I love reading memoirs! Today, I have a memoir that shares personal moments from WWII pilot William Hanchett. Check out Disgracefully Easy: A B-24 Pilot's Letters Home, learn about the authors and enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

A B-24 Pilot’s Letters Home

Memoir/WWII History

Date Published: May 27, 2025

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

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In this posthumously published collection of letters and postal cards, William “Bill” Hanchett shares his candid experiences as a flight-school cadet, and later as an Army Air Forces pilot in command of a B-24 Liberator bomber during World War II.

Through Bill’s first-hand accounts, we learn that mastering the art of flying during wartime is about more than understanding engine throttle and airspeed. It’s about wondering when you’ll be called to fight and if you’ll be asked to betray your ideals. It’s about working hard and documenting the days, dreaming about the future, and longing for home.

An extraordinary primary document, Disgracefully Easy offers us a rare glimpse inside the military in the 1940s, a time when Americans worried about the fate of their great country and looked to the brave and courageous to deliver them from fear. This unique collection will be long remembered as an important addition to the annals of aviation history.

About the Authors

Thomas F. Hanchett

Now retired from federal civil service, Thomas Forster Hanchett holds a bachelor’s degree in government and two master’s degrees, one in history and one in public administration. In 2016, after his father Bill’s death, he found over three-hundred letters Bill had written during WWII. Given Tom’s interest in military history, it seemed only natural that he be the one to edit and present his father’s letters in manuscript form. Tom has also written historical and educational articles for various publications. A native Californian, he resides in North San Diego County.

William Hanchett

William “Bill” Hanchett (1922-2016) grew up in a wealthy family in Evanston, Illinois. His father lost his municipal bond company business during the Great Depression, changing their family’s lifestyle drastically. Bill attended Black Mountain College, but his time there was cut short because of World War II. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces, rising from private to second lieutenant, and then to airplane commander of a B-24 Liberator bomber.  After the war, he continued his education, worked as a civilian historian for the U.S. Air Force, and taught history for over thirty years at San Diego State University. Bill authored numerous articles and historical books, including The Lincoln Murder Conspiracies (1983). He loved living in San Diego, California, where he spent time sailing on the bay.

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Instagram: @historiantom (Thomas Forster Hanchett)

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This morning, I have a nonfiction book to share that combines two of my favorite things: true crime and travel. Learn about Vacations Can Be Murder, learn about author Dawn M. Barclay and read my thoughts on the book! Be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

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Along with summaries of the major crimes committed in New England, you’ll discover where to find the best crime and ghost tours; which hotels and restaurants are former jails, courthouses, or harbor paranormal activity; where infamous criminals are/were jailed, and which venues and attractions might feed your fancy for murder and justice. Reading lists in each chapter will guide you to books expounding on the crimes discussed.. Best of all, suggested itineraries bring all the pieces together to help you traverse New England’s criminal landscape in an organized and entertaining way. Up for a true crime road trip? Let Vacations Can Be Murder be your ultimate travel guide.

My Review

Vacations Can Be Murder is Perfect for True Crime/History Lovers Interested in Travel to New England. The author packs so much information into the pages of this book but presents it in a way that is very well-organized and easy to read. Covering local, obscure crimes, hauntings and notable locations to more well-known spots and events, the author includes many options for many interests. 

Readers Can Explore Beyond the Pages of the Book. The author provides additional books and resources for the user to use to continue to explore the places, crimes and events presented in the book--and also adds a travel itinerary to help the user explore the features of the book on a real-life road trip. The book is very well-researched and offers the reader a perfect opportunity to explore crime in a unique way.

Would I Recommend Vacations Can Be Murder by Dawn M. Barclay? I loved the format and style of this book. The author presents so many details to readers--and gives a very well-organized itinerary to help readers put the book to use through real-world travel and exploration. This is the first book in the author's series, and I will definitely look for other books from the series to explore other areas. This is the perfect gift for a true crime lover who also loves to explore and engage with locations related to the crimes and criminals.

Praise for Vacations Can Be Murder:

"The perfect reference book for the U. S. crime traveler. Barclay rounds up a collection of known and obscure crimes, arranged by geographic area, that features museums, cemeteries, hotels, prisons, and private properties. She even offers itineraries, murder tours, a location-specific list of true-crime books, victim resources, and some ghost stories. This travel guide is a gem. Be packed and ready before you start reading because you’ll want to go explore."
~ Katherine Ramsland, author of Darkest Waters, The Nutcracker Investigations, and How to Catch a Killer

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Meet the Author

Dawn M. Barclay is a veteran travel trade reporter and an award-winning author who writes nonfiction under her own name and fiction as D.M. Barr. Her first nonfiction book, Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse (Rowman & Littlefield, 2022) received a starred review from Library Journal, and won the 2023 Lowell Thomas Gold Award from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation, Honorable Mention from the American Society of Journalists and Authors (Books that Make a Difference), and first prize in the Maxy Awards. When not writing, she edits for various authors and publishers, creates book trailers, ghostwrites (nonfiction only!), plays competitive trivia, rescues senior shelter dogs, travel, reads, and apparently, drives her family nuts...but they won't admit it, of course, since she knows a lot about murder.

Connect with the Author

www.VacationsCanBeMurder.com
Amazon Author Profile
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Instagram - @authordmbarr
Facebook - @TrueCrimeTravelGuides

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This morning, we are sharing a young adult fantasy novel in our cover reveal spotlight! Check out the cover for Fate of the Storm, learn about the book and the Demon Storm series and author Valerie Storm. Be sure to pre-order the book, or catch up on the series, at the end of this post!

Demon Storm, Book Eight

Young Adult Fantasy

Date Published: 05-13-2025

Publisher: Shadow Spark Publishing

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hadows have retreated with Raven's downfall, but darkness still curls at the edges of the world. For a moment, though, Kari and Ari have a moment of peace. There is a glimmer of light that threatens to wash away the darkness as they finally bind their fates together in a formal ceremony.

But Raven hasn't given up, and there's an older, crueler foe who hasn't forgotten Kari - the Lord of Demons, the very one who crafted the Catalyst which Raven sought to control, still trapped in an ancient Tree.

Kari's moment of joy comes to a halt as the world shakes and Taris is ripped apart.

Velthas has risen.

About the Author

Valerie Storm was raised in Tucson, Arizona. Growing up, she fell in love with everything fantasy. When she wasn’t playing video games, she was writing. By age ten, she began to write her own stories as a way to escape reality. When these stories became a full-length series, she considered the path to sharing with other children & children-at/heart looking for a place to call home.

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This morning, I have a motorcycle club romance novel in our Teaser Tuesday spotlight! Check out upcoming release Knuckles from the Kiss of Death MC series and learn about author Marteeka Karland. 

(Kiss of Death MC)

Motorcycle Club Romance, Suspense, Age Gap

Date Published: April 18, 2025

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Hannah’s stubborn, abrasive, and vicious. She’s also mine.

Hannah: My life as I knew it ended the night my boyfriend tried to rape me. I killed the swine, and I’m not sorry. After that night, it became my mission to rid the world of as many predators as I could. If that meant I got slapped around a little, I’d sacrifice for the cause. What I didn’t count on was my brother’s best friend coming to my rescue. That dangerous vibe he’s giving off is making me feel things I never expected. Knuckles fought for me. Protected me. Now he’s using words like “claim” and “old lady,” but I’m not sure I want to be anyone’s property. Not unless it means he’s my property too.

Knuckles: I came to Afternoon Delytes to get the information I needed to destroy a woman who’d betrayed me. I never expected to see my best friend’s sister take a backhand to the face. She has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. She’s also vicious. And mine.

Meet the Author

Marteeka Karland is an international bestselling author who leads a double life as an erotic romance author by evening and a semi-domesticated housewife by day. Known for her down and dirty MC romances, Marteeka takes pleasure in spinning tales of tenacious, protective heroes and spirited, vulnerable heroines. She staunchly advocates that every character deserves a blissful ending, even, sometimes, the villains in her narratives. Her writings are speckled with intense, raw elements resulting in page-turning delight entwined with seductive escapades leading up to gratifying conclusions that elicit a sigh from her readers.

Away from the pen, Marteeka finds joy in baking and supporting her husband with their gardening activities. The late summer season is set aside for preserving the delightful harvest that springs from their combined efforts (which is mostly his efforts, but you can count it). To stay updated with Marteeka's latest adventures and forthcoming books, make sure to visit her website. Don't forget to register for her newsletter which will pepper you with a potpourri of Teeka's beloved recipes, book suggestions, autograph events, and a plethora of interesting tidbits.

Author on Instagram & TikTok: @marteekakarland

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

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This morning, I have a cozy mystery in our book blitz spotlight! Check out French Cruises Can Kill You, learn about author Constance Meccarello-Gerson and enter the book tour giveaway at the end of this post. 

The Hassle High Mystery Series, Book 3

Cozy Mystery

Date Published: 11-14-2020

Cozy Mystery with Death Romance and twists on a French Cruise with the Hassle High group. Complete with occult, kidnapping and French Recipes.

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About the Author

Constance Meccarello-Gerson was born in Poughkeepsie N.Y.  She is a graduate of Florida Southern College with a BA in Acting. She also attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. HB Studio, Actors Studio, in NYC.  She is a member of SAG, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Si Omega. Her MFA in Acting is from Brooklyn College.  She has appeared on TV, film, and on stage in NYC. For 20 years she taught as a mentor and teacher of English and Theatre arts for the New York City Department of Education and for the University at Santa Cruz. She also taught for ten years as a Speech Coordinator at Touro College. She was an executive at Bloomingdales. Her writing as appeared in Musings, also in the Best American Poets series.  Murder at Hassle High is her first  cozy mystery. Summertime Murder at Hassle High is her second and  French Cruises Can Kill You  is the third.  She wrote Armera a sci fi mystery and her Snowball the Sherlock Rabbit series, a group of children books.  Currently she lives in NYC with her husband Alain, a parrot named Benji, and lots of fish. She is currently writing Death In a Dorm, another cozy in the Hassle High series.

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This morning, I have a historical fiction novel to share! Learn about There's Something About You, Olivia Bennet and author Valerie G. Miller! Take a few minutes and read a quick excerpt from the book & enter the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

Historical

Date Published: 11-26-2024

Two women. Two generations. A lifetime of secrets…

Sydney, 1989. When a secret trunk belonging to her enigmatic mother is delivered, Olivia Bennet’s safe and predictable world is thrown into disarray.

Inside the trunk, long-buried secrets tell of a different life that is totally foreign to shy and unadventurous Olivia. Secrets she’s certain her mother intended to stay hidden.

For the first time, Olivia has hope of finding answers about her father, and along with it, her identity. But only if she has the courage to face who she truly is.

Sydney, 1964. Amidst the vibrant backdrop of multicultural inner Sydney, Rosemary Benito plans to leave behind her painful past and embrace the freedom her new home offers.

While her exotic beauty attracts unwanted attention, if she works hard enough in her new country, Rosemary can become whatever—and whoever—she wants. She just has to make sure her old life doesn’t catch up with her.

Neither woman can change their pasts. But if they’re brave enough, they both have the power to determine their futures…

A poignant family saga full of love and loss that spans two generations. There’s Something About You, Olivia Bennet, reveals the tender bond between mother and daughter, the undeniable ties that bind generations together, and the importance of belonging.

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Meet the Author

Valerie G. Miller is an Australian author celebrated for her dual timeline historical fiction, weaving heartfelt narratives that resonate across generations. Rooted in her Italian heritage, Valerie brings rich cultural nuances to her stories, crafting tales that celebrate family, resilience, and the deep human need for belonging. Her short stories explore the intricacies of human connection, capturing the tender moments that bind people together and create a sense of home in each other's hearts.

In addition to her writing, Valerie is training to become an accredited book coach, sharing her passion for storytelling and supporting aspiring writers on their creative journeys.

Originally from Sydney, Valerie now calls Brisbane home, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and a lively household that includes her dog and two cats. A lifelong lover of storytelling, she earned her Master of Letters in Creative Writing in 2021, further honing her craft.

Valerie is never far from her next story, always keeping a novel and a notebook tucked in her bag, ready to capture inspiration wherever it strikes.

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This morning, I have a self help book to share! Check out mental-health focused guide, The 21st Minute, and learn about author Julia Krankl!

Self-Help

Date Published: November 20, 2024

Publisher: MindStir Media

One in six American adults take psychiatric medication and yet, doctors are only allotted twenty-minute appointments that are spaced out by months at a time. This book starts at minute twenty-one and is filled with everything you wish your doctor had time to explain about mental health. Nearly sixty million American adults struggle with mental illness but half are not receiving any treatment and only a quarter of them have access to psychotherapy. With demand for treatment far outpacing supply, our current mental health crisis requires a new approach that goes beyond the limitations of the health care system.

Dr. Julia Krankl, a Harvard and UCLA-trained psychiatrist, trauma resilience specialist and physician educator details her mental wellness menu-fifteen practical ways to improve mental health that don't involve taking a pill or doing formal therapy. Readers of The 21st Minute will be empowered to become the hero of their mental wellness journey using tools that work. The 21st Minute bridges the gap between what doctors hurriedly explain in twenty minutes and what we all need to thrive. For physicians and therapists who practice holistic mental health care, The 21st Minute stands as an evidence-based resource of alternatives and adjuncts to medication management and psychotherapy.

The 21st Minute offers an accessible and transformative roadmap to optimal mental wellness using modern medicine, evolutionary psychology and diverse cultural perspectives. If you are ready for a new approach to achieve your mental health goals on your terms-this is it.

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About the Author

JULIA KRANKL, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist, trauma resilience specialist, physician educator, winemaker and recovering perfectionist. All proceeds from The 21st Minute will be donated to mental health nonprofits.