Under The Umbrella Tree by Cheryl Spears Waugh is described with these moving words: “From sunrise to sundown, the umbrella tree stands anchored in the African grasslands. As the day begins, life stirs among the tree's tenants.” This description is followed through with such a...

Coffee Break with the Billionaire by Holly Kerr is a sweet romantic comedy that tells the story of Fenella Carrington, a billionaire hiding from the public eye after a scandalous breakup. She finds refuge in Laandia, a small country where she meets Silas, a charming...

Who Drew the Short Straw? by Sam Sumac is a darkly comedic science fiction novel that combines absurd humor with a satirical exploration of human flaws. The story follows an eclectic group of characters including psychic mediums, an insecure insurance salesman, a wealthy businessman, and...

Can a "monster" grant life to an anguished soul? Kayla Frederick's After the Devil explores this complex subject. When her self-published books fail to make any remarkable impact, Alex decides to quit writing and spend more of her time working jobs to help raise her...

“The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.” King Rex and the Cowboy Mafia is a true crime story by Phil Hamman, Sandy Hamman, and Fred Boff. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) spent a lot of time and...

In Daisy, Minnie, and the Sugar Plum Kitty by Jessica Azenberg, Daisy is desperate for the role of Sugar Plum Kitty in her ballet school’s production of The Nutcracker, but jealousy takes over when the role goes to her best friend, Minnie. But when her...

Contagion of the Night by Edward J. Leahy is a historical mystery set in 1943, following Detective Dan Brady as he investigates the murder of a woman found strangled in a churchyard. What begins as a seemingly random crime soon reveals deeper ties to organized...

Cheecho’s father has been gone for a long time and Cheecho doesn’t understand why. In Manuel Padilla Jr.’s Cheecho the Magnificent Magico, Cheecho learns that he has some magical powers, he just doesn’t know how to use them. All he wants to do with his...

What do you get if you combine an old folk song from 1870 with superb illustrations? This combination gives you the wonderful children’s picture book Over in the Meadow by Chandler Strange. This song continues to serve the same two purposes for which it was...

Mealtime at the Zoo by James Williamson is a lovely children’s book with adorable and colorful illustrations by Ayesha Masood. James, the quirky monkey butler, serves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and much more to an eclectic array of zoo animals. The pictures are delightful...

William and the Wizard Waldo: A Boy and His Wizard by Joseph Schwary is a story about 'How to Be You.' William has spent so long training for the big race but when he doesn’t come first, he is upset. He shuts himself away from...

Kona and the Lumpy Bumps by Carly Major is a heartwarming children's book that gently addresses the challenges of sensory sensitivities and anxieties. Through the story of Kona, a playful Pitbull with an unusual obsession for having his blanket perfectly smooth, young readers are introduced...

Edward the Little Magic Star and Claire by Chiara Sandri is about a sweet young girl named Claire. She’s in first grade and is used to doing her best at everything. Making mistakes represents failing for little Claire, so she has developed a fear of...

Bobby and the Road of Smiles (Tales of Life and Wonder) by Sety H is as much for parents as it is for children. It teaches emotional control and has a lot of helpful tips that parents can use when their children throw tantrums or...

Bonnie Chadwick’s Dexter and the Bat is a sweet children’s book based on a true story about the interaction and relationship between a dog and a bat. Dexter was rescued and became part of the family. One night, he kept looking at the door and...

Catalina Plays The What? is a heartwarming children’s book written by Antonia Aviles, with illustrations by Jasmine T. Mills. It follows the story of Catalina, a young girl doing a show-and-tell presentation about her favorite instrument, the double bass. Catalina nervously starts her presentation but...

Siblings Iver and Luke are distraught when their mother has an accident, breaks her leg, and is laid up for weeks. In Anthony C. Delauney’s Iver and Luke and the Friends-for-Others Club, the boys come up with a plan to help out at home. Little...

A Light on the Horizon is a young adult drama by Philip Delizio. Jenny Scott isn't too happy when she has to leave her home, friends, and the neighborhood where she grew up since childhood because her family is moving to the East Coast. Now...

Carnival of the Dead by Dita Dow invites readers into a mysterious and abandoned amusement park filled with dark secrets that keep visitors on their toes. The story follows YouTubers Seth and Kim as they embark on an adventure in the eerie Carnival of Dreams...

Abby and Liam and the Snowball Adventure by Kristen Puma is a delightful tale centered on the imaginative exploits of two siblings, Abby and Liam. Their parents set out to entertain them by building two snowmen, one made by the children and the other by...