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THE SHOP ON HIDDEN LANE feels like a novel written by an author who knows exactly what her audience expects and still finds room to refine the formula. Jayne Ann Krentz has spent decades balancing romantic tension with mystery and paranormal intrigue, and this entry reflects a writer who understands how to let the genre enhance the story rather than overwhelm it. The result is a confident, engaging read that rewards patience and attention without demanding prior knowledge of her wider universe. Which is good, I haven’t read any of the previous books, but I felt like the story was self-contained enough that I wasn’t missing out. I am curious, though, I would love to know what type of connections there are!

SAY YES! TO OWN YOUR SUCCESS enters the crowded personal-development world with a surprisingly grounded tone. Ron Stein isn’t writing from the mountaintop, preaching at readers through recycled motivational catchphrases. Instead, he builds his guidance out of lived experience—decades of real jobs, real mistakes, sudden pivots, and the kind of unexpected successes that only show up after you’ve stopped waiting for permission. What makes the book stand out is its blend of memoir and framework, creating something more substantial than the usual “new year, new you” fluff. Stein provides structure, energy, and just enough storytelling to keep the lessons anchored in real-world stakes.

Ella M. Hayes doesn’t shy away from the messier parts of life. In WITCH'S BREW, she gives us a heroine who isn’t perfect, polished, or particularly patient—but she’s magnetic, independent, and human in all the best and worst ways. Set in upstate New York, the story leans into its witchy aesthetic while grounding its magic in real emotion: power, validation, escape, connection.

J.T. McGee's latest creation, ENTHRALLED, returns to the eerie, haunted landscapes he began exploring in THRALL. This sequel doesn’t pick up where its predecessor left off; it catapults the reader into a heightened whirlwind of supernatural stakes and intense emotional turmoil. McGee blends the terror of otherworldly horrors with the internal battles that come with confronting one’s darkest fears, creating a narrative that is as much a psychological exploration as the dark tale being told.

Set against the grainy, dial-up world of the early internet, ASSUME NOTHING is a gripping narrative that ushers us into the life of Katherine (Kat) McCann, a character who navigates the murky waters of her mysterious past. Now sixteen, she is shrouded by the dark legacy of her mother's unsolved murder—a case that wrongly implicated her father. In the backdrop of the 90s, Katherine, or Kat as friends call her, is not just a character in this world but a young woman embarking on a quest to sift through the digital and all too real echoes of her past.

QUEEN BESS: A TUDOR COMES TO SAVE AMERICA takes a daring leap that places the formidable Elizabeth Tudor in the heart of 21st-century political chaos. This blend of time travel and historical drama doesn't just transport a queen—it catapults a legendary figure into modern politics, reflecting on today’s turmoil in leadership.

In the dense chords of rock history, few figures stand out like Jim Morrison, and Paul Wyld's book JIM MORRISON, SECRET TEACHER OF THE OCCULT peels back the layers of this iconic frontman. More than a tale of rock 'n' roll excess, this book explores Morrison's spiritual dimensions, painting a portrait of a man whose artistry reached far beyond music into the realms of mysticism and the occult. Wyld offers a new way of understanding Morrison, not just as a musical innovator but as someone who saw his performances as a way to bridge the gap between the physical and the metaphysical.

In the charming town of Saratoga Springs lies a quaint bookstore, the setting of the fascinating novel BOOKENDS. Our literary protagonist, Silvia Wright, keeps her love for books alive amid the aggressive commercial pressures from a nearby retail giant. Despite the sanctuary she finds in the rustle of pages, her life is far from serene. Silvia battles personal disruptions, from her ex-boyfriend Harry's unwelcome advances to her family's views on her career path. The bookstore mirrors Silvia's internal conflicts, struggling to draw the crowd it once did.

MEN HAVE CALLED HER CRAZY starts with Anna Marie Tendler's voluntary check-in to a psychiatric facility, marking the start of a memoir that is as much a deep dive into her psyche as it is a reflection on broader societal issues. The opening is both gripping and heartfelt, setting the tone for a story that intertwines Tendler’s struggles with her complex interactions with men throughout her life. This memoir goes beyond the traditional recounting of trials and tribulations; instead, the book offers a sharp critique of the unspoken rules that often govern women's lives.

Jamie Norton's debut, THE SECOND ACT COMEBACK, dives into the life of Mickey Patrick, who faces an unexpected crisis when he discovers his wife, Beth, is pregnant—despite their lack of intimacy for months. This revelation triggers a series of emotional and confrontational episodes, testing the resilience of their already tumultuous marriage. Set against personal evolution and marital challenges, the novel navigates the complex waters of fidelity and self-discovery.

In her revealing memoir, EVERY DAY IS A NEW DAY: A STORY OF FAITH, Jenny Teeters courageously lays bare her struggle with alcoholism. The story, set against the gleaming backdrop of professional success, her narrative digs deep into the shadowy contrasts of her life, charting a journey from a seemingly enviable existence to the brink of destruction—and back.

From the start, CREATING A CULTURE OF REPAIR grips you with its powerful and insightful exploration into some of the vital steps needed for racial equity and healing in America. Robert Turner skillfully navigates through a narrative that doubles as both a scholarly resource and a motivational summons, rendering the intricate subject of reparations both understandable and captivating. The only thing that keeps the book from being a 5/5 for me is that it occasionally drifts into some more religious teaching aspects, which I don’t take issue with as author Robert Turner is a pastor. My concern is that it feels like he’s occasionally putting the control of these methods in the hands of “god.” While at its core, that doesn’t harm, I feel it lessens the impact of some of his points.

First and foremost, if you haven’t read EMPIRE OF THE VOID, do that now; it's necessary and gives you the groundwork for what you can expect to see here. In LOST WORLD OF THE VOID, the newest installment of the Empire Marathon series, Dex and Lacy find themselves again flung into uncharted territories fraught with danger. This chapter offers a mix of suspense and fun, maintaining the series' signature blend of drama and light-hearted moments as our protagonists face off against their perennial nemesis, the Empire of the Void.

Right off the bat, TERROR IN THE AILIEN REALMS: TRANSDIMENSIONAL HORROR MOVIE POSTERS & THEIR FILM REVIEWS showcases how artificial intelligence can transform traditional horror into something novel. Pat Tremblay harnesses AI not only to cut down on costs but also to open up new creative horizons that blend old-school horror vibes with futuristic technology.

Patric Gagne's SOCIOPATH: A MEMOIR isn't your run-of-the-mill life story; it's a journey into the heart of what it means to navigate life with a sociopathic diagnosis. Gagne's narrative is compelling, offering an intimate glimpse behind the curtain of a life that defies conventional understanding. This book is a roller coaster of emotions, thought-provoking insights, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It manages to educate while entertaining, making you laugh, ponder, and even shed a tear or two. Yet there’s a feeling I can’t quite put my finger on, something about the read that just feels off. It’s still a fantastic experience, but something seems slightly skewed.

A MURDER IN HOLLYWOOD takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour of Lana Turner's storied existence, blending the suspense of a thriller with the poignancy of a true-life saga. This book peels back the layers of Hollywood's golden age, revealing a world where the glitz and glamor of the screen concealed a reality marked by personal struggles and dangerous liaisons. Turner's life story is a riveting production with a star-studded cast, dramatic plot twists, and emotional depth that captivates from the opening chapter to her closing credits.

Valenza Publishing is emerging as a trailblazer in the literary world. They are making waves with its first official release, in J.T. McGee’s THRALL. Their first book, EMPIRE OF THE VOID, was self-published, and THREE SHORT HORROR STORIES was put onto Kindle before Valenza Publishing became a registered business. From its conception, Valenza Publishing has been about finding authors with a story to tell who don't have the means, time, or resources to self-publish and don't have the connections to go through a traditional publishing house or agent. They want to give authors the freedom that comes with self-publishing and the quality and presence of traditionally published books, thus creating a new paradigm in the literary world.

Attention all seekers of the extraordinary, the creepy, the spooky, and those who love the darkest corners of their imaginations! Andrew Valenza, fresh off his release of the Sci-Fi journey “Empire of the Void,” invites you to strap in and join the adventure with THREE SHORT HORROR STORIES. These tales of terror are more than just your average spooky bedtime stories; this is a thrilling ride through suspense, deep-seated emotions, and the always-intriguing unknown. From voices of the beyond, a trip down the brutal fight against cancer and the mystery that comes along, and a journey into the emptiness of space, Valenza will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Delve into the captivating universe of INVERSE COWGIRL, where Alicia Roth Weigel exposes her life story from birth, deeply intertwined with her advocacy for the intersex community. Each chapter is rich with sentiment, akin to a director’s commentary detailing every bit of a scene. Instead of the silver screen, though, Alicia uses the canvas of her own body, using tattoos as bookmarks of her life's most poignant moments. This method, unique and endearing, anchors the narrative, ensuring readers remain hooked.

Straying from my usual crypt of celluloid critiques, today we unearth a chilling collection of literary creations, curated in Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann's anthology, 101 HORROR BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU'RE MURDERED. This treasury of haunting tales is a comprehensive guide for seasoned and brand-new readers venturing into horror literature's eerie abyss.