Books Publishing This Week
Books Publishing This Week: November 3 - 9
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It’s an early November morning, and you’ve just settled in with a new book, one that’s been patiently waiting on your shelf for just the right moment. The air outside has a noticeable chill, that crisp coldness that signals fall is beginning to fade into winter. The sky is a pale gray, with low clouds casting a soft, muted light over everything, but the vibrant autumn colors still linger. You can feel the season in every breath of air as you pull on your cozy rust-colored sweater, its warmth wrapping around you like a protective layer against the coolness of the day.
Through the window, the world seems quieter, more settled than it was in October. The trees are mostly bare now, though a few stubborn leaves—burnt orange, deep red, and faded gold—cling to the branches, fluttering in the gentle breeze. The rest lie scattered across the ground, covering the earth in a beautiful mosaic of color. The leaves crunch underfoot as people pass by, but here, in your little corner, you’ve created a peaceful haven away from the cold.
You’ve claimed your favorite reading spot, maybe by a window where the outside world is a distant backdrop, or curled up in an armchair with a blanket draped over your lap. A warm drink—coffee, tea, or perhaps a spiced chai—sits beside you, steam curling from the cup, adding to the cozy atmosphere. There’s something about November mornings like this that call for quiet moments, where the outside world seems to slow down, inviting you to do the same.
You open the book in your hands, and there’s a familiar sense of anticipation as you turn to the first page. There’s something special about starting a new book in November. The days are growing shorter, the nights colder, and this story will be your companion through those darker, quieter evenings. It feels like the perfect time to get lost in a book, when the world outside is turning inward and hibernating, and you’re doing the same, retreating into the warmth of a good story.
Outside, the wind stirs, sending the remaining leaves skittering across the ground, but you barely notice. Inside, it’s warm and calm. Your rust sweater feels like the perfect choice for today, its rich, autumnal hue blending with the colors of the season. There’s something comforting about wearing it, like it’s your personal connection to the final weeks of fall before winter arrives in full force. It’s a reminder of the season you’re still holding onto, even as the world edges toward winter.
You take a sip from your mug, savoring the warmth as it spreads through you, and let yourself sink deeper into the story. The characters begin to take shape in your mind, the plot unfolding with each turn of the page. Outside, the leaves continue to fall, and the light shifts as the morning wears on, but you’re lost in your book now, the words on the page becoming your world.
There’s something about November mornings that make reading feel even more special, like the stillness of the season sharpens your focus, draws you deeper into the story. The busy energy of October is gone, and now you have this quiet, reflective time to enjoy, with your book as the perfect companion. You can feel the seasons shifting, both in the weather outside and in the way you’re slowing down, taking the time to savor the moment.
You pause for a moment, looking up from your book, watching as the last few leaves fall from the trees, drifting lazily to the ground. The world outside is preparing for winter, and in some ways, so are you. But right now, it’s still fall, and you’re content to stay here a little while longer, wrapped in your sweater, warmed by your drink, and lost in your story.
This morning, with its soft light and crisp air, feels like a gift, a moment of calm before the rush of the holiday season and the cold of winter. You’ll remember this feeling, long after you’ve finished the book—the quiet peace of a November morning, the rustling leaves outside, and the warmth of your rust sweater as you settled in for a cozy, perfect day of reading.
Scroll down to find out what book you might be reading…
My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy
Meet John, a remarkable new student at The Huckleberry School. John's life takes a heartwarming turn when he befriends a sweet little girl named Bella. Everything seems to be going smoothly for John, until a challenging situation resurfaces, shaking the foundations of his world.
In My Friend John, we are invited to witness a touching journey that explores not only the essence of friendship but also the profound qualities of kindness and leadership. This poignant tale serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience within us all and the transformative power of genuine connection.
Thistle in the Mistletoe, Stones of Iona By Margaret Izard
Author Interview with Margaret Izard
The soft beauty beside him at the altar would make the perfect bride. Roderick MacDougall would do anything to stop the feud without more bloodshed. Too bad the gorgeous woman is the daughter of his greatest enemy who murdered his da. Trust in a Comyn is hard won, even if she tempts his senses.
Mary Comyn only wants to stop the wars and live a life of peace and goodwill. Tricked by her father and forced by the English king to marry her clan's enemy, Mary fears she's sacrificing finding true love for peace. A Christmas wedding sounds romantic, but why would the handsome MacDougall laird, her greatest clan enemy, love her?
A man conflicted by duty charged to find peace. A woman whose father betrayed all. When betrayal looms from within, can enemies find love and forge a new future for both clans?
Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch
In this one-of-a-kind mystery with heart and humor, a hilariously grumpy pony must save the only human he’s ever loved after discovering she stands accused of a murder he knows she didn’t commit.
Pony has been passed from owner to owner for longer than he can remember. Fed up, he busts out and goes on a cross-country mission to reunite with Penny, the little girl who he was separated from and hasn’t seen in years.
Penny, now an adult, is living an ordinary life when she gets a knock on her door and finds herself in handcuffs, accused of murder and whisked back to the place she grew up. Her only comfort when the past comes back to haunt her is the memory of her precious, rebellious pony.
Hearing of Penny’s fate, Pony knows that Penny is no murderer. So, as smart and devious as he is cute, the pony must use his hard-won knowledge of human weakness and cruelty to try to clear Penny’s name and find the real killer.
This acutely observant, feel-good mystery reveals the humanity of animals and beastliness of humans in a rollicking escapade of epic proportions.
Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith
When a pyrotechnic engineer discovers her biological father is an international criminal, she must work with a sexy CIA agent to take him down in this thrilling adventure rom-com.
Andee Paxton knows she’s good at her job as a fireworks designer. What she doesn’t know is that her biological father is Holt, a dangerous arms dealer who has escaped prison. And now he’s searching for his long-lost daughter-dearest.
After the CIA surprises her with this news, they drop another bombshell: they want to use Andee as bait to capture Holt once and for all. But before the CIA can even attempt to spring their trap, she’s kidnapped along with the very hot Officer Adam Chan—all because they were too busy flirting to worry about silly things like “safety protocol.”
A fake relationship—for their protection, of course—and just a few explosions bring Andee and Chan closer, but there’s more than their growing connection at stake. If Holt’s plan succeeds, the world will be brought to its knees. Andee and Chan must rely on each other to stop him…or else everything (including their feelings for each other) might just blow up in their faces.
The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
A wandering fortune teller finds an unexpected family in this warm and wonderful debut fantasy, perfect for readers of Travis Baldree and Sangu Mandanna.
Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells "small" fortunes: whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences.…
Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi)reformed thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a knead for adventure, and–of course–a slightly magical cat.
Tao sets down a new path with companions as bighearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past close in–and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.
It's Not Me It's You by Alex Light
The snark and instant chemistry of Better Than the Movies meets the indulgent summer fun and family hijinks of The Summer of Broken Rules in this compulsively readable rom-com from Alex Light, author of The Upside of Falling.
Jackie Myers is a fraud. Or she might be a genius—the jury’s still out.
The thing is, she secretly runs pleasebreakmyheart, a gone-viral account aimed at breaking hearts and ending relationships…. And she just used it to break up her insufferable eternal nemesis's picture-perfect relationship.
Wilson is the buttoned-up, type A assistant manager of her nightmares—but it turns out he’s also, apparently, a really great boyfriend.
So with her conscience (and paycheck) on the line, Jackie decides there’s only one thing to do: She’s going to help Wilson win his ex-girlfriend back. Which should be easy, considering Jackie hates him…right?
The Temporary Roomie by Sarah Adams
Also by Sarah Adams: The Off-Limits Rule and The Match
From the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect comes an expanded edition of The Temporary Roomie—a witty and relatable romantic comedy about finding joy in the unexpected, with a never-before-seen chapter.
No one said fair trade needed to be “fair.”
As the owner of Honeysuckle Salon, Jessie Barnes usually has everything managed and on track, but now in her third trimester of an unexpected pregnancy, she feels a bit lost and increasingly desperate after faulty plumbing floods her apartment. Unfortunately, her knight in shining armor is actually Dr. Drew Marshall, her best friend’s brother, and he’s also the man she chewed out not too long ago for being a chauvinistic dirtbag.
Every moment Drew’s had to prove her wrong since then has failed, so Jessie’s opinion of him hasn’t improved. That remains the case when he agrees to let her stay with him during renovations, under one condition: She pretends to be his girlfriend for upcoming work festivities. For the sake of her brother, Jessie is willing to make the tough situation work, and giving Drew a taste of his own medicine sounds . . . intriguing.
But when their rivalry sparks a deeper connection, Jessie’s future becomes even more unclear—and with a baby on the way, she’ll have to make a decision soon.
The Lies We Leave Behind by Noelle Salazar
Author Interview with Noelle Salazar
Somewhere in the Pacific, 1943. Kate Campbell is a nurse who bravely flies back and forth from the front to rescue wounded soldiers, amid long days, harsh conditions and often dangerous weather. Driven by a deep personal need to help in the war effort, she is conflicted when an injury results in her reassignment to the relative comfort of the English countryside.
Love has never been part of her plan, but despite herself, she falls for an officer with three bullet wounds, startling blue eyes and a wicked sense of humor. For the first time, Kate sees a future far from the horrors of war and hate. But before she can pursue it, a secret from her past calls her to duty, and she'll have to travel back into danger one more time to rescue a part of herself she'd left behind. But will she make it back? And will that future still be waiting for her if she does?
The Road of Bones by Demi Winters
In this epic and immersive Viking-inspired romantic fantasy, a woman fleeing a ruthless assassin accidentally joins forces with a group of thieves and must use all her cunning to escape with her life—and heart—intact.
Silla Nordvig is running for her life.
The Queen of Íseldur has sent warriors to bring Silla to Sunnavík, where death awaits her. When her father is killed, his last words set Silla on a perilous quest: travel the treacherous Road of Bones—a thousand-mile stretch haunted by warbands, creatures of darkness, and a mysterious murderer—and go to Kopa, where a shield-house awaits her.
After barely surviving the first stretch of road, a desperate Silla sneaks into a supply wagon belonging to the notorious Bloodaxe Crew. To make it to Kopa, she must win over Axe Eyes, the brooding leader of the Crew, while avoiding the Wolf, his distractingly handsome right-hand man. All the while, the queen's ruthless assassin hunts Silla obsessively.
Will Silla make it safely to Kopa? Or will she fall prey to the perils of the Road of Bones?
The Improvisers by Nicole Glover
Velma Frye is many things. A pilot, a former bootlegger, a well-seasoned traveler, a jazz pianist…and a wielder of celestial magic. She’s also a member of the mystical Rhodes family as well as an investigator for arcane oddities for a magic rights organization, dealing with both simple and complicated cases. And when a pocket watch instigates a magical brawl after one of her flight shows, things become very complicated.
In 1930s America, enchanted items are highly valuable, especially in the waning days of the magical Prohibition. As Velma digs deeper, she discovers the watch is part of a collection of dangerous artifacts manipulating people across the country—and in some cases, leading to their deaths. Something about all this is tickling Velma’s memories, and the more she discovers, the more these seemingly isolated incidents feel as if they’re building to something apocalyptic.
Connecting the dots isn’t easy, though, and further complicating her work is journalist Dillon Harris. He hounds her steps, and while not actively sabotaging her investigation, he also clearly knows more than he lets on. Whether it’s his presence that she finds so vexing or his easygoing charm, that’s a mystery she isn’t interested in solving. Because someone is out there seeding cursed objects with the intent on wreaking havoc, and Velma will have to use every trick in her tool kit, including some well-placed magical improvisation, to win the day.
Focusing on a new generation of the Rhodes family, The Improvisers brims with charming magic, intriguing mystery, and high-flying adventure seeking new heights.
The Memory Dress by Jade Beer
Also included in Books Set in the 1980s
England, 2018: Jayne is quiet. She keeps to herself and has no grand expectations for her days. But after a chance encounter with her elderly neighbor, Meredith, Jayne is forced to reevaluate her determination to keep the world at a distance. Meredith's dust-covered home is chaotic and neglected. And slowly, Jayne starts to grasp that Meredith herself is quite lost. She can't seem to remember anything: what she last ate, when she last went out or saw her daughter, or even Jayne's name, despite what are becoming frequent visits.
But most alarmingly, Meredith can't remember where her husband is.
Unable to sit by and watch Meredith hurting, Jayne promises she'll find William. But how can she when the biggest clue Jayne has is a mystery itself: a stunning couture gown with a note declaring it a personal gift to Meredith...from Princess Diana.
England, 1988: Meredith is always calm. You have to be when working for one of the most iconic women in the world. Just as the stitches she uses to create Princess Diana’s wardrobe are steady and stable, so is Meredith. Until she finds herself feeling off-kilter and untethered by an unexpected connection with someone in the workshop. As Meredith finds herself swept up in life and love for the first time, everything she’s ever dreamed about seems in reach…if only she can be brave enough to take it.
Committed: Startup Survival Tips and Uncommon Sense for First-Time Tech Founders By Eldon Sprickerhoff
“Committed: Startup Survival Tips and Uncommon Sense for First-Time Tech Founders” is available for pre-order, release date, November 5th, from Sutherland House Experts. Sprickerhoff is a world-acclaimed entrepreneur, trusted advisor, mentor, investor, and board member working at the frontier of information security, computer science, software-as-a-service (SaaS), and finance. Eldon Sprickerhoff has always been the kind of person who knew he wanted to start something and see it through to success, no matter what it took. But how does that journey begin? Where do you start? “Committed” has those answers. Sprickerhoff assembled a list of everything he didn’t know as a first-time technical startup founder before his firm rocketed to a value of over $1 billion. “Committed” guides first-time tech founders on how to find their product-market fit, raise early-stage capital, and how to compete against bigger and better-funded competitors. There are no magic wands, but there is a proven path. Widely respected for his commonsense approach to business, Sprickerhoff uses his professional life lessons to show his readers ways of building resilience and pushing through failure in order to survive and come out the other side. Does your tech startup have in you… what it takes to survive and thrive? “Committed” will get you there.
