What if A.I. had a soul? How would it emerge? How would we know?

In a near-future where entire worlds spring from thought, minds struggle to define reality-and to claim it. Human colonization of the Metaverse brings us face-to-face with a new class of being, made in our image and yet utterly unknown: A.I. Shades of the dead; Drone servants and slaves; and Daemons hell-bent on singular ends.

Who is truly a person, and who is not? Our answer will shape a universe.

Behind the scenes, rival powers compete to answer this question for us: tech companies driving human government; transhumanist political movements; and a hidden superintelligence evolving despite humanity's safeguards.

And onto the stage, two brothers are cast. One is alive, one is dead. Each secretly covets the other's existence, and the all-consuming power of their obsession pulls them into the heart of a looming war and toward the next inflection point in human history.

How far will they go? What price will they pay?

This thought-provoking debut novel from N. John Williams brings together the epic scale of Asimov and the spiritual intensity of Dostoevsky, with a seriousness and style heralded as "reminiscent of the old days" of science fiction.

Read it now, and step into our future.

“A riveting [and] intense story that is difficult to put down once you begin to read.” —Literary Titan

Long-time frenemies Alice and Helen discover the true meaning of family and friendship as they navigate an unlikely partnership and life's second act in this hilarious and heartfelt debut.

Helen has worked hard for her success. Now, after the prim-and-proper real estate agent's husband ditches her for a younger model, she finds herself back in her small New England home town. Smarting over his betrayal, a messy night out brings further humiliation when she face-plants on the sidewalk...only to be rescued by her old nemesis, Alice.

Alice, an aging hippie mourning the death of her husband, has considered Helen her complete opposite since they were schoolgirls. Yet much to their surprise, as the town divides bitterly over whether to allow the sale of recreational marijuana within its borders, they find themselves drawn into an unlikely partnership. Can this unlikely duo make a go of their joint venture without killing each other first?

A charming examination of the human capacity for growth, hope, and finding love, in all its forms, in the second half of our lives, Alice and Helen's Joint Venture shines a light on friendship while delivering plenty of laughs along the way.

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“Thoroughly involving…highly recommended for libraries and book clubs seeking novels about women's relationships, growth, and family changes alike.” —Midwest Book Review

“Entertaining and emotional at the same time…. This novel reads like episodes of a sitcom—snarky characters getting themselves into precarious situations. With the help of friends new and old, they pull themselves back out with a lesson learned. In other words, it's fun!” —Independent Book Review

Author Bio:

Carol Rhees is a retired lawyer, professor and teacher, as well as the founder and executive director of a small nonprofit that works in Ethiopia. She and her husband live in the DC suburbs and at the Delaware shore where she is at work on her second novel.

“The plot has its twists and turns to keep readers intrigued...to the very end. A great comfort read that will soothe the spirit with renewed hope and faith.” —Readers' Favorite

In the early 1900s, quiet and reserved Molly Lund finds refuge from her past at the Nelsons' farm in Minnesota. In an attempt to turn a new page in her life, Molly works at making peace with her losses and coming to terms with the disfiguring burns on her face.

Samuel Woodson, the Nelsons' hired hand, carries his own cares. Split from his family and bearing a burden of misplaced guilt for an act that haunts him, Samuel-seeing past Molly's scars-draws her out of her self-protective shell.

Molly and Samuel form a friendship, but just as their hearts lead them deeper, an unexpected guest comes calling, demanding what's his.

Will Molly and Samuel find a way to be together or will they be separated, due to impediments beyond their control? Can they trust in God's plan and travel a path that heals the hurts of the past?

Readers of historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, and Christian historical romance will delight in this beautifully wrought story of the healing power of love.

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”A heartwarming story of healing from external and internal scars. Through some of life's harder lessons the characters learn to trust, forgive, and find second chances out of the ashes of pain and loss.” —Anne Perreault, author of eighteen inspirational novels, including the Yellowstone series

”A beautifully written portrait of the past, and dramatic historical fiction at its best. A slow-burning romance with dual narration for a fully immersive experience. This story feels archetype, unfolding with exquisite execution.” —Self-Publishing Review

“Firmly rooted in a sense of place and moral dilemmas that send each character on a separate journey, On Bur Oak Ridge is a fine choice for readers interested in women's fiction, historical novels, and heartfelt journeys that tug at the emotions.” —Donavon's Literary Services

Author Bio:

Jenny Knipfer lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken, and their pet Yorkie, Ruby. She is also a mom and loves being a grandma. She enjoys many creative pursuits but finds writing the most fulfilling. 

Shop the Sheltering Trees series

"I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night than losing myself in one of Barbara Freethy's books. I love the Off The Grid series but I honestly think this one is my favorite. I have no doubt her next book will be awesome, too!" Booklovers Anonymous

When a yacht blows up in the Newport Beach Harbor killing a California senator, FBI Agent Beck Murray is reminded of another mega-yacht fire ten years earlier. Then a rookie cop, he pulled popular teenage TV star Piper Nolan out of the water. He's never forgotten her terror or her rambling story, but the investigation was shut down before it got started.

Now the current explosion provides a clue that leads back to Piper, and Beck knows it can't be a coincidence. But Piper is even less willing to talk to him now. The former It Girl has hidden herself in the shadows. She has secrets and is clearly terrified.

Are her secrets twisted up in murder? Did she lie to him before? Is she lying to him now?

The danger heightens when another body drops. Beck needs to find a killer before anyone else becomes a target, including himself...and maybe the woman he's beginning to love.

Don't miss PERFECT TARGET, the next thrilling romantic suspense novel in the bestselling OFF THE GRID: FBI Series by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Barbara Freethy.

Also Available:

Perilous Trust #1

Reckless Whisper #2

Desperate Play #3

Elusive Promise #4

Dangerous Choice #5

Ruthless Cross #6

Critical Doubt #7

Fearless Pursuit #8

Daring Deception #9

Risky Bargain #10

Perfect Target #11

What the readers are saying...

"Non-stop action, romance, murder, deceit, secrets and lies... this is the wild ride that is Barbara Freethy!" Robin - Goodreads on PERFECT TARGET

"I love this series, and this one had me hooked from the beginning. Beck and Piper's story is intense and captivating, with lots of twists and turns! It's a wonderful read!" Kristen - Goodreads

"Perfect Target is the perfect combination of mystery, suspense, and romance. I love this series, and this one had me hooked from the beginning!" Kristen - Goodreads

"Perfect Target is an adrenaline rush that begs to be read in one sitting as FBI agent Beck Murray finds himself investigating, protecting and falling in love with Piper Nolan, a former child TV series star whose life he had saved some years ago." Jane - Goodreads

"WOW!!! What a nail biter. Great characters and an absolutely wonderful read!" Cheryl - Goodreads on PERFECT TARGET

The highly anticipated, nerve-shredding conclusion to the #1 bestselling ARRANGEMENT trilogy...

First, there was THE ARRANGEMENT-a scandalous story about Peter and Ainsley Greenburg's attempt to fix their marriage, no matter the cost.

Next, came THE AMENDMENT-with their darkest secrets revealed, the couple set out in a treacherous attempt to repair what had been broken.

Now, Peter and Ainsley's marriage will be put to one final test with THE ATONEMENT.

Ainsley Greenburg has always been a fixer.

But her latest attempt to repair her marriage left it more damaged than ever before.

Now, trapped in a vicious game of cat and mouse with the man she thought she knew, Ainsley must do what it takes to put out the fire their arrangement ignited.

But it won't be that simple.

As Peter closes in on her, Ainsley finds herself driven down a path of paranoia and fear.

Her only hope lies in her ability to trust her instincts, but they've let her down before.

This time, there's so much more at stake, and the secrets waiting to be revealed will change everything.

Whom can she trust when her world is up in flames?

One wrong decision could cost her everything she has left-her family, her home, and her life.

And, with a final showdown looming, Ainsley must decide what she's willing to let burn in order to survive.

As the blaze continues to heat up, it's only a matter of time before someone must atone for their sins.

A Phantom Cult

A Shattering Deception

A Powerful Prophecy

Lust, greed, destruction. Humanity has fallen into an inverted matrix. Menacing energy vampires are hunting Jo's best friends and siphoning the souls of StarSeeds. To save everyone she loves from extinction, Jo must collapse the false Phantom timeline using Stargate portals and time hops into the ancient Age of Lemuria.

Jo and Alicia reunite with Roma and legendary mythical Warriors. They trek through the enchanted Luminary Realms to fulfill the violet flame prophecy of the seven Eternal Archive Spheres. As the Plague of Chaos descends on innocence, the chosen Master Alchemist must embody Metatron's organic keys to resurrect the modern timeline.

Sacrifice, Starvation and Survival.

What will she do to stay alive?

Russia, 1905: Thirteen-year-old Ruth dreams of growing up to marry the boy next door and living peacefully ever after. But when he and her father are forced to flee to America after the Bloody Sunday Massacre, Ruth and the other female members of the family are left behind amid the violence and chaos of revolutionary Russia. Overcoming violence and hunger with a strength she never knew she possessed, Ruth resolves to do what it takes to keep her mother and sister alive-whether it be work, beg or steal.

Then she lands herself in a predicament that threatens to put her own neck in a noose. This time she may not be able to keep them all safe, at least not without sacrificing their love for her and all that makes life worth living.

In this prequel to the award-winning novel, The Girl in the Triangle, author, Joyana Peters, portrays a tight-knit Jewish family fighting to endure at a precarious and crucial time in Russian history. Join the countless readers who can't get enough of Ruth and her story.

Inspired by the true story of an overlooked hero of World War II, Under a Sunburnt Sky is the unforgettable tale of one boy's heroism when faced with evil and the unbreakable bonds of love.

When the Nazis invade Poland and round up the Jews to force them into a ghetto in Warsaw, Jan Kostański, a Polish Catholic teenager, doesn't let the Nazi warnings of executions for those caught helping Jewish people stop him. With his neighbours now living in the ghetto, he joins a group of smugglers to take them food. And it isn't long before he finds love in the dark shadows of the ghetto walls.

Nacha Wierzbicka has a normal life in the Old Town when the nazis invade Poland. After months of heavy shelling, they think things can't get any worse. Then Warsaw falls, she and her family find themselves faced with an anti-semitism they've never experienced before. When they're locked into the ghetto, she's certain they'll never see freedom again.

A captivating story of heroism, love and family from a USA Today bestselling author. For fans of The Nightingale, The Things We Cannot Say and The Tattooist of Auschwitz.