3 Popular Book Themes in Publishing Today

3 Popular Book Themes in Publishing Today

by Kathryn Starke

As a literacy specialist, I love being a book matchmaker for elementary school readers. When a child is matched with their “next best book to read,” both reading engagement and reading comprehension increase because the title closely matches the interests and background of the reader. That’s why choice is so important when it comes to book selection. There are three themes that are currently populating our bookstores and libraries around the country.

Everyone loves a feel-good story. Life lessons around kindness, family, and friendship leave a positive impression on readers of all ages. The Good News Movement and The Know Newsletter are two popular media sources that solely focus on sharing hopeful and inspiring stories. Even major news outlets include a regular segment to highlight random acts of kindness or motivational stories from everyday citizens because they make us feel good.

Author Laura Jacobson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, teamed up with New York best-selling author and illustrator Michael Garland to create her debut children’s picture book and feel-good story. The Boy with the Magic Thumb tells the story of a young boy who relies on his thumb in overwhelming situations. He learns to find his own inner strength and confidence and realizes that the magic inside him is not just in his thumb. Since 70-90% of children suck their thumbs, this children’s picture book shares a life lesson that supports a large number of readers. Books are the best tools to teach lessons and discuss relatable themes in school and at home.

Overcoming obstacles, whether it is in a memoir, children’s picture book, or fictional novel, is another popular theme people look for in a terrific book. An obstacle could be a disability, a bias, or a problem that needs solving. Author Andrew Maraniss, a New York Times-bestselling author, of Brentwood, Tennessee, writes powerful sports stories that highlight professional athletes and sporting events throughout history. Andrew Maraniss beautifully creates narrative nonfiction for teens and adults that focuses on the intersection of sports and social justice.

Women’s fiction is the popular theme that has sparked more book clubs and romance bookstores around the country. Female protagonists and female driven storytelling give women the opportunity to see themselves and their best friends in text and engage in conversation. Many women’s fiction novels include guiding reading questions to support such dialogues. Bestselling author Jennifer Moorman is an excellent example of a successful women’s fiction author from the south. She is published by Harper Muse, which places an emphasis on women’s fiction and Southern fiction. Her book, The Magic All Around, is a magical realism novel that introduces readers to the Russell women in Georgia, Moorman’s childhood home.

What’s the last book you read that left a positive impact, a memorable female character, or a serious obstacle that had to be overcome? These three elements are evident in books ranging from children’s picture books to adult literature. As the founder and CEO of a publishing company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, these are three themes we are always interested in publishing. So, what’s the next best book you can recommend for a friend this season? And, what’s the next book you are going to write?

Kathryn Starke:
Creative Minds Publications Launches New Publishing Services
Aug 14, 2024

Creative Minds Publications, the Richmond, Va.–based publishing and literacy consulting company, has launched three new divisions to publish original titles.

The first, a hybrid publishing arm, is now open for agented and unagented manuscript submissions in the following categories: children’s, YA, education, parenting, self-help, spiritual, memoir, historical fiction, sports, politics, business, leadership, and select women’s contemporary fiction.

The second, a self-publishing consulting arm, provides consulting services for self-published authors about writing, editing, designing, printing, distributing, and marketing their book. The third division, called Your Business, Your Brand, Your Story, offers ghostwriting services.

“Everyone has a story to tell, and we want to help everyone bring their story to life," said founder Kathryn Starke, in a statement. "We aren’t looking for a particular celebrity writer, a person with a huge following, or an individual with a perfectly curated social media presence. We are simply looking for great stories.”


We are an award-winning independent publishing and literacy consulting company, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, that helps teach the world to read. We motivate children, support parents, and inspire fellow educators and readers of all ages to feel more confident and competent in reading and writing. We invite you to share your story with us or request a literacy consultation for your school community. Email us today at info@creativemindspublications.com

Ever Read A Social Work Mystery Book?

Hello! My name is Margaret Fenton, and I write the “Little” social work mystery series. I am happy to be here and to talk about my writing. My books feature Claire Conover, a child welfare social worker at the fictional Jefferson County Department of Human Services in Birmingham, Alabama. She investigates crimes against children, or, in some cases, crimes adjacent to children.

The hardest part about writing this series is deciding what to put in it. Child abuse and
death is not something that most people feel comfortable reading about for entertainment, so details need to be carefully chosen so they don’t offend the reader. After all, I write mystery, not horror. I start each book with the crime and the villain, and then decide how Claire gets involved to solve the mystery. My main goal in starting this series was to paint a picture of what child welfare social workers really do all day. I used to work with them when I was the mental health consultant for the real-life Jefferson County, Alabama DHR. Nothing I write is based on any real case, for that would be completely unethical. However, I am a good example of “write what you know”, which is always a good place to start.

Social workers investigate all kinds of situations that affect children. This includes abuse
and neglect, of course, but also can include families who just need appropriate resources in the moment. The whole goal is to prevent the child or children from coming into State care. All of the social workers I met in my previous career were dedicated and talented people who devoted themselves to the safety and care of children. I tried to create a character who reflected those values.

I hope you’ll check out my series, which begins with Little Lamb Lost. Claire gets to
work one day and one of her young clients is dead. The police arrest the mother and are
convinced she is guilty, but Claire knows that is not true and is compelled to investigate. Little Girl Gone is next, when Claire meets a thirteen-year-old girl who is sleeping behind a grocery store. She is placed in foster care, then disappears. Her mother is later found dead and Claire must find out what happened. In book three, Little White Lies, there is a bombing at a mayoral candidate’s office and a man is killed. He has a young daughter who becomes Claire’s charge and she gets drawn into another mystery. And that leads us to Little Boy Blue, when Claire’s recent boyfriend is accused of child abuse by an ex-employee. Claire does what she does best, and sets out to prove his innocence.

Margaret Fenton writes the Little mystery series featuring child welfare social
worker Claire Conover, published by Aakenbaaken and Kent. She spent nearly ten
years as a child and family therapist for her county’s child welfare department
before focusing on writing. She has been a planning coordinator of Murder in the
Magic City in Birmingham, Alabama since its inception in February 2003
(mmcmysteryconference.com). Margaret lives in the Birmingham suburb of
Hoover with her husband, a retired software developer, three adorable Papillon
dogs, and lots and lots of books. Her website is margaretfenton.com and she loves
to hear from readers.

Books in Print:

Little Lamb Lost
Little Girl Gone
Little White Lies
Little Boy Blue

A Fall at Ford's Theatre

Allen Boyer's new book, this year, in the Dupree Sisters series ia titled a Fall at Ford's Theatre.

Allen said, "The Dupree Sisters are the two oldest socialites in Washington DC. They're also quite good at using their social connections to solve mysteries. In this post I will share information on the research I do in writing one of my Dupree Sisters books. Famous landmarks, local restaurants and famous presidential quotes are just some of the elements in each book that requires a good amount of research. I find that the research, like icing on a cake, really enhances the experience for the reader."

When a body drops from a balcony at Ford’s Theatre, rumors begin to fly. Did she jump? Was she pushed? Was it intentional or an accident? To find the truth, Charlotte and Ruth Dupree have to go back decades to a mystery at the oldest girls school in Washington DC. A school that they both attended. A school with a tragic secret from their past. From the majestic setting of Ford’s Theater to the hallowed halls of the Library of Congress, join the Dupree Sisters as they employ their usual charm and wit to untangle the mystery around A Fall at Ford’s Theatre.

THE VALUE OF DETAILS

I have been writing fiction for more than twenty years. I’ve been quite lucky to find so much success and have such a broad readership. When I write a story, I try to think about what kind of story I would like to read. Fortunately, this perspective has helped me write my books.



One thing I’ve always enjoyed as a reader is being able to learn something when I read. Maybe it’s because I’m a retired teacher, but when I pick up a book, I like a good story, but I also like to learn a few interesting facts along the way. For the readers of my Dupree Sisters Mystery Series, I can sense we have this in common.



Set in Washington DC, my Dupree Sisters Mystery Series centers on two of Washington’s oldest socialists, Charlotte and Ruth Dupree. They have never been married, live in the home they were raised in and circulate through Washington’s social circles. In each book in the series, they use their social connections to solve mysteries.



In addition to enjoying a good mystery, readers of this series have told me more than once that they enjoy learning interesting facts about Washington DC when they read these books. As a writer, I find it helpful to know what this particular readership expects from this series, which is a good mystery and has interesting facts.

The fourth book in this series, A Fall at Ford’s Theatre, was just released. It took me a year to write. In addition to the plot and characters, there was a good deal of online research I did to provide readers with facts about Washington DC. Going to websites to read articles. Watching videos that provided tours of buildings. Pictures of interiors of buildings. Needless to say, it was tedious work, but that was only half of the process. The other half of this process was how to incorporate facts into the story.


One way I used the facts I found was to enhance a setting for readers. For example, when I began this book, I had an image in my head of a body falling from a balcony at Ford’s Theatre. All I knew about Ford’s theater was that it was where President Lincoln was shot. When I did some research, I was fascinated to learn how the theater had actually been shut down after Lincoln’s assassination. When it reopened in 1932, it was turned into a museum. Eventually, the theater opened in 1968. Gerald Ford would become the first president to attend a show there since Lincoln. All good facts that I was able to use in the opening chapters.


Along with Ford’s Theatre, I also did similar research into the Library of Congress. The facts I found allowed me to write in great detail about the appearance of the inside of the building. These facts helped to immerse the reader in the setting. This was especially true for the Great Hall and the Main Reading Room, two of the massive chambers in the Library of Congress. I think details of a setting really enhance the experience for the reader.


In addition to Ford’s Theatre and the Library of Congress, I also dug up some historical facts about Georgetown Preparatory Visitation School, the oldest girls school in Washington DC. I was able to incorporate facts about the history of the school into dialogue during a scene between one of the Dupree sisters and her goddaughter. Using facts this way not only educates the reader, but it allows the characters to share their perspective on something.


In addition to doing research on well-known places, I also did research on a few restaurants where scenes take place. The Monocle is known in Washington as a restaurant where Republican and Democratic legislatures come to dine. The establishment is close to the House of Representatives and the Senate. Inside The Monocle there is a wall filled with framed photos of famous senators, judges and representatives who were patrons from years gone by. Another nice touch, famous political quotes painted on the exposed beams of the dining areas. These details are shared with readers through dialogue when the main characters go to The Monocle for lunch.


Another location I researched was The City Tavern Club. This place is best known as the tavern where John Adams stayed when he would visit Washington DC to check on its construction. I have a scene with the Dupree Sisters attending a fundraiser at this location. While I didn’t do a lot with the details of it, the history again gave my characters some interesting dialogue to share these facts.


While setting and description are one way of establishing a scene, factual details can raise the level of writing for readers. Whether they are used in dialogue, or used to enhance a setting, or used to add dimension to a character, interesting facts will give readers an added level of pleasure. My wife loves to read and often says she loves to come home from work and “get lost” in a good book. Taking the time to research a place or an event, and to find some interesting facts, is the best way to help a reader get lost in a story.

Allen B. Boyer lives near a retirement home that he visits with his dog, Luna. He is the author of three cozy mystery series including the Bess Bullock Retirement Home Series, the Dupree Sisters Mystery Series and the August Summerfield Series.

Happy Labor Day

 

Nashville's Gilded Age-Whiskey, Power and Politics

 

Clay Shwab has brought us the story of Manny Shwab and the

George Dickel Company. 

If you are like me, you never thought of Nashville as having a 

Gilded Age.  When I think of the Gilded Age I think of 1865 to 1898, even though some say it lasted into the 1919's.

There was once a Tennessee whiskey that dwarfed Jack Daniel's, and a powerful man was behind it: V.E. "Manny" Shwab. Until now, virtually nothing has been written about either. Their story is one of a Jewish Alsatian immigrant's dream of finding community and prosperity in the New world; and about  his son who rose to dominate Tennessee politics, whiskey and finance for decades. Of smuggling during the Civil War; of the raging, sometimes fatal, battle against Prohibition; and of the wild side of rapidly growing Nashville during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

"Manny" Shwab was a Tennessean known as the "owner" of Tennessee politics, and–because of his George Dickel company, saloons, and Cascade Whisky–the "debaucherer of more young men than anyone else in the state." He was also one of Tennesee's richest and most powerful men for four decades. This is the first full-length biography of V. E. Shwab, written by his great-grandson, and also the first complete history of the George Dickel company.

Who better to tell us about Manny Shwab and the George Dickel Company that Manny's great-grandson. We are all familiar with Jack Daniels, but how many of us know the history of the George Dickel Company?

The Author: Clay Shwab  taught business management, senior thesis, and management in literature at Maryville College for 10 years after a business career at Whittle Communications, Snyder Communications and Edison Schools. He lives in Maryville, Tennessee.

Helping Kids Grow In Their Faith

 

Feeling daunted by how to help your kids really grow in their faith? It’s time to start little.

We want our kids to know God. We know we’re supposed to disciple them. But parenthood is hard, and we’re busy, tired, and often feel unequipped. What if our kids don’t seem all that interested or can’t sit still long enough for us to read the Bible?

Christie Thomas has a secret for you: helping your kids connect with God is way easier than you think. It all starts with 30 seconds a day--and the power of a simple habit. Through Christie’s empowering, encouraging insights, you’ll discover how to overcome common struggles, implement easy practices that fit your unique kids, and change your family’s faith culture. In this book, you will:discover how to make Scripture and spiritual practices come alive for short attention spans
learn simple steps for developing faith through the Faith Growth Cycle and its three stages- seed, sprout, and root.
develop practical strategies for establishing consistent habits

Life-changing moments can come out of simple habits. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the things you’re supposed to do to teach your kids about God, Little Habits, Big Faith shows you how to leverage the power of small, consistent choices with confidence. God can use even the smallest step to change how your family grows in faith.

In addition to key points at the end of each chapter, there is an appendix full of topical resources for parents to quickly reference:

• Ideas for little habits
• Keystone habits
• Prompts & rewards
• Rooted resources

Christie Thomas is a mom and writer who has been involved in children's ministry for most of her life. She served as director of children's ministry for more than a decade. Christie is a family discipleship coach to many parents who need equipping, support, and encouragement. She deeply believes that every Christian parent can confidently nurture deep faith in their kids through little habits that add up over time. Her devotionals and children's books help parents cultivate faith-filled moments. She lives with her husband and three boys in Canada.

Discover How To Build A God-Honoring Marriage

 

Discover how to build a fulfilling, God-honoring marriage that you both love.

When life throws us non-stop challenges and curveballs, how can we have any hope of building a fulfilling and intimate marriage? How do we move from stressed and stretched to energized and inspired, finding the strength to transform both our lives and relationship?

Robert Paul and Tara Lalonde equip husbands and wives with practical, biblically-based tools to transform their personal lives and grow their marriage into something they’ll both love. Instead of just passively hoping and praying for something better, couples will actively embark on a journey of caring for themselves and their most important relationship.

In Empowered to Love, you will discover:

• Practical strategies for better self-care, enabling you to bring the best, healthiest, and most-whole version of you to your marriage.
• Thought-provoking exercises designed to empower you as an individual while fostering deeper connections with your spouse.
• Ways to pursue and significantly increase the romance in your marriage.
• Stories about marriage that will help you identify what relationship strategies work best.
• Insights on forgiveness, your responsibility as a spouse, and caring for your emotions.

Invest in your future, both as an individual and as a spouse. Embark on a transformative journey that will help both you and your marriage thrive.

Tara Lalonde, PhD is a registered psychotherapist in Ontario and has been counseling adults and couples for over 20 years. She is a lead marriage therapist with the Hope Restored marriage intensive counseling program in Ontario, Canada. She is also the author of An Unexpected Freedom: Discover Peace and Joy in the Reality of Life. She and her husband Vince have been married for 18 years.

Robert S. Paul, MS, is the vice president of the Focus on the Family Marriage Institute and the primary architect of the Hope Restored marriage intensive programs. He is a licensed professional counselor with over 30 years of experience and is an international speaker. He has bachelor's degrees in both Biblical Studies and Psychology from Evangel University, a master's degree in Counseling from Georgia State University, and a diploma in Christian Counseling from Psychological Studies Institute. He has co-authored six books including the DNA of Relationships with Gary and Greg Smalley, and more recently 9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage. Robert and his wife, Jenni, have been married over 42 years and have four children and six grandchildren.

Do You Protect Your Secrets?

In this debut thriller, a troubled child psychologist returns to a small Louisiana town to protect her secrets but winds up having to protect her life.

Dr. Willa Watters is a prominent child psychologist at the height of her career. But when a viral video of a disastrous television interview puts her reputation on the line, Willa retreats to Broken Bayou, the town where she spent most of her childhood summers. There she visits her aunts’ old house and discovers some of her unstable mother’s belongings still languishing in the attic—dusty mementos harboring secrets of her harrowing past.

Willa’s hopes for a respite are quickly crushed, not only by what she finds in that attic but also by what’s been found in the bayou.

With waters dropping due to drought, mysterious barrels containing human remains have surfaced, alongside something else from Willa’s past, something she never thought she’d see again. Divers, police, and media flood the area, including a news reporter gunning for Willa and Travis Arceneaux—a local deputy and old flame.

Willa’s fate seems eerily tied to the murders. And with no one to trust, she must use her wits to stay above water and make it out alive.

Jennifer graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Geaux Tigers! She has written and produced three indie short films that each made top 20 at the Louisiana Film Prize and were awarded at festivals around the world. She lives in Louisiana with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, one cat, and plenty of horses, mini ponies, and mini donkeys in a place where swamps and winding trails are the norm. When she’s not writing, she’s on a tennis court laughing and providing job security for her coach.

Right Thing, Right Now!

In Right Thing, Right Now, Ryan Holiday draws on fascinating stories of historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Florence Nightingale, Jimmy Carter, Gandhi, and Frederick Douglass, whose examples of kindness, honesty, integrity, and loyalty we can emulate as pillars of upright living. Through the lives of these role models, readers learn the transformational power of living by a moral code and, through the cautionary tales of unjust leaders, the consequences of an ill-formed conscience.

A question? What has happened to living by a moral code? What has happened to disciplining ourselves? What has happened to respecting others? Has kindness, integrity and upright living left the 21st century? There are many things in this book, that will make you think of what was, what is and what is to come? What will be our part?

Ryan Holliday said, "For the ancients, everything worth pursuing in life flowed from a strong sense of justice—or one’s commitment to doing the right thing, no matter how difficult. In order to be courageous, wise, and self-disciplined, one must begin with justice. The influence of the modern world often tells us that acting justly is optional. Holiday argues that that’s simply untrue—and the fact that so few people today have the strength to stand by their convictions explains much about why we’re so unhappy."

In his New York Times bestselling book, Discipline Is Destiny, Ryan Holiday made the Stoic case for a life of self-discipline. In this much-anticipated third installment in the Stoic Virtues series, he argues for the necessity of doing what’s right – even when it isn’t easy.

Holliday continues, "The Stoics never claimed that living justly was easy, only that it was necessary. And that the alternative—sacrificing our principles for something lesser—was considered only by cowards and fools. Right Thing, Right Now is a powerful antidote to the moral failures of our modern age, and a manual for living virtuously."

This is a definite read. Once you finish this book, you will want to read his Discipline is Destiny.

About the Author:

Ryan Holiday is one of the world's bestselling living philosophers. His books like The Obstacle Is the Way,Ego Is the Enemy,The Daily Stoic, and the #1 New York Times bestseller Stillness Is the Key appear in more than 40 languages and have sold more than 5 million copies. Together, they've spent over 300 weeks on the bestseller lists. He lives outside Austin with his wife and two boys...and a small herd of cows and donkeys and goats. His bookstore, The Painted Porch, sits on historic Main St in Bastrop, Texas.

For Love of Country

 

Tulsi Gabbard was the rising star of the Democrat Party. But the growing wokeness, fomenting racism, and intolerance were more than she could stomach, and she left. This is her story and a call to action to Americans who love our country and cherish peace and freedom.

Today’s Democrat Party is controlled by an elitist cabal of warmongers driven by woke ideology and racializing everything. They are a clear and present threat to the God‑given freedoms enshrined in the Constitution.

A soldier, former member of Congress, and a former presidential candidate, Tulsi loves her country: “I answered the call to serve and swore an oath, dedicating my life to supporting and defending the Constitution, both in uniform and in public office. I have always been an independent-minded person but became a Democrat when I first ran for office because I saw a party that stood up for the little guy, free speech, and civil liberties. That party is no more.”

Today that party is unrecognizable: undermining free speech, antagonistic to people of faith, hostile to the police and law and order, suspicious of law‑abiding Americans, supporting open borders, and using our national security apparatus to target political opponents.

Now an Independent, Tulsi calls on those who love America to stand up for peace, defend freedom, and protect our democratic republic from those seeking to undermine it at every turn. It’s time to leave the Democrat Party behind.

4-Term Congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard is a veteran with three deployments to war zones in the Middle East and Africa. She has served in uniform more than 21 years, is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve commanding the 440th Civil Affairs Battalion, and leads her non-profit organization “We Must Protect.”

Tulsi first served in elected office in the Hawaii State House of Representatives when she was 21 years old. Due to the attacks on 9/11, she enlisted in the Army National Guard. In 2004, she gave up an easy re-election campaign and volunteered to deploy to Iraq with the 29th Brigade Combat Team where she served in a medical unit.

After returning home in 2006, Tulsi worked in the U.S. Senate as a legislative aide to the late Senator Danny Akaka, who was Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. She then volunteered for a second Middle East deployment as a Platoon Leader.

Gather & Grill ~The McLemore Boys

Foreword by Steve Doocy

Turn up the heat and crack open a cold one with this smokin’ hot, flavor-packed cookbook from Fox News’ favorite father-son duo, packed with more than 100 mouthwatering barbecue recipes for families to gather, grill, and enjoy together.

Working in the grilling and smoking industry for a half century, John McLemore is a master of barbecuing and developing simple, delicious recipes. Now, for the first time, the bestselling cookbook author and nationally known personality teams up with his son, John II, to create this sensational cookbook that brings their homespun comfort food to the great American outdoors.

In Gather and Grill, the McLemore Boys provide kickbutt, budget-friendly recipes for smoking, grilling, and frying, as well as tips on all your family’s cookout needs. Here are more than 100 classic barbecue recipes using rubs and seasonings that will have every member of the family licking their fingers in delight. Combining Southern charm and bold flavors, this father-son duo serves up DADGUM GOOD irresistible deliciousness with recipes such as:

• Reverse Seared Tomahawk Steaks
• 3-Step Smoked Brisket
• Fox & Friends Traditional Smoked Ribs
• Good Ole Boy Chicken ThighsGrilled Pork Tenderloin Sliders
• Smoked Jalapeno Bacon Mac’n’Cheese
• Johnboy’s Smoked Bourbon Glazed Salmon
• Honey Glazed/Brown Sugar Ribs
• Red, White, and Blue Chicken Wings

In addition to a wide variety of barbecue staples, the McLemore Boys offer healthy options, price-saving techniques, leftover masterpieces, and more to add spice to any cookout or gathering. Whether you’re a seasoned barbequer or just got your first grill, this cookbook offers straightforward recipes and helpful techniques everyone will find useful—after all, the McLemore Boys designed the grills and smokers, and will show you how to get the best out of them!

Head outside, start the fire, and get ready for some of the tastiest finger-licking food you’ll ever make!

By: John Darin McLemore and John Darin McLemore II

The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health

 

A bold new vision for optimizing our health now and in the future!

What if depression, anxiety, infertility, insomnia, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer and many other health conditions that torture and shorten our lives actually have the same root cause?

Our ability to prevent and reverse these conditions - and feel incredible today - is under our control and simpler than we think. The key is our metabolic function - the most important and least understood factor in our overall health. As Dr. Casey Means explains in this groundbreaking book, nearly every health problem we face can be explained by how well the cells in our body create and use energy. To live free from frustrating symptoms and life-threatening disease, we need our cells to be optimally powered so that they can create “good energy,” the essential fuel that impacts every aspect of our physical and mental wellbeing.

If you are battling minor signals of “bad energy” inside your body, it is often a warning sign that more life-threatening illness may emerge later in life. But here’s the good news: for the first time ever, we can monitor our metabolic health in great detail and learn how to improve it ourselves.

Weaving together cutting-edge research and personal stories, as well as groundbreaking data from the health technology company Dr. Means founded, Good Energy offers an essential four-week plan and explains:

• The five biomarkers that determine your risk for a deadly disease.
• How to use inexpensive tools and technology to “see inside your body” and take action.
• Why dietary philosophies are designed to confuse us, and six lifelong food principles you can implement whether you’re carnivore or vegan.
• The crucial links between sleep, circadian rhythm, and metabolism.
• A new framework for exercise focused on building simple movement into everyday activities.
• How cold and heat exposure helps build our body’s resilience.
• Steps to navigate the medical system to get what you need for optimal health.

Good Energy offers a new, cutting-edge understanding of the true cause of illness that until now has remained hidden. It will help you optimize your ability to live well and stay well at every age.

I am a medical doctor, writer, tech entrepreneur, aspiring regenerative gardener, and outdoor enthusiast who lives in a state of awe for the miracle and mystery of existence and consciousness.

During my training as a surgeon, I saw how broken and exploitative the healthcare system is and left to focus on how to keep people out of the operating room.

I am passionate about working towards a healthier and happier planet by empowering people to understand their health and the limitless potential within them.

• BA, Stanford Undergraduate, with Honors
• MD, Stanford Medical School
• AFMCP, Institute for Functional Medicine
• Research positions at NIH, Stanford, NYU, OHSU
• Co-founder, Levels

For more information on Casey Dean M.D.   https://www.caseymeans.com/

Leo Daughtry Creates A New Drama

Leo Daughtry's debut novel, "Talmadge Farm," transports readers to the tobacco fields of 1950s North Carolina. "Talmadge Farm" (Story Merchant Books, June 4, 2024) reflects on the dreams and struggles of the American South, made more poignant by the author's personal experiences growing up among the tobacco fields of Sampson County, North Carolina, during periods of turbulent societal change.

It's 1957, and tobacco is king. Wealthy landowner Gordon Talmadge enjoys the lavish lifestyle he inherited but doesn't like getting his hands dirty; he leaves that to the two sharecroppers - one white, one Black - who farm his tobacco but have bigger dreams for their own children. While Gordon takes no interest in the lives of his tenant farmers, a brutal attack between his son and the sharecropper children sets off a chain of events that leaves no one unscathed. Over the span of a decade, Gordon struggles to hold on to his family's legacy as the old order makes way for a New South.



TALMADGE FARM is a sweeping drama that follows three unforgettable families navigating the changing culture of North Carolina at a pivotal moment in history. A love letter to the American South, the

 novel is a story of resilience, hope, and family - both lost and found.

Leo Daughtry is a life-long resident of North Carolina. He grew up among the tobacco fields of Sampson County which served as inspiration for his debut novel, “Talmadge Farm.” After graduating from Wake Forest University and its School of Law, he established a private law practice in Smithfield, N.C. He was a member of the N.C. House and Senate for 28 years, including serving as House Majority Leader and House Minority Leader. When not practicing law, Leo enjoys spending time in Atlantic Beach with his wife and daughters.

 https://www.leodaughtry.com/ 

https://bookshop.org/p/books/talmadge-farm-leo-daughtry/21466057

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213079220-talmadge-farm 

The Value of Details

When a body drops from a balcony at Ford’s Theatre, rumors begin to fly. Did she jump? Was she pushed? Was it intentional or an accident? To find the truth, Charlotte and Ruth Dupree have to go back decades to a mystery at the oldest girls school in Washington DC. A school that they both attended. A school with a tragic secret from their past. From the majestic setting of Ford’s Theater to the hallowed halls of the Library of Congress, join the Dupree Sisters as they employ their usual charm and wit to untangle the mystery around A Fall at Ford’s Theatre.


I have been writing fiction for more than twenty years. I’ve been quite lucky to find so much success and have such a broad readership. When I write a story, I try to think about what kind of story I would like to read. Fortunately, this perspective has helped me write my books.

One thing I’ve always enjoyed as a reader is being able to learn something when I read. Maybe it’s because I’m a retired teacher, but when I pick up a book, I like a good story, but I also like to learn a few interesting facts along the way. For the readers of my Dupree Sisters Mystery Series, I can sense we have this in common.

Set in Washington DC, my Dupree Sisters Mystery Series centers on two of Washington’s oldest socialites, Charlotte and Ruth Dupree. They have never been married, live in the home they were raised in and circulate through Washington’s social circles. In each book in the series, they use their social connections to solve mysteries.

In addition to enjoying a good mystery, readers of this series have told me more than once that they enjoy learning interesting facts about Washington DC when they read these books. As a writer, I find it helpful to know what this particular readership expects from this series, which is a good mystery and has interesting facts.

The fourth book in this series, A Fall at Ford’s Theatre, was just released. It took me a year to write. In addition to the plot and characters, there was a good deal of online research I did to provide readers with facts about Washington DC. Going to websites to read articles. Watching videos that provided tours of buildings. Pictures of interiors of buildings. Needless to say, it was tedious work, but that was only half of the process. The other half of this process was how to incorporate facts into the story.

One way I used the facts I found was to enhance a setting for readers. For example, when I began this book, I had an image in my head of a body falling from a balcony at Ford’s Theatre. All I knew about Ford’s theater was that it was where President Lincoln was shot. When I did some research, I was fascinated to learn how the theater had actually been shut down after Lincoln’s assassination. When it reopened in 1932, it was turned into a museum. Eventually, the theater opened in 1968. Gerald Ford would become the first president to attend a show there since Lincoln. All good facts that I was able to use in the opening chapters.

Along with Ford’s Theatre, I also did similar research into the Library of Congress. The facts I found allowed me to write in great detail about the appearance of the inside of the building. These facts helped to immerse the reader in the setting. This was especially true for the Great Hall and the Main Reading Room, two of the massive chambers in the Library of Congress. I think details of a setting really enhance the experience for the reader.

In addition to Ford’s Theatre and the Library of Congress, I also dug up some historical facts about Georgetown Preparatory Visitation School, the oldest girl’s school in Washington DC. I was able to incorporate facts about the history of the school into dialogue during a scene between one of the Dupree sisters and her goddaughter. Using facts this way not only educates the reader, but it allows the characters to share their perspective on something.

In addition to doing research on well-known places, I also did research on a few restaurants where scenes take place. The Monocle is known in Washington as a restaurant where Republican and Democratic legislatures come to dine. The establishment is close to the House of Representatives and the Senate. Inside The Monocle there is a wall filled with framed photos of famous senators, judges and representatives who were patrons from years gone by. Another nice touch, famous political quotes painted on the exposed beams of the dining areas. These details are shared with readers through dialogue when the main characters go to The Monocle for lunch.

Another location I researched was The City Tavern Club. This place is best known as the tavern where John Adams stayed when he would visit Washington DC to check on its construction. I have a scene with the Dupree Sisters attending a fundraiser at this location. While I didn’t do a lot with the details of it, the history again gave my characters some interesting dialogue to share these facts.

While setting and description are one way of establishing a scene, factual details can raise the level of writing for readers. Whether they are used in dialogue, or used to enhance a setting, or used to add dimension to a character, interesting facts will give readers an added level of pleasure. My wife loves to read and often says she loves to come home from work and “get lost” in a good book. Taking the time to research a place or an event, and to find some interesting facts, is the best way to help a reader get lost in a story.

Allen B. Boyer lives near Hershey, Pa with his wife and three children. He also lives near a retirement home that he visits with his children and his dog, Buster. If you enjoyed Gumshoe Granny Investigates, please check out Bess in the other books in the series, as well as his Dupree Sisters Mystery series and his August Summerfield Series.



Check out Mr. Boyer's blog at: allenboyer.weebly.com/blog/allen-boyer-an-authors-blog

Danny Hubbar, Blackstone Griddle Master Chef

Danny Hubbar, a masterful chef adept at harnessing the power of the Blackstone griddle, is also a distinguished author and culinary luminary. With a proven track record of creating mouthwatering dishes and pushing the boundaries of traditional cooking methods, he has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious title of Culinary Innovator. His passion for creating unforgettable dining experiences has made him a sought-after consultant for top-level restaurants and culinary institutions worldwide.

 Do you love the great outdoors and relish the experience of cooking up a storm on your trusty Blackstone Griddle Grill?

Are you eager to take your outdoor cooking skills to the next level and leave your family and friends in awe of your culinary prowess?

 Introducing "Griddle Mastery: Blackstone Griddle Cookbook for Beginners 2024" – your go-to cookbook for unleashing the full potential of your griddle and impressing family and friends with your culinary prowess!

Here's why this cookbook stands out:

✔️ Culinary Versatility: Whether you're a meat lover, a vegetarian aficionado, or an adventurous cook eager to try diverse cuisines, the cookbook caters to every palate. Explore a wide range of recipes that showcase different cooking styles and flavors, all perfectly suited for your outdoor griddle.
✔️ Extensive Recipe Collection: With a treasure trove of 2000 days of recipes, you'll have a never-ending source of delectable ideas for your outdoor griddle.
✔️ Foolproof Instructions: No matter your skill level, the cookbook provides clear, step-by-step instructions for each recipe. Whether you're a grilling newbie or a seasoned pro, there's a wealth of mouthwatering dishes waiting for you to master.
✔️ Tailored for Grill Enthusiasts: Crafted for those who revel in the joy of grilling, the cookbook is designed to enhance the unique cooking experience offered by a Blackstone griddle grill. It's a must-have for outdoor cooking enthusiasts.
✔️ Comprehensive Content: Beyond recipes, find valuable tips on griddle maintenance, safety guidelines, and expert advice on selecting the finest ingredients and tools for your outdoor kitchen.

Inside "Blackstone Griddle Cookbook for Beginners 2024" discover enticing recipes for:

• Breakfast Extravaganza
• Flavorful Grilled Vegetables
• Fresh and Savory Seafood Delights
• Juicy Poultry, Succulent Pork, and Mouthwatering Beef
• Satisfying Wraps, Tacos, and Skewers
• Irresistible Appetizers and Snacks

Tom Selleck~A Memoir

 

***INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER***

There are many miles from the business school and basketball court at the University of Southern California to 50 million viewers for the final episode of a TV show called Magnum P.I. Tom Selleck has lived every one of those miles in his own iconoclastic and joyful way.

Frank, funny and open-hearted, You Never Know is an intimate memoir from one of the most beloved actors of our time, the highly personal story of a remarkable life and thoroughly accidental career. In his own voice and uniquely unpretentious style, the famed actor brings readers on his uncharted but serendipitous journey to the top in Hollywood, his temptations and distractions, his misfires and mistakes and, over time, his well-earned success. Along the way, he clears up an armload of misconceptions and shares dozens of never-told stories from all corners of his personal and professional life. His rambunctious California childhood. His clueless arrival as a good-looking college jock in Hollywood (from the Dating Game to the Fox New Talent Program to co-starring with Mae West and escorting her to black-tie social functions). What it was like to emerge as a mega-star in his mid-thirties and remain so for decades to come, an actor whose authenticity and ease in front of the camera connected with audiences worldwide while embodying and also redefining the clichés of onscreen manhood.

In You Never Know, Selleck recounts his personal friendships with a vivid army of A-listers, everyone from Frank Sinatra to Carol Burnett to Sam Elliott, paying special tribute to his mentor James Garner of The Rockford Files, who believed, like Selleck, that TV protagonists are far more interesting when they have rough edges.He also more than tips his hat to the American western and the scruffy band of actors, directors and other ruffians who helped define that classic genre, where Selleck has repeatedly found a happy home. Magnum fans will be fascinated to learn how Selleck put his career on the line to make Thomas Magnum a more imperfect hero and explains why he walked away from a show that could easily have gone on for years longer.

Hollywood is never easy, even for stars who make it look that way. In You Never Know, Selleck explains how he’s struggled to balance his personal and professional lives, frequently adjusting his career to protect his family’s privacy and normalcy. His journey offers a truly fresh perspective on a changing industry and a changing world. Beneath all the charm and talent and self-deprecating humor, Selleck’s memoir reveals an American icon who has reached remarkable heights by always insisting on being himself.

By Tom Selleck and Ellis Henican

The Greatest Scandal in the History of the NCAA

The New York Times bestselling author of War Dogs exposes the inside story of disgraced fraudster turned undercover FBI informant Marty Blazer and the greatest scandal in the history of the NCAA.

When the federal government catches hotshot financial adviser Louis Martin “Marty” Blazer defrauding his NFL-player clients, it’s time to come clean. He has no reasonable defense. What he has is a bigger story to spill to the feds—that of a multibillion-dollar conspiracy that exploits the most talented college athletes and implicates one of the most popular entertainment industries in the nation. The DOJ is listening, and the truth could literally set Marty free. All he has to do is prove that the NCAA is a vast ongoing scam.

Sent undercover by the FBI, Marty infiltrates the innermost circles of college basketball, a high-flying world of Miami clubs, New York luxury suites, and Las Vegas back rooms. Over a period of three years, covertly recording thousands of hours of conversations with coaches from many of the leading college teams, Marty reveals a large-scale epidemic of deception, bribery, and fraud within the NCAA. The stars seem aligned for the operation—if only Marty can keep the FBI itself from blowing the case.

Journalist Guy Lawson digs deep into a true story about the lure of celebrity, sports, wealth, and crime, and the motivations of a man—on both sides of the law—who exploded a land mine of systemic all-American corruption.

Guy is the New York Times bestselling author of Hot Dog Money: Inside the Biggest Scandal in the History of College Sports. He's also the author of War Dogs, which was made into a feature film, as well as Octopus: Sam Israel, the Secret Market, and Wall Street’s Wildest Con, and The Brotherhoods: The True Story of Two Cops Who Murdered for the Mafia. An award-winning investigative journalist, he has written articles on war, crime, culture, and sports for the New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, GQ, Harper’s, and many other publications.

Guy was born in Toronto and holds degrees from the University of Western Australia and the University of Cambridge. He lives in upstate New York with his wife and two daughters.

Mediterranean Diet Cookbook For Beginners

The Complete Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners 2024 - Discover Quick, Delicious, and Healthful Mediterranean Recipes for 1200 Days to Enhance Your Diet and Your Health!

Will you explore the Mediterranean's vivid flavors?

The Healthy Mediterranean Cookbook for Beginners will help you open new doors!

Hello. My name is Jack E. Winders, and I want to help you improve your health through food and exercise.

In my book, I have included all the necessary information to follow the Mediterranean diet in a manner that is both easy and tasty.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the Mediterranean diet, including its guiding principles, health advantages, and practical suggestions for incorporating it into your daily routine. It's an ideal starting point for learning more about the life-changing effects of this old diet.

This book contains the following items:

• All about Mediterranean Diet.
• What is Mediterranean Diet?
• Key components of Mediterranean diet.
• Benefits of following a Mediterranean diet.
• What to eat and avoid on Mediterranean diet.
• Tips for eating out.

Recipes Chapter :

• Breakfasts
• Lunch recipes
• Dinner recipes
• Pasta
• Salads
• Vegetarian Mains
• Snacks and Appetizers
• Fish and Seafood
• Pizzas, Wraps, and Sandwiches
• Beef, Pork, and Lamb
• Staples, Sauces, Dips, and Dressings
• Desserts

Explore "The Complete Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginner 2024 " for a different culinary experience.

Inheriting An Isolated Cottage

 

The long, tarnished chain and heart-shaped pendant is heavy in Paige’s hand. Carefully prying it open she can just make out the tiny engraving inside. What she reads will change everything she ever believed about her great-aunt Violet, and their family history…

When newly single and heartbroken Paige inherits an isolated cottage facing out to the wild sea on Dune Island from her great-aunt Violet, she is shocked. Paige never even met Violet, and she’s heard family stories about how a terrible incident involving the wealthy neighboring Hathaway family during World War Two led Violet to withdraw from everyone. But why would Violet leave everything to her?

Determined to clear out the cottage and sell it as quickly as possible, when Paige bumps into Seth Hathaway as he walks back from the beach, at first she’s guarded. But Seth’s easy smile makes her think that maybe the Hathaways can be trusted after all…

Then Paige finds an old envelope containing her aunt’s only piece of jewelry. The romantic message inscribed inside brings tears to her eyes, and Seth shows her how the initials match those carved with a heart into an ancient beech tree on her aunt’s property. Did Violet live her whole life yearning for the person who gave her the locket?

As Paige and Seth grow closer, she starts to wonder if she could find happiness right here on Dune Island. And if Paige discovers the identity of Violet’s lost love, can she finally clear her aunt’s name—or in this tight-knit island community, should some secrets be left in the past forever?

Fans of Mary Ellen Taylor, Carolyn Brown and Barbara O’Neal will adore this absolutely stunning and addictive read about the sacrifices people make to be with the ones they love, and how bringing family secrets into the light can change everything.

Kristin Harper grew up in New England, and has lived in various places across the US, including the West Coast and Washington, D.C. She's now happily back in Massachusetts, just a stone's throw from Cape Cod--the source of inspiration for the setting of her Dune Island series.

Kristin earned her MFA in creative writing, and she's thrilled to be a full-time author. She has held numerous other professional roles, such as a college professor, an addictions coach, a data analyst, and a development director.

Although she's not on social media very often, she loves hearing from readers and fellow writers, so she hopes you'll drop her a line!

Please feel free to get in touch with me at:

Website: kristinharperauthor.com