(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.

(BookTrib) - “Strong Roots, Safe Wings” by Kalyani Gopal, PhD, HSPP

Parenting often begins with the best intentions — yet in moments of stress, many parents find themselves reacting in ways that feel painfully familiar from their own past. In “Strong Roots, Safe Wings,” clinical psychologist Dr. Kalyani Gopal offers a compassionate, evidence-based program designed to help parents understand and heal the deeper patterns that shape their responses to their children.

Grounded in neuroscience, attachment theory and trauma research, this illustrated workbook focuses not on fixing children’s behavior but on helping caregivers regulate their own emotional responses. Through a structured six-week program of reflections, guided exercises and practical tools, readers learn how to stay grounded during difficult moments, set healthy boundaries without shame or punishment, and repair missteps with honesty and connection.

By addressing the lingering effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), Dr. Gopal empowers parents and helping professionals to break harmful cycles — nurturing emotionally secure, resilient children who feel safe enough to grow and thrive.

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

“Evil, Goodness, and Creating Active Bystandership” by Ervin Staub

In “Evil, Goodness, and Creating Active Bystandership,” renowned psychologist Ervin Staub reflects on a life shaped by both unimaginable cruelty and extraordinary human courage. A survivor of the Holocaust in Hungary who later escaped communist rule and built an academic career in the United States, Staub has devoted his life to understanding why people harm others — and why some choose to help instead.

Blending memoir, psychology and social insight, Staub traces how his personal experiences led to groundbreaking research on the roots of violence, genocide and altruism. From studying “altruism born of suffering” to promoting reconciliation in post-genocide Rwanda and helping train police officers to intervene when colleagues misuse force, his work explores how ordinary people can become agents of change.

Through powerful stories and decades of research, Staub offers a hopeful message: when individuals step forward as “active bystanders,” they can interrupt harm and help build a more compassionate world.

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

“Lost in the Holler” by Michael West

When RJ Burnette leaves behind his high-pressure finance career in New York and returns to the Tennessee mountains, he hopes to reset his life in the quiet rhythms of home. But Gizzard’s Holler has not been waiting patiently for him. Beneath its familiar routines lies a secret the town has kept for decades.

Years earlier, RJ’s sister Sue Ann died under circumstances everyone accepted as tragic misfortune. Now RJ begins to learn that the story he grew up believing may not be the whole truth. As old memories surface and long-held silences begin to crack, he finds himself confronting a past that many in the community would rather leave buried.

“Lost in the Holler” blends Southern Gothic atmosphere with a character-driven mystery, exploring family loyalty, grief and the uneasy balance between protecting those we love and facing the truth.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/40vFRqf.

“Weight Class: A Fighter's Life-or-Death Battle with an Eating Disorder” by Danny O’Connor

What if the most dangerous opponent an elite fighter faces isn’t in the ring — but on the scale?

In “Weight Class,” former Olympian and professional boxer Danny O’Connor delivers a powerful memoir exposing the hidden toll of eating disorders in weight-class sports. From high school wrestling to a world title fight on national television, O’Connor chronicles a decades-long battle with starvation, dehydration and binge cycles that nearly cost him his life.

What looked like discipline from the outside was, in reality, a silent and escalating illness. With raw honesty, he reveals how a culture that rewards extreme weight-cutting can mask serious mental health struggles — especially in men, who are often overlooked in conversations about eating disorders. More than a sports memoir, “Weight Class” is a story of survival, self-reckoning and recovery — and a necessary wake-up call for athletes, coaches and anyone who thinks they know what an eating disorder looks like.

To purchase, visit https://www.bitelikeaman.com/ or https://amzn.to/4bLOzqK.

(BookTrib) - “Death at a Firefly Tea” by Laura Childs

As fireflies dazzle like tiny glowing lanterns, tea maven Theodosia hosts an elegant evening tea on the patio of the Tangled Rose B and B. But in this gentle darkness, an intruder has slipped deadly drugs into the baked Alaska of Mrs. Van Courtland, one of Charleston’s grande dames.

Shocked by this brazen act, Theodosia begins her own shadow investigation and soon finds herself at odds with a greedy developer, questionable residents of Honey Badger House, and a housekeeper who knows all the secrets. It’s only at the black-tie Starry Night ball that Theodosia stumbles upon the killer and is pulled into a dramatic life-and-death chase.

“Death at a Firefly Tea” is a perfect pick for cozy mystery lovers who enjoy food-themed capers. Kirkus writes: “A charming mystery full of surprises, recipes, hints for throwing unusual tea parties, and a stellar cast of characters.”

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4sjWot4.

“Anchors to Ashes” by David Caraccio and Tom Seeley

In a family saga rising from the misty shores of the Pacific Northwest, “Anchors to Ashes” chronicles an ambitious dynasty across 100 years of triumph, betrayal and descent into madness.

At the dawn of the 20th century, brothers Joseph and George Stevens plant the seeds of an empire as their axes ring through ancient forests and their ships navigate restless seas. Through the crucible of two world wars and changing economic tides, the brothers adapt — often at great personal cost — and their legacy takes hold.

Decades later, radiant but troubled heiress Sloane Stevens inherits both fortune and flaw. She must bear the burden of a complex illness that alters her world in subtle and profound ways.

Told through three distinct points of view and based on a true story, “Anchors to Ashes” explores how birthright, entitlement and identity change how we grapple with life's ordeals and lays bare what happens when the mind becomes both the vessel and the storm. 

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3P9bS4X. 

“Gone in Three Seconds” by Jim De La Vega

A terrified woman bursts into a Los Angeles ER with a fresh tattoo she swears she didn’t get. The numbers on her skin count down: 00:03 — BOOM. The explosion kills the victim and a nurse. Hours later, a businessman in the LAX baggage claim detonates the same way.

Former Blackhawk pilot, now forensic psychologist Dr. Cassidy Chord survived the blast that destroyed her leg, but nothing’s prepared her to pit wits against a foe turning random civilians into walking weapons. The terrorist has stalked and studied Cassidy, engaging her in his sick game — leaving her gifts, clues and disappearing pictures and emails that turn her from FBI consultant to suspect.

As attacks escalate across Los Angeles, Cassidy goes rogue because anyone can be next. Anywhere. Anytime. If you’re marked, you’re already gone. Tick. Tick. Tick. BOOM.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4l3u1No.

“Tales of Revenore: The Iron Witch” by Frank J. Zanca

In the war-torn realm of Ravenore, whispers of an ancient evil have begun to stir once more. When a mysterious young woman named Threa is pulled into a world of powerful magic, mystical creatures, rival kingdoms and shadowy conspiracies, she discovers that the darkness threatening the land is tied to a legend thought long-buried — the Iron Witch.

As armies gather and secrets unravel, Threa must learn to wield a power she barely understands. Hunted by those who fear her and guided by unlikely allies, Threa, alongside her young dragon, races against time to uncover the truth behind the Iron Witch before the realm falls into chaos.

“Tales of Ravenore: The Iron Witch” is an epic fantasy adventure filled with dark magic, romance, dangerous destinies and a hero whose choices may decide the fate of an entire land. Join us in bringing this immersive, full-cast audiobook to life on Kickstarter at https://tinyurl.com/tales-of-ravenore.

(BookTrib) - “When Waiting Becomes Life” by Jeff Deaton, MD

“When Waiting Becomes Life” gently illuminates the often unseen emotional landscape of infertility — a journey many walk in silence. Drawing on heartfelt, real-life stories from women and couples who have faced failed cycles, loss and years of uncertainty, Dr. Jeff Deaton blends compassionate medical insight with deeply human narrative. Each chapter offers not only the raw honesty of lived experience but also practical, encouraging advice that helps readers process grief, confront shame and navigate complex treatment decisions with greater clarity and confidence.

Readers praise the book for its warmth and wisdom, noting how Deaton’s balanced mix of hope, science and empathy makes even the most difficult moments feel shared rather than endured alone. Whether you’re living the struggle or supporting someone who is, this book offers solace, strength and a reminder: waiting isn’t the whole story — growth and resilience can be part of the journey too.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/when-waiting-becomes-life.

“Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart” by D. Earl Johnston

What if emotional intelligence begins not with regulation — but with vocabulary? In “Choosing Emotions,” D. Earl Johnston presents what he calls an “Emotionary”— a cross-disciplinary reference that defines 272 emotional states drawn from philosophy, psychology, science, art and spiritual traditions. After nine years of research and integrating more than 1,800 contributors spanning 3,000 years of recorded thought, Johnston points out that emotional literacy depends on definitional clarity.

From everyday experiences like admiration and confidence to complex states such as trauma and procrastination, each entry’s source ranges from clinical terminology to street expressions alongside insights from history’s great thinkers. Johnston also introduces a provocative linguistic idea: emotions function as the adverbial drivers of behavior — shaping how we act as much as what we do.

Designed equally for browsing or deeper study, “Choosing Emotions” invites readers to name, understand and easily navigate the full spectrum of human experience. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4kRi4KU.

“Summertime & Short Stories” by Stanislas M Yassukovich

In "Summertime & Short Stories," Stanislas M. Yassukovich invites readers into a world of privilege, longing and moral reckoning. The title novella unfolds among Long Island’s old-money elite, where a respected general practitioner embarks on an affair with a patient — a transgression that entangles both in layers of professional guilt and unresolved family ties.

The accompanying stories traverse elegant international settings and intimate emotional terrain. A brass rubbing hobbyist discovers a gravestone bearing his own name. A pleasure-seeking gentleman seeks redemption through charity. An introvert is swept into an insider trading scandal by his domineering girlfriend. Elsewhere, a painter’s canvas mysteriously fades, a polo-playing playboy confronts loss, sisters clash over love, and a father weighs the measure of his bond with his son.

By turns ironic, reflective and quietly provocative, this collection explores desire, consequence and the fragile façades that shape human lives.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/46LyAGi.

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” by Bobby “Z” Zielinski

The rite of passage: from the schoolyard – to the candy store – to the bar.

The bar in the ‘50s and ‘60s was where you cashed your paycheck, socialized with your friends, borrowed money, and bought various items that “just fell off” the back of a truck! It was where you also bet the numbers for the horses and paid off the “shys.”

Every Friday, from 3:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning, everything revolved around Slippery Eddie, the bartender. Every hour, a different story unfolded.

As an 84-year-old vet, cancer and Covid survivor, recovering alcoholic (46 years), original Jersey City ‘50s bad boy, high school dropout, and published author and poet, Bobby “Z” has lived it all – and lived to tell the tale.

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” could very well be the next “Bronx Tale,” “Goodfellas” or “Sopranos.” Purchase at https://amzn.to/49DUux3 or visit the author’s website, Tales of the Junkyard Dog, at https://talesofthejunkyarddog.wordpress.com/ for more information. Zielinski can also be contacted at [email protected].

(BookTrib) - “The Terminal Gene” by John H. Thomas

In this gripping techno-conspiracy thriller set in 2029, brilliant geneticist Dr. Emily Harper makes a discovery that could upend humanity: the terminal gene, a hidden sequence in every living organism that predicts, with chilling precision, the exact moment of death. What begins as a stunning breakthrough becomes a question of who controls the truth — and who pays for it. Emily soon realizes releasing this knowledge could change everything — from healthcare decision-making to personal freedom.

When Helix Innovations’ ambitions turn lethal, Emily and her fiancée, former paratooper Tyler Reed, find themselves fugitives in a high-stakes game of betrayal, espionage and paranoia. With powerful enemies determined to exploit the terminal gene for profit and control, Emily must choose between protecting her discovery and exposing a shadowed conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of society.

Fast-paced and thought-provoking, “The Terminal Gene” blends cutting-edge biotechnology with philosophical urgency, exploring how far corporations and governments will go to control fate itself.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/3Z47CWn.

"Whiteout" by Lynette Eason and Dani Pettrey

Brace yourself for double the suspense in two snowbound thrillers where avalanches trap couples with their enemies — and escape may be impossible.

In “Buried in Shadows” by Dani Pettrey, Cassandra Parker arrives at her best friend’s destination wedding, hoping her stalker hasn’t followed her to Colorado. Among the wedding party is Sheriff Joel Brunswick, the man she left at the altar to protect a dangerous secret. When an avalanche strands their ski group in an abandoned lodge, Cassandra’s worst fear is confirmed: her stalker is there, and he’s willing to kill to claim her.

In “Snowbound Secrets” by Lynette Eason, Dr. Maya Sullivan plans a quiet retreat to her inherited ranch to build a haven for military veterans. Instead, an avalanche traps her at a Colorado ski resort — and reunites her with her high school crush. As old wounds resurface, Maya realizes someone is targeting her, turning their search for answers into a fight for survival.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/whiteout-novellas.

“You Know FAT Mary: Achieving Weight Loss and Optimal Health. My Journey. My Discoveries.” by Mary H. Putre

“You Know FAT Mary” is a compilation of hard-earned wisdom, lived experience and the urgency that comes from confronting one’s own health. For most of the author’s life, weight was a constant struggle — 50 to 150 pounds overweight from childhood into adulthood — despite height and every conventional explanation. What began as frustration eventually became a turning point. Staying unhealthy was no longer an option.

Determined to understand what was really happening, the author began asking fundamental questions that were never addressed along the way: Was the body getting what it truly needed? Could long-term medications be masking deeper issues? How does the body actually function?

The answers form the foundation of this book. It explores how our bodies respond to what we put in, on and around them — and how vital signals are often ignored. From blood markers to cellular needs, the body speaks clearly when we learn how to listen. Our bodies are remarkable teachers. This book shows how paying attention can change everything. Obesity is not a disease; it's a lack of nutrition.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/youknowfatmary or https://amzn.to/4qVC40T.

“Look Twice: Your Guide to Staying Safe in an Unsafe World, Volume I” by Tim Beard

Tim Beard — a career security professional who honed his expert skills in the U.S. Marines and CIA’s Clandestine Service — shows you the very secrets he has used to stay alive in risky situations in the most dangerous places on earth — secrets you can use to avoid becoming the next victim of a terrible crime.

You may think you have no control over the bad things that could happen, but you do. You can control your own actions — and the right actions could save your life and those of the people you love. Tim takes you through a variety of scenarios and reveals what you should do step-by-step. Starting with: LOOK TWICE.

In Volume I, Tim introduces the Look Twice Mindset and essential security concepts fundamental to the entire “Look Twice” book series. He guides you on how to stay safe at home and work, and what to do when you go out in town to run errands, visit the ATM and other everyday activities. Tim also discusses different modes of transportation with critical insights into automobiles, riding the subway, road rage and other topics to help you stay safe.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/46wIZFF.

(BookTrib) - “Lowdown” by Anthony Schneider

Spanning three decades and two continents, “Lowdown” is a deeply human crime novel about love, loyalty and the long shadow of choice. Jimmy Piccini, a Brooklyn mob soldier who kept faith with the code of silence, is released from prison at age 58 after serving 25 years for a crime he didn’t directly commit. The world he returns to is unrecognizable — and haunted by the memory of Milena, the woman he loved and lost.

Told through interwoven timelines, the novel traces Jimmy’s rise in the Brooklyn mob and Milena’s escape to Sicily after her marriage to a volatile made man collapses under violence and betrayal. From gritty New York streets to sun-washed Mediterranean villages, Anthony Schneider crafts a character-driven story where violence gives way to introspection, and vengeance wrestles with forgiveness. “Lowdown” is a romantic literary thriller with a powerful emotional core and deftly layered themes of love and loss, reckoning and redemption.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4pTMOf2.

“Boys Will Be Men: 8 Lessons for the Lost American Male” by Vince Benevento, LPC

There is an underrecognized crisis facing today’s young men — one marked by anxiety, isolation and a growing lack of purpose. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience working with men and young adults, author Vince Benevento, founder of Causeway Collaborative, has seen firsthand how traditional talk therapy often falls short — and has uncovered what actually helps young men move forward.

Through eight practical, hard-earned lessons, Benevento replaces abstraction with action, emphasizing structure, accountability, healthy risk-taking and the power of meaningful male relationships. Blending candid personal stories with real-world case examples, he offers a framework that helps young men build confidence, resilience and direction — brick by brick. Written for parents, educators, mentors and these young men themselves, “Boys Will Be Men” is less about fixing what’s “wrong” and more about restoring what’s missing: purpose, connection and the tools to step fully into adulthood.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/49OxOZN.

“DoubleHelix" (Book One in the Helix Project) by J.L. Calder

In the shadows of power, survival is never guaranteed.

Washington, D.C., 1996. Mike Green has built a career writing about dead girls, but nothing prepares him for the file he uncovers at the National Archives: the murder of Delilah Grennan, a Soviet dissident with ties to the Russian underworld. What begins as research becomes obsession, as Delilah’s voice invades his thoughts, her enemies become his, and paranoia pulls him deeper into the dark machinery of power.

Drawn into a covert war between a global crime syndicate, intelligence agencies, and a political dynasty that claims him as family, Mike learns too late that survival sometimes means being buried.

Winner of a 2026 Independent Press Award for Political Thriller and a 2026 Pencraft Award for Thriller Audiobook, “DoubleHelix” is a dark, razor-sharp political thriller blending psychological suspense, espionage intrigue and sarcastic wit — perfect for readers who crave character-driven conspiracies and morally treacherous power games.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4q5LXrU.

"AROC Adventures – ABCs of Safe Web Surfing: Essential Online Safety Tips for Your Child's First Device" by C.D. Richardson

Help your child build healthy screen habits and explore the digital world with confidence.

“AROC Adventures – ABCs of Safe Web Surfing” is a vibrant, futuristic picture book that introduces young readers to technology with kindness, balance and responsibility. Through colorful A-to-Z lessons, each page highlights an essential skill — from screen-time balance and online manners to empathy, critical thinking and kid-friendly internet rules.

Guided by AROC, a friendly robot hero, children learn how to make smart choices online, avoid harmful behaviors and build strong character both on and off the screen. Ideal for families, teachers and early-learning classrooms, this engaging book offers a fun, age-appropriate introduction to digital literacy, cyber ethics and safe browsing. It also empowers caregivers and children to engage in a timely, much-needed conversation about smart and safe online habits.

Whether your child uses a tablet, computer or smartphone, this is an essential resource for guiding them through the early stages of exploring technology and developing responsible digital citizenship.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4q8IV6b.

(BookTrib) - “Transitions” by MB Barden

“My Mom asked me if I wanted to go to my grandfather’s grave with her. I thought, really? I’m sure that is what every kid would love to do on a Saturday afternoon. I just looked at her. I was staring at her but not seeing her. Instead, I saw images of zombies, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and creepy crypt keepers. ‘No, thank you.’”

In this relatable and touching story, intended for children ages six to 12, a boy who is afraid of cemeteries works through his fear as he comes to a greater understanding of life and death during a visit to his grandfather’s grave.

The symbolism on the gravestones and in nature comforts him as he accepts death as a part of life. He comes to realize that an individual's death is not an ending but a continuation of the soul’s journey.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/transitions-mbbarden.

“The Safe Place” by Brandon M. Rogers

“The Safe Place” is a gripping journey of redemption and healing, where faith and trauma intertwine to shape a young man’s life. Tristan’s search for belonging and understanding leads him through a maze of relationships, struggles with faith, and the painful remnants of his past. As he battles shame and detachment, his path toward forgiveness — both from others and himself — becomes the most difficult yet transformative journey of all.

This novel invites readers into an emotional, spiritual exploration of grace, love and the power of overcoming internal battles. With a powerful mix of lyrical storytelling and raw, heartfelt moments, “The Safe Place” will resonate with anyone seeking redemption and the courage to heal.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/TheSafePlaceAmazon.

“Not Yet Your Time” by James Terminiello

Winner of a Literary Titan Book Award

When Titus Carneades is saved from a traffic death by a mysterious young woman who quickly vanishes, telling him, “It is not yet your time,” he finds himself drawn into a high-profile terrorist kidnapping of a Chinese businessman in which the same woman has interfered.

Both fascinated and troubled, Titus volunteers to help government agents resolve the crisis and encounters the woman's mentor, the suave and avuncular founder of the Apologizers, a group that believes God has forsaken humanity and must be lured back by good deeds.

This odd trio embarks on a perilous odyssey that includes imprisonment in a labyrinthine security complex under the ruins of the World Trade Center; flight through a murky, unfinished tunnel beneath the Hudson River; a safe house masquerading as a defunct museum; and a perilous train ride to link up with a terror cell. Ultimately, the reluctant Titus will face a rendezvous with life, love, death and destiny in the green wilds of New York’s Hudson Valley.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/49Tfq3f.

“When All the Gods Died” by Sudarshan Chatterjee, M.D.

What if the legends you thought were lost forever were waiting just beyond the veil of myth?

When their plane from Athens crashes in an unknown area, archaeologist Andrew and his fiancée Rhea are plunged into a world where Greek gods walk among mortals. Stranded in an ancient, magical land, they uncover a secret lost to time: the Olympian gods never vanished — they were merely waiting. As old rivalries reignite and new destinies emerge, Andrew and Rhea must navigate a realm where gods wield thunder, love is a battlefield, and mortal lives hang in the balance.

Epic in scope and rich with mythological depth, this novel weaves history, adventure, and fantasy into a gripping modern retelling of Greece’s greatest legends. Each Olympian — from Zeus’s thunderous power to Aphrodite’s captivating allure — comes alive in a tale of power, fate and timeless struggle.

Perfect for readers craving immersive mythology, mystical adventure, and the unending battle between mortals and immortals. Step into a world where the gods never died, and the myths begin anew.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4pD9AHT.

(BookTrib) - “The Dark Birth of the Secret Council” by Tracy Cavelli-Trussell

Trisha Maitland, a celebrated novelist, speaker and devoted woman of faith, begins experiencing vivid dreams that transport her to a dark, dangerous realm known as Elsewhere. What starts as unsettling visions soon reveals itself as a spiritual reality — one connected to a powerful and sinister secret council manipulating events in the physical world. As Trisha struggles to understand God’s messages woven through her dreams, she uncovers a growing conspiracy led by a charismatic businessman whose thirst for power masks ancient evil.

Moving between light and darkness, faith and temptation, truth and deception, reality and imagination, this fast-paced, faith-fueled supernatural thriller explores spiritual warfare, free will and redemption. With prose as sharp as sea glass and characters that leap off the page, it is both a compelling mystery and a profound meditation on the stories we tell ourselves to survive. “The Dark Birth of the Secret Council” launches a gripping Christian thriller trilogy that challenges readers to consider what unseen forces may be shaping their world.

Purchase at https://a.co/d/4RRUsoW.

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” by Bobby "Z" Zielinski

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” follows the exploits of one bar’s patrons across a single evening, from Friday at 3 p.m. until Saturday at 3 a.m. Everything revolves around Slippery Eddie, the bartender. Every hour, a different story unfolds, introducing a cast of colorful, albeit shifty, characters.

In the tradition of “A Bronx Tale,” this narrative poetry collection is a historical and satirical look at the post-war bar scene in Jersey City, New Jersey, told by one of the original Jersey City bad boys of the period, Bobby “Z” Zielinski. “The bar in the 50s and 60s was where you cashed your paycheck, socialized with your friends, borrowed money, bought various items that ‘just fell off the back of a truck,’ … bet the numbers for the horses and paid off the ‘shys,’” Zielinski writes.

Now you can experience the mayhem of this rough and rowdy time in urban history for yourself through “Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar.” Purchase at https://amzn.to/49DUux3 or visit the author’s website, Tales of the Junkyard Dog, at https://talesofthejunkyarddog.wordpress.com/ for more information. Zielinski can also be contacted at [email protected].

“Corn Festival” by Melissa Laird

In 1970, drawn by idealism and the promise of a better way of life, Wanda and a small group of friends leave California for North Freedom, Wisconsin, determined to build a communal farm rooted in cooperation, organic living and music. As they struggle to grow food, restore an old cabin and find their footing in a skeptical rural community, cracks begin to form — both within the group and between them and the world around them. Backlash, disappointment and diverging paths eventually leave Wanda alone, guarding a dream that once felt revolutionary.

Spanning five decades, “Corn Festival” traces the echoes of that experiment into the present day, revealing how the cultural divisions of the late 1960s resurface in modern America. By linking counterculture idealism to contemporary polarization, the novel offers a deeply personal and timely reflection on belonging, legacy and the enduring struggle to create meaningful change.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4qKjh8w.

“The Great Dane” by Suanne Laqueur

After the sudden death of his only child, Liko Greenman is adrift, passing time until a mystery hidden inside his son’s favorite video game gives him a reason to move forward. When a cryptic clue from the game’s maker leads him from the digital world to a secluded farm in rural New York, Liko meets Danelaw “Dane” Strong — an intersex man with a layered past and a life shaped by love that defied convention.

As Dane guides Liko through the game’s unanswered questions, the search becomes something deeper: a journey through grief, identity and the ways people find belonging when traditional labels fall short. Set against legends, folklore and the evocative symbolism of the Three Hares triskelion, “The Great Dane” is a luminous exploration of connection, chosen family and the healing power of love.

Blending romance and drama with psychological and philosophical depth, Suanne Laqueur shows us that while we view the most profound human connection in pairs, three is often love’s most magical number.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4qsKpt3.