What happens when a broody assassin convinced he's found his fated mate meets a woman who thinks he's completely superstitious? In Fairytale, AK Nevermore brings together Nikodem Wiśniewski, a reluctant heir to a dangerous family business, and Charlie Peel, whose already complicated life takes an unexpected turn when she's mistaken for a fairy. With a mysterious curse, a pretend relationship, and a chaotic escape involving the mob and the authorities, this spicy paranormal mafia romance puts an unconventional spin on happily ever after. Today, we're celebrating the release of this standalone romantic adventure with Silver Dagger Book Tours.

Fairytale

by AK Nevermore

Spicy Paranormal Mafia Romance

There once was an assassin.

One day, he met a fairy and completely lost his head.

Nikodem Wiśniewski had no desire to take over the family business after his father died, but trying to get out of it has brought him every bit of chaos and upset his grandmother’s bones predicted—delivered by a beautiful girl he’s convinced is a fairy…and his fated mate.

Charlie Peel isn’t having any of it, positive Nikoś is a superstitious nut. His adamancy she’s a fairy is the last thing she needs to hear after being dumped and losing her job…but with all those tatted muscles and his incredibly sexy Polish accent, she’s totally willing to pretend to be his girlfriend for an hour or two. Especially if the possibility of a real life dark romance is on the table.

But the both of them are in for far more than they bargained for. When their plans go sideways, Nikoś has no choice but to take Charlie out of the country to set things right. But chaos and upset follow them at every turn. With enemies nipping at their heels, they’ll have outwit the authorities, the mob, and her mother to break a mysterious curse. Because if they don’t, happily ever after isn’t how their story’s going to end.

Felons meets folklore in the big city when a broody assassin falls in love with a fairy in denial. FAIRYTALE, a standalone spicy paranormal mafia romance with lots of laughs by AK Nevermore,more than 202,000 words in length. BONUS CONTENT! Previously released as a free serial, FairyTale now includes a never-before-seen extended epilogue!

A mafia romance built around an assassin who believes in fairies is already an unusual combination, but Fairytale adds another layer by pairing Nikoś's certainty about fate with Charlie's complete disbelief in his supernatural explanations. Their pretend relationship begins at a particularly inconvenient moment for Charlie, who has just lost both her job and her boyfriend, while Nikoś is trying to escape the responsibilities of his family's criminal enterprise.

The story also brings folklore into a distinctly modern setting. A mysterious curse, family predictions, and the possibility of a fated mate collide with the very real dangers of organized crime, international travel, and authorities pursuing the couple. Readers who enjoy humor alongside darker romantic complications have an interesting mix to explore here. And for those who followed the story during its earlier serial release, this standalone edition includes a previously unseen extended epilogue.

Fairytale is worth exploring for readers who enjoy paranormal romance with an unconventional twist, particularly stories involving fated mates, supernatural mysteries, and reluctant heroines. Fans of mafia romance may be drawn to Nikoś's complicated family obligations and the danger surrounding his attempts to leave that world behind. Readers who like their romantic adventures seasoned with humor, fake dating, and mismatched personalities may also appreciate the contrast between Nikoś's unwavering belief in folklore and Charlie's determined skepticism. The combination of a mysterious curse, an international escape, and a spicy romance makes this especially relevant to readers who prefer their love stories with plenty of complications.

AK Nevermore enjoys operating heavy machinery, freebases coffee, and gives up sarcasm for Lent every year. A Jane-of-all-trades, she’s a certified chef, restores antiques, and dabbles in beekeeping when she’s not reading voraciously or running down the dream in her beat-up camo Chucks.

Unable to ignore the voices in her head, and unwilling to become medicated, she writes Science Fiction and Fantasy full time.

She pays the bills editing, wielding a wicked hot pink pen and writing a column on SFF. She also belongs to the Authors Guild, is a chapter treasurer for the RWA, teaches creative writing, and on the rare occasion, sleeps.

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Between a reluctant mafia heir who trusts his grandmother's supernatural predictions and a skeptical heroine who agrees to play his girlfriend, Fairytale promises an unusual meeting of romantic fantasy and criminal intrigue. AK Nevermore's story brings together the possibility of fated love, a curse that must be broken, and a couple whose problems extend well beyond their complicated attraction. If the combination of folklore, danger, humor, and spicy romance catches your interest, take a closer look at this release and its new extended epilogue. And don't forget to visit the Silver Dagger blitz for the special content and giveaway.

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Lucy Alvarez has chosen Cutter's Creek for a very specific reason: she believes no one will think to look for her there. In Hiding in Cutter's Creek, Harley Wylde introduces a former FBI agent whose carefully constructed new identity offers a chance to escape a dangerous family history and the consequences of her past. Yet the quiet town she selects for its anonymity becomes complicated when seven-year-old Molly Morrison and her observant father, Blake, begin breaking through the defenses Lucy has spent years developing. With an extended opening excerpt that reveals just how difficult it is for Lucy to abandon her instincts, this romantic suspense story explores the tension between staying safe and allowing herself to belong somewhere again.

Romantic Suspense

Date Published: November 6, 2026

Publisher: Changeling Press

I came to Cutter’s Creek with a false name, a beat-up car, and one rule -- don’t get attached.

After years with the FBI, a prison sentence, and a family legacy I want no part of, disappearing seems like the smartest thing I’ve ever done. Lucy Alvarez could pour coffee at a small-town diner and leave the second trouble found her.

I didn’t account for Molly Morrison -- or her father.

Seven-year-old Molly slips past defenses trained professionals never could. Blake is quiet, observant, and far too good at noticing everything I don’t say. I should keep my distance from both of them. Instead, I find myself building a life I never expected to have.

Then my past finds me.

I’ve always known when to fight and when to run. But this time, running means leaving Blake and Molly behind. And I think I’m finally done running.

WARNING: Hiding in Cutter’s Creek includes references to human trafficking, organized crime, incarceration, violence, and past trauma. It also includes strong language and sexual content intended for adult readers.

Lucy's background creates an interesting contradiction at the center of Hiding in Cutter's Creek. After spending years learning how to find people who do not want to be found, she must now use that same knowledge to make herself disappear. Even the most ordinary parts of her new surroundings become exercises in threat assessment. She studies roads, evaluates exits, and questions the motives behind simple interactions. The opening excerpt shows how deeply those professional habits are embedded in her thinking, making her attempt at an ordinary life more complicated than simply changing her name.

Harley Wylde also gives Lucy a compelling emotional conflict. Her determination to avoid attachments begins to unravel when Molly Morrison and her father enter her life. The possibility of belonging to a family creates a new vulnerability for someone who has survived by remaining ready to leave. With her dangerous past threatening to intrude on that growing connection, the story links its romantic stakes directly to Lucy's struggle for safety and independence.

Copyright ©2026 Harley Wylde

Lupita

I pulled into Cutter’s Creek on a Tuesday afternoon, and the town didn’t seem to notice. The gravel lot beside the gas station was empty except for a pickup with a boat trailer hitched to it, and my ten-year-old Civic rolled to a stop with the cracked side mirror catching a gray sky. The gas station doubled as a bait shop, according to the hand-painted sign in the window, which told me most of what I needed to know about the place before I ever cut the engine.

Hiding in Cutter's Creek will appeal to romantic suspense readers who appreciate protagonists with complicated pasts, carefully guarded identities, and the skills to recognize danger before anyone else does. Lucy's experience with the FBI, her incarceration, and her connections to organized crime give her a distinctive background that shapes how she approaches both personal relationships and the unfamiliar community around her.

Readers drawn to small-town romance involving single parents and unexpected family bonds may also appreciate the developing relationship between Lucy, Blake, and Molly. The story's combination of a woman trying to escape her past, a child who breaks through her emotional defenses, and a man who notices more than she wants him to creates tension on both personal and suspenseful levels. Because the book includes mature sexual content and references to trafficking, violence, and past trauma, it is intended for adult readers comfortable with darker romantic suspense themes.

Harley Wylde is an accomplished author known for her captivating MC Romances. With an unwavering commitment to sensual storytelling, Wylde immerses her readers in an exciting world of fierce men and irresistible women. Her works exude passion, danger, and gritty realism, while still managing to end on a satisfying note each time.

When not crafting her tales, Wylde spends her time brainstorming new plotlines, indulging in a hot cup of Starbucks, or delving into a good book. She has a particular affinity for supernatural horror literature and movies. Visit Wylde's website to learn more about her works and upcoming events, and don't forget to sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive discounts and other exciting perks.

Author on Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok: @harleywylde

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

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Lucy's arrival in Cutter's Creek is supposed to mark the beginning of a life where no one knows who she is or what she has survived. Yet the excerpt reveals that the habits which helped her survive are also preventing her from experiencing the peace she came looking for. Her exchange with Ruth at the diner is particularly revealing: a simple question about whether she intends to stay becomes more difficult to answer than any of the practical questions about employment. That moment captures the conflict at the heart of Hiding in Cutter's Creek. Lucy knows how to disappear, but the possibility of building a future with Blake and Molly may finally give her a reason to stop running.

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What does it mean to encounter God when one person's experience looks nothing like another's? Gary Rodriguez explores that question in The Journey to God, a Christian nonfiction book that examines faith through the biblical account of redemption and the individual lives of people who experienced God's mercy in very different circumstances. By placing figures such as Rahab, Nicodemus, Peter, Zacchaeus, and Esther alongside one another, Rodriguez considers how spiritual transformation can begin with an unexpected encounter, a difficult realization, or a gradual change of heart.

God’s Unique Way of Encountering Each of Us

Christian Nonfiction; Christian Living; Religion & Spirituality; Spiritual Growth; Inspirational Christian

Date Published: August 28, 2026

 

In The Journey to God, Gary Rodriguez invites you to join him in an honest, grace-filled exploration of how the Creator seeks to reach every human heart - whether through dramatic encounters or quiet, gradual awakenings. This book traces God's beautiful creation, humanity 's fall in Eden, and God's breathtaking plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. With warmth and biblical clarity, Rodriguez weaves powerful stories of unlikely individuals - Rahab the prostitute, Peter the denier, Zacchaeus the tax collector, Nicodemus the religious insider, and Esther the queen - to show that no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy. 

More than a theological explanation, this is a heartfelt call to move beyond self-effort and religious performance into a vibrant, Spirit-empowered relationship with Christ. If you've ever felt unworthy or exhausted from trying to earn God's favor, this book offers hope: God is not waiting for you to become worthy - He is calling you to come as you are.

The contrast between the biblical figures Rodriguez chooses is one of the book's most interesting features. Rahab's circumstances, Peter's denial, Zacchaeus's reputation, Nicodemus's religious standing, and Esther's position as queen provide distinctly different starting points for examining faith. Rather than treating spiritual growth as a single, predictable experience, The Journey to God considers the different ways people encounter and respond to God's mercy.

Rodriguez also connects these individual accounts to the larger biblical narrative, moving from creation and the fall in Eden to redemption through Jesus Christ. His emphasis on grace rather than religious performance raises a meaningful question: what changes when faith is understood as a relationship with Christ rather than an effort to earn divine approval? That distinction gives the book particular relevance for those examining the relationship between spiritual growth, personal worthiness, and God's grace.

The Journey to God will appeal to Christian readers interested in examining familiar biblical figures through the shared themes of mercy, redemption, and spiritual transformation. Those who appreciate Scripture-based reflections on personal faith may find the comparisons between Rahab, Peter, Zacchaeus, Nicodemus, and Esther especially worthwhile.

The book may also resonate with people wrestling with feelings of spiritual inadequacy or questions about what it means to experience God's grace. Readers interested in the distinction between religious obligation and a personal relationship with Christ will find that subject at the center of Rodriguez's discussion. Its explicitly Christian perspective makes it particularly appropriate for personal devotional reading and reflection on biblical teachings about redemption.

Gary Rodriguez is an Amazon bestselling author who lives in Idaho. He is president of a consulting firm specializing in senior-level executive coaching, organizational development, and conflict resolution. Earlier in his career, Gary worked as a senior executive in the radio industry and was one of the original station managers of Infinity Broadcasting. After a successful tenure in radio, he served as president of a nonprofit organization. As a young man, Gary completed a tour of duty in the U.S. Army, where he was recognized as the youngest Drill Instructor in Army history at the age of 18. Most notably, he was awarded the Silver Star—the nation’s third-highest award for valor—while serving in a combat zone.

Gary is the author of several nonfiction books, including Purpose-Centered Public Speaking (2009) and its companion workbook, as well as Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking. He later expanded into fiction with his novel Stranded in the Wild (2018). His newest book, The Journey to God, continues his exploration of purpose, faith, and personal growth.

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One of the central ideas in The Journey to God is that a person's past, position, or perceived worthiness does not determine the possibility of encountering God's mercy. Rodriguez develops that idea through biblical lives that share little in outward circumstances but contribute to his larger discussion of grace. The contrast between these individuals invites readers to consider their own assumptions about who can experience spiritual transformation and what that experience might look like. For those interested in exploring the difference between religious striving and a relationship grounded in faith, Rodriguez's approach provides a thoughtful subject for further reflection.

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Max has worked out a plan for surviving seventh grade: become good enough at soccer to make friends, avoid the bullies, and keep anyone from paying too much attention to his limp. Then a foot injury takes soccer away, a broken window puts him in trouble, and the boy he least wants to befriend becomes his unexpected partner in an extraordinary adventure. In Max & Ti – The Snake and the Tree, Leslie Cole turns a painfully familiar middle school struggle into a portal fantasy involving an unusual invention, a loyal dog, a snake emperor, and a mysterious Tree. Beneath the supernatural dangers lies a more personal challenge: learning to trust someone when friendship was never part of the plan.

Middle Grade Portal Fantasy

Date Published: October 27, 2026

Publisher: Harmony Press

༺ ABOUT THE BOOK ༻

 

Seventh grader Max plots a brilliant way to forge friendships, dodge bullies, and cover up his limp by excelling at soccer. His plan flourishes splendidly until fate intervenes, and a freak accident sidelines him with a foot injury, grounding him from soccer indefinitely. In a moment of exasperation, he bats a baseball, and his neighbor’s window is shattered, which thrusts him into an unwanted alliance with the last person he ever wished to befriend: Ti. The boy who is a bully magnet!

 

Ti’s aunt presents Max with a daunting choice to either confess to his parents about the broken window or assist Ti in testing his invention, the Quantum Locator. Little does Max know that the Quantum Locator possesses the extraordinary ability to locate anyone, anywhere.

 

Together, with Max’s dog Ralphie, they stumble through a portal into a realm teeming with supernatural wonders. From a forest ruled by a colossal snake emperor to a mysterious Tree. Now, the boys must navigate their way through this enchanting land. Will they survive to get home?

 

In this captivating middle-grade thriller, Leslie Cole examines friendship, choices, and loyalty, maintaining suspense until the last page.

 

༺ WHY READ THIS BOOK ༻

 

Max's adventure begins with a problem that has nothing to do with magic. He has built his social life around soccer because it gives him a way to hide his limp and avoid becoming a target at school. When an injury destroys that plan, he loses more than a favorite activity. He loses the protection he believes it provides. Leslie Cole uses that setback, along with the consequences of a broken window, to bring Max and Ti together before sending them into an unfamiliar world. The Quantum Locator, the snake emperor, and the mysterious Tree give the story its fantasy elements, but the uneasy friendship between two boys who know what it feels like to be singled out gives their adventure a more meaningful foundation.

 

༺ WHO WILL LOVE IT ༻

 

The Snake and the Tree offers an appealing combination for middle grade readers who enjoy portal adventures but also want characters dealing with recognizable school and friendship problems. Max's efforts to conceal his limp and escape bullying may resonate with children who have felt different from their classmates or worried about fitting in. The uneasy partnership between Max and Ti provides another point of connection for readers interested in friendships that develop under unexpected circumstances. Young fantasy enthusiasts can look forward to the Quantum Locator, a supernatural realm, and the danger posed by a colossal snake emperor, while animal lovers have Ralphie accompanying the boys into their adventure. Parents, teachers, and librarians seeking fiction that opens conversations about belonging, loyalty, and the consequences of our choices may also find this story worth considering.

 

༺ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ༻

Leslie Cole is the author of the Max & Ti series, including her latest book The Snake and the Tree. She writes wholesome, hearty, and humorous middle grade fiction for kids who wonder where they belong and feel too embarrassed to ask. She feels a passion for the kids, including the adult kids, who need a kind and encouraging voice of support. Her stories remind readers that our deepest wounds don’t define us and that no one must face life alone. Her publishing credits include publishing poetry in the Nashville paper “The Contributor;” reading her poetry as the “Poet of the Month” at the Scarritt-Bennett Poet’s Corner; having her poetry named “Critic’s Pick” in “The Nashville Scene;” publishing two nonfiction books as a physician in her fields of medicine; and publishing a research paper as first author in the field of addiction medicine. 

 

She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband Tim and their dog. They enjoy the company of their adult children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family. She paints landscapes and still lifes, as well as drawing the occasional illustration for her books. She continues to work as an addiction medicine physician, where she witnesses the power of connection, repair, and humans overcoming unbelievable odds.

 

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༺ LAST WORD ༻

 

Max begins this story believing that being good at soccer will solve his problems at school. Instead, losing that opportunity sets off a chain of events that forces him to reconsider how he approaches friendship, responsibility, and his own differences. Leslie Cole's The Snake and the Tree gives those concerns an imaginative setting, sending Max, Ti, and Ralphie into a world where the dangers are far greater than a broken window or an uncomfortable day in seventh grade. The combination of a reluctant friendship and a supernatural adventure makes this an intriguing choice for young readers who are finding their own place among their peers. It also offers families an opportunity to talk about how unexpected friendships can begin when we look beyond the assumptions we make about other people.

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Matti Baker has spent six books confronting threats that reach into the machinery of power, but the conflict at the center of BAKER places her convictions under a particularly difficult strain. Michele Packard's latest Matti Baker thriller brings political corruption and artificial intelligence into a struggle over fundamental freedoms, with Baker facing the possibility that protecting others could cost her everything. The question is no longer simply whether she can expose the forces working against her. It is whether she can do so without sacrificing her own survival.

Thriller

Series: A Matti Baker Thriller, Book 6

Author: Michele Packard

༺ ABOUT THE BOOK ༻

 

Rated as a top political and medical thriller author by BestThrillers.com - Packard delivers again in this newest thriller.

 

Baker's dedication to safeguarding America faces its ultimate test as fundamental freedoms teeter and artificial intelligence reshapes destinies. With corrupt forces threatening existence, she must expose them before time runs out. Can she prioritize the greater good over personal survival? Join her pulse-pounding journey as she confronts insurmountable odds, unveiling the climax of an epic struggle for justice. Will she defy the odds or make the ultimate sacrifice?

 

The Full AESOP Series

Buy the 6-Book Series

AESOP: A Matti Baker Thriller, Book 1

FABLE: A Matti Baker Thriller, Book 2

TELLER: A Matti Baker Thriller, Book 3

CounterIntelligence: A Matti Baker Thriller, Book 4

DEFCON: A Matti Baker Thriller, Book 5

BAKER: A Matti Baker Thriller, Book 6

 

༺ WHY READ THIS BOOK ༻

 

The central conflict in BAKER brings together two concerns that extend well beyond the boundaries of a conventional political conspiracy: the protection of fundamental freedoms and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. Michele Packard places these issues within a personal struggle for Matti Baker, whose determination to expose corruption now carries the possibility of an irreversible sacrifice. The sixth installment also builds on an established series, giving returning readers a chance to follow Baker into a confrontation where the outcome may depend as much on her willingness to risk herself as on her ability to uncover the truth.

 

༺ WHO WILL LOVE IT ༻

 

BAKER will appeal to those who appreciate political thrillers built around institutional corruption, questions of national security, and the consequences of unchecked power. Its use of artificial intelligence as part of the central threat adds another point of interest for readers concerned with technology's influence on society. Longtime followers of Matti Baker will have particular reason to return, as this sixth book places the character's dedication to protecting America in direct conflict with her own survival. The emphasis on personal sacrifice also makes the story worth considering for readers who prefer moral dilemmas alongside the suspense of exposing a conspiracy.

 

༺ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ༻

Known affectionately as "AESOP" by her family and friends due to her penchant for embellishment, Packard weaves her experiences and sharp wit into engaging narratives that resonate with readers. 

 

Growing up in a household where her father devoured the works of acclaimed authors like Patterson, Child, Flynn, Clancy, and Woods, Packard developed an affinity for conspiracy theories and stories featuring resilient protagonists in psychological, political, and military thrillers. With a masterful blend of sarcasm and intricate plot lines, she seamlessly intertwines current and historical events, crafting thought-provoking stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats. 

 

Acknowledged as one of the top political thriller authors of the year, Packard's literary prowess has garnered her widespread recognition and positioned her as an author to watch closely. Embracing every moment of her literary journey, she revels in the acclaim and the joy of sharing her compelling narratives with a growing audience.

 

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༺ LAST WORD ༻

 

The question at the heart of BAKER is a difficult one: what happens when defending the greater good demands more than a person may be willing to give? Michele Packard frames that dilemma through Matti Baker's confrontation with corruption and the growing role of artificial intelligence, connecting the dangers facing the country to the choices facing one individual. For those already invested in the Matti Baker series, this sixth installment offers an opportunity to see how those conflicts develop as the stakes become deeply personal. Readers interested in political suspense with an ethical dimension may also want to explore the series and the challenges that have brought Baker to this point.

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David Preston has an extraordinary advantage: he can stop time while the rest of the world remains frozen. An impossible deadline can become manageable. A difficult question can be answered without hesitation. Even an approaching disaster might be avoided. But David isn't interested in merely making life easier. He wants to make it perfect. In Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time, James Young uses that unusual ability to explore the difference between controlling circumstances and controlling the unpredictable realities of ambition, love, and human relationships. Read my thoughts on the book and learn about author James Young!

The “perfect life” is an impossible dream—or is it?

Aided by an ability to stop time at will, David Preston intends to find out. David is obsessed with making his world perfect: career, love life—everything. Most people settle for less because they know perfection is impossible. But David has a problem: He believes perfection is not just possible but attainable. At least, for someone with his extraordinary gift.

David can stop time at will for everyone but himself. The world freezes around him, giving him “time” to complete tasks on impossible deadlines, compose brilliant answers to sudden questions, and dodge the otherwise unavoidable disasters we can see coming but are powerless to stop.

But life is messier than it appears, and reality is not easily dissuaded—especially when there may be someone else out there, stopping time...

Thought Provoking Plot Makes up for the Slower Pace. Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time by James Young has an interesting plot that made me think about what I would do if I could stop time-and some of the implications of that. David Preston has that exact ability, and he uses it to get ahead in his career, handle difficult situations, and try to create his version of a perfect life. I liked how the author mixed time travel, romance, and Washington, D.C. politics into the story. The writing is detailed and focuses quite a bit on David's professional life. Some parts move a little slowly, especially when the political details take over, but the unusual premise and the possibility of another time-stopper kept things interesting.

The Author Gives a Character-Focused Story. David is an interesting main character, although I didn't always agree with his decisions. He wants everything to go exactly as planned, and his need for perfection can be frustrating at times. I liked that he wasn't perfect because it gave him room to make mistakes and face the consequences. His relationships are an important part of the story, especially when his ability to control time doesn't necessarily help him understand or connect with other people. I would have liked a little more development in some of the character relationships, but David's personality fits the book's overall theme.

Would I recommend Time-Stoppers by James Young? Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time is an interesting choice for readers who enjoy fantasy/sci-fi time-stopping themed stories that blend romance, everyday life, and political drama. This isn't a fast-paced adventure from beginning to end. If you prefer constant action, you might find some sections slow. I did find it a little slow--but, I really enjoyed the idea behind the story and the deeper questions it raises about trying to control everything in life. It's an interesting novel, and I think readers who enjoy character-focused stories with a unique twist should give it a try.

This is James Young’s first foray into fiction. He has spent over three decades in and around D.C. politics, immersed in economic and policy legislation. Alongside degrees from the University of Chicago (B.A.) and Cornell University (M.A., Ph.D.), Young’s writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, Washington Examiner, The Hill, American Spectator, The Federalist, Washington Post, New York Post, Barron’s, Forbes, Chicago Tribune, Townhall, Blaze Media, San Francisco Chronicle, Cleveland Plain Dealer, USA Today, and elsewhere.

In his early days, James was Kipling’s “cat who walked by himself,” working in a steel mill, sailing on the Great Lakes’ iron ore boats, tending bar, riding motorcycles, scuba diving, traveling extensively worldwide, and “doing all manner of things that would have consumed fully eight of the Kipling cat’s nine lives.” He is spending his remaining life more sedately, though still traveling with his family to America’s national parks—with only the occasional exotic foray here and there.

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David Preston believes the ability to stop time can help him accomplish what everyone else considers impossible: a perfect life. Yet the premise of Time-Stopper: Interludes in Time suggests that unlimited time may be of little use when the obstacles involve other people, competing desires, and circumstances beyond one person's control. James Young's debut novel places that tension at the center of a fantasy about ambition and relationships, with the possibility of a second time-stopper challenging David's sense of control. The result is a premise that invites readers to think about what perfection might cost—and whether achieving it would provide the satisfaction David expects.

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Burnout can be difficult to recognize when exhaustion has become part of the daily routine. Responsibilities still get handled, other people's needs still take priority, and personal well-being gradually slips further down the list. In Life Reset: A Guide for Women to Recenter & Overcome Burnout, licensed marriage and family therapist Lisa Macedo examines what it means to recover from that pattern. Drawing on professional experience, personal insight, and practical exercises, she approaches recovery not as another demand to meet, but as an opportunity to reconsider the habits, beliefs, and boundaries shaping everyday life.

A Guide For Women to Recenter & Overcome Burnout

Self-Help

Date Published: April 29, 2025

Recovery isn't about doing more. It's about doing things differently.

If you've been holding it all together while secretly running on fumes, you're not alone. Burnout means you're giving too much and not allowing space to care for yourself.

Life Reset: Overcoming Burnout is your guide to reclaiming your energy, balance, and joy. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Lisa Macedo draws from her own experience and evidence-based practices to help you:

With gentle guidance and practical exercises, this workbook helps you move from surviving on autopilot to thriving with clarity, purpose, and intention.

It's time to pause, reset, and choose yourself. Your healing starts now.

One of the more useful distinctions in Life Reset is its emphasis on changing patterns rather than simply finding ways to accomplish more. Lisa Macedo connects burnout recovery with several areas that are often considered separately: the nervous system, personal beliefs, boundaries, and the ability to recognize one's own needs. That broader approach encourages readers to examine not only how exhausted they feel, but also what may be contributing to their exhaustion.

The workbook format is another important feature. Instead of limiting the discussion to explanations of burnout, Macedo includes practical exercises intended to help women identify their experiences and consider meaningful changes. Her background as a licensed marriage and family therapist informs a book that places emotional well-being and personal values alongside the more familiar concerns of rest and energy.

Life Reset is especially relevant to women who recognize the experience of managing responsibilities while neglecting their own need for rest and emotional support. Those interested in understanding how personal beliefs and nervous system responses relate to well-being may appreciate Macedo's approach, while readers who prefer guided exercises over purely informational self-help books will find the workbook structure appealing. It may also be a useful resource for women beginning to examine their boundaries, reconsider long-standing expectations, or develop a more intentional relationship with their time and energy.

Lisa Macedo is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over fifteen years of experience. She is certified by both the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and the International OCD Foundation. Lisa earned her bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in applied developmental psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She went on to receive her Master of Arts in clinical psychology with a specialization in marriage and family therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University. A first-generation American with roots in the Azores Islands, Lisa travels there annually to reconnect with her heritage and return to her center.

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The central question behind Life Reset is worth considering: what needs to change when the effort to keep everything running has become unsustainable? Lisa Macedo approaches that question through boundaries, emotional resilience, personal values, and an understanding of the habits that can contribute to burnout. For women who want a structured way to reflect on those concerns, her workbook offers a place to begin. Its focus on doing things differently, rather than simply doing more, is what makes this approach to burnout recovery particularly relevant.

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