(NewsUSA) - Face the Storm by C.D. Kreger

This is the author’s intimate and courageous memoir of growing up and surviving an environment of mental illness, religious zealotry, and sexual abuse. She tells an extremely compelling story, recounting her experiences with those around her who should have been trustworthy and protected her. She digs deep into her past and shares what shattered her life most, then uses it to uplift other victims of such heinous crimes into a space of healing.

CD Kreger has bravely and boldly faced storms in coming forward sharing her story. The devastating fact is that it isn’t just her story, but is the story of too many women, men, and children. If the author can find the inner strength to publicly share her story, then perhaps we the readers can stand with her and other survivors, so no one must Face the Storm alone. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3AcUgy0.

Escape From Appalachia by Mary Frances Barron

Above all else, this book shows how a resilient spirit — undervalued, abandoned, and betrayed — can be restored

Told in its just-released audiobook as well as traditional formats through the eyes of a witty, outgoing, and curious little girl, Francie beautifully weaves together personal narratives and historical information about the ever-present American tragedy known as Appalachia. She peels back layers of her early life while walking us through the patches where coal miners and their families once lived, the impact of surviving in a contaminated environment, and the everyday threat of pollution, addiction, toothlessness, chronic depression, and abuse. An area where drugs and alcohol numb the pain of reality.

Francie portrays the mindset and brokenness of the people and the hopelessness that can come from living in isolation and poverty. It’s a story that brings the reader to laughter and tears and showcases an irrepressible drive to escape the grip of Appalachia on its sons and daughters. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4elmG75.

Cycling for a Cause: A Cross-Country Adventure by Joe Matthews

Are you ready for a heartwarming adventure that reminds us of the goodness in the world?

Joe Matthews is a retired New York City firefighter whose life takes an unexpected turn when he undergoes bilateral knee replacement surgery. As Joe navigates the challenging road to recovery, he finds himself shaken by the turmoil of a horrific world event — the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022.

Fueled by a desire to make a difference, Joe goes on an inspiring journey: bicycling across America to raise funds for those affected by the crisis in Ukraine. From the highs of overcoming physical challenges to the lows of battling anxiety and insomnia, Joe's roller coaster ride captures the resilience of the human spirit. Through this journey, he discovers unexpected kindness in the generosity of strangers and the support of newfound friends.

All proceeds to be divided among six favorite charities. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3UJoEHf.

The Misconceived Conception of a Baby Named Jesus by Bill Burkland

A religious satire — a fast-paced comedic reimagining of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, with sensibilities similar to The Book of Mormon and Monty Python's Life of Brian.

Mary and Joseph rendezvous in a secluded Nazarene garden where they get to know each other well — very well. Months later, when Mary's pious mother sees that her young unwed daughter is pregnant, she and a pompous High Priest devise a plan to characterize the pregnancy as divine, of God's seed. Mary refuses to go along with their plan, insisting Joseph is the true father. Joseph and Mary battle her parents for the fate of their newborn baby.

As news spreads through Bethlehem, unscrupulous shepherds, rakish Wise Men, an earnest but malodorous peasant, and an aging cat with a penchant for prophecy all try to determine whether the baby is truly the Son of God. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4fUphGl.

(NewsUSA) -  

Birth can be scary. Prior to the global pandemic in 2020, it was estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women in the United States had a fear of childbirth so strong that it impacted their daily functioning. That number rose to 62 percent during the pandemic.

That’s why childbirth psychology expert Samantha Vaive, Ph.D., published a new book, MIND-BODY, BIRTH, a research-based, easy-to-understand and inclusive guide designed to help pregnant women achieve their best birth. Birth doesn’t have to be something women suffer through just to get to the good part—birth can be the good part.

In this book, readers will learn how to move beyond the fear of childbirth, allowing them to have a joyful birth experience that they are excited about.

“This glorious, beautiful thing we have literally been doing since the dawn of humans was crushing people around me,” says Vaive. “Birth should not be devastating.”

MIND-BODY, BIRTH breaks down what actually makes childbirth painful (it’s not what people think) and offers strategies to reduce that pain. Readers will learn the barriers that get in the way of an awesome birth experience.

The book also explores traditional and non-traditional ways to enhance the birth journey and improve outcomes for women and their babies. The book guides readers through activities, and journaling prompts them to deepen their understanding while exploring the path to their best birth.

Vaive is founder of Sound Birthing LLC and creator of the Mind-Body, Birth approach. Her doctoral research explored improving the childbirth experience and birth outcomes. She is passionate about making anxiety-free childbirth accessible to everyone. She holds a master’s in social work from the University of Denver and a postgraduate certificate in sex therapy and sexual health education from the University of Michigan. Additionally, she has completed over 500 hours of Yoga teacher training and is a certified sound therapist. 

“This book will give you the tools you need to take control and birth better,” says Vaive.

As the book comes to an end, readers will use these activities to build their personal birth toolkit—a comprehensive resource that will guide them toward a joyful birth.

Whether this is a person’s first time giving birth or they are looking to improve upon past experiences, MIND-BODY, BIRTH equips them with the knowledge and confidence to feel prepared and excited about their upcoming birth.

“This book is here to support you,” says Vaive. “To help you have your best birth. Not to tell you how you should be.”

Learn more by visiting the author’s website at  www.sound-birthing.com.

(NewsUSA) - “The Amalfi Secret” by Dean and Catherine Reineking 

When Gabe Roslo arrives in Amalfi, Italy, a long-awaited reunion with his grandparents takes a tragic turn. His beloved grandfather is dead — and a cryptic diary left behind is Gabe’s only clue to the mystery surrounding his sudden death. But what starts as a personal tragedy quickly spirals into a high-stakes international puzzle. 

Teaming up with Anna, a resourceful Roman local, Gabe follows a trail of hidden truths that stretches from the stunning Amalfi coast to the corridors of global power. Secret codes, powerful enemies, and a legacy of deception pull them into a world where nothing is as it seems. With each twist, they are forced to question their allies and uncover dark secrets that could shift the global balance of power. 

Will Gabe and Anna decipher the mystery and reveal the sinister forces at play? Or will they become the next victims of The Amalfi Secret? 

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3HwWiwI. 

“Nobody’s Legend” by Jason Ferguson 

Let Go of Who You Were, Rewrite Your Story, and Take Back Your Life. 

What if everything you thought defined you — your past, your failures, your struggles — wasn't the end of your story, but just the beginning? “Nobody's Legend” is a raw, unfiltered journey through adversity, transformation, and the fight to reclaim identity. This is more than a memoir — it's a battle cry for anyone who's ever felt lost, underestimated, or stuck in their own narrative. 

From the highs of athletic success to the darkest depths of addiction and self-doubt, Ferguson lays bare his journey with gripping honesty. Through moments of triumph and despair, he shows that even the hardest setbacks don't define us — it's how we rise from them that does. If you've ever felt like life was slipping away, like the odds were stacked against you, this book will prove that transformation isn't just possible — it's yours for the taking. 

Purchase at https://amzn.to/47D5Lx0. 

“The Heart of Bennet Hollow” by Joanne Bischof DeWitt 

In this historical retelling of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” an Appalachian farmer’s daughter and a wealthy businessman find a surprising love but must reckon with what divides them. Lizbeth Bennet longs to preserve her family’s farm, a difficult task in their Appalachian coal mining town. But when the mine is put up for sale, a contingent of coal barons descends on the town, among them a young man rumored to be a very rich, eligible bachelor. William Drake arrives focused on business and keeping his distance from the townspeople. As Lizbeth and William continue to cross paths, Lizbeth questions her first impression of the man she believed to be proud and indifferent. Lizbeth must confront her own prejudices ... and decide whether the future she’s always imagined is the one her heart truly wants most after all. 

Purchase at http://bit.ly/3IhttEK. 

“Hibernation” by S.J. Epps 

The world has flipped upside down as a new class of citizens has arisen from hibernation and rejects the heterosexual idealism and culture. 

In the aftermath of legalized same-sex marriage in the U.S., two pastors are pulled into a new kind of civil war — those who vehemently oppose the new ruling and those who embrace it wholeheartedly. Lawsuits run rampant. Ministers are imprisoned. Riots ignite. Church doors are shuttered and chained. 

Pastor Sams attends the public rallies and even makes appearances in the courtroom to show his solidarity in standing with Pastor Charles. However, there is a constant fear that threatens their cause and their friendship. As new developments arise and new rebellions crop up, the fabric of America they once relied on starts to shred. The church appears to be losing its voice as the LGBTQ community lunges forth out of hibernation. 

Purchase at https://sjepps.com.