‘Let the Devil In’ is the new novel by Maeve McKnight. Photo: Amazon
Romance novels are some of the most popular books and come in a variety of sub-genres. They are often a guilty pleasure because they are usually easy to read and immerse the reader in a world where a person, or a couple, overcome adversity to obtain their happily every after. On that subject, today’s new book release is “Let the Devil In” by Maeve McKnight. This romance e-book centers around Agatha, whose world is rattled when she meets a mysterious man who makes her feel emotions she does not feel for the man is supposed to be marrying. Want to find out what other surprises life has in store for her? Order your copy today, this title is available on Amazon Kindle.
Maeve McKnight is a working woman by day and a romance writer by night. She longs to bring life to the characters in her head and introduce them to the world. She has been married for ten years to her supportive husband and is a mother to a young child and a Yorkshire Terrier. (Maeve McKnight, 2023)
“Let the Devil In” – Agatha had her life planned for her by both her parents and society. She was to be married to the richest family in town. She feels nothing for her new fiancée but it doesn’t matter in a world that only cares about money and climbing the social ladder. However, a strange man she never met makes her feel alive. He then offers her a deal. Will she make the right choice?
‘Roadside: One Man’s Look at the Afterlife’ is the new book by Scott Moss. Photo: Amazon
When it comes to the afterlife, everyone has their viewpoints. While some believe death is final, others believe in heaven/hell and reincarnation. Regardless of where you fall in this topic, we have all seen those roadside memorials and wonder about the story behind them. Today’s new book, “Roadside: One Man’s Look at the Afterlife” by Scott Moss centers around Scott, a man who possesses spiritual abilities after being in an accident and experiencing a near death experience. This intriguing book will make you look at these roadside memorials differently and hopefully help you understand why they are so important to people grieving a loved one. Read all about Scott’s amazing new purpose in life – “Roadside: One Man’s Look at the Afterlife” is available on Amazon.
Scott Moss has worked in the medical field for over 30 years. He is familiar with life and death and has been in the room many times as people crossed over. This is his take on what might happen when you cross over. The interesting thing about Scott is his sense of humor. That makes the books he writes fun to read. Mr. Moss is not religious by any means. In fact, he does not believe in organized religion. He likes to cover serious topics with a flare for the funny side of all things. (Scott Moss, 2023)
“Roadside: One Man’s Look at the Afterlife”– Scott is a blue-collar worker who is in charge of street illumination. One day while he is up in the cherry picker 30 feet up in the air, a driver in a semi-truck has a fatal heart attack and hits the back of his truck. He is thrown from the basket and is critically injured from the fall. He spends weeks in a coma, then a couple of months in rehab. On the way home from the hospital, he sees a guy looking down at a roadside memorial. The guy has an almost ethereal look to him. Scott asks his wife if she saw the guy. She says she did not. When he passes the same memorial, the guy is still there. Scott stops the car and, when he approaches the guy, realizes that he is confused, wondering why there is a cross here and why he can not get home. Scott realizes he has a new purpose in life – to help these souls who were killed so suddenly cross over to heaven. Each person is different, and Scott needs to approach each one of them with care.
‘Rejection Happens for a Reason’ is the debut novel by S Mukesh Rao. Photo: Amazon
Rejection is a natural part of life, especially when it comes to love and dating. Some of the most relatable characters in novels happen to be those who have been through this painful stage of life. Today’s book of the week is “Rejection Happens for a Reason” by S Mukesh Rao. In this witty, entertaining, and heartbreaking novel for young readers, the author explores the raw emotions one feels after experiencing an unrequited love. Sharad’s life is upended when a gorgeous girl named Tiya Hegde falls in love with him. Little does he know that he is heading for the most devastating rejection of his life. This page-turner will keep you hooked right up until the surprise ending. Find out if Sharad finds his happily ever after and pick up your copy of “Rejection Happens for a Reason” today: it is available on Amazon.
S Mukesh Rao is an author with a deep love for storytelling. Leaving the corporate world behind, Mukesh pursued his true passion for writing and it turned out to be a rewarding leap of faith. When not crafting stories, he enjoys immersing himself in good books and thought-provoking documentaries. If you are seeking an author dedicated to unraveling life’s complexities, Mukesh invites you to dive into his entertaining new debut rom-com novel. In “Rejection Happens for a Reason,” he explores life’s ups and downs. This heartwarming story touches on themes of love, loss, and self-discovery and is connecting with readers around the globe. (S Mukesh Rao, 2023)
“Rejection Happens for a Reason” – Sharad falls in love with girls as if he is born for it, but his fate is that his love is never returned. Follow him on a tough journey from constant heartbreaks to a glimmer of hope, sparked by his attraction to Tiya Hegde. He faces a painful rejection, which makes him question if he can ever find true love. Dive into this engaging rom-com novel by S Mukesh Rao, where he explores, with wit and entertainment, the raw emotions that follow a rejection in love. Experience the ups and downs of Sharad’s quest for love in this heartfelt story of resilience and self-discovery that promises an emotional ride through the twists and turns of romance.
‘The Condor’s Shadow’ is the newest novel by Jim Story. Photo: Amazon
Literary fiction is mostly character driven and provides deep insight into the world around us and the human condition. They tackle complex themes and are often considered excellent works of literature, such examples being “The Grapes of Wrath” and “The Great Gatsby.” This is my go to genre when I am in the mood for a novel that probes into a character’s life and chronicles his/her life experiences. Today’s new book release is “The Condor’s Shadow” by Jim Story and it examines the life of Clayton Poole throughout the years, all his struggles and lessons learned along the way. Ready to go on this journey? This contemporary literary fiction novel is available on Amazon.
Jim Story is a novelist, short-story writer, and poet. Born in Oklahoma and raised on a ranch in the San Joaquin Valley in California, Jim Story holds a PhD from Columbia University, a certificate from the Harriman Institute, and has taught at Whitman College, Long Island University, and Lehman College in New York. He has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize for a series of poems called “Notes of a Forty-Year Old Country Boy,” won a Best New Writers Award from Poets & Writers, and held a residency at the Edward Albee Center in Montauk, Long Island. He is the author of the much-acclaimed novel “Problems of Translation, or Charlie’s Comic, Terrifying, Romantic, Loopy Round-the-World Journey in Search of Linguistic Happiness.” His new novel, also much-acclaimed, is “The Condor’s Shadow.” (Jim Story, 2023)
“The Condor’s Shadow” – Thirty-four year old Clayton Poole has wandered state-to-state, changing identities for nearly two decades. Finally about to start life anew as a small-town Montana journalist, he is suddenly confronted by his darkly checkered past: the love of his life he had felt forced to surrender, and the violent act that first expelled him onto the road and changed his life forever.
Set in California, Montana, and the Pacific Northwest, “The Condor’s Shadow” tells Clayton’s story in a layered fashion, moving fluidly back and forth through time from the early 1950s to the present, as he struggles to escape, rectify, and finally reconcile the forces that have shadowed his life.
Compelling, suspenseful, poignant, and romantic, it is already getting rave reviews:
“a smartly conceived, beguiling tale that few readers will forget” – Kirkus Reviews
“Jim Story again proves to be a master storyteller” – Manuel G. Gonzales, author of Mexicanos: A History of Mexicans in the United States
Dive deep into the heart of the Qing dynasty, where the shadowed halls of the imperial palace brim with intrigue and the far reaches of Shangli village resonate with age-old martial arts secrets. Photo: Hélder Fanha Martins, used with permission.
In historical fiction, a fictional story takes place within real historical events. As a big history fan, this is one of my favorite genres, especially when it involves warriors and battles in a faraway land. For fans of the genre, here is a new book release to keep in mind: “Hearts At War” by Hélder Fanha Martins. Readers can journey through China’s captivating cultural fabric, where kung fu is not just a fight, but a philosophy, and where the heart’s silent battles are as fierce as the ones fought in broad daylight. In this vivid epic, ancient wisdom drawn from “The Art of War” fuels a village’s courageous stand against an impending invasion. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Find out more, pick up your copy today.
Hélder Fanha Martins stands as a distinguished author who merges the rigorous world of scientific academia with the craft of storytelling. Serving as a professor in Information and Communication Sciences at the Polytechnic University of Lisbon, Hélder’s academic contributions are evident in his notable scientific publications. Yet, his passion extends beyond academia and into the realm of fiction. His work, “Zechariah – Lost in Time, Found in Love,” is a thoughtful sci-fi narrative that delves into the complex relationship between love, destiny, and technology. By challenging the traditional concepts of time and legacy, the novel has garnered attention from readers in both Portuguese and English, urging them to reflect on the deeper implications of their actions through time and space. “Hearts At War,” his second fiction book, is a masterful ode to the indomitable human spirit, illustrating that true power arises not from force, but from the enduring heartbeats of a resilient people. It is available on Amazon in English and Portuguese editions. (Hélder Fanha Martins, 2023)
“Hearts at War” is an immersive fiction epic set in the Qing dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Guangxu and under the shadow of the influential Empress Dowager Cixi. The book is an intricate tapestry of intertwined lives that span from the halls of the imperial palace, a stage for intrigues and corruption, to a remote village called Shangli, where the inhabitants cultivate an almost mystical connection with the land and keep the traditions of Chinese martial arts alive.
The narrative follows Yan, a devoted father and martial arts master, his daughter Mei, a young woman drawn to a broader existence, and Jian, a wandering warrior with a complex past. The fate of the three becomes inexorably intertwined when the village discovers an enigmatic green-blue jade slab, making Shangli a target for a ruthless warlord. As the threat of invasion grows, the village mobilizes in desperate resistance, employing guerrilla tactics and drawing inspiration from concepts in the legendary book “The Art of War.”
The story navigates through the rich cultural tapestry of China, offering an introspective view into kung fu, philosophy, and the eternal struggle between pragmatism and the yearnings of the heart. “Hearts at War” is more than a tale of physical battles; it is a profound exploration of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of the greatest challenges. The book is a celebration of the beauty, culture, and tenacity of a people who find their true strength when confronting seemingly insurmountable adversities.
‘Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold’ is the new murder mystery novel by T.K. Ambers. Photo: Amazon
T.K. Ambers is the award-winning author of “Runway Dreams: A Pricey Affair.” Her novel has been recognized in four different award competitions and took second place in the Pencraft Awards, Women’s Fiction category. Her eighth-grade English teacher loved her work and pushed her to publish. Though writing has always been her passion, it took nearly eighteen years before she decided to follow her teacher’s guidance. T.K. has a love for nature, travel, photography, concerts, off-roading, and hiking and aside from her novels, she runs a website on travel and life. She lives in New Richmond, Wisconsin with her husband and two cats: Bellatrix and Kit. In her new novel “Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold,” everywhere Bell Price goes, death is stalking and toying with her. (Amazon, 2023)
“Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold” – The story begins with a Prologue that takes place overseas as a young lady is taken away to a new life. This is book two in the Runway Dreams series, so the events take place a few days after. Bell Price wants nothing more than peace, quiet, and a drama-free life for her family. With Martin now in custody, she thinks the worst is behind her but life has a few surprises for her. The last thing she suspects when she goes to the local police precinct is that the prior week’s horrors are only the start of what is headed her way. Gunshots ring out in the early hours of the morning and a scream pierces the air. It is now clear that an unknown assailant is stalking her with revenge in mind. Family, friends, and even innocent bystanders get caught in the middle as she is in danger no matter where she goes. She grows increasingly suspicious of everyone around her and finds it hard to trust anyone. Will Bell and her siblings be able to catch the stalker before one of them becomes the next victim? With their parents now gone, they must work together in spite of the increasing danger to finally have the much needed peace they all deserve.
The drama continues in the next installment of the Runway Dreams saga as the family of models is still in danger. Even though Martin is already in jail, someone out there is bound and determined to get revenge in his name. Danger and violence seems to follow the siblings wherever they go and just goes to prove that being rich and privileged does not protect anyone from the dangers of the real world, even with bodyguards and safe houses. The author brilliantly combines the action and suspense of a murder mystery with the glamour of the fashion industry, including fashion shows, parties, and traveling. Her writing style is beautifully descriptive: “A blood-curdling scream ripped through the early morning stillness” and brings the action to life. Thanks in part to it being highly dialogue driven, the story flows easily through the pages and makes this an easy read. Even though the characters can be considered privileged, they are still relatable due to the extensive character development, showing that everyone has drama in their lives and toxic relationships affect everyone, regardless of socioeconomic levels. As far as the murder mystery part is concerned, everyone is a suspect and there are plenty of plot twists to keep readers guessing. The young lady in the Prologue becomes relevant towards the end and perfectly wraps up it all up. Overall, “Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold” is a must read mystery novel and is recommended for readers who appreciate mystery, comedy, and psychological suspense fiction.
“The storm may have been outside, but it was raining inside the limo as a waterfall of silent emotion washed away their pain.”
*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
‘Losing Lee’ is the new mystery novel by Joe Egan. Photo: Amazon
When it comes to books, family drama fiction always draws me in, especially when there is a family secret involved. We tend to relate to these stories and characters, much so when the story takes place in our home town or state. Such is the case in today’s new book release “Losing Lee” by Joe Egan. The story takes place in 1998 Dallas, so it should resonate with former and current Texas natives. Bryant Blankenship’s brother Lee died in an accident when Bryant was just 12 years old. Now that he is older and in high school, he wants to know what really happened and won’t rest until he does. This contemporary coming of age novel is perfect for readers of all ages who appreciate family saga fiction as well as stories that take place in the 90s-so retro! “Losing Lee” is available on Amazon and signed copies are available through the author’s website. Get your copy today and find out what really happened to Bryant and why there is so much secrecy around his death.
Joe Egan, a Minnesotan, resides in the heartland with his wife and daughter. His literary journey began at the age of seven crafting short stories and creating student newspapers and he has been hooked to the pen ever since. Joe is a devout Catholic, a golf fanatic, and a friend of Bill W. In his spare time, you can find him driving his truck, hanging out with family, or writing his next novel. His new book “Losing Lee” is a mystery novel about the mysterious death of a teenage boy’s brother. (Joe Egan, 2023)
“Losing Lee” – In 1998 Dallas, Texas, 17-year-old Bryant Blankenship grapples with the mystery surrounding his older brother Lee’s untimely death five years earlier. Covered in secrecy, Lee’s passing has left Bryant yearning for the truth. An off-color comment from a classmate hints at Lee’s involvement in dubious activities, sparking Bryant’s quest for the truth. “Losing Lee” is a gripping mystery about what it means to find closure.
‘My Goodbye Girl’ is a contemporary romance novel by Anna Gomez. Photo: Amazon
Anna Gomez is a hopeless romantic who writes about real life, flawed characters and the saving grace of unconditional love. Her experience of living and growing up in a foreign country plays a large part in her stories. Her full-time career and ability to travel extensively also add flair and individuality to the vividly written settings in her books. They transport the reader to faraway places and make them feel like they have been there before. Anna’s inspiration stems from the people she meets and the places that she has seen. Her stories are realistic and honest, thought-provoking and impactful. Her love for poetry is evident in her writing style. She also has written under the pen name Christine Brae and six books of her books have won literary awards and ranked as bestsellers upon release. In her latest novel “My Goodbye Girl” Tessa must let go of the past and determine once and for all if love is truly more powerful than the pain of goodbye. (Amazon, 2023)
“My Goodbye Girl” – This contemporary romance begins when Tessa Talman first meets Simon Fremont as they are both waiting to board a plane bound for La Guardia. Not only is she attracted to him, she is intrigued by how different their lives are. He is a dedicated scientist, practical, pragmatic, and grounded. She is a head-in-the-clouds romance author. As their relationship grows, they meet in places around the world, while continuing to live in different countries. Though their feelings for each other deepen, their priorities remain the same. Simon is in a hurry to be financially sound and settle down, but Tessa is enjoying her freedom and newfound success. Neither is willing to give in, but as each goodbye gets harder, Tessa begins to wonder whether fame is the path to happiness, or if she has everything she needs in Simon. Just as Tessa finds the courage to go after her own happily ever after, the unthinkable happens, separating them in ways she never imagined.
Romance novels are usually a guilty pleasure because they are predictable and include a ‘happily ever after’ plot. The two main characters in this story are so different from each other and meet at predetermined sites around that world that it is impossible to picture them having a serious future together. Tessa is a free spirited author who enjoys traveling around the world while Simon is a serious scientist who is ready to settle down. The first part is just about them meeting in different places and then hurriedly saying goodbye. Because there is little development or depth to these characters, they are not relatable, so it is hard to be concerned about what happens to them. The real action does not take place until the end of the first part, in Chapter 35, and by then, it feels rushed. Regardless, it is an easy read and since it is heavily dialogue driven, with descriptive language and short chapters, the story flows through the pages. Tessa and Simon’s story takes place through the years as they experience the harsh reality of life – no spoilers! Far from original, “My Goodbye Girl” is still an easy and enjoyable read about two people who are polar opposites yet are involved in a whirlwind romance that takes them around the world. It is recommended for readers who enjoy contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and multicultural romances and appreciate emotional plot twists.
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
‘Cliff’ is the new novel by John M. Spagnoli. Photo: Barnes & Noble.
Detective and crime novels are so interesting to read because they tend to include elements of suspense and investigation. Today’s new book release combines the best of investigations with an unexpected botanical subplot. If you are a fan of both, may I recommend “Cliff” by John Spagnoli. Seasoned detectives Skull and Violet are hot on the trail on a new case when the unexpected happens. If good old detective stories are your favorite read, give this one a try. It is available on Barnes & Noble as an e-book.
John Spagnoli, author of the psychological thriller novel “Shadowed Soul” and a botanical primer, “How to Grow Worsleya Seeds,” is both a storyteller of suspenseful tales and botanist. An avid gardener with experience in hybridization, he created new day lily and clivia plant crosses. A New York City native, he is the proud father of two ‘seedlings’ of his own. He underpins his new detective novel, “Cliff,” with his own skilled research about rare and common plants. (John Spagnoli, 2023)
“Cliff” – Told through the eyes of two seasoned detectives, Skull and Violet, this story has as many twists and turns as the sinuous cliff side roads where mysterious murders occur. When Skull returns from military service with PTSD, Violet covers for him as they sleuth out cold cases in the seaside metropolis where they grew up as besties. The duo struggles with unrequited love for each other while scrambling to investigate a new rash of murders masquerading as suicides. From women dropped over cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean to paranormal apparitions in the twilight hours, nothing make sense to the detectives until rumors of a cult lead to unexpected botanical revelations. Colorful characters spice the treacherous hunt to catch the perpetrators before the next victim is sacrificed. Will Skull’s PTSD compromise the investigation before they can bring the serial killers to justice?
PJ Calas’ new novel ‘The Girl from Wudang’ will be released October 17, 2023. Photo: Amazon
The author of multiple best-selling novels in Brazil, PJ Caldas, a.k.a PJ Pereira was picked by the Dictionary of Brazilian Literature as one of the most important writers of the twenty-first century. There, he published four books inspired by the mythology carried to the country by the African diaspora, and reached the top five best-selling titles multiple times. PJ is also a martial artist with 40 years of experience in combat sports, including kempo, karate, tai chi, and Brazilian jiu jitsu. In 2023 he was named Jury President of the Artificial Intelligence Awards at the Art Director’s Club, and curated a Global immersive exhibit of designers collaborating with AI, called ADC101+1, as a way to explore the use of this emerging technology as a creative tool. His new book “The Girl from Wudang: A Novel About Artificial Intelligence, Martial Arts and Immortality” is a story about immortality, martial arts, and AI that will make you change the way you look at life, science, and the crazy times we are living in. It will be released Tuesday, October 17, 2023. (Meryl Moss Media Group, 2023)
“The Girl from Wudang”– Tigress is immortal. This is her story. Yinyin, called Tigress, was raised in the sacred mountains of Wudang, where her life was about Tai Chi, the Dao, and trying to balance her yang with yin. She had never heard of Artificial Intelligence or neuroscience. But then her overpowering yang sets her on a course to the Bay Area to become a professional fighter.
For as long as she could remember, Yinyin had been told she was poised to become part of something big, but what “big” turned out to be was beyond her imagining: a scientific experiment that would allow her to connect her brain to a “Brainternet” and become unbeatable. Bonus: the suicidal headaches that had plagued her all her life would cease.
But nothing comes without a price, and this connection would give others access to family secrets Yinyin has sworn to protect. Secrets that, at large and in the wrong hands, could be a very dangerous.
Fans of the legendary cyberpunk novels and gritty sci-fi thrillers of William Gibson and Stieg Larsson will be captivated by this new techno-thriller–a fast-paced blend of action, neuroscience, spirituality, and martial arts.
“A superlative new novel by one of Brazil’s most innovative writers. A mesmerizing clash between Eastern and Western beliefs about mind and body.” —Bruce Dean Willis, literature professor, University of Tulsa
“An interdisciplinary brewing of ideas and imagination, packed with futuristic brain science tech, martial arts action, and Asian culture.” — Professor Paul Li, author and faculty in cognitive science, UC Berkeley
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