(NewsUSA) - Have you ever played a game where you see a person, couple, or group and begin to make a story around them? It’s a great way to meet spies, murderers, vagabonds, lovers, and thieves. The running dialogue of this game is best imagined with your date or significant other. What you learn about your accomplice is always surprising as the plot thickens.

In Seeing—In A Small-Town, poet Pasquale Trozzolo takes this game to a new level. He explores life’s daily routine through the eyes of a visiting explorer, and each vignette is written based on the story game.

Trozzolo writes conversationally as if the reader is accompanying the explorer on the journey. Each vignette is a story the explorer imagines based on the person’s appearance, behavior, and interactions with others. Through these stories, the reader is given a glimpse into the lives of small-town Americans and the daily routines that make up their lives. The stories are engaging, thought-provoking, and often surprising. Each poem is introduced by a short reflection from the explorer, commenting on what they learned from the experience.

“I hope the reader recognizes that every person’s life carries joys, burdens, and secrets,” Trozzolo says. “We should judge slowly and carefully, if at all. While passing through, we often make assumptions based on our predisposed expectations, quickly judging each person by their cover and not allowing the story to develop. And, just like judging books, it’s almost always a mistake –even if we are playing the story game.”

The poems explore judgment, assumptions, and the importance of seeing beyond the surface. The stories remind us that every person has a story and that we should be slow to judge and quick to listen. We never know what burdens someone carries or what joys they celebrate. Everyone is more than just their appearance; we should take the time to get to know them before forming opinions.

Poet Catherine Abbey Hodges, author of In a Rind of Light, says, “At a polarized moment in our culture, these poems suggest an alternative to knee-jerk judgment and condemnation of ‘the other.’ What might happen if we brought curiosity, imagination, and deference to our regard for those outside our circle? Vignette by vignette, these poems—generous, poignant, humorous, and slyly wise—do just that.”

Kirkus Reviews says: “The form and style of the work are as quaint as the small-town bars, diners, parks, and Main Streets the collection inhabits. It’s tempting to board a Greyhound bus to nowhere in particular after luxuriating in these verses.”

The book celebrates the diversity and complexity of human life and reminds us that there is always more to see if we are willing to look beyond the surface. To learn more, visit pasqualetrozzolo.com. Finishing Line Press will release the book on November 15, 2024, and it is now available for pre-sale orders at https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/seeing-in-a-small-town-by-pasquale-trozzolo/

(NewsUSA) - For Donald Denihan, it was supposed to be the fishing trip of a lifetime. Instead, it ended up nearly costing him his life in a hard bargain he made with the sea.

Denihan’s story is documented in riveting detail in his new book HARD BARGAIN (Stillwater River Publications). The book is best described as part gripping true adventure story and part self-reflection on how being on the doorstep of death helped him get a better grasp on what is really important in life.

According to Reader’s Digest, “The dominant waterlogged parts strike the same salt-drenched chords as ‘The Perfect Storm’ and ‘In the Heart of the Sea,’ as harrowingly visual as they are shatteringly visceral. A stunning tale of survival at sea, HARD BARGAIN is a riveting and relentless read of rare depth and pathos that is not to be missed.”

Near-death experiences were nothing new to this successful entrepreneur, who has held leadership positions in the real estate and hospitality industries for more than 30 years. At the age of sixteen, a hunting accident had nearly cost him his foot. A lengthy hospital stay, followed by an equally lengthy rehabilitation, filled Donald with resilience and made him think he could overcome anything.

That is, until he was struck by the same aggressive form of prostate cancer at the age of only thirty-five that had killed his father. Once again, Donald prevailed and even overcame the side effects of surgery which he celebrated by learning how to fly fish.

A decade later, that new avocation brought him to the Bahamas with his closest friends and college student son, specifically to waters rich with the schools of bonefish fly fishermen long for. The one ill-fated boat trip confronted him with his own mortality yet again, when a violent storm capsized his ill-prepared boat and left him clinging to life.

“A helpless feeling comes over you when you’re on the water getting battered by a storm. You start to grasp the awesome power of the sea…I felt the first twinges of despair creep into my heart…With no other options, I began to pray quietly.”

Through a long night of pounding rain and storm-swept winds, Donald faced off against everything the sea could throw at him. With the odds of survival dimming by the moment, his own desperate efforts at sea are mirrored on land by the resourcefulness of friends and family who will stop at nothing to save him before it’s too late.

But even that might not be enough, because some bargains are better off never made.

Later on, the traumatic incident prompted Denihan to want to help others in dire straits, in situations and conditions that might have been out of their control. So he created The God Is Good Charitable Fund (https://www.thegodisgoodcharitablefund.com/) to help people in need.

The entire experience helped Denihan put things in their proper perspective.

“Too many people want to put a dollar sign on everything, perceiving  everything as transactional instead of placing the greatest value in the relationships and interactions that define us as people. You can’t put a dollar sign on love, or happiness, or family, or friendship, or loyalty, but they are worth more than anything that comes with a price tag attached.”

Learn more about HARD BARGAIN at https://bit.ly/3UeYw7t.

(NewsUSA) - When I Stop Fighting by Daryl Dittmer

“Just like water seeks its own level, so does everything else, including idiots. I was one of those at that point in my life.”

Here’s an eye-opening, honest, unapologetic take on life -- about overcoming obstacles, overcoming addictions, and taking risks. The author is a regular guy with a regular upbringing. He was not living anything close to a productive, happy, fulfilling life. He was digging himself deeper into the quagmire of dysfunction, addiction to drugs and alcohol, hiding, fears, and dishonesty.

A moment of honesty and clarity shone a flicker of hope and opened his eyes to the potential for a different way of approaching life. This is a must-read if you or someone you know is struggling, stuck, scared, unsure, or in need of a brand-new way of perceiving themselves, their world, and this journey we call life.  Purchase at https://bit.ly/3Y4DMBG.

Peach Tea Smash by Laura Childs

Murder at an Alice in Wonderland–themed event threatens to send Theodosia Browning through the looking glass in the latest entry in this New York Times bestselling series.

During the Mad Hatter Masquerade, a fundraiser hosted by the Friends of the Opera on the grounds of the old Pendleton Grist Mill, Harlan Sadler, husband of Cricket Sadler, the chairwoman, is killed. He’s been hit in the head with a croquet mallet, and his body hung on the chains and paddles of the grist mill.

Nobody can figure out why since Harlan was much beloved by everyone. It’s only after Cricket and Delaine beg Theodosia to investigate that she realizes the killer might have mistaken Harlan for his crazy son, Duke. After all, Duke is a slum landlord and recently injured a woman in a boating accident. Includes delicious recipes and tea time tips! Purchase at https://bit.ly/3VathuV.

Vermilion Harvest by Reenita M. Hora

“A stunning love story amidst one of the darkest moments in modern Indian history.”

In a politically tense Amritsar in 1919, an Anglo-Indian schoolteacher and a feisty Muslim student activist fall in love, but find that courting openly is easier said than done. Not only are they from different communities but his political activism comes at the cost of their romance.

Against the deadline of a ticking timebomb, the schoolteacher must find her lover to warn him about General Dyer’s impending attack on Jallianwallah Bagh. But will she succeed in getting to the venue on time? “Playtime at the Bagh” during Baisakhi is a metaphor for General Dyer’s game of bullets in Jallianwallah Bagh on April 13, 1919.

Love, hate, denial and betrayal are wrapped inside a single love story capturing today’s hope with yesterday’s despair. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3W0P5bd.

500 Ways to Eat Like a Local by Jon Douglas

Hungry readers will delight in the intriguing stories behind the Philly cheesesteak, the Chicago-style hot dog, Nashville hot chicken and hundreds more of the best regional foods in the United States. Explore dishes that are only found in certain parts of the country or are connected to a particular place where they originated – including 16 different styles of pizza, 17 kinds of pie and 18 types of burgers.

Buy a copy for yourself (or a friend) if you’re fascinated by culinary history, planning a trip to an unfamiliar part of the U.S. or a fan of Roadfood. Includes more than 1,000 restaurant suggestions, and available in both paperback and ebook formats. Readers say: “A must for your next cross-country sojourn … thoughtful and well-researched … hugely detailed and entertainingly well-written.” A #1 Amazon bestseller! Purchase at bit.ly/eatlikealocalus.

(NewsUSA) - Map of My Escape by Cheryl L. Reed

The shooting of a homicide detective is captured on film by a mysterious figure from a second-floor window, implicating Riley Keane, an anti-gun activist and a school shooting survivor. Riley flees Chicago for a frozen island in Lake Superior. A race to find her ensues between her secret lover—Chicago politician Finn O’Farrell—a corrupt police lieutenant, and the mysterious cameraman who extorts Riley’s family and Finn. Finn’s involvement threatens his political career.

On the island, when Riley witnesses both an islander’s murder and another death in a suspicious boating accident, the local sheriff’s questions start unraveling her true identity. Meanwhile, Finn faces media pressure to reveal his mysterious role in that long-ago school shooting. If the facts come out, Finn may go to prison and also forever sever his relationship with Riley. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3QiY0Db.

Army Brat by Laura Gutman

The lives of Army children have been scarcely described until now, filling a major gap in history.

The author lived deeply embedded in the Army from the country’s earliest entry into World War II through the Vietnam era. From her birth at West Point’s hospital, to her cobbled-together education, and witnessing her father’s many military honors, Laura’s childhood was one of intense awareness of the danger her father faced and the courage her mother displayed.

Chronicling the experiences of a strong military family as they witness and participate in the unfolding of history in a dangerous and challenging world, Army Brat identifies consequential insights into the critical importance of a strong religious foundation; an educational system dedicated to core concepts of nation and loyalty; and leadership that prioritizes sovereignty, national defense, and military support. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3VKCYzc.

Lucianity by John Byer

Lucianity reports the results of a criminal investigation into a 2000-year-old “Cold Case” where it is revealed that Lucius, the Bishop of Cyrene and keeper of early church records, forged and/or corrupted about 75 percent of the New Testament, which includes the four gospels; Revelation; Acts, and at least 16 of the Epistles.

Lucius fabricated his scripture under each of the deceased Apostle’s names, except for the gospel of Luke and Acts, since Lucius was Luke. As such, the detective identifies only the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ as true, and almost everything else as the fiction of Lucius: e.g. the physical ascension and Rapture. Lucius even used books by Flavius Josephus and ancient Egyptians to write scripture for Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 and Revelation wherein he attributes false dialog to Jesus. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4aD0R0O.

Childless Mother by Tracy Mayo

1970, pre-Choice America. After their eighth move in her 13 short years, the lonely only child of a high-ranking naval officer and a socially ambitious mother, Tracy Mayo longed for a normal adolescence -- to have friends, to feel rooted. What she got was a pregnancy at 14 and exile to a maternity home. There, she bore not only a child but also the weight of the culture's shame. She was required to surrender her baby boy at birth and pretend it never happened.

Twenty-two years later, Tracy set out to find him -- and perhaps, through her search, to reclaim herself. Are we moving back to a world where women have no agency, stripped of control of their bodies and their futures? More than 50 years after one frightened, grief-stricken young mother was ordered to forget, Tracy's story is even more important to remember.  Purchase at https://bit.ly/4e6YdUf.

(NewsUSA) - May Day by Jess Lourey

A waitress turned librarian just wants a new life. What she ends up with is a killer change of pace in a funny, snappy, and suspenseful mystery by Edgar Award–nominated author Jess Lourey.

With a cheating boyfriend, a thankless career in waitressing, and her BA in English going to waste, Mira James jumps at the chance for a fresh start in rural Battle Lake, Minnesota.

She lands a job as a librarian, another as an on-call reporter, and is swept off her feet by Jeff Wilson, a handsome archaeologist unearthing the town’s storied history. All is coming together — until she finds Jeff’s body between the library’s reference stacks. It seems Mira didn’t really know her new lover at all. But someone surely did.

Behind this quirky town’s polite exterior are decades-old grudges and murderous secrets best kept hidden. Now it’s Mira’s turn to start digging. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4dySIxh.

The Bucharest Legacy by William Maz

In this second of the multi-award-winning spy thriller series, CIA agent Bill Hefflin is back in Bucharest — immersed in a cauldron of spies and crooked politicians.

The CIA is rocked when a KGB defector reveals there is a KGB mole inside the Agency. They learn the mole’s handler is a KGB agent called Boris. Hefflin recognizes that name — Boris is the code name of Hefflin’s longtime KGB asset.

If the defector is correct, Hefflin realizes Boris must be a triple agent, and his supposed mole has been passing false intel to Hefflin and the CIA. This makes Hefflin the prime suspect as the KGB mole inside the Agency.

Hefflin returns to Bucharest to find Boris and expose the mole. He finds spies, crooked politicians, and a country controlled by the new oligarchs, all of whom want to find Boris. But Hefflin knows a secret: Boris is dead. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3xzmQrU.

A Grain of Hope by Melissa Cole

Thirteen-year-old Oksana Kovalenko leads a simple life with her family in the rolling fields and rustic charm of her small farming village in the Ukraine. That is, until the Soviet Union takes power and her world is turned upside down.

As increasing authoritarianism and threats of land and food confiscation loom, Oksana fights to protect her loved ones from hunger and the loss of everything they hold dear. Threatened with being labeled an Enemy of the State, her family and friends endure persecution. She watches in horror as her village is reduced to starvation and despair. She then joins an underground movement that plans covert operations to feed starving villagers.

Oksana grows from a hopeful schoolgirl into someone determined to protect her heritage. A Grain of Hope reminds us of the human toll of war and oppression and celebrates the human spirit. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3JskIEN.

On Being Human by Ghazala Alam

A compilation of original poems, written in modern Urdu and English, with each poem introduced by an English preamble detailing the author’s  inspirations and insights. Accompanied by English transliteration, Alam’s poetry is informed by her experiences as an immigrant, woman, and a person of color. This distinct lens on life's challenges also reaffirms her faith in the human capacity to empathize, overcome, and seek justice.

With a sensitive, sometimes satirical style, her poems touch upon social issues pertinent to modern, everyday life. Each poem uses simple but elegant language to comment insightfully on fundamental aspects of the human struggle for meaning in the face of adversity and turmoil. Tackling issues such as ego, PTSD, and rejection, as well as true love and generosity, Ghazala's poems include a rallying cry for racial justice, a depiction of inner struggles of the mind, and much more. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3wCKtzB.

(NewsUSA) - “After many years working on intelligence and war issues, I now believe we’re about to have a worldwide nuclear war. We and nearly all life will probably soon be incinerated in a superheated radioactive dust that chokes the atmosphere for decades and turns most of the Earth to ice. Billions of us will die instantly, the rest in slow agony from radiation, burns and hunger.”

“Our rulers have this power and may use it. Unless we stop them.”

That’s the setup for CRUDE, the latest innovative thriller from Mike Bond, author of 12 bestselling novels set in the world’s most dangerous places. He has been called by the BBC “the master of the existential thriller.”

Bond is a former war journalist, intelligence expert, U.S. Senate candidate, diplomat, investment banker, and international energy company CEO. He is also considered an expert on world crude supply and oil refining.

In CRUDE, late one night on a huge oil and gas platform in the South China Sea, a young geologist, Liz Chaplin, stands on a high deck watching the Southern Cross. Below her, under the vast unrolling waves, a diver is clamping explosives to the tower’s underwater struts.

In New York, the platform’s owner, Rawhide Energy CEO Ross Bullock, tells journalists the president’s actions are leading irrevocably to nuclear war.

The platform explodes in a tower of flame. Because she is outside, Liz is the only survivor. Meanwhile the White House, intelligence agencies, the media and financial world attack Rawhide for raising the specter of nuclear war and thus threatening the president’s reelection.

Days later, Rawhide’s Wyoming refinery is damaged by a bomb, then its UK electric company is hacked.

Bullock enlists an old friend, former Navy Seal Turk Holman, to investigate the platform sabotage, while Bullock and his team start to hunt down the refinery attackers, aided by a cranky, brilliant Wyoming sheriff, Lyle Brant.

The search leads to further dangers in Mongolia, Indonesia, Washington D.C., and Ukraine. The true perpetrator of these crimes becomes known – it is impossible, unbelievable, but true. Is the White House behind it?

The president threatens nuclear war with Russia to distract voters from his fraudulent Ukraine and China deals and worsening polls. The Russians respond by increasing their nuclear readiness. But the president alone can decide to launch a nuclear war as he clings to the nuclear button.

Mike Bond has received the highest praises for his riveting, authentic novels:

“One of America’s best thriller writers.” – CULTURE BUZZ

“A master of the storytelling craft.” – MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

“One of the 21st Century’s most exciting authors.” – WASHINGTON TIMES

“Bond’s deft thriller will reinforce your worst fears.” –PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“An exhilarating spy novel.” – KIRKUS

“Mike Bond is a masterful storyteller.” – SACRAMENTO BEE

CRUDE is available at https://amzn.to/3VuN2gF.

(NewsUSA) - It’s stunning to realize that only 10 states make birth records available to American-born adoptees and their biological parents. For adult adoptees born in the 20^th century era of closed adoptions, this presents a painful obstacle to discovering their origins and ending the agonizing hunger to know their own identity.

Janet Sherlund poignantly captures this journey in her elegant and heart-wrenching memoir, ABANDONED AT BIRTH: Searching for the Arms That Once Held Me. Sherlund paints a vivid portrait of the detachment and longing of an adopted child and the lifelong quest to find her biological mother. It’s an unflinching examination of the grief and trauma caused by this primal separation and the dogged determination it takes to face the forces of opposition—both internal and external—to finally achieve answers.

ABANDONED AT BIRTH illuminates the darker side of adoption, and what it takes to heal. “I hope it starts conversations about the rights of those given away, loss and grief in adoption, the biology of belonging and identity, and why love is not always enough to extinguish the pain,” Sherlund says.

Like many adoptees of her generation, Sherlund was the offspring of teenaged parents. Her mother was forced to have her baby in secrecy. Sherlund would come to learn that her mother was unusual for her time. Not only did she not tell the father she was pregnant, she wanted nothing to do with her baby and never even looked at her newborn.

All Sherlund had to go on when she began her search was a false narrative written about her biological parents by the adoption agency. The twists and turns, setbacks and disappointments, and surprising familial connections finally achieved make ABANDONED AT BIRTH a page-turner of a memoir.

For Sherlund, who raised her family and served on nonprofit boards in education, health and the cultural arts before writing her memoir, her single most significant life event was being given up for adoption at birth. Being adopted undermined her sense of trust and personal value and impacted every decision she made. Her memoir fulfills a lifelong dream of raising awareness about loss and grief in adoption, and why it takes more than love to survive that trauma.

Says Jenifer Eckert, founder of Boston Post Adoption Resources, “Janet's book is a gift to anyone touched by adoption or wonders what it is like to be adopted. Her personal story of search and reunion is beautifully and honestly told. Through Janet's journey we get an intimate understanding of what it is like to finally discover your identity after years of wondering and searching.”

Learn more at https://www.abandonedatbirthbook.com and purchase the book at https://bit.ly/44Io68F.

(NewsUSA) - “I don’t know which is worse: disease of the human body or disease of humanity.” 

That’s the provocative question raised by the protagonist, Dr. Mark Lin, in author Anthony Lee’s debut medical thriller, the disturbing and dark DOCTOR LUCIFER, which has been drawing praise from fans of Robin Cook's Pandemic and Michael Crichton's State of Fear. 

“I may be a doctor, but I’m not like the rest of them. Docs typically treat without judgment, no matter who the patients are or how they live. Not me. I question the value of my work now and then. Does it really improve society, or is it wasted on the worst among us?” 

In today’s digital world, no one is safe from cyberattacks. Not even medical doctors and hospitals. Can a hacker remotely kill a doctor’s patients just by altering medical records? 

Dr. Lin, a proficient but cynical and disillusioned internist, is the target of such a hacker, known as Doctor Lucifer. Three of his patients at Ivory Memorial Hospital suffer from medication errors, created by the hacker, yet Mark is forced to take the blame. However, he knows that a computer worm is spreading worldwide and crippling network security everywhere. When Doctor Lucifer threatens more patient deaths, Mark vows to defend his honor. 

Together with the hospital’s information technology team, Mark scrambles to outwit the hacker and avert one medical crisis after another. But the consequences of Doctor Lucifer’s actions still hurt Mark, who soon hits rock bottom at the hands of a vengeful widow and an egotistical surgeon. He has no choice but to hunt down and confront Doctor Lucifer, an enemy with a truly malicious purpose. 

DOCTOR LUCIFER, Lee’s debut novel that is the first of a series, is a new take on the medical thriller, featuring unusual life-and-death situations, an antihero doctor taking center stage, and hard-hitting commentary on the state of humanity itself.  

The author has a unique background in medicine. After graduating from medical school, he switched from clinical medicine to health technology assessment, analyzing new medical tests and treatments in a career spanning over 15 years. 

BookLife says of DOCTOR LUCIFER, "Lee deftly weaves real-world concerns about cybersecurity into the fabric of his narrative, highlighting the vulnerability of medical institutions….Fans of medical and hacker thrillers will relish Lin's outrage and determination under impossible pressure." 

"Lee has a real knack for tension, crafting an exhilarating dive into the world of cybercrime and medical suspense that successfully blends elements of thriller and wider social commentary on the vulnerabilities of modern technology,” writes K.C. Finn of Readers’ Favorite. “This solid foundation of realistic and well-thought-out concepts allows the character-driven drama to shine.” 

 
Learn more at  https://www.anthonyleebooks.com and Purchase DOCTOR LUCIFER at https://bit.ly/4a3ZKXY. 

(NewsUSA) - BookTrib.com, a leading source of book news, reviews and information for more than 20 years, is launching the second edition of BOOKTRIB’S LIT PICKS, an ebook showcasing excerpts from the first chapters of some of the hottest books -- past, present and future -- that readers can discover this Spring and Summer. 

Studies indicate that when people read an excerpt from a book, the probability of them buying and reading that book increases dramatically. In creating BOOKTRIB’S LIT PICKS, BookTrib, a unit of longtime leading literary marketing and promotion firm Meryl Moss Media Group, has compiled a collection of first-chapter excerpts from genres including contemporary and historical fiction, thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, self-help, memoirs and much more. The ebook includes offerings from major publishers like Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins to midlist titles and self-published works from celebrated emerging authors.  

The books represent: #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, #1 Sunday Times Bestseller, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Booklist Starred Review, Kirkus Starred Review, Library Journal Starred Review, USA Today Bestselling Author, Silver Falchion Award Winner, Bram Stoker Award Winner, Edgar Award Nominated Author, and Goodreads Choice Award Nominated Author.  

The latest version of the ebook includes offerings from well-known authors such as Rhys Bowen, Dean Koontz, Tessa Bailey, Mark Greaney, James Comey, Mike Bond, Laura Hankin, Gill Paul, Terry Hayes and more. 

The first edition of LIT PICKS, launched last holiday season, generated thousands of downloads and heaps of praise. 

One NetGalley reviewer, Amanda Waggoner, said, “I am always thrilled to see these samplers posted. It's a fantastic way to be introduced to new authors or the latest works from familiar authors. There are so many books on offer that it's great to get a sample to narrow down my list. I particularly appreciate that this sampler covers so many genres.” 

“Wow! All I can say is wow," said Naomi Jones on NetGalley. “If you have been looking for a new read, you'll find it here. I love this concept and was astonished at how lengthy this is.” 

“This is a great idea,” said NetGalley reviewer Carol Holland. “I picked this up and didn’t know what to expect but quickly saw that there were four or five books from each genre listed in the contents, and it gave a description of what the book was about a quick preview, a little bit about the author and the first chapter. I think this type of item should happen pretty regularly, like every month with new and old books. Now I know book catalogs from publishers, etc. have this info but it’s interesting to just have a handful in each genre from all publishers in one quick easy reference guide.” 

In a nutshell, BOOKTRIB’S LIT PICKS provides readers of all tastes and preferences and hungry to discover their next read with excerpts from a wide range of books sure to enhance their Spring/Summer reading list. 

BOOKTRIB’S LIT PICKS is available on Amazon and other popular retail outlets where ebooks are sold. To learn more, visit https://booktrib.com/litpicks. 

ABOUT BOOKTRIB 

BookTrib.com was created as a news source for people who love books, want to find out what’s happening in the book world and love learning about great authors of whom they may not have heard. BookTrib.com has more than 90,000 unique monthly website visitors and more than 212,000 social media followers.

(NewsUSA) - Meet Me at the Starlight by Rachel Hauck

A heartfelt tale of romance, perseverance, and the enduring power of community by the New York Times bestselling author.

Eighties supermodel Harlow Hayes seeks solace in a quaint Florida beach town to heal from a heartbreak that shattered her world. To her surprise, she encounters Matt Knight--a Hollywood A-lister with a bad-boy reputation--who has returned to help his plucky grandmother, Tuesday, save her century-old skating rink, the Starlight.

The Starlight once acted as a refuge for Depression-era families and brought the town together with celebrations. Tuesday always protected her beloved rink from her husband's shady business dealings. Yet when it is threatened with demolition, Tuesday may not be able to stop it.

As Matt and Harlow plot with Tuesday to save the Starlight, they find themselves on a journey of surprises, self-discovery, and the kind of healing that leads to love. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3P21qt5.

The War You’ve Always Wanted by Mike McLaughlin

Pat Dolan’s father has a box. In it are treasures from Jimmy Dolan’s service in World War II—his photos, his medals, his memories. But ten-year-old Pat can’t understand why his father refuses to look in the box. After all, the war was a grand adventure, wasn’t it?

Determined to serve in the Army like his father, Pat enlists nine years later—but it’s 1972, and the American military is withdrawing from Vietnam after seven years of futile combat. As an Army combat correspondent surrounded by people growing more desperate by the day, young Dolan quickly learns how bleak the South’s prospects are. He is forced to witness the slow, steady death of a nation.

When Pat is wounded in action, he wonders if he will live long enough to fill a box of his own. Are there any treasures to be found in a country as fragile as this? Purchase at https://bit.ly/4beMJMp.

BEING: A Brief History of the Universe by Masoud Mostafavi

This manuscript is a beginner/intermediate-level science book discussing a brief history of the universe and how we came to exist. The most recent scientific theories in cosmology and related physics and life sciences concepts are aimed to inform and educate the science-leaning public, especially college students. Subject matters include various origin and creation stories, the nature of reality, and ancient ideas in astronomy and modern cosmological theories, including the Big Bang.

The book contains chapters discussing historical milestones and topics of physics to help readers better comprehend modern complex cosmological concepts. The birth and death of stars, the Solar System, and the formation and development of the Earth during eons are covered in modest detail. Theories related to the emergence of life on Earth and the evolution of living organisms are described. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3wxWFSg.

The Last Harmonic: A Tale of Bella & Oscar by Dustin Cook

In the heart of an ancient castle, a curious cat named Bella stumbles upon a hidden world of mystical mice. Granted the gift of speech and bipedal movement, Bella joins forces with the brave mouse Oscar and a wise mouse wizard. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to confront a dark sorcerer threatening their kingdom. Along the way, they navigate treacherous traps, decipher ancient prophecies, and forge unbreakable bonds of friendship.

With courage and determination, they face their ultimate challenge in the sorcerer's lair, fighting to restore magic and harmony to their land. The Last Harmonic: A Tale of Bella & Oscar is a story of bravery, teamwork, and the power of light over darkness, captivating young readers with its enchanting adventure and timeless lessons and also appealing to adult readers. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3KN13jS.