Discover the Brightest Indie Reads on the Spotlight Shelf

Incidental Dreams from a Myoclonic Jerk is Joe Bugden's first published collection of short stories. 
The collection of thirteen short stories is inhabited by characters drawn from unexceptional circumstances, whose lives are touched by love and loss, by regret and remorse, and who are placed in small and domestic settings as an examination of the everyday, and as a metaphor for the universal and ubiquitous conditions of life.

Set in the New York City of a few years ago, Notes From the Upper West Side is the story of the neurotic, vengeful actor, Paul, who is resentful of any woman who would prefer another man to him. But his real enemy is not sex or the New York theatre, but reality itself.

In Part One he stumbles into a music video — Little Round Jewish Hat, then stumbles into a weird night of sex with a woman fifteen years his junior, all while trying to seem like a traditional father and husband.

Hailed by Reedsy Discovery and the onlinebookclub as a 5-star "must read "  and slated for review by the prestigious Historical Novel Society, The Peacock's Legacy is a captivating masterpiece, which one reviewer has suggested should become a movie.Can a 19th-century Irish woman overcome the shadows of her past? The narrative follows the life of Brigid Power,  a woman whose resilience and determination defy fate to forge her path. Born to a struggling tenant farmer, Btigid survives the devastating Irish Famine of the 1840s, which shatters her family and destroys her youth, Faced with an unwanted marriage, Brigid flees to Dublin, where she finds love and purpose in the Fen...

Angel has ruled the Western Coast with an iron fang, her legacy written in the blood of the innocent and the damned alike. As an ancient vampire, her hunting grounds are vast, and her predatory prowess is unmatched—until she sets her sights on Shad, a mysterious wanderer who defies all traditions of the human and supernatural worlds.Shad carries a burden far heavier than the secrets locked within his enigmatic past. Neither fully human nor vampire, he is a hybrid anomaly, wracked by guilt and driven by a purpose that Angel could never foresee. When their paths collide, Angel arrogantly marks him as her next victim, an easy feast to stave off her relentless hunger. But Shad has other plans....

The Cursive Reader© Series offers an engaging and enjoyable approach to mastering cursive reading. In their formative years, children are often captivated by stories read to them, igniting a desire to read long before they even begin to write. However, many contemporary cursive reading books focus solely on practice writing, stripping away the interactive joy that comes with discovering a new reading style. It’s time to revive the excitement and wonder of learning to read with a fresh perspective, and what better way to do so than with the enchanting journey of Maple’s Adventure!

COMING SEPTEMBER 13, 2025! PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!From the seasoned pen of R.A. Lingenfelter comes the much-anticipated fifth book in his enthralling series, ‘Small Sacrifices.’ This magnetic continuation to an already brilliant saga promises to enthrall readers with a fresh, compelling literary journey.Every tick of the clock brings about a new twist, a new adventure or a deeper revelation in an expansive world that straddles both fantasy and reality. ‘Gathering of Corvids’ lives up to the legacy of its predecessors while carving out its own intriguing legend.Venture with us a little further into the darkness, reacquaint yourself with beloved characters, and meet the newcomers who ...

From the masterfully imaginative mind of R.A. Lingenfelter, comes the thrilling prequel to the celebrated Small Sacrifices series. ‘Declaration of Crows’ thrusts you into a pulse-pounding narrative that unfolds the beginnings of a story that captivated readers worldwide.In the world where nothing is as it seems, where every small sacrifice holds profound significance, learn how it all began in a tale brimming with suspense. Encounter characters that etch themselves in your psyche, narratives that keep you on the edge of your seat, in a tale that is dark, gripping, and monumentally captivating.Prepare to immerse yourself in a deliciously written epic, filled with unexpected turns, betraya...

From the imaginative pen of R.A. Lingenfelter, arrives the third installment in the multi-award-winning series, ‘Rise of Falcons’. Prepare to dive headfirst into a realm of suspense, intrigue, and chills which will redefine epic fantasy. R.A. Lingenfelter invites you on a relentless journey through intricately crafted worlds, testing the mettle of characters you’ve grown to love, and introducing you to ones you’ll never forget.If you thought the first two books had you on the edge of your seat, prepare to lose yourself completely in the mesmerizing saga. The stakes are higher, the destinies are intertwined and the challenges they face are unimaginable. The shadows grow longer, treach...

In ‘Flight of Sparrows’, renowned author R.A. Lingenfelter immerses you in a vivid, post-apocalyptic world where strength and courage are the currencies of survival. Follow Willow, our resilient protagonist, as she pushes back against her faction, The Crows, who, in a world gone wild, have become more akin to timid sparrows than the hardened warriors they were meant to be.Embark on an absorbing tale of grit, determination, and conflict as Willow strikes out on her own, battling not only external enemies but also the internal demons that threaten to unravel her. Discover whether the spark of rebellion within her can ignite a revolution that will change their world forever.Dive into R.A Li...

**In the Depths of Despair, Rebellion Takes Flight…**Imagine a bleak future where the essence of freedom has been stripped away, and every action is controlled by an unyielding Dominion. For Willow, the protagonist, the simple pleasures of high school—like proms, dances, and budding romances—are nothing more than distant memories, akin to fairy tales lost in time. Yet, in the shadows of oppression, the seeds of rebellion take root. Hidden within the rugged expanse of the Colorado Mountains, a group of insurgents known as the Crows emerges, embodying the spirit of resistance against tyranny.In this gripping and exhilarating narrative, Willow embarks on a perilous quest fueled by courage...

“So well written…There are so many wonderful red herrings that it will keep you guessing until the end. Terrific plot and characters really add to the reading experience. I highly recommend this book.”—The Best ReviewsMichaela Bancroft is back! This time your favorite amateur sleuth and horse trainer finds herself caught up in the glitz and glam of the jet setting polo world. And, although the horses are amazing and the scene quite, ummm, interesting at the very least, unfortunately for Michaela, MURDER NEVER SEEMS TO BE TOO FAR BEHIND! A new tack shop and a gala polo match are reasons to celebrate for Michaela—until equestrian Sterling Tabor is found clubbed to death with a p...

“Filled with good murder suspects along with enough twists and turns allowing the reader to guess and guess again throughout the novel.”—MyShelf.comMICHAELA JUST WANTS TO LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE TRAINING THE HORSES SHE LOVES. BUT LIFE HAS OTHER PLANS. THE MURDEROUS KIND...Michaela Bancroft is--once again--thrown into solving a mystery in order to seek justice for a dear friend. Audrey Pratt and Michaela have been friends for years and Audrey needs Michaela now more than ever as her brother Bob has gone missing. Bob Pratt is a well known racetrack veterinarian. Michaela assures her that she will do what she can to help. Then, Audrey is viciously murdered and Michaela is certain Bob’s disap...

EQUAL PARTS SUSPENSE AND UNDERSTATED CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE, "Saddled with Trouble" is a fast-paced murder mystery that revolves around Michaela Bancroft, a 32-year-old horse trainer whose personal life is quickly coming apart at the seams. Struggling through an ugly divorce and in danger of losing her southern California ranch to creditors, Bancroft finds her already chaotic life turned upside down when her beloved uncle Lou is found murdered in a stable stall, impaled by a pitchfork.Michaela vows to find the person or people behind the senseless homicide, but the deeper she digs into her uncle's secretive past (an ill-managed business venture involving an artificial insemination breeding pro...

Ella McBane’s biggest mistake? Thinking life would be easy once her daughters have all grown up and moved out… until her eldest daughter is accused of murder.When her eldest, Savannah, asks her to cater her engagement party, Ella jumps in with both feet—and zero formal culinary training. But between her comfort-food dishes and her future in-laws’ elite expectations, the tension is already simmering.Then Ella stumbles over a dead body at the soiree… and Savannah is arrested for murder.The evidence is overwhelming. The gossip is brutal. But Ella knows her daughter is no killer—and she’s not about to let Savannah’s life be destroyed.As she investigates, Ella finds herself drawn ...

“Another fun and very readable mystery by Michele Scott… Her protagonist is someone whom most women readers can identify—a modern woman with flaws and limitations just like all of us.” -Suite101.com Napa Valley winery manager Nikki Sands is full of Christmas cheer and anticipating an exciting family vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to ring in the New Year. Along with her husband Derek, his brother Simon, and Simon’s boyfriend Marco they head for sun, surf, and sand expecting to enjoy some serious R & R.However, things turn dark rather rapidly when Nikki uncovers a dead body washed up on the shore. The victim--a woman who goes by the name Dream, was staying at the same h...