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 ReadingKat Caldwell | Small Town & Rural Fiction
Bended Loyalty by Kat Caldwell is a well-plotted, fast-paced, and intriguing tale that explores family, loyalty, and one man’s journey to create a way forward when the past won’t let him go. Tristen Levisay is the guitarist for The Seethers’ band, and the band is on the verge of success, which means life is about to get better for him, a rockstar. Then everything changes when his twin brother, Talon, the band's frontman, betrays them and joins a different band. Tristen’s life is taken back to the rough beginnings in Kentucky, where his mother is about to lose the house. He must save the house, his mother, and himself; to do so, he decides to return to the underground boxing ring. A few fight...
Continue ReadingStephen Twartz | Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
The Severed Cord by Stephen Twartz is a sweeping, multi-generational saga that traces the tangled lives of Jimmy, a resilient Australian soldier, and his descendants across continents and conflicts. Set against the backdrop of war-torn Palestine, rural Australia, and modern-day Israel, the novel explores the lingering trauma of history and the quest for identity and belonging. The narrative moves fluidly through time, revealing how trauma, love, and betrayal create an invisible but powerful cord between past and present. As Jimmy struggles with external enemies and inner demons, his descendant Harry embarks on a parallel journey decades later, seeking answers buried in family secrets and anc...
Continue ReadingZoe Disigny | Fiction - Womens
Zoe Disigny's The Art of Traveling Strangers explores personal transformation against the backdrop of art and travel. Claire Markham embarks on a transformative journey to Europe as an art guide, hoping to escape the emotional toll of her recent divorce and strained relationship with her daughter, Amber. The novel reveals Claire's internal struggles and features vibrant characters, particularly her employer, Viv Chancey, whose exuberance and impulsive nature challenge Claire's sense of control. The novel begins with an evocative scene aboard Claire’s flight to Europe, where she reflects on her life through the lens of art. Disigny skillfully illustrates how art can symbolize personal experie...
Continue ReadingBarb Goodwin & Doug Penikas | Fiction - Action
Secrets of the Totenkopf Rings by Barb Goodwin and Doug Penikas is the second book in the Lost Treasures series, and it delivers a thrilling narrative that features espionage, betrayal, and hidden historical elements. 19-year-old Becca has just survived the hunt for the Royal Danish Egg when she discovers a new lead that leads to the mysterious Totenkopf Rings given to Himmler’s SS in Nazi Germany. While this could have been a sheer object of curiosity, it quickly plunges Becca into the mysteries of World War II Nazi rings, clandestine organizations, and her family secrets. Cryptic messages from a fallen comrade further entangle Becca in a perilous chase across Europe to recover stolen artif...
Continue ReadingEdmond A. Bruneau | Poetry - General
Soul of the Song is a poetic journey that skillfully melds genres from country music to rock and folk, while exploring universal themes of love, identity, nostalgia, and social consciousness. Edmond A. Bruneau’s collection reads like an album liner note meets literary anthology, offering both introspection and entertainment. Stylistically, Bruneau excels in the use of metaphor, allusion, and musicality. In How Did I Find You? he uses cosmic imagery— “It’s astronomical. Beam me up”—to convey romantic euphoria, blending science fiction with intense emotion. His use of intertextuality shines in Joni, where references to Joni Mitchell’s music evoke a sense of generational longing and artistic ad...
Continue ReadingKimberly A. Biggerstaff | Romance - Contemporary
Razor’s Return by Kimberly A. Biggerstaff is an intriguing, deftly crafted tale that intertwines heroism, love, trauma, and redemption. The story follows Zack ''Razor'' Reston, a seasoned Navy SEAL, who volunteers at a charity golf tournament and unexpectedly crosses paths with Eve Patterson, a successful realtor and the daughter of a Navy diver honored on the wall of the local club, whose relationship is rocky and poses danger to her. Their unlikely connection sparks a series of encounters filled with mutual respect, attraction, and shared experiences. Razor’s past missions and personal demons haunt him, and he struggles with feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and the scars—both physical and em...
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 ReadingRobert Reisler | Children-Educational
Thoughtfully written and exciting, The Story of Atom is a children’s book that follows the adventures of Adam, a curious Carbon Atom, from the dawn of the universe to the present day. Spanning 14 billion years of cosmic history, this beautifully crafted full-color picture book immerses young readers in the wonders of science—Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology—through Adam’s eyes. Filled with hidden Easter Eggs and a special secret to discover, the story sparks curiosity and imagination, encouraging children of all backgrounds to explore the universe within and around them. With an exciting surprise at the end and inclusive illustrations for diverse skin tones, The Story of Atom promi...
Continue ReadingBryan Smeltzer | Non-Fiction - Business/Finance
In The Visionary Leader, Bryan Smeltzer delivers a compelling exploration of what it means to lead with vision, purpose, and conviction. Drawing on the lives and legacies of transformative figures such as Steve Jobs, Jesus Christ, Albert Einstein, and Mahatma Gandhi, Smeltzer outlines the essential traits that define visionary leadership. He identifies 16 key principles—such as vision, faith, dedication, passion, and innovation—that distinguish extraordinary leaders from conventional ones. Through a series of focused chapters, each centered on a specific trait and illustrated with historical examples, Smeltzer provides a roadmap for aspiring leaders who seek to inspire change, drive progress...
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 ReadingCosti Gurgu | Science Fiction & Fantasy
In Costi Gurgu’s Pink Corrosion, Geo Woodman kills Prince Boris after the second Black Rain and becomes heir to the Silkers' crown. He struggles to win the trust of the commanders and council members in his efforts to stop the Silver Star from destroying the Caves. Geo must forge alliances with people like Lord Lakefront while facing enemies within his court, like Lady L and the wicked Silver Star. He faces personal betrayals, political intrigue, and military threats. While he fights to control an already fractured civilization and enforce his leadership in the court, another powerful threat looms ahead — Han the Great. Han has conquered almost half of the world, and will Geo’s world be the...
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 ReadingBarb Goodwin & Doug Penikas (Barb Goodwin)
Secrets of the Totenkopf Rings by Barb Goodwin and Doug Penikas is the second book in the Lost Treasures series, and it delivers a thrilling narrative that features espionage, betrayal, and hidden historical elements. 19-year-old Becca has just survived the hunt for the Royal Danish Egg when she discovers a new lead that leads to the mysterious Totenkopf Rings given to Himmler’s SS in Nazi Germany. While this could have been a sheer object of curiosity, it quickly plunges Becca into the mysteries of World War II Nazi rings, clandestine organiza...
Robert Reisler (Kettle Books)
Thoughtfully written and exciting, The Story of Atom is a children’s book that follows the adventures of Adam, a curious Carbon Atom, from the dawn of the universe to the present day. Spanning 14 billion years of cosmic history, this beautifully crafted full-color picture book immerses young readers in the wonders of science—Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology—through Adam’s eyes. Filled with hidden Easter Eggs and a special secret to discover, the story sparks curiosity and imagination, encouraging children of all backgrounds to explore...
Robert Reisler (Kettle Books)
The Four Myths by Robert Reisler is an intricate blend of speculative fiction, historical myth, and philosophical inquiry, a tale with unforgettable characters and unexpected plot twists. Jack Johanssen is an archaeologist who prefers to work at night, away from the distractions that come with people. Randy Haverstamp is the security guard who gets curious about Jack’s archaeological work. Jack and Randy discover an ancient scroll from the 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn. This scroll contains encrypted texts that suggest a connection to...
Costi Gurgu (Kult Books)
Green Corrosion by Costi Gurgu ticks all the points in a gripping dystopian novel. A planet has been devastated by the Black Rain. Now, clean water is scarce, something people will kill for, and those who cannot find clean water must drink ''gelled'' water, which disfigures them. Prince Boris lives in his Golden Tower that overlooks the derelict and dying city. Apart from the devastation caused by the Black Rain, the people on this planet must also face the corruption of their leaders. Meanwhile, Geo Woodman secretly leads the fight to sav...
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