Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Adam Lawless for his latest release, Shards of an Empire.

Book: Shards Of An Empire
Author: Adam Lawless
Publication Date: December 14th, 2025
Publisher: –
Page Count:
Genres: Fiction, Thriller
Available in: ebook, paperback, hardback
For Readers Who Enjoyed Reading: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Other Side of Me by David Cordisco

About the Book

Four lives. Four nations. One slow-burn collapse of the world order.

Drawn together by desire, betrayal, and ambition, four strangers from opposite corners of the world collide as love turns toxic and loyalty becomes lethal. As the world edges toward an Armageddon of historic proportions, one question remains: can love redeem the broken—or will the master manipulator finish what fate began?
A soldier’s blind devotion.
Brian, a Delta Force Colonel once celebrated as a patriot, is erased after reckless ambition leads to the deaths of 22 American soldiers. Court-martialed and cast out, he reinvents himself inside the power corridors of Washington. But his greatest vulnerability isn’t his past—it’s the affair he begins while still married. As scandal, blackmail, and surveillance close in, Brian must decide how much of his country he is willing to burn to feel redeemed. Heroes fall quietly. Damage does not.
A South Asian immigrant’s disappointment.
Sayeed arrives in America believing in freedom, tolerance, and the promise of a better life. A Muslim immigrant with hope in his heart, he soon finds himself torn between family, culture, and a nation that does not always practice what it preaches. As injustice and hypocrisy mount, will Sayeed cling to his ideals—or will betrayal push him toward a darker path?
The Chinese spy who loved too deeply.
Jie rises swiftly through the ranks of China’s MSS, driven by brilliance, discipline, and ambition. But her greatest weakness is the one thing she cannot control—her heart. Preyed upon by a married man, her beauty and vulnerability ignite obsession wherever she goes. In Washington, D.C., love tempts her once more.
The Arab dreamer on the edge of ruin.
Ahmed, a poor but joyful youth from Iraq, is manipulated into stealing a sacred Islamic relic from Uzbekistan—an act that destroys his life and reshapes geopolitics. Captured and imprisoned in China, he is stripped of dignity, belief, and mercy. What survives his confinement is no longer innocent. When he finally emerges, the question is no longer if he will be used—but by whom.

Shards of an Empire is a bleak, high-stakes political thriller where nations maneuver through human weakness and love is the most exploitable asset of all. As these four lives converge, the world inches toward collapse—not with a bang, but with quiet decisions made in dark rooms.

History will call it unavoidable.
The truth is far more personal.

You can find Shards of an Empire here:
Amazon | Goodreads

About The Author

Adam Lawless

Adam Lawless is an avid student of world history, culture, philosophy, and religious thought. He loves meeting people from diverse cultures, religious backgrounds, points of view, and exchanging ideas. While he is not authoring books, he loves eating out, hanging out with friends, camping at Yellowstone National Park, sit by the fireplace and sip hot chocolate, watching thrillers, and comedy movies. Adam’s mantra for life – Life is too short to be grumpy, enjoy the tiny joys in life, be grateful for the warm sunshine, the green grass under your feet and the blue skies spread over your head. Whenever he can, he travels to other cultures to learn about their history, their civilization, their customs, and their way of life. Human beings fascinate him! His favorite thing to do is sit by the beach and watch the sun set in the orange skies.

You can find author Waddington here:
Amazon

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author James D. Reginato for his latest release, Quiet Endurance: A Memoir.

Book: Quiet Endurance
Author: James D. Reginato
Publication Date: 26 October 2025
Publisher: Coffee Shop Publishing (Self-Published)
Page Count: 139
Genres: Personal Memoirs, Patient Experience, Mental Health
Book Links: (Paperback) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXTW8W41 , (Kindle) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FYTLKY8M

About the Book

Quiet Endurance traces the collapse of a young man’s health after a post-travel illness triggers relentless gastrointestinal and autonomic symptoms that no one can explain. As his body falters, the medical system repeatedly reframes his condition as psychological, leading to misdiagnoses, harmful assumptions, and an admission to an eating-disorder unit that never fit his reality. The memoir follows his struggle to stay alive, be believed, and make sense of a body that no longer obeyed the rules, revealing how easily complex patients are dismissed when their symptoms defy neat categories.
It is a story of misdiagnosis, persistence, and the quiet resilience required to survive a system that stops listening. Quiet Endurance speaks to readers who appreciate memoirs grounded in vulnerability and insight, those drawn to works like When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan and The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang. It will resonate with readers navigating chronic illness or misdiagnosis, healthcare professionals seeking to understand the patient’s perspective, family members supporting someone medically complex, and anyone drawn to the moral and emotional landscape of modern medicine.

Key Themes

The intersection of medicine, identity, and meaning.
The emotional cost of misdiagnosis and disbelief.
How illness reshapes relationships, purpose, and self-perception.
Endurance as an act of courage when clarity is denied.

You can find Quiet Endurance here:
Amazon | Goodreads

About The Author

James D. Reginato

James Reginato is an Australian writer, musician, and former law student whose work examines resilience, identity, and the unseen realities of chronic illness. His writing emerged after a sudden collapse in health in his early twenties, an event that dismantled the structured life he had been building and forced him to confront the loss of mobility, certainty, and independence.
Living with conditions including Gastroparesis, POTS, Osteoporosis, Atrial Tachycardia, Ehlers– Danlos Syndrome, and Small Fibre Neuropathy, James navigated years of misdiagnosis, medical uncertainty, and the isolation of invisible illness. Writing became his anchor; a way to reclaim agency, translate chaos into meaning, and hold on to the parts of himself that illness could not diminish.
His debut memoir, Quiet Endurance, explores collapse, adaptation, and the reclamation of identity, offering an unfiltered account of what it means to live honestly within chronic illness rather than triumph over it. James also writes about the systemic limitations of medicine, advocating for more humane and nuanced care for those with complex conditions.
Outside of writing, he is an accomplished guitarist and lifelong aviation enthusiast; pursuits that reflect his search for clarity, structure, and freedom. Through all of his work, James seeks to illuminate overlooked experiences and give voice to those whose stories often remain unseen.

You can find author Reginato here:
Website | Amazon

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Chris Waddington for his latest release, Christmas in Flanders Fields.

Book: Christmas In Flanders Fields
Author: Chris Waddington
Publication Date: 19 October 2025
Publisher: Coffee Shop Publishing (Self-Published)
Page Count: 288
Genres: Historical Fiction, WW1
For Readers Who Enjoyed Reading: Sebastian Faulks, Christmas Truce – Malcolm Brown & Shirley Seaton, Christmas Truce by the Men Who Took Part – Mike Hill & Silent Night – Stanley Weintraub.

About the Book

I don’t know if I’m living longer or dying slower…

Armed with dreams of heroic victory and Lord Kitchener’s rally cry ringing in his ears, Jack Crosby proudly made his way to the front line. Once there, he quickly realised that there was no glory to be had on the blood-soaked fields of Flanders.
On the back of unrelenting German fury, December delivers a brutal Belgian winter…

Water pours in, swirling around Jack’s ankles, it meanders effortlessly through the trench, bringing with it the pungent stench of death. Body parts intermingle with rats and slushy mud, facilitating the inevitable spread of disease. Cutting a forlorn figure, Jack’s hardening heart aches for home, his beloved Rose and the idyllic life he now mourns.
But then, on Christmas Eve, dulcet German tones carried on the wings of angels float serenely through the gloriously placid night air…

Christmas in Flanders Fields is a poignant and moving depiction of the ungodly struggles encountered by decent men, too young to die. Set against the backdrop of the remarkable Christmas truce in 1914, It’s a story that encompasses love, hope, fear, bravery and the most unlikely friendships forged on the rugged plains of No-Mans-Land.

You can find Christmas In Flanders Fields here:
Amazon | Goodreads

About The Author

Chris Waddington

The Christmas Truce of 1914 has always been a source of great fascination and the idea of writing a fictional story set during this remarkable and historic event has danced around my head for more than 2 decades. The thought that opposing groups of men thrown together and made to endure the most atrocious conditions can lay down the weapons and come together in the name of Christmas showcases the very best of humanity. I toured around Belgian battlefields and war cemeteries in the Flanders region conducting research for this book and found the whole experience emotional and humbling. I’m very excited to produce a story that pays homage to this momentous occasion and the brave souls, regardless of nationality, who risked and gave their lives.

This is my second novel following the release of Coffee Shop Girl in 2020. Prior to that I have wrote children’s books, poetry and even lyrics to the odd song. I’m a proud Grandfather to Nirvana & Neveah, a staunch Liverpool supporter and a self-confessed Elvis fanatic! It’s a passion I share with my beloved daughter, Chantelle. I’ve enjoyed visits to Graceland, Tupelo and my favourite city, Nashville.

You can find author Waddington here:
Facebook | Amazon

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author  J. J. N. Whitley for his latest release, The Orichalcum Crown.

Book: The Orichalcum Crown
Author: J. J. N. Whitley
Publication Date: November 1, 2025
Genres: High Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Coming of Age
Formats Available: Kindle, Paperback (in progress)

About the Book

Makoto lost her mother to a battle she can’t remember before being adopted into the Kauneus Empire’s royal family. Upon her eighteenth birthday, she receives her mother’s necklace from the emperor. Makoto’s memories slowly return, haunting her with visions of her lost sister and her mother’s murder.

She is torn between the family and answers awaiting her across the sea and the relationships with her family, best friend, and his handsome brother. Makoto fears returning home will cast doubt upon her loyalty to the emperor and sever her from the family. After all, Kauneus has no need for a disloyal princess.

Makoto’s eldest adoptive sister, Athena, remains banished from Zenith Palace for uncovering the emperor’s secret bastard. She is visited by her former dragon uncle, who shares a rumor that the emperor will be assassinated during the annual ball. Athena has no choice but to break her exile to save her father. Returning home risks death, but she’ll pay any price for her family’s safety.

As night falls upon the ball, lurking shadows and hidden agendas threaten the empire’s fragile peace. Makoto and Athena must navigate the delicate lines between loyalty and betrayal and learn what they are willing to sacrifice for freedom, truth, and family.

“A cleverly plotted fantasy with a cast of memorable characters. Highly recommended!”

– The Wishing Shelf

“The Orichalcum Crown is a lush and wonderfully imagined work of fantasy that centers on a princess who, after recovering lost memories of her former life, seeks out the truth about her past. Whitley slowly develops the narrative tension, enticing readers through atmospheric worldbuilding and stirring writing.”

– TheBookLifePrize

“In a land populated with deadly monsters, reluctant immortals, vicious secrets, and persistent whispers from a hidden past, a young woman finds her voice in The Orichalcum Crown… a family-first novel steeped with mythology and shrouded in mystery.”

– Indie’s Today.

You can find The Orichalcum Crown here:
Amazon | Goodreads | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Books2Read

About The Author

J. J. N. Whitley

J. J. N. Whitley is a licensed attorney and proud cat-dad. His time in Okinawa sparked a love for anime and JRPGs, and living in Australia did the same for sports.

You can find author Whitley here:
Instagram | Youtube | Patreon | X

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author KZK for her latest release, Filaments.

Book: Filaments
Author: KZK
Publication Date: Sept 23, 2025
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Murder Mystery, Quiet Horror
Page Count: 215
Formats Available: Kindle & Paperback
For Readers Who Loved Reading: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon

About the Book

Drawn back to her Minnesota small town, Thea begins to unravel the mystery behind her mother’s erratic behavior and two men’s disappearances. She unknowingly awakens a force that has patiently waited in the shadows for her return. With each new revelation, Thea’s accosted by her small town’s prejudice and simmering bitterness of former friends. What started out as a trip to save her mother becomes a fight for her own survival and sanity.

You can find Filaments here:
Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA

About The Author

KZK

As a debut author, KZK infuses thrillers with a touch of creepy and a bit of scientific flair. KZK enjoys incorporating quiet horror through the natural world to plant readers in her setting.

You can find author KZK here:
Author Website | Instagram

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author S.A. Sterling for her latest release, AWAKE: Notes from the Quiet Hours.

Book: AWAKE – Notes from the Quiet Hours
Author: S.A. Sterling
Publication Date:  25 October 2025
Genres: Creative Nonfiction, Memoir/Personal Essays, Women’s Personal Growth/Midlife Reflection, Mindfulness & Self-Reflection, Contemporary Journal, Midlife Diaries
Page Count: 75
Formats Available: Kindle, Paperback
For Readers Who Loved Reading: The Year of Magical Thinking — Joan Didion, I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death — Maggie O’Farrell, Tiny Beautiful Things — Cheryl Strayed, Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace — Anne Lamott and Untamed — Glennon Doyle

About the Book

2:47 a.m. Again.

For two years, she woke in the quiet hours—when the house slept, when the world felt suspended between night and morning. In that stillness, she began to write.

AWAKE is a collection of sixty nights lived in real time: the hum of insomnia, the weight of perimenopause, the questions that surface at 3 a.m. when defenses are down.

These pages don’t offer solutions. They offer presence.

For anyone who’s ever felt alone in the dark hours, this book is company.

You can find AWAKE: Notes from the Quiet Hours here:
Ebook | Paperback

About The Author

S.A. Sterling

S.A. Sterling writes about real life: the quiet struggles, late-night thoughts, and moments that push us to grow. She’s lived across oceans, taught languages for years, and met women from all walks of life who share one thing in common: the desire to keep showing up, even when life gets messy.

Her latest book, AWAKE: Notes from the Quiet Hours, was born from sleepless nights and honest reflection. Before that, she wrote Ride On!—the story of Dame Sarah Storey’s extraordinary journey of resilience—and several books designed to help women navigate everyday life with more clarity and courage, including Executive Functioning Skills for Women with ADHD, The 369 Manifestation Journal, and The Women Rising Strong 2024 Workbook.

She lives in northern Italy with her husband, where she teaches, writes, and keeps a pot of lemon water on her desk for the early hours that refuse to sleep.

You can find author Sterling here:
Author Website | X | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Alison Bellringer for her latest release, Whisper: Book One.

Book: Whisper: Book One
Author: Alison Bellringer
Publication Date: April 26, 2024
Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
Genres: Middle Grade
Page Count: 78
Formats Available: Ebook & Paperback
For Readers Who Loved Reading: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, Lassie Come-Home by Erick Knight, and of course, the rest of the trilogy by Alison Bellringer, Lucas (Book Two) and Escape (Book Three)

About the Book

Britney is a young, extremely malnourished child, who comes from a poor family with an abusive father. Her mother does everything she can to protect her daughter from her husband, receiving the brunt of the aggressive beatings herself. The girl barely speaks, afraid of being overheard by the wrong person, and the only words she knows are the few repeated words her mother uses to calm her after a fight. A total of three words in all, namely – Whisper, Britney, and Ma. There is a very private, sheltered spot in the nearby forest which Britney uses as a place to hide away if ever her mother has to spend the day walking into the nearest town to purchase supplies or to trade goods. They have discreet, non-verbal signals which they use to keep the area hidden and make sure that Britney is secure (far away from Pa’s prying eyes). On one such day, Britney hears unusual sounds and is terrified that her father has found out about their system, but the surprise turns out to be just a lonesome little puppy. The girl quickly becomes friends with the stray, instantly joining forces in their solitude, only ever meeting in the secret place where they share such a deeply silent, unspoken bond. This continues until Ma helps her only child run away for good, tearfully leaving Britney to fend for herself in the best way she knows how. The adoring puppy (promptly being referred to as Whisper) unexpectedly follows the girl, and together they set off on a journey that will forever change their lives…

You can find Whisper here:
Austin Macauley

About The Author

Alison Bellringer

Alison has been writing short stories to share with friends and family for many years and always enjoys exploring her creativity when putting pen to paper, so she is excited to have the opportunity to share her love of writing with others through the art of publishing.
Alison loves spending time with her pet dog, a Labrador x Huntaway called Smoky, teaching her tricks and taking her for walks. She lives in a small town in New Zealand near many beautiful parks and beaches.
Alison has been playing trombone since about 2010, euphonium from mid-2019, and always likes getting together with a few friends to ‘make a joyful noise’ sharing music. She also enjoys a bit of freelance photography when she gets the chance, especially if it involves taking pictures of sunsets.One of her books, The Bronson Escapades, is a Silver Recipient of the Mom’s Choice Awards® honorary seal of excellence, and The Wolf Cub is a 2^nd Place winner of the Royal Dragonfly Book Award Competition of 2024 in both the ‘Education’ and ‘Coffee Table & Gift Books’ categories, in addition to obtaining Honorary Mention in several others: Best Cover Design, Children’s Chapter Books, Middle Grade Fiction, and Animals/Pets (a complete list of results can be found on the Story Monsters Book Awards website). More recently, The Wolf Cub received the Bronze Medal for the ‘EBook Pre-Teen Fiction’ category in the 2025 Moonbeam Book Awards. Alison’s 2024 trilogy titled Whisper, Lucas, and Escape have also been presented with the NAPPA Award winning seal. 

You can find author Bellringer here:
Author Website | Facebook

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author David Morabito for his latest release, The Old Clock Peddler.

Book: The Old Clock Peddler
Author: David Morabito
Publication Date: September 30, 2025
Genres: Dark Fantasy, Suspense, Romance, Science-Fiction
Page Count: 270
Formats Available: Kindle & Paperback
For Readers Who Loved Reading: Lord of the Rings (J. R. R. Tolkien), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Frank Baum), Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Caroll), Crazy Hawk: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller (R. J. Stewart)

About the Book

This novel continues where the Night of the Fisherman left off and is packed with suspense, fantasy, and romance as well as elements of science fiction with shrouded references to quantum physics. The characters are instantly transported between different realms in the cosmos using wormholes where the entry and exit ports are defined by clocks composed of mysterious substances. Each clock is the mirror image of the other, with each working backwards from the other.

We follow the exploits of the intriguing dark character known as the Old Clock Peddler, who sells paired clocks to unsuspecting consumers in different worlds causing interesting and unexpected interactions between diverse populations of beings. All the while, the Peddler has mysterious interactions with the characters caught up in his intergalactic web of intrigue, which include Lexicon, the principality of Yore and the land of the Druids.

Intrigue continues to follow two of the main characters from Night of the Fisherman, Fish (a.k.a. the Fisherman) and Kara in the 1950’s-1960’s suburban town of Lexicon. They along with other neighbors now have to contend with the power-hungry Surf, the surviving son of Poppa, who previously terrorized the local neighborhood and beyond. All the while, the character known as the dark Entity lurks about ready to do Surf’s bidding.

A secret society in Lexicon known as the City Fathers anoints Surf as their new Boss in their quest to amass more power and wealth, after the death of Poppa. A shady slimy lawyer named McAlister Bilge aids Surf in his quest for more power and wealth. Other neighbors such as little Elmo get caught up in the intrigue as well as the old man Mr. Ages, now reunited with his long lost son after several decades, Tommy, who once served as King of Yore under the name of Twede.

A host of new characters are introduced, including three college students, one of which believes he understands the physics of instantaneous intergalactic transport, while another desires Kara, the Fisherman’s girlfriend, to be his own. Frank Knightlite, a heroic figure in the small town of Lexicon, is known to shed light within the bowels of darkness. Aisling is a young Irish lass whose family got marooned in the strange world of mutated descendants of the Druids, courtesy of one of the Peddler’s wormholes. She gets rescued by the Fisherman and Frank Knightlite, who use a recently reestablished porthole to bring her back to Lexicon and eventually to that big green island across the sea to be united with her surviving relatives. Frank Knightlite has a clandestine encounter with Leena, the terrified and neglected young wife of Surf, in order to extract needed information from her.

In the Kingdom of Yore, an ensuing power struggle is in the works as Renigade a wayward Elder had escaped the palace dungeon and seeks to solidify a power sharing pact with Surf. The small gnomish person Georgos contributes to the drama as he again is put into service by his dethroned king Twede, now known as Tommy Ages. Twede reunites with his love Tarala when the porthole between Lexicon and Yore is reestablished by the Peddler.

It is later disclosed that Surf has an estranged brother who covets what Surf has and is determined to claim all that Surf inherited from Poppa as his birthright. Finally, the novel climaxes at the scene of the lake of fire, a huge cauldron-like depression in the planetary surface of Yore. Here, Surf plans to send his prisoners to their demise in the same way his Poppa attempted in the Night of the Fisherman. However, Surf does not count on having to contend with his brother as they confront each other near the precipice of the fiery lake, as the prisoners look on while the drama unfolds in unexpected and suspenseful ways.

You can find The Old Clock Peddler here:
Amazon | Goodreads

About The Author

David Morabito

David Morabito is a retired engineer who lives in the mountains and deserts of Southern California.

You can find author Morabito here:
Website | Medium | Goodreads

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Sloane Mercer for her latest release, Catalyst.

Book: Catalyst
Author: Sloane Mercer
Publication Date: October 2, 2025
Publisher: AMEE Publishing
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Political Thriller, Terrorism/Espionage Thriller, Literary Suspense, International Intrigue
Page Count: 193
Formats Available: Kindle & Paperback
For Readers Who Loved Reading: I Am Pilgrim (Terry Hayes), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Stieg Larsson), American Assassin (Vince Flynn), The Night Manager (John le Carré), and Our Kind of Traitor (John le Carré)

About the Book

Everyone’s the hero in their story. Even the monsters.

Jake Rossi, a Capitol crewman trying to rebuild his life, isn’t looking for meaning — just a paycheck, a place to belong, maybe someone to talk to. Then he meets Emily, a reserved Belgian chocolatier with a scar on her collarbone and eyes that never blink. Her silence is magnetic. Her past, untouchable.

But the closer Jake gets, the more off-kilter things begin to feel. Curiosity twists into obsession. Obsession curdles into fear. Is Emily a survivor haunted by shadows, or the shadow itself? Every answer Jake uncovers only deepens the riddle, and every step closer drags him toward a truth too dangerous to name.

By the time the city gathers under banners and floodlights, it may already be too late.

For readers of dark, atmospheric, slow-burning psychological thrillers with flawed heroes and razor-wire tension, Catalyst will keep you turning pages deep into the night.

You can find Catalyst here:
Amazon

About The Author

Sloane Mercer

Sloane Mercer is a storyteller of blurred lines, crafting fiction from fragments of truth. The portrait on this page is no different from the
story itself – part fact, part invention, and deliberately incomplete.
What matters is not who the author is, but the worlds they leave behind – the shadows you carry after closing the book, and the questions that follow you into the quiet.

You can find author Nordmed here:
Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Newsletter

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author MJ Walker for her latest release, Italian By Default.

Book: Italian By Default
Author: MJ Walker
Publication Date: July 25th, 2025
Genres: Women’s Literature, Memoir, Humour
Page Count: 283
For Readers Who Loved Reading: Bill Bryson’s works
Formats Available: e-Ebook ($3.99 USD)

About the Book

AN ADOPTION REUNION
– based on a true story –
Meet Polly, her Italian husband Joe and his identical twin brother Cicero. Polly is adopted and wants to find her heritage, but the twins’ passion for Italy dominates her life. She gets more style than Gucci, more opera than Verdi and more pasta than she can eat.
If this isn’t bad enough, Polly’s friends insist that she belongs where she is loved – safe and secure in her wealthy Sydney suburb.
What should Polly do?
She has met her birth mother, but not only will that lady refuse to discuss the past, she has barred Polly from ever meeting her siblings. Then one day Polly reads in the newspaper that her mother has been murdered.
Or has she?
Polly’s longed-for adoption reunion finally happens but not in the way she expects.

You can find Italian by Default here:
Amazon | Goodreads | UBL

About The Author

MJ Walker

Margaret Walker is a teacher. She lives in Sydney, Australia with her family. Her first two novels His Most Italian City and Through Forests and Mountains were published by Penmore Press in the USA.

You can find author Walker here:
Website | Instagram | Facebook

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author E.F. Nordmed for his latest release, Market of the Never Setting Sun.

Book: Market of the Never Setting Sun
Author: EF Nordmed
Publication Date: July 14th, 2025
Genres: Sci-fi Cozy Mystery, Private Eye, Amateur Detective, Tech Noir
Page Count: 184
For Readers Who Loved Reading: Malka Ann Older, “The Mimicking of Known Successes”; Mur Lafferty, “Station Eternity”; Samit Basu, “The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport”; Annalee Newitz, “Automatic Noodle”

About the Book

Stout works as a tech by day, saving up money to achieve his dream of leaving the planet. His plans are thrown in disarray when he’s asked to look for a missing college student, Andrew, and he quickly finds himself over his head while looking for answers. He reaches out to his old flame, Yasmeen, who works on the police force for help.

Yasmeen is unhappy with the corruption she sees in her job, but is trying to change the force from the inside. When Stout asks her for aid, she’s hesitant to assist his amateur investigation, but when he’s falsely framed for murder and kidnapping knows she has to get involved.

Can they navigate Corporate Security agents, industrial spies, and the criminal underground to rescue the student and clear Stout’s name before it’s too late? Will they be able to stay true to their values in a world that rewards corruption? And will they let their feelings for each other reignite, or will the world get in their way?

You can find Market of the Never Setting Sun here:
Amazon

About The Author

E.F. Nordmed

After a childhood spent devouring any science fiction he could get his hands on, he went to college as an English Major and was “fired” from the English Department at the University of Houston because he liked math too much.  He spent a tour in the US Marine Corps and finally completed a bachelors and a masters degree in computer science, but never lost his love of the written language or adventure.  He has traveled extensively outside of the military, to include visiting all seven continents.  This is his second foray into the realm of writing, the first being a technical manual while working for IBM.

You can find author Nordmed here:
Facebook | BlueSky | Goodreads | Website

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Robb Watson for his latest release, Dreamland: Selim’s Echo.

Book: Dreamland: Selim’s Echo 
Author: Robb Watson
Publication Date: 8-18-2025
Publisher: Amazon KDP
Genres: Middle Grade Fantasy, Psychological Fantasy, Surreal Fantasy
Page Count: 77

About the Book

Ever had the exact same nightmare every night. Miles was beginning junior high and trying out for the basketball team. While trying to fit in and excel on the court, he started to have nightmares he couldn’t get rid of. In Dreamland, the court he once loved twists into a living nightmare. Monsters whisper his name. Shadows chase his every move. And at the center of it all stands Selim—a sinister, red-eyed creature that seems to know Miles’s deepest regrets. Miles must navigate a haunting dream world that mirrors his own mistakes. With the help of friends—both real and imagined—he sets out to uncover the truth behind the dreams. A fantasy about the monsters we create when we forget who we are.

You can find Dreamland: Selim’s Echo here:
Amazon

About The Author

Robb Watson

Robb Watson is a family man and lifelong sports enthusiast whose love for the game shines through in everything he creates. Inspired by his own experiences with family and sports, Robb brings heart and authenticity to every page, aiming to spark young imaginations and bring families closer together.

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author David Finley for his latest release, Billy 9F.

Book: Billy 9F
Author: David Finley
Publication Date: 2021, 2nd Edition 2025
Available Formats: ebook and paperback.
Publisher:
Genres: YA Dystopian Satire, YA Humor, YA Adventure, YA Science Fiction
Page Count: 212
Contact: billy9f@gmail.com

About the Book

Like Orwell’s 1984 — but even funnier!

In a grim School-centred dystopia where humour is outlawed and laughter triggers ruthless punishment, 15-year-old Billy 9F is the ultimate threat: a Class Clown. When he’s labeled a menace for his extremely convincing and sublimely funny fake snot, barf and turd pranks, Billy joins a underground comedic resistance movement with a mysterious new student, Jamie 9F, her mysterious grandfather, the Major, an ultra-mysterious revolutionary leader named Poopoo the Clown, and Billy’s not-at-all mysterious but highly malfunctioning android mentor, Uncle Mike. Inevitably, the regime cracks down and the stakes rise. To free his imprisoned parents, save his little sister’s life and liberate the joyless populace, Billy must fully realize his own natural-born gifts — and harness the awesome power of laughter.

Darkly funny, fast, and surprisingly hopeful, BILLY 9F blends dystopian stakes with sharp satire and heart. Perfect for readers 12 years of age to infinity who love page-turners with big ideas.

You can find Billy 9F here:
Amazon (kindle) | Amazon (paperback) | Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About The Author

David Finley

David Finley is an award-winning Screenwriter, Filmmaker, Playwright and published Author, living in Toronto. Much of his work has been in family and children’s entertainment. He has had a long career as a writer and story editor, mostly in TV. He has also written, produced and directed his own film and theatre projects and had several short stories published in various literary magazines. “Billy 9F” is his first novel, aimed at readers 12 and above.

You can find author Finley here:
Contact

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Veronica Preston for her latest release, Book of the Devil: Genesis.

Book: Book of the Devil: Genesis
Author: Veronica Preston
Publication Date: August 27, 2025
Available Formats: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook (coming soon)
Publisher: Independently Published
Genres: Spiritual Fantasy, Mythic Fiction, Speculative Fiction
Page Count: 201

About the Book

This isn’t a tale of horns and pitchforks.
It’s a tale of questions, echoes, and exile.
Book of the Devil: Genesis reimagines the Devil as Iblis—a being of fire, loyalty, and impossible choices. Born into a world of smokeless flame, Iblis is chosen to serve God, but he begins to question the nature of obedience, justice, and divine will. His rebellion is not out of vanity, but love, sorrow, and a desire to understand. As he rises through the celestial order, Iblis walks the line between sacred and profane, setting the stage for a fall that may be more holy than it seems.

You can find The Book of the Devil here:
Author Website

About The Author

Veronica Preston

Veronica Preston is an author of spiritual fantasy fiction whose debut novel, Book of the Devil: Genesis, reimagines the myth of Iblis through a deeply philosophical and emotional lens. A lifelong lover of books, Veronica draws inspiration from sacred texts, spiritual philosophy, and her own reflections on morality, free will, and destiny. 

You can find author Preston here:
Website | Instagram

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Eva Barber for her latest release, Unborn (Dark World).

Book: Unborn
Author: Eva Barber
Publication Date: December 18, 2024
Publisher: Independently Published
Genres: Science Fiction
Page Count: 366

About the Book

Olesya was not born like other people but was found in the Siberian Forest by a couple unable to have children. Plagued by mysterious visions and dreams, she struggles to fit into a society both as a socially inept but brilliant child and as she becomes part of a research team to discover the nature of dark matter. The findings of this discovery never make it to the scientific community as the project leader goes missing and the physics lab blows up, destroyed by a powerful foe with seemingly noble intentions.
Seattle detectives question Olesya in connection with the explosion and the disappearance of her boss. She becomes a person of interest until she goes missing. From her kidnappers, she learns that her parents, knowing she lacked a belly button, suspected she was created by the Russian government as part of a scientific experiment, and emigrated to the USA to hide and protect her. She also learns she possesses powers related to dark matter and of the existence of a brother held captive since his discovery by the Russian government. Even though she suspects her kidnappers’ interest in her and their motivations aren’t so noble, she joins them in rescuing her brother. Catastrophic world events following the successful rescue force her to continue working with her foes to save the world from destruction.
While working to save the world, Olesya experiences a moral dilemma and becomes someone she never thought she’d be—a mother. Olesya learns of mysterious chambers scattered around the world, and her visions return to haunt her, until she opens the chambers and learns their secrets, wishing she hadn’t. Now she faces the heart-wrenching realization that she must travel into a dark dimension to save the world from self-destruction. Worse yet, her daughter, Emery, is the key to humanity’s salvation and must follow her mother once she becomes an adult because she is the only being who can travel where no one else can to restore balance to the universe and return with an extraordinary gift for humanity. But powerful entities have reasons to keep the gift away from humanity and will do anything to stop her.

You can find Unborn here:
Amazon

About The Author

Eva Barber

Eva currently lives in Washington State. She is a biologist and artist and is passionate about books and storytelling. Eva’s firsthand experience growing up in the Soviet-era Eastern Block adds a unique perspective and a distinct dimension to her stories.
When she is not painting or writing, she spoils her two mutts and her husband, Mike, with treats and attention (not necessarily in that order).
Her debut novel, Misunderstanding, won a Literary Titan Silver Book Award given to an outstanding author who has captivated her audience with skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. The award recognized it as a book that stands out for its innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. 

You can find author Barber here:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Josh Martin for his debut supernatural thriller series release, B&G Mystery: We Can’t Tell You: Parts 1, 2, and 3.

Book: B&G Mystery: We Can’t Tell You
Author: Josh Martin
Publication Date: July 20, 2024
Publisher: Independently Published
Genres: Mystery, Supernatural Thriller, Horror
Page Count: 100

About the Book

From Book 1: Have you ever awoken from a deep sleep and still feel like you’re dreaming? A few minutes of confusion is certainly common…..
But what about several months?
Not so common, unfortunately.
One day, not quite a year ago, it happened to me. I couldn’t shake the feeling. I could remember, and not remember, all at the same time.
Confused? Yeah, I was too….
Still am, as a matter of fact.
That one morning changed everything. I mean everything. Nothing could have prepared me for the events that followed.
Prepare yourself….

You’re about to see why.

You can find B&G Mystery: We Can’t Tell You here:
Amazon

About The Author

Josh Martin

Bio – Josh is happily married and a father to two awesome boys.  He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2007 with a major in Sociology.  The B&G Mystery series is his first published work.

You can find author Martin here:
Website | Amazon

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Amanda White for her latest release, The Fortune Telling Wizard and Other Stories from The Kingdom of Dar.

Book: The Fortunetelling Wizard And Other Stories From the Kingdom of Dar
Author: Amanda White
Publication Date: January 27, 2025 
Publisher: Amanda White
Genres: Fantasy
Page Count: 192

About the Book

Legends and common knowledge don’t always agree, but when it comes to wizards the facts are not so far from the stories.
Both say that tunics are made from wild magic. Both say that a len who catches, tames, and puts on a tunic is a wizard. And both say that a wizard is named and known by his deeds. Take Duin the Fearless or Bjarne the Vengeful as examples.
My name is Hol and I am a wizard of the kingdom of Dar.
Though this is true, what name will come from my deeds is yet unknown.
From the time I was young, my mother said I would be known as Hol the Proud. The Queen once called me Hol the Loyal. The other wizards of Dar call me Hol the Upstart. Most times, I fear I will be remembered as Hol the Failed.
My tunic has its own opinions about what I should be called.
In fact, my tunic has opinions about everything.
If it has its way, I will be known as Hol the Fortunetelling Wizard.
But there hasn’t been a fortunetelling wizard in Dar in over eight hundred years and because I didn’t actually catch or tame my tunic, I fear even more that I might not even be a wizard at all.
I want to prove my mother wrong.
I want to prove the other wizards wrong.
And most of all, even if my tunic ends up being right, I hope I prove myself wrong as well.

You can find The Fortunetelling Wizard here:
Amazon | Goodreads | Book2Read

About The Author

Amanda White

Amanda White is a fantasy and literary fiction writer. With a firmness of heart, she believes as Toni Morrison said, “If you find a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” More and more, she sees the need for books with valiantly good characters, worlds that can be fixed, and hopeful and optimistic endings. This is not to say that her characters don’t have flaws (doesn’t everyone?), make the wrong choices, or have the occasional (or frequent) fit of temper. This is not to say that the worlds represented aren’t already broken or quite imperfect. This is not to say there isn’t plot, plotting, loss, pain, or growth. But rather that, overall, as the stories unfold, optimism wins out over pessimism and the hope that is served up both hot and cold is flavorful enough to taste.

She currently lives in Dallas, Texas where she dreams of mountains and high-altitude, low-humidity air and (barely) survives city living by being close enough to her young nephew and niece to play whatever it is they want to play (usually and often something to do with Pokemon or unicorns).

You can find author White here:
Website | Instagram

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Allen Wyler for his latest release, Deadly Odds 8.0.

Book: Deadly Odds 8.0
Author: Allen Wyler
Publication Date: July 8, 2025
Publisher: Stairway Press
Genres: Medical Thriller, thriller
Page Count: 281
For Readers Of: John Sanford, Don Winslow

About the Book

On a Sunday morning, an unsuspecting parishioner collapses on the steps of a church.

Moments later the CEO of a cardiac pacemaker company receives a phone call from an electronically distorted voice demanding that they shutter their business by the end of the week, or he will continue to kill implanted patients.

Arnold Gold’s team of cyber detectives must now race the clock to track down the hacker’s identity and stop him before he can kill other innocent victims.

Arnold Gold and his team of techie geniuses break their vow—no new clients—when a hacker launches a deadly game targeting AI-driven pacemakers. Another heart-stopping read from Allen Wyler.

You can find Deadly Odds 8.0 here:
Amazon | Goodreads

Praise for the Book

About The Author

Allen Wyler

Allen Wyler is a retired neurosurgeon who lives in Seattle.
Allen’s thrillers have twice been nominated for the prestigious Thriller Award. He has served on the Board of Directors of the International Thriller Writers and is also an active member of the North American Crime Writers and Mystery Writers of America.

You can find author Wyler here:
Website

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author P.S. Bartlett  for her latest release, HIRO-J: Energy.

Book: HIRO-J: Energy
Author: P.S. Bartlett
Publication Date: September 16, 2025
Genres: Sci-Fi Romance, Fantasy Romance, Magical Realism
Page Count: 285 pages
Publisher: P.S. Bartlett

About the Book

They told her she’d be studying human behavior.
They never said the subject wasn’t human.
Lana Delaney isn’t the kind of girl who chases adventure. A champion swimmer and psychology major, she keeps her world small—school, training, and staying invisible. But when her bold, unpredictable new roommate Willie bursts into her life, Lana starts to believe maybe she doesn’t have to hide forever.
Everything changes when she accepts a summer internship at a classified research facility. Her assignment? To observe an unusual subject known only as Project J.
His name is Hiro.
He isn’t human.
And he’s been waiting for her.
Trapped in a saltwater pool and fading fast, Hiro speaks through thoughts, memories, and something deeper Lana can feel.
With the help of Logan—a conflicted but charming tech specialist—Lana begins to unravel a web of secrets, cover-ups, and buried truths. Now, caught between two powerful connections and a dangerous conspiracy, Lana must decide how far she is willing to go to save the only being who has ever truly seen her.
Perfect for fans of Starman, Arrival, and The Host, Hiro-J: Energy is a romantic sci-fi thriller about memory, trust, and the invisible energy that binds us all.

You can find HIRO-J Energy here:
Amazon

About The Author

P.S. Bartlett

P.S. Bartlett (pen name), an award-winning author, was born on Valentine’s Day in Baltimore, Maryland, near the historic sites of Fort McHenry and Federal Hill. As the youngest of eleven siblings, she was surrounded by history and enjoyed cycling to explore these national landmarks with her friends during her childhood.
She released her debut novel, Fireflies, in 2013 and has since self-published twelve books.
During the pandemic, Peggy used her writing skills to freelance in copywriting, editing, and beta-reading, which helped her regain lost income and grow her freelance business. Collaborating with authors has become a fulfilling passion, as she enjoys helping others achieve their writing goals. She has also added publishing and social media management to her list of offerings to her clients.
Alongside her literary endeavors, she loves reading, painting, drawing, and learning anything new. While writing and coaching other authors takes up much of her leisure time by choice, she treasures the moments spent with friends and family.
Currently serving as a full-time marketing director, Peggy hopes to transition into a full-time writing career upon her retirement in 2026 and continue her work supporting other authors.
“Always remember to go for what you want, no matter your age, because whatever makes you happy and fulfilled is always worth your time.”

Her motto: I’m taking a fantastic voyage. Won’t you join me?

You can find author Bartlett here:
Author Website | Facebook | Instagram |

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Elizabeth Jaeger for their latest release, Stolen: Love and Loss in the Time of COVID-19.

Book: Stolen: Love and Loss in the Time of COVID-19
Author: Elizabeth Jaeger
Publication Date: September 16, 2025
Genres: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Page Count: 275pages
Publisher: Unsolicited Press

About the Book

When the world first went into lockdown, on a lark, Jaeger started a blog. Then, on Day 12, the unimaginable happened. Her dad got sick and she rushed him to the hospital. What followed was a close look at what it was like to watch a loved one suffer from COVID. After a nineteen day battle, her father died and the family was stricken with grief. But grieving during the pandemic was drastically different than in a time of normalcy. There were no funerals. No religious services. No ability to mingle with friends. Just the heavy feeling of loss, which at times was suffocating. Stolen: Love and Loss in the Time of COVID-19 captures life in New York City – the constant sound of sirens, the new graves dug daily, the eerie silence and desolation of local playgrounds – the epicenter of the virus. In flashbacks throughout the narrative, vignettes illustrate her dad in happier times-a doting father, an adoring grandfather, a man who always put family first. It depicts encountering COVID up close and places it in a political and personal context. While the story is about one family, it is not unique. COVID touched everyone’s lives and many endured a similar experience.

You can find Stolen: Love and Loss in the Time of COVID-19 here:
Amazon | Goodreads

About The Author

Elizabeth Jaeger

Stolen: Love and Loss in the Time of COVID-19 is Elizabeth Jaeger’s first book. Her essays, short stories, book reviews, and poetry have been published in various print and online journals, including Margate Bookie, Caustic Frolic, The Blue Nib, Capsule Stories, Watchung Review, Ovunque Siamo, and Italian Americana.  Newtown Literary published “The Treehouse,” which is a chapter from her novel in progress. Jaeger earned an MFA in creative writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MA in history from William Paterson University.

You can find author Jaeger here:
Author Website | Instagram | TikTok

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author James Dunlop for their latest release, Half Made Up.

Book: Half Made Up
Author: James Dunlop
Series: The Misjudgements of Andy MacKay (Book #1)
Publication Date: February 23, 2025
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Conspiracy
Page Count: 312 pages

About the Book

How far would you go for a friend? Andrew MacKay, the sort who’d sooner bet his last penny on a losing horse than lift a finger for anything resembling responsibility, is about to find out. An incurable gambler, chain-smoker, and binge drinker, Andy’s only real talent lies in outliving his own poor choices. But when his mate is shot dead and robbed of a classified secret, Andy finds himself bound to retrieve it, purely out of loyalty and an alarming lack of common sense.

Andy learns the stolen secret is a new nerve agent deadly enough to make any terrorist giddy with joy. Wanting nothing more than to ignore the whole thing, he finds himself drawn into a web of corporate espionage, government corruption, and terrorists with excellent taste in chemical warfare. He’ll have to rely on his wits to stay one step ahead of MI-5, who want him behind bars, if he hopes to recover the secret, and stop the zealots from killing thousands.
Time is running out.

Andy’s got only one chance to make things right. Can he do it?

You can find Half Made Up here:
Amazon | Goodreads

About The Author

James Dunlop

Although he was born in London, at the age of 6 weeks James decided to emigrate to Canada with his parents. He grew up in Vancouver, eventually determining that he wanted to experience inhospitable weather. So, he headed for points east. Unable to monetize his philosophy degree, he found his way into the world of advertising and became a copywriter in Toronto, where he currently lives. He has written hundreds of advertising campaigns, and now teaches the craft at local colleges. Half Made Up is his first book.

You can find author Dunlop here:
Author Website

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author H. Meadow Hopewell for their latest release, Rage Against the Machine.

Book: Rage Against the Machine
Author: H. Meadow Hopewell
Series: The Given Path Trilogy (Book #1)
Publication Date: November 22, 2024
Genres: Science fiction, Speculative fiction, Spiritual Science fiction
Page Count: 345 pages
Publisher: Elk Lake Publishing

About the Book

Award-winning director, Roare Murdock, is approached by a private group of investigative journalists who invite her to spearhead a documentary. She agrees to join the project to expose the dark side of transhumanism. With the assignment comes grave danger to herself and those around her. And someone in her close circle of trusted associates is not what he seems. She wonders why God would choose a wayward follower like her to warn the masses of an imminent threat to humanity.

Amid the challenges and dangers of research and filming, Hunter Barraclough, Roare’s biological father, enters her life for the first time. When Roare reaches her breaking point, help comes from an unlikely source, Sloane McInerney, Roare’s bodyguard. Sloane has his own reasons to join forces with Roare to unmask a malevolent AI lab whose CEO plots to destroy human souls through AI and other-worldly technology. As she battles demonic forces, Roare uses fear and anger to her advantage. But how long will she last before she questions her own survival?

You can find Rage Against the Machine here:
Amazon | Goodreads

About The Author

H. Meadow Hopewell

H. Meadow Hopewell discovered a love for creative writing in college. A move to New Zealand reignited the flame. Between her love for science, pursuing God, and writing, her first novel An Emerging Star was born. When not writing, she maintains a photography blog. She lives on the North Island with her husband, two spoiled cats, and a farm dog who wants to be a house pet.

You can find author Hopewell here:
Author Website

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Suze Leonie for their latest release, Yonah and Devorah’s Traveling Music Theatre.

Book: Yonah and Devorah’s Traveling Music Theatre
Author: Suze Leonie
Publication date: 1 October 2014
Genres: General Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Literary Fiction
Page Count: 157 pages
Publisher: Fidessa Literary

About the Book

When famous new media artist Eli Schmidt inherits a mysterious chest from his emotionally detached grandmother that he is instructed not to open, he can’t curb his curiosity. Inside, he finds a lost and lonely doll named Devorah, who begins to heartbreakingly scream for the love of her life, Yonah. Wishing he had obeyed orders, Eli has no choice but to go on a journey to reunite the pair. To his great distress, this means he must give up his treasured peace and quiet and do what he loathes the most: interact with other people. While Eli desperately tries to break free from this burden, Devorah amplifies her control, embroiling him in a battle that will forever change the course of his life.

You can find Yonah and Devorah’s Traveling Music Theatre here:
Amazon

About The Author

Suze Leonie

Suze Leonie is a literary fiction and children’s fiction author and illustrator from a Dutch coastal town. She has a passion for literature and philosophy and when she isn’t writing or drawing, she’s usually found with a book in her hand. In the spring of 2024 Suze Leonie made her debut with the novel Ivan, Boris and Me, which is the first book in a collection of literary works that heavily focus on human psychology. When Suze Leonie is able to let go of her precious books she enjoys going to museums, good food, board games and long walks on the beach.

You can find author Leonie here:
Author Website | X | Instagram

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Bernt Erik Bjontegard for his latest release, History Rules my Tomorrow.

Book: History Rules My Tomorrow
Author: Bernt Erik Bjontegard
Publication date: 12/5/23
Genres: Memoir, Biography
Page Count: 366 pages
Publisher: –

About the Book

A question to ponder: are we as humans pre-programmed to “follow in our father’s footsteps?” Is there something inherent in our heritage? Do we repeat what our forefathers and mothers did?

And if so, can we apply these inherited cross-generational learning methods as we invent the next generations of intelligent systems? Rather than creating AI that is artificial and intended to replace human work, can we create intelligent systems that AUGMENT the human’s work and support him or her? Can we invent intelligent systems that learn and improve themselves with the mind of creating betterment for all humans as well?

Erik Bjontegard left Norway when he was 18 to study in the UK, then moved on to California. Not realizing until later in life, his actions and behavior, his quests for new discoveries, and his desire to invent followed his father and grandfather on his mother’s side. Now an accomplished inventor, former NASA rocket scientist, deep sea robotics, and submarine explorer, he is now navigating the new Phygital realms connecting the physical and digital.

In this engaging and inspiring autobiography, Bernt “Erik” Bjontegard narrates his life filled with the stories of his grandparents’ sacrifices during WWII, his own mistakes and discoveries, and poses important questions on how to engage the listeners and their families to assist in creating and inventing better human-technology interfaces. Learning from his history, he is embarking on the journey to make his tomorrow better than today.

You can find History Rules My Future here:
Amazon | Audible | Everand | Apple Books | OverDrive | Kobo | Storytel | Audiobooks | YouScribe | Libro.fm | Hoopla | Nextory | Chirp

About The Author

Bernt Erik Bjontegard

Bernt “Erik” Bjontegard is the inventor of the patented, award-winning Spark Compass™, a Contextually Intelligent™ communication platform used globally to deliver the right message to the right person at the right time and place. As founder and CEO of Total Communicator Solutions, Inc., Erik has led innovative deployments at events like Wimbledon and America’s Cup, for brands like Puma and Coca-Cola, and even for public health initiatives in the UK. He holds multiple pioneering patents, many of which have been cited by industry giants, including IBM, Apple, Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm.

Originally from Norway, Erik began his journey as a snow shuffler and windsurf instructor, later earning a full scholarship to the University of Salford in the UK. He became a mechanical engineer, designing deep-sea robotics before working with NASA on the Space Shuttle program—something he proudly recalls with his favorite phrase: “I used to be a rocket scientist!” He later certified aircraft designs for Boeing and Airbus and has contributed to technologies that are now part of 5G infrastructure.

Erik’s career path has been anything but conventional, spanning fashion, real estate, and advanced telecommunications. His time with Qualcomm’s Corporate R&D team saw him contribute to emerging platforms like Vuforia and Gimbal, and it was there he learned to write patents and began his deep dive into innovation. Erik is also an honorary Fellow at the University of Salford and serves on advisory boards for several universities, sharing his visionary insights with future generations.

In his autobiography, Erik reflects on his life journey, his family’s sacrifices during WWII, and the inherited spirit of innovation that connects generations. He explores how human experiences can shape the development of intelligent systems that enhance rather than replace human work.

Through personal stories and big-picture questions, Erik invites readers to imagine a better future—one where technology supports humanity, not the other way around.

You can find author Bjontegard here:
Author Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Adam Knight for his latest release, Made of Iron: The Dina Jacobson Story.

Book: Made of Iron: The Dina Jacobson Story
Author: Adam Knight
Publication date: September 2024
Genres: Memoir
Page Count: 259 pages
Publisher: The Wordsmithy LLC

About the Book

Made of Iron: The Dina Jacobson Story 1939, Southern Poland. Dina was a young Jewish woman. She anticipated getting married and raising a family in the same small town where she had grown up. War broke her life. But it would not break her. Dina endured years of suffering in Auschwitz concentration camp, then more years of homelessness after the war. She finally settled in America where, after finally raising that family, she dedicated her life to sharing her story with young people. I was one of them.

You can find Made of Iron here:
Amazon

About The Author

Adam Knight

Adam Knight is an author and teacher in northern New Jersey, USA. His novel, At the Trough, was published in 2019 by NineStar Press. His memoir, Made of Iron: The Dina Jacobson Story, was published in 2024 by The Wordsmithy. His short fiction and essays have been published in a number of anthologies and online venues, including Arcturus Press,  Daily Science Fiction and Escape Pod. He is currently seeking publication for a cosmic horror novel about the sinking of the Titanic.

You can find author Knight here:
Author Website | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | X

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com

Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Raphael Pondfor his latest release, Bell Tower.

Book: Bell Tower
Author: Raphael Pond
Publication date: February 18, 2025
Genres: Science Fiction Thriller, Magical Realism, Hard Science Fiction, Dystopia 
Page Count: 304 pages
Publisher: Vine Leaves Press

About the Book

In a future where one phrase can heal any pain, there exists a meditation unlike any other: Solosis. It’s a practice that forms an empathetic bond between two souls, unlocking unparalleled healing power. But its secrets are fiercely guarded by Sasha Sumzer, a mysterious meditation teacher with a darker agenda.
Sasha is determined to bring down Axiom, the social media giant that has reshaped society with its revolutionary Glow Domes—devices that have replaced smartphones and altered daily life forever. While Glow Domes captivate the masses, Sasha believes the human mind is the final frontier for true liberation.
As an unsuspecting group of individuals stumbles upon Sasha’s teachings, they become entangled in a dangerous game that forces them to question whether Solosis is a tool for healing or a weapon for control. To discover the truth , they must confront their deepest fears and decide what they’re willing to sacrifice to save the nation’s collective consciousness.
In this gripping thriller, the battle for the mind has begun—and the line between healing and manipulation is dangerously thin.

You can find Bell Tower here:
Amazon | Vine Leaves Press | Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Book Bub | Book Sirens

About The Author

Raphael Pond

Raphael Pond earned a degree in professional writing at York College of Pennsylvania. While there, he also studied the philosophy of technology and its effects on humankind. Raphael currently lives in Salem, Oregon where he is a personal trainer by day and a writer by night. In the summers, he and his wife like to go on adventures in nature. They are always looking for a good hike, hot spring, swimming hole, or rock wall to climb.

You can find author Pond here:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com