Tag: books

‘The Secret of Secrets’ Book Review: Dan Brown’s Most Ambitious Novel Yet

‘The Secret of Secrets’ by Dan Brown. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Related Post: Dan Brown’s ‘Origin’ Review: Where Science Meets Faith

📚 Book Review: The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

  • Author: Dan Brown
  • Genre: Thriller / Mystery / Speculative Fiction
  • Pacing: Fast & Cinematic
  • Audiobook Length: ~23 Hours (Hardcover: ~700 Pages)

📖 Synopsis

Robert Langdon, esteemed professor of symbology, travels to Prague to attend a groundbreaking lecture by Katherine Solomon, a prominent noetic scientist with whom he has recently begun a romantic relationship. She’s getting ready to publish a breakthrough book that contains explosive scientific discoveries about the nature of human consciousness, revelations that threaten to disrupt centuries of established belief. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

When a brutal murder catapults the trip into chaos, Katherine suddenly goes missing and her manuscript disappears. Desperate to find the woman he loves, Langdon embarks on a thrilling race through the mystical landscape of Prague, ruthlessly hunted by a powerful organization and a chilling assailant sprung from the city’s ancient mythology.

As the action expands to London and New York, Langdon plunges into the dual worlds of futuristic science and historical lore, navigating a labyrinth of codes and symbols, and finally uncovering a shocking truth about a secret project that will forever change the way we think about the human mind.

📝 The Review

Dan Brown returns with another intellectually charged thriller in The Secret of Secrets, a breathless, high-stakes story that seamlessly combines ancient lore with cutting-edge science. Set against the atmospheric backdrops of Prague, London, and New York, it delivers the classic, fast-paced puzzle-solving fans expect while raising provocative questions about human potential.

🔍 Character Dynamics

The story centers around Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, whose usual intellectual detachment is challenged by personal dangers. His romance with Katherine Solomon grounds the narrative, significantly raising the emotional tension. Langdon remains a compelling protagonist, balancing academic brilliance with humility and determination, and his personal tie to Katherine adds welcome depth to his character.

Katherine is equally engaging, portrayed as an intelligent and courageous scientist whose research into human consciousness challenges long-held religious and philosophical beliefs. She is far more than a simple damsel in distress; their partnership creates a refreshing dynamic, with both characters contributing equally to the unfolding mystery.

🧠 Core Themes

  • Science vs. Belief: The narrative continuously pits revolutionary neuroscience against rigid, established dogmas.
  • The Nature of Human Consciousness: Solomon’s findings explore whether the human mind holds untapped power capable of altering reality itself.
  • Mythology as Historical Truth: The story weaves Prague’s rich lore—including dark mythological guardians like the Golem—into modern technological secrets, suggesting that ancient myths often mask advanced truths.

“Brown has written a thought-provoking ride that will leave readers questioning the untapped boundaries of their own minds.”

As expected, Brown fills the narrative with cryptic symbols, historical references, and unexpected twists that keep readers hooked. While some plot developments stretch credibility, the intricate puzzles and cinematic pacing make them easy to forgive. With relentless momentum and a haunting antagonist, it’s a deeply compelling read.

🎧 Final Thoughts

Overall, The Secret of Secrets is an entertaining blend of history, philosophy, and speculative science that will satisfy longtime Dan Brown fans while offering newcomers an exciting introduction to Robert Langdon’s world.

At almost 700 pages (or nearly 23 hours on audiobook), it’s one of Brown’s longest books to date. The experience of reading the physical tome versus listening to the immersive narration will likely feel vastly different, but either way, it’s an adventure worth taking.

“Religions had learned long ago that a human mind facing the terrifying prospect of eternal nothingness would believe almost anything. Timor mortis est pater religionis, Langdon mused, recalling the ancient saying made famous by Upton Sinclair. Fear of death is the father of religion.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Get your copy of The Secret of Secrets today!

📚 The Robert Langdon Series (In Order)

  1. Angels & Demons
  2. The Da Vinci Code
  3. The Lost Symbol
  4. Inferno
  5. Origin
  6. The Secret of Secrets

✍️ About the Author

DAN BROWN is the author of several #1 bestselling novels, including The Da Vinci Code, one of the bestselling books of all time, as well as Origin, Inferno, The Lost Symbol, and Angels & Demons. His thrillers have captivated readers worldwide and sparked global intellectual debate. He is also the author of the bestselling children’s book Wild Symphony. Brown’s novels are published in 56 languages internationally, with over 250 million copies in print.

Book Review: ‘Famous Men’ by Julie Buntin – A Compelling Tale of Ambition and Power

‘Famous Men’ is the new literary fiction novel by Julie Buntin. Photo: Penguin Random House.

Book Review: Famous Men by Julie Buntin

From the acclaimed author of Marlena comes a “magnificent” (The New York Times) novel about a young woman looking for a father and finding herself. (Penguin Random House, 2026)

“The right book at the right time can change your life.”

Quick Details

  • Title: Famous Men
  • Author: Julie Buntin
  • Genre: Literary Fiction / Coming-of-Age
  • Themes: Ambition, Identity, Power Dynamics, Mentorship

Synopsis

Will Miles is trapped in the suffocatingly tiny town of Greening, Michigan, having never known who her father is. Haunted by a toxic rumor that turned her into a social exile, the teenage Will yearns for escape. At fourteen, she discovers the poetry of literary giant Nathaniel Fellow, a man four decades her senior who shares her hometown. A passing comment from her mother only adds to Will’s fascination: Is Nathaniel the father she’s never known? She becomes convinced that he may hold the answers to her literary aspirations and her family history.

Her obsession drives her to New York City, drawing her into Nathaniel’s orbit and sparking a deeply complex, years-long entanglement that offers a seductive doorway to intellectual life, mentorship, and security, at a devastatingly ambiguous cost. When information about his past threatens not just her life with Nathaniel, but the story she tells herself about him, Will is faced with a choice that will change everything.

Review

Famous Men is an emotionally rich novel that explores identity, ambition, and the complicated power dynamics between young women and influential men.

Buntin challenges typical coming-of-age narratives, refusing easy moral clarity or simplified stories of victimhood. Will’s journey from small-town outsider to New York’s literary circles is both inspiring and unsettling, revealing how easily dreams can become entangled with manipulation and self-deception. Her relationship with Nathaniel begins as admiration, but eventually evolves into a complicated bond that forces her to question the true cost of chasing success and validation.

Through a first-person narrative, Buntin captures:

  • The desperate craving to be seen by our idols.
  • The quiet concessions women make to build a life.
  • The painful reckoning when the truth about a mentor finally surfaces.

Buntin writes with empathy and passion, making Will’s search for belonging feel authentic and deeply relatable. The beautiful, razor-precise prose draws readers directly into Will’s complicated life:

“Watery sunlight fell across the spines, landing in a warmish puddle on the floor where I sat, cross-legged, to begin at the beginning.”

Ultimately, Julie Buntin delivers a beautifully written novel filled with emotionally layered characters, sharp observations about fame and influence, and an honest exploration of how women often bear the consequences of men’s mistakes. The story balances literary depth with emotional tension, making it difficult to put down.

Final Thoughts

Famous Men is a compelling exploration of ambition and the intoxicating danger of artistic idolatry.

Recommended for:

  • Readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction and stories of self-discovery.
  • Fans of introspective fiction, literary intrigue, and emotionally complex relationships.

“New York wasn’t an island of skyscrapers, tethered by bridges, its heart the gentle hills of Central Park-it was a million  tiny rooms and the people inside, their desire mixing with the wishes of everyone who had once passed through. I could have stood there with my head outside the window forever, just watching.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Get your copy of ‘Famous Men’ today!

About the author

Julie Buntin‘s debut novel, Marlena, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize, released in ten territories worldwide, and named a best book of the year by over a dozen outlets, including The Washington Post, NPR, and Kirkus Reviews. 

She is the co-editor of Notes to New Mothers, a collection of dispatches from postpartum life by sixty writers and artists. Previously, Buntin was an editor and director of writing programs at Catapult. Now, she writes and teaches in Ann Arbor, where she is an assistant professor at the University of Michigan.

**Thank you to Sarah Jean Grimm and Broadside PR for my gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Book Spotlight: ‘Uncommon Sense’ by Mel Blackwell

‘Uncommon Sense’ by Mel Blackwell features battle-tested culture secrets from a former EOS Integrator. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Spotlight: Uncommon Sense: The Fight to Fix Your Workplace Culture in the Wild West of Business

By Mel Blackwell

Does your business look successful on the outside but feel chaotic on the inside?

Are you stuck in constant firefighting, watching the same problems repeat while people dodge responsibility and culture slowly erodes? Is your culture just dysfunctional enough that everyone’s comfortably miserable, too afraid of the change that actually removes the root obstacles? (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

You don’t need another trendy leadership theory. You need something that actually works. Fix your culture, and all metrics improve immeasurably.

The Synopsis

After more than 35 years leading startups, turnarounds, and large organizations, former EOS Integrator Mel Blackwell has seen what really breaks businesses, and what actually fixes them. He’s led from the shop floor to the C-suite, rebuilt broken teams, and helped leaders move from chaos to clarity when pressure was real and payroll was due.

Uncommon Sense: The Fight to Fix Your Workplace Culture in the Wild West of Business is built on battle-tested leadership, not buzzwords. Through gritty stories, plainspoken wisdom, and practical tools, Mel shows you how to build a culture that can take a hit, solve problems fast, and keep moving forward.

This book doesn’t sell theory. It gives you a roadmap.

What You’ll Learn inside:

  • Problem-Solving over Complaining: How to build a solution-oriented culture.
  • Leverage & Traction: How to build winning momentum directly into your company culture.
  • Structure First: Why structure must come before people, and how to get it right.
  • True Accountability: How to lead with ownership, not excuses.
  • The Toxicity Antidote: A system for eliminating toxic behavior that attracts, empowers, and develops good people.
  • The Best Pledge™: How to get the absolute best from your team (because people at their worst self will never deliver best practices).
  • Alignment & Execution: How to align your team around a unified vision and stellar execution.
  • The Two Visions: Why every organization needs two visions—and exactly how to use them.
  • Courageous Leadership: How to lead with courage and win when pressure hits.

Plus, you’ll discover why most leaders are “worshipping problems” instead of solving them, why not everyone belongs in every role, and how real leadership shows up when things get tough.

Why This Book is Different

This book doesn’t read like a consultant talking at you. It’s written by a mentor walking beside you, telling the truth, sharing the scars, and showing you what works in the trenches.

When you apply what’s inside, leadership gets clearer. Problems get smaller. Teams get stronger. You gain leverage, and your business becomes something that can survive storms instead of being wrecked by them.

If you’re tired of drifting, guessing, and putting out fires, it is time to lead with clarity, courage, and confidence.

👉 Buy Uncommon Sense Today and Start Building a Culture That Actually Works!

About the Author

Mel Blackwell

Senior Executive Mel Blackwell is a visionary renowned for driving extraordinary results and fostering high-performing cultures using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). With over three decades of unparalleled expertise in operations, sales, and marketing, Mel’s diverse experience spans industries from forestry and wood products to global trade shows, 3D agency marketing, telecom, and software, leading organizations from startups to billion-dollar enterprises.

Holding a BS in Marketing from Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business and an MA in Management from The University of Alabama’s Manderson Graduate School of Business, he masterfully combines academic rigor with real-world mastery.

As a dynamic public speaker, storyteller, and thought leader, Mel captivates audiences with his sharp insights, infectious energy, vivid metaphors, and plain-spoken humor. Attendees leave his talks not only entertained, but equipped with actionable tools to drive success in their organizations.

The Ultimate Leadership Field Manual for Uncertain Times: ‘Citizen Servant Leader’

‘Citizen Servant Leader: A Doctrine for Leadership When Control, Authority, and Permission Are No Longer Guaranteed’ by Steven Kuhn Photo: Amazon

📖Book Spotlight: Citizen Servant Leader

A Doctrine For Leadership When Control, Authority, and Permission Are No Longer Guaranteed

By Steven Kuhn/Ron Lynch

The Synopsis

Citizen Servant Leader is a doctrine-based field manual for leadership when authority, control, and permission are no longer guaranteed. (Amazon, 2026)

Rather than teaching influence, motivation, or personal branding, this book focuses entirely on the behaviors that stabilize systems under pressure. It is built on one uncompromising principle: responsibility always comes before authority.

Responsibility Precedes Credibility.
Credibility Precedes Authority.

Drawing from combat experience, high-stakes international business, and decades of organizational leadership across ten countries, the authors show how leadership forms naturally when individuals are willing to carry burden early, speak truth when it costs something, and create space when control is gone.

What’s Inside?

Each chapter combines real-world stories with clear standards, recognizable failure patterns, and practical field applications designed to be practiced, not admired. The book examines:

  • How silence and passivity quietly erode trust.
  • Why truth functions as a structural requirement rather than a moral preference.
  • How small, disciplined actions prevent collapse at personal, organizational, and civic levels.

This is not a motivational book. It is a practical guide for becoming reliable when others hesitate, and for leading with clarity, restraint, and integrity when systems fail.

Who is this book for?

It is written for people who already feel the weight of responsibility: leaders without titles, citizens navigating uncertainty, business operators, veterans, parents, and community builders who are done waiting for permission to act.

Exploring the Citizen Servant Leader Series

This book is the foundation of the Citizen Servant Leader series, a values-first leadership doctrine designed for individuals who choose responsibility before authority.

VolumeTitleFocus
1Citizen Servant LeaderThe foundation. Who you are, what you owe, and what it means to lead with integrity.
2Financial FreedomBuild wealth, break dependence, and use resources to serve.
3Health, Wellness and ResilienceThe physical infrastructure the mission requires.
4Information WarfareThe defensive manual.
5IncorruptibleThe capstone. The standard every Citizen Servant Leader is building toward.

About the Author: Steven Kuhn

Steven Kuhn is a decorated U.S. Military combat veteran who has been hand-picked to consult with some of the most influential people in the world (including rock stars, actors, business leaders, and politicians) on how to expand their brand, build loyalty, and develop strategies for increasing beneficial relationships.

Steven served in the U.S. Army in combat and was awarded the Bronze Star. After his military service, he spent over 30 years living and working internationally, advising business leaders, organizations, and public-sector decision-makers across Europe and the Middle East.

His grassroots movement, Take America Back, grew from these experiences after observing similar patterns across multiple countries: centralized power, declining accountability, and citizens disengaged from responsibility.

Elin Hilderbrand’s ‘The Five-Star Weekend’ Is Now a Peacock Series

The best-selling novel is now a limited series on Peacock. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book to Series: Elin Hilderbrand’s “The Five-Star Weekend” Hits Peacock

Elin Hilderbrand’s beloved summer read is officially jumping from the page to the screen, The highly anticipated adaptation of The Five-Star Weekend has officially arrived as an eight-episode limited series on Peacock.

Whether you are a longtime resident of Hilderbrand’s fictionalized Nantucket or a newcomer looking for your next dramatic binge-watch, here is everything you need to know about the book’s premise and the star-studded new series.

📖 The Book Synopsis

Hollis Shaw’s life seems picture-perfect. She’s the creator of the popular food blog Hungry with Hollis and is married to Matthew, a dreamy heart surgeon. But after she and Matthew get into a heated argument one snowy morning, he leaves for the airport and is tragically killed in a car accident. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

In the wake of the tragedy, the cracks in Hollis’s perfect life—including a strained marriage and a complicated relationship with her daughter, Caroline—grow deeper.

Seeking comfort and a fresh start, Hollis decides to host her own “Five-Star Weekend” on Nantucket. The concept? One woman organizes a trip inviting one best friend from each distinct phase of her life: her teenage years, her twenties, her thirties, and midlife.

But this getaway doesn’t turn out to be a joyful, breezy Hallmark movie…

🎬 Meet the Cast & Characters

The Peacock adaptation features a powerhouse ensemble cast to bring Hollis’s inner circle to life. Here is who is playing who in the eight-episode series:

CharacterPhase of LifePlayed ByThe Drama They Bring
Hollis ShawThe HostJennifer Garner (also Executive Producer)A grieving food influencer trying to piece her life back together six months after her husband’s death.
TatumTeenage YearsChloë SevignyHollis’s childhood best friend. Her husband stirs the pot by inviting Hollis’s first love, Jack Finigan, to the island.
Dru-AnnThe TwentiesRegina HallHollis’s UNC Chapel Hill college roommate. Now a prominent Chicago sports agent, her career is on the line after a major social media misunderstanding.
BrookeThe ThirtiesD’Arcy CardenHollis’s adulthood pal who has just discovered her husband is having yet another inappropriate workplace relationship.
GigiMidlife / PresentGemma ChanA mysterious internet stranger who connected with Hollis through her blog. She embodies unusual grace but harbors major secrets.

📺 From Page to Screen

The Five-Star Weekend is a surprising and captivating story about friendship, love, and self-discovery. It promises to be a weekend like no other.

Fans of the book can expect plenty of beautiful Nantucket backdrops, delicious food blog aesthetics, and juicy, decades-spanning secrets.

All eight episodes are streaming now on Peacock.

Are you planning to read the book first, or are you diving straight into the binge-watch? Let me know in the comments below!

Mo Rousso’s AI for Small Businesses: The Ultimate Leadership Roadmap

‘How to Build an AI-Powered Business’ is Book 2 in the AI for Small Businesses series of books by Mo Rousso. Photo: Amazon

📚Book Spotlight: How to Build an AI-Powered Business Without Losing Control, Trust, or Your Mind (AI for Small Businesses Book 2)

By Mo Rousso

AI is already changing how decisions are made inside your business, often without your explicit consent.

Teams are using artificial intelligence to draft plans, analyze data, shape customer communication, and move faster than ever. While productivity might be up, accountability is becoming less clear. Many leaders feel pressure, noise, and a creeping loss of control, even when results look fine on the surface.

This book explains why.

How to Build an AI-Powered Business Without Losing Control, Trust, or Your Mind is a practical leadership guide for executives, founders, and managers navigating artificial intelligence in real organizations. This is not a technical manual; it’s a leadership and management book focused on decision rights, accountability, trust, and organizational discipline.

In this fully revised Second Edition, Mo Rousso shows leaders how to use AI as a business tool without surrendering judgment or culture.

What You’ll Learn

Each chapter includes real-world business case examples that show how AI adoption succeeds—or fails—in everyday companies, from operations and sales to leadership teams and customer service. By reading this guide, you will learn how to:

  • Define clear decision-making authority between humans and AI
  • Prevent artificial intelligence from quietly eroding accountability
  • Build guardrails that scale across teams and departments
  • Improve operational throughput instead of creating more noise
  • Protect customer trust while increasing speed and efficiency
  • Lead calmly and decisively in an AI-driven business environment

This Book Is Ideal For:

  • Business leaders and executives looking for strategic direction
  • Founders and entrepreneurs scaling their companies
  • Managers responsible for AI adoption and implementation
  • Organizations integrating AI into daily operations
  • Anyone interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership, and management

AI will continue to accelerate. Tools will keep changing. Leadership responsibility does not disappear. This book helps you stay in control when AI is everywhere.

Get your copy today!

About the Author: Mo Rousso

Mo Rousso’s clients know him as the catalyst for change, transforming potential into measurable growth. During his journey as a founder and CEO, he’s faced the same scaling challenges you’re grappling with. He doesn’t just talk about overcoming obstacles, he helps you break through them using proven business frameworks and a relentless commitment to building exceptional teams and cultures.

Having built and scaled multiple companies, Mo understands the roadblocks and frustrations firsthand. He’s leveraged frameworks like Scaling Up and Metronomics to create a business acceleration system that delivers exponential growth and lasting transformation. His journey is proof that when leadership, teamwork, and culture are aligned, businesses not only overcome obstacles, they thrive.

His business books will give you the clarity, confidence, and strategy to embrace AI without fear or confusion. He strips away the tech jargon and delivers real-world insights through engaging storytelling and practical, step-by-step guidance. Whether you’re a skeptical traditionalist or a forward-thinking entrepreneur, Mo shows you how AI can streamline operations, boost efficiency, and drive growth, all without losing the personal touch that makes your business unique.

If you want to stay competitive, work smarter, and future-proof your company, this series is your ultimate roadmap to success.

Also in the AI for Small Businesses Series:

  1. Let AI Do It
  2. How to Build an AI-Powered Business Without Losing Control, Trust, or Your Mind
  3. Freedom Machine
  4. Zero to AI Hero

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ Review: Rue Blackwood Steals the Show in This Dark Romantasy Sequel

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ is Book 2 in the Guardians of Death series by Aurora Ramsden. Photo: Amazon

Related Post: ‘Whispers of Mayhem’ Is a Must-Read Dark Romantasy for Fans of Fierce Female Leads

Book Review: Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden

Synopsis

Reaping of Hellfire is the scorching second installment in the Guardians of Death series, continuing the paranormal chaos through the eyes of the wildest Blackwood sister, Rue. Rather than a standalone, this novel serves as a crucial chapter in a planned four-book dark romantasy saga.

The Blackwood sisters—Nyx, Opal, and Rue—are triplet hellhounds who were abandoned as babies and adopted by a kind, loving couple.

The Backstory

The novel kicks off with a prologue set 104 years in the past. On his 12th birthday, an orphan named Xander Drakonis undergoes the ceremony where a scythe chooses its master. Desperate to escape his boys’ home, Xander is transformed into a reaper and granted twin scythes: Terra and Shade.

The Present Day

In the modern timeline, Rue, Nyx, and Opal are celebrating their 25th birthday with their adoptive parents. It’s an important day for Ryker Calix (Nyx’s mate), who is meeting the parents for the very first time.

But the cozy family time doesn’t last long. The sisters are gearing up for their second year at Death University in the Soulmere Realm. They’re hoping for an easier year—fewer near-death experiences, more advanced courses, and plenty of naps.

They are in for a rude awakening.

Welcome to the Abomination Games

Upon returning to campus, they are immediately summoned for the Bone Rite. Headmaster Calix delivers the grim news: they have been selected to compete in the deadly Abomination Games. The order comes directly from Grand Deity Zeraphina, a volatile, five-year-old, glitter-happy deity. Saying “no” to her is the fastest way to get smote into cosmic confetti.

Between grueling coursework and a lethal competition, Rue also has to manage her growing obsession with Xander, a man who is fast becoming impossible to ignore. This year is shaping up to be one hell of a ride, and Rue plans to enjoy every sinful, sparkly second of it.

Review: Hellfire, Humor, and Unapologetic Spice

Reaping of Hellfire turns up the heat, delivering a wildly entertaining blend of dark fantasy, sharp humor, romance, and nonstop chaos. The story wastes no time throwing readers directly into the deadly Abomination Games, where survival is anything but guaranteed.

Character Dynamics & Perspectives

Told through a dual first-person narrative shifting between Xander and Rue, Ramsden gives us an intimate look at two incredibly compelling leads:

  • Rue Blackwood: An irresistible heroine whose sarcastic wit, reckless decision-making, and unapologetic personality make every chapter a joy to read. Her inner monologue is packed with laugh-out-loud moments that perfectly balance the book’s darker elements. Beneath her chaotic exterior lies a deeply resilient competitor.
  • Xander: The romantic tension simmers beautifully throughout the novel. The men in Rue’s life provide an intoxicating mix of sinful temptation and explosive chemistry, driving an irresistible dynamic that expertly balances suspense with playful “smut-book” tropes.

World-Building and Prose

Ramsden brilliantly expands her imaginative world this time around, introducing dangerous new creatures and unpredictable magic. The pacing is relentless; as alliances shift and secrets unfold, you can’t help but stay hooked.

What elevates this book above standard romantasy is Ramsden’s beautifully poetic prose. She seamlessly transitions from laugh-out-loud comedy to striking, visceral imagery:

“I scream without air—a sound ripped from somewhere deeper than lungs, deeper than ribs, deeper than bone.”

Core Themes

  • Agency vs. Divine Control: The characters must constantly navigate the reality of being mere pawns for unreliable, fickle deities.
  • Found Family and Survival: The fierce bond between the sisters anchors the story, contrasting the grim, dark magic of the university with glittering humor.

The Verdict

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (An absolute must-read for dark romantasy fans!)

Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden is a thrilling, addictive ride that perfectly captures the joy of embracing the chaos. If you love morally gray characters, supernatural competitions, and high-stakes romance, you will devour this book.

This sequel leaves readers desperate for the next adventure in the series—which will feature Opal taking center stage!

“A pack is what a hellhound treasures most. Family-whether by blood or bond. Pack can be defined through love, loyalty, or friendship.”

Pick up your copy today!

Content Warning

Intended for mature readers (18+). It contains graphic and potentially triggering material such as:

  • Strong language and frequent profanity
  • Explicit sexual content and dominant/submissive dynamics
  • Graphic violence, blood, gore, and dismemberment
  • Supernatural, horror, and demonic elements
  • On-page and ritualistic killing

** Thank you to Aurora Ramsden for my gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

The Neuroscience of Mental Toughness: A Look Inside ‘Wiring Intelligence’

In ‘Wiring Intelligence,’ Dr. Bobby Low explains why high performers fail under pressure and how to address it. Photo: Amazon

Book Spotlight: Wiring Intelligence

From Reactive to Proactive: 8 Mindsets to Control Performance Under Pressure

By Dr. Bobby Low

Most people don’t fail under pressure because they lack talent, discipline, or desire. They fail because their mind gets hijacked and activates thinking patterns they never chose. (Amazon, 2026)

They weren’t mentally tough.

When it’s time to perform, your brain defaults to whatever thinking patterns have been wired through repetition. For many people, those patterns are reactive, driven by fear, doubt, and avoidance. And when they take over, performance breaks down in the moments that matter most.

In Wiring Intelligence, Dr. Bobby Low explains why this happens and, more importantly, how to change it.

The Science of Peak Performance

Grounded in neuroscience, sport psychology, and years of applied work with elite athletes and high performers, this book reveals how thinking patterns are formed, why pressure activates them, and how they can be retrained. You’ll learn how to shift from reactive thinking to proactive control, so you reach your peak performance under pressure.

At the core of the book are eight essential performance mindsets—a practical framework for:

  • Building self-awareness
  • Regulating emotion
  • Sharpening focus
  • Using your words to train the mind

Through research, real-world examples, and proven tools, Dr. Low shows how high performers wire intelligence into their thinking, not through hype or positive thinking, but through deliberate mental training.

This is how you become mentally tough. This is how you unlock your peak performance. This is how you control your mental game. This is how you perform under pressure.

Wiring Intelligence is a practical guide for athletes, coaches, parents, and high achievers who want to stop letting their mind get hijacked and start performing when it matters most.

Get your copy today!

About the Author

Dr. Bobby Low is a Mental Performance Doctor who trains athletes, teams, and high performers to build the mental patterns required to perform under pressure.

As a former NCAA All-American and professional pole vaulter, he learned firsthand a powerful truth: performance doesn’t break down because athletes lack talent, it breaks down because the mind gets in the way and interferes with execution when it matters most.

After retiring from track and field, Dr. Bobby earned his PhD in Sport & Performance Psychology and spent years studying how elite performers think, respond, and execute under pressure. Through his research and work with athletes, he discovered that the best performers don’t rely on positive thinking alone, they train their minds to respond differently.

Today, Dr. Bobby works with athletes at BYU and supports elite performers across professional sports, helping them train the mental patterns required to perform under pressure. But what drives him most is helping younger, developing athletes gain access to the same training and systems that are typically reserved for the highest levels of sport.

His Mission: To make world-class mental performance training accessible to every athlete, team, and family. Through the MOTYV8 platform, athletes train directly inside his system, building confidence, focus, resilience, and emotional control through daily repetition.

‘Voyagers’ Book Review: Emotional Sci-Fi Meets Childhood Trauma

‘Voyagers’ is Meg Charlton’s debut novel. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Voyagers by Meg Charlton

The Story

Years ago, when Alex and Ana were six years old, they vanished for thirty-six hours during a sleepover while on vacation near Palm Springs. When they returned, dazed but unharmed, their account had all the traits of an alien abduction. The media frenzy that followed made them famous, and the long months of child stardom—of talk shows and sitcom cameos—created a seemingly unbreakable bond between them, until the mystery behind their disappearance began to tear them apart.

In the present, “the Signal,” a mysterious transmission pulsing from the edge of the solar system, arrives, changing the world overnight. Planes are grounded, satellites fail, and speculation abounds. While humanity holds its breath for first contact, the Signal feels deeply personal to Alex, now a thirtysomething lawyer who has spent years distancing himself from the unexplainable. It is the opening of an old wound.

With the world on edge and the Signal growing stronger, Alex is drawn back to the one person who might have answers. Ana, now a professional advocate for experiencers of extraterrestrial contact, is leading a retreat near Palm Springs, close to the site of their childhood disappearance. As the former best friends tentatively reunite, what starts as a quest to confront the reality of their original experience becomes a larger reckoning with friendship, faith, family, and truth itself.

Review

Voyagers by Meg Charlton reframes a popular sci-fi premise—a world-altering cosmic transmission—into a profoundly intimate character study. While humanity holds its breath over potential first contact, Alex is forced to confront a childhood trauma he spent decades burying.

Charlton beautifully balances global intrigue with deep character development. The mystery surrounding Alex and Ana’s disappearance keeps the pages turning, while their complicated reunion adds emotional weight to the unfolding narrative. As the tension of the global phenomenon grows, it perfectly mirrors the internal reckoning between the two protagonists. Rather than relying solely on extraterrestrial speculation, the novel uses the themes of memory, belief, and the stories people construct to make sense of their lives.

The pacing is steady, with suspense building naturally as the Signal grows stronger and long-buried questions demand answers. The writing is thoughtful and atmospheric, creating a sense of wonder without sacrificing emotional authenticity. Written in a non-linear narrative, the story unfolds beautifully through Alex’s first-person perspective:

“I saw all my younger selves stretched out like skeins of geese across the sky, crisscrossing in the air, the six-year-old Alex still flying away from California, the adult flying back toward it.”

Key Themes & Concepts

  • Most Intriguing Concept: Is Allen just Alex and Ana’s imaginary friend, or is he a real memory?
  • Core Themes: Family, Friendship, and Identity.
  • Genre: Blend of literary fiction and science fiction.

Final Thoughts

Voyagers is thought-provoking and beautifully written. A suspenseful exploration of friendship and family dynamics, it’s rich with science fiction, mystery, and emotional drama. It uses an extraterrestrial backdrop to dissect the fragility of human memory and poses the question: is discovering the truth always worth the cost? Most importantly, it explores the psychological aftermath of early stardom, public scrutiny, and shared childhood trauma.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intelligent speculative fiction with strong, character-driven arcs.

“It is very painful to be called out for believing something that isn’t so. The instinct is not to cut one’s losses and confess to being wrong but to double down, to stay committed to your foolishness for so long that it takes on a kind of power.”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Get your copy today!

About the Author

Meg Charlton was born and raised in New York City. She holds an MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College, and Voyagers is her brilliant debut novel.

** Thank you to Sarah Jean Grimm and Broadside PR for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

From Book to Screen: Harlan Coben’s New Netflix Series ‘I Will Find You’

Harlan Coben’s ‘I Will Find You.’ Photo: Barnes & Noble

From Page to Screen: Harlan Coben’s ‘I Will Find You’ Comes to Netflix

Few authors have mastered the art of suspense like Harlan Coben. His novels captivate readers with intricate plots, unexpected twists, and relatable characters whose ordinary lives are suddenly turned upside down. Each story keeps readers guessing until the final pages, making his books nearly impossible to put down.

That same storytelling brilliance has translated seamlessly to the screen, with numerous Netflix adaptations becoming massive international hits. Series like Fool Me Once, Stay Close, and The Stranger have introduced Coben’s gripping mysteries to an even wider audience. Whether on the page or on the screen, Harlan Coben consistently delivers edge-of-your-seat entertainment.

The latest adaptation to join this thriller lineup is I Will Find You, an eight-episode limited series that premiered on Netflix on June 18, 2026.

📺 The Series: ‘I Will Find You’

Based on Coben’s #1 New York Times bestselling novel, I Will Find You follows David Burroughs, an innocent father serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison for the murder of his own son, Matthew.

Five years into his sentence, David receives shocking word from his sister-in-law, Rachel, that Matthew may actually be alive. To uncover the truth, he must embark on a high-stakes mission that leads him out of prison and into a dangerous world of deceit and despair.

🎭 Meet the Cast

ActorRole
Sam WorthingtonDavid Burroughs
Britt LowerRachel Mills
Milo VentimigliaHayden Payne
Logan BrowningSarah Greer
Chi McBrideMax Williams
Madeleine StoweGertrude Payne

📖 The Book Synopsis

For those who want to dive into the source material, here is the official setup for this breathtaking thriller:

David Burroughs was once a devoted father to his three-year-old son, Matthew, living a dream life just a short drive away from the working-class suburb where he and his wife, Cheryl, first fell in love. Until one fateful night, David woke to discover Matthew had been murdered while David was asleep just down the hall. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

Half a decade later, David’s been wrongly accused and convicted of the crime. Grieving and wracked with guilt, he didn’t have the will to fight the system, leaving the world to move on without him.

Then, Cheryl’s younger sister, Rachel, makes a surprise appearance during visiting hours. She brings a strange photograph, and in the background—just barely in frame—is a boy bearing an eerie resemblance to David’s son. David knows it instantly: Matthew is still alive.

Determined to achieve the impossible, David plans a harrowing prison escape to save his son, clear his own name, and discover the real story of what happened. But with his life on the line and the FBI following his every move, can he evade capture long enough to reveal the shocking truth?

✍️ About the Author

Harlan Coben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in 46 languages and have topped bestseller lists in more than a dozen countries. His celebrated Myron Bolitar series has earned him the prestigious Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards.

Coben is also the creator and executive producer of numerous television shows. Beyond Netflix hits like Missing You, Fool Me Once, The Innocent, and The Woods, he is the creative force behind Amazon Prime’s Shelter and Lazarus. With Run Away and I Will Find You anchoring his latest screen adaptations, Coben has plenty more thrilling projects in the works.

Have you started watching I Will Find You on Netflix yet, or are you planning to read the book first? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!