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New Biography and Memoir Books to Read | August 15

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 History Rediscovered, Lisa Doggett, Viola Ford Fletcher, and many more. Enjoy your new biography and memoir books. Happy reading!



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5 Must-Read YA Releases

5 Must-Read YA Releases

Calling all YA enthusiasts and bookworms! Get ready to embark on a rollercoaster of emotions and adventures with our handpicked selection of 5 must-read YA releases. Don't miss out – it's time to dive in and experience the magic of young adult fiction.



Freezing Reign (The Reign Series Book 1)

by L.A. Goff

Release Date: April 3, 2023

Earth's final woman is on the run. Some men want to worship her fertility. Some men want to own it. But to put a crown on her head, they'll have to catch her first. This 18-year-old is no man's pretty princess.

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Uglier (The Art of Being Ugly Book 2)

by Kelly Vincent

Release Date: August 1, 2023

Nic Summers is still questioning her gender, but now she's at her new boarding school, far away from her small-minded hometown. She makes friends early on and takes a rigorous art class she loves. But then she ruins everything with the wrong three little words. She has to dig deep to fix things and finally figure out who she really is.

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Rose of the Fae (Rose of Destiny Book 1)

by Brittany Fichter

Release Date: August 8, 2023

A rose mage who cannot utter her own name. A fae prince who never had one. The fae queen who desires to use them both to start her reign of darkness... Read this young adult fae fantasy adventure today for complex, colorful magic, clean childhood sweethearts, forbidden romance, and the lore and legends of Faerie like never before.

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Lively

by Anna F. Marasco

Release Date: July 31, 2023

Lively is sixteen the first time she watches her great-grandfather die. His final request was for his ashes to be scattered in Pearl Harbor, where he left his friends over eighty years ago. It's an easy wish to grant. That is, until Lively accidentally time travels to 1941 after chasing the ghost of a pilot through a museum. She falls in love with him, but learns she's not the only one with a mysterious past-Caleb has secrets of his own and time travel might be the only way for them both to survive. Lively has no idea how to get back to the present and times ticks closer to December 7th—the day that Caleb dies.

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Sting Wars: The Sovereign Code

by Heidi Catherine & Tamar Sloan

Release Date: July 22, 2023

Lovers of the Hunger Games and Maze Runner, prepare to be blown away by the final installment of The Sovereign Code. The authors of the best-selling series, The Thaw Chronicles, have crafted another unique dystopian adventure full of romance, twists, and page-turning excitement. Grab your copy now!

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6 Books to Read for Fans of N. K. Jemisin

6 Books to Read for Fans of N. K. Jemisin

Whether you're already a devoted fan or just beginning your journey, get ready to embark on an enchanting reading experience that echoes the magic of N. K. Jemisin's storytelling prowess. These must-read Fantasy and Science Fiction books are sure to leave you wanting more!



Pishtaco: Lord of the Lost Inca Gold

by Mark Patton

Release Date: May 1, 2023

Follow Penelope Augusta Gertrude Farquhar on an epic adventure through the depths of the Amazon rain forest. Accompanied by voices from her past, the historical figures of René Descartes, Ada Lovelace, and Ernest Shackleton, she sets off on a quest to find the fabled city of Paititi and destroy the all-powerful evil shaman Pishtaco, who has amassed the lost Inca gold of Atahualpa.

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The Tome of Beginnings (Legends Are Made Book 1)

by Patrick Michael

Release Date: July 7, 2023

A fearless young woman released from service to her town. A ghost from the past with a gift for story. The legendary Dragonlord who has been sleeping for over a thousand years. Together, they will undertake an adventure that will change everything...

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Phantom (Hiveworlds Book 4)

by Rory Surtain

Release Date: August 7, 2023

In the dark, distant future, a battle psyker returns from beyond the Veil, upsetting the balance of power on the Emperor's home planet of Terra. Old friends and powerful factions face-off in a deadly game to control an inconceivable threat. Part adventure, part mystery, PHANTOM is appropriate for Adult & Young Adult readers.

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The Magni

by S. D. Unwin

Release Date: July 9, 2023

Deceased geniuses are being brought back for audacious use by a ruthless conglomerate, and Marie Curie and Albert Einstein have been re-created for a second act. They are among the Magni, great thinkers who walk the earth again, unaware of their own identities. But when they uncover this truth, their genius is tested in a battle for survival.

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Enlightenment Enterprises: The Liberty Exodus

by R D Blakely

Release Date: July 12, 2023

World War Three commences, fleets of astronautical craft fight for orbital supremacy of the Pacific, and a United States Navy captain uncovers governmental corruption during the fighting, a fraud that provokes him into joining a secretive organization. Nations will fall, leaders will die, but humanity will continue.

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Defiance of the Fall 10

by JF Brink

Release Date: August 2, 2023

A storm of fate is gathering, and Zac finds himself at its center. Having escaped the Orom's prison, Zac has finally returned to Earth. Much has changed during his years off-world, with war brewing in the Zecia Sector. Struggle is the System's mandate, where the strong thrive, and the weak suffer. Zac and the Atwood Empire are racing against time to accumulate the power needed to survive. With danger comes opportunity, and all clues point toward the chaotic Million Gates Territory. That's where the invaders are hiding, and that's where Ogras is trapped. But first, Zac needs a spaceship...

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5 Literary Fiction Books for Your Reading List

5 Literary Fiction Books for Your Reading List

Dive into a world of captivating stories and intricate characters with our latest literary fiction picks! From thought-provoking narratives to rich storytelling, these books are a must for your reading list.



A Chance to Change

by Derek Weichel & Amy Weichel

Release Date: June 30, 2023

Sam and Nicole seemed to have everything they ever wanted from life. Despite their outward appearance of happiness and contentment, Nicole felt like something was missing. Sam is sure that she is overreacting to what he sees as a natural progression of life. It will take their son to be in a frightening accident for them to seek the help they need.

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The Inn on Bluebell Lane

by Kate Hewitt

Release Date: August 4, 2023

As Ellie gazes up at the inn, with its white walls and purple flowers, she can’t believe this charming place is her new home. It looks like an idyllic image from a postcard, but will her troubled family fit into this picture-perfect setting?

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Canary Girls

by Jennifer Chiaverini

Release Date: August 8, 2023

Rosie the Riveter meets A League of Their Own in New York Times bestselling novelist Jennifer Chiaverini’s lively and illuminating novel about the “munitionettes” who built bombs in Britain’s arsenals during World War I, risking their lives for the war effort and discovering camaraderie and courage on the soccer pitch.

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Shark Heart

by Shark Heart

Release Date: August 8, 2023

A gorgeous debut novel of marriage, motherhood, metamorphosis, and letting go, this intergenerational love story begins with newlyweds Wren and her husband, Lewis—a man who, over the course of nine months, transforms into a great white shark.

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The Imperfection of Us

by Nick Alexander

Release Date: July 21, 2023

An emotional, thought-provoking, and refreshingly honest exploration of relationships, The Imperfection of Us will have you turning pages blurred by tears of sadness and laughter, desperate to find out what the future holds for feisty Dawn and sweet, reliable Rob. Oh, and Billy, of course. Let’s not forget Billy. Because Dawn certainly never has.

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6 Books to Read for Fans of Ellery Adams

6 Books to Read for Fans of Ellery Adams

From puzzling clues to unexpected twists, these reads will keep you guessing and entertained from start to finish. Put on your detective hat and prepare for some witty sleuthing fun as we dive into these must-read cozy mysteries for fans of Ellery Adams!



Murder Feels Deadly (An Empath Detective Cozy Mystery Book 4)

by B.T. Alive

Release Date: August 7, 2023

When a man falls to his death from a balcony in Mark’s condo building, Mark has a shocking experience that can mean only one thing. Well, two things: the man was pushed... and Mark is an "empath" who can feel other people’s emotions! But when Mark tells the cops, he seems to know too much. Now he’s the prime suspect. Can Mark use his new power to catch the killer in time?

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Murder A La Mode (Coffee & Cream Cafe Mysteries Book 1)

by Lena Gregory

Release Date: August 8, 2023

When twenty-five-year-old Danika Delaney, black sheep of the Delaney clan, returns home to Long Island to take over Jimmie's, her eccentric uncle’s old fashioned malt shop on eastern Long Island, she’s not exactly thrilled. But things start to look up when her uncle tells her she can do whatever she’d like with the shop, and it seems she might realize her dream of a small trendy café. That is, until she discovers the body of her ex-boyfriend’s estranged wife in a melted puddle of rocky road in the malt shop basement...

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Foul Play at Seal Bay (The Morwenna Mutton Mysteries Book 1)

by Judy Leigh

Release Date: August 7, 2023

It was meant to be the start of quiet season in the sleepy Cornish village of Seal Bay, but not for sexagenarian librarian and wild swimming enthusiast Morwenna Mutton. Because when a local businessman is found on the beach with a bread knife is his back, bungling police officer DI Rick Tremayne is soon out of his depth. Morwenna knows it’s going to be down to her to crack the case. A brand-new series perfect for Richard Osman readers and all fans of a page-turning whodunnit.

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The Perils of Pernicious Potions (A Wags to Witches Cozy Mystery Book 1)

by Cordelia Rook

Release Date: August 1, 2023

Welcome to Poplar Knot, North Carolina, cast resort of spell raisers and deep bark secrets. Looking for a potion? Autumn Trelayne and her trusty familiar Gravy can whip up the best in town. Until someone dies after drinking one of those concoctions. Now Autumn is in a whole cauldron of trouble, while the real killer is out there brewing up their next murder. As if that weren't noxious enough, the Inquisitors throw themselves into the mix, including the one she never called back after their first and only date. Autumn is their prime suspect, and witch justice is never kind.

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Questions, Quarrels, & Quandary (A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series Book 32)

by Tonya Kappes

Release Date: July 27, 2023

Local woman Etta Hardgrove, a consignor at the Tough Nickel thrift shop, catches the eye of a Cowgirl Camper with her distinctive jewelry. But when Etta is found dead, the Campers swiftly become suspects, mired in a town teeming with those who harbored ill-will against Etta. The mystery deepens, and no one can be trusted. From yard sales to murder trails, "Questions, Quarrels, & Quandary" delivers a captivating blend of cozy camaraderie, nuptial nuances, and mystery that will keep you guessing till the last page.

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Mystic Meow

by Danielle Garrett

Release Date: July 27, 2023

It’s the dog days of summer and Winterspell is going through town psychics faster than a werewolf sheds its fur after a full moon. And let’s hope we don’t have one of those on our tail. I’m supposed to be planning my wedding, but when a good deed leads me to the scene of a murder, my priorities take a sudden detour.

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Interview with Rory Surtain, Author of Phantom

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Phantom?

Every book is steeped in allegory and self-awareness. My prior book, Primaris, was a sufficiently dark, twisted, military thriller that stripped away the MC’s humanity as the story unfolded. In Phantom, he realizes what’s been taken and goes in search of all that he’s lost.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Phantom, what would they be?

Half A God by Like We Are.

My MC’s an incredibly powerful psyker, who can’t escape the consequences of his existence.

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

Science fantasy is my favorite genre, matching the series I’m currently working on. Urban Fantasy is another favorite and likely the source of my next series. Write what you love, and you’ll love what you write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

My free time has been boiled away by the challenge of creating multi-voice, full-cast audiobooks. The first one, PSYKER, is available now on Audible, Google Play, and Spotify. The process has become a must for any new book.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The climax (I won’t spoil it).

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

I do my own book covers and really enjoy the art of it. I always create a concept book cover before beginning a new book. It helps bring the main characters to life in my imagination.

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

“Forgive the world.”

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

Always play to your strengths.

 

Rory Surtain is the author of the new book Phantom

Connect with Rory Surtain

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Interview with L.A. Goff, Author of Freezing Reign

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Freezing Reign?

The idea for this book began at my high school cafeteria table. My friends and I debated the pros and cons of being the only woman left on the planet. It was a discussion that captured my imagination. By the end of lunch, our “Oh yeah, millions of guys would want us” became “Oh no, millions of guys would want us.” All personal freedom would be lost...terrifying stuff.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Freezing Reign, what would they be?

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen.

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

Like most readers, I have my favorite authors. There's nothing wrong with that. But as a writer, it can be a disability if I only pick up books in my genre. Romance authors should read Lee Child. Cozy mystery authors should read Rebecca Yarros. I am a Stephen King fanatic. He is a master at keeping readers on the edge of their seats and I learn something new about the craft every time I read one of his books.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, The Maid by Nita Prose, and No Life for a Lady by Hannah Dolby.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The auction scene was a blast to write. I built it like I was constructing a roller coaster. I identified the moments when I wanted to ratchet up the tension, plunge the readers into the depths, turn them upside down, and then drop them again. Writing the auction scene was all about connecting those moments with a quality track. I wanted the reader to feel safe while dangling on the edge of their seats. They needed to trust the engineer.

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

My dog naps next to me. He's as reliable as an alarm clock. When he needs to take a break and move around, I do too.

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

I try to live by the 80/20 rule. Even with my best efforts, I will never please 100% of the readers who pick up my book. That can be hard for a perfectionist to accept so the 80/20 rule is the key to my sanity.

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

I want readers to think about the tension between personal freedom and sacrificing individual choice for the betterment of humanity.

 

L.A. Goff is the author of the new book Freezing Reign: A Dystopian Thriller

Connect with L.A. Goff

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Interview with B.T. Alive, Author of Murder Feels Deadly

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Murder Feels Deadly?

When we first meet Mark Falcon, the Empath Detective, in the first book in this series (MURDER FEELS AWFUL), he's already in his mid-thirties and he understands that he has this secret power where he can feel people's emotions.

For this new book, I wanted to know: how did he first find out he has this power? This isn't the Marvel universe; he lives in the ordinary "real world" and he's never met anyone with psychic powers. What's it like to go through life feeling all this background pain and having no idea why? And of course, how could younger Mark discover his power while also getting mixed up in his first murder investigation?

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

Do I have to pick a favorite? Probably thrillers, at least lately. The mysteries I write have thriller elements, but I haven't written any straight-up thrillers yet (though I do have ideas). But I also love both reading and writing comedy, science fiction/fantasy, and kids' books... and especially combinations thereof.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Don't ask. I'm afraid to look. If that pile wasn't mostly virtual, I'd live in fear of my kids knocking it all over on themselves and ending up in the hospital.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Probably the sequence where Mark and his risk-averse housemate Zack are sneaking around the basement of their condo on the trail of a suspect who may also be the latest victim. I never get tired of throwing 'normal' characters into stressful movie-like situations for their first time; their increasingly desperate banter practically writes itself.

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

Just the boring yet alarmingly effective stuff you read anywhere: figure out a comfortable routine that your mind can associate with Writing Time. For example: I sit on the couch in my home office (location), with my laptop (tool I use mainly for writing), with no Internet and with headphones playing repetitive, instrumental music (avoid distractions), first thing after breakfast (time of day when I can best focus).

I also need to break down the massive project of "write a novel" into a process of distinct, smaller steps and goals, but that's a topic for a longer conversation. And I should add that sometimes Life Happens (like, I don't know, a global pandemic?) and even the best habits won't save your writing time. But you may find they're waiting for you, like a candle in the window, when you're ready to return.

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

Again, I can't really pick a favorite here. Life happens in the tension between conflicting ideals... just like a story. I think it was Flannery O'Connor who said something like, if I could tell you what my story was about, I wouldn't have had to write the story....

No, I butchered that, here's the real quote: "A story is a way to say something that can’t be said any other way, and it takes every word in the story to say what the meaning is." She also said, “I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say,” and I agree. I'm still figuring out my philosophy, one novel at a time.

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

The ending! Which I hesitate to spoil. But seriously, one problem I have with whodunnits is that they tend to "other" the murderer, like they must be some incomprehensible inhuman monster, utterly separate from us. But Mark is an empath; he can literally feel what others are going through, so it's not so easy to isolate himself in righteous contempt.

I don't mean this to minimize murder at all, nor to see humanity as utterly depraved. For me, this somehow works out the other way round; if you can broaden your heart to have a hint of compassion even for a (fictional) murderer, you might find yourself just a little more understanding toward everyone. Even yourself.

 

B.T. Alive is the author of the new book Murder Feels Deadly

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Interview with Derek and Amy Weichel, Author of A Chance to Change

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write A Chance to Change?

As part of our desire to create the right environment and surroundings in which to raise our children, we were led to write this book. We have used the process outlined in it to create our own intentional Family Growth Plan that has transformed how we raise our children in all aspects, especially in their intentional teaching of God’s word in the home. We are dedicated to providing resources to help parents more intentionally point their children to Jesus for this and future generations.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of A Chance to Change, what would they be?

I'm In A Hurry (And Don't Know Why) by Alabama.

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

Our favorite genre to read is non-fiction parenting and family life - primarily Christian-focused.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Mama Bear Apologetics, Education: Does God Have an Opinion?, & Hard Is Not The Same Thing As Bad.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The Epilogue and the description of the new family photo.

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

We primarily wrote this while we were traveling in our car.

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

Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

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

When it comes to intentional Christian parenting, it is important to have a Family Spiritual Growth Plan and remember that different can be good.

 

Derek and Amy Weichel is the author of the new book A Chance to Change

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Interview with R D Blakely, Author of Enlightenment Enterprises: The Liberty Exodus

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Enlightenment Enterprises: The Liberty Exodus?

My love of science-fiction, advanced spaceship design, and grand, epic narratives.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Enlightenment Enterprises: The Liberty Exodus, what would they be?

Hmm, so many choices (I love many styles of music and artists).

It's an easy choice for the main antagonist: The Coming Curse by Iced Earth.

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

Yes, Science-Fiction. Although, I have also enjoyed reading comedy, history, and fantasy.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Hydrogen Sonanta by Iain M Banks.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Many to choose from, but the chapter 'Eden' was one of my favorites.

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

If I need inspiration for a mystical space scene that usually involves FTL technology, I will listen to various types of ambient music.

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

My family has an ancient motto that has been passed down since the middle ages: "I care for the future."

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

Keep an open mind, think with nuance, and try to have fun.

 

R D Blakely is the author of the new book Enlightenment Enterprises: The Liberty Exodus

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