BRANFORD DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS BOOK FESTIVAL & AUTHOR STROLL

10 AM - 3 PM MAY 9TH, 2026

📚 Weather Update for the Branford Book Festival 📚

Due to the weather, all authors will now be located at the BOE Building:

📍 1111 Main Street, Branford

Come stay dry while meeting amazing authors, discovering new books, and enjoying everything the festival has to offer! We are excited to continue the event indoors and can’t wait to see everyone there.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this update with friends and family attending the festival. ✨📖

Construction Notice for Branford Book Fest Visitors

We’d like to let our guests know that there is currently construction taking place along Main Street in Branford. However, there will be no construction activity on the day of the Branford Book Fest, and the work will not interfere with the event or your experience.

All festival activities will proceed as planned, and Main Street will be ready to welcome visitors for a wonderful day of books, authors, and community.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you at the Branford Book Fest!

D. WALSH GILBERT

MISNEACH

A Story of Kidnap, Enslavement, and Colonialism is a story written in verse about a midwife stolen from Ireland in 1650 during Oliver Cromwell’s period of dominance. The Irish word, misneach, means courage and hope during uncertain times. First sent to work the sugar plantations in the West Indies of Barbados and Montserrat, Aoife is sold again into servitude on a Puritan minister’s farm in Farmington, Connecticut. Along her way, she meets and befriends an African slave and an indigenous mother who needs her midwifery help. Aoife encounters situations and experiences known to history in a tale full of imagery and tension, and though fictional, the stories of the Irish sentenced into indentured servitude, the early slaves captured from Africa, and the native peoples and lands of New England are painted and made real. This is a tale to compare with our modern day and times.

JACK MATTHEWS

ARTE PERDIDIA

Mattapoisett was a quiet New England town on Buzzards Bay — until body parts started showing up in the most unlikely places. Manny Pereira, a decorated and disabled Vietnam War Veteran, races to find the killer in an investigation that spans from Nazi Germany to the Azores and Newfoundland, and finally to the neighborhoods of this once peaceful harbor town. With more than a few possible suspects, Manny works quietly behind the scenes and uncovers a decades old scheme of greed, revenge, and murder. The allure of art and love compound the challenges for Manny, and as he closes in on the killer, not even he could have anticipated the frightening twist in his investigation or its shocking conclusion.

BILL MEYERS

THE WRECK OF THE WHYDAH

Set during the golden age of piracy, where scoundrels ruled the high seas, this is the tale of a notorious pirate, his fearless crew, and their ill-fated voyage aboard the Whydah. When their ship wrecks off the coast of Cape Cod near Wellfleet, their story seems lost to time—until 300 years later.

Teen siblings stumble upon a dusty journal hidden in their grandmother’s attic, a relic from the past that holds more than just words. Buried behind an old wall, they unearth a treasure of strange artifacts and more journals, written by one of the original survivors of the wreck. As they piece together this centuries-old mystery, they uncover secrets long buried and embark on a thrilling journey that could change history forever. Adventure, danger, and discovery await in this captivating tale of pirates, lost treasures, and modern-day sleuthing.

SARAH BLACHARD

GRABTOWN

An unsolved murder, bracketed by grief and abuse. Can there be justice, and what will it look like?

Forty years ago, a farmer was murdered near an abandoned village the locals call Grabtown. Police never found his killer.

When twin sisters Cassie and Ana return to their rural childhood home in northeastern Connecticut to grieve their mother's death and settle her affairs, they discover something unexpected among her belongings: the draft of a murder mystery, written by their mother's longtime girlfriend, AJ. The manuscript begins with the Grabtown killing—and features their mother as a key character.

Cassie, a frustrated writer estranged from her family and stuck in an isolating marriage, sees an opportunity. Ana, fearful of what they might learn, wants to destroy it. As Cassie digs deeper, uncovering a disturbing trail of abuse that winds back through their family and town, she questions the truth of AJ's story. Is it fiction—or a confession?When Cassie's mercurial husband tells her to stop digging and a retired detective arrives with new questions about the old murder, she realizes someone believes the old story is true. And they'll do anything to keep their secrets.

RANDEE MACK

NORTH SIDE STORY

Mandey, a high school honor student, and Shannon, a high school dropout, have a fateful meeting at the beach in Galveston on a bleak autumn day. They are immediately taken with each other, but their relationship is soon threatened by secrets they are keeping and by those opposed to the being together. After weathering a rocky beginning their devotion is further tested by a violent crime that could tear them apart forever.

GREG GILMARTIN

THE CASTLE FIRES

Natural and supernatural forces collide in a high tech world when a young woman inherits her father's castle and his empire. A father she never knew. An empire on a collision course with a geological disaster. In a small town with big dreams, and bigger egos. She must rely on her father's crew of characters and his advice, from the beyond, to solve his murder, save his legacy, and the castle that is now hers. And everyone falls in love! It's magic until you prove it's science. Author Greg Gilmartin brings a charming cast to life amidst murder, only, magic and mayhem!

LEIGH ALLEN

UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE

Unto the Least of These… is a story of family, forged from the intensity of living an unconventional lifestyle together on the streets, a tale of concern and caring, of jealousy and hate, of burgeoning love, growth and the cleansing of the modern day ‘leprosy’ of homelessness. Unto the Least of these.. is also a story of violence, death and miracles.

TONY RENZONI

CONNECTICUT BOOTLEGGER QUEEN NELLIE GREEN

Known as the “Queen of the fastest rum runners on the East Coast,” Nellie Green led a captivating life full of bootlegging adventures. Nellie fearlessly stood up to all those who tried to stand in her way, receiving respect and financial support from many very influential people. Nellie built an underground empire in a business world dominated by men. Her rum runners were men of intrigue who assumed aliases such as “Blackie,” “Wing,” and “King Tut.” Nellie Green was widely known to have the “Touch of Midas and the Temperament of Thor”. Join author Tony Renzoni as he recounts the life and times of this legendary figure, set against the historical backdrop of the Prohibition Era, the Women’s Movement, and the Roaring Twenties.

LISA ACERBO

DEATH AND COFFEE

Death and Coffee is about Prudence, a newly turned reaper in 1661. She makes her way through the decades and centuries working for Death until she falls in love with hospital doctor Daxone in New York City, 2024. Love is against the rules, and Death banished the couple only to bring Prudence back to help save the world. With the fate of humanity in her hands, Prudence must harness her innate power as a witch to banish a demon and save her love. Kirkus reviews calls it a "zany, clever, thrilling supernatural tale."

CHAD BETZ

THE SECOND MOUSE GETS THE CHEESE

The Second Mouse Gets the Cheese challenges the belief that success belongs only to those who act first. Drawing on personal experience, practical frameworks, and timeless wisdom, Chad C. Betz introduces the “Second Mouse Philosophy”, a disciplined, reflective approach to achieving meaningful success without falling into the traps of haste, comparison, or externally defined goals.

The book guides readers through clarifying their personal definition of success, taking intentional action, managing distractions, and overcoming internal and external obstacles that lead to mediocrity. Emphasizing relationships, mentors, and service to others, Betz shows how long-term fulfillment comes from thoughtful execution rather than reckless speed.

Each chapter combines real-world examples with reflection exercises, takeaways, and action steps, making the book both practical and introspective. Ultimately, The Second Mouse Gets the Cheese is a roadmap for professionals who want sustainable success on their own terms, proving it’s never too late to learn, adapt, and win wisely.

SARAH BRANSON

A PIRATES PACT

Two brothers, a hidden secret, and an adventure of a lifetime.

On the pirate island of Bosch, almost eleven-year-old twins Kik and Mac are facing a storm of changes. With a father from Edo and a Bosch mother, the brothers navigate the challenges of identity, friendship, and family in their own unique ways.

Mac, daring and mischievous, finds himself in a whirlwind of trouble as he strives to impress new friends. Meanwhile, Kik, quiet and observant, grapples with his heritage and a heartfelt secret he's not ready to share.

When a ball thrown in anger fractures a family heirloom, a hidden piece of a pirate treasure map emerges, setting them on a quest that will shake up their relationship and reshape their understanding of family.

A Pirates' Pact is a tale of friendship, self-discovery, and the enduring strength of family ties. Will Kik's and Mac's pact withstand the challenges ahead? Embark on this middle grade adventure where bonds are forged, secrets are unveiled, and treasures go beyond gold and jewels.

MARC YOUNGQUIST

THE 143RD IN IRAQ

The 143rd in Iraq is a military memoir about a Connecticut Army National Guard Military Police Company that deployed to Baghdad in 2003/2004. A story of service, sacrifice, bravery, and military insanity that only the Army could come up with. From training up at Fort Drum New York in 38 degrees below zero winter to issuing 45 Mark 19 grenade launchers with no ammunition. In spite of it all, the mission was accomplished.

ERICA SUMMERS

VANITY KILLS

Haunted by his tragic past, Jack LeBlanc, a heavily scarred introvert, finds himself volunteering for the clinical trial of a miraculous new tissue-regeneration drug nicknamed Obsidian. Jack and the other test subjects soon discover that the medication is not what was promised. They’re about to find out the hard way that the pills have nightmarish consequences and that Jack’s pained conscience isn’t the only thing with teeth.

With every pill taken, one thing becomes more clear: the path to perfection will be paved with gore. From the author behind Bad God's Tower, Writhe, and Mantis comes a truly unsettling, Cronenberg-style body horror novel that will make your skin crawl and have you questioning every pill you take.

FRANK T. JODAITIS

HAIL AND FAREWELL

Written in the first person and with a strong annotated historical and political background, "Hale and Farewell: A Vietnam Era Memoir" is a deeply personal and emotional journey of a patriotic soldier who served through the social maelstrom and political upheaval that accompanied the Vietnam Era. His ideals, ambitions, perseverance, traumatic heartbreaks, and abandonment carry the reader back in time in his deeply personal reflection of American history.

JOSEPH BRIGANTI

MORAL DEMISE

Jack, Benny and Charlotte are best friends with a mission to find excitement in their sleepy town of Greensville. The adventure-seeking trio stumble upon something that piques their interest. Grabbing surveillance gear, they begin their own investigation, unaware that they are being watched. But this time, they end up going too far.

KAITLYN AND MEGAN MCBRYDE

WONDERFULLY MADE

Wonderfully Made is a story about two sisters who come from an interracial family. With parents whose skin color doesn't quite look like theirs, these two girls navigate social situations and learn to feel confident in who they are and the family that they love.

HAIGHT/ROBINSON

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved In. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly

known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the DMS enters into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Follow along with Fairday and her friends, as spooky meets lovely in this twisting tale of dark secrets and hidden pasts.

CALEB RAND

NEVER ALONE

Caleb Rand's book, Never Alone, was inspired by his own experience with bullying. That firsthand encounter showed him how much damage bullying can do. Wanting to bring attention to the issue and offer hope, he wrote Never Alone as a 6th grade student. The main character, Jeff, deals with the emotional and psychological effects of constant bullying. The story shows Jeff's hopelessness and isolation, capturing the inner struggles of someone who feels completely alone and unable to cope. But then, something changes: Jeff starts to see the power of kindness. These small acts of compassion make a difference, helping to counter the negativity he's faced. Through these interactions, Jeff learns that even in tough times, he's not alone. The book highlights the importance of support from his community. Never Alone reminds us that empathy and kindness can overcome challenges and help those who feel vulnerable find a sense of belonging.

HEIDI ROCHA RDH

TOOTH BRUSHING WITH MAGGIE & MOMMY

How do you get your kids to brush their teeth AND do it correctly? Well, you start by reading them a cute book that is loaded with toothbrushing tips & tricks. One that is written by a pediatric dental hygienist so you know it’s good!

Discover the secret to sparkly smiles in Toothbrushing with Maggie & Mommy, book 1 in the Sparkly Smiles Series.

Embark on an educational adventure with Maggie as she and her classmates learn an important lesson. Toothbrushing with Maggie & Mommy is a delightful children's book that makes toothbrushing fun. This educational tale follows Maggie, her Mommy and their friend Dino, as they teach the children at Miss Patty’s Preschool about the importance of toothbrushing and how to do it properly.

PETER MARZANO

LITANY OF SORROWS

MKarl von Richter, a handsome young man with a dark past and a sinister future, is injured while skiing in the Italian Alps. He falls in love with Katrina Amorino, his dark-haired, blue-eyed nurse. Unaware Germany is preparing for war, Katrina naïvely moves to his home; but before she arrives, Karl joins the SS and begins implementing Hitler's deadly Final Solution, exterminating the Jews and other "deplorables." At the end of the war, SS Officer Karl heads home to find his parents dead, and Katrina and their young son missing. As he searches for Katrina, Karl's conscience reawakens, revealing dark truths. Meanwhile, Katrina, hiding in fear, agonizes over her impetuous decisions that have become a litany of sorrows that haunts her for decades to come.

ODESSA ALBA

THE BILLIONAIRES ASSISTANT

The Billionaire's Assistant synopsis: Hindered by a broken arm, Eric Salko’s life is upended when the VP of his firm hires him a temporary new assistant. But the moment his stunning new employee steps foot in his palatial Greenwich, Connecticut estate, all bets are off. The Billionaire's Assistant sizzles with smoldering heat, opulence, and contains a heartwarming HEA.

ANIA M JASTREBOFF M.D, PH.D

OPRAH WINFREY

YOUR HEALTH, YOUR WEIGHT, AND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE FREE

For her entire adult life, Oprah Winfrey has struggled with her weight. She never thought in her lifetime, medicines would provide hope, health, and healing for people like her. But as her conversations with Dr. Ania Jastreboff from the Yale School of Medicine reveal, we’ve learned that having obesity is not a choice. It’s not a question of willpower.

AMANDA FEE

FROGS HAVE FEELINGS TOO

It is okay to have feelings, because everyone does!

Follow Fred the frog on his journey with his feelings. Watch him navigate his good days, his bad days, and all the ones in between. Imagine yourself in Fred's shoes, do you think you could manage your feelings too?

ADAM WALLENTA

PUNK TACO

Punk Taco is a lovable, space taco who rocks out with his band of misfits spreading peace and love through music to every corner of the universe...but it also tends to land them in a heap of trouble. Whether they’re helping those in need, making new friends, or standing up against impossible odds, Punk Taco and his band always hit the right notes.

ARCHER ATWOOD

MOONLIGHT MEADOW

What will happen when the Fae that rule the seasons find each other? Balance or chaos?

Diana was ready to break up with her boring boyfriend until they received an invitation to a party at a country estate. Why not wait till after? Her decision would prove to be life-changing when the mysterious and sexy host snares her gaze and conjures up new feelings, or were they very old feelings that went to sleep when her life did? Unable to resist, she allows him to introduce her to his odd and at times scary world that she only believed existed in fairytales and myths. Even though every fiber of her being tells her to run in the opposite direction, her deep desire to learn why she is having such a strong attraction to him wins out. Who is he really?

TIMOTHY CRAIG

THE SECOND

Kyle Casselman’s life is split into before and after. A car crash leaves him waking up in a hospital bed with fractured memories, a critically injured father, and a mountain of questions about the night that changed everything. Struggling with his recovery, Kyle wrestles with the absence of his mother, who left years ago without explanation, and a newfound fear of losing the one parent who’s always been his anchor.

Music, once a joyful bond between Kyle and his dad, becomes both a refuge and a painful echo of the past. Thankfully, Kyle doesn’t have to face the silence alone. His irreverent best friend Cash, loyal and level-headed Ryley, and the enigmatic Tessa—whose understanding runs deeper than Kyle expects—offer him the support he desperately needs as he confronts the wounds of his family and his own uncertain future.

As Kyle navigates grief, guilt, and the challenges of teenage life, he must confront the shadows of his broken family and find the strength to redefine what family truly means.

ELISSA BASS

PLEASE WAIT TO CROSS

At 18, Elizabeth “Bitty” Rhinehart leaves her suburban Boston family home, bound for college in the Midwest. Forty years later, her sister in crisis, Bitty returns to Cape Cod, and ends up rebooting her own life. She quits her high-pressure CFO job, insists that everyone calls her Beth, and becomes a school crossing guard.

Chief Mike Ponce rises quickly through the ranks of his hometown police department on the Cape, but being in charge isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Now in his mid-50s, twice divorced, adrift and dissatisfied, he begins to accept the idea that he'll be alone for the rest of his life.

What happens when two successful people who think they have it all figured out learn that, in fact, they don't?

JACQUELINE FORD

THE COURAGE TO TELL

What happens when one small voice finds the courage to speak?

Rebecca loves animals and believes every creature deserves kindness. When a new neighbor named Addie moves in with her dog Lily, Rebecca quickly notices things others might miss: a chain tied too tight, an empty water bowl, and a friend carrying worries much too big for her heart.

As their friendship grows, Addie shares the struggles happening inside her home. With compassion and courage, Rebecca helps her find the strength to tell someone who can help.
Soon, caring adults and community helpers step in, showing that speaking up can bring safety, healing, and hope — not only for Addie, but for Lily too.
The Courage to Tell is a tender and powerful story about friendship, bravery, and the helpers who step forward when children need them most.
Because sometimes the smallest voice can make the biggest difference.

And sometimes the bravest thing a child can do… is tell their story.

CORBIN KIME

THE WARD OF EXILES

Osirys was never never meant for motherhood. Pregnant, abused, and overwhelmed by circumstance, she takes drastic measures and finds herself far from everything - and everyone - she ever knew. She is a Harbinger, brought to a fantastic, magical world split in two by the impassable, world-shaping Virdi River. On one shore, a politically rich society struggles with corruption and cruelty. On the other, the ruins of an ancient empire linger, the evil that destroyed it long ago held at bay by the magic of the wild Virdi. As history seeks to repeat itself, it is a fight against fate for Osirys. Chosen by Pandemonium, Archfiend of Chaos, for her flaws - and preserved by the Mystic demigods, the Muses, for her potential, she embarks on a journey through a dangerous and unforgiving land to save or condemn all of reality. Along the way, she hopes to find the strength and willpower she needs to face and overcome the challenges of the familiar world she came from.

BOB CRELIN

FACES OF THE MOON

“A completely unique book” as recommended by the National Science Teachers of America. Faces of the Moon by Branford author Bob Crelin invites readers to experience the changing phases of the Moon as they turn the pages. An engaging lesson that reads like a bedtime story this book features innovative die-cuts, beautiful illustrations and playful poetry to introduce the names and shapes of the lunar phases, and the role light and shadow play in this transformation. For young readers 6-10 -and Moon lovers of all ages.

CHRISTOPHER D. ABBOTT

THE TIGER’S CLAW

Not all the myths of monsters lurking in the dark are just stories. When Doctor Watson first took rooms with Sherlock Holmes at 221b Baker Street, he found himself embroiled in a world of crime and intrigue he could barely comprehend.

One year on, Watson’s now confident about assisting the detective, no matter how macabre the case might be. So when a young coalman from the Yorkshire Moors appears at their door, begging for help to locate his beloved sister who disappeared two days before under mysterious circumstances, Holmes and Watson can barely contain their excitement. But that enthusiasm soon turns to horror when Holmes uncovers the enigma of the tiger's claws—and places them both in the sights of a murderous madman.

ARIEL RAE

BLOOD HUNTED

A dark and smoldering reluctant allies romantasy.

Scarlet earned her title of Fae Slayer, but despite the amount of bodies in her wake, she has no leads on where to find the Fae king. In the aftermath of the Fae invasion, she has three rules for her survival:

Never negotiate.

Never trust a pretty face.

Never tell anyone how she started the apocalypse.

After one of her hunts, she’s cornered by an assassin hired by the Fae king himself. Voss is a Blood Hunter, and he knows Scarlet opened the Fae door, making her the only human capable of ending the king’s rule. He has a proposition: an alliance to kill the king.

Knowing her identity gives Voss the upper hand, and she has no choice but to accept. With two of her rules broken, can she trust the assassin if it means getting revenge?

A dark dystopian romantic trilogy you can’t miss.

SALLY E. BAHNER

THE ART OF RAISING A KITTEN

Starting with the expectant mom, “The Art of Raising a Kitten” takes you through the week-by-week milestones of kitten development. There’s an emphasis on socialization as the foundation for the purrfect relationship with your kitten.

With a focus on the kinder and gentler aspect of integrative care, the book explores choices based on the lifestyle of the kitten. For instance, the number and frequency of vaccinations depends on that lifestyle – inside vs. outside and likelihood of exposure – rather than rote determination.

The importance of quality nutrition is also discussed, along with health challenges that may be encountered.

JERRY AUGUSTINE

VIETNAM BEYOND

"Vietnam Beyond" is not only a photographic accounting of a soldier's time while serving in a front-line unit in the infantry; it is a study of human nature. When rank has its' privileges, not only in the military, but in civilian life as well, you will learn how a person with "power' will use this power to his advantage over someone at his most vulnerable time in their life. You will read how officers and sergeants use their rank to their benefit. You will also learn how attorneys and even a senator used the legal system to their advantage when having control over someone when he is most vulnerable.

For a signed copy email Jerry at gasser41@att.net

MAAYAN HAREL-SIBELMAN

FOREVER DARKNESS

This chilling collection of horror short stories and poems explores the darkest corners of the human mind. From psychological terror and dystopian despair to supernatural forces and cosmic dread, each piece delves into a unique realm of fear. Twisted realities and unsettling encounters blur the lines between sanity and madness, the real and the imagined. Whether confronting the horrors of the unknown or the terrors within, this anthology delivers a spine-tingling journey that will haunt you long after the last page is turned.

KELLY JARVIS

SELKIE MOON

We are all surrounded by darkness. And we are all drawn to the light.

The Orkney Islands north of Scotland are steeped in stories of selkies, seal folk who swim in cold ocean waters and shed their skins to sing and dance on land. One young girl named Isla uses legends of selkie brides to understand her parents’ troubled marriage and navigate her strained relationship with her mother. As Isla comes of age, she confronts the sacred points of transformation found between sea and land, nature and civilization, and past and present, uncovering the key to her identity. Selkie Moon is a novella for all those who believe stories can illuminate the deepest and darkest waters of the human soul.

J. KILLELEA

HIS GRACE'S GOVERNESS

A governess with a secret. A duke with a broken heart. Can love heal their wounds?

Miss Eleanor Clairbridge, at five and twenty, has resigned herself to a life without love. With her family's London townhouse threatened by dwindling finances, she accepts employment as a governess to help support her widowed mother and preserve her cherished childhood home. When Eleanor arrives at Ivy Grange Estate, the last thing she expects to find is a spark of attraction between her and her new employer. Determined not to risk her position, she resolves to keeps her distance. There is more than one reason a romance between them can never be.

JAMES DINAPOLI

THE BELL TOLLS

The Bell Tolls follows FDNY firefighter Tom Sullivan after a devastating line-of-duty injury shatters the life he built in the firehouse and at home. Forced into rehabilitation and an uncertain future, Tom battles physical pain, survivor’s guilt, depression, and the fear of losing his place in the brotherhood that defined him. While his wife Patty and their young sons struggle alongside him, Tom must confront the emotional toll of trauma and the difficult reality that some injuries don’t heal with time alone. Ultimately, Tom learns that recovery isn’t about reclaiming who he once was, but discovering who he was meant to

become. Through resilience, family, and an unexpected new path within the fire service, he finds renewed purpose beyond the flames.

RICHARD J. FRISWELL

MERCHANTS OF DECEIT

Merchants of Deceit is a work of historical fiction, tracing the life and times of 19th century Middletown, Connecticut resident Samuel Russell, who made his fortune in the period 1820-40, smuggling opium into China during the peak period of 19th c. China Trade, when tea, silks and porcelain were in high demand in the West. A combination of historical research of life in Canton, China, during that period—both for Western businessmen and Chinese living under the centuries’-old rule of dynastic emperors—brings these competing forces together to reveal a little-known chapter in American history, an elusive game of cat and mouse that would, in turn, alter the course of world history.

RALENE GOFF

WHAT IS FERGUS

Fergus loves reading about faraway places and writing thrilling stories in his cozy den. But when his best friend Fran invites him to help plan the Highland Fling Festival and Bake Sale, Fergus can’t help but worry...

What if he falls while dancing? What if he messes up the pies? What if no one likes his stories?
While Fran dives into every new activity with enthusiasm, Fergus hangs back—until he stumbles upon a surprising opportunity that just might be the perfect fit. Could this be his moment to shine?
With warmth, gentle humor, and a lovable hero you’ll root for from page one, What if, Fergus is a tender tale about facing fears, sharing your gifts, and finding courage in unexpected places.
For anyone who’s ever asked “what if…”—and needed a little push to find out what happens next.

MARK PERLMAN

THE RELUCTANT SOLDIER

Weaving fact and fiction, the author creates a novel of war, romance, murder, intrigue, and the challenges of racism that spans a century and gives us an unforgettable protagonist. Virgil Lincoln Carpenter (1891-1973), an African American, grows up in the segregated South in a loving but struggling family.

Fate smiles on Virgil when, as a young man, he saves the life of a White banker's daughter. The banker finances Virgil's college education, he moves to New York City, and becomes a professor. When many of his male students leave to join the army as America enters World War One, Virgil feels pressure to enlist and reluctantly joins the famous "Harlem Hellfighters" Regiment. The story follows Virgil and the Hellfighters through the challenges of war in France.

KEN COULSON

THE ARSONIST

Are there any chances left for a man who helped stoke the flames of a global financial meltdown and then reaped the rewards? When Cal Minor strikes bottom—losing his home, career, wonderful wife, and children—redemption appears at the elite Atlas Corp led by the corporate bull, Hank Henleman, who is hell-bent on monetizing the looming global climate catastrophe. An ambitious young prosecutor and the FBI have other ideas and Cal soon finds himself ensnared between them and Henleman’s protectors including the sadistic head of a shadowy paramilitary force, Arik Bane, and his drug-addled #2, John Ryker. Riding the razors edge, The Arsonist brings readers to the brink of calamity in an intriguing, contemporary, and revelatory debut corporate thriller.

BARBARA McCLANE

BLESSED NOT BITTER

A memoir of Barbara McClane's journey who was named by the hospital staff at birth due to her mother's addiction and abandonment. The story reveals a person working through the trauma of mental, physical, and substance abuse and institutional misfortunes. Thus riddled her spirit for decades. Through lessons, upheaval, triumphs, self-discovery, losses, and various support systems, including the foster care system; she was able to view her life as being blessed, not bitter.

JORDAN LOPEZ

LOOKED DOWN UPON

In "Looked Down Upon: The Exiled Kin," we follow the journey of Lucas Ramirez, a teenager who is struggling to find his place in a world that seems to misunderstand him. Born with autism and dealing with poverty, prejudice, and trauma, Lucas feels like an outsider in his own community. His only solace comes from his mother, grandmother, and two friends, Bonnie and Drew.

But everything changes when Lucas discovers the truth about his father's supposed death. Furious and determined to bring his deadbeat father to justice, Lucas embarks on a dangerous mission that takes him on a journey of self-discovery and redemption. Along the way, he grapples with issues of faith, love, and the complexities of family dynamics.

JEN PAYNE

SLEEPING WITH GHOSTS: POEMS & MUSINGS

AN INTIMATE EXPLORATION OF LOVE, MEMORY, AND MEANING. Known for her meditations and musings about our outside world, Branford writer Jen Payne takes readers inside this time…into the heart and mind of a poet, where memories wander, hearts break, and ghosts appear in dreams. Those ghosts — her lovers, soulmates, and muses — reveal themselves slowly, one at a time, in this wistfully reflective, time-traveling memoir.

Readers say Jen Payne is “a master at storytelling who brings us to the realization that the stories she shares are actually ours.” Her poems are “funny, sad, sexy, maddening”

ALLIA ZOBEL NOLAN

HARRIET HURRY-UP AND THE OH-SO-SLOW DAY

Most kids don't like to wait. And Harriet Hurry-Up is no exception. Things like goopy syrup that takes forever to pour, school science projects that take an eternity, and long lines at the supermarket frustrate her no end. This colorful and whimsically rhymed picture book examines why Harriet's impatience gets the better of her most days but is off-the-charts one particular day, and how she slows down with the help of God and her grandma. What's more, little ones learn how living in the moment can change a day

that drags into one full of surprises. As an added bonus, the back of the book lists hints and activities that help parents and caregivers teach patience.

GREG DILLON

THE THIN BLUE LIE

A former FBI agent, now assigned to a federal fugitive task force, discovers FBI misconduct and reports his concerns to his boss, the head of all law enforcement for the state of Connecticut. When Dillon is subsequently removed from the task force, he is reassigned, demoted, harassed at home and work, then threatened with termination. Dillon finally files a federal civil action against his employer, leading to a contentious trial that ultimately involves testimony from renowned forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee and the most famous police whistleblower of all time, former New York city detective Frank Serpico. Even after a major courtroom victory and landmark decision, Dillon realizes retaliation has only just begun.

KIERSTEN SCHIFFER

LOVE FRACTALLY

While working at a camp for kids with disabilities Annie meets Theo, a shaggy-haired nursing student who claims to have seen the afterlife and has returned with one mission: to find her.

According to Theo’s Angel Guide, their futures are inextricably linked, and Annie is about to be pulled into a mystery far greater than herself.

When Theo and Annie are invited on a treasure hunt orchestrated by celestial hands, Annie is forced to confront the impossible—whether she dares to trust in the extraordinary or continue to live in the safe, logical world she knows.

SHANNON WHITE

THE INVISIBLE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR AGING PARENTS

Research shows that a high percentage of adults and aging parents have issues of communication which have been operative for years. The result can be disconnection during a time when it is perhaps most critical. Invisible conversations are those which live up in your head and never come out of your mouth.

This user-friendly book covers dozens of topics, citing studies, real life stories and lists of questions to enter or re-enter the conversations around such issues as: living choices, caregiving, grief, money, legal documents, sibling relationships and much more.

MARY JANE RUFFO

SEA GLASS BEACH

Miranda Roberts abruptly becomes a widow following a tragic accident. Her world is shattered, and she has lost all hope. She closes her heart, choosing to live in the past. While waiting for her new home to be built, Miranda enters into an unwritten contract with Josh Turner, the kind, handsome owner of The Beach Rose Inn on Sisters Island. In exchange for room and board, Miranda agrees to help with redecorating and the daily operations of the inn. Josh suppresses his romantic feelings for Miranda, patiently waiting for her to return his affection. Miranda’s resolve to remain devoted only to her deceased husband wanes as her heart begins to soften toward Josh and his delightful daughter, Ellie. When her new home is completed, Miranda must make a choice. Will she return to the mainland and remain a prisoner of the past, or will she hold onto hope, follow God’s plan, and risk a second chance at love?

KRYS RAYNE

FALLING FOR THE ASSIST

Easton Henley, star center for the Shadow Wolves, has built a career on goals, grit, and barely contained rage—until one explosive incident and a reckless drive cause a devastating accident that shatters his reputation. Suspended from the NHL and sentenced to community service at a small-town animal clinic, he’s forced to work under Dr. Palisade Honors, the woman he spent one unforgettable night with seven years ago.

Palisade has built a careful life around her daughter, Casey, and the clinic she runs, keeping one secret buried: Easton is Casey’s father. As Easton bonds with the hockey-obsessed little girl and shows real commitment to changing his life, the lie between them grows harder to sustain. When a near tragedy turns him into Casey’s hero, Palisade must decide whether to finally tell the truth and risk losing everything or trust that this new version of Easton can handle the family he never knew he had.

JANET LEMOND

DR. ALICE HAMILTON M.D., NEIGHBOR OF WILLIAM GILLETTE

Try to imagine a time in the early 1900s, when safety wasn’t part of the workplace culture. Workers were often seriously injured on the job or even poisoned by the chemicals they used. Dr. Hamilton not only saw sweeping changes in the world of occupational medicine, but instituted many of these changes herself. She was the first female professor at Harvard University, even before women were allowed an education at this institution. As a political and social activist, she did not shirk from difficult and even dangerous conditions. Alice fought alongside the labor unions; she lobbied to pass laws to protect the common people, and she was acclaimed for her medical acumen. She did most of her work in the factories, production mills, and sweatshops of the late 1800s to early-to-mid-1900s. More than any other woman of her time, Alice Hamilton pursued an active and purposeful life.

REGINA KYLE

CLOSE QUARTERS

I left racing for a reason.

But when team owner Jacques LaRue offers me a chance to try to make amends for my best friend’s accident, I find myself back on the circuit hand-holding rookie driver Grady Lewis. We’re miles apart, and not just in age. He’s the sunshine to my grump. The fresh-faced newcomer to my jaded veteran. The friendly free spirit to my solitary recluse.

And if I want to help the man who I put in a wheelchair fund his new charity, I’m stuck being Mr. Sunshine’s race engineer for the rest of the season. The voice in his ear on race days. The link between him and the rest of the team. Which means we’ll be practically joined at the hip.

Strangely, despite our differences, the relationship works, on and off the track. And it’s the off-track part that’s the problem. Sure, we’re hot for each other. I mean, who wouldn’t want Grady? The guy is seriously smoking, with his California surfer boy good looks. But hooking up isn’t just a terrible idea, it’s potential career suicide. For both of us.

And falling in love? Well, that would be a disaster of epic proportions. Every time he goes out on the track, his life is in my hands. The last time I was responsible for someone I cared about, he wound up paralyzed, and I almost drowned myself in a bottle of Jameson. My head is telling me there’s no way I can risk that happening again.

But it seems like my heart has other ideas.

MARY KEATING

RECALIBRATING

“Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck in a bad B-movie, waiting for a new director.”

A memoir in verse, "Recalibrating Gravity" offers a poetic reflection on embracing life’s messiness with humor, grit, and grace—written by Mary Keating, a poet, lawyer, and lifelong disability advocate who became paraplegic at fifteen.

Keating brings readers into life before, during, and after a spinal cord injury. With raw honesty and unexpected wit, she captures what it’s like to find yourself trapped in a world not built for wheelchair users.

This isn’t a polished tale of overcoming—it’s a visceral, funny, and fiercely personal memoir that invites readers to feel each moment: the absurdity, the heartbreak, the faith—and the family that helps her hold it all together.

Her poems don’t tell you about ableism, healthcare failures, or loss—they show you.

"Recalibrating Gravity" is more than a disability memoir. It’s about resilience, identity, and rewriting your own script when the world refuses to hand you a new one.

KEN ENGELMAN

THE LOCAL NONPROFIT MARKETING & FUNDRAISING GUIDE

The Local Nonprofit Marketing & Fundraising Guide: How Small and Community Nonprofits Attract Donors, Recruit Volunteers, and Build Trust is a practical playbook for grassroots and community nonprofits that struggle with limited budgets, small staffs, and low visibility. Drawing from real-world nonprofit experience, the book explains how organizations can use simple, strategic marketing, storytelling, partnerships, and community engagement to grow support. It shows leaders how to attract donors, recruit and retain volunteers, build credibility, and create meaningful relationships with their communities. Rather than relying on expensive campaigns, the guide focuses on creative, low-cost strategies that any nonprofit can implement - from local media outreach and sponsorships to events and volunteer-driven promotion. The core message is that successful nonprofits don’t just ask for donations - they communicate their impact, build trust, and invite the community to become part of their mission.

PAIGE LAWRENCE

GLUTEN FREE GHOULS

Meet the Gobbling Ghouls — six silly, snack-obsessed green monsters who love diving into dumpsters and tipping over trash cans in search of their favorite junk-food treats! But when their unhealthy eating habits start causing some not-so-fun side effects, the Gobbling Ghouls must face the truth: it’s time for a change.

Can Gloppy, Bogey, Teaky, Oafie, Pops, and Bonkers learn to swap junk-food feasts served on garbage can lids for healthy meals around the dinner table? This playful and funny story helps young readers dive into the importance of healthy, balanced eating in a way that's both entertaining and memorable.

MARK BENTZ

SAM AND OTIS

Sam, a hungry bird, tries to eat Otis, a funny worm who is off to The Big Apple Funny Club to tell his jokes.

Although his wit saves Otis from being eaten, the other birds want to eat Sam's new friend.

At The Big Apple Funny Club, Otis is scared to go on. Sam encourages Otis to perform, which saves the audience of worms and him too.

A graphic novel style picture book.

HAL JOHNSON

IMPOSSIBLE HISTORIES

Impossible Histories by Hal Johnson (Macmillan Publishers): Across 1400 years and six continents (sorry, Australia), Impossible Histories examines pivotal moments in history from both sides—what actually happened and what would have happened had one little thing gone differently.

Lisa O’Connor

MY DAD'S IN HEAVEN NOW WHAT?

In My Dad's In Heaven Now What? My Life, My Gift, My Grief, Lisa Notarino O'Connor, a spiritual medium, shares her deeply personal journey through her amazing life, growing up Italian, to struggling with deep grief after the loss of her father. Known for helping others connect with their departed loved ones, Lisa faces her own emotional struggle as she longs to feel the presence of her father again. Through candid reflections and poignant experiences, she explores the limitations of mediumship when it comes to her own family, grappling with the question: Why is it so difficult to connect with those we love most?

This heartfelt narrative offers a rare glimpse into the human side of a medium's life, blending the spiritual with the everyday.

Alongside her story, Lisa provides readers with a grief journal to help them find healing and comfort, whether they believe in the afterlife or simply seek solace in their grief.

My Dad's In Heaven Now What? is a touching exploration of love, loss, and the eternal bond that connects us to those we have lost.

KRISTEN FERENCZ

WADE IS AFRAID TO SWIM

Sea Otter Tales: Wade is Afraid to Swim, written by Kristen Ferencz, is a story about friendship and overcoming fears. Kristen is a local author from Seymour, CT who also works as a chemist and a swim instructor. The main inspiration of the story came from two of her youngest students who happened to be friends and were both afraid to swim. Several techniques that were used to help them overcome their fears are highlighted in the book. Both Kristen’s teaching style and reactions from her students as they progressed are seen throughout the book.

CHRIS HEMMINGWAY

THE DAY THE BULL LIVED AND OTHER POEMS

The Day The Bull Lived is Hemingway's first book of poetry. It is a book of poetry about life. Written in a continuous flow of stream-of-consciousness prose, Hemingway delves into the heart and soul of what it means to be human. He writes about loneliness, loss, love, passion, desire, and, most of all, hope.

LISA HUGHES

WHO AM I

Who Am I? is a foundational book that takes you on a journey of self -discovery. Along the way, you begin to remember that this life is very much an inside job, one that is brave and introspective. It explores how easy it is to place your worth alongside things and achievements but coming home to yourself is proven to always be the remedy.

MARIA BRIGANTI

ORANGE TEDDY

At a lively county fair, a little orange teddy bear finds his forever home.

Through childhood adventures, growing up, and all of the changes life brings, Orange Teddy is always there - worn from love and carefully mended along the way. As the years pass, he becomes a gentle reminder that the things we cherish most never truly leave us.

This heartwarming story celebrates the special treasures we hold close, the memories that stay with us, and the love that never fades. Because sometimes the smallest things carry the biggest pieces of our hearts.

Perfect for children, parents and grandparents alike, Orange Teddy is a touching story about love, memories, and comfort of a friend who stays with us through every stage of life.

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