Sounds Like Trouble To Me by Jean Trounstine

 Sounds Like Trouble to Me sheds light on what happens when a corrections officer kills her abusive husband and suddenly finds herself on the other side of the law. Not only is she shocked with the systematic abuse against fellow female prisoners but confronted with the complicated history of her own abuse, she must struggle with her fragile memory to uncover what actually happened before she goes to trial. It is the women she meets that change her, and in the end, she spurs on a MeToo movement behind bars.

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Sounds Like Trouble to Me: Trounstine, Jean: 9781963869828: Amazon.com: Books

I'm very excited about my new book, my eighth, and my first novel: SOUNDS LIKE TROUBLE TO ME, publishing this spring in May 2026 with Running Wild Press. You can read about it here or at my website. Also, follow me on Bluesky at JusticeWithJean.

At Framingham Women's Prison in Massachusetts, I directed eight productions, including THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. It is the basis of my first book SHAKESPEARE BEHIND BARS: THE POWER OF DRAMA IN A WOMEN'S PRISON, published by St. Martin's Press, 2001. I was the first person to direct a Shakespeare play in prison and was awarded the prestigious Gramsci Award in Italy for my work in theatre and literature for the past 30 years.

Prison work changed me, and I've written many articles and been featured on The Today Show, All Things Considered-NPR, and The Connection. I helped to establish Changing Lives Through Literature for women in Massachusetts where those on probation are sentenced to a literature seminar and probation instead of jail.

My first fiction, MOTHERLOVE, was published in 2024 by Concord Free Press is about the mothers of teens who killed other teens, and is my first fiction. Now, a novel, and I hope to bring readers into a world they do not know.

I live more happily than not with my husband in Massachusetts.

Fatal Finale by Nancy Mehl

 

They'd started back to the house when they heard a male voice behind them. Then a shot rang out.
"Run!" Kaely said.

When bestselling author Erin Delaney's novel gets picked up for a movie deal, she eagerly awaits her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter's arrival in Tennessee before they head to California to observe the film's production. However, when Kaely does not arrive at the scheduled time and Erin can't reach her by phone, her concern grows.

A cryptic phone call from Kaely's kidnapper confirms Erin's worst fear--she has exactly six days to save her friend's life by solving his twisted clues. The message comes with a warning: Contact the police or FBI, and Kaely dies. But Erin works for the Sanctuary Police Department, and Kaely's husband is with the FBI, putting her in an impossible situation. As Erin races against time, she's forced to crack the kidnapper's chilling puzzle before it's too late.

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Fatal Finale: A Christian Romantic Suspense Novel with Action, Cryptic Clues, Police, and FBI Investigations (The Erin Delaney Mysteries): Nancy Mehl: 9780764243387: Amazon.com: Books

Nancy Mehl lives in Missouri, with her husband Norman, and her puggle, Watson. She's authored over fifty books and is currently at work on a new FBI suspense series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy's novels have an added touch - something for your spirit as well as your soul. "I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing," Nancy says. "It's a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn't be writing at all if I didn't believe that this is what He's called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can't overcome with His help."

You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com. She also is active on the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com and on FaceBook!

The Roman Holiday Rule by Andra Loy

 You can't fall in love with someone who lives somewhere else and expect a happily-ever-after.

Lexi Walker has finally committed to the Italian adventure that she and her late mother dreamed of for years--complete with a meticulously crafted itinerary, four sealed letters to open at Rome's most iconic sites, and her mother's final painting to present at the art festival Lexi is helping organize. She's ready for the perfect Roman getaway. What she doesn't expect is for her mother's artwork to start manifesting in real life, turning her carefully planned trip into something unpredictable.

Italian-American architect Mark Russo has sworn off American tourists after having his heart broken, and he's certainly not about to let another one distract him from winning the restoration bid that could reunite his estranged father with his grandfather. But when the captivating woman next to him on the flight to Rome proposes a photography challenge--whoever captures the heart of Italy in seven days wins--Mark can't resist the bet or her charm.

As Lexi follows the letters from her mother around the city, she encounters Mark everywhere she goes. Their competitive banter turns to undeniable chemistry, but they both know the cardinal rule of holiday romances. Will a little magic--and a lot of mishaps--break the Roman Holiday Rule?

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Amazon.com: The Roman Holiday Rule: A No-Spice Magical Realism Rivals-to-Lovers Contemporary Romance Set in Italy: 9780764245954: Andra Loy: Books

Andra Loy writes hopelessly romantic rom-coms where love bends reality. Her unpublished works of fiction have received multiple awards. An avid explorer of storied castle ruins, Andra lived in Europe for over twenty years with her husband and three kids, but she recently moved back to the United States. When not reading and writing, she enjoys teaching English, traveling, and playing piano.

While you Were Trending by Pippa Grant

 

A former child reality TV star, a retired hockey player, and one rule they shouldn't break - don't date your ex's best friend.

There are three things I will never do (again) in my life:
1. Agree to be filmed doing something stupid
2. Let someone else decide if I’m worthy
3. Fall in love

Four years ago, I went viral in a moment that earned me the nickname The Wedding Wrecker. I’ve been in hiding at a closed winery with a small group of other accidentally viral women ever since.

But the winery is in financial trouble, and we’re taking every opportunity we get to try to save it.

Including agreeing to be the focus of a documentary about re-opening.

Unfortunately, the documentarian is my ex’s best friend.

My ex’s best friend who always hated me with the passion of a million angry internet users.

But if it’ll save our home, then fine. I’ll tolerate Declan Fox again.

Except the Declan I last knew four years ago is different.

Kinder.

Less arrogant.

More charming.

Unexpectedly attractive.

And finally free to tell me that he’s always loved me.

Thanks, life. I really needed this plot twist.

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Amazon.com: While You Were Trending: A Viral Sensation Romance (Accidentally Infamous Book 2) eBook : Grant, Pippa: Kindle Store

Pippa Grant wanted to write books, so she did.

Before she became a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling romantic comedy author, she was a young military spouse who got into writing as self-therapy. That happened around the time she discovered reading romance novels, and the two eventually merged into a career. Today, she has more than 30 knee-slapping Pippa Grant titles and nine published under the name Jamie Farrell.

When she’s not writing romantic comedies, she’s fumbling through being a mom, wife, and mountain woman, and sometimes tries to find hobbies. Her crowning achievement? Having impeccable timing for telling stories that will make people snort beverages out of their noses. Consider yourself warned.

Pippa Grant® is a registered trademark of Bang Laugh Love LLC.

My thoughts...

This is the second book in the Accidentally Infamous series, and it was outstanding. Grant always makes me laugh out loud and her characters are so easy to connect with. Ginny and Delcan's story was amazing, and I can't wait for the next book.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Transmentation Transgression by Darkly Lem

 A shocking death. A dangerous alliance. The worlds’ order on the verge of collapse.

After a fall from grace, intelligence officer Malculm Bysotič avoids further punishment when he is assigned to a bold and controversial new initiative: the forced eviction of all foreign travelers from the localities of Burel Hird. Hailed as a stabilizing effort, the program instead demands ever more frequent acts of bureaucratic cruelty. As the margins between just and unjust action continue to blur, Malculm is forced to question the motives and goals of the society he serves.

At home, newly acceded councilor Priema Dhalgrim is executing her vision of prosperity through control, using whatever means necessary to expand Burel Hird’s territory across the Many Worlds. But the foreign travelers won’t leave quietly. Meanwhile, Of Tala mercenaries Beinir and Shara find themselves contracted to opposite sides of the conflict between societies.

As overreach ignites conflict, and tensions within Burel Hird blaze, Withered Stem agent Paër and his team of operatives must decide if they should compromise the ethics of their society in order to save it. When every decision could unravel the health and stability of entire universes, where is the line drawn?

Pick up your copy here...                                                                                                                                     Amazon.com: Transmentation | Transgression: Or, a Spark on the Eve of the Five Hundred Year Burn (The Formation Saga Book 2) eBook : Lem, Darkly: Kindle Store

Darkly Lem is five authors in an impeccably-tailored trenchcoat (Josh Eure, Craig Lincoln, Ben Murphy, Cadwell Turnbull, and M. Darusha Wehm). They are the award-winning author of The Formation Saga, which starts with Transmentation|Transience. They live in an Earth-type locality in the Central Cluster with their seven kids, several spouses, and a modest menagerie, where they are at work on Many Worlds novels.

Transmentation Transience by Darkly Lem

 Over thousands of years and thousands of worlds, universe-spanning societies of interdimensional travelers have arisen. Some seek to make the multiverse a better place, some seek power and glory, others knowledge, while still others simply want to write their own tale across the cosmos.

When a routine training mission goes very wrong, two competing societies are thrust into an unwanted confrontation. As intelligence officer Malculm Kilkaneade receives the blame within Burel Hird, Roamers of Tala Beinir and Shara find themselves inadvertently swept up in an assassination plot.

Meanwhile, factions within Burel Hird are vying for greater control over their society in a war of cutthroat machinations--at a heavy price. Elsewhere, two members of rival societies lay their own plans for insurrection--with ramifications that will ripple across the Many Worlds ...

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Transmentation | Transience: Or, an Accession to the People's Council for Nine Thousand Worlds (The Formation Saga): Darkly Lem: 9798212185998: Amazon.com: Books

Darkly Lem is five authors in an impeccably-tailored trenchcoat (Josh Eure, Craig Lincoln, Ben Murphy, Cadwell Turnbull, and M. Darusha Wehm). They are the award-winning author of The Formation Saga, which starts with Transmentation|Transience. They live in an Earth-type locality in the Central Cluster with their seven kids, several spouses, and a modest menagerie, where they are at work on Many Worlds novels.

In Season by Elizabeth Thompson

 Discover your ultimate playbook for faith and athletics with In Season, a 90-day devotional for young female athletes. With interactive features such as goal setting, progress check-ins, reflection questions, and journaling prompts, In Season offers busy athletes everything they need to prioritize their spiritual growth while balancing their sport, academics, and relationships.

No matter her athletic goals or level of play, every girl who competes in a sport faces similar joys and challenges throughout her athletic season: The excitement of competition. The sense of belonging. The pressure to win. The athletic season is a physical, emotional, and spiritual roller-coaster ride, and many girls feel so overextended and overwhelmed that they struggle to stay spiritually connected.

In Season is a 90-day devotional that will meet girls where they're at. Tailored for young female athletes, each short devotion offers a much-needed spiritual perspective as readers navigate the highs and lows of sports and life, including building friendships and teamwork, developing leadership skills, cultivating a growth mindset, and more. With Scripture-infused reflections, real-life athlete stories, and practical exercises, In Season is intentionally designed to encourage resilience, confidence, and joy both on and off the field.

Pick up your copy here...                                                                                                                                     Amazon.com: In Season: A 90-Day Devotional for Female Student Athletes to Build Faith, Strengthen Confidence, and Train a Growth Mindset: 9780310179184: Thompson, Elizabeth Laing: Books

Elizabeth Laing Thompson writes at LizzyLife.com about clinging to Christ through the chaos of daily life. As a minister, speaker, and novelist, she is always seeking humor in holiness and hope in heartache. She is the author of many books for women and teens, including When God Says, "Wait," All the Feels, All the Feels for Teens, When a Friendship Falls Apart, and the rest of the When God Says series. Elizabeth lives in North Carolina with her husband and children, and they were totally worth the wait.

Elizabeth's essays and poetry have appeared in Proverbs 31, Brio Magazine, The Huffington Post, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Power for Living, Mamalode, Coffee + Crumbs, and BonBon Break.

Elizabeth married her college sweetheart, Kevin Thompson, after spending several years swooning over him from the passenger seat of his Dodge Avenger on the drive to church every Sunday. Together the newlyweds went to work serving campus ministries in North Carolina and Georgia. After a long struggle with infertility, Kevin and Elizabeth became the always exhausted but totally grateful parents of one large dog and four loud kids. Now after 25 years of marriage, they still like each other even though Elizabeth beats Kevin at Ping-Pong and buys too many scandalously overpriced mochas.

Elizabeth often addresses issues of Christian parenting on her website and Facebook page (https://facebook.com/alizzylife), and she writes, "We are an imperfect family, fighting to do this godly parenting thing God’s way. Our house is too small and our kids are too loud. There are a lot of random gymnastics at inappropriate moments. We have frequent dance-party-related injuries, and epic sock toss battles. We call ourselves the Crazies, because we really are—but most days, we mean that in a good way. I pray the lessons we’re learning, trying to wrestle Christ into the chaos of family life—will give you hope, encouragement, and a lot of good laughs."

To connect with Elizabeth, visit her website, https://ElizabethLaingThompson.com, Facebook page, https://facebook.com/alizzylife, and Instagram account: https://instagram.com/elizabethlaingthompson.