Book Awards, Editorial Reviews & More!
Book Awards, Editorial Reviews & More!
“Poverty was one thing; a catastrophe was another.” It is 2022 and injustices and outbreaks are as common in his Filipino neighborhood as the heat and humidity for young Luzvimindo ‘Min’ Arnaiz. A resident of the shanties in ironically named Happyland, 12-year-old Min knows no other life beyond scavenging for valuables hidden in the ever-growing […]
Intrigue is present throughout, with the writer’s imagination and rich world-building keeping readers invested until the end. Beneath the grime and glamour of Seattle city life, where any sense of morality is as rare as a comet, lies a waking nightmare that needs to be stopped in Miguel Hernandez Jr’s novel, Spider’s Bait. The vicious
It may be uncouth to discuss racism, history, or politics at a funeral, but Will Barnes isn’t known for his strict adherence to social convention. His mere attendance at a funeral for a proud German man who served his country during the Nazi regime causes some to bristle. Getting to know Johann, however, was revelatory
Everything about this edgy collection builds eager anticipation for what else the authors have in store. Black Magick: 13 Tales of Darkness, Horror & the Occult showcases a range of macabre tales penned by seasoned masters of the genre and rising stars in the world of nightmarish fiction. From inevitable deadly ends to the mystery
A heartfelt novel about trust, tolerance, and aging with—and sometimes without—grace. Life keeps handing Sunny all the hits, but even a period of homelessness can’t slow her down. Gwendolyn runs in fashionable circles back home in New York, though an extended trip to California challenges her ideas on sophistication. Charlie might have a bestselling novel
Emotionally demanding and profoundly rewarding. Laney was barely even legal when Franklin, a man ten years her senior, took her as his wife. Four lackluster decades pass before Laney decides to go a different route. “Forty years is enough. I think it’s time to put a period at the end of this sentence.” Much to
A beautiful story of loyalty and tenacity. They may share a similar upbringing, but cousins Cate and Albie couldn’t be more different. As kids, they go to the same Catholic school, play together, and have friends in common. But that doesn’t mean they have the same ideas on how the world should work. Cate isn’t
A pulsating thriller. Colby Tye isn’t winning any awards for Father or Husband of the Year, and he’s fine with that. He’s an unrepentant bully in his own home and isn’t afraid to let his menacing personality surface around his neighbors when they pry into Tye family affairs. A community church offers some assistance, but
A blend of flavors and textures that will entice any reader. Ah, an Italian wedding! The perfect setting to reflect on your marriage vows. For Toni Agosti, her wedding day feels more like a million years ago rather than the decade she’s brushing up against. At first, Christian was her perfect match, an adventurous soul
A novel that demonstrates resilience in the face of even the most daunting challenges. Few among us would relish time in prison, but if we found ourselves incarcerated, certainly that moment of freedom, our eventual release, would be a glorious affair, right? “If anyone tells you getting out of prison is easy or joyful, they’re
An atmospheric fantasy novel that never shies away from complex philosophical topics. “To an alchemist, the pursuit of knowledge is the most enthralling crusade upon which to embark. The only worthy quest for an endless existence.” Foremost among the alchemists of The Orders, The Rector has filled their purposeful existence by zealously collecting and expanding
A melodic story about finding one’s voice when all has seemingly been lost. Memories can be a double-edged sword, a wonderful tool for recalling our most treasured moments but also a terrible weapon reminding us of things we wish we could forget. For Simon Richter, the ability to wield his sword of memories is waning
Thrills and chills swirl into a freaky collage of depravity and camaraderie. For a town as quaint as Lost Grove, the imposing Orbriallis Institute is an odd juxtaposition. The modern facility has an impressive reputation for its cutting-edge research, but rumors of unorthodox treatments and unscrupulous methods keep even the nosiest neighbors from prying. What
An effervescent novel that is easy to read and even easier to get completely lost in. Known affectionately as the Wedding Wizard, Cassia is thorough, thoughtful, and meticulous, bordering on neurotic. She’s also a half-human, half-faerie single mom who can see magic, but after nearly 30 years, still can’t make any of her own. A
Who is AMZ and why are they texting bizarre messages to Claire Deveraux? Busy with her work at the American Embassy in Paris, Claire has little time for scammers, spammers, or time-wasters, which is exactly what AMZ is to her. Through their annoyingly persistent texts, AMZ claims to know something that would significantly impact Claire’s
A sentimental trip down memory lane that will leave you eager to spend time with family. A growing boy and his mother share a touching moment in Christina M. Carroll’s charming picture book, The Things I Love. As the little boy settles into bed for the night, they consider the pictures in a memory book,
A gentle tale that soothes like a lullaby. The citizens of Pernia ought to be enjoying celebrations across the kingdom for Prince Faaris on his eighteenth birthday. Instead, the royal family is attacked and the city of Asteris is thrown into chaos. The King’s trailblazing new law is upended and Faaris is left vulnerable. Unsure
Absurdly addictive fiction at its finest. After a meaningful run working for the San Francisco Police Department as a homicide detective, Seth Wolf has returned to his hometown. Accepting the position of sergeant isn’t a promotion by any stretch, but it allows him to care for his aging parents. When the body of a lifeless
Entirely analytic and unrelentingly optimistic. Have you ever been looking for an answer to a question only to find that the deeper you dig, the more complex the question becomes? After looking in many directions and from different angles, you finally conclude that the right solution is the simplest one. For Dr. Tony Nader, substantial
The birth of a child is a beautiful event, but families tackle parenting in different ways according to their means and abilities. Beginning with our impressionable formative years through the transition to young adulthood, good role models and sound guidance help children thrive. Unfortunately, not every childhood looks quite so idyllic. A Black Woman’s Journey
Just what children need to realize how special they truly are! A children’s book full of positivity, inclusivity, and warmth, I’m Beautiful Because I Am is one that kids will not only love to read, but also learn essential qualities from, such as kindness, empathy, and gratitude. Azizi Tuere’s gorgeous picture book helps young ones
A balanced tale that remains refreshingly optimistic. Seattle wasn’t always home to grunge bands, the Space Needle, and soy lattes. In the 1940s, northwestern Washington was known for gasoline shortages, scrap drives, blackouts, and relocation assembly centers. Amid this turbulent landscape is young Scotty Johannsen, the quintessential teenage American boy finding his place in the
Deo may be his homeland, but Giels doesn’t know quite where he belongs anymore. Once certain of his future as Lead Storyteller, time with his friends in the Underworld has caused him to question everything. His relationship with his girlfriend is uncertain, the message on his recorder is a mystery, a dear friend is still
A felicitous novel that highlights some of the obstacles, dilemmas, and incentives inherent in innovation. In a world where seemingly everything has changed in the last century, political tensions in 2053 ring out like a painful history lesson. Having made tremendous advances in scientific disciplines, China is now on the brink of war with NATO
