Where The Battles Weren't is a book about ten towns in the western United States who share a name with an important Civil War battle. From Gettysburg, South Dakota to Winchester, Oregon and Petersburg, Alaska to Vicksburg, Arizona, Where The Battles Weren't takes readers on an exciting ride across the American West. Where The Battles Weren't covers these areas during a 17 day road trip in January and February of 2013. These western towns are important because although they share a name with a battle site, they symbolize our country's resolve to move ahead following the Civil War. Covering everything from a capital city high in the Rocky Mountains to a San Francisco Bay Area industrial city, Where the Battles Weren't gives readers a broad look at life out West. This book also describes the challenges, rewards, disappointments, and triumphs of travelling to these locations during the winter. Overall, Where The Battles Weren't is a spirited study of American history and an invigorating narrative on our great modern nation.

Sharday Cage has given the world a gift. Her debut book of poetry, entitled "Death of a Black Star," offers a beautiful perspective on the duality of culture. Drawing from her African heritage and pulling from her Chicagoan upbringing, Sharday provides passionate prose and rhymes about what it's like to be black and living in America while having dreams of Africa. Along with this, her words debate what it means to be troubled by life, to be inspired by love, and most of all, to shine bright as a black star. Sharday Cage began reciting her poetry at Saint Xavier, whereat she reached a pivotal moment: reciting her poem "Forgiveness" to Sister Helen Prejean, who has become a leading American advocate for the abolition of the death penalty and who was played by Susan Sarandon in the film based on her life, Dead Man Walking. What has been said about "Death of a Black Star: " "Her poems are wise, edgy, funky, relevant, and universal. Best of all, to steal a phrase from the old jazzmen, her poems "swing." She has impeccable pace, rhythm, and timing. Sharday's poetry is a joy to read." - Milo Samardzija "Her poems are the voice of African Americans living in a new century that is still trying to deal with an enormous amount of change and acceptance of culture. I prefer to look at these poems as letters from the front line of these changes for all people, African or otherwise." ---Dan Picone, Poet and author of "Lost Evidents," which is also available on Sakura Publishing at http: //www.sakura-publishing.com

Written by esteemed CNN journalist Gina London, this book is a love story written by Gina to her four year old daughter Lulu. More specifically, it's a collection of funny stories about living with her daughter and the hilarious and amazing things that her daughter says. For people who loved Sh*t My Dad Says, this is the female version. It's funny, poignant, and touching, and if you are a parent who observes his or her child often saying the funniest things, you will appreciate Gina's charm and wit at capturing each weird yet strange yet true moment in her young child's life. For all ages and audiences.

Denver author Jimmy Hyten has come up with a hilarious and at times, just plain sad, recounting of his marriage gone horribly wrong. Many men will be able to relate in Jimmy's day to day exploits with his wife, from what it's like to share the same bed every night with a woman, going grocery shopping as a married couple, and of course, what happens when a husband mentions ANYTHING about his lover's weight The anecdotes are plentiful and through the entire book, a message that is part warning and part instructional is provided by Jimmy to any male either married or about to take the plunge. How does it end for Jimmy? You'll have to read the book to find out For fans of books like "Gone Girl," give yourself a chance to read about marriage from a male perspective with "My Awfully Wedded Life."

Ever wonder where the Santa got his elves? There are many myths and ideas about how the man in red got his help, but Jason Kinnear offers us a truly definitive version of the ancient origin of the helping elves. His book is highly imaginative and at times both a realistic, gritty portrayal of a group of people who struggled to make ends meet and also a children's story that centers on cementing a magical realism into place for anyone with an imagination. Expect this title before Christmas, as it would make a perfect gift for anyone who loves the Christmas season.