Death and Life in the City of Dreams by Nicholas Deitch #literary #fiction #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

 

 

Literary Fiction

Date Published: April 16th

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

Jaded city planner Townsend Meadows looks out across Evermore Valley with the ghost of his dead friend by his side. “Do you ever wonder,” Fen asks, “what this city will look like five hundred years from now?”

Their city is teetering on the brink of collapse, and the mayor’s answer is a gleaming new auto mall at the valley’s edge. For Townsend, it’s the death of everything a city should be. Struggling to regain his passion and forced to choose between compliance and conviction, he must risk his career to fight for a more hopeful and verdant future.

From an architect’s vision at the dawn of the twentieth century, to a rancher’s dynasty scarred by violence and greed, to a city founder’s hidden message of hope, this story about the rise, fall, and reawakening of an American city reaches far beyond the present. A timely, sweeping novel of memory, corruption, and resilience, Death and Life in the City of Dreams asks, “What legacy will we choose to leave for our children?”

 

Review

This was a reflective and quietly intense read. The book explores ambition, identity, and the emotional cost of chasing success in a city that promises everything but guarantees nothing. Kind of like the actual real world even though it's fiction.

What stands out most is how grounded the storytelling feels, there’s no glamorizing the struggle. The author doesn't sugar coat things, the writing comes across as honest.

It shows how easily dreams can shift or unravel. It’s thoughtful, sometimes heavy, but ultimately leaves you considering what “success” really means.

 

About the Author

 

 Nicholas Deitch is a writer, architect, and advocate for social justice whose fiction explores the intersection of cities, history, and human resilience. His passion for storytelling began when a colleague recognized the emotional depth of his nonfiction work. Since then, he has honed his craft, publishing short stories in Litro Magazine, Club Plum, and Santa Barbara Literary Journal. His short story “Grace Eternal” won Best Fiction at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference (2019).

Death and Life in the City of Dreams, his debut novel, is deeply influenced by his experiences in nonprofit leadership and the design of inclusive communities and urban places.

Originally from Los Angeles, he now lives in Ventura, California, with his wife and creative partner Diana.

 

Contact Link

Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon

B&N

Read More

The Breaking of Time by J.J. Hebert #bookreview #metaphysical #fiction #rabtbooktours @authorjjhebert @RABTBookTours

 

Chronicles of the Arvynth

Metaphysical Fiction

Date Published: November 25, 2025

Publisher: MindStir Media

USA Today bestselling author J. J. Hebert's brand-new urban fantasy series Chronicles of the Arvynth begins with The Breaking of Time, a novel about a devoted father whose desperate act to save his son fractures reality itself, awakening ancient magic and drawing him back into the path of an immortal order he once betrayed, where love, time, and silence collide in a race against eternity.

🏆 Mariel Hemingway's Book Club Selection (Best Urban Fantasy):

"This novel is heartfelt, gripping, and memorable in all the best ways." —Mariel Hemingway, Bestselling Author & Oscar-Nominated Actress ★★★★★

ONE FATHER'S DESPERATE CHOICE FRACTURES TIME AND REALITY ITSELF.

To everyone around him, Daniel Ward is a mild-mannered accountant, devoted husband and father in a quiet New England suburb. But when his ten-year-old son chases a runaway soccer ball into the street, straight into the path of a speeding truck, Daniel does the impossible. He freezes time.

That single act of defiance exposes the secret he's buried for decades. His magic awakens the ancient order he once betrayed, the Arvynth, a brotherhood of immortal sorcerers devoted to stillness and death, determined to silence the world.

As his carefully constructed life unravels, Daniel must protect his family while evading the brotherhood that hunts him. Every second he steals from time feeds the void that seeks to consume it, threatening not only the people he loves but reality itself.

Forced to choose between sacrifice and survival, Daniel discovers the truth: sometimes the loudest act of love is defiance.

The Breaking of Time is a race against eternity, a supernatural thriller that fuses urban fantasy and family drama in a story about the noise of life, the cost of power, and one father's desperate fight to keep the world from falling silent.

PRAISE FOR THE BREAKING OF TIME:

“Known for his cinematic writing, strong worldbuilding, and character development, Hebert’s The Breaking of Time is an exciting start to a new series… lays a solid foundation for a much larger story…” —USA TODAY contributor

"This work will grab readers’ attention early as Hebert combines a diverse array of genres—fantasy, thriller, family road novel, and others—into a fast-paced, character-driven adventure... An exciting, tightly written tale of magic... Our verdict: Get it.” —Kirkus Reviews

"The Breaking of Time is meticulously crafted to explore themes of love, loss, redemption, and the struggle to balance personal desires with greater responsibilities." —BookLife/Publishers Weekly (EDITOR'S PICK)

"The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth delivers cinematic urban fantasy that bridges generations, echoing the mythic gravity and moral weight of J.R.R. Tolkien while unfolding within a sleek, contemporary world... This is prestige fantasy..." —Jesse Metcalfe, Award-Winning Actor ★★★★★

"An immersive paranormal thriller that balances the rich worldbuilding and in-depth lore characteristic of fantasy fiction with the all-too-human dramas of identity, family, and the consequences of secrecy." —Independent Book Review (STARRED review)

“If you like magic that feels tactile and real, or if you enjoy emotional stakes wrapped inside supernatural danger, this book will hit the spot.” —Literary Titan★★★★★ (Gold Winner, Literary Titan Book Award: Fiction 2026)

“A smartly plotted supernatural thriller with a strong, charismatic protagonist to root for.” —The Wishing Shelf ★★★★★

"A winning blend of the supernatural and family adventure that crackles with heart and imagination." —BestThrillers ★★★★★

 

Review

This book does a great job of mixing genres. It’s part fantasy, part thriller, and part family drama, and it balances those elements surprisingly well.

The idea of time manipulation is handled in a way that feels intense rather than gimmicky, with real consequences attached to every action.

The pacing was engaging, especially as the tension builds around Daniel’s past catching up with him. But it let you catch your breath just enough as it unfolded.

This isn’t just about magic, but about secrets, trust, and the cost of protecting the people you love.

 

About the Author

 

 J. J. Hebert is the #1 Amazon, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of nine books, including his acclaimed debut Unconventional and The Backwards K, which, according to Newsweek, is currently in development for film adaptation. His latest #1 bestsellers, both published in 2025, are The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth and The Hands-On Author: Taking Control of Your Book Marketing Journey. A lifelong New England resident, Hebert frequently weaves the region’s landscapes and atmosphere into his storytelling. He is also the award-winning CEO and Founder of MindStir Media, a leading hybrid book publisher.

Contact Links

Website

Instagram

Facebook

"X"

TikTok

Threads

Purchase Link

Amazon

Read More

Imagine: Toward a Brotherhood of Man by William Mile #philosophy #spirituality #nonfiction #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

Philosophy, Philosophy of Good and Evil, Social Sciences, Social Theory, Religion and Spirituality, New Thought

What if everything you believe about what life should be like is a carefully orchestrated lie?

For millennia, humanity has stumbled through darkness, divided by wars, hatred, and inexplicable suffering. We’ve blamed politics, religion, economics—but what if the real reason has been hiding in plain sight and this knowledge could change everything? Imagine the possibility of exposing hidden forces that have manipulated civilizations, sparked genocides, and turned brother against brother. Imagine how much better your life could be if you had knowledge powerful enough to fuel culture, unite humanity, and create meaning in people’s lives for generations to come. Author William Mile unveils a forbidden truth that explains why good people constantly find themselves at war with each other while evil seems to flourish unchecked. This isn’t just another self-help book or philosophical treatise—this is the missing piece, a revolutionary theory. In this book, you’ll discover:

• why 80% of humanity shares an invisible bond that transcends race, religion, and nationality
• the shocking truth about the 20% operating by entirely different rules
• how to identify the hidden manipulators who profit from human division
• the secret to transforming conflict into unprecedented global cooperation
• why this knowledge has been suppressed—and what happens when it spreads

 

Mile’s 8:2 theory doesn’t just explain the world’s chaos—it gives you the formula for ending it. Are you brave enough to see past the illusions that have trapped humanity for generations?

The awakening begins now. Will you join the brotherhood or remain blind to the battle raging around you? Are you one of the 8s…or the 2s?

 

 

As a graduate of William Paterson University in NJ, William earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. With over twenty years of meditation experience, as well as having had opportunities to sit with well-known masters, William felt the need to forge his own way, abandoning his commitments to traditional religious circles, so as to pursue his curiosities no matter where they led. As he puts it, “There’s a freedom achieved only when an individual is true to himself, one seldom found in groups."

Contact Links

Website

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

BookBuzz

 

Purchase Links

Amazon

B&N

Read More

To Die For by Audrey Steidl #bookreview #giveaway #youngadult #rabtbooktours @Books_by_Audrey @RABTBookTours

 

Young Adult

Date Published: April 10th 2026

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

 

To Die For is a harrowing look into the life of a narcissist who refuses to take accountability for the damage she inflicts.

High school senior Dei Fields appears completely harmless, but she has a keen instinct for manipulation. When she first sets eyes on hot star athlete Mika St. John, she’s determined to have him … and Dei always gets what she wants. There are only three obstacles: Mika’s friends, his family, and his girlfriend. But Dei isn’t afraid to destroy relationships to satisfy her fantasies.

In a matter of weeks, she love-bombs Mika into thinking he has found his soulmate, but when Dei’s plans go awry, everything changes—including her identity. Will Dei get what she wants this time? Or will she finally get what she deserves?

Review

This was a gripping, emotionally charged read that pulls you into its world of secrets and blurred moral lines from the very beginning.

Audrey Steidl builds tension steadily, making every chapter feel like it’s tightening a knot you can’t quite see but definitely feel.

The characters are flawed yet compelling, and their choices linger long after you’ve turned the page. 

A story that explores ambition, desire, and consequence in a way that feels both unsettling and believable.

 

About the Author

 

 Audrey Steidl is the award-winning author of the romantic thriller The Fallen. Her passion for storytelling began at an early age when she wrote scripts and performed them with her neighborhood friends in full costume and makeup. This love blossomed into a career as an actress and as a producer for cable television.

Now, when she’s not writing page-turners, Audrey is a hotel travel executive, a pilates fiend, and a lover of travel and art. A long-time San Diego resident, she shares her home with her husband Jamie and their mischievous Pomeranian Loki. Her latest novel, To Die For, is inspired by those who have the courage to walk away from narcissists and emotionally abusive relationships.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

LinkedIn

 

Purchase Links

Amazon

B&N

Read More

Who Will Name the Bees? by Sarah Church Vosburgh #releaseday #newbooks #giveaway #memoir #rabtbooktours @SCVosburgh @RABTBookTours

Memoir

Date Published: April 22nd

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

When memory fades, what remains?

 

Sarah Vosburgh has often felt misunderstood by her mother, a woman who lived a quintessential suburban life. But when her mother is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Sarah’s world unravels, and she must confront a disease that will only worsen. As roles reverse between mother and daughter, Sarah faces the guilt of making decisions she hopes are the right ones while also carrying the grief of losing her mom bit by bit everyday. She navigates a labyrinth of health services amid the heartbreaking, and at times darkly humorous, realities of caregiving.

There are the white lies and midnight phone calls, the misbuttoned blouses, and the second slice of chocolate pie that tastes just as good as it did the first time. And then there’s the quiet awe at the persistence of connection even when language falters and names are forgotten.

Told in finely wrought prose and lyrical fragments of memory, Who Will Name the Bees? is a daughter's unflinching love letter to the flawed, fierce, and unforgettable woman who raised her.

 

About the Author

It was never in Sarah Vosburgh’s plan to be an author or to write a memoir. As a busy mom, wife, and psychologist, she always saw her life as full (sometimes overfull). But in the dark of night, memories knocked on her brain, compelling her to commit them first to paper, then to bits and bytes.

Sarah is a member of the International Memoir Writers Association and San Diego Writers, Ink. Her work has been published in A Year in Ink and numerous volumes of Shaking the Tree: brazen. short. memoir. A native New Englander, she now lives in San Diego with her husband, her daughter, her granddog, and a most extraordinary feline.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

TikTok 

Purchase Links

Amazon

B&N

 

Read More

The Man in the Middle by Julie Lee Williams #teaser #excerpt #giveaway #fiction #familysaga #historical #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

 

A Tapestry of Tangled Lives

Family Saga / Fiction / Based on True Lived Experiences

Date Published: April 6, 2026

Publisher: Serapis Bey Publishing, Arizona, US www.parulagrawal.com

 

A story of human connection between twins, between lovers, between comrades in war, set against the shadow of the evangelical religion and its judgments."

 

Based on a childhood of shadowy secrets surrounding her parents’ marriage and the rigid judgment of the Evangelical religion, the author attempts to find her truth. A work of historical fiction and romance, it spans the era of WWII and beyond, weaving the story of her father, mother and aunt (her mother’s twin sister). The unexpected twists and turns mirror those of our own lives, and readers can empathize and identify with the characters’ humanity as they struggle with their flaws. The power of religious judgement is explored along with the strength and resilience of individuals challenged by the ethics of life. This is also a fascinating study of the complexities of being twins. With the strongest of bonds that overwhelms their very different personalities, their love for the same man creates a gulf between them that threatens their entire adult relationship. It is also a story of a man and how he navigates his own journey after love and loss. When his WWII experience takes him to countries he has never dreamed of seeing, and opens him to the excitement of new cultures, he finds new meaning. At the same time, his bonds to his comrades in arms and their shared experiences of battlefield traumas leaves him with emotional scars. A story of secrets and the power of love, the themes of self-doubt and second chances are embedded in the narrative, along with the acceptance of one’s actions following painful choices.

A story of human connection between twins, lovers, comrades during World War 11, families, and generational trauma, set across the United States and Europe and against the shadow of the Evangelical religion and its judgments. A family saga of secrets, shadows, and unspoken enduring love, and its impact across three generations, based on a true story of lived experience. A work of romantic, historical fiction, The Man in the Middle; A Tale of Tangled Lives is based on the true story of the author’s parents. It follows their youth in the early 1900s in US, through the years of WWII in Europe, and after, and their lives as friends, lovers, parents, and elderly individuals.

This is a story of love and its many forms. There are no heroes or demons, only people dealing with their humanity. Or maybe there are heroes: Luke, as he navigates his life honourably and responsibly, while harbouring feelings for more than one woman; Anna as she comes to terms with her selfish impulses and attempts to overcome them; Pierrette, who recognizes and accepts that she cannot give Luke the life he wants, and that their love is not enough. Karoline is perhaps the true heroine of the book. A victim of the religious beliefs she is trapped by, she finds it impossible to love herself. Instead, she spends her life feeling inferior to her sister and undeserving of Luke’s love. At Luke’s passing, she finally receives the confirmation of her worth and her place as the love of his life.

 

Excerpt

“Do you want to talk about it?"

"It's over," Anna said flatly. "Nils and I are getting married. Luke and I are finished .... All he said was 'I don't want an explanation. I want my ring back.'.... He stood there waiting, staring at me with repulsion. I handed it to him and he left. He hates me now and he doesn't even know I'm pregnant."

Her body dissolved into a mass of despair.

"I've made such a mess of everything!"

Karoline melted..... She grieved for her.... She could only try to reassure her.

"It's done now, Anna. You've made your choice....."

Karoline's mind swirled in a maze of conflicting thought, one especially.

Who's comforting Luke?

About the Author

"The author lives half-time in San Diego, CA, and half-time in a small village in Southern France. This is her exploration of the unexplained secrets that shadowed her childhood and the consequences that haunt all our choices."

“I wrote this book to come to terms with my past. I wanted to understand the people who raised me, through the fictional characters of Karoline and Luke, who represent my parents and my mother’s twin sister, Anna, who represents my aunt. My childhood was full of love, but as I watched the individuals around me, I sensed a drama that excluded me. I knew my father had been in WWII and experienced Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and much more during the four years he spent in Europe. The way he talked about the world he had discovered there intrigued me and I knew there was more to tell, which he never spoke about. My mother adored my father, but there was a tension in the room when my aunt was present. A connection between my father and my aunt was obvious despite their effort to hide it. Through the years, there were inadvertent comments that hinted of a previous relationship between them, but it wasn’t until the end of my father’s life that conversations took place that enlightened me. I didn’t ask, but they each wanted to tell their story, their truth about what happened. This book is my truth, my experience in living with them and loving them. It is my attempt to honor them by exploring their humanness and accepting that we are each a complex entity.”

 

Contact Links

Instagram: @julie.lee.williams

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/TheManintheMiddle

Amazon

Read More

The Bric-a-Brac of Mickey Mack by Mickey Mack #giveaway #poetry #satire #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

Poetry /Comedy Satire Gift Rhyme Millennial Humor Silverstein Memory

Date Published: 04-15-2026

Publisher: The Tink and Tank Press

A wry poetry collection that captures the jarring sink-or-swim leap into adulthood. This book honors the limbo of exiting youth, a unique period where responsibility suddenly smashes the youthful optimist, crushing it under the crippling weight of adulthood. Twenty-somethings scatter across life's spectrum with some jobless and couch-surfing, while others marry, become parents, and buy a house. Everyone eventually finds themselves old enough to fight in foreign wars but too young to rent a car. It's the fast, brutal shift to an unguarded world, to bowling without bumpers. You've entered a chaotic soup of competing ambitions and subterfuge, where one hand offers help while the other conceals a knife. You're expected to be an adult without ever having been one, like seeing the ocean from afar and suddenly wrestling its waves. This book highlights the inevitable sense of crushing defeat and loss, but reveals the importance of laughing anyway. After all, life is a game of avoiding the consequences of your own actions. The Bric-a-Brac of Mickey Mack will hand you a mirror and dare you to laugh at its reflection.

About the Author

Mickey Mack is a world-weary traveler and obsessive collector of life’s absurd talismans and trinkets. After years of eavesdropping on bar-stool confessions around the globe, he distills the Suffering Olympics of modern adulthood into witty, rhythmic heroic couplets.

Contact Links

Website

Instagram

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/BricaBrackMickeyMack 

Amazon

Read More

Unexpected Altars: Meeting God in Everyday Moments #bookreview #christian #nonfiction #giveaway #rabtbooktours @OaklandComChrch @RABTBookTours

Christian Devotional, Inspirational Personal Testimonies

Date Published: 11-15-2025

Publisher: Acorn Book Services

Everyday moments become sacred altars where God meets you.

Do you sometimes wish you could hear from God? Do you feel like you are too insignificant for Him to care about your daily battles with loneliness, grief, change, and doubts?

God talks to each of us – from the young husband and father who accidentally torched his home, to the claustrophobic pastor making her way through a historic tunnel in Israel, to the mystery author having a close call with a stink bug.

God can speak to us through that soft voice inside your head; or the perfect words for your circumstance uttered on Sunday morning; or He can come to you in a powerful revelation.

Turn your doubts into divine encounters. Discover how God is speaking to you today through these 101 inspirational faith stories. These stories will transform your doubts into powerful encounters with God’s grace, guiding you to find Him in unexpected places.

UNEXPECTED ALTARS is a collection of stories of faith from real people, just like you, who have experienced God’s grace and presence in their lives. Their authors pray that this Christian devotional will inspire your daily spiritual life. Each story is a powerful reminder that God meets us right where we are—building altars of worship in the ordinary and the extraordinary. Perfect for daily devotion, small group discussion, or personal encouragement.

Start your journey to find God in the unexpected! Order UNEXPECTED ALTARS today!

 

Review

What I loved most about Unexpected Altars is how it highlights the sacred in everyday life. The stories show that even small, seemingly insignificant events can carry deeper meaning when viewed through a lens of faith. The variety of voices keeps the book engaging, and the reflections never feel repetitive. Instead, they build on one another, creating a powerful overall message of hope and awareness. It’s a thoughtful read that encourages readers to be more attentive and open to spiritual moments throughout their day. 

UNEXPECTED ALTARS: MEETING GOD IN EVERYDAY MOMENTS is an anthology written by multiple authors, edited by JoAnne Alexander, and published by Lauren Carr for Oakland Community Church, a non-denominational church located in Charles Town, West Virginia.

All royalties from this devotional book will be donated to the building fund for Oakland Community Church's new building. Oakland's goal is to design a biophilic building that takes advantage of the beauty of our Jefferson County location.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Purchase Links

https://mybook.to/UnexpectedAltars

Amazon

Read More

I Love It When We Read Together by Karolyn Wallace #teaser #excerpt #giveaway #childrensbook #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

Children's Books / Early Learning Beginner Reader

Date Published: 08-12-2025

Publisher: Mission Point Press

I Love It When We Read Together invites reading partners to create their own special rituals with gentle prompts and endearing illustrations that encourage kids to read along, spot animals, and spark lively conversations. This book is perfect for building fluency and connection. Inspired by the literacy challenges of the pandemic, early childhood educator Karolyn Wallace crafts a cozy experience that helps families bring the joy of reading home.

 

Excerpt

It's more than just a story...we make connections.

This playful book turns reading into an adventure, inviting kids and grown-ups to ask questions, laugh out loud, and dive into stories together!

About the Author

Karolyn Wallace is a seasoned educator with over twenty years of experience teaching in elementary classrooms across public and private schools in Maryland, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and New York. Before that, she was a broadcast journalist at local news affiliates in Los Angeles and Flint, Michigan. She is currently part of the team at The Children’s Learning Lab, where experienced educators connect with elementary students for online learning. She divides her time between Michigan and California, enjoying the company of her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Contact Links

Website

Goodreads

Instagram

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/LoveWhenWeReadTogether 

Amazon

Read More

The Road Home and Other Stories by Gene Altman #shortstories #fiction #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

Short fiction collection

Date Published: March 4, 2026 

Publisher: Manhattan Book Group 

The Road Home is a powerful and emotionally rich literary fiction short story collection that explores the universal search for identity, belonging, and meaning in life.

From a chance encounter that propels a young mother into the glamorous world of high fashion… to an elderly widower rediscovering hope through an unexpected bond… to a troubled young man battling inner demons—these stories highlight the resilience of the human spirit.

Set across diverse locations and cultures, these compelling stories examine:

●     Self-discovery, emotional healing and personal transformation

● Connection, friendship and Love.

● Written by retired psychiatrist Gene Altman, this collection offers readers authentic, insightful, and psychologically rich storytelling.

At the heart of the collection is the title story, The Road Home, a moving exploration of what “home” truly means—not a physical place with walls and a roof, but a deeply personal destination where one is fully accepted and finds belonging, comfort and safety.

Perfect for fans of literary fiction, psychological fiction, and character-driven stories, The Road Home invites readers to reflect on their own lives and discover the strength to overcome obstacles by discovering unexpected inner resources within themselves.

About the Author

Gene Altman is an award-worthy literary fiction author, retired psychiatrist, and former professional photographer whose work explores the depth of human emotion, identity, and personal transformation. A graduate of Harvard College and Stanford Medical School, Altman brings a rare blend of psychological rigor and creative insight to his writing.

Before dedicating four decades to clinical psychiatry in Hawaii, Altman worked as a professional photographer in New York City. His candid photography and prose collection, Cityscapes: Intimate Strangers, earned praise for its evocative storytelling and emotional impact.

After retiring from psychiatry, Altman turned his focus to writing literary short fiction inspired by his lifelong passion for helping individuals better understand themselves. His stories explore themes of self-discovery, friendship and love—making his work resonate with readers seeking thoughtful, character-driven narratives.

With a unique perspective shaped by both psychology and art, Gene Altman crafts compelling stories that illuminate the complexities of the human experience.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Purchase Links

Amazon

B&N

B-A-M

Read More