The following are NHWP members’ books that have been featured through our Launch Pad Program in 2019. Give the gift of reading and support a local author at the same time.
Fiction
Fantasy/Sci-fi
City of Games (Book two in a series that will include ten novels, The Shadow Over Portsmouth), by Jeff Deck — this urban fantasy & mystery combo novel continues following the adventures of Portsmouth ex-cop Divya Allard, whose girlfriend was murdered in Book one. Throughout the page turner, characters journey through the “real” world to various alternative worlds through doorways known as “Ports.” Divya travels back and forth between Ports to solve mysterious cases. http://jeffdeck.com/
Queen Sllabruos The Mirror World, by Debbee Skinner — is a delightful story based in fantasy where aliens can scan and decode your brain; the language of “Op”is spoken; there’s a room where gravity is reversed so a swimming pool on the ceiling is feasible; a serpent in a subterranean lake; and time travel are possible. If you like the series, Stranger Things, you will enjoy this book.
Mystery/Thriller
Blind Search by Paula Munier — When Henry, a nine-year-old boy with autism, wanders off into the woods and witnesses a murder, former MP Mercy Carr and her sniffer dog Elvis must team up with game warden Troy Warner and search-and-rescue dog Susie Bear to find the killer—before the killer finds Henry. Inspired by a true story. https://paulamunier.com/
Ragged Island by Darcy Scott — the third in an award winning series. The series protagonist, a Maine botanist, university professor/playboy, travels island to island supposedly cataloging plants when he’s really meddling in island affairs and becoming involved in a series of grisly murders. https://www.darcyscott.net/
The Last Woman in the Forest, by Diane Les Becquets — this novel is a page turning thriller that explores what it would feel like to find the love of your life, to grieve his tragic and untimely death, and yet to wonder if he might have been a serial killer, and even worse, might you have been his next victim? http://www.lesbecquets.com/
The Nine by Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg — the story of well-meaning helicopter mom Hannah Webber who enrolls her brilliant son and the center of her world, Sam, into the boarding school of her dreams. Neither is prepared for what awaits: an illicit underworld where decades of privileged conspiracy threaten not only Sam but also their fragile family. The book merges genres fiction and suspense in a memorable read. https://jeanneblasberg.com/
Toward the Light by Bonnar Spring—Apple Books has included this new thriller in this year’s “Winter’s Most Anticipated Reads” list. The plot centers on a strong female protagonist, Luz Concepcion. Luz returns to Guatemala to murder Martin Benavides, the man who destroyed her family. The tale includes the CIA, undercover work, strongmen, violent political factions, corruption, and drugs. There is also an underlying moral dilemma amidst threats of physical danger. https://bonnarspring.com/
Winds of Fear by Gledé Browne Kabongo—is a gripping psychological thriller. Heroine Abbie Rambally finds out why her new neighbors are so fascinated by her oldest son and just what they are hiding. The book explores universally understood themes, like family, love, loss, betrayal, courage, and especially secrecy. https://www.gledekabongo.com/
Historical Fiction
The Oracle Files by Masheri Chappelle— the novel tells the story of Elizabeth Beeson Chase’s rise from slave, to Quaker to “Blue Vein” socialite in 1850 New York. Although Elizabeth escaped physical slavery, she is emotionally and spiritually bound to balance four worlds: the Black, the White, the Spiritual, and the Physical. Elizabeth not only passes for white, but she is also psychic. The novel received the 2019 New Hampshire Literary Award for Outstanding Work of Fiction. https://www.amazon.com/Oracle-Files-Escape-Masheri-Chappelle/dp/1612968686
The Shadow Self by John Holland — the first in a series of novels following the title character’s adventures. “The Jon Holland fiction novel series follows two story lines that intertwine in a maze of mystery, manhunt, mayhem, and fickle romance from Colonial times through the Civil War. https://www.beechriverbooks.com/Don_Germain.html
Young Adult Fiction
For to See the Elephant by Tammi Truax — begins in the autumn of 1795 and tells the story of an enslaved boy, who finds himself tasked with caring for the first elephant to be brought to America. Upon arrival in the city of New York, he and the elephant are sold together. Truax realistically portrays the harsh realities of a boy growing up in slavery and in the lives of elephants forced to live away from their herd and on another continent. https://www.tammitruax.com/
Thomas Holland and Pandora’s Portal by K.M. Doherty — the final book in a trilogy of mystical tales. In this book, Tom and his best friends try to prevent the evil wizard from opening Pandora’s Portal. If the evil wizard succeeds, opening the box would destroy the age of light, wizards, and dragons; and plunge the world into an age of darkness, demons, and monstrous creatures. Middle School to Young Adult. https://thomashollandbooks.com/
Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc by David Elliott — Perfect for young adults (ages 14 and older) and oldsters alike. It revisits the final day of the fascinating girl whose extraordinary life and death changed the course of history. The story is told in verse through the voices of the people and objects in Joan of Arc’s life, (including her family and even the trees, clothes, cows, and candles of her childhood) we follow her last day. This book was short listed for the American Library in Paris Book Award. https://www.davidelliottbooks.com/
Romance
Love along the Esplanade by Sarah Stewart — a light romantic comedy with a twist. Sydney Graham, a pragmatic relationship coach believes romance novels are fairy tales. She is launching her first self-help book when she becomes entangled with Ty Kent a wildly successful romance novelist. https://sarahstewartconsulting.com/my-novels
Contemporary
A Better Life by Norma Murphy — the story of Jenny who takes a child from the back seat of a car and raises her with her boyfriend, Gene. Their life as a family is complicated by Jenny’s erratic behavior and Gene’s frequent absences, but their bonds are truly tested when Margaret learns of her abduction and leaves home to seek answers about who she really is. https://norma-murphy.com/
Sweet, Sweet Jayne by T R Monaghan — tells the story of 15 year-old Jayne Ranney’s search for connection. Jayne’s family consists of her late father, a brother incarcerated in the Billerica House of Correction, and an abusive and neglectful mother. Jayne becomes embroiled in the city’s underworld when she is hired as a runner for notorious bookmaker, Galen “the Greek” Stathakis and his gang. https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Jayne-T-R-Monaghan/dp/173363911X
The Mystical Adventures of Stavros Papadakis by Michael Lacoy — the story of one man’s quest for meaning and redemption following a near-death experience. The story explores themes of love, family, friendship, and the mystery of existential truth. It is a powerful, provocative tale for our times. https://michaellacoy.com/
Non-Fiction
Academic
Memories to Momentum: Stories of Looking Back, Living Forward by Niki Glanz — the study of childhood memory is relatively new. In most instances adults have relatively poor memories of early childhood. Qualitative researcher and educator Niki Glanz became fascinated with the subject and set off on an extensive research trip that spanned Northern America five times in pursuit of finding out the impact of childhood memories, positive and negative. She interviewed 70 people and 59 of those interviews are captured in the book. http://www.memoriestomomentum.com/
Memoir/Travelogue
Do Not Go Gentle. Go to Paris: Travels of an Uncertain Woman of a Certain Age by Gail Schilling — part memoir/part travelogue, this is a coming of age book for women who are concerned about losing their keys, walking into a room and wondering why, losing their looks and edge, in other words, aging. This book has become a popular choice for book clubs across the country. https://www.amazon.com/Do-Not-Gentle-Paris-Uncertain-ebook/dp/B07VPXHRLJ
Norwegian Dreams: A Travel Story by Bill Georato — the true story of a cruise of a lifetime takes readers through the fjords of Norway, across the Arctic Circle, and to the extreme north of Europe The day-to-day chronicle of a family cruise to Norway and Copenhagen. Through this real life tale, the reader meets the crew of the Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas. The book features conversations, sites and experiences that highlight all the ins and outs of travels at sea. https://billgeorato.com/
Not Your Average Travelers: 40 Years of Adventures in All the U.S. National Parks by Nancy-Ann Feren —chronicles the Feren family’s visits to sites in the National Park System. The book describes their sightseeing and camping in the parks and preserves. It also includes tips for traveling with children, inexpensive travel, meal preparation, and camping, in general. https://www.amazon.com/Not-Your-Average-Travelers-Adventures/dp/1733787607
Poetry
Ball of String by Glenn K. Currie — is Currie’s fourth collection of poems and color photographs. The underlying theme in Ball of String, as in much of his work, is we are all tied together: connected by strings that allow us to live on this “beautiful planet” somewhat harmoniously. The many metaphoric strings connect all of us through shared experiences, emotions, the need for humor, and the things we learn from our travels, wherever they may take us. https://www.snapscreenpress.org/books/ball-of-string
The Human Half by Deborah Brown— a collection of poetry written in free verse. In this collection, Brown reveals family struggles – a sister’s battle with cancer, a brother’s treatment for depression. There are many references to the celestial, natural beauty found in unlikely spots, and the art of Vermeer and Van Gogh in Brown’s poetry in the collection. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44127127-the-human-half
The Slant of April Snow by Laurie Morrissey — is a collection of haiku that employs many of the techniques of traditional Japanese haiku, including a focus on the natural world and a seasonal element. Each section—The Slant of April Snow, Still Pond, and Winter Moon—is accompanied by the work of Warner, N.H., artists Laurette and David Carroll.
Twenty Poems to Pray by Gary Bouchard — this collection of poetry includes works from both masters and contemporary poets. The book is an anthology that arranges twenty poems into six different seasonally thematic categories, all of which have to do with transition, rites of passage and various stages of ordinary life. Bouchard seamlessly weaves in his own narrative through his essays. In so doing, he makes each poem relevant to the individual experience of the reader. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45314682-twenty-poems-to-pray
