Asawer K | Fantasy - General

Beyond Zero by Asawer K. is a haunting tale that plunges you into the depths of trauma, mental health, and the indelible scars of depressive pain and struggle. The narrative centers mainly on Lily, a young woman struggling with invisible wounds. It intertwines her journey with mythic tales of girls like Serelai and Eline, who confront their own darkness in unique worlds. The book explores the complex layers of grief, silence, and grit, capturing the often-unnoticed struggles of those experiencing depression. Lily’s internal monologues unveil depression, anxiety, and the haunting memories of abuse, offering a raw, unflinching portrait of mental health challenges in a world that demands streng...

Elaine 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...

Kirsten 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...

James 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...

Eleanor 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...

Alisa 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:...

Oliver 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...

Dorothea 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...

Karen E. Cedergren | Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy

Loving Jesus and His Church by Karen E. Cedergren is a compelling, biblically rooted exploration of the profound relationship between believers, their local churches, and Jesus Christ. Structured in three parts, the book begins with a foundation of biblical truths about the nature of the church, then delves into common challenges, misunderstandings, and pitfalls in church life, and finally offers a divine blueprint for loving and honoring Christ’s church. The author’s extensive pastoral experience and deep scriptural insight make this a practical yet spiritually enriching guide for Christians to understand their relationships with the Church and with Christ, inviting them to become active me...

Katib 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...

Laurel 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...

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...