‘No Words Needed’ is Michael Freeman’s new book about the power of nonverbal communication. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Book Spotlight: No Words Needed: Learning to Listen With Your Eyes by Michael Freeman
What if a single glance could change everything?
We live in a world overflowing with noise: constant talking, constant explaining, constant performing. No Words Needed is the quiet rebellion we didn’t know we needed.
Michael Freeman offers a powerful, compassionate guide for men who don’t always speak first but feel deeply. The ones who walk into a room already reading the atmosphere. The ones who’ve been called “too quiet,” when in reality they were listening the whole time.
What You’ll Learn
In this short and impactful read, Freeman teaches you how to:
Recognize attraction through eye contact and subtle nonverbal cues
Build genuine connection without overthinking every word
Develop confidence without pretending to be someone you’re not
Understand emotional energy both yours and the woman in front of you
No Words Needed is written for quiet men, introverts, deep feelers, and overthinkers. It’s the book that finally acknowledges the men who move through the world with awareness, sensitivity, and intention.
If you’ve ever been misunderstood, overlooked, or unsure whether she was speaking to you with her eyes, this book becomes your playbook. Whether you’re starting over or simply want a deeper understanding of women, this isn’t just advice, it’s a mindset shift. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)
About the Author
Michael Freeman is a storyteller, observer, and quiet disruptor of the norm. His writing centers on emotional presence, personal growth, and the invisible language of attraction.
No Words Needed: Learning to Listen With Your Eyes is his debut work and an intimate guide for anyone who has ever felt more than they could say, especially men who are learning to lead with presence rather than volume.
Born and raised in Vallejo, California, Freeman blends cultural awareness, emotional intelligence, and lived experience into short, resonant reads that linger long after the last page. He writes for the ones who notice the small things, who feel deeply, who understand that silence often speaks first.
‘Maiden Voyage’ is the exciting new historical novel by Bradley Harper. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.
Paste Creative Book Tours Participant
Book Review: Maiden Voyage by Bradley Harper
Three female thieves, a priceless painting, and a Pinkerton agent aboard the Titanic. What could go wrong?
Synopsis
Maiden Voyage by Bradley Harper follows an unlikely trio of thieves, Colette DuVall, Mary Carr, and Samantha “Sam” McMurphy, as they embark on a daring mission to steal a valuable painting by the French master Blondell. Their plan takes them aboard the RMS Titanic on its ill-fated maiden journey.
Colette, a young jewel thief from Canada, finds her resolve wavering when she meets Harry Worth, a young Pinkerton agent hired to safeguard the wealthy passengers. What she doesn’t know is that Harry is the son of infamous criminal Adam Worth. Torn between his sense of duty and his complicated family legacy, Harry begins questioning where he truly belongs, especially after falling for Colette.
As loyalties collide as fiercely as the ship meets the iceberg, all aboard must fight for survival. Amid disaster, they discover that love might be the greatest thief of all.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Review
Maiden Voyage is a brisk, character-driven historical adventure that blends romance, crime, and maritime tragedy into an undeniably compelling read.
A Vivid Criminal Underworld
The novel opens with Mary Carr and the notorious Forty Elephants gang, a real historical group of female thieves. This grounding in true criminal lore adds texture and authenticity, making the early chapters particularly immersive. When Harry discovers what the gang is planning aboard the Titanic, the tension begins to mount, soon followed by the ship’s own looming catastrophe.
A Strong Emotional Core
The narrative delves deeply into Harry’s personal conflict. As the son of a master criminal, he grapples with the weight of his heritage and the moral ambiguity of justice. His connection with Colette is one of the book’s strongest elements: tender without slowing the pace, layered without becoming overly sentimental.
Memorable Characters & Vivid Writing
Harper’s character development shines. One particularly striking description captures the lived-in dignity of a working woman:
“Her red, chapped hands declaring how she made her way in the world, the well-worn but clean clothes presented a defiant dignity the years and work had yet to take from her.”
These small touches make the characters feel real, and when tragedy strikes, you genuinely root for their survival.
History, Heart, and High Stakes
Harper integrates historical detail without overwhelming the story. The author’s notes at the end provide fascinating context on real figures like Mary Carr and the Forty Elephants, enriching the reading experience.
The Titanic disaster is woven into the plot with restraint and emotional weight. Rather than leaning into melodrama, the novel balances suspense with tenderness, exploring themes of identity, family, and survival.
A Fresh Take on Titanic Fiction
Fast-paced, atmospheric, and surprisingly heartfelt, Maiden Voyage offers a fresh twist on stories set aboard the Titanic. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a blend of crime, adventure, and romance will find much to love.
Harper leaves readers with a haunting reminder of the ship’s legacy:
“Beneath the water, the ship plunged 12,000 feet to the ocean floor, full of the wealth of millionaires and the humble possessions of hopeful emigrants; it carried them all away into the frigid darkness. Into legend.”
Bradley Harper is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and pathologist who has conducted more than 200 autopsies and around 20 forensic investigations.
His debut novel, A Knife in the Fog (2018), was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and winner of the 2019 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion for Best Mystery. His second novel, Queen’s Gambit, won the 2020 Silver Falchion for Best Suspense and Book of the Year. Maiden Voyage is his fourth book.
Author Bradley Harper. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
*Thank you to Paste Creative Book Tours and the author for my gifted copy for review as part of the tour. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
‘Love and Death’ is the latest book in the Meg Sheppard Mystery Series. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.
Paste Creative Book ToursParticipant
“Love and Death” by Vicky Earle
Synopsis
A cheating racehorse trainer is dead, and someone close to Meg is under suspicion. As she digs for the truth, past gang members involved in a murder and a zealous animal rights group bring danger right to her doorstep.
When she is wounded by a gunshot, Meg becomes reluctant to continue the investigation. Does she have the resilience to face the escalating threats while also coping with the likelihood of a devastating personal loss?
Love and Death is Book 6 of 6 in the Meg Sheppard Mystery Series:
What Happened to Frank?
Over Frank’s Dead Body
Pointed Attacks
Playing with Fire
Dying for Money
Love and Death
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Review
Love and Death opens with Meg receiving a troubling call from Neal, her racehorse trainer. Linda, a groom in Neal’s barn, is being questioned by police about her possible role in a hit-and-run that killed fellow trainer Barton Woking. Still reeling from an emotional fight with her partner, William, Meg begins her own search for the truth hoping it will clear Linda’s name and distract her from her personal turmoil.
When Meg learns that a valuable horse has been stolen, her curiosity pulls her deeper into a dangerous web of secrets, gang activity, and the fervor of a militant animal rights group. Each new lead puts her life further at risk.
Vicky Earle delivers a gripping mystery that blends the tension of the horse racing world with Meg’s emotional journey. It’s narrated in Meg’s first person point of view, so readers get deep insights into her thought processes as she tries to solve the case. Her vulnerability and determination make her a relatable, compelling sleuth. Earle’s steady pacing, vivid descriptions, and emotional depth enrich every twist:
“The water seeps through my fleece jacket and splashes over my running shoes as I dash to the truck.”
Earle’s storytelling captures the grit of crime and the grace of perseverance, proving that even in the darkest moments, love and courage endure. Even though it’s part of a series, it does well as a stand alone novel. For readers who crave mysteries with heart, danger, and emotional complexity, Love and Death offers a satisfying, suspense-filled ride. Animal lovers will certainly enjoy it.
“Everyone leaves at the same time, and it’s as if the air has been sucked out of the stark room… I close my eyes, but I won’t be able to sleep – there are too many thoughts and questions spinning in my head.”
Vicky Earle, a recipient of a Canada Book Award, served as CEO of the Ontario SPCA for seven years. Her experiences owning and breeding thoroughbred race horses as well as her love for country life, inspired the Meg Sheppard Mystery Series, known for its fast-paced, action-packed plots set amid racing and rural living.
Animals have always been central to Vicky’s life, and she couldn’t imagine writing a book without them.
She currently lives on a small horse farm near Uxbridge, Ontario, with her husband.
Author Vicky Earle. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
*Thank you to Paste Creative Book Tours and the author for my gifted copy for review as part of the tour. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
‘The Name on the Wall’ is the new novel by Hervé Le Tellier. Photo: Other Press
Book Spotlight: The Name on the Wall by Hervé Le Tellier
New York Times bestselling author Hervé Le Tellier, best known for The Anomaly, returns with a moving and deeply human story in The Name on the Wall: A Novel. Beautifully translated by Adriana Hunter, this poignant work of historical fiction unearths and honors the brief but powerful life of a young French Resistance fighter during World War II. (Other Press, 2025)
Blending autofiction with historical investigation, Le Tellier begins with a simple but haunting discovery: a name scrawled on the façade of his new home. That name belonged to André Chaix, a maquisard killed at just twenty years old in August 1944.
Through deft and careful storytelling, Le Tellier pieces together fragments of history to create a vivid, emotionally grounded narrative. He avoids sentimental clichés while illuminating the courage of an ordinary young man who took up arms, one among many, during one of the world’s darkest eras. Central to this story is André’s powerful love for Simone, whose presence adds depth and tenderness to the tale.
Arriving at a moment when fascist currents are rising again worldwide, The Name on the Wall resonates as both remembrance and warning. It gives voice to the ideals for which Chaix died and poses timeless questions about belonging, sacrifice, and our human desire to be part of something greater than ourselves.
About the Author
Hervé Le Tellier is a writer, journalist, mathematician, food critic, and teacher. He has been a member of the Oulipo group since 1992 and one of the “papous” of the famous France Culture radio show. He has published numerous books of stories, essays, memoir, and novels, including the Goncourt Prize–winning The Anomaly, which has sold more than one million copies worldwide, All Happy Families, Electrico W, and Enough About Love.
About the translator
Adriana Hunter studied French and Drama at the University of London. She has translated more than ninety books, including Marc Petitjean’s The Heart: Frida Kahlo in Paris and Hervé Le Tellier’s The Anomaly and Eléctrico W, winner of the French-American Foundation’s 2013 Translation Prize in Fiction. She lives in Kent, England.
In his new book, Rick Tollakson presents his eight principles for success. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success
A fresh take on leadership from Rick Tollakson
In today’s fast-changing business world, leadership can’t be about playing it safe. The most effective leaders are those who think bigger, challenge assumptions, and inspire others to reach new heights. That’s the central message behind Rick Tollakson’s new book, Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success. It’s a practical and inspiring guide to building stronger teams, smarter organizations, and more impactful leaders.
Beyond the Bottom Line
Efficient leadership isn’t about maintaining the status quo, it’s about creating meaningful, lasting change.
Drawing from his decades of experience transforming a modest real estate company into a thriving, diversified enterprise, Tollakson shares the “Eight to Great” principles that powered that journey. Through engaging stories and actionable insights, he encourages leaders to move beyond short-term wins and embrace a long-term vision that drives growth and purpose.
Readers will learn how to:
Cultivate passionate, high-performing teams
Encourage innovation and calculated risk-taking
Streamline operations with process-driven thinking
Lead with purpose while balancing profitability and impact
Build a legacy of leadership that outlasts any single role
Think Bigger, Lead Better is a call to action for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and professionals who refuse to settle for mediocrity. Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company or growing a small startup, Tollakson’s proven framework will help you push past limitations and build something truly great.
Are you ready to think bigger?
About the Author
Rick Tollakson is a nationally recognized real estate executive, community leader, and author of Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success.
As CEO of Hubbell Realty Company, he has led the organization through transformational growth, expanding its development, construction, property management, and homebuilding operations across Iowa and beyond.
A respected voice in both business and civic circles, Tollakson’s leadership philosophy blends innovation, integrity, and community stewardship. He continues to serve on numerous boards and committees, offering insights that extend far beyond traditional business metrics to include ethical leadership, sustainable development, and meaningful community partnerships.
Why This Book Matters Now
In an era defined by disruption and uncertainty, the need for bold, ethical, and visionary leadership has never been greater. Think Bigger, Lead Better provides the clarity and tools leaders need to navigate change, inspire trust, and create organizations that make a difference.
If you’re ready to elevate your leadership and build a culture of excellence, this book is your next essential read.
📘 Learn more or order your copy of Think Bigger, Lead Better wherever books are sold.
About the Author Robbie Bach is a bestselling author and former tech executive who helped lead Microsoft through some of its most dynamic years. As the Chief Xbox Officer, he spearheaded the creation of the iconic Xbox and Xbox 360. After retiring from Microsoft, Bach turned his focus to philanthropy, civic advocacy, and storytelling.
In his latest novel, The Blockchain Syndicate, Bach continues the gripping saga of Senator Tamika Smith as she battles a cryptic conspiracy threatening America’s financial and political foundations. With sharp insights into both technology and public life, he brings a unique perspective to some of the most urgent issues of our time.
Story Overview It’s the first day back at Aragon High School in San Francisco after the holiday break. Phoenix Humboldt is sitting outside during study hall with her friend Vanessa, reading The Iceman Cometh, when shots ring out. Acting on instinct, she rushes to help her friends.
Meanwhile, Senator Tamika Smith receives an email threatening to expose her past, an ultimatum from someone she believed was dead. “The glow from her computer monitor illuminated the angry scowl on her face.”
At the same time, Johnny Humboldt, Tamika’s significant other, is stopped by a supposed FBI agent at the airport and whisked away to see his daughter, Phoenix, who’s been injured in the shooting. Soon after, a personal crisis spirals into a national conspiracy. Johnny’s kidnapping becomes part of a larger plot to destroy Tamika and destabilize the country she loves.
The attacks are professional and coordinated, driven by someone who sees America as broken and intends to “fix” it their way. The intent is to destabilize the country through a financial collapse.
Review In The Blockchain Syndicate, Robbie Bach delivers a fast-paced techno-thriller that feels chillingly close to reality. Set against the backdrop of political turmoil and digital warfare, the novel plunges readers into a world of blackmail and high-stakes power struggles.
Bach’s intricate plotting and insider knowledge of political systems lend authenticity to the chaos. The short, sharp chapters and tense prose make it impossible to put down. As one line summarizes it: “Like a psychological boomerang, he’d grown to hate his father but internalized the need to win at all costs.”
Tamika Smith remains a compelling protagonist, intelligent, honorable, and deeply human. Her flaws and emotional depth make her relatable, while her courage keeps readers rooting for her.
Bach’s second installment in the Tamika Smith series (following The Wilkes Insurrection) blends political intrigue with a cautionary look at technology’s dark potential. Whether you’ve read the first book or not, this one stands strong on its own.
Final Thoughts The Blockchain Syndicate is a gripping thriller and a sobering reflection on the fragility of truth in a hyperconnected world. Fans of Brad Thor, David Baldacci, and strong female leads will find plenty to enjoy here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A timely and thought-provoking political thriller.
“But over time, he realized that the normal political calculus had changed in fundamental ways. One plus one no longer equaled two. In fact, there were very few pluses to be found.”
*Thank you to Fauzia Burke/FSB Associates for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
The Means of Prediction by Maximilian Kasy explains how power, not technology, will define life with AI. Photo: The University of Chicago Press
Book Spotlight: The Means of Prediction by Maximilian Kasy
Publication Date: November 4, 2025 Publisher: University of Chicago Press
“An eye-opening examination of how power—not technology—will define life with AI.”
Artificial intelligence is everywhere. It filters what we see online, screens us in job interviews, and even factors into decisions about justice and warfare. Its presence has become so vast that many people feel resigned to its rule, believing AI is simply our collective destiny. (The University of Chicago Press, 2025)
In The Means of Prediction: How AI Really Works (and Who Benefits), economist Maximilian Kasy challenges that narrative. He argues that AI is not an inevitable or uncontrollable force, it’s a human creation, shaped by the choices and interests of those who own and operate it.
Kasy makes a bold claim: AI isn’t especially mysterious or complex. What makes it powerful and dangerous is who gets to control it. The “means of prediction,” as he calls them, consist of the essential ingredients of AI: data, computing power, expertise, and energy. These are the levers through which ownership and influence are exercised.
Inside the Book
Some of the chapters include:
The Story of Humans Versus Machines
What is Artificial Intelligence?
The Means of Prediction
Automation
The Ancient Questions Behind AI
Across these chapters, Kasy offers both a primer on how AI really works and a powerful critique of how it’s governed. He cuts through the noise of technical debates to ask the fundamental question:
Who controls AI’s objectives and how is that control maintained?
A Call for Democratic Control
Rather than treating AI as an unstoppable technological wave, Kasy invites readers to see it as a political and social choice. In a world already shaped by inequality, he argues that AI will deepen existing divides unless it’s placed under public and democratic control.
His framework is analytical and visionary, a blend of economics, ethics, and practical insight into how society might reclaim agency over one of the most consequential technologies of our time.
About the Author
Maximilian Kasyis a professor of economics at the University of Oxford and previously taught at Harvard University. His research explores machine learning and the social impact of AI, focusing on how technology intersects with power, equity, and governance.
‘Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough’ is the new YA self help book by Karin J. Lund. Photo: Partners In Crime Tours, used with permission.
Part of the Partners in Crime Tours Virtual Book Tours
Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough by Karin J. Lund
Theme: Celebrating your life, understanding and creating your value, and building confidence and resilience. (Partners in Crime Tours, 2025)
This is the book that will always remind you: YES – I MATTER, I AM ENOUGH.
Photo: PICT, used with permission.
Review
Karin J. Lund’s Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough is a heartfelt and empowering guide to self-discovery, confidence, and resilience. Written with warmth and clarity, Lund invites readers to celebrate their lives and recognize the unique value each person holds.
It’s less a traditional self-help book and more a compassionate conversation, one that encourages reflection and personal growth.
Lund’s message is simple yet profound: self-worth isn’t something we earn; it’s something we uncover and nurture. Through thoughtful exercises and gentle affirmations, she helps readers navigate life’s complexities with grace and self-trust. Her emphasis on creating one’s own value and building inner strength makes this book both inspiring and practical.
Interactive exercises include:
Writing down what you could change and how it might impact your situation.
Write a challenge you want to achieve and have an accountability partner to help you.
Even the cover design, featuring interlocking, layered lines, beautifully mirrors the book’s message. It symbolizes life’s many intersecting paths and the freedom to change direction, reinforcing the idea that resilience is born from flexibility and self-awareness.
Ultimately, Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough is a compassionate reminder that our worth is inherent and our journeys are ever-evolving. It’s an uplifting read for anyone seeking to reconnect with their inner power and embrace the full richness of who they are.
“Keep seeking truth and honesty in your life. Don’t ever be afraid to choose a new path.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
About the Author
Karin J. Lund, Founder of G-Power Global Enterprises, partners with corporations, universities, and non-profit organizations to create compassionate, empowered workplace cultures. Her work fosters environments where employees and management actively support shared values, inclusivity, and community impact.
Her online program, Your Journey through the Islands of Grief and Loss, encourages individuals and teams to navigate personal and professional challenges with empathy and resilience. Corporate comfort gifts, journals, and other resources support this meaningful initiative.
Photo: PICT, used with permission
To celebrate the release of Karin J. Lund’s new book Yes – YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough, Partners in Crime Tours is having a giveaway. Enter for a chance to win an Amazon.com gift card.
‘The Innocent Days of War’ is a haunting portrait of WWII lives. Photo: Other Press
Book Spotlight: The Innocent Days of War by Mario Fortunato
Fans of John Boyne and Simon Mawer will find much to admire in Mario Fortunato’s latest novel, The Innocent Days of War (On Sale: October 28, 2025). This gripping coming-of-age story unfolds against the sweeping backdrop of World War II, tracing how love, ambition, and destiny intertwine as Italy and England are forever changed by the war. (Other Press, 2025)
A Story of Youth, War, and Intersecting Lives
Set in central Italy on the eve of World War II, the novel introduces a group of young Italians whose lives are about to be upended by history. Among them is Stefano Portelli, a hopeful young lawyer filled with idealism and in love with Eleonora. His sister-in-law Nina hides a secret relationship with Sergio, a partisan leader fighting for his cause.
Meanwhile, across the Channel, the story follows Alastair Ormiston, an English Royal Air Force pilot who finds solace in the works of Virginia Woolf as he dreams of an ideal companion. His best friend, Edna, seeks her own sense of purpose and joy amid the devastation of Nazi bombings in London.
When these characters’ paths intersect, the result is both tragic and transformative—a convergence of love, loss, and fate that consumes everything in its wake, blending joy and pain into a single, unforgettable tapestry.
About the Author
Mario Fortunato was born in Cirò, Calabria, Italy. A longtime literary critic for L’Espresso, he continues to write for Süddeutsche Zeitung and has contributed to The Guardian and Le Monde. Fortunato is a former director of the Antonio Ratti Foundation and the author of several novels, including South (Other Press, 2023). He has also translated the works of literary greats such as Evelyn Waugh, Virginia Woolf, and Henry James into Italian.
About the Translator
Julia MacGibbon has translated fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, including Sunken City by Marta Barone. She lives near Rome.
Praise for Mario Fortunato:
“As I read Fortunato’s writing, I have the impression of being faced with that kind of writer, rare in Italian literature, who, despite starting from a poetic state of mind, nevertheless manages to be a storyteller.” —Alberto Moravia
“Mario Fortunato is a natural storyteller.” —Doris Lessing
Danny Karon is making legal wellness the next self-help revolution. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Your Lovable Lawyer’s Guide to Legal Wellness
A new book that makes legal literacy accessible—and even fun
Just as self-help books offer guidance to improve your physical or mental wellness, attorney Danny Karon’s new book does the same for your legal wellness. (Newsroom PR, 2025)
That’s Karon’s term for cultivating a healthy working knowledge of your legal rights when confronted with scams and cheaters both large and small.
A “Lovable” Approach to Everyday Legal Problems
Karon, a consumer law expert, gives readers “an ounce of prevention” by teaching practical problem-solving skills to handle the kinds of everyday legal hassles we all face:
Airlines that bump you
Telemarketers that try to swindle you
Fine print that corporations hope you’ll never read
Known as the “Lovable Lawyer” for his approachable style and advocacy for everyday people who might not have a lawyer on retainer, Karon has spent more than 30 years empowering individuals to access justice and protect themselves.
What You’ll Learn
Covering everything from social media defamation to how to fight a traffic ticket, this book delivers useful, entertaining legal advice in clear, straightforward language that’s peppered with real-life anecdotes and humor.
How to protect yourself when you’re in an auto accident
Keeping your auto insurer honest
Fighting back against online offenses: defamation, doxing, and invasion of privacy
How to keep an unreasonable landlord honest
Identity theft and how to respond to it
How to fight a traffic ticket
How legal wellness can make our lives happier
Advance Praise
“They say laughter is the best medicine, and Karon uses humor to ease the challenge of conveying practical legal information that will help people through many common and serious situations to the benefit of themselves and their families. Easy and informative, Your Lovable Lawyer’s Guide to Legal Wellness is a highly worthwhile read!” — Richard A. Cordray, former Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau of the United States
About the Author
Danny Karon, based in Cleveland, is a professor, consumer advocate, and the creator of Your Lovable Lawyer. With over 30 years of experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in class-action and individual cases, Karon is passionate about making the law understandable and approachable for everyone.
He teaches class-action litigation at the University of Michigan Law School and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, and previously taught complex litigation at Columbia Law School.
In addition to writing a civil justice column for Law360, Karon has published widely on legal access and consumer rights. Observing how many people struggle to find or afford legal help, he founded the Your Lovable Lawyer platform to share clear, useful insights on common legal problems—helping everyone achieve a little more legal wellness.
Author Danny Karon. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
SA Examiner 