The Whoodah girls are back again! Safe on the farm with the new men in tow, there is nothing left to do but get married! Not just one wedding will do. Oh, no! Not with these three characters. Think my Big Fat Greek Wedding times three. From runaway horses to a crazed barn rat, these weddings will keep you wondering what's next and giggling into your coffee!

Watch for Book One: Whooda Thunkit and The Girls, Coming Soon as a feature film, produced by Wild Filly Productions, and directed by Michael Lembeck! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: TK Cassidy is the author of eight books, including Whoodah Thunket and the Girls, currently being adapted into a major motion picture. As an alumna of five universities, she holds a B.S. in English, an M.L.I.S. in Library Science, and an Ed.D. in Virtual Education. She is the recipient of the Maga Lahi Humanities Award, the Mary Anne Pfenninger National Literary Award and has several more books in the works. After forty years of traveling, she has returned home to Montana.

Learn More at https://www.dkpwriter.com/indie-reads-aloud-season-5

Not all heroes are adults.

Tragedy struck Gabriel Fletcher at the age of eight. Losing his parents felt catastrophic enough, but to be sent to live with his aunt and uncle who didn’t want him? Life couldn’t get much worse.

Sho Tashiro only ever wanted a best friend—someone to share adventures and play video games with—and who wouldn’t make fun of his heritage or treat him like a sidekick. Little did they know their meeting and years of friendship that followed might be more than fate.

What if every world in every universe had a Gabriel and a Sho?

And what would happen if Earth was invaded by a creature that threatened to annihilate everything they loved? One trained in martial arts + one with self-proclaimed superior Asian genetics = a friendship and adventure that feels like they jumped right out of their favorite science fiction TV shows and movies they watched as children! The fate of the world is in the hands of two fifteen-year-old boys. What could go wrong?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michigan-based author Kristoffer Gair wrote his first puppet play in 1st Grade and continued writing in one form or another from that point on. Much of it was crap, but there were tiny nuggets of potential mixed in with the likes of Pickle Pony Gets A Puzzle. He spent three of his years at Fraser High School performing in plays, then attended Grand Valley State University where he graduated with degrees in Film & Video and Creative Writing.

The first professional piece Kristoffer completed was Honor Unbound, a historical non-fiction novel he co-wrote with retired Fraser High School teacher Diane Abbott. He then went solo, donned the pseudonym Kage Alan, wrote several comedy novels within the LGBTQ genre, and contributed to a series of comedic anthologies (affectionately known as the Butt-Thology).

Kristoffer shed his pseudonym in 2017 and has since published under his real name, starting and continuing on with the Falling Awake series, a serious departure from his previous comedic novels.

When not writing and editing, Kristoffer spends his days tormenting management at his day job, shopping at ALDI, being bossed around by the dog he inherited from his mother, playing Halo, listening to music, and going to see The Motels play in concert whenever they're in the area.

Learn More at https://www.dkpwriter.com/indie-reads-aloud-season-5

LISTENER ADVISORY: Mature Situations

The stories in this book are about women: passionate, intelligent, eccentric women, all of whom in their own way are struggling to find meaning, overcome grief, and become, somehow, more fully alive – whether intellectually, emotionally, or sexually. One of them is obsessed with irrigating a desert, another with a baby she has lost, a third seeks redemption and love through dangerous sex. One woman hasn't left her house in twenty years, another falls in love with her rabbi, while yet another, after a year of mourning, begins returning to the world through singing aloud a prayer. These women are memorable for their individuality, their vividness, and their emotional and psychological depth – as are these stories, all of them beautifully written, poetic, and powerful.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Nora Gold is the prize-winning author of six books. Her first book, MARROW AND OTHER STORIES, won a Vine Canadian Jewish Book Award and was praised by Alice Munro. FIELDS OF EXILE won the inaugural Canadian Jewish Literary Award for best novel and was acclaimed by Ruth Wisse and Irwin Cotler. THE DEAD MAN won a translation grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. 18: JEWISH STORIES TRANSLATED FROM 18 LANGUAGES, an anthology of translated works, was praised by Publishers Weekly, Cynthia Ozick, and Dara Horn. Gold’s fifth book was comprised of two much-acclaimed novellas: IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH/YOM KIPPUR IN A GYM (two novellas). Her latest book, the novella DOUBLES, was published on May 1, 2026.

In addition, Gold is the founder and editor-in-chief of the prestigious literary journal JEWISH FICTION, which has published 650 works of Jewish-themed fiction, never before published in English, that were originally written in 23 languages. WWW.JEWISHFICTION.COM

Learn More at https://www.dkpwriter.com/indie-reads-aloud-season-5

Doubles takes place in 1968 in an institution for troubled youth, and is told from the perspective of a brilliant, spunky, 12-year-old girl who is obsessed with math. Engagingly written and often funny, this novella explores how a sensitive young teenager changes over a six-month period from a polite, quiet “good girl” into a delinquent.

Although set in the past, Doubles has direct relevance to today, with our recently heightened awareness of the harsh reality in some of our residential institutions during that era (including for Indigenous children, but not only).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Nora Gold is the prize-winning author of six books. Her first book, MARROW AND OTHER STORIES, won a Vine Canadian Jewish Book Award and was praised by Alice Munro. FIELDS OF EXILE won the inaugural Canadian Jewish Literary Award for best novel and was acclaimed by Ruth Wisse and Irwin Cotler. THE DEAD MAN won a translation grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. 18: JEWISH STORIES TRANSLATED FROM 18 LANGUAGES, an anthology of translated works, was praised by Publishers Weekly, Cynthia Ozick, and Dara Horn. Gold’s fifth book was comprised of two much-acclaimed novellas: IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH/YOM KIPPUR IN A GYM (two novellas). Her latest book, the novella DOUBLES, was published on May 1, 2026.

In addition, Gold is the founder and editor-in-chief of the prestigious literary journal JEWISH FICTION, which has published 650 works of Jewish-themed fiction, never before published in English, that were originally written in 23 languages.

Learn More at https://www.dkpwriter.com/indie-reads-aloud-season-5

LISTENER ADVISORY: STRONG LANGUAGE, MATURE SITUATIONS

In a war-torn kingdom, love becomes a weapon, and betrayal ignites a relentless thirst for vengeance.

In the battle-scarred realm of Endolia, where political intrigue coils through court and battlefield alike, loyalty is fragile, and passion can be deadly.

Lady Inyanna Mortseoule has long resisted the suffocating expectations of nobility, choosing distance over duty. But when she encounters Lynksha, a brilliant and haunted war commander whose strength is rivaled only by the darkness within him, her world begins to fracture.

Bound by a forbidden and consuming love, they defy honor, allegiance, and the fragile order holding Endolia together. As war looms ever closer, their connection burns brighter and more dangerous.

Until betrayal shatters everything.

Driven by loss and stripped of trust, Inyanna is thrust into a ruthless pursuit of vengeance. To survive, she must navigate a world of shifting alliances, treacherous power, and hidden truths, where every decision carries a cost and every ally may become an enemy.

As the warfront closes in, she must decide: Will she rise to reshape Endolia, or be consumed by the very forces she unleashes?  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: As a member of a deployed family, Lynx grew up in Europe and gained an appreciation for diverse cultures at an early age.

A recipient of several National Library of Poetry awards, Lynx has always enjoyed writing as a creative outlet and this has led to both the Award Winning Project Agosha and the newly released Myths of Endolia series, as well as the Bleuffy comics.

M.T. Lynx is a South Carolina based author and can be found playing D&D with friends or spending time with family and her two editor-cats.

Learn More at https://www.dkpwriter.com/indie-reads-aloud-season-5

Mira stands between two worlds: a half-troll who never knew her human father. She wouldn’t blend in with humans and the other trolls in her clan consider her mother a traitor for loving her. When her mother passes away, Mira breaks free of the Under into the Above, navigating the human world in search of a new home.

Matt hadn’t expected a magical world hiding beneath Hedgefield, but a request from a stranger showed him the truth. When Mira pleads for his help in the grocery store, he is thrust into a world where the creatures of bedtime stories run free. The Above will be dangerous for Mira and Matt blindly follows her into a world he barely understands.

Between these worlds stands Blanc LaBelle, a magical detective specializing in those of the Under coming to the surface. Among the Under and the Above, his name is spoken with equal reverence and fear. Whether it’s rescuing someone taken captive by humans or eliminating a rogue monster, LaBelle keeps peace between the two worlds.

LaBelle takes the case to find Mira’s father, but what he learns along the way could reshape the Under and take the Above with it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nicholas Westbrook graduated from Roger Williams University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing. He then went on to get his Masters in Information and Library Science. After a brief stint in the library field, Nick went back to school to become a veterinary assistant. He lived in Seattle for several years and currently resides in New England. When not writing, he usually around animals either hiking in nature, working at a vet clinic, or volunteering at the Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue.

Nick has always had a love of stories. In 2020, he went through the process of self-publishing Found Mysteries: The Rebirth of Violet Franklin and Other Tales. While working through that release, he began work on the Blanc LaBelle series. The first of these books, Blanc LaBelle and the Troll’s Daughter, will release on May 12th 2026, with the next installment expected later this year.

Learn More at https://www.dkpwriter.com/indie-reads-aloud-season-5

The Frizz Girls want to teach you the ABC’s of wavy and curly hair complete with a glossary defining each word. This is a great resource to learn all the hair words to describe wavy and curly hair. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stacy Schilling was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she developed a passion for the visual arts at a young age. After graduating high school in Kentucky, where her family relocated in 1990, she attended the University of Kentucky and earned a degree in Journalism. However, her true calling lay in graphic design, and she honed her skills working in Cincinnati, OH. Despite initial setbacks in her design career, she didn't give up and enrolled in Northern Kentucky University's Graphic Design program where she graduated with honors.

With renewed determination, Stacy returned to her hometown of Los Angeles to pursue a career in the competitive design industry, working with prestigious clients such as NBC and UCLA, and quickly establishing herself as a talented and respected designer and teacher.

After spending more than a decade teaching and working in the industry, Stacy noticed a gap in the market for children's literature that addressed hair care for young readers with curly or wavy hair. In 2022, she began writing a series of books to fill this gap and empower young readers to embrace and care for their natural curls.

Stacy is recognized for her tireless work ethic, dedication to her craft, and has earned several awards and accolades for her contributions in the visual arts. In her free time, she enjoys learning about health and wellness, teaching website design, painting, and finding creative ways to express herself.

Stacy is a truly remarkable individual, serving as an inspiration to those around her with her positive impact on the world through her work and kindness. She continues to inspire and make a difference in the lives of many.

Learn more at https://www.dkpwriter.com/indie-reads-aloud-season-5

What The Frizz?!

How to Take Care of Your Wavy or Curly Hair Find Your Hair Type 

The Frizz Girls are a new kid's picture book series aimed at teaching young girls ages 5-13 on how to take care of their wavy or curly hair. For many young girls, some have parents, grandparents and guardians that don't know how to teach their young ones how to properly care for their wavy or curly hair. Adults also label a child's hair frizzy or messy, which can have a HUGE impact on a child's self-esteem. The Frizz Girls are the brain-child of Stacy Schilling, and were created to share their tips and tricks on how all wavies and curlies can take proper care of their hair, and have the confidence to do it themselves. Stacy knows what it's like to grow up with parents that don't know or understand how to properly care for wavy or curly hair, and she doesn't want to see anyone go through what she did as a child.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stacy Schilling was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she developed a passion for the visual arts at a young age. After graduating high school in Kentucky, where her family relocated in 1990, she attended the University of Kentucky and earned a degree in Journalism. However, her true calling lay in graphic design, and she honed her skills working in Cincinnati, OH. Despite initial setbacks in her design career, she didn't give up and enrolled in Northern Kentucky University's Graphic Design program where she graduated with honors.

With renewed determination, Stacy returned to her hometown of Los Angeles to pursue a career in the competitive design industry, working with prestigious clients such as NBC and UCLA, and quickly establishing herself as a talented and respected designer and teacher.

After spending more than a decade teaching and working in the industry, Stacy noticed a gap in the market for children's literature that addressed hair care for young readers with curly or wavy hair. In 2022, she began writing a series of books to fill this gap and empower young readers to embrace and care for their natural curls.

Stacy is recognized for her tireless work ethic, dedication to her craft, and has earned several awards and accolades for her contributions in the visual arts. In her free time, she enjoys learning about health and wellness, teaching website design, painting, and finding creative ways to express herself.

Stacy is a truly remarkable individual, serving as an inspiration to those around her with her positive impact on the world through her work and kindness. She continues to inspire and make a difference in the lives of many.

Learn More at: https://www.dkpwriter.com/indie-reads-aloud-season-5

What The Frizz?!

How to Take Care of Your Wavy or Curly Hair No Dry Brushing

Rachel dry brushes her wavy hair and it always ends up frizzy and poofy! Her mom thinks dry brushing wavy hair is okay. Rachel is sad that her wavy hair looks frizzy and poofy. She wants to have pretty wavy hair. Rachel seeks help from The Frizz Girls and wants to know if it’s okay to brush her wavy hair, dry. Read and learn why The Frizz Girls’ teach dry brushing on wavy or curly hair isn’t good, and what might happen. The Frizz Girls are a new kid's picture book series aimed at teaching young girls ages 5-13 on how to take care of their wavy or curly hair.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stacy Schilling was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she developed a passion for the visual arts at a young age. After graduating high school in Kentucky, where her family relocated in 1990, she attended the University of Kentucky and earned a degree in Journalism. However, her true calling lay in graphic design, and she honed her skills working in Cincinnati, OH. Despite initial setbacks in her design career, she didn't give up and enrolled in Northern Kentucky University's Graphic Design program where she graduated with honors.

With renewed determination, Stacy returned to her hometown of Los Angeles to pursue a career in the competitive design industry, working with prestigious clients such as NBC and UCLA, and quickly establishing herself as a talented and respected designer and teacher.

After spending more than a decade teaching and working in the industry, Stacy noticed a gap in the market for children's literature that addressed hair care for young readers with curly or wavy hair. In 2022, she began writing a series of books to fill this gap and empower young readers to embrace and care for their natural curls.

Stacy is recognized for her tireless work ethic, dedication to her craft, and has earned several awards and accolades for her contributions in the visual arts. In her free time, she enjoys learning about health and wellness, teaching website design, painting, and finding creative ways to express herself.

Stacy is a truly remarkable individual, serving as an inspiration to those around her with her positive impact on the world through her work and kindness. She continues to inspire and make a difference in the lives of many.

Learn More at https://www.dkpwriter.com/indie-reads-aloud-season-5

Dragon Island: Football Season is an exciting, action-filled story about dragons who are passionate about football. With six teams, each made up of six players, the dragons have a unique ability to change their colors to match their team uniforms. One of the standout players is Ember, a deaf dragon with exceptional vision and a talent for creating winning strategies. Her skills are so valuable that each team takes turns drafting her onto their roster.

The highlight of the story is a thrilling football match between Team Firestorm and Team Thunder. As the game unfolds, teamwork, clever plays, and strategy keep readers on the edge of their seats as they discover who will emerge victorious. At its core, the story is a celebration of competition, teamwork, and the unbreakable bond of friendship.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lisa Jacovsky is a Psychology professor at Union College of NJ and SNHU. Lisa began writing short stories when she was seven years old. Writing is a passion for her and one of the many things she enjoys. She is currently the author of the award-winning first four books in the Let's Talk! Series, Rascal Cat Brothers, Purrrfect as I am, and Spooky Ooky Dance Party. Lisa lives in New Jersey, where she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and working on her next books. Keep up with her on social media to see what is coming next.

Learn More at https://www.dkpwriter.com/indie-reads-aloud-season-5