Books by local authors make great holiday gifts. Many of these books will be unknown to the recipients, and readers can discover new authors to read and enjoy.
I don’t have a new book published in 2020 under my name, but here are some books published this year by other Kansas City area authors that I can recommend. These books are in a variety of genres, but there is probably a book or two on this list that will suit one or more of your family or friends this holiday season.
Some of these authors and other Kansas City area writers will be providing winter themed excerpts from their books on the Read Local Kansas City Facebook page this next weekend. So check out this event on Saturday and Sunday.
I’ve listed these books alphabetically by author, so read all the way to the end to find the books that best suit your recipients!
This Borrowed Land, by Beth Lyon Barnett The President of the United States, twenty state attorneys general, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency have declared climate change a hoax. Elin McCracken’s husband and his father agree, but when six-year-old JJ’s life is threatened, Elin must find a way to prove them all wrong.
The Story Between Us, by Darlene Deluca Her agent warned her not to get attached to a fan. But children’s book author Kristen Hanover is about to break the rules. Kristen meets a young boy who is a victim of a tragic accident and is drawn into the heartbreaking situation. Six years ago, Reed Armstrong never imagined he’d actually become guardian of his sister’s boy. Now he is, and most days he’s not sure he’s up to the task. When he and Dylan meet Kristen, Reed downplays his nephew’s crush on the author. But as their lives become unexpectedly intertwined, he finds himself captivated as well. . . .
Blindsided: Essays from the Only Black Woman in the Room, by Dawn Downey How does a black woman maintain her sense of self, when most of her friends are white? In public spaces and private, Dawn Downey is under attack by an onslaught of microaggressions. She struggles to find balance between personal relationships and personal integrity. In the process, she unconsciously takes on characteristics of the privileged. But after a photo of a racist toy shows up in her social media feed, she discovers her black power.
A Chance Worth Taking, by Michelle Grey Straight-laced accountant Hadley Bruce has her life mapped out in meticulous detail. Everything is humming along according to plan until her boss unexpectedly forces her to take a sabbatical. Then her carefree cousin Sophie browbeats her into a trip to the San Juan Mountains. Oh, then there’s the dead body.
Private Investigator Noah Dalton is hired to find out who’s trying to frame his client – wealthy businessman and gubernatorial candidate Miguel Herrera. Noah heads under cover to the quaint town of Ouray Colorado where he meets Hadley, his first suspect. . . .
Poems from a Widow’s Heart, by Sally Jadlow Sally Jadlow kept a daily journal as she walked the last mile in this life with her husband Vic. From her journal come these poems penned during her journey toward widowhood and beyond. She hopes her prayerful poetry will help readers transition through their own grief toward a fulfilling life after painful losses. . . .
Rhapsody, by Jack Kline In 1935, Kansas City detective Phil Morris receives a call from candy heiress Cynthia Stuart. She claims Millbrook Chocolates, her dead father’s business, is hemorrhaging money. In addition, tenants leasing her childhood home believe the old Stuart house is haunted. Cynthia wants Phil and his team to investigate the loss of company funds and odd occurrences at her former home. After her parents were tragically murdered ten years earlier, the police decided Cynthia’s teenage brother killed them and then turned the murder weapon on himself.] “And one more thing,” Cynthia tells Phil: “There is no way my brother killed my parents and then himself… I’ll never believe anything else.” . . .
Dragon Eye, by C.M. Lance Sig is only partially a battle wizard. He can change to an enormous warrior, complete with magic sword, but has access to none of the other magic. It was stolen when he was a child by the dark mage Heathcoat.But, he learns there may be a chance to recover it without capturing or killing Heathcoat. His sword, called the Dragon Sword, may point to a key to the magic, but there are no longer any dragons on earth. How can he find a dragon?
Playing It Straight, by Sara Rickover Tycoons clash when Grant Mason is promoted to CEO of PlayLand, a struggling toy company. Eager to prove himself, Grant delves into PlayLand’s operational woes. But his boss, son of the company’s founder, demands Grant focus on broader risks. PlayLand is in worse shape than Grant thought. Infringement lawsuits and consumer boycotts threaten the company with bankruptcy, while other executives challenge his authority. Then Grant discovers an insider stealing PlayLand products. Amidst this corporate chaos, can Grant rescue PlayLand from financial ruin and salvage his career?
The Lass at the End of the Road, by Libeth Tempero The journey of an eleven-year-old girl trying to find a home during the Great Potato Famine in Ireland.
Nice work, Theresa. You really have a good book blog, where my FB fails to generate interest re books. I can write about my socks and generate more “likes” and comments than when i post a friend’s book. I guess that tells me something. That said, i did get a whole bunch of “likes” and comments re the photo of the background for JA. So we’ll see where this goes. But I’m really thrilled that you pulled us all together in your blog. We are an amazing group of writers. We all make each other better. Thanks!