Into The Mist by L.K. Aldrich

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Author's Synopsis

War demands men. But it's the women who love them who teach them what they're truly fighting for....

Into The Mist is a powerful, moving story that beautifully interweaves romance and war.

Thomas never imagined his small-town American childhood—filled with summer and the laughter of those who loved him—would lead him to the unforgiving mountains of Afghanistan. But war doesn't ask permission. It takes.

From the women who shaped him into the man he'd become, to the brothers-in-arms who became his family in the dust and blood, Thomas's story moves between two worlds: the tender sanctuary of memory and the brutal clarity of combat.

Into the Mist is an unflinching journey through loss and love, through the moments that break us and the ones that piece us back together. It's about learning that home isn't a place you return to—it's the people you carry with you, even when they're gone. It's about choosing joy when tomorrow may never come. It's about surviving not just the war outside, but the one within.

L.K. Aldrich crafts a deeply personal portrait of brotherhood forged in fire, of resilience born from devastation, and of the extraordinary courage it takes to keep your heart open when everything around you is closing in.

You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll close the final page forever changed.

Perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks and contemporary fiction.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Romance
Pages/Word count: 408 / 127,494

Stronger Together by A.L. Zeine

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Author's Synopsis

Chloe is used to moving—it’s part of being an Army brat. But this time, she actually feels at home. Her mom’s schedule is better, her best friend Ella is just down the street, and the Cul-de-sac Kids have welcomed her with open arms. Life is finally settling down.

But Chloe’s heart is still tugged in another direction—back to her old home, where her other best friend Mia feels left behind. When Ella’s dad is suddenly deployed, Chloe’s world shifts again. She wants to be the glue holding everyone together, but how do you stay strong for everyone else when you’re feeling overwhelmed yourself?

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Children & Young Adult—Middle Grade Chapter Book
Pages/Word count: 122 / 24,000

Invaders of the Heartland by James Bultema

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Author's Synopsis

A town on the brink. A police force outmatched. A chief with everything to lose.

After LAPD brass scrutinized his split-second decision in a deadly bank shootout, Detective Jake Dalton left the city behind for his hometown—Fairview, Oklahoma. But his return to small-town life is anything but quiet.

Taking over a struggling four-person police department, Jake believes he’s left big-city crime in the past—until the Chinese mafia moves in, turning Fairview into the hub of a ruthless billion-dollar marijuana empire
.
When Jake sounds the alarm, federal agents dismiss him, and local officials look the other way. Outgunned and outnumbered, he stands alone as the last line of defense against a brutal syndicate determined to seize total control. One wrong move could cost him everything.

Written by a retired LAPD officer, Invaders of the Heartland is a gritty, high-stakes police procedural brimming with real-world authenticity, crime, and conspiracy. The story may be fiction, but the crisis is very real.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 351 / 67,000

Arctic Red by James Bultema

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Author's Synopsis

The Arctic is no longer frozen—it's on fire, and Greenland is the target.

In the chilling aftermath of the Sea of Red series, the United States faces its most treacherous enemy yet: a resurgent Russia hell-bent on controlling the Arctic’s strategic frontier. As ice melts, tensions ignite.

Lieutenant Commander Jessie “Swagger” Hampton is back in the cockpit of his F-35, now flying combat missions over the world’s newest battlefield. His wife, Lieutenant Commander Sarah “Danger” Freeman, patrols the skies in her E-2D Hawkeye, the eyes of the fleet, tracking enemy fighters, detecting missile launches, and directing the kill chain as war erupts across the Arctic.

When Russian forces launch a surprise invasion of Greenland, the U.S. military scrambles to respond. From silent submarine warfare beneath the polar sea to high-altitude dogfights and boots-on-frozen-ground combat, Arctic Red delivers relentless action and razor-sharp realism.

The war for the Arctic has begun—and the cost of failure is global. From multi-award-winning author James Bultema.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 429 / 76,000

Target Kyiv by J. M. Taylor

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Author's Synopsis

FEBRUARY 2022: Intelligence reports prompt a call to Matt Ross, ex-U. S. Army nuclear expert and sniper, to deal with the nuclear threat not only to the Ukrainian military and civilians, but also to the International Atomic Energy team at Chernobyl and his new friends in the Ukrainian drone-flying, tank-busting Aerorozvidka outfit. Along the way Ross picks up Ulf, a brindle Dutch Shepherd bomb detection dog, and finds himself in the middle of the Russian invasion trying to remember how to down an attack helicopter with a Stinger missile, destroy a tank with an Ukrainian Skif anti-tank missile and prevent the spread of radioactive debris across Europe.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 261 / 83,808

Home for the Homicides by Rosalie Spielman

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Author's Synopsis

It's Christmastime in Army retiree Tessa Treslow's small Idaho hometown of New Oslo, but someone is determined to play a grinch this season and is robbing local businesses of their holiday cheer!

In the midst of preparing for the first annual Running of the Grinches, a fundraiser to support the Sergeant Santa Toy Drive and the local historical society, a string of unfortunate incidents hit the townsfolk hard. It starts with broken windows then progresses to car theft, assault, and arson—each instance accompanied by a clue that clearly ties the crimes together.

Tessa organizes a watch patrol for New Oslo, and during her first shift she helps rescue a victim from a fire. Unfortunately, it is clear to Tessa that the woman was already dead before the fire was set. Did the arsonist accidentally kill her...or is something more heinous and less in the spirit of the season at hand? It's up to Tessa to find out before tragedy strikes again!

Format(s) for review: Kindle Only
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 255 / 70,000

Raiding the Rising Sun: The Doolittle Raid-America Strikes Back; An Illustrated Day-By-Day Account by Dan Steelman

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Author's Synopsis

Raiding the Rising Sun is a richly illustrated and meticulously researched account of the April 18, 1942 Doolittle Raid—the first American air strike against the Japanese home islands and one of the most daring aviation operations of World War II.

Aviation historian Dan Steelman examines the raid through the lens of aircraft, technology, and planning, with particular focus on the B-25 Mitchell and the extraordinary modifications that made the mission possible. Drawing on primary sources, period photography, and clear technical explanation, the book traces how Army Air Forces and Navy personnel overcame unprecedented challenges to launch medium bombers from an aircraft carrier.

Combining authoritative narrative with rare photographs, original artwork, and accessible analysis, Raiding the Rising Sun places the raid in its proper operational and historical context while honoring the skill, ingenuity, and courage of the men who carried it out. The result is a visually compelling, fact-driven history that adds new clarity and depth to one of the most familiar stories of the air war in the Pacific.

Format(s) for review: Paper only
Review genre: Artistic—Pictorial/Coffee Table
Pages/Word count: 292 / ~30,000

The Suwalki Crisis by James Rosone

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Author's Synopsis

The Suwalki Crisis is the second book in our World on Fire series. The war for control of Asia and Europe has started. It's now a race to see which side will destroy the other's ability to fight and determine who will dominate the 21st century.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 377 / 99,160

TOP FIN: Tales of Courage and Chaos from a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer by George Cavallo

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Author's Synopsis

Master Chief Darell Gelakoska wasn’t supposed to be there. At forty-three, decades older than the kids beside him, he marched back into Navy Rescue Swimmer School to prove that courage doesn’t retire with age. What followed was a test of grit, humility, and relentless determination that defined a legacy.

Top Fin pulls you straight into the unforgiving world of Coast Guard rescue swimmers—the elite few who leap from helicopters into raging seas, knowing the line between life and death can come down to seconds. Through hurricanes, shipwrecks, and helicopter crashes, these stories reveal not only the danger of the missions but the humor, chaos, and raw humanity of those who answer the call.

This isn’t just a memoir of rescues. It’s the journey of a man who helped shape the future of lifesaving itself. From sleepless nights on storm-tossed decks to the creation of the Advanced Rescue Swimmer School, Gelakoska’s story shows how experience, innovation, and stubborn willpower transformed training for generations to come.

Told with cinematic detail, gallows humor, and unflinching honesty, Top Fin is equal parts history and adrenaline—perfect for fans of military nonfiction.

Step into the cabin. Hear the rotors thunder. Watch the cabin door slide open to the storm. This is what it means to be Top Fin.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 456 / 57,885

Waiting at the Red Gate by Weston Roudebush

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Author's Synopsis

Some gates you cross change everything. Others you barely notice until you look back and realize how far you've traveled.
Standing at his red gate, waiting for his family to come home, Weston Roudebush reflects on the journey from a quiet kid who kept his head down to a father teaching his boys that the strongest hands are often the gentlest.
This isn't a book about dramatic moments or battlefield heroics. It's about the spaces in between where character is forged in kitchens and bedrooms, where steady hands learn to build instead of break, where quiet strength speaks louder than any war cry.
Through stories spanning military service, law enforcement, fatherhood, and faith, Weston maps the territory where boys become men not through violence, but through the courage to remain tender in a hard world. These foundations are built not with concrete and steel, but with patient presence and the willingness to stand watch at the gates that matter most.
For fathers raising boys into men. For veterans learning to live with what they've carried. For anyone who has discovered that the deepest strength often speaks in whispers.
This is a book about building something that lasts, one quiet choice at a time.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 225 / 56,158

The Four Stars of Leadership: Scientifically-Derived Principles from the Experiences of America's Highest-Ranking Leaders by Tom Collins, MD, MS

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Author's Synopsis

The Four Stars of Leadership unveils the hard-won lessons of 51 of America’s most accomplished leaders—retired Four-Star Generals and Admirals—who led through crisis, commanded with integrity, and built teams that thrived under pressure. In an era of global uncertainty, rapid change, and deep societal division, great leadership is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Drawing from exclusive interviews and cutting-edge leadership research, Dr. Tom Collins distills their wisdom into four essential elements that form exceptional leadership: Character, Competence, Caring, and Communication. These principles transcend the battlefield, offering a proven system for leaders in any field—whether you’re guiding a hospital team, leading a business, or navigating the complexities of today’s rapidly changing world.

This book goes beyond theory, weaving together compelling personal stories from the highest levels of leadership with practical, science-backed strategies you can apply immediately. You’ll discover how to earn trust through unwavering integrity, sharpen your expertise to master your “battlespace,” cultivate genuine care for those you lead, and harness the power of clear, authentic communication.

The Four Stars of Leadership is an indispensable guide for leaders who strive not just to succeed—but to inspire, empower, and leave a lasting legacy of excellence.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business
Pages/Word count: 306 / 80,000

On Board the USS Boise in World War II: The Battles and Secret Missions of Light Cruiser CL-47 by Ian S. Bertram

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Author's Synopsis

The story of the USS Boise (CL-47) is one of fear, loss, endurance, fame, triumph, and pain. The light cruiser endured a remarkable career through the entirety of World War II, with a redemption arc that took its crew from the position of scapegoats to heroes, and ultimately to the vanguard of America's liberation forces.
One man, Donald "DB" Fitch, witnessed the entire conflict from his battle-station on the bridge. The ship conducted secret missions and fought at Guadalcanal, Sicily, New Guinea, and the Philippines. Through Fitch's eyes, this book relives the terrors and thrills of naval combat along with the pranks, shenanigans, and the rumors that were the lifeblood of a ship through four years of war. Fitch and his friends fought for each other and their country, and in the end, they left their mark on history.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Nonfiction—History
Pages/Word count: 235 / 100,000

Where There's Smoke: A Texas Love Story by Rees Walther

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Author's Synopsis

WHEN HOME ISN'T WHAT YOU LEFT... BUT WHERE YOUR HEART STILL LIVES.

Mae Whitaker left her small Texas hometown years ago, trading rolling hills and slow-smoked barbecue for the fast pace of New York City. But when her mother’s illness calls her back to Twinsdale, she finds herself at a crossroads—one that forces her to rekindle lost connections and question everything she thought she wanted.

As Mae navigates grief, family, faith, and the uncertainty of her future, she crosses paths with Jim Carter—the boy she once knew, now a man who has built a quiet life in the heart of Texas. Mae's return was supposed to be temporary. But the more time she spends in Twinsdale, the harder it is to resist the pull of a place—and a man—that feels more like home than she ever expected.

With the unwavering support of her best friend Jenny, the quiet wisdom of her parents, and the warmth of a community that reminds her of what is really important, Mae must decide:

Will she return to the life she built in New York—or embrace the one waiting for her back home?

A slow-burn romance of second chances, healing, and the strength of love in the face of loss.
Where There’s Smoke is a soulful, small-town love story filled with heartfelt moments, vivid characters, and the tender ache of rediscovery. Set against the smoky backdrop of rural Texas, this contemporary Western romance explores how grief can shape us—but love is what ultimately defines us.

Perfect for readers who love:

The emotional depth of Virgin River and Pack Up the Moon
The lyrical romance of The Notebook and Before We Were Strangers
The warmth of Things We Never Got Over and The Secret Life of Bees

If you’ve ever grieved someone deeply, or felt pulled between two versions of yourself... this story will speak to you.
With evocative prose and emotionally grounded characters, Where There’s Smoke is a heartfelt journey through the spaces we lose and the homes we find again.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Romance
Pages/Word count: 344 / 61,069

I Remember You: Between memory and silence, a voice remains. by Patrick J Hughes

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Author's Synopsis

From the psych ward to flight deck, from whispered goodbyes to quiet strength, I Remember You is a raw and unflinching book of poetry and prose by Navy veteran Patrick J. Hughes. Seamed from the unvarnished material of trauma, healing, fatherhood, friendship, and mental illness, these poems will find an echo within anyone who's ever stood in a doorway and wondered how to move forward.

With a raw honesty and with unexpected graciousness, Hughes charts life after conflict, the unseen scars of depression and PTSD, and the lifelines of salvation that bind us when we are breaking. This is a debut poetry collection as testament to survival—not a destination, but an everyday act of bravery.

Whether you’ve served, loved someone who has, or simply struggled in silence, these pages hold space for your story, too. If you’ve ever needed to feel less alone, this book remembers you.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Poetry—Poetry Book
Pages/Word count: 121 / 14,705

The Resurrected Pirate: The Life, Death, and Subsequent Career of the Notorious George Lowther by Craig S. Chapman

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Author's Synopsis

The Resurrected Pirate reveals the astonishing life story of George Lowther, the most singular buccaneer from piracy’s golden age. This book explores his motivations, mistakes, tactics, and leadership as he trolls for victims and chases down his prey. Based on meticulous research, Lowther’s years ravaging the Caribbean and North Atlantic provide insight into the sordid lives of sea bandits. The brutality of the age comes into focus as he and his partners inflict robberies, torment and sometimes murder, culminating in their own deaths by violence, hangings, and Lowther’s supposed suicide in 1723. A stunning revelation adds a whole new chapter to his story. Lowther later re-emerges from a contented civilian life to help Britain in time of war and thereby restore his reputation. Commissioned in the Royal Navy, Lieutenant Lowther throws himself into capturing part of Spain’s empire in a dramatic quest for redemption.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 240 / 90,000

Hilo Dome by Jack Bartley

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Author's Synopsis

Two hundred years in the future, the isolated domed city of Hilo, Hawaiʻi, is one of the few cities to have survived the Great War, a global nuclear holocaust. Nathan Ohana, a teenager living in Hilo, is having trouble fitting in at his school. He doesn’t look like anyone else, and he is unable to speak. He does, however, possess a special sensory capability similar to ESP. A blessing and a curse, this ability enables him to discover a disturbing and possibly dangerous plan by the government of Hilo, one that would threaten the existence of the Ferals, the people who survived the radiation and are living outside the dome. When it becomes evident to others that he knows something that he should not, Nathan is pursued by the Hilo police and is accidentally swept into an alien and frightening existence outside the dome.

Kayli Pahinui, a Feral, rescues Nathan—as he is being attacked by a large wild boar—and brings him home with her to the village of Honoliʻi. Puzzled by what he sees at first, Nathan comes to find he belongs in this very different world. However, a peaceful existence in a beautiful village was not to be. A new threat arises from the leeward side of the island that could mean the downfall of both Hilo and Honoliʻi. Nathan, Kayli, and Kayli’s father, Sam, face incredible dangers and challenges as they try to warn the citizens of Hilo and unite with the people who shunned them so many years ago before the war. By working together, it just may be possible to overcome this new and deadly threat.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Children & Young Adult—Young Adult (fiction or non-fiction)
Pages/Word count: 175 / 65,000

The Mapmaker: A Novel of World War II by Tom Young

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Author's Synopsis

Resistance operative Charlotte Denneau has critical targeting information for the Allies, and the Gestapo knows it. On the run across occupied France, she must prioritize her mission over the lives of the agents and civilians she needs to help her escape. Germans are taking down Resistance networks with disastrous results. Agents are being arrested, tortured, questioned, and turned. Charlotte never knows whom to trust. She communicates in coded radio calls to London, with the enemy always listening. More than anything, she needs a flight out—before the Nazis drag her to an interrogation chamber.

Philippe Gerard, a French pilot who joined the British Royal Air Force after the fall of France, faces an impossible mission: He must find Charlotte, land by moonlight to pick her up in a farmer’s field, and evade Luftwaffe fighters on the way back to England. But where is she? If he gets an all-clear signal over a dark pasture, is she really there? Or does the signal lure him into a trap?

In the critical weeks before D-Day, every contribution counts: A well-drawn map, a timely aerial photo, or a daring landing in a muddy field might make the difference between triumph and defeat. Inspired by real-life events from World War II, The Mapmaker demonstrates how individual courage and sacrifice can set the stage for victory.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Pages/Word count: 296 / 86,000

The Compass Room by Mark James

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Author's Synopsis

The gripping sequel to the Kirkus-starred Friendship Games — The Compass Room is a Wartmann Thriller that stands powerfully on its own.

The war was over before it even started.

In the aftermath of disaster, more than 200,000 Americans are stranded in hostile territory, and Washington reels from a conflict it never imagined losing. Across Europe, unrest spreads while America's allies falter, divided and indecisive — much like its own President. In contrast, Turkey moves boldly to expand its reach, while Russia and China seize the moment to press their advantage.

Vice President George "Daddy Longlegs" Wartmann now faces his greatest test: holding a fractured nation together as political polarization deepens, impeachment looms, unrest grows at home, markets crash, and enemies maneuver abroad. Every choice carries peril, and survival may depend on finding direction in a world turned upside down.

The war might have been over before it started… but one man refuses to accept defeat, and he knows the story is only beginning.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime
Pages/Word count: 353 / 71,564

Viking by Brilee Scott

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Author's Synopsis

HE’S HER REFUGE. SHE’S HIS WAR.

Fifteen years ago, I entered the United States Air Force Academy and never looked back. Becoming a fighter pilot, protecting my country, pushing limits—this was the only future I saw for myself. Until one mission changed everything. A split-second decision turned the sky from a place of freedom into a battlefield I can’t escape.
Lila was supposed to be a memory, but she never faded. And now she’s back—embedded in my squadron, my jet, and my head. Wanting her isn’t just reckless. It’s dangerous. But I’m not sure I have the strength to stay away.

I know what it means to lose someone to the call of duty. The missing man flyover. The folded flag. The silence that follows. It broke me once—and I promised myself I’d never risk that kind of pain again.
I thought I’d made my peace with Vegas. With that night. With him. But Logan was never meant to be forgotten. Now, every look, every word, and every moment pulls me closer, even when I know better.
Because the truth is simple—Loving him could destroy me.
But losing him again? That might ruin me completely.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle
Review genre: Fiction—Romance
Pages/Word count: 374 / 100,000

NCO School by Daniel K. Elder

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Author's Synopsis

This is the undertold story of the U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Candidate Course (NCOCC), a transformative yet overlooked chapter in military history. NCO School: How the Vietnam-era NCO Candidate Course Shaped the Modern Army unveils the rigorous training and complex legacy of a program designed to rapidly produce combat-ready leaders during the Vietnam War. Often dismissed as "Shake 'n Bake" NCOs, these men faced harsh scrutiny and intense pressure despite their vital role in military operations. This meticulously researched book challenges the myths and stereotypes surrounding NCOs and their training, highlighting the program's impact on the NCO Corps' evolution and its enduring lessons for military leadership. Drawing from firsthand accounts, historical records, and personal reflections, author Daniel K. Elder offers a comprehensive narrative that not only honors those who served but also provides critical insights for today's military scholars and practitioners. A must-read for anyone interested in military studies, leadership development, and the hidden stories of those who led from the frontlines.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Nonfiction—History
Pages/Word count: 278 / 70,381