Spotlight: Dancing on My Own Two Feet: A New Life One Step at a Time by Jenn Todling

An inspirational book club read of one woman’s journey of taking the bold step to leave her disabled—and volatile—spouse and moving across the country in search of adventure, tango, and love.

At the tender age of twenty, Jenn faces a pivotal moment when her boyfriend, Morey, proposes marriage after only a few weeks of dating. Her intuition urges her to say no, but she’s spent the entirety of her teenage years caregiving for family; she yearns for adventure, and she thinks relocating to California with Morey will give her the freedom she craves. So she says yes—only to find herself back in the caregiver role after he becomes disabled a few years into their marriage. But it’s Morey’s volatile personality that ultimately leads Jenn to make a brave decision: it’s time to leave.

Dancing on My Own Two Feet takes a poignant turn as Jenn relocates to New York City after her divorce. Here, she rediscovers a long-forgotten passion for dance and embarks on a transformative journey that transcends the physicality of movement. Each dance becomes a channel to tap into her inner wisdom, providing the courage to explore the world and embrace new adventures. Then Jenn encounters Gable, a potential suitor, prompting new questions to arise for her: Is she better off on her own? Or could Gable be the love and dance partner she’s been longing for?

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Paperback | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Jenn Todling is an author, speaker, executive coach, and adjunct instructor at the University of Denver as part of its Frontline Manager Leadership Program. As a retired audit partner at a global Big 4 accounting firm with over twenty years of professional services experience and a certified transformational leadership coach for more than ten years, Jenn helps her clients express their soul in their work and life. She currently resides near her hometown of Boulder, Colorado, with her husband (and dance partner), and young daughter. Dancing on My Own Two Feet is her first book. Learn more at the following:

Website: JENN TODLING

Substack: Soul Spark with Jenn Todling | Substack

Instagram: @jenntodling

Facebook: Jenn Todling

LinkedIn: Jenn Todling

Spotlight: The Midnight of Eights by Justin Newland

In the Island of Angels Series, Book 2 (Can be read as a standalone)

Historical Fiction

Date Published: 10-28-2024

Publisher: The Book Guild

1580.

Nelan Michaels is a young Flemish, Protestant immigrant who seeks to right the wrongs committed against his family by Catholic Spain, the most powerful nation of the time.

On the way to delivering a message to Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster, Nelan finds a plough head buried in the ground. It sparks a premonition that shapes his future.

Nelan sets out to find Eleanor, his long lost love. During his search, he meets a Gypsy shaman who prophesies that he’s to become a Fyremaster and play a leading role in the unfolding destiny of the Island of Angels.

In 1588, Nelan meets his destiny on the night of the Harvest Moon off Calais in France. It was midnight when it happened. His mysterious intervention changed the course of the sea battle between the English fleet and the Spanish Armada, and changed England’s destiny.

It was a midnight of eights. 

The Midnight of Eights is the final book in The Island of Angels series: a two-book saga that tells the epic story and secret history of England's coming of age during the Elizabethan era.

In Book 1, The Mark of the Salamander, Nelan is pressed onto the Golden Hind. During the circumnavigation, he embarks on a voyage of discovery of himself, and learns the arcane arts of the salamander, the mysterious spirit of fire.

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About the Author

JUSTIN NEWLAND’s novels represent an innovative blend of genres from historical adventure to supernatural thriller and magical realism.

Undeterred by the award of a Maths Doctorate, he conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (ISBN 9781789014860, Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies.

His second book, The Old Dragon’s Head (ISBN 9781789015829, Matador, 2018), and is set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.

Set during the Great Enlightenment, The Coronation (ISBN 9781838591885, Matador, 2019) speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution.

The Abdication (ISBN 9781800463950, Matador, 2021) is a mystery thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.

The Mark of the Salamander (ISBN 9781915853271, Book Guild, 2023), is the first in a two-book series, The Island of Angels. Set in the Elizabethan era, it tells the epic tale of England’s coming of age.

The latest is The Midnight of Eights (ISBN 9781835740 330, Book Guild, 2024), the second in The Island of Angels series, which charts the uncanny coincidences of time and tide that culminated in the repulse of the Spanish Armada.

His work in progress is The Spirit of the Times which explores the traumatic events of the 14th Century on the Silk Road and featuring an unlikely cast of Genghis Khan, the Black Plague, all shrouded in the mystery of a nursery rhyme that begins ‘Ring a-ring a-roses’.

Author, speaker and broadcaster, Justin gives talks to historical associations and libraries, appears on LitFest panels, and enjoys giving radio interviews. He lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

Connect:

Website          https://www.justinnewland.com/

Facebook       https://www.facebook.com/justin.newland.author/

Twitter @JustinNewland53

Goodreads    https://www.goodreads.com/jnewland

Pinterest        @jnewland0711 

Instagram      https://www.instagram.com/drjustinnewland/

Book Bub           https://partners.bookbub.com/authors/4862998/

Spotlight: Intersections by Karen F. Uhlmann

For fans of Emma Straub and Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeny, a debut contemporary women’s fiction novel about obsession, forgiveness, and friendship between two unlikely people.

Style-guru Charlotte Oakes sells beautiful lifestyles, but her mentally ill daughter is an addict, her long marriage is dead, and she is pregnant with her ex-lover’s baby. Stunned after witnessing a hit-and-run in Chicago that leaves a child dead, Charlotte thinks she sees her Prius fleeing the scene. Her troubled daughter, Libby, is the only one who could have been driving.

His partner and best friend killed in a drug bust, police officer Ed Kelly learns that forensics has found that the fatal bullet came from Ed’s gun. Under internal investigation, Ed copes by filming cars at the site of the recent hit-and-run, hoping to catch the child’s killer. There, he notices Charlotte’s pilgrimages to the makeshift memorial, and over the weeks, the two become unlikely friends sharing intimate stories. But Charlotte won’t trust him with her most vulnerable secret of all: her suspicions about her daughter’s involvement in the accident.

When Ed finally learns the truth about, he struggles with his beliefs and duties. If he keeps quiet, he has breached his commitment to the law. But if he does the right thing as an officer, he may send Libby to jail—and lose Charlotte.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Karen Uhlmann received her MFA in fiction from Bennington in 2010 and has published short stories and book reviews in Southern Indiana Review, Story, Whitefish Review, and The Common among others. She won the 2016 Rick Bass/Montana Fiction Award, and the 2012 Northern Colorado Writers Award judged by Antonya Nelson. She was recently shortlisted for the 2024 Lascaux Fiction prize and longlisted for a collection of short stories by Santa Fe Writers Project. She lives in Los Angeles but spent most of her life in Chicago. Learn more about her at her website.

Follow Karen Uhlmann on social media:

Instagram: @karenuhlmann

Spotlight: Take the Leap by Andrea Nourse

For Sadie Barnes, fear is second nature. Elevators, snakes, parking garages, airplanes, dating, and crowds with more than three people are just a few of the things she avoids at all costs. But when the marketing agency she started with her best friend is on the line, Sadie is willing to do anything to keep their business alive. Even if it means being contractually obligated to do a tandem skydive with Tripp James.  

Tripp is the CEO of Take the Leap, a company specializing in booking extreme adventures. He's everything Sadie isn't-brave, adventurous, and gorgeous-and he might be their agency's saving grace. Sadie agrees to be the face of their marketing campaign and go with Tripp on their most popular adventures, proving they have an activity for everyone...even someone as fearful as Sadie. 

But things get complicated when the campaign gets off to a rocky start, and Sadie starts to develop feelings for Tripp. Can she conquer her fears, or will she continue to hide in her safe bubble? No amount of therapy could prepare her for discovering something more terrifying than falling from a great height-falling in love. 

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

Andrea Nourse is the author of women's fiction novels, including After Everything and Out of Anywhere.  

Andrea currently lives outside Nashville with her husband, their two children, and their puppy, Cosmic Brownie. She has a BS in Mass Communication from MTSU and an MBA from the University of Memphis. 

When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys pretending to know how to bake, memorizing and dissecting Taylor Swift lyrics, starting (but rarely finishing) crochet projects, and scrolling Netflix without ever finding something to watch. 

Website: www.andreanourse.com

Spotlight: Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

A princess is chosen to fulfill the terms of an ancient treaty and finds herself traveling with an infamous monster slayer. 

If you’re not terrified, you’re doing it wrong...

Long ago, the gods unleashed monsters upon the five kingdoms of Calandra to remind us that humans are insignificant―that we must pray to the gods for mercy throughout our fragile, fleeting lives.

I didn’t need a deity to remind me I was powerless. Being a princess had never been more than a performance―twenty-three years of empty titles and hollow traditions. My sister revels in the spectacle, basking in the attention and flawlessly playing her part. I was never asked to be part of the charade.

Until the day an infamous monster hunter sailed to our shores. The day a prince walked into my father’s throne room and ruined my life. The day I married a stranger, signed a magical treaty in blood, and set off across the continent to the most treacherous kingdom in all the realm.

That was the day I learned that not all myths are make-believe. That lies and legends are often the same. And that the only way to kill the monsters we fear was to become one…

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Hardcover

About the Author

Devney Perry is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author of over fifty romance novels. After working in the technology industry for a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to pursue her passion for writing. She was born and raised in Montana and now lives in Washington with her husband and two sons. To learn more please visit www.devneyperry.co

Spotlight: Skyboy by Adam Aresty

In Skyboy, a young genius must confront his greatest weakness to survive.

Konstant is a brilliant 17-year-old immigrant whose pride and desire to rise to the top has exposed his blind spot - a failure to collaborate with others. When he wins a nationwide science fair sponsored by Metronome Logistics, the world’s most successful technology company, Konstant and five of his peers are invited to Metro-One, Metronome’s campus in New York City. 

An industrial accident strands them, along with the enigmatic CEO and his daughter, in an underground manufacturing facility. Forced to work together and use their prize-winning inventions to make it out alive, Konstant's greatest fear is realized when he discovers that someone among them is responsible for the attack.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Adam Aresty has written the novellas The Communication Room and Recovery, the horror film, Stung, the TV series, ALT, as well as the script for the video game, Enshrouded, among other works of genre fiction. Skyboy is his first novel. He teaches screenwriting at Fordham University and lives in Brooklyn, NY.