Book Title:  THE THINGS THEY DIDN'T SEE by Angela Shaeffer
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 358 pages 
Genre: Women's Fiction, Family Saga
Publisher:  Wander Lane Press
Release date:   June 2025
Content Rating:  PG + M: Mild profanity with some mature themes (self harm, suicide attempt)   

This morning, I have a memoir in our book spotlight! Learn about Improbably and Extraordinary and authors Saul & Erika Horwitz! 

Memoir

Date Published: April 21, 2025

Publisher: MindStir Media

Winner of the 2025 Literary-Titan Book Award (Memoir)!

Winner of the 2025 Firebird book award (Addiction and Recovery)!

Winner of the 2025 Firebird book award (Mental Health)!

Finalist, 2024 Literary Global Book Awards and American Writing Book Awards!

I believe Improbable and Extraordinary will be an extremely influential book - it's rare to see such a personal and raw account of mental illness, and then the continuous (and in this case, unique) process of overcoming it. Overall, an outstanding and moving manuscript...The flow is excellent and engaging and the voice is very strong. A true accomplishment!

Megan Patiry, author of The Alice Effect.

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Escaping the torment of depression, anxiety, mania and addiction: Saúl's memoir is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit, showing how even when it seems unattainable, transformation is possible. Once tormented by the crushing grip of bipolar disorder, depression, severe anxiety, anger, and addiction, Saúl shares the raw, unflinching truth of his battle with mental illness and trauma.

Through a profound exploration of love, not as a romantic ideal but as a fundamental force, and by adopting practical, yet challenging principles, the author discovers a path to inner peace and freedom. Saúl's candid reflections on overcoming a deep, persistent darkness reveal the possibility of peace, freedom, and personal growth.

This memoir doesn't just chronicle survival; it celebrates the power of transformation. Saúl's path through addiction and mental illness reveals that true peace and freedom are within reach, even for those who have lost everything.

By sharing his experience, Saúl aims to inspire understanding and hope, and communicate that healing is not just possible but transformative. This book is a beacon of hope for anyone wanting to find hope for themselves or someone they love.

From co-author, Dr. Erika Horwitz, Licensed Psychologist:

As Saul's sister, I witnessed his torments and struggles and his amazing transformation! As a psychologist, I understood the enormity of what he achieved-moving from a place of deep mental illness to stability, inner peace and wisdom. His story is inspiring and a testament to the amazing ability of human beings to transform. It's a story that offers hope to anyone facing mental health challenges and their loved ones. I knew it was essential for Saul to share his story, and I believe it will resonate with anyone who believes in the power of transformation."

 About the Authors

Saúl Horwitz

Saúl Horwitz is an addictions expert and counsellor for people in rehabilitation and recovery. From an early age he had to struggle with his personality due to suffering from bipolar disorder. Suicide attempts, suicidal crises, depression, euphoria, and other drastic changes in his personality prevented him from leading a normal life like that of others. After receiving help from a non-traditional AA group, El Despertar, not only did he transform many of these symptoms, but he also became a skilled counsellor to those afflicted by addiction and mental illness.

Erika Horwitz, Ph.D.

Erika is a Licenced Psychologist working in private practice in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada.  In addition, she is an author, public speaker, university lecturer, and certified Mindfulness Teacher.  She was the former Director of Counselling Services at Simon Fraser University.  She is currently the President of the Board of Directors at the British Columbia Psychological Association, the Vice-Chair at the Council of Professional Associations of Psychology and a council member at the American Psychological Association.  She wrote Through the Maze of Motherhood: Empowered Mothers Speak.  In her leisure time she loves meditation, reading, movies, working out, and spending time with her amazing husband, her family, and friends.

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This morning, our book spotlight focuses on spirituality. Check out Becoming One With Christ and learn about author David Richards. 

The Lessons of King David

 Religion / Spirituality

Date Published: ‎ March 10, 2025

Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

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A lifetime journey. A test of faith. A calling to a deeper love. This is more than a book; it's a heartfelt testament to resilience, devotion, and discovering love's true meaning through the eyes of King David.

In Becoming One with Christ, I share my journey--a lifetime of seeking spiritual depth and strength, which was put to the ultimate test during the pandemic. During that turbulent time, I encountered profound revelations through David's trials, triumphs, and unwavering faith. Now I want to share these lessons with you in hopes they will inspire and embolden your own walk of faith.

About the Author

I’m David Richards!  I’m a high performance executive coach, and help clients overcome leadership challenges while equipping them with the tools to become an extraordinary speaker.

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This morning, I have a nonfiction self help book in our book teaser spotlight! Learn about Your Aging Body: and how to care for it by Bruce Carlson and learn about the author.  

Date Published: 06-12-2025

Publisher: The Woodtick Press

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As both a professional anatomist and a gerontologist, the author is well qualified to write a book on the aging body. Forty years as a professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, he served as Chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and also Director of the Institute of Gerontology. For several decades he conducted research on the aging of muscle. He is a past-president of the American Association of Anatomists and of the Association of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Neurobiology Chairpersons.

Our body is never completely stable. Even while standing still, our body sways ever so slightly. Usually we don't even notice it. The main reason is that we constantly make tiny un-noticed corrections to our stance that keep our body in a stable upright condition. If we are walking and our foot hits a snag of some sort, one of our legs automatically kicks out and our arms spread to counteract the forward lurching of our body. If we are lucky, that action is enough to correct the stumble and we continue walking. If we are unlucky, we fall.

Keeping our balance involves a complex dance among several systems in our body. Most important are 1) a component of our inner ear, called the vestibular system; 2) our visual system; and 3) a large batch of sensory nerves that make up what is called the proprioceptive system. These three systems all send messages to the brain, which sorts them out and then sends appropriate messages to a variety of muscles throughout the body, telling them to adjust their individual contractions in a manner that keeps our body in a stable position. 

 Bruce Carlson has had a long and varied career in a number of fields. As an undergraduate student at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, he majored in biology, languages and chemistry. As a prelude to becoming a fish biologist, he worked for the Minnesota Conservation Department (now DNR) as an aquatic biologist during summers except for one when he conducted research at the University of Georgia Marine Laboratory on Sapelo Island, Georgia. He entered a program in ichthyology at Cornell University, but became fascinated with the phenomenon of regeneration. After receiving an MS from Cornell, he entered the MD-PhD program at the University of Minnesota where he conducted research on limb regeneration in salamanders. 

In 1966 he joined the faculty of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Michigan Medical School and became Chairman of the Department and later, Director of the Institute of Gerontology. He taught microscopic anatomy and human embryology and received several major awards for his teaching. His research on regeneration, embryology and muscle biology led him to live for extended periods in five countries – The USSR, Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, Finland and New Zealand. A prolific writer, he has written over 200 articles and chapters in scientific publications, has edited 15 symposium articles and translations, and he has written twenty books on a variety of topics. 

Bruce is an avid fisherman, who is on the water well over 100 days per year, either night-fishing for walleyes or fly fishing for smallmouth bass in northern Minnesota. He has also taken many trips to New Zealand, his favorite country, to fish for trout in a remote lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. For many years he wrote articles for several national fishing magazines. The main theme was that the more you understand the biology of the fish you are trying to catch, the better will be your results. 

Since retirement in 2006, Bruce has reverted to his scientific childhood and has again taken up work on fish and lake biology. In addition to weekly collections of data about the lake by his cabin, he has directed a ten-year study on the growth of northern pike on a nearby lake and has spent hundreds of hours taking underwater videos in northern lakes. This activity has led to his writing two popular books on lake biology and one on aquatic invasive species. 

In addition to his outdoor work, Bruce has maintained an active professional writing schedule, with seven editions of his book “Human Embryology and Developmental Biology” and other books on regeneration, the human body and muscle biology. His work in the area of embryology has led him into expert witness work in that area and writing a new book on the abortion controversy – “The Abortion Controversy – An Embryologist’s Perspective.” His background in anatomy and the biology of aging has him thinking about writing a new book on understanding the aging body.

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This morning, I have a cozy mystery novel in our book teaser spotlight! Check out Airplanes, Atlanta & an Assassin, read an excerpt, and learn about author Mary Seifert! 

Katie & Maverick Cozy Mysteries, Book #10

Date Published: 07-10-2025

Publisher: Secret Staircase Books

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High school teacher Katie Wilk is thrilled when her students qualify for Mock Trial America, a prestigious courtroom competition in Atlanta. Alongside her best friend and fellow teacher Jane Mackey, a team of eager teens, and a crew of devoted chaperones, Katie boards a flight from Minnesota—ready for a week of intellectual showdowns and Southern hospitality. But things go sideways before the plane is even off the ground. 

With canceled flights, endless delays, and one particularly obnoxious passenger stirring up trouble, the trip turns into a logistical, almost deadly, nightmare. When that same rude traveler turns up later in Atlanta, the chaos takes a deadly turn—and suspicion lands squarely on the Mackey family. 

As Katie digs deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets: stolen documents, corporate espionage, dangerous toxins, and enough motive to make her question everything. Can she untangle the truth before the killer strikes again? 

Luckily, she’s got help—from Maverick, her sharp-nosed, loyal Labrador retriever and trained search-and-rescue dog, who’s always ready to sniff out danger. 

Smart, suspenseful, and full of heart, this latest installment in Mary Seifert’s charming cozy mystery series delivers Southern intrigue, tricky puzzles, and the kind of dogged determination only a Lab (and a resolute teacher) can provide.

Weather delayed the incoming plane. We had boarded thirty minutes behind schedule, and forty-two minutes later, after anxious bouts of fits and giggles checking watches and phone screens, we saw our pilot step out of the cockpit to make a brief announcement. 

“Good morning, folks. Sorry for the delay, but due to mechanical issues, we’ve had to cancel our non-stop flight to Atlanta.” As the air around me took on a rumble, he smiled uneasily and took a big breath. “We apologize for any inconvenience, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you and get you to your final destination as quickly as possible. Please gather your belongings and check the seat pocket before disembarking. See the gate attendant for more details.” 

We exited the aircraft. Our students crowded around me, and I said decisively, “We’ll catch another plane soon and still arrive in plenty of time to take advantage of everything we’ve planned before your competition begins in three days. Don’t worry.” 

Famous last words. I hoped I wasn’t constructing a false narrative for our future. 

I massaged my temples as we waited our turn and inched our way to the desk for information. The smile glued to the young man’s face never wavered as he checked our tickets. “It’s a very busy Memorial weekend.” His fingers flew over the keys. “It’ll take a bit of maneuvering to get your entire group in the sky, but we’ll get you on the next available flight, however ...” He looked up at me, and one corner of his mouth turned down in a bit of alarm. “The operative word is available.” 

My heart leaped to my throat, and I gritted my teeth in frustration.

“And a nonstop will be impossible.” His eyebrows, cheeks, and lips morphed into one big apology. “You’ll be rerouted first through Detroit.”

Meet the Author

Mary Seifert is the author of the Katie and Maverick Cozy Mysteries 2024 International IMPACT Award winner for books in a series, a collection of fun and thrilling tales that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Her books, including the 2023 American Fiction Award finalist Maverick, Movies & Murder and the 2024 Chanticleer Murder and Mayhem finalist Santa, Snowflakes & Strychnine, are must-reads for cozy mystery fans who enjoy a good puzzle wrapped in a heartwarming story. 

Set in the charming landscapes of West Central Minnesota, where the lakes begin and the criminals are caught, Mary’s stories transport readers to a world of intrigue, humor, and small-town charm. Each book is a delightful mix of suspense and warmth, featuring memorable characters, ingenious puzzles, and clever twists that keep you guessing until the very end. 

Busy crafting her next mystery, Mary indulges in her love of research, currently studying the flora and fauna of the Nantahala National Forest and the magnetic call of Atlanta for the upcoming installment of her series. She believes that every great mystery starts with a curious mind and a love for uncovering the truth, but scrupulously scrubs her browsers history of any hint of crime. 

Join Mary on her literary journey, where a good story is always paired with a cozy blanket, a glass of wine, and a touch of mischief!

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ANGUS & ROBERTSON

This morning, I have a contemporary romance novel in our book blitz spotlight! Learn about Redeye by author Syntell Smith! 

Contemporary Fiction, Romance

Date Published: November 27, 2024

New bodies, new careers, new scandalous discoveries. But will Nate and Cynthia Durant be able to keep their old love alive?

Despite their newfound external allure, the insecurities of their former selves still linger within. Nate, now a modern renaissance man juggling a myriad of careers—from podcasting and photography to writing, DJing, and stand-up comedy—struggles to reconcile his past with his present. On the other hand, Cynthia, living comfortably off her wealthy parents’ support, finds herself in a state of career limbo as a former substitute teacher. 

Everything takes a turn when Nate makes a chance discovery online and rekindles a connection from his past. This new relationship sets off a series of unforeseen events, from the sudden loss of their beloved pet to an unexpected confrontation with their own demons. Secrets, lies, and confessions intertwined, pushing their marriage to the brink. As past wounds are laid bare, Nate and Cynthia must confront their own vulnerabilities and redefine the boundaries of their love.

“Redeye” is an emotionally charged novel that perfectly blends romance and drama. Join Nate and Cynthia as they navigate the road to self-acceptance, chance encounters, and discover love is anything but predictable.

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Science Fiction

Date Published: December 3, 2024

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2025 Book Excellence Awards Finalist in Science Fiction

“A musing science fiction novel about the future of AI, Anticipation Day follows a group of friends as they try to improve their lives through government-sanctioned fantasies." —Foreword Clarion Reviews

“A boundary-pushing plunge into a vividly imagined future, Anticipation Day poses powerful questions about identity, the human experience, and our digital destiny as a species, resulting in a provocative mixture of Black Mirror and The Surge.” —The Independent Review of Books

In the summer of 2026, amidst the sights and sounds of one of the oldest pubs in London, Dr. Joshua Lee receives a call that will alter his life for the foreseeable future—he’s asked to work on a clandestine project that will transform every American’s way of life.

Six years later, amidst the steel and glass canyons of the Denver suburbs, a group of friends assemble for dinner the night before their first escape into Anticipation Day, an immersive simulated experience that is promised to be an annual respite from the daily grind.

Amongst this group of friends are Alexandra, Eric, Patrick, Mike and MaryAnne, each at inflection points in their lives and each with their own life scars and unrealized dreams. As they prepare to plug into the simulation, they are forced to confront their own fears and desires, all while interfacing with their chosen simulated experience, blurring the lines between reality and the artificial dreamscape.

These experiences force the group to confront their deepest fears, chase exclusive happiness, and unlock truths buried within their souls. As they delve deeper into the algorithmic labyrinth, more truths about their existence are fully revealed.

However, the question begs: Will their journey lead to salvation, or will it unravel the very fabric of their existence?

Join this eclectic band of suburbanites as they look for meaning amidst the chaos of the digital age. Anticipation Day beckons, but not everything is as is seems in this electrifying tale of urban futurism.

About the Author

Jeff Michelson is a Certified Public Accountant by trade, a deli owner on the weekends and a first time author. Jeff lives in the NJ suburbs with his family, including their dog Maggie and lots of koi fish!

As a first time author, Jeff really enjoyed the creative process of writing this book and hopes others enjoy reading the story as much as he enjoyed writing it!

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