RAGNAR: A novella
Some people spend their entire lives trying to prove they’re powerful, only to discover that the things they’re running from have been controlling them all along. That’s the uncomfortable territory Lọlá Ákínmádé explores in Ragnar, a provocative, psychologically layered novella that takes readers inside the mind of one of the most divisive characters from her In Every Mirror She’s Black series. Spanning roughly three decades, the story follows Ragnar Pettersen from his privileged but emotionally turbulent childhood in Sweden to his adult life as a wealthy, charismatic businessman who expects the world to bend to his desires. Growing up surrounded by domestic conflict, Ragnar makes an early promise to himself that he’ll never become the kind of man he believes his father to be. That determination shapes his relationships, ambitions, and increasingly distorted understanding of masculinity. Ákínmádé gives readers an intimate look at how a frightened boy becomes a man obsessed with strength, status, and control, even as his carefully constructed confidence conceals a profound fear of vulnerability.
What makes Ragnar particularly compelling is the way Ákínmádé examines the relationship between privilege and insecurity. Ragnar has nearly everything society associates with success: wealth, good looks, influence, and access to powerful people. Yet he’s constantly measuring himself against others, especially his lifelong best friend, Johan von Lundin. Their complicated friendship is one of the novella’s most revealing relationships, exposing Ragnar’s genuine capacity for loyalty alongside his jealousy and need for validation. His romantic relationships offer another window into his contradictions. He craves affection and emotional security, but his instinct to dominate frequently overwhelms his ability to connect. Ákínmádé also explores how racism, misogyny, and social hierarchy operate within wealthy Swedish circles, particularly when Ragnar’s desires collide with the independence of the women around him. The story’s emotional tension comes from watching someone who understands the language of love and loyalty continually struggle to practice either with consistency.
There’s something of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray in Ragnar’s character. Both stories explore men whose outward advantages disguise an increasingly troubling inner life, and both examine what happens when vanity and entitlement become substitutes for self-awareness. Ragnar’s fascination with Roman emperors, complete with elaborate parties, ceremonial crowns, and imperial fantasies, adds an especially revealing dimension to this comparison. His imagined kingdom becomes a symbol of the authority he desperately wants to possess. Where Wilde uses gothic imagery and supernatural elements to explore moral deterioration, Ákínmádé grounds her examination in contemporary relationships, inherited privilege, family trauma, and social expectations. Her writing is direct, emotionally charged, and frequently uncomfortable, particularly when Ragnar’s private thoughts expose the distance between how he views himself and how he treats other people. The novella’s close attention to his perspective creates an unsettling intimacy. Readers can recognize the origins of his behavior without being asked to excuse the harm it causes.
One of the most interesting things about Ragnar is how it expands the emotional landscape of Ákínmádé’s existing fictional world. Readers familiar with In Every Mirror She’s Black and Everything Is Not Enough will recognize characters and relationships from those novels, but experiencing events through Ragnar’s perspective adds a different layer to their complexities. His story raises difficult questions about masculinity, accountability, inherited emotional wounds, and the seductive nature of power. Ákínmádé is especially effective at showing how the lessons people absorb in childhood can become the very beliefs that damage their adult lives. At times, Ragnar’s relentless self-absorption makes spending time inside his head exhausting, but that discomfort is central to the reading experience. He’s a character who invites scrutiny, frustration, occasional sympathy, and plenty of reflection. Ragnar is a sharp, intimate character study about a man desperate to be seen as an emperor while struggling to understand the person looking back at him in the mirror.
Pages: 187 | ASIN: B0H8ZCZT88
Bear and Bunny Look for Blankie
In Bear and Bunny Look for Blankie, author Stacy Escobedo captures a familiar childhood experience with warmth, tenderness, and an understanding of how important a beloved comfort object can be. It’s naptime, but a little boy has a problem: his cherished blanket is missing. With his two stuffed companions, Bear and Bunny, by his side, he sets off on a search through the house. What follows is a gentle, engaging adventure built around a situation that young children and their caregivers will immediately recognize. Escobedo takes an ordinary part of family life and turns it into an inviting story about attachment, curiosity, and the reassurance of familiar routines. The boy’s determination to locate his blanket gives this children’s book an emotional connection that feels genuine and age-appropriate.
As the boy moves from room to room, he asks Bear and Bunny whether they can see his missing blanket. The recurring questions create a comforting rhythm that makes the story especially enjoyable when read aloud. Young listeners will quickly become familiar with the pattern and may start joining in, answering questions, or pointing to objects on the pages. Escobedo also introduces everyday vocabulary and positional words such as “under,” “near,” and “by,” allowing children to explore spatial relationships through the story. The familiar household settings encourage little readers to make connections to their own surroundings, giving this picture book plenty of opportunities for conversation and participation.
Claudia Gadotti’s illustrations bring an additional layer of warmth and personality to the experience. Her soft, expressive artwork features gentle colors, cozy interiors, and characters whose emotions are easy for young children to recognize. The boy’s expressions convey everything from concentration to concern, while Bear and Bunny remain endearing companions throughout the search. Thoughtful details in the household scenes invite children to examine each page closely, making the pictures an important part of the storytelling. There are also visual clues that observant readers may notice before the young protagonist does, adding a playful element of discovery. The delicate decorative borders, pastel backgrounds, and affectionate family scenes contribute to the book’s soothing atmosphere.
Another thoughtful feature is the parent guide included at the back of the book. Escobedo, who holds a master’s degree in education, offers practical suggestions for supporting language, movement, memory, and social and cognitive development through reading and play. The activities extend the story into everyday family interactions, including a simple game of searching for hidden objects. These ideas make the book especially useful for parents, caregivers, and early childhood educators looking to encourage learning through enjoyable shared experiences. At its heart, Bear and Bunny Look for Blankie celebrates the small things that matter so much to young children. Its affectionate storytelling, inviting illustrations, and interactive possibilities make it a lovely choice for quiet reading sessions, especially around naptime or bedtime.
Pages: 31
Blue Blood: An Insider’s Journey Through Michigan Football’s Past, Present, and Perfect Season
In Blue Blood, Matt Lester delivers a deeply personal account of one of college football’s most storied programs, culminating in the University of Michigan’s historic 2023 season. Part sports history, part firsthand chronicle, the book examines the relationships, traditions, and principles that have shaped generations of Wolverines. Lester brings an unusual perspective to the subject. A lifelong Michigan fan, successful businessman, major university benefactor, and trusted confidant of head coach Jim Harbaugh, he gained access to the football program that few people outside its coaching staff and players have experienced. His account draws on decades of personal memories and close relationships, giving readers an intimate look at the people and decisions behind Michigan football. With a foreword by Harbaugh, the book establishes its central theme early: Michigan’s identity is rooted in a commitment to collective success, embodied by the enduring philosophy of “the team, the team, the team.”
Lester begins by tracing his devotion to Michigan football through his childhood and his relationship with his father, Mel Lester, a physician whose enthusiasm for the Wolverines helped shape his son’s understanding of competition, loyalty, and sportsmanship. These early recollections provide an engaging foundation for the broader historical narrative, which explores the influence of legendary coaches, memorable players, significant rivalries, and the program’s changing fortunes. Lester’s remarkable familiarity with Michigan football history is evident in his detailed descriptions of individual performances, coaching philosophies, and defining moments. His admiration for Bo Schembechler and Jim Harbaugh provides a connecting thread between different eras, particularly in his discussion of their shared emphasis on discipline, preparation, and player development. The historical material is especially effective when Lester connects events on the field to his own experiences in the stands, illustrating how a family’s attachment to a football program can develop into a lifelong source of meaning and purpose.
The book becomes particularly compelling when Lester recounts his growing involvement with Harbaugh’s program and the relationships he developed with players, coaches, and university officials. His descriptions of practices, team meetings, travel, fundraising, and informal gatherings offer revealing glimpses into the daily operations of an elite college football team. Among the most memorable sections are those concerning the team-building retreats at Lester’s northern Michigan property and his efforts to help players prepare for careers beyond football. These experiences reinforce his belief that championship-level performance depends on trust, accountability, and continuous improvement. As Lester tells the players, “You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse.” His coverage of the 2023 season combines tactical observations with personal anecdotes, capturing the intensity of competition and the complicated pressures surrounding a nationally prominent program. His treatment of controversies involving Harbaugh reflects his close allegiance to the coach, giving these passages a distinctly supportive perspective.
Throughout Blue Blood, Lester writes with the enthusiasm of a devoted fan and the confidence of someone who has spent years observing the program from privileged vantage points. His conversational style makes the personal stories accessible, while his extensive discussions of football history, strategy, and individual players offer considerable substance for knowledgeable readers. The appendices, featuring coaching comparisons, historical player rankings, and information about members of the 2023 team, add further value as reference material. At times, the abundance of names, statistics, and game details slows the narrative, but these elements also demonstrate the depth of Lester’s knowledge and his commitment to documenting Michigan’s legacy. The book’s strongest quality is its attention to the human relationships behind an extraordinarily successful football program. Blue Blood is a passionate, detailed celebration of Michigan football that will particularly resonate with Wolverines supporters while offering other college football enthusiasts an informative perspective on leadership, mentorship, tradition, and the culture of a championship team.
Pages: 428 | ASIN : B0HKTF892H
The Flying Oil Tanker: And the True Story of 9/11
In The Flying Oil Tanker and the True Story of 9/11, Zagloul Kadah takes on one of the most consequential events in modern American history with a determination to question what the public has been told. His book is a sweeping examination of the September 11 attacks, the investigations that followed, and the political decisions that reshaped the United States in their aftermath. Kadah approaches the subject with a clear conviction that the official account deserves renewed scrutiny, and that conviction drives every chapter. Through an extensive collection of historical accounts, technical arguments, government documents, and published research, he invites readers to reconsider a tragedy whose consequences continue to shape the world. It’s an ambitious undertaking, fueled by the author’s belief that accountability begins with asking difficult questions.
I liked the way Kadah organizes a complicated subject into a progression of questions and competing explanations. He begins by examining the language surrounding conspiracy theories and how public perceptions can influence which ideas receive serious consideration. From there, he moves into detailed discussions of aviation, engineering, intelligence operations, and the investigations conducted after the attacks. His examination of the four aircraft, the World Trade Center buildings, and the findings of government agencies gives the book a methodical structure. The writing is direct and frequently forceful, especially when Kadah identifies what he considers inconsistencies in official statements. His use of timelines, testimony, scientific arguments, and historical references creates a dense investigative narrative that encourages readers to pay attention to the details.
Beyond the technical discussions, The Flying Oil Tanker and the True Story of 9/11 explores the relationship between government power, public trust, and the information people rely on to understand historic events. Kadah draws connections between September 11 and broader questions about national security, intelligence oversight, press freedom, and the expansion of executive authority. His discussion of the Patriot Act and the wars that followed gives the book a larger political and constitutional dimension.
I think what gives Kadah’s work its distinctive character is the personal urgency behind the research. He writes as someone deeply invested in the questions he raises, convinced that the passage of time has made a fresh examination of September 11 more important, not less. The book’s extensive references and wide-ranging subject matter reflect years of engagement with alternative accounts of the attacks, while its emphasis on the victims and their families keeps the human significance of the tragedy in view. Readers interested in the 9/11 truth movement, political dissent, government transparency, and the ways historical narratives are challenged will find considerable material to examine and debate. Whether readers embrace Kadah’s interpretations or contest them, his book offers a revealing look at the persistence of distrust surrounding a defining moment in American history. The Flying Oil Tanker is a fiercely argued invitation to revisit the questions that history has yet to put to rest.
Pages: 307 | ASIN : B0HG67BK4Z
Cosmic Allies
Inceptum Incubus is an imaginative science fiction novella set in the distant future, where intergalactic warfare, political rivalries, advanced technology, and complex questions of justice collide across the cosmos. What drew you to the novella format for a story spanning galaxies, governments, and competing conflicts?
Ok, so I’ve very loosely based my sci-fi novella on two ultra-famous politicians upon opposite sides of our large pond or ocean. Some years back in time we had, and so I swapped those two opposing guys around, and I used totally fictional characters: a globally famous UK conservative woman politician leader versus a Labour guy, and I called her Du Plessis, with her opposite guy a Labour politician, together with Du Plessis and her US counterpart, the President of the day, instead, as I wrote this novella from a conservative perspective or point of view, but set it in 30,050 AD within our vast Andromedan and Gaian systems, which spills over into the Orion system, with different colliding events of the day!
I loosely based the idea of both Margaret Thatcher versus Jeremy Corbyn, instead of Mrs. May and Corbyn, with her US counterpart President Ron Reagan, … by using totally fictional characters in their places and set my political sci-fi novella in 30,050 AD, which takes place within the Andromedan Galaxy and Gaian Galaxy, and an Orion system spill-over.
How did you develop Margaretta Du Plessis, the outspoken prime minister at the center of so many political clashes?
I developed Du Plessis from Margaret Thatcher, our UK Prime Minister, and gave her a gay brother due to my own background.
What advice would you offer writers who want to combine speculative worldbuilding with political satire?
The current state of our global stuff, mixed within a setting in 30,050 AD, within our vast, far-distant cosmic allies, and tossed in those troublemakers or enemies, etc.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website | X-OSN | X-OSNELLUS UK | X-OSNELLUS | Amazon
As political tensions ignite between the Gaian and Andromedan empires, a brutal chain of events unfolds: a near-fatal assassination in the Arctic colonies, covert retaliation missions, and high-stakes trials that shake entire star systems. Meanwhile, deep in space, dangerous experiments near a black hole uncover secrets that could alter the balance of power forever.
With justice blurred, loyalties fractured, and enemies hiding across galaxies, one question looms—can order survive when the past refuses to stay buried?
The Fall
Nicole Gregory’s The Fall is a raw and unsettling work of psychological literary fiction that takes readers inside the mind of Sebastian Holt, a man caught in the relentless grip of opioid addiction. Set over the course of a single night, this experimental short story explores the physical torment of withdrawal, the psychological damage of childhood trauma, and the crushing weight of shame. Sebastian’s world has narrowed to a desperate search for his next fix, with every thought and interaction filtered through his deteriorating mental state. As part of the Holt Universe, the story offers a revealing look at Sebastian before recovery, while also standing on its own as a piece of dark literary fiction. Gregory establishes an atmosphere of desperation almost immediately, pulling readers into a consciousness where memories, hallucinations, and present-day experiences constantly collide.
Gregory uses fragmented sentences, repetition, abrupt transitions, and a stream-of-consciousness approach to capture Sebastian’s increasingly unstable thoughts. His physical pain becomes almost tangible as certain phrases return throughout the story, mimicking the obsessive cycles of addiction and withdrawal. The writing creates a claustrophobic experience, making even ordinary interactions feel threatening or overwhelming. Sebastian’s hallucinations are particularly effective, gradually blurring the boundaries between what he’s experiencing and what his mind is manufacturing. These moments give the psychological fiction elements an almost horror-like intensity. The pacing is equally deliberate, with brief chapters and sharp shifts in thought reflecting Sebastian’s inability to maintain control over his own perceptions. Gregory’s prose is visceral and emotionally charged, immersing readers in a perspective shaped by fear, physical suffering, and years of unresolved trauma.
Sebastian himself is a complicated and often uncomfortable character to follow. His thoughts about other people can be cruel, degrading, and selfish, yet his internal narration also reveals profound loneliness, guilt, and self-loathing. His relationship with Rebecca exposes the destructive dynamics that can emerge when two people are struggling with addiction, especially when their circumstances leave them vulnerable to exploitation. Meanwhile, memories of Sebastian’s family, particularly his brother Damien and their violent childhood, add important emotional depth. These glimpses into his past reveal how deeply fear and shame have influenced his sense of identity. One of the story’s most compelling themes is Sebastian’s belief that he’s a coward, a conviction that colors his memories and shapes his behavior. Gregory connects childhood trauma with present-day addiction through recurring images, sounds, and sensations, allowing readers to experience how the past continues to intrude on Sebastian’s life. There’s an especially painful contrast between the person he believes himself to be and the moments when his capacity for empathy briefly surfaces.
The Fall is an intense exploration of addiction, trauma, and the fragile relationship between memory and identity. Its combination of psychological realism and experimental literary fiction makes it a particularly immersive reading experience, even as its subject matter grows increasingly distressing. Gregory approaches addiction through the lived sensations of someone experiencing it, emphasizing the exhaustion, desperation, distorted thinking, and emotional isolation that accompany the disease. The story also confronts sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and the lasting consequences of abuse, making its content warnings worth taking seriously. What stayed with me most was the way Sebastian’s internal voice shifts between anger, denial, fear, and fleeting moments of clarity. Those contradictions give his character a deeply human complexity and make his struggles difficult to dismiss. Readers who appreciate dark psychological fiction, character-driven literary fiction, and emotionally demanding stories about addiction will find plenty to examine here. The Fall is a haunting portrait of a man consumed by his circumstances, with a narrative voice that lingers long after the final page.
Pages: 53 | ASIN : B0HBJGGNX5
Around the World With a Spare Pair of Jeans: My Adventures Along the Hippie Trail and Beyond
Jean Ramer’s Around the World With a Spare Pair of Jeans is an engaging travel memoir that transports readers to 1975, when international travel required considerable patience, resourcefulness, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. A young British schoolteacher eager for adventure, Ramer leaves England with her travelling companion, Nicola, intending to reach Australia by following the legendary Hippie Trail through Europe and Asia. Their ambitious journey takes them through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Thailand, introducing them to unfamiliar cultures, remarkable landscapes, and a seemingly endless assortment of logistical complications. Travelling on a limited budget, they rely on local transportation, inexpensive accommodations, and the kindness of strangers. Ramer recounts these experiences with warmth, candour, and an appealing sense of humour, capturing the excitement of exploring unfamiliar territory during a period when independent travel demanded considerable flexibility. Her memoir also offers a fascinating glimpse of countries and communities as they existed more than fifty years ago.
Ramer has the ability to transform ordinary travel frustrations into entertaining stories. Missed connections, overcrowded trains, questionable accommodations, language barriers, and bewildering bureaucratic procedures become opportunities for amusing observations and unexpected encounters. Her descriptive writing brings these experiences to life, whether she’s navigating chaotic city streets, exploring magnificent historical sites, or coping with the unpredictable realities of budget travel. Ramer has a particularly enjoyable way of acknowledging her own mistakes, often recognizing the absurdity of a situation only after she has become thoroughly entangled in it. Her recurring reminders to remain adaptable, including the wonderfully succinct “Lesson #2: Remember Lesson #1,” establish a playful thread throughout the narrative. The conversational style makes readers feel as though they’re listening to a seasoned traveller sharing memorable stories over coffee, complete with entertaining digressions, occasional exasperation, and genuine delight at her discoveries.
Beyond its entertaining anecdotes, the memoir provides a revealing portrait of everyday life along the Hippie Trail during the mid-1970s. Ramer pays close attention to local customs, transportation systems, marketplaces, food, architecture, and the economic circumstances of the people she encounters. Her observations are particularly compelling in Afghanistan and Iran, where her descriptions preserve impressions of societies on the verge of profound historical changes. Equally memorable are the relationships she develops with fellow travellers and local residents, whose generosity, curiosity, and companionship frequently shape her experiences. The narrative also conveys the distinctive challenges of travelling as a young woman, including unwanted attention, concerns about personal safety, and the need to exercise judgment in unfamiliar situations. These experiences are presented through the perspective of a woman learning to navigate cultural differences while developing confidence in her own decisions. The book’s chronological, destination-by-destination structure gives readers an intimate sense of the journey’s changing pace, with practical details reinforcing the realities of extended travel on a shoestring budget.
What makes Around the World With a Spare Pair of Jeans particularly appealing is its combination of personal recollection, historical atmosphere, and infectious enthusiasm for discovery. Ramer writes with an appreciation for both extraordinary sights and fleeting human interactions, recognizing that an unexpected conversation or small act of generosity can become as memorable as a celebrated landmark. Her reflections also reveal how travel encourages independence, resilience, and a growing awareness of the many ways people live. As she observes, “I loved the unpredictability of it,” a sentiment that captures the spirit running throughout her adventures. Readers interested in travel memoirs, cultural history, and the experiences of independent travellers before the digital age will find much to enjoy in this lively account. With its colourful characters, vivid settings, and personable narration, Ramer’s memoir preserves the pleasures and challenges of an adventurous era while celebrating the curiosity and determination that inspire people to explore the wider world.
Pages: 162 | ISBN : 978-1038351449
Serenity Farm: A Safe Haven Novel
Elizabeth Stiles’ Serenity Farm, the second novel in her Safe Haven series, is a moving story of compassion, healing, and the extraordinary connections between humans and animals. Set on a picturesque 300-acre farm sanctuary in Michigan, the novel introduces readers to a community dedicated to rescuing abused, neglected, and abandoned animals. At the heart of the story is Brie Russo, a twenty-three-year-old aspiring animal rights attorney whose arrival at Serenity Farm begins to change the lives of those around her. Brie possesses an unusual ability to connect with animals, a gift that introduces an element of mystery and wonder into the narrative. Through her experiences, Stiles explores the emotional wounds carried by both animals and people, creating a story that blends contemporary fiction, romance, and subtle supernatural elements with a deeply felt commitment to animal welfare.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its cast of characters, each of whom brings a distinct emotional history to the sanctuary. Owen, the aging farmer who established Serenity Farm with his wife, Lillian, has grown weary from witnessing humanity’s cruelty. As the novel opens, “Owen couldn’t remember the last time getting out of bed felt worth the trouble.” His struggles establish an emotional foundation that makes his developing friendship with Brie particularly affecting. Lillian provides warmth, wisdom, and steady leadership, while Jack Chase, the sanctuary’s veterinarian, is a compelling figure whose troubled past influences his relationships and his sense of self-worth. Jack’s evolving connection with Brie gives the novel much of its romantic tension, developing through disagreements, shared responsibilities, and moments of vulnerability. Stiles allows these relationships to unfold alongside the daily rhythms of sanctuary life, giving the characters opportunities to reveal themselves through their actions as well as their conversations.
The sanctuary itself is an essential part of the storytelling. Stiles describes its barns, gardens, pastures, and animal residents with an attention to detail that creates a vivid sense of place. The animals have individual personalities, histories, and needs, making their experiences meaningful parts of the narrative. Veterinary procedures, rescue operations, rehabilitation efforts, and the practical demands of running a sanctuary contribute authenticity to the setting. Some of the most memorable scenes involve quiet interactions between the animals and their caregivers, demonstrating how trust can be restored through patience and kindness. Stiles also incorporates difficult realities surrounding animal exploitation and neglect, giving the novel a strong ethical dimension. Her descriptions can be emotionally challenging, but they serve the story’s compassionate perspective and reinforce the importance of the sanctuary’s work. The recurring idea that “Some wounds run deep. Love heals” captures the spirit of a novel concerned with recovery, resilience, and the courage to care.
Throughout Serenity Farm, Stiles balances tender moments, humor, romantic developments, and emotionally intense situations. The alternating character perspectives allow readers to understand the personal struggles and motivations of the people who call the sanctuary home, while Brie’s mysterious abilities add intrigue to the unfolding story. The novel’s measured attention to relationships and everyday experiences encourages readers to become invested in the community and its inhabitants. Beneath its engaging narrative lies a thoughtful examination of forgiveness, responsibility, grief, and the transformative possibilities of empathy. Stiles writes with evident affection for animals and respect for the people who devote their lives to protecting them. Serenity Farm is a heartfelt and absorbing novel that will especially appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven fiction, emotionally layered romance, animal rescue stories, and narratives in which kindness becomes a powerful catalyst for personal change.
Pages: 347 | ASIN : B0HGZJBTYL
