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There’s a Book for That: From Page to Screen

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Now playing! With the Golden Globes and Emmys, we’ve officially entered film and television awards season. Oscar nominees will be announced on January 31st and the 96th Oscars will air on March 10th. As lovers of stories, we are readers, listeners, watchers. Penguin Random House publishes a splendid array of books that have inspired filmmakers and been adapted to the big and small screen. For your consideration we offer the following tie-ins to this season’s most talked about movies:

 

American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. SherwinAMERICAN PROMETHEUS by Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize

The inspiration for the film “Oppenheimer” winner of five Golden Globes—including Best Motion Picture Drama.

“A riveting account of one of history’s most essential and paradoxical figures.”—Christopher Nolan

The definitive biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, one of the iconic figures of the twentieth century, a brilliant physicist who led the effort to build the atomic bomb for his country in a time of war, and who later found himself confronting the moral consequences of scientific progress. In this magisterial, acclaimed biography twenty-five years in the making, Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin capture Oppenheimer’s life and times, from his early career to his central role in the Cold War. This is biography and history at its finest, riveting and deeply informative.

 

The Color Purple (Movie Tie-In) by Alice WalkerTHE COLOR PURPLE: A NOVEL (MOVIE TIE-IN) by Alice Walker

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award

The inspiration for the new film adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical starring Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, and Fantasia Barrino.  A powerful cultural touchstone of modern American literature, The Color Purple depicts the lives of African American women in early-twentieth-century rural Georgia. Separated as girls, sisters Celie and Nettie sustain their loyalty to and hope in each other across time, distance, and silence. Through a series of letters spanning nearly thirty years, first from Celie to God, then from the sisters to each other, the novel draws readers into a rich and memorable portrayal of Black women—their pain and struggle, companionship and growth, resilience and bravery.

Click here for the Spanish Edition.

 

The Boys in the Boat (Movie Tie-In) by Daniel James BrownTHE BOYS IN THE BOAT: NINE AMERICANS AND THEIR EPIC QUEST FOR GOLD AT THE 1936 BERLIN OLYMPICS (Movie Tie-In) by Daniel James Brown

The inspiration for the Major Motion Picture Directed by George Clooney—exclusively in theaters December 25, 2023! The #1 New York Times bestselling true story about the American rowing triumph of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

It was an unlikely quest from the start. With a team composed of the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team was never expected to defeat the elite teams of the East Coast and Great Britain, yet they did, going on to shock the world by defeating the German team rowing for Adolf Hitler. The emotional heart of the tale lies with Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not only to regain his shattered self-regard but also to find a real place for himself in the world. Drawing on the boys’ own journals and vivid memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, Brown has created an unforgettable portrait of an era, a celebration of a remarkable achievement, and a chronicle of one extraordinary young man’s personal quest.

Click here for the Young Readers adaptation.

 

Killers of the Flower Moon (Movie Tie-in Edition) by David GrannKILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: THE OSAGE MURDERS AND THE BIRTH OF THE FBI (movie tie-in edition) by David Grann

Now a Martin Scorsese picture!

In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe. Then, one by one, the Osage began to be killed off. The family of an Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, became a prime target. One of her relatives was shot. Another was poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more and more Osage were dying under mysterious circumstances, and many of those who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered. As the death toll rose, the newly created FBI took up the case, and the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to try to unravel the mystery. White put together an undercover team, including a Native American agent who infiltrated the region, and together with the Osage began to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.

Click here for the Spanish Edition. Click here for the Young Readers adaptation.

 

Wonka by Roald DahlWONKA by Roald Dahl, Sibéal Pounder, Simon Farnaby, Paul King

Based on the major motion picture—an intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humor—Wonka introduces readers to a young Willy Wonka, chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time . . . proving that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.

Click here for the Spanish Edition.

 

Daisy Jones & The Six (TV Tie-in Edition) by Taylor Jenkins ReidDAISY JONES & THE SIX: A NOVEL (t.v. tie-in edition) by Taylor Jenkins Reid

an original streaming series executive produced by Reese Witherspoon starring Riley Keough

A gripping novel about the whirlwind rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer, revealing the mystery behind their infamous breakup. Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it’s the rock ’n’ roll she loves most. By the time she’s twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things. Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she’s pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road. Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes that the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend.

Click here for the Spanish Edition.

 

Fool Me Once (Netflix Tie-In) by Harlan CobenFOOL ME ONCE (Netflix Tie-In): A Novel by Harlan Coben

A brand-new tie-in edition of Harlan Coben’s spine-chilling, #1 New York Times bestselling thriller to accompany the Netflix original series.

Former special ops pilot Maya, home from the war, sees an unthinkable image captured by her nanny cam while she is at work: her two-year-old daughter playing with Maya’s husband, Joe—who was brutally murdered two weeks earlier. The provocative question at the heart of the mystery: Can you believe everything you see with your own eyes, even when you desperately want to? To find the answer, Maya must finally come to terms with deep secrets and deceit in her own past before she can face the unbelievable truth about her husband—and herself.

For more on these and relevant titles, visit 2024 screen tie-ins

PenguinRandomHouse 

Sneak Peek: The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel

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The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel

Author Jennifer Deibel draws from her years of experience living in Ireland to craft historical novels steeped in culture. In her newest novel, The Irish Matchmaker, Deibel journeys back to Ireland with a tale of mismatched romances, fresh new starts, and happily ever afters.

As the daughter of a matchmaker with an excellent reputation, Catríona Daly is well-versed in love. The one thing love hasn’t done for her yet is take her away from the tiny town she’s been languishing in. The only time the village is truly bustling is during the annual matchmaking festival. And this year, she has her eye on the grandest prize at the festival, Andrew Osborne, the son of a lord. After a failed romance set up by a rival matchmaker, Andrew is ready to find a new match. And Catríona has just the match in mind—herself.

Donal Bunratty is left adrift after the loss of his wife. He has been trying to manage his cattle farm and raise his daughter all alone. But finding new love is more difficult than it would seem. Despite his shyness, Donal agrees to attend the matchmaking festival for the sake of his daughter. Alas, when he attends the festival, the only woman to draw his attention is the one who’s supposed to find his future wife for him—and she is set on matching herself with another.

It will take everything Catríona has learned of love to end this festival with success. The matches she makes could change her life forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Deibel is the author of A Dance in Donegal (winner of the Kipp Award for Historical Romance), The Lady of Galway Manor, and The Maid of Ballymacool. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and in other publications. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children. You can find her online at JenniferDeibel.com.

DARK HORSE COMICS ANNOUNCES SILVER ALL-AGES ISSUE FOR FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2024

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Featuring new stories from Star Wars(TM) and “Plants Vs. Zombies”

Dark Horse Comics is pleased to announce their Free Comic Book Day Silver offering featuring two new stories suitable for readers of all ages, with two separate stories set in the worlds of Star Wars and Plants vs. Zombies. This issue will be available at participating comic shops on Free Comic Book Day, which takes place on May 4, 2024.

May the Fourth be with you in this all-new tale from Star Wars!

In the story Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures—Sky Parade Rescue, journey to a galaxy far, far away with the younglings from the sensational Disney+ series Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, including characters from the hit Dark Horse comic series Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures!

The Star Wars short story features writing by Daniel José Older, art by Andy Duggan, colors by Dan Jackson, and letters by Comicraft.

And then, be prepared to learn about The Origin of Zomboss!

In Plants vs. Zombies: The Origin of Zomboss, a Brain-Z Entertainment film crew explores the many past jobs of Dr. Zomboss and what led to him forming a zombie army. The Plants vs Zombies short story features writing by Paul Tobin, art by Lusia Russo, colors by Heather Breckel, and letters by Steve Dutro.

Free Comic Book Day 2024 takes place on May 4, 2024. Check with your local comic shop to see if they are participating!

Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free. Learn more at FreeComicBookDay.com.

Bye Bye Brain Fog: Amazon Bestseller Offers Tips for a Revolutionary 2024

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The Holidays have come and gone and the post-rush brain fog is settling in. In fact, over 60 percent of people report being affected by a holiday depression that is often characterized by stress and lethargy post-vacation. Part memoir and part blueprint, the new Amazon bestseller UnF Your Mind by acclaimed health coach Janna Johnson is a story of shattering limiting beliefs, overcoming Lyme disease, and breaking out of brain fog and fatigue.

UnF Your Mind, a #1 new release in Women’s Health by Landon Hail Press, is a guide to becoming who you were meant to be. From meditations on confidence, to honest conversations about perfectionism and body image, Johnson leads the reader through the process of identifying, breaking, and rebuilding our inner thoughts and dialogues.

“My mission is to empower others to embrace the limitless potential of their minds and bodies and to lead lives filled with purpose, vitality, and success,” says Johnson.  “My book provides actionable strategies to empower individuals to overcome obstacles, achieve their goals, and lead fulfilling lives.”

Janna Johnson is a bestselling author, podcast host, nutritionist, and Lyme disease survivor. After a long journey healing from chronic Lyme disease and hypothyroidism, Johnson discovered the incredible power of the human mind. Today, she is on a mission to share her wisdom and experiences to help others transform their lives. Her motto is this: heal your gut, and you’ll heal your brain; heal your mind, and you’ll heal your life.

“This book grabbed me from the beginning. It is plainly written and boldly spoken. It reminded me that if we are willing to search for healing and truth in our life, we can change what isn’t working. Janna’s story is a reflection of truth, healing, hope and determination to change the things that were not working.” – Mollie, 5-star Amazon review.

From insights on the power of nutrition and movement, to chapters dedicated to mindset work and breaking limiting beliefs, UnF Your Mind is the ultimate roadmap for expansion this year. Deeply personal and intensely honest, UnF Your Mind is a book for anyone seeking to break the invisible chains of brain fog and move into a life of forward momentum and joy. From reflective questions, to personal anecdotes, UnF Your Mind is the perfect read to kick off 2024.

Nonfiction Reads for Movie Buffs

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Are you trying to add some nonfiction books to your November reading list? Do you also love movies and everything about them? Then, get that popcorn popped and settle in for these books that explore the behind-the-scenes and more of some cinemas most iconic movies!

Say Hello to My Little Friend by Nat Segaloff

Filled with behind-the-scenes anecdotes, untold tales from Old and New Hollywood, and sixteen pages of eye-popping photos, Say Hello to My Little Friend is the ultimate guide to everything Scarface.

The Exorcist Legacy by Nat Segaloff

The Exorcist Legacy reveals the complete story of this cultural phenomenon, from the real-life exorcism in 1949 Maryland that inspired William Peter Blatty’s bestselling novel on which the movie is based, to its many sequels, prequels, TV series, and homages.

The Way They Were by Robert Hofler

This intriguing and impeccably researched book is the first ever account of the making of the classic film starring Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford, revealing the full story behind its genesis and continued controversies, its many deleted scenes, its much-anticipated but never-filmed sequel, and the real-life romance that inspired this groundbreaking love story.

Killin’ Generals by Dwayne Epstein

An inside look at The Dirty Dozen, the star-studded war film that broke the rules, shocked the critics, thrilled audiences, and became an all-time classic.

Elizabeth and Monty by Charles Casillo

Far more than the story of two icons, this is a unique and extraordinary love story that shines new light on both stars, revealing their triumphs, demons—and the loyalty that united them to the end.

Reprinted with permission from Kensington Books. 

New Release: Life Ignited: A Hopeful Journey Sparked by Fire Connor McKemey

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Author and Motivational Speaker to Kick Off Tour at JMS Burn Center in Augusta, GA, Where His Life was Saved and Travel Across US to Spread Message of Hope

Connor McKemey, author, motivational speaker and CEO of MAC Mentality, is kicking off a book and motivational tour, with stops in Seacrest Studios across the country. Seacrest Studios are charitable endeavors of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

At 13, Connor, a talented athlete and middle school student, suffered third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body in a backyard explosion and was given a less than 1 percent chance of survival. After hundreds of surgeries, amputations and years of rehabilitation, Connor lived out his dream of playing Division I lacrosse, and today, Connor shares his healing journey and his unique mindset through motivational speaking and his new book Life Ignited: A Hopeful Journey, Sparked by Fire, Connor will kick off the tour on Thursday, January 18 at the JMS Burn Center in Augusta, GAwhere his life was saved 15 years ago.

“As I mark this important milestone of the day that forever ch

anged my life, it is important for me to share with others that no matter what life throws at you, whatever challenge or adversity you are facing, make the most of the opportunity you have and focus on moving forward in your healing journey,” said Connor McKemey. “I am grateful to the team at JMS Burn Center for saving my life and to have had the opportunity to work as an intern at Seacrest Studios at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC, while in college. I look forward to bringing my message of motivation, attitude, and courage (MAC) to patients across the country through my relationship with this amazing foundation.”

Connor will be meeting with burn survivors, their families and the medical team that saved his life at the JMS Burn Center in January, then will head to different children’s hospitals from coast to coast for his book and motivational tour.

To learn more about Connor McKemey’s story, to book him for a speaking opportunity or purchase his new book, please visit www.macmentality.com.

About Connor McKemey
Connor McKemey is an athlete, coach, motivational speaker and author of the newly published book titled Life Ignited: A Hopeful Journey Sparked by Fire. Suffering third-degree burns over 90% of his body after a backyard explosion, Connor McKemey had less than a 1% chance of making it to his 14th birthday. After three months in a medically induced coma, nearly two years of painful rehabilitation, and more than one hundred surgeries over a decade, Connor emerged triumphantly…not only to walk again, but to fulfill the dreams he had before the accident, including playing Division I collegiate lacrosse.

Connor harnessed the mental toughness he developed from being a competitive athlete throughout his youth and used it to overcome years of pain and setbacks. Through his journey he has developed the MAC Mentality which encourages people to leverage motivation, attitude, and courage (MAC) to make the most out of life and navigate even the most challenging times. MAC Mentality is a mindset that allows you to change your life and take control of the path you are on. It inspires people to attack everyday with confidence and to live a positive and productive life.

Connor’s compelling message of courage and strength resonates with many. Through his motivational speaking, Connor’s sense of humor, brutal honesty and humility captures the hearts and minds of audiences, demonstrating how to move forward with grace, gratitude and gut determination in the face of adversity.

Invisible Iceberg: When Climate and Weather Shaped History by AccuWeather Founder, Dr. Joel N. Myers

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AccuWeather Founder and Executive Chairman, Dr. Joel N. Myers, will release his debut bookInvisible Iceberg: When Climate and Weather Shaped History, on January 16, 2024, at The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Featuring fascinating examples of the important role that weather events and climate have played in shaping humanity and civilization, the book is an enjoyable read for anyone interested in science, history, and geopolitics.

Invisible Iceberg encourages readers to consider, reflect, and speculate on key historical events by combining scientific insights with engaging human stories. Weather has had a tremendous impact on global events from the beginning of time, shaping both the destiny of humanity and individual people in ways that nothing else can match. Volcanic eruptions, comets, ice ages, and other major climate change events have shaped and reshaped our natural world. Throughout this book, readers will learn about the hurricanes, snowstorms, droughts, and even the sunny days that changed the course of history and the path of civilization.

Extreme weather and climate events have intensified public health emergencies, shaped political landscapes, affected economies and election results, and inspired art and literature throughout history. Understanding the importance of weather and climate is vital as we confront the most pressing challenges our modern society faces today. Invisible Iceberg not only educates, but also underscores the profound impact of weather and climate on business, civilization, and warfare. As the world faces ongoing volatility, the strategic importance of weather and climate intelligence in business and geopolitical decision-making becomes increasingly clear. The book illustrates how such factors are just as vital for today’s leaders and decision-makers, drawing from key historical moments that highlight the critical role of weather and climate in shaping logistics, encouraging human migration, and planning critical battles. In the current climate of economic uncertainty and geopolitical unrest, it is essential for today’s leaders to integrate meteorological data and forecasts into their strategic planning to maintain effective global trade, protect people, and mitigate climate change.

Extreme weather was identified as the biggest risk in 2024 by the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report, and as the frequency and severity of extreme weather and climate events increase, so do their direct economic costs.

“Weather affects all of us – everything from what we do, where we live, what we buy, and even our moods,” said Dr. Myers. “With climate change continuing, undoubtedly with a significant portion of it due to human activity, severe weather is shaping our history more and more each day. The art and science of weather prediction has improved dramatically over the last 100 years, some of it led by AccuWeather, allowing us to more accurately anticipate the impacts of weather and climate. But what we do with that knowledge is up to us. One of the key themes at Davos this year is discussing a long-term strategy for climate, nature and energy, and I hope that when a sequel to this book is written in decades hence, it will include many more chapters showing that, through innovation, science, technology, creativity, and common purpose, humans will prevent the disasters that might occur if global warming exceeds a tipping point.”

Book Description:
Discover the impactful ways that climate and weather changed the very course of human history from the Founder and Executive Chairman of AccuWeather! Dr. Joel N. Myers takes readers on a journey from the beginning of time to the modern day to see how weather and climate impacted world events throughout history, both the good and the bad.

Learn about the comet that hit Earth almost 67 million years ago, and how it triggered a massive climate disruption that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs; the dramatic climate shift in 1213 BC that created the conditions for the Ten Plagues of Egypt, a foundational moment in three major world religions; how superior knowledge of the winds allowed the ancient Greeks to prevail over Persian attackers in 400 BC; the volcano in 44 BC that helped launch the Roman Empire; how tropical storms thwarted Mongol invaders and preserved an independent Japan in 1273; how the “Little Ice Age” ushered in the age of the European Witch Trials, which eventually influenced the Salem Witch Trials; the shipwreck of the Sea Venture in 1609 in an Atlantic hurricane that inspired Shakespeare’s last play, The Tempest; the fog that helped to create an independent United States of America during the Revolutionary War; the storm in 1814 that ended the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte; the “Great White Hurricane,” i.e. two major blizzards, that helped create the New York subway system in 1888; how the ice-filled waters in which the Titanic sailed, which were colder than the air above, created a phenomenon known as thermal inversion that made it so the crew aboard that fated vessel could not see objects until they got too close; and so much more!

Also explored are weather what-ifs, including the haunting question: Would the hurricane that remained off the coast have prevented the deadly attacks of September 11, 2001, if it had just moved inland?

Invisible Iceberg: When Climate and Weather Shaped History is an exciting, sometimes shocking, trip around the world and through time to prove once and for all that weather really does affect the world and the course of history!

About The Author
Dr. Myers, Founder and Executive Chairman of AccuWeather, is considered the “father of modern commercial meteorology” and the nation’s most respected authority on the business of weather. A visionary entrepreneur who The New York Times named “the most accurate man in weather,” Dr. Myers started AccuWeather as a graduate student in 1962 and built the company into a global leader in forecast accuracy, weather-related big data, business, and predictive analytics. Today, AccuWeather is recognized as the most accurate and most used source of weather forecasts and warnings in the world, serving more than half of Fortune 500 companies and over 1.5 billion people. AccuWeather’s proven Superior Accuracy™ has saved tens of thousands of lives and prevented hundreds of billions of dollars in property losses.

Dr. Myers has been recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs as one of the greatest entrepreneurs in American history. He received the American Meteorological Society’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Advancement of Applied Meteorology and the National Weather Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He has published papers that have appeared in leading scientific journals, has made hundreds of national TV appearances, and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington PostAxios, TimeUSA TodayBusinessweek, and thousands of other publications.

A philanthropist, futurist, and sought-out expert in international business and digital media, he has given a TED Talk, and has also been an invited lecturer at the New York Academy of Sciences and many scientific, leadership, and charitable organizations. He is a Trustee of the Committee for Economic Development (CED), a Fellow of The Explorer’s Club, a Fellow of the Nantucket Project, and served as a meteorology lecturer and assistant professor at Penn State University and also an active Member of the Penn State Board of Trustees for 33 years.

Isn’t She Great A love letter to female-led comedies by Elizabeth Teets

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Isn’t She Great By Elizabeth Teets
A love letter to female-led comedies brought to you with a touch of pink by comedian, screenwriter and author, Elizabeth Teets

Based on Elizabeth Teets’s program series called “Isn’t She Great” at the Hollywood Theater, this anthology is a collection of the most beloved female-centric comedies and the audiences who adore them. From 9 to 5 to Romy and Michele to the iconic Elle Woods, the essays in this collection build on our devotion to these films and continue the conversation around funny women and how these characters have shaped so many talented writers.

As Elizabeth Teets reminds us, there is a specific power in a funny woman. A woman who dares to laugh at the world and at herself. These movies made us strong and smart and sexy (and bend and snap a lot). At the end of the day, we remind ourselves when the world only tries to let us have a little money, a little confidence, a little joy – to go out and get the whole enchilada.

Isn’t She Great is for anyone who loves movies and feels the glamour in pink. Cult cinema and film criticism will never be the same.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elizabeth Teets is an Oregan born writer, comedian, screenwriter, and fashionista.  Her work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Repeller, Catapult, Reductress, and more. She lives in Los Angeles where she is waiting for her group chat to respond

Poetry Collection: 100 Poems and Possibilities for Healing

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Brave Healer Productions announces the release of 100 Poems and Possibilities for Healing, its first poetry collection, with more to come aimed at a group of some 22.4 million American adults who read poetry, based on figures released by the NEA’s 2022 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts.

Laura Di Franco, who is Brave Healer Productions CEO and one of the poets whose work is featured, describes the new book as “a sacred journey into the hearts and souls of 31 poets” who share their stories, heartfelt poems, and prompts meant to inspire readers to find their own inner healing.

Di Franco says, “I’ve written so many poems (hundreds in the last several years) that it was truly difficult to choose just a few for you. The ones I chose have a main message: Your worst pain or fear can be your opportunity for healing. With awareness, you get a choice. Every poem I write is channeled from a place much bigger than me. And because of that, I know they’re meant for you, too.”

100 Poems and Possibilities for Healing has a foreword by Moody Black, whose poem Healing sets the tone:

Sneak Peek: Murder By Lamplight by Patrice Mcdonough

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Murder By Lamplight by Patrice Mcdonough

As a deadly cholera pandemic burns its way through Victorian London in the winter of 1866, a trailblazing female physician and a skeptical Scotland Yard detective reluctantly team up to stop a sadistic killer in this dark, atmospheric, historically rich mystery for readers of Andrea Penrose and Deanna Raynourn.

“Enthralling debut. . . Mystery, pulse‑pounding suspense and a budding romance. More, please!”—Mary Jane Clark, New York Times Bestselling Author

When a vengeful, sadistic killer terrorizes London twenty years before Jack the Ripper will stalk its same streets, an unlikely duo is prompted to investigate: one of Britain’s first female physicians, Dr. Julia Lewis, and Scotland Yard’s Inspector Richard Tennant, a Crimean War veteran with lingering physical and psychological wounds.

November 1866: The grisly murder site in London’s East End is thronged with onlookers. None of them expect the calmly efficient young woman among them to be a medical doctor, arrived to examine the corpse. Inspector Richard Tennant, overseeing the investigation, at first makes no effort to disguise his skepticism. But Dr. Julia Lewis is accustomed to such condescension . . .

To study medicine, Julia had to leave Britain, where universities still bar their doors to women, and travel to America. She returned home to work in her grandfather’s practice—and to find London in the grip of a devastating cholera epidemic. In four years, however, she has seen nothing quite like this—a local clergyman’s body sexually mutilated and displayed in a manner that she—and Tennant—both suspect is personal.

Days later, another body is found with links to the first, and Tennant calls in Dr. Lewis again. The murderer begins sending the police taunting letters and tantalizing clues—though the trail leads in multiple directions, from London’s music halls to its grim workhouses and dank sewers. Lewis and Tennant struggle to understand the killer’s dark obsessions and motivations. But there is new urgency, for the doctor’s role appears to have shifted from expert to target. And this killer is no impulsive monster, but a fiendishly calculating opponent, determined to see his plan through to its terrifying conclusion . . .