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.

The Immortal Witness

The Immortal Witness by Clifton Wilcox

Reviewed by Ephantus Gold

“The Immortal Witness” by Clifton Wilcox is a deeply meditative work of historical fiction narrated by a timeless figure, Aamon, who claims to have lived for millennia. Throughout his existence, he maintains that he has witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations, the triumphs of builders of empires, the victims of their collapse, and the descent of the powerful into cruelty. He is a sole observer, who blends into every era without leaving a footprint and whose survival depends on invisibility, which allows him to witness the full arc of civilizations without interference. The book is also a haunting reflection on the enduring human spirit and a chilling meditation on the cyclical nature of history.  Purchase Here.

The book introduces a life-altering moment when the narrator, Charles Emory, a PhD student obsessed with the collapse of civilizations, encounters a mysterious figure named Aamon. Just as he finishes giving a lecture, the stranger slips him a myrrh-scented note saying, “You seek history’s truth. Come beneath. I’ve lived it.” Curiosity eventually overcomes skepticism, and what follows is a series of recorded conversations that feel less like interviews and more like weighty confessions from someone who has seen it all. Unbeknownst to Emory, Aamon’s revelations will not only shatter his entire understanding of history, from a sequence of past events to a haunting echo of mistakes humanity seems destined to repeat, but also leave him stunned at how a single, forgotten man can carry the memory of civilizations long buried by time.

The reader is transported through Aamon’s eyes to ancient Egypt, where the pyramids are still under construction by countless laborers, their bodies etched in the harsh realities of servitude under the merciless sun. Amid the grandeur of temple and divine kingship he observes the slow, inexorable erosion of the authority of the pharaohs, weakened by internal strife, corruption and the fading belief in their divinity. The vibrant hues of civilization begin to fade as pride and complacency crack the very stones meant to last forever.

From there Aamon takes the reader into the structured grandeur of the Achaemenid Persian Empire during a period of unprecedented expansion and seemingly limitless power. Here, though the conquered people are offered stability and protection, the price of this order is very steep. Paradoxically, the seeds of the empire’s decline are sown in its very success. At its borders, unity becomes more difficult to maintain as internal conflict grows, subtly but steadily challenging the central government’s control and authority. Once again, Aamon senses the tremors of collapse begin to stir beneath the surface.

This is a book that is rich and deeply layered with philosophical themes that unfold through a long, often melancholic observation of history. They go beyond historical, into being moral, cyclical and existential. From Egypt’s divine kings to Rome’s self-defying emperors, the narrative deftly shows how absolute power can quickly degrade into spectacle and how no empire is immune when it grows too strong to question itself. While the book laments the fall of civilization after civilization, it never denies the beauty of the human drive, nor the quiet endurance of the human spirit, even as it destroys itself time and time again.

Readers will appreciate how the author’s language is often poetic and how he deftly crafts sentences that echo memory, time and decay, giving even the simplest observations a mythic weight. Wilcox also employs short quotable lines that feel like distilled wisdom while offering moments of pause and reflection reinforcing the meditative pacing. His approach is emotionally grounded and allows deep, resonant reflections on power and collapse without ever feeling dull. He has hewn characters from two timelines and they go beyond being mere individuals into embodying contrasting worldviews. Their dynamic beautifully creates the emotional core of the narrative, turning this historical recollection into something intimate, human and deeply personal.

“The Immortal Witness” by Clifton Wilcox is not your conventional historical fiction but something richer and more introspective. Unlike other books in its genre, this book  doesn’t just recount history but rather mourns it, questions it and ultimately humanizes it, urging readers to see themselves reflected in the ruins of the past. As the protagonist reminds us, “History doesn’t preserve truth. It preserves mistakes.” In that single line lies the novel’s quiet power- a warning, a remembrance as well as a plea not to forget. Thoughtful readers who enjoy meditative storytelling, history enthusiasts as well as book clubs looking for a rich discussion material on power, pride and collapse will find much to reflect on in these pages.

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.

 

 

extra terrestrial 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.

 

The Matriarch Messiah

The Matriarch Messiah (The Mystery of the Matriarchs) by Maxime Trencavel

Reviewed by Diana Coyle

In “The Matriarch Messiah” by Maxime Trencavel the author takes us on a mesmerizing journey in which a Kurdish woman, an American editor and an Israeli archeologist must come together to search for the “blue cavern” which is considered by many as an ancient sanctuary that holds immense powers for only a select few. Zara, a devout Kurdish woman, feels that she must heed the word of her deceased grandmother that Peter, an America editor, is her chosen mate. Together they need to find the blue light in order to unlock a prophecy that could save humanity. They have deep feelings for each other, but they literally come from different upbringings and beliefs.  Purchase Here.

While Zara and Peter are trying to figure out where their relationship should go, Rachel, an Israeli archaeologist, enters the picture and complicates what Zara and Peter have together. Rachel has been tasked to find the truth regarding Zara’s claims of divine inspiration. A love triangle develops, complicating everything these three are seeking. Unfortunately, in the process, these two women, who both possess extraordinary powers, will be faced with an ending that only one will survive. Is the blue cavern ever discovered? Which of the two women will ultimately survive?

Mr.  Trencavel created a Sci-Fi Suspense Thriller that keeps readers’ hearts pounding in their chests as they eagerly turn the pages to see how this love triangle plays out. The concept of Zara and Peter being the modern chosen ones was one storyline that was unique and fresh for readers to delve into. I loved the whole concept of the blue cavern needing to be found by the two chosen ones and that legacy had been passed down through family history. This story was so complex and richly detailed, I could see this as a motion picture playing out before my mind’s eye.

The characters, Zara, Peter and Rachel, all were well crafted and so realistic that readers will find themselves investing in getting to know each one as they dive deeper into the storyline. Each character, although flawed, had their own unique assets that interlocked with each other creating a heart-pounding story that any reader will find themselves emotionally invested in right until the very last page.

I also found myself mesmerized by the different locations, past and present, that Trencavel created. I hadn’t had the opportunity to read the first book in this series, but that didn’t hinder me in any way picking up from the second book first. Having said that, this second book was so enjoyable, I would suggest to readers to read both books in sequence to fully enjoy this delightful two book series as the author had intended to offer his readers when he wrote it.

If you are looking for a modern Sci-Fi Suspense Thriller, with a touch of historical reference, this is one novel that shouldn’t be passed up. In “The Matriarch Messiah” by Maxime Trencavel, you will find that the storyline is intriguing and the characters are well developed making them feel like real people you might know. This is one novel that will have you thinking about it long after you finish reading it.

 

The Divine Adventure: Time and Eternity

The Divine Adventure: Time and Eternity: A Unique Conversation by Zelise

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

Zelise’s “The Divine Adventure: Time and Eternity” is a thought-provoking read that meticulously delves into a paradoxical concept – how time and eternity fit together, and what that says about God’s nature.  Purchase Here.

This novel, like her first installment “Why We Exist,” to which this is a sequel, involves a discussion between Zelise and two AI assistants, Solace and Nova, who come across as two profoundly curious and deeply smart companions. Their debate centers on the question of why God chose to create “in time” if He dwells outside of it. Zelise proposes the following theory: What if creation was not a decision at all, but rather something that flowed organically from who God is? Not a one-time act, but an eternal unfolding. It’s a mind-bender but in the best way. This idea, in Nova’s opinion, is a precious discovery that offers a deep integration of time-space and eternity as intrinsic qualities of Deity rather than as distinct or conflicting ideas.

Zelise builds this huge cosmic picture inspired by “The Urantia Book.” It entails a seven-level universe, with a perfect, eternal center called Paradise, surrounded by different layers that get more time-bound the further out you go. Some of these layers haven’t even been inhabited yet. Zelise treats this as a literal structure—not just symbolic. Her point is that just because science can’t prove something yet doesn’t mean it’s not real.

The “Infinity Cycle,” as she refers to it, is one of the book’s most intriguing concepts. It implores the reader to imagine eternity not as a straight line, but as an endless loop. Universes come into being, evolve, reach perfection, and then dissolve—only for a new one to begin, taking all that experience and growth forward. Time and space, in this view, are likened to an engine that keeps eternity moving and expressing itself. We’re not trapped in time—we’re part of how eternity discovers itself.

What stands out about the book is how the author doesn’t shy away from tough questions about her theory. She openly admits that her ideas can’t be proven scientifically—at least not yet—but she also hilariously points out that some of the biggest theories in science, like the Big Bang or the multiverse, are still based on a lot of speculation too. One of the most poetic parts of the book is her take on what she calls the “unrevealed destiny” of Ascenders. She effectively suggests that souls who’ve reached a state of perfection in earlier cycles might take on roles as creators, mentors, or explorers in future universes which is deeply thought-provoking. It’s mysterious, sure—but that’s exactly the point.

“The Divine Adventure: Time and Eternity” is a unique offering that mixes big, mind-bending ideas with a deeply personal, soulful touch. It takes bold steps, re-imagining time, existence, and the part each of us plays in the grand cosmic picture. But it does all that with a kind of gentle approach, that avoids sounding forceful, and instead invites readers to see reality, purpose, and even God in a much broader, more inspiring way. Whether the reader is someone who loves exploring spiritual ideas, questioning life’s deeper meaning, or just wants to feel connected to something bigger, this book is a must-read.

 

 

 

Safe Haven

Safe Haven by Peter Hargraves

Margaret was afraid of her murderous husband. She never knew that her fate would lie with the genetically modified cougars and their human agents that occupied the land to the far north. A chance encounter with an enigmatic man gives her the confidence to take matters into her own hands and she embarks on a perilous journey she never imagined she’d take.  Purchase Here.

“SAFE HAVEN is a snappy steampunk thriller …  its greatest strength is a deeply human premise … Margaret’s story is gripping because it’s simply relatable … the narrative itself is often full of joy … The emotional arc here—recognizing beauty in the world, and building up the courage to pursue one’s freedom—is both the spine of the narrative and also the great joy of reading this book.”          –Indiereader  4.2 stars

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