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< Back Scarlet Ibis James Love in the Dark: A Holiday Romance Book blurb... What if the love you're standing inside, worn, familiar, and strained, is still the love worth choosing? Love in the Dark is a mature, emotionally grounded holiday romance about marriage after the spark, when commitment is tested not by scandal, but by silence. Two weeks before Christmas, Marissa and Gregory Williams-Parker are trapped in their Connecticut home by a blizzard, power out, phones dying, distractions stripped away. What remains is the marriage they've avoided examining for years. Purchase here

< Back Mark LaRocca-Pitts The Way of New Beginning: Discovering a New Spiritual Path on the Camino de Santiago Book blurb... For author Mark LaRocca-Pitts, it was the adventure of a lifetime—a 1,200-mile, three-month walking pilgrimage from Paris to Santiago de Compostela. But when he received a vision from God for a new spiritual path called the Way of New Beginning, it became more than that. It became an experience that transformed his spiritual life. In The Way of New Beginning, LaRocca-Pitts shares his experiences and offers an opportunity to practice this path so you, too, can transform your spiritual life. Combining anecdotal tales of his pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago with his training in Biblical studies and his experiences as a spiritual seeker and pastor, this guide develops the Way of New Beginning as a spiritual path open to all—regardless of faith tradition. Using Genesis 1, Psalm 51, and other Biblical passages, this book sets forth a step-by-step process, along with spiritual practices such as the Jesus Prayer and Centering Prayer, to help you walk the Way of New Beginning and experience spiritual transformation Purchase here

< Back Joanne Griffin and Declan Foster Humology: How to put humans back at the heart of technology Griffin and Foster explore how to put humans into the heart of technology. Humology: How to Put Humans Back at the Heart of Technology, by authors Joanne Griffin and Declan Foster, explores the impact of technology on humans and society. The authors were motivated to write the book to urge others to design technology with humans in mind, not just for the sake of progress. The book is divided into six parts: The Shifting Landscape, Managing Change, Designing with Humans in Mind, Seeing Humans Through Five ‘I’s, Ethical Design and The Humology Approach. It considers the evolution of technology from the dawn of the digital age to the present day, the impact of technology on market dynamics and human behaviours. It examines the complexity of change and the various approaches taken to increase success, including change and project management. The authors seek to understand human psychology through a Five ‘I’s framework (Impatient, Impressionable, Inattentive, Inert, and Irrational) and they describe their human-first approach to solving challenges with technology, ‘The Humology Approach.’ Humology: How to Put Humans Back at the Heart of Technology is an informative and thought-provoking book about the impact of technology on our lives. Well written and thoroughly researched, the book examines the rapid advancement in technology and the challenges and opportunities this presents. The book is easy to read, engaging and very accessible. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between humans and technology. This book provides practical tools and solutions for those designing and building technological solutions. The book will appeal to readers involved in designing and implementing technology, anyone using technology, and anyone interested in the role technology plays in our lives. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An informative and thought-provoking book about the impact of technology in our lives. Purchase here

< Back Shonna Waters The Coaching Shift: How A Coaching Mindset and Skills Can Change You, Your Interactions, and the World Around You How to build stronger relationships and drive high performance, through coaching. The Coaching Shift: How A Coaching Mindset and Skills Can Change You, Your Interactions, and the World Around You by authors, psychologists and university professors, Shonna Waters and Brodie Gregory Riordan, is a comprehensive guidebook on how to build stronger relationships and drive high performance, through coaching techniques. The book draws on research from coaching, neuroscience, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology. The authors share their own experiences as coaches, and synthesize some of the most important coaching theories, concepts, and approaches. The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 focuses on the self, how people can better understand their own thoughts and feelings, and how they can adopt a coaching mindset. Part 2 focuses on coaching skills, and how to communicate and build stronger relationships with others. Part 3 focuses on how to apply a coaching approach within organizations, to build a positive culture that fosters human potential. The Coaching Shift is an empowering and transformative guidebook / self-help book by authors Shonna Waters and Brodie Gregory Riordan. The authors provide a range of practical tools and techniques, that will help readers develop more impactful coaching skills. After each chapter there are a number of practical exercises, where readers are invited to reflect on their own experiences and practice their skills. There are further resources in the appendix, to help further guide readers on their own coaching journey. The book is easy to read, engaging and very relatable, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. Well written and extensively researched, this book is a valuable resource that will equip coaches / aspiring coaches with the necessary skills and mindsets to become more effective and meaningful in their coaching practice. An essential read for practicing coaches, managers and anyone leading teams, students of coaching and coaching psychology, and anyone interested in how to develop more meaningful connections with others. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An empowering and transformative guidebook that will help readers develop more impactful coaching skills. Purchase here

Dead Girl < Back Kerrie Faye Dead Girl A girl resurrected from the dead, seeks answers. It is the first day back at Wilson County High School for sophomore, Ember O’Neill. Ember had a tough time as a Freshman. She struggled with depression and synesthesia (a neurological condition where stimulation of one sense leads to involuntary experiences in other senses), and was bullied by classmates Wayne Wilson, Maddison Miller, and others. Longing to fit in and have a better school experience, Ember has five goals for her sophomore year: 1) to get a bestie, 2) to stay off Maddison’s radar, 3) to avoid and ignore Wayne, 4) to become popular, and 5) to get a boyfriend. When she meets and develops a friendship with new girl, Hallee, Ember achieves her first goal. But she is still ostracism and targeted by her peers and receives hateful and threatening messages. Ember reluctantly goes to a ‘back to school’ party, but following an incident with Wayne, Ember almost drowns in the hosts’ swimming pool. She is dead for around twenty minutes and brought back to life by paramedics. News of the incident spreads, and Ember becomes a local celebrity. As Ember’s popularity increases, Wayne is incarcerated in a juvenile detention centre. Life for Ember improves, and she begins dating a new boy, Logan Lauder. But, following her near-death experience, Ember experiences visions and nightmares, and her father is tragically killed by a rabid bobcat. As Ember tries to make sense of the visions and her father’s death, she soon learns the truth about her neurological condition and her ancestry. Dead Girl is a gripping coming-of-age, supernatural drama by Kerrie Faye. S et in the 1990’s, the book follows Ember O’Neill in her sophomore year, as she grapples with depression and synesthesia, and struggles to find her place. Her life is transformed following a freak incident at a pool party, and she discovers she possesses extraordinary abilities. As she learns to control her powers, she must also defeat a deadly assassin hired to kill her. With a blend of reality and fantasy, plenty of teen drama, and an unexpected, supernatural plot twist, this is a compelling, captivating, and hard-to-put-down novel. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A captivating and gripping teen drama, with an unexpected supernatural twist. Purchase here

Believe < Back Angie Bailey Believe Abigale believes there is more to life than the dull, grey world she inhabits, by author Angie Bailey Thirteen-year-old Abigale Johnson was born into a family of Never-Believers. A family who did not believe in Christmas, or birthdays, or fun, adventure or magic. A family whose life was dull and grey. But Abigale was a little different from the Johnson’s. She had dreams of a better life, and a life a little less grey. So Abigale spent most her time tyring to avoid her family, particularly her brothers who were the meanest of the mean, and teased and taunted Abigale every single day. One day, on a dreaded train trip to visit her despicable and very grey Aunt Violet, Abigale’s life changes for ever. After a knock on the head, Abigale discovers an alternate Fae world of wonder and magic, fae-folk, and Believers. Whizzing along on the Faedora magic train, Abigale meets lots of new friends and discovers Christmas and other wonderful celebrations. At thirteen, Abigale has her first ever birthday party, full of love and laughter. But not everyone on the magical train is happy with Abigale’s arrival, and they plot a sinister spell to extract her from the train during the next pink moon, putting her life in mortal danger. As Abigale’s new friends try to save her from doom, they soon discover Abigale has some important royal connections, and even her despicable Aunt Violet is not quite who she seems. Believe is an imaginative and enchanting novel. Well written by Angie Bailey and full of wonder, mystery and magic, the book has fabulous characters and a magnificent plot. This book will captivate both adults and younger readers. The book is the first part of a series, and we can’t wait to read the next instalment in Abigale’s magical journey. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘An enchanting novel, with fabulous characters and a magnificent plot. This book will captivate both adults and younger readers.’ A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Marlayne Jan Giron A Place of Refuge Following a near death experience, Rachel Winston is recuperating at home with her partner Samuel Miller and her teenage daughter, Karen. The couple found each other unexpectedly, after Rachel bought a farm from Samuel and converted it into a traditional Amish style bed and breakfast, the ‘Second Chance Inn’. Samuel, an Amish man, was shunned by his family due to his relationship with Englisch (non-Amish) Rachel. As the couple prepare for the arrival of their first guests, they struggle to keep up with the work required, due to Rachel’s injuries. Meanwhile, Emma Lapp has been disowned by her Amish family, after she left home and spent time in the Englisch community. Destitute and desperate, she finds the ‘Second Chance Inn’ and asks to work at the inn, in return for a place to stay. Rachel and Samuel are in desperate need of help, and agree to let her stay and provide a much needed refuge. News soon spreads of Rachel and Samuel’s kindness and hospitality. Others who have been excommunicated from their Amish families, arrive at the inn, in search of work and a safe place to stay. With the help of their friends, Rachel and Samuel raise funds to develop a refuge. They build a new barn, to provide accommodation, wedding services and religious offerings, to others excommunicated from the Amish community. As the build commences, Samuel proposes to Rachel and the couple prepare for their own wedding in their new barn. But, as the date of the wedding approaches, Samuel is reunited with his Amish family, and questions whether he has made the right decision to marry Rachel. As the couple contemplate their future, Rachel receives devastating news that will change their lives forever. A Place of Refuge is a touching and thought-provoking novel by Marlayne Jan Giron, and the sequel to the first book in the series, Second Chance Inn. The book follows on from where the first book ended, and further develops the relationship between Rachel and Samuel as they build a new home together. Both have experienced tragic loss and face difficult choices in their new relationship, while embarking on a huge building project. This is a beautifully written novel that explores love across different cultures, identity and faith. A perfect read for those who enjoy family sagas, romantic fiction, and who might be interested in Amish culture. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A beautiful and touching exploration of love across different cultures. Purchase here

< Back Sydney Curtin Courageous Considerations Courageous Considerations is a deeply personal and practical guide that explores the emotional, spiritual, and logistical complexities of adoption from the perspective of a birth mother. Sydney Curtin, herself both an adoptee and a birth mother, crafts a narrative that is as much a memoir as it is a guidebook, offering readers a rare, honest, and compassionate look into the realities of adoption. The book’s greatest strength lies in its vulnerability and authenticity. Curtin’s story is not sanitized or idealized; she shares her journey with raw honesty, recounting the pain, hope, regret, and love that shaped her decision to place her daughter for adoption. The dedication to her daughter Emberlyn sets the tone for the book, emphasizing that adoption is not about abandonment but about making the most loving - if difficult - choice possible in challenging circumstances. Curtin’s Christian faith is woven throughout, providing comfort and context for her decisions, but she is careful to make the book accessible to readers of all backgrounds. The reflective questions and journaling prompts in each chapter are thoughtfully designed to help expectant mothers, adoptees, and adoptive families explore their own motivations, values, and needs. The book is also highly practical. It covers a wide range of topics, from legal considerations and emotional self-care to interviewing prospective adoptive families and establishing openness agreements. Curtin’s emphasis on asking the right questions serves as a recurring theme, underscoring the importance of clarity, boundaries, and mutual respect in adoption relationships. A must-read for birth mothers, but also a valuable tool for adoptive families and professionals seeking to understand the nuanced realities of adoption. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A compassionate, faith-informed, and actionable resource for anyone navigating the adoption process. Purchase here

< Back Lisa Towles Switch Private investigator, Marissa ‘ Mari’ Ellwyn, is recovering at home following a near fatal hit and run car accident. Mari believes it was no accident, but an attempted hit on her life to stop her from investigating a string of bank robberies. As her business partner, Derek Abernathy, attempts to find the prime suspect, James Traeger, Mari is woken in the middle of the night by an intruder. The intruder is a Chief Forensic Pathologist named Dr Linus Hagen, who discloses suspicious activity at the local morgue. A John Doe was brought into the morgue and then mysteriously disappeared after the autopsy, along with the County Medical Examiner, Dr. Camille Bota. Mari and Derek take on the case and examine the autopsy reports and photographs of the John Doe. They discover peculiar marks on the body and suspect foul play. They soon identify the John Doe as a local man named Val Sharma, the Marketing Director of a technology company called AEI. As Mari and Derek look further into the company, they find AEI’s parent company (Praxis) is building a quantum computer called ‘Switch’. This new tech could destabilize the crypto market and threaten the U.S. economy. As Mari delves deeper into the case, another AEI executive goes missing. Mari discovers a disturbing connection between Praxis, a notorious crime boss, and her own estranged father. Switch is a gripping, fast-paced, techno-crime thriller by author Lisa Towles, and the third instalment in the E&A Investigations Series. The novel follows private investigator Marissa Ellwyn as she navigates a complex web of corporate corruption and espionage, murder, and personal betrayal. The story intertwines Mari's investigation with her personal struggles, including her relationship with her estranged father and her traumatic past. Told through the first-person perspective, Towles’ masterfully weaves a complex techno-crime thriller with a powerful, personal narrative. Overall, Switch is a clever, complex, and captivating thriller, with an intriguing and multi-layered storyline. A stellar third instalment of this gripping series. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A suspenseful and absorbing techno-crime thriller, filled with mysteries and twists. Purchase here

< Back Jamie Andrea Garzot Unconventional A Memoir of Entrepreneurism Politics and Pot A unique and personal memoir by cannabis advocate and entrepreneur, Jamie Andrea Garzot Unconventional, A Memoir of Entrepreneurism, Politics, and Pot is a memoir by Jamie Andrea Garzot about her experience of setting up and running a medical cannabis store in conservative, Northern California. Garzot explains how she was not a typical cannabis user or part of ‘cannabis heritage’, but used cannabis to help her sleep during episodes of insomnia. As a user of cannabis for medicinal purposes, her experience of purchasing cannabis was not good. Typical stores were unfriendly, intimidating, dirty, and hidden away in back-alleyways. In 2009, she risked it all to leave her secure, corporate job and opened a cannabis store, seven years before full legalisation. Her goal was to create a store that was accessible and welcoming to anyone, regardless of their cannabis experience or background. Her driving force was delivering a great experience for every customer. Garzot describes how she set up the business with minimal funds, and how she went on to lead a successful, multi-million-dollar business. She discusses the many business and leadership challenges she faced, and how she navigated the complex and changing legal landscape. Garzot shares a number of stories of how cannabis played a therapeutic role for clients with Aids, Cancer, and other addictions. Garzot became an advocate for cannabis and worked tirelessly to improve the industry and further the legitimization of cannabis in society. However, whilst the business was thriving, Garzot faced many personal challenges. She discusses openly her childhood and the enduring impact of her mom’s death, her tumultuous marriage and divorce. Unconventional, A Memoir of Entrepreneurism, Politics, and Pot is a memoir by Jamie Andrea Garzot about how she made a successful and profitable business in the cannabis industry. This is an insightful and absorbing memoir by an inspirational woman who has shown, with a strong vision, hard work, commitment, and dogged determination, that anything is possible. This is a well written and fascinating book, with some heartfelt moments and lots of humor. The book will appeal to readers who enjoy memoirs, and those who are interested in enterprise, leadership, and the cannabis industry. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A riveting read about an inspirational woman who made her fortune in an unconventional business. Purchase here

< Back Maurice Hicks Looking for Trouble Maurice Hicks’s memoir ‘Looking for Trouble’ is a compelling and deeply personal account of his two-decade career in law enforcement, offering readers a raw and honest look into the challenges, triumphs, and moral complexities of policing in Baltimore and Prince George’s County, Maryland. The book is structured as a series of vivid anecdotes and reflections, focusing on specific incidents and themes that shaped Hicks’s career, including his time as an undercover narcotics detective, his leadership role in the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and his involvement in high-profile cases such as the dismantling of the Barksdale Gang and the apprehension of the crossbow rapist. Hicks’s storytelling is gripping and unflinching, immersing readers in dangerous situations like undercover drug buys, high-speed chases, and confrontations with violent criminals. These thrilling accounts are balanced with poignant reflections on the impact of crime on families and communities, as well as the toll that policing takes on officers’ mental and emotional well-being. Hicks also delves into his personal life, sharing the emotional weight of losing loved ones, the strain on his family, and the sacrifices he made for his career. Hicks addresses the racism he encountered within the police force and the challenges of being a Black officer in a predominantly White department. His reflections on disparities in treatment of officers and communities of color provide a thought-provoking lens to examine broader issues of inequality and injustice. The memoir also explores the moral dilemmas and ethical challenges of law enforcement, offering a nuanced perspective on the complexities of policing in communities affected by poverty, drugs, and violence. Hicks’s resilience and unwavering commitment to justice shine through, making his story both inspiring and impactful. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A must-read for anyone interested in true crime, law enforcement, or the human side of policing. Purchase here

< Back Angelo Perone The Best Attorney Never Wins: Why Great Lawyers Go Broke and Average Ones Build Empires Book blurb... Law school taught you how to win cases. Now learn how to run a business. You know you're the best attorney in the room. You've always known it. So why is the guy down the street, the one you'd never hire, the one your clients would never choose if they knew better… Why is he the one with the eight-figure firm? It's not talent. It's not luck. It's a game you were never taught to play. Angelo Perone is not an attorney. He's the CEO of Case Connect. $200M in ad spend. 120+ firms scaled. $50M a year and growing. He cracked this industry wide open from the outside, and what he found will make your blood boil. The best attorney almost never wins. The best operator does. This is the system. Purchase here