Cape Cod authors: Fiction and nonfiction fill list of new books for adults, children

Cape Cod not only has a surplus of artists — we've got the writers too. This week we touch on almost every genre you can think of. We've got the romance, mystery, fiction, nonfiction, horror, short stories, you name it — we have it. Authors are not in a short supply on the Cape and we are here for it.

“The Road Towards Home,” by Corinne Demas (Lake Union Publishing 2023)

You may have seen Corinne Demas’s children’s book in our last book preview and she’s back again. Award-winning author and college professor, Demas divides her time between western Mass. and Cape Cod. This book takes down a humorous love story between Noah and Cassandra, who are reacquainted at the Clarion retirement home which soon leads to their escape. Clarion feels more like a prison and with each of them carrying a lifetime of baggage will they make it through this journey they have embarked on?

“The Secret to Happiness: Cape Cod Creamery,” by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell 2023)

Suzanne Woods Fisher's new book is the second book in her Cape Cod Creamery series, the first one is called “The Sweet Life.” The author's uncle had a dental office in Chatham for over 40 years, and as a frequent visitor, she loves the Cape.  Callie Dixon had everything going for her until she made a terrible mistake causing her to take refuge at her aunt's house in Cape Cod with the hope of bouncing back. She made the mistake for a reason, and simply bouncing back is not an option. Things get even worse when she's dragged to a secret-to-happiness class, something she did not want to even think of. Instructor Bruno has a way of reaching Callie that upsets her thoughts and emotions. Insisting that rock bottom is the best place to be, but will that help her find out what and who is missing from her life?

“Friends With Boats,” by Alexandra Slater (River Grove Books 2023)

Alexandra Slater is an award-winning journalist and former reporter for NPR. Slater has now had many professions including an actress, comedian, drama and creative writing teacher, clinical researcher, and more. Slater was a Falmouth resident for 15 years. She came to the Cape because her father did research at Woods Hole every summer. Slater's book brings you on a whirlwind of a dilemma, plus one. Mack Taylor is a handsome, wealthy, and recently divorced man who shakes up the lives of three friends when he moves back to Cape Cod to open a resort.  Sadie once dated Mack in the past and that means she has dibs. Or so she thinks. She realizes she has competition, her two best friends. These ladies are at a crossroads in their lives and the attention from Mack is hard to resist. Will they gamble their families, marriage, and friendship for another chance at love?

“Needy: How to Advocate for Your Needs and Claim Your Sovereignty,” by Mara Glatzel 

 Mara Glatzel has lived on the outside of Cape Cod her whole life and is now a North Truro resident. As an intuitive coach, writer, and podcast host she is a self-proclaimed needy woman who helps other needy humans. Her book is about putting your needs first, something that usually ends up on the back burner.  Through Glatzel's book she shares her own approach to identifying, honoring, and advocating for the parts of yourself that yearn for acknowledgment. Using daily check-in and journal prompts and learning how to pave your own way on your own terms. When practicing this work, your confidence will be unshakable because you exist in humanity where you're exactly enough.

“Up Into the Trees, “by Virginia Reiser (Kindle Direct Publishing 2023)

Virginia Reiser had lived on the Cape for 30 years before her death from breast cancer. Reiser was a large print editor for G.K Publishing in Boston, then started her own catering business when she moved here, and her dream was to publish a book. In her novel, a stranger is causing a suburban Boston neighborhood to be torn apart. Neighbors must confront their fears and review their loyalties, however. Their choices bring about a shocking conclusion. The story is told from the perspective of three people while exploring the consequences of sexual assault and forgiveness. What influence does perspective have on the truth? “Up Into the Trees” brings you along the journey of exploring pain, guilt, judgment, forgiveness, and love.

“Hidden Gems: Margaret Getchell LaForge,” by Stephanie Forshee (Archway Publishing 2023)

In the early COVID days, Stephanie Forshee learned about Margaret Getchell, the first female retail executive. She found only a group of people were aware of her accomplished life. With the countless biographical series, none focus on women in business. Forshee wrote this book for children (and adults) to find inspiration from Getchell to pursue their dreams as business leaders. Getchell, a Nantucket native, started as a cash clerk at R.H. Macy’s and rose to superintend and second in command within six years overseeing all 200 employees. Initially hired for her skill with numbers, she proved to be a savvy businesswoman who can also be credited with the addition of a toy department in Macy's and the suggestion of the iconic Macys red star logo.

“My Ride. My Rules.: The Sky We Look at Is the Same,” by Courtney K. Hurst (Self Published 2023)

Courtney Hurst is a fourth-generation Provincetown native. Her new book brings you along on the journey of discovery, trauma, and healing. Since Elizabeth left for college a year she has not been home since because it could unearth the dark secret she has been keeping. That changes when her dad insists, she returns for the annual barbecue. A two-day trip, what could go wrong? What she will learn is going to turn her world upside down. As she is haunted by the memories of last summer, she only spirals further when she learns she's not the only one keeping a secret. With the world being swept from under her, she must be courageous and figure out how she wants to live her life and who she wants in it.

“In The Book I’m Reading: Stories,” by Mary Kane (One Bird Books 2023)

Mary Kane is a local Falmouth author whose new book is compiled with short stories and every word is entertaining until the very end. Kane not only brings you into her world but the lives of her subjects. When you embark on this short story journey, you may find yourself humored one minute and then the next thinking deeply — even from a new perspective, about the universal questions that will grace us all. Her writing style may even leave you feeling like a better reader.

“American Voodoo,” by Joseph Theroux (Self Published 2023)

Joseph Theroux is an accomplished historian who lives in West Dennis and has published seven novels. Theroux is also the secretary for the Cemetery Advisory Committee in Dennis. Several years ago, a man named William Broussard sent a package to the committee, including a carbon copy of American Voodoo by Lloyd Osbourne. With his previous experience editing Osbourne's books, he was urged to do it again. “American Voodoo” is the only full book about Clementine Barnabet, the most prolific female serial killer in American history. In 1911 it is alleged she butchered 31 men, women, and children. William Faulkner who has been researching her convinces him to come to Orleans. After a premature release from jail Osbourne and Faulkner began tracking her to prevent her from killing again, but she’s tracking them too.

"Macabre Trophies," by Declan Rush (Self Published 2023)

Ted Murphy has chosen Declan Rush as his author's name. Murphy lives in Falmouth and has won awards for his other novels. Placed in Cape Cod in 2004, a mysterious man named Nero plays his violin in the woods, is often faintly heard by fisherman, but no one has stopped to analyze him and that's why he's a precise killer. A man names JT gets a job at a local bi-weekly paper. Escaping his trauma, he takes the job and enjoys the beauty of the Cape. Until a little boy goes missing and he is the last one to see him. This opens wounds up from an old case when a boy was murdered on Christmas Eve in 1972. JT is on a mission to find answers, but what he discovers can endanger people and the women he loves.

"The Great Clam Cake and Fritter Guide," Carolyn Wyman (Self Published 2023)

Wyman has authored several books and has made several television appearances defending her beloved junk food. Wyman takes you for a clam cake and fritter trip from Maine to Virginia. You can find recipes, history, culture and more in her book. Here in our neck of the woods Wyman features Captain Frosty's In Dennis and Katie's Seafood in Brewster. Giving you a brief history and the buzz of the restaurant.

"Myths, Tall Tales and Half Truths of Cape Cod," James Ellis (The History Press 2023)

Local Cape Cod author and historian James Ellis, is diving into fact vs. fiction of one of the world's oldest regions Cape Cod. With the tourist Mecca comes tall tales and the stretching of truth. Something that even churches and historical societies are nimble of gilding the lily. Find out where the The Wizard of Oz actually premiered, if Mercy Otis Warren had a part writing the Bill of Rights and who invented the doughnut hole and much more.

"Postcard History Series: Lighthouses of the North Atlantic Coast," Lisa Osborne Cynowa (Arcadia Publishing 2023)

In this Postcard History Series, Lisa Osborne Cynowa explores many of the lighthouses and break water, pier, and reef lights on the North Atlantic Coast, with marvelous pictures engulfing the book. Chapter three covers Massachusetts. Cynowa gives a brief history, facts and statistics of the lighthouses. In our neck of the woods Chatham, Nantucket, Hyannis, Eastham, West Dennis, North Truro, Provincetown, West Barnstable, Falmouth and more are covered and is quite fascinating to say the least.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod authors offer romance, mystery, horror and nonfiction