Title: Forever People
Author: Alison Lyke  
Genre: Science Fiction
Why: A newly released second book from one of our local writers

Synopsis: Welcome to Zeta City, where the whole world goes to die. Here, the Node System uploads the minds of the dying so they can spend eternity in a digital Promised Land. But, this cyber heaven is causing hell on earth for the living because the System forces them to earn Points to buy data in the afterlife.

Camille is a salty mercenary out to hoard as many Points as possible by exploiting the dying with illegal technology. She's on the hunt for Toy, a rebel leader who uploaded lethal technology to her own brain in an attempt to wipe out everyone’s Node Points.

Camille goes to increasingly dangerous lengths in pursuit of Toy. She soon finds that the Node is full of warm reunions with loved ones and otherworldly creations. It’s also full of lies.

Title: Redeem (A Empyrean Tale)
Author: K.B. Wheelock  
Genre: Fantasy
Why: New author to us and we love fantasy. This is a spin off from her main series, but looks good to us. Who doesn't love Brownies?

Synopsis: Being a Brownie in the fairy realm isn’t easy.
Being the daughter of the king Brownie is even harder, especially when you are left to discover the other kingdoms on your own, not knowing who is friend and who is foe.
Thea makes the wrong choice and flees to the human realm, her home in ruin.
There she meets a Guardian, Hades and a hellhound.
Will she be able to return home and right the wrongs she caused?

Title: Mark Banana Must Be a Ninja
Author: Marcus MacGregor
Publisher: Saddle Sore Entertainment
Genre: Children's
Why: Because we read it, and it thoroughly entertained one half of our duo's little boy

Synopsis: Ninjas! Like most boys, Mark wants to be one. But will his ninja-mania prove greater than his mother's efforts to keep him in one piece?

Tender, hilarious and uplifting, Mark Banana Must be a Ninja is designed to appeal to the heart of any child. The Mark Banana stories can be read in any order, and are perfect for read-aloud story time. Written for kids but with parents in mind, each Mark Banana adventure is a treat for the whole family!

Title: Absolute Zero
Author: Phillip Tomasso
Publisher: Severed Press
Genre: Military / Sci-fi / Horror
Why: Because the genre mixture sounded interesting and different.

Synopsis: When a recon becomes a rescue . . . nothing is absolute!

Earth, a desolate wasteland is now run by the Corporations from space stations off planet . . . A colony of thirty-three people are part of a compound set up on Neptune. Their objective is mining the planet surface for natural resources. When a distress signal reaches Euphoric Enterprises on the Nebula Way Station, the Eclipse is immediately dispatched to investigate.

The crew of the Eclipse had no idea what they were getting themselves into. When they reach Neptune, and send out a shuttle party, they hope they can find the root cause behind the alarm. Nothing is ever simple. Something sinister lies in wait for them on Neptune. The mission quickly goes from an investigation into a rescue operation.

The young crew from the Eclipse now finds themselves in the fight of their lives!

Title: Always Want More
Author: Banke Awopetu-McCullough
Publisher: Concrete Rose Publications
Genre: Contemporary/Urban
Why: Because it's rooted in education, takes place in Rochester, and we like amplifying voices that offer real and raw perspectives. 

Synopsis: Tracy Mitchell loves to love. Her childhood love of writing and community landed her in Harlem, where her career as a hip-hop journalist flourishes until she publishes the wrong story. Blacklisted and heartbroken, she returns to her hometown of Rochester, New York, where she begins teaching at-risk students.
This new love affair dwindles quickly, when Tracy becomes frustrated with the school’s overwhelming problems. She meets Oxford Quinn, otherwise known as “X,” during this time. True to form, Tracy quickly falls in love with X and his “by any means necessary” lifestyle.

This whirlwind romance removes Tracy’s illusions and forces her to see Rochester as it is. In love and sick of running, Tracy and X decide to take a stand. Will their love be enough to drive out darkness? Or will Tracy be left to always want more?