TopShelf Magazine August 2020

The Most Trusted Guide To TopShelf Authors & Books!

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We talk with Brad Meltzer about The Lincoln Conspiracy Page 6

“Stays with you long after the final page” Page 31 ~ review of The Lincoln Conspiracy

BOOK REVIEWS

DISCOVER NEW FAVORITES

TOPSHELF COLUMNS

YOU CAN’T MISS THE LIBRARY CASSANDRA COMPLEX Page 21 HISTORICAL RESEARCH Page 23

TOPSHELF INTERVIEWS BRAD MELTZER Page 6 KRISTINA RIENZI Page 10 JASON LAVELLE Page 14 August 2020

Page 17

FROM THE PUBLISHER

SBN: 978-0999066546 SBN: 978-0999066546

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TOPShelf

A Comprehensive Bookseller’s Guide to TopShelf Authors & Books!

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table of contents

masthead

interviews

CEO & Publisher

6 10 14

Brad Meltzer Kristina Rienzi Jason LeVelle

columns 17 21 23

You Can’t Miss the Library Cassandra Complex Historical Research

reviews 25 25 25 27 27 27 29 29 29 31 31 31

Satellite Street

Keith A. Katsikas Jr.

keith@topshelfmagazine.net

E.V.P. & Director of Marketing Rebecca Katsikas

becky@topshelfmagazine.net

Lead Editor Kyle Magnus

editor@topshelfmagazine.net

Assistant Editor Sharon Isbell

editor@topshelfmagazine.net

Social Media Specialist Stephan Katsikas

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Man on Edge The Reflecting Pool Murder in Season Short Stories II The Secrets of Hawthorne House Malthus Revisited Hell Hole: The Official Screenplay The Second Mother

Contributors & Reviewers

Bobby Jo Calder Jenn Kraft Jenn Taylor J.M. LeDuc Kathrin Hutson Kyle Magnus Micah Richards Michael Rowland Mickey Mikkelson, Creative Edge Media Mrs. Y

978-1795415927

The Lincoln Conspiracy The Worst First Day Where You Lead

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SUMMER2019 3

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AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BESTSELLING AUTHOR, BRAD MELTZER First, congratulations on your newest release, The Lincoln Conspiracy: The First Secret Plot to Kill America’s 16th President—and Why It Failed (Flatiron Books). After your last book co-written with Josh Mensch, The First Conspiracy, was so widely acclaimed, it looks like readers can expect very much the same thing from The Lincoln Conspiracy just a year later. Did you know you would be writing about this first “secret” assassination attempt of Abraham Lincoln when you released The First Conspiracy? What made you choose this moment of American history as the next story to examine more closely?

We’re sneaky. We knew all along that after the secret plot to kill George 6

TOPShelf Interviews It’s been said that, “Not only is this a story few people know, but in 2020 (especially in 2020), there is no better subject to study than Lincoln. As the book opens, the Republic is deeply divided, each half of the country hating the other.

Sound familiar?” How much of today’s sociopolitical climate in the US affected the way this book was written?

Like you said, this assassination plot takes place at a time where the country is completely divided. Each half of the country venously hates the other. Sounds really familiar, right? This is the start of the Civil War and it’s exactly where we are now as a culture. We need to do better. In The Lincoln Conspiracy, you’ll see that greatest leaders don’t divide us – they unite us. As Lincoln understands: Leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.

You’ve co-written multiple historical novels with Josh Mensch. Tell us what it’s like to collaborate as a team with such a detailed and still entertaining topic as one of America’s most iconic presidents.

Our secret weapon is Josh Mensch [Meltzer’s executive producer on Lost History]. Josh is one of the best researchers I’ve ever met, so when it comes to digging for the good stuff -- be it the handball game Lincoln was playing before he heard that he’d been elected…or his last-ever visit with his stepmother, who thought at the time that she’d never see Lincoln again (she was right) -- Josh and I always look for those moments when you see just how human Lincoln was.

That’s the best part of this collaboration.

We love that same stuff.

Was there anything that surprised you during the research process in writing The Lincoln Conspiracy?

First, the details of the murder plot – and of the secret society trying to kill Lincoln… those were all surprises. But here’s another I loved: When Lincoln gets told that someone’s trying to kill him, it’s clear that he needs to change his schedule. But instead, Lincoln says that he won’t change anything until after he goes to Philadelphia. What’s in Philly? Lincoln is going there to commemorate the birthday of his hero, www.TopShelfMagazine.net

George Washington, by raising a flag over Independence Hall. At that moment, Lincoln’s life is at risk. But he refuses to miss that. That’s how much Lincoln wanted to honor George Washington.

Of course, with any historical work and especially the novelization of a true historical moment, a fine balance between historical accuracy and storytelling craft is required for such highly acclaimed work as The First Conspiracy and The Lincoln Conspiracy. How did you manage to find this balance in creating works hailed as “A brilliant combination of edge of your seat history and superb storytelling.” (James L. Swanson, bestselling author of Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer)?

It goes without saying that a shared love of both history and can’t-put-it-down writing are necessary prerequisites for authors turning historical moments into engaging page-turners.

Was there anything about the process of writing The Lincoln Conspiracy that you didn’t enjoy?

I know we all know the ending of the Civil War, but as we painted the hatred that the South had for Abraham Lincoln, it was sometimes just heartbreaking to see. The venom. The bile. They hated him. It just makes you wonder will anything ever change?

On the heels of The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington and now The Lincoln Conspiracy, do you have any I know this is actual history, but our goal is plans for delving into other “secret plot” to always have it read like a thriller. And it’s histories revolving around other US Presidents? why political thrillers can be so gripping.

If so, will these also be co-written with Josh Presidents are powerful. The stakes are Mensch? high. So if the story is done right, you’re not just revealing who the murderer is – you’re revealing something about how our society really works. Plus in this case, you get to answer: Who would try to kill Abraham Lincoln?

You’ve delved into a little-known story of “Abraham Lincoln. Secret Societies. A deadly plot. And it all really happened!” (Brian Kilmeade, bestselling author of Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers). What was the most exciting part for you personally during the writing of The Lincoln Conspiracy?

I love private detectives. There’s something subversive and cool about them. So I loved the parts of the story where we see the famous Allan Pinkerton, America’s first true private eye. (The name literally comes from his logo, which had a giant eye in it.)

Pinkerton and his detectives swoop in and tell Abraham Lincoln the truth: a secret society is trying to murder him. Then they do the best thing of all: they fight back.

Also, Kate Warne is my hero. She’s America’s first female private detective – and she’s afraid of nothing. I won’t ruin it, but just wait until you read the scene with her meeting Abraham Lincoln. History has never been as thrilling.

We’re already working on the next one.

(Didn’t I tell you we were sneaky?)

The release of such a highly acclaimed book, especially right now in America, is an exciting and powerful moment in your career as an author. What are you most looking forward to after this book’s release on May 5th?

In one month, we put out both The Lincoln Conspiracy, our kids book I am Leonardo da Vinci, a new PBS KIDS cartoon show based on the kids books, plus working on the sequel to my thriller, The Escape Artist. When this is done, I just need a nap.

What tips would you give other authors and writers out there wanting to fictionalize historical moments with as much meticulously honed craft and diligence to both historical accuracy and engaging writing as you’ve achieved with The Lincoln Conspiracy?

Write what you love. That’s the X-factor on every page: Does the writer love what they’re doing? If you do, every reader will know it.

Read our interview with Brad Meltzer at:

www.TopShelfMagazine.net

TOPShelf

AUGUST2020

7

TOPShelf Spotlights

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Murphy Murphy comes from a long line of male Murphys. All were named Murphy and all were cops. This Murphy heads the Department of Redundancy Department and his superior officer, Captain David "Dud" Hill has found him a case. The Captain's niece is in a rock 'n roll band called Serious Crisis, and it seems items belonging to members of the band have started to disappear. Were these items stolen? Were they simply lost?

The Alchemy of Glass weaves a tale magical as spun glass and terrifying as a shattered mirror, drawing upon cutting edge science and the most ancient of Celtic mythology, intertwining the magic of fairy lore and the harsh reality of difficult choices, returning us to the world of immortal apothecary Gaelan Erceldoune, as his past, present and future collide, in an attempt to prevent a catastrophic future.

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Who would ever suspect that their mentor, teacher, and friend is a cold-blooded killer?

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Spathi Ansdari, an amnesiac corpse, is resurrected from the void by a grim shaman known as the “animal man” in the phantasmagoric, apocalyptic plane of Raktogin. Haunted by fleeting memories of his past, Spathi struggles to discover his true identity while being antagonized by an inexplicable impulse to devour blood. Spathi is labeled as a “blood-eater,” since no entity on Raktogin has ever indulged such an odd appetite before…

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Starting from that pivotal moment, blending historical fact with audacious creativity, the author of the award-winning I, Claudia propels us back through the life of the man who would become St. Paul. Her vividly imagined, well-founded tale of loss, transformation, and divine intervention will captivate believers and non-believers alike who yearn for the human truth and drama behind the scriptures.

A work of literary historical fiction, Man Shark is based on an unusual story amid the extensive oral literature of the Marshall Islanders that uncharacteristically has no ending. Tarmalu leaves her baby in the care of others while she leads her fleet of proa from the shelter of the Wotho Atoll lagoon out into the open ocean to save their craft from the certain destruction of an oncoming typhoon. Never heard from again her son Lainjin grows up and search for her. Does h ever find her?

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REMINDER This is an interactive magazine. Click on a book cover to learn more or to purchase.

ISBN: 978-1950282968

~Amazon Review

~Kirkus Reviews

~Amazon Review

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AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BESTSELLING AUTHOR, KRISTINA RIENZI What inspired you to write Winter Road?

It’s funny; I never planned to write Winter Road. It was one of those stories that came to me in a flash, and then the rest told itself. I wish all my stories did that! Winter Road started on a particularly long drive home from work in the fall of 2015. The title popped in my head first, and then I envisioned the skeleton of the story unfolding down this rural, winding, snow-covered road. A woman escaping her big city life, a relationship gone wrong, a family in crisis---all converging in an explosive holiday celebration. It was perfect, combining two of my favorite things: Christmas and thrillers.

10

Is this a prequel novella?

If so, tell us about this series Winter Road is a standalone novella; it’s not a series. Although that’s an interesting concept to consider!

TOPShelf Interviews my expertise has reached its cap, when I have nothing more to give the story… and, of course, when it sounds great read aloud.

What do you hope people take away from this story?

What is the first story you remember writing?

Some mantras that ring true in life: Family is everything. Trust your gut.

Never give up!

My love for thrillers began early! It was a scary (what we’d now call horror) story I wrote in fifth grade called The Medallion. It followed a boy who possessed a cursed medallion that brought misfortune to all who touched it. The story won a writing award from my elementary school, even though it was written on construction paper with my terrible artwork. I guess it really is all about the story… advice that’s still useful for authors today.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently writing a paranormal thriller, Unleash the Wicked. It follows a former NYC socialite forced to move back to her mysterious hometown where she faces her tragic past and, unwittingly, unleashes a deadly curse.

What is the best advice about writing you have ever received?

How do you get to know your characters?

Be willing to write a terrible first draft. The first draft gets the story down; the second (and beyond) drafts polish it like a diamond.

My characters come to life as I’m writing. I have an idea of who they are when I start the story, but they show me their true colors through their words and actions, bringing the story to life alongside them.

Could you describe your writing process? (Tell us about your writing process.

Do you have a specific routine, time, or place where you write? Do you rely more on inspiration or steady work? What is revision like for you? How do you know when a piece is finished?)

When I’m in a writing groove, it’s typically super early in the morning before anyone rises (think 5 a.m.). When my right brain (the creator) is awake and my left brain (the editor) is asleep. Lately, with a 9 month old, however, it’s whenever I have time. There’s no routine anymore. It’s less about inspiration and more about finding time to devote. Revision for me is going over the story, as many times as necessary until I think it’s right. It could be one, two, or ten times. I know it’s done when I’ve done all I can do, when www.TopShelfMagazine.net

entertained by her, as well as learned so much from her. She tackles difficult issues so many authors shy away from, and she does it with objectivity and class, all through fiction. Brilliant!

How has the process been for you to turn this novella, published in 2015, into a critically acclaimed audiobook?

What artists, writers, thinkers inspire you?

Too many to name! However, if I had to pick just one, I’d say, Jodi Picoult. Her writing inspires me to be a better writer.

Meeting her in person in 2018 made me love her even more---she was such an inspiring speaker and down-to-earth person. As an author, she weaves fabulous stories, with multiple points of view, that explore compelling topics. I’ve been

A blast! I had an opportunity to work with the seasoned narrator, Chris Ciulla who was featured in my 2018 ACX University educational video taped at Audible Studios. Chris breathed life into my characters, making each scene feel so real it was like you were there in the thick of it with Amelia. I was thrilled with the final product…a fast-paced, holiday thriller that will make your breath catch in your throat.

Read our interview with Kristina Rienzi at:

www.TopShelfMagazine.net

TOPShelf

AUGUST2020

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TOPShelf Discoveries

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TOPShelf magazine

OCTOBER2017 13

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BESTSELLING AUTHOR, JASON LAVELLE First, Jason, congratulations on the release of your newest horror collection, A Flutter of Darkness. It’s been hailed as “…emotionally charged and thoughtprovoking.” (Indie Athenaeum), your writing touted as “…[an] ability to lead the reader into the mind-boggling… and situations that are never as they originally appear.” (Reader’s Favorite). Tell us a little about your experience with the release of this collection published by Three Furies Press and the process of having your first collection of Horror short stories out in the world.

Thank you so much. The journey to making Flutter a reality was quite long. The oldest story in the collection, Her Dance, was written while I was in college fifteen years ago. Over the years I've written short stories in 14

between novels, and some have been published in magazines or entered in contests, but I've always wanted to present them in one large volume. As a young reader, I loved Stephen King's collections of stories and novellas, and so I think for me this project has been the completion of a circle started long ago. Three Furies Press made the stressful process of editing and publishing this book much more manageable for me than I had expected.

With a manuscript the size of this one, an author could easily get lost for many months revising and editing and formatting, and so I credit the publisher with making it all possible. As an author, we're always more critical of our own work than anyone else, but I'm very proud of this collection.

A Flutter of Darkness has been described as a collection of stories that turn mundane, everyday objects into sources of terror. Do you have a favorite example of this theme to share with us?

Many times life itself is my weapon. Life can be mundane, and it is certainly "everyday."

My stories take place in our world because I want readers to feel like any of these fantastic events could actually take place. I want people to know that on any given day something might happen that changes their world forever. I think the realism I strive for is what makes my stories more disturbing, because it isn't possible for readers to put distance between their world and mine.

More specifically, though, in one story, honey is used as an elixir to transfer a malevolent spirit to a human. Despite the honey, the story is anything but sweet.

Where did you get your ideas and inspiration for this collection of fifteen short stories and novellas?

I get many of my ideas from idle daydreaming while I should be working, a lot of "what if" type thoughts, or standing in the shower with hot water pounding on me.

Some have much deeper meaning to me though, inspired by work, or by people I've spoken to, or even by wild dreams my wife has had. In all my writing, both novels and short fiction, I use as much truth as possible to strengthen the backbone of the story, so I'll take bits and pieces of real life and weave them into the fiction to create a unique and disturbing mix. One story, Watching And Waiting, was inspired by legendary serial killer H.H. Holmes. I love true crime, and www.TopShelfMagazine.net

history, and I like the idea of exploring historical events from different viewpoints, in this case, a little girl who is fascinated by a strange man.

Out of all these pieces in A Flutter of Darkness, do you have any favorites?

The Life Of Pets may be my favorite. I work in a veterinary hospital, so I see and do many things the general public aren't privy to. Some of these things are questionable for me, morally and ethically, yet I'm required to do them, and they are widely accepted as normal, and humane.

In this story, I explore my doubts and my misgivings about the way we treat those we think are beneath us. I also challenge the idea of ownership when it comes to another living creature. It is a story that many have described as "horrific," and in fact several of my coworkers told me they questioned whether or not they'd ever come to work again after reading it. At the same time, it is more than a horror story to me, it is my statement, my petition, my tiny rebellion.

If someone asked you what “the scariest” piece in this collection was, what would you tell them?

I think that "scary" is a subjective thing.

We all have things that frighten us. For some it may be a creeping spider, for others it may be loneliness or isolation.

The story, Searching For Forever is about a young, neurodivergent girl who is trying and failing to adapt to a rapidly changing world. She's confused, alone, and haunted. I cried when I wrote the story, and even now I can't think of it without feeling a little prickle in my heart. It isn't a typical horror story, but I think that readers appreciate that fear and desperation cast their own unique and terrible shadows.

You’ve also written a number of Horror novels in addition to this collection of short stories and novellas. Do you enjoy one genre over the other (i.e. novels versus short stories)? What are the major differences you’ve found in writing so many shorter works versus novel-length Horror?

Well, short stories are easier, in that they take much less time to create. I'm a slow writer, so a novel may take me a year or two to write, while a short story might only take

TOPShelf Interviews a few days or weeks. So when writing a short story, the gratification comes much sooner, and a lot of times the stories themselves may have a bit more punch than a novel.

However, and it's a big however, writing a good short story is hard. I think that average novel length is about 80k, so there's a lot of time and space with which to create characters that readers will connect with, and then to craft a plot to entertain them (or torture them, in my case). A short story forces me to compress plot and character development into only a few thousand words. It's a challenge, but one I enjoy. To accomplish this, I strip out everything but the raw emotions, and most essential plot elements. This leaves a story that isn't as sweeping or smooth, but one that can still deliver a hard punch to the gut.

Are there any pervading themes throughout the pieces in A Flutter of Darkness or your fiction in general, including other works?

Suffering. As a person who has lived with depression for many years, suffering and pain are old friends. So when I write, I share that pain with my characters. My stories aren't always heavy, and they aren't always dark, but I think that some element of human suffering runs through them all.

Pain and grief, sadness and despair, these are things that all humans can relate to, connect with, and I think that's why my readers really connect with the characters, because we all know those feelings, as terrible as they are.

It goes without saying that one of the main intentions of writing Horror is to scare the pants off your readers. Are there any other messages and/or intended responses you hope people will experience when reading this collection?

My intention with short fiction, like that found in Flutter, is always to get under the reader's skin. I want to shock them, or scare them, or make their skin crawl. I want to make my readers think about things they never have before, and probably never want to again. I don't necessarily write about monsters, but rather the monsters within all of us.

Read the complete interview with Jason Lavelle at:

www.TopShelfMagazine.net

TOPShelf

AUGUST2020

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Twitter @VS_Holmes | vsholmes.com

STARK LAND SWEEPS FROM THE buildings atop the hill. I'd liken farm fields to skirts. This vista is too sharp for that. These are nature's assets. Narrow stone paths and hard-packed trails wind between sod roofs.

This is a place with the brutality of Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. The latter was filmed here, and I can see why: I'd gladly immerse myself in this landscape. But it, like many places I've visited in the past year, has barriers.

Fantasy is known for austere settings, twisting streets, and remote cities. Even outside of the grim-dark sub-genre, there's a mercilessness. I settle against a wall across from the broad stairs, knuckles white on the handle of my cane. Pain tunnels my brain to the duality of dissociation and immediacy.

"You can't miss the library!" A group leader protests. As if, in a building with no lift, it's a choice. Earlier, I leaned—too slow to grab one of the few offered seats--on a wooden desk listening to Skaldic poetry. In reality, my body was screaming, my ears ringing from pain, and I barely heard a word.

You can't miss the library. I think of the worlds of my novels, all the startling magical beauty in the books that made me who I am as a writer. I couldn't navigate those worlds anymore. Not with this body.

What would Frodo have done in a wheelchair? Forget the whole "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you," bit. That works for a cinematic volcano climax, but even our dear Samwise Gamgee would grow weary of carrying my sorry self through the Dead Marshes. I'd become tired of it, too. The idea that the only way I get somewhere inconveniences someone

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else is insidious. But not always wrong.

So how do we make fantasy worlds--yes, even Mount Doom--that are known for their inaccessibility, accessible?

Return to the root of fantasy, of the magical, the awe-inspiring. Many argue this lowers the stakes. You're the author. Do what you do and untangle that plot-knot. How you solve this depends on whether you're writing an arc that revolves around their disability, or a "casually" disabled character (someone whose condition isn't directly related to any main plot arc). Even if their disability is part of the plot, that doesn't mean the entire world you've written should be utterly devoid of accessibility--where is their sanctuary?

You can make your world more inclusive by switching up architecture and tech, using magic, and adding different forms of communication.

Have a character who can't walk? Ramps and wheels are great! Egyptians built pyramids, surely your fantasy culture could create a city without a single set of stairs. Able folks aren't inconvenienced by a ramp vs. stairs. A great example of this occurs in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Teo uses a wheelchair fitted with glider wings so he can fly with others at the air temple.

In fantasy, magic serves both as an accessibility device or disability--one of my main characters, Keplan, involuntarily hears others' thoughts, which manifests similarly to unwanted thought syndrome in someone with unmanaged OCD. If you have magic, I guarantee there are spells to reduce anxiety or help people sleep. Braces with pain-relieving runes for people like me. I've seen dozens of herbal handbooks with "magical" plants too!

What about communication? Perhaps your character is non-verbal or Deaf. Many cultures developed sign language independent of one another, even if it began solely as gestures. The

Adem culture in Rothfuss's Kingkiller Chronicles uses gestures for mood and context for its spoken language. My own Deaf protagonist, Rih, was raised in a culture where many are hard of hearing or completely deaf. There are still hurdles she has to overcome, but many people in the city know or learn sign language.

If you're worried about realism, all of these things have been present in our own world for a long time, and some of our most brilliant minds are housed in bodies that don't work typically.

You can't miss the library.

How can your character defeat the orc sorceress if they can't research spells? You could toss them on the shoulders of a well-meaning companion, who trots up each step like it's nothing, but it'd be an inconvenience to both.

Like me, clenching a stranger's wool sweater in my hands, your character would have to laugh to avoid sobbing at the embarrassment.

But where's the creativity in that? Give your world ramps, and wheels, depression-relieving spells and hand signs for non-verbal people.

Give your character a reason to save this accessible world you've created for them. And then give them something brand new to fight.

V. S. Holmes is an international bestselling SFF author. They write the Nel Bently Books and the Reforged series. Their debut, Smoke and Rain, won New Apple Literary's 2015 Excellence in Independent Publishing Award.

They also work as an advocate for disabled and queer representation in SFF worlds.

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Narrated b Jeff Lemucchi

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Dick Sn der provides an e pressive, almost l rical, narrative to the stal art Jonas Kirk, and the intricate details of murder and crime-solving are arguabl some of the best out there.

Kri Miller, TopShelf Revie s for Jona Ki k M

Center Spread Dick Snyder

CASSANDRA COMPLEX

WITH BOOMING SALES FOR classic works like 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale, dystopian fiction has enjoyed a recent resurgence. These are stories in which a protagonist rebels (often unsuccessfully) against a brutal society inflicting suffering and injustice on its citizens, often in the name of some utopian ideal.

Is this any surprise? In the real world, the COVID pandemic, growing economic inequality, environmental depletion and climate change, and the march of authoritarianism have made the world appear pretty bleak. Dystopia confirms our fears, whether political or existential, and manifests them in their worst possible outcome.

Dystopian fiction is a warning.

I believe dystopian fiction is far more optimistic than we credit it. And I see its resurgence as a source of optimism. Yes, it’s bleak, but if we heed its warning, we can avoid this future. Yes, our hero may end up crushed, but we, the reader, will take up the fight. The mythical Cassandra’s prophecies may come true, but at least people are listening. As long as it doesn’t read as nonfiction, we’re still in pretty good shape!

My novel Our War similarly warns of a possible dark future America often feels like it is trending toward: a second civil war. As with other dystopian thrillers, I hope readers will come away warned and energized to resist this future.

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In this novel, Congress impeaches and convicts a populist right wing president, who labels it a soft coup by the Deep State and refuses to leave office. Since writing the novel, many of these things have come true, but thankfully not what happens next in the story: a national armed protest by militias and other right-wing groups that snowballs into civil war, a war in which everybody fights and nobody wins.

This is the what but not the why. The why lies at the heart of polarization, fueled by alternate media, which is differing narratives defining what America is and should be.

Despite common problems, without common facts or reality, without a single unifying idea, what is America? And without a single America, what does it mean to be a patriot?

While being about political tribalization, the novel itself does not take sides, pointing out violence itself as the villain, and contrasting Left and Right as opposing worldviews: collaboration through philanthropic solidarity on the Left, competition through self-reliant individualism on the Right.

This civil war does not play out like the last one, with states aligned for or against the institution of slavery and grappling with the balance of power as new states entered the Union. For Our War, my model was the Bosnian War of the 1990s, which pitted rural against urban and was largely fought by civilians. For years, the residents of a besieged Sarajevo and other cities lived in constant fear that over time became normalized. In America, rural areas are predominantly red, while urban areas are predominantly blue. Draw the battle lines there, and you can visualize a war whose first casualty would be American exceptionalism, as familiar consequences such as refugees, hunger, terror, and atrocities manifest in the fighting.

by Craig DiLouie

Twitter @CraigDiLouie | craigdilouie.com

As with other dystopian fiction, Our War features protagonists fighting an oppressive force with utopian ideals, in this case the allconsuming war itself. The story centers on a brother and sister forced to fight as child soldiers on opposite sides of the lines surrounding a besieged Indianapolis.

Hannah Miller, a war orphan, joins a local militia and believes in its cause. Meanwhile, a UNICEF worker and journalist work together to save her and other children by exposing the use of child soldiers. In the end, the war wins, and Hannah loses everything. But she will also find love and hope by rejecting all of the stories she’s been told and learning to fight for herself.

By the end of Our War, I hope the reader will find the same hope as Hannah and discover the same optimism as I found in her story. That they will take heed in Our War’s warning after closing the covers, and as with all good dystopian literature, stand ready to resist this possible future.

Craig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/ fantasy fiction. Craig’s books been praised for strong characters, action, and gritty realism. His works have been nominated for major literary awards such as Bram Stoker and Audie Award.

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HISTORICAL RESEARCH: THE KEY TO MAKING READERS BELIEVERS

by Bob Brill

Twitter @BobBrillLA | bobbrill.com

REMEMBER THE DAYS OF SITTING in a library going through old books, looking up facts in almanacs and hoping you had the right place and the right time? It seems now those days have gone the “way of the DoDo” to quote an Indiana Jones villain. To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I was in a library and for an author of books in the double digits that is pretty hard to admit to my fellow writers.

The Internet has replaced the vast majority of the research for writers (and don’t tell me it hasn’t just to impress your friends and ward off the dirty looks from other writers). It has made it so much easier that you can actually spend more time writing, and creating than researching. Don’t get me wrong, I love research. It’s one of my passions. However, when I need to stop writing to find out a small but essential piece of information, it slows down the process. It also stifles creativity.

For instance, I write many different genre but my series of western novels, “Lancer; Hero of the West,” lies in a genre where readers are adamant about certain details. If you get a detail wrong about a city or a town or a legendary character, they’ll let you know about it, and possibly even post nasty stuff. They not only stop buying and reading but they discourage others from checking out your work.

In my latest novel “Lancer; Hero of the West – www.TopShelfMagazine.net

the Broken Bow Affair,” my lead character was to take a train ride from Tombstone, AZ to Broken Bow, NE. I needed to know how long that trip was going to take and if the rails even went that far. Using Google I was able to find copies in just a few minutes of actual train schedules of the day (the early 1880’s) and calculate the travel time. With this in hand I was able to plan the details of the trip in a matter of a few minutes more. I also found railway maps of the different time periods and when new rails were put in place. This was invaluable because how embarrassing would it have been if I wrote my character “rode the Northern Pacific Railroad from Tombstone to Lincoln” in 1882, if the railroad wasn’t even built until 1885?!

In a previous book my character was going to spend some time on a riverboat out of New Orleans. It occurred in 1882. I couldn’t name the Riverboat without the research because I might pull a name of a boat built in 1884 by mistake. My readers would throw a fit if I did that. I quickly searched “Riverboats built in 1880,” and came up with several.

Included in the results were the dates those riverboats stopped running. I think one had been sunk, another burned and both were before my time frame in 1882.

Both of these searches took less than five minutes.

In the “old days” going to a library, researching county and state records and even shipping records for a company, might have taken weeks or longer. While there are certain things I hate about the Internet, this is not one of them.

Another thing I’ve learned in researching historical literature is “not to sweat the small

stuff.” As writers we are creators and this means we create (or as some would say fabricate) history. We do, we must because we cannot know every detail of every persons’ life.

In my previous book “the New Orleans Affair,” my character ran into Geronimo along the way. I had to create the conversations based on “common” knowledge. I also know people are people and what may seem common to us now, may not have been in 1882. We make it up. And it is legitimate. We try for some historical context but the truth be known; much of what we know about legendary characters was told by those legendary characters. People like us who in no way were going to tell us everything and very, very rarely were they going to tell us something about themselves which was unflattering.

So do your historical research on the factual stuff, and don’t be ashamed to say you “googled it,” and when it comes to the other things such as actual people stuff like conversations; don’t be afraid to make it up.

The people you are writing about already did.

Bob began his radio career in 1972 and worked all over the wester US, several times in the LA market. He’s currently a news anchor at CBS Radio LA; KNX 1070 News Radio. Bob founded and ran, then sold the newsletter “Brilliant Idea’s, The Brill Report.”

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AUGUST2020

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www.LapidChildrensBooks.com

TOPShelf Reviews

LGBT

Hardcover

$18.43

Thriller

Hardcover

$21.13

Thriller

Hardcover

$26.95

STRADDLES SLICE-OF-LIFE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT, FAST FABULISM AND COZY MYSTERY! PACED THRILLER

A MASTERFULLY WRITTEN THRILLER

Satellite Street, by Eleanor Lerman, is a contemporary novel that straddles slice-oflife fabulism and cozy mystery. Paul Marden grapples with a sudden and devastating illness, and a slow recovery from transitional surgery. Meanwhile, Lelee––a trans woman whose genderaffirming surgery is hindered by a heart murmur––can speak to the dead, although, she is skeptical of these experiences. Satellite Street revolves around Paul's relationship with Lelee, and his father––an elderly nursing home patient––and the storm-ravaged coastal town they call home. Had I not known that the author grew up on the very beaches and streets set in her book, the careful and intimate descriptions make her familiarity quite apparent. The characters share this faint yet pervasive discontent and melancholy. Lelee is nuanced and compelling––by far, the most intriguing character. Paul's chronic pain is well written. However, I found his conversations regarding Lelee's identity and ultimate apologies a bit too-little-toolate. A thoughtful tale of justice from beyond the grave and unlikely friendships.

An enjoyable read.

An incredibly competent, likable, yet flawed character, and an intricate engulfing plot that is easy to understand: what's not to like? Otho Eskin has produced a tense and entertaining thriller.

Like any excellent crime novel, persona plays a considerable role in the success of this story, and Marko Zom is mere brilliance. He doesn't care who he upsets in his need to find a killer. Zorn is a detective for the Washington DC Metropolitan Police and, his current investigation is proving to be quite challenging, frustrating, and extremely dangerous. But Zorn has extravagant tastes that a police department paycheck alone could never fulfill. So he supplements with income that doesn't always fall in step with his job. Otho Eskin's The Reflecting Pool does NOT disappoint, almost propelling the pages forward as you tirelessly read through the night. A masterfully written thriller.

Man on Edge, written by Humphrey Hawksley, is a fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The suspense and cliffhangers are perfect, creating impeccable dynamics in the boom. There is a first book in the series however, Hawksley does an incredible job of detailing throughout the storyline when necessary so the reader doesn’t feel like they are missing important background information. It was very well written, the plot was solid, the characters were likable and the attention to detail was great.The characters, the climax and overall storyline was well written. I recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers. It has a little bit of everything; s p i e s , m i l i t a r y, b a c k s t a b b i n g, b e t r a y a l , l ov e, c o r r u p t g ov e r n m e n t , a c t i o n a n d m o r e. ~Bobby Jo Calder, TopShelf Review

~Bobby Jo Calder, TopShelf Review

~Kyle Magnus, TopShelf Reviews

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TOPShelf

AUGUST2020

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TOPShelf Spotlights C

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Hidden in plain sight, is a mysterious hotel that doubles as a supernatural refugee: The Soppronaturale. Each supernatural inhabitant has a specific purpose, job, and destiny—all to keep the hotel ' e and 1940 . WW safe. .A running its secrets exist.

NeVampires E a d Werewolves a b exist.

Witches exist. Shape Shifters d a exist. exist. The e. And T anow ' Faeries a Home last two Faeries, once unified, Front: A Memoir from WWII couldabe the most powerful ab e forces on Earth…

b ac , e a , e ea , e a a d e e e e eGenre . A Fantasy e e Price a , D $8.50a , aISBN a 978-1949931167 a b ed a .

P ce $18.95 SBN: 978-0960081509 THE CAT DETECTIVES IN RUSSIA: a e THE CASE OF THE e MISSING e .c FABERGÉ EGG is the 9th standalone children’s book in the Diary of a Snoopy Cat series, which is purrfect for kids ages 7-12. If you and your child like new cultural experiences, animal detectives, and tales of teamwork, then you’ll love R.F. Kristi’s globetrotting adventures.

Genre Children’s Price $7.50 ISBN 978-0998429144

26

Without expecting praise from the man who trained him to survive this centuries-old, malignant war against the inhuman followers of an invincible lord.

Genre Science Fiction Price $16.95 ISBN 978-0994495600

There are three letters when put together that can change your life--they can either bring happiness or sadness. The letters spell the word Y - E - S. When spoken lovingly, Y E S means everything. When fear underlies the answer, Y E S becomes a trap with ominous consequences. The Last Merry Go Round peels back the skin of a volatile marriage with dark secrets, revealing what happens to the family when the secrets explode.

Genre Thriller Price $27.44 ISBN 978-1913264239

Five hundred years ago the world shattered, banishing the gods from the Sister Continents and stealing the memories of the mortal peoples in an event known as the Great Forgetting.

In seventeen days the stars will align, and a religious cabal will summon the gods back to the realms of men. In the northern tundra priests search the Steaming Lakes, a place tormented by the Wakened Dead. Deep in the mountains, demonic shadows assail priests at a holy shrine…

Genre Dark Fantasy Price $16.99 ISBN 978-1732408319

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TOPShelf Reviews

Sleuth

Hardcover

$19.49

A TRULY FANTASTIC BOOK! Murder in Season is an excellent read and a breath of fresh air. Jon Land is eloquent and relentlessly engaging. Could NOT put this gem down! With work on the reconstruction of her beloved home almost complete, Jessica Fletcher is in high spirits, spearheading the annual Christmas parade and preparing for her nephew Grady and his family to come to town. The only thing dampening the holiday cheer is the discovery of two sets of bones on Jessica's property: one set ancient, the other only about a year old. Reporter Tad Hollenbeck arrives in Cabot Cove to write about what he calls the murder capital of the country.

But when Tad himself turns up murdered, Jessica speculates that his arrival, his death, and the discovery of the bones are all somehow linked. As Jessica digs deeper, things seem to come back to a mystery that's long plagued Cabot Cove. To solve the case, she'll need to delve into her beloved town's dark history. Could this holiday season become her last? Land has a master's eye for weightless detail. Refreshing and alive.

Never allowing you to leave the edge of your seat. The plot is intricate yet never confusing. I appreciate the advanced vernacular. Land refuses to "dumb it down" to make it allegedly easier to read. Thank you for a truly fantastic book!

Mystery

Paperback

$11.99

DELIGHTFUL AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Historical

Paperback

$14.71

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Engaging and well-paced, Rich DiSilvio's Short Stories II is a fantastic anthology for fans of historical fiction who enjoy short stories following a unified theme. Short Stories II debuts two intriguing mysteries featuring a dapper and witty private eye named Armand Arnolfini, as he investigates baffling art-related crimes entailing forgery and theft. The book also features a spine-chilling tale about John Vagis, a moving and edifying story of two airmen during the Korean War with an unexpected twist, historical narratives featuring such notables as Augustus Caesar, FDR, and Winston Churchill, and more. The stories fit well together; however, the book feels somewhat top-heavy due to their placement. I believe the book would have benefitted from the two main stories bookending the rest. In the end, this book was delightful and highly recommended.

I love YA novels, and The Secrets of Hawthorne House is no exception! Fifteen-year-old Matt Mitchell is having one of the worst summers imaginable. His sadness starts when his mother dies in a tragic car accident. Matt’s grieving father is unable to remain in the family’s seaside cottage, so he decides to move Matt and his twin sister as far away as possible from the place they all loved. But their relocation to the small town of Hawthorne only makes Matt’s life more difficult, due to three bullies at his new school going out of their way to making Matt’s life miserable and unbearable. Making matters worse, Matt hears that the recluse living in the run-down Victorian mansion next door is none other than Old Lady Hawthorne––the town’s infamous murderer of wayward husbands.

The book offers many hair-raising moments captured within the eerie Hawthorne House.

This book would have easily deserved five stars, if not for several editing issues. Still, this one comes highly recommended.

~Mrs. Y, TopShelf Review

~Michael Rowland, TopShelf Review

~Jenn Taylor, TopShelf Reviews

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TOPShelf

AUGUST2020

27

TOPShelf Spotlights They say the pen is mightier than the sword. In Sleepwater’s world, words are literally more powerful than bullets. Leo could always make people believe anything she says—really believe. When her chest burns and the words come from her mouth, her targets’ eyes glaze over, they forget their own thoughts, and they’ll do anything she says. It’s what keeps her alive after being on the run and living on the streets for years. But after using it on her girlfriend and her dad’s drug dealer, it’s also what got her here on the streets in the first place.

Fifty years ago this year, six friends and I were determined to get away from the predictable, miserable summer weather in Great Britain. We wanted to venture further afield for our holidays, traveling to a country where we were guaranteed blue sky, endless sunny days, warm nights, golden sand, Azure crystal waters, bikini clad bronze bodies, and ice-cold beers…

Genre LGBT Science Fiction Price $14.99 ISBN 978-1732201651

Genre Price ISBN

Da k Fan a

Against an international landscape of power, affluence, control and fear, a young woman defines what it means to find strength, passion and love for life. Her choice to trust herself, and dare to take the first steps away from what she could not allow, led to acts of boldness. With the unexpected help of strangers, and guidance from her alter-ego, her journey led to an unprecedented escape to freedom.

EVE OF SNOWS i a i m han , nning fi b k in he SUNDER NG THE GODS e ie ." ndieReade Rice handle a la ge ca f cha ac e i h he kill and flai f a fi e j ggle ."

B klife Edi ' Pick

$16.99 BN: 978-1732408319 .

nde ing heg d .c m

Abandoned and left at a local shelter, a Maine Coon kitten awaits an uncertain fate. During his stay, Khan befriends a wise old tomcat, who speaks about his experiences of life on the streets, bringing comfort to the frightened kitten. Four days later, to Khan's horror, the shelter workers take his friend away to the Big Sleep, as the tomcat called it, leaving Khan scared and alone. Just before Khan's time is up, a man enters the shelter and adopts Khan, bringing him to a new home…

Genre Pet & Animal Price $10.99 ISBN 978-1502582515

28

Memoir $7.80 978-1094665757

Genre Memoir Price $9.99 ISBN B086BPJSZG

One Blood of the Veil still walks, and he has learned to listen.

Freed from the unending torment of the violet mists and his forty-eight deaths within the void, Kherron has reentered the world an entirely different man.

He’s broken his vow to Dehlyn, to find and protect her at all costs, releasing the amarach vessel’s hold on him forever. Without this tether to the green-eyed woman with more ancient power than any one being was ever meant to possess, the path before him is his own to choose.

Genre Dark Fantasy Price $14.99 ISBN 978-1732201675

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TOPShelf Reviews

Mystery

Paperback

$13.93

SUSPENSE THROUGHOUT IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT DOWN An immensely good read! Malthus Revisited begins with a character for whom you feel incredibly sorry. That is until you learn just who––or what––he has become. These characters are very relatable, though the author wants the reader to understand that Dr. McCall is a super-genius––driving this point throughout the novel. The race is on to stop the release of a fiercely deadly virus.

Ex-Marine, now assassin for hire, Joe Cairns is tasked with rescuing a kidnapped scientist who may possess answers and an antidote.

One young girl, Morgan, has visions of what the virus caused when released into a Chinese prison. Dr. McCall and her team of police and scientist race to China to find answers. They find a sample left behind by the solider believed to have poisoned the prison's food. But when Dr. McCall rushes in to collect the specimen, she inadvertently inhales a trace of the sample. On the flight home, Dr. McCall collapses, and the rescued scientist, Sebastian, injects her with the antidote he's been secretly working on. But will the cure save her life or end it? This book held me in suspense throughout— impossible to put down.

Sci-Fi

Kindle

KEPT ME READING LONG INTO THE NIGHT!!!

$1.99

I realize that a screenplay is far different and shorter than a book, so perhaps I'm slightly off-base. I will start by saying that the storyline is excellent! It was different reading this script, but I got into it quickly.

The character development could have been better. It's a good but predictable script. There's nothing innately wrong with it––just a lot of common themes. I lived in AK, and it would have been great if the native population had been more than either one "rich" native Alaskan who works for the boss and the others who are all against the pipeline and creating problems. I would have preferred to see that some outside agencies were being assholes because they didn't understand the native population or the pipeline. It would have also been nice if the tribe had actually helped save the day, instead of being mere protesters––the white man, merely money-hungry savages. In reality, the pipeline and accompanying revenue would benefit all Alaskan residents. ~Jenn Taylor, TopShelf Reviews

Thriller

Paperback

$11.59

PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER, HITCHCOCIAN IN ITS STYLE With prose so lyrical, you can almost hear music as you read, Jenny Milchman has written a hard-hitting psychological thriller that is Hitchcockian in its style. As The Second Mother starts, you can almost hear Rod Serling say, “Welcome to the Twilight Zone.” Broken and grasping for mere existence, Julie Mason (Weathers) is guilt-ridden over the loss of her baby girl. A death for which she feels responsible. A memory dulled only with help from a bottle of scotch. In a moment of clarity, Julie decides the only way she can stop her downward spiral is to leave the small mountain town where she grew up. She finds a teaching gig on a small island off the coast of Maine. A new life, in a new location, with new people, will help her heal––right? From the first page to the last, it seems Julie cannot catch a break. For every step forward, she stumbles two steps backward. Jenny Michman has written a tension-fueled, provocative, nailbiting thriller that will have your heart pounding and your hands shaking as you frantically turn the pages, thirsting for more.

The idiom, “The End Justifies the Means” has never been more prevalent than in The Second Mother. Somewhere in the heavens, Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling are looking down and smiling at Jenny Milchman.

~Jenn Kraft, TopShelf Review

~J.M. LeDuc, TopShelf Review

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TOPShelf

AUGUST2020

29

TOPShelf Spotlights D

According to the Wall Street Journal, teachers are leaving their positions in greater numbers than ever before.

Truth: educators do not commit their passion to teach believing untold wealth awaits them. The purposely concealed story: national teacher shortage is due to a dominating hostile work environment, created by the people educators serve…

Genre Non-Fiction Price $19.99 ISBN 978-0578480442

Tequila Rose may have met the man of her dreams.

Unfortunately, she wakes up suffering from alcoholic amnesia and doesn’t remember anything about the night before. Tall, dark, and Jack may be the cure her jaded heart desperately needs, but Tequila’s wary as friends warn her that Jack hangs out with the local drug dealer. Thrust together at a Speed Dating event, their chemistry sizzles, but is Jack after a different kind of fix?]

Genre Romantic Comedy Price $9.99 ISBN 978-0473237028

If James Patterson and Janet Evanovich had a love child... Meet Jessica James!

Donors to the new world class Chicago museum of Russian art are dropping like flies, and Jessica is at the center of the carnage.

Can she track down the killer before she falls into his trap?

Genre Suspense Thriller Price $19.99 ISBN 978-0997583687

30

When a popular computer game inspires a virtual crime wave of murderous proportions, a female police psychiatrist enlists the help of a former police detective to help her cross the edge between game and reality.

The stories told around the campfire taught us of legends— tales of demons and heroes. I thought they were only stories, but I was wrong. They were warnings. My name is Pamoon and until recently I lived a normal life. Well, as normal as it could be growing up on a Cree reservation.

My birth mom left me on the steps of the reservation medical center when I was just an infant. Being Cree is all I’ve ever known and all I ever wanted to be.My life changed the night my friends disappeared.

They vanished while reciting a ritual they didn’t understand…

Genre Thriller & Suspense Price $6.91 ISBN 978-0515120127

Genre Fantasy Price $12.99 ISBN 978-1704622828

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TOPShelf Reviews

Biography

Hardcover

$17.99

Memoir

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19.99

Teen & YA

Paperback

$18.99

STAYS WITH YOU LONG AFTER THE FINAL PAGE!

CANNOT REMEMBER A BOOK AN ENJOYING, CAPTIVATING THAT MOVED ME SO MUCH! READ, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

The Lincoln Conspiracy begins with backstory about Abraham Lincoln's rise in the political landscape. Even in the early stages of the book, I was glued. Then Brad and Josh began to write about Lincoln's win in the Democratic presidential primary and the political upheaval between the north and the south, and I was riveted. The Lincoln Conspiracy tells the story about the rift between the slaveowning south and the anti-slave sentiment in the north and how Lincoln's win in the 1860 presidential race threw gas on the flames of this political fire. Many in the south band together to make sure Lincoln never makes it from Illinois to Washington DC to take office.

I was amazed to discover who the major players were on both sides of this conspiracy to kill the president-elect. From Lincoln's early years to his rise in politics to his incredible and frightful railroad trip from Illinois to Washington D.C. for his inauguration, The Lincoln Conspiracy will have you spellbound and losing sleep as you breathlessly turn pages towards an absolutely stunning climax. Brad Meltzer & Josh Mensch have written a biography that reads like a bestselling thriller. The Lincoln Conspiracy stays with you long after the final page.

I cannot remember reading a book that moved me so much, evoking so many emotions, from anger to disbelief, which made me stop and think about my own approach to life. To read about the experiences the black community was going through in the 1950s from someone's perspective, living through the bullying, intimidation, and fearing for their lives, put's one's life in view.

The segregation was unbelievable, and the visceral hatred and violence and injustice incredible. Yet despite the many injustices the black students faced, they continued to hold their heads up high and with dignity. This book is written from the voices of the authors, just before the reforms initiated by the protests of Rosa Parks in 1955 and Martin Luther King's "I have a dream', speech in 1963. Thank you, Mrs. Eckford and Ms. Stanley, for such a great read. I admire your reserve and dedication in having to relive the horrors and showing that your beliefs can overcome the adversities you came across is a true testament to your character and legacy.

~J.M. LeDuc, TopShelf Review

~Michael Rowland, TopShelf Review

www.TopShelfMagazine.net

Where you Lead is an incredible story based on the faith between two teenagers who find each other through one girls vision. A vision so real it makes her believe its reality and searches for the man she sees in them. The main characters realization that the little things we do in faith matter as much as the big things God calls us to do. And the whole mystery of missing civil war gold, not to mention the romance between the two. Leslea Wahl, has done an incredible job targeting the teen audience and leading them into so many faith based lessons through an enjoyable, captivating read. Once you get into the book it’s nearly impossible to put down. Highly recommend! ~Micah Richards, TopShelf Reviews

TOPShelf

AUGUST2020

31

TOPShelf Spotlights Margi calls in with a surprise for the Mary and Eddie for their joint birthday and anniversary. A very humorous start to the story with Mary, Eddie and Margi swapping stories and banter, which shows their ability to both give and take a bit and also their undeniable love for each other. Margi’s surprise for them is a cruise for the elderly, a twilight cruise. Once they board the ship Mary’s world turns upside down…

Genre Short Story Price $4.99 ISBN 979-8641687643

Genre Science Fiction Price $1.25 ISBN B07Q2D4XNR

When Grandma Teaches You to Lie is a collection of colorful tales from Jenny Prevatte's childhood in rural North Carolina, a time and place ruled by the cycles of farm life and the grace of God. A pivotal figure in Jenny's life, Grandma was a conventional Southern woman in many ways but unconventional in all the best ways. She instilled in Jenny a mischievous sense of humor, fierce independence, and good common sense--lessons we can all use today.

A collection of creative stories based on the lives of animals in an urban underworld jungle. The stories are focused around a family of outlaw rabbits who are fixtures in the criminal activities taking place in the jungle while trying to maintain a balanced life and family structure. Deceit and mistrust lead the rabbits down a dark rabbit hole of revenge and murder. There are no happily-ever-after's in these stories. Join the Jackson rabbits as they navigate their way through the urban jungle using their Animal Instincts.

Genre Memoir Price $15.00 ISBN 978-1943070442

Genre Paranormal & Urban Price $2.99 ISBN B082J84GHV

Harold Goldfarb is a sixty-year old retiring actor who's only looking for some peace and contentment in his advancing years, but in the middle of the night he is visited by a strange otherworldly being (who looks remarkably like Mel Brooks) and after that Harold's whole world, or what he thinks is his world, gets completely turned upside down.

Harold is tasked with an outrageous assignment, and unfortunately, the fate of mankind depends on what he does next.

Emerging criminal defense attorney Sam Young has always known he had a gift. Or a curse.

He thinks of them as minor psychic abilities. When Sam is hired by an attractive young nun named Camille Paradisi, he agrees to help discover the identity of a serial killer in order to prevent Camilles pastor from being exposed for not reporting the man after a confession thereby allowing another murder to occur…

Genre Humor, Sci-Fi, Fantasy Price $14.99 ISBN 978-1733051200

32

All Saxon Zynn wanted to do was dream, not for himself, but for everyone. His dream immersion technology sits poised to become the new entertainment medium, but will unforeseen obstacles prevent him from achieving his purpose?

Genre Thriller Price $15.98 ISBN 978-1633931794

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Genre Non-Fiction Price $9.99 ISBN 978-0692412459

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A lady with a dark secret refuses to marry the man of her dreams in order to protect him... but will he let her?After returning to London from his Grand Tour, serious-minded Jeremy St. Clair, the Marquess of Sather, attends a ball and meets a luminescent beauty who draws him out of his shell. They share a searing kiss— her first—and though he never planned to wed, Jeremy desires to make this young woman his…

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Emily thought her college scholarship was a step forward...

But it turned out to be a step backward... IN TIME Follow Emily's unexpected journey, where journal entries to her deceased aunt and the powerful secrets they contain, become her only link to the life she once knew and the future she must choose to follow

Genre Romance Price $14.99 ISBN 978-1543024968

Art historian Angela Renatus knows she’s different. She can see into the past—into the lives of the greatest artists of all time— but are her visions a gift or a curse? Angela and her fiancé, Alex Caine—a former Navy Seal turned private detective— recover precious works of art for private collectors, museums, and galleries. Enlisted by the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Angela and Alex investigate one of the greatest art heists in history—the theft of Caravaggio’s NATIVITY. Genre Time Travel Romance Price $14.95 ISBN 978-1732207134

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“ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS WE'VE READ THIS YEAR. A MASTERFULLY WRITTEN TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE… TREMENDOUSLY SATISFYING!” ~TopShelf Reviews

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While her boyfriend Forrest searches for a job, quick-witted Annet works at the Keizer Manor, where the oils from 19th-century master painter Alexander Keizer are exhibited. After a fight, a very pregnant Annet and Forrest figure they'll take a stroll through the ocean dunes, but they become separated when dark clouds roll in, bringing with them a violent thunderstorm. Regaining consciousness in a monastery, Forrest nowhere to be found, Annet is convinced the nuns are playing a prank. The 1800's. Impossible! She must find her way home. But how will she ever get back to her own time?

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