Author Paul Lamb discusses his latest novel, Parent Imperfect. Once again, family takes center stage in this sequel to Paul’s debut novel, One-Match Fire. Parent Imperfect is a story about fatherhood—its highs and lows, joys and sorrows. Two fathers, Curt and Kelly, are trying to raise their adopted son, Clarkson. Curt is a reluctant father. Kelly, on the other hand, has always wanted a child but is plagued by his own demons. And Clarkson grows up understanding that one of his fathers is absent even when he is present, while the other is absent because his condition prevents him from being present. Parent Imperfect takes a look at adoption, the nontraditional family, and the relationship between fathers and sons.

Author Liz Alterman discusses her new domestic suspense novel, The Perfect Neighborhood. In this idyllic suburban town, a little boy goes missing, and the event shakes the very foundation of the town where everyone assumed they were safe. The novel is told from multiple points of view, including the mother of the missing boy, the boy’s teenage babysitter, and a former actress who resists assimilating. All of these characters are on the outside of what is perceived to be the neighborhood’s inner circle. But as they—and Liz’s readers—will find out, no one’s life is as perfect as it seems.

Author Lane Igoudin discusses his new memoir, A Family, Maybe: Two Dads, Two Babies and the Court Cases that Brought Us Together. In this book, Lane details the challenges—legal, political, and personal—that he and his partner Jonathan faced in the early 2000s while trying to adopt their two foster children through the Los Angeles County child welfare system. The process took three years and was fraught with much stress, numerous court delays, and plenty of heartache. A Family, Maybe is a story about building a family and discovering what it means to be a father. But ultimately, it is a story about love.

Author Ana Stanojevic discusses her new Fire Wave trilogy. Ana has always loved the fantasy and superhero genres and is a big fan of Batman, which she admits was an inspiration for this trilogy. The Fire Wave novels are all about what it means to be a superhero—how to be one and the weight of that responsibility. It is a fun mix of the superhero journey blended with mystery, fantasy and a little science fiction. Her goal now is to one day see her Fire Wave trilogy as a series of graphic novels.

Author Allie Slocum discusses her Character Club series for middle grade readers. Each book features a different kid who participates in an after-school club, with each installment focusing on the children’s journeys as they learn various life skills—such as compassion and forgiveness, dealing with loneliness, respecting yourself and others, and accepting the consequences of lying. Allie’s goal is to write books about regular kids living regular lives, going through regular things that kids go through.

Author Stephen Watts (pen name S.R. Watts) and actor and narrator Preston Geer discuss their audio book collaboration for Stephen’s new novel, The Celestial Flame. This is book one in the Divine Saga, a 5-part sweeping epic that combines both fantasy and science fiction and is filled with familial dynasties, political drama and intergalactic war. Stephen wrote this novel hoping it help people find some relief from anxiety, depression and trauma, much like his favorite fantasy books (such as LOTR) did for him when he was young. And Preston Geer worked hard to bring The Celestial Flame to life in audiobook format.

Authors M.M. Downing and S.J. Waugh discuss their new middle grade series, The Adventures of the Flash Gang, about eleven-year-old boy named Lewis Carter who is orphaned and left to fend for himself during the Great Depression in 1930’s Pittsburgh. But Lewis has some physical challenges that make it difficult for him to pull off the same stunts as other streeter orphans. So, Lewis resorts to science to help him in his plight. He becomes so successful that people assume there is an entire gang at work, and he becomes the most notorious food thief in all of Pittsburgh. By the way, he foils a Nazi plot as well. Episode One: Exploding Experiment and Episode Two: Treasonous Tycoon are available now.

Author Candace Kade discusses her newest book, Hybrid. It is the second installment in Candace’s young adult near-future science fiction trilogy known as The Hybrid Series, which she likens to Ready Player One meets Divergent. In Hybrid, Candace takes on the issues of CRISPR and genetic alteration, adoption and the meaning of family, as well as a bit of fun, including the wonderful celebration of the Lunar New Year. Even though Hybrid is the second book in the series, it is really more of an origin story for main character Lee Urban as she struggles with the idea of family—how difficult it can be, but also how hard we will fight to keep it.