Brian Longo

Running Scared is a gripping romantic suspense novel by Lisa Jackson, first published in 2000 under her pseudonym Lisa Crofton before being reissued under her own name. Known for her ability to weave intense emotional stakes with chilling thrills, Jackson delivers a story that blends a mother’s fierce protectiveness with a dark mystery rooted in the past. The novel centers on Kate Summers, a single mother who has built a quiet life in the small town of Hopewell, Oregon, with her fifteen-year-old son, Jon. Kate’s world revolves around keeping Jon safe, but she harbors a secret: Jon isn’t biologically hers. Years ago, desperate to escape a shadowy past, she adopted him under murky circumstances, fleeing Boston with a new identity. Now, as Jon begins experiencing strange, almost psychic visions—glimpses of danger and death—Kate’s carefully constructed life starts to unravel. The plot thickens with the arrival of Daegan O’Rourke, a rugged stranger with his own troubled history. Daegan ...

"The Guest List" by Fern Michaels is a captivating novel that blends elements of romance, suspense, and family drama into a compelling narrative. First published in 2000, this standalone work from the prolific #1 New York Times bestselling author showcases her signature style of crafting emotionally rich stories with strong female characters, unexpected twists, and a touch of mystery. The story centers on Abby Mitchell, a young woman who feels she’s finally on the cusp of a bright future. After years of hardship, Abby’s life is turning around: her first book has been accepted by a publisher, a groundbreaking surgery promises to remove the prominent birthmark that has long marred her face, and she’s found a new love interest who sees her for who she truly is. Most importantly, Abby is reunited with her sister, Mallory, from whom she was separated as a child following the tragic deaths of their parents. The sisters’ bond, strained by years apart and a tumultuous past, becomes...

"The Trials of Adeline Turner" by Angela Terry is a delightful and heartwarming women’s fiction novel that blends romance, humor, and self-discovery into a fast-paced, engaging read. Published in 2021, it follows the journey of Adeline Turner, a 33-year-old corporate attorney whose life is defined by stability and routine—until unexpected events shake her out of her comfort zone. Terry, the author of the well-received debut "Charming Falls Apart," crafts a story that resonates with readers who enjoy relatable characters and a mix of lighthearted escapism with deeper emotional undertones. The novel centers on Adeline, a successful lawyer in Chicago who has prioritized her career over her personal life. While her professional world thrives, her romantic and personal aspirations remain unfulfilled, buried beneath the weight of her billable hours. Adeline’s predictable existence takes a turn when a chance airport encounter with her high school crush, paired with a new...

Talmadge Farm is the debut novel by Leo Daughtry, a lifelong North Carolinian whose roots in the tobacco fields of Sampson County inspired this sweeping historical fiction. Set in the 1950s and 1960s, the story unfolds against the backdrop of a changing American South, where tobacco reigns supreme but societal shifts loom on the horizon. Released on June 4, 2024, by Story Merchant Books, the novel has garnered praise for its vivid portrayal of a pivotal era, earning a gold medal in historical fiction at the 2025 Feathered Quill Book Awards and a finalist spot in the 2024 Goethe Awards. The narrative centers on three interconnected families tied to Talmadge Farm, a sprawling tobacco estate in eastern North Carolina. Gordon Talmadge, the wealthy landowner, embodies privilege and detachment, relishing the lavish lifestyle he inherited while leaving the grueling labor to his two sharecroppers—one white, one Black. These tenant families, the Sanders and the Craddocks, toil under harsh con...

"Inanimate Things: Volume One" is a horror anthology edited and contributed to by Stephen Rhoades, an emerging voice in the horror genre. Published in 2024 by Burial Books LLC, this collection brings together a variety of short stories from multiple authors, all centered around a chilling premise: everyday inanimate objects that take on sinister, often deadly, qualities. Rhoades, born in 1977 and hailing from what he describes as "the darkest parts of Alabama," not only curated this anthology but also contributed his own story, "The Ocean at Night," to the mix. The book features tales of terror involving objects like zombie pirates, living toys, medical equipment, and mannequins—items that seem harmless until they reveal their malevolent nature. The anthology has been praised for its creativity and diversity, offering a spectrum of horror that ranges from the absurd to the deeply unsettling. Rhoades’ own contribution, "The Ocean at Night," stan...

"Show, Don’t Tell" is a short story by Curtis Sittenfeld, an acclaimed American author known for her sharp, character-driven narratives. Published in The New Yorker in 2017, the story exemplifies Sittenfeld’s knack for blending humor, social observation, and emotional depth. It centers on a creative writing workshop at a fictional Midwestern university, where the protagonist, an unnamed female graduate student, navigates the dynamics of her peers, her instructor, and her own insecurities. The title nods to the classic writing adage "show, don’t tell," which urges writers to reveal character and emotion through actions and sensory details rather than exposition. Sittenfeld cleverly uses this framework to structure the story itself, immersing readers in the protagonist’s world through vivid scenes rather than over-explaining her inner state. The workshop setting serves as a microcosm of human interaction, filled with subtle power plays, awkward flirtations, and the ...

"Every Tom, Dick & Harry" is the latest novel from Elinor Lipman, a seasoned author celebrated for her witty and heartwarming romantic comedies. Published in February 2025, this book continues Lipman’s tradition of crafting charming narratives filled with quirky characters, sharp dialogue, and a keen eye for the absurdities of small-town life. Set in the fictional town of Harrow, Massachusetts—a stand-in for Northampton, where Lipman lived for many years—the story blends humor, romance, and a touch of mischief, making it a delightful escape for readers. The novel centers on Emma Lewis, a 32-year-old single woman who reluctantly takes over her parents’ estate-sale business, Estate of Mind, as they retire to Cape Cod. Emma is quick-witted and kindhearted, yet she’s at a crossroads, feeling the pressure of societal expectations about career, love, and family that she hasn’t quite met. Her parents leave her their house, along with an unexpected boarder: Frank, a retired hig...