"We kissed again, this one different, with a subtle feeling of urgency behind it that reached way down deep into me, like a hook, pulling on something soft and very tender. I pulled away, fighting an urge to leap up and run."

Shy and introverted Amber begins her first job out of high school cleaning kennels for Helping All Animals, moving quickly into their writing/researching staff using skills gained at her high school's newspaper. Tom, a one-eyed cat Amber rescued from a hoarder's house, becomes her best friend and confidant. Hikes into the surrounding New Mexico hills provide her with some solace.

Surrounded by people who speak out against cruelty, Amber gradually awakens to the insidious and pervasive effects her relationship with an older man is having in her own life. Revealing her story to others, even in the face of horror, disgust, and rejection, is her first step towards healing. With the help of Tom's non-judgmental ear and a friend from work, she fights to peel herself away from the abuse and its effects.

Gradually, Amber learns how to connect with the world, discovering along the way her own inner strength and wisdom.

“...an inspirational exploration of family, friendship, and indomitable strength of the human spirit.” –Troy Hollan, author of Clucked

It's been two years since her 4-year-old son... her baby... her Owen... disappeared from his bed in the middle of the night.

Every day Eleanora waits for news that he's been found. And every day she lives with the nightmare of knowing that she failed to protect her son.

Intuition tells her that Owen is alive, and Eleanora shuts out everyone who doesn't believe. But she fails to see that her single-minded hope has come at the expense of everything else she used to care about. With her career ruined, her marriage disintegrating, and her family coping with the loss in ways she can't understand, Eleanora is left trying to claw her way out of the black hole her world has become.

When an unexpected surprise suddenly offers Eleanora a second chance at happiness, she is shocked to feel...nothing.

Doubting her own worth, questioning her right to find peace, and still praying for her son's return, Eleanora struggles to see that life, ugly and painful as it can be, might still be worth living.

In this satirical glimpse into the world of psychology, a young man is exposed to the dangers of psychiatric care.

Since the day he lost his mother, everyone tells Robbie he needs psychological help. He is cursed with intelligence and lacks relationships to cope with his trauma. He is reminded every day to seek out psychiatric treatment, and certainly, the world around him endorses its benefits wholeheartedly.

With a heart full of fear, Robbie begins therapy with Dr. Robert, a renowned psychiatrist beloved by all his patients and peers. As they begin their work, Robbie’s resolve is tested and he begrudgingly puts his faith in Doctor Robert’s hands. But as time progresses, Robbie discovers that Doctor Robert is not as benevolent as he appears. He uncovers a web of criminal deceit that shakes his beliefs in psychiatry.

But surely a doctor, a paragon of mental health and normality, could not be nefarious? Could he?

France, 1940.
An unexpected gift of an old motorcycle with a tragically romantic past hurls a young orphan into the thick of things as war breaks out and his life changes forever. Half-French/half-German Daniel must find a way to survive in a world that mercy seems to have abandoned. This book transports the reader to Nazi-occupied France, where Daniel unwittingly and unexpectedly finds himself working for the Resistance, and ultimately to the Russian Front in a twist of fate so startling that no one can see it coming. In turn quirky, heartwarming, beguiling and uncompromising, author Marc Sercomb weaves together many moods and colors to tell young Daniel’s story. Beyond engaging, Picasso’s Motorcycle has been hailed as a genuine “page-turner” by those who have so far encountered it.

If you like “The Book Thief” and “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,” you’ll love this book!

What if you had one hundred years of wisdom and experience-on the day you were born?

Your attitude about life is different now than it was years ago. And it will be different years from now. Have you ever remembered a choice you made and wondered what your life would look like today had you chosen differently? Bob Carson has been given the gift, or perhaps the curse, of living his long life two ways-both from birth to death and from death to birth. "Forward Bob"-who's aging chronologically-goes through life figuring things out through the usual ages and stages, with the successes, failures, and mistakes we all make while experiencing life. "Backward Bob," who has the presumed advantage of approaching each day with the wisdom of a long and well-lived life, takes a different path.

With insight and humor, Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart explores how we navigate life, the choices we make, and the question of whether our lives would be objectively better if we could change what has happened. The two Bobs wind up with different wives, kids, friends, and dogs. But will the wisdom of hindsight make life richer and more adventurous, or is the more compelling journey one of discovery?

Three unlikely allies unite on a lonely stretch of Galway Bay, Ireland.

Clint Westerly has it all; that is, until he makes a fateful decision that turns his life upside down. He no longer knows how to live with himself and with the awful knowledge of what he has done.

Tanya Wilshire has sheer determination to fulfill her mother's dying wish, although she seemingly has now lost the means to do so.

Seamus Harrington, eighty-four years of age, is determined to right an old wrong before it is too late, even though the odds are heavily stacked against him.

As the three unexpectedly find themselves bound together in an attempt to bring hope to the tiny village of Gailemore, Ireland, where none has existed for way too long, they might just find it themselves.
 

"Don't Let Me Keep You is a lyrical meditation on motherhood seven times over, gestating, unfurling with rhythmic, poignant prose." –Maggie Ginsberg, author of Still True

Hildy Halverson, a genius in math and science, is pushed by her parents to step into a male-dominated field and change the world for women. But Hildy, enamored of the scientific force of the human body, and her own body's ability to create and sustain life, decides to go against contemporary expectations. She marries young and raises a houseful of kids.

Hildy wants her children to choose their own life paths. As each child is born, she tells them, "You can be whatever you want to be, and whatever you want to be will be great." Despite her efforts to not influence her children, Hildy does so, often in unexpected ways. Each child is introduced in that first private moment between Hildy and her new baby. This is followed by a chapter revealing that child's life, years later. Woven throughout is an underlying grief over the death of the sixth baby soon after birth. That grief is more pervasive than any of them expect.

In this ambitious novel, the struggles and joys, fatigue, and exhilaration of motherhood, are captured in the full panorama of family life. Hildy lovingly raises her children, then lets them go, finding herself along the way.

At the height of the Cold War, Roy Chisolm arrives at the edge of the free world.

An idealist in less-than-ideal times, Chisolm’s military orders have taken him to the Bunker, an underground fortress in West Germany where intelligence and war footing operations convene. Within the impenetrable concrete walls, he finds a complete lack of military protocol, a total disregard for the stakes of the game, and a life of soul-crushing absurdity.

Under constant threat of Russian annihilation, those assigned to the Bunker grapple with the inescapable futility of their posting. Chisolm struggles to maintain his moral compass in the face of disturbing apathy and chaos. But even as he plots his escape, he begins to form enigmatic bonds with his fellow warriors—and a romance outside the Bunker walls—unearthing a new understanding of trust, conviction, and love.

Inspired by true events, Bunker Mentality is Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 meets David Graeber’s Bullshit Jobs, exploring the meaning of war, morality, madness, honor, and courage in a world of utter insanity.

“What a satisfying read. A tale of loss and rebuilding, regrets and redemption, missteps and new chances.”

When a small plane crashes in the hills above Van Weathers’ ranch, it brings new clues to an old treasure map. His son Josh wants to go on a horse camping trip into the mountains to look for gold. Van isn’t convinced there’s treasure but thinks it might be an opportunity to repair their fraught relationship. In the wilderness of Big Sur, they find the plane crash wasn’t an accident, and they aren’t the only ones out there searching for treasure.

“Darker Than the Sky takes us from a cabin in the redwoods to the forests of Northern California to the Rocky Mountains to a cornfield in Iowa, then back to the dry golden hills and oak trees of Big Sur. Van’s story gains new depth and meaning in each location. So well done.”

“The stories around the campfire were my favorite part. Men being manly, but also talking about real worries and regrets and aspirations.”

PREORDER/LAUNCH SALE

'Mind-expanding' —Kirkus, starred review

A science fantasy noir tale from the Nebula-nominated author of “Tower of Mud and Straw.”

Refusing the queen’s order to gas a crowd of protesters, Minister Shea Ashcroft is banished to the border to oversee the construction of the biggest defensive tower in history. However, the use of technology taken from refugees from another reality makes the tower volatile and dangerous, becoming a threat to local political interests. Shea has no choice but to fight the ruling hierarchy to ensure the construction succeeds—and to reclaim his own life.

Surviving an assassination attempt, Shea confronts his inner demons, encounters an ancient legend, and discovers a portal to a dead world—all while struggling to stay true to his own principles and maintain his sanity. Fighting memories and hallucinations, he starts to question everything …

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is a thought-provoking meditation on the fragility of the human condition, our beliefs, the manipulation of propaganda for political gains, and our ability to distinguish the real from the unreal and our willingness to accept convenient “truths.” Praised for its gritty realism and literary qualities, the novel is a compelling exploration of memory, its fragile nature, and its profound impact on our perception of identity, relationships, and facts themselves.

An imaginative, heady clash of fantasy and science-fiction that delivers powerful messages'—FantasyBookCritic

'Triumphs in its emotional and unsettling storytelling' —The Fantasy Hive

“As if Harry Potter was written for grown-ups, Peter Straub’s Shadowland delivers carnage, blood, pain, fairy tales, and flashes of joy and wonder, just like real magic.”—Grady Hendrix

You have been there...if you have ever been afraid.

Come back. To a dark house deep in the Vermont woods, where two friends are spending a season of horror, apprenticed to a Master Magician.

Learning secrets best left unlearned. Entering a world of incalculable evil more ancient than death itself. More terrifying. And more real.

Only one of them will make it through.

Ten years after her mother’s death, Eliza Levinger never imagined she’d hear from her again. But then The Letter arrived.

Eliza’s world broke apart when she was sixteen and her mom died of cancer. Now, years later, she has rebuilt her life to include a director-of-development job at a nonprofit, a Manhattan apartment, and an easy-on-the-eyes bedroom buddy—just the kind of no-strings relationship she wants, even if it’s less than her best friend, Mo, thinks she deserves. But when Eliza’s dad dies unexpectedly, her beloved aunt Claude arrives at the shiva with a letter from her mom—to be opened only after her father’s death. Inside the letter? A bombshell.

Suddenly, all of Eliza’s relationships are upended. Her brother is angry, her stepmother is threatening to disinherit her, and Mo—who has always been her rock—doesn’t seem to understand what she’s going through. But as Eliza struggles to cope with the shocking news, she finds an unexpected ally—her brother’s best friend, Josh—her high school crush, whom she’s tried hard to forget. It’s not in Eliza’s nature to trust . . . but maybe it’s time for that to change.

Perfect for fans of Emily Giffin, Katherine Center, and Jennifer Weiner, Dear Eliza explores the meaning of family, the complexities of grief, and the beauty in finding your way again.

Rachel and Talia Fontenot are sisters born into brutal, rural poverty of southeastern Louisiana in the 1960s.

Raised with one another until tragic circumstances intervene and they are separated. Talia disappearing into a life of drugs and petty crime, Rachel fleeing to New Orleans. It is now present day and Talia has been missing for many years. Rachel in New Orleans is living what appears to be the perfect life, but underneath she is struggling with constant anxiety, prescription drug abuse and tremendous grief over the loss of her missing sister, as well as her oldest son to an accident several years earlier.

One night, she receives a call from a nurse she's not heard from since Hurricane Katrina. The information she is given sets in motion a series of events that will unravel. Rachel's life forced her to examine her past choices and takes her on a psychologically arduous journey to save her sister.

1940, World War II. The Nazis have crushed Europe, and Hitler launches a massive aerial assault with the Luftwaffe against the heavily outnumbered British RAF. The fate of civilization teeters in the balance.

Johnnie Shaux, a Spitfire fighter pilot, must summon up the fortitude to fly into a battle where death is all but inevitable, and continue to do so until the inevitable occurs…

Eleanor Rand, a brilliant Fighter Command mathematician, studies the control room map constantly tracking the ebbs and flows of the conflict, and sees the glimmerings of a radical breakthrough…

Breaking Point is based on actual events in the Battle of Britain. Written with a penetrating historical accuracy of World War II and breathtaking speed, Breaking Point puts you inside the cockpit as the pilots duel to the death, inside RAF Headquarters as the commanders make their decisions, and inside the lives of young men and women facing one of the great crises in modern history.

"A Stunning heart-tugging debut-Hight paints a setting reminiscent of Richard Powers' The Overstory while weaving a tale of addiction as crushing as David Sheff's Beautiful Boy!" -Cam Torrens, author of False Summit

Bill Collins raised his son Kenny to work hard in the logging trade and keep his whining to himself. But when Kenny becomes a meth addict, Bill must face the bitter truth that he may have failed at his most important job.

Jonah Price moved to Humboldt County to save the redwoods. Yet, guilt over his father's death leads him to get high so often that he walks through life like a zombie, half-dead to his surviving family and floundering as an environmental activist.

After meeting in a 12-step program, Bill and Jonah form a bond that grows as they open up about their struggles. They find in each other a kindred spirit who could help each man rebuild his shattered life—if they can overcome their differences.

Rediscover the joy of reading with heartwarming tales designed just for you.

Step into a world of nostalgia, laughter, and inspiration with Feel-Better Short Stories for Seniors, a collection meticulously crafted by Bradley Windrow to reignite the sparks of joy and comfort for senior readers. Each of the 40 bite-sized stories is a little slice of fun, ready to lift your spirits and tickle your funny bone. Written in large print for easy reading, these tales are just the right length for a quick pick-me-up without tiring out your eyes.

From bumping into a long-lost friend at the supermarket to the comical chaos of a community bingo night, every tale is a mini-vacation, a great way to add a little light-hearted fun to the day. Feel-Better Short Stories for Seniors promises to make you laugh, cry, and "aww" with its relatable characters and uplifting messages.

What's Inside:

• Follow along with tales that capture the essence of cherished memories and simpler times.
• Feel uplifted and encouraged by stories that celebrate resilience, kindness, and the human spirit.
• Enjoy a good laugh with humorous stories that warm the heart and brighten the day.
• Embark on adventures and thoughtful reflections that resonate deeply and meaningfully.

Feel-Better Short Stories for Seniors is a wonderful gift for parents, grandparents, and anyone who loves a good story. Share the gift of joy and comfort with this delightful collection, perfect for bringing a smile to the faces of those you love.

So, grab a cup of tea, find a comfy chair, and settle in with your copy of Feel-Better ShortStories for Seniors today. Experience the uplifting power of heartwarming stories!

“Tough Trail Home is a delightful read about a family coming to terms with each other and their new lives.” –Pamela Stockwell, author of A Boundless Place

The Dunwhitty family is flying high until their carefully choreographed life falls apart during the 2008 Great Recession. Lisa's firm goes belly-up while Michael's shuts down after selling faulty heart valves. Desperate, Lisa insists they regroup by seeking refuge in rural Central Texas on land she inherits from a distant relative she barely knows.

It's not the ranch Lisa remembers, but a ramshackle money pit. Michael and their teenage son, Andrew, despise the place. Only their young daughter, Jessica, is happy. After a bitter argument, Michael moves to the city. As his job search drags on, Lisa begins to plant roots; friendships develop for her and the children. With the help of Michael's parents, her neighbor, and the remains of her savings, she begins to return the ranch to its former glory. The couple continues to drift further apart, Michael turning his attention to another woman.

A call from the sheriff's department that their son is in custody jolts the couple to the core. Can they repair their relationship for the sake of their son? Or is it too late?