Bryan W. Conway (Self)
In Sandusky Burning, Bryan W. Conway crafts a tale of unseen chaos amidst the tranquil facade of a lakeside campground. The narrative follows multiple characters, unraveling the intermingled lives of seasonal workers and campers at Sandusky Shores. Central to the plot is Brady Sullivan, a remote worker facing marital issues, who becomes entangled in a series of escalating incidents ranging from petty theft to drunken escapades. As the story unfolds, it reveals the darker undercurrents of addiction, manipulation, and desperation, culminating in...
Loretta Enright (Enright Publishing)
Deception by Loretta Enright immerses readers in the harrowing journey of the Hampton family as they navigate a medical crisis surrounding their ailing son, Nick, who suffers from congenital heart defects and acute kidney injury. The novel chronicles their emotional and physical struggles with the healthcare system while they seek answers and support amidst bureaucracy and adversity. Central characters include Callista, the overworked mother desperate to protect her son; Mark, the father, contending with his helplessness; and Dr. Charles Loomis...
Richard A. Danzig (Self)
Punch Line by Richard A. Danzig is a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of comedy, societal issues surrounding gender identity, and the challenges of personal trauma. The story revolves around Verne Slater, a seasoned comedian whose late-night routine at a comedy club provokes strong reactions based on his observations of the ridiculous aspects of topical issues. Not surprisingly, George Carlin was his hero. The reactions lead to a brutal assault that leaves him critically injured and paralyzed from the waist down. The question is: can...
Mitchell Waldman (Blue Lake Books)
Mitchell Waldman's Brothers, Fathers, and Other Strangers is a unique collection of thirty-eight stories that explore the depths of family dysfunction and estrangement. Each narrative is rich with characters facing identity crises in the face of dysfunction—a brother contending with a resentful step-brother, a father struggling to connect with an indifferent child, and a dreamer haunted by the specter of Adolf Hitler’s imagined past. These narratives feature fraught relationships that reveal a thread of pain and struggle, such as an...
Richard W. Kelly (Independently published (November 23, 2024))
In The American Martyr by Richard W. Kelly, we are introduced to Brian Brample, a 16-year-old boy navigating his youth and struggling to find his foothold. Through a series of vignettes and scenes, we witness Brian's journey from a seemingly ordinary teenager to a young man forever changed by a decision from a government that seems not to care about the lives of young people. As Brian navigates his daily life, working as a waiter at a small movie theater, we see glimpses of his inner turmoil. He is aware of the darker aspects of the world, the...
Ken Saik (Glorybound Publishing)
Marriage Mistake by Ken Saik is another compelling entry in the series. It focuses on the complex nature of Joseph and Jill's marriage and the bond between friends Thomas and Joseph. Each of them is determined to make their relationship work when they decide to get married. But then, while they trust their intentions and the love they share, challenges set in. Can they accept the differences and the challenges creeping in and stay steadfast in their resolve to stay together? The story is set in Camrose, a small city in Alberta, Canada, where th...
Ken Saik (Glorybound Publishing)
In I Don’t Trust You, Ken Saik offers a powerful narrative rich with themes of trauma, grit, and the complex emotional landscape surrounding abuse. As a companion piece to the interconnected tales of Marriage Mistake and Helping Hands, this first installment invites readers into the chaotic life of Jill, a young woman struggling with her former life and the painful memories of a toxic family dynamic. From the outset, the story harnesses the impact of Jill's past, reflecting her traumatic experiences through vivid flashbacks. These memories prov...
Florence Lea Dombey (Independently Published via KDP)
In Unci, the gritty streets of New York City and the enchanting Connecticut countryside come alive in a visceral tale of darkness and resilience. When homophobic skinheads brutally attack a high-society cleric’s son, he finds refuge with Unci and her granddaughter, Martha Beauvais. Together, they navigate a soul-bound journey of healing, redemption, and destiny. As Martha, a lovestruck ironworker, and the mystical Unci confront their demons, they become potent allies against a malevolent force haunting Manhattan’s innocence. Blending Native Ame...
Liz Bieler (3 Swallys Press)
In Alice in Condoland, Liz Bieler presents a humorous and incisive exploration of life in a South Florida condominium complex. The book is narrated from the perspective of Alice, an idealistic Jewish woman from New York City, Alice Miller, who dreams of a passionate life in South Florida, complete with ocean views and luxury. She affords a condominium overlooking the ocean; however, her paradise quickly turns sour when she uncovers rampant corruption in her condominium. Teaming up with an eclectic group of residents, including the cha...
Jeffrey Veatch (Volossal)
Jeffrey Veatch's The Dyer Island Boys is a tale of growth, personal growth, friendship, and the innate longing for belonging through a coming-of-age narrative set against a summer camp on a remote Maine island. Two surgical residents in post-WWII New York City embark on a summer adventure that transforms into an unexpected mission. After encountering troubled teenager Harry Thompson, they welcome him to their newly purchased island off the coast of Maine, where a camp is born. Fifty years later, Harry returns not as a camper but as a mentor. As...
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