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SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP by Christophe Glasl

SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP -A no-holds barred account of life in the elite police Special Operations Group, high on danger and adrenalin.Chris Glasl joined Victoria Police at nineteen, with one aim in mind: to become a member of the Special Operations Group. Ultra-fit and highly trained, the SOG are called to the most dangerous missions: hostage situations, gunmen on the loose and risky mobile intercepts.After going through an incredibly gruelling elimination process, Chris joined the SOG in 1994, thinking he was becoming part of a unit that was untouchable, indestructible and bonded so closely together they were a brotherhood like no other. He didn't find that brotherhood.Instead, Chris experienced a unit rife with bullying, lies and betrayal. In combination with the dangerous missions they undertook and the pressure he experienced in each one, Chris needed a release valve, and he found it by taking drugs. It was the only way to switch off the adrenalin, to sleep at night, to get through his days. And those days involved fatal shootings, a triple murder, a 100-million-dollar drug bust and the Port Arthur massacre, to name just a few.This is the ultimate insider account of what it takes to be one of the toughest police officers in the world, and the price it demands. It's a white-knuckle ride that you will never forget.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:
About Special Operations Group and his inspiration — how rehab journaling and unresolved trauma led Chris to tell his story.
Life inside the SOG — the reality behind the elite image, from tight teamwork in the field to bullying and toxic culture behind the scenes.
The cost of silence — how addiction, mental health struggles, and lack of support nearly destroyed him.
Standing up — the controversy, censorship, and determination to reclaim and republish his book.
A message of resilience — urging others in high-pressure roles to seek help, speak up, and prioritize mental health.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christophe Glasl joined Victoria Police at nineteen with one goal—to become part of the Special Operations Group. After completing one of the toughest training programs in law enforcement, he served in the unit from 1994 to 1998. He now shares his experiences to shed light on the realities and pressures of serving in an elite police unit.
To learn more about Christophe’s story, check out his book Special Operations Group, available through major booksellers.
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WEDDING PLANNING by Kathy Forbes

Wedding Planning: Five Easy Steps & The Secret to Pull it Together
Everything you need to know to plan your perfect unique wedding. This is not your typical wedding planning book. Chapter titles alone will tell you what needs to be done, and the subtitles break it down further. The book includes tips, advice, stories, templates, and notebook to keep track of everything.All the other books, magazine articles, Instagram and Pinterest timeline posts state on the "day of" to have a good breakfast. They don't mention the people that take care of all the duties and tasks throughout the day so you can be VIP guests at your own wedding.The five easy steps and how they relate to each other is the foundation of this book, which will make sure you have an educational, memorable, stressless, wonderful experience throughout the whole process.The secret is having a planned schedule that catches everything, and a specific person in charge on the "day of" that pulls it off while you enjoy with the guests. Let me show you how to perfect your wedding planning experience. Waiting to your wedding day is just too late to realize the importance of this thought process and having a specific/special go-to-person working the "day of" on your behalf.You will enjoy the days up to the wedding as much as the day itself, as this book helps make it all come true.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
How to Create a Stress-Free Wedding – Why having one dedicated person in charge can make or break the day.
The Five Essential Steps of Wedding Planning – A practical breakdown of budget, timeline, schedule, tasks, and assignments.
Delegation Without Drama – How couples can share responsibilities and keep the peace with friends and family.
Avoiding Day-Of Disasters – Common wedding mishaps and how to prevent them before they happen.
From Planning to Partnership – What wedding prep can teach couples about communication, compromise, and teamwork.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathy Forbes knew that her youngest daughter was going to be engaged soon, so she enrolled at BCIT and earned her wedding and event planning credentials in 2005. She changed careers from corporate sales analyst to something that brings meaning and joy to her life every day. In no time, she put it to good use: one daughter married in 2006 and the other in 2007.
She retired in 2020 but continued to expand her world. Kathy is an artist in several mediums, styles, and subjects, as well as a miniature hobbyist—both passions stemming from a desire to preserve and share meaningful memories. She travels, gardens, and enjoys reading and self-education, constantly expanding her world by trying new experiences. Her latest adventure was a silversmith ring class, which she invited her granddaughter to join.
Kathy wrote this book as both a personal keepsake and an educational reference to help others. Her goal is to make planning a wedding a wonderful experience. 
Her life’s motto is: be interested and interesting.
Learn more about Kathy Forbes and her work at  www.anewpaigeevent.com
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WASP OIL by AG Flitcher

WASP OILIndependently Published 2025ISBN: 978-1999410872
Not long after Chelsea Tygrah left her mark on Halburton, the city became encompassed by an electric, heavy, pulsating power, embracing and encouraging unprecedented anger in everyone it could get its gnarly grip on. Through a strange orange light following everyone’s move, a creature emerged with its own anger, casting its mark on the bravest ones who would dare defy it.BUY LINK
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Origins and themes of Black Rose Cocoon and Wasp Oil – How the sequel builds on the first book’s exploration of crime and horror, with a focus on emotional and psychological transformation rather than just detective work.
Character development of Rosaria Castilla – Her evolution from a by-the-book detective to someone confronting trauma, blurred memories, and the “goods and evils of anger.”
Inspiration and personal experiences – Flitcher’s injury at the zoo, therapy, and emotional healing as catalysts for the story’s darker tone and introspective horror.
Creative structure and stylistic choices – Use of the fictional city of Halberton, a background true-crime radio show, chaotic pacing, and psychological disorientation to immerse readers.
Future projects and overarching messages – Discussion of the upcoming novel Dead Mirror’s Follow, the continuation of Halberton’s universe, and the broader human themes of anger, fear, and self-awareness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
AG Flitcher is a twelve-time award-winning author who placed in the finals twice for Fantasy Series, first place for horror -serial killer novel, and for independent Fantasy novels . In addition, he has taught the art of storytelling to many novice writers and avid readers. His obsession with questioning the good and bad in life, the grey areas, and the tethering and frantic metronome of life and death, is what makes his work enthralling, confounding, and colorful. Fear has become a powerful aphrodisiac for him, making it a haunting yet delectable component in his stories. Fear is not what scares us, it's what follows when we respond to it.
To learn more about AG Flitcher and his work, follow him on social media through the links listed below:
Facebook: Facebook 
X(Twitter):  AG Flitcher (@agflitcher) / X
Instagram: Instagram 
Tiktok: Andre (@agflitcher) | TikTok 
YouTube: AG Flitcher - YouTube 

CHARLOTTE: A YELLOWSTONE WOLF PUP by Celia Straus

In the heart of Yellowstone National Park, little Charlotte the wolf pup dreams of chasing grasshoppers and dancing through meadows — not tracking prey or following rules like the rest of the pack.But when danger threatens her family and the powerful Alpha Queen, Charlotte’s mother and leader of the pack, it’s up to this free-spirited pup to race for help and prove that being different can be a strength.A heartwarming tale of courage, loyalty, and finding your place in the world, CHARLOTTE, A YELLOWSTONE WOLF PUP is a celebration of individuality and the unbreakable bonds of family. Perfect for children of all ages — and their grown-ups too.
A portion of proceeds from this book supports wolf conservation efforts through The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Wolf Conservation Center.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Inspiration and purpose – Celia’s framework of choosing endangered animals, tying each book to a grandchild, and supporting conservation.
Story and themes – Charlotte’s journey of independence versus belonging, and the lessons for kids about individuality and family.
Research and authenticity – How Celia studied wolves and balanced realism with age-appropriate storytelling.
Illustrations and collaboration – Working with Maria Hahn, capturing Yellowstone accurately, and adding interactive coloring pages.
Takeaway for young readers – Charlotte as a relatable, brave, and lovable character, and what Celia hopes children remember after closing the book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Celia Straus has written hundreds of shows for television and film throughout her career, and most recently, she is proud to have received an Emmy nomination for Kids Speak Out, a YouTube series created in partnership with the United Nations that features conversations with children worldwide about their lives. Her work has earned her Cine Golden Eagles and industrial film festival gold and silver awards, as she has served as a script-writer for numerous networks including Discovery, History Channel, and PBS.
For five years, from 2012 to 2017, Straus created and wrote the Emmy Award Winning Memorial Day Concert that was broadcast nationally on PBS. She also had the honor of creating and writing the Anti-Defamation League’s Concert Against Hate, which was performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for several years.
In addition to her television and film work, Straus has authored several books on different topics. Her poetry trilogy for middle school girls, including the national bestseller Prayers On My Pillow, was published by Ballantine Books in 1998. On military topics, she wrote Hidden Battles on Unseen Fronts: Stories of American Soldiers with PTSD and TBI, published by Casemate in 2009, and Pathfinder Pioneer: The Memoir of a WWII Bomber Pilot, published by Casemate in 2017.
Her passion for storytelling extends to children’s literature, and she has collaborated with various illustrators to create children’s picture books, such as the three BoBo and Iris books about an orphaned baby elephant in Kenya, Livy Little Honey Bee, and Sophie, the Monarch Butterfly, Mission to Mexico.
Straus currently resides in Washington, D.C. but travels frequently to see her two daughters and gorgeous grandchildren, who are the apple of her eye.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CELIA STRAUS AND HER WORK AT: https://www.celiastraus.com/ 
 

UNFORGIVING THRESHOLDS by Don Trudeau

UNFORGIVING THRESHOLDS - Given that Mother Nature tends to correct unfavourable exceptions of the whole, then change is in order, soon to come. The unforgiving threshold of positive and negative energy is also one step away in front of us. In overview are the culmination of unforgiving thresholds that humankind has caused. These thresholds are like the stone in the pond, producing ripples that ever expand outwards, reaching into unstoppable. All thresholds will collapse together as one.
Some readers will agree, then read again; some will give consideration and read again several times. Naysayers set the book aside until the declarations become everyday topics, then read again. To those in denial: close the book, it's not for you.
 
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Inspiration and meaning behind Unforgiving Thresholds – Don Trudeau explains how carbon credits, salmon, and beavers sparked his reflections on ecological thresholds and humanity’s imbalance with nature.
Environmental imbalance and consequences – Discussion of overproduction, waste, species decline, deforestation, and how humanity has stepped outside of balance with the natural world.
Energy and interconnectedness – Exploration of energy as a unifying force among all life, how it circulates, and the First Nations perspective of “all my relations.”
Personal health and lifestyle thresholds – Reflections on obesity, inactivity, addiction, and self-abuse, connecting personal choices to broader survival and societal collapse themes.
Future survival, writing, and preparedness – Insights on his upcoming books, survival knowledge, stockpiling resources, and simple steps individuals can take to restore balance and prepare for harder times.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Taught observance as a child and practised until becoming an Elder, Don Trudeau has, for seventy-two years, witnessed the changes on wildlife, climate, economy, health, weather, catastrophic land events, and conveniences which changed our interaction with the planet. Today he sees that we are on the very brink of disaster, and he has come to understand that threshold has two meanings. One is to begin, the other to end. He is a Shaman in First Nation depiction and has been on the cusp of change since six years old until now, aged seventy-eight. Some of what he has witnessed is described herein, to give warning, as is one of his Shaman duties, to bring awareness of what approaches.
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT DON TRUDEAU AND HIS WORK AT: https://dontrudeau.ca/ 

MY WINGMAN by Tessa King

MY WINGMAN
Life had never been easy for Clover. With the loss of her mother at birth and her grandmother's descent into dementia, she felt like she was constantly dodging curveballs. But nothing could have prepared her for the devastating heartbreak of losing her best friend and soulmate, Elliot. Crushed by grief, Clover is encouraged by her rebellious friend Reese to escape to an enchanting town where coffee flows freely and friendships spark like fireworks. Here, she meets Sadie, a kind single mom, and reconnects with Everett, the charming brother of her late friend. As she navigates unexpected connections and is haunted by ghostly glimpses of Elliot, Clover must decide whether to hold on to the past or take a leap of faith towards a new future. Join Clover on her journey of healing and rediscovering love, because sometimes the best wingman is the one that stirs your soul. Let Clover's story touch your heart and inspire you to find your own courage in the face of loss and new beginnings.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
The inspiration behind My Wingman and how personal challenges led Tessa to writing
Themes of grief, healing, faith, and transformation woven throughout the story
Clover’s relationships with Elliot, Everett, and her new community as sources of growth and support
Tessa’s writing process, including shifting timelines and character development
The debut publishing journey, reader feedback, and a sneak peek at what’s next
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tessa King is an emerging author whose debut novel, My Wingman, explores themes of courage and the journey of rediscovering happiness after grief. With a professional background in laboratory science, Tessa brings a unique perspective to her storytelling and enjoys analyzing rich, emotional narratives. When she isn't writing, you can find her supporting her husband at the dragstrip, indulging in her passion for coffee and books, or enjoying quality time with her beloved German Shepherd, Preacher. Residing in the Midwest, she admits to having a terrible green thumb and is still mastering the art of knitting. However, she shines in the art of sarcasm and delights in baking sweet treats. A devoted Detroit Lions fan, Tessa embraces life with humor and heart, inviting readers to join her on her literary adventures.
CONNECT WITH TESSA KING!
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/tessaking
Website: https://www.tessa-king.com
Social Handles:
https://www.facebook.com/tessakingwriteshttps://www.instagram.com/tessakingwriteshttps://www.tiktok.com/@tessakingwritehttps://www.goodreads.com/tessakinghttps://www.bookbub.com/authors/tessa-king
 

ASPASIA by Florence Wetzel

ASPASIA
A peaceful mountain village in 1990s Crete. Katerina is an American who lives a tranquil life with her husband Dimitris and their daughter Aspasia. But when Dimitris leaves to work on a cargo ship, a terrible secret shatters Katerina’s world. Suddenly, life in the village turns claustrophobic, threatening both Aspasia’s safety and Katerina’s sanity.Drawing inspiration from Sophocles' timeless play Antigone, Aspasia is a gripping tale of two shocking crimes. The novel delves into the depths of a mother's love and the extraordinary lengths one woman will go to safeguard her child.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
The story and inspiration behind Aspasia – including Florence’s time in Crete, the “village secret,” and how another novel influenced her to give her character a different kind of ending.
The meaning of the name Aspasia – its personal, historical, and symbolic significance, and why she chose it for the book.
Katerina’s perspective as an outsider and a mother – her integration into village life, her strength and vulnerability, and how she reacts differently from the community.
Themes of secrets, silence, and power – including the role of Christos, how fear and routine shift after the secret is revealed, and the tension between what’s spoken and unspoken.
Florence’s writing journey – revisiting a book she began 30 years ago, the evolution of publishing/self-publishing, trigger warnings, and what projects she has coming up next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Florence Wetzel was born in Brooklyn, NY. She writes in different genres, including the memoir Sara My Sara: A Memoir of Friendship and Loss. Her novels include the thriller The Woman Who Went Overboard; the Swedish mystery The Grand Man; and Dashiki: A Cozy Mystery. She has also authored horror short stories, a book of poems and memoir essays, and co-authored jazz clarinetist Perry Robinson’s autobiography. Aspasia is her latest novel, published in July 2025. 
You can learn more about Florence Wetzel and her work at https://linktr.ee/FlorenceWetzel
 

SWITCH by Lisa Towles

SWITCH
Mari Ellwyn and Derek Abernathy return to track a string of unsettling bank robberies. Their case takes a dark turn with the bizarre disappearance of a body from the local morgue, a mystery connected to the vanishing of the previous Medical Examiner, Dr. Camille Bota. Their investigation plunges them into the dangerous world of a multi-national organization involved in suspected fraud and fringe technology research. For Mari, the case ignites a personal quest, forcing her to confront the long-unresolved disappearance of her father, CIA operative Richard Ellwyn.The deeper she digs, the more Mari realizes that both she and her father are inextricably linked to their lifelong nemesis, the notorious international crime boss Jacques Martel. The missing body and the secrets surrounding Dr. Bota become entangled with her father's shadowy past and Martel's deadly machinations. In a high-stakes collision of family secrets and criminal enterprise, Mari must confront her father and their shared enemy before they both become casualties in Martel's lethal game.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
The Explosive Finale of Mari & Derek’s Journey – Why Switch brings the trilogy full circle.
Family, Betrayal, and a Deadly Nemesis – Mari’s reunion with her CIA father and showdown with Jacques Martel.
Heists, Missing Bodies & Quantum Secrets – The tangled web of crimes at the heart of Switch.
From Beverly Hills to Spy Gadgets – How real research and tech fuel the authenticity.
Behind the Curtain – Lisa’s writing process, shadowy power themes, and what’s coming next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Towles is an Amazon bestselling, award-winning crime novelist and a passionate speaker on the topics of fiction writing, creativity, and self care. She has 13 crime thrillers in print with a new title, Switch, forthcoming in September 2025. The first two books in her E&A Investigations series, Hot House and Salt Island, were #1 Amazon Kindle bestsellers. She hosts an author interview series on YouTube called Story Impact. She has an MBA in IT Management and works full-time in the tech industry in the San Francisco Bay area.
Learn more at www.lisatowles.com or  linktr.ee/authortowles.