Category: book releases

New book release: ‘The Transit Chronicles: Uniting Lives in a Connected World’ by Marvin Merritt II

‘The Transit Chronicles: Uniting Lives in a Connected World’ is the new novel by Marvin Merritt II. Photo: Marvin Merritt II, used with permission.

In today’s book news, here is a new release from Marvin Merritt II, “The Transit Chronicles: Uniting Lives in a Connected World.” It is a thriller with a relatively new concept in literature: social media, specifically live streams, and how these forms of connectivity can affect people’s lives.

Marvin Merritt II is a seasoned Navy veteran and new author from Georgia. With over 20 years of service and multiple deployments, he has received numerous accolades and awards for his dedication and commitment to serving his country. Marvin’s writing often delves into themes of resilience, hope, and the power of human connection. He skillfully blends suspense, mystery, and heartwarming moments to create stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats while touching their hearts. In his latest work “Transit Chronicles: Uniting Lives in a Connected World,” Marvin weaves a thrilling tale set against the backdrop of a bustling metropolis. Through Jimmy’s journey, the charismatic bus driver, Marvin explores the power of positivity, the strength of community, and the impact one person can have on the lives of others. (Marvin Merritt II, 2023)

“The Transit Chronicles: Uniting Lives in a Connected World” is a gripping and thrilling novel that delves into the complexities of a society driven by social media and connectivity. In this futuristic world, Jimmy, a bus driver from Chicago, transforms his daily route into a captivating live stream, capturing the hearts and attention of millions of viewers. With his charismatic personality and knack for showcasing the diverse talents of his passengers, Jimmy becomes an unexpected sensation.

However, the excitement takes a dark turn when a series of murders strike the community, leaving Jimmy and his viewers in shock and fear. Determined to uncover the truth, Jimmy embarks on his own investigation, enlisting the help of his loyal viewers, his friend Monica, tech-savvy Derrick, and the relentless Detective Rodriguez. As they navigate the digital landscape and unravel the secrets hidden within the interconnected world, the lines between reality and virtuality blur, posing unforeseen challenges and dangers.

In “The Transit Chronicles,” author Marvin Merritt II seamlessly combines elements of mystery, suspense, and technological innovation, painting a vivid picture of a society shaped by social media and the pursuit of online fame. With each chapter, readers are taken on a thrilling ride, exploring the power of human connection, the impact of digital platforms, and the lengths one man will go to seek justice.

Through its compelling characters, immersive world-building, and thought-provoking themes, “The Transit Chronicles: Uniting Lives in a Connected World” captivates readers with its blend of high-stakes intrigue, unexpected twists, and an exploration of the profound effects of technology on society. It is a riveting tale that will leave readers questioning the boundaries of the virtual world and the lasting impact of human relationships in an increasingly interconnected future.

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New book release: ‘Good Night, Irene’ by Luis Alberto Urrea

‘Good Night, Irene’ is the new novel by Luis Alberto Urrea. Photo: Amazon

Luis Alberto Urrea, a 2005 Pulitzer Prize finalist for nonfiction and member of the Latino Literature Hall of Fame, is a prolific and acclaimed writer who uses his dual-culture life experiences to explore greater themes of love, loss, and triumph. Winner of a Lannan Literary Award and Christopher Award, he is also the recipient of an American Book Award, the Kiriyama Prize, the National Hispanic Cultural Center’s Literary Award, a Western States Book Award, a Colorado Book Award, an Edgar Award, and a citation of excellence from the American Library Association. A professor of creative writing at the University of Illinois – Chicago, he is a member of the Latino Literary Hall of Fame and has won numerous awards for his poetry, fiction, and essays. His new book “Good Night, Irene” asks the question: what if a friendship forged on the front lines of war defines a life forever?” It is an epic based on the magnificent and true story of courageous Red Cross women. (Amazon, 2023)

“Good Night, Irene” – In 1943, Irene Woodward abandons an abusive fiancé in New York to enlist with the Red Cross and head to Europe. She makes fast friends in training with Dorothy Dunford, a towering Midwesterner with a ferocious wit. Together they are part of an elite group of women, nicknamed Donut Dollies, who command military vehicles called Clubmobiles at the front line, providing camaraderie and a taste of home that may be the only solace before troops head into battle.

After D-Day, these two intrepid friends join the Allied soldiers streaming into France. Their time in Europe will see them embroiled in danger, from the Battle of the Bulge to the liberation of Buchenwald. Through her friendship with Dorothy and a love affair with a courageous American fighter pilot named Hans, Irene learns to trust again. Her most fervent hope, which becomes more precarious by the day, is for all three of them to survive the war intact. Taking as inspiration his mother’s own Red Cross service, Luis Alberto Urrea has delivered an overlooked story of women’s heroism in World War II.

New book release: ‘Live Longer, Suffer Less’ by Darrell Parrish

‘Live Longer, Suffer Less: The Herbal Guide To Improve Health’ by Darrell Parrish. Photo: Amazon

Darrell Parrish is an author whose three previous books centered around surviving America’s number two worst working occupation: the aggressive car salesman. Before that, he worked at an aircraft manufacturing company that made military and civilian aircraft. He supervised the cleaning of aircraft parts processed in huge chemical tanks and his main assignments was to manage engineering blueprints and develop test procedures to solve plant manufacturing problems regarding chemical processing. These two work assignments impacted his life but the car books turned him into a consumer advocate. Working sixteen years in the Material and Processing department gave him the mental means of discovering how to live longer and suffer less with herbs. He converted an American made coffee warmer into his dry diffuser invention. This enabled him to do a self-wellness DIY book for fellow Americans. The purpose of “Live Longer, Suffer Less: The Herbal Guide To Improve Health” is to allow Do-it-Yourself [DIY] enthusiasts to select herb combinations that collectively render ample “benevolent effects” into the body’s cell communities living in the human. More information and an excerpt of this book is available online. (Darrell Parrish, 2023)

“Live Longer, Suffer Less: The Herbal Guide to Improve Health” – Life is too short, no matter how old you are. Why risk your state of wellness on marketed goods and services pitched in the marketplace? Why not learn how to measure your own healthfulness? In this book, there is a simple test anyone can take. There are currently numerous health books available online. Thousands of herbs are being marketed as possible cures to specific diseases. Yet not one single herb is capable of removing any single infestation, perfectly within the body.

Few people realize the central portion of the body is not the beating heart, but the blood stream itself, which consists of sixty-five thousand miles of smaller vessels called capillaries. Only a few pre-selected herbs can protect the blood system and thereby aid the entire body’s immune system. There are ample cell communities in the body which support the thirty-seven trillions of human single cells. The supreme support to all these cells within the body are the 400 million air sacs called alveoli. Between these two living mediums is the blood system, which effectively moves oxygen and food energies in a cyclic mode — every minute of the human body’s entire life. This book will teach you how to identify the essential oils worth taking long term and how to administer key herbs with a unique dry diffuser. One main thing to remember: select key herbs from leaves, flowers, and stems. You can practice and learn this book’s five learning courses and over time and give yourself and your friends the gift of a longer life.

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Book review: ‘If I’m Upset I Can’ by Julien Bodrieu

‘If I’m Upset I Can’ is a children’s book designed to help children identify and cope with anxiety and anger. Photo: Amazon

Julien Bodrieu, a school teacher and avid children’s book author, has over 10 years of experience working with children. Julien had a passion for telling stories since he was a child, which inspired him to begin writing stories and picture books for children. He writes in simple, easy-to-understand language with an entertaining style that keeps children engrossed in his books while teaching them important lessons about life. “If I’m Upset I Can” is a positive, interactive book that will help children calm down, cope, and cool a hot temper with skills that will last them a lifetime. (Amazon, 2023)

“If I’m Upset I Can” – Kids, like adults, go through a wide range of emotions. They may experience emotions such as boredom, anxiety, sadness, disappointment, embarrassment, and fear. While most of us experience a variety of emotions daily, we are not always taught how to deal with or manage them. Children must learn how to handle their emotions in a healthy manner. It is critical to teach children coping techniques that will enable them to face their concerns, relax, and cheer themselves up. Coping methods are divided into two categories: emotion-focused and problem-focused. Both types of abilities are critical for children to learn and apply in their daily lives. This book includes essential skills to help kids deal with feeling so they are less stressed, activities that help kids develops these important skills, anger management and growth mindset activities, self-esteem and social skills activities, and an anxiety workbook and activities. If you work with kids, you are always looking for creative ways to help them navigate through their hardships. This book can help you do that.

This is book #1 of the Social skills Children’s Books for Kids designed to help children develop their social skills. It is an interactive workbook that older children can use as they learn to cope with anger and anxiety. Illustrations such as ‘How I Feel Anxiety In My Body’ will help them identify these emotions by how their bodies are reacting: ‘Headache, Trembling or Shaking.’ Once identified, they can use the coping statements and changing negative thoughts ideas to guide them as they navigate these often confusing emotions. The Self-Care Checklist gives healthy living tips they can use anytime. Since these are skills anyone can use, parents and their children can work on it together and benefit from this extremely resourceful guide. The Worry Jar idea is a wonderful tip anyone can use to set aside some ‘worry time’ each day. Mental health is an important issue, and ‘If I’m Upset I Can’ is geared towards children as they learn to identify and cope with anxiety and anger. Highly recommended!

Rating: 4 out of 5.

New book release: ‘Retribution’ by Robert McCaw

‘Retribution,’ the fifth book in the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery series, will be out June 6, 2023. Photo: Amazon

Robert McCaw grew up in a military family, traveling the world. He is a graduate of Georgetown University, served as a U.S. Army lieutenant, and earned a law degree from the University of Virginia. Having lived on the Big Island of Hawaii, McCaw’ s writing is imbued by his more than 20-year love affair with this Pacific paradise. In his new book “Retribution,” the fifth in the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery Series, Chief Detective Koa Kane wonders is he might be the real target as people around him come under attack. It will be released June 6, 2023. Book review coming soon. (Amazon, 2023)

“Retribution”
In the back alley of a bar on Hawaii Island, a young man is found stabbed to death. When Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kane begins investigating the crime, the murder weapon is recovered only a few feet away from the body. Crime scene technicians find fingerprints on the knife and they are a perfect match for Koa’s younger brother, Ikaika.

As the brothers scramble to prove Ikaika’ s innocence, another crime sends shockwaves through the Hilo police force. A sniper tries to take out Makanui, Koa’ s closest colleague. As Koa tries to figure out whether these crimes are linked, the sinister force continues their killing spree, threatening Koa and his loved ones at every turn.

Could Koa be the real target? If so, who is behind this trail of retribution? With his own secret criminal past, Koa confronts an all-out offensive against those closest to him and his police force to which he has devoted his life. As the bodies pile up, Koa finds himself the ultimate target of a ruthless adversary and must risk it all to survive.

While all the novels in the Koa Kane Hawaiian Mystery Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence is:

“Death of a Messenger”
“Off the Grid”
“Fire and Vengeance”
“Treachery Times Two”
“Retribution”

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New book release: ‘Leave Your Sh*t Here’ by Jackie Wallace and Liz Reed

‘Leave Your Sh*t Here’ is the new self-help workbook by Certified Professional Life Coach Jackie Wallace and Psychotherapist Elizabeth Reed LMSW. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Jackie Wallace and Liz Reed are co-authors of a workbook aimed to help people start their own mental health journey. “Leave Your Sh*t Here” is now available everywhere, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The book is a perfect gift for anyone who is going through something. It is an excellent sendoff gift for a graduate as well. (Jackie Wilson/Liz Reed, 2023)

Jackie Wallace is a serial entrepreneur, four-time author, and successful podcaster. With over thirty-five years of leading and coaching people and over 250 interviews as a podcaster, Jackie enjoys exploring how everyday people figure out their purpose and pursue it. Jackie is the founder of BDOPE Water and the creator of the national holiday, Sit with a Stranger Day, every September 16th. Her professional background includes a B.S. in General Management from Wayne State University in Detroit  Michigan, and  a Certification for Professional Life Coach from World Coach Institute Inc. Photo: Jackie Wallace

Liz Reed has been a practicing psychotherapist for over 11 years. She is also an author and podcaster at Liz Life Guru; before that, she was a gourmet chef for thirty years. She has embraced sobriety for 20 years as well. With a life full of numerous emotional and tumultuous times, she shares her story to help others on their path to a better life and believes it is never too late to create the life you want. Her podcast is available on all platforms. Photo: Liz Reed

“Leave Your Sh*t Here: Write, Release and Destroy” is a new self help workbook that aids in stress management and normalizes life’s struggles by letting us now that “everything will be ok.” It is a book with a purpose: to assist people with everyday challenges and struggles. This workbook helps people understand that it is normal to face adversity in life and that in the end, everything will be just fine. The workbook also provides a safe space to release those feelings in confidence and dispose of them in a manner the reader chooses, releasing all emotions privately into the universe, ridding them of all toxic thoughts and feelings.

The idea for this workbook originally appeared pre-pandemic during a lunch meeting between co-authors Jackie and Liz and another friend. Jackie would often use a piece of paper to write out the day’s frustrations, negative thoughts or life’s problems and then destroy it. It was a method that she used for some time as it was private and safe from anyone else’s eyes. In a world where people post everything on social media, this was a method to vent and protect her inner most private thoughts. As Jackie shared this practice with Liz, a tenured practicing psychotherapist, she learned this was a method Liz also used many times, and the idea for the workbook was born.

The two worked on the book through the pandemic and developed a workbook that delved beyond anything that the two had seen on the market. Besides being a book with facts and best practices with highlighted topics, “Leave Your Sh*t Here” is poised to provide teachable moments with worksheets covering subjects such as:

  • Your Inner Strength
  • How to Face Your Emotions
  • Self-Reliance
  • Investing in Yourself

“This workbook is a method to write what you feel, not be judged by society and then do what you want with the writing. This is a work through it book, not a get over it book as life is something we continuously must work through. The isolation of these negative thoughts can become daunting and weigh us down which is why it’s important to have a safe space to work through them and let them go. It becomes a freeing, liberating moment.” – Liz & Jackie

“Leave You Sh*t Here: Write, Release, and Destroy” is definitely not your garden variety of self-help books, and I enjoyed reading and going through it mainly because the language used is your everyday, straightforward, down-to-earth talk that stays clear of technical jargon. It also has an appealing visual format for both texts, writing space, and pictures and the use of cartoon-style illustrations definitely help engage the reader. The workbook also has sections to help the reader track any progress that one reaps throughout its activities. The overall tone of the material has a hopeful and optimistic mindset that tells the reader not to give up.” – Readers’ Favorite

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Book review: ‘Liquid Shades of Blue’ by James Polkinghorn

‘Liquid Shades of Blue’ is the debut novel by James Polkinghorn. Photo: Amazon

James Polkinghorn is a lawyer and partner in a national law firm specializing in labor and employment law. He has extensive trial and litigation experience accumulated in multiple jurisdictions throughout the country. A Pittsburgh native, Polkinghorn moved with his family to Florida in high school, where he has since stayed. He has a degree in political science as well as a law degree from the University of Florida. He now lives in Key West with his wife, Becki, and their dog, Major Tom. In “Liquid Shades of Blue,” his first novel, after the death of his brother and now his mother, Jack Girard searches for the truth behind his family’s tragedies. (Amazon, 2023)

“Liquid Shades of Blue” – When hungover ex-lawyer and Key West bar owner Jack Girard groggily wakes up one morning, he is greeted by a beautiful woman lying next to him and a shrill, ringing telephone. The call is from his father, Claude “The Duke” Girard, who tells him that his mother is dead in an apparent suicide. Jack then heads back to his childhood home in Miami to face his tyrannical father. His mother’s death brings up haunting memories from Jack’s past—memories of his brother Bobby’s suicide when they were in college together. Being back in Miami only continues to dredge up his family traumas, but things grow more complicated when The Duke suggests that his estranged wife’s alleged suicide may have been a murder. As Jack begins to uncover the truth about his mother’s death, including the secret she had revealed to only two people—the same secret Bobby had taken with him to his grave—he finds himself in imminent danger. Can Jack reveal the true story before it is too late? He has to act quickly, or he fears he may be the victim of the next Girard family tragedy.

Jack Girard has not had an easy life. He comes from a well off family, but his brother committed suicide, his mother is now dead, and he is not in the best of terms with his father who refers to himself in the third person: ‘the Duke.’ This is a clear indication that his father is a strong willed person who demands respect and that what he says is not up for debate. Jack has tried to make a life for himself even after his career derails but when his mom dies, he has to return home. When his father asks him to look into his mother’s death, what he discovers comes as a big surprise. The plot twist at the end will take readers by surprise too. The characters are well developed and relatable. For a first novel, it certainly is impressive; the language is poetic at times: “the kaleidoscopic azure and green surface of Biscayne Bay glistening in the winter sun behind me” and as a whole, it reads like a fine work of literature. It is narrated in the first person point of view as experienced through Jack’s eyes. Even though it is a small book and an easy read, it is packed with action and is destined to become a classic. With interesting characters and beautiful prose, “Liquid Shades of Blue” is this year’s beach read and is recommended for readers who enjoy a good mystery novel. It is perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and Harlan Coben.

“By the time I passed the airport, the familiar orange and yellow disk had emerged from the sea, casting magnificent white and yellow reflections across the water to the sand. Four brown pelicans flying at my approximate pace were silhouetted against the sun as they began their morning search for baitfish near the ocean’s surface.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

New book release: ‘Indiscernible Elements: Calcium’ by Korynn Newville

‘Indiscernible Elements: Calcium’ will be released on May 30, 2023. Photo: Google

Korynn Newville is an artist, designer, and environmental activist. She received a master’s degree in architecture from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Bachelor of Design from the University of Minnesota. She is currently an architectural designer studying to become a licensed architect. She strives to utilize sustainable building practices in her professional projects and has a passion for creating artwork through the common materials used to construct her buildings projects. Korynn believes in the use of our imagination to offer new solutions to problems, and her artwork is her voice to tell the story. Her drawings and passion for the environment are the catalysts that led to her writing. Her first book, “Indiscernible Elements: Calcium,” explores the vital role of calcium not only in the body but also in architecture and human relationships. It is available for pre-order now. (Black Château, 2023)

“Indiscernible Elements: Calcium” – Calcium is a vital element that plays a fundamental role in various physiological processes in the body. As an architectural designer, Newville tells us how this element connects all of us, beyond our bodies. With a focus on practical advice and evidence-based research, her new book provides readers a new perspective of this element, and helps readers look at the world differently. 

 “A lot of building materials are made of pieces of calcium. My teeth are made of the same things as dry wall. Buildings are made of bones. These structures are just like us.”  – Korynn Newville

Her book stems from her thesis work on how architecture needs to practice with living and dying. Newville envisions a series of future books focusing on more elements, and is embarking on a journey of sharing her art through events, media, and other vehicles. 

“This book is just the beginning of what could be. By breaking us down to our core elements, we can understand the importance of our connection to the planet. And maybe that will help prepare us to live in a world that is rapidly evolving and changing.”  – Korynn Newville

 

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New book release: ‘Sweet Emotions’ by Kevin Bates

‘Sweet Emotions’ is the new cookbook/poetry book by Kevin Bates. Photo: Google

Kevin Bates was born in Beaumont, Texas and currently resides in Houston. A devoted reader and writer, he spends each day wandering in the world of words. As a kid, his mother brought him into this world of words. “She would read with her sweet angelic voice taking me so far away doing things I never done before living the adventures of the people she read about. Soon afterward when I asked her to read another, she would tell me to pick a book off the shelf & to read it myself.” Through reading, Kevin learned early that words are powerful when shared correctly through speech or in print. His mission is to share his message with you. His new book “Sweet Emotions” is a combination cookbook and poetry book. (Kevin Bates, 2023)

“Sweet Emotions” is a book created by me of the emotions that my mother’s cooking, love for cooking, and sharing it with others would bring. I hope everything within the covers of this book conveys those sweet emotions. My mother’s food always gave me an unbelievable rush and I could not wait for the next plate. After reading my words, I hope they do the same for you and leave you wanting the next poem to have the feeling of “Sweet Emotions.” The same goes for after you cook each recipe. This book takes you from your appetizers to your desserts.

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Poetry spotlight: the poetry of Danny Wilson Vol. 3

‘Quiet Room Speaking’ is one of Danny Wilson’s many poetry books out there. Photo: Amazon

Okay, poetry fans. Continuing the journey into Danny Wilson’s poetry, here is volume 3 and a look into some more of his other poetry books. Danny Wilson is a poet originally from Greenville, NC and currently residing in Albuquerque, NM. After years of military service, he is now retired and focusing on his poetry. He has written over 100 poetry books in the last nine years with no intention of slowing down. (Danny Wilson, 2023)

Quiet Room Speaking
Ears ringing 24/7. I try to make sense of a senseless life anew. Hanging out with the folks at Denny’s. My inner psyche grows with the complexities of human dynamics.

Between November
Life becomes just a series of events. Complex children running towards misunderstood elders. Walking a tightrope along angst and melancholy. Destiny fades to black. Life becomes just a series of events. Destiny fades to black.

After Summer
The journey of life traveling at the speed of sound. Flawed characters taking life one day at a time. Pain becoming useful medicine. Hope provides a band-aid to heal weathered hearts.

Fading Forward
Existing between complex worlds. Seeing the beauty of fellow truth-seekers. Tired eyes reaching for a brass ring. Pet sounds fade to the twilight zone.

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