The Admiral's Daughter by Tom Milton (Nepperhan Press) (5 Reviews)    Price verified 8 hours ago

Kristy McKay, a young woman from Mississippi living in New York in the early 1960s, is trying to expiate the original sin of slavery on which her family fortune was built. She is active in the civil rights movement in conflict with her father, a retired admiral who is a white supremacist. She suspects that he is behind the violence against civil rights activists in Mississippi, and unable to live with the possibility that her father is having people killed, she needs to learn the truth so that she can finally free herself from a legacy of guilt and hatred.

Genre: Literary Fiction

The Holler by Thomas Bell (13 Reviews)    Price verified 8 hours ago

The Holler is an immersive novel that grabs you from the very first page and doesn't let go. Set in the eerie and atmospheric backdrop of rural Kentucky, this story intricately weaves elements of folklore, family bonds, and the supernatural, creating a rich tapestry that is both haunting and heartwarming. The protagonist's journey is compelling and relatable. The twin brothers, whose close bond is tested by the mysterious and ominous Holler, are well-developed characters who evoke a deep sense of empathy. Their adventures, misadventures, and ultimate quest for truth are thrilling and emotionally charged, making the reader feel like a part of their journey. Bell's portrayal of the rural Kentucky setting is nothing short of masterful. His descriptions are vivid and evocative, bringing to life the foggy, mysterious landscapes and the tight-knit, if somewhat insular, communities that populate them. The Holler itself is a character in its own right, shrouded in mystery and menace, with a palpable presence that looms over the narrative. The dialogue in "The Holler" is particularly noteworthy. Bell has a keen ear for the regional dialect, and his characters speak in a way that feels authentic and true to their roots. This not only adds to the realism of the story but also immerses the reader in the world he has created. The conversations between the characters are natural and flow seamlessly, providing insight into their personalities and relationships. One of the standout aspects of the novel is its exploration of folklore and the supernatural. Bell skillfully blends these elements with the everyday lives of his characters, creating a sense of wonder and dread. The tales of demons, haunted woods, and ancient curses are woven into the fabric of the community, influencing the characters' beliefs and actions. This fusion of the ordinary and the extraordinary is handled with finesse, keeping the reader engaged and intrigued. The emotional core of the story lies in the ...

Genre: Literary Fiction

Hugh: A Hero without a Novel by David Lawrence (Broadbound Publishing LLC) (115 Reviews)    Price verified 7 hours ago

"Intriguing, ambitious, and pretty damn delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed 'Hugh' and it gave me a lot to think about. This is a unique and exhilarating journey." - Alexis Hall, author of Boyfriend Material From an old family trunk comes a manuscript which never saw the light of day. Its pages tell of a young man awakening to himself, his sexuality, and his world in this love letter to the era of Tom Jones. The slightly spoiled, slightly poetical, slightly absurd son of an ambitious baronet, Hugh Entwistle possesses the wealth and connections to make him a success in Georgian England. But before pursuing a sinecure in the military, he will spend the summer of 1768 at his country estate - far from the turmoil in London this politically volatile year. Only to discover a deeper, more profound turmoil within himself when he encounters the rebellious, and beautiful, son of the parish parson. So begins the hilarious and heart-breaking collapse of a well-ordered world. Hugh paints a sprawling canvas of 18th century England - a world of wig powder and heeled slippers, of connivers and blackmailers, in which the search for Liberty will require Hugh to redefine the rules of the game. Readers are enchanted with Hugh: A Hero without a Novel: "Sui generis, thoroughly interesting, fabulously vivid in place and time. It's extremely and realistically Georgian. A queer bildungsroman with more than a nod to Tom Jones, Tristram Shandy and the like. I found it absolutely fascinating... " - KJ Charles, author of The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman (The Doomsday Books) "'Hugh' is a deliciously satirical comedy, written in an antiquated syntax appropriate to the 18th century setting. At first entranced by, and then denied beauty, passion, and ecstasy (and what passion!... the Sorrows of Young Werther came to mind... ), Hugh becomes indifferent to offered pleasure until, at last, and in deathly fear of exposure, he attains the (outrageously, hilariously warped) Sublime." - Maria ...

Genre: Literary Fiction