(NewsUSA) - Over the next two decades, more than $84 trillion in wealth is expected to transfer from Baby Boomers to younger generations.

This so-called "Great Wealth Transfer" marks the largest intergenerational handoff of wealth in history. The question is: are families truly prepared?

Without proper planning, this wealth can be lost in a generation. Data shows 70 percent of families lose a portion of their wealth due to interfamilial conflict, with nearly 60 percent of estates ending up under court control because of improper estate planning. 

This intergenerational wealth transfer puts familial relationships under unprecedented strain, heightened in today's globalized and blended family structures, where cross-border assets and multiple marriages add new legal and emotional elements.

Blended families and ones with estranged members face particularly challenges, with inheritance issues often magnified in households with ex-spouses, new partners, or children from previous marriages. 

More than half of wills are contested among these families. Disputes can arise when surviving spouses are granted significant control or perceived favoritism creates resentment among heirs.

Inheritance battles among heirs aren't the only risk. Older, high-net-worth individuals may find themselves vulnerable to manipulation. Potential heirs may exploit weakened relationships or unclear succession plans to access wealth prematurely – or even take control of family businesses.

While Rupert Murdoch's high-profile legal dispute with his children ended well for him in protecting his empire and succession plan, the ongoing legal case involving another media mogul, Polish billionaire Zygmunt Solorz illustrates the complexities at play. Solorz is entangled in a dispute with his three children over control of his media empire. 

Court filings suggest that the billionaire was manipulated by his children into initiating a premature succession process, exploiting the company's financial holdings in Liechtenstein and engaging in a hostile takeover of his business - leading to a continuous decline in stock prices and harming shareholders.

While these two examples involve ultra wealthy individuals, the cases serve as a warning to baby boomers on the importance of wealth management and asset protection to prevent interfamilial conflict especially for family businesses from Wall Street to Main Street.

Improper handling can fracture families, derail business empires, and lead to significant loss in generational wealth. 

With the Great Wealth Transfer underway, thoughtful, professional, and forward-looking preparation is needed to protect assets, preserve relationships and legacies across generations. 

(NewsUSA) - One in four students in the United States today is Hispanic. Yet, despite this growing presence, Latino families are still underrepresented in many states' public and private school choice programs. In most cases, we don’t even know by how much.

From the limited demographic data available, including a recent analysis by Conoce tus Opciones Escolares and Child Trends, we can see one clear trend: where states do report, Hispanic families are often underrepresented. When it comes to private school scholarships and education savings accounts, Hispanic students typically participate at lower rates than their share of the overall student population. But in most states, demographic breakdowns don’t exist. The data are incomplete, outdated, or never collected, leaving us with only a partial picture.

That lack of reporting is the real issue. Without consistent state-level data, we can’t know whether programs are reaching Hispanic families fairly, or whether barriers like language access, outreach, or eligibility rules are keeping them out. The gaps we do see suggest inequities, and the gaps in the data itself make it impossible to know the full story.

Still, we know Hispanic families are exploring their options. Today, one in three charter school students nationwide is Hispanic. At the same time, families are turning to homeschooling in new ways. About 18% of families who reported homeschooling in 2023-2024 were Hispanic. Those are not small numbers; they show that Latino families are active participants in school choice, even if official reporting doesn’t fully capture them.

In a national survey conducted in June, nearly three out of four Hispanic parents surveyed (73%) said they had considered a new school for their child last year, and more than half said they expect to do so again this year. The reasons were familiar: moving to a new community, children entering school for the first time, or transitioning between grade levels; others pointed to dissatisfaction with their child’s current school, but the results make clear that Hispanic parents are engaged in exploring school choices for their children.

But when participation data are missing, the story told to the public is incomplete.

As a Latina, I know how much families sacrifice to give their children opportunities they never had. My parents believed education could change the course of our lives, and they showed me that school could open doors that once seemed out of reach. Today, I see that same determination in Hispanic families across the country. Parents are making tough choices and searching for schools where their children will be safe, supported, and inspired. The least the system can do is make sure those opportunities are visible and that participation is reported effectively.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the contributions of Latino communities. It should also be a time to recognize how much families are shaping the future of American education. Every parent wants the same thing: to see their children grow, succeed, and dream bigger. That means making sure programs are not only available but understandable to the families who need them.

Free resources are available to help parents explore their options in Spanish through Conoce tus Opciones Escolares at opcionesescolares.com, and in English at myschoolchoice.com. Sometimes one of the most powerful things we can do is share those resources with a neighbor, a friend, or a family member. For many Latino families, simply having access to clear, trusted information in Spanish can change the path their children take in school.

The next step is simple: states must report participation clearly and consistently. Until they do, the full role of Hispanic families in shaping education will remain underestimated and unseen.

Krissia Campos Spivey is the senior director of navigation programs and partnerships at Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, a National School Choice Awareness Foundation project that helps U.S. families who speak Spanish explore their K-12 education options and choose a great school for their children. Krissia is Salvadoran-American and lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

(NewsUSA) - Kingfish Bay, an exclusive gated waterfront community in Calabash, North Carolina, has launched the final phase of development just as the Carolina Bays Parkway Extension is officially announced, opening new possibilities for buyers seeking luxury coastal living near Myrtle Beach, Sunset Beach, and Wilmington.

Rare Opportunity for Waterfront Living

Kingfish Bay offers discerning home buyers a limited chance to secure new waterfront homesites along the tranquil Calabash River, within a private gated Calabash North Carolina community. Homes feature Caribbean-inspired architecture and resort-style amenities, ideal for vacation homes, retirement, or year-round living.

Residents enjoy exceptional amenities including a riverfront park, fishing piers, fire pits, a modern clubhouse with fitness center and cinema lounge, tropical pool complex, and exclusive beach access at a private Sunset Beach clubhouse. Homes range from $499,000 to $3,000,000 luxury waterfront estates, with custom designs available up to 4,000+ sq. ft. and prime waterfront lots with private docks.

Announced Parkway Extension Promises New Connectivity

The Carolina Bays Parkway Extension, newly announced for the region, is set to transform future access to Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, and the greater coastal North Carolina area. This major infrastructure project will eventually provide a safer, faster alternative to US-17 and is expected to increase property value and visibility in the Brunswick County real estate market. For future and current Kingfish Bay residents, the extension means upcoming benefits including easier commutes, enhanced investment potential, and increased visibility for new retail, dining, and cultural options, all while maintaining the peace and exclusivity of the community.

Coastal Wellness & Resort-Style Amenities

Living at Kingfish Bay means embracing a wellness-focused lifestyle. Residents enjoy morning walks by the water, evening gatherings at the private beach clubhouse on Sunset Beach, and a vibrant social atmosphere that supports long-term health, relaxation, and connection.

Key Advantages of Kingfish Bay, Calabash NC

• Waterfront homes for sale in coastal North Carolina
• Last available prime gated homesites with dock options
• Announced Carolina Bays Parkway Extension for improved future access
• Exclusive Sunset Beach private clubhouse
• New homes close to Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, and Ocean Isle Beach
• Custom home designs for every lifestyle
• Resort-style amenities for wellness and social connection
• High-demand Brunswick County real estate market

With its final phase now underway, Kingfish Bay stands as Brunswick County’s premier address for luxury waterfront living in Calabash, NC. To schedule a tour or learn more about available waterfront homes for sale, visit: www.kingfishbaydevelopment.com

(Diane Mulligan) - Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is among the most aggressive, deadliest forms of lung cancer, yet it’s still too often overlooked. For decades, treatment options were limited, offering little hope to those diagnosed with SCLC, until now.

In 2013, Congress passed legislation that mandated the National Cancer Institute create a scientific plan for treating patients with less than a 50% chance of surviving 5 years. This included SCLC. With this focus on research, SCLC, once considered a hopeless diagnosis because of its swift spread and resistance to standard treatment, is now seeing real momentum. Breakthrough research has increased the number of treatment options by 67% giving doctors new tools and patients new reasons to hope.

Because of research, treatments like the recently FDA-approved Tarlatamab belong to a class of drugs called bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), which harness the immune system to combat cancer. Another treatment, Lurbinectedin, slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body.  There are also next-generation approaches, such as CAR T-cell therapy and antibody-drug conjugates, and many others, now in clinical trials. Clinical trials, once a last resort, are rapidly becoming a front door to tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

Early detection is critical. Screening is the best way to find SCLC early.

Wendy Brooks knows this firsthand. Wendy had a history of lung cancer in her family. She pushed hard to get screened, and her cancer was caught early, rare for this disease. Through two clinical trials, Wendy has kept the cancer confined to her lung and is living fully. She credits screening and participating in clinical trials with saving her life.

“I’m here today because of research,” Wendy says. “I want others to know there’s hope, and clinical trials can be a lifeline.”

Thoracic oncologist Dr. Jacob Sands echoes that optimism: “I have patients more than five years out from that initial diagnosis doing great, living their lives and not on treatment. And I’ll go as far as to say that I think some patients are cured of their incurable disease.”

Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA) is raising awareness of the lifesaving power of early screening, new treatments, and the growing promise of clinical trials for people facing SCLC.

LCFA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating lung cancer through research, education, and awareness programs. Committed to improving patient outcomes, donations to LCFA fund innovative research projects, educational initiatives, and advocacy for increased resources for lung cancer research.

Donate today to fight Lung Cancer at LCFAmerica.org

**Image Captions: 
Wendy Brooks, Lung Cancer Patient (header image)
Dr. Jacob Sands, Thoracic Oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

(NewsUSA) - Young children are naturally curious, and an innovative program from BrightPath Early Learning and Child Care puts this curiosity center stage. The BrightPath curriculum, BeeCurious, involves guided exploration and multiple forms of expression while offering preschoolers autonomy and choices and celebrating learning as a joyful experience.  

The BeeCurious Curriculum takes a holistic approach to learning that taps into children’s natural curiosity. Multidisciplinary approaches are part of daily activities in a range of areas including:  

-Math Discovery. BeeCurious teaches math concepts based on developmental scope and sequence of skills, with material that may be swapped out to engage with children’s interests and better align with skill development.  

-Creative Discovery. An open-ended component of the curriculum supports joyful self-expression with a full range of artistic materials to support process-driven creativity. 

-Language and Literacy. Decoding sounds, building an awareness of print concepts and nurturing a love of language are essential elements for developing and increasing literacy. 

-Physical Literacy. The physical literacy curriculum engages children’s curiosity with time spent outdoors and the development of a love of being active. This segment combines standardized content and content developed by the children through inquiry. 

-Building Connections.  The development of social-emotional skills to become part of a learning community is key to the BeeCurious program. Cooperation, uniting for common goals, and interacting with peers are incorporated into this topic.

Additional enrichment programs featured throughout each week include:  

-Global Citizenship: Children’s curiosity extends to other cultures, and the BeeCurious program fosters the importance of kindness and respect for all people, starting with their peers. The program introduces the concept of contributing to a society that welcomes all. Children develop curiosity about other cultures, a respect for differences, and a willingness to engage with new ideas. For example, after a Jaipur market activity, children continued to incorporate elements of that play into their daily routines, setting up mini markets and using new words they had learned.

-Environmental Stewardship: Children not only explore the wonders of nature and the environment, but also learn how to keep it safe for future generations. 

-STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are incorporated into weekly hands-on projects that engage children’s curiosity and guiding them to becoming critical thinkers and innovators.  

“Through the BeeCurious Curriculum, inquiry learning is nurtured,” according to Samaya Khattak, Chief Education Officer at BrightPath. “The new Learning Framework allows children to explore the world around them, examining their environments and fostering their innate curiosity through hands-on interactions of their individual journey of learning,” she said.  

The BeeCurious program also integrates essential skills of self-care, self-regulation, and problem-solving into the rhythm of activity, as well as sign language and featured artists of the month. 

Overall, children thrive when they feel connected and valued. One parent noted how their child began using the phrase "BeeKind" at home, reminding siblings and friends to show empathy and patience. These early lessons, not only in math and language, but also in cultural awareness and kindness, help lay the groundwork for children to become thoughtful, inclusive members of their communities.

Visit brightpathkids.com for more information and book a tour today!

(Victor Hwang and John Bridgeland) - America’s story has been written by those bold enough to begin. The revolutionaries who founded a new nation, the farmer who moved west to claim and seed land, the inventor who built a new machine, and the newcomer who opened a small shop on Main Street were all pioneers. Each had no guarantee of success. Each carried the promise of progress.

Today’s entrepreneurs are America’s new pioneers. They do not ask for certainty or wait for permission. They see a gap, an unmet need, a better way—and they act. In garages, kitchens, and co-working spaces, they envision and build with a spirit of possibility. 

But courage and risk-taking are not enough. We know the path to starting a business is full of obstacles – complicated rules, high fees, scarce capital, and limited networks.  Good ideas are shut down by red tape, hardworking dreamers rarely find access to funding, and our education system does too little to cultivate the knowledge and skills to invent.

It’s no surprise then that while more than 60 percent of Americans want to start their own enterprise, only 9 percent actually do. That’s wasted human potential and lost economic opportunity.

To meet the demand, America needs to innovate to fix the very systems inhibiting the creation of new businesses. Fortunately, there is a plan called America the Entrepreneurial, covering a range of issues to strengthen entrepreneurship in America. 

Entrepreneurs want freedom to innovate. No lengthy forms, filing fees, or non-compete restrictions would enable them to focus on translating ideas into business ventures, not on burdensome compliance.  It’s possible -- in Colorado, the Governor reduced the fee for starting a new business to one dollar.

They also need access to capital. Establishing new development banks for entrepreneurs, waiving taxes on early revenue, and enabling new businesses to compete fairly for public contracts would be a good start. Innovative financing models are emerging, such as Collab Capital in Atlanta, Novel Growth Partners in Kansas City and Founders First in San Diego. 

Starting a business can strain families and households, but policy can help. Tax deductions or credits could minimize childcare costs, health insurance can be made more accessible and affordable, and mortgage lenders should treat entrepreneurs the same way they treat employees.

AI and technologies are changing our world and displacing our workforce.  Our educational system needs to keep pace by equipping students with entrepreneurial inspiration and skills with courses of study and degrees that reward innovation, so everyone has the ability to start enterprises that meet the demands of an increasingly complex age. 

Such efforts take leadership from Governors, Mayors and others.  They also need focused attention – such as an Office of Entrepreneurship for every state, city and county. Nevada was the first state to pass a Right to Start Act, establishing such an office. Missouri, Indiana, New Mexico, and Kansas followed with similar legislation or executive action.

This plan is not charity.  It is strategy. New businesses create nearly all net new jobs in America. They fuel competition, drive productivity, boost household incomes, and renew communities. Every thriving business today—Ford, Apple, Amazon—was once a fragile new idea. Somewhere in America, the next idea waits for its chance.

America the Entrepreneurial is a movement to support today’s pioneers and bring needed change in communities and states -- an invitation to enlist 250,000 Americans to help clear the ground for millions of Americans to start their own enterprises.

As America – a startup nation -- celebrates its 250^th birthday in the coming year, let’s remember that to support entrepreneurs is to support America itself.  For in every entrepreneur lives the promise of our nation’s next chapter. And in supporting them, we write the story of our future together.

Victor Hwang is CEO of Right to Start.  John Bridgeland is CEO of More Perfect.  They are Co-Chairs of America the Entrepreneurial. 

(NewsUSA) - Do you ever notice a flutter in your chest? Feel unusually tired even after a good night’s sleep? Get winded from walking up the stairs when that never used to happen? These little signs might not feel like a big deal, but they could point to something more serious: atrial fibrillation, or AFib.

AFib is the most common heart rhythm disorder in the world, affecting more than 60 million people.¹ In the U.S. alone, over 12 million people are expected to be living with the condition by 2030.²

Yet, awareness remains surprisingly low. A nationally representative survey sponsored by Medtronic found that nearly half of Americans haven’t heard of AFib.³ Because symptoms can be mild or easy to brush off, many people don’t realize they may be at risk. But without proper diagnosis and treatment, AFib can lead to major health complications, including blood clots, stroke, and heart failure.⁴

Know the Symptoms of AFib

AFib occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (called the atria) beat irregularly and out of sync with the lower chambers. This disrupts the heart’s normal rhythm and reduces its ability to pump blood efficiently. Over time, this can strain the heart and affect overall health.

Common signs of AFib include:

• A fluttering or irregular heartbeat
• A sensation that the heart is racing or skipping beats
• Fatigue or feeling unusually tired
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Chest discomfort or pressure

Because these symptoms can show up gradually, many people don’t connect them to a heart condition. In fact, according to the Medtronic-sponsored survey, one in four people said they wouldn’t take recurring symptoms like heart fluttering or fatigue very seriously, even if they lasted for months.

“The survey findings are a wake-up call—too many people haven’t heard of AFib or don’t recognize its symptoms as something worth acting on,” says Khaldoun Tarakji, MD, MPH, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer of Cardiac Ablation Solutions at Medtronic. “By recognizing the early signs and talking with a healthcare provider, people have a better chance of managing AFib before it leads to more serious complications.”

Take Control with New AFib Treatments

Medications have long been the first choice for treating AFib, but they don’t work for everyone. In fact, about half of patients find that medications either don’t fully relieve their symptoms or cause unwanted side effects.^5-7

Newer, less invasive treatment options – like ablation procedures – are becoming more widely available, yet many people don’t know they exist.³ Despite their effectiveness, more than half of Americans have never heard of ablation procedures. One promising approach, called pulsed field ablation, uses short, controlled bursts of electrical energy to correct the heart’s rhythm without damaging nearby healthy tissue. This treatment can be used alongside medications or, in some cases, as an alternative.

If you’ve been experiencing ongoing fatigue, heart flutters, or shortness of breath, don’t ignore these symptoms. Talk to your doctor about what you’re feeling and explore all the treatment options that might help you feel better.

To learn more about AFib and pulsed field ablation, visit Medtronic.com/Afib.

References

1. Roth GA, Mensah GA, Johnson CO et al. Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors, 1990-2019: Update From the GBD 2019 Study. J Am Coll Cardiol 2020;76:2982-3021.
2. Colilla S, Crow A, Petkun W, Singer DE, Simon T, Liu X. Estimates of current and future incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the U.S. adult population. Am J Cardiol. 2013;112:1142–1147.
3. Medtronic Data on File. Morning Consult. 2025. National Tracking Poll on Atrial Fibrillation Awareness. Sponsored by Medtronic. Online Survey, n= 2202. August 16–18, 2025.
4. Wolf PA, Abbott RD, Kannel WB. Atrial fibrillation as an independent risk factor for stroke: the Framingham Study. Stroke. August 1991;22(8):983-988.
5. Andrade JG. Ablation as First-line Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation. Eur Cardiol. 2023;18: e46. 
6. Al-Jazairi MIH, Nguyen BO, De With RR, et al. Antiarrhythmic drugs in patients with early persistent atrial fibrillation and heart failure: results of the RACE 3 study. Europace. 2021;23(9):1359-1368. 
7. Valembois L et al. Antiarrhythmics for maintaining sinus rhythm after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD005049.  

This content was published with support from Medtronic.

About the Medtronic-Sponsored Survey:

Medtronic engaged Morning Consult to conduct a nationally representative survey to gain insights into consumer perceptions and awareness of atrial fibrillation and related treatment options. The survey was deployed among 2,200 U.S. adults between August 16 and August 18, 2025, using an online survey.

(NewsUSA) - Between deciding where to apply, visiting campuses, and completing financial aid forms, October can feel like crunch time for college-bound students, with more than half ranking college applications as their most stressful academic experience.

“Families often tell us that while the college search process is exciting, it’s also overwhelming. However, with the right mindset and strategy, it becomes easier, and you can enjoy it,” said Marcelle Hicks, dean of admissions and financial aid at New York Institute of Technology.

Whether you’re a high school senior or transferring from another university, Hicks shares these tips for navigating the college application process.

Plan and Build Your List

List your most important criteria and research which colleges and universities check those boxes. This can be as simple as choosing a location and exploring which institutions offer your anticipated academic major. Remember, your interests could change, so explore universities with additional majors to consider. Similarly, students undecided on a major should seek universities with a wide array of programs. Other considerations include affordability, preference for large lecture halls or intimate settings, campus activities, and whether the university’s values align with yours. Your plan may change along the way, and that’s okay.

Visit and Connect

This is the most exciting step! Campuses come to life, and you can envision what it’s like going to class or getting pizza in the dining hall. Today, there are more options than ever to connect with universities, which include both in-person and virtual options. At New York Tech, we offer campus tours, information sessions, and one-on-one appointments to help students make the most of their time with us. These interactions show your demonstrated interest in schools, so do your research and come prepared with questions.  

Understand Application Requirements

Universities have different requirements and deadlines, so be sure to consult with admissions officers and review websites. While some institutions accept the Common App, allowing students to apply to multiple universities through one platform, others have separate applications. Plan to submit transcripts, recommendation letters, and personal statements; test scores and other materials also vary. Many universities, including ours, offer test-optional admissions, meaning you can choose not to submit SAT or ACT scores; however, strong scores could boost scholarship chances. While AI is useful for brainstorming, your essay should tell your story in your own words. Follow these essay prompts and take time to plan, edit, and review before submitting.

Enjoy the Journey!

Throughout the process, you’re in the driver’s seat. Attending college is a major step toward greater independence, allowing you to explore potential career paths and gain opportunities that are building blocks to your future. Don’t let the application process stop you from enjoying all that college has to offer.

Hicks is one of many New York Tech experts tackling real-world challenges. Visit nyit.edu to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - The cancer treatment landscape is undergoing a profound shift. Patients, healthcare providers and advocates are seeking alternatives that deliver both clinical efficacy and quality of life. At the forefront of this movement is GentleCure™, a proven, noninvasive treatment for the most common type of cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer. 

Dermatologists nationwide are reporting a surge in patient awareness of GentleCure. Patients are increasingly drawn to this Medicare-covered, nonsurgical therapy that allows them to maintain their normal routines without interruption. More than 125,000 patients have been treated with GentleCure across 400 dermatology practices, with thousands more receiving treatment each day. Notably, over 70 practices have introduced GentleCure just this year, a clear signal of its growing role in dermatology.  

Aaron S. Farberg, M.D., double board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and editorial board member for leading medical journals, including Dermatology & Therapy and SKIN, affirms the trend. 

“At the five Texas practices for which I serve as Chief Medical Officer, we’ve seen a significant rise in patient demand for this noninvasive option,” Dr. Farberg notes. “While not every case of skin cancer is appropriate for GentleCure, thoughtful consultation with our board certified dermatologists ensures proper use and shared decision-making. For those treated, both the medical outcomes and patient satisfaction have been exceptional.” 

GentleCure harnesses Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy (IGSRT), a state-of-the-art combination of technologies designed to treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. 

Using low-level x-ray energy, GentleCure destroys cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. The precision comes from high-resolution dermal ultrasound imaging, which maps the cancer in real time and enables the provider to deliver exactly the right dose. Quick and painless treatment delivery is repeated over several weeks, with minimal impact on a patients’ daily lives. 

The therapy’s success is supported by 17 clinical studies, which document cure rates exceeding 99 percent, matched by equally high patient satisfaction scores. 

Demographic trends are amplifying the need for noninvasive skin cancer care. As the  population ages and life expectancy rises, the incidence of skin cancer continues to climb, particularly among those with extensive sun exposure. Many older adults also face health conditions that make surgery riskier. 

The statistics are sobering: 9,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each day, adding up to more than 3 million new cases annually. Against this backdrop, GentleCure provides a safe, effective, and patient-friendly alternative that aligns with the realities of modern dermatology care. 

The growing adoption of GentleCure reflects a broader cultural and clinical shift toward noninvasive, patient-centered oncology care. As practices continue to embrace this technology, they expand their treatment capabilities and empower patients with choice, comfort, and confidence in their care journey. 

For more information, visit GentleCure.com 

(NewsUSA) - “Cinematic Destinies” by Patricia Leavy

Legendary actor Finn Forrester and his wife, philosopher Ella Sinclair Forrester, have captivated the world with their fairy-tale romance since Finn famously proposed on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. As the couple now prepares to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary, they wonder if their children will ever find love.

Eldest daughter Betty is excelling in a medical residency program — and has convinced herself that distancing herself from emotions is the path to success. Youngest son Albert, a recent college graduate, is trying to find his footing in Boston as he struggles with his identity. Free-spirited Georgia is her mother’s spitting image and an actress following in her father’s footsteps — perhaps in more ways than one, as sparks fly with her new costar.

In this highly anticipated conclusion to “The Location Shoot” and “After the Red Carpet,” we see how Finn, Ella, and their children fulfill their cinematic destinies. Purchase at https://amzn.to/45yoqsF.

“Karma Never Sleeps” by R. John Dingle

When a second woman from a group of friends known as “the posse” is murdered in the woods near the New England enclave of Kendalton, FBI agent and profiler Gus Wheeler and his partner are called in to determine if this is a serial killing. He’s intrigued by a clue hidden on the body: a memorial picture of a teen who died 25 years ago.

Instead of helping with the investigation, the long-term friends stonewall the agents. But Gus can smell fear beneath their calm masks, fake smiles, and politely vague answers. Digging deeper, he discovers they are being terrorized by cyberstalking, spying, threats, and mysterious break-ins. When a third member is hospitalized after a brutal attack, Gus suspects someone in the posse is the hunter instead of the hunted.

Time’s running out, and Gus’s life depends on his skill at determining who’s the best liar in town. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3QOBRfu.

“Labyrinth of Shadows: The Witch's Rebirth (Part 1)” by Michaela Riley

2025 Winner of the NYC Big Book Award in Fantasy.

478 AD Gaul. The remnants of the once-mighty Western Roman Empire crumble under the rising power of the fierce Merovingian Franks. Amidst this chaos, whispers of an ancient prophecy circulate — a prophecy foretelling the arrival of a powerful witch, destined to illuminate humanity's darkest hour. It is on the fateful night of Samhain, as the veil between realms thins, that an infant is born under a celestial eclipse — a sign that foreshadows both hope and impending doom. Her name? Merona.

As Merona approaches her twelfth birthday, she unknowingly becomes a pawn in a deadly game orchestrated by a sinister sorcerer determined to extinguish her light. But he underestimates the forces at play.

Within Merona's veins flows a legacy of strength and untapped magic. Her awakening will ignite a cataclysmic struggle with the power to reshape the very fabric of existence. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4m6OwbM.

“The Order of the Wolf: Species Chronicles: Book Two: Covenant” by Lisa Lacriola

All is not well in Toni Luello's world. Losing Regan, her lover, was not on the agenda, but that loss was just a start as more secrets and half-truths came to light.

After learning about the Mythological Origins of her witchcraft lineage and being warned of an archaic organization called the Covenant, whose members can see 'that which is unseen' and possess medallions imbued with mystical properties, Toni pieces together her true purpose.

New allies, old enemies, and the questionable actions of those closest to Toni disrupt her quest to unite any remaining members of the Order of the Wolf with their supernatural brethren.

Follow Toni as she continues her journey as one of the blessed, a subspecies of wolf-human shapeshifters, and the last of her kind, if the prophecy holds. Who can she trust? What more will be revealed about her evolution? Where does she belong and with whom? Purchase at https://amzn.to/4mtfY3B.