What would you do if you were defending your property from a burglar and they accidentally died? That’s the dilemma Um Hassam and her family faced one night in their apartment in Aleppo, Syria. The rooms are in darkness due to a power cut,...

In Search of the Return by Joshua Raymond is a mesmerizing spiritual odyssey that masterfully blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality. Set against the backdrop of ancient forests and ethereal dreamscapes, the story follows an unforgettable quest for connection, freedom, and purpose that reflects...

This week I’ve been thoroughly engrossed by Charles Paul Collins’ historical novel The Remembering: Of Leather & Stone. A fictional account of the lives of real members of the author's family throughout the ages, this book manages to give a compelling insight into the history...

Yesteryear's Wish by Zixiao Yu is an evocative tale that seamlessly weaves nostalgia, mystery, and the warmth of family bonds. Set against a beautifully crafted, almost dreamlike backdrop, the novel unfolds with layers of tender memories and profound reflections that touch the heart. Each chapter...

Becoming Mariella by Janet Constantino is a heartwarming story about Mariella Russo, a young woman from Sicily eager to find her path and break free from her family's expectations. She feels the weight of her mother Yolanda's dreams, who is excited at the thought of...

Beware the Bantam Fighter by David Santiago follows a Puerto Rican family's experiences over the years living on the mainland. With her baby in the stroller, Josephina Burgos walks through the street to confront her son's bullies in the neighborhood. A young Roberto and his...

In the city of Naghaar, women are regarded not by their worth but by their appearance and are sold upon passing the required inspection. In The Willow Tree, Komal Akhtar explores this popular ritual which is practiced by many Eastern cultures. Under the oppressive Allotment...

The Gift by C. D’Angelo is a story of finding one’s destiny and drawing strength and support from loved ones. Since childhood, Toni Agosti had dreamed of joining the LA Philharmonic as a cellist. However, while attending a family wedding in Italy, Toni discovers that...

It may come as a surprise to many readers that as recently as the beginning of the last century, peasants were working the land for the local baron with no modern machinery. In Maryona by Thomas Macy, he describes the almost medieval life in Lithuania...

Musical Chairs by Ruth Bures is a historical fiction novel that tells the true story of four musicians, Babette, Freda, Orville, and Walter, who perform a classy vaudeville act in the early 1900s. As vaudeville declines, they settle in a small town in southeastern Minnesota,...