(NewsUSA) -  

We're All Mad Here: An (In)Elegant Memoir by Marie Kuipers

Peer behind the curtain of one fiercely opinionated and unapologetically peculiar woman’s unhinged life. If her upbringing in Dirty Jerz and her narcissistic mother aren’t enough, add a psychotic catfishing ex-husband, a lifesaving Solo cup, heaps of grief, and a dash of Lyme, and you’ve got the recipe for a (mostly) hilarious roller-coaster ride of a read.

Experience the epiphany that saves a beloved rooster from an evil HOA Karen. Bond over such atrocities as puke, the patriarchy, and plus-sized effrontery. Find unexpected solace in a simple feather.

This collection of sketches forms the gooey center of a Venn diagram for “dark,” “irreverent,” and “raucously funny.”

For everyone who has dreamed of conquering calamity, embracing chaos, or banging a hot vampire, We’re All Mad Here plunges you into a maelstrom of heartbreak, hilarity, and, finally, forgiveness. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4jP0KFh.

Under the Charcoal Sky by John H. Cunningham

After a life-changing discovery, Buck Reilly embarks on his greatest adventure, which threatens to be his last. The identity of the woman who gave him life is a closely guarded secret for reasons that go far beyond her own short existence. As Buck pursues information that has been fiercely hidden in Scotland for generations, it puts him and his friends in the crosshairs of a secret society whose sole purpose is to eliminate any threat of exposing the truth. Their lives depend on Buck finding missing ancient documents and treasure, impossibly fast, or they will all be killed.

The breathless pace will carry readers deep into the night as Buck races against the clock to overcome a double-cross that will cut him to the core as he faces off against the coldest, most brutal circumstances one could endure. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3W9UfT8.

Puppied to Death by C.B. Wilson

A murder, an ancient rivalry, and a puppy you can’t help but love…

A frantic plea from her sister sends Cat Hawl on a rescue mission to Hawaii. What should’ve been a simple mediation between Lani and their mother turns deadly. Not only is a tea sommelier murdered, but a puppy has turned the crime scene into a dog’s breakfast, and Cat’s trouble-prone sister is nowhere to be found.

Since the police suspect the worst, it’s up to Cat to dig deeper. With her mother and Miss Marple Mahjong Mama’s help, Cat uncovers an ancient rivalry rooted in the Forbidden City. Can a thousand-year-old tea reading be the cause of the current puppy pandemonium and mounting body count?

Puppied to Death is the charming ninth book in the Barkview Mysteries series, with characters out of their comfort zones, spectacular twists, and plenty of paw-friendly humor. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3PoCzQ2.

My Bully, My Aunt & Her Final Gift by Harold Phifer

Sometimes the death of a loved one can fix your pain. Here’s a funeral that turned into a comedy show. The death of the author’s evil aunt taught him a lot about grief, love, loss, resentment and redemption. After her death, he was tasked with the job of putting together a memorial that no one wanted to attend.

It’s far from grim — there’s laughter until the end.

Most of the story is recreated from real-life experiences of a misguided kid. Readers will be shocked by the darkness and behaviors of a close blood relative. Logic and Aunt Kathy never coexisted, whereas her philosophies and arbitrary enforcements kept the author off-balance for much of his young life. Somehow, he survived the chaos, abuse, and despicable treatment then and found another way. This story pulls back the covers to that sick, twisted, and formative relationship the author had to endure. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3PZlNqQ.

(NewsUSA) - The Forgotten Man: A Journey Through the Ashes by Stanley S. Seidner

A powerful epic that chronicles the adventurous life of David Wdowinski, a tragic and brilliant psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor, and Revisionist leader during the epoch of the Warsaw Ghetto Rebellion. The author uses 50 years of painstaking research to weave a gripping tale from unpublished documents — including family letters, diaries, and previously unknown evidence — creating a spellbinding narrative that takes readers from the times of murderous pogroms and nationalist anti-Semitism through the Holocaust.

Vividly evoking Wdowinski and his turbulent times, this is a riveting historical psychological portrait of a man many considered to be a paragon of strength and virtue. Arguably the controversial apotheosis of heroic leadership in the Warsaw Ghetto, Wdowinski gave critical testimony at the Eichmann trial and helped to establish a Jewish State. Devastating and unflinching, the book masterly reveals a story of devastating loss and its consequences upon personal identity. Purchase at https://amzn.to/40K97te.

Progress Not Perfection by Alison Ashby

In the manner of Mary Karr’s Lit, this is a raw and mesmerizing addiction memoir from a new and upcoming author which explores her unique story of alcohol addiction and the drastic impact it had on her life and career.

Alison Ashby was not always an alcoholic. An ambitious, strait-laced child and academic young adult, Ashby became a dedicated teacher and social worker. A talented writer and insightful cultural observer, Ashby describes how she hid a terrible and destructive secret from her family, husband, and co-workers.

With gripping passages, Ashby’s story is a cautionary tale filled with unforgettable description of severe Alcohol Use Disorder and subsequent brushes with disaster. But the center of the book is her journey from an alcoholic teetering on the edge of mortality to proud woman in recovery.

With breathtaking honesty and injections of humor, Ashby delivers a riveting message of hope, courage, and resilience. Purchase at https://amzn.to/40yhMyK.

The Art of Bending Time: A Forbidden Return by Quinn Jamison

Lavinia is lost without the world she left behind. The only way forward is to find herself again. Almost nothing seems to help until she meets a friend at a library she often visits for solace. Except there seems to be something strange about the place; Lavinia is hearing whispers from the other side again, and not only the voice she wishes to hear.

The more she discovers, the stranger the secrets that unfold. Her newfound hope spurs on a dangerous and forbidden endeavor. With support along the way, Lavinia strives to never give up on the man she refuses to call a ghost. In the face of many obstacles, time itself is most troubling. She fights to keep him, but will she actually succeed? Despite the formidable ramifications of time, Lavinia's true destiny awaits her. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3VonLEC.

The Three O’Clock Calls by Tom Smith

Bright, persistent ringing ripped Tom from sleep. He rolled over, fumbled for the reading light beside his bed, and reached for his phone. As he answered the call, he saw the time: 3:00 a.m. Nothing good comes from a three o’clock call.

“This book is a beacon of hope for anyone navigating grief or hardship,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “The author’s story of enduring unimaginable tragedy yet finding strength through faith is both inspiring and deeply moving. His openness and resilience remind us that no matter how dark life may seem, hope is always within reach. This heartfelt journey reassures readers that they are never alone in their struggles.”

Says another reviewer, “The author wrote about tragic events that were heartbreaking but then told a beautiful story about his faith and the strength of his family. During the most heartbreaking moments, he found peace and comfort.” Purchase at https://bit.ly/4gmz1J4.

(NewsUSA) - A Mysterious Night at the Library by Kim Chesney

A delightful tale about the magic of books, the fun of learning, and the joy of new friendships.

It's the night before Halloween, and twins Kat and Ollie are in for a big surprise at the library. Under a full moon and shooting stars, they discover a little bear who's fallen out of his book after being tucked away for over 100 years! There's just one problem—he doesn't remember how to read!

What's a bear to do? Luckily, Kat and Ollie know just the thing. They whisk him away to their farmhouse, where they teach him the ABCs, show him the wonders of reading, and form a lasting bond of friendship along the way.

The author channels her childhood love of reading and adventure into stories for all ages. This debut book is sure to bring a smile to readers from every generation.  Purchase at https://bit.ly/4hxBIZB.

The 9th Colony: Hornet’s Nest by Colin Curtis

A gripping and thought-provoking science fiction novel that challenges the very foundations of what readers believe about the world. Through a captivating narrative, the author takes readers on a thrilling journey filled with mystery, intrigue and a profound exploration of human existence.

The story revolves around Simon Chambers, a seemingly ordinary 28-year-old decorator. However, on one fateful day, his life takes an extraordinary turn when he witnesses a mysterious craft circling above him. He is kidnapped by an alien race and transported to another galaxy. But he escapes – and forms a resistance group, working to uncover the truth of human origins.

It's a series of events that catapult Simon into a world of discovery and danger, shattering the illusions that have clouded Earth’s population for almost two centuries.

Now available in audiobook format, as well as hardcover, paperback and ebook. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4eHb7qQ.

My Journey with Angels by Leslie Przymusinski

In this heart-wrenching tale,  a young Jamaican girl faces a darkness that no child should ever endure. Left in the hands of abusive family members, three-year-old Leslie must adapt to her new environment. This is a true story of survival, resilience, and hope. From the shadows of abuse and despair, Leslie's tale unfolds with raw honesty, revealing the depths of her pain and the strength to escape it.

As Leslie navigates her abusive childhood, she encounters moments of kindness; angels that light her path. These angels offer her solace and strength. Later in her journey, she meets a new teen mother who needs desperate help. Suddenly, there is a story within a story, as she pays her blessings forward. Leslie’s journey is not only a testament to her courage and faith but also a tribute to the power of compassion and the human spirit's unyielding will to survive. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3OLrqZn.

Third Collection of Short Stories by Stanislas M. Yassukovich

Stanislas Yassukovich returns with another riveting collection of short stories, a worthy successor to his acclaimed Short Stories and A Cape Town Decameron. Each tale, woven from his vast experiences, spans an array of subjects, characters, and locales. Drawing inspiration from his illustrious career as an international investment banker, Yassukovich gives readers a privileged peek into the intersections of finance, adventure, and the human spirit.

Every story offers a unique flavor, capturing varied moods and moments. Collectively, they paint a vivid tableau of a world both bygone and current, all anchored by enduring values. His insights, observations and keen writing style provide the roadmap for a journey through a life richly lived and brilliantly recounted. Purchase at https://bit.ly/47yUXMK.

(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) - Here’s a chance for readers to get a sneak peek into some of the hottest books and new voices being talked about in literary circles this holiday season.

BookTrib.com—a leading source for book reviews, news, interviews, and articles—has just launched the Winter/Holiday 2024 edition of its popular Lit Picks ebook collection of first chapters from the hottest new books (Meridian, November 2024). Featuring excerpts from over 30 new releases and hidden gems, BookTrib Lit Picks is the perfect digital stocking stuffer this holiday season.

A free digital sampler, BookTrib Lit Picks includes first chapters from contemporary and historical fiction, thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, self-help, memoirs, and more from Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins, to award-winning small presses and works from independently published authors.

“We are thrilled to provide this holiday eBook to readers and couldn’t be happier with the range of books and level of participation from major publishers, highly acclaimed authors, and new voices that are sure to make their mark on the literary landscape,” said Meryl Moss, president and founder of BookTrib.com and Meryl Moss Media Group.

Authors and titles include: #1 New York Times Bestselling Authors, #1 Sunday Times Bestsellers, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestsellers, USA Today Bestselling Authors, Silver Falchion Award Winners, Bram Stoker Award® Winners, Edgar Award Nominated Authors, Goodreads Choice Award Nominated Authors, and more.

Among the specific books included in this edition are: What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci; The Millicent Quibb by Kate McKinnon; Beyond a Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni; Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell; Crude by Mike Bond; Firetrap by Otho Eskin; Lost in Thought by Deborah Serra; Abandoned at Birth by Janet Sherland.

Also: Seven Days of SHIVA by Marc Gellman; Teaching in the Darkby Genet Simone; Sid Johnson and the Well-Intended Conspiracy by Frances Schoonmaker; Strong to Save by David Emerson Frost; The Little Bird by Ashby Jones; Flight of the Rondone by Patrick Girondi; The Nest by Hal Glazier.

Additionally: Something Better by Diane Parish; The Rhythm of Grace on Standalone Mountain by Jeffery Deal; Plowman by Charles Bruckerhoff; The Wheel of Evil by N.L. Holmes; Today Is the Day by Deborah Curtin; Stand a Little Out of My Sun by Angelyn Voss; Twice the Family by Julie McGue; Third Collection of Short Stories by Stanislas Yassukovich.

More books include: Bad Boys in Boston by Del Chatterson; Casalvento by Gudrun Cuillo; Coded to Kill by Marschall Runge; and Crossroads of Empire by Michael Cooper.

BookTrib Lit PicksHoliday/Winter 2024 Edition is available for free at BookTrib.com/LitPicks, on NetGalley, and popular retail outlets where ebooks are sold.

BOOKTRIB

BookTrib.comWhere Readers Discover was created as a source for people who love books, who want to find out what’s happening in the book world and love reading about their favorite authors and learning about new ones. For more than 20 years, BookTrib has been providing book reviews, author interviews, news flashes, podcast and TV interviews, book club recommendations and much more to passionate readers. BookTrib.com brings discerning readers and rising authors closer together – and in a big way, with more than 90,000 unique monthly website visitors and more than 240,000 social media followers.

MERYL MOSS MEDIA GROUP

BookTrib.com is produced by Meryl Moss Media Group, a leading literary marketing and publicity firm that for more than 30 years has helped authors get exposure to their audience of readers.

GET FREE EBOOK AT BookTrib.com/LitPicks.

(NewsUSA) - Inner Trek: A Reluctant Pilgrim in the Himalayas by Mohan Ranga Rao

After being threatened by a Bangalore mob boss, Mohan Ranga Rao, an accomplished businessman, an avid traveler, and a generous philanthropist, makes a vow: If he somehow gets out of the situation, he will thank the gods by going on Kailash Mansarova, a holy mountain pilgrimage in Tibet. What starts out as merely a challenging high-altitude trek soon becomes a life-changing adventure.

With a blend of humor, honesty and keen insight, Mohan journeys toward a deeper understanding of the world around him. A memoir of a road less traveled and a true story of self-discovery at 18,000 feet.

“A modern Canterbury Tales, telling of a fascinating real-life adventure,“ says Dr. C. Naganna, University of Mysore.

“A heartwarming read; a spiritual adventure,” says Anuradha Goyal, The Mouse Charmers.

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3CNPzvn.

Tell the Story: A Hollywood Odyssey by Terrell Tannen

As a highly paid screenwriter, Terrell Tannen lived the classic Hollywood lifestyle: the Porsche, oversized house, dinners, and parties. By most measures, he could be called wildly successful. Yet script after script, written for the bona fide elites of the movie business, floundered for all the usual and unusual Hollywood reasons.

Here’s a peek into what it feels like to constantly flirt with fame. At times resembling a darkly comic film, it's a very American tale, illustrative of the driving forces of hope and ambition in a place where these desires burn like an inextinguishable neon sign.

It also reminds us that life has a way of writing its own script. This is the story behind the story on screen — how it happens, and more often does not. A story for cinephiles, film enthusiasts, aspiring artists, romantics, wishers and dreamers. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4eSMtV0.

The HEALing Revolution Diet by Dr. Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

The definitive truths to living a long and healthy life are clearly explained by a wellness and healing expert in this comprehensive, science-based, easy-to-understand guide, which includes healing and health strategies that you can start today.

Our food system is not the best in the world; it is one of the worst. In the past 70 years, we have gotten food and nutrition completely wrong, resulting in an epidemic of weight gain, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, digestive issues, heart disease, cancer, stroke, dementia, and more.

This book debunks dieting myths and focuses on the most current research on nutrition and diet. It includes answers to frequently asked nutrition and diet questions, expert tips from the best dieticians and nutritionists, and stories from people who have healed themselves through diet. The book also includes quick and easy recipes for healthy meals and snacks. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3U6Yo9A.

Are You Making Love or Just Having Sex? by Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D.

“A practical guide that unveils the profound difference between physical intimacy and deep emotional connection.”

In the act of making love, there is symbolic meaning that is felt through and through the sex act. Unfortunately, many relationships flounder. Just having sex may ease the tension, but it becomes a means, not an end in itself.

This book helps you overcome the obstacles, the unlovable habits that encumber your relationship. It can help to create the harmonic balance between a sex life and other aspects of your personal and interpersonal relationships.

The book introduces a five-step method based on Logic-Based Therapy & Consultation (LBTC), a popular form of evidence-based, philosophical counseling modality. Complete with self-improvement exercises and video lectures, this innovative book shows how you can identify your unlovable ways of relating, counter them with lovable goals, embrace philosophies of love that promote. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4eLxkoP.

(NewsUSA) - Russian Nonsensical by Edward D. Webster

This book weaves a spellbinding embroidery of mystery and intrigue, with threads of betrayal, exotic thefts, international adventure, and the looming specter of war in Ukraine.

Pastor Clem Dudas is a man of exquisite contradictions: a charismatic preacher who features rattlesnakes in his worship, a businessman developing fake AI "political exposés," and a schemer with clandestine Russian connections. Bud Randolpf shares Clem's politics, a quirky disposition of his own, and a far different link to Russia: Bud travels there seeking love.

When Clem’s wife and two favorite snakes go missing, Bud and his detective team take the case. They solve one mystery, only to uncover another far more deadly. Bud’s Russian romance heats up, just as Russia attacks Ukraine. In the end, Russian deceptions, American deep fakes, unorthodox ideas and the gentle love of a good woman turn Bud’s world upside down. Purchase at https://amzn.to/47hABcv.

The Recess Coat by Susan Wyant

The recess coat is big, green, long and puffy. It symbolizes the favorite teacher that wore it.

The Recess Coat, a children’s book for ages 6-9, is a tale about a beloved educator and her endearing qualities of warmth, kindness, sharing, inclusion and many more positive traits.

She sees potential in every child and helps them realize it. Her carefully crafted lesson plans offer knowledge and inspire the love of learning. Be there for her final lesson.

The book captures hearts of children and educates through its storytelling and glossary by introducing new vocabulary. It stands as a tribute to dedicated teachers everywhere while clearly leaving a legacy on a generation of students. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4fy8ZTf.

Villiansac by John Warwick

A supernatural mystery set in a small village in Southwest France, revolving around a 13th-century chateau with a haunting history. Constructed by Count Alphonse de Poitiers, the chateau imprisoned his illegitimate, unstable son, Charles, until his mysterious disappearance. In 1868, another occupant, John Henry Forbes, vanished under similar eerie circumstances.

In 2006, London banker John Mortimer purchases the chateau, but a hidden decree demanding pension payments to local villagers stirs trouble. Mortimer stumbles upon a pub and, inexplicably, time-travels back to 1868, becoming entangled in strange occurrences, hauntings, and deadly secrets.

A group of villagers and a persistent tax officer die in their quest for the truth about the pension payments, while Mortimer is confronted by supernatural forces, including a sinister figure named Charles Snoopchut Sfenalono. The novel weaves together elements of time travel, ghostly phenomena, and suspense in a tale of mystery and intrigue. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4dSes6U.

Temporal Destiny by Robert Schulman

In this thrilling conclusion of Robert Schulman’s science fiction trilogy, readers embark on an adventure reminiscent of Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, and Larry Niven. The story follows paleontologist Jack and his astrophysicist girlfriend Jen, who, alongside their crew, navigate a future Earth ravaged by a pandemic.

After discovering an alien artifact in Wyoming, they learn they were chosen by future inhabitants to solve humanity's crises. Their journey reveals the Balocks, an advanced alien race that has abandoned their domain, leaving behind destructive inorganic beings.

Set a decade after their arrival, the crew faces challenges that ignite a galaxy-wide conflict. As they attempt to save one race while aiding another, they discover the harsh realities of time travel—the universe always collects a toll for disrupting the Temporal Order. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4fH6Vsj.

(NewsUSA) - The Housekeeper’s Secret by Sandra Schnakenberg

For fans of stranger-than-truth stories, Sandy Schnakenburg uncovers rattling and unprecedented revelations in this powerful memoir of love, secrets, and survival.

When Lee Metoyer is hired to be the new housekeeper, she has no idea she’s about to become the anchor to a family in an abusive patriarch's home, setting a mystery in motion that will take decades to uncover. At 72, Lee falls ill and on her deathbed asks Sandy to write her story. The only problem is, Sandy doesn’t know the story.

So Sandy takes an emotional and thrilling journey, unveiling shocking truths not only about her beloved housekeeper but also her own upbringing. She learns that Lee came to her family’s sprawling estate harboring a secret past. For decades, she’s been in hiding. But Sandy’s quest forces her to grapple with her own family history as well, and to confront the effects of the psychological abuse she suffered as a child. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4ewzcRO.

Stealing Time by Tilia Klebenov Jacobs and Norman Birnbach

For fans of Back to the Future, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Time and Again, here’s a smart, funny caper that will steal your heart.

When there’s no time left, you have to steal it!

New York, 2020. Tori’s world is falling apart. Between the pandemic and her parents’ divorce, what else could go wrong?

Plenty! Like discovering that a jewelry heist 40 years ago sent her grandfather to jail and destroyed her family.

New York, 1980. Bobby’s life is pretty great—until a strange girl shows up in his apartment claiming to be a visitor from the future. Specifically, his future, which apparently stinks. Oh, and did she mention she’s his daughter?

Soon Bobby and Tori have joined forces to save the mystical gemstone at the heart of all their troubles. This time-travel jewelry heist will keep you guessing until the end. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4guShFH.

The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone by Randy Susan Meyers

Seven children. Five mothers. One idyllic commune. What could go wrong?

Annabel Cooper wants to save the world. In 1964 she journeys to Freedom Summer in Mississippi, where the disappearance of her first love ignites a lifelong fight for justice. Years later, she, her husband, and four couples form a Boston political collective where they live together with their children in a rambling Boston house. As the era's social upheaval intensifies, they move their children to a Vermont Eden, where they can remain safe; their parents continue their political work, taking turns traveling to Vermont to care for the children.

But not all danger comes from the outside.

This book delves into the intricate and nuanced dance of familial love and communal ties through the lens of sociopolitical upheaval from the 1960s to the present day, examining which sacrifices are worth the price. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3BANWkr.

The Lafitte Affair by Norman Woolworth

When burglars break into Hope Mausoleum and violate Crypt 1083-A where the remains of the former Girod Street Cemetery are housed, New Orleans property crimes detective Thibodeaux “Bo” Duplessis is confronted with three confounding questions: Who are the burglars? Why did they break into the crypt? What, if anything, did they take?

In need of expertise he does not possess, Bo turns to his childhood friend Bruneau Abellard, a cranky, overweight antiques dealer with exacting epicurean standards and a font of historical knowledge. Together, the friends uncover a secret love affair between a famous antebellum actress, whose remains are contained in the crypt, and the notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. As their investigation deepens, they find themselves confronting two separate yet entwined mysteries 200 years apart. To solve the present-day crime, they come to realize they must first unravel a conundrum from the distant, murky past. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4dFl1J6.

(NewsUSA) -

A young man’s coming of age is at the heart of what BookLife Review calls “a richly layered narrative that sheds light on the human toll of conflict and celebrates an indomitable spirit of resilience amid overwhelming adversity."

Author Michael J. Cooper has made a pivotal period in history come alive in his thought-provoking, immersive and multiple awarding-winning two-book saga, Wages of Empire and Crossroads of Empire. The author masterfully crafts a tale that intertwines vivid characters and complex themes, blending historical fiction with elements of mystery and intrigue.

Both novels are set against the backdrop of World War I and explore themes of ambition, political intrigue, and the complex relationships between Western powers and the Middle East during the early 20th century.

In Wages of Empire, the story begins in the summer of 1914 when 16-year-old Evan Sinclair leaves home to fight in what was then called "The Great War for Civilization." The novel vividly portrays the Western Front's brutal reality, where Evan experiences firsthand the horrors of trench warfare.

Little does Evan know that, despite the war raging in Europe, the true source of conflict will emerge in Ottoman Palestine, since it's from Jerusalem where the German Kaiser dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor.

One of the strengths of Wages of Empire is its interwoven cast of historical figures. Evan crosses paths with personalities like famed British archeologist T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia); British diplomat Gertrude Bell; Winston Churchill; Arab leader Faisal bin Hussein; and Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann.

In Crossroads of Empire, Cooper continues Evan’s journey, focusing more intently on the intricate political and military maneuvers in Ottoman Palestine. Having survived German artillery, poison gas, and friendly fire in helping to turn the tide of the war in its first months, Evan barely survives his hospital ship's sinking by a German U-boat. Left with amnesia, he no longer remembers who he is.

During his quest to recover his memory, Evan will discover far more: love for his father, grief for his late mother, and hidden secrets of his bloodline — an unbroken lineage that stretches back to the Crusades and will determine his future role in the Great War.

Cooper has produced  “a gripping page-turner and a series of carefully observed character studies,” says Chanticleer Book Reviews. “Beautifully written in a voice and in details that capture the era, Crossroads of Empire is a must-read for readers of all ages.”

The author himself emigrated to Israel in 1966 and lived in Jerusalem during the last year the city was divided between Israel and Jordan. He graduated from Tel Aviv University Medical School, and after a 40-year career as a pediatric cardiologist in Northern California, he continues to do volunteer missions serving Palestinian children who lack access to care.

Cooper’s writing is richly detailed, and he blends historical accuracy with a gripping narrative. The novels shed light on how the seeds of modern Middle Eastern conflicts were sown during this era, offering readers not only an engaging story but also a deeper understanding of the region's complex history.

To learn more and purchase, visit https://michaeljcooper.net.