“Wings to Rise above Divorce” by Loren Cribbs

May 14, 2024

Surviving marital storms and especially divorce even when amicable, is no walk in the park and many people experience the whirlwind of shock, anger, loneliness, and social isolation. During this turbulent time and after, sound judgment often becomes obscured and if left unaddressed, the feelings of pain and guilt can last a lifetime. Still, within the chapters of “Wings to Rise above Divorce: Finding Forgiveness, Redemption, and Renewal during Turbulent Separations” by Loren Cribbs is a comforting lifeline to help navigate this tempestuous period and live a fulfilling life fixed on faith in God. … More “Wings to Rise above Divorce” by Loren Cribbs

“A China Farewell” by May Hsu

May 14, 2024

Have you ever wondered about your family? Or what they’ve been through that brought you to this point? It’s one thing to send off a DNA sample, but it’s another to live vicariously through their stories. In “A China Farewell,” author May Hsu pays homage to her ancestors by chronicling a fictionalized version of their experiences. Spanning the years between 1936 and 1976, the book tracks significant events that shaped the political and cultural landscape in China, and how these impacted the Tsai family on a personal level. It narrates how the family struggled to maintain some semblance of normalcy – raising their children during the years preceding and succeeding the Second World War, as well as the Chinese Civil War that occurred almost immediately afterward. Through the book, we witness the family’s struggles and how living through these times indelibly affected their psyche. … More “A China Farewell” by May Hsu

“Valuepreneurs” by Steve Waddell, MBA, PMP

May 14, 2024

Do you have an idea that’s been buzzing around in your mind for a while, and you think it might be the next big thing? Maybe you’ve tried numerous times to turn the idea into a tangible product. Still, you’ve found yourself running out of steam due to a lack of resources or, even worse, the fear of failure. Steve Waddell’s “Valuepreneurs” is the resource that will help you navigate the uncharted waters of successful entrepreneurship. From the very infancy of your idea to launching a tried and tested product into the marketplace, there are many steps to take. By applying his Value-Driven Product Development (VDPD) approach, Waddell ensures a results-based plan of action that will elevate you from “wantrepreneur” to thriving “valuepreneur.” … More “Valuepreneurs” by Steve Waddell, MBA, PMP

“The Calamity of Desire and Other Stories” by Judith Dancoff

May 13, 2024

The eight stories in “The Calamity of Desire and Other Stories” are all inspired by or based on works of art. The author, Judith Dancoff, uses paintings or, for one story Roman glass, as jumping-off points. In each piece, she explores the mysteries behind the paintings or perhaps the unknown life of a model. The stories are rich in detail and are immersed in different time periods, covering topics as diverse as romance, empowerment, and wonder at the strangeness and beauty of the world. Dancoff has a powerful narrative voice, yet she easily adjusts it to meet the needs of each story and reflects the tone of the periods. … More “The Calamity of Desire and Other Stories” by Judith Dancoff

MEET THE AUTHOR:  A Conversation with Jo McCarty – author of “Call Me Adam”

May 13, 2024

Jo McCarty is a first-time novelist from Michigan. McCarty shares her time between vibrant city life and rural lake living, inspired by the people and landscapes to write about both. Call Me Adam is her debut novel, though she has successfully written Children’s and YA fiction under another name. McCarty is at work on another novel. … More MEET THE AUTHOR:  A Conversation with Jo McCarty – author of “Call Me Adam”

“The Attraction of Cuba” by Chris Hilton

May 13, 2024

Chris Hilton’s salacious travel memoir “The Attraction of Cuba” is an unapologetic exploration into the author’s travels, experiences, and backdoor dealings in this island nation. Hilton, like many white, Western expats, found an escape from the monotony of his daily life in England within the confines of the Caribbean Island. With the help of some unique characters such as an English inmate, some Cuban gangsters, and one enigmatic woman, Hilton embarks on a wild money-making scheme that leads him across Cuba, into lots of trouble, and several unforgettable experiences. … More “The Attraction of Cuba” by Chris Hilton

“The Beach House Hostage” by Ruben Elustondo

May 11, 2024

If you were a private investigator in the past, or maybe endeavoring to be one now, or just want to explore the inner sleuth in you, I have a case for you to unravel. Ruben Elustondo’s “The Beach House Hostage” impels its readers into psychological territory as it follows a hardline abduction that sets in motion a well-orchestrated rescue operation. It has been four days since Lisa Walker, a well-known attorney and wife of a wealthy tycoon, James Walker, disappeared. With no conceivable sign as to why she could have been abducted, her husband and two children are worried about the patchy information surrounding the case and hope that the police will unearth the mystery. … More “The Beach House Hostage” by Ruben Elustondo

“Model Wave” by TK Sheffield

May 11, 2024

When people in Midwestern cities escape to their summer homes by the lake, two things are certain.  First, they’ll be pointing the car north.   Second, they will cherish the peace, quiet, and pine-scented air.  A high-stress situation might involve burning some muffins or getting some fishing gear tangled up.   This is exactly the sort of experience our main character, Mel Tower, was hoping for when she closed up shop and drove to Glass Lake, accompanied by her beloved collie; her first real vacation in twenty years.  This is “Model Wave: Romance, Boats, and Bad Business in the Northwoods,” part of The Backyard Model Mysteries series by TK Sheffield. … More “Model Wave” by TK Sheffield

“Next Time” by Randy Brown

May 10, 2024

On September 7, 2010, William is stunned when a beautiful woman suddenly appears out of nowhere, on the sidewalk of his college campus. He helps her get up off the ground and is surprised at her request to know what the date is, including the year. Deciding he wants to hear her story, he takes her to eat, and a special relationship begins. He is skeptical when Miriam tells him that she has been traveling forward through time for 1,000 years. … More “Next Time” by Randy Brown

“Not That Kind of Call Girl” by Nova Garcia

May 10, 2024

Julia Navarro-Nilsson, a woman of remarkable resilience, deftly juggles numerous responsibilities—work, a baby on the way, and a laundry list of tasks to complete before she gives birth. As the Cascade City Chronicle manager, she’s the glue holding the newspaper together—the go-to person for keeping her eccentric employees in line, dodging grotesque innuendos from her perverted boss, and hiring a new customer service rep. … More “Not That Kind of Call Girl” by Nova Garcia