. But something else is happening:...
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 ReadingBenjamin Douglas | Business and Investing
Mediocre to Meaningful by Benjamin Douglas is a compelling business parable that chronicles the transformation of a struggling manufacturing plant, Golden Fields’ La Vista, through intentional leadership, employee engagement, and a focus on purpose. The story follows Peter, an HR director, who takes on the challenge of turning around a plant plagued by disengagement, outdated processes, and poor communication. Through his strategic listening tours, genuine connection with employees, and implementation of core principles—people, process, and culture—Peter guides the team from mediocrity to meaningful performance. In this book, you will learn about the eight essential principles for busin...
Continue ReadingKatib bin Vilio | Black & African American History
Promised Land: The Encoding by Katib bin Vilio is a tangled narrative set in a dystopian future where the laws of physics are metaphorically applied to the lives of the African diaspora. The story follows Ida, Soweto, and Abeni—three young Black women who, on a trip across the United States. They encounter supernatural occurrences involving their ancestors and historical traumas through water, a symbol of communication and memory. As they meet with spirits, explore historical sites, and experience police brutality, they unravel a deeper connection between water, history, and their collective identity. The narrative features a series of mystical and violent events that challenge their underst...
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 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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Benjamin Douglas (Advantage Books)
Mediocre to Meaningful by Benjamin Douglas is a compelling business parable that chronicles the transformation of a struggling manufacturing plant, Golden Fields’ La Vista, through intentional leadership, employee engagement, and a focus on purpose. The story follows Peter, an HR director, who takes on the challenge of turning around a plant plagued by disengagement, outdated processes, and poor communication. Through his strategic listening tours, genuine connection with employees, and implementation of core principles—people, process, an...
Glenville Ashby (Independently Published)
Glenville Ashby's 40 Days of Fasting: 40 Inspired Recitations is a profound spiritual journey born from a period of disciplined fasting that coincided with Ramadan and Lent in April 2025. Through these forty days, Ashby channels a divine voice named Carlos, delivering poetic recitations that explore themes of divine mercy, inner purification, mortality, and spiritual awakening. The poems have a prayerful tone; at times they are exploratory of the spiritual sentiment of the personae, at times a direct engagement with God, and at times observant....
Ray Keating (Keating Reports LLC)
1950s Sci-Fi: A Fresh Look at 12 Hollywood Classics by Raymond Keating delivers a captivating, nuanced exploration of a critical era in American science-fiction cinema. Keating’s essays examine films like Destination Moon, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Forbidden Planet, exploring their thematic depth, stylistic innovations, and cultural significance. For instance, his analysis of Destination Moon focuses on its pioneering role in hard science fiction, underlining scientific realism and private enterprise, re...
Eleanor Lerman (She Writes Press)
King the Wonder Dog and Other Stories by Eleanor Lerman is a delightful collection of short stories that examine the quiet struggles and unexpected moments of ordinary lives. Laura is an aging woman seeking to adopt an older dog; Jeanne faces loneliness amid Macy’s bewilderment and her search for a lost pet. Cassandra struggles with her mental health in a hospital, and her husband provides care and unexpected responses in “Normal People.” “Old Dogs” follows Steven, a Jersey City maintenance worker, as he confronts aging and mortality while remi...
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