(BookTrib) - “Strong Roots, Safe Wings” by Kalyani Gopal, PhD, HSPP

Parenting often begins with the best intentions — yet in moments of stress, many parents find themselves reacting in ways that feel painfully familiar from their own past. In “Strong Roots, Safe Wings,” clinical psychologist Dr. Kalyani Gopal offers a compassionate, evidence-based program designed to help parents understand and heal the deeper patterns that shape their responses to their children.

Grounded in neuroscience, attachment theory and trauma research, this illustrated workbook focuses not on fixing children’s behavior but on helping caregivers regulate their own emotional responses. Through a structured six-week program of reflections, guided exercises and practical tools, readers learn how to stay grounded during difficult moments, set healthy boundaries without shame or punishment, and repair missteps with honesty and connection.

By addressing the lingering effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), Dr. Gopal empowers parents and helping professionals to break harmful cycles — nurturing emotionally secure, resilient children who feel safe enough to grow and thrive.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4cLPNDo.

“Evil, Goodness, and Creating Active Bystandership” by Ervin Staub

In “Evil, Goodness, and Creating Active Bystandership,” renowned psychologist Ervin Staub reflects on a life shaped by both unimaginable cruelty and extraordinary human courage. A survivor of the Holocaust in Hungary who later escaped communist rule and built an academic career in the United States, Staub has devoted his life to understanding why people harm others — and why some choose to help instead.

Blending memoir, psychology and social insight, Staub traces how his personal experiences led to groundbreaking research on the roots of violence, genocide and altruism. From studying “altruism born of suffering” to promoting reconciliation in post-genocide Rwanda and helping train police officers to intervene when colleagues misuse force, his work explores how ordinary people can become agents of change.

Through powerful stories and decades of research, Staub offers a hopeful message: when individuals step forward as “active bystanders,” they can interrupt harm and help build a more compassionate world.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4sOXZaR.

“Lost in the Holler” by Michael West

When RJ Burnette leaves behind his high-pressure finance career in New York and returns to the Tennessee mountains, he hopes to reset his life in the quiet rhythms of home. But Gizzard’s Holler has not been waiting patiently for him. Beneath its familiar routines lies a secret the town has kept for decades.

Years earlier, RJ’s sister Sue Ann died under circumstances everyone accepted as tragic misfortune. Now RJ begins to learn that the story he grew up believing may not be the whole truth. As old memories surface and long-held silences begin to crack, he finds himself confronting a past that many in the community would rather leave buried.

“Lost in the Holler” blends Southern Gothic atmosphere with a character-driven mystery, exploring family loyalty, grief and the uneasy balance between protecting those we love and facing the truth.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/40vFRqf.

“Weight Class: A Fighter's Life-or-Death Battle with an Eating Disorder” by Danny O’Connor

What if the most dangerous opponent an elite fighter faces isn’t in the ring — but on the scale?

In “Weight Class,” former Olympian and professional boxer Danny O’Connor delivers a powerful memoir exposing the hidden toll of eating disorders in weight-class sports. From high school wrestling to a world title fight on national television, O’Connor chronicles a decades-long battle with starvation, dehydration and binge cycles that nearly cost him his life.

What looked like discipline from the outside was, in reality, a silent and escalating illness. With raw honesty, he reveals how a culture that rewards extreme weight-cutting can mask serious mental health struggles — especially in men, who are often overlooked in conversations about eating disorders. More than a sports memoir, “Weight Class” is a story of survival, self-reckoning and recovery — and a necessary wake-up call for athletes, coaches and anyone who thinks they know what an eating disorder looks like.

To purchase, visit https://www.bitelikeaman.com/ or https://amzn.to/4bLOzqK.

(BookTrib) - “Death at a Firefly Tea” by Laura Childs

As fireflies dazzle like tiny glowing lanterns, tea maven Theodosia hosts an elegant evening tea on the patio of the Tangled Rose B and B. But in this gentle darkness, an intruder has slipped deadly drugs into the baked Alaska of Mrs. Van Courtland, one of Charleston’s grande dames.

Shocked by this brazen act, Theodosia begins her own shadow investigation and soon finds herself at odds with a greedy developer, questionable residents of Honey Badger House, and a housekeeper who knows all the secrets. It’s only at the black-tie Starry Night ball that Theodosia stumbles upon the killer and is pulled into a dramatic life-and-death chase.

“Death at a Firefly Tea” is a perfect pick for cozy mystery lovers who enjoy food-themed capers. Kirkus writes: “A charming mystery full of surprises, recipes, hints for throwing unusual tea parties, and a stellar cast of characters.”

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4sjWot4.

“Anchors to Ashes” by David Caraccio and Tom Seeley

In a family saga rising from the misty shores of the Pacific Northwest, “Anchors to Ashes” chronicles an ambitious dynasty across 100 years of triumph, betrayal and descent into madness.

At the dawn of the 20th century, brothers Joseph and George Stevens plant the seeds of an empire as their axes ring through ancient forests and their ships navigate restless seas. Through the crucible of two world wars and changing economic tides, the brothers adapt — often at great personal cost — and their legacy takes hold.

Decades later, radiant but troubled heiress Sloane Stevens inherits both fortune and flaw. She must bear the burden of a complex illness that alters her world in subtle and profound ways.

Told through three distinct points of view and based on a true story, “Anchors to Ashes” explores how birthright, entitlement and identity change how we grapple with life's ordeals and lays bare what happens when the mind becomes both the vessel and the storm. 

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3P9bS4X. 

“Gone in Three Seconds” by Jim De La Vega

A terrified woman bursts into a Los Angeles ER with a fresh tattoo she swears she didn’t get. The numbers on her skin count down: 00:03 — BOOM. The explosion kills the victim and a nurse. Hours later, a businessman in the LAX baggage claim detonates the same way.

Former Blackhawk pilot, now forensic psychologist Dr. Cassidy Chord survived the blast that destroyed her leg, but nothing’s prepared her to pit wits against a foe turning random civilians into walking weapons. The terrorist has stalked and studied Cassidy, engaging her in his sick game — leaving her gifts, clues and disappearing pictures and emails that turn her from FBI consultant to suspect.

As attacks escalate across Los Angeles, Cassidy goes rogue because anyone can be next. Anywhere. Anytime. If you’re marked, you’re already gone. Tick. Tick. Tick. BOOM.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4l3u1No.

“Tales of Revenore: The Iron Witch” by Frank J. Zanca

In the war-torn realm of Ravenore, whispers of an ancient evil have begun to stir once more. When a mysterious young woman named Threa is pulled into a world of powerful magic, mystical creatures, rival kingdoms and shadowy conspiracies, she discovers that the darkness threatening the land is tied to a legend thought long-buried — the Iron Witch.

As armies gather and secrets unravel, Threa must learn to wield a power she barely understands. Hunted by those who fear her and guided by unlikely allies, Threa, alongside her young dragon, races against time to uncover the truth behind the Iron Witch before the realm falls into chaos.

“Tales of Ravenore: The Iron Witch” is an epic fantasy adventure filled with dark magic, romance, dangerous destinies and a hero whose choices may decide the fate of an entire land. Join us in bringing this immersive, full-cast audiobook to life on Kickstarter at https://tinyurl.com/tales-of-ravenore.

(BookTrib) - “When Waiting Becomes Life” by Jeff Deaton, MD

“When Waiting Becomes Life” gently illuminates the often unseen emotional landscape of infertility — a journey many walk in silence. Drawing on heartfelt, real-life stories from women and couples who have faced failed cycles, loss and years of uncertainty, Dr. Jeff Deaton blends compassionate medical insight with deeply human narrative. Each chapter offers not only the raw honesty of lived experience but also practical, encouraging advice that helps readers process grief, confront shame and navigate complex treatment decisions with greater clarity and confidence.

Readers praise the book for its warmth and wisdom, noting how Deaton’s balanced mix of hope, science and empathy makes even the most difficult moments feel shared rather than endured alone. Whether you’re living the struggle or supporting someone who is, this book offers solace, strength and a reminder: waiting isn’t the whole story — growth and resilience can be part of the journey too.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/when-waiting-becomes-life.

“Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart” by D. Earl Johnston

What if emotional intelligence begins not with regulation — but with vocabulary? In “Choosing Emotions,” D. Earl Johnston presents what he calls an “Emotionary”— a cross-disciplinary reference that defines 272 emotional states drawn from philosophy, psychology, science, art and spiritual traditions. After nine years of research and integrating more than 1,800 contributors spanning 3,000 years of recorded thought, Johnston points out that emotional literacy depends on definitional clarity.

From everyday experiences like admiration and confidence to complex states such as trauma and procrastination, each entry’s source ranges from clinical terminology to street expressions alongside insights from history’s great thinkers. Johnston also introduces a provocative linguistic idea: emotions function as the adverbial drivers of behavior — shaping how we act as much as what we do.

Designed equally for browsing or deeper study, “Choosing Emotions” invites readers to name, understand and easily navigate the full spectrum of human experience. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4kRi4KU.

“Summertime & Short Stories” by Stanislas M Yassukovich

In "Summertime & Short Stories," Stanislas M. Yassukovich invites readers into a world of privilege, longing and moral reckoning. The title novella unfolds among Long Island’s old-money elite, where a respected general practitioner embarks on an affair with a patient — a transgression that entangles both in layers of professional guilt and unresolved family ties.

The accompanying stories traverse elegant international settings and intimate emotional terrain. A brass rubbing hobbyist discovers a gravestone bearing his own name. A pleasure-seeking gentleman seeks redemption through charity. An introvert is swept into an insider trading scandal by his domineering girlfriend. Elsewhere, a painter’s canvas mysteriously fades, a polo-playing playboy confronts loss, sisters clash over love, and a father weighs the measure of his bond with his son.

By turns ironic, reflective and quietly provocative, this collection explores desire, consequence and the fragile façades that shape human lives.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/46LyAGi.

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” by Bobby “Z” Zielinski

The rite of passage: from the schoolyard – to the candy store – to the bar.

The bar in the ‘50s and ‘60s was where you cashed your paycheck, socialized with your friends, borrowed money, and bought various items that “just fell off” the back of a truck! It was where you also bet the numbers for the horses and paid off the “shys.”

Every Friday, from 3:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning, everything revolved around Slippery Eddie, the bartender. Every hour, a different story unfolded.

As an 84-year-old vet, cancer and Covid survivor, recovering alcoholic (46 years), original Jersey City ‘50s bad boy, high school dropout, and published author and poet, Bobby “Z” has lived it all – and lived to tell the tale.

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” could very well be the next “Bronx Tale,” “Goodfellas” or “Sopranos.” Purchase at https://amzn.to/49DUux3 or visit the author’s website, Tales of the Junkyard Dog, at https://talesofthejunkyarddog.wordpress.com/ for more information. Zielinski can also be contacted at [email protected].

(BookTrib) - “The Terminal Gene” by John H. Thomas

In this gripping techno-conspiracy thriller set in 2029, brilliant geneticist Dr. Emily Harper makes a discovery that could upend humanity: the terminal gene, a hidden sequence in every living organism that predicts, with chilling precision, the exact moment of death. What begins as a stunning breakthrough becomes a question of who controls the truth — and who pays for it. Emily soon realizes releasing this knowledge could change everything — from healthcare decision-making to personal freedom.

When Helix Innovations’ ambitions turn lethal, Emily and her fiancée, former paratooper Tyler Reed, find themselves fugitives in a high-stakes game of betrayal, espionage and paranoia. With powerful enemies determined to exploit the terminal gene for profit and control, Emily must choose between protecting her discovery and exposing a shadowed conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of society.

Fast-paced and thought-provoking, “The Terminal Gene” blends cutting-edge biotechnology with philosophical urgency, exploring how far corporations and governments will go to control fate itself.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3Z47CWn.

"Whiteout" by Lynette Eason and Dani Pettrey

Brace yourself for double the suspense in two snowbound thrillers where avalanches trap couples with their enemies — and escape may be impossible.

In “Buried in Shadows” by Dani Pettrey, Cassandra Parker arrives at her best friend’s destination wedding, hoping her stalker hasn’t followed her to Colorado. Among the wedding party is Sheriff Joel Brunswick, the man she left at the altar to protect a dangerous secret. When an avalanche strands their ski group in an abandoned lodge, Cassandra’s worst fear is confirmed: her stalker is there, and he’s willing to kill to claim her.

In “Snowbound Secrets” by Lynette Eason, Dr. Maya Sullivan plans a quiet retreat to her inherited ranch to build a haven for military veterans. Instead, an avalanche traps her at a Colorado ski resort — and reunites her with her high school crush. As old wounds resurface, Maya realizes someone is targeting her, turning their search for answers into a fight for survival.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/whiteout-novellas.

“You Know FAT Mary: Achieving Weight Loss and Optimal Health. My Journey. My Discoveries.” by Mary H. Putre

“You Know FAT Mary” is a compilation of hard-earned wisdom, lived experience and the urgency that comes from confronting one’s own health. For most of the author’s life, weight was a constant struggle — 50 to 150 pounds overweight from childhood into adulthood — despite height and every conventional explanation. What began as frustration eventually became a turning point. Staying unhealthy was no longer an option.

Determined to understand what was really happening, the author began asking fundamental questions that were never addressed along the way: Was the body getting what it truly needed? Could long-term medications be masking deeper issues? How does the body actually function?

The answers form the foundation of this book. It explores how our bodies respond to what we put in, on and around them — and how vital signals are often ignored. From blood markers to cellular needs, the body speaks clearly when we learn how to listen. Our bodies are remarkable teachers. This book shows how paying attention can change everything. Obesity is not a disease; it's a lack of nutrition.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/youknowfatmary or https://amzn.to/4qVC40T.

“Look Twice: Your Guide to Staying Safe in an Unsafe World, Volume I” by Tim Beard

Tim Beard — a career security professional who honed his expert skills in the U.S. Marines and CIA’s Clandestine Service — shows you the very secrets he has used to stay alive in risky situations in the most dangerous places on earth — secrets you can use to avoid becoming the next victim of a terrible crime.

You may think you have no control over the bad things that could happen, but you do. You can control your own actions — and the right actions could save your life and those of the people you love. Tim takes you through a variety of scenarios and reveals what you should do step-by-step. Starting with: LOOK TWICE.

In Volume I, Tim introduces the Look Twice Mindset and essential security concepts fundamental to the entire “Look Twice” book series. He guides you on how to stay safe at home and work, and what to do when you go out in town to run errands, visit the ATM and other everyday activities. Tim also discusses different modes of transportation with critical insights into automobiles, riding the subway, road rage and other topics to help you stay safe.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/46wIZFF.

(BookTrib) - “Lowdown” by Anthony Schneider

Spanning three decades and two continents, “Lowdown” is a deeply human crime novel about love, loyalty and the long shadow of choice. Jimmy Piccini, a Brooklyn mob soldier who kept faith with the code of silence, is released from prison at age 58 after serving 25 years for a crime he didn’t directly commit. The world he returns to is unrecognizable — and haunted by the memory of Milena, the woman he loved and lost.

Told through interwoven timelines, the novel traces Jimmy’s rise in the Brooklyn mob and Milena’s escape to Sicily after her marriage to a volatile made man collapses under violence and betrayal. From gritty New York streets to sun-washed Mediterranean villages, Anthony Schneider crafts a character-driven story where violence gives way to introspection, and vengeance wrestles with forgiveness. “Lowdown” is a romantic literary thriller with a powerful emotional core and deftly layered themes of love and loss, reckoning and redemption.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4pTMOf2.

“Boys Will Be Men: 8 Lessons for the Lost American Male” by Vince Benevento, LPC

There is an underrecognized crisis facing today’s young men — one marked by anxiety, isolation and a growing lack of purpose. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience working with men and young adults, author Vince Benevento, founder of Causeway Collaborative, has seen firsthand how traditional talk therapy often falls short — and has uncovered what actually helps young men move forward.

Through eight practical, hard-earned lessons, Benevento replaces abstraction with action, emphasizing structure, accountability, healthy risk-taking and the power of meaningful male relationships. Blending candid personal stories with real-world case examples, he offers a framework that helps young men build confidence, resilience and direction — brick by brick. Written for parents, educators, mentors and these young men themselves, “Boys Will Be Men” is less about fixing what’s “wrong” and more about restoring what’s missing: purpose, connection and the tools to step fully into adulthood.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/49OxOZN.

“DoubleHelix" (Book One in the Helix Project) by J.L. Calder

In the shadows of power, survival is never guaranteed.

Washington, D.C., 1996. Mike Green has built a career writing about dead girls, but nothing prepares him for the file he uncovers at the National Archives: the murder of Delilah Grennan, a Soviet dissident with ties to the Russian underworld. What begins as research becomes obsession, as Delilah’s voice invades his thoughts, her enemies become his, and paranoia pulls him deeper into the dark machinery of power.

Drawn into a covert war between a global crime syndicate, intelligence agencies, and a political dynasty that claims him as family, Mike learns too late that survival sometimes means being buried.

Winner of a 2026 Independent Press Award for Political Thriller and a 2026 Pencraft Award for Thriller Audiobook, “DoubleHelix” is a dark, razor-sharp political thriller blending psychological suspense, espionage intrigue and sarcastic wit — perfect for readers who crave character-driven conspiracies and morally treacherous power games.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4q5LXrU.

"AROC Adventures – ABCs of Safe Web Surfing: Essential Online Safety Tips for Your Child's First Device" by C.D. Richardson

Help your child build healthy screen habits and explore the digital world with confidence.

“AROC Adventures – ABCs of Safe Web Surfing” is a vibrant, futuristic picture book that introduces young readers to technology with kindness, balance and responsibility. Through colorful A-to-Z lessons, each page highlights an essential skill — from screen-time balance and online manners to empathy, critical thinking and kid-friendly internet rules.

Guided by AROC, a friendly robot hero, children learn how to make smart choices online, avoid harmful behaviors and build strong character both on and off the screen. Ideal for families, teachers and early-learning classrooms, this engaging book offers a fun, age-appropriate introduction to digital literacy, cyber ethics and safe browsing. It also empowers caregivers and children to engage in a timely, much-needed conversation about smart and safe online habits.

Whether your child uses a tablet, computer or smartphone, this is an essential resource for guiding them through the early stages of exploring technology and developing responsible digital citizenship.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4q8IV6b.

(BookTrib) - “Transitions” by MB Barden

“My Mom asked me if I wanted to go to my grandfather’s grave with her. I thought, really? I’m sure that is what every kid would love to do on a Saturday afternoon. I just looked at her. I was staring at her but not seeing her. Instead, I saw images of zombies, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and creepy crypt keepers. ‘No, thank you.’”

In this relatable and touching story, intended for children ages six to 12, a boy who is afraid of cemeteries works through his fear as he comes to a greater understanding of life and death during a visit to his grandfather’s grave.

The symbolism on the gravestones and in nature comforts him as he accepts death as a part of life. He comes to realize that an individual's death is not an ending but a continuation of the soul’s journey.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/transitions-mbbarden.

“The Safe Place” by Brandon M. Rogers

“The Safe Place” is a gripping journey of redemption and healing, where faith and trauma intertwine to shape a young man’s life. Tristan’s search for belonging and understanding leads him through a maze of relationships, struggles with faith, and the painful remnants of his past. As he battles shame and detachment, his path toward forgiveness — both from others and himself — becomes the most difficult yet transformative journey of all.

This novel invites readers into an emotional, spiritual exploration of grace, love and the power of overcoming internal battles. With a powerful mix of lyrical storytelling and raw, heartfelt moments, “The Safe Place” will resonate with anyone seeking redemption and the courage to heal.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/TheSafePlaceAmazon.

“Not Yet Your Time” by James Terminiello

Winner of a Literary Titan Book Award

When Titus Carneades is saved from a traffic death by a mysterious young woman who quickly vanishes, telling him, “It is not yet your time,” he finds himself drawn into a high-profile terrorist kidnapping of a Chinese businessman in which the same woman has interfered.

Both fascinated and troubled, Titus volunteers to help government agents resolve the crisis and encounters the woman's mentor, the suave and avuncular founder of the Apologizers, a group that believes God has forsaken humanity and must be lured back by good deeds.

This odd trio embarks on a perilous odyssey that includes imprisonment in a labyrinthine security complex under the ruins of the World Trade Center; flight through a murky, unfinished tunnel beneath the Hudson River; a safe house masquerading as a defunct museum; and a perilous train ride to link up with a terror cell. Ultimately, the reluctant Titus will face a rendezvous with life, love, death and destiny in the green wilds of New York’s Hudson Valley.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/49Tfq3f.

“When All the Gods Died” by Sudarshan Chatterjee, M.D.

What if the legends you thought were lost forever were waiting just beyond the veil of myth?

When their plane from Athens crashes in an unknown area, archaeologist Andrew and his fiancée Rhea are plunged into a world where Greek gods walk among mortals. Stranded in an ancient, magical land, they uncover a secret lost to time: the Olympian gods never vanished — they were merely waiting. As old rivalries reignite and new destinies emerge, Andrew and Rhea must navigate a realm where gods wield thunder, love is a battlefield, and mortal lives hang in the balance.

Epic in scope and rich with mythological depth, this novel weaves history, adventure, and fantasy into a gripping modern retelling of Greece’s greatest legends. Each Olympian — from Zeus’s thunderous power to Aphrodite’s captivating allure — comes alive in a tale of power, fate and timeless struggle.

Perfect for readers craving immersive mythology, mystical adventure, and the unending battle between mortals and immortals. Step into a world where the gods never died, and the myths begin anew.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4pD9AHT.

(BookTrib) - “The Dark Birth of the Secret Council” by Tracy Cavelli-Trussell

Trisha Maitland, a celebrated novelist, speaker and devoted woman of faith, begins experiencing vivid dreams that transport her to a dark, dangerous realm known as Elsewhere. What starts as unsettling visions soon reveals itself as a spiritual reality — one connected to a powerful and sinister secret council manipulating events in the physical world. As Trisha struggles to understand God’s messages woven through her dreams, she uncovers a growing conspiracy led by a charismatic businessman whose thirst for power masks ancient evil.

Moving between light and darkness, faith and temptation, truth and deception, reality and imagination, this fast-paced, faith-fueled supernatural thriller explores spiritual warfare, free will and redemption. With prose as sharp as sea glass and characters that leap off the page, it is both a compelling mystery and a profound meditation on the stories we tell ourselves to survive. “The Dark Birth of the Secret Council” launches a gripping Christian thriller trilogy that challenges readers to consider what unseen forces may be shaping their world.

Purchase at https://a.co/d/4RRUsoW.

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” by Bobby "Z" Zielinski

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” follows the exploits of one bar’s patrons across a single evening, from Friday at 3 p.m. until Saturday at 3 a.m. Everything revolves around Slippery Eddie, the bartender. Every hour, a different story unfolds, introducing a cast of colorful, albeit shifty, characters.

In the tradition of “A Bronx Tale,” this narrative poetry collection is a historical and satirical look at the post-war bar scene in Jersey City, New Jersey, told by one of the original Jersey City bad boys of the period, Bobby “Z” Zielinski. “The bar in the 50s and 60s was where you cashed your paycheck, socialized with your friends, borrowed money, bought various items that ‘just fell off the back of a truck,’ … bet the numbers for the horses and paid off the ‘shys,’” Zielinski writes.

Now you can experience the mayhem of this rough and rowdy time in urban history for yourself through “Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar.” Purchase at https://amzn.to/49DUux3 or visit the author’s website, Tales of the Junkyard Dog, at https://talesofthejunkyarddog.wordpress.com/ for more information. Zielinski can also be contacted at [email protected].

“Corn Festival” by Melissa Laird

In 1970, drawn by idealism and the promise of a better way of life, Wanda and a small group of friends leave California for North Freedom, Wisconsin, determined to build a communal farm rooted in cooperation, organic living and music. As they struggle to grow food, restore an old cabin and find their footing in a skeptical rural community, cracks begin to form — both within the group and between them and the world around them. Backlash, disappointment and diverging paths eventually leave Wanda alone, guarding a dream that once felt revolutionary.

Spanning five decades, “Corn Festival” traces the echoes of that experiment into the present day, revealing how the cultural divisions of the late 1960s resurface in modern America. By linking counterculture idealism to contemporary polarization, the novel offers a deeply personal and timely reflection on belonging, legacy and the enduring struggle to create meaningful change.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4qKjh8w.

“The Great Dane” by Suanne Laqueur

After the sudden death of his only child, Liko Greenman is adrift, passing time until a mystery hidden inside his son’s favorite video game gives him a reason to move forward. When a cryptic clue from the game’s maker leads him from the digital world to a secluded farm in rural New York, Liko meets Danelaw “Dane” Strong — an intersex man with a layered past and a life shaped by love that defied convention.

As Dane guides Liko through the game’s unanswered questions, the search becomes something deeper: a journey through grief, identity and the ways people find belonging when traditional labels fall short. Set against legends, folklore and the evocative symbolism of the Three Hares triskelion, “The Great Dane” is a luminous exploration of connection, chosen family and the healing power of love.

Blending romance and drama with psychological and philosophical depth, Suanne Laqueur shows us that while we view the most profound human connection in pairs, three is often love’s most magical number.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4qsKpt3.

(BookTrib) - “The Memory Stone (Dragons of Camelot Book 2)” by Bryan Davis

A girl with powers beyond her understanding. A boy sworn to protect her. And a kingdom veering into madness.

Camelot is becoming increasingly dangerous for dragons and their allies. When a fear-inducing toxin seeps into the water supply, Merlin, Hawk and Sabina suspect sorcery. Could this be Lady Morgan’s doing? But when Lady Morgan pleads innocent and offers a truce to save her poisoned sister, the trio hesitantly believes her. Using a supernatural device called the memory stone, the team splits up to embark on an epic journey to Dragon’s Rest and portals beyond to uncover the mystery.

From Bryan Davis, bestselling author of the Dragons in Our Midst series, comes book two in an epic fantasy adventure set in King Arthur's Camelot. Perfect for middle-grade readers of Christian fiction, this fast-paced novel features an epic battle between good dragons and dragon riders against the forces of evil, told through multiple points of view, including those of the dragons.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/thememorystone.

“Animal Control” by Jonathan R. Miller

Kirkus Reviews Best Indie Books of 2025 Honoree

Nominated for the Otherwise Award

A young woman inherits a power that begins in the body and echoes out to the edges of the world. It isn’t explained and doesn’t come with rules. It gathers underneath the skin, waiting for direction.

As she begins to understand what the power can touch, rearrange and dismantle, her decisions grow heavier. The results, stranger. Two friends join her, and the movement that forms between them gathers momentum until it starts to shift the balance between what is and what could be. Together they learn that transformation isn’t an event. It is a state. And not every becoming is safe.

In its starred review, Kirkus Reviews calls “Animal Control” “unusually unsettling and unforgettable. A strange, inventive tale that evolves into a challenging and rewarding odyssey.” “Animal Control” is a literary novel of restraint and power, of a young woman who must decide what she is willing to change and what she is willing to become.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4mtoEHl.

“Pearl Bound” by Natalie Bergman

Some women are bound by class. Others refuse to be bound at all.

In the glittering halls of Gilded Age New York, beneath chandeliers and velvet drapes, danger hides in plain sight. “Pearl Bound” is a gothic historical novel steeped in desire, power and the cost of defiance.

Eve Kelly, a young Irish immigrant, arrives at Greythorne, the sprawling estate of the formidable Rennard family, to work alongside her mother. Born into servitude but driven by a restless force she cannot name, Eve is drawn into the orbit of Saskia Rennard — the family’s magnetic, volatile daughter. What begins as forbidden attraction quickly becomes something far more dangerous, entangling Eve in a world where wealth conceals cruelty, gender dictates survival, and intimacy itself becomes a form of rebellion.

As secrets surface and boundaries collapse, “Pearl Bound” reveals how love, ambition and power can turn lethal when society’s rules are broken.

Fans of gothic fiction, sapphic desire and dark historical narratives will find “Pearl Bound” a haunting and unforgettable debut.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4qFBbJu.

“Vic’s Views: Opinions Of An Old Codger” by Victor A. J. van Lint

In “Vic’s Views,” scientist, engineer and concerned citizen Victor A. J. van Lint offers a clear-eyed, data-driven examination of the forces shaping modern society — and the dangerous consequences of our growing unwillingness to listen to one another. Drawing on a lifetime of learning in research, public policy and global affairs, van Lint explores science, religion, politics, economics, law, environmental risk, war and peace through a unifying lens: how humans make decisions and why extreme thinking so often overrides reason.

Rather than promoting ideology, “Vic’s Views” challenges readers to question assumptions, weigh evidence, and engage opposing perspectives with intellectual honesty and moral restraint. In an era defined by polarization and outrage, this book is a call for civil discourse, principled compromise and informed skepticism — before division hardens into conflict. Most importantly, van Lint invites readers not simply to agree or disagree, but to think more carefully about the future we are creating together.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/vicsviews.

(BookTrib) - “Teaching in the Dark” by Genét Simone

A young teacher buys a one-way ticket to the tiny Arctic village of Shishmaref, Alaska. Within minutes of landing, she finds herself dealing with unexpected, rustic accommodations and the culture shock of living in a remote Iñuit community. To endure freezing temperatures, power outages, loneliness and first-year teacher anxieties and missteps, she relies on her courage, resilience, sense of humor and wit. Eventually, she realizes that her challenges pale in comparison to the life lessons she learns about the heart of teaching — lessons from her students, their culture and their community on the vast, windy landscape at the edge of the Chukchi Sea.

Full of poignancy and humor, this bold, heartfelt story has won numerous awards, garnering praise for Simone’s “lyrical appreciation of the natural environment” (Gold Non-Fiction Book Award) and “rich character development,” and the book’s themes of “resilience, belonging, and the power of community” (International Impact Book Award). Jack Canfield, author of “The Success Principles” and the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, says, “Buy this book!”

“Teaching in the Dark” makes a great gift for new teachers or anyone who loves journeys of personal growth amid culturally unique settings.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4rPA0s9.

“Ni De Aquí, Ni De Allá - But Still Whole” by Dolma Diaz Braynin

“Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá, But Still Whole” is a breathtaking bilingual (Spanish–English) celebration of what it means to grow up between worlds. Born from the beautiful chaos of shifting between languages, blending cultures and shaping identity, this book reminds readers of a powerful truth: you are not missing pieces. You are already whole. A living masterpiece woven from every story, every word and every tradition you carry.

Created for every child navigating their family’s past while forging their own future, this story shines a light on the strength found in being both — and more. It’s a love letter to the bridges we build between languages, generations and hearts. A reminder that being “in-between” isn’t confusing; it’s courageous, powerful and extraordinary.

Written and illustrated for children ages 8–12 by an educator of Mexican–Puerto Rican heritage, this Spanish–English dual-language storybook celebrates bicultural pride, identity affirmation, emotional and social growth, and the deep roots of family and culture.

Beautifully told and vibrantly illustrated, “Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá – But Still Whole” is a stunning invitation for young readers to see themselves — fully, proudly and powerfully — just as they are.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/nideaqui.

“Ten Thousand Central Parks: A Climate-Change Parable” by David Brown Morris

With extreme heatwaves, wildfires, hurricanes, and floods displacing millions, many wonder: What can I do about climate change? “Ten Thousand Central Parks” challenges the despair of inaction, using the history of Central Park as an unlikely yet urgent environmental parable.

Built in the years surrounding the Civil War, Central Park was a radical experiment in urban renewal, transforming chaotic, polluted, wildly irregular terrain into an 843-acre refuge ― a visionary public project undertaken at a time of national crisis. It offers a powerful lesson: Even in turbulent times, cities can be reimagined, and large-scale ecological transformations are possible.

Written with urgency and optimism, “Ten Thousand Central Parks” offers a fresh perspective on the climate crisis, rejecting doom in favor of possibility. We need projects on the scale of Central Park ― thousands of them ― to meet today’s environmental challenges. Fast-paced, beautifully written and boundary-crossing, this narrative nonfiction gem is an invitation to think big, act boldly and embrace radical hope.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4oSZ7Yx.

“Charlie Minto's Pyramid Scheme” by Les Carroll

After Charlie Minto’s sister is murdered by a cartel-connected gang, the retired Marine Corps sniper and recent law school graduate assembles a team of like-minded warriors to avenge her death. Haunted by the possibility that his sister's killers will never be caught and punished, Charlie goes all-in with high-risk vigilante justice while wrestling with his own moral compass and the future security of his surviving loved ones. To further complicate his life, Charlie is shockingly approached by the woman responsible for the death of his parents, who needs his help with a high-profile, against-all-odds lawsuit.

Charlie must launch his legal career and execute the dangerous moonlighting job while facing intense internal conflict over his activities outside the rule of law. For Charlie Minto, what will the final cost of vengeance be? And will it be worth it?

Written by an Air Force and Air National Guard veteran, “Charlie Minto's Pyramid Scheme” grapples with a relevant moral question in today’s society: Is it justified to avenge a murder with murder? Is it acceptable to kill people who “deserve to be killed”?

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4iP07vg or visit http://www.lescarroll.com/ for more information.

(BookTrib) - “Unshrink Yourself: 12 Mini-Shifts to Ditch Self-Doubt and Own Your Life” by Thanh Nguyen

“Unshrink Yourself” is a heart-driven guide to help you break free from self-doubt and start owning your life. If you’ve ever held back because you didn’t feel ready, smart or worthy enough, this book offers a turning point. Bestselling author and leadership coach Thanh Nguyen shares twelve small-but-mighty mindset shifts designed to quiet your inner critic, let go of perfectionism and step into your power.

Through honest stories and practical reflection exercises, she walks you through the steps she used to rebuild her confidence — from a voiceless immigrant teenager to an engineering executive, bestselling author, professor and speaker. Each mini-shift introduces a simple but profound change in how you think, speak and show up every day, helping you break self-sabotaging patterns, replace fear with compassion, speak up, stand tall and build confidence through consistent, courageous action. Because the world doesn’t need a smaller version of you.

Purchase at https://www.theencourageteam.com/unshrink.

“Reflections on Life’s Illusions: A Memoir of Culture and Consciousness” by Jane Gallagher

“Reflections on Life’s Illusions: A Memoir of Culture and Consciousness” dives into the pool of memory to explore what shaped the consciousness of the Baby Boom generation — and Jane Gallagher’s own perspective. Her lyrical prose interweaves a search for identity, love and meaning with reflections on the larger forces that defined an era, piecing together a “patchwork quilt” of vivid memories and social commentary, featuring the voices of leading intellectuals alongside her own.

The explosive years between 1954 and 1975, when McCarthyism, the Vietnam War, Watergate and systemic racism collided with the rise of feminism, civil rights and environmental awareness, inform Gallagher’s growing awareness, culminating in a life-changing hike through the mountains of Peru. Ultimately, this memoir offers a wise and graceful invitation to reexamine cultural stories, looking beyond nostalgia to rediscover wonder, curiosity and belonging for a deeper understanding of how culture molds belief — and how awareness can transform it.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4p41kS1 or https://bookshop.org/a/2572/9781633379077.

“Gunbarrel Highway” by Sean Bridges

Texas trophy wife Claudia Grant dies after she causes an early morning car accident. In the other vehicle, Daniel Morrison, an attorney struggling with a pending divorce and pill addiction, panics and leaves the scene.

The victim’s husband, congressional candidate Hayden Grant, is a corrupt politician who seizes the opportunity and places a million-dollar reward on Daniel’s capture. Dead or alive.

Daniel is on the run. Roya Navarro, a determined San Antonio police detective, is hot on his trail with local law enforcement, county sheriffs, a hungry journalist and trigger-happy citizens all across the Lone Star state out on the hunt for the bounty.

IT’S 150 MILES TO THE BORDER AND THE ENTIRE STATE IS OUT FOR BLOOD. THERE’S NO TURNING BACK NOW …

Purchase at https://amzn.to/48NioFS.

“The BEST Christmas Pun & Dad Joke Book” by L. Newkirk

The perfect way to bring laughter to your holiday celebration! “The BEST Christmas Pun & Dad Joke Book” features 201 Christmas-themed gems, from fresh one-liners to classic knee-slappers. Plus, laugh (and groan) your way through 301 everyday puns for year-round fun — from sports, food, animals, celebrities and more, there’s something to tickle everyone’s funny bone. Here are just a few samples:

What did the football coach say to the broken vending machine? "Give me my quarterback."

Every New Year's Eve, I look forward to a good show at Times Square ... and year after year, they drop the ball.

Why is a broken drum the best Christmas present? You can’t beat it!

With squeaky-clean humor that’s appropriate for all ages, it makes a great stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift for family, friends, co-workers … and, of course, dads!

Purchase at https://amzn.to/48I3CPu.