Leyla's House #BookTober Sneak Peek

Leyla's House

About The Book:

Evicted from her Istanbul mansion, an elderly aristocrat forms surprising new connections across class and culture in this colorful, nuanced novel about old and new money, the Ottoman Empire, and modern Turkey. The last living member of a great Ottoman family, the refined yet sheltered Leyla finds herself homeless and vulnerable when her house is sold by the bank to a business tycoon and his ambitious wife. Forced out of this historic mansion on the bank of the Bosphorus, Leyla is rescued and taken in by Yusuf, the son of her family’s former gardener, who has become a journalist. She follows him to a modern, cosmopolitan district of Istanbul where she discovers a world of artists and outcasts alongside Yusuf’s partner, Roxy, real name Rukiye, a hip-hop singer. Despite initial hostility, a real friendship gradually develops between these two very different women. When Leyla’s old home is emptied of its furniture, a hidden family history resurfaces thanks to the discovery of a photo revealing the old lady’s uncanny resemblance to a British officer. Could Leyla be the product of an illegitimate union between an Ottoman woman and an Englishman? With a marked sense of romance, this vibrant novel displays all the layers of a society where social classes as diverse as the former Ottoman aristocracy, the nouveau riche, and the Turks who returned after immigrating to Europe coexist.

About The Author:

Zülfü Livaneli is Turkey’s best-selling author and a political activist. Widely considered one of the most important Turkish cultural figures of our time, he is known for his novels that interweave diverse social and historical backgrounds, figures, and incidents.

About the Translators:

Brendan Freely was born in Princeton in 1959 and studied psychology at Yale University. Yelda Türedi was born in Mersin, Turkey, in 1970 and studied chemical engineering at Boğaziçi University.

Get your copy of Leyla's House when it goes on sale on January 20th, 2026!

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Full Moon Fairy

For most, the next full moon is just a date on the calendar. For Full Moon Fairy subscribers, it’s something more. It’s a shimmering moment of magic, mystery, and meaningful connection delivered right to their doorstep. Every month, families receive a beautifully curated kit filled with wonder, wisdom, and adventures designed to help parents and children slow down, connect, and celebrate the rhythm of the moon together.

Each magical kit invites families into the whimsical world of Faye the Full Moon Fairy and her adorable critter companions. Their nature-inspired stories unfold in rhythm with the lunar cycle, teaching kindness, empathy, and a deep connection to one another and Mother Earth.

Each subscription box includes:

A heartwarming hardbound bedtime story following the lunar calendar

A whimsical craft or interactive surprise, revealed on the morning of the full moon

Thoughtfully designed moments that spark creativity, connection, and reflection

Every element of Full Moon Fairy subscription, from its 14 original stories and Montessori-inspired trinkets to its ethically handmade stuffie collection, is sustainably sourced and mindfully crafted using organic materials.

We got a book and a fun full moon phase garland. This is perfect for the upcoming holidays! A gift the whole family can enjoy!

Check it all out at Full Moon Fairy on Facebook, as well as Full Moon Fairy on Instagram.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

365 Happy Bedtime Mantras #BookTober Sneak Peek

365 Happy Bedtime Mantras by Shannon Kaiser

About The Book:

Millions of Americans are struggling with sleep disorders or insufficient sleep, putting them at risk for numerous other health issues. For them, every night can feel like a losing battle. Now, 365 Happy Bedtime Mantras seeks to reverse the epidemic of poor sleep by helping you balance both the body and mind with self-love and relaxation-promoting mantras, meditations, and bedtime rituals. Whether you want to improve your quality of life with better sleep, effectively transform your evening routines, practice more self-care and self-love, or simply add more mindfulness moments to your life, you will find what you need in this wondrous book.

About The Author:

Shannon Kaiser is a world-renowned spiritual and self-love teacher, speaker, and acclaimed empowerment coach; a bestselling author of six books on the psychology of happiness and fulfillment including The Self-Love Experiment, named number one of the “20 Self-Love Books That Will Lift You Up” by Oprah magazine; and the designer and creator of two other oracle decks and two mantra decks. She guides people in awakening and aligning with their true selves, enabling them to live up to their highest potential. Shannon’s signature teaching is transformative, bridging spiritual and ancient wisdom with modern practical wisdom. Her self-inquiry and personal transformation books, programs, social media channels, and viral reels have reached 22 million people a month. She’s been named among the “Top 100 Women to Watch in Wellness” by mindbodygreen, “your go-to happiness booster” by Health magazine, and “one of the freshest voices in mental health and wellness” by Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul. 

Get your copy of 365 Happy Bedtime Mantras on Amazon today. 

~Hayley

 Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Sneak Peek #BookTober Halloween Books

We have our Annual #BookTober coming up in October, and we are very excited! Here is a little preview, featuring some great books for the upcoming Spooky Season!

Creepy Campfire Stories

Gather around the campfire with 20 spooky, spine-tingling tales that blend folklore, urban legend, and our darkest fears. The great outdoors has never been so terrifying! Featuring iconic landscapes like the Grand Canyon and Redwood National Park, this book will haunt your dreams long after the last ember of the campfire has faded. Here are just a few of the super-scary stories inside: A strange museum that won’t stay open after dark. Sinister plants with a taste for human flesh. Monsters hidden in the snow - friend or foe? Mysterious lights in the sky leave messages in a cornfield. A winged creature warns of impending doom.

Ghostly, Ghastly Tales

Jam-packed with spine-tingling tales and haunting illustrations, this collection is inspired by cultures from around the world. Read them before bedtime or share them to spook your friends - if you dare! Each tale in this magical collection pulls you into a dark world of contemporary stories based on myths and legends from around the world. Haunted battlefields? Talking heads? Ghosts? Nefarious creatures in the night? Read all about spooky field trips, ghostly omens, cautionary tales, and more. Featuring stories inspired by folklore from Nigeria, the Philippines, the Caribbean, Iceland, England, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Ancient Egypt, Germany, Mexico, and the American South.

About The Author & Illustrator:

Anastasia Garcia is a Mexican-American writer of horror and speculative fiction. Her short fiction appears in online publications, podcasts, and print anthologies from Flame Tree Press and Hex Publishers. In 2022, Anastasia joined the Horror Writers Association, and in 202,0 Anastasia was awarded the Ladies of Horror Fiction writer’s grant. In her free time, Anastasia reads 50 books a year and runs an all-women book club called Fiction Addiction with over 2,000 members. Originally from Texas, Anastasia is heavily influenced by the local myths and legends. She now lives in New York City.

Teo Skaffa has lived in many places but currently lives in Istanbul. He grew up in a small town in the Netherlands, which you’ve probably never heard of. He uses simple shapes filled with texture and detail to tell a story and is grateful that he’s able to make a living by drawing, especially since he’s not particularly good at anything else.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

#BackToSchool For Jurassic World Lovers

With Jurassic World: Rebirth stomping into theaters and Walking with Dinosaurs roaring back to life on PBS this summer, dinosaurs are everywhere - on screens, in dreams, and definitely in your kids’ imaginations. What better time to channel their prehistoric passion into something both educational and wildly entertaining?

Practice Writing with Dinosaurs! edited by Terry Dactall

Discover the joy of practicing print and cursive handwriting with this fun, informative, and fact-based dinosaur activity book for kids ages 4 to 6! So that's how you spell Parasaurolophus! Kids ages 4 to 6 will love practicing print and cursive handwriting with their favorite prehistoric dinos in this one-of-a-kind workbook that blends color-it-yourself illustrations and fascinating trivia and facts about dinosaurs with handwriting practice pages containing each dinosaur name spelled out and ready to trace. Once that budding paleontologist has mastered the dinosaur name in printed letters, they can move on to practice the same names in cursive, learning to perfect drawing names from Ankylosaurus and Brachiosaurus to Quaesitosaurus and Zephyrosaurus.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

#Summer2025 Reading and Road Trips #Vacation2025

We love reading - probably why we started #BookTober, which we are so excited about this year! But that is a bit a ways away. There is still a lot of Summer to be had! And there are those Summer family road trips! What better time to spend with a book! Here are some great reads - just to enjoy or to have in your arsenal for boredom busters on long car rides!

Isle of Ever - Bestselling and beloved author Jen Calonita delivers the first in a brand new series featuring a girl who will inherit a mysterious fortune if she can break a centuries-old curse! Days after her twelfth birthday, Everly “Benny” Benedict learns she’s the heir to a fortune! But to collect the inheritance, she first has to play - and win - a game. Following clues that her ancestor left, Benny must locate a small island that vanished long ago, according to legend. She has only two weeks to play the game and find the island. If she’s successful, she’ll break a two-hundred-year-old curse. If she fails, the fortune will be forfeited. And if she’s not careful, she’ll cross paths with someone else who is after the island’s secrets, and who will stop at nothing to get them. Because, as it turns out, there’s far more than a fortune at stake.

The Last Great Heir - The female heirs of two opposing families must duel to rule the land for the next generation in this dazzling fantasy adventure debut! Merriment Feast's life is one constant party, complete with dazzling gowns and delicious pastries. Well, except for her aunt's physically grueling training. Merri believes it's her responsibility to protect her family's traditions and the power they've held for generations. Rue Famine knows that only Feasts benefit from Feast rule. As the heir of House Famine, she spends her days studying potion-making in an enormous, dusty library and learning how to use her magic to help others. Custom dictates that the heirs of Feast and Famine must duel on their thirteenth birthday. Only one family can rule the land of Fauret, and Merri and Rue have been raised as rivals. But as the contest draws near and dangers escalate, their true enemy may be a shared one.

Curse Of The Night Witch - From #BookTok phenomenon and New York Times bestselling author of the YA fantasy novel, Lightlark (Alex Aster), this fast-paced middle grade series starter is steeped in Colombian mythology and full of adventure. Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, Curse of the Night Witch is filled with fantasy, action, adventure, and an unforgettable trio of friends. On Emblem Island, all are born knowing their fate. Their lifelines show the course of their life, and an emblem dictates how they will spend it. Tor Luna was born with a leadership emblem, just like his mother. But he hates his mark and is determined to choose a different path for himself. So, on the annual New Year's Eve celebration, where Emblemites throw their wishes into a bonfire in the hopes of having them granted, Tor wishes for a different power. The next morning, Tor wakes up to discover a new marking on his skin…the symbol of a curse that has shortened his lifeline, giving him only a week before an untimely death. There is only one way to break the curse, and it requires a trip to the notorious Night Witch. With only his village's terrifying, ancient stories as a guide, and his two friends Engle and Melda by his side, Tor must travel across unpredictable Emblem Island, filled with wicked creatures he only knows through myths, in a race against his dwindling lifeline.

Finders Keepers - A scavenger hunt takes a sinister turn in the third novel in the Eek! series, tales to scare you silly! In the small town of Farlow, mysterious advertisements appear for a summer scavenger hunt. Twelve-year-old Maggie and her friends can't wait. They have their team, and more than bragging rights, they want that huge cash prize. On the big day, a strange man welcomes everybody to the game. The first items are ridiculously easy ("An egg? Seriously?"). But they quickly grow more difficult. When getting one of the items requires an actual crime - breaking into the school after dark - Maggie loses one of her teammates. But the others manage to steal Mr. Kramer's favorite mug. A bone from the cemetery seems like it's as dark as the game can get, but when they're asked to bring back a human head, nobody wants to play anymore. But it's too late to quit.

The Changelings - Three-time Newbery Honor-winning author Christina Soontornvat's debut novel, now with fresh new cover art for a new generation of readers! All Izzy wants is for something interesting to happen in their sleepy little town. But her wish becomes all too real when a mysterious song floats through the woods and lures her little sister, Hen, into the forest, where she vanishes. A frantic search leads to a strange hole in the ground that Izzy enters. But on the other side, she discovers that the hole was not a hole, this place is not Earth, and Hen is not lost. She’s been stolen away to the land of Faerie, and it’s up to Izzy to bring her home. But inside Faerie, trouble is brewing, and Izzy is in way over her head. A ragtag group of outlaw Changelings offer to help, and she must decide whether a boulder that comes to life, a girl who looks like a ghost, and a boy who is also a stag can help her save Hen before it’s too late.

Camping Activities For Kids - Going on a camping trip? Encourage kids to explore like a scientist with an illustrated camping activity guide for ages 8 to 12. Attention campers! Are you ready to think like a scientist and adventure like an explorer? This fun and interactive guide shows kids how to camp with an active mind for learning. They’ll discover all the different items you need to go camping, the steps to building an awesome campsite, and how to make the most of exploring nature through 20 lessons and 20 activities to try on the trails!

Ocean Activities For Kids - Inspire kids to explore like a scientist with an illustrated ocean activity guide for ages 8 to 12. Calling all ocean lovers: Are you ready to think like a scientist and adventure like an explorer? This fun and interactive guide for kids shows you how to discover the seas with an active mind for learning. Travel down into the depths with 20 lessons and 20 activities that show you how different parts of the ocean work together, and explore all the unbelievable things the ocean does, such as moving with the moon, changing the shape of shorelines, and providing a home to millions of amazing creatures!

Awesome Road Trip Activities For Kids - Bust backseat boredom with fun games, puzzles, and journal prompts for kids ages 8 to 12. Start having a blast the moment you pull out of the driveway with Awesome Road Trip Activities for Kids. You'll find oodles of travel-themed fun for hours of entertainment on long road trips. With 9 different types of activities and over 100 individual puzzles, games, and prompts, this book turns "Are we there yet?" into "Aww, we're there already?"

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

#Vacation2025 Essential Mothballs In My Attic

Have a long road trip coming up? Boredom can set in fast! I have the perfect solution! Also fun for any time, with family and friends, to get to know one another!

Mothballs In My Attic is a book that uses one word from your past to trigger a familiar thought, smell, or visual sensation that brings in a flood of surrounding memories. Suddenly, you are having a MiMA moment! The authors, sisters Cindy and Barbara, invite you to journey with them to the past without losing precious moments in the present. They have a passion to help you remember the pleasant things, as well as major turning points that we have all experienced growing up.

This book will prompt you to journey back to the mothballs in your attic! 11 Chapters with over 200 MiMA Moment questions!

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Inspired To Be Me Journal

This summer, take a reflection of yourself and do some self-care with journaling! The Inspired To Be Me Journal is a mental health journal for emotional healing, with 6 months of self-reflection space designed to reconnect you with your truth. This deep-dig journal cuts through the noise with intention-setting pages that realign your focus and regulate emotions.

Powerful Guided Prompts that Work – This better everyday journal offers real questions that uncover your blocks and move you closer to your most authentic self every day. This journal with prompts for mindset, gratitude, dreams, and emotions keeps you engaged and evolving. This daily journal for women features 100gsm paper, no-bleed pages, sturdy gold spiral binding, and is wrapped in a luxurious linen cover with different color options. This growth-guided journal becomes a keepsake you’ll cherish.

Created by a woman who felt lost and found herself again. This healing journal for women guides you back to your passions, intuition, and power, to reconnect you with who you really are.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

I Love You, Mom! I Love You, Dad! #MothersDay2025 #FathersDay2025

I Love You, Mom

About The Book:

This sweet collection of sentiments from mother-daughter duo Helen McIntosh and Blythe Daniel is a deeply sincere tribute to moms everywhere. Whether they are still on the parenting journey or enjoying the grandmothering phase of life, moms of all ages will be blessed and encouraged by these inspirational thoughts and special affirmations of love. Beautifully designed with cheerful full-color artwork in a unique layered hardcover package, this special all-occasion gift is a thoughtful, meaningful way to celebrate Mom and let her know how much you love, cherish, and appreciate all that she is and does!

I Love You, Dad

About The Book:

In a world that often puts Dads on the back burner, authors Blythe Daniel, William Daniel, and Helen McIntosh seek to honor dads through their words. Through stories, Bible verses, and hope and humor, these authors are sure to bring a smile to the face of the fatherly figures in your life. The perfect gift book for fathers! I Love You Dad! highlights attributes of fathers that we cherish the most, from compassion to respect to good work ethic, and everything in between.

I also got the cute copy of a kids' jokes book called You're Joking Me by William Daniel. Very cute! Written by a kid for kids, You're Joking Me is a hilarious collection of more than 400 puns, riddles, one-liners, and knock-knock jokes that are sure to have kids (and their adults) laughing up a storm. The perfect gift for the kid in your life, You're Joking Me guarantees hours of good, clean fun!

Get your copy of I Love You, Mom on Amazon, as well as I Love You, Dad on Amazon today!

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Long Distance Besties Journal #MothersDay2025

Long Distance Bestie Journal is perfect for Mother's Day, as my mama is my best friend and lives in another state from me. While we talk all the time and text, something a little more personal, something handheld, would be a comfort to us both!

Long Distance Besties is a best friend pen pal journal that will grow your relationships, teach you more about your friends or family, or whoever you are sharing it with, and give you a new way to stay connected. With thought-provoking prompts and interactive activities, it offers a fresh way to stay in touch in today’s digital age. Whether you’re separated by cities or states, this journal will be your meaningful outlet for sharing memories, dreams, and all those little moments that make your friendship special.

Long Distance Besties will be your sidekick on the journey to cultivating and cherishing lifelong friendships! Whether you’re heading off to college, moving for a job, or heading to a new state for any reason - LDB is what you need to keep cultivating those relationships from afar.

The trio of authors behind LDB have been long-distance besties for 10+ years! That’s why they created Long Distance Besties. By joining in pen pal communication, you’ll strengthen your friendship and maybe even learn something new about yourself.

Get your copy of LDB on Amazon today!

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

After Woodstock

After Woodstock by Howard Reiss

About The Book:

Jack and Bryan have been best friends since the age of two. In high school, Jack talked about getting his math and computer technology doctorate and creating the first android robot. Bryan dreamed about becoming a big-time lawyer with a penthouse in the city and a house in the Hamptons. They graduated from high school in 1969, a momentous summer, which they capped off by attending the Woodstock Concert. The three days of peace, love, and music sent Jack off in a radically different direction. While Jack and Bryan go on to live very different lives, they continue their relationship over the next fifty years through letters.

My Thoughts:

I have always been fascinated with all things Woodstock, and the era, but I was born in the wrong generation or I would have gone if I was able to. My parents were old enough to go, but did not attend, though they very much were what some people would call hippies or flower children. Though there were a few other festivals before and around the time of Woodstock, it became the birth of music festivals, and all the ones that came after would never amount to what it was. In this book, yes, it is about Woodstock, but more so the foundation of a lifelong friendship, and how friendships can grow and evolve as we do as individual people do. A pretty quick read. It is told by Bryan. I love the mix of the letter writing, the in between, and the after in retrospect. I enjoyed the read very much.

About The Author:

Howard Reiss graduated from high school in 1969, just a few months prior to Woodstock. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Columbia Law School, Reiss co-founded a soup kitchen in Nyack, New York, and is an award-winning author with 13 other novels.

Get your copy of After Woodstock on Amazon now.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Tchotchkes and their F*cked-Up Thoughts #MothersDay2025

Tchotchkes and their F*cked-Up Thoughts by Elisabeth Saake

About The Book:

Ever wonder if your ceramic Buddha is silently judging your life choices? Or if your antique compass is dizzy from your lack of direction? In Tchotchkes and Their F*cked-Up Thoughts, your quirky collectibles finally speak their minds - and they are brutally honest. This hilarious and highly giftable book brings together dark humor, colorful art, and a dash of existential dread. Perfect for collectors, design lovers, and fans of sarcastic humor, this is a must-have for anyone with a shelf full of curios and a dark sense of humor. Inside you'll find: •55 full-color illustrations of inanimate objects with serious emotional baggage •Snarky, witty, and surprisingly insightful one-liners from baubles, trinkets, and bric-à-brac •A perfect companion to the hit humor book Houseplants and Their F*cked-Up Thoughts. Whether you’re looking for a quirky coffee table conversation starter, a white elephant gift, or a way to laugh at your own questionable decor, this book delivers collectible chaos and offbeat charm.

About The Author:

A lifetime lover of books, Elisabeth Saake has devoted most of her working life to publishing. She began her career as an editorial assistant at a New York literary agency before realizing the Big Apple was just a bit too big for her small-town heart. She’s been lucky to remain in various roles within book publishing while moving to progressively smaller towns ever since. Elisabeth is a creek lover, a podcast devotee, and has many, many, f*cked-up thoughts. She lives in Chico, CA, with her husband, two sons, and loads of disgruntled houseplants.

Get your copy of Tchotchkes and their F*cked-Up Thoughts on Amazon today!

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up?: (And Other Thoughts From a 40-something Mom)

What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up?: (And Other Thoughts From a 40-something Mom) by Karen Johnson

About The Book:

Helpful, inspiring guide for mothers seeking to flourish and succeed after their kids grow up. In What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up? (And Other Thoughts from a 40-Something Mom), renowned parenting influencer Karen Johnson provides a fun, easy-to-understand, and inspiring guide for mothers currently experiencing an empty nest, or who see one on the horizon, and are looking to lead their best, most fulfilling lives and feel comfortable that they're not alone in their struggles. This book draws upon stories and experiences from Johnson and mothers around her, helping readers seek out new passions, including new career paths, to avoid feeling as if they are solely defined by motherhood. In this book, Johnson explores topics including: Taking risks, putting yourself out there, getting stronger mentally and physically, and fostering positive relationships. Navigating the wondrously weird world of perimenopause and aging bodies with confidence, knowledge, and grace. Working through the very real emotions of guilt, anxiety, failure, and shame that often accompany this transitory period in mothers' lives. What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up? (And Other Thoughts from a 40-Something Mom) earns a well-deserved spot on the bookshelves of all mothers seeking to develop individualism, mindfulness, and genuine feelings of contentment and happiness as they turn the page to the next chapter of their lives.

About The Author:

Karen Johnson is known on social media as The 21st Century SAHM. A former high school English teacher, she began telling her stories of motherhood when she was elbow-deep in the trenches of toddlerhood. She now writes for some of the largest parenting websites in the world.

Get your copy of What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up?: (And Other Thoughts From a 40-something Mom) on Amazon today! Perfect for Mother's Day

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Empress Creed

About The Book:

Empress reigns as 1930’s Chicago’s cunning Queen Pin, yet sultry Dulce Ella Monroe still longs for freedom from the oppression her criminal empire provides. But when rivals threaten all that the influential and glamorous Empress built, her last hope of defense walks through the door in sharp-shooting ex-lover Snipes Creed, now a foe for hire bound to the enemy. A decade ago, Perry Savage had stolen Dulce's heart before battles abroad stole their chance at happiness. Discharged into Depression’s bleak landscape, taking on the alias Snipes Creed elevated Perry from destitute veteran to contract fixer extraordinaire. But no success could eclipse memories of the one who got away. Facing off on opposing sides yet still bound by unbreakable passion, past promises, and present perils, Snipes and the notorious Empress must determine if their romance can rise again or if devastation will strike when luck inevitably runs dry. For two scarred souls gambling everything on last bets placed in the name of love and legacy, only one question remains: Will Chicago burn them both before they burn Chicago down?

About The Author:

Tarris Marie is a novelist, screenplay writer, motivational speaker, and actress from Gary, IN, with one goal in life: to inspire others through her artistic expression. She is a college graduate from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and studied journalism at Florida A&M University. She also studied acting at Page Parkes talent agency, where she is a working actress. Tarris Marie lives in Houston, Texas, where she is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., mother of two, and wife.

Get your copy of Empress Creed on Amazon today! 

 

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

You Will Know Me By My Deeds

About The Book:

Billy Tarwater thought he had left his troubled past behind until a series of ominous incidents threaten to destroy everything he and his wife hold dear. Someone is out to get them, and he is determined to uncover the truth before it’s too late. But as he delves deeper into the mystery, he realizes that the dark forces at play may be connected to the events of seventeen years ago. And to the infamous Atlanta Child Murders. Join him on a heart-pounding journey of suspense and intrigue as he navigates the dangerous waters of his past and fights to protect the ones he loves. In a race against an unknown enemy, Billy must confront his darkest fears. Will he be able to uncover the truth before it’s too late, or will he and his wife become victims of the sinister forces at play?

About The Author:

Mike Cobb is a writer, a native Atlantan, and a student of history. His body of literary work includes both fiction and nonfiction, short-form and long-form, as well as articles and blogs. While he is comfortable playing across a broad range of genres and topics, much of his focus is on historical fiction, Southern literary fiction, crime fiction, and true crime. Rigorous research is foundational to his writing. He gets that honestly, having spent much of his professional career as a scientist. Mike splits his time between Atlanta and Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Get your copy of You Will Know Me By My Deeds on Amazon today!

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Your Steps On The Stairs

About The Book:

A man travels to Lisbon ahead of his wife to prepare their new home, while she stays in New York to oversee a research project on the neuroscience of memory and fear. Leaving behind a phase of their relationship indelibly marked by 9/11, the man revels in the Portuguese capital’s temperate weather and the neighborhood’s calmness, meticulously planning the details of their future. Yet beneath the peace and quiet of this routine, he feels a growing unease he can’t explain. Is it the similarity between the two cities and the two apartments? A mysterious threat waiting in the wings? A brilliant, deceptively simple novel of psychological suspense, Your Steps on the Stairs explores how our emotions and memories shape our perception of reality. With his subtle, masterful style, Antonio Muñoz Molina lays bare the fragility of the stories we so carefully craft about ourselves.

About The Authors:

Antonio Muñoz Molina is the author of more than a dozen novels, including Sepharad, A Manuscript of Ashes, and In Her Absence. He has been awarded the Jerusalem Prize for the Freedom of the Individual in Society and the Prince of Asturias Award, among many others. Muñoz Molina lives in Madrid and New York City.

Curtis Bauer is a poet and translator of prose and poetry from Spanish. He is the recipient of a PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grant and a Banff International Literary Translation Centre fellowship. His translation of Jeannette Clariond’s Image of Absence won the International Latino Book Award for Best Nonfiction Book Translation from Spanish to English. Bauer teaches creative writing and comparative literature at Texas Tech University.

Get your copy of Your Steps on the Stairs on Amazon, coming April 8th!

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Something Better

Something Better by Diane Parrish

About The Book:

The bubble in which Ruth and David live their tidy suburban lives is about to burst. A tragic automobile accident shatters their insular world and sends David into an emotional tailspin. An unexpected job opportunity sends Ruth to the West Coast, waylaying her desire to become a mother and making her increasingly unavailable for David's needs. Thrown off balance and alone, David develops a fixation on Annabeth Brady, the daughter of the friends lost that fateful night. As he and Ruth drift further apart, each must decide if they will remain true to their vows, or what it might mean to search for something better.

About The Author:

Diane Parrish is originally from the Midwest and now lives with her husband and their elderly Corgi in Connecticut, where they raised their two children. Her essays and short fiction have appeared in various literary journals and magazines. Something Better is her first novel.

Get your copy of Something Better on Amazon today!

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

The Cul-De-Sac

The Cul-De-Sac by Christopher Null

About The Book:

In a woodsy backyard on a lonely cul-de-sac in Northern California, away from prying eyes, veteran serial killer Klaus Fischer quietly buries his victims. Determined to quit the killing game after years and years of murdering women, he decides that his neighbor Peg Jurgensen, a middle-aged widow, will be his final victim. But when new neighbors arrive, the dynamics change. The body count rises. Can anyone on this street be trusted? Award-winning journalist Christopher Null’s newest book, The Cul-De-Sac, draws readers into a thrilling page-turner with plenty of “we’ve gotta talk about it” twists. While Klaus circles his prey, the arrival of a new family on the cul-de-sac - the first new residents in years - generates plenty of excitement, particularly from Peg. She's especially enthused about Eliza, the teenage member of the van Damal clan, who's trying to make friends in her new school while struggling with math. On a lark, Eliza turns to another neighbor, the troubled Alex, a shut-in who suffers from a mysterious disability, convincing him to become her math tutor. It isn't long before it becomes clear that Klaus isn't the only one on the cul-de-sac with secrets he doesn't want revealed, but none of that can stop Klaus' bloodlust from finally boiling over on one fateful night. And that's when things on the cul-de-sac get really weird. The fast pace of The Cul-De-Sac sees chapters toggling among the points of view of different characters, giving readers glimpses into the unsettling secrets and dangers lurking behind closed doors and inside troubled minds. The Cul-De-Sac ultimately begs the question: How well do you really know your neighbors? 

About The Author:

Christopher Null is an award-winning journalist, editor, and novelist. He is widely known as the editor of the popular wine and spirits website Drinkhacker.com, launched in 2007, and was the founding editor of Filmcritic.com, which was launched in 1995 and was acquired by AMC Television in 2009. He worked as a top editor for PC Computing, Smart Business, and New Architect magazines early in his career and was the founding editor of Mobile PC magazine in 2003, the first-ever periodical focused exclusively on mobile technology. Null’s first novel, Half Mast, was published in 2002 and was heralded as “the best of contemporary American fiction” by the New York Resident. His 2005 book, Five Stars!, a how-to guide for aspiring film critics, has been used as a textbook for film criticism curriculum at a number of colleges and universities. It was reissued in 2013 in its second edition.

Get your copy of The Cul-De-Sac on Amazon.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Your Roots Cast A Shadow

Your Roots Cast A Shadow by Caroline Topperman

About The Book:

Caroline Topperman was born in Sweden, grew up in Canada, and lived in Poland for four years where she searched for her family’s roots and found herself. “North Americans are used to gaps, so much so that we often forget where our roots are buried. It’s easy to say, ‘I’m French Canadian or Irish American,’ but what does that even mean?” Topperman asks in her new book, Your Roots Cast a Shadow: One Family’s Search Across History for Belonging. “We need to understand who we are, and how we’re all connected.” Your Roots Cast a Shadow follows Topperman’s emotional, eye-opening journey as she moves from Vancouver to Poland in 2013. She delves into her family’s history, tracing their migration through pre-WWII Poland, Afghanistan, Soviet Russia, and beyond, and discovers that their complex experiences mirror some of what she felt as she adapted to life in a new country. How does one balance honoring both one’s origins and new surroundings? Coaxing memories from photographs and relying on voices from the past to guide her in her search for identity and belonging, Topperman explores where personal history intersects with global events to shape her family’s identity.  

About The Author:

Born in Sweden and raised in Canada, Caroline Topperman returned to her ancestral roots in Poland in 2013 to live and explore her love of traveling and experiencing different cultures. From sampling authentic Neapolitan Pizzas in Naples to photographing a piano, frozen in a river in Užupis, an independent artist’s republic in Lithuania, to pitching Poutine as a great comfort food to a local French baker in Poland. She speaks fluent English, Polish, and French and holds a BFA in screenwriting from York University (Toronto). Her book credits include Tell Me What You See: Visual Writing Prompts for the Wandering Writer and a complementary guide to her blog, FitWise: Straight Talk About Being Fit & Healthy. Topperman has written a column for Huffington Post Canada and was the beauty editor for British MODE.

Get your copy of Your Roots Cast A Shadow on Amazon.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

The Summer House

The Summer House by Masashi Matsuie Translated by Margaret Mitsutani

About The Book:

Tōru Sakanishi is a recent university graduate who joins the prestigious Murai Office, a small architecture firm founded by Shunsuke Murai, a former student of Frank Lloyd Wright. A sensitive and observant narrator, Sakanishi is captivated by the artistic quality and careful consideration the Murai Office shows to each of its designs. As the sweltering summer months approach, the Murai Office migrates from Tokyo to Kita-Asama, a mountain village and artists’ colony whose heyday has passed. There, this small team of architects, including two women who Sakanishi is clumsily attracted to, set out to design the National Library of Modern Literature, competing against a rival firm that snaps up one government project after the next. Beautifully translated by National Book Award-winner Margaret Mitsutani, The Summer House is a character-driven story with prose that highlights the natural beauty of Japan, the ingenuity of architecture, and the clashing of modernity and tradition.

About The Author:

Masashi Matsuie began his literary career as a fiction editor for the Shinchosha Publishing Company, where he worked with writers such as Yoko Ogawa, Banana Yoshimoto, and Haruki Murakami and launched Shincho Crest Books, an imprint specializing in translations of foreign works. His debut novel, The Summer House, received the Yomiuri Prize for Literature, an award that normally goes to seasoned authors who are well along in their careers.

About The Translator:

Margaret Mitsutani is a translator of Yoko Tawada and Japan’s 1994 Nobel Prize laureate Kenzaburō Ōe. She was a finalist for the National Book Award for her translation of Yoko Tawada’s Scattered All Over the Earth and winner of the National Book Award for her translation of Yoko Tawada’s The Emissary.

Get your copy of The Summer House on Amazon.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.