Ten years ago, Olivia Lakewell disappeared on her wedding day—vanishing without a trace outside a sun-drenched Californian chapel. For a decade, she was held captive in a dark underground bunker, subjected to chilling psychological manipulation and psychological terror by a faceless monster who refused to reveal why.
Now, Olivia has escaped. 🏃♀️
But freedom isn’t what she imagined. Her fiancé has moved on, her daughter barely remembers her, and her life—once filled with hope—is a haunting shell of what it was. As she tries to reclaim what’s hers, she’s thrust into a maze of secrets, betrayal, and lingering danger. Who took her? Why was she kept alive? And is the nightmare truly over? 😱
This gripping mystery thriller is a masterclass in psychological suspense, abduction horror, and emotional drama. The Forgotten Bride is a tense psychological crime story that pulls you into the chilling mind games of a captor and the fight of a forgotten woman who refuses to stay buried.
Why I’m including this: Philip Anthony Smith crafts the kind of psychological thriller that gets under your skin and stays there. This isn’t just about the abduction—it’s about what comes after, when freedom feels like another kind of prison. The premise is haunting: a woman returns from captivity only to find her entire life has moved on without her. Smith excels at creating that slow-burn dread and exploring the psychological aftermath of trauma. Perfect for fans of B.A. Paris, Natasha Preston, or anyone who devoured Room and wanted more exploration of what happens after escape. This FREE psychological thriller delivers twists, emotional depth, and the kind of unsettling suspense that keeps you reading late into the night. If you love dark, character-driven thrillers that ask “what if the escape is only the beginning?” this is your next read. 🔐💔
The son of the most dangerous Kingpin in Mexico. 💀
The heir to the throne. 👑
The man that individuals fear the most, next to my father.
According to my father those are things that I should be proud of. I should be proud of my heritage and wear it on my back with honor.
I’ll honor my heritage but I will not honor the path that is set out for me. The life that my father lives is not for me. I will do anything in my power to walk away from that life, and that apparently includes getting married in Vegas after a night of drinking. 🎰💍
She’s beautiful, everything that I have ever wanted, but I can’t have her. Not with the life that I live.
Not with the blood I have on my hands. 🔥
What makes this special: Jocelyne Soto brings authentic cultural depth to the dark mafia/cartel romance genre with this series. The “Flor de Muertos” (Flower of the Dead) title signals this isn’t your typical mafia romance—it’s steeped in Mexican culture, family loyalty, and the complex legacy of cartel life. Soto writes morally gray heroes who struggle against their destinies, and the accidental Vegas marriage trope adds a lighter touch to an otherwise dark premise. Perfect for fans of Cora Reilly’s mafia romances or Sarah Castille’s dark organized crime novels who want to see diverse representation in the genre. This FREE series starter delivers the danger, steam, and emotional conflict that makes dark romance so addictive, with the added layer of cultural authenticity that sets it apart. 🌹🖤
She ruled the city by day… but at midnight, he came to worship, haunt, and unravel her 👑🌙
They call me La Vedova Nera—the Black Widow of the underworld. I rule with iron and fire, no mercy, no weakness. 🔥 In a world built for men, I clawed my way to the top and made them all kneel.
But he never did.
He watches from the shadows. 👁️ A ghost in the night. My stalker. My savior. My obsession.
I don’t know his real name, or what brought him to the Windy City. I only know the darkness in his eyes and the blade he draws for me without question. 🗡️ He’s a stray I never meant to feed, a phantom I never meant to crave. But I’ve let him in—into my world, into my bed, into the corners of my heart I swore I’d lock away forever.
There are secrets in his silence. Lies beneath every stolen touch.
And when the truth comes to light, it might burn everything I’ve built to the ground. 🔥
I’m the queen of this empire. But he just might be the one thing I can’t control. 💋
Here’s why this matters: Alexa Michaels delivers dark mafia romance with a powerful twist—a female crime boss who actually acts like one. The “Dynasty of Queens” series centers women in power positions rather than making them accessories to male antiheroes. The stalker-to-lover dynamic is handled with the kind of dark intensity that fans of this subgenre crave, complete with morally gray characters and dangerous obsession. This is for readers who want their mafia romance DARK—possessive, dangerous, and unapologetically toxic in all the fictional ways that make for addictive reading. Perfect for fans of Natasha Knight, Zoe Blake, or Brenda Rothert’s darker work. If you loved the intensity of Hades and Persephone retellings but want it set in the Chicago underworld with a female kingpin, this FREE series starter is calling your name. 🖤👑
A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life
One recent December, at age 53, John Kralik found his life at a terrible, frightening low: his small law firm was failing; he was struggling through a painful second divorce; he had grown distant from his two older children and was afraid he might lose contact with his young daughter; he was living in a tiny apartment where he froze in the winter and baked in the summer; he was 40 pounds overweight; his girlfriend had just broken up with him; and overall, his dearest life dreams–including hopes of upholding idealistic legal principles and of becoming a judge–seemed to have slipped beyond his reach.
Then, during a desperate walk in the hills on New Year’s Day, John was struck by the belief that his life might become at least tolerable if, instead of focusing on what he didn’t have, he could find some way to be grateful for what he had.
Inspired by a beautiful, simple note his ex-girlfriend had sent to thank him for his Christmas gift, John imagined that he might find a way to feel grateful by writing thank-you notes. To keep himself going, he set himself a goal–come what may–of writing 365 thank-you notes in the coming year.
One by one, day after day, he began to handwrite thank yous–for gifts or kindnesses he’d received from loved ones and coworkers, from past business associates and current foes, from college friends and doctors and store clerks and handymen and neighbors, and anyone, really, absolutely anyone, who’d done him a good turn, however large or small. Immediately after he’d sent his very first notes, significant and surprising benefits began to come John’s way–from financial gain to true friendship, from weight loss to inner peace.
Why I’m including this: John Kralik’s story resonates because it’s so relatable—a middle-aged man whose life has fallen apart in every possible way. What makes this book powerful is its simplicity: no complex self-help framework, no expensive program, just handwritten thank-you notes. Kralik documents his year-long experiment with honesty and humility, showing both the discipline it required and the genuine transformation it brought. This isn’t about magical thinking—it’s about actively changing your perspective and relationships through intentional gratitude. The format is practical enough that readers can replicate it, and the results Kralik experienced (better relationships, business opportunities, personal peace) feel authentic rather than exaggerated. Perfect for anyone going through a difficult time, skeptics of traditional self-help, or anyone who wants to make a meaningful change without spending money or overhauling their entire life. At $2.99, this is one of those books that could genuinely shift your perspective for less than the cost of a latte. 💌✨
A handbook to Thai cooking filled with dishes that can become part of your everyday kitchen repertoire: spicy curry, spring rolls, rice noodles, and more. 🍜🌶️
Now busy home cooks can bring the fantastic flavors of Thai cuisine into the kitchen with a simple trip to the grocery store. Nancie McDermott, experienced cook, teacher, and author of the bestselling cookbook Real Thai, presents this collection of seventy delicious recipes that focus on easy-to-find ingredients and quick cooking methods to whip up traditional Thai.
With recipes like Crying Tiger Grilled Beef, Grilled Shrimp and Scallops with Lemongrass, Sticky Rice with Mangoes, and Thai Iced Tea, along with McDermott’s highly practical array of shortcuts, substitutions, and time-saving techniques, anyone can prepare home-cooked authentic Thai meals—as often as they like. ✨🥢
What caught my attention: Nancie McDermott is THE authority on accessible Thai cooking in America. Her bestselling Real Thai is considered a classic, and this Quick & Easy edition takes her expertise and makes it even more practical for weeknight cooking. What sets McDermott apart is her understanding that most home cooks can’t source obscure ingredients—she focuses on what you can actually find at regular grocery stores a nd provides substitutions that work. Her recipes are authentically flavored but realistically achievable, which is the sweet spot for home cooks who love Thai food but don’t have hours to spend shopping or cooking. The dishes she includes—Crying Tiger Grilled Beef, lemongrass shrimp, mango sticky rice—are restaurant favorites that you CAN make at home. Perfect for Thai food lovers who want to cook at home, busy families looking to expand their weeknight repertoire, or anyone tired of expensive takeout. At $2.99 for 70 recipes from a respected Thai cooking expert, this is extraordinary value. 🇹🇭👩🍳
Whoever said you can’t trust a bird? Just don’t tell that to Sammy and Turkey. 🐦 These two will try their best to show you that you can trust a bird. But can they convince you? Read the book to find out! 😄
About the Sammy Bird Series This is a picture book series about a quirky bird named Sammy and his amusing misadventures with his friend, Turkey. Sammy is a little red bird with a BIG personality. 🎉 The books in this series are light-hearted and engaging. They are interactive stories where Sammy engages in fun and silly conversations with the reader. There are over 200 books in the series and counting! 📚
Why you’ll love this: V. Moua has created something remarkable—a series with over 200 books that kids genuinely love. Sammy Bird has become a beloved character for early readers because of the interactive format where Sammy talks directly to the reader, making kids feel like they’re part of the story. The humor is silly in that perfect way that makes young children giggle, and the interactive element keeps them engaged in a way that passive reading doesn’t. These books are designed specifically for the Pre-K through Grade 1 age group, with simple language that builds confidence in new readers while still being fun. Parents and teachers love the series because kids actually want to read them—and with 200+ books available, there’s no shortage of content once a child connects with Sammy’s personality. At just $1.49, this is perfect for parents building their child’s library, teachers stocking classroom shelves, or anyone looking for engaging early reader books that kids will ask to read again and again. 🌟📖
… See the rest of today ‘s Book Picks here on page 3Page 3