Book Spotlight: The Purpose of Life by Jason Hershey
Today I am bringing you a book spotlight for the upcoming novella The Purpose of Life by Jason Hershey. This is the third novella in the Thelonious Mitchell series. This one comes out May 26th and I will be reading and reviewing it very soon! My goal is to read and review it this month and I still have time! Plus, I have an extra day off this weekend thanks to Memorial Day here in the US. I reviewed the first two novellas in the series this week. The reviews are linked below.
If you are intrigued by these novellas, go ahead and buy a copy or even pre-order and ‘meet’ a new-to-you author! You can’t loose as these are not long stories! And Even Better: The first two in the series are currently FREE on Kindle! That’s right: They are FREE through May 25th! Pick up a copy as you have NOTHING to lose!
About The Purpose of Life
Author: Jason Hershey
To Be Published: May 26, 2026
134 pages
Book Description:
One traffic stop. One moment of injustice. One man’s struggle to remain whole.
Thelonious “Theo” Mitchell has spent his young life overcoming tragedy—losing his mother to addiction, watching his best friend die in the streets, and fighting to escape the zip code that tried to define him. Now a college student and youth counselor, Theo has finally found his purpose: helping at-risk kids believe in a future beyond their circumstances.
But on an ordinary evening drive home from work, a routine traffic stop shatters everything Theo has built. Officer Kowalski’s handcuffs are too tight, his questions too probing, his assumptions too dangerous. And though Theo has done nothing wrong, he learns a brutal lesson: sometimes being Black in America is reason enough to be guilty.
In the aftermath, Theo finds himself unraveling. The anger he’s spent years controlling breaks through at the worst possible moment—in front of the very children who need him most. Suspended from the job that gave his life meaning, haunted by sleepless nights and a voice in his head that won’t stop saying “son,” Theo must confront an impossible question: How do you teach kids to trust a system that has just proven itself untrustworthy?
The Purpose of Life is a raw, unflinching exploration of trauma, resilience, and the weight of carrying other people’s burdens when you’re barely holding your own together. Ultimately, it’s about finding the courage to heal—not just for yourself, but for the children watching to see if broken things can ever be made whole again.
For readers who loved The Hate U Give, Long Way Down, and All American Boys—a powerful story about surviving injustice and learning that asking for help is the bravest thing you can do.
Pre-order Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Buy the rest of the series here:
Amazon
Amazon UK
To Live To Die at Barnes & Noble
The Chosen Path at Barnes and Noble
Previous novellas in the series and my reviews:
To Live To Die: 5 stars
The Chosen Path: 4 stars (I love this cover!)
About the Author:
Jason Hershey is a high school English teacher and author who draws inspiration from his experiences growing up in the inner city of South Phoenix, Arizona. His books explore themes of resilience, identity, and personal transformation, connecting deeply with young adult readers through authentic storytelling.
Contact Jason:
Website
Instagram @authorjasonhershey
Book Spotlight: The S.K. Series: Case #1 Jedidiah Walker
Today I am bringing you a book spotlight to the newest book written by Savanna Loy. It is titled The S.K. Series: Case #1 Jedidiah Walker. It is her fifth book and is available now! It is the start of a series she is writing and this book is inspired by her childhood. Despite those dark themes, the book aims to avoid harm, sustained by love, friends, family, Jesus, and coffee.
The S.K. Series: Case #1 Jedidiah Walker is currently only .99! Give a ‘new to you’ author a try! If you have read any of her others, now is the time to buy this one!
About The S.K. Series: Case #1 Jedidiah Walker
Author: Savanna Loy
Publication Date: December 15, 2023
224 Pages
Book Description:
Embark on a heart-pounding journey into darkness with “Case #1 Jedidiah Walker,” the debut in The S.K. Series.
FBI duo Jonah and Mackenzie Hudson, entwined in an unexpected love story, face a spine-chilling series of cases. Jedidiah Walker, a monstrous force driven by a twisted compulsion, takes the spotlight, crafting perfect murders. Drawing from the author’s haunting childhood, this psychological thriller weaves trauma, love, and resilience. In a world where the line blurs between killer and investigator, Walker’s relentless pursuit of the “perfect” crime captivates.
“Case #1 Jedidiah Walker” confronts serious triggers, offering an unflinching exploration of darkness and suspense, setting the stage for an enthralling five-part series. Are you prepared to unravel the enigma and explore the chilling pursuit of perfection on the edge of suspense?
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
About the Author:
The author cherishes her marriage to a traveling RN, whom she has known for more than half her life. While he supports her, she juggles social media, book coaching, public speaking, and serving as a church secretary. From a 911 dispatcher and hostage negotiator in training, she transformed into a Christian School Principal. With six children—five adopted after fostering—and a mix of Bernedoodles, chickens, and goats, their blended family thrives. Despite dark themes inspired by her childhood, her newest book aims to avoid harm, sustained by love, friends, family, Jesus, and coffee.
Contact Savanna:
Instagram @savy_loy
Book Spotlight: Out of the Darkness by Kelly Smith
Today I am bringing you a book spotlight to the newest book written by Kelly Smith: Out of the Darkness. This is her second book and was just released on June 30th! I will also be reviewing this one in the next month or so!
About Out of the Darkness:
Author: Kelly Smith
Publication Date: June 30, 2021
131 Pages
Book Description:
After going through and enduring an abusive toxic relationship, what do you do after you leave? You heal.
In, Out of the Darkness, the follow up to Kelly’s first book ‘Signs in the Rearview Mirror Leaving a Toxic Relationship Behind,’ Kelly takes you on her journey of her healing process recovering from her own past abusive tendencies and her previous toxic relationship. Dating soon follows and so do the bad and unhealthy dates. A life changing trip to Europe with a friend, shows Kelly what she’s truly looking for in a healthy relationship. With eyes wide open, Kelly meets Cruz. They click right away and as they move forward together, Kelly guides you throughout her firsts in her new healthy relationship after healing from a toxic relationship. What does a healthy relationship look like after abuse? Find out in Out of the Darkness.
Purchase Links:
Kelly’s Website
Amazon US
Amazon UK
About the Author:
Kelly Smith, a two-time published author, first came on the scene with her debut novel, Signs in the Rearview Mirror: Leaving a Toxic Relationship Behind. After healing from her toxic relationships, she soon realized dating after a toxic relationship was difficult, which then led her to writing Out of the Darkness. Out of the Darkness, her sophomore book, is her own experiences with healing after abuse, dating and then finding love again. Both books are published by Sunny Day Publishing.
Smith has also combined her two passions, relationship coaching and writing into two successful podcasts. You can find Let’s Get Wicked Deep, A Dating Podcast and Writing Away with Kelly on all of the podcast platforms.
Smith an award-winning writer, writes for Elephant Journal and HuffPost. Smith is a dating expert for the online relationship and dating magazine, GoDates. Smith is a certified relationship and dating coach who works with clients who are trying to rebuild their lives after an abusive relationship ends, or after a long term relationship ends.
Smith is a Boston native who moved to the Austin, TX area July 2003 with her three sons.
Media Expertise Kelly can speak on topics including domestic violence in teen dating, narcissism and toxic relationships, women as the abusers, recovering from an abusive relationship, dating again after an abusive relationship, narcissism in both men and women and living as an adult child with a narcissistic parent.
Contact Kelly:
Website
Twitter @kellys_author
Instagram @bebravecoaching
Linktree