NHWP authors publish 15 books in 2022 right on time for holiday shopping!
Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2022 are now in the rearview mirror. It’s time to get serious about wrapping up holiday shopping, and there’s no better way than to give the gift of reading, particularly books written by local authors. The New Hampshire Writers’ Project has compiled a holiday guide of NH member authors’ 2022 releases to help you choose the perfect book for the readers on your list. You can also pair a book with an NHWP gift certificate. Our gift certificates can be used for a membership, webinar, workshop, and our annual 603 Writers’ Conference on June 3, 2023. Happy reading and Happy Holidays!
Fiction/Novel
All the Flowers of the Mountain by Christina Holbrook, published by Sun Room Studios. Set in the 1970s amidst the mountains, farmlands, and elegant summer homes of rural New Hampshire, All the Flowers of the Mountain is the story of a pivotal summer for Michael and Kit. Perfect for fans of Delia Owens and Nicholas Sparks, this debut novel is a haunting exploration of trauma, the abuse of privilege, desire, and a mysterious event from the past that leads to a deadly showdown by summer’s end and decisions that will break Michael’s heart. Available through Amazon and most independent bookstores.
Bloody Soil by S. Lee Manning, published by Encircle Publications. A mysterious American, Michael Hall, is required to kill a Jewish activist as an initiation into a neo-Nazi group in Berlin. Michael then becomes the target of Lisette, who has infiltrated the group to avenge the murder of her father. But is Michael the murderer she thinks he is – or is he working to prevent Germany Now’s planned coup? Available through Amazon.
Conspiracy in Bologna by Ken Tentarelli. Set in Renaissance Italy, 1465. Young lawyer Nico Argenti is dispatched to Bologna to investigate rogue mercenaries near the Florentine border. There, he unearths a connection between the mercenaries and a renegade with a vendetta against Florence. His challenge is to stop the rogues before they wreak havoc on his beloved city. Conspiracy in Bologna is the fourth book in the best-selling Nico Argenti historical mystery series. It may be read as a standalone. Available through Amazon
Drakemaster by E. C. Ambrose, published by Guardbridge Books. In this epic historical fantasy novel, an unlikely team races to stop a clockwork doomsday device set to destroy an invading Mongol army–and half the Chinese countryside. Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart and other stores.
Ladykillers by J. L. Long. This cozy-style mystery novel follows the misadventures of middle-aged trans lesbian Ro Peszke, former cop and current private investigator, as she stumbles her way through a missing persons case, a fledgling romance with a woman ten years her junior, and entirely too much New England snow. Order from Lulu.
MFA Thesis Novel, by Ian M. Rogers, published by Vine Leaves Press. A delicious romp through the smudged halls of academia, this book will make you laugh out loud as pretenders, druggies, hapless romantics, and the slightly talented do battle in fiction, trying to invent a book that will save them from the fate of ordinary life. Order from Bookshop.org.
The Myrtle Wand, by Margaret Porter, published by Gallica Press. A valiant and resourceful princess confronts love, loss, and destiny at Louis XIV’s scandalous court in this reimagining and continuation of the classic ballet Giselle. Award-winning and bestselling author Margaret Porter restores original story elements to transform a tale of blighted romances and betrayals into a quest for redemption and restorative love. Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, independent book stores and http://www.margaretporter.com/themyrtlewand.html.
The Sons of Abraham, by Robert Napolitano. Twin boys, Ishmael and Isaac, are born to Katherine and Abraham Carter on New Year’s Eve 1943 in a small, rural town in Southwest New Hampshire. The story picks up in 1958 and we find that Isaac is a serious teenager who tries his best to be a good son, a good person and a good friend. Isaac’s biggest problem is Ishmael. He feels responsible as the older brother to protect Isaac from the harshness of this world, the harshness that can destroy an innocent soul. Ishmael would do anything for Isaac. Anything. Available through Amazon.
All Cars Run to Park Street, by Steve Carter, published by Maat Publishing. This debut novel, All Cars Run to Park Street, captures Boston’s music scene in the late 60s. Jim, an English major at Umass in Boston, is also a musician, a poet, and opposed to the Vietnam war. He is considering the underground railroad to Canada to avoid the draft. Then he meets Eva who was born in the Boston subway. At age 22, Eva has never been above ground. Together, they explore an underground world that spans time and space. As Jim grapples with the possibility of escaping underground, Eva may be ready to go above. Order from Maat Publishing.
Children’s Fiction
Moxie Cinnamon Creampuff: The Nose Knows, by Mary Marchese with Illustrations by Caterina Baldi. What if you’re a dog with an incredible nose that smells trouble? What if your family thinks you’re just an ordinary dog that does what all dogs do—tracks mud into the house and sometimes chews things that should be respectfully ignored? Find out how Moxie Cinnamon Creampuff puts facts together and leads her family and the police on a chase to catch a thief. Available through Amazon.
Interactive Fiction
Skystrike: Wings of Justice! By E. C. Ambrose, published by Choice of Games. Swoop, smash and stealth your way to victory against the growing armies of the RatKing in this hometown hero adventure! Available at https://www.choiceofgames.com/skystrike/
Fiction/Novella
How to Ace Your Comeback by David Gibb, published by Mouse House Books. Killer Ace Black was almost a big pro wrestling star in the late 80s, but then he wasn’t. Now, after decades of being blackballed from the squared circle, he’s back for one last shot at glory. The only problem? Somebody’s threatened to murder him, and nobody’s taking it seriously. Can Ace survive via his signature blend of guile, charisma, and sheer refusal to let anybody catch a quick one on him? Will he evade the deadly masked Ruinator long enough to make his comeback? Does he still have it? You’ll have to tune in and find out, cupcake. Available through Amazon.
Non-Fiction
37 Words: Title IX and Fifty Years of Fighting Sex Discrimination by Sherry Boschert, published by The New Press. The 1972 civil rights law popularly known as Title IX profoundly changed U.S. society by prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education. In 37 Words award-winning journalist Sherry Boschert explores the gripping history of Title IX through the gutsy people behind it. The story of Title IX is a legislative and legal drama that maps gains and setbacks for feminism in the last 50 years. It’s also a human story weaving intersecting narratives of women seeking an education, playing sports, and wanting protection from sexual harassment. 37 Words is a must-read for understanding the Title IX controversies that continue today.
Genocide: The shameful, unspoken history of crimes against humanity in the United States, by Terri O’Rorke. O’Rorke explores the richness and beauty of America and the duty of all who live in the country to care for it. It is incumbent upon all individuals living in the country to preserve and enhance that richness of diverse cultures and beauty of land for future generations, while teaching them to do the same. In the words of the late Woody Guthrie, “This land was made for you and me.” But, in our nearly 250 years, have we, as a civilized nation, lived up to those words in the way we have treated each other in the past and the present?” Available through Amazon
Memoir
A Sprinkling of Stardust over the Outhouse: Musings, Memories, Madness and Pillow Talk!, by Paul E. Brogan. Paul came out as gay when he was ten in the early 1960s and faced a number of obstacles for doing so. He approached them without losing sight of who he was, eventually winning over the naysayers who urged him to be someone other than himself. This true story that is rich in detail as it tells Paul’s story with humor and heart as well as harsh and sometimes shockingly brutal reality. His story includes including Insightful anecdotes about friends Paul made along the way, including Doris Day, Carol Channing and Katharine Hepburn. Available through Amazon.
Poetry
“all the stars i can swallow” by Laurie D. Morrissey, published by Redmoon Press. This is Laurie D. Morrissey’s second volume of Haiku. Her sensitivity to the passing seasons, reverence for the outdoor world, and playfulness with language make this collection one to savor. These well-crafted haiku reflect the mind of a poet attuned to the details and nuances of everyday life that matter most. The poems are complemented by selected photographs by New Hampshire photographer Sue Burns.
Available at https://www.gibsonsbookstore.com/ and https://redmoonpress.com/
As you consider these titles by NH authors as holiday gift items for some of the folks on your list, please consider shopping at your local independent bookstore first. And, don’t forget to gift yourself the book of your choice, or whisper the name of the book you’re wishing for into Santa’s ear.
Order your NHWP gift certificate now.
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