My Summer 2025 Author Cohort
I have the pleasure and grand luck of being a part of the fabulous Summer 2025 cohort of authors for this summer‘s releases by Regal House Publishing. From all over the country, we’ve been meeting on Zoom since the cohort was formed, chat on Facebook, sometimes on the phone, and email questions, advice, and happenings in our personal and book lives. They have become dear book buddies and friends. I couldn’t have made my Three Guesses journey without them!
Though you learned about their insanely fabulous books in my December blog, many have now released or will be in the coming weeks, so let’s revisit them so you’re never wanting for your next great read.
A Small Disturbance on the Far Horizon by Richard Babcock—In the stark Nevada landscape of the 1950s, A Small Disturbance on the Far Horizon explores the aftermath of a murder through the intertwined lives of three individuals…Against the backdrop of the country’s nuclear bomb tests, which ominously shadow the narrative, Tom, Ettie, and Adam each wrestle with their choices and seek redemption from the haunting consequences that relentlessly pursue them.
A Tune Both Familiar and Strange by Rafaella Del Bourgo—“These poems take us to places as far flung as Tasmania or Afghanistan, Israel or Iceland, letting us see across time and space into the lives of others, but also into the love and loss of Del Bourgo’s own life.” -Lynne Knight, author of The Language of Forgetting
Closer by Miriam Gershow—Set in 2015 during Obama’s presidency and Trump’s early candidacy, the tranquil college town of Horace, Oregon, is disrupted when white students taunt a Black student in the high school library…When tragedy strikes with the death of a student, the survivors are left grappling with the fault lines in their most intimate relationships and searching for ways to draw closer. See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7129858396.
Duet for One by Martha Anne Toll—Haunted by his youthful romance with Dara, gifted and sensitive violinist Adam must confront his past to find a way forward… Duet for One weaves a poignant narrative of loss, connection, and the enduring hope that love can be found where life resides, following her acclaimed debut, Three Muses. See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7158671434.
Imhotep and the Quest to Kush by Al Sirois (second book in The Imhotep Chronicles trilogy for young adults)—Imhotep, tasked with finding new remedies for the ailing King Sanakhe, embarks on a perilous journey into the mysterious land of Kush. Along the Nile River, he seeks powerful spells and exotic herbs from local healers. However, Imhotep's path is fraught with danger…His resolve and resourcefulness are tested as he strives to uncover the remedies that could save King Sanakhe and safeguard the realm from imminent peril.
Just Emilia by Jennifer Oko—The past, present, and future collide in a DC Metro elevator as three women get caught up in a gripping time-traveling tale of memory, emotion, and unspoken truths about their shared history…Brimming with biting humor, compassion, and quick-witted insight, JUST EMILIA is remarkable journey of self-discovery. See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7060230979.
Measure of Devotion by Nell Joslin—Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the American Civil War, this intricately woven novel delves into the life of Susannah Shelburne, a thirty-six-year-old woman residing in South Carolina with her older husband, Jacob. Their son, Francis, defies his parents’ wishes by enlisting in the Confederate army, sparking bitter familial discord…This gripping narrative explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the profound impacts of war on family bonds. See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7158675037.
Peace Like a River by Scott Gould—A lyrical and heartwarming tale of fathers, sons, and grandfathers, and the intricate bonds that define them…A captivating exploration of forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring bonds of family, Peace Like a River invites readers into a world where love and loss intersect with the healing power of nature and introspection.
Sixty Seconds by Steven Mayfield—As the clock ticks down the final minute of World War II in Europe, Sixty Seconds tells the stories of nine people on both sides of the Atlantic…Individually and together, these seemingly disparate and yet inextricably intertwined people hurtle toward their own climactic finishes as midnight and the official beginning of V-E Day approaches on 7 May 1945.
The Bayrose Files by Diane Wald—Ambitious young journalist Violet Maris secures a coveted residency at a prestigious artists’ and writers’ colony in 1980s Provincetown, armed with a file of stories written by a dear, older gay friend. Her intention: to write a captivating exposé based on these narratives. However, Violet’s promising start at the colony takes a dark turn when tragedy strikes—her friend, the true author of the stories, succumbs to AIDS. See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7158679725.
The Miniaturist’s Assistant by Katherine Scott Crawford—An art conservator in historic Charleston unearths a familiar face in a 200-year-old miniature portrait and realizes she’s lived more than one life…The Miniaturist’s Assistant explores the mystery of time, how our choices ripple throughout history, and what it means to be a fully-realized woman—in any century. See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7158681582.
Three Guesses by Chris McClain Johnson—Three strangers from Memphis, Phoenix, and New York City, connected only by a mesmerizing painting named Three Guesses, embark on an extraordinary pen pal friendship and reveal surprisingly intimate details of their lives over seven years of letter-writing. Then, as each contends with critical turning points, the unlikely trio considers breaking their mail-only pact to meet in person at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. See reviews at Three Guesses.
Where I Went Wrong by David Galef—Tony Mazza is no stranger to bad days; in fact, they often seem to define his life…Where I Went Wrong is Tony’s story, a novel that blends action with rueful reflection, examining the complexities of failure and success. It poses the question of why some people lose out while others get away with little short of murder, offering a narrative both comic and profoundly serious.
I hope you will seek out and enjoy all of these wonderful books.
Whenever and wherever possible, please support your local, independent book stores.
HAPPY SUMMER READING!