What we’re reading now: new books from local authors

More than 20 locally-published fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks and children's books to read this summer

We may not be able to travel far this summer, but we can still escape into the wonderful world of books. Whether you like cozy mysteries, heartwarming love stories, compelling non-fiction or inspirational guides–here’s nearly two dozen new works to add to your summer reading list. The best part? They’re all from talented local authors.

FICTION

 

“Proof of Life”

By Sheila Lowe

Jessica’s been able to hear voices in her head ever since a devastating car accident five years ago—but is her ability to communicate with the deceased a gift or a curse? She’ll find out as she helps an FBI agent solve the mystery of a missing boy. Paranormal mystery fans, this suspenseful read is for you.

 

 

 

 “Knot of This World”

By Mary Marks

The eighth book in the Camarillo resident’s cozy quilting mystery series knits together yet another case that protagonist and self-appointed detective Martha Rose sets out to solve—this time it’s the murder of a cult leader in Ojai. The page-turner is the perfect blend of suspense, humor and clever storytelling.

 

 

 

“The Price of Fame: A Family Memoir”

By Cathy Simpson

The kind of read you’ll hungrily consume in a single sitting, this fictional memoir about family secrets, regrets and, ultimately, unconditional love was inspired by Cathy’s own love of family and brought to life with a little help from a writing class at the Conejo Valley Adult School in Thousand Oaks.

bit.ly/priceoffamebook

 

 

 

 “Aerovoyant: The Industrial Age”

By P.L. Tavormina

Authored by a former biologist, planetary scientist and local educator, this climate fiction novel takes readers into a world where some people secretly have the ability to see air on a molecular level. The Newbury Park resident felt compelled to write this novel after working with Caltech on the 2015 Porter Ranch gas leak and 2010 BP oil spill.

 

 

 “Luz”

By Debra Thomas

Winner of the Next Generation Indie Book Award, this powerful novel chronicles the dangerous, difficult journey of Alma and her sister as they leave behind their home in Oaxaca, Mexico, to find their missing father in California. It was inspired by the Simi resident’s experiences advocating for immigrant and refugee rights.

debrathomasauthor.com

 

 “Wedding Belles & Beaus”

By RosaLinda Diaz

It’s wedding season in the latest novella in the Newbury Park resident’s School Belles series centered around four firstyear teachers. This sweet, romantic read finds bride-to-be Jade swept away on a surprise getaway to the beach with her fellow teachers and bridesmaids— not, of course, without a little drama.

rosalindadiaz.com

 

 “A Medium Education”

By Erin Huss

In the latest cozy mystery book in this Santa Rosa author’s Lost Souls Lane series, protagonist Zoe Lane helps a ghost find her killer.

erinhuss.com

 

 “Hippie Haven Homocide”

By Sally Carpenter

The Cold War gets cozy in this spy caper/cozy mystery mashup. Follow actress Noelle McNabb as she works with a secret spy agency to solve the murder of a religious cult member in the Moorpark resident’s sixth novel.

sandyfairfaxauthor.com

 

NON-FICTION

 

 “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Laughter Is the Best Medicine”

By Amy Newmark

Blogger January Gordon Ornellas contributed two humorous short stories in this feel-good read, “Almost Taken” and “Gobble Gobble,” the latter of which details the humorous lengths the Moorpark resident went to in order to take a photo after winning a writing contest in the Acorn Newspapers.

chickensoup.com

 

 

 “Malibu Burning: The Real Story Behind LA’s Most Devastating Wildfire”

By Robert Kerbeck

It’s a gripping, painful read—particularly for those affected by the Woolsey fire— but an informative one as well. Robert captures the terror of Malibu residents who watched their neighborhoods erupt in flames, the destruction the 2018 wildfire left in its wake and, perhaps most importantly, the unexpected heroes who fought together to save their community.

robertkerbeck.com

 

 “Fighting Chance”

By Alicia Doyle

Boxing was long considered a man’s sport, but this award-winning Ventura County journalist became one of the few females to enter—and dominate—the industry in the late ’90s. This book details Alicia’s tenacity and drive as she faces her demons in the ring and punches her way to pro boxing status.

aliciadoyle.com

 

 “Mastering the Start: A Step-by-Step Workbook on How to Start a Business”

By Renee Delgado-Rose

This no-nonsense workbook effectively details the ins and outs of starting a business from scratch based on the Moorpark author’s own experiences launching a green paper-printing company in her 20s.

amzn.to/masteringthestart

 

 “Mirrors and Windows”

By Rosie Baker

The first book from this London native and CLU grad draws from the stories of nearly a dozen women, including Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and disability rights activist Judith Heumann, to break down what it takes to not just set goals, but achieve them.

linkedin.com/in/rosie-baker

 

 

 “Tribe of Light”

By Andrea Michal

The upcoming book in this Westlake resident’s trilogy of teaching memoirs centers around spiritual, emotional and physical well-being. The holistic life coach and women’s retreat leader collaborated with over a dozen women to share stories of healing through community to show that beauty emerges when unity and love are intertwined.

encounterthelight.com

 

 

CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS

 

 “The Reluctant Fairy Godmother”

By Kimberly Much and Colette Freedman

Sweet, refreshing and full of heart, this children’s book shares the importance of good deeds through the eyes of a feisty 9-year-old girl who discovers she is actually a fairy godmother in training.

thereluctantfairygodmother.com

 

 “MightyMom”

By Nikki Mark

Working mom Nikki and her son Tommy wrote this uplifting children’s book together before his sudden death at the age of 12. Nikki and her family established the TM23 Foundation in Tommy’s memory. Proceeds from the Westwood resident’s MightyMom series are donated to the foundation.

tm23foundation.org/mightymom-series

 

 “Super Dragon Skater Boy”

By Jim Bates

The professional skateboarder and Newbury Park resident plans to donate at least 300 copies of his upcoming children’s book to kids in need. Like his previous two picture books, “Super Dragon” encourages its readers to believe in themselves and never give up. The book will be available in September.

dragonskateco.com

 

 “My Life With Rosie: A Bond Between Cousins”

By Angela Sadler Williamson

This children’s book about the mother of the civil rights movement was inspired by Rosa Parks’ relationship with her young cousin, Carolyn. It’s an educational story that not only shares Rosa Parks’ immense impact and legacy, but teaches young readers about activism and human rights.

drangelasadlerwilliamson.com

 

 “Sticks and Stones”

By Dianne Beck

This Thousand Oaks resident leans into her own journey as a teacher and a person of faith in this young adult novel about a 15-year-old girl whose faith is challenged when her mother is arrested and she must navigate a new life with her grandmother.

diannebeck.com

 

 

COOKBOOKS

 

 “Flavors of the Valley”

By Chef Robin Goldstein

This “A Taste of Ojai” sequel features more than 60 mouthwatering recipes for using locally sourced ingredients in the kitchen, with Ventura County’s Shangri-La as the centerpiece. Check out this Grilled Beets with Raspberry- Thyme Glaze recipe from Chef Robin!

privatechefrobin.com

 

 “All-Time Favorite Recipes From Southern California Cooks”

This Gooseberry Patch cookbook features beloved, family-favorite dishes from talented SoCal cooks— including a veggie pizza recipe out of Simi Valley and zucchini brownies from Thousand Oaks.

gooseberrypatch.com

 

 

2 responses to “What we’re reading now: new books from local authors”

  1. Danielle says:

    How can I get my book listed?

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