Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Christian Young Adult Historical Fiction Review: Titus and the Christian Coin by Dennis Conrad

This morning, I have a Christian-focused young adult book in our book review spotlight! Learn about historical fiction novel Titus and the Christian Coin: An Adventure of Faith and Freedom by Dennis Conrad, 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. 


 
Book Title:  Titus and the Christian Coin: An Adventure of Faith and Freedom by Dennis Conrad 
Category:  Teen and Young Adult Fiction (Ages 12-18),  132 pages
Genre:  Christian Teen and Young Adult Ancient Historical Fiction
Publisher:  Write4Christ Publishing
Release date:   November 3, 2025
Format available for review:  print-softback (USA only), ebook (EPUB), audiobook (audible-download)
Tour dates: Jan 6 to Feb 2, 2025
Content Rating:  G. This Christian book is for teens and young adult.

Real. Raw. Riveting. A true story of redemption.

​Dennis does an excellent job stirring up the heart and imagination of his reader. A must read for all Christians, both young and old. 
— Derek Singer, Pastor, Canyon Lake Community Church, Canyon Lake, California
Dennis Conrad crafts an entertaining and enduring tale in Titus and the Christian Coin. He does not sidestep the difficult, real-life questions that Christians still ask today, but rather masterfully interweaves the context of an ancient setting with relatable and timeless struggles. A great read for anyone, especially in the young adult genre. — David Finnern, award-winning novelist/journalist and author of the Lost Tales and Sunken Mysteries series.
Titus and the Christian Coin, by Dennis Conrad is a wonderful story of faith and God’s sovereignty. The story is gripping and inspiring while telling the story of Christian history during the time of Constantine. It also shows the importance of hope, hard work, and forgiveness. This book should be on every middle young adult’s reading list. — Terrie Hellard-Brown, award-winning author and podcaster

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about the book


When Titus refuses to deny his Christian faith, Roman persecution destroys his family and condemns him to a brutal life in the copper mines of northern Italy.

Underground, surrounded by despair and danger, he must choose between hatred and hope, revenge and redemption.

From a mine collapse to an emperor’s audience hall, Titus’s journey spans the Roman Empire during Constantine’s transformative reign. Alongside Tribune Felix, he discovers that true freedom comes through forgiveness, not force. Authentic historical details bring ancient Rome to life while timeless themes of faith, friendship, and courage inspire modern readers.

This gripping adventure combines accurate historical research with compelling storytelling. Readers will witness early Christian persecution, experience Roman culture, and walk through Constantine’s palace while following Titus’s transformation from broken slave to Roman citizen.

An unforgettable tale where archaeological accuracy meets heart-pounding adventure, proving that faith can triumph over the darkest circumstances and that God’s love never abandons His people.
 
my review


Engaging, Interesting and Action-Packed. The author has chosen an ancient historical time and setting for this middle-school/young-adult book. At first, I worried that the distance between modern tweens/teens and ancient Rome and Christian persecution would be a difficult bridge to leap for young readers. I didn't need to worry about that at all — the book is action-packed, engaging, and very easy to read and understand. The author does an excellent job of portraying the historical and religious climates in ways that are well-organized and age-appropriate — yet also thought-provoking and even inspirational for Christian readers.

 

Titus and the Christian Coin Brings Strong Characters and a Well-Developed Plot. The historical context is well-presented, and the traits of Conrad's characters (both good and bad) are presented in ways that further the plot and offer some character and life lessons to readers (without hitting them over the head with religion or "grown-up advice" Titus carries (and exhibits) his Christian faith from beginning to end--eve through the hardships and losses when it became complicated and even confusing. The author does an excellent job of allowing Titus to lead by example, sharing ancient history that is not commonly the subject of tween/teen fiction — and introducing young readers in our digital age to historical coins in an interesting way, too.

 

Would I Recommend Titus and the Christian Coin? The author offers a very age-appropriate storyline — but also one that adult readers can enjoy too. This story is definitely one I would read with a teen or share with them. The book does have a strong Christian focus, but it also has a historical, storytelling focus that allows it to be read by any history-interested teens. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong characters, this is a great young adult book for teens (and their parents).

 

buy the book
Amazon ~ Audible
add to goodreads
 
meet the author 
 
Dennis Conrad began writing stories for children in 2007. Over the years, he and his wife, Diane, have enterained their 11 nieces and nephews. He has taught high school through univeristy and around the world. He's helped many to see God in their lives.
As a former coin collector of fifty years, Dennis combines his love of Jesus, the Bible, children’s literature, and writing stories about coins.
He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators and a Fellow of the National Writing Project.

connect with the authors:
 website facebook ~ goodreads

enter the giveaway
TITUS AND THE EMPERORS COIN Series Book Tour Giveaway



Monday, January 12, 2026

Historical Fiction Book Blitz: If Two of Them Are Dead by Gina Bennett

Today, I have a spy thriller to share in our book blitz spotlight! Learn about If Two of Them are Dead and author Gina Bennett! 



Spy Thriller / Historical Fiction

Date Published: October 9, 2025

Publisher: Manhattan Book Group



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about the book

 
Two spies. Two centuries. One mistake that erases the United States of America.


When Ruth, a modern-day CIA counterintelligence officer, uncovers signs of a mole no one believes exists—a potential fourth Soviet spy left over from the Cold War—her investigation is abruptly derailed by an impossible event. Thrown back through time to the American Revolutionary War, Ruth finds herself face-to-face with Agent 355, the legendary—and still unidentified—female spy of George Washington’s Culper Ring.

 

Separated by 250 years yet bound by shared instincts, courage, and tradecraft, the two women quickly recognize each other as fellow intelligence officers. Together, they uncover a covert plot that, if left unchecked, will alter the course of history itself—resulting in a chilling alternate reality: the British States of America.

 

When Ruth returns to the present, the world she knew is gone. The United States no longer exists. Instead, she is working for MI7, piecing together clues that link her failed mole hunt to the catastrophic change she triggered in 1780. To restore history—and democracy—Ruth must find a way to repair the past without destroying the future.

 

If Two of Them Are Dead reimagines Agent 355 as the founding mother of American intelligence, bringing her out of historical anonymity and into a gripping narrative that celebrates the often-unrecognized role of women in espionage. The novel explores how effective spycraft transcends time—relying on deception close to truth, strategic disinformation, vigilance, and counter-surveillance—while highlighting the unique advantages women have historically brought to intelligence work precisely because they were underestimated.

 

Blending spy thriller, historical fiction, and science fiction, this novel is both a pulse-pounding adventure and a reflection on the enduring threats to democracy. Ruth’s unresolved mole investigation seamlessly sets the stage for future books in the series—without leaving readers stranded on a cliffhanger.

 

Perfect for fans of espionage thrillers, time-travel fiction, Revolutionary War history, and readers eager to uncover America’s best-kept secrets as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial

 

buy the book

Amazon

B&N

 


about the author


Gina M. Bennett is a retired senior intelligence professional who served 34 distinguished years at the Central Intelligence Agency, where she built a legacy as one of the most influential counterterrorism analysts in U.S. history. She is widely recognized for producing the first official U.S. government warnings identifying Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda as a serious and growing threat, years before the attacks of September 11, 2001. 

 

Bennett’s analysis and leadership played a critical role in shaping early U.S. counterterrorism strategy and later supported the global manhunt for bin Laden following 9/11. Throughout her career, she was known for intellectual rigor, moral clarity, and an unwavering commitment to public service. 

 

Her work and expertise have been featured in major documentaries and media outlets, including Netflix, Showtime, HBO, PBS, 60 Minutes, Newsweek, The Atlantic, and The New York Times, as well as leading podcasts such as Intelligence Matters, True Spies, The Burn Bag, Spy Chat, and In the Room. 

 

Drawing on decades of real-world intelligence experience, Bennett now brings her deep understanding of espionage, history, and human sacrifice into fiction—crafting stories that illuminate the often-hidden individuals whose courage helped shape nations. Her writing bridges historical intelligence, national security, and the untold contributions of women whose legacies deserve recognition.


connect with the author

https://linktr.ee/nationalsecuritymom


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Motorcycle Club Romance Teaser: Rancor by Marteeka Karland

This morning, I have a motorcycle romance novel in our book teaser spotlight! Learn about Rancor from the Kiss of Death MC series and author Marteeka Karland! 



(Kiss of Death MC)

Motorcycle Club Romance, Suspense, Age Gap

Date Published: January 16, 2026


 

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About the Book


A broken man, a wary woman, and a past that wants blood -- love has never been more dangerous.

Cora -- Survival is my full-time job. Delivering groceries to the Kiss of Death MC should’ve been just another stop… until Rancor stepped out of the shadows and looked at me like he already knew my secrets. His quiet strength is wrapped in scars and heat. He’s the kind of man who could break the world but touches me like I’m the only soft thing he’s got left. I should run. Instead, I keep driving through those gates, craving the one man who makes me feel safe in ways I don’t dare say out loud.

Rancor -- I buried my heart years ago. Grief, violence, and prison killed anything left inside me, and I was glad. It meant I didn’t have to feel anything. Then Cora walked into the compound and cracked me open with a single glance. She’s brave without meaning to be, a storm in a small frame, and the first woman to make me feel anything since the night my life ended. One touch, and I knew I’d protect her with my last breath. One kiss and I knew I’d kill for her. I’ve already lost too much to lose her, too. Especially not to the same family who already ruined my life.


About 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. 

 

 Connect with the Author or Publisher

Author on Instagram & TikTok: @marteekakarland

Author on Facebook

 

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

Save 15% off any order at ChangelingPress.com with code RABT15


PreOrder the Book
 


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Saturday, January 10, 2026

Police Procedural Spotlight: Treacherous Hack by Kevin Chapman

Today, I have a thriller to share in our book spotlight! Learn about police procedural novel Treacherous Hack and author Kevin Chapman! 



Mike Stoneman #7


Mystery / Thriller / Police Procedural

Date Published: 01-04-2026

Publisher: First Legacy Publishing


 

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about the book


From the award-winning Mike Stoneman Thriller series comes Book #7 — a gripping crime thriller set in the heart of a frozen New York City.


When electronics store owner Lou Palazzo is gunned down at a snowy Manhattan intersection, NYPD homicide detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson catch a case that’s anything but ordinary. Back at Lou’s shop, two Chinese nationals linked to a powerful Shanghai cybercrime ring are dead. The only clue? A missing laptop computer, possibly containing something Lou was willing to die to protect.


Meanwhile, NYU student Ryan Gelb is panicking. His hacked laptop held the stolen university data — data he quietly gave to his Uncle Lou. Now Lou is dead, and whoever killed him is coming for the file. . . and for Ryan.

Caught between international cybercriminals, New York mobsters, and the police, Ryan is desperate to recover the file and avoid being expelled — or worse, executed.


As Mike and Jason untangle a web of secrets, lies, and digital deception, they're met with stonewalling from all sides: NYU won’t talk, witnesses are hiding the truth, and even their closest allies are keeping dangerous secrets.

With the body count rising and a deadly showdown looming, the race is on to solve the mystery, recover the missing file, and avoid turning Lower Manhattan into a bloodbath.


Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, John Sandford, and David Baldacci, this high-stakes police procedural mixes hard-boiled action, cybercrime intrigue, and unforgettable characters in a page-turning thriller you won’t be able to put down.
 
 

 


about the author



 Kevin G. Chapman is, by day, a buttoned-down corporate labor & employment lawyer who works for a major US media company. He frequently speaks at Continuing Legal Education seminars, has taught legal writing to law students, and is the past chairperson of the Labor & Employment division of the global Association of Corporate Counsel. When the work day is done, however, Kevin lives a much more exciting fictional life of crime and romance as the author of the award-winning Mike Stoneman Thriller series and other novels and short stories. When not busy writing, he enjoys playing tournament poker and cheering on his beloved New York Mets.

The awards are still coming in for Kevin’s six-book (so far) Mike Stoneman Thriller series. This series of police procedurals includes the WINNER of the 2021 Kindle Book Award (Book #3, Lethal Voyage) and the WINNER of the CLUE Award for best police procedural of the year (book #4, Fatal Infraction). Find all the Mike Stoneman Thrillers at your favorite local bookstore. If they don’t have it – ask them to get it, or contact Kevin directly at his website to order copies.

Kevin’s two stand-alone mysteries have also garnered major awards. Dead Winner (2022) was named best Suspense/mystery of the year (CLUE Award best-in-category), while The Other Murder (2023) was the GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the CLUE Award (best suspense/mystery all categories) and a NEIA Book of the Year Finalist. Kevin also has several short stories and one novella, all of which are available on his website for free. 

connect with the author

Website

Facebook

Twitter: @KGChapman

Goodreads

Instagram: @KGChapman

 

enter the giveaway  



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Friday, January 9, 2026

NonFiction Book Review: The Compassionate Writer by Anne E. Beall, PhD

This morning, I have a nonfiction book for writers in our book review spotlight! Take a moment to learn about The Compassionate Writer by Anne E. Beall, read my thoughts on the book & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.


 
Book Title:  The Compassionate Writer: Find Your Voice, Enhance Your Story, and Touch Lives by Anne E. Beall
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+),  282 pages
Genrewriting craft and creativity
Publisher:  Beall Research
Release date:  October, 2025
Content Rating:  PG +M. Some mature themes like suicide, self-harm, sexual violence.​
 
 
 

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About the Book
 
Write with courage. Edit with kindness. Share your story with the world.
Every writer struggles with self-doubt, fear of rejection, and the pressure to get it just right. But what if the secret to powerful writing isn’t striving for perfection—it’s embracing compassion?

In The Compassionate Writer, you’ll discover how to:
  • Silence your inner critic and trust your creative voice.
  • Write with vulnerability, emotional depth, and authenticity.
  • Craft complex characters and conflicts through empathy.
  • Overcome writer’s block and rejection with resilience.
  • Edit your work without losing confidence in your vision.
  • Build a supportive writing community that nurtures your growth.
Through psychological insights, practical exercises, guided visualizations, and writing prompts, this book will help you cultivate self-kindness, write with emotional honesty, and create stories that resonate deeply.

Your words matter. Your voice deserves to be heard. Whether you’re writing fiction, memoir, or personal essays, this book will guide you toward a writing practice that is both fulfilling and transformative.

Are you ready to write with compassion—and change the way you tell your story?
 
 
My Review
 

The Compassionate Writer is a Valuable Guide for Authors. This book takes a much-needed look at the importance of emotional, meaningful depth in written works — and offers writers tips and insights for incorporating the real world into both fictional and nonfictional work. With AI helping many "writers" create, this book is a vital resource and guide for writers seeking more emotionally resonant, well-validated content that inspires and engages readers. 

 

The Compassionate Writer is Easy to Read and Easy to Incorporate. The author's writing style is very organized and detailed, but also conversational and relatable. With personal stories, examples, tips and ideas inspired by experience, she offers readers a guide filled with valuable resources that feel accessible and easy to incorporate while writing.  

 

Would I Recommend The Compassionate Writer by Anne E. Beall, PhD? The Compassionate Writer is an excellent book for writers and creators who are just starting or at any stage seeking the confidence to share their own voice in print. The author provides step-by-step, logical guidance, prompts, and suggestions that are easy to follow and can be adopted immediately by writers. Expect is a great resource book for writers who want to offer more of themselves in their work. 

 
 

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible
B&N ~ Bookshop.org
add to Goodreads
 
 
Meet the Author
 


Anne E. Beall, Ph.D., is an award-winning author and social psychologist who writes about the emotional undercurrents that shape our lives. Her writing explores the psychology of relationships—between lovers, family members, friends, and pets who think they’re in charge.

She’s written eight nonfiction books, including Cinderella Didn’t Live Happily Ever After and Only Prince Charming Gets to Break the Rules, which reveal the hidden messages inside classic fairy tales. She has been featured in People Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, Toronto Sun, NPR, NBC, and WGN.

Anne is the founder and editor of Chicago Story Press Literary Journal, which publishes true stories that invite readers to see something in a new light. She holds a Ph.D. in social psychology from Yale—so yes, she can absolutely over analyze your childhood.

She lives in Chicago, where she writes, edits, walks a lot, and tries to convince other people that winter isn’t really that long in the Midwest.

connect with the author:  website ~ substack ~ linkedin youtube goodreads



Thursday, January 8, 2026

Speculative Fiction Book Blitz: The Brain That Breeds All Villainy

Today, I have a speculative fiction novel to share in our book blitz spotlight! Learn about The Brain That Breeds All Villainy and author Peter Heavenheld! 



Speculative Fiction

Date Published: December 5, 2025




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About the Book

 
IZON is a company poised for world domination. Its AI and robots can replace any human worker, any government. Just two things stand in the way of its CEO. A female programmer out to avenge his greed. And the People’s Republic of China.
 

Tima Chelovekova lands her dream job with IZON, the hottest AI and robotics startup in Silicon Valley. But IZON CEO Jase Vestiger doesn't just want to get fabulously rich. He wants Tima’s invention to take over rival tech companies, replace humans with IZON services, corner governments - and run the world. This puts them on a collision course in a whirl of mega-corporations, AI prompts and Chinese hackers. Their conflict spans from Vienna to California, from superyachts to prison cells, from the peaks of technology to the deepest ethical questions. A striking tale of the AI age, a truly 21st century masterpiece of speculative fiction.

 

About the Author

 

 Peter Heavenheld is a neo-classical playwright and poet. A childhood in Australia, Fiji, Hungary and Japan made him desirous early on to understand the cultures and stories of the world - especially through the medium of theatre. Since then, his plays have been produced all over the world. 

His most recent tragedy, Cleo's Stratos, received rave reviews durings its season at the Cracked Actors Theatre in Melbourne, Australia, in November 2023. A Greek-Australian migrant family's journey through lockdowns, it was cleverly intertwined with the Greek myth of the sun-god, Helios. Peter's tragicomedy, Life, Rehearsed, enjoyed sell-out performances during a production by the MIDAS Theatre, Moscow's main English-speaking theatre. British actor Jonathan Salway starred as an actor living a bigamous double life, until his lies unravel - and he finds redemption. True Words from False Teeth, a Monty Pythonesque sketch revue, ran successfully at the University of Western Australia in Perth. 

He has also had public reading performances of numerous other plays, such as Saga Australis - The Macquariad (a historical drama about Australia's most influential colonial-era governor) and Freedom Born from Torture's Fires (a harrowing true story of Soviet spy chief and mass murderer, Lavrentiy Beria). 

Peter's poem Concerto for Auctioneer’s Mallet was a June Shenfield Poetry Award prize winner in Canberra, Australia, in 2021. Peter published a collection of his verse tragedies, Altar of the Muses, in 2010. Peter lives in Tokyo, Japan. When not writing, he enjoys driving his classic Aston Martin, experiencing Tokyo's galleries and museums, and listening to Baroque music. Indeed, he claims he can only write when inspired by the music of Antonio Vivaldi. 

The Brain that Breeds all Villainy is his first published novel.


Connect with the Author

Facebook

Youtube

GoodReads


Buy the Book

Amazon


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Book Cover Reveal: In Her Own Backyard by Ashley Hanna-Morgan

Today, we are joining the book cover reveal for thriller In Her Own Backyard! Take a minute and check out the cover and learn about the book and author Ashley Hanna-Morgan. 

Thriller

Date Published: March 26, 2026

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

 

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About the Book


Every street holds a secret . . .

New to the neighborhood and reeling from the traumatic birth of her second child, Marlowe Moore is barely holding it together. Battling postpartum depression and anxiety, she’s desperate for stability. 

 

But when she learns that a woman who once lived in her family’s new home vanished without a trace, Marlowe becomes obsessed. As strange things happen and neighborly smiles feel like veiled threats, Marlowe can’t shake the feeling that someone is hiding something. 

 

She spirals further into paranoia, fixated on the abandoned case and determined to seek justice. But how can a woman who feels lost find a missing person? 

 

Juggling the demands of her beloved family and her harrowing mental illness, Marlowe doesn’t realize she is caught in a cat-and-mouse game that could cost her everything … including her life. 

  

About the Author

 

 Ashley Hanna-Morgan is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C). In addition to her work as a psychotherapist, she writes about mental health to advocate for change and inspire hope. In 2016, she wrote The Afterglow, a mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy curriculum that supports parents with postpartum depression and anxiety. In 2017, she published I Gave Birth to My Heart, a collection of poems about the secret anguishes and innumerable joys of reinventing oneself after postpartum depression.

 

When she isn’t counseling clients or volunteering with Postpartum Support International, Ashley loves to experiment in the kitchen and spend as much time outside as possible in San Diego, where she resides with her family. In Her Own Backyard is her first novel.


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