Sharp-witted lawyer A. J. Hawke uses an unusual genetic condition to defend a client against rape in a nail-biting legal thriller. In this sequel to The Sphynx Murder Case, Hawke must defend Joshua Wellington—alleged to be the dreaded "Sphynx Rapist" — when in reality it's his fugitive brother, Jacob. Jacob wants to see Joshua cleared, but won't turn himself in. Fortunately, Hawke finds Joshua has a special genetic condition—he is a "chimera," a person with “two complete genomes or sets of DNA in their body,” which both binds and separates him from Jacob. He must see if this is enough to convince a jury, but before the case is over, he may have to face the Sphynx himself.

McInnis mines his years of experience as a trial lawyer to bring a high level of reality to the trial prep and courtroom scenes. He has a talent for making the minutiae of trial work interesting, as when Hawke and his associates plan how they will use certain questions to impanel a sympathetic jury without upsetting the judge. McInnis also explores the power—and limits—of expert testimony as Hawke chips away at a distinguished DNA expert in a fascinating exchange. Nor is the personal side neglected, as Hawke and his staff bicker when trial tensions ratchet up.

The trial centers on the DNA of identical twins. McInnis gives the trope a fresh twist with the "chimera” idea, a complex but certainly unique and memorable situation to power a thriller. Thoughtful scientific discussion permeates the book, especially the strategic discussion of how Hawke will explain it to the jury. While most of the suspense centers on the courtroom, the finale shows Hawke can also be an effective action hero–and, fortunately, leaves open the possibility for more Hawke adventures.

Takeaway: A scrappy lawyer must use sophisticated science, and his fists, to aid a client.

Great for fans of: Scott Turow, Phillip Margolin.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

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Written as holy books from a future in which civilization spans planets and gender pronouns have been eliminated from English, Drago’s ambitious novel and thought experiment imagines, in the spirit of 1967, rock music and stardom as a breakthrough for human consciousness, as it follows the life, career, and globe-shaking legacy of Peter Star, Rock of Souls. Drago pens four ersatz gospels (cleverly attributed to John Paul, George, and Richard) that boldly mix and match elements of the New Testament with science fiction and rock and roll history, resulting in a playful, allusive, head-spinning narrative that continually challenges and rewards readers. Before it follows Star’s early career and miracles, Drago’s “Book of John” finds the star-to-be born in Motor City, where the slithering Major Tom—“the first proto-human to launch into space and circumnavigate the globe”—offers to guide the newborn to stardom, calling Star “the one who unites our peoples with song and dance as has been foretold.”

It all gets wilder from there. The subsequent gospels enrich and expand the basic narrative of Peter Star, “Not Son of God and Not Son of Man,” inviting readers to peel back the layers of myth, tradition, and reverence to try to spot the actual human events at their core. En route to Star’s inevitable crucifixion, and the end of what the gospel authors call “The Hard Days,” the satire is playful and biting: “But I tell you to have sex with your enemies, do favors for those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and embrace your abusers,” Star instructs his throng.

Most engaging among the playful provocations is the introduction, in the Book of Paul, of “Lady Madonna,” a figure who seamlessly ties together the biblical and the Beatle-y—and also suggests Priscilla Presley, too. The epic length, proudly archaic prose, and daring conceit means the Star story isn’t for everyone, but readers on its wavelength will find pleasure, insight, laughs, and astonishment.

Takeaway: This astonishing novel presents the gospels of a rock savior, in allusive biblical style.

Great for fans of: WIll Self’s The Book of Dave, Joseph Heller’s God Knows.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Gospels of Peter Star

“A guy can’t insult anybody—without offending everybody,” Cornwell acknowledges early in this proudly divisive satire, a novel crafted to offend progressives, liberals, Sensitive White Males, and pretty much anyone who isn’t its Mencken-loving Libertarian protagonist, John, an EPA bureaucrat utterly miserable in his job, marriage, and country. (He believes the agency he works for should be abolished and declares “Government doesn’t work.”) The loose plot centers on John’s wife’s choice to vacation in a resort in the town of Progress, Oregon, hauling John along with her, so that he can carp about gender and pronoun seminars while dreaming of steak houses and Pebble Beach. Eventually, much mishigas ensues involving the town, a bank robbery, and the general dopiness of the left, all against the backdrop of a hotly contested Democratic primary modeled on the 2008 presidential contest.

But the story’s secondary. Cornwell’s book is about John crabbing his way across contemporary America, through extended set pieces at dinner parties, airports, and eventually liberal Oregon, where the women’s collective called The Conscience scream that all men are rapists. The satire is over-the-top, sometimes inventive, and not always fresh—expect lots of jokes about Al Gore and pantsuits. Still, Cornwell writes with crisp, engaging prose and proves adept at running gags and the occasional cockeyed one-liner. In an airport bathroom, John contends with “towel dispensers gone digital,” an encounter ending with “soapy hands performing a variety of yoga moves, before being wiped on pants.”

For all its polish, reader enjoyment of #ScaryWhiteFemales will come down to sensibility, political bent, and patience with its episodic storytelling. Whether by design or not, John’s characterized not as the last reasonable person in the U.S. but as a stick-in-the-mud every bit as hypersensitive as the many people we are told he “detest”s. Cornwall scores some laughs lampooning the idea of “safe spaces,” even as his hero yearns for one.

Takeaway: An episodic satirical novel about a Libertarian bureaucrat facing progressive “safe spaces.”

Great for fans of: Burt Walker’s Status Schmo, Curtis Edmonds’s Snowflake’s Chance.

Production grades
Cover: C+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B

Click here for more about "#ScaryWhiteFemales"

This extravagantly playful science-fiction satire imagines a 22nd century in which current trends have run amok: Antarctica has melted into Springlandia. The U.S. government is now run through Amazon Alexas, devices that run people’s lives, scheme against them and, with the right download, assume the role of dominatrixes, making users beg when issuing commands. Elon Musk’s A.I. has colonized Mars and curses out his Tesla bots in a “squeaky cartoon voice.” And guys like Frank, who runs “the only medium-sized space engineering and repair business on this side of the Large Magellanic Cloud,” still adore massive TVs and refurbished older vehicles, like his planet-hopping Chevy Novastar.

McManus’s epic does have a plot, a time-hopping pulp lulu that finds a World War I pilot crashing in the Alps in 1918 with a cargo that grows more precious as centuries pass, though it’s the fun speculative elements—and Frank’s warmly crabby relationship with his daughter Savannah—that give the novel its quirky kick. Still, the mysteries involving out-of-time gold and people, plus a possible murder with dark implications for the family business, keep the pages turning and add welcome gravity to the high-flying antics. The humor’s often times cheerfully foul-mouthed, especially when Frank is complaining, though McManus’s choice to include a winged character named “Larry the Fairy” who’s fond of “cruse’n” to his “favorite glory hole” will test—or entirely eliminate—the good will of many readers.

The speculative elements are more comic than predictive; in this future, characters still order pizzas and remember 1980s movies, though perhaps this mirrors the ways we still read Dickens today. While filled with silly incidents, surprising plot twists, and much slightly annoyed chatter between father and daughter, the novel is demandingly long, especially for a comedy where it’s not always clear how seriously readers should take the stakes. But the central relationship is compelling, and readers on McManus’s wavelength should expect some belly laughs.

Takeaway: A mad science-fiction spree into an Alexa and Musk-ruled 22nd century.

Great for fans of: James Alan Gardner, Barry J. Hutchison’s Space Team.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: B+
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A

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Long satisfied with simply being adorable, Mrs. R. Snugglesworth makes a life-changing decision to join the Legal Beagles of the canine justice system in Flanagan’s charming middle-grade debut. The effusive English Labrador Retriever is not shy about wagging her own tail, and Mrs. R.’s narration is punctuated with declarations about being the best at anything she attempts. But her plans to be the top student at the prestigious Wagsworth Legal Academy are stymied when she’s paired up with attention-seeker Maple Lane. Aghast at his arrogance (“The ego on that dog!”), Mrs. R. begins to curb her overconfidence when she glimpses unnerving similarities between herself and the snappy terrier.

Even before completing her studies, Mrs. R. is asked to defend her friend, Pitter-Patter, who’s accused of a heinous crime: Intentional Destruction of a Stuffed Animal. Mrs. R. knows the gentle Great Dane is innocent and begins gathering evidence, all while hoping that she can pass the bar before the trial date. Flanagan infuses elements of a legal thriller with sly humor and a delightfully dog-centric perspective, crafting a distinctive protagonist in Mrs. R., who spends her days being pampered and praised but learns about the law and participates in trials at the Bark Park to expand her horizons beyond an idyllic routine of fun frolics and tasty treats.

Jon Davis’s black-and-white illustrations have the wry expressiveness of the work of Roz Chast, especially the gallery of canines whose personalities are captured in pithy profile. Flanagan skillfully embeds her lessons (accepting responsibility and following through on commitments) in this engaging series debut, and when Mrs. R. returns to represent more clients and solve new mysteries, this prideful pup should also continue to mature. Mrs. R. possesses an Elle Woods blend of legal prowess and waggish charm, and her newfound need to be an advocate for others will inspire young readers to look beyond their comfort zones.

Takeaway: A self-involved dog becomes a lawyer in this picture-book charmer.

Great for fans of: Jennifer Gray’s Atticus Claw Breaks the Law, Jennifer Hawkins’s To Fetch a Felon, and Vicki Milliken’s Jobs for Paws.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

Click here for more about Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Paul’s debut romantic thriller crosses international boundaries, stretching from California, to Dubai, and journeying deep into Pakistan as it follows Azar Al Faid and Maya Singh on a whirlwind gamble of love and adventure. Azar, a Pakistani actor who finds himself immersed in his uncle’s illegal arms trade, embarks on a trip to Dubai for his current film, where he runs into Maya, an Indian physician residing in California and volunteering for Doctors Without Borders. Despite the pair having seemingly nothing in common, they are immediately drawn to each other, sparking a cross-country affair rich with twists and turns as Azar attempts to leave his dangerous past behind him. Can the two find their way through it all unharmed, and more importantly, together?

Paul’s fitting title is evocative of the choices that people are forced to make, often when circumstances are blurry and the line between right and wrong is indistinct. He maintains a firm grasp on his characters, and perhaps the strongest aspect of the story is his deeply human portrayal of not just Azar and Maya, but even other, relatively minor main players who support the novel’s outcome. That rich character development is accompanied by a thrilling narrative that constantly hurtles forward, delivering layers of curveballs—from Pakistani terror groups to leaked biological weapons in Paris.

At times, Paul’s plot comes across as far fetched, and readers may feel inundated with one unbelievable shock after another, but in the end it will be worth their time to suspend belief, as he delivers a satisfying and just reward at the story’s conclusion. The twists might be larger-than-life, but Paul makes sure to fill in all the gaps, never leaving readers hanging with unexplained details. Lovers of romance and thrillers will relish this novel, which is equal parts heartwarming and exhilarating.

Takeaway: A thrilling romantic thriller that crosses the glob and the lines between right and wrong.

Great for fans of: Jack Carr’s The Devil’s Hand, Kate White’s The Secrets You Keep.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B+

Click here for more about Faded Lines

Seamus Quinlan, a geophysicist who works at an abandoned nuclear site, must cope with both physical and emotional fallout in a gripping story that is part thriller, part psychological novel. Longtime residents of Washington State, the Quinlan family has been decimated by the radioactive pollution at HEW, a Manhattan Project site that still holds secrets. Now, Seamus is trying to ensure the long-term safety of radioactive waste, until a potentially fatal accident forces Seamus and his engineer friend, Cody, to take stock of their lives, as their situation becomes a metaphor for the pair's own personal issues, the precarious state of the region, and the history of the Quinlan family.

Curnes (author of For the Love of Mother, to which this is a sequel) grew up in that area, allowing him to paint beautiful and haunting pictures of the region. He has also painstakingly researched the geology of the zone and treats the reader to an account of the millions of years of history that carved out Washington, turning the ground itself into a character as real as any person. Although readers seeking action above all else may find the scientific detail overwhelming, Curnes' goals are more ambitious than the average thriller, as To Pay Paul connects the personal and the geologic in metaphoric unity.

Nowhere is this clearer than in the scenes in which Seamus and Cody must extricate themselves from a geological disaster. The descriptions of the men coping are earthy as they essentially become part of the ground itself, and the experience gradually changes them and their relationship to each other. Their rescue is cathartic, and they gradually commit to taking their personal and professional lives in new directions, even in the face of a new geologic crisis and a final personal problem. The book ends on an elegiac note, not fully concluding the story, but satisfying nonetheless.

Takeaway: Fans of eco-thrillers will revel in this richly detailed story with a surprising human element.

Great for fans of: Kim Stanley Robinson, Ash Davidson’s Damnation Spring.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: B+

Click here for more about To Pay Paul

This polished medical thriller centers on Calla Hammond, a library assistant with the skin condition vitiligo, a young woman who grew up in foster homes who has lived a quiet life with few friends because she’s never really felt like she fits in. When she collapses one day at her job, her life changes forever. The brain tumor she’s initially diagnosed with somehow disappears prior to surgery, leading to an ambitious physician’s conviction that he’s stumbled onto the gold mine he’s been waiting for in Calla—her body literally has the ability to cure her cancer. Debut author Johnson explores the possibility of that miracle cure and all the consequences that come with it, as Calla’s life is irrevocably altered.

Johnson crafts a medically savvy novel that feels deeply real as it explores what might happen to someone capable of treating and potentially curing one of the world’s deadliest diseases. As the possibility of a quiet, private life disappears almost overnight, Calla’s safety and security are constantly threatened in tense, crisply written scenes. As she faces manipulation and coercion from the outside world, Calla starts to enjoy the experience of the family she never had—aside from her former social worker, Rae—in the people who have now become part of her daily life, though even within that close circle she faces constant betrayals, as they look for money, fame, and a cure. When Calla is kidnapped from the hospital, she is forced to rely on new and old allies alike if she ever expects to get free.

Fans of medical thrillers and engaging female protagonists will appreciate Johnson’s realistic examination of the different ways people can benefit from using Calla, with both selfish and altruistic intentions. The story’s also more humane than some thrillers, featuring well-meaning people who befriend Calla and never expect anything more from her than time and friendship. In an era where medicine and vaccines are hotly debated, this well-written and thoughtful story will inspire both hope and terror about what the future holds.

Takeaway: The cure for cancer residing inside a woman’s cells brings out the best and worst in society.

Great for fans of: Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Megan Abbott’s The Fever.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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Wray advises readers to live with purpose while manifesting their dreams in this debut that blends the pragmatic with the spiritual, urging them to focus on self-love before seeking intimacy with others. Drawing from several universal laws that he describes as “the formula of life,” Wray offers readers his own answers to age-old questions, including how to manifest true love and why we struggle to achieve our loftiest goals, and he delivers those answers in a candid way, building on his own experiences as a learning tool for others. His guidance begins with evaluating relationships but eventually extends to professional acumen and beyond.

Readers who enjoy thought-provoking prompts and creative exploration will appreciate this guide—Wray includes several opportunities for journaling and encourages followers to write down their thoughts to crystallize goals, with exercises that will spark deep self-reflection. He wisely points out how early life experiences can impact adult relationships and urges readers to detach from their pasts, writing that “the energy of holding on to the past just recreates it.” When delving into tips for readers pursuing professional success, Wray emphasizes the power behind seeking out mentors and developing an impressive “elevator pitch” to stir interest in your brand—and he insists readers should never give up on their dreams, even if they lack personal support.

Although Love Yourself brims with practical pep-talks and calls to put yourself first, the guide’s scope can be overwhelming at times, particularly when it veers into religious territory to cover numerology and what Wray describes as “spiritual awakenings,” or moments when “the universe is arranging people, circumstances, and events to bring you closer to the reality you want for yourself.” Still, his commitment to self-work is evident throughout the text, as he shares his own application of those universal truths, such as putting aside fear to accomplish bold dreams and learning how to forgive others. The takeaway—to dive headfirst into self-acceptance—will resonate with readers.

Takeaway: A lively how-to on mastering self-love, manifesting goals, and nurturing spiritual awakenings.

Great for fans of: Hal Elrod’s The Miracle Morning, Caroline Webb’s How to Have a Good Day.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: B

Click here for more about Love Yourself: It all begins with you

Crafted as a “roadmap” to help survivors of abuse toward empowerment in their lives, DuSage’s empathetic guide encourages readers to undertake a searching, conscious journey of healing that entails “transform[ing] being pissed-off, numb, in denial, or hypersensitive into feeling peace and passion.” Noting that she’s taken such a journey herself, and acknowledging that sometimes stories of overcoming trauma or abuse sound too fantastical to be true, DuSage (Why Bother? Because Self-Help is Never Stupid) urges readers to avoid quick fixes, face emotional blocks or personal resistance to transformational change, break dysfunctional cycles that may result in feeling unloved, and “to take responsibility for getting ourselves out of whatever muck we are in.”

DuSage acknowledges that it’s hard work to, as she puts it, “just get over it,” and that often “truth can be so painful that it makes us feel like we want to die.” But she reminds readers that it’s unhealthy to accept anxiety or stay mired in “survival mode” rather than push oneself toward transformative change. So, writing with the upbeat, inviting tone of a coach or mentor, she lays out clear-eyed action steps toward healing, from letting go of denial to understanding and shaping one’s perceptions to speaking your own truth.

The approach is both nuts-and-bolts practical, with a chapter digging deep into the question of whether to tell one’s story to others, and encouraging of meditative practice and embracing of spirit, energy, and David R. Hawkins’s vibrational scale of consequence. DuSage is an energetic facilitator, whose practice involves helping guiding people who have suffered abuse toward transformative experiences; her treatment of energies, spirits, and vibrations here is matter of fact, with an emphasis on achieving peace and self knowledge, including of one’s “limitless limitations.” The mystic, here, is always in service of the pragmatic, of understanding, forgiving, and embracing one’s deepest self.

Takeaway: This guide to change for people who have faced abuse embraces the practical and the mystic.

Great for fans of: Mariane E. Weigley’s Abuse & Energy, Beverly Engel’s It Wasn’t Your Fault.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: B
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Beyond Abuse

In this inspiring memoir, Stern tells a tense, deeply personal story about the sacrifices he made to fight for justice from the inside of a multinational bank. Hired at HSBC bank as a money laundering compliance officer, a position he acknowledges he had little preparation for, Stern discovered a shocking secret: the bank was allowing for billions of dollars to be laundered, with much of that money facilitating terrorist activities and drug cartels. Worse, as he puts it: “HSBC Bank was criminally and intentionally manipulating the code on the wires so the payments would go through.” Refusing to remain silent, Stern came to a pivotal decision. He became a whistle-blower, passing reports to the CIA, endangering his career and wellbeing in the process—eventually, HSBC was fined over $1.9 billion. Stern argues, though, that for HSBC that record-breaking sum, though, was “just a cost of doing business.”

The suspenseful opening chapters focus on the HSBC scandal, explicating with welcome clarity the nuts and bolts of money laundering and banking coverups. From there, he explores his personal life, the incidents and circumstances that shaped him into the person he is, while also digging into larger philosophical questions about how one finds his or her purpose in life and what is the price one pays for acting on their principles.

For the most part, Stern’s journey from a dejected whistleblower to founding his own intelligence company, Tactical Rabbit, makes for a gripping read. However, he chooses not to weave details about money laundering scams and terror financing throughout the book, instead relegating this discussion to the beginning and the end, meaning the memoir loses some narrative drive in its middle. Still, Dark Money and Private Spies is an illuminating read for anyone curious about the scandals of high finance—and what it takes to expose them.

Takeaway: This illuminating memoir reveals financial scams and the guts it takes to uncover them.

Great for fans of: John Perkins’s Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, Tim Mueller’s Crisis of Conscience.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: B+

Click here for more about Dark Money and Private Spies

Heslin’s inspired fifth novel offers a moving portrait of human nature against the backdrop of an ever-changing New York City, specifically the Meatpacking District in the 20th century, long before becoming a swanky tourist destination. Max and her daughter Salome stay in the loft of a hardware store owned by Mr. Zwerling. Emmett, a mute foundling who is in many ways Mr. Zwerling’s twin, also stays with him. The loft’s inner walls have expressionist paintings by Max’s mostly broke painter friends. The quotidian sounds of the trains mark the rhythm of life and the passage of time–birth, growth, sickness, death, and the city’s relentless inconstancy. On becoming redundant, the nearby viaduct is pulled down, but the part near their building, on which Salome plants a garden, remains, though the dilapidated building, with its priceless murals, will itself face inevitable change.

Written in beautiful, haunting prose, the novel’s episodic, non-linear nature captures the everyday, the extraordinary, and the sweep of time. In detailing the lives of this unusual family, Heslin explores the meanings of artistic success, happiness and freedom in a society that, in its relentless march towards “progress,” cares little for people stranded by the wayside, people who do not conform, people who, by chance or choice, are different. Fiercely independent, protagonist Max must continuously struggle to preserve that independence. Mr. Zwerling, made different by his cleft lip, chooses uncompromising, unconditional kindness, and his choice makes life hard. Similarly, Salome’s slower rhythms make her life challenging.

New York City and the viaduct—a chunk of which eventually becomes the High Line public park—are characters too. Kind, cruel, indifferent, and broken by turns, they remind the reader that change is the only constant, inviting contemplation of cities, lives, and time itself, and stirring a sense of the human in the often inhuman scheme of things.

Takeaway: A haunting tale of an unusual foursome against the backdrop of an ever-changing New York.

Great for fans of: Rachel Kushner’s The Flamethrowers, Dawn Powell’s The Golden Spur.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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Set on Coney Island in 1904, Lindberg’s exciting, evocative picture book debut introduces a plucky rabbit named Selena with uncanny jumping abilities. These serve her well when she meets Millie, a little girl riding a trolley, and follows her home—but the two new friends soon discover that Selena’s peaceful hillside dwelling has become a construction site dedicated to a coming-soon attraction called Luna Park. They run into Skip Dundy at the site and are instantly intimidated by his gruff demeanor and declaration that he enjoys eating rabbits. A whirlwind chase ensues, rich with vintage landscapes and old-fashioned fun.

This story is bursting with action—in their efforts to evade Skip, Millie and Selena encounter elephants and giraffes, leap from buildings, walk across tightropes, and ride on an airship, all alongside nonstop drama that will sustain the attention of eager young readers. As the pair races to escape Skip and his sinister intentions, they also explore Luna Park, a vision of early twentieth century culture and ingenuity, eventually stumbling onto a ride called Trip to the Moon. This misty, pseudo-lunar voyage culminates in Skip seeing the error of his ways and a happy ending for all. Though the story is jam-packed with dramatic details, perceptive readers may ask what made Skip so angry in the first place; his climactic transformation would feel more rewarding with greater insight into his character.

Throughout this adventurous tale, Lindberg’s intricate, old-style illustrations fill up the pages with a wistful Coney Island past that would fit right at home on antique circus posters, and readers will leave the story feeling as if they’ve tasted a piece of American history. Younger fans will be inspired to seek adventures of their own, while parents and adult followers will likely feel their own tug of nostalgia—both for the over-the-top grandeur of Luna Park and the simple beauty of childhood friendship.

Takeaway: This picture book finds a little girl in an exciting chase through turn-of-the-century Coney Island.

Great for fans of: Ariel and Michael Tyson’s Jack and the Fantastical Circus, David Litchfield’s The Bear and the Piano.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: B+
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

Click here for more about Coney - A Trip to Luna Park

Nankivell’s inspiring debut romance follows two sets of couples working through their own struggles, including the impact of Cerebral Palsy on their lives. Alan, a 40-year-old IT expert, wades through his days, coming to terms with his burgeoning love for his 25-year-old caregiver Selena, while also dealing with his feelings of inadequacy due to his Cerebral Palsy. On the opposite side is Catherine, a highly successful lawyer struggling to realize her place in life and at her job while dealing with the struggles of not fitting in and a bias toward other disabled people rooted in her experience with her own disability.

Readers of sweet romances will find themselves drawn into the journey of these characters as they come to discover who they are and what they want, not only for themselves but for their relationships as well. While the individual characters live with very real disabilities and struggles that will engage readers, the power and clarity of their individual storylines at times is diminished by frequent point-of-view shifts and occasional awkward transitions in the dialogue. Still, each character's personal doubt or flaw that makes connection a challenge feels highly realistic, capturing the reader's attention and sympathy, creating investment in this story and these lives.

Nankivell’s close perspective and intricate knowledge of the hearts and lives of people living with disabilities imbues this heartfelt story with convincing power. It’s a pleasant and inviting reading experience, despite a tendency to leap away from one moment to another. Each character brings an interesting individual struggle to the story, creating diversity within the novel and expanding readers’ understanding of atypical relationships. Readers who find joy in unexpected love and overcoming emotional and physical obstacles to develop lasting relationships with find this novel to be a good read.

Takeaway: This inspiring love story will win the hearts of diverse romance readers.

Great for fans of: Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You, Ruby Moon-Houldson’s Romancing the Professor.

Production grades
Cover: B-
Design and typography: A--
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Courageous Love

Sievers (co-author of It’s Your Mind: Own it! A Manual for Every Teen) offers a fresh take on self-development in this entertaining but weighty guide. Drawing on her experience as a licensed clinical social worker, she tackles crucial issues impacting younger readers, and offers them creative ways to cope, emphasizing above all else that everyone is "a masterpiece in progress.” With an emphasis on staying curious and viewing mistakes as opportunities, Sievers teaches clever problem-solving skills juxtaposed with rigorous explanations of the science behind them, all while presenting each concept in a playful, upbeat manner that will resonate with tween and teen readers.

The power of positive thinking ripples throughout Sievers’s writing, and adult caregivers will applaud her insistence on celebrating diversity: she addresses why different perspectives are not only necessary but helpful, stresses the importance of viewing diversity as a strength, and is attentive to the unique needs of her readers—including touching on neurodiversity, which is often overlooked in similar literature. Likewise, bold black and white illustrations by Darcy Cline give the subject matter a cheerful edge (while incorporating welcome diversity) even for the most serious of topics. And readers should expect substance along with the fun, as Sievers explores a host of essentials, from detailing brain processes to breaking down Howard Gardner’s theory on multiple intelligences.

Sievers’s willingness to employ a variety of resources is what sets this guide apart from classic self-help writing for younger readers, and her inclusion of group exercises at the end, offering adults enrichment activities to go along with each chapter, is invaluable. Every concept is accompanied by creative and kid-friendly worksheets that will energize readers and leave them eager to try out Sievers’s teachings, whether by designing their own comic strip on working together or rewriting lyrics to their favorite songs as an anxiety buster. Readers of any age will find this worthwhile.

Takeaway: A comprehensive and entertaining self-development guide for middle-grade readers.

Great for fans of: Imogen Harrison’s The Worry Workbook, Andy Cope, Gavin Oattes, and Will Hussey’s Diary of a Brilliant Kid.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-

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A strategy-packed business marketing guide, Sell More with a Right-Brain Marketing Strategy is a quick-paced learning tool designed to show business owners, marketing professionals, attorneys, or others how to boost engagement and create a marketing kit that will grab their audience's attention. Presenting many helpful examples of successful marketing and branding, plus guidance on how to shape strategies tailored to individual needs, Bond has crafted a resource offering inspiration and practical advice for anyone looking to target their intended audience—or to fix what’s not connecting with that audience in an existing campaign.

Writing in inviting, conversational prose and insider’s lingo, and drawing on his years in the persuasion business and his work on big-ticket campaigns, Bond showcases his credentials as he presents his acronym-based “Brain Glue” method (with fourteen strategies to “to influence, persuade, and sell just about anyone, anywhere, anytime”) and his “Steam Attractors” toolkit, a suite of specific pointers for selling an idea, cornering tone, simplifying the complex, and “connecting your product or idea to something your prospect already knows and values.” Bond makes the case that these techniques have been tried, tested, and successful. Relying heavily on well known successful slogans and catch phrases that readers will remember, even from years ago, Bond showcases how making something "stick" in a potential buyer’s memory greatly increases the likelihood of creating an actual buyer.

Each chapter builds upon the last, pairing a crash course in Bond's methods with examples of their sources and potency. Consideration of famous lines such as "If the glove don't fit, you must acquit" or examinations of the brilliant marketing of brands such as Head and Shoulders offer examples of powerful strategies in practice while illustrating Brain Glue’s techniques as well as the persuasive power of familiarity. This will prove valuable to entrepreneurs, social media managers, or anyone who needs to build a better connection with a targeted audience.

Takeaway: A polished, practical marketing guide offering strategies and tips for targeting any audience.

Great for fans of: Seth Godin, Martin Lindstrom’s Buyology.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Sell More with a Right-Brain Marketing Strategy