< Back Trisha T Pritikin Then Came the Summer Snow: An Atomic Age Hero's Journey Then Came the Summer Snow by Trisha T. Pritikin is a compelling work of historical fiction set in Richland, Washington, during the 1950s. The novel intricately weaves the personal struggles of a family with the broader implications of living in the shadow of the Hanford nuclear site, a key facility in the U.S. atomic weapons program. Through the lens of Edith Higgenbothum, a determined homemaker, the story explores the devastating effects of radioactive fallout on communities downwind of Hanford. The novel delves into the secrecy surrounding Hanford’s operations, highlighting the government’s efforts to suppress information about the health risks posed by radioactive fallout. It also examines the societal dynamics of Richland, a government-owned atomic city where loyalty to the Hanford site often overrides concerns about public health. Edith’s journey is marked by her growing awareness of the dangers posed by radiation and her determination to protect her family and community, even at great personal cost. The story is rich with historical context, referencing real events such as the Windscale reactor accident in the UK and the Nevada atomic bomb tests. It also touches on broader themes, including the role of women in 1950s America, the impact of government secrecy, and the ethical dilemmas faced by scientists and engineers working in the atomic industry. Pritikin’s writing is vivid and evocative, capturing the tension and emotional turmoil of living in a community affected by nuclear fallout. The novel’s detailed descriptions of 1950s culture add authenticity and depth to the story. Then Came the Summer Snow is also a powerful commentary on the intersection of science, ethics, and public health. It raises important questions about the responsibilities of scientists and government officials in protecting the public from harm, and the role of ordinary citizens in holding them accountable. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that sheds light on a dark chapter in American history Purchase here

< Back James Richard Hansen Within and Without: Poems Book blurb... In Within and Without — as in his previous collections of poems, Progression and JAD — James Richard Hansenexplores the themes of nature, philosophy, and romance but more deeply and more passionately. In the first part of the book, he blends philosophical insights with his love of nature and raises thought-provoking questions connecting the two. In the second part, he expresses his love for his soul mate, Kristen, in poems that are passionate and picturesque. In both parts, he uses his natural surroundings to gain insight into his inner landscape and vice versa. “The focus is on harmony, unity, beauty. These poems are lyrical dewdrops, distillations of Whitmanesque enthusiasms minus the excess.” –Pacific Book Review Purchase here

< Back Sofi Sands Fake Date Real Love: A Enemies To Lovers Small Town Romance Book blurb... I'm fake dating my enemy and I'm terrified I'm falling for him. There's a Valentine's contest offering a $5,000 prize—but there's a catch. I have to partner with Miles Hartman, the arrogant coffee shop owner across the street who's been stealing my customers since he opened. I should say no. Instead, I say yes. Because without that prize money, I'll lose my bakery—the only thing I have left of my grandmother, the woman who raised me after my mother walked out when I was fifteen. Miles needs the money just as desperately. His coffee shop is one bad month from closing. We're supposed to be faking it. But somewhere between the late nights and the stolen glances, the fake starts feeling real. He's falling for me—I see it in every look, every touch, every moment he forgets we're pretending. And I'm terrified because I'm falling for him too. If we win, we save our businesses. If we lose, we lose everything we've built. But the real risk? Falling for my fake boyfriend and ending up with a broken heart and an empty bank account. Purchase here

< Back Viola B. Mecke, Ph.D., ABPP Aging Wisely: Life from Fifty to Seventy-Five Years Wise words for aging wisely, by author Viola B. Mecke Aging Wisely: Life from Fifty to Seventy-Five Years is a book targeted at older adults, about the authors’ own experience of growing older and as a practicing clinical psychologist. The book is divided into two parts, with thirteen chapters. The first part of the book discusses life and aging, and the passage of time from the ages of fifty to sixty-five and the beginning period of the loss of youthfulness, right through to the ages of eighty-five plus, and the ‘final curtain call’. The second part of the book discusses how to age wisely through physical activity and exercise, a positive mindset, gratitude and resilience, stress management, good self-esteem and positive relationships with others. The author explores issues of love and loss, change and uncertainty. Eighty-five-year-old author, Mecke, draws on her own personal feelings and experiences of ageing, and her professional experience as a clinical psychologist to help people age wisely and deal with the many stressors that aging brings. She discusses many of the myths associated with ageing and demonstrates the strengths of older senior citizens. The book will help readers to understand their own strengths to live a more fulfilled life in later years. Aging Wisely: Life from Fifty to Seventy-Five Years is a valuable resource for those who are in the later years of life, or those approaching older age. It will also be beneficial for others who might be supporting or caring for a parent, friend or family member in older age. This is a deeply personal book by author Mecke, who lays bare her personal experience of ageing. Older adults are often overlooked in society, and it was great to hear first-hand about Mecke’s life and personal journey. As a reader in the intended target age range, I found this book incredibly insightful and impactful. With plenty of practical advice and guidance, the book will help others to maintain a high quality of life in older age. I would highly recommend this book to anyone impacted by aging (all of us at some point!). Beautifully written, and easy to read, this book was a pleasure to read. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A valuable resource for those who are in the later years of life, or those approaching older age, and their caregivers. Purchase here

< Back Hussein Kanji Happiness Deconstructed: The Hidden Architecture of a Life Well Lived Book blurb... Somewhere along the way, our ideas of happiness became contaminated. We internalized a version of success that wasn’t fully ours. It was louder, shinier, more marketable, and it promised a payoff that kept getting postponed. Eventually it confused us. We kept upgrading the surface while the underlying hunger stayed the same. So I’ve begun asking simple questions. What do I want? What do I need? What am I seeking? And where do these desires come from? Are they truly mine, or were they planted by a culture that benefits from my uncertainty, my dissatisfaction, my sense of never-enough? In Happiness Deconstructed, Dr. Hussein Kanji explores happiness, success, purpose, and identity, offering practices for quieting outside pressure and amplifying inner clarity. This is a profound examination of the human condition by a critical care physician who walks beside people at their most vulnerable. For the unfiltered truth, look no further. Happiness Deconstructed is the cornerstone for a life well lived. Purchase here

< Back Luanne Castle Doll God Book blurb... In Doll God, award-winning poet Luanne Castle invites readers into a haunting and beautifully imagined world where dolls become vessels of memory, nature speaks with quiet wisdom, and ordinary objects reveal extraordinary spiritual truths. Blending mythology, folklore, family history, dreams, wildlife, and art, these poems travel through landscapes both physical and emotional. A Japanese doll, a hummingbird, a palo verde tree, forgotten keepsakes, ghosts, lakes, birds, and the desert become companions in an exploration of identity, love, grief, healing, and transformation. With luminous imagery and remarkable emotional depth, Castle examines the delicate boundary between the natural world and the worlds we create through memory and imagination. Each poem uncovers traces of what has been lost while offering hope that restoration is always possible. Winner of the New Mexico-Arizona Book Award and expanded with a selection of new poems, Doll God is an unforgettable collection that rewards slow reading and deep reflection. Rich in symbolism and lyrical beauty, it speaks to readers who appreciate literary poetry that explores spirituality, nature, resilience, and the enduring search for meaning. Doll God is a collection that lingers long after the final page, reminding us that even what seems lost may still be waiting to be found. Purchase here

< Back S. C. Eston Deficiency Author S. C. Eston depicts a disturbing vision of society that is far too close for comfort. Set in Prominence City, on the planet Garadia, a prominent researcher at Thrium Laboratories, Detel Scherzel, suddenly disappears. Her profile is deleted from the data-sphere, and she is nowhere to be seen. Her brother, Artenz Scherzel, and sister-in-law, Keidi Rysinger, are frantic with worry. Keidi visits Detel’s laboratory but finds no trace of her existence. Meanwhile, it’s an important day for Artenz, as he launches a new project for his company, BlueTech Data. When Artenz nips out for lunch, enforcers enter his workplace and lock the building down. One of Artenz’s colleagues, Marti Zehron, contacts him and tells him not to return to the office, but to run and hide. The enforcers are searching for Detel, and when they learn that Artenz has left the building, they send out a team to capture him. Following Keidi’s unsuccessful visit to Detel’s laboratory, she visits Detel’s home and finds the place ransacked and destroyed. She decides to infiltrate the buildings security system, but her identity is discovered, and she is also pursued by the enforcers. Artenz is captured and taken back to BlueTech Data, where he is tortured by the enforcers. Keidi is hiding in Prominence City and, with nowhere else to turn, she seeks the assistance of an old acquaintance, and reporter for the Authentic Banners, Eltaya Ark. Eltaya and her team agree to help Keidi and they travel to the city to rescue Artenz. Artenz is taken to a place of safety, where he learns about Detel’s secret research and her mysterious disappearance. Keidi is lost somewhere in the depths of the underground, with the enforcers in hot pursuit. As Keidi tries to find her way to Artenz, Artenz plans to reveal the truth about his sisters’ research, and bring the aggressors to justice. Deficiency by author S.C. Eston, is a cleverly crafted science-fiction, dystopian novel, set on the planet Garadia, in the far distant future. Eston depicts a vision of society that is both disturbing and believable. On the surface, Prominence City is immaculate, and its citizens are healthy and law abiding, but the city harbours a dark and dirty secret. The citizens are merely pawns in a corporate game of greed, corruption, and control. It’s a vision of society that is far too close for comfort. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: Overall, a cleverly crafted, sharp, and chilling novel, with an intriguing and believable plot. Purchase here

< Back Michelle Carbajal Heirs of Ruin Book blurb... Alésia fell two thousand years ago. When the last queen was betrayed and murdered by her own sister. The surviving Aléshen people were banished from their home and forced into exile. Hiding within protected havens throughout Velendia. Forced to wait... Until the heir to the throne would appear to lead the Aléshen people to victory against their mortal enemy - The Alkarii. Kiona was born into this world of turmoil. The eldest daughter of Alésia, it falls to her to restore her people to their ancestral home. Facing off against powerful foes, dark sorcerers, and insubordinate allies, she struggles to find her place in a world she never asked to be in. A world she would rather forget. Because by all laws and decrees of Alésia, Purchase here

< Back Dawn Bragg and Devon Jeffers Valdes Reflections: Earth, Heart, Light, Dark Reflections is a collaborative poetry collection by mother-daughter duo Dawn Bragg and Devon Jeffers Valdes. The collection is a heartfelt exploration of life’s complexities, weaving themes of Earth, Heart, Light, and Dark into a tapestry of vivid imagery and emotional depth. Through their poetic expressions, the authors invite readers to reflect on their own experiences, emotions, and connections to the world around them. The collection is divided into four sections—Earth, Heart, Light, and Dark—each representing a distinct theme. The poems in the "Earth" section celebrate the beauty and wonder of nature, with evocative descriptions of landscapes, seasons, and the interconnectedness of life. The "Heart" section delves into the emotional core of human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, resilience, and familial bonds. In the "Light" section, the authors explore themes of hope, renewal, and the beauty of life. The final section, "Dark," confronts themes of grief, despair, and the shadowy corners of the human soul. Throughout the collection, Bragg and Valdes experiment with various poetic forms, including free verse, rhyming couplets, villanelles, and prose poetry. This diversity in structure adds depth and texture to the collection, ensuring that each poem feels unique while still contributing to the overarching themes. Overall, Reflections is a moving and thought-provoking collection of poetry that invites readers to explore the beauty and complexity of life. With its rich imagery, emotional depth, and thematic resonance, this debut poetry book is a must-read for anyone seeking solace, inspiration, or a deeper connection to the world around them. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A poignant and beautifully crafted poetry collection that explores themes of nature, love, loss, resilience, and the human experience. Purchase here

< Back Bryan David Murphy Nanite Evolution Set in the far distant future, the uber-rich Dunk family have ambitious plans to dominate the universe by acquiring new planets beyond the Solar System. Blayden Dunk, heir to the Dunk family dynasty, has bought himself a new toy - a one trillion Dunk dollar, state-of-the-art gaming yacht (spaceship) named the Dominator. When Blayden attempts to ‘jump’ the Dominator to the opening of his father’s new casino, the ship is involved in a catastrophic collision with a freighter ship. Many of the crew and passengers are killed and the Dominator is stranded light years away with only emergency battery power. As the remaining crew try to repair the ship, they discover Dunk nanites have been released. Dunk nanites are tiny machines engineered to inhabit the body to keep it healthy and prevent attacks. The nanites are part of the Dunk’s plan for immortality, but they are evolving at an alarming rate, and tearing the ship apart bit by bit. The crew’s only option is to tame the nanites before they destroy the ship and kill everyone in it. Meanwhile, a spy named Cher from an independent colony, has infiltrated the Dunk family. As she helps the Dunk family try to rescue their son, she is on a special mission to stop the Dunk’s domination and save her home planet. Nanite Evolution is a thrilling science fiction novel set in the far future, by author Bryan Murphy. The novel imagines a future universe where the Dunk family’s quest for power and control threatens the balance of life across the galaxies. But everything changes when the heir to the family’s fortune is involved in a catastrophic spacecraft collision. What appears to be a tragic accident is quickly revealed to be a meticulously staged event, engineered by a group of crusaders intent on bringing the Dunk dynasty down. Murphy delivers a fascinating and chilling sci-fi epic about power and authority, and the human impact of technology and bioengineering. Nanite Evolution is not just a story about space conquest; it is a cautionary tale about how far those in power will go to preserve control. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fascinating and chilling sci-fi epic about one family’s quest for power and control. Purchase here

< Back Marysue Moses Looking Past Dementia Book blurb... What if the most important lessons about dementia care came from the people living with it? In Looking Past Dementia, dementia educator Marysue Moses shares the powerful insights she has gained from more than twenty years working alongside individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Through deeply human stories, she challenges readers to look beyond symptoms and diagnoses to recognize the strengths, emotions and humanity that remain. Inside, you’ll discover: o Better ways to communicate and connect o New perspectives on confusion, wandering, and behavioral changes o Practical ideas for improving quality of life o Encouragement for caregivers who feel overwhelmed or discouraged o A more compassionate understanding of what people living with dementia may be experiencing Whether you are caring for a loved one at home or working professionally in dementia care, this book offers hope, wisdom and practical insight for navigating one of life’s most difficult journeys with greater empathy and confidence. Purchase here

< Back Mike Mountz with Bob Ruhe FAITH: Experiencing God's Grace and Love Book blurb... What if the moments you can’t explain are actually God reaching out to you? Mike Mountz shares a powerful true story of struggle, resilience, and spiritual awakening. From battling dyslexia and personal hardship to experiencing profound, life-changing encounters, his journey reveals how faith can guide you through uncertainty and transform your life. This isn’t about religion—it’s about recognizing the quiet ways God may already be working in your life. Honest, thought-provoking, and deeply inspiring, this book invites you to reflect on your own experiences and rediscover hope, purpose, and direction. Because sometimes, faith begins with a single step—even when you don’t know where it leads. Purchase here