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BORN ON MONDAY
In Augusta, Maine, a historic nor’easter and something more sinister threaten to unearth the secrets buried deep in the town’s past. With time running out, three lives collide in a desperate fight for survival, where truth becomes a casualty and redemption comes at a cost.Billy Stevens, a quarry worker haunted by loss, is drawn into a web of betrayal when a brutal crime pins him as a suspect. Jessica Michaud returns to care for her ailing mother, only to find herself hunted by a vengeful ex whose chilling threats awaken old wounds. And journalist Andrea Kearney digs into a local dynasty’s corruption as the storm’s fury mirrors the rising tide of violence.Born On Monday is a gripping tale of resilience, moral ambiguity, and small-town sins — a literary thriller that will keep readers breathless until its haunting conclusion. Award-winning author Richard R. Becker delivers a gritty literary thriller that digs into identity, perception, and the human condition.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATON
The roots of the story and why Augusta, Maine became the perfect backdrop for a tense return-to-hometown thriller
Trauma, survival, and morally complicated characters navigating love, shame, and second chances
A chilling nursery rhyme and a raging nor’easter working together as psychological pressure-cookers
Small-town secrets, power dynamics, online shaming, and the messy line between justice and truth
A growing “50-States Universe,” future novels, audiobooks, and how this author's world keeps expanding
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Richard R. Becker is an award-winning American author whose gripping stories blend resilience and moral complexity. His new novel, "Born on Monday" (2025), promises a thrilling tale of small-town sins that will captivate readers.
His debut novel, "Third Wheel" (2023), soared into Amazon's top 100 thriller and suspense literary fiction novels, earned a Kirkus Reviews feature, and won seven awards, including Literary Thriller of the Year by the Artisan International Book Excellence Awards. His collection "50 States" (2021), crafted from a challenge to write one story a week for 50 weeks, topped Amazon's literary short story charts and won multiple honors. 
Raised in Milwaukee, Richard overcame poverty and personal challenges, infusing these experiences into his work to add emotional depth. When not writing, he enjoys acting, hiking, photography, and time with his family. He is married and has two adult children.
CONNECT WITH RICHARD BECKER!
CopyWriteInk: https://www.copywriteink.com/author-richard-r.-becker.htmlWebsite: https://byrichardrbecker.comInsta: https://www.instagram.com/richbeckerFB: https://www.facebook.com/byRichardBeckerThreads: https://www.threads.com/@richbeckerX: https://x.com/RichBeckerYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RichardBeckerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@richardrbeckerGoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21606162.Richard_R_BeckerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/copywriteink/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/richbecker.bsky.social
 

STELLA SCURA: DARK STAR RISING VOLUME ONE: A blind teenage girl from North Pole, Alaska learns her true destiny as she realizes the full potential of her vast dark energy powers shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Is she really the legendary Aurora the Angel, or something far more sinister? Will the President of the United States ultimately serve as a mentor, or use her as a pawn to become ruler of the world?
STELLA SCURA: DARK STAR RISING VOLUME TWO: Stella Scura impulsively goes on a mission that becomes nothing short of disastrous as she is aided by a long-forgotten group of fourth-rate 1990s TV superheroes in a quest to learn more about her abilities and those of the strange young man from the Netherlands known only as The Orthoman. Along the way she learns of her famous heritage and that her parents are not who they seem to be. Can she develop a relationship with her newly-found friends and family while retaining her humility? Or will she become the greatest "rock star" of all time when fame goes to her teenage head?
STELLA SCURA: DARK STAR RISING VOLUME THREE: In the conclusion of Dark Star Rising, the amazing Stella Scura must confront her own vast potential for destruction and once again save a major city from nuclear devastation - but at what cost? And who close to her will make a tremendous sacrifice?
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Origins and Themes of Stella Scura – How the story began decades ago, the evolution of Paige Marshall as a character, and the central theme that real strength comes from moral choices rather than superpowers.
World-Building and Political Parallels – The novel’s setting in Alaska and its expansion into cosmic and political territory, including commentary on power, leadership, and modern-day parallels.
Power, Morality, and Humanity – Exploration of what power truly means, Paige’s moral restraint, and how humor, empathy, and logic play roles in resolving conflict instead of force.
Family, Mentors, and Relationships – The influence of Petra, Jack, and President Wendy Mendoza on Paige’s growth; how family secrets, loyalty, and differing beliefs shape her identity.
Series Continuity and Future Works – Connections to Neal’s earlier novels (Specific Gravity, Ontario Lacus, etc.), plans for a sequel, and upcoming unrelated projects including a romance and an Amalgam Man spinoff.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J. Matthew Neal is a physician (endocrinologist) and medical school assistant dean residing in Muncie, Indiana. He is the author of five problem-based endocrinology textbooks, and began writing fiction in the mid-2000s. His first novel, Specific Gravity, was published in 2007. His other fiction works include its sequel Ontario Lacus (2008), the young adult novel Americium the Beautiful (2010), and medical mysteries Amalgam-Man (2022), and Amalgam-Man: Burnt Crispy (2025).
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT J. MATTHEW NEAL AND HIS WORK AT: https://www.jmneal.com/ 

SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP -A no-holds barred account of life in the elite police Special Operations Group, high on danger and adrenalin.Chris Glasl joined Victoria Police at nineteen, with one aim in mind: to become a member of the Special Operations Group. Ultra-fit and highly trained, the SOG are called to the most dangerous missions: hostage situations, gunmen on the loose and risky mobile intercepts.After going through an incredibly gruelling elimination process, Chris joined the SOG in 1994, thinking he was becoming part of a unit that was untouchable, indestructible and bonded so closely together they were a brotherhood like no other. He didn't find that brotherhood.Instead, Chris experienced a unit rife with bullying, lies and betrayal. In combination with the dangerous missions they undertook and the pressure he experienced in each one, Chris needed a release valve, and he found it by taking drugs. It was the only way to switch off the adrenalin, to sleep at night, to get through his days. And those days involved fatal shootings, a triple murder, a 100-million-dollar drug bust and the Port Arthur massacre, to name just a few.This is the ultimate insider account of what it takes to be one of the toughest police officers in the world, and the price it demands. It's a white-knuckle ride that you will never forget.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
About Special Operations Group and his inspiration — how rehab journaling and unresolved trauma led Chris to tell his story.
Life inside the SOG — the reality behind the elite image, from tight teamwork in the field to bullying and toxic culture behind the scenes.
The cost of silence — how addiction, mental health struggles, and lack of support nearly destroyed him.
Standing up — the controversy, censorship, and determination to reclaim and republish his book.
A message of resilience — urging others in high-pressure roles to seek help, speak up, and prioritize mental health.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christophe Glasl joined Victoria Police at nineteen with one goal—to become part of the Special Operations Group. After completing one of the toughest training programs in law enforcement, he served in the unit from 1994 to 1998. He now shares his experiences to shed light on the realities and pressures of serving in an elite police unit.
To learn more about Christophe’s story, check out his book Special Operations Group, available through major booksellers.
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Wedding Planning: Five Easy Steps & The Secret to Pull it Together
Everything you need to know to plan your perfect unique wedding. This is not your typical wedding planning book. Chapter titles alone will tell you what needs to be done, and the subtitles break it down further. The book includes tips, advice, stories, templates, and notebook to keep track of everything.All the other books, magazine articles, Instagram and Pinterest timeline posts state on the "day of" to have a good breakfast. They don't mention the people that take care of all the duties and tasks throughout the day so you can be VIP guests at your own wedding.The five easy steps and how they relate to each other is the foundation of this book, which will make sure you have an educational, memorable, stressless, wonderful experience throughout the whole process.The secret is having a planned schedule that catches everything, and a specific person in charge on the "day of" that pulls it off while you enjoy with the guests. Let me show you how to perfect your wedding planning experience. Waiting to your wedding day is just too late to realize the importance of this thought process and having a specific/special go-to-person working the "day of" on your behalf.You will enjoy the days up to the wedding as much as the day itself, as this book helps make it all come true.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
How to Create a Stress-Free Wedding – Why having one dedicated person in charge can make or break the day.
The Five Essential Steps of Wedding Planning – A practical breakdown of budget, timeline, schedule, tasks, and assignments.
Delegation Without Drama – How couples can share responsibilities and keep the peace with friends and family.
Avoiding Day-Of Disasters – Common wedding mishaps and how to prevent them before they happen.
From Planning to Partnership – What wedding prep can teach couples about communication, compromise, and teamwork.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathy Forbes knew that her youngest daughter was going to be engaged soon, so she enrolled at BCIT and earned her wedding and event planning credentials in 2005. She changed careers from corporate sales analyst to something that brings meaning and joy to her life every day. In no time, she put it to good use: one daughter married in 2006 and the other in 2007.
She retired in 2020 but continued to expand her world. Kathy is an artist in several mediums, styles, and subjects, as well as a miniature hobbyist—both passions stemming from a desire to preserve and share meaningful memories. She travels, gardens, and enjoys reading and self-education, constantly expanding her world by trying new experiences. Her latest adventure was a silversmith ring class, which she invited her granddaughter to join.
Kathy wrote this book as both a personal keepsake and an educational reference to help others. Her goal is to make planning a wedding a wonderful experience. 
Her life’s motto is: be interested and interesting.
Learn more about Kathy Forbes and her work at  www.anewpaigeevent.com
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WASP OILIndependently Published 2025ISBN: 978-1999410872
Not long after Chelsea Tygrah left her mark on Halburton, the city became encompassed by an electric, heavy, pulsating power, embracing and encouraging unprecedented anger in everyone it could get its gnarly grip on. Through a strange orange light following everyone’s move, a creature emerged with its own anger, casting its mark on the bravest ones who would dare defy it.BUY LINK
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Origins and themes of Black Rose Cocoon and Wasp Oil – How the sequel builds on the first book’s exploration of crime and horror, with a focus on emotional and psychological transformation rather than just detective work.
Character development of Rosaria Castilla – Her evolution from a by-the-book detective to someone confronting trauma, blurred memories, and the “goods and evils of anger.”
Inspiration and personal experiences – Flitcher’s injury at the zoo, therapy, and emotional healing as catalysts for the story’s darker tone and introspective horror.
Creative structure and stylistic choices – Use of the fictional city of Halberton, a background true-crime radio show, chaotic pacing, and psychological disorientation to immerse readers.
Future projects and overarching messages – Discussion of the upcoming novel Dead Mirror’s Follow, the continuation of Halberton’s universe, and the broader human themes of anger, fear, and self-awareness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
AG Flitcher is a twelve-time award-winning author who placed in the finals twice for Fantasy Series, first place for horror -serial killer novel, and for independent Fantasy novels . In addition, he has taught the art of storytelling to many novice writers and avid readers. His obsession with questioning the good and bad in life, the grey areas, and the tethering and frantic metronome of life and death, is what makes his work enthralling, confounding, and colorful. Fear has become a powerful aphrodisiac for him, making it a haunting yet delectable component in his stories. Fear is not what scares us, it's what follows when we respond to it.
To learn more about AG Flitcher and his work, follow him on social media through the links listed below:
Facebook: Facebook 
X(Twitter):  AG Flitcher (@agflitcher) / X
Instagram: Instagram 
Tiktok: Andre (@agflitcher) | TikTok 
YouTube: AG Flitcher - YouTube 

In the heart of Yellowstone National Park, little Charlotte the wolf pup dreams of chasing grasshoppers and dancing through meadows — not tracking prey or following rules like the rest of the pack.But when danger threatens her family and the powerful Alpha Queen, Charlotte’s mother and leader of the pack, it’s up to this free-spirited pup to race for help and prove that being different can be a strength.A heartwarming tale of courage, loyalty, and finding your place in the world, CHARLOTTE, A YELLOWSTONE WOLF PUP is a celebration of individuality and the unbreakable bonds of family. Perfect for children of all ages — and their grown-ups too.
A portion of proceeds from this book supports wolf conservation efforts through The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Wolf Conservation Center.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Inspiration and purpose – Celia’s framework of choosing endangered animals, tying each book to a grandchild, and supporting conservation.
Story and themes – Charlotte’s journey of independence versus belonging, and the lessons for kids about individuality and family.
Research and authenticity – How Celia studied wolves and balanced realism with age-appropriate storytelling.
Illustrations and collaboration – Working with Maria Hahn, capturing Yellowstone accurately, and adding interactive coloring pages.
Takeaway for young readers – Charlotte as a relatable, brave, and lovable character, and what Celia hopes children remember after closing the book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Celia Straus has written hundreds of shows for television and film throughout her career, and most recently, she is proud to have received an Emmy nomination for Kids Speak Out, a YouTube series created in partnership with the United Nations that features conversations with children worldwide about their lives. Her work has earned her Cine Golden Eagles and industrial film festival gold and silver awards, as she has served as a script-writer for numerous networks including Discovery, History Channel, and PBS.
For five years, from 2012 to 2017, Straus created and wrote the Emmy Award Winning Memorial Day Concert that was broadcast nationally on PBS. She also had the honor of creating and writing the Anti-Defamation League’s Concert Against Hate, which was performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for several years.
In addition to her television and film work, Straus has authored several books on different topics. Her poetry trilogy for middle school girls, including the national bestseller Prayers On My Pillow, was published by Ballantine Books in 1998. On military topics, she wrote Hidden Battles on Unseen Fronts: Stories of American Soldiers with PTSD and TBI, published by Casemate in 2009, and Pathfinder Pioneer: The Memoir of a WWII Bomber Pilot, published by Casemate in 2017.
Her passion for storytelling extends to children’s literature, and she has collaborated with various illustrators to create children’s picture books, such as the three BoBo and Iris books about an orphaned baby elephant in Kenya, Livy Little Honey Bee, and Sophie, the Monarch Butterfly, Mission to Mexico.
Straus currently resides in Washington, D.C. but travels frequently to see her two daughters and gorgeous grandchildren, who are the apple of her eye.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CELIA STRAUS AND HER WORK AT: https://www.celiastraus.com/ 
 

UNFORGIVING THRESHOLDS - Given that Mother Nature tends to correct unfavourable exceptions of the whole, then change is in order, soon to come. The unforgiving threshold of positive and negative energy is also one step away in front of us. In overview are the culmination of unforgiving thresholds that humankind has caused. These thresholds are like the stone in the pond, producing ripples that ever expand outwards, reaching into unstoppable. All thresholds will collapse together as one.
Some readers will agree, then read again; some will give consideration and read again several times. Naysayers set the book aside until the declarations become everyday topics, then read again. To those in denial: close the book, it's not for you.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Inspiration and meaning behind Unforgiving Thresholds – Don Trudeau explains how carbon credits, salmon, and beavers sparked his reflections on ecological thresholds and humanity’s imbalance with nature.
Environmental imbalance and consequences – Discussion of overproduction, waste, species decline, deforestation, and how humanity has stepped outside of balance with the natural world.
Energy and interconnectedness – Exploration of energy as a unifying force among all life, how it circulates, and the First Nations perspective of “all my relations.”
Personal health and lifestyle thresholds – Reflections on obesity, inactivity, addiction, and self-abuse, connecting personal choices to broader survival and societal collapse themes.
Future survival, writing, and preparedness – Insights on his upcoming books, survival knowledge, stockpiling resources, and simple steps individuals can take to restore balance and prepare for harder times.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Taught observance as a child and practised until becoming an Elder, Don Trudeau has, for seventy-two years, witnessed the changes on wildlife, climate, economy, health, weather, catastrophic land events, and conveniences which changed our interaction with the planet. Today he sees that we are on the very brink of disaster, and he has come to understand that threshold has two meanings. One is to begin, the other to end. He is a Shaman in First Nation depiction and has been on the cusp of change since six years old until now, aged seventy-eight. Some of what he has witnessed is described herein, to give warning, as is one of his Shaman duties, to bring awareness of what approaches.
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT DON TRUDEAU AND HIS WORK AT: https://dontrudeau.ca/ 

MY WINGMAN
Life had never been easy for Clover. With the loss of her mother at birth and her grandmother's descent into dementia, she felt like she was constantly dodging curveballs. But nothing could have prepared her for the devastating heartbreak of losing her best friend and soulmate, Elliot. Crushed by grief, Clover is encouraged by her rebellious friend Reese to escape to an enchanting town where coffee flows freely and friendships spark like fireworks. Here, she meets Sadie, a kind single mom, and reconnects with Everett, the charming brother of her late friend. As she navigates unexpected connections and is haunted by ghostly glimpses of Elliot, Clover must decide whether to hold on to the past or take a leap of faith towards a new future. Join Clover on her journey of healing and rediscovering love, because sometimes the best wingman is the one that stirs your soul. Let Clover's story touch your heart and inspire you to find your own courage in the face of loss and new beginnings.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
The inspiration behind My Wingman and how personal challenges led Tessa to writing
Themes of grief, healing, faith, and transformation woven throughout the story
Clover’s relationships with Elliot, Everett, and her new community as sources of growth and support
Tessa’s writing process, including shifting timelines and character development
The debut publishing journey, reader feedback, and a sneak peek at what’s next
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tessa King is an emerging author whose debut novel, My Wingman, explores themes of courage and the journey of rediscovering happiness after grief. With a professional background in laboratory science, Tessa brings a unique perspective to her storytelling and enjoys analyzing rich, emotional narratives. When she isn't writing, you can find her supporting her husband at the dragstrip, indulging in her passion for coffee and books, or enjoying quality time with her beloved German Shepherd, Preacher. Residing in the Midwest, she admits to having a terrible green thumb and is still mastering the art of knitting. However, she shines in the art of sarcasm and delights in baking sweet treats. A devoted Detroit Lions fan, Tessa embraces life with humor and heart, inviting readers to join her on her literary adventures.
CONNECT WITH TESSA KING!
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/tessaking
Website: https://www.tessa-king.com
Social Handles:
https://www.facebook.com/tessakingwriteshttps://www.instagram.com/tessakingwriteshttps://www.tiktok.com/@tessakingwritehttps://www.goodreads.com/tessakinghttps://www.bookbub.com/authors/tessa-king