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September 19, 2026

A Man’s Purpose: Built for More

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: A Man’s Purpose 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Chris Hynds ✍️
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This book encourages men to look honestly at the emotional armor, expectations, and definitions of success they may have carried for years. I particularly liked the central idea that a person doesn’t necessarily need to become someone new, but may need to reconnect with the parts of themselves that have been buried beneath responsibility and achievement.

Hynds discusses the different “masks” men can adopt: the Stoic, Provider, Achiever, Tough Guy, or Lone Wolf and shows how these roles can gradually create emotional distance from oneself and others. The book also moves beyond reflection by offering practical prompts and small exercises, encouraging readers to recognize suppressed emotions, question inherited beliefs, seek supportive relationships, and make choices that are more aligned with their values. The progression from survival to intentional leadership gives the discussion a clear sense of direction.

This is a reflective and motivational read for anyone interested in personal growth, emotional intelligence, purpose, and redefining strength. Its message that vulnerability and honesty can coexist with strength is presented with genuine conviction. This book invites readers to stop measuring their lives only by achievement and begin asking a more meaningful question: whether the life they are building actually feels authentic to them.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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September 17, 2026

The Yellow Butterfly

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Yellow Butterfly 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Shafin Rahman ✍️
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The Yellow Butterfly by Shafin Rahman is a reflective collection of poetry that feels like an invitation into the author’s inner world. This collection brings together emotions, memories, observations, and life lessons, with the author hoping to create an “enchanted world” where readers can pause, reflect, and revisit moments from the past.

What stood out to me is the way the poems move between simple life wisdom and deeper emotional reflections. In “Patience,” the author explores the importance of slowing down, thinking carefully, and resisting the urge to rush into decisions. Meanwhile, “Things I Miss” carries a more nostalgic and melancholic tone, touching on memories of friends, familiar experiences, loneliness, and the awareness that time keeps moving forward. Other poems, such as “There is a Thing Men Want,” explore human desires, fear, happiness, and the uncertainties that accompany life.

This book’s poems encourage reflection on memories, choices, relationships, loss, and the passage of time. The recurring sense of looking back while still moving forward gives the collection an emotional warmth. For readers who enjoy poetry that combines personal emotion with observations about everyday life, The Yellow Butterfly offers a gentle collection to revisit whenever you are in the mood for quiet contemplation.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

September 14, 2026

Austin and the Golden Sun Macaw

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Austin and the Golden Sun Macaw 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Lynda Roberts Vaughan ✍️
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This was such a fun mix of family, magic, mystery, and adventure. What initially feels like a story about a family and their ranch gradually opens up into something much bigger, involving an enchanted map, a hidden treasure, old family secrets, and a magical legacy passed down through generations. I especially enjoyed how the story builds its world through the characters. The connection between Austin and Tybar, in particular, gives the magical elements an emotional heart.

The treasure hunt is only one part of what makes the story interesting. There is also a genuine sense of danger as Gabby’s intentions become clearer and the family realizes that Tybar may be in serious danger. The magical details: the White Witch, the enchanted map and even the mysterious rocking chair give the story a wonderfully whimsical quality.

Austin and Tybar’s friendship and sacrifice also add warmth to what could otherwise have been a straightforward fantasy treasure hunt. The ending leaves plenty of room for curiosity about what comes next, and I can easily see younger readers especially enjoying the combination of magical creatures, family secrets, suspense, and adventure.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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September 14, 2026

Interview with author Leith C MacArthur

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. My name is Leith Campbell MacArthur. Leith is the name of a river in Scotland, and I’ve always been thankful to my mother for having had the courage to give me a unique moniker. I live in Greene, RI, on a beautiful piece of land surrounded by woods and water. I love animals, most particularly dogs. I’m of the belief that dogs were put on this planet to show us oft-confused humans the true nature of love and devotion. Speaking of love; I’ve been blessed by the most amazing woman I’ve ever known (beyond my mother, of course). After having spent five of my eight decades feeling lost, my wife Katira has gifted me with true love. I was lost, and now I am found.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “An Artificial Life”?

A2. The most difficult aspect of writing my memoir “An Artificial Life” was telling the truth. I am a recovering addict. I abused drugs for nearly five decades, and telling the truth about the insane and sometimes terrible things I did while using drugs took a kind of courage I did not know I possessed.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. As a child, I was profoundly influenced by Robert Louis Stevenson. His stories of humanness, heartache, and triumph temporarily relieved me of my suffering. Because of Stevenson, I began writing short stories at the age of eleven. As a teenager, Dashiell Hammet, Ross Macdonald, and John D. Macdonald helped me to express, through writing, my anger about injustice. When I was older, Robert B. Parker helped me to round out my fictional protagonist, William Snow, for my series of suspense thrillers. Although my writing pales by comparison, I learned how to create vibrant scenes by reading every book ever written by James Lee Burke, Master Storyteller.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. The area around the White Mountains of New Hampshire contains some of my favorite places on earth. Before our family fell apart, my father took us on epic driving trips throughout New England. Whenever we were in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, I did not want to go home. I loved those mountains. As an adult, I went on to climb many of them.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘The Man On The Moon’?

A5. For three consecutive summers, I vacationed in Pleasant Bay, Nova Scotia. Because Pleasant Bay is the most tranquil place I’ve ever been to (the population is about 100), I wondered what it would be like if I were to uncover some unspeakable horror buried in the town’s history. Out of that wondering came the fifth book in the William Snow series, “The Man on the Moon”.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘An Artificial Life’?

A6. Writing “An Artificial Life” was a grueling process. I began writing about the havoc I’d wreaked in my life (while dodging my own bullets and praying they wouldn’t kill anyone else) in the fall of 2012, which was when, at the age of sixty-six, I finally got clean. I finished “An Artificial Life” in May, 2026. Therefore, it took fourteen years to complete.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. My books can be purchased at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, or at my website LeithMacArthur.com

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Finding Man’?

A8. Coming up with the cover design for “The Finding Man” was easy. All six books in The William Snow series have the exact same image on the covers. The only difference is the color. The image of the hand coming up out of the water on those six covers is the opposite of the hand coming down out of the sky on the cover of “An Artificial Life”. The common theme is, “getting a hand”.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself.

A9. Keeping my writing fresh is easy. I write “the truth”, whether it be the actual truth in the story of my life, or the created “truth” of the stories in my head. Even though I have been blessed with an active imagination, I do my best to write stories that come across as possible.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. The most valuable piece of advice I’ve ever been given regarding writing is this: read, read, READ!

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September 10, 2026

Sisterhood Sleuths Magazine: Issue 5 2026

Magazine: Sisterhood Sleuths Magazine: Issue 5 2026

By: Cathy Warshaw

Sisterhood Sleuths Magazine: Issue 5 2026 is an engaging and thoughtfully put-together issue that manages to make learning feel like an adventure. I especially enjoyed how the magazine combines puzzles and mystery-solving with subjects that young readers can actually relate to, rather than making education feel like another classroom lesson.

One of my favorite parts was the focus on confidence, perseverance, and learning from mistakes. The message that struggling with something doesn’t mean you can’t do it and that confidence comes from continuing even when the answer isn’t obvious is genuinely encouraging. The STEM sections are equally inspiring, particularly the story of teen inventor Cavon Hajimiri and his Hindsight project. His journey shows young readers that curiosity, experimentation, failure, and asking for help can all be important parts of turning an idea into something meaningful.

The issue also tackles social media in a very practical and age-appropriate way. Instead of simply presenting it as something negative, the magazine encourages readers to think critically, protect their privacy, question what they see online, and avoid comparing their everyday lives with someone else’s highlight reel.

Issue 5 is a positive, educational, and entertaining edition that encourages young readers to stay curious, think independently, embrace what makes them different, and approach the world like true sleuths.

Rating: 5/5

Read magazine here

September 7, 2026

Interview with author Bob Brill

Q1 Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?

A1. I’m a long-time author and radio veteran. I’ve been in radio broadcasting for 55 years mostly as a newscaster, reporter, journalist and formerly a disc jockey in my younger days. I’m a sports fan and got into radio to do sports back in 1972 and am a hopelessly devoted fan of my hometown teams from Pittsburgh. I love gaming but not video gaming and have written 17 books, produced a feature length documentary, several short films while writing 20 scripts and pilots. Yes I’m always busy.

Q2 What would you say is your strength as an author?

A2. Experience, creativity and an endless stream of ideas and that I’m willing to do several things at the same time.

Q3 What is your favorite part from your book ‘Lancer: Hero of the West: The Virginia City Affair’?

A3. The fact Lancer is a good guy who rarely loses, his love for Turkish Delight and of course his running into someone who really was a famous person at the time in almost every book.

Q4 How do you handle literary criticism?

A4. Like most people, not well, but I get over it figuring this is MY story, not theirs.

Q5 What do you like about audiobooks?

A5. I’ve only done two. I’m not a fan. They are necessary. Some people use them while driving, others who are visually challenged buy them because they love books but are unable to read them.

Q6 How has the experience of writing and publishing a book influenced your perception of yourself?

A6. It’s brought about the realization that I really am a creative. I was always bothered by the wondering how I would face the challenges of being a writer but now I don’t fear it, I just tackle it.

Q7 What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

A7. Certainly not spelling as I’m the worst. I was known as the worst speller at UPI when I worked there. Thank the Good Lord for spellcheck. Good writing means breaking barriers, sometimes forgetting about the norms and do what you feel makes your story better. Punctuation and all that other stuff will fall into place but while you will always get challenged by editors on your creativity, I believe their job lies mainly in the corrective process.

Q8 What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

A8. I sit and write until my eyes go buggy or my wife says she needs some help with something. I write in the morning and the evening and in the afternoon and often just push through.

Q9 What is the significance of the title ‘Lancer: Hero of the West: The Virginia City Affair’?

A9. Each Lancer book is called an “Affair” meaning his challenges happen in a different city where he took the job. Prescott, AZ, Los Angeles, Broken Bow, New Orleans. Wherever he goes the Affair part follows. To be honest I stole (uh, borrowed) that from a great TV show in the 1960’s, which probably stole it from somewhere else. The Man From U.N.C.L.E, labelled each episode “the Affair” and I thought it was a good way to separate the Lancer stories.

Q10 What did you want to be when you grew up?

A10. A Major League Baseball Player.

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August 27, 2026

Interview with author Dawne Marie Strub

1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.

A1. I grew up in New Jersey and later moved to Tennessee with my husband and family. My educational background includes legal studies and graduate studies in professional writing, both of which have strengthened my research, analytical, and communication skills. I enjoy creative, academic, and faith-based writing because writing allows me to inform, encourage, and connect with others through meaningful ideas and stories. Along with continuing my journey as an author, I aspire to become a writing educator who helps students develop their skills, discover their unique voices, and recognize the value of their own stories.

2. What is the inspiration behind your book “Clyde the Alien Puppy: Commander of the Galaxy.”?

A2. The inspiration behind Clyde the Alien Puppy: Commander of the Galaxy came from a real experience when my husband and I found six abandoned puppies on a cold, damp evening along a rural mountain road. When we stopped, one puppy immediately jumped into our car, climbed onto my husband’s lap, and acted as though he already belonged with us. We later named him Clyde. As Clyde grew, we noticed his remarkable intelligence, athletic ability, and unusual behavior, which led my husband to jokingly call him an alien. That playful idea inspired me to imagine Clyde as the commander of an alien crew whose spacecraft had crashed in the nearby mountains. By combining our real rescue experience with imagination and humor, I created a story that explores trust, kindness, loyalty, gratitude, and the sense of belonging that can develop when someone offers help during a vulnerable moment.

3. When did you realize you want to be an author?

A3. I realized at a young age that I wanted to become an author. I enjoyed keeping a journal and expressing my thoughts through poems, stories, and songs. Writing gave me a creative way to use my imagination, explore my feelings, and share ideas. As I grew older and continued my education, my love for writing became a serious personal and professional goal. I came to understand that words can inform, inspire, encourage, and connect people.

4. Please tell us something about your book “Clyde the Alien Puppy: Commander of the Galaxy”.

A4. Clyde the Alien Puppy: Commander of the Galaxy is an imaginative children’s story centered on Clyde, a special puppy whose adventures extend far beyond Earth. The story combines humor, excitement, and space exploration as Clyde steps into the important role of Commander of the Galaxy. At its heart, the book encourages young readers to use their imaginations, believe in themselves, and recognize that even an unexpected hero can accomplish something remarkable. I hope readers will enjoy Clyde’s personality and have fun joining him on his galactic adventure.

5. For which age group is your book “Clyde the Alien Puppy: Commander of the Galaxy”?

A5. This book series is for children ages 3 – 8 years old, great for story time, and for early readers.

6. What is your favorite Quote?

A6. My favorite quote is, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you,” by Maya Angelou. This quote speaks to me because I have enjoyed writing since I was young, whether I was keeping a journal or writing poems, stories, and songs. It reminds me that our experiences and imaginations can become meaningful stories, but we must have the courage to write and share them with others.

7. What do you like the most about your country?

A7. What I appreciate most about the United States is the freedom we have to make our own choices and become the people we are meant to be. We have opportunities to pursue our goals, express our ideas, and create lives that reflect our values and beliefs. I believe these freedoms allow people to discover their purpose and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

8. What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?

A8. I encourage parents to introduce reading when their child is ready and to make it a consistent, positive experience. Be patient, kind, and encouraging while supporting your child’s natural curiosity and imagination. Children develop at different rates, and reading should never feel like a punishment or comparison. We are all perfectly imperfect, so children should be supported in their weaknesses as well as celebrated for their strengths. Most importantly, allow them to choose books that interest them and make reading an enjoyable time you can share together.

9. What does literary success look like to you?

A9. Literary success means seeing my writing inspire readers and make a meaningful difference in their lives. Although publishing accomplishments are important, true success is knowing that something I have written has encouraged someone, sparked a child’s imagination, or helped a reader see the world in a new way. If my stories remain in readers’ hearts and positively influence their lives, I will consider my work successful.

10. Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?

A10. One person who inspires me is Melania Trump. I admire her beauty, determination, and the way she worked toward achieving her goals. I am especially inspired by the patience, thoughtfulness, and grace with which she carries herself in challenging situations. Her quiet strength reminds me that a person can remain composed, confident, and true to who they are, even while facing criticism or difficult circumstances.

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August 27, 2026

Clyde the Alien Puppy

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Clyde the Alien Puppy 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Dawne Marie Strub ✍️
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Clyde the Alien Puppy, Commander of the Galaxy is a heartwarming story that combines adventure, humor, and the simple joy of finding a place to belong. Clyde immediately stands out as a delightful character, confidently declaring himself “Commander Clyde” while leading his fellow puppies through an unexpected adventure. The story is especially engaging because each puppy has a distinct personality, from Ozzy’s playful chaos to the watchful nature of Bucky and Duke.

What makes the book particularly touching is the way the adventure gradually becomes a story about friendship, safety, and family. The puppies begin their journey cold, hungry, and lost, but eventually find warmth, food, comfort, and companionship at the farmhouse.

The final message is perhaps the most beautiful part of the book. Read this book to know the final message. Knowing that the story was inspired by six real rescued puppies makes the journey feel even more meaningful. This is a sweet, uplifting read that celebrates friendship, courage, rescue, and the comforting idea that every lost little soul deserves a safe place to call home.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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August 25, 2026

Interview with author James L Hill

Q1 Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?

A1. I am an award-winning multi-genre author and publisher. I started out as a sci-fi writer and penned books in adult urban crime, fantasy, and I am now working on a horror novel.

Q2 What would you say is your strength as an author?

A2. The ability to describe thrilling events quickly that build a story. It also creates an emotional bond with my readers.

Q3 What is your favorite part from your book ‘The Emerald Lady’?

A3. When Shera, a mermaid, is trying to save Jeremy and he in turn must keep her from drowning. It shows that each of them is willing to sacrifice for the other out of true love.

Q4 How do you handle literary criticism?

A4. All criticism is good, you must realize everyone will not like what you write. Finding out what they don’t like is important too. And if the criticism is valid it is a good way to improve your writing.

Q5 What do you like about audiobooks?

A5. When done well it can transport you into the story. Unlike movies and TV, audiobooks open your imagination to visualize the scenes.

Q6 How has the experience of writing and publishing a book influenced your perception of yourself?

A6. I have been writing for such a long time my perception of myself is set. However, writing and publishing allows me to live different realities.

Q7 What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

A7. Clarity and imagination, to be able to create situations and relate them so anyone can understand, is what writing is all about.

Q8 What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

A8. When I am actually writing I pour every free minute into working at the keyboard. And when I am not at the keyboard, I am running dialogue and scenes in my head.

Q9 What is the significance of the title ‘The Emerald Lady’?

A9. The Emerald Lady is the first book in the Gemstone trilogy. Emeralds are precious and so are ladies. They are green which signifies the start of something great.

Q10 What did you want to be when you grew up?

A10. A scientist. A chemist to be precise. But I like all the sciences, now I am a computer scientist and a software engineer.

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August 10, 2026

Elaine

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Elaine 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Cor Smuts ✍️
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The novel begins with heartbreak, self-doubt, and the emotional aftermath of a controlling relationship, allowing readers to connect with Elaine on a personal level. As strange and terrifying events begin to unfold, the emotional foundation established early on makes every decision she faces feel meaningful rather than simply serving the plot.

Cor Smuts creates an unsettling sense of isolation through the remote cabin, silent forests, and the growing realization that the familiar world has become dangerously unfamiliar. The gradual unveiling of mysterious phenomena and terrifying creatures is handled with patience, allowing suspense to build naturally. Elaine’s resilience and determination stand out throughout the story, and watching her adapt to impossible circumstances is one of the book’s most rewarding aspects.

Elaine blends emotional drama with survival horror and speculative science fiction in a way that feels original. The novel isn’t afraid to take risks, introducing complex mysteries that leave readers eager to discover the larger truth behind the events unfolding around Elaine. Readers who enjoy character-driven thrillers with a strong sense of mystery and escalating tension will likely find Elaine to be an engaging read.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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