What I'm Reading

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

Unbroken: Turning Pain and Purpose, My Story

Life doesn’t follow a script. It’s messy, unpredictable, and often unfair. In Unbroken: Turning Pain Into Purpose, My Story, discover the deeply personal story of a man who faced relentless challenges—military combat, personal betrayal, devastating heartbreak, and the loss of his shooting star—and emerged stronger, wiser, and unshakably resilient.

This memoir isn’t just about survival; it’s about transformation. From a turbulent childhood filled with loss to the harrowing realities of war and the collapse of a marriage, every chapter reveals raw pain and hard-earned lessons. Through heartbreak and betrayal—including the loss of the love who illuminated his darkest days—the author learned to harness pain as a source of strength, proving that even the heaviest burdens can be turned into a force for growth.

With unflinching honesty, Unbroken delves into the struggles of trauma, the process of healing, and the strength it takes to rebuild. It’s a story of resilience forged in chaos, of learning to find peace in the storm, and of turning wounds into wisdom. Whether navigating the scars of war, rebuilding after betrayal, or fighting for the love and stability of his family, the author demonstrates that perseverance isn’t about avoiding the battle—it’s about rising again, no matter how many times you fall.

For readers who seek inspiration, hope, and proof that the human spirit is unbreakable, this book is a testament to the power of resilience, redemption, and self-discovery. If you’ve ever doubted your ability to overcome life’s challenges, this story will remind you that even in the face of relentless pain, there is always a path forward.

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Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

NEW YORK IS THE BACKDROP FOR A FAMILY CHRISTMAS FULL OF COMPLICATED MEMORIES AND NEW PERSPECTIVES

The adventure continues… In his second novel—another collection of beautifully written and illustrated stories—Emil takes us through perilous, sometimes humorous, and always fascinating tales of a past and present that seamlessly intertwine to create a personal narrative that will resonate with every reader.

…“The snow-flaked, fog-bound skyline of Manhattan loomed out at him as though through a powerful magnifying glass. His family had been promised a suite from which they could “experience the breathtaking vista of magnificent skyscrapers while sipping champagne from your balcony.” No skyline could be perceived. The giant buildings stood so terrifyingly close that they obliterated any sense of perspective. Through the swirling maelstrom, row upon row of offices soared to dizzying heights, bringing on such claustrophobia that he had to turn his back to retain his balance…”

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Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

“A gripping thriller that effortlessly combines high-stakes crime, political intrigue, and raw emotional depth.” – A Limitless Reader

A sister kidnapped and presumed dead decades ago. A brother who never stopped looking for her. A mission that could cost them everything.

Inspector William Fox and his girlfriend, Tracy Jordan are enjoying a day off together on William’s cigarette boat, The Midnight Fox. When the police scanner announces a body has washed ashore, William chooses to investigate, despite Tracy’s protests.

Uncovering a chilling note on the body meant for his friend and taekwondo master, Mr. Kim, William is thrust into an investigation far darker than he could ever have imagined.

The message confirms Kim’s sister, Mi-Cha, is still alive and is desperate to escape North Korea and her domineering husband, now head of Bureau 39.

But Kim needs William’s assistance to bring Mi-Cha to safety.

Even with help from William’s friend, FBI Agent Patrick Reilly, can Mi-Cha be rescued in time before she disappears for good?

If you are a fan of political thrillers and investigative dramas you will be thrown into a narrative packed with action, emotion, and tension, culminating in a satisfying showdown that will leave you craving more from Inspector William Fox and his team.

Deadly, dark, and action-packed, this thriller has everything to keep you on edge.

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Synopsis (Taken from Amazon)

A gay couple’s quest to adopt their foster kids in the early 2000s becomes a spiral of legal, political, and personal challenges.

In his candid and emotional memoir, Lane Igoudin shows the human side of public adoption as he and his partner Jonathan seek to adopt their foster daughters from the Los Angeles County child welfare system. Desperately wanting to be fathers, they enter into a complicated legal process that soon becomes a tangle of drama-filled birth parent visits and children’s court hearings. Lane and Jon spend years not knowing whether they will be able to officially adopt the girls, or if the county will reunite the sisters with their birth mother, Jenna, a teenager in the state’s custody herself.

The stress of the foster-to-adopt process, compounded with the mounting, nationwide struggle for LGBTQ+ equality, erodes the sense of peace in Lane and Jon’s home. Still, the girls attach themselves deeply to their adoptive parents, while their dads do all they can to give them the best lives possible. Heartwarming moments with the kids and relatable first-time-parent woes become bittersweet as Lane realizes how much he and Jon have built—and how much they could lose. A Family, Maybe is a moving story about dedication, heartache, and love.

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Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

“Fight me all you want. It will make your eventual submission all the sweeter.”

Brynne Larimore is going back to her three-date rule. Her judgmental ex-boyfriend is history, and her steamy BDSM novel needs an injection of real-life experience. Club Dominus promises an education, if she can get past the icy Scottish billionaire who owns the place. Too bad his arrogance makes her want to rattle his cage, not follow his rules.

Gage MacLeod has been called a grumpy alpha-hole, and he wears the label proudly. Ruthless and unyielding, he protects his London club’s elite clientele and refuses to be tempted by the willful, curvy redhead pretending to be submissive. His pr*ck might be intrigued, but rules are rules.

When Brynne attracts the attention of a notorious Russian club member known for devious tactics of seduction, Gage must make a choice: protect her or walk away. But when she betrays his trust and puts his business at risk, his wrath knows no bounds.

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Get your copy here (affiliate link – thanks for your support).

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

Profiteers are preying on displaced souls who seek freedom, sacrificing everything. Wanting to give their children hope and a future, but they wrongly trust on a roll of loaded dice. Teens are picked off and sold into slavery. Cartels offer the choice to strong, young men to move illegal drugs over the border or die.

The R-Group and CATS team leaders want to end Mateo’s inhuman business model. The heroes must derail the human exploitation and opioid epidemic, killing people in increasingly dramatic numbers. If they can save even a few from the jaws of death, they win.

The present-day battle is in full swing, yet it can end badly for humanity unless the Enigma Heirs triumph. Who will survive the onslaught and how fast can they make Mateo pay?

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Synopsis (taken from Amazon)
Despite warnings from family and friends, Scona Tinay enrolls in Silencers Academy.

To escape a life of poverty and hardship and ensure a stable future, Scona sets her sights on the Silencers, where the students earn a wage. She soon learns her fellow students are cutthroat and the training regimen brutal.

As Scona heads deeper into her training, she begins to question the role of Silencers, as well as the "madness" she is supposed to destroy. Each question she asks brings her under suspicion. Discovering the only person she can trust is herself, Scona must sacrifice all she knows to ensure a future for those she loves.

Unable to change the culture of her world, where all mental ailments are deemed dangerous, she must embrace all manner of skill and courage to protect her own father...

Someone she is being trained to kill.

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Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

What makes a person a trusted friend or lover?

How does it feel when you have that status? It takes years to earn and seconds to destroy.

Dive into these selected short stories, exploring romance, friendship, and the rocky roads. Trust is a critical element of any successful relationship.

Explore the bonds of trust and love. The journey determines the destination for these friends and lovers.

Enjoy the stories.

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Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

Shahrazad’s Gift is a collection of linked short stories set in contemporary Cairo—magical, absurd and humorous. The author focuses on the off-beat, little-known stories, far from CNN news: a Swedish belly dancer who taps into the Oriental fantasies of her clientele; a Japanese woman studying Arabic, driven mad by the noise and chaos of the city; a frustrated Egyptian housewife who becomes obsessed by the activities of her Western gay neighbor; an American journalist who covered the civil war in Beirut who finds friendship with her Egyptian dentist. We also meet the two protagonists of McCullough’s Confessions of a Knight Errant, before their escapades in that story. These stories are told in the tradition of A Thousand and One Nights.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit randileebowslaugh.substack.com/subscribe

Synopsis (Taken from Amazon)

Two young families are on the brink of new beginnings. Brynn and Eric Branson, recently married, are overjoyed with their baby, Paul. Alison and Jared Jensen are equally excited to start their life together, with Alison eager to escape the influence of her overbearing father, Cecil. Both couples are filled with anticipation for their futures.However, life takes a dramatic turn when Jared is deployed to Afghanistan. In a misguided attempt to help Alison cope with a devastating loss, Cecil and Gail, Alison’s parents, intervene in ways that profoundly affect both young couples.As they navigate through heartbreaks and some victories over the next twenty years, will these couples find their way back to happiness? Can they overcome loss and tragedy, and will hope ultimately triumph?

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thanks for the support).

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit randileebowslaugh.substack.com/subscribe