BookTrib has released its latest Bites feature, spotlighting four new books that delve into crises—whether personal, societal, or spiritual—and the courage required to face their consequences. The featured titles include a Christian middle-grade adventure, a speculative thriller about a surveillance state, a guide to cultivating peace, and a psychological crime thriller.
The first book, The Captain's Clue by Brock Eastman and Shaun Stevenson, is a fast-paced, faith-filled adventure for Christian kids. In the story, parables of Jesus come to life as a storm hits Parable Port, flooding streets with electric eels and causing homes to crumble. Anthony and his friends team up to find Captain David, who may hold the key to saving the town, while a budding podcaster learns about the value of friendship over popularity. Available at https://tinyurl.com/the-captains-clue.
In Ashes of the Republic by James Chesterton, readers are transported to America in 2046, a nation transformed by surveillance technology and an authoritarian government. Former engineer Lily Osbourne, who helped create the monitoring systems, is forced to confront her role as she watches her inventions used against ordinary people. This speculative thriller raises timely questions about power and personal responsibility. Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/ashes-of-the-republic.
The Peace Guidebook: How to Cultivate Hope, Healing, and Harmony for the Good of Humankind by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman offers a practical path toward personal healing and collective change. Inspired by the Percolate Peace Project, the book presents Ten Principles of Peace through reflection, storytelling, and daily practices. It aims to help readers navigate conflict and build relationships rooted in shared values. Available at https://tinyurl.com/the-peace-guidebook.
Finally, The Alpha Trace by J. Mayberry is a psychological crime thriller set in Millbrook Falls, where true-crime podcaster Elena Coleman is found dead with a cryptic symbol left by a decades-old serial killer. Detective James Rios uncovers a web of police corruption and family secrets as more bodies appear. The novel is a tense investigation full of twists. Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/the-alpha-trace.
These four books, each addressing different types of crises and the courage to confront them, offer readers engaging stories that resonate with contemporary issues.
