Thank You, Mama

Thank You, Mama by Linda Meeker

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

So, I was glad I grabbed “Thank You, Mom” on a whim. It is the kind of book that feels like a hug — plain, true, and soft around the edges. Step into the shoes of a mom with nothing but love, and you will be inspired to think about how you truly appreciate all the small things a woman does, as Linda Meeker encapsulates motherhood in such a loving and heartfelt light.  Purchase Here.

It is a story that may not have much flash or over-the-top drama, but that’s partly why it works. From a child’s point of view, we see that regular parts of life, such as packing lunches, providing words of encouragement, and simply being present through the hard moments, are grand gestures. I thought of my mom then, that yearning note in the back of my mind brings me so many memories of her, and I saw there what I see about my mama — the gentle strength with which a child is offered all along.

The pictures have a gentle and loving feel to them, which pairs perfectly with the story itself. And it reads like a bedtime story to your child, or a great gift book for any mother who needs a reminder that what she is doing makes all the difference.

But what struck me, and what I adore most about the book, is how universal it sounds. This book is for moms and people with moms who are like your mother; it is all about them. It is a wonderful read for those of you celebrating motherhood in a serene, mindful way.

I Love You Daddy

I Love You, Daddy by Jillian Harker

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Jillian Harker’s I Love You, Daddy is a soft and beautifully illustrated story that showcases the special bond between father and child. Together with Kristina Stephenson’s amazing artwork, the book takes us on quite a journey with Little Bear and Daddy Bear—one that children and adults will enjoy.  Purchase Here.

Little Bear wants to feel grown up. With Daddy Bear close by, he tackles climbing trees, hunting for honey, and preparing their den for the winter. Each task takes Little Bear closer to his goal. All in all, it is not easy – he encounters some stumbles along the way. Through it all, Daddy Bear offers steady encouragement, gently guiding Little Bear without taking away the joy of discovery.  The story is easy for young readers to follow, making it a wonderful addition to a bedtime ritual or quiet reading time. The book shows how children’s confidence blooms when love and reassurance are freely given.

Stephenson’s illustrations are a delight—soft, warm colors and expressive characters create a cozy world. Every page pulls you deeper into the bears’ journey, with sweet little details that make kids giggle or smile.

The story emphasizes how a parent’s presence builds courage and security.  It teaches kids that it’s okay to need help, even when they want to be grown up.  This story is great to show how important it is for a father and child to bond.

This book is ideal for:
– Young children ages 2–6
– Dads who want to build deeper connections with their kids through storytelling
– Families looking for a read for bedtime or Father’s Day

I Love You, Daddy isn’t just your usual picture book—it’s a celebration of emotional warmth and the trust that builds through patient parenting. Its charm lies in its simplicity and its heartfelt message: love lets us grow, but it’s also what holds us when we need comfort.

Whether you’re a dad reading this to your little one or someone cherishing memories of a supportive parent, the story will tug at your heartstrings and leave you with a smile.

Hunting the Red Fox

Hunting the Red Fox by W. Kenneth Tyler, Jr.

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

From the moment Perry Barnes opened his mouth, I knew I was in for more than a story about golf. Told through the lens of Roger Mace, an earnest, aspiring writer and amateur golfer determined to collect honest, unembellished life stories, “Hunting the Red Fox” by W. Kenneth Tyler, Jr., unfolds as a novel that reads like a true account, blending historical fiction, sports, espionage, and personal reinvention. As Mace listens, Barnes, an enigmatic 82-year-old with a disarmingly smooth voice and a shadowy past, reveals far more than tales from the PGA Tour in the early 1950s, with one earlier appearance during World War II. What begins as a look back at his golfing days in the 1950s soon gives way to a sweeping, layered confession, one that traverses war, theft, deception, love, and the fragile pursuit of redemption.  Purchase Here.

The story centers on Perry Barnes, an 82-year-old Southern gentleman whose charm and mystique immediately draw you in. As he begins to peel back the layers of his past, it becomes increasingly clear both to the reader and to Mace that what he is about to reveal has never been spoken out loud before, not even to his wife.

Barnes’ confessions unfold in unexpected bursts. They are stories of wartime missions that never officially happened and high-stakes encounters where the wrong move could mean a life lost or a secret exposed, as well as one impossible decision involving a priceless object and a promise made in the dark. At times, they leave Mace speechless, his pen hovering in midair, unsure whether he’s listening to fact or fable until Barnes provides just enough detail to make disbelief impossible.

These aren’t the nostalgic ramblings of an old man clinging to faded glory but rather the haunting recollections of someone who has lived on the edge of history, love, and law and who now seeks not forgiveness but to be fully known before it’s too late. Barnes does not seek pity, nor redemption, nor even understanding but rather wants to be seen for who he truly is, not just the golfer, the gentleman, or the husband, but the man behind the “carefully constructed” life, the man shaped by war, tempted by power, shadowed by regret, and compelled by something he still cannot name. Through his story, the author speaks powerfully to something far greater than one man’s extraordinary past- to the universal longing to get known before we are forgotten, to reckon with the choices that shaped us, and to confront the truths we’ve spent a lifetime burying. He also speaks to the fragile, often uncomfortable space between who we were, who we may have pretended to be, and who we might have become.

“Hunting the Red Fox” doesn’t rush in waving flags or demanding your attention with loud, dramatic scenes. It rather unfolds like a conversation you’re lucky to overhear, gradually pulling you closer and drawing you into something far more layered and unexpected than you initially thought. Structurally, the novel is framed through interviews that give the narrative both intimacy and tension while allowing the past and present to sit beside each other, overlapping in ways that feel natural and emotionally earned. The story development itself has been handled with a kind of quiet confidence and in a manner that requires the reader to be patient, to pick up on small details, and to recognize that even in seemingly light moments something weightier may be brewing beneath the surface. In terms of pacing, this isn’t a thriller in the traditional sense, though it carries the tension and intrigue of one. Instead, the book takes its time, letting scenes breathe and allowing the backstory to unfold at a human rhythm, much the way someone might tell you their life story across several evenings. There are, however, moments when the pace slows down, such as when Barnes reflects on his childhood or the mechanics of golf or wartime detail, but these aren’t fillers; rather, they serve as essential grounding points. The prose is clear, unpretentious, and conversational, which suits the oral-history-style narrative beautifully. The language is never flowery or overwrought, but it’s smart and deliberate, with a kind of Southern lilt that is particularly effective in the way word choice mirrors character.

“Hunting the Red Fox” by W. Kenneth Tyler, Jr., sparkles especially in how the author layers the mystery, not in a puzzle-box, high-stakes kind of way, but through character revelation, through implication, and through the emotional weight of memory. Readers will love how it carries the sense that something is always being withheld. It will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, from those who enjoy watching a life unfold in slow, textured detail to those who enjoy slipping into time periods like the 1930s to 1950s, where world events and personal decisions intersect in meaningful, sometimes unexpected ways.

Creed of Legends

Creed of Legends by A.K. Kubica

Reviewed by Diana Coyle

In the book “Creed of Legends” by A.K. Kubica, decades ago the kingdom of Kresha created alliances with certain individuals and as a result, it caused a continent to divide because of the poor choices made. From that time, two men, both with legacies to follow, are at a battle with each other. Nothing will stop them and their hatred for each other is obvious to everyone around them. Tarison, given the title of king at a juvenile age, has developed intense animosity for Brudais, Leifuis and Xenia’s son. As these boys grow and become adults, their hatred has grown deeper as each year passes. To the point that Tarison would do anything to take Brudais’ life, even if it means with his own hands. Brudais, although despising Tarison, defends his homeland serving the king he very much hates and knows wants him dead. But both have legacies they must fulfill. Are they able to achieve their destinies?

A.K. Kubica has masterfully written an epic fantasy adventure tale that is so descriptive, you feel as if you are in the kingdom of Kresha as another resident within the story. As I turned the pages, not only the characters, but the world she created came right off the pages for me to delve into. Considering this is her first novel, this author has a talent that not many can achieve within their first attempted novel, and a detailed novel at that.

One of the points that I really enjoyed about the presentation of this novel was how Kubica dedicated chapters to certain characters. Within those chapters, that dedicated individual was able to tell their story from their point of view and allow readers to see things through their eyes personally. I really enjoyed this approach, not seen done in many novels, and it worked perfectly for this fantasy novel. Readers could immerse themselves more by having each chapter dedicated to an individual, which then added to the storyline as a whole overall.

The characters she created were real people and having the chapters dedicated to them telling their stories allowed me to develop stronger bonds with each one of them, even if they weren’t a favored character of mine like King Tarison. The internal and external battles both Tarison and Brudais experienced with each other throughout the entire novel were believably real to me. These weren’t created cardboard characters I was reading about. On the contrary, they became real human beings that had thoughts, fears and emotions. They truly hated each other and wanted the other to be eliminated in any possible way that could happen.

A.K. Kubica is a fantasy author and poet. She has published several poems over the past fifteen years in anthologies, and even published a book of short stories that has been published this past year. Being a fantasy reading fan herself, Kubica felt that she wanted to create something that readers would enjoy as much as she loved reading herself. This is how this novel was born. Ironically, the author has had many insecurities throughout the years in regard to her not being worthy enough to produce meaningful writing that readers would love. Thankfully, she overcame her insecurities enough to have tried her hand at writing this wonderfully entertaining novel. This is the first book in the Fear and Fortitude series.

If you’re looking for a fantasy book that has a wonderful storyline to follow along with and well-developed characters you invest in getting to know personally, then “Creed of Legends” by A.K. Kubica is one novel you must look into. Well done, Ms. Kubica!

Please click on the link below for more information on the Kickstarter Program and how Backers will get their special editions and digital rewards by September 2025, two months ahead of the official release!

Kickstarter Program Link

The Regression Strain

The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang

Reviewed by Timea Barabas

The Regression Strain grips you from page one and doesn’t let go. Kevin Hwang delivers a fascinating medical thriller set aboard the luxury cruise ship Paradise. Dr. Peter Palma signs on as the ship’s physician, expecting smooth sailing. Instead, he finds himself facing a terrifying unknown that drives human behavior into dangerous regression.  Purchase Here.

Peter steps away from his quiet family practice to join the medical staff aboard a cruise ship, hoping the change of pace will lead to some much-needed self-discovery and escape. It feels good to be somewhere he’s needed, somewhere he can truly make a difference. But his fresh start hits rough waters quickly.

Dr. Elizabeth Hartley, the ship’s stern chief physician, greets him with cold hostility, and even Luisa, one of the nurses, keeps her distance. Only Nurse Mandy brings warmth to the clinic, her presence a welcome contrast in an otherwise frosty atmosphere.

In an attempt to distance himself from his family after a devastating loss, Peter sets out on this unexpected journey only to discover he’s not as alone as he thought. Unknowingly, he finds himself sharing the voyage with a loved one, offering a rare chance to mend a strained relationship before it’s too late.

As chaos erupts aboard the ship, a loved one’s presence adds another layer of complexity. Still, Peter is unexpectedly grateful, for in the heart of the medical storm, this unlikely ally helps him connect the dots and face what lies ahead.

What initially appear to be isolated incidents of extreme and reckless behavior soon form the outline of a pattern. It falls to Peter to connect the dots and decipher the medical mystery behind a rapidly escalating outbreak of aggression. New to the job and still struggling to establish his authority, Peter faces mounting challenges as the invisible threat begins to compromise the ship’s staff and crew including the captain.

In an environment clouded by uncertainty, he must make critical decisions to contain the crisis and minimize casualties. But as suspicion grows that he himself may be affected by the unknown agent, Peter finds himself racing against both time and his own unraveling sanity to protect the people of Paradise before they reach their final port, New York.

Kevin Hwang delivers a compelling medical thriller set aboard the Paradise cruise ship, where every turn brings a new twist. The Regression Strain is the perfect choice for readers seeking a compelling summer read or a captivating escape from the everyday.

One of Them

One of Them by Kitty Zeldis

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

“One of Them” by Kitty Zeldis is an elucidating historical novel that follows two young women navigating identity, belonging, and silent rebellion at Vassar College in 1946. If you enjoy layered character studies wrapped in historical settings—stories that quietly explore the cost of fitting in versus standing out—this book will speak to you in a very personal way. It’s a catchy story about secrets, about the masks we wear to survive, and about the deep loneliness that can come from pretending to be someone you’re not.  Purchase here.

The main character, Anne Bishop, appears to be the typical well-bred Vassar sophomore. She’s part of a privileged, all-American (and quite snobby) group of girls who sip tea in velvet parlors and gossip about who’s suspicious, who’s “not quite right,” and who doesn’t belong. But here’s the twist: Anne’s not actually Anne. Her real name is Miriam. And she’s Jewish—something no one around her knows. She’s hidden that part of herself to blend in, to avoid the whispers, the exclusion, and the subtle but constant stream of anti-Semitic remarks that pass as casual conversation in her circle.

I think readers will feel the tension right away—Anne isn’t just playing along; she’s surviving. At times, it’s hard to watch her go along with the group, to stay silent when they say cruel things, but you also understand why she does it. She’s grieving the loss of her father, she’s deeply lonely, and this group—flawed as they are—gives her some sense of place. Then Delia Goldhush enters the picture, and everything begins to shift.

Delia is a force. She’s sharp, unapologetically Jewish, fashionable, and carries herself with the kind of quiet strength that comes from knowing exactly who she is. She doesn’t try to be accepted, which makes her even more fascinating to Anne. Their connection starts slowly—awkward glances in the library, a quiet dinner table conversation—but it feels powerful, charged, and meaningful. You can feel Anne’s heart tugging in one direction while her fear and loyalty to her image tug her in another. For readers, that emotional conflict is gripping.

The writing itself is soft but intelligent. Zeldis doesn’t use big drama to keep you turning pages. Instead, she leans into emotional honesty—those uncomfortable silences, the little betrayals, and the way someone’s smile can carry just enough edge to cut. Her style is clean and contemplative, allowing you to truly put yourself in Anne’s shoes. Additionally, the structure, which alternates between Anne’s present and Delia’s eerie past in wartime Paris, adds layers and crucial depth without becoming confusing.

What stood out most to me is how Zeldis explores how identity can be both a shield and a prison. Anne hides who she is to gain entry into a world that will never fully accept her. Delia refuses to hide and pays the price in isolation. Their paths collide beautifully—and painfully. I won’t spoil how things unfold, but there’s heartbreak, reflection, and a quiet sense of growth that lingers long after the last page.

If you’re a reader who enjoys emotional depth, moral complexity, and historical fiction that still feels relevant, “One of Them” by Kitty Zeldis is a book worth spending time with. I’m really glad I read it—and I think you will be too.

The Dead Come to Stay

The Dead Come to Stay by Brandy Schillace

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

Some novels creep up on you like a drizzle turning into a downpour—you think you are relaxing into something light and warm, only to be carried away by something deeper, weirder, and more captivating than you imagined. “The Dead Come to Stay” by Brandy Schillace is exactly that kind of book. It charms you with an eccentric village, a bumbling house guest, and a heroine who nervously over-offers tea and cookies, then ambushes you with murder, legacy, and emotional resonance that lingers long after the last page.  Purchase Here.

At the center is Jo Jones, a neurodivergent American editor trying to rebuild her life in a crumbling Yorkshire cottage she inherited under strange, silent circumstances. When she rents out her attic suite to a rain-soaked, vaguely suspicious man named Ronan Foley, she expects a quiet transaction. Instead, the next morning he’s found dead in a muddy ditch—his red shirt soaked, his backstory missing. Jo, still recovering from the previous year’s trauma (a burned-down ancestral manor, a hidden skeleton, a mystery with roots in her own family line), is thrust once again into the heart of a murder investigation.

But this is no standard mystery but a gripping plot that wind between old secrets and fresh wounds, as Jo navigates both her personal history and her present circumstances with remarkable insight, awkward charm, and a steadfast refusal to conform. Alongside her is MacAdams, a gruff, skeptical, quietly loyal detective whose push-and-pull rapport with Jo lends the story both tension and tenderness. As the investigation unfolds, layers of Jo’s own past resurface, revealing how closely the dead come to stay, not just in places, but in people.

Schillace’s writing is gently lyrical, often funny, and deeply interior. The real power here isn’t just in whodunit mechanics—though the mystery is well-paced and satisfying—it’s in how vividly the characters live and breathe on the page. Jo’s voice is the heartbeat of the novel: sharp and observant, filled with tangents and literary asides, and prone to delightful over explanations that somehow make her more endearing, not less.

Here’s one of my favorite early moments that perfectly captures the book’s voice:

“Maybe it was the fact that Jo had forgotten to call them tea biscuits, or maybe it had to do with the fact she wasn’t taking breaths between sentences, but the startled pigeon suddenly began to . . . laugh. It worked a change in him, shaking all the stiffness out.”

That’s the tone in a nutshell- awkward, tender, and unexpectedly transformative. You come for the mystery, but you stay for the protagonist—her intellect, her emotional honesty, her complicated, beautiful mind.

If you love your mysteries thoughtful, character-driven, and tinged with bittersweet humor, “The Dead Come to Stay” by Brandy Schillace is more than worth a visit. It’s the kind of book that leaves a faint, haunting echo—like a footprint in damp earth, or a cup of tea gone cold beside an unanswered question.

 

The Museum of LIes

The Museum of Lies by J. Timothy Hunt

Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

Our experiences have a way of shaping our lives, and any traumas we suffer can have a severe effect on the people we become. However, our memories are unreliable, and even the most impactful event can become distorted over time. Thinking too much about the past can raise significant questions about the reality we believe we have lived. In The Museum of Lies, author J. Timothy Hunt takes an in-depth look at the concepts of trauma, memory, and reality.  Purchase Here.

The book follows the life of Cary Scott, jumping back and forth through time from one traumatic experience to another. The book paints a detailed picture of a deeply neurotic man with severe issues of self-loathing who has suffered various forms of abuse from strangers and loved ones alike. Throughout the story, we also see Cary grow more and more concerned about whether his memories are really his own and become fixated on separating fact from fiction. Adding a few tales of unbelievable good fortune in among the seemingly countless stories of suffering makes the case for the reality of the narrative even more tenuous for both Cary and the reader alike.

The character work in The Museum of Lies is terrific. Hunt does a beautiful job of portraying Cary as a profoundly troubled man who is constantly looking to fix himself and is never satisfied with the results. He shows Cary at various points in his youth enduring significantly damaging forms of abuse and humiliation. While the severity of these traumas varies greatly, we see how even comparatively minor embarrassments can take their toll and contribute to the mental breakdown of a bright and promising child.

The Museum of Lies is a quick read that is portrayed more as a collection of vignettes with a common theme than a standard novel. The non-linear storytelling spanning decades is engaging as the reader is constantly bouncing back and forth between cause and effect, with the questions about the reliability of memory leaving you wondering which is which.

Hunt does a great job of keeping the reader wanting more by leaving you with questions at the end of every chapter that often are not answered until several chapters later. The Museum of Lies is an enjoyable (if somewhat unsettling) read that will leave you thinking back on your own life and wondering what about your existence you can prove.

 

Believe: A Memoir in Stories

Believe: A Memoir in Stories by Christina H. Wilson

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

Christina H. Wilson’s “Believe: A Memoir in Stories” is a moving and deeply inspiring collection of life stories that beautifully piece together the grueling journey of a woman who endures painful experiences and most notably continues to grow and believe in purpose, in love, in herself, and in a greater guiding force, amidst daunting odds. Told through short chapters, each giving away a vignette from her life, the book reads like a series of memories shared over a long, comforting conversation. Christina invites you on a journey into her life—from growing up in a large Chinese-American family to facing love, loss, betrayal, and finding peace.  Purchase Here.

The memoir begins with Christina’s childhood in Philadelphia, the daughter of Chinese immigrants with very different backgrounds. Her father came from a humble, traditional family, while her mother grew up in privilege, being the daughter of a Chinese diplomat. Christina candidly details her severe childhood asthma, her close bond with her mother, and the strong values of family as well as responsibility that shaped her early years. Her gentle storytelling skills make you feel like you’re right there in the house, with the chaos of five children, a hardworking father, and a mother trying to hold onto her values while facing cultural clashes.

As the stories unfold, we follow Christina into young adulthood—college, love, heartbreak, and eerie encounters, like unknowingly befriending someone who may have been a serial killer. Here, she shares personal stories of betrayal, family drama, ambition, and resilience through stories that are strikingly honest and deeply vulnerable. One particularly moving segment is about her father’s gambling addiction, which cost their family a great deal, yet she never stops trying to understand him or honor his legacy. Later stories explore loss and grief, especially around the death of loved ones, but Christina always returns to her core belief, in purpose, in timing, in love, and in a higher power guiding our paths.

The book’s structure is unique—thirty-seven short stories that read like snapshots which makes it easy to pick up and digest one story at a time. Christina’s voice is warm, down-to-earth, and sincere, and she doesn’t try to glamorize or dramatize her life, and that’s exactly what makes the story so relatable. Her prose is simple yet effective and readers will appreciate how she makes small moments feel meaningful, for example, when she reflects on her childhood nickname “Tina” as well as when she remembers the exact moment she stood up for herself in a relationship.

Themes of identity, resilience, cultural heritage, and motherhood are present throughout. But the biggest theme is belief—believing in oneself, in love, and in the unseen hands that shape our lives. Her message is clear and will leave her audience inspired to see that things happen for a reason, and if you listen carefully, you’ll see the signs guiding you.

Overall, “Believe: A Memoir in Stories” is deeply enlightening without being preachy and is a book for anyone who’s gone through something hard and come out stronger, or simply wants to. Christina H. Wilson’s life proves that pain and joy often go hand-in-hand, and through it all, we just have to believe. Young and mature readers will greatly benefit from its priceless yet universal lessons.

 

 

Extraterrestrial Noir

Extraterrestrial Noir by Rich Leder

Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

The world is full of stories of deadly alien invasions, and there are also many notable examples of fish out of water extraterrestrial visits to our little planet. However, in Extraterrestrial Noir, author Rich Leder decides to see how well these elements play together. Attracted to Earth by an SOS sent out into the night sky from the flashlight of a suburban housewife, a quirky shapeshifting alien makes a visit to Earth to lend a hand. While this may sound like the setup for an offbeat sitcom like Alf, things quickly take a dark turn as this alien has a penchant for noir.  Purchase Here.

Once again, Leder shows off his bleak sense of humor as this twisted take on first contact rapidly devolves into a deadly trip through the hidden criminal underworld that lies beneath an idyllic suburban paradise.

The plotting of Extraterrestrial Noir is superb, keeping the reader engaged and excited to find out what crazy turn the story will take next. The story has a wide range of characters, and each chapter gives us a glimpse into the brain of the person in focus, with our enigmatic alien always being viewed from the outside without getting to peek into their unfathomably complex mind.

While the novel is fairly long, the action-packed pacing and witty wording of the writer keep propelling you over the pages, and you find yourself breezing through the story at a breakneck pace, unable to find a pausing point to put down the book and take a break.

The character development is wonderful, as, aside from the visitor to our planet and our kid genius tasked with protecting her family, most of the other characters are not what they first appear. While they may seem to be fairly normal everyday folks from the suburbs at first glance, once their onion is peeled back, their dark secrets hiding underneath are revealed.

Don’t go into Extraterrestrial Noir expecting the characters to act with reason. The novel is full of the “don’t go in there” kind of moments you see in horror films, where the actions of the characters are clearly going to lead them to their doom. However, that is part of the fun of this story, as Leder is constantly using the narrative to highlight the stupidity of mankind with his typically twistedly comedic charm.