(BookTrib) - “Day of Wrath” by Otho Eskin

There are secrets within the Church. Some are worth killing for.

When Washington, D.C. homicide detective Marko Zorn arrives at the city’s cathedral, he finds the cardinal archbishop dead beneath a high balcony, a tarot card clutched in his hand. What first appears to be a single murder soon opens onto something far darker: an ancient cult devoted to Holy Death, a trail reaching back to Mexico and a conspiracy threatening the Vatican itself.

With the pope dying and a conclave approaching, Marko has only days to uncover who wanted the archbishop silenced — and why. Complicating matters is his sharp-tongued new partner, Saoirse Richmond, who distrusts both his methods and his judgment.

Fast, sly and steeped in history, “Day of Wrath” sends its unconventional detective into a world of ritual, power and buried secrets where faith can be weaponized and the past holds the key to a modern threat.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/day-of-wrath.

“Marek of the Mists: The Sword of the Moon Maiden” by Corey E. King

In the mist-shrouded kingdom of Storm’s End, Marek has built a life among the Wolfe Gypsies, the clan that raised him after he was found abandoned. A gifted swordsman with a talent for spectacle and survival, he expects danger to come from challengers in the ring — not from an ancient evil gathering beyond the coast.

When a monstrous attack reveals that darker forces are moving, Marek is drawn into a quest involving a shattered celestial blade, a vanished village, a moon goddess and the demon Vuoto, whose followers are preparing for war. Joined by loyal friends, a wolf-husky and the woman he loves, Marek must decide whether he is merely an orphan or the champion Storm’s End has been waiting for.

Fast-paced, illustrated and rich with banter, battles and found-family bonds, “Marek of the Mists” launches a fantasy saga of courage, identity and light against darkness.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/marek-of-the-mists.

“Allegory” by Jack Martin Haley

Set along the Yukon River, “Allegory” follows Fred, a Korean War veteran and once-respected Gwich’in elder whose life has narrowed under the weight of illness, alcohol and public shame. Once known as Sarge, he was a master fish wheel builder and a proud descendant of Shahnyaatii, the legendary “Christian Grandpa.” Now, younger men mock him, and even Fred struggles to hold on to the dignity he once carried so naturally.

When a cancer diagnosis makes it clear that his days are numbered, Fred turns back toward the river — and toward the old fish wheel that once gave him purpose and helped feed his village through the long winters.

With the aid of Jere, a young man preparing for the ministry, Fred begins a final act of restoration and redemption that becomes both practical and mythic. Rooted in Gwich’in tradition and Christian faith, “Allegory” is a resonant story of one man’s last chance to be remembered rightly.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/allegory-epiphany.

“My Hip-Hop Wiz: A Journey Through Rhythm, Resilience, and Self-Discovery” by Innton Tagger

Innton Tagger puts a bold, beat-driven spin on a beloved classic in “My Hip-Hop Wiz,” a high-energy reinvention of “The Wizard of Oz” rooted in hip-hop culture, humor and resilience.

Dorothy Jones is no Kansas farm girl. She’s a self-made real estate mogul whose life is upended when a supernatural storm sweeps her and her loyal Rottweiler, Governor, into a strange new world. Along the way, she joins forces with a sharp-tongued Scarecrow, a bionically rebuilt Tinman and a powerful Lion still learning to master his fear.

As music, magic and danger collide, Dorothy’s journey becomes less about finding a way home than recognizing the strength, wisdom and courage she already carries. Filled with swagger, pop-culture references and plenty of heart, “My Hip-Hop Wiz” celebrates the power of rebuilding after hardship. An accompanying soundtrack (on Apple and Spotify) extends the experience beyond the page, bringing the story’s rhythm and inspiration to life.

Purchase at https://a.co/d/08r160GZ.

(BookTrib) - “a written self-portrait: ‘On Psychosis’ a Novella Vol. I” by Louis Gale

In the first volume of Louis Gale’s experimental series, readers enter the restless mind of Amstel, a man moving through psychotic breaks, travel, drug experiences and an increasingly unstable sense of reality. He does not understand the forces working on him, but the deeper he goes, the more difficult it becomes to separate insight from distortion.

Written in a nonlinear stream of consciousness, “a written self-portrait: ‘On Psychosis’ a Novella Vol. I” reflects the rhythm of Amstel’s thinking through repetition, abrupt shifts and unconventional typography. The result is less a traditional psychological narrative than an attempt to place readers inside the experience itself.

Strange, darkly funny and often unsettling, the novella asks readers to follow Amstel without the usual guideposts. It is an unusual opening to a larger series about the mind, identity and the possibilities that emerge when familiar ways of understanding the self begin to break apart.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/written-self-portrait1.

“a written self-portrait: ‘On Tragedy’ Volume II” by Louis Gale

The second volume of Louis Gale’s series takes Amstel’s story beyond the limits of the first book and into the worlds his mind creates. Now confined both literally and psychologically, he moves through imagined realms, philosophical speculation and moments in which love still reaches him, even when its meaning is difficult to grasp.

“a written self-portrait: ‘On Tragedy’ Volume II” continues the series’ nonlinear, experimental approach while widening its focus to include higher consciousness, human potential and the uneasy overlap between imagination and reality. The book is less concerned with giving readers easy answers than with showing how Amstel tries to make sense of what he experiences.

For those drawn to unconventional fiction and inward journeys, this second installment offers a fuller view of the series’ ambitions. It deepens the mystery around Amstel while suggesting that even within confinement, the mind can still create, question and reach for connection.

Gale draws on a life that has included a year of silence, homelessness and psychiatric hospitalization. He later earned a master’s degree in consciousness studies and is pursuing a PhD in international psychology, bringing both lived experience and academic inquiry to this unusual series.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/written-self-portrait2.

“Infernal Tramps: Tales of Weird Terror” by Alex Grass

A forgotten video game with a terrifying past. A spiked dog collar wields the power to convert an entire city to the worship of a dead dog. A surgical implant promising the perfect shape gives its wealthy owner far more than she bargained for.

These are only a few of the horrors lurking in Alex Grass’s “Infernal Tramps,” a collection of 17 stories that seems determined to keep one-upping itself in strangeness. Some tales are brief and brutal; others lead deeper into worlds shaped by obsession, grief, vanity, debt and loneliness. Regardless of the topic, the familiar rarely stays familiar for long.

Grass writes with a taste for the elaborate, grotesque and macabre, spiked by dark humor that arrives when you least expect it. Black-and-white images add to the book’s disquieting atmosphere. This is horror for readers who like their fiction unapologetically bizarre and their gore grindhouse-style — the sort of collection that may have you laughing on one page and regretting lunch on the next.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/infernal-tramps.

“The Future Is Not Yet Written” by Michael Weiner, MD

History has a way of changing families in an instant. What comes after can take generations to understand.

In “The Future Is Not Yet Written,” Michael Weiner continues the story begun in “Both Sides of the Same Coin,” following the interconnected Klein, Carbone, Doyle, Roth and Bartell families from the aftermath of 9/11 to the COVID era. Across two turbulent decades, spouses grieve, children grow up too quickly, careers shift, families blend, friendships deepen and new lives take shape in the shadow of old losses.

Richly detailed and deeply compassionate, this multigenerational saga traces how love, illness, ambition, service and chance redirect even the best-laid plans. Weiner’s wide cast of characters reminds us that resilience is rarely simple or sudden. It is built choice by choice, through the people we hold onto and the futures we dare to imagine.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/the-future-is-not-yet-written.

(BookTrib) - Presidential history can sound like something that belongs in a classroom, a documentary or a very large book you keep meaning to read someday. But Ronald Gruner’s We the Presidents makes a compelling case that the presidents of the past are not really past at all. Their decisions are still shaping the country we live in now.

Published in a new anniversary edition on July 4, 2026, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American Independence, We the Presidents looks at a full century of American leadership, from Warren G. Harding to Donald J. Trump. But this is not a standard march through presidential biographies. Gruner is less interested in personality, party labels or political theater than in consequences. What did these presidents actually do? What problems did they inherit? Which decisions echoed far beyond their term in office?

Many of the issues dominating today’s headlines — immigration, inflation, income disparity, civil discord, war and the expanding power of the executive branch — did not appear overnight. Gruner traces their roots across administrations, showing how one presidency often sets the stage for the next. In his telling, American history becomes less a series of isolated chapters and more a long chain of choices, reactions — and sometimes, unintended consequences.

Gruner brings an unusual perspective to the subject. Before turning to history, he spent 40 years as a business leader, founding and serving as chief executive of three successful technology firms. That background informs the book’s results-oriented lens. He writes with an eye toward outcomes: what worked, what failed and what changed the country in ways Americans are still living with today.

The book is also designed for readers who may be tired of the usual partisan framing. We the Presidents examines presidential decisions without leaning on labels like Democrat, Republican, liberal or conservative. The result is a clear-eyed history that invites readers to think beyond team politics and look instead at leadership, policy and impact.

It helps, too, that the book is built to be accessible. With more than 140 images and charts, many in color, the anniversary edition gives visual context to a century of change. Reviewers have praised the book as “essential reading for every conscientious citizen” and “a compelling education on the issues which have shaped the American century up to the present day.”

That may be the real promise of We the Presidents: not simply that it teaches us what happened, but that it helps us understand why the present looks the way it does. At a time when public conversation often feels loud, fractured and impatient, Gruner offers something more durable — historical perspective.

For readers who want to better understand America’s current divisions, the growth of presidential power and the long shadow of executive decisions, We the Presidents is a timely and thought-provoking guide. It reminds us that every president inherits a country shaped by those who came before — and leaves behind a country the next one must answer for.

Purchase at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2KFD1SY/ or learn more at https://wethepresidents.us/.

(BookTrib) - “The First Cycle: NUE World Chronicles” by F.N. Knight

In this ambitious science-fantasy epic set nearly a thousand years after humanity’s flight from a dying Earth, the planet Thelo is both refuge and prison — a world of twin suns, corrosive mists, dangerous beauty and old bargains with a long reach.

Anibel Azure, the youngest daughter of the ruling Azure family, has been raised to become Lady Head of the Medium. But first she must face the Test, a secret coming-of-age rite that has claimed generations of Azure daughters and bound her people to the mysterious Black Towers. Haunted by visions of humanity’s violent first days on Thelo, Anibel begins to question the history she has inherited.

With Jael, a quick-witted acolyte drawn into her orbit, Anibel may uncover the truth behind the ritual, the ruling Vaine families and the rebellion gathering in the shadows. Richly imagined and morally charged, “The First Cycle” launches a bold new saga.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/the-first-cycle.

“Grab Another Gear: Disrupt the Norm. Ignite Your Passion.” by Wayne Williams

This compelling self-help and leadership guide is designed for anyone ready to break out of autopilot and live with greater purpose. Drawing on Wayne Williams’s deep experience helping leaders navigate pivotal transitions, “Grab Another Gear” invites readers to disrupt the routine, rekindle dormant passion and embrace meaningful change rather than comfort.

Through his signature Grab Another Gear framework, Williams blends vivid racing metaphors, personal insights from wins and wipeouts, and clear “Gear Check” action steps that help individuals clarify identity, strengthen relationships and make courageous choices that matter. Far from a typical motivational read, this high-octane guide empowers readers to shift from merely successful to truly significant — living fully engaged, fully awake and fully alive. It’s the ideal read for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling stuck or seeking clarity, courage and a renewed sense of impact.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/grab-another-gear.

“Dawn Before Darkness” by Liz Lazarus

A psychological thriller inspired by real events, “Dawn Before Darkness” reveals the treachery of a ruthless stalker, the alarming failure of the legal system and the unthinkable battle a daughter must face to protect her family.

Dawn Smith, a vet tech, meets her dream guy. Not only does he woo her with fancy dates and thoughtful gifts, but he charms her widowed mother. Soon, however, strange things begin to happen — a break-in at her home, a missing necklace, and most alarming of all, a rapid decline in her mom’s health. The facade of Mr. Charming is cracking and before Dawn understands the magnitude of his lies, she’s immersed in a battle she never saw coming.

Drawing on real-life guardianship cases and interviews with stalking victims, Lazarus crafts an emotionally charged thriller that explores how the systems designed to protect us can be manipulated.

Details at https://tinyurl.com/dawn-before-darkness.

“Scripts” by Brandon Knightley

In mid-twentieth-century America, Arlene Zirner is a woman no one seems to see clearly — least of all her cold, dismissive husband, Charlie. Raised with an unusual worldview and trapped in a marriage that has taught her to disappear, Arlene quietly accepts the boundaries of her life until a chance encounter in a park awakens a hidden gift.

With a typewriter tucked away like a secret, Arlene begins to discover not only a talent for writing, but a self she has long been denied. Woven through her story are intimate two-person dramatic scripts, read aloud by other couples who find in them a language for emotions they cannot otherwise express.

Inventive, tender and quietly powerful, "Scripts" is a literary novel about marriage, silence, unseen goodness and the private acts of creation that can become a path to liberation.

Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/scripts-review or purchase at https://tinyurl.com/scripts-novel.

(BookTrib) - “The Captain's Clue” by Brock Eastman and Shaun Stevenson

In this hilarious action-adventure for Christian kids, the parables of Jesus literally come to life — and Parable Port is in deep water. Anthony and his friends have barely recovered from their last wild adventure when the storm of the century hits town. The rain won’t stop, the waters keep rising, and the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders has gone seriously haywire.

As flooded streets fill with electric eels and homes begin crumbling like sandcastles, Anthony teams up with Grace and Duck to find the mysterious lighthouse keeper, Captain David, who may hold the key to saving the town. Meanwhile, budding podcaster J.R. gets caught up chasing a big story and must decide whether popularity is worth risking real friendships.

Fast-paced, funny and faith-filled, this illustrated middle-grade adventure helps young readers discover what it means to build life on a solid foundation.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/the-captains-clue.

“Ashes of the Republic” by James Chesterton

In this chilling speculative thriller, America in 2046 is a nation transformed by surveillance technology, artificial intelligence and an increasingly authoritarian government. Former engineer Lily Osbourne knows this world better than most: years earlier, she helped create the technology that now monitors citizens, suppresses dissent and keeps those in power firmly in control.

Forced to abandon her former identity after falling out of favor with the ruling Dennison family, Lily discovers firsthand what happens to those who challenge the system. As she watches her inventions weaponized against ordinary people, she is compelled to confront her own role in creating the future she once helped build.

Blending high-stakes suspense with timely questions about power, responsibility and personal freedom, “Ashes of the Republic” is a thought-provoking cautionary tale that feels less like distant science fiction than a warning about the world taking shape around us.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/ashes-of-the-republic.

“The Peace Guidebook: How to Cultivate Hope, Healing, and Harmony for the Good of Humankind” by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman

In a divided and uncertain world, “The Peace Guidebook” offers a practical path toward personal healing, compassionate leadership and meaningful collective change. Inspired by the global Percolate Peace Project, Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman draw on decades of work helping people navigate grief, transition and transformation to present Ten Principles of Peace for everyday life.

Blending reflection, storytelling and accessible daily practices, the book invites readers to quiet what is unsettled within, move through conflict with courage and grace, lead from a place of love, and build relationships rooted in shared values. The book’s prompts and exercises make the journey interactive, encouraging readers not only to think about peace but to practice it in their homes, workplaces and communities.

Part guidebook, part call to action, “The Peace Guidebook” is a steady companion for anyone seeking a more grounded, purpose-driven life — and a more compassionate world.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/the-peace-guidebook.

“The Alpha Trace” by J. Mayberry

A string of murders. A cryptic symbol. A small town where everyone seems to be hiding something.

True-crime podcaster Elena Coleman has spent years digging into the questions Millbrook Falls wants left alone — a decades-old serial killer known as the Alpha, a suspicious police shooting and the local forces determined to keep both stories quiet. When Elena is found dead in her apartment with the Alpha’s chilling mark left behind, Detective James Rios is pulled into a case that refuses to stay cold.

Then more bodies appear. Each one bears the killer’s signature. Each one pulls Rios deeper into a pattern of violence that grows more disturbing with every turn. To solve it, he must untangle a web of police corruption, family loyalties and evidence that refuses to point in only one direction.

A tense serial murder investigation full of twists and turns, “The Alpha Trace” is a psychological crime thriller where every clue raises new questions — and no one is above suspicion.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/the-alpha-trace.

(BookTrib) - “Riptide” by Chad Robichaux with Jack Stewart

Still haunted by his former teammate’s betrayal, former Force Recon Marine Foster Quinn is thrust back into the world he thought he left behind. As he hunts down the men pulling the strings of a global conspiracy, Foster must resist the temptation to be swept away by revenge in his search for justice ― especially when the war becomes personal, and he realizes it’s coming to his own turf.

Written by two Armed Forces veterans who bring real-world expertise to their writing, “Riptide” is an exhilarating, ripped-from-the-headlines thriller that blurs the line between duty and revenge ― and leaves no one above suspicion.

“Riptide” is hailed as an “action-paced conspiracy thriller that brims with authenticity” (Mark Greaney) and praised for “its unmatched realism and tactical authenticity” (Nick Freitas).

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4rHt5QJ.

“Should Have Told You Sooner” by Jane Ward

While studying art history in London, Noel Enfield falls deeply for aspiring artist Bryn Jones. Their future seems set — until Bryn leaves for a five-month painting trip through Italy, Noel discovers she is pregnant, and a series of painful misunderstandings leads her to make a life-altering decision.

Thirty years later, Noel returns to London for a museum secondment, determined to prove she has moved on. Instead, she is drawn back into the city’s close-knit art world and the unresolved past she thought she had buried. When she finally learns why Bryn never came back, everything she believed about her choices, her family and her own resilience is shaken.

Praised by Kirkus Reviews as an “artful and affecting novel of loss and reconnection,” “Should Have Told You Sooner” is a moving story of romance, regret and second chances.

For more information and to purchase, visit https://www.janeaward.com/.

“The Heart of Gardening: How to Have a Successful Life Through Sustainable Gardening from a Storyteller’s Perspective” by Rebecca Band

So many people dream about having a garden but hesitate to take that first step. Knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. That’s why organic gardener and horticultural professional Rebecca Band created “The Heart of Gardening,” a simple, gentle guide to help new gardeners find their footing and discover success without relying on chemicals.

Along the way, Band shares personal stories, the reasons behind her methods, and the observations she’s gathered from years of experience. “My hope is that this book will not only offer practical guidance,” writes the author, “but also uplift, entertain, inspire and spark thoughtful reflection for anyone ready to begin their gardening journey.”

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4v123pF.

“Lili y el árbol de los colores mágicos / Lili & the Tree of Magical Colors” by Rosalba Segovia

In this gentle bilingual picture book, Rosalba Segovia introduces readers to Lili, a kindhearted girl whose walk to school becomes an unexpected lesson in friendship, empathy and peace. Along the way, Lili meets a lost turtle, a frightened black cat and an injured iguana, each in need of comfort and help. Together, they follow a fragrant breeze toward a wondrous tree of magical colors — only to discover that the tree grows sad and gray when friends fight.

With soft illustrations and side-by-side Spanish and English storytelling, “Lili & the Tree of Magical Colors” invites young readers to see kindness as something active: listening, helping, forgiving and standing together. As Lili and her friends learn, differences do not have to divide us. When we reach for one another with love and respect, the world becomes brighter, more peaceful and more beautiful. Also available: an accompanying album of songs based on the book.

Purchase the book at https://amzn.to/4d5b2Qk and the accompanying music at https://amzn.to/4uzbwUO.

(BookTrib) - “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42” edited by Jody Lynn Nye

Each year, the L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contest discovers new voices in science fiction and fantasy — and Volume 42 of its annual anthology showcases its latest award-winning writers and artists. Selected from entries around the world, winning writers and artists are paired together for the project, resulting in illustrated stories that highlight the creative collaboration at the heart of the program.

This year’s collection spans a wide range of speculative storytelling, from explorations of identity and consciousness to mysteries shaped by shifting realities, alongside richly imagined fantasy and darker, more unsettling tales. These are emerging creators at a pivotal moment in their careers, offering fresh perspectives and bold ideas. With contributions from established authors alongside these new talents, “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42” serves as both a celebration of this year’s winners and a glimpse of the genre’s evolving future.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4tBqERz.

“The Architect of Deception” by Debbie Baldwin

In Debbie Baldwin’s latest, privilege and power mask a far more dangerous game. Razz James — once destined for Manhattan’s elite circles — has spent six years unraveling in grief after his twin brother’s death. When his best friend receives an invitation to an exclusive secret society, Razz seizes the distraction, volunteering for an initiation challenge that seems reckless but harmless: steal a memento from a billionaire’s fantastical mansion high above the city.

He pulls it off — or so he thinks. When a body surfaces, Razz is thrust into a twisting web of lies, corruption and shifting loyalties, where wealth bends the rules and truth is anything but fixed.

Blending psychological tension with high-society intrigue, Baldwin delivers a layered thriller packed with riddles, red herrings and escalating stakes. As Razz races to uncover the mastermind behind it all, one question drives the suspense: in a world built on deception, who can he trust?

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4elvPQR.

“What the Heart Carries” by Susan Appel

In this emotionally resonant novel inspired by a true story, Susan Appel explores identity, family and the truth that refuses to stay hidden. Stephanie grows up in a loving Brooklyn household, yet a quiet unease about her origins follows her into adulthood. Miles away, Carmine is shaped by instability and loss, driven by a need to understand where he belongs. They are strangers — until a single revelation brings their lives together, exposing a shared past neither knew existed.

Spanning decades and moving between Brooklyn and Florida, “What the Heart Carries” traces the ripple effects of one long-buried secret. As the truth surfaces, both must reckon with what was lost, what remains and what it means to move forward. Appel delivers a heartfelt story of reconciliation, faith and resilience — and the fragile, enduring ties that define family.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4d89Lbb.

“The Overprivileged, Underqualified Manifesto: When Leadership Forgets Competence and the Emotional Cost We All Hide” by Giovi Zaro

Technology and digital transformation leader Giovi Zaro draws on decades inside global organizations to deliver a sharp, unflinching look at why so many workplaces fall short of their promises. Blending firsthand experience with cultural critique, Giovi argues that failure isn’t rooted in technological complexity, but in leadership that prioritizes optics over outcomes.

Written for high performers, new managers and anyone quietly burning out in “successful” environments, the book names the emotional toll of navigating politics, exclusion and performative progress — where integrity is often sidelined and truth goes unspoken.

Yet it’s not purely diagnostic. Giovi points toward a more hopeful path grounded in accountability, humility and honest leadership. Part manifesto, part mirror, this concise work gives language to what many professionals feel but rarely articulate — and challenges readers to rethink what leadership, and work itself, could be.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4cNIkSB.

(BookTrib) - “The Lost Panel” by Mark Steven Hammond

Among the many treasures of Saint Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium, is a massive altarpiece painted by the Renaissance artist Jan van Eyck. Its many panels depict biblical figures, saints, martyrs, prophets, clergy and angels gathered around a pastoral scene at the center, where the Lamb of God bleeds into a golden chalice. It’s an awe-inspiring sight — and, as one of the earliest and most influential masterpieces of oil painting, a defining work in Western art. But what many visitors don’t realize is that the altarpiece, at least in part, is a forgery. One of its panels has been missing for nearly a century, replaced by a meticulously crafted replica.

In April 1934, thieves stole the panel known as "The Just Judges," which remains the greatest unsolved art theft in history. Ransom notes followed. To prove their claim, the thieves returned the reverse side — an image of John the Baptist — while the front vanished completely. Weeks later, a dying man claimed he alone knew the panel’s location, leaving behind cryptic instructions. Investigators pursued the clues, but the painting was never found.

This real-world mystery forms the foundation of Mark Steven Hammond’s "The Lost Panel." While theories about its fate have circulated for decades, Hammond asks a more provocative question: what if it was hidden in plain sight?

The novel opens in 15th-century Bruges, where Jan van Eyck is reimagined as a covert operative embedding secrets within his work. This reframes the altarpiece as more than a religious object — it becomes a vessel for hidden knowledge. The story then shifts to the present day, where a group of historians and researchers is drawn into the long-unsolved mystery. At the center is Ryan, an impulsive but driven protagonist, balanced by Sophia, an art historian whose expertise anchors the investigation. Alongside them are Barbara and Matteo, each contributing specialized knowledge as the mystery expands beyond academic curiosity into something far more dangerous.

What begins as research quickly becomes a high-stakes pursuit. The team follows a trail of historical clues, encoded messages and buried secrets stretching across Europe and into the remnants of wartime history. As they draw closer to the truth, they find themselves in a race against unseen adversaries equally determined to uncover — or control — it.

Hammond balances intellectual puzzle-solving with kinetic action, moving from archival discoveries to high-speed chases. At its core is a compelling idea: in art, meaning is not always visible on the surface. Thematically, the book explores the intersection of faith, power and knowledge, raising questions about who controls history and what is allowed to endure. It also examines legacy — how meaning can be embedded, obscured and rediscovered over time.

What ultimately sets "The Lost Panel" apart is its ability to transform a real-world enigma into a compelling narrative. Hammond doesn’t simply revisit the mystery; he reimagines it, suggesting that what was lost may have been hidden for a reason. Some works of art are not meant to be seen, but to be discovered.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4u3cGYy.

(BookTrib) - “The Woman from Warsaw” by Salah el Moncef

Set in wartime Benghazi, “The Woman from Warsaw” is a sweeping and intimate portrait of courage, exile and resilience. In luminous prose, Salah el Moncef traces the intertwined destinies of Mariam Khaldoon, a young girl coming of age amid the ruins of empire, and Esther Sanz, a refugee whose quiet defiance reshapes every life around her. This haunting novel captures the beauty and terror of a world collapsing, yet refuses despair.

“The Woman from Warsaw” transforms history into living experience — each page steeped in the colors, sounds and moral tensions of the Mediterranean at war. The author writes with the lyric precision of a poet and the moral vision of a historian, reminding us that even in humanity’s darkest hours, tenderness endures. In this work, Moncef reveals the full measure of his craft, writing at the height of his powers.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4m4vsM4, listen to an excerpt from the novel at https://tinyurl.com/the-woman-from-warsaw-excerpt or read advance reviews at https://tinyurl.com/the-woman-from-warsaw-reviews.

“Kyla's Kite Is Flying” by Simon P.J. Dorey

In this imaginative and touching children’s picture book, Kyla receives a very special gift for her birthday — a trick kite. With her parents' help, she sets it aloft and learns to maneuver it. But then the unexpected happens: Kyla gets tangled in the kite and carried away by the wind. At first, Kyla is scared. How will she get down? But soon she learns to control her flight and performs amazing tricks! As she flies, she undergoes a transformation that will take her far from her family and the world below to a peaceful place full of love and joy.

Available in English, French and Spanish, “Kyla's Kite Is Flying” is a comforting tale of how love transcends death, inspired by the author’s niece, who passed away when she was very young. All net proceeds from the book's sale go to children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. From April 2, 2026, to May 15th, 2026, purchasers can designate the funds to the participating hospital of their choice.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/kylas-kite to purchase or learn more.

“Seeds of Purpose: Seven Keys to Unlock Your Gifts and Fulfill God's Desired Will for Your Life” by Marlyse Tchamko

“Seeds of Purpose” offers a faith-centered guide for readers seeking clarity, identity and direction in their lives. Drawing from her own spiritual journey, Marlyse Tchamko presents seven practical, biblically grounded principles designed to help readers grow closer to Christ and better understand their unique calling.

Blending scripture with real-life insights, the book explores how to build strong relationships, make values-driven decisions, and steward your innate gifts with intention. Each “key” serves as both encouragement and an action plan, inviting readers to deepen their faith as they navigate everyday challenges with purpose and integrity.

Written as a guide for teens but accessible to a broader audience, “Seeds of Purpose” speaks to anyone searching for meaning. Tchamko’s message is clear: discovering who you are begins with understanding whose you are — and living boldly from that truth.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4msRngt.

“Fault Line: Still Standing” by Tim Smith

In “Fault Line: Still Standing,” Tim Smith delivers a searing yet ultimately uplifting memoir of a childhood shaped by instability, neglect and emotional abuse — and the long road to reclaiming a sense of self. Growing up in the rural South, Smith navigates a world where love is unpredictable and safety is never guaranteed, from chaotic homes and volatile caregivers to the quiet loneliness of being unseen and misunderstood.

As he moves through adolescence, marked by bullying, shame and questions of identity, small moments of refuge — teachers, books and creativity — offer glimpses of another life. But it isn’t until adulthood that Smith begins the difficult work of confronting his past and rebuilding on his own terms.

Told with raw honesty and surprising flashes of humor, this is a story of survival, resilience and, ultimately, healing — a testament to what it means to endure and still find a way forward.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4ccKydY.

(BookTrib) - Just for Love, A Moment in Time: Our Tomorrows Are Today and Tomorrow by Len Guardino

What happens when the life you built no longer feels like your own?

In this original romantic comedy musical stage play, Ellen Taylor appears to have it all — wealth, family and social standing — but beneath the surface, something essential is missing. One unexpected night out changes everything when she quite literally collides with Grant Michaels, a charismatic nightclub singer. What begins as playful banter quickly sparks a deeper connection, awakening emotions Ellen has long suppressed.

As their relationship evolves into both a romance and a creative partnership, Ellen is forced to confront the tension between security and fulfillment, responsibility and desire. With sharp dialogue, screwball humor and musical interludes that bring inner conflicts to life, the story explores what it means to rediscover yourself later in life — and whether it’s ever too late to choose passion over perfection.

Blending romance, satire and theatrical flair, this is a story about awakening, reinvention and the risks of following your heart.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4byaWQE.

“Other People: A Memoir and Reflections on Trauma, Connection, Meaning, and the Neuroscience of Healing” by Michael S. Piraino

Blending memoir with accessible neuroscience, “Other People” by Michael S. Piraino is a deeply human exploration of how we heal from trauma — and why we can’t do it alone. Drawing from his own life and decades of work with foster youth and families, Piraino reflects on the moments, relationships and insights that helped him transform pain into purpose.

Rather than offering quick fixes, he reveals how trauma shapes the brain — and how connection, meaning and empathy can help rewire it. Personal stories unfold alongside clear, compassionate explanations of the science behind resilience, making complex ideas feel both relatable and hopeful.

At its core, this is a book about the people who shape us: the ones who hurt us, the ones who help us and the ones who walk beside us as we find our way forward. Thoughtful and inspiring, “Other People” reminds readers that healing is not a solitary act — it’s a shared human experience.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4lwj9rE.

“Changing Cadence: Friendship, Football and the Art of Transition” by Andra Douglas

“Changing Cadence” by Andra Douglas is a heartfelt, semi-autobiographical novel about friendship, football and the transitions that redefine us at every stage of life. Through Christine — a former quarterback turned owner of the New York Sharks women’s tackle football team — the story explores what it means to step away from a defining role while facing the future head-on.

As Christine prepares to sell the team after one final season, her life is further complicated by her mother Dorothy’s move from the family’s Florida ranch to an assisted living community known as The Commons. There, a lively group of residents becomes unexpectedly invested in the Sharks’ farewell season, following the team from afar.

Moving between New York City and rural Florida, Douglas captures an unlikely bond between generations — blending humor, nostalgia and emotional depth in a story about letting go, holding on and finding meaning in life’s next chapter.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4uUECPy.