Book Blitz: Tree Trek by Stephanie Mirocha

 

A Daughter's Walk Through Grief

Nature, Botany of Trees, Healing Through Nature, Grief Journey

Date Published: 05-23-2025

Publisher: Holy Cow! Press

These intimate portraits of trees are a balm that heals grief.

In this memoir, Stephanie Mirocha weaves a blend of botany, philosophy, personal reflections, and healing through nature from grief after the loss of her father. Trees provide the backdrop of friendly support she clings to as she revives her father's educational Tree Trek. She "speaks for the trees," bringing enthusiasm to the treks she leads. Each chapter focuses on the science of a different tree, connecting the reader with the beauty of nature, and the vitality that comes from listening to the guiding wisdom of one's inner voice.

Excerpt

In my scientific study of trees, I have learned the particular traits and idiosyncrasies of each species which, in a nonscientific way, imbues them with personality. As my dad used to say about any species, “That’s their nature, just the way (fill in the blank) are.” These traits can reflect our own inner natures and make connections to our own lives. A swamp white oak in winter holding onto its leaves may strike some people as stubborn, others as steadfastly persevering, still others as merely decorative, or it might make a connection to some memory from long ago. Depending on what experiences we bring to the situation, we will be drawn to one or more favorite trees that somehow speak to us.

They reflect what we need, like healing from grief, as we focus both within ourselves and beyond ourselves at the same time. In this way, trees bring us home.

Let’s fill in my dad’s blank with juniper. Imagine a juniper coming into view as we walk through the forest. Juniper stands there pure, unmasked, with no agenda at all. Something makes us stop and admire her, feeling her truth flow through us. What does juniper give us? Different things for different people. She is just benignly there, presenting her dark blue “berries” amidst her prickly fronds, always extending an invitation to rest beneath for a while and contemplate…what?

That is for you to find out!

There are many paths to take through grief. Nature offers one way to help move through this powerful emotion and find our way forward, but each path is different and deeply personal. As you walk with me on my grief trek through the trees in these pages, my hope is to open one possible doorway for you to process your own suffering. I have found that spending time in nature offers a trail leading directly into the heart, and, at the very least, to a sense of calm. This is doable for everyone because we are part of nature. The calmness we find beyond ourselves reflects the meditative truth and beauty of our own inner wisdom shining from within. One key moment is all it takes to start things in motion

  

About the Author

Stephanie Mirocha is a visual artist, author, Minnesota master naturalist and science communicator who grew up climbing trees and exploring the city park across from her childhood home. Her creative art expression not only takes form in her passion for writing but also translates into her career as a fine art painter. Besides creating the art for this book, she has illustrated four children’s picture books connecting children to nature. Frog in the House won the 2016 Giverny Award for a science picture book in English, and My Little Book of Bald Eagles won 1st place, Juvenile Nonfiction, in the 2010 Next Gen Indie Book Awards. She and her scientist father shared a poetic heart and a love for nature, each informing and supporting the other throughout their close relationship. Graduating from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Philosophy, Stephanie followed her free spirit and embraced the unconventional life of an artist after moving to Aitkin, a small town in north central Minnesota. This is her first written book. Her art business website is https://stephaniemirocha.com/.

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Cover Reveal: The Spare Affair by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine

THE SPARE AFFAIR

Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine

Release Date: September 29 

Meet Ella Frank:

Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take,Trust, Tease, Tate, and True, and is the co-author of the fan-favorite PresLocke Series. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.

Connect with Ella Frank:

https://linktr.ee/ellafrank1

Meet Brooke Blaine:

Brooke Blaine is a USA Today Bestselling Author best known for writing romantic comedy and M/M romance. Her novels lead with humor and heart, but Brooke never shies away from throwing in something extra naughty that will scandalize her conservative Southern family for life (bless their hearts). She’s a choc-o-holic, lives for eighties bands (which means she thinks guyliner is totally underrated), believes it’s always wine o’clock, and lives with the coolest cat on the planet—her Ragdoll/Maine Coon mix, Jackson Agador Spartacus. 

Meet Brooke Blaine:

https://linktr.ee/brookeblaine1

Blurb:

Gabriel

Winning people over has always been my greatest talent. 

One smile, one joke, one perfectly timed wink, and I have them eating out of my hand. 

But I don’t think that’s going to work so well on Prince Alejandro of Solterra. The man my twin, King Nicholas Valemont, cast aside for his footman in his pursuit of true love. 

Alejandro is infuriatingly handsome, impossibly stubborn, and determined to turn every conversation into a competition. Every move feels suspiciously like a trap designed to make me—the other Valemont brother—suffer.

So naturally, I decide to make a game of it. 

No feelings. 

No jealousy. 

No falling in love. 

Simple.

At least…it was supposed to be.

Alejandro

I’ve already been the world’s biggest royal headline because of a Valemont once. I have no interest in becoming one again. 

Then Gabriel arrives—charming, relentless, impossible to ignore—and somehow turns every argument into flirtation and every competition into something dangerously fun. 

We agree on one rule above all else: no falling in love.

It should’ve been easy. 

Instead, every sharp word, every stolen kiss, every moment no one else is watching makes it harder to remember where the game ends…and where real feelings begin. 

Because the most dangerous thing about competing with Gabriel isn’t losing. 

It’s realizing I’d happily let him win. 

Pre-Order Link:

https://geni.us/TheSpareAffair 

Cover Reveal: Tempt by E.M. Lindsey & Cora Rose

 

TEMPT

E.M. Lindsey & Cora Rose 

Release Date: October 14 

Meet Cora Rose:

Cora Rose loves any kind of romance and consumes way too many books each year. She currently lives in the U.S. and spends her days daydreaming about the characters inside her head.

You can email her at CoraRoseRomance@gmail.com or visit her website at coraroseromance.com

Connect with Cora Rose:

https://www.instagram.com/coraroseauthor/ 

Meet E.M. Lindsey:

E.M. Lindsey is a Romance author, an ancient historian, and avid lover of nerdy things.  EM lives on the East Coast of the United States.  

Connect with E.M. Lindsey:

https://linktr.ee/emlindseyauthor

Blurb:

When portals from another world split open the sky, humanity braces for war… only to discover the monsters from Erethar aren’t here to conquer. They need something from humans. Something oddly specific in order to survive.

But being a Deaf man, they’ve wanted nothing to do with me. At least, up until I meet a very high-ranking monster in Las Vegas.

My night with Eissa is meant to be a one-time thing with very specific rules, but when we get back home, he’s there, and still cornering me in dark alleys to take what he wants.

Unfortunately, just as I’ve decided to move on, I become a target of an anti-monster faction, and I have no other choice but to take sanctuary on Erethar…

…as a newly contracted Vyastil companion to none other than Eissa himself.

While Eissa hasn’t changed, here on Erethar it’s becoming obvious there’s more to his story than I thought. And if I play my cards right and learn exactly how to tempt him, he may be willing to do more than just take what I have to offer.

He may be willing to keep me.

My name is Luca, and I’m working my gym-tightened ass off to win the heart of a scarred Vyastil who needs more than just a little romp in the sheets.

You’re welcome, Eissa.

Tempt is the third book in the MM Monster Romance series Feed and Feast. It contains a touch-averse monster with scars both inside and out, a gym-bro human who has no idea how he got himself into this predicament, an Eretharian pet who likes to rearrange furniture, political intrigue, rebellion, and a little high treason…you know, as a treat. This book is high heat, high swoon, and ends with a happily ever after.

Pre-Order Link:

https://books2read.com/u/mK1pLL

Release Blitz: The Boyfriend Proposal by Felice Stevens

 

THE BOYFRIEND PROPOSAL

Felice Stevens

Release Date: September 2 

Meet Felice Stevens:

Felice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.

Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. 

Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.

Felice is a two time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda Literary Award winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir.

Connect with Felice Stevens:

https://www.instagram.com/felicestevens/

Blurb:

Theo

I’m just me—plain, boring Theo. Everyone’s friend but no one’s boyfriend. Dating apps don’t work for me, and the one time I try to change my image is a total disaster.

All I want is someone to come home to and hold hands with. A boyfriend who’ll love me. It doesn’t help that I have this silly crush on Jaxon Polaris, our sexy, gorgeous, district attorney. He’s a flirt who’s never without a date. No matter how nice he is to me, I know the truth. A man like Jaxon would never be interested in someone like me.

Jaxon

I love being the district attorney of Appleton Falls, but I definitely have dreams of sitting on the bench. When the leader of the party approaches me, suggesting I run for a judgeship, I’m thrilled…until he tells me my image as a party boy might hurt me with small-town voters. I can’t deny it—I’ve had more than my share of lovers, and I’ve never hidden my desire to remain single. His suggestion? Find a nice guy and make him my boyfriend.

Problem is, I don’t know any nice guys…except shy, quiet Theo Sweeny.

Reluctantly, Theo agrees to my boyfriend proposal, and the man proceeds to challenge me at every turn. Shy? He’s stubborn and feisty. But his kisses are so sweet, and I can’t stop thinking about him. Being with Theo means I’ll have to tell him my truth—a secret that could prevent me from achieving my dreams. But the more I get to know Theo, the more I come to realize: Win or lose the election, what I’m searching for might be right here by my side.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/06QAXGHT 

Available in KU

Release Blitz: Rookie Attraction by Ava Olsen

 

ROOKIE ATTRACTION

Ava Olsen

Release Date: September 2 

Meet Ava Olsen:

Ava Olsen writes steamy and dreamy contemporary romances filled with heartwarming characters, cheeky banter and swoony moments. 

Connect with Ava Olsen:

https://www.instagram.com/avaolsenauthor/ 

Blurb:

Selwin
I planned on coming out in the NHL. I didn't plan on having to switch teams to survive it.

With the New York Rush, keeping my head down should be safe—until rookie defenseman Finn Baran shows up. Finn is talented, determined, impossible to ignore. Every late-night conversation and every stolen glance on the ice pulls me closer to a line I swore I'd never cross.

Falling for my teammate was never part of the playbook.

Finn
After going undrafted, I thought my hockey dreams were over. A last-minute tryout with the Rush gives me one more chance—and puts me face-to-face with Selwin Kirkland, a player I've admired for years.

Our chemistry is undeniable.
The timing couldn't be worse.

As friendship turns into something more, we have to decide if protecting our careers is worth losing the one thing we never saw coming: each other.

Rookie Attraction is a bi awakening, friends-to-lovers, hurt/comfort MM hockey romance. Book 1 of the NY Rush series—where love doesn't play by hockey rules.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/00ZrPfgW 

Available in KU

Release Blitz: The Truths We Find by Donna Bollen

 

THE TRUTHS WE FIND

Donna Bollen

Release Date: September 2 

About Donna Bollen:

Donna fell in love with journalism at a very young age and always knew she wanted to use it to help people. She graduated with her degree in Broadcasting, but started working in newsrooms even before she graduated, learning from award winning writers and producers. She became a full-time producer, running various hours of a morning news show for nearly eight years, earning an Emmy Award in the process.

When the pandemic hit, she felt she needed to do more and went back to school to earn her Legal Studies degree. Now, Donna works as a Trust and Estate Litigation Paralegal, giving a voice to those who no longer have one. Every day feels like she’s living in a real-life soap opera.

Donna is an avid romance reader and has her nose in a book any chance she gets. She lives on the West Coast with her husband and son.

Connect with Donna Bollen:

https://www.instagram.com/authordonnabollen/

Blurb:

She’s chasing the biggest story of her career.

He’s her new boss... and the ex who shattered her heart.

DANI

I fought my way up the newsroom ladder. So when I'm passed over for a promotion, I tell myself I can handle it.

Until my new boss walks in.

Gavin. The man who ghosted me for ten years. The man I thought I would marry.

Now I'm stuck working for my biggest mistake... while my possessive boyfriend and unfinished feelings threaten everything I’ve built.

GAVIN

I left to protect her. Keeping a secret that could destroy everything.

Now I’m her boss... and still hopelessly in love with her.

Office rules say she’s off limits. My heart says Dani’s always been mine.

One truth could change it all, but a second chance could save us both.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/023ujGWU 

Available in KU 

Book Tour: The Hero of Pamplona by Len Wechsler

 

And Other Mostly True Stories

Memoir

Date Published: June 12, 2026

Publisher: MindStir Media

What makes a life worth remembering? Is it danger—or joy? Triumph—or deception? Sometimes it’s all of them, tangled together in moments that refuse to fade.

The Hero of Pamplona and Other Mostly True Stories is a memoir told through twenty-two vividly rendered short stories drawn from the extraordinary life of Len Wechsler. Spanning decades and continents, these deeply personal reflections move effortlessly from New York to Los Angeles, Paris to Pamplona, Lisbon to Tangiers—each place leaving its mark, each moment carrying emotional weight.

With the voice of a philosopher, the instincts of a filmmaker, and the honesty of someone who has lived fully, Wechsler explores friendship and betrayal, risk and reinvention, longing and belonging. These are stories shaped by youthful bravado, artistic pursuit, cultural collision, and the quiet reckonings that come with time.

Sometimes humorous, sometimes haunting, and always human, this memoir invites readers into a life lived on the edge of experience—where truth and memory blur, and where the author believes one simple thing: if a story touches him, it may touch you too.

Whether you read it as travel memoir, coming-of-age reflection, or a meditation on identity and chance, The Hero of Pamplona and Other Mostly True Stories is a journey worth taking.

 

About the Author

Len Wechsler is a writer, filmmaker, and lifelong storyteller whose work spans continents, cultures, and creative disciplines. Raised in New York City and educated in the Midwest, Wechsler studied philosophy at the Sorbonne in Paris before earning a master’s degree from New York University. His early adult years were marked by adventure and movement—from playing professional basketball in France and Italy to traveling across Europe and around the Mediterranean.

In the United States, Wechsler taught in both New York and California before launching a filmmaking career in the mid-1970s. He was among the earliest filmmakers to capture the raw beauty, risk, and exhilaration of surfing and skateboarding on film, later transitioning into screenwriting for feature films. His creative life continued overseas when he lived and worked in Portugal for thirteen years as a teacher and theater director.

More recently, Wechsler co-wrote a stage play exploring the underbelly of Los Angeles, which debuted in New York City. A member of the Writers Guild of America West, he now lives in California, where he continues to write—and still plays basketball when he can, even if the three-pointer no longer falls as easily.

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