New Books - NewInBooks

Interview with Joe Prosit, Author of The Reality Reaction Team

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Reality Reaction Team?

Every day it gets harder and harder to decipher truth from falsehood. And I only see the problem getting worse. How can we make ethical decisions when there’s no consensus on reality? What do you do when fact and fiction become identical? Well, you can, The Reality Reaction Team, that’s what.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Reality Reaction Team, what would they be?

There's a cool jazz cover of Genesis' "Land of Confusion" by Stella Starlight Trio. This would definitely be the book's theme song.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I read all genres, but find myself reading more horror than anything else.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Half of Stephen King's Dark Tower series (I'm currently on Book 5), The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman, and more Dungeon Crawler Carl... In February, I'm committing to reading one classic short story each day.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There's a scene in the book when two Reality Reaction Team agents have to notify a woman that her wife isn't dead; she just never existed. It's a core example of what the job entails, but also sheds light on the need for humanity and kindness when harsh truths must be revealed.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I like to listen to music, loud. Punk, metal, movie soundtracks... You name it.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That's for them to figure out. The benefit of writing novels is having a whole book to get my points across.

Joe Prosit is the author of the new book The Reality Reaction Team

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Interview with Paul Penrose, Author of Luna's Fury

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Luna's Fury?

I’ve been an avid science fiction reader since I was 12 years old and read a short story called The Far Centurions. I don’t remember the author anymore, but it was about astronauts traveling to Alpha Centauri in suspended animation. When they finally arrive, they find FTL had been invented a couple of decades after they left, and there is now a thriving human civilization there. It was thought-provoking and made me want more.

I read three or four novels a week in middle and high school, mostly science fiction with a smattering of fantasy. Now nearing retirement, with a few stories of my own to tell, I decided to give it a go. Just to dip my toe in the water, I picked what seemed to be a simple story inspired by Clarke’s First Law (any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic). I figured I could bang it out in a few months.

Over a year later and 110,000 words written, I was only halfway through the tale. Realizing I couldn’t finish it in one book, I published Luna’s Destiny and immediately started on the sequel.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Luna's Fury, what would they be?

When I wrote the chapter in the first book where Luna and her allies take on a powerful enemy, I could hear “Invincible” by Pat Benatar playing in my head. Every time I hear that song now, I think of Luna and that battle.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Yes, Science Fiction for both, although I do have a soft spot for some Fantasy authors.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I have We Who Wrestle With God by Jordan B. Peterson on my desk, but finding the time for such a serious subject has not been easy. I also have Dark Carnival by Keith Ferario, because he’s a friend of mine who has been so helpful in this new endeavor. He’s finishing up a new book now, and when that comes out, it will go on the list.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

When the main character, Luna, accesses the full power of her legacy device and takes on a large group of the enemy's elite soldiers.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

No, I'm really a pretty boring writer. I try to put the quirkiness into my characters.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

In the movie The Shootist, the main character, JB Books, played by John Wayne, said he lived by the following code: “I won’t be insulted, cheated, or have a hand on. I don’t do these things to others, and I require the same from them.” I think that’s a good start. Queue Thomas Sowell quotes.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

You are the master of your own destiny. Choose wisely and move forward with honesty and confidence.

Paul Penrose is the author of the new book Luna's Fury

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Interview with Chaz Holesworth, Author of Life and How to Live it: Near Wild Heaven

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Life and How to Live it: Near Wild Heaven?

I started writing my memoir series in 2019 after I watched my sister, who was battling cancer, pass away in hospice care. She had an aggressive form of cancer that was diagnosed in February and took her at the age of 45 just four months later. I made it to her deathbed with just minutes to spare to see her gasping for breath and then passing on. It was something that took a toll on me. I had a moment of clarity that night while drowning my sorrows in some beers and knew I had to get my and my sister’s story of our rough childhoods out there.

We grew up in some unique circumstances. We were born into poverty due to the actions of our parents. Our father had been a heroin addict since he was 17, which led to our financial situation, and our mother, who dropped out of high school in the 10th grade in the 1960s, married my father, knowing he was a drug addict and had two kids with him anyway. This led to our family living in a rough, poverty-filled section of our home city of Philadelphia called Kensington for most of our childhoods and teen years. We had drug dealers and gangs on most corners, and violent crime was a bit of the norm for me growing up.

With all that going on, my mom, who was in over her head with my dad’s actions and living in such rotten conditions, found comfort in the evangelical born-again Christian faith and dragged my sister into her faith, which demanded conformity and cut us off from secular things like music and most TV and movies that didn’t glorify Jesus. I experienced both extremes in my upbringing, and it left me at a disadvantage trying to navigate life when I got old enough to leave the faith I was raised in and enter the big, bad world with no money and a horrible education from all the years of born-again Christian schooling I had. It was basically like being homeschooled, but in church instead.

The two things that saved me, or helped me through my darkest hours, were the friends I made who were like family and my love of popular music of the time, especially the music of the bands R.E.M. and Tori Amos. I published the first installment of my memoir in 2024, Life and How to Live It: Begin the Begin, and at the end of that one is how I left the Christian church behind at the age of 17 to fend for myself after a mental health breakdown. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was going through PTSD after a life of chaos.

This volume is called Life and How to Live It: Near Wild Heaven, and it picks up right where the first ended. This one is more about how I was dealing with the mental anguish from life and trying to find myself again. It is full of stories of the times I tried to make sense of life, survive, and keep joy and hope alive. In the meantime, I experience some good moments, like seeing R.E.M. live for the first time and falling into teenage love, but also some horrendous times when I meet people who are toxic, leave mental scars on me, and bring on more demons.

This one is set in the years 1995 and 1996, when the events took place. It ends on a cliffhanger moment of my life, much like the first one did, which will be continued in the next installment that is being edited as we speak.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Life and How to Live it: Near Wild Heaven, what would they be?

Since it’s a memoir, the main character is me. I take the titles for the book series from my favorite band, R.E.M. The series title is from the song “Life and How to Live It,” and every volume has a subtitle from another R.E.M. song. This one is “Near Wild Heaven.” I think those two would be the main theme songs for it, and since it’s set in the mid-1990s, I would throw in the Smashing Pumpkins song from that period, “1979,” as well.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I like to read science fiction and dystopian stories. Kurt Vonnegut is probably my favorite author.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Patti Smith’s Bread of Angels: A Memoir is my next read.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene was about seeing R.E.M. for the first time in my life. They were such an important band for me growing up, and I still love them to this day. It was fun to relive the excitement I had seeing them live four times in one month in 1995, and even more exciting when I got to meet two of the members after a show in Philly.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I have a bit of a moral compass that only comes from a life shattered by addiction, extreme religion, and meeting people I like to call “pieces of shit.” My motto is: Don’t get addicted to anything that will take you over, don’t fall for any religion without proof, don’t be a total piece of shit, and keep going.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I hope readers will witness the human spirit that never gives up, even when it makes sense to. I hope it’s an example of the will to find something better and to never give up. I also hope readers will be entertained by all the stories and strange situations I found myself in.

Chaz Holesworth is the author of the new book Life and How to Live it: Near Wild Heaven

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Interview with Linda Patricia Cleary, Author of The Dreamer

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Dreamer (The Black Stone Cycle Book 1)?

I’ve always been highly interested in dreams, past lives, and parallel universes. I like to believe it’s all connected. Dreams play a big part in most of my stories. I wanted to write a series with a vast, complex timeline, exploring how one person and their choices could impact an entire reality, because we actually do that every day. I have been working on this series for 17 years, so it’s pretty planned out!

I wanted to write a sci-fi saga that was easy to read and accessible to a broad audience. It makes me sad that so many people are intimidated by science fiction. It can get too heady or science-based, taking away from the emotional journeys. I wanted to write about teens who happened to be in space. I wanted to be inclusive and normalize the marginalized. I wanted the fate of the galaxy to rest on a group of misfits who end up saving it, but I also wanted them to be stressed out about their first kiss, deal with jealousy, and be annoyed with each other.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Dreamer (The Black Stone Cycle Book 1), what would they be?

I can't think of any songs in particular, but I did listen to Sigur Rós A LOT while writing this book, and it would be a dream if this ever became a TV show and they did the soundtrack!

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Science fiction, of course. I also love fantasy, paranormal and supernatural fiction, speculative, and literary fiction. I love anything weird and wild. I tend to like positive stories with messy characters who find their family, purpose, and belonging in the universe.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Lots of indie author books! I’m going to start doing super short reviews on TikTok, and it’s one of my goals for 2026 to read more indie author stories. The more popular books include Dungeon Crawler Carl, All Systems Red, and, finally, finish reading Red Rising!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Oh, that’s a hard question. I really love the action scenes. I love the humor and intensity that emerges from those scenes. There are quite a few in my books.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I do write with a pocket/worry stone or a crystal next to me that I can hold and touch. I’m a little bit of a crystal nerd. My series DOES revolve around a sentient stone after all! Currently, I have a bumblebee jasper next to me, known for boosting joy, confidence, creativity, and motivation.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“Fear is the mind killer” from Frank Herbert’s Dune is one of my favorite quotes that I live by. I also believe in the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, which emphasizes finding purpose rather than happiness because it offers a deeper fulfillment. I think it’s so true! It’s not realistic to attempt to sustain happiness. We should embrace all emotions and find our purpose.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I hope readers remember that The Dreamer isn’t really about destiny. It’s about choice. Who you choose to become, who you choose to trust, and who you choose to call family. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and follow your heart.

Linda Patricia Cleary is the author of the new book The Dreamer (The Black Stone Cycle Book 1)

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Interview with Kristin Daniel, Author of Create a Website That Sells

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Create a Website That Sells?

I was inspired to write this book after years of seeing the same problems appear on very different websites. My clients were investing in fancy designs and top-notch developers, yet their visitors were still getting confused and dropping off because of small usability issues that could easily be avoided. I wrote this book to help non-technical readers understand how users actually experience their websites, and how small, thoughtful changes can make a huge difference to their results.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Create a Website That Sells, what would they be?

That’s a fun question, because my book doesn’t really have characters, but if I had to imagine them…the confused visitor would be I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by U2, and the business owner would be Under Pressure by Queen.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love reading thrillers and horros but I’m also very drawn to character-driven, human-centered stories.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Honestly, far too many. I’m very optimistic about how much I think I’ll read, so my TBR pile is getting a little out of control.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I really enjoyed writing the chapter about website forms. Every website has them; they seem straightforward on the surface, but that’s often where the most unexpected things can go wrong. Forms are one of those areas where small details can completely change how a user feels, whether they trust the website, and whether they decide to continue or give up.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I tend to notice my best ideas when I’m not actively trying to write. I’ll be halfway through making coffee or opening a website for something completely unrelated, and suddenly I’ll spot a small detail that feels wrong. I usually stop everything, write it down immediately, and only then go back to what I was doing. A lot of the book was written in these little in-between moments.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I live by the idea that we never know how much time we have left on this Earth. Because of that, I try to experience life fully, stay curious, and not postpone the things I want to do. Write that book, say yes to that experience, take the trip, have the conversation, and allow yourself to explore what truly matters to you.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I’d want readers to remember that small details matter far more than they often realize. You don’t need a huge budget or deep technical knowledge to have a successful website. Today, there are so many accessible website builders and tools that make it possible for anyone to create something functional and professional. What really makes the difference is understanding a few core best practices and thinking about your website from the user’s point of view. When you focus on clarity, simplicity, and how real people move through your site, even small, thoughtful changes can lead to better results.

Kristin Daniel is the author of the new book Create a Website That Sells

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New Mystery and Thriller Books to Read | January 13

Hold on to the edge of your seat as we hunt for clues and solve the case with these exciting new mystery and thriller books for the week! There are so many bestselling authors with new novels for you to dive into this week including E. R. Sanchez, Sandra Boyle, Kendra Elliot, and more. Enjoy your new mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Happy reading!

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New Romance Books to Read | January 13

Looking to fall in love with some new romance reads? You’ll adore these exciting new novels! This week you can get your hands on books by bestselling authors Mary Auclair, DC Beks, Angela Haas, and more. Enjoy your new romance books and happy reading!

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New Books to Read in Literary Fiction | January 13

Literary fiction readers are in for a treat. This week’s latest releases list is full of intriguing reads you won’t want to miss! The new releases list includes so many bestselling authors like Alex R. Johnson, Sandra Wagner-Wright, Paula McLain, and more. Enjoy your new literary fiction books. Happy reading!

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New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books | January 13

Set off on an adventure to new worlds this week! This selection of new science fiction and fantasy books will surely please! Science Fiction fans should be excited about the latest from bestselling authors D. B. Goodin, Sandra Boyle, Joe Prosit, and more. If Fantasy is what your library needs, you’ll be able to pick up the latest from P. M. Reynolds, Debbie Cassidy, Kennedy Sutton, and more. Enjoy your new science fiction and fantasy books. Happy reading!

Fantasy

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New Biography and Memoir Books to Read | January 13

Looking for some new biography and memoir books for your library? There are so many new releases this week that you’re bound to find a new favorite. You can pick up new books from Michael J Wheaton, Chaz Holesworth, Belle Burden, and more. Enjoy your new biography and memoir books. Happy reading!