The Unlit Candle by Caren J. Werlinger is a deep and touching novel about three women who struggle with not only their faith but their sexuality. We are introduced to Pip (or Patricia) and her family. Her father and brother both work in the family...

Perplex City by Naseha Sameen is a collection of exotic stories. These events happened in the year of the rat, pig, and red fire snake, respectively. In the rat’s year and before the COVID-19 lockdown, wild parties and the sale of drugs skyrocketed. When a...

We Turn to Face the Sun by Stephanianna Lozito is a tale of bravery, profound loss, and the power to move on. This is a story about two sisters, Jennifer and Tara Rossi, as they tell their truths leading to a deep wound that leaves...

When I reflect on Moss by Joe Pace, three words come to mind immediately: deep, unique, and extraordinary. All three adjectives apply to Pace’s characters, plot, themes, and style...in fact, everything about this novel. Quite honestly, I cannot get this exquisite literary novel out of...

With a name like Drummond, you would expect a very musical percussionist, especially when the name is often shortened to Drum or even Drummy! Middle school student Drummond wasn’t so sure at first. He enjoyed playing the drums, but he wasn’t sure he was that...

He Watches All My Paths by Stacey Jernigan is a gripping legal thriller with compelling characters. The opening immediately sets up the plot, introducing us to an unnamed, disgruntled character that you know will harbor some antagonism. The prologue states that this character’s life has...

The Smile of December is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama subgenre. It is aimed at mature readers and was penned by author Jonathan Vickers. The book follows Darryl Walker, a man who is determined to be the kind of father to his...

Stay With Me, Wisconsin, by JoAnneh Nagler, is a short story collection of eleven stories. All the stories focused on well-developed characters. Another interesting point is every story connects each character to another person in an earlier or following story. Ponty Bayswater is the first...

Toxic Soup by R.R. Rowley is a thriller set against the backdrop of an environmental disaster. After her brother succumbs to a horrifying death at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation due to radioactive spillage, Casey Long, a nature-loving free-spirited woman, is determined to bring justice upon...

Saving Lonesome Carsten is a slice-of-life drama novel by Emily Stalder Johnson. After recently moving with her family to her new home, junior high schooler Kacey Harlow finds a kindred spirit when she meets Carsten Hayes, a shy kid who instantly opens up to Kacey....