Some historical novels explore events we know from textbooks. Others bring us into the emotional reality of living through them. Goodbye Demons falls into the latter, weaving a deeply personal story into one of the most tense political crises of the late twentieth century.

This novel looks beyond headlines and history to examine the human side of global conflict—the uncertainty, resilience, and emotional strain experienced by those caught in extraordinary circumstances. Through the experiences of one couple, the story explores how love, distance, and trauma shape lives long after the world stops watching.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction rooted in real events, character-driven drama, and stories about resilience in the face of crisis may find this one especially compelling.

Historical Fiction

Date Published: 04-24-2026

Publisher: Salty Books Publishing

She is assigned to Tunis where she falls in love with U.S. diplomat James Whitcomb. At the conclusion of their tours of duty, they marry. Within weeks of the wedding, he is taken captive in the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979-81. 

James, held hostage in the U.S. Embassy in Teheran, endures the same demons that afflicted the real life hostages during the actual crisis 45 years ago. 

Angie, biting her nails at home, endures her own demons. How can she support him? Should she join efforts to force the president into negotiating a release? Or even a rescue? 

When the ordeal finally ends fourteen months later, the couple faces a new set of demons. Rebuilding their life together as they each recuperate from their own PTSDs.

This was the chance of a lifetime, and Angie swore she wouldn’t blow it. She did elaborate stretching exercises and weight training. She followed a dietician’s meal plan and skated five days a week under the guidance of her coach. Angie concocted a brilliant plan to capture the Gold at Nationals and guarantee her a slot on the Olympic team.

Her coach objected. “No woman has ever done a triple axel, and you’re not ready.”

“I did it in practice. You saw me.”

“You fell. A perfect double axel that you’re capable of doing trumps a triple axel that you screw up.”

Angie was determined to do the triple without falling. She doubled down on her training regime. Bruising falls came each day. It wasn’t until a week before the competitions that she completed a triple. She grinned triumphantly at her surprised coach. Then on the next try she took a nasty fall that left her limping when she rose from the ice. Her coach sped over to her. After making sure Angie had broken no bones, she again warned her to stop trying the triple axel.

“You’re not ready. It’s a riverboat gamble.”

“I have to take the gamble when I’ve got the chance.”

“You’ll have a chance next year. You’ll be stronger and more experienced. That’ll be the time to do it.”

“In the meantime, some other girl might do it first, and nobody will ever hear about me. Even if I do one the next day. Can you tell me who was the second woman to fly across the Atlantic?”

meet the author

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Some stories capture the grit and tension of the Old West in a way that feels lived-in rather than legendary. Call in the Dogs brings readers into a rugged frontier world where loyalty, reputation, and survival often ride side by side.

At the heart of the story is a man trying to build something lasting in a place where peace is rarely guaranteed. But in the West, the past has a way of catching up—and sometimes the quiet life you’re building becomes the very thing you must defend. With strong community ties, looming danger, and the promise of an inevitable showdown, this western blends frontier life with the tension of an approaching reckoning.

If you enjoy character-driven westerns, frontier justice, and stories rooted in resilience and friendship, this one might be worth adding to your reading list.

Western/Cowboy,  Cherokee, Outlaw

Date Published: 02-26-2026

Publisher: Write the West Press an imprint of Paperback Press, LLC Springfield, Missouri

 

 

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.  

about the book

Levi Kuratowski, better known as “Little Kansas,” only thinks his days of carrying a gun are over. With a trading license approved by the Cherokee Nation he is determined to build a trading post on the banks of Spring Creek. Soon however he must set his hammer aside and take up his colt revolver. Upon receiving word that the outlaw Bill Kirby has escaped custody he prepares to face his old adversary.

Levi’s friend, Cherokee rancher Turon Turtle vows to offer aid and his rifle. Turon’s strong willed sister, Ruth, has a different vow in mind for Levi. Levi soon finds the determined Ruth as challenging as the inevitable showdown that has yet to come.

For the first time since leaving Europe three years earlier his has a sense of home. He finds customers in the neighboring Cherokee and travelers. More importantly he finds friends. Unknown to Levi is the whereabouts of the outlaw Kirby. Can Levi rely on his new friends and community? Will Levi be able to hold on to what he has built and face the man who thinks nothing except for the destruction of Levi and all he holds dear?

 

  read an excerpt

 

Queenie is out in front,” Turon Turtle said, reaching over to put a stick on the fire.

“Stump is close behind,” Ounce Pathkiller grunted.

The two Cherokee had been speaking mostly in English for the benefit of the third man, Levi. Known to most in the area as Little Kansas. A nickname he picked up while cowboying out West where he had met the Cherokee Turon Turtle.

Born and raised in a poor family in Poland, fox hunting was foreign to Levi Kuratowski. Only the rich had hounds. Here he sat with two Cherokee, a hemisphere away from home.

“How can you tell which dog is in the lead?” Levi asked while staring at the night sky.

“Each dog sounds different. Has its own voice,. as people do,” Ounce replied.

“Yeah, Queenie has a sharp tone. She’s the boss. Now, Ounce’s dog Stump has a deeper bark, as if he’s in a well. Also, he sounds as though he’s way behind Queenie,” Turon added while grinning and giving Ounce a sidelong glance.

Ounce spoke in Cherokee, too quick for Levi to understand the words, but he understood the gesture.

 “Stump catch that old fox, you’ll see,” Ounce added.

“Better be an old fox if Stump is going to catch it.” Turon pulled a tobacco pouch from a coat pocket and unrolled a small paper between his fingers.

Ounce once again grunted.

“I heard you priced Stump to Ned Foreman for fifty dollars,” Turon said, carefully dumping tobacco on the paper then rolling a cigarette.

“Yeah,” Ounce said while accepting the tobacco pouch and papers from Turon.

Reaching for a burning stick to light his cigarette, Turon asked, “What makes him worth fifty dollars?”

 “I traded two twenty-five-dollar fighting roosters for him.” Ounce built his own cigarette.

 

meet the author

 

 Born and raised on the Ozark Plateau. Charlie Amos grew up in the footsteps of outlaws, cowboys, and woodsmen. He currently lives in Oklahoma with his wife, children, and dog Banjo. When he is not tending cattle and kids he is reading and writing about the American West. Years of working in agriculture, forestry, trucking, and teaching school has laid the foundation of telling our American story through relatable characters. Writing westerns for westerners, and everyone else. 

 

 connect with the author

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

buy the book

Amazon

 

enter the giveaway  

There’s something endlessly compelling about alternate history — especially when it asks what if the real turning point of war wasn’t steel or strategy… but magic?

Ink Magic: Legacy of the Flower blends the grit of World War I with a fantastical twist that feels both cinematic and dangerous. This is the kind of story where loyalty is tested, power comes at a cost, and the line between weapon and wielder blurs in unforgettable ways. If you love historical settings layered with high-stakes magic, covert missions, and personal vendettas that burn just as fiercely as global conflict, this one will be right up your alley.

With living tattoos, rival nations battling for dominance, and a desperate race to control a force that could reshape the world, this story promises action, tension, and a pulse of revenge running just beneath the surface.

Here’s the full description from the publisher:

Historical Fantasy

Date Published: 02-26-2026

Publisher: Sword and Thistle LLC

 

 

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.  

about the book

In World War 1, it’s not the tanks or soldiers that will determine the victors, it’s the magical tattoo ink.

The Mages who can bear that ink have special weapon and beast tattoos that can come to life.

Jack is an infamous Mage, called into a covert mission to rescue a missing scientist. If he can do this, he will ensure the balance of power with the magical ink distribution is not stolen by other countries who look to gain the upper hand during the war.

As he searches for the renowned Nikola Tesla, Jack assembles a team of Mages and soldiers as they scramble against time and powerful Russian enemies, who also have their own magical tattoos. Their enemies will use those powers not only to win the war but take over the city where all magical ink is created and distributed, thus ensuring global domination.

But Jack has a personal vendetta against one of those enemies, payback for the death of his father and other loved ones. If Jack can use his ink magic and overcome the insurmountable odds to succeed, he just might keep the ink safe, maintain the balance of power, and defeat the men who have plagued his family for decades.

This action-packed alternate history novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats! If you love the Pale Rider Second Chance series by Michael Roberts, you will love his new Ink Magic series!

 

about the author

 

 Michael Roberts is a Police Officer in Southern California. He also served in the United States Marine Corps for seven years. This is his first American Historical fiction book, and he drew on much of his previous military experience to write it.

His most recent series, Ink Magic, was just accepted by Spiteful Books.

He lives in California with his family of seven. 

 

connect with the author

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Instagram

buy the book

Amazon

Fall Back in to Time

 

enter the giveaway 

There’s something timeless about a brand-new pair of boots—especially when you’re a kid who can already picture the adventures waiting in them.

Just Look at Those Boots captures that wide-eyed excitement of childhood, where imagination runs as fast as a horse across an open field… and sometimes gets you into a little trouble along the way. Rooted in farm life and inspired by real family history, this story blends gentle lessons with the kind of everyday adventure that feels both nostalgic and wonderfully relatable.

Perfect for young readers who love animals, wide-open spaces, and stories that celebrate responsibility, growing up, and a touch of cowboy spirit, this second installment in the series continues to honor life on a 1930s Oklahoma farm with heart and authenticity.

 

Date Published: 02-26-2026

Publisher: Solander Press

A.J. is so excited about his new cowboy boots. He wears them on the first day of the school year. Mom said it was for only one day and then back to his regular boots or sneakers. During recess, A.J. plays in an exciting game of kickball. His boots get very messy during the game.

When he gets home, Jon, the farm hand, see the boots and tells him to clean them up then get into his work boots. Jon tells him to give Lady Star a ride because she’s waited all day for him.

On the ride, A.J. heads to the shallow pond out in one field. While A.J. daydreams, Lady Star sees the pond and decides to get there fast. A.J. loses control of Lady Star and finds himself thrown into the pond. Daydreaming on the ride means A.J. has additional chores when he returns to the barn.

In this second book, Sherry Roberts continues to tell stories inspired by her father’s childhood during the 1930s and 1940s in Northeast Oklahoma. For those who enjoy stores of the American West, as well as history, Just Look At Those Boots, is a must-read.

about the author

Sherry Roberts is an award-winning children’s book author. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Louisville. She has written multiple award-winning fiction picture books such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas…A First for Gus, Hello, Can I Bug You?, Gabriel and the Special Memorial Day, What’s Wrong with Barnaby, and The Best Reading Buddy. She also has written two non-fiction award-winning picture books, Sonnet, Sonnet, What’s in Your Bonnet? and A Visit Through the Wetlands. These two were illustrated with her photography. Sherry’s newest picture book, Amica Helps Zoe, was featured in Kirkus e-newsletter June 2025 as Indie Pick and received a Get It: Recommend review.

As a former middle school teacher, Dr. Roberts decided to write her first middle-grade novel (ages 8-13). Her debut novel, The Galaxy According to CeCe, is the first book in a three-book series. It was officially released on February 24, 2024. Book two, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Mysterious Dr. Pruitt, was released August 2024. Book three, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Stars Align, released February 2025.

Sherry’s next venture is a chapter book series (ages 6-8). The first book, Just Call Me Pardner, was released August 1, 2025. The series is about a young boy in the 1930s on a small farm in Northeastern Oklahoma and is inspired by stories of her father’s childhood in the 1930s. Book 2, Just Look at Those Boots, launches in early 2026, with Book 3, Just Don’t Give a Girl a Frog, launching in November 2026.

Dr. Roberts has also written many articles that appear in various academic journals, along with three textbooks. Personal Financial Literacy is in its fourth edition (Pearson). She is an associate professor of Marketing in Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University.

Website

Facebook

Amazon

enter the giveaway 

There’s something especially compelling about a Western where the real tension isn’t just the gunfight — it’s whether a man can truly outgrow the life he once lived. Call in the Dogs feels rooted in that question.

This story leans into belonging as much as confrontation. A trading post, a growing sense of home, new friendships — and the looming shadow of an enemy who refuses to stay in the past. If you’re drawn to Westerns that mix grit with emotional stakes and community ties, this one looks like it delivers that balance. 

Western/Cowboy,  Cherokee, Outlaw

Date Published: 02-26-2026

Publisher: Write the West Press an imprint of Paperback Press, LLC Springfield, Missouri

 

 

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.  

about the book

Levi Kuratowski, better known as “Little Kansas,” only thinks his days of carrying a gun are over. With a trading license approved by the Cherokee Nation he is determined to build a trading post on the banks of Spring Creek. Soon however he must set his hammer aside and take up his colt revolver. Upon receiving word that the outlaw Bill Kirby has escaped custody he prepares to face his old adversary.

Levi’s friend, Cherokee rancher Turon Turtle vows to offer aid and his rifle. Turon’s strong willed sister, Ruth, has a different vow in mind for Levi. Levi soon finds the determined Ruth as challenging as the inevitable showdown that has yet to come.

For the first time since leaving Europe three years earlier his has a sense of home. He finds customers in the neighboring Cherokee and travelers. More importantly he finds friends. Unknown to Levi is the whereabouts of the outlaw Kirby. Can Levi rely on his new friends and community? Will Levi be able to hold on to what he has built and face the man who thinks nothing except for the destruction of Levi and all he holds dear?

about the author

 

Born and raised on the Ozark Plateau. Charlie Amos grew up in the footsteps of outlaws, cowboys, and woodsmen. He currently lives in Oklahoma with his wife, children, and dog Banjo. When he is not tending cattle and kids he is reading and writing about the American West. Years of working in agriculture, forestry, trucking, and teaching school has laid the foundation of telling our American story through relatable characters. Writing westerns for westerners, and everyone else.

connect with the author

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

buy the book

Amazon

Buy The Green County Series  (2 Books)

 

enter the giveaway 

My Review

Character Growth Continued. One of the best parts of this book is seeing how far these characters have come. The growth feels earned. There’s maturity there, but also vulnerability. The relationships carry real emotional weight, and you continue to feel what’s at stake in every decision. It’s rewarding to see their arcs come full circle in a way that feels natural and true to who the characters have become over the course of the series.

The author offers a well-done novel. The stakes are high from the start, as they have been throughout the series, and the tension builds steadily as everything moves toward finality. There’s action, political tension, and emotional payoff woven together in a way that keeps the pages turning. The resolution is satisfying and fitting. It answers the big questions, delivers closure where necessary, and wraps up the series in a way that feels complete.

Would I recommend The Young Stag? If you’ve followed this series, this finale absolutely delivers. It balances action with heart and gives readers the kind of ending that feels earned rather than rushed. Even if you’re new to J.M. Hofer’s work, this series as a whole is worth a spot on your reading list. I enjoyed this novel, as well as the whole series, and will definitely look for more from this author in the future.

The Other Books in the Series

 Learn about Islands in the Mist: Book 1 in my book review spotlight.

Read my Review of Across the Sea, Book 2. 

Read my Review of Rise of the Pendragon. 

Read my Review of Into the Shadows 

 

Meet the Author

As a child, whenever anyone would ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I would answer, “I want to write books!” That enthusiasm has never wavered. Fifty years later, I still feel most fulfilled when I'm writing.​

​As a reader, I regularly devour books on mythology, folklore and fairy tales. I believe the stories we choose to tell generation after generation are doorways into the heart of humanity. These are the stories that assure us we're not the first to doubt ourselves or face what seems an impossible challenge; the stories that help us realize we're not alone in our struggles. Most importantly, they inspire us to summon the courage to leave behind the familiar and find out what we're made of--to face the dragon, resist the trickster, and heed the advice the village elder gives us.

My aim as a storyteller is to transport you to a world that feels ancient yet somehow familiar, where the veil between realms is thin and magic is very, very much alive.
​
connect with the author: website ~ X ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Enter the Giveaway