This Category’s Spotlighted Books

Level 3 – Moderate / Teen-Friendly

Featured Book: The Munich Girl by Phyllis Edgerly Ring

Featured Book: The Munich Girl by Phyllis Edgerly Ring

Phyllis Edgerly Ring’s novel, The Munich Girl: A Novel of the Legacies
That Outlast War, explores the enduring effects of a woman’s secret
friendship with Hitler’s mistress, Eva Braun. Phyllis is also the author
of the novel, Snow Fence Road, and of the nonfiction works, Life at
First Sight: Finding the Divine in the Details and With Thine Own Eyes:
Why Imitate the Past When We Can Investigate Reality? She studied plant
sciences and ecology, worked as a nurse, taught English to
kindergartners in China, coordinated programs at a Baha’i conference
center, and returns as often as she can to her childhood home of
Germany.

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Featured Book: Black Velvet by Sal Casamassima

Featured Book: Black Velvet by Sal Casamassima

Sal Casamassima took early retirement from his corporate job and wandered through various pursuits such as coaching his daughter’s softball teams and amateur wine making. During his wanderings in retirement wonderland, Sal constantly annoyed his daughter by expressing his desire to write a mystery novel. In a vain attempt to stop his endless banter, she told hm to put up or shut up by taking on the NaNoWriMo challenge to complete a 50,000-word novel in the month of November. Of course, Sal failed to complete the required word count but was infected by the writing bug and trudged forward to complete his first novel.

His story and characters in his books are set in contemporary society and actual cities where the crime to be solved is grounded in reality and influenced by the societal challenges we all confront in today’s world. His main characters may have their own quirks and personality flaws but they are portrayed as real people that most of us can relate to. Sal begins writing his books without a final script or outline in mind. He has no clue how the mystery will be solved and leaves it to his protagonists to solve the case for him in real time. He is their stenographer and simply types what they are speaking or thinking.

Sal lives in sunny San Diego, the primary locale for his first novel. He takes advantage of this balmy San Diego weather and goes for aimless walks with his Minpin dog, Zuzu (who is portrayed in his books.)

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Featured Book: The Witness by Jordan Standridge

Featured Book: The Witness by Jordan Standridge

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘WOW—what a ride!’” ~Hunter S. Thompson

This has been a quote and sentiment I’ve lived by for nearly three decades now. And to complement it, my lifelong core belief is simple: “How is one to know what they are good at, what they like or don’t like, or what they can do, if they never try and do it?” So I go out and do it.

Having these two main thoughts taking up space in my head has led me on many interesting paths all across North America from central Mexico to Alaska, Maine to Washington, and a few places in Canada… and even into the oceans. Now I’m writing about my real-life experiences while weaving in some fiction so I don’t get sued.

Heavily influenced and intrigued by reading Louis L’Amour growing up, I’ve held dozens of jobs in numerous career fields—on purpose. I’ve held top positions and won numerous awards in a variety of fields over the years as I take pride in my work and have integrity. I’ve worked for years in management, sales, marketing, restaurants, retail, tourism, animal rescue and rehab.

I’m an author, artist, photographer, proofreader, editor, and traveler. I’ve also worked as a dispatcher in law enforcement, and as a bona fide cowgirl in Arizona. I began riding horses at age 4 and have decades working with horses in about every capacity. I’m an absolute animal lover, both wild and domestic.

In the support of others, I’ve been a volunteer and supporter for numerous charities for decades. While my main focus is on protecting all animals and the environment, I’ve been a longtime supporter with Operation Gratitude. (Give them a look… they’re fully legit! I’ve got over 10 years with them!) Giving back is important no matter who it is.

While not on social media, I’d still love and appreciate hearing (positive things) from you! Please send me a note via my website and brighten my day. And while you’re on my website, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter- Join the Family. Of course, online reviews are incredibly appreciated (and needed!) as well. If you like or love my stories, please leave a review telling me why. If you didn’t, you’re excused from class! 🙂

Happy trails,

Jordan

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Free Book: 12/27/2025 Confessions of A Charismatic Christian by Rick Dewhurst

Free Book: 12/27/2025 Confessions of A Charismatic Christian by Rick Dewhurst

A memoir high-lighting a 40-year spiritual journey in the Charismatic Movement, including first-hand accounts of John Wimber's Vineyard, the Kansas City Prophets, MorningStar Ministries, and the Toronto Blessing. A review for those who were there, and a few insights...

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Featured Book: The Munich Girl by Phyllis Edgerly Ring

Featured Book: The Munich Girl by Phyllis Edgerly Ring

Phyllis Edgerly Ring’s novel, The Munich Girl: A Novel of the Legacies
That Outlast War, explores the enduring effects of a woman’s secret
friendship with Hitler’s mistress, Eva Braun. Phyllis is also the author
of the novel, Snow Fence Road, and of the nonfiction works, Life at
First Sight: Finding the Divine in the Details and With Thine Own Eyes:
Why Imitate the Past When We Can Investigate Reality? She studied plant
sciences and ecology, worked as a nurse, taught English to
kindergartners in China, coordinated programs at a Baha’i conference
center, and returns as often as she can to her childhood home of
Germany.

read more
Featured Book: Completely Opposite by Nellie Holloday

Featured Book: Completely Opposite by Nellie Holloday

Later, after the dishes are done and the house falls into that soft, sleepy hush, I step out onto the porch. The air smells like pine and a hint of grilled corn, and somewhere a coyote yips into the night before settling back into silence.
I sink into the porch swing, pulling my knees close, and stare out at the stars. They’re sharp and scattered tonight, like someone flung a handful of diamonds across black velvet.
Emma’s words from earlier echo in my head: “You can’t outrun something that’s already in your heart.”
I think about Maisie’s tearful eyes, the way Jack’s voice cracked just a little when he said don’t leave us, and how his hand brushed mine when he helped clear the table, quick, accidental, but enough to make something deep inside me ache.
I close my eyes, and in the silence, the truth settles heavy and sure.
I want to belong here, more than I should, more than I planned.
But wanting something this much only stirs the fear that surrounds me. And I can’t help wondering… am I strong enough to face it?

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