December tends to see the number of new books being released slow down significantly, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some great reads being published this month! This week sees the launch of 2 new series; one is a cozy, small-town mystery, the other offers a slice of international intrigue and suspense. In addition, we get the latest from W.E.B. Griffin writing with his son, some smart advice on mental health, and an ambitious new cookbook that dares you to try and cook all of your meals yourself for a whole month. Learn all about them below and happy reading!
MYSTERY
Wine and Punishment by Sarah Fox
Booklover Sadie Coleman knows that in life, as in fiction, the right setting can make a world of difference. The small town of Shady Creek, Vermont, seems like the perfect place to start over after losing her Boston job to a merger and her relationship to her ex’s gambling addiction. She’s bought and redecorated the old grist mill pub, transforming the Inkwell into a cozy spot where tourists and regulars alike can enjoy a pint or a literary-themed cocktail, or join one of several book clubs.
Little by little, Sadie is adjusting to the rhythms of her new home. Fall in Shady Creek is bookmarked by the much-anticipated Autumn Festival, complete with a pumpkin catapult competition and pie bake-off. Unfortunately, the season also brings an unwelcome visitor—Sadie’s ex, Eric, who’s angling for a second chance . . .
Before Sadie can tell Eric to leave, he’s found dead near the Inkwell. When the local antique shop catches fire on the same night, it’s clear the town is harboring at least one unsavory character. Now, with her Aunt Gilda, her friend Shontelle, and the pub’s patrons all in the mix, Sadie must uncover the truth . . . before a killer declares last call.
Description from Goodreads.
“[R]eaders will cheer this brisk, literate addition to the world of small-town cozies.” – Kirkus Reviews
“The mystery’s setting and solution are solidly crafted…” – Publishers Weekly
“…perfect for reading with a cup of cocoa by a fire!” – Bless Their Hearts Mom
Available Formats:
SUSPENSE
Liar’s Paradox by Taylor Stevens
They live in the shadows, Jack and Jill, feuding twins who can never stop running. From earliest memory they’ve been taught to hide, to hunt, to survive. Their prowess is outdone only by Clare, who has always been mentor first and mother second. She trained them in the art of espionage, tested their skills in weaponry, surveillance, and sabotage, and sharpened their minds with nerve-wracking psychological games. As they grew older they came to question her motives, her methods–and her sanity . . .
Now twenty-six years old, the twins are trying to lead normal lives. But when Clare’s off-the-grid safehouse explodes and she goes missing, they’re forced to believe the unthinkable: Their mother’s paranoid delusions have been real all along. To find her, they’ll need to set aside their differences; to survive, they’ll have to draw on every skill she’s trained them to use. A twisted trail leads from the CIA, to the KGB, to an underground network of global assassins where hunters become the hunted. Everyone, it seems, wants them dead–and, for one of the twins, it’s a threat that’s frighteningly familiar and dangerously close to home . . .
Filled with explosive action, suspense, and powerful human drama, Liars’ Paradox is world-class intrigue at its finest.
Description from Goodreads.
“A high-octane series launch. Abundant action, unexpected twists, and a kaleidoscopic narrative keep the pace brisk and the tension high. The cinematic plot entertains, and a nail-biting conclusion gratifies while raising the stakes for book two.” – Publishers Weekly
“Hard, fast, and razor sharp – the start of what could be the best new series in years.” – Lee Child
Available Formats:
The Enemy of My Enemy by W.E.B. Griffin & William E. Butterworth IV
Special agent James Cronley Jr. finds that fighting both ex-Nazis and the Soviet NKGB can lead to strange bedfellows, in the dramatic new Clandestine Operations novel about the birth of the CIA and the Cold War.
A month ago, Cronley managed to capture two notorious Nazi war criminals, but not without leaving some dead bodies and outraged Austrian police in his wake. He’s been lying low ever since, but that little vacation is about to end. Somebody–Odessa, the NKGB, the Hungarian Secret Police?–has broken the criminals out of jail, and he must track them down again.
But there’s more to it than that. Evidence has surfaced that in the war’s last gasps, Heinrich Himmler had stashed away a fortune to build a secret religion, dedicated both to Himmler and to creating the Fourth Reich. That money is still out there in the hands of Odessa, and that infamous organization seems to have acquired a surprising–and troubling–ally.
Cronley is fast finding out that the phrase “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” can mean a lot of different things, and that it is not always clear which people he can trust and which are out to kill him.
Description from Goodreads.
“…tight… Newcomers will find this a good entry point…” – Publishers Weekly
“Twists and turns you don’t see coming and characters you root for.” – Red Carpet Crash
Available Formats:
NONFICTION
Are u ok?: A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health by Kati Morton
Everyone struggles with mental health issues from time to time, but the greatest level of misunderstanding comes from knowing the difference between mental health and mental illness, figuring out whether we need professional help and, if so, how to find it.
Are u ok? walks readers through the most commonly asked questions about mental health and the process of getting help. From finding the best therapist to navigating harmful and toxic relationships and everything in between, licensed marriage and family therapist and YouTube sensation Kati Morton clarifies and de-stigmatizes the struggles so many of us go through, and encourages readers to reach out for help.
What are the red flags of a mental health issue? How do you go about making a first therapy appointment? How do you know if your therapist is a good fit for you? What are the best ways of talking about mental health with your family, friends and colleagues? There are so many questions and concerns, and in the down-to-earth, friendly tone that makes Kati Morton so popular on YouTube, Are u ok? informs and reminds us that we can get through the difficult times and we are never alone.
Description from Goodreads.
“An exemplary guide for anyone wondering if they or someone close to them may benefit from mental health therapy.” – Library Journal
“An intuitive handbook that empowers readers to tend to their own mental health…Chapters provide practical tools for handling anxiety, depression, and other mental health difficulties, while also offering powerful insights.” – Publishers Weekly
“[Morton] answers the questions many of us have but don’t necessarily feel comfortable asking. This is information everyone can benefit from.” – Bustle
Available Formats:
Cook90: The 30-Day Plan for Faster, Healthier, Happier Meals by David Tamarkin & the Editors of Epicurious
Can you COOK90?
It’s easier than you think. For 30 days, challenge yourself to cook every meal–and you’ll transform the way you eat and feel.
The 150,000+ people who take the COOK90 challenge every year know that cooking for yourself is one of the most satisfying, effective, and easy ways to improve your wellbeing.
With expert support from the editors of Epicurious, the web’s most trusted recipe site, you’ll say goodbye to pricey takeout, crummy pizza delivery, and fast food that’s no good for you. And you’ll say hello to all the benefits of home cooking: healthier and more delicious meals, a fatter wallet, a clearer mind, and sharper skills.
With more than 100 recipes, strategies, and four weeks of meal plans for every way of eating, you can save time, money, and sanity with a simple promise: I will not rely on restaurants, roommates, Cups o’Noodles, or my family to feed myself. Instead, enjoy meals like: Baked Feta with Chickpeas and Greens, Steak Soba Salad, or Braised Rotisserie Chicken with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Kale.
Start your day with Perfect 7-Minute Eggs or Cocoa Oats with Yogurt, Honey, and Hazelnuts.
And end it with a Cinnamon-Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie or Salted Almond Apple Crisp.
And you’ll do it all without upending your life. By repurposing leftovers and planning ahead, you make cooking work for your schedule, not the other way around.
Take the COOK90 challenge, and become a better, faster, healthier, happier cook.
Description from Goodreads.
“…a helpful, creative guide for readers who opt out of takeout in favor of home-cooked meals with the hopes of becoming better cooks in the process.” – Publishers Weekly