Bookish Indulgences

19 January, 2026

Debdatta Dasgupta January 19, 2026 0

Craniofacial Anatomy and Forensic Identification by Gloria Nusse

CRANIOFACIAL ANATOMY AND FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION

by Gloria Nusse

January 12 - February 6, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Craniofacial Anatomy and Forensic Identification by Gloria Nusse

Our bodies record what happens to us physically throughout our lives. This is illustrated by the simple appearance of scars from injuries sustained years, and even decades ago. Evidence such as scars also tells us how we used our joints or may have injured them as children and adults. Our bodies conform to the environment in which we live, both outside and inside. By examining and observing these key clues, a forensic investigator can reveal the unique character that tells the story of a person’s life and death.

Craniofacial Anatomy and Forensic Identification is an atlas that covers all aspects of facial reconstruction and anatomy of the head and neck, such as facial expression and the anatomic basis for facial development, along with the effects of muscle movement. Written by a world-renowned forensic artist with decades of experience as a scientific illustrator as well as a portraitist, anthropologist, and lecturer in anatomy and biology, the author is as much a scientist as an artist.

Comprehensively addresses the history o facial reconstruction, facial development, muscle movements, and bone physiology used by forensic artists and forensic anthropologists

Demonstrates techniques in mold making and sculpting to bring the body to life

Includes images from cadaver labs and recent case studies

Provides detailed anatomy of vessels and nerves found in the face including the eyes

Details the muscles, ligaments and tissues down to the skull

Describes the changing face as it ages

Book Details:

Genre: Non-Fiction, True Crime,
Published by: Academic Press
Publication Date: October 13, 2022
Number of Pages: 302
ISBN: 9780128092880 (ISBN10: 0128092882)
Audience: Forensic Anthropologists, Forensic Artists, Medico-legal Professionals, Forensic Scientists. Graduate Students, Law Enforcement Agencies, and Legal Professionals. Anyone Working In The Field Of Facial Imaging.
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | ThriftBooks | Goodreads | ScienceDirect | Walmart | Elsevier

Author Bio:

Gloria Nusse is a forensic artist, anatomist and anthropologist. She has aided in identification of unidentified remains and return 14 plus persons to their families. As well she has recreated the faces of ancient peoples of the Middle East, as well as recreations of the crystal skull for National Geographic among others. Her work has been featured on 48 Hours, Forensic Files, Dateline, National Geographic specials, Unsolved History and others. She worked as a scientific artist for over 35 years and has taught human dissection and anatomy at San Francisco State University for 12 years. ( currently Emeritus)

She has authored and co-authored several journal articles and chapters for various publications. She was the invited speaker for the Chalmers Historical Address for the Association of Oral and Maxillary surgeons meeting in 2013.

As well she has taught many workshops for professionals, including the FBI.

Catch Up With Gloria Nusse:

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16 January, 2026

Debdatta Dasgupta January 16, 2026 0

Day 2 at Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 ranged from sports and travel to history, humour and science

From the mind of a chess grandmaster to the wit of Stephen Fry, from the origins of fiction to the mysteries of the universe, Day 2 at Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 unfolded as a rich exploration of ideas, intellect, and creative expression, at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur.

(L-R) Simon Goldhill - Josephine Quinn

The world’s most iconic literary celebration, a carnival of books, ideas, music, art, heritage and the connections forged between cultures continued to draw packed audiences across venues, building on the Festival’s momentum of the previous day, that included the launch of Older, Bolder, the first edition of the book by Aman Nath, unveiled by Sanjoy K. Roy and Zeenat Aman. Speaking about it, Aman Nath said, “My book is dedicated to faces loved and left behind and faces that I loved but never knew.” Reflecting on the work, Zeenat Aman added, “If you read through the book, you will find a range of subjects that he has chosen to talk about both in poetry and prose over the years of his journey.”

The second day began with Morning Music by Bhanwari Devi of the Bhopa community, whose soulful folk performance brought the rich traditions of Rajasthan to life, followed by the Festival’s first session, Lightning Kid, which saw World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand in conversation with Rahul Bhattacharya. The session traced Anand’s illustrious career, tactical evolutions in the global chess circuit, and the personal motivations behind his latest literary work, Lightning Kid. Encouraging curiosity among the young players, Anand said, “You should have one thing you do, intentionally and passionately, that you do not get paid for.”

Viswanathan Anand

In his book, and at the session, he acknowledged his mother’s influence on his life and career, and filled it with a fun, anecdotal train of recounting. Anand also shared the non-glamorous parts of his journey – training, pressures and failures.

Conversations on contemporary realities continued with The Philanthropy Paradox, featuring Esther Duflo, Siddharth Sharma, Vaibhav Budhraja and Kanta Singh, in conversation with Naushad Forbes. The panel spoke on the purpose and goals of philanthropy, success stories from the industry, and the complexities in the interaction of government, NGOs, and private trusts, alongside the lack of centralisation with regard to what women can bring to the philanthropic world. The day continued with The Travel Session, where Geoff Dyer, Lyse Doucet, Noa Avishag Schnall and Pallavi Aiyar, in conversation with Monisha Rajesh, read from their recent books and brought in perspectives on what travel writing truly is. Each author examined the idea that travel writing can be seen as a memoir, but it is not just about oneself, but the environment one puts oneself in and the journey through it.

Well-known British actor Stephen Fry reflected on language, wit and intellectual curiosity in a wide- ranging conversation with Anish Gawande. The session, A Bit of Fry, traced his journey from a troubled childhood to becoming one of Britain’s most beloved public figures, anchored by his lifelong love of words. Fry spoke about discovering language as salvation, his fascination with anagrams, Oscar Wilde’s influence on his humour, and the joy of verbal excess, while also touching on identity, creativity, shame, social media, and the enduring power of ideas and ritual.

Audiences attended The Lost Heer: Women in Colonial Punjab, with Harleen Singh in conversation with British journalist Anita Anand. Harleen Singh discussed his latest book. Singh said he wanted to write about the histories of the women of Punjab, as they are not very well documented. Any representation of women of the province was through a colonial lens -as martial women- missing out on the femininity that the stories of these women carry. Singh said, “The history of common women is found in folklore; it's found in recipes; it's found in random pictures, where something might have accidentally been seen. Overall, they are scattered all over the place”. Talking about the title of the book, Singh said that he chose the title very consciously and named it so because Heer represents the quintessential Punjabi woman to him.

In a seminal session on the beginning of the universe, God Particle: The Story of Everything, CERN scientist Archana Sharma and astrophysicist Geraint Lewis, in conversation with Marcus du Sautoy, captivated audiences with a discussion on the universe’s fundamental mysteries. “Every discovery today is a catalyst for tomorrow,” said Archana Sharma at the session. The “God particle”, officially named the Higgs boson particle, is the universe’s fundamental particle, which gives mass to other elementary particles. Both scientists spoke about how the scientific world plans to use mathematics for the good of humanity.

Island of Ireland

Day 2 also saw the announcement of a new JLF International edition. Following successful editions in the USA, Valladolid, and London, JLF will now make its advent at the Island of Ireland. JLF Island of Ireland will be held from 22–31 May, 2026. The announcement outlined the vision and scope of the initiative and opened with a breathtaking fiddle performance by Ivan Rodrick, followed by remarks and conversation featuring Ambassador Kevin Kelly, Niamh Campbell, Michelle Galan, Sam Mc Bride, Fintan O Toole, Sonja Hyland, and Sanjoy K. Roy.

Continuing with new announcements, Teamwork Arts also gave out the dates for the upcoming Sleepwell Presents The Sacred Amritsar Festival 2026, to be held from Friday, February 20 to Sunday, February 22, 2026. A star-studded lineup of performers, including Padma Shri Kailash Kher and Kailasa; The Anirudh Varma Collective; The Kutle Khan Project; and Usha Uthup, are to be featured at the festival.

Attendees on the second day were also treated to Ojas Art: Ascending Roots, a conversation between Ravinder Reddy and Premjish Achari, introduced by Anubhav Nath, exploring the intersections of tradition, innovation, and cultural storytelling in contemporary Indian art. The session also marked the presentation of the Ojas Art Award for 2026 to Pisadu Ram Mandavi, a visual artist from the Muria tribe of Chhattisgarh, by Sonya Rhie Mace. Mandavi will be present at the festival on all five days, creating artworks live for audiences to enjoy.

The third day of literature’s most marquee celebration awaits sessions on The Magic of the Lost Earrings with Sudha Murty in conversation with Mandira Nayar. You Can Have It All: Unlock the Secrets to a Great Life with Gaur Gopal Das in conversation with Poulomi Chatterjee, Human Edge: What's Cooking in AI with Ali Eslami, Nitin Seth, and Barsali Bhattacharyya in conversation with Sumeet Shetty, and What is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea with Fara Dabhoiwala in conversation with Oscar Guardiola- Rivera.

15 January, 2026

Debdatta Dasgupta January 15, 2026 0

Day 1 at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026

The much-anticipated 19th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival opened today at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur, bringing together some of the most influential voices from literature, politics, media, and culture across India and the world. Presented by Vedanta and produced by Teamwork Arts, the Festival will run till 19th January 2026, continuing its legacy as a vibrant platform for dialogue, debate, and the free exchange of ideas. The opening day set the tone for five days of thought-provoking conversations, powerful storytelling, and meaningful engagement with contemporary issues.

(L-R) Moutushi Mukherjee - Banu Mushtaq

In the traditional beginning of the Festival Morning Music, supported by Infosys Foundation, Aishwarya Vidya Raghunath and Rithvik Raja led a five-piece Carnatic music ensemble that blended classical rigour with quiet imagination. With Sayee Rakshith on violin, Praveen Sparsh on mridangam, and Skanda Manjunath on ghatam, the meditative performance created a calm, immersive tone for the day’s dialogue and discovery.

The opening day featured a keynote address by Banu Mushtaq, followed by inaugural addresses by writers and Festival Co-directors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple, and Festival Producer Sanjoy K. Roy. A traditional lamp-lighting ceremony marked an auspicious start in the presence of Rajasthan’s Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa. Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, reflected on the Festival’s journey from Diggi Palace to its current global presence across nine cities, highlighting its engagement with contemporary themes such as artificial intelligence. Festival Co-director and author Namita Gokhale welcomed the audience, acknowledging writers from across India and the world, representing diverse languages and literary traditions. In his Keynote address, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma, spoke about Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage, noting, “The Jaipur Literature Festival is not merely an event; it is a celebration of ideas, a confluence of words, and a bridge of dialogue between cultures.

Gokhale added, “In this bright sunshine, in the month of Magh, when fluttering kites reach for freedom as our minds do, the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 carries the spontaneity and spunk that mark every edition. We have whimsy, opinions, counter opinions…every year brings its own magic, yet the spirit remains unchanged, a joyous curiosity.” Historian and Festival Co-director, William Dalrymple, in his address, emphasised how the festival has grown enormously in the past 19 years, and said: “There is a reason why this Festival has taken root in quite the spectacular fashion that it has…sometimes half a million people turn up to hear writers speak about books.”

(L-R) Puneeta Roy - Vrinda Grover - Banu Mushtaq - Swati Pandey - Deepti Priya Mehrotra

The opening session featured International Booker prize winner Banu Mushtaq in conversation with Moutushi Mukherjee. Mustaq emphasised writing as an act of survival and resistance in societies marked by inequality and erasure. Framing literature as inseparable from life, she noted that her accolades, including the International Booker Prize 2025, reinforce her social responsibility. She advised young writers: “Don’t just plan writing, start writing. Write, Write, and Write.”

Legendary poet, lyricist, and public intellectual Javed Akhtar drew packed audiences in Javed Akhtar: Points of View, in conversation with Warisha Farasat, sharing the changes in post-independent cultures, the middle class in India, and the role of writers and poets in society. To the young minds present in the audience, he said that there will always be people in the world who are better than you. His guiding words of encouragement urged them to look within themselves for inspiration instead of competing with others.

In a session where global histories and shared futures formed the focus of Coexistence: How Arabs and Jews Can Live Together, featuring historians Ussama Makdisi, Noa Avishag Schnall, and Avi Shlaim, in conversation with William Sieghart, the panelists offered perspectives on memory, reconciliation, and coexistence.

Among other highlight sessions was The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, where Booker Prize-winning author Kiran Desai was in conversation with Nandini Nair. Desai spoke about her Booker shortlisted novel, offering rare insight into her writing life, creative discipline, and the emotional core of the book. The session moved fluidly between craft, memory, and the many meanings of loneliness that shape Desai’s fiction.

The Festival also hosted The Undying Light: India’s Futures, featuring diplomat and author Gopalkrishna Gandhi in conversation with Narayani Basu, offering a deeply reflective exploration of India’s moral imagination, democracy, and the road ahead. At a session on his new remarkable memoir, ‘The Undying Light: A Personal History of Independent India,’ Gandhi commented on how he committed himself to truth and honesty through the course of writing. Speaking of his associations with esteemed personalities such as M.S. Subbulakshmi, a most sensitive singer, Gandhi talked about how she personified sorrow and sublimity on stage, the former that was part of her life and the latter that she brought through her music. The Festival also witnessed notable FIRST EDITION book launches. A Statesman and a Seeker: The Life and Legacy of Dr Karan Singh by Harbans Singh was launched by Namita Gokhale, William Dalrymple, and Sanjoy K. Roy, followed by a conversation between Dr Karan Singh and Harbans Singh, moderated by Ravi Singh.

Another much-anticipated launch was The Art of Being Fabulous by Shalini Passi, who was in conversation with Ruchika Mehta, offering reflections on creativity, self-expression, and contemporary culture. In Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu, media pioneer and MTV co-founder Tom Freston spoke with journalist Saad Mohseni, sharing insights from a life shaped by global media, cultural exchange, and storytelling across borders, Freston recounted stories from the iconic “I want my MTV” campaign with David Bowie, his experience owning a clothing business in India and Afghanistan, launching Comedy Central, and even creating advertising for a toilet paper company.

(L-R) Sanjoy K. Roy - Priyambada Jayakumar - Manu Joseph

Issues of credibility and truth in the digital age were addressed in The Seven Rules of Trust, where Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, was in conversation with journalist Anita Anand, discussing transparency, accountability, and the evolving nature of information. Wales discussed the role of social media algorithms in amplifying hostility by promoting aggressive and emotionally charged content, framing political disagreement as a moral threat rather than a democratic difference. Despite these challenges, he expressed cautious optimism, emphasising that societies have historically managed ideological differences through compromise when systems are perceived as fair.

Debdatta Dasgupta January 15, 2026 0

Track of Courage by Susan May Warren

TRACK OF COURAGE

by Susan May Warren

January 5 - 16, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

CALL OF THE WILD

A hijacked plane. A pursuing killer. And a K9's instinct to help them make it out alive.

Pop singer Keely Williams's search for her biological mother in Alaska has been painfully unsuccessful. Now she just wants to escape this wild frontier and never look back. But when her plane is hijacked, she's suddenly plunged into a race against not only an Alaskan blizzard but also a killer who's on her tail.

After a career-ending injury, ex-cop Dawson Mulligan has only one friend--Caspian, the stray dog he adopted. Dawson just wants to figure out how to get his life on track, but during a flight home to Copper Mountain, he spots a downed plane and stops to help. Except, when his not-a-rescue dog runs off into the woods and discovers the trail of a missing survivor, it's up to the former cop to stage a rescue.

But Dawson has no idea he's being pulled into a deadly pursuit, or that Caspian is more than he seems. There might be redemption and second chances waiting for both Dawson and Keely if they have the courage to face their wounded pasts and fight for their future.

Join master storyteller Susan May Warren for a propulsive ride through the Alaskan wilderness, where love might be the riskiest--and most rewarding--adventure of all.

Prepare to experience edge-of-your-seat action combined with heart-stirring romance and heroic K9 companions in this exhilarating romantic suspense that will thrill fans of Lynette Eason and Elizabeth Goddard.

Book Details:

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense Thriller
Published by: Revell
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Number of Pages: 320 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780800746056 (ISBN10: 0800746058) Pbk
Series: Call of the Wild, #1
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | ChristianBook | Baker Book House

Read an excerpt from TRACK OF COURAGE:

Author Bio:

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of nearly 100 novels with more than 1.5 million books sold, including the Global Search and Rescue and Montana Rescue series. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT Medallion and numerous Readers' Choice Awards, Susan makes her home in Minnesota.

Catch Up With Susan May Warren:

SusanMayWarren.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @SusanMayWarren
BookBub - @SusanMayWarren
Instagram - @SusanMayWarren
X - @SusanMayWarren
Facebook - @SusanMayWarrenFiction
YouTube - @SusanMayWarrenFiction

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12 January, 2026

Debdatta Dasgupta January 12, 2026 0

The Missing Corpse by Yasin Kakande

THE MISSING CORPSE

by Yasin Kakande

January 12 - February 6, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

THE GENERAL'S PROJECT

The president is dead. His son’s pretending he’s not. And the corpse? Well, that’s missing.

When the CIA sniffs out whispers that an African general—who also happens to be the president’s darling son—may have murdered dear old dad and stashed the body like last week’s leftovers, they send in their best bloodhound: Agent Shawn Wayles. He’s good at two things—digging up dirt and getting shot at in places the U.S. swears it’s not involved.

This time, Shawn’s not alone. He’s paired with an LGBTQ couple who have more secrets than the Vatican and fewer moral brakes.

Their mission? Retrieve the dead president’s body from the general’s paranoid, trigger-happy security team.

Because in this twisted power struggle, it’s not the living who rule—it’s the guy in the coffin. And whoever has the corpse... controls the country.

Praise for The Missing Corpse:

"A work of fiction told with the force of truth."
~ The Niche

"Right off the bat, I could tell this was going to be a dark read. There is a real sense of menace and threat from the get go... Thoroughly enjoyed this and will definitely be up for reading any future books."
~ Donna Morfett, Goodreads Review

"I thought the plot was a fantastic idea and brilliantly written."
~ Claire Ball, Goodreads Review

Book Details:

Genre: Crime Thriller
Published by: Black Writers Ink LLC
Publication Date: September 11, 2025
Number of Pages: 379
ISBN: 979-8990984448
Series: The General's Project, Book 2
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Audible

Read an excerpt:

The General knew—like a rotting tooth you can’t stop tonguing—just how hard his old man had worked to hammer him into something resembling a real man, using boot camps, backdoor deals, and enough disappointment to fill a graveyard.

Before the president found Twitter—sorry, X—for him, he mostly just found disappointment. And not the subtle, quiet kind. No, this was loud, public, teeth-grinding failure. The kind that makes a father grip his whiskey glass hard enough to shatter it. The boy was dull. A wet match in a thunderstorm. The people ignored him like a pothole they’d grown used to swerving around.

The president, who fancied himself a blend of warlord and wise grandfather, had done all the right things—by dictator standards. He’d oiled the machinery, laid the bricks. He'd shipped the lad off to Sandhurst, the British womb for future coup-makers and ceremonial dictators. But the academy spat him out like a bad oyster after just one year. Reason? "Intellectual capacity insufficient for command responsibilities." That's British for “the boy was dumb as soup.”

Panic set in. The president, no stranger to coups or cover-ups, scrambled for another boot camp that would accept his undercooked progeny. And God bless Africa—it never disappoints. Egypt, under old mummy Hosni Mubarak, opened its arms. The president’s warning was clear as day and sharp as a bayonet: “If you fail here, don’t ever mention my name again.” The boy emerged months later with a piece of paper that said he could command a battalion. No one bothered to ask if it was his own handwriting.

Still not satisfied, Daddy rang his buddies in Langley. Mr. Taylor—CIA spook with a neck like a tree stump—hooked him up with a slot at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. That’s where the U.S. trained its foreign military friends—the ones that smiled for cameras by day and broke skulls by night. The General graduated. Barely. His grades so low they had to be excavated.

Back home, the president, desperate to turn the boy into something—anything—decided to mold him into a public figure. He hired speech coaches, media whisperers, ex-BBC anchors, even a former Miss Uganda who once read the weather on WBS Television. Still, every time the General opened his mouth in public, it was a horror show. His hands trembled like a leaf in a blender. He couldn’t pronounce words. Once, he called “sovereignty” soup-ver-nanny and the room went so silent you could hear careers dying.

But then came the miracle: Twitter. Well, X. Rebranded like a shady funeral home. The president's advisors—witchdoctors in suits—pitched a bold idea: give the boy a Twitter account. Hire a comedian ghostwriter. Make him sound dangerous. Sexy. Unhinged. Like Idi Amin with a smartphone.

Enter the ghostwriter—a washed-up tabloid journalist who once faked an alien sighting in Karamoja and got sued by a Catholic bishop. The guy was perfect. He knew how to stir the pot with one tweet and have the country boiling by lunch.

The General gave him ideas—half-mumbled thoughts between sips of imported whiskey—and the ghostwriter turned them into gold. Tweets like: Kenya has two weeks left. Consider this your final warning. #WeMarchAtDawn

The country gasped. The president “fired” the General. He even sent an apology to Kenya. A public scandal. Oh no, Daddy can’t control his baby boy! The media gobbled it up like pigs at a buffet.

But behind the curtain, the ghostwriter kept churning out wild, headline-drenched tweets. The General was now lusting after Beyoncé and Ayra Starr like a horny war god in fatigues. He made bizarre threats about airstrikes on Tanzanian Bongo Flava concerts. People were horrified. People were entertained.

***

Author Bio:

Yasin Kakande is an international journalist, TED Global Fellow, and author of several critically praised non-fiction books, including "Why We Are Coming" and "Slave States," which offer fresh perspectives on immigration and geopolitics. His journalism career includes contributions to outlets such as The New York Times, Thomson Reuters, Al Jazeera, The National, and The Boston Globe. Yasin holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College and resides outside Boston.

Catch Up With Yasin Kakande:

Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @yasikak
Instagram - @yasikak
Threads - @yasikak
X - @yasikak
Facebook - @yasikak

Tour Participants:

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08 January, 2026

Debdatta Dasgupta January 08, 2026 0

Find Me At The Disco by Diahanna Aurora Hampton

Find Me At The Disco
Diahanna Aurora Hampton
Publication date: January 8th 2026
Genres: Action, Romance

New York, 1977. Liza Collins is struggling to reconcile her relationship with her father, Will, after a lifetime of secrets and betrayal. Upon graduating from boarding school in London, Liza returns to her hometown of New York City seeking answers about her childhood that Will has largely left unanswered. Instead of answers, Liza unearths a series of illicit affairs, sham marriages, and financial troubles her father has tried to keep buried.

As Liza struggles with these findings and navigates adulthood, she meets Jennifer Blake-a woman who introduces her to a world of drugs, alcohol, and disco. In the midst of it all, Liza then discovers something about her family that she never could have imagined, clouding her judgment and sense of self. Consequently, Will is forced to either confess his mistakes or give up on his relationship with his daughter entirely.

Author Bio:

Diahanna Aurora Hampton is a Boston based writer with a B.A. in Art Studies. Find Me At The Disco is her first novel.

Goodreads / Instagram

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05 January, 2026

Debdatta Dasgupta January 05, 2026 0

Illusion of Truth by James L'Etoile

ILLUSION OF TRUTH

by James L'Etoile

January 5 - 30, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A Detective Emily Hunter Mystery

Illusion of Truth takes Emily by the throat when her cop boyfriend, Brian Conner, responds to a disturbance only to be lured into a church bombing. Seriously wounded, Emily worries if he survives, will he be the man she knew? One-by-one, other officers linked to a crime years earlier are targeted. Was it covered up? Was Brian part of it? Emily discovers truth depends on who’s left to tell the story.

Praise for Illusion of Truth:

"Illusion of Truth is a real deal police-eye view of the mean streets. Bosch and Ballard, make room for Emily Hunter. She's brash, bold, but with a soul and a heart for justice."
~ Reed Farrel Coleman, New York Times bestselling author

"An absolutely relentless thriller… in ILLUSION OF TRUTH, we find Detective Emily Hunter at her very best: Smart, sharp, and willing to do whatever it takes to solve the case of a renegade bomber. With a frightening, ripped-from-the-headlines story of attacks on her fellow police, and a cast of characters with emotional depth, perseverance, and spouting the best cop talk, L’Etoile has penned another hit in this top-notch series."
~ J.T. Ellison, NYT bestselling author of LAST SEEN

"A high-voltage, high-stakes police procedural, ILLUSION OF TRUTH is crisp and fast-paced, as cinematic as a Michael Mann thriller. On full display here is the unique storytelling sensibility that's made James L'Etoile's books beloved among mystery readers: a badass, rock-solid investigation plot with precinct veracity, hostage negotiation expertise, and deep empathy. ILLUSION OF TRUTH is a remedy for cynicism, a throwdown to wake up and follow the clues, to pay attention, to believe in a better tomorrow. The world is unfair, yes, and it might feel broken sometimes, but, as Emily Hunter reminds us: 'We're all broken in one way or another. It's how we put the pieces together that counts.'"
~ Margot Douaihy, bestselling author of Scorched Grace, Blessed Water, and Divine Ruin

"Like the best of Michael Connelly, L’Etoile has created characters readers care about while also crafting a twisty and compelling story. Fans of police procedurals and heart-stopping thrillers should consider L’Etoile an essential addition to their reading pile."
~ First Clue Reviews

"Everything you read police stories for is here, and much, much more."
~ STARRED Kirkus Review

"Rich in character and full of humanity, James L’Etoile’s writing shimmers with authenticity, with what Raymond Chandler called the “tangled woof” of real life. These are the procedurals that last: gritty, suspenseful and deeply satisfying."
~ Megan Abbott, New York Times bestselling author of El Dorado Drive

Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedural with a Thriller Edge
Published by: Oceanview Publishing
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Number of Pages: 366
ISBN: 978-1608096497 (1608096491)
Series: A Detective Emily Hunter Mystery, #3
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Oceanview

The Detective Emily Hunter Mystery Series

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Oceanview

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Oceanview

Read an excerpt:

Chapter One

“All available units, report of a large crowd and 459s in progress at the corner of Rio Linda and South Ave.,” the dispatcher’s voice called out over the radio.

Sergeant Brian Conner clicked the microphone in his patrol unit. “1-Sam-12 responding.”

“Hey, Tommy, isn’t there a church on South Ave.?” Conner asked.

Tommy Robinson, a Black rookie officer assigned to Patrol District 1 in North Sacramento, turned in the passenger seat, checking for cross-traffic at the intersection. “Yeah. It’s one of those pop-up, God-in-a-box churches. You know—no denomination, takes all comers.”

“Why would a church be a target for looting at midnight?”

“It’s right on the edge of Tru Heights Bloods territory. Could be gangbangers after the food pantry and the donations the church’s brought in.”

“Tommy, let me ask you something. You’ve been married a while, so you’ve got this whole relationship thing down. When Emily says she isn’t ready to move in together, what does that mean?”

“Um, Sarge, you think I’m the one to answer that? Shouldn’t Emily—I mean Detective Hunter—tell you why?”

“I mean, sure, but I thought everything was going great—and then, she’s not ready. You ever have anything like that?”

“No. But then my Baptist momma would’ve slapped me into tomorrow if I thought about living in sin.”

“That’s not helpful, Tommy.”

Conner shot north on Rio Linda. The flashing blue lights from other patrol units ahead marked the location. As Conner pulled into the church parking lot, he expected a crowd spilling out of the church and into nearby businesses. There had been a rash of daylight attacks on retail establishments in the city, where mobs of thieves grabbed armfuls of whatever they could carry. Hitting a church in the middle of the night was a new direction.

“Where are they? The looters?” Tommy said.

Conner parked near the church entrance, ahead of another Sacramento Police Department SUV, and stepped from his vehicle. He couldn’t spot a single person near the church, except for the six police officers who had responded to the call.

“Dispatch, 1-Sam-12, have a callback number on the RP? Looks like a false alarm.”

“Negative, 1-Sam-12. Caller didn’t give their name.”

An officer rounded the corner of the church building and approached Conner. “Nobody’s here, Sarge. What gives?”

The hairs on the back of Conner’s neck pricked up. He swiveled around and surveyed the darkened windows on the street opposite. They were lured here.

“Got movement across the street—second floor, left side,” an officer called out. His brass nameplate read TUCKER.

Conner spotted the window and the flare of a cigarette. Someone watching the police respond to this snipe hunt?

“We see any evidence of a break-in? Broken windows, open doors, anything?”

“Nada. Simmons and I walked the perimeter. No sign of entry. No sign of anything,” Tucker said.

“Someone wanted all the units in District 1 to respond. A report of a large crowd breaking into businesses would draw us out here.”

“They needed a diversion so they could pull off whatever they were into somewhere else,” Tucker said.

“Maybe. I haven’t heard anything new from dispatch. Why would we get a callout to the edge of Tru Heights territory?”

“Westgate Crips are on the other side of the freeway. I could see them making a false report to push us to roust a couple of their rivals.”

“Well, nothing going on here. Why don’t you and your partner hit the road. Let dispatch know this was a dry hole,” Conner said.

“Got it, Sarge. You need Parker and Cortez in the other unit? They’re watching the back of the church.”

“Nah, send them on their way, would you?”

“You got it.”

“Thanks, Tucker. Be careful out there. I’ve got an uneasy feeling about someone sending us here.”

“I hear you.”

Conner started back to his SUV, paused, and turned. “Hey, Tucker, anyone check the front door lock?”

“Yeah, I shook it. Locked up tight.”

Tucker and his partner got into their SUV, shut off the lights, and backed out of the church parking lot.

Tommy Robinson wandered to the front entrance and peered through the smoked glass doors. “Place is empty. Nothing going on—hey, what’s up with this?”

A metal donation bin sat to the right of the front door. Gang graffiti adorned the side of the four-foot-tall, repainted mailbox.

Conner caught the glint from a thin wire attached to the donation box door. On the concrete below, a cut padlock lay in the shadow.

Tommy reached for the bin.

“Tommy! Wait!”

Conner ran to the young officer as he tugged on the lid.

“Stop,” Conner said.

Tommy was focused on the unlocked donation bin and didn’t hear Conner.

Conner shoved Tommy as a click echoed in the entry vestibule. A microsecond later, a fireball erupted from the donation bin.

A pressure wave of heat and metal shards exploded. Conner caught the blast in the back as he pushed Tommy away. The force of the explosion picked Conner off his feet and threw him into the brick wall opposite the donation bin.

Conner couldn’t hear anything through the ringing in his ears, and his vision was a blurred kaleidoscope of flames and smoke. From where he fell, he could see the parking lot and the window across the street. The glowing ember from the cigarette was gone, but he swore he spotted a flashing red strobe.

Another explosion sounded to his right. A flash of orange shot from the parking lot. Conner squinted through his warped vision and saw a police SUV on fire. Tucker and his partner, Simmons. He couldn’t see them anywhere.

He tried reaching for his shoulder-mounted radio microphone and his arm wouldn’t move. A quick glance down and Conner saw his broken arm pointing in the wrong direction.

“Tommy. Tommy, you okay?”

Conner couldn’t hear anything but the high-pitched ringing in his ears.

He wasn’t even supposed to be working tonight. Conner swapped the shift with a buddy so his friend could go spend some time with his kids.

Conner felt cold, and a heavy blanket of exhaustion fell over him. Emily. He wanted to tell Emily how much he loved her one more time. She’d wanted to take it slow, but now he felt regret. He should’ve told her how he felt when he had the chance.

The sirens in the distance pierced through his muffled hearing. They would not be in time.

“Emily” . . .

***

Author Bio:

James L’Etoile uses his twenty-nine years behind bars as an influence in his award-winning novels, short stories, and screenplays. He is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, a hostage negotiator, and director of California’s state parole system. His novels have been shortlisted or awarded the Lefty, Anthony, Silver Falchion, Macavity, and the Public Safety Writers Award. River of Lies and Sins of the Father are his most recent novels. Look for Illusion of Truth coming in 2026. James also serves as the Executive Vice President of Mystery Writers of America.

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22 December, 2025

Debdatta Dasgupta December 22, 2025 0

Yes-YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough by Karin J. Lund

Yes-YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough

by Karin J. Lund

Synopsis:

The Power of You Series

Yes-YOU Matter, YOU Are Enough is about celebrating your life, understanding and creating your value, while building confidence and resiliency.

The cover was designed with interlocking and layering lines to illustrate the many interrelated paths in our lives that give us the opportunity to change our direction at any time. This design reflects a journey toward self-reliance and resilience, encouraging us to embrace our true selves and build a strong inner foundation.

This is the book that will always remind you that:

YES-I MATTER, I AM ENOUGH.

Book Details:

Genre: YA Self-Help
Published by: G-Power Global Publishing
Publication Date: September 23, 2025
Number of Pages: 241
ISBN: 9781949955125 (ISBN10: 1949955125)
Series:The Power of You Series
Book Links: Amazon | KindleUnlimited | BookBub | Goodreads

Author Bio:

Karin J. Lund, Founder of G-Power Global Enterprises, works with corporations, universities, and non-profit groups, that want to embrace a compassionate, culture empowered, workplace environment. A culture that employees, and management, actively support, because the culture acknowledges personal and professional values, understands the importance of an inclusive work environment, and includes a corporate dedication to improving the local, and/or global community.
Karin was only the 3rd woman to be hired in Central Operation Sales for J & L Steel, in Pittsburgh, Pa. She later accepted a position with a Canadian steel company who was expanding operations into the United States. As a regional sales manager with an international territory, Karin managed a $140M sales territory, and saw firsthand how various steel mills, and manufacturer’s work culture and environments, impacted morale, productivity, and profits.
As an author, speaker, and facilitator, Karin was a civilian responder directly after 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina. Working with the children and families from Bay St. Louis, MS after Katrina showed her the expansiveness of loss, life events, and the resilience of this special community. Karin is an adult facilitator for Caring Place, where families can receive help after the loss of a spouse, parent, child, or extended family member.
Through these experiences she has witnessed how life events impact employees, and what employees need from management to help them adjust and move through these life events. Productivity and morale need not suffer if embraced appropriately.
Her online program, “Your Journey through the Islands of Grief and Loss,” encourages individuals and employees to confront issues related to their personal journeys around different aspects of life events and loss. Corporate comfort gifts, journals, and other products support this effort.

Catch Up With Our Author:

g-powerglobal.com
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Instagram - @lundkarinj
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13 December, 2025

Debdatta Dasgupta December 13, 2025 0

Reclamation by Kristen Zimmer

Reclamation
Kristen Zimmer
(Dark Horse Series, #1)
Publication date: December 9th 2025
Genres: Adult, Dystopian, New Adult, Science Fiction

Kristen Zimmer, author of The Gravity Between Us, When Sparks Fly, and Forbidden Girl takes readers on an adrenaline-fueled dystopian journey into the future where a scrappy band of rebels rise up to bring down an unequal and unrelenting government.

This is your future.

The United States of America has been gone for over a century.

In its place, The Unified American Territories—a nation divided, the impoverished and the wealthy are separated by a looming steel wall. In the Northern Territories—The Vault, as it is known by its inhabitants—the government rules with an iron fist: All citizens are tested for intelligence and aptitude, thrust into compulsory higher education and saddled with insurmountable debt. All student loans are granted and controlled by a branch of the regime called The Federal Bureau of Education. Failure to repay their debt consigns borrowers to the Knowledge Reclamation Process, a mysterious government-sanctioned brainwashing program that strips them of their education with dire mental and physical side effects.

Fletcher Daniels is a recent college graduate struggling to stay ahead of her arrears. After a visit from Reclamation Agents, she knows her life is about to change for the worse. Enter Youth Opposed to Reclamation, a scrappy band of rebels who try in their own small way to bring some relief to the people of The Vault by smuggling as many potential Reclaimees to safety as possible. When Fletcher meets and falls for fellow female YOR member, Sparrow, her world is twisted away from the one she once knew even more radically. The group offers Fletcher a chance to escape her fate, but through them, she sees the promise of bringing real change to The Vault. History has taught her that even the smallest rebellions can trigger revolutions. It’s time for history to repeat itself.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

—

EXCERPT:

FLETCHER HAD BEEN ENJOYING the luxury of her sole day off work, reading The Scarlet Letter. Happily. Quietly. Until some unknowable thing, a strange tug in her chest, made her look up. She shut down her antiquated digireader with a tap of the cracked screen and watched from her bedroom window as a sleek, silver sedan pulled to a stop at the curb outside of her dilapidated row house. Agents.

She couldn’t see them through the car’s blacked-out windows, but it was obvious. The simple fact that the vehicle had the shine of something new was enough to give the Agents away. Being from The Vault, or The Northern Territories, as Fletcher’s part of the country was known officially, she rarely saw any cars on the road at all; cars in such impeccable condition were all but complete anomalies. Why do they even bother plastering the Department of Reclamation’s seal on the doors? She wondered.

That hideous seal. Words failed to capture how much Fletcher both loathed and feared it. The great red and black per bend crest, showcasing a scroll of parchment in one half and a tasseled mortarboard in the other, had always been reviled by citizens of The Vault. It meant that someone hadn’t paid their dues, and The Department of Reclamation had come to collect.

The Department of Reclamation employed the Agents who did the strong-arming for The Federal Bureau of Education. While the BOE housed the bookkeepers, The Department of Reclamation’s Agents handled the unseemlier work… and their work was generally quite unseemly. The Governing Council of The Unified American Territories had long ago authorized Reclamation Agents to use brute force “in the event of necessity.” More often than not, visits from Agents did end in violence—if not on their first visit, when a potential Reclaimee received their Notification of Violation, then most definitely on their second visit, when the Agents returned to take the Reclaimee into custody. Reclaimees seldom initiated said violence, of course; Fletcher had heard that most cried or begged for just a few more moments with their loved ones. They would be flogged once or twice and give up or otherwise be knocked out with narcotics. Occasionally, a Reclaimee would try to escape. Those individuals had it much worse. Fletcher closed her eyes and, although it pained her to do it, allowed herself to envision the brutality Agents inflicted upon braver people: Arms twisted so violently that shoulders snapped out their sockets, fingers bent backward with such force that the metacarpals fractured, skulls cracked against living room floors. She shuddered as if her skin had been kissed by an icy wind.

Reclamation Agents were no strangers to The Vault, considering it was the part of the country reserved for the impoverished, the destitute and the disillusioned—those who needed “excessive assistance” from the Government. Those like Fletcher. She would need at least ten more fingers to be able to count the number of times she had seen Agents in her neighborhood in the last week alone. Watching these two men march toward her home, she couldn’t help but wonder if they had come for her this time.

“Fletcher,” her father’s voice boomed through the dimness of her room. “Can you come out here, please?”

“I’ll be right there.”

She peered into the tarnished mirror atop her bedside table. Using the remnants of daylight to aid her vision, she pulled her long blonde hair up into a ponytail. “Alright,” she sighed to herself, her sharp jawline clenching and her hazel eyes burning with angst. “If they are here for you, you’ll find out soon enough.”

Author Bio:

Kristen Zimmer is the author of The Gravity Between Us, which spent 12 weeks as the number one best-seller in both the Lesbian Fiction and Lesbian Romance genres on Amazon. It was listed as one of USA Today’s “10 Best books to read for Pride 2018” and in December 2021 was named one of Reader's Digest '50 Best Romance Novels of All Time'

That same year, her follow-up novel, When Sparks Fly, debuted as the best-seller in Lesbian Fiction and Lesbian romance, and clung to the spot for four weeks.

Her latest novel, Forbidden Girl, a dark mafia sapphic romance, is available now.

Kristen lives in Salem, Massachusetts— yes, where the witches were.

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12 December, 2025

Debdatta Dasgupta December 12, 2025 0

Sangrita by Kathryn Dodson

SANGRITA

by Kathryn Dodson

November 17 - December 12, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series

A kidnapping scheme turns deadly when private investigator Jessica Watts becomes the hunted instead of the hunter.

Jessica Watts refuses to work with her nemesis Tomas Garcia—until his desperate wife arrives with their baby, begging Jessica to find Tomas's missing father. Tres Garcia vanished after marrying his late wife's cousin Letty in a secret ceremony, and now Letty claims he's too sick for visitors. When Jessica discovers bloody medical supplies in Letty's trash, someone knocks her unconscious and she awakens trapped in a nightmare.

Held prisoner for days with Tres's life-support machine beeping nearby, Jessica realizes Letty is running a deadly operation with border coyotes—ruthless smugglers who eliminate witnesses. The kidnapping is part of an elaborate scheme to steal Tres's fortune, and with the coyotes closing in with orders to kill everyone, Jessica must overcome her terror and escape before Letty's greed destroys them all—but will the tough investigator she's always been survive becoming the prey?

Book Details:

Genre: Crime Fiction, Women's Detective Fiction
Published by: Renegade Reads
Publication Date: November 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 220
ISBN: 979-8-9903577-7-8
Series: Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series, Book 4 | Each is a Stand-Alone
Book Links: Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Goodreads | BookBub

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

Jessica let the mental exhaustion take hold for a minute, then shook it off. Eighteen months to go. If she survived that, she’d be a lawyer and hopefully move from the reception desk to the courtroom.

She settled into her chair. “I’m back,” she called to her boss. Linda owned the one person firm housed in a quaint old home turned law office in downtown El Paso. Jessica ran her fingers across the antique, inlaid cherry desk. She’d started here less than a year ago, but she already loved this place.

“Hey, how was the test?” Linda strode into the room and plopped down in front of her. A perfect-fitting Armani suit and a blonde blowout softened the toughness shining through Linda’s blue eyes. The creases in her face told the world she’d faced a few battles.

“Tough, but I’m pretty sure I passed,” Jessica said.

Linda smiled, then cocked her head, a question appearing in her eyes. “I bet your father would be proud.”

Jessica bristled, the ache returning to her shoulders and prickles of tension running across her skin. Linda hadn’t brought up Jessica’s dad since the first time they met.

Jessica hated how her father’s conviction for destroying evidence in a drug case shaded her pending law career. He’d been El Paso’s district attorney at the time. That embarrassment held Jessica back for too many years. She’d gotten past it, mostly, especially since her father’s passing.

She shrugged her shoulders in response then willfully changed the subject. “Has it been quiet here?”

“Surprisingly so. But who knows what will walk in the door next?” Linda glanced out the large window as if she expected to see someone trotting up the steps. She turned back to Jessica. “Do you have any new projects on the horizon? You know, human remains under a pecan tree or a missing heiress?”

Jessica’s reputation for finding things, missing people, murderers, had ratcheted up since she started working with Linda. She shook her head. “No more wild cases for me. I need to keep my head down and finish school. I keep getting waylaid by these other projects. It’s too hard to focus on law school and my work here when I’m off solving someone else’s mystery.”

Linda studied Jessica. “Maybe, but I think you like striking out on your own, solving someone’s problem, and coming back a hero. Practicing law is so different than that. It’s tedious and requires an extraordinary amount of patience while the wheels of justice turn.”

Did Linda doubt her aspirations? Not every case would be exciting, but lately, she could use a little less excitement in her life.

“Perhaps,” Jessica said. “But you’re a lot less likely to be confronted by people pointing guns at you or burning down the house you’re trapped in.”

“True. At least most of the time.”

Jessica wondered about her answer. “Is that why you left the police force and became an attorney?” She had heard about Linda’s first career from Jaime Castro, a lieutenant on the El Paso police force and one of her oldest friends. Based on the admiration in his voice, Linda had excelled as a police officer.

“Not really.” Linda’s gaze softened, as if remembering something from long ago. “The problem with police work is that you don’t get to choose your cases. When they don’t seem fair, it becomes hard to put your heart into the job.”

Jessica waited for an explanation. What kind of case would make someone as tough as Linda walk away? For a minute, Jessica thought she would say more. But instead, her boss changed the subject. “Why don’t we go over the upcoming cases?”

When they finished, Linda headed back to her office. Jessica had just turned to her computer when she spied someone coming toward the door. Someone she did not want to see.

Tomás Garcia loped up the steps and opened the door before Jessica could escape. If only her test had taken longer.

“Hi, Jessica. It’s good to see you.” He sat in the chair Linda had just vacated as if he owned the place.

He didn’t. And when he’d tracked her down at a party a few weeks ago, she’d told him she didn’t want to see him again. Yet here he sat. The audacity of rich men never failed to surprise her.

“Why are you here?” She threw all the surliness she could muster into her voice.

“Is that any way to treat a potential client?”

“Tomás, I made it clear that I would never work with you again. You do remember you tried to kill me the last time.” And the time before that, she’d almost died at the hands of someone he’d forgotten to tell her dealt drugs.

“I wouldn’t have killed you. I am not a murderer. I was just angry. I thought you had taken something I considered mine.”

“That something was a human being, and she didn’t want to be with you. You’ve lost your chance with me.”

He steepled his fingers and stared across the desk. “We have a long history, and we’ve worked well together in the past.” Arrogance wafted off him like a bad smell.

Jessica scanned her desk for something to throw at him or stab him with. Life was way too short to tolerate assholes like this.

He held his hands up in surrender, as if he could read her mind. “You’re right. That last time was horrible. I shouldn’t have done so many of the things I did then. I’m sorry. I promise I’m a different man now. And I need your help.”

Fire lit in her veins. She had already taken too many chances with Tomás. Jessica took a deep breath and tried to keep from spitting at him. “You need to leave. There is no way in hell you’ve changed enough in the last few years for me to consider working for you.” She wouldn’t physically attack him, but she tried her best to stare daggers into his soul.

“Please. Let me explain. I’m married to a wonderful woman now. We have a son, and he’s the most important thing in my life. Becoming a father changes a person. I’m a much better man today. Also, I lost my mother a year ago, and I’m worried about losing my father. That’s what I need to talk to you about.”

Of course, curiosity gnawed at her, but it wasn’t enough. She loathed this man.

“You do realize that waltzing in here expecting me to listen to you after I’ve already told you no means you’re still the entitled jerk you’ve always been.”

“I’m not. I swear. Please, just hear me out. I think someone is trying to kill my father.”

“So. Go to the police.”

“I have, but I can’t get anywhere with them. My dad remarried just a few months after my mom died. His new wife has completely denied me access to him.”

“Didn’t you hate your dad? How many times have you told me you wanted to build an empire even bigger than his? Maybe he just doesn’t want to see you.”

“Things are different now. After…after what happened with Doraliz, I had to change. I wasn’t a man I could be proud of, and I certainly wasn’t a son my mother could respect. But she didn’t give up on me. Instead, she helped me see what a terrible person I’d become and gave me a way to recover.”

“Whatever. I don’t care, and I want you to leave.” Jessica refused to buy his rich boy sob story. He should have ended up in jail.

He leaned forward, hands on his knees, blue eyes staring her down, probably his attempt at acting earnest. “I know how selfish and hurtful and conceited I was. I know, and I hate that version of myself. I understand why you don’t want to work with me, but my father’s life is on the line. You have a knack for solving mysteries. I’ve seen you do it. I need your help to save my father.”

“It’s not going to happen. And if you don’t leave, I’ll call the cops.” Jessica picked up her phone and hit the timer, then turned it to face him. “You’ve got sixty seconds to get out of this office.”

Exasperation crossed Tomás’s features. He sighed and started to say something. Then he shut his mouth, rose, and walked out the door. She hoped she’d never see him again.

Linda emerged the minute he left. From the look on her face, she’d heard the conversation.

“I didn’t know you had such a long, involved relationship with Mr. Garcia.” Linda sat in the probably still warm chair.

“Yeah. Unfortunately.” Jessica said nothing more, hoping Linda would drop it. She preferred to avoid the whole sordid tale.

Linda watched Jessica for a long moment but didn’t press her for more information. “You do know that you’re always welcome to work on outside cases. Soon enough you’ll have your own legal cases.”

“I look forward to that, but not with him.”

“Fine. You should head home early tonight. Go celebrate finishing midterms with that handsome husband of yours.”

“Thanks.” She did want to celebrate, although she’d stayed up so late cramming, she’d require a second wind to do anything other than crawl into bed. Or maybe a shot or two of tequila to help her forget torts. And Tomás’s visit.

***

Author Bio:

Kathryn writes about women who have to become their own heroes - whether they're solving a crime or figuring out the next phase of their lives.

She grew up writing and riding horses in far West Texas. She graduated from SMU in English/Creative Writing and went on to get an MBA from Thunderbird and a PhD from Clemson. Now she spends her days writing about women who become their own heroes.

She has worked on both sides of the US/Mexico border and has held jobs with governments, chambers of commerce, and other businesses. Kathryn loves to travel and has visited 30 countries and 44 states. This inspires her novels about interesting women in fascinating places.

Originally from Texas, Kathryn had the good fortune to live in Spain, Mexico, Tanzania, and several U.S. states, and the good sense to end up in Carlsbad, California. She loves travel, fiery food, hanging out with the neighbors in the front yard on Friday evenings, and reading.

Catch Up With Kathryn Dodson:

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11 December, 2025

Debdatta Dasgupta December 11, 2025 0

GRQ: Get Rich Quick by Steven Bernstein

GRQ: Get Rich Quick

by Steven Bernstein

November 17 - December 12, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

One day. One city on the edge. One man gambling it all.

In a Los Angeles rattled by an earthquake and on the brink of collapse, Marlon has twenty-four hours to change his fate. Drowning in debt, reeling from personal loss, and desperate to save his family, he’s seduced by a shadowy financial guru promising salvation. But as Marlon spirals deeper into a web of risk, secrets long buried begin to surface—and his final gamble might cost him everything.

Taut, urgent, and psychologically astute, Get Rich Quick is a gripping descent into the dangers of ambition, delusion, and the American obsession with success.

Soon to be a major worldwide film release.

Praise for GRQ:

"Reading this book was like listening to a charming con man talk circles around the truth while you laugh and cringe in equal measure. The narrator’s voice is hypnotic. It’s funny, fast-talking, and flawed. Bernstein’s writing feels conversational and unfiltered, filled with tangents, wild lists, and jabs at everything from labradoodles to General Tso’s chicken. It’s brilliantly messy. The narrative never tries to be neat or linear. That looseness works in its favor. It mirrors the chaos of the characters’ lives and thoughts, making the humor land harder and the emotions hit sharper when they sneak in."
~ Literary Titan

"Author Steven Bernstein builds this sneaky domestic thriller with addictive, vignette-like chapters narrated by voices that alternate between self-justification and raw emotion... Bernstein’s strength lies in how he seamlessly layers humor, suspense and sorrow. On one page, we’re laughing at Marlon’s ridiculous schemes and evasions. On the next, the ground shakes — literally, as Los Angeles is rocked by earthquakes, and figuratively, as the family fractures under pressure."
~ BestThrillers.com

"Very rarely have I come across a book as riveting and thoroughly engaging as Steven Bernstein’s GRQ. The characters are so vivid and compelling that it wouldn’t surprise me at all if I were to encounter them in real life. An absolute must-read.'"
~ Gale Anne Hurd, Executive Producer (FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, MANKILLER)

"This little book of wisdom is an iChing for the mid 2020s. Marlon is the infernal dumbass in his schemes to Get Rich Quick, to the despair of his darling Viola. The problem is that there's a Marlon in all of us. Well, most of us. Not me, obviously. A brilliant evisceration of debt and delusion.'"
~JP Maxwell, author and award-winning filmmaker

"I loved it: it feels like a dreamlike odyssey. A book perfectly suited for our era — a world where financial gain overshadows everything else, reminiscent of 'The Wolf of Wall Street'. The short chapters and vignettes hit you at breakneck speed; you feel like you're watching someone unravel before your very eyes. A truly compelling read."
~ Tom Walker, Actor (Jonathan Pie)

"GRQ by Steven Bernstein is a pulsating, psychological thriller. I loved it."
~ Keith McNally, New York Times best selling author

Book Details:

Genre: Domestic Thriller, Dark Humor
Published by: Fly on the Wall Press
Publication Date: June 3, 2025
Number of Pages: 142, Paperback
ISBN: 9781915789464 (ISBN10: 191578946X)
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Fly on the Wall Press

Author Bio:

Steven Bernstein, ASC, DGA, WGA is an award-winning feature film director and screenwriter, shaping some of the most visually striking films of the past 40 years. His work on the Academy Award-winning film Monster and on Like Water for Chocolate has earned global recognition. He is a recipient of the American Film Institute Award, the Sloan Award (for writing and directing), the Cannes Golden Lion (for commercials), and is an ASC nominee for outstanding cinematography. He has worked on over 50 feature films. He wrote and directed several groundbreaking feature films with major talent (John Malkovich, Samantha Morton, Helen Hunt and many more). His podcast Filmmakerandfans, about the creative process in film production, is listened to by millions.

Catch Up With Steven Bernstein:

Filmmaker and Fan's Podcast
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
Instagram - @stevenbernsteindirectorwriter
Threads - @stevenbernsteindirectorwriter
X - @stevebfilm
Facebook - @StevenBernsteinOfficial
Learn more about GRQ the Movie

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