​Book Title: MANCALA MOON by Asa Bowers
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  242 pages
Genre: Literary fiction with magical realism
Publisher:  Asa Bowers
Release date:  December 2025
Content Rating: PG -13 +M: however there is one F - word in the book. So I rated it PG-13.

Today, I have mystery Early Snow in our audiobook spotlight! Take a minute and learn about the book and author--and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post! 

Mystery

Date Published: February 18, 2026

Narrator: Greg O'Donahue

Run time: 5 hours 20 minutes.

Odyssey Pruit paints pictures of the ghosts and spirits she saw in the halls of an old hotel where she worked ten years before. GUY HOGAN doesn’t believe in ghosts. Hogan is hired to guard Odyssey’s pictures for her first art show in the same old hotel. When an early blizzard closes the roads, knocks out the power and telephone, Hogan is trapped in the hotel with Odyssey’s quirky fans. When imps and ghouls make their presence known, Hogan questions his doubts, and the answer could be murder.

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about the author

 Kevin Wolf is an award-winning Mystery and Western author. His books include Trailridge (2024), The Homeplace, winner of the 2015 Tony Hillerman Prize and the 2016 Strand Critics Award finalist for Best Debut Mystery. His short story Belthanger received the 2021 Spur Award for Best Short Fiction and his novel, The Bootheel was a 2024 Peacemaker Award finalist. 

The legends and landscape of the West are evident in everything he writes. His newest novel, Trailridge, is set against the grandeur of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park and the 1982 Lawn Lake Flood. Those who visit Rocky often or have chosen the national park for their once-in-a-lifetime destination will recognize the mountains, valleys, rivers, and the twists and turns of Trailridge as this story races to its climax. 

In The Homeplace, a schoolboy hero returns after sixteen years to solve a murder in a windswept, dying town on the eastern plains of Colorado. In his short story Belthanger, readers are given a glimpse of a 1950s small town, soon to be bypassed by the new Interstate Highway System, and the drama that unfolds on the town’s darkened streets one night. The BootHeel is a coming-of-age tale of a teenage orphan and an aging gunman as they follow a treasure map into Mexico as the nineteenth century draws to its end. 

Kevin Wolf is a member of Western Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, and serves as Vice President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. He facilitates a weekly critique group for other writers. The great-grandson of Colorado homesteaders, he enjoys fly fishing, old Winchesters, and almost every 1950’s Western movie. He lives in Estes Park, CO with his loving and patient wife.

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Today, we are joining the week-long book blitz for historical fiction novel Lila's Journey! Learn about the novel, read an excerpt and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.  

Historical Fiction

Date Published: 05-19-2024

Publisher: Mustard Seed Press

read an excerpt from Lila's Journey

She kept up a brisk pace through the wooded path as the sun peaked in and out of the clouds, shifting the shadows of the trees. Some of the trees had shed their leaves, but the mighty oaks still clung to theirs, and they rattled in the breeze. She kept her arms under her cloak for warmth but slowed momentarily when the sound of the rattling changed. She did a quick turnaround but saw nothing. “Must have been some critter scampering about,” she said, and picked up her pace again. 

It happened so fast it scarcely registered.

Large hands overpowered her and grabbed her from behind, one covered her mouth, the other circled her waist. A surge of adrenaline triggered a painful heartbeat in her chest. She screamed through the clamped hand, but the sound was choked off. Lila struggled to free her arms from inside her cloak while she wildly kicked backwards. The harder she fought, the fiercer the grip. Lila raised her leg and shot it backwards again, this time hitting a shin. A rough voice cursed in her ear. 

She was lifted off her feet and shoved against a tree, snapping the side of her head against the trunk. Pain shot through her head. Dazed, she made a feeble attempt to grab the arms. A hand slapped hard against her face. Spots danced before her eyes with the disappearing daylight, then nothing.

When Lila came out of the fog of unconsciousness, she found herself in darkness. She was blindfolded. She was on a horse with someone sitting behind her, someone with unspeakable body odor whose breath reeked of whiskey. What was happening? Who has done this? She had a throbbing headache, made worse with each step of the horse over the uneven ground. 

Reaching for her head, she realized her hands were bound together. Why am I tied up? This makes no sense. She was a captive and there was nothing she could do to give herself any advantage. The realization sent her into a frenzy of fear, and tears swelled under her blindfold. Dear God, what am I to do?

Now fully awake, her heart pounded as she tried to clear her head. She had no idea how long she’d been unconscious, no idea where she was, no idea who sat behind her in the saddle. She shuddered to think who her captor was and what he had in mind.

about the author

When she’s not writing, Jane is singing in a choir, exercising in some fashion, or soaking up nature from a shady spot in the yard with a good book. She and her husband live in Kansas and have two children and six grandchildren. She treasures time spent with their far-flung family and still entertains the fantasy of appearing on Dancing with the Stars for Grandmas, although the clock is ticking. . . 

Jane is a member of Women Writing the West, Western Writers of America, and Wyoming Writers, Inc.

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Today, I have a political nonfiction novel to share! Learn about USA v. RAJ and author Dr. Raj Bothra! 

The Truth Behind One of This Nation’s Biggest False Arrest & Imprisonment Scandals

Date Published: September 11, 2025

1. It is alarming that anyone can be indicted by a grand jury and arrested solely based on the government's allegations that exclude the accused and their counsel from being present or even aware of the accusations.

2. The FBI and U.S. Attorney built their alleged fraud case without ever doing a single required Medicare audit in their five-year investigation.

3. Once arrested, the five other defendants with the same exact charges were immediately released on bond the same day. While I was denied bail and imprisoned for three-and-a-half years awaiting trial—a violation of the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the right to a speedy trial.

4. Also, the two defendants who accepted a PLEA DEAL in exchange for leniency never spent a single night in prison despite their admission of guilt. I chose to go to trial and was unanimously acquitted by a 12-member jury on all 54 counts, yet still I spent 1301 days in prison.

 Dr. Raj Bothra is a surgeon, interventional pain expert, activist, author, and survivor of one of America's biggest false arrest and imprisonment scandals. A native of a rural town in India, he earned medical degrees in India, England, and the U.S. During his time as a surgeon in Detroit, he built a single-owner private practice that became the nation's largest interventional pain management system (The Pain Center, USA, and Interventional Pain Center). He's worked with important public figures, including Indian prime ministers, U.S. presidents, Mother Teresa, and Pope John Paul II. Indian President Narayanan awarded him the high civilian honor of PADMA SHRI and he’s received numerous awards in India and the U.S. for his public service.

Jenifer DeBellis, MFA, is a PhD candidate, transformational speaker, and award-winning author of Warrior Sister, Cut Yourself Free (Library Tales Publishing), New Wilderness (Cornerstone Press), and Blood Sisters (Main Street Rag). She edits Pink Panther Magazine and directs Restore Your Inner Warrior® and Detroit Writers’ Guild (501c3). She's featured in Psychology Today and her writing appears in CALYX, Medical Literary Messenger, The Good Men Project, Solstice, and elsewhere.

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This morning, I have a science fiction novel to share in our book blitz spotlight! Check out Flight of the Valkyrie and learn about author Curtis G. Smith!

Book 1 of the Asatru Saga

Science Fiction, Techno-thriller

Date Published: 03/01/2026

With the station coming dangerously close to a fiery reentry, her old love and fellow former Navy pilot, Steve Paige, offers a radical and risky solution. The company he works for as a test pilot is developing a next-generation spacecraft, the Valkyrie. However, Steve is conflicted about his motive for volunteering for the mission. Is it duty to fellow astronauts or lingering emotions for Claire? 

As NASA and the U.S. State Department scramble for a solution, Claire investigates what caused the improbable accident. She learns of a sinister plot to use the ISS as a retaliatory weapon aimed at Washington, D.C. This compels her to try to piece together who and how the station was sabotaged before it is too late. 

The people behind the attack will stop at nothing to keep the identity of the culprit a secret. Even if someone can save her and the crew, Claire is the only one who knows what really happened, making her the target of an international assassin. The stakes are high as all parties understand that the incident could spark World War III. 

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Our days seem to go by so quickly. Time doesn't really disappear all at once—it just slips by minute by minute. If you've ever wondered how to find more time to read in your busy schedule, the answer isn't about clearing your calendar—it's about using the time you already have more intentionally. 

For busy professionals, parents, and anyone balancing a full plate in life, reading more books doesn't require hours of free time. It comes down to small, realistic shifts that make reading part of your everyday routine.

Here are six subtle, low-pressure ways to make reading part of your everyday life:

1. Replace One Scroll Session with a Few Pages

One of the easiest ways to read more during the day is to swap one of your typical phone-scrolling sessions for reading a physical book. Whether you read first thing in the morning, during a lunch break, or before bed, replacing even five to ten minutes of phone time with a book helps build a consistent reading habit. Over time, this simple change can significantly increase how much you read without adding anything new to your schedule. If you like having easy access to books, keeping a small stack from a favorite bookstore or using an online retailer can make this habit even easier to stick with.

2. Keep a Book Handy Where You Naturally Pause

If you want to build a reading habit, visibility matters. Keeping books in places where you can see them when you have a moment of pause or downtime—like your kitchen, car, bag, or nightstand—makes it easier to read more throughout the day. If your book is readily accessible (and visible), you are more likely to turn everyday pauses into opportunities to read, especially in busy lifestyles where time is limited. A simple book sleeve or tote bag can make it easier to carry a book with you without worrying about wear and tear.

3. Match Your Book to Your Energy Level

If you want to read more consistently, choose books that match your energy level and attention span for different parts of your day. Lighter, fast-paced, or familiar books are easier to pick up when you're tired. More complex reads are better saved for times when you're more alert and focused. Matching your energy level with an appropriate book makes it easier to stay engaged in your reading, even during demanding weeks. Having a mix of formats—like a paperback, eBook, or Kindle—can also give you more flexibility depending on where you are and how you're feeling.

4. Use Short Bursts of In-Between Time Instead of Waiting for Big Blocks

If you're trying to figure out how to read more books, stop waiting for long, uninterrupted blocks of time. Reading in small pockets—while dinner is cooking, waiting in the car, or during short breaks—can be just as effective. These in-between moments are often the most realistic way to fit reading into a busy day. Keeping a book in your tote bag or using a reading app on your phone or Kindle app ensures you always have something ready when those moments come up.

5. Create a Low-Effort Evening Reading Habit

Building an evening reading routine doesn't have to be complicated—anchor reading to an existing habit, like plugging in your phone or winding down for the night. When you plug in your phone for the night, reach for your book. This connection helps turn reading into a natural part of your daily routine--without requiring extra effort on your part. A soft reading light or a cozy throw can make this time feel even more inviting, which makes it easier to come back to night after night.

6. Use Audiobooks to Turn Everyday Moments into Reading Time

If your schedule feels too hectic to sit down with a traditional book, audiobooks can be one of the easiest ways to "read" more without changing your routine. You can listen while driving, doing dishes, folding laundry, or even walking—turning time that already exists into reading time. Many readers find that combining traditional books with audiobooks helps them "read" more books. If you're new to audiobooks, look for a free trial on Audible or Libro.fm to see what best fits your routine. Pairing an audiobook with a comfortable set of wireless earbuds or headphones can make listening feel effortless, whether you're at home or on the go.

Reading more books doesn't have to mean adding more to your to-do list—it's more about using your time differently. When you focus on small, practical ways to fit reading into your life, it becomes less of a goal and more of a habit you can maintain, even with a busy schedule.

Not every story of survival asks for your attention—this one holds it, steady and unflinching. Unbroken: Life Outside the Lines leans into the sharp edges of lived experience, where resilience isn’t inspirational fluff but something forged moment by moment.

This memoir will resonate with readers who value raw truth over polish and who understand that healing is rarely linear. Adriene Caldwell’s voice carries both the weight of what was endured and the fierce determination to redefine what comes after, creating a narrative that feels as powerful as it is deeply human.

 Trauma Memoir

Date Published: February 10, 2026

Publisher: Unbroken

 Adriene Caldwell is an author and advocate from Houston, Texas. Her memoir, Unbroken: Life Outside the Lines, traces the quiet aftermath of childhood trauma and the long arc of healing. Through writing, talks, and UnbrokenCaldwell.com, she champions hope, resilience, and storytelling as tools for recovery.

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