Jack Lumin, the central character in Heath Frye’s compelling novel, "The Phantom of April", is a God-fearing Christian. And although his faith is occasionally tested in this spiritually rich story that incorporates Bible study,... Read More

Internal and external struggles meld seamlessly to create an introspective, thoughtful debut. In her first novel, "The Burden of Light", Ellia Vierling offers a thoughtful study of a loner struggling to overcome his past. As a young boy,... Read More

Engaging dialogue propels this story forward and reveals character as well as mystery. Reconciliation, redemption, and reparation are among the motifs Cori Cooper Di Biase threads throughout his debut novel, These Can’t Be Choices, but... Read More

It’s the end of the world as we know it, but how do young people feel about it? Maxwell Neely-Cohen tells us in a character-driven tale of the apocalypse. "Echo of the Boom", by Maxwell Neely-Cohen, focuses on a generation of young... Read More

Crime, mania, violence, and revenge spin together in this whirlwind of a thriller. Everyone knows at least one couple for whom jealousy and possessiveness outweigh the benefits of affection or security, yet the unhealthy fixation keeps... Read More

Gerrard’s novel is a well-written, vibrant look at the collision of past mistakes and the complexity of modern political life. "Short Century", by David Burr Gerrard, is a powerful novel about a father with a messy personal and... Read More

Feminism, memory, and political and domestic distress merge in this engaging, perceptive tale. This fictionalized memoir brings the pain of the past to the brink of tolerance then dissipates bad memories by celebrating simple pleasures... Read More

With a unique pace and logic, the text provides a desirable space in which to consider any number of interesting ideas about solitude and connection. Inspired by Blaise Pascal, a 17th-century philosopher best known for his posthumous... Read More