The Pebble in the Pond: A Story of Stuarts Landing by Suzanne S. Groves left me searching for the right words to capture its uniqueness and deep sense of rightness, especially in a world that often feels devoid of compassion, empathy, or love. Miriam has...

The Restless Crucible by Yaw Agawu-Kakraba is an enthralling tale that unfolds across West Africa, Brazil, and Europe (briefly). It introduces readers to the complex life of Pedro de Barbosa, an Afro-Brazilian man and former slave whose opportunistic nature leads him to become a renowned...

Inês: Queens of Portugal Trilogy by Catherine Mathis is a captivating tale of love, jealousy, and loyalty set in Portugal in the 14th century. Pedro’s father became king thanks to the help of his trusted adviser, Gonçalves. But now, he has grand ambitions and wants...

By the Light of the Bluff by Blake Gunnels is a historical novel that takes the reader to the small island of Saint Simons off Georgia’s Atlantic coast just as the South is trying to rebuild after the Civil War. For Jesse Whitmore and her...

The Faithful Ones by Kathleen J. Waites takes place during World War II. The story primarily revolves around Edward F. Hohlfeld, a young Catholic man from a working-class neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He loves art, particularly sketching and painting, and has a younger sister, Mary....

Halley's Gathering by William Overstreet is a historical literary novel set in early 20th-century America, where Julia Halley operates a trading post deep within the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico Territory. She has gathered a diverse circle of companions, including a Southern doctor who provides...

The Supersonic Phallus by Steven Key Meyers is a captivating exploration of post-war America, blending historical events with intrigue. Set in 1947, the novel follows Sam, a young journalist in Sinai, Colorado, as he navigates the hysteria surrounding flying saucers, the pressures of small-town life,...

Woodville Bill by Micky Emerald is set at the dawn of the 20th century, where a group of orphans comes together to rob a train. As Oklahoma enforces Prohibition, Billy develops a reputation for outrunning law enforcement and becomes known for racing in his striking...

In Sharon Gloger Friedman’s The Other Emma, Rose Litkin was taken to the Children’s Aid Society and placed in the Girls’ Lodging House. After two years, Lucien Boyesten adopted Rose to be a sister and companion for his ten-year-old daughter, Emma. Emma taunted Rose with...

The Bulls of Bashan by Jodi Lea Stewart unfolds in 1953 around Savannah, a waitress working in a diner in a small Texas town. Savannah's uncomplicated life is about to take a drastic turn. She is recruited as a member of a covert team tasked...