(NewsUSA) - Face the Storm by C.D. Kreger

This is the author’s intimate and courageous memoir of growing up and surviving an environment of mental illness, religious zealotry, and sexual abuse. She tells an extremely compelling story, recounting her experiences with those around her who should have been trustworthy and protected her. She digs deep into her past and shares what shattered her life most, then uses it to uplift other victims of such heinous crimes into a space of healing.

CD Kreger has bravely and boldly faced storms in coming forward sharing her story. The devastating fact is that it isn’t just her story, but is the story of too many women, men, and children. If the author can find the inner strength to publicly share her story, then perhaps we the readers can stand with her and other survivors, so no one must Face the Storm alone. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3AcUgy0.

Escape From Appalachia by Mary Frances Barron

Above all else, this book shows how a resilient spirit — undervalued, abandoned, and betrayed — can be restored

Told in its just-released audiobook as well as traditional formats through the eyes of a witty, outgoing, and curious little girl, Francie beautifully weaves together personal narratives and historical information about the ever-present American tragedy known as Appalachia. She peels back layers of her early life while walking us through the patches where coal miners and their families once lived, the impact of surviving in a contaminated environment, and the everyday threat of pollution, addiction, toothlessness, chronic depression, and abuse. An area where drugs and alcohol numb the pain of reality.

Francie portrays the mindset and brokenness of the people and the hopelessness that can come from living in isolation and poverty. It’s a story that brings the reader to laughter and tears and showcases an irrepressible drive to escape the grip of Appalachia on its sons and daughters. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4elmG75.

Cycling for a Cause: A Cross-Country Adventure by Joe Matthews

Are you ready for a heartwarming adventure that reminds us of the goodness in the world?

Joe Matthews is a retired New York City firefighter whose life takes an unexpected turn when he undergoes bilateral knee replacement surgery. As Joe navigates the challenging road to recovery, he finds himself shaken by the turmoil of a horrific world event — the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022.

Fueled by a desire to make a difference, Joe goes on an inspiring journey: bicycling across America to raise funds for those affected by the crisis in Ukraine. From the highs of overcoming physical challenges to the lows of battling anxiety and insomnia, Joe's roller coaster ride captures the resilience of the human spirit. Through this journey, he discovers unexpected kindness in the generosity of strangers and the support of newfound friends.

All proceeds to be divided among six favorite charities. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3UJoEHf.

The Misconceived Conception of a Baby Named Jesus by Bill Burkland

A religious satire — a fast-paced comedic reimagining of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, with sensibilities similar to The Book of Mormon and Monty Python's Life of Brian.

Mary and Joseph rendezvous in a secluded Nazarene garden where they get to know each other well — very well. Months later, when Mary's pious mother sees that her young unwed daughter is pregnant, she and a pompous High Priest devise a plan to characterize the pregnancy as divine, of God's seed. Mary refuses to go along with their plan, insisting Joseph is the true father. Joseph and Mary battle her parents for the fate of their newborn baby.

As news spreads through Bethlehem, unscrupulous shepherds, rakish Wise Men, an earnest but malodorous peasant, and an aging cat with a penchant for prophecy all try to determine whether the baby is truly the Son of God. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4fUphGl.

(NewsUSA) -  

Birth can be scary. Prior to the global pandemic in 2020, it was estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women in the United States had a fear of childbirth so strong that it impacted their daily functioning. That number rose to 62 percent during the pandemic.

That’s why childbirth psychology expert Samantha Vaive, Ph.D., published a new book, MIND-BODY, BIRTH, a research-based, easy-to-understand and inclusive guide designed to help pregnant women achieve their best birth. Birth doesn’t have to be something women suffer through just to get to the good part—birth can be the good part.

In this book, readers will learn how to move beyond the fear of childbirth, allowing them to have a joyful birth experience that they are excited about.

“This glorious, beautiful thing we have literally been doing since the dawn of humans was crushing people around me,” says Vaive. “Birth should not be devastating.”

MIND-BODY, BIRTH breaks down what actually makes childbirth painful (it’s not what people think) and offers strategies to reduce that pain. Readers will learn the barriers that get in the way of an awesome birth experience.

The book also explores traditional and non-traditional ways to enhance the birth journey and improve outcomes for women and their babies. The book guides readers through activities, and journaling prompts them to deepen their understanding while exploring the path to their best birth.

Vaive is founder of Sound Birthing LLC and creator of the Mind-Body, Birth approach. Her doctoral research explored improving the childbirth experience and birth outcomes. She is passionate about making anxiety-free childbirth accessible to everyone. She holds a master’s in social work from the University of Denver and a postgraduate certificate in sex therapy and sexual health education from the University of Michigan. Additionally, she has completed over 500 hours of Yoga teacher training and is a certified sound therapist. 

“This book will give you the tools you need to take control and birth better,” says Vaive.

As the book comes to an end, readers will use these activities to build their personal birth toolkit—a comprehensive resource that will guide them toward a joyful birth.

Whether this is a person’s first time giving birth or they are looking to improve upon past experiences, MIND-BODY, BIRTH equips them with the knowledge and confidence to feel prepared and excited about their upcoming birth.

“This book is here to support you,” says Vaive. “To help you have your best birth. Not to tell you how you should be.”

Learn more by visiting the author’s website at  www.sound-birthing.com.

(NewsUSA) - Here’s a chance for readers to get a sneak peek into some of the hottest books and new voices being talked about in literary circles this holiday season.

BookTrib.com—a leading source for book reviews, news, interviews, and articles—has just launched the Winter/Holiday 2024 edition of its popular Lit Picks ebook collection of first chapters from the hottest new books (Meridian, November 2024). Featuring excerpts from over 30 new releases and hidden gems, BookTrib Lit Picks is the perfect digital stocking stuffer this holiday season.

A free digital sampler, BookTrib Lit Picks includes first chapters from contemporary and historical fiction, thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, self-help, memoirs, and more from Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins, to award-winning small presses and works from independently published authors.

“We are thrilled to provide this holiday eBook to readers and couldn’t be happier with the range of books and level of participation from major publishers, highly acclaimed authors, and new voices that are sure to make their mark on the literary landscape,” said Meryl Moss, president and founder of BookTrib.com and Meryl Moss Media Group.

Authors and titles include: #1 New York Times Bestselling Authors, #1 Sunday Times Bestsellers, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestsellers, USA Today Bestselling Authors, Silver Falchion Award Winners, Bram Stoker Award® Winners, Edgar Award Nominated Authors, Goodreads Choice Award Nominated Authors, and more.

Among the specific books included in this edition are: What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci; The Millicent Quibb by Kate McKinnon; Beyond a Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni; Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell; Crude by Mike Bond; Firetrap by Otho Eskin; Lost in Thought by Deborah Serra; Abandoned at Birth by Janet Sherland.

Also: Seven Days of SHIVA by Marc Gellman; Teaching in the Darkby Genet Simone; Sid Johnson and the Well-Intended Conspiracy by Frances Schoonmaker; Strong to Save by David Emerson Frost; The Little Bird by Ashby Jones; Flight of the Rondone by Patrick Girondi; The Nest by Hal Glazier.

Additionally: Something Better by Diane Parish; The Rhythm of Grace on Standalone Mountain by Jeffery Deal; Plowman by Charles Bruckerhoff; The Wheel of Evil by N.L. Holmes; Today Is the Day by Deborah Curtin; Stand a Little Out of My Sun by Angelyn Voss; Twice the Family by Julie McGue; Third Collection of Short Stories by Stanislas Yassukovich.

More books include: Bad Boys in Boston by Del Chatterson; Casalvento by Gudrun Cuillo; Coded to Kill by Marschall Runge; and Crossroads of Empire by Michael Cooper.

BookTrib Lit PicksHoliday/Winter 2024 Edition is available for free at BookTrib.com/LitPicks, on NetGalley, and popular retail outlets where ebooks are sold.

BOOKTRIB

BookTrib.comWhere Readers Discover was created as a source for people who love books, who want to find out what’s happening in the book world and love reading about their favorite authors and learning about new ones. For more than 20 years, BookTrib has been providing book reviews, author interviews, news flashes, podcast and TV interviews, book club recommendations and much more to passionate readers. BookTrib.com brings discerning readers and rising authors closer together – and in a big way, with more than 90,000 unique monthly website visitors and more than 240,000 social media followers.

MERYL MOSS MEDIA GROUP

BookTrib.com is produced by Meryl Moss Media Group, a leading literary marketing and publicity firm that for more than 30 years has helped authors get exposure to their audience of readers.

GET FREE EBOOK AT BookTrib.com/LitPicks.

(NewsUSA) - Inner Trek: A Reluctant Pilgrim in the Himalayas by Mohan Ranga Rao

After being threatened by a Bangalore mob boss, Mohan Ranga Rao, an accomplished businessman, an avid traveler, and a generous philanthropist, makes a vow: If he somehow gets out of the situation, he will thank the gods by going on Kailash Mansarova, a holy mountain pilgrimage in Tibet. What starts out as merely a challenging high-altitude trek soon becomes a life-changing adventure.

With a blend of humor, honesty and keen insight, Mohan journeys toward a deeper understanding of the world around him. A memoir of a road less traveled and a true story of self-discovery at 18,000 feet.

“A modern Canterbury Tales, telling of a fascinating real-life adventure,“ says Dr. C. Naganna, University of Mysore.

“A heartwarming read; a spiritual adventure,” says Anuradha Goyal, The Mouse Charmers.

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3CNPzvn.

Tell the Story: A Hollywood Odyssey by Terrell Tannen

As a highly paid screenwriter, Terrell Tannen lived the classic Hollywood lifestyle: the Porsche, oversized house, dinners, and parties. By most measures, he could be called wildly successful. Yet script after script, written for the bona fide elites of the movie business, floundered for all the usual and unusual Hollywood reasons.

Here’s a peek into what it feels like to constantly flirt with fame. At times resembling a darkly comic film, it's a very American tale, illustrative of the driving forces of hope and ambition in a place where these desires burn like an inextinguishable neon sign.

It also reminds us that life has a way of writing its own script. This is the story behind the story on screen — how it happens, and more often does not. A story for cinephiles, film enthusiasts, aspiring artists, romantics, wishers and dreamers. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4eSMtV0.

The HEALing Revolution Diet by Dr. Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

The definitive truths to living a long and healthy life are clearly explained by a wellness and healing expert in this comprehensive, science-based, easy-to-understand guide, which includes healing and health strategies that you can start today.

Our food system is not the best in the world; it is one of the worst. In the past 70 years, we have gotten food and nutrition completely wrong, resulting in an epidemic of weight gain, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, digestive issues, heart disease, cancer, stroke, dementia, and more.

This book debunks dieting myths and focuses on the most current research on nutrition and diet. It includes answers to frequently asked nutrition and diet questions, expert tips from the best dieticians and nutritionists, and stories from people who have healed themselves through diet. The book also includes quick and easy recipes for healthy meals and snacks. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3U6Yo9A.

Are You Making Love or Just Having Sex? by Elliot D. Cohen Ph.D.

“A practical guide that unveils the profound difference between physical intimacy and deep emotional connection.”

In the act of making love, there is symbolic meaning that is felt through and through the sex act. Unfortunately, many relationships flounder. Just having sex may ease the tension, but it becomes a means, not an end in itself.

This book helps you overcome the obstacles, the unlovable habits that encumber your relationship. It can help to create the harmonic balance between a sex life and other aspects of your personal and interpersonal relationships.

The book introduces a five-step method based on Logic-Based Therapy & Consultation (LBTC), a popular form of evidence-based, philosophical counseling modality. Complete with self-improvement exercises and video lectures, this innovative book shows how you can identify your unlovable ways of relating, counter them with lovable goals, embrace philosophies of love that promote. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4eLxkoP.

(NewsUSA) - Russian Nonsensical by Edward D. Webster

This book weaves a spellbinding embroidery of mystery and intrigue, with threads of betrayal, exotic thefts, international adventure, and the looming specter of war in Ukraine.

Pastor Clem Dudas is a man of exquisite contradictions: a charismatic preacher who features rattlesnakes in his worship, a businessman developing fake AI "political exposés," and a schemer with clandestine Russian connections. Bud Randolpf shares Clem's politics, a quirky disposition of his own, and a far different link to Russia: Bud travels there seeking love.

When Clem’s wife and two favorite snakes go missing, Bud and his detective team take the case. They solve one mystery, only to uncover another far more deadly. Bud’s Russian romance heats up, just as Russia attacks Ukraine. In the end, Russian deceptions, American deep fakes, unorthodox ideas and the gentle love of a good woman turn Bud’s world upside down. Purchase at https://amzn.to/47hABcv.

The Recess Coat by Susan Wyant

The recess coat is big, green, long and puffy. It symbolizes the favorite teacher that wore it.

The Recess Coat, a children’s book for ages 6-9, is a tale about a beloved educator and her endearing qualities of warmth, kindness, sharing, inclusion and many more positive traits.

She sees potential in every child and helps them realize it. Her carefully crafted lesson plans offer knowledge and inspire the love of learning. Be there for her final lesson.

The book captures hearts of children and educates through its storytelling and glossary by introducing new vocabulary. It stands as a tribute to dedicated teachers everywhere while clearly leaving a legacy on a generation of students. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4fy8ZTf.

Villiansac by John Warwick

A supernatural mystery set in a small village in Southwest France, revolving around a 13th-century chateau with a haunting history. Constructed by Count Alphonse de Poitiers, the chateau imprisoned his illegitimate, unstable son, Charles, until his mysterious disappearance. In 1868, another occupant, John Henry Forbes, vanished under similar eerie circumstances.

In 2006, London banker John Mortimer purchases the chateau, but a hidden decree demanding pension payments to local villagers stirs trouble. Mortimer stumbles upon a pub and, inexplicably, time-travels back to 1868, becoming entangled in strange occurrences, hauntings, and deadly secrets.

A group of villagers and a persistent tax officer die in their quest for the truth about the pension payments, while Mortimer is confronted by supernatural forces, including a sinister figure named Charles Snoopchut Sfenalono. The novel weaves together elements of time travel, ghostly phenomena, and suspense in a tale of mystery and intrigue. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4dSes6U.

Temporal Destiny by Robert Schulman

In this thrilling conclusion of Robert Schulman’s science fiction trilogy, readers embark on an adventure reminiscent of Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, and Larry Niven. The story follows paleontologist Jack and his astrophysicist girlfriend Jen, who, alongside their crew, navigate a future Earth ravaged by a pandemic.

After discovering an alien artifact in Wyoming, they learn they were chosen by future inhabitants to solve humanity's crises. Their journey reveals the Balocks, an advanced alien race that has abandoned their domain, leaving behind destructive inorganic beings.

Set a decade after their arrival, the crew faces challenges that ignite a galaxy-wide conflict. As they attempt to save one race while aiding another, they discover the harsh realities of time travel—the universe always collects a toll for disrupting the Temporal Order. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4fH6Vsj.

(NewsUSA) - The Housekeeper’s Secret by Sandra Schnakenberg

For fans of stranger-than-truth stories, Sandy Schnakenburg uncovers rattling and unprecedented revelations in this powerful memoir of love, secrets, and survival.

When Lee Metoyer is hired to be the new housekeeper, she has no idea she’s about to become the anchor to a family in an abusive patriarch's home, setting a mystery in motion that will take decades to uncover. At 72, Lee falls ill and on her deathbed asks Sandy to write her story. The only problem is, Sandy doesn’t know the story.

So Sandy takes an emotional and thrilling journey, unveiling shocking truths not only about her beloved housekeeper but also her own upbringing. She learns that Lee came to her family’s sprawling estate harboring a secret past. For decades, she’s been in hiding. But Sandy’s quest forces her to grapple with her own family history as well, and to confront the effects of the psychological abuse she suffered as a child. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4ewzcRO.

Stealing Time by Tilia Klebenov Jacobs and Norman Birnbach

For fans of Back to the Future, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Time and Again, here’s a smart, funny caper that will steal your heart.

When there’s no time left, you have to steal it!

New York, 2020. Tori’s world is falling apart. Between the pandemic and her parents’ divorce, what else could go wrong?

Plenty! Like discovering that a jewelry heist 40 years ago sent her grandfather to jail and destroyed her family.

New York, 1980. Bobby’s life is pretty great—until a strange girl shows up in his apartment claiming to be a visitor from the future. Specifically, his future, which apparently stinks. Oh, and did she mention she’s his daughter?

Soon Bobby and Tori have joined forces to save the mystical gemstone at the heart of all their troubles. This time-travel jewelry heist will keep you guessing until the end. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4guShFH.

The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone by Randy Susan Meyers

Seven children. Five mothers. One idyllic commune. What could go wrong?

Annabel Cooper wants to save the world. In 1964 she journeys to Freedom Summer in Mississippi, where the disappearance of her first love ignites a lifelong fight for justice. Years later, she, her husband, and four couples form a Boston political collective where they live together with their children in a rambling Boston house. As the era's social upheaval intensifies, they move their children to a Vermont Eden, where they can remain safe; their parents continue their political work, taking turns traveling to Vermont to care for the children.

But not all danger comes from the outside.

This book delves into the intricate and nuanced dance of familial love and communal ties through the lens of sociopolitical upheaval from the 1960s to the present day, examining which sacrifices are worth the price. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3BANWkr.

The Lafitte Affair by Norman Woolworth

When burglars break into Hope Mausoleum and violate Crypt 1083-A where the remains of the former Girod Street Cemetery are housed, New Orleans property crimes detective Thibodeaux “Bo” Duplessis is confronted with three confounding questions: Who are the burglars? Why did they break into the crypt? What, if anything, did they take?

In need of expertise he does not possess, Bo turns to his childhood friend Bruneau Abellard, a cranky, overweight antiques dealer with exacting epicurean standards and a font of historical knowledge. Together, the friends uncover a secret love affair between a famous antebellum actress, whose remains are contained in the crypt, and the notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. As their investigation deepens, they find themselves confronting two separate yet entwined mysteries 200 years apart. To solve the present-day crime, they come to realize they must first unravel a conundrum from the distant, murky past. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4dFl1J6.

(NewsUSA) -

A young man’s coming of age is at the heart of what BookLife Review calls “a richly layered narrative that sheds light on the human toll of conflict and celebrates an indomitable spirit of resilience amid overwhelming adversity."

Author Michael J. Cooper has made a pivotal period in history come alive in his thought-provoking, immersive and multiple awarding-winning two-book saga, Wages of Empire and Crossroads of Empire. The author masterfully crafts a tale that intertwines vivid characters and complex themes, blending historical fiction with elements of mystery and intrigue.

Both novels are set against the backdrop of World War I and explore themes of ambition, political intrigue, and the complex relationships between Western powers and the Middle East during the early 20th century.

In Wages of Empire, the story begins in the summer of 1914 when 16-year-old Evan Sinclair leaves home to fight in what was then called "The Great War for Civilization." The novel vividly portrays the Western Front's brutal reality, where Evan experiences firsthand the horrors of trench warfare.

Little does Evan know that, despite the war raging in Europe, the true source of conflict will emerge in Ottoman Palestine, since it's from Jerusalem where the German Kaiser dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor.

One of the strengths of Wages of Empire is its interwoven cast of historical figures. Evan crosses paths with personalities like famed British archeologist T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia); British diplomat Gertrude Bell; Winston Churchill; Arab leader Faisal bin Hussein; and Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann.

In Crossroads of Empire, Cooper continues Evan’s journey, focusing more intently on the intricate political and military maneuvers in Ottoman Palestine. Having survived German artillery, poison gas, and friendly fire in helping to turn the tide of the war in its first months, Evan barely survives his hospital ship's sinking by a German U-boat. Left with amnesia, he no longer remembers who he is.

During his quest to recover his memory, Evan will discover far more: love for his father, grief for his late mother, and hidden secrets of his bloodline — an unbroken lineage that stretches back to the Crusades and will determine his future role in the Great War.

Cooper has produced  “a gripping page-turner and a series of carefully observed character studies,” says Chanticleer Book Reviews. “Beautifully written in a voice and in details that capture the era, Crossroads of Empire is a must-read for readers of all ages.”

The author himself emigrated to Israel in 1966 and lived in Jerusalem during the last year the city was divided between Israel and Jordan. He graduated from Tel Aviv University Medical School, and after a 40-year career as a pediatric cardiologist in Northern California, he continues to do volunteer missions serving Palestinian children who lack access to care.

Cooper’s writing is richly detailed, and he blends historical accuracy with a gripping narrative. The novels shed light on how the seeds of modern Middle Eastern conflicts were sown during this era, offering readers not only an engaging story but also a deeper understanding of the region's complex history.

To learn more and purchase, visit https://michaeljcooper.net.

(NewsUSA) - July and Everything After by Allie Nava

A modern tale of resilience and transformation against extraordinary odds, for fans of Paolo Coelho, Amy Tan, and Khaled Hosseini.

As Maya turns 22, civil war breaks out in her birth country Sri Lanka while on a visit from America. Maya is targeted and attacked in organized massacres against minorities, and she barely escapes.

Haunted by the horrors, Maya returns to the U.S. and tries to rally a diverse group of allies to help expose the atrocities, among them her Norwegian-American best friend, a magnanimous Catholic nun, and a gifted young man from her past.

Bent on justice, Maya isn't prepared for the unexpected twists and turns that will test her resolve. As the war and humanitarian crisis intensify, so does Maya's disillusionment with herself, but contact with a mysterious mentor whose wisdom she once ignored holds the key to her future.

Purchase at https://a.co/d/0HNFtb9.

Between Lies and Revenge by Hannah D Sharpe

For fans of Megan Miranda and Sally Hepworth, here’s a gripping debut of domestic suspense, where a daring jewel heist becomes a lifeline for two women entangled in a web of deceit.

Years after the theft of an heirloom jewelry, ex-con Elle is on the run ... until she spots a stranger wearing a signature piece. Determined to take back what is hers, Elle befriends the woman, and offers to appraise and clean the jewelry, replicating and replacing the pieces instead.

Meanwhile, Olivia is maxing out credit cards to pay for fertility treatments, keep her blackmailing father at bay, and maintain appearances. When Olivia meets Elle, she finally feels understood.

The two bond and start a home jewelry side-hustle. Then they start switching rich housewives’ gems with fakes. But they each have secrets and trust their final con will exact the revenge that’ll secure their freedom. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3ZBsJR3.

Lucianity by John Byer

Lucianity reports the results of a criminal investigation into a 2000-year-old “Cold Case” where it is revealed that Lucius, the Bishop of Cyrene and keeper of early church records, forged and/or corrupted about 75 percent of the New Testament, which includes the four gospels; Revelation; Acts, and at least 16 of the Epistles.

Lucius fabricated his scripture under each of the deceased Apostle’s names, except for the gospel of Luke and Acts, since Lucius was Luke. As such, the detective identifies only the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ as true, and almost everything else as the fiction of Lucius: e.g. the physical ascension and Rapture. Lucius even used books by Flavius Josephus and ancient Egyptians to write scripture for Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 and Revelation wherein he attributes false dialog to Jesus. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4aD0R0O.

SUPER PSYCHED by Adam Dorsay, PsyD

Connection is everything. Let a leading therapist to Silicon Valley’s top executives help you become super psyched by discovering your personalized formula for more energy, higher performance, better relationships, and a more meaningful life.

Drawing on more than a decade of practical research and Dorsay’s groundbreaking work with Facebook as co-creator of its international resiliency program, Super Psyched reveals an innovative framework for readers to create their own Connection Formula—a customizable tool that allows users to strengthen their bonds in four basic areas: with others, the world around them, their spirituality, and (perhaps most importantly) themselves.

Packed with actionable advice, unforgettable stories, and unexpected insights, Super Psyched is the ultimate handbook for unleashing the power of connection to live the life you love. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4fKR6kg.

(NewsUSA) - Covet the Chaos by Caleb Shawn Sully

Based on a true story. Emerging from his service in Iraq, a soldier seeks redemption and solace by joining the Peace Corps and volunteering in Ukraine, only to grapple with the weight of his experiences and the shifting landscape of his moral compass. He finds he must set aside idealistic notions of escape and atonement and confront the ghosts of his past and the complex reality of the present. The saga delves into his journey of assimilation and self-discovery.

His attempts to forge connections—particularly with the enigmatic Katya and the volatile Sgt. Ramsey—serve to unearth deeper layers of pain and resilience. As a consequence of his journey throughout the battlefields of Iraq and the post-Soviet world of a quaint Ukrainian village, he comes to terms with the nature of suffering and the pursuit of meaning in a world marked by chaos and uncertainty. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3XlicYS.

A Wink at Coronavirus by Kiran Katib

"Hope in the times of Pandemic" is Kiran Katib's heartfelt response to a world turned upside down by COVID-19. This children's book is her endeavor to demystify the challenges of the pandemic for young minds, offering clarity and comfort through engaging narratives. Her stories are crafted with a delicate balance of education and hope, guiding children to a place of understanding and resilience. With each page, she encourages her readers to look beyond the present and toward the horizon filled with promise and endless possibilities.

The author’s narrative is one of heartfelt transformation, from the serenity of village life to the vibrant pulse of urban education. Rooted in the values of a small town, she found solace and inspiration in the art of storytelling. As a mother of a bright 12-year-old boy, hard transition through life's stages has been mirrored in her son's growth. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3T7Ntfb.

Authenticity and Grace by David Smith PhD

This concise guide demonstrates how to uncover our “authentic life.” Beyond traditional psychology and religion lies the ever-extraordinary power of Grace. Understanding how Grace unfolds as our individual life reveals our true purpose. Dr. Smith teaches us how to identify and use what he calls “Gracepoints” to remove the barriers such as anxiety, depression, fear, and despair that keep us from seeing how the natural power of Grace unfolds in our lives.

The best news of all: Grace is free. Everyone has access to their authentic lives — the only requirement is to get out of the way, bypassing the ego and conditioned thinking covering up our authentic selves. This powerful guide shows us clearly what Grace is, how it can heal, and how we restore the awareness, energy, and the lost sense of wonder which makes us truly individual and human. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4d6bgn8.

Triumph to Tragedy, Book Four by Daniel J.D. Bayard

This book marks the continuing chronicle of the first (and only) successful slave revolution in the world, ultimately spawning the Republic of Haiti. The story is hardly a fairy tale, as the factual events are all too true. It recounts the circumstances and individuals purposely ignored by world history texts for far too long. The books are brimming with romance, intrigue, war, and political betrayal, all seductive page-turners that entertain and educate readers, countrymen, and history buffs alike.

After 13 years of constant turmoil, the Bayard family has deftly navigated their lives through the ever-shifting political landscape. Death and destruction loomed at every turn for Jean and Marie, determined to carve out their success despite all odds. Book Four opens after their victory over Napoleon Bonaparte’s French army. They soon realize establishing stability and peace may be more challenging than fighting for their freedom.

Purchase at https://www.triumphtotragedy.com/triumphtotragedybookstore.

(NewsUSA) - Lost in Thought by Deborah Serra

Does your mind wander? Where does it go without you?

Ilana manages an opera house in Manhattan. Her world is well-planned until she begins to question her choices. Having been adopted, she decides to secretly spy on her birth family. When she does, her life explodes.

This novel is about how our lives are driven by unconscious choices and the consequences from our illusion of free will.

“Ilana’s journey as a woman trying to figure out who she is, is compelling, unexpected, and also heartbreaking. This novel captured me.” — Delia Ephron, author, screenwriter

“I am in awe. This is an extraordinary story, and one that will remain with me.” — WendiReviews

“This novel is a masterclass in psychological fiction.” — Rekha Rao

 “This book is about a character navigating matters of self-control. It’s gripping."  — Patricia S. Churchland, author, MacArthur grant recipient, neuro-philosopher

Purchase at https://bit.ly/3AFn4zk.

Civil Unity by Shola Richards

In order to transform our world, we must unite behind a new kind of civility.

In a world that is more divided than ever, it will take a radical act to transform our discourse, our lives, and our world. International civility consultant and keynote speaker Shola Richards believes that unifying our world around the power of civility is that radical act, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

Civil Unity is not another book about turning the other cheek when faced with harmful or hateful behavior. This book is about providing the practical tactics to disagree more effectively, bridge ideological divisions, actively prioritize our mental health, and fiercely create a more civil world that will sustain over time. If you are ready to transform our discourse, our lives, and our world, let’s get to work. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3yH4iqD.

The Little Bird by Ashby Jones

In 1964, a Black teenager was murdered by a drunken white cop who got away with the crime, and eight years later, the boy’s best friend, Shane, returns from combat intent on carving out justice himself. Suzanne, the daughter of the lawyer who failed in prosecuting the case, also lands back in Virginia, but her aim is to follow her father’s path to suicide, a path created by his loss and the severe rheumatoid arthritis that followed.

Shane and Suzanne were four years apart in high school and barely knew each other before they met, but after a chance encounter, an almost instant connection is made. Neither knows the other’s secret goal, but as their bonds deepen, their love will be tested by familial duty, long-held grief, and even shifting sanity. But love might have other plans for Shane and Suzanne. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3AJZ7GY.

Here There is No Why by Philip Graubart

Did Chaim Lerner, acclaimed Israeli author and Holocaust survivor, kill himself in 1983, 38 years after surviving Auschwitz? If so, was it traumatic memories finally catching up to him? Or despair over Holocaust denialism? Or ordinary, difficult health issues? Or simply a deadly episode of depression?

Or was it murder?

In 2005, Judah Loeb, Lerner's former student and now a struggling American journalist and single father, travels to Jerusalem to investigate Lerner's death. He drags along his 15-year-old daughter, Hannah, and they team up with Charlie, Judah's former Hebrew University roommate, now a Jerusalem homicide detective. Their investigation takes them through the darker corners of the Israeli psyche, where they uncover secrets that threaten to destroy Lerner's reputation and alter Jewish history. While probing the mysteries of Israel's past, they encounter personal betrayal, heartbreak, and the fragile possibilities of forgiveness and redemption. Purchase at https://bit.ly/46ZJLdy.