Blog Tour: Unexpected Altars

 

Christian Devotional, Inspirational Personal Testimonies

Date Published: 11-15-2025

Publisher: Acorn Book Services

Everyday moments become sacred altars where God meets you.

Do you sometimes wish you could hear from God? Do you feel like you are too insignificant for Him to care about your daily battles with loneliness, grief, change, and doubts?

God talks to each of us – from the young husband and father who accidentally torched his home, to the claustrophobic pastor making her way through a historic tunnel in Israel, to the mystery author having a close call with a stink bug.

God can speak to us through that soft voice inside your head; or the perfect words for your circumstance uttered on Sunday morning; or He can come to you in a powerful revelation.

Turn your doubts into divine encounters. Discover how God is speaking to you today through these 101 inspirational faith stories. These stories will transform your doubts into powerful encounters with God’s grace, guiding you to find Him in unexpected places.

UNEXPECTED ALTARS is a collection of stories of faith from real people, just like you, who have experienced God’s grace and presence in their lives. Their authors pray that this Christian devotional will inspire your daily spiritual life. Each story is a powerful reminder that God meets us right where we are—building altars of worship in the ordinary and the extraordinary. Perfect for daily devotion, small group discussion, or personal encouragement.

Start your journey to find God in the unexpected! Order UNEXPECTED ALTARS today!

 

Excerpt

The Battle of the Malovent Stink Bug

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makes me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

Last summer, I woke up one morning feeling great. The sun was shining. The birds were singing. My husband Jack was grumpy. When I handed him his cup of coffee, he asked me, “How did you sleep?”

“Oh, I slept great,” I replied. “How did you sleep?”

“Terrible.”

About one o’clock in the morning, Jack woke up, as he will often do. So he turned on the light to read. At that point, he noticed a stink bug on top of the blanket, on my side of the bed, making its way to my face.

Being the great defender of hearth and home that he is, Jack launched into action. He reached over to flick the evil stink bug off me. But the wicked critter refused to be flicked away so easily. Instead of letting himself be ejected from the bed, he jumped up and landed back on the covers, closer to my face, and proceeded with his mission of doing whatever it is that bugs do to sleeping women in the middle of the night.

So, Jack rebounded with yet another attack. Once again, the dastardly stink bug refused to leave our bed. So then, my daring husband decided to step up his defense of his wife by swatting at the bug with his book. But this time, the malicious bug was ready, he simply dodged the book and landed up near my face. Before Jack could cut him off, the bugger slipped under the covers to have his way with me.

Refusing to give up in defeat, Jack threw back the covers and launched a full-scale assault against the malevolent stink bug. With both hands he was slapping and hitting the little night stalker, while fully aware that one missed strike could result in injuring me, or worse, waking me up from a very pleasant night’s sleep.

Meanwhile, I was dreaming about chasing a butterfly through a beautiful meadow.

Eventually, Jack realized that the evil little bugger was gone. But where, he did not know. He looked all over the bed but couldn’t find it. Satisfied that it was not on me, he covered me up again and lay down to wonder about two things: 1) where did that stink bug go, and 2) how did she sleep through all that?

He didn’t slip back to sleep until the sun started to come up.

God does protect each one of us in the same way, even when we don’t know that we are in danger—twenty-four-seven whether it be against Satan or malevolent stink bugs.

Thank you for your protection, and your constant watch over us, even when we are totally oblivious of being in danger. Amen.

Lauren Carr

UNEXPECTED ALTARS: MEETING GOD IN EVERYDAY MOMENTS is an anthology written by multiple authors, edited by JoAnne Alexander, and published by Lauren Carr for Oakland Community Church, a non-denominational church located in Charles Town, West Virginia.

All royalties from this devotional book will be donated to the building fund for Oakland Community Church's new building. Oakland's goal is to design a biophilic building that takes advantage of the beauty of our Jefferson County location.

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PROMO: In Her Own Backyard

 

Thriller

Date Published: March 26, 2026

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

Every street holds a secret . . .

 

New to the neighborhood and reeling from the traumatic birth of her second child, Marlowe Moore is barely holding it together. Battling postpartum depression and anxiety, she’s desperate for stability.

But when she learns that a woman who once lived in her family’s new home vanished without a trace, Marlowe becomes obsessed. As strange things happen and neighborly smiles feel like veiled threats, Marlowe can’t shake the feeling that someone is hiding something.

She spirals further into paranoia, fixated on the abandoned case and determined to seek justice. But how can a woman who feels lost find a missing person?

Juggling the demands of her beloved family and her harrowing mental illness, Marlowe doesn’t realize she is caught in a cat-and-mouse game that could cost her everything … including her life.

 

About the Author

 

 Ashley Hanna-Morgan is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C). In addition to her work as a psychotherapist, she writes about mental health to advocate for change and inspire hope. In 2016, she wrote The Afterglow, a mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy curriculum that supports parents with postpartum depression and anxiety. In 2017, she published I Gave Birth to My Heart, a collection of poems about the secret anguishes and innumerable joys of reinventing oneself after postpartum depression.

When she isn’t counseling clients or volunteering with Postpartum Support International, Ashley loves to experiment in the kitchen and spend as much time outside as possible in San Diego, where she resides with her family. In Her Own Backyard is her first novel.

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PROMO: You Gotta Have G.U.T.S.

 

How Gratitude, Unity, Trustworthiness, and Spirituality Empowered a Sharecropper’s Daughter to Conquer the American Dream

Non-fiction, self help, memoir

Date Published: March 17, 2026

Publisher: Elite Online Publishing

"There are street signs named after you: One Way!"

Growing up in 1960s Memphis, Martha Daniel was no stranger to injustice. But her mother’s playful jab at her determined spirit, “One Way!” became a badge of honor, a reminder that her path would be hers alone to forge.

From an unplanned pregnancy and a troubled marriage to workplace discrimination and the sting of betrayal in business, Martha faced challenge after challenge. But she didn’t just survive, she soared. With grit, unwavering faith, and her trademark determination, she built a groundbreaking career in tech, launched multiple successful businesses, and ultimately found the love she always dreamed of.

You Gotta Have G.U.T.S. is Martha’s powerful true story, and a guidebook for anyone ready to turn adversity into achievement. With her four core principles, Gratitude, Unity, Trustworthiness, and Spirituality, you’ll discover how to unlock your own strength and success, no matter where you start.

 

Excerpt

Dreams are powerful, are they not? They nudge us, inspire us,

and won’t let go until we pay attention. But let’s be honest:

turning dreams into reality can feel like climbing a mountain. Fear,

uncertainty, financial sacrifices, or the fear of failing are enough to

make anyone hesitate. Sound familiar? You are not alone.

 

Welcome to the world of G.U.T.S.—Gratitude, Unity, Trust-

worthiness, and Spirituality. These are the tools you can use to tackle

 

challenges and turn your dreams into reality, one step at a time.

My life has been all about pushing through the lows that have

come my way, and believe me, I have encountered them at every turn.

From segregation and discrimination in 1960s Memphis, Tennessee, to

an unplanned teenage pregnancy, a less-than-ideal marriage, business

partners who stole from me, personal bankruptcy, and even the

heartbreak of losing a child to suicide —those lows made me question

everything in life.

Through it all, my faith, my dreams, and my integrity, coupled

with my G.U.T.S., kept me going. These core values helped me survive

and thrive.

 

Despite all those lows, God built in some critical highs to encourage

me to keep going. From earning my way into workplaces that valued my

input, to starting successful companies, winning multi-million-dollar

contracts, and meeting the love of my life, the highs have certainly

outweighed the lows. Those highs gave me hope and reminded me

of what was possible. Even though I had moments of hopelessness, I

learned that persistence, faith, and not giving up are key, even when

everything feels uncertain. The ups and downs, the good and the bad,

bring lessons. Sure, life can be stressful at times, but I learned that

every experience moved me closer to my dream. I didn’t give up, I kept

going, and it was worth it. I experienced a beautiful rainbow at the end

of the storm.

As a trailblazing entrepreneur and CEO of two high-profile

companies in the technology field, I have been through it all, and I

can tell you this: Success does not happen by accident. It takes clarity,

determination, and a solid strategy. Success in any pursuit is possible,

and it starts with dreaming big, making a plan, staying confident, and

working hard. From there, you have to activate the power that resides

deep inside you.

That is where G.U.T.S. comes in. In this book, I break success

down into simple, actionable steps you can follow. You’ll learn how to

face fear head-on, build unshakable confidence, say goodbye to “no”

as the final answer, and prepare for the sacrifices needed to make your

dream a reality. You’ll discover the importance of practicing Gratitude,

Unity, Trustworthiness, and Spirituality, qualities that have kept me

grounded through life’s toughest moments.

I am a big dreamer who does not back down from challenges, and

I owe it all to G.U.T.S. These four principles have been my guide,

helping me achieve success beyond what I imagined.

 

About the Author

Martha Daniel is a trailblazing entrepreneur, cybersecurity innovator, and motivational speaker whose four-decade career spans the U.S. Navy, government, and advanced technology sectors. A former Navy cryptologist, she transformed racial and gender adversity into a foundation for leadership as Founder and CEO of Information Management Resources, Inc., securing more than $425 million in contracts for clients including the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the State of California, and Disney, and later founding Cytellix Corporation, an award-winning, patented cybersecurity SaaS platform.

A published author and thought leader, Martha co-authored Million Dollar Conversations and On the Other Side of Midnight 2000, and her latest book, You Gotta Have G.U.T.S., delivers a powerful framework for overcoming fear and unlocking potential. Recognized by the White House as a “10 Women Veteran Champion of Change” and honored with multiple Stevie Awards, she is also an ordained minister and active board leader. Through her books, speaking, and mentorship, Martha inspires others to lead with courage, resilience, and purpose.

 

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Blog Tour: You Got This!

Honest Lessons on Life, Love, and Leveling Up

Personal Development

Date Published: March 24, 2026

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

Your twenties and thirties are packed with big decisions, bigger emotions, and the pressure to somehow have life all figured out. But what if you didn’t have to learn every lesson the hard way?

In You Got This!, personal and professional development coach Lisa Bartley shares candid advice and empowering mindset shifts—through sharp honesty, laugh-out-loud moments, and the kind of wisdom that only comes with experience. Bartley tackles what no one prepares you for—setting boundaries, navigating relationships, rebounding from failure, and finding the courage to go after what you really want.

This is not a guide to becoming perfect. It’s a guide to becoming powerful on your terms.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or like everyone but you got the memo on adulthood, this book is your reminder that growth is messy, clarity takes time, and no, you’re not behind . . . you’re just getting started.

You Got This! is a must-read for every woman standing at the threshold of the rest of her life. It’s the permission slip, pep talk, and playbook every woman needs while figuring it all out.

Excerpt

INTRODUCTION

It takes a village to raise a child. A village to nurture a teenager. And a village to cheer them on throughout adulthood. Yet, in recent decades, that village has practically become extinct. Economic pressures have left families feeling overworked, overwhelmed, and overstressed with little time and energy to support and cheer on the next generation of powerhouse women—leaders, creatives, rock star moms, trailblazers, and community enthusiasts. Digital communication has replaced face-to-face interaction. And while social media may give the illusion of connection, it doesn’t offer the same wholehearted encouragement, wisdom, and insight that communal and multigenerational relationships once did. And then there are those who feel isolated due to relocation, depression, divorce, and tragic loss. Where’s their tight-knit tribe? And who can they look to when facing important—and sometimes life-altering—choices?

The landscape of the proverbial village has changed, and the shift has left a hollow space—one that begs to be filled. Consider the following:

• Women today have more career opportunities than ever before . . . but less of a village to help them seize those opportunities confidently and assertively, without second-guessing themselves.
• We’re feeling more empowered to pursue our passions . . . but have less of a grassroots cheering squad shouting, “You Got This!” from the sidelines.
• We’re encouraged to lean in . . . but we’re hearing fewer communal and societal words of wisdom when we miss the mark—a community rallying around us, reminding us that strike three doesn’t mean we’re out.

This good news–bad news dichotomy raises the question, Where can women find support and sage advice when navigating the decisions, the triumphs, the hurdles, the self-doubt, and the ebb and flow of early-to-mid adulthood?

The village has shrunk, while the need for it has expanded.

Honest Lessons on Life, Love, and Leveling Up is my contribution to the diminishing village. After coaching thousands of people over the past fifteen years, raising a son and daughter, and yes, having the perspective of seeing my own twenties and thirties in the rearview mirror, I’ve gained insights that—if time travel were possible—I would have excitedly shared with my younger self. Instead, I’m sharing them with you.

Originally intended as a literary blueprint for my daughter, Madison, I started jotting down bullet-pointed life lessons. Some of those lessons I learned the easy way, some the hard way, and others by simply observing the cause and effect that played out among friends and family. As a mom, I felt a deep desire to help my daughter make smart choices; to give her the benefit of everything I had done right as well as the benefit of everything . . . Well, let’s just say everything I would have done differently, had there been a do-over. I also wanted to bequeath maternal words of wisdom from my mom, Norma, and her mom, Grandma Libby. Sure, societal norms have changed over the years. But human nature has not. This would be a gift—my gift—to my daughter.

I continued to scribble down thoughts, mentally fast-forwarding to the time when these insights would have the greatest impact on the trajectory of her life. One day, I realized this “gift” had book potential. Women just like you—in the throes of life-defining decisions—could benefit from practical generational guidance, along with the assurance, You Got This!

The pages that follow have been a work in progress for over twenty years and therefore the content has evolved over time. Let me explain. In my role as a personal and professional development coach and trainer, I’ve had the privilege of helping men and women across all walks of life uncover blind spots, overcome challenges, and close the gap between who they are now and who they want to be. And I say “who” they are and “who” they want to be instead of “where” they are and “where” they want to be because we can only alter where we’re going by first recognizing and adjusting who we’re being; who we’re showing up as in our day-to-day lives. It’s always exciting to see the transformation! The thrill of being part of that process never gets old. Bolstered by their newfound confidence, clients have made bolder moves, improved the quality of their relationships, and become the architects of their own lives. I’m excited and honored to help you do the same!

Interestingly, throughout the years, some patterns began to emerge, especially among my female coaching clients and workshop participants. As they articulated their goals and visions—along with their fears and frustrations—it became clear that the Five Pillars of Empowerment™ were necessary to support their dreams and aspirations: Self-Confidence, Courage, Assertiveness, Resilience, and Self-Acceptance. Courage, as I define it here, is the willingness to acknowledge your worth, step out of your comfort zone, take risks, and pursue your passions.

As I was refining You Got This! and developing the Action Steps for each chapter, I began to intertwine the Five Pillars of Empowerment with some of the biggest challenges women are facing in their twenties and thirties: dating; self-respect; setting boundaries; relationships with friends, family, and colleagues; learning from life’s disappointments; following their dreams; and reaching their full potential.

While each vignette-style chapter focuses on a life lesson in one of those areas, the chapters are also designed to help you build one or more (usually more!) of the Five Pillars of Empowerment. Again, they are Self-Confidence, Courage, Assertiveness, Resilience, and Self-Acceptance. To help you remember these pillars and establish a benchmark to review and measure your progress, I’ve developed the acronym SCARS, as in the battle SCARS we invariably and proudly develop as we step into the arena, à la Brené Brown, and play full out!

In Part One: The Dating Game, I’ll share practical advice like “Avoid the Tendency to Overcompensate for Previous Relationship Flaws” and “Don’t Date Sprinters If You’re Looking for a Long-Distance Runner.” In the life lesson, “Love is Like Being in a Boxing Ring,” you’ll discover you can’t guard your heart and leave it open at the same time, along with strategies to help you “get back in the ring.”

One of the biggest decisions you will ever make is choosing a life partner. In fact, studies show that fulfilling relationships lead to higher levels of happiness. And the choice of a life partner has a profound effect on a person’s overall quality of life. Yet, many women find the right one to be elusive. That’s why The Dating Game is its own section and includes pitfalls to watch out for; warning signs, many of which others did not consider. Even if you’re already married, I hope you’ll still read through this section. I promise there will be something helpful and entertaining you can share with your single friends and relatives.

In some ways, You Got This! evolves right along with you.

Part Two: Respect Yourself/Setting Boundaries/Kindred Spirits focuses on themes that set a foundation for fulfillment and future success. You’ll build confidence as you find your voice in the thick of unfamiliar or uncomfortable conversations. For example, in chapter 27, “Confrontation Doesn’t Have to Be Confrontational,” I share a six-step process to help you assertively and fearlessly navigate an otherwise difficult exchange. You’ll also learn in chapter 23 why “Invisible Boundaries Are Worse than No Boundaries at All.” And if you’re struggling to forgive someone, I’ll explain why forgiveness is not simply a gift you give the other person, but one you give yourself.

The three themes in Part Two are interrelated. Self-respect is the value we place on ourselves. And the boundaries we set—or fail to set—reflect that value. Both are foundational to building and maintaining “kindred spirits” with our friends, family, and colleagues. There’s an abundance of research correlating clear boundaries with confidence, personal growth, mutual respect, career advancement, mental health, and lower levels of stress and anxiety. According to one study in The Journal of Positive Psychology, women who set clear boundaries have better coping strategies and can navigate difficult situations more effectively.

Among the biggest regrets people report later in life is not having reached their full potential or not having pursued their passions when they were younger. Part Three: Strike Three Doesn’t Mean You’re Out/Follow Your Dreams/Step Into the Best Version of You is all about reaching your full potential in spite of—and sometimes because of—hurdles and disappointments along the way. In “Run Your Own Race,” I encourage you to compete against yourself instead of competing against others. One approach encourages continuous growth and the other tugs on your insecurities. In “Accountability Makes No Excuses,” you’ll find there are varying degrees of accountability and why choosing the top tier is really the only option if you want to elevate your relationships and your reputation. In the life lesson, “We See Exactly What We’re Looking For,” we’ll explore the concept of Intentional Perspective and the importance of adjusting the lens through which we view relationships, work, and opportunities.

While I certainly offer plenty of tips and advice, I also pose lots of questions designed to help you take a deeper dive into your choices and the motivation behind them. Questions that build your critical thinking muscle so that your personal development journey extends far beyond the pages of this book. Questions to inspire you to be the best possible version of yourself . . . and to empower you to support and mentor other women to do the same.

What you can expect from this book: a series of lightbulb moments, sparked by stories, insights, tips, and strategies to help you claim the life, the love, the respect, and the opportunities you want and deserve.

What not to expect: While there are many noteworthy books that explore religious, political, and social issues, I’ve chosen to focus on topics that unite, rather than divide, us. That being said, most of the Action Steps in each chapter can be applied to a variety of situations.

Although much of the content in this book is relevant to men, it has been written with a female audience in mind. I hope to foster a spirit of women helping women. We need each other. We need the village. And while you’re not my daughter, you are someone’s daughter. And that’s reason enough for me to want to contribute to you in a meaningful way.

I’m grateful you’ve chosen to invest in this book, and more importantly, that you’ve chosen to invest in yourself. Throughout the pages that follow, I’ll share forty-six micro life lessons along with no-nonsense Action Steps to help you put insights and advice into practice. Names (and sometimes details) have been changed to protect the innocent . . . and the guilty. Although You Got This! can be a solo journey, please consider reading this with a friend, or even an “accountabili-buddy.” Supporting each other and exchanging experiences, past and present, will help you to see your growth, and your life, as a journey instead of a checklist. Besides, everything’s better when we share it with someone—except, maybe, that last serving of Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Swiss Almond!

I’m rooting for you to lean in. To claim your seat at the table—whether that’s the conference table, the kitchen table, the negotiations table, or the round table. I’m rooting for you to come into your own and step into the best version of yourself with confidence, optimism, and the unwavering belief that You Got This!

 

About the Author

Lisa Bartley is an author and award-winning speaker who helps women break free from their comfort zones and step into the strongest, truest versions of themselves.

You Got This! began as an attempt to record words of wisdom she wishes she’d heard in her early adult years. Now, in its completion, it stands as a legacy of lessons written for her daughter and for every young woman finding her way.

Lisa lives in Southern California where she prefers her hikes coastal, her wine bold, and her dinner parties unforgettable.

 

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PROMO: The Extraordinary Dreams of Cynthia Peabody

 

Women's Fiction + magical realism

Date Published: March 25, 2026

 

A reluctant hero, mysterious portals, inexplicable abilities! She must be off her trolley.

 

Cynthia Peabody can’t sleep. Recently widowed, her future seems a dreary blur. While practicing meditation techniques to fight insomnia, she discovers a mysterious portal in her backyard through which her dreams are shockingly realistic.

She runs to her neighbor for help after a dream about a dog leads to a real dog in her yard. The next-door teen offers to be the dog walker and a surprising friendship develops. Juniper’s natural sincerity influences Cynthia to reevaluate her grumpiness.

While dealing with complicated grief along with her life turning toward the supernatural, Cynthia’s doctor’s report brings lousy news. What else can go wrong? She’s desperate for answers.

Pouring out her heart to her husband’s memory, she fears the only logical explanation is that she’s gone mad. But people in her hometown need help, especially a certain next-door teenager. Wishing she’d had someone looking out for her when she was young, Cynthia will do whatever it takes to protect the vulnerable, even if it means risking her life.

About the Author

 

 USA Today Bestselling author Lynne Marshall has penned thirty-seven books. She has written Medical Romance for Mills & Boon, contemporary romance for Harlequin Special Edition and digitally with TULE. Publishing independently, she writes Women's Fiction where she explores the mysteries of life through endearing characters in unexplainable situations. Or, as she likes to call it, fiction for women of a certain age plus everyone who loves their nana.

 

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PROMO: Para Schooled

 

LGBTQ+ Shifter Romance

Date Published: March 27, 2026

In every relationship, there’s always a choice. Choosing wrong may cost these heroes everything.

 

Werewolf’s Choice (Para Schooled 1)

Werewolf society has little tolerance for a lone wolf like Don, a man with a complicated past. It’s hard for him to learn to trust, yet pack life calls to his wolf nature. When two basilisks offer a chance at romance, Don refuses to accept anything more than a physical relationship. Will his stubbornness get him and his new partners killed?

 

Dark’s Lover (Para Schooled 2)

When Blagden, a Night Wanderer-Singer, meets Caleb, he is drawn to the Grand Fae’s struggle to accept his new life. Caleb’s son is blind and the Grand Fae have cast out all disabled children. But Blagden has a terrible secret. He inadvertently steals energy from those he loves. When SearchLight is attacked, Blagden must choose between the Fae he loves and his resolve never to steal energy again.

 

Kaito’s Silence (Para Schooled 3)

Kaito has always been attracted to werewolves of the opposite gender -- until he meets his new sign language tutor, a flamboyant wolf named Stefan. As Kaito struggles with his own sexuality, Stefan starts to feel like an experiment. Can their love thrive or will Kaito’s indecision push them apart?

EXCERPT

from Werewolf's Choice

For Don Sanderson, disabled werewolf, life couldn’t have been better.

He was three thousand miles from the pushy alpha werewolves of Washington, DC. He was starting a new job. And life was just great in general. He’d always wanted to travel and thought he’d never get the chance.

Mostly because of his wheelchair.

But here he was, rolling across the parking lot toward the carefully concealed entrance to the SearchLight Academy campus in California. It was early March and the whole of Death Valley was awash in wildflowers. The perfume in the air was glorious and he’d never felt so glad to be alive.

Well, all right, that was laying it on a bit thick. He recognized his desire, as a therapist, to be healthy and positive in his daily thoughts. This wasn’t perfect because Timothy wasn’t with him. Timothy, damn him, was gone.

Don paused to survey the flowers that crowded right up to the edge of the parking lot. He smiled. Come May or June, there wouldn’t be any flowers. The heat baking off the pavement could fry an egg. Or maybe even melt his tires. But for now, he was content to park outside instead of in the garage. He’d never thought to see Death Valley and get to celebrate its beauty.

Hell, he’d often thought he’d be under the flowers instead of surveying them. Werewolf culture had little tolerance for a lone wolf, and yet they didn’t want him to be part of a pack either. Disabled in more ways than one, he wasn’t desirable. Yet, they couldn’t just leave him be because “lone wolves are dangerous, ravenous beasts and separated from society, they often go insane.”

He’d been raised on that truth, but he wasn’t insane. He had a pack, of sorts. He had SearchLight. It wasn’t the same, and he knew it. Being in a wolf pack, surrounded by your kind, was like being given a drink of water after days of thirst. There was something that called to a wolf’s soul when it came to pack living. But Don had been nicknamed. His full name was Donald. Nicknaming was disrespectful, and he’d been ostracized. No one wanted him.

Well, maybe dead, they wanted him. But only SearchLight could use his talents as he was now: a therapist capable of helping others heal.

He entered the hidden passage, taking the gentle slope down toward the heart of SearchLight’s new campus for students of all ages. There had originally been only one SearchLight campus, in Washington, DC. Now there was this second campus, in the Mojave Desert, shielded from humans and dangerous magical creatures alike.

He traveled through the whispering silence and smiled when the almost creepy stillness was broken by laughter. This place was so new everything practically squeaked. There weren’t any security officers here, not until June, and only some of the professors had reported. He was supplemental staff, and technically he didn’t have to be here until April first, but he’d been so very glad to get out of DC…

There was housing here, as there wasn’t in the nation’s capital. Being all underground and far from usual human habitation, it was easier to have apartments here than in the Panamint Mountains, which were relatively nearby. Soon, Don would be hiding his car inside because he wouldn’t be going anywhere. But today was his first day and he’d longed to be outside with the fifty other cars.

They were hidden from standard human perception by leprechauns magic and other concealment spells, but right now, the parking lot was simply another place for anyone to leave their vehicle because the whole national park was open to visitors. Hiding in plain sight was SearchLight’s favorite trick.

It was still early, barely eight o’clock. He wheeled his way down to the cafeteria, following the signs, and thinking that he’d love to have breakfast in his own apartment. Even well-prepared food, when it was mass-produced, tasted nothing like home cooking.

When he was finally in the cafeteria, he balanced a tray on his lap and rolled through the line. He was aware of people looking at him but that was okay. His right leg ended just below his knee. It was normal for people to steal little glances in his direction. He had two psychic senses even though most LGBTQ werewolves only had one. He could always tell when he was being watched, particularly with negative intent, and he was a telekinetic. He could have rolled along with the tray floating an inch or two off his lap, but why show off? He drew plenty of attention without that.

Reaching a table that was specially designed to allow a wheelchair to roll underneath, he smiled. He was one of two wheelchair-bound staff, and there might be students coming in with similar disabilities. Since Dr. Sowerby’s decree, two years gone, that all SearchLight Academy buildings must be ADA compliant, more and more disabled magical creatures had flocked to the school designed for, and catering to, magical creatures.

“Do you mind if we join you?”

He glanced up as he set his tray on the table. It was a female who had spoken, a female basilisk, and he rapidly searched through the list of names he kept in his head. He didn’t know all of the faculty at the SearchLight Academy back East, but he thought… “Ms. Vaughn?”

She blinked beautiful golden-brown eyes at him. “We’ve never met. How do you know my name?”

“I’ve had students mention your classes.”

“That’s impossible,” she returned as she and the male basilisk with her sat down. “I’m not a teacher yet. This fall will be my first term.”

Confused, he ventured, “Aren’t you the languages expert, Ms. Susan Vaughn?”

Her companion chuckled. “Now I understand,” he said. “No, Susan is my sister. I’m Xavier Vaughn and this is my wife, Cassidy.” He briefly touched a light chain around his neck when he spoke.

Cassidy Vaughn smiled at her husband. Then she returned her attention to Don. “And you are?”

He hesitated. Not because he didn’t want to share his name but because he didn’t know how they would react to his nickname. He’d been known as “Don, the psychic wolf.” He’d been called deformed, not just because of his leg but because of his other disability and his status as a bisexual wolf.

“You’re the therapist, I think,” Xavier said. “I’ve seen you around the DC campus a couple of times.” He seemed to want to give Don a little more time because he continued. “I was filling in for Professor Boyle last fall when he took off time to write a book.”

“You were teaching parapsychology?” Don frowned slightly. “I’m sorry -- if I should remember you, I don’t.”

Xavier chuckled. “I have a way of fading into the background. It’s one of my psychic talents.”

Cassidy leaned forward and took a sip of her coffee. “What’s your name?”

Oh, to hell with it. Damned be all the stereotypes that went with a werewolf being given a nickname instead of his full born-with identifier. “I’m Don Sanderson. You’re right, I’m the head therapist here in Death Valley. I used to work off campus at the Healing House where attack victims and bullies alike were sent to recover and change their ways. I’ve only visited the campus twice…” Then he realized where Xavier might have seen him. “I gave a lecture on bullying behavior to all the professors and staff last fall.”

“That must be where I saw you.”

Something in Xavier’s reply made Don raise his eyebrows. But the male basilisk didn’t respond to the questioning look.

Cassidy was toying with a little key on a bracelet. She had a pleased smile on her face. Don turned his questioning look on her.

“Nothing,” she answered his glance. But she took Xavier’s hand and smiled at her husband as if they had a secret.

A rush of jealousy rushed through Don in that moment. He wanted so badly to be looked at in that way, where he held enigmas with a lover. He wished briefly that these two beautiful people were looking for a third...

 

About the Author

Emily Carrington is a multipublished author of male/male and transgender women’s speculative fiction. Seeking a world made of equality, she created SearchLight to live out her dreams. But even SearchLight has its problems, and Emily is looking forward to working all of these out with a host of characters from dragons and genies to psychic vampires. And in the contemporary world she’s named “Sticks & Stones,” Emily has vowed to create small towns where prejudice is challenged by a passionate quest for equality. Find her on Facebook at Shapeshifter Central or on her website.

 

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PROMO: You Got This!

 

Honest Lessons on Life, Love, and Leveling Up

Personal Development

Date Published: March 24, 2026

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

Your twenties and thirties are packed with big decisions, bigger emotions, and the pressure to somehow have life all figured out. But what if you didn’t have to learn every lesson the hard way?

In You Got This!, personal and professional development coach Lisa Bartley shares candid advice and empowering mindset shifts—through sharp honesty, laugh-out-loud moments, and the kind of wisdom that only comes with experience. Bartley tackles what no one prepares you for—setting boundaries, navigating relationships, rebounding from failure, and finding the courage to go after what you really want.

This is not a guide to becoming perfect. It’s a guide to becoming powerful on your terms.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or like everyone but you got the memo on adulthood, this book is your reminder that growth is messy, clarity takes time, and no, you’re not behind . . . you’re just getting started.

You Got This! is a must-read for every woman standing at the threshold of the rest of her life. It’s the permission slip, pep talk, and playbook every woman needs while figuring it all out.

About the Author

Lisa Bartley is an author and award-winning speaker who helps women break free from their comfort zones and step into the strongest, truest versions of themselves.

You Got This! began as an attempt to record words of wisdom she wishes she’d heard in her early adult years. Now, in its completion, it stands as a legacy of lessons written for her daughter and for every young woman finding her way.

Lisa lives in Southern California where she prefers her hikes coastal, her wine bold, and her dinner parties unforgettable.

 

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