A CLOSER LOOK AT JUNE’S
ECHO FROM A BAYOU
by J. Luke Bennecke
A high-concept suspense thriller with thought-provoking implications.
THE BOOK
Murder. Treasure. A supernatural twist. John Bastian is plunged into a dangerous journey to uncover the truth about his past life as Jack Bachman after a skiing accident unlocks hidden memories. With unshakable visions of a bloody ax, a treasure of gold coins, and a redheaded woman, John sets out on a journey to find answers and confront the man who murdered him in his past life. Faced with danger at every turn and with a hurricane fast approaching, John must fight for his survival and the safety of those he loves. Full of twists and turns, this gripping novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
THE AUTHOR
J. Luke Bennecke is a native Californian and veteran civil engineer who has spent his career helping people by improving Southern California roadways. He has a civil engineering degree, an MBA, a private pilot’s certificate, and is a partner in an engineering firm. In his role as philanthropist, he awards scholarships annually to high school seniors at his alma mater.
In addition to his debut novel, Civil Terror: Gridlock, Bennecke has written several other novels including the second Jake Bendel thriller, Waterborne.
Bennecke resides in Southern California with his wife and three spunky cats. When he’s not writing, he enjoys traveling, flying, golfing, learning about innovative tech, and spending time with his daughters. Bennecke is a member of International Thriller Writers.
DEAD DROP
by M.P. Woodward
Joins Le Carre, Follett, Deighton and Silva in front rank of spy thriller superstars
THE BOOK
In this pulse-pounding political thriller, the United States and Iran are at a crossroads, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Lieutenant Colonel Kasem Khalidi, an Iranian intelligence officer, is the key to preventing a global crisis, but he’s being hunted by an Iranian hit squad.
Caught in the middle of this dangerous game are John and Meredith Dale. Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, needs Meredith’s expertise to locate the lead Iranian rocket scientist. Meanwhile, John races against time to keep Kasem safe from harm. But with each move they make, the stakes get higher, and the danger becomes more intense.
As the players maneuver for position, the Dale family finds themselves mere pawns in this international chess game. Will they be sacrificed for the greater good, or will they emerge victorious in this thrilling race against the clock?
THE AUTHOR
M.P. WOODWARD is a veteran of both US intelligence ops and the entertainment industry. As a naval intelligence officer with the US Pacific Command, he scripted scenario moves and countermoves for US war game exercises in the Middle East. In multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf and Far East, he worked alongside US Special Forces, CIA, and NSA. Most recently, Woodward ran international partner distribution for Amazon Prime and Prime Video.
MAKING FRIENDS WITH MONSTERS
by Sandra L. Rostirolla
A tragic twist of fate leaves him with a beast of his own…
THE BOOK
Step into the dry, dusty world of rural Australia in 2006 and experience the heart-wrenching story of Sam Nolen. At only twelve years old, Sam is grappling with a family farm devastated by drought and an older brother who’s moody and distant. He yearns to find a way to make his loved ones happy, but when his brother storms out and Sam is left to help his dad, a terrible accident rocks his world.
As he struggles to recover, Sam feels like a freak and discovers an inner monster whispering dark thoughts in his mind. He soon realizes that anger is a powerful way to hide his pain, and he starts following his family down a dangerous path of self-destruction.
Can Sam find the strength to overcome his demons before it’s too late?
In this timely and urgent tale, Sandra L Rostirolla offers a gripping and unflinching look at the challenges of grief, stress, and dysfunction. Through the eyes of a child, she delivers an honest, compelling, and ultimately hopeful narrative about the beasts we all face inside.
THE AUTHOR
SANDRA L. ROSTIROLLA’s journey from a physiotherapist in Sydney to a rising star in the entertainment industry is nothing short of extraordinary. Her debut novel, Cecilia: The Last Croilar Tier, won multiple awards and made her a finalist for the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship. Her short animation, The Adventures of Gilbert the Goofball, was a runner-up for Best Animation at the Action on Film Festival, and her short story, Lucky Quarter, was a finalist for the Rick DeMarinis Short Story Award. Her upcoming YA/Coming of Age novel, Making Friends With Monsters, is set to release in 2023.
As a development executive for Nthibah Pictures, she’s currently working on the dystopian/action film, “Boy Kills World.” And when she’s not busy crafting compelling stories, she can be found enjoying her favorite pastimes of skiing, hiking, and snorkeling with turtles.
FAMILY MATTERS
by Lance Lee
How a dysfunctional family became America’s Darling, The Addams Family.
THE BOOK
This captivating memoir about the Levy family, tracing their story from the end of the Civil War to the 1970s and explores how their journey to realize the American Dream was shaped by their diverse backgrounds and the challenges they faced. David Levy, a pioneer in radio and television, reached new heights with shows like Dr. Kildare and Bonanza, and finally created the iconic Addams Family TV series. Meanwhile, Lucile Wilds, a model and hostess, became the Ultimate Mother and dominant force in her family.
Through personal stories and historical events, Family Matters showcases how private and public life intersect, and how family struggles can transform into comedy on a cultural scale. With its focus on love and resilience, this book is a moving and insightful reflection on the human experience.
THE AUTHOR
LANCE LEE is a prolific writer whose works have captivated readers and audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. His poetry has been widely published and highly acclaimed, with books like Wrestling With The Angel, Human/Nature, and Seasons of Defiance capturing the imagination of readers and earning him recognition as a finalist in the 8th National USA Book Awards. His plays, including Rasputin and Gambits, have been produced at prestigious venues like the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, while his books on screenwriting and drama are highly regarded by professionals in the field.
In addition to his literary achievements, Lee has made a significant impact on academia as the founder of an MFA program in playwriting at the University of Southern California and the co-founder of a graduate screenwriting program at California State University, Northridge. His family history is also fascinating, with roots in both Los Angeles and London, and a mother who was a famous model in the 1940s. With his latest works, including the critically acclaimed children’s novel Orpheus Rising, Lee continues to inspire and delight readers of all ages.
THE ISLAND OF THE FOUR Ps
by Ed Hajim
A timeless parable draws on the author’s hard-won life lessons
THE BOOK
In this enchanting tale by Ed Hajim, author of the bestselling memoir, On The Road Less Traveled, a young man named Marketus venture out into the world and discover the secrets to a fulfilling life. Divided into four fundamental sections – passions, principles, partners, and plans – this book is a conversation with Marketus’ inner voice, guiding him on his journey.
Accompanied by a wise guide, Marketus embarks on a magical trip to four villages named after the four Ps, each representing a crucial ingredient to a successful life. As Marketus enters each village, he places a green pea into a special device to store and integrate his thoughts. With full-color illustrations throughout, this modern fable comes to life in a most extraordinary way.
Join Marketus on his quest and discover the key ingredients to a successful life.
THE AUTHOR
ED HAJIM, the son of a Syrian immigrant, is a seasoned Wall Street executive with more than 50 years of investment experience. He has held senior management positions with the Capital Group, E.F. Hutton, and Lehman Brothers before becoming chairman and CEO of Furman Selz. Hajim has been the co-chairman of ING Barings, Americas Region; chairman and CEO of ING Aeltus Group and ING Furman Selz Asset Management; and chairman and CEO of MLH Capital. He is now chairman of High Vista, a Boston-based money management company.
THE NEXT RIGHT MOVE
by AK Ikwuakor
Starting Strong to Being the Who You Want to Be
THE BOOK
Transform your life in just 100 days by making The Next Right Move, an inspirational and motivational book that offers daily inspiration, relatable concepts, and specific actions to jumpstart your morning and help you build lasting habits. Drawing from his extensive experience working with over 45,000 leaders, athletes, and community members across 30 countries, Coach AK Ikwuakor shares practical strategies and daily action steps to help you gain clarity on your true self and desires, overcome procrastination, and develop micro-habits for long-lasting behavior change. With just 15 minutes a day, you can eliminate distractions, use cheat codes to fast-track your progress, and cultivate new ways of thinking for ongoing personal and professional growth. Conclude your journey with intention and reflection, and create the life you’ve always envisioned.
Are you willing to do the work and take action?
THE AUTHOR
AK IKWUAKOR, also known as “Coach AK”, is a high performance Executive Coach, entrepreneur, former Top 10 world-ranked athlete, author, and the current Executive Coach Lead at Google. Coach AK has traveled to more than 30 countries working with students, athletes, coaches, governmental agencies, celebrities, and CEO’s, and even victims affected by terrorism through his entrepreneurial endeavors. His endeavors include work in sports diplomacy, storytelling, peak performance, fashion, virtual reality, leadership development, global education, and business coaching.
