Today's Featured Books

Who Am I: Mending a Lost Identity

Winner, 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Award

Who am I is a collection of poems and prose that captures the author's emotions as he worked to heal and rediscover his identity after learning he had been conceived during a date rape incident. His lineage, which he had once believed to be an essential element of his being, was lost forever. The pain and internal struggle caused by this revelation consumed his thoughts daily.

Review by Ananya Hazarika for Readers' Favorite
A dark secret, a devastating truth, an identity crisis, choices, fighting depression, and acceptance, Who Am I is a collection of poems and prose by Anvil Long. Anvil, a child of rape, is shocked when he learns the truth about his biological father. This discovery initiates a change in his perception of his identity, and he starts questioning the foundation of his existence as if it were a lie. But when his friend mentions Ben Lerner, Anvil draws inspiration from his poems and starts penning his innermost feelings and confessions.

Divided into three parts titled Impetus, Discovery, and Healing, each part is a revelation of his struggles in each phase of denial and acceptance. He shares his experiences of the journey he takes, from being depressed after discovering the truth to healing from trauma and accepting himself as an individual despite bloodlines and lineage. He later realizes that family is not defined by blood, but by choice, love, acceptance, and trust. It is a memoir that is inspiring, motivating, and emotional.

Who Am I is one of the most interesting and sensitive memoirs I have come across in a while. Anvil Long shares his experiences of beating depression by starting to write. His written accounts reveal his deepest feelings, which is proof of the pain he went through. The poems remind me of Wordsworth: "Poetry is the continuous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotions recollected in tranquility." As I kept reading, a few lines from Anvil's poem "Finding Myself in Part 3" reminded me of "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. Anvil finds his love for solo riding on open roads, which finally gives him clarity and the making of his destiny.

Anvil Long sets the perfect example of how we can learn to channel our pain to achieve a greater sense of purpose, achieve freedom, forgive and accept the harshest of truths, and move forward without waiting for society's approval. The flow of his thoughts reflects in his figurative language, and poetic liberty gives him the upper hand to explore various writing styles, doing justice to literature. One should have a copy of this at home as it inspires and gives hope to those that are lost and struggling to connect to their loved ones. It is also proof that writing is another way of coping, which provides one with a sense of ownership of the story.

The Man in Cabin Number Five

When Annie Parker discovers her husband’s infidelity, she doesn’t let it destroy her. She packs her bags and heads to Lake Arrowhead, California, the mountainside town where her family used to summer. Immersing herself in the restoration of seven 1920s-era cabins, Annie begins to put the pieces of her life back together. But starting over is never easy.

Alyce Murphy needs closure. When she discovers her father did not die from a heart attack, as she’s been led to believe for the last 30 years, but in a murder/suicide, she is determined to uncover the truth of his death. But when she visits the cabin where her father ended his life, Alyce has to accept she may never know the true story.

Annie is looking toward her future while Alyce needs to put the past to rest. In parallel stories, both women are drawn to the rustic mountainside cabins as they search for the missing pieces—but they soon discover that the cabins have their own stories to tell.

Praise for The Man in Cabin Number Five
"A touching novel charting two women’s parallel lives, tied together by mysteries, transformation, and a cabin." ~BookLife

"A masterpiece with smooth storytelling that juxtaposes the serenity of the mountains with the eruptive chaos of dangerous secrets." ~San Francisco Book Review

"Masterfully written, intriguing, mystifying, and spooky." ~Readers' Favorite

"Blends memoir and mystery in an entertaining page-turner." ~Susan Denley, former Associate Features Editor, Los Angeles Times

The Girls in Cabin Number Three

In book two of the Guest Book Trilogy, eighty-one-year-old Annie Parker recounts taking on an out-of-town design project that leads her down a path that is more than she bargained for.

Back in Lake Arrowhead, California, a long-awaited mystery is buried in Cabin Number Three. Annie meets Carrie Davis who wants to update her childhood home on the lake and feels a tie to Annie’s cabins. Apparently, Carrie’s parents stayed here during the Roaring ‘20s when Bugsy Siegel ran an underground speakeasy and distillery. Unconvinced, Annie decides to investigate and finds their names in the old guest books—Elizabeth Davis and Thomas Meyer. As exciting as that sounds, it’s only the start of a winding tale that Carrie and the new man in her life uncover. The pair unravel a family history filled with gangsters, working girls, and a surprising twist to a family tree.

Praise for The Girls in Cabin Number Three
"Great for fans of Julia Kelly’s The Light Over London and Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife." ~BookLife

"Rife with charming characters, a gorgeous mountain setting, and meticulous research." ~IndieReader

"Personal drama and historical tidbits combine nicely for a quick and entertaining read." ~Kirkus

"With themes of love, family, friendship, new beginnings, and the complexity of life, readers will get hooked from the very beginning." ~San Francisco Book Review

The Starlet in Cabin Number Seven

In this heartwarming tale of friendships, forgiveness, and a touch of old Hollywood glamour, a young Annie Parker is struggling to overcome her grief over the recent loss of her sister, when a childhood friend unexpectedly turns up seeking refuge from an ill-fated marriage. It would have been easy for Annie to sink deeper into sadness, but when she learns her newest design client, Hudson Fisher, is the son of the late film actress Celeste Williams, her curiosity is peaked.

As it turns out, the Roaring 20s starlet was no stranger to the Lake Arrowhead cabins—and this revelation sparks the unraveling of a scandalous story from Hollywood’s bygone era. Did an illicit romance between this leading lady and her dashing costar take place in Cabin No. 7? What really went on behind-the-scenes during the filming of that silent picture? Will discovering a piece of the past bring closure to Annie’s present?

Praise for The Starlet in Cabin Number Seven
"Feels like catching up with old friends as the narrative amiably revisits the highlights of Lake Arrowhead…. A light and engaging read, with an enticing mountain setting.” ~Kirkus Reviews

"A delightful read for fans of cozy mysteries and those who appreciate stories of hope, redemption, and the enduring bonds of friendship. " ~Readers’ Favorite

The Maidservant in Cabin Number One

After her father’s death in 1923, when Ruth Ann Landry is just ten, she joins her mother as a maidservant for a wealthy Seattle family. The hours are long, the rules are strict, but she and her mother desperately need her wages to survive.

By the time she’s seventeen, Ruth and her mother have moved into the house, and Ruth has become a mistress to her employer. While accompanying the family on vacation, she sees an opportunity to start a new life, and leaves. Ruth eventually finds solace in the mountain town of Lake Arrowhead, California, where she stays in one of the cabins owned by a man who becomes part of her future.

The Maidservant in Cabin Number One is the beginning of the story of The Guest Book Trilogy, and of Annie Parker, who eventually comes to own the cabins where Ruth Landry stayed.

Praise for The Maidservant in Cabin Number One
"Braun uses the mountainous area and cabins to her advantage in telling the stories of her characters. An exceptional plot. Her character development is outstanding." ~Readers'Favorite

"It is truly uplifting to follow the life of a young woman who is in a predicament and then watch her fight to create a better life for herself. The story carries themes of hardship, family, love, perseverance, and strength." ~City Book Review

           

Free online: Standing on the Moon - The Lyrical Imagination, a virtual event that explores the intersection between lyric writing and literature through performance and conversation. Sunday, August 18, 11 AM CDT. 

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." ~Maya Angelou

"These mercurial poems surprise, thrill, and move in equal measure." ~Independent Book Review. Laughing is Forever is a collection of gritty, rhythmic poetry that explores hard-knock life, domestic violence, and poverty while also delivering a powerful punch. 5.0 stars, 16 ratings. From $2.99 SHOP NOW / 

All he wanted was to end the war. Fate had other plans.
 

• Magic-Price, Book 1 of The Crown of Stones Trilogy
• Magic-Scars, Book 2 of The Crown of Stones Trilogy
• Magic-Borne, Book 3 of The Crown of Stones Trilogy
• The Wandering Isles, a sneak peek at Book 1 of Soulbound Journeys

The Crown of Stones Complete Trilogy

An adult epic fantasy that follows the trials of Ian Troy, a man born with an addiction to magic living in a world where magic is reviled and its users are enslaved.

The Crown of Stones Trilogy holds an adventure that transports you to a shattered land in need of rescue, an immersive reading experience that drops you into the mind of exiled soldier Ian Troy. Travel with Ian as he returns to the past to save the future, crossing time to solve the mystery of The Crown of Stones, his true connection to the artifact, and the role it played in shaping all their lives.

Read on to learn more about each book in the trilogy...

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price

What if you were born with an addiction to magic? What if your pleasure meant their pain?

The brutality of war was all Ian Troy had ever known. Peace was all he ever wanted. Fate had other plans when it placed the Crown of Stones, an ancient artifact of untold power, into his battle-weary hands. With one reckless wish, he ended a conflict that had been tearing the realms apart since before he was born. And paid a terrible price.

A decade later, Ian is still haunted by that tragic day. Running from the blood in his veins and on his hands, he struggles to forget—what he’s done and what he is. But when a fateful encounter with a pretty assassin brings his past crashing into the present, denial is no longer an option.

Praise for Magic-Price

• Bronze Medal - Epic Fantasy, Readers' Favorite International Book Awards
• First Place - Fantasy, Top Shelf Book Awards
• "One of the most original fantasy novels I have ever read." ~Peachy Keen Reviews
• "The characters are beautifully flawed and realized. The story is a fine addition to any collection...a very bright star that is well worth your notice." ~Red Star Reviews
• "A fantastic read...dark fantasy with a twist." ~Stephen Rhodes, Fantasy Faction
• "A rollicking, unpretentious good adventure." ~Readers' Favorite

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Scars

They took it all: his will, his freedom, his magic. How far will he go to get it back?

Struggling to reconcile the man he once was with the man prison made him, Ian Troy emerges from captivity to an unfamiliar world gripped with fear. In the wake of his fall, those he cares for suffered their own grim fates, leaving friends endangered and scattered.

His old enemy, Draken of Langor, seized control of Mirra’kelan and named himself High King. Draken’s brutal reign sparked a desperate rebellion that Ian now finds himself a part of. His one task: recover and repair the Crown of Stones, in the hope that it will tip the balance in their brewing revolution.

Praise for Magic-Scars

• "A story that rivals the best books in the fantasy genre." ~Amazon UK Review
• "The sophistication of magic spells, sources of magic and their effects continue to impress, they hold me to the story and don't let go. Every chapter left me needing more, and at every turn of the story, I felt more and more connected to Troy and his quest." ~The Scary Reviews

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne

How far can a man fall before he can’t rise again?

In one fell swoop, the resistance was shattered. Lives were taken. Hope was lost. Peace slipped like grains of sand through his fingers. So did the Crown of Stones. Now, forced into hiding, Ian Troy grapples for a way to save the realm—and free its people—from the sadistic clutches of Mirra'kelan's new self-appointed emperor.

Entrusted with the future of his race, Ian becomes the linchpin for lasting change. But how much burden can one man carry? And how much is he willing to sacrifice in the name of peace?

Praise for Magic-Borne

• "Intricate, fast-paced, and angsty, it was filled with nail-biting intrigue and suspense, heartbreaking moments. and crazy situations." ~Cover2Cover Reviews
• "Beautifully written, vivid description, compelling action...Magic Borne will not disappoint." ~Michael R. Stern, author of the Quantum Touch Series

           

Free online: All About Venice, a virtual journey to the enchanting city of Venice, Italy. Discover the rich history, art, and cuisine of this iconic destination from the comfort of your own home. Wednesday, August 14, 8:00 PM EDT.

“When I went to Venice, I discovered that my dream had become-incredibly but quite simply – my address.” ~Marcel Proust

Winner: Literary Titan Book Award. Technological selection is coming. The cities need to expand. But there is only so much land left, and the wilderness and animals are hostile to human life. Val’s job is to go in and eliminate the dangerous beasts. Progress knows no mercy, and Val has become a foreigner in her own homeland. What can one person do in a society that has forgotten them? From $2.99 SHOP NOW / 

• Beta Readers: Kevin is looking for beta readers for a forthcoming epic fantasy novel.
• Trinitarian Knights Collection Special Edition Boxed Set
• Free e-book edition of Avenging Love, Book 1 of the Trinitarian Knights Collection

Become a Beta Reader
Kevin is looking for beta readers for The Last Sundancer, an epic fantasy in the tradition of J.R.R. Tolkien and Terry Brooks. Kevin expects to start reaching out to beta readers in the next few weeks. If you are interested in being a beta reader for The Last Sundancer, contact Kevin at kevin@kevinmansoor.com.

What is a Beta Reader? A beta reader is a person who reads a work of fiction before it is published. Beta readers have an opportunity to suggest improvements and otherwise shape the final content of the novel. It's a great way to get involved as a reader and to have an opportunity to interact with an author.

The Trinitarian Knights Collection Special Edition Boxed Set

This special edition boxed set includes all three novels in the series, plus a novella and exclusive bonus content that delves deeper into the characters and events of this epic saga.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the realms of Heaven, Earth, and Hell with the complete Trinitarian Knights Collection:

• Avenging Love (Book 1): Haunted by tragedy, David embarks on a life-changing journey with his loyal St. Bernard, Duke, to honor the memory of their beloved Sarah. Their laughter-filled escapades and heartbreaking trials weave a tapestry of love and resilience. Together, they confront unimaginable challenges, discovering that David's true strength lies in the enduring power of love. Join David and Duke on this unforgettable quest for redemption.
• Behind the Bravery: Unveiling Heroic Spirits (a bonus-content short): Get the perspective of Duke, David's canine companion in Avenging Love. From heartwarming cuddles to heroic rescues, Duke reveals the hidden depths of the characters you thought you knew. 
• Protecting Love (a novella): Before Avenging Love, a tormented David battles to protect his family. Plagued by nightmarish visions, David confronts a sinister offer that could silence the demons within. As the line between good and evil blurs, David must choose his path: a life free from torment or a battle for his family that could take his life.
• The Deception of Fear (Book 2): David's illusion of tranquility shatters when a nemesis, long believed dead, appears on his doorstep, igniting a maelstrom of mystery and fear. A chilling revelation sends David spiraling into a desperate battle to reunite his loved ones from the clutches of evil. As darkness closes in, David must find the strength to protect his family while discovering the true meaning of fear while feathers fall from the sky.
• Buried Within (Book 3): A creeping darkness threatens to engulf the world as David's closest ally, the fallen Archangel Michael, prepares for a long-foretold battle. With the apocalypse looming, David's family races against time to join Michael's side. But to secure victory, David must embrace a truth he has always denied.

Avenging Love

If you're not quite ready to dive into the full Trinitarian Knights Collection, you can start with a free download of the first book in the series, Avenging Love.

Can one man's love defy the depths of Hell?

Avenging Love is an exhilarating journey that unfolds in a world where the supernatural is just beyond the veil of our understanding. This urban fantasy novel introduces us to David, a once-respected Trinitarian Knight, whose life has spiraled into a haze of tequila and sorrow. Haunted by the loss of his beloved wife, Sarah, he finds solace only at the bottom of a bottle. Yet, when the formidable demon Saraphiss emerges, David must awaken from his stupor and face his demons—both those within and those that lurk in the shadows.

More than a mere tale of revenge, this is also a story of love's transformative power, the resilience of the human spirit, and the redemption that comes from embracing one's true destiny. This narrative is a vivid exploration of the themes of loss, grief, and the unyielding strength of love. It delves into the dichotomy of good versus evil, and the gray areas that define our moral compass.

Join David on his exciting journey, where good and evil blur, and love is the true power behind his sword. 

More About Avenging Love

• An Amazon International Best-Seller: it has ranked #1 in its category in seven different Amazon markets/countries and has never left the top 50 in its category on Amazon in the United States.
• "A thrilling, unforgettable, and incredibly entertaining fantasy tale that will take its readers on a brilliant journey full of twists and turns galore!" ~Goodreads Review
• "Kevin puts you right in the middle of what's happening. So many emotions...anger, fear, humor...I even laughed out loud a couple times. It was refreshing to read a book so well written." ~Amazon Review
• "An absolute masterpiece!" ~Google Play Review

About the Author

Kevin M. Mansoor is a storyteller whose novels have captivated the hearts and imaginations of readers worldwide. His literary journey is driven by a deep passion to not just tell stories, but to fully immerse readers in them—creating characters so lifelike that you’ll share in their joys, sorrows, and triumphs as if they were your own. Learn more at KevinMansoor.com. Be sure to also sign up for his newsletter and to follow him online:
 

    

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is the world-leading festival of words, literature, and ideas, and there are dozens of free online literary events now through August 25. Visit the Festival's What's On page to see the program of events, including Online Events.

“The Scots think of it as their capital; they’re too possessive, Edinburgh belongs to the world.” ~Richard Demarco, Scottish artist and promoter of the visual and performing arts, cofounder of the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh in 1963