September Sky Press
Books for Adult Readers
September Sky Press features highly-acclaimed novels by emerging authors, focusing on titles for new adult and adult readers. We publish a wide variety of genres, but all of our titles feature fresh voices and unique storytelling. Books are listed in order of anticipated publication date.
Coming Soon!
Black Coffee by Daniel Ford
Black Coffee is a new short story collection from the author of Sid Sanford Lives! Daniel Ford brews together heartsick, over-caffeinated characters and dialogue that sizzles off a greasy diner grill. Enter a mournful veteran's mind as he loses his grip on reality. Join an all-female extermination squad hunting down despicable men. Wait at the bar with two soulmates as they battle their stormy past and try to bring a cold love back to a boil. These nine moving, funny, and at times, terrifying stories explore how people meander in and out of each other's lives, why family bonds are the hardest to navigate and break, and how hope lights a path even in the darkest of coffee cups.
Killer Curriculum by Douglas Alexander
August Booker left the FBI for a teaching position at a small, private college in Berksville, NY. Content with teaching Criminology, he is pressured into helping the local police investigate a gruesome murder. Reluctantly, Booker agrees... on one condition: that the investigation serve as a learning experience for his three brightest students. Meanwhile, Detective Sarah Rime just transferred to the sleepy, Upstate New York town trying to leave her past in the grit and grime of New York City behind. But her first day on the job, she lands a murder investigation that has the little town in a frenzy. And if that wasn't enough pressure, the headstrong cop has to accept help from a know-it-all professor and his three students-- a cheerleader, a computer geek, and a senior citizen. Will this unlikely team be able to find the killer before he strikes again?
Veiled Blessings by Melissa Bennett
Life in a small, Southern town is nearly idyllic for young widow Katie Prentice. She has her friends, her church, and her charity work at the local hospital. And, she has fond memories of her late husband, Pete. But Katie's quiet life is thrown into turmoil when she meets Jackson Sinclair, a successful surgeon and the talk of the town. Katie feels as if she should be flattered by Jackson's attentions, but finds it difficult to allow him into her heart and her life, especially when he's competing against the ghost of a man who was the love of her life. When Katie discovers the truth of Jackson's past, she faces a difficult choice: continue living a quiet, lonely life, or take a risk and perhaps end up broken-hearted.
Vainguard by Jon Negroni
Exa thought she would be the hero. But to the world, she is the villain known as Killerjoy, a force of true evil guilty of plunging the dominion into chaos. Now in hiding, Exa will do whatever it takes to redeem her name and prevent all out war between lords, masques, and the mysterious assassins who call themselves Sano.
Now Available!
Life's Most Difficult Questions
As a pastor for nearly 40 years, John Kassen has been asked more than his fair share of questions. Some he found easy to answer, while others were a bit more perplexing. In this book, Rev. Kassen begins a complex exploration of life's hardest questions, using anecdotes and stories to tackle subjects ranging from prayer and "proper" church behavior to war, death, evil, free will, and the very nature of God. If you've ever wondered things like "Where is Heaven?" "Is God fair?" "Why does God allow evil in the world?" "Can a person who commits suicide go to Heaven" "How do I know the Bible is true?" or "Why am I here? What's this all for, anyway?" then this is the book for you.
My Life With(out) Ranch
My Life Without Ranch: A Roller Coaster Journey to Self-Worth is a fun, unique self-help book for today’s generation. This humorous collection of essays lets readers know that healthy body image and self-esteem are matters of mindset—not willpower. When it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, there are no easy answers, and weight and size do not determine self-worth.
While most self-help books about weight and body image emphasize the destination, author Heather Wyatt focuses on the journey. At the end of the day, this book is a conversation, a way of saying, “Y’all, me too, I get it! You aren't bad the way you are right now, right this second. You’re pretty freaking awesome, actually” Wyatt will have readers crying tears of laughter and relief. And as a special bonus, delicious, fun recipes can be found at the end of each chapter!
Click HERE to read more about author Heather Wyatt
While most self-help books about weight and body image emphasize the destination, author Heather Wyatt focuses on the journey. At the end of the day, this book is a conversation, a way of saying, “Y’all, me too, I get it! You aren't bad the way you are right now, right this second. You’re pretty freaking awesome, actually” Wyatt will have readers crying tears of laughter and relief. And as a special bonus, delicious, fun recipes can be found at the end of each chapter!
Click HERE to read more about author Heather Wyatt
Sutherland
In 1885, the Seven Sutherland Sisters were one of the most celebrated acts in Barnum and Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth. Hailed across the globe for their singing and envied for their legendary hair, the sisters rocketed to success. At the World’s Fair, crowds of men chased after the sisters, trying to cut their long locks. Women paid thousands for their hair care products. Even Queen Victoria requested a private performance at Windsor Castle.
Only a few servants and friends know the darkness that lies behind the Sutherland fame. Anna Louise Roberts takes a position as the Sutherland’s governess and tutor, she begins to fear the ghosts that haunt the Sutherland mansion, the madness that plagues their youngest sister, and the family curses that slowly contaminate their fame. Like mythical sirens, the Sutherland Sisters call Anna to a life of comfort and luxury, while ensuring her doom.
Click HERE to read more about author MC Hall
Only a few servants and friends know the darkness that lies behind the Sutherland fame. Anna Louise Roberts takes a position as the Sutherland’s governess and tutor, she begins to fear the ghosts that haunt the Sutherland mansion, the madness that plagues their youngest sister, and the family curses that slowly contaminate their fame. Like mythical sirens, the Sutherland Sisters call Anna to a life of comfort and luxury, while ensuring her doom.
Click HERE to read more about author MC Hall
I Never Eat... Cheesesteak
Al has never really been the lead actor of his own life-- going to the seminary to please his grandmother, leaving seminary for a university to please his mother, and longing to play in a band, but never finding the courage. When Al receives a mysterious job offer to become an "observer," he fails to realize he will be observing the destruction of vampires. I Never Eat... Cheesesteak has all the insights on how to go from a lovable loser to a vampire hunter/rock guitarist while keeping your sense of humor.
Click HERE to read more about author Paul Lubaczewski.
Click HERE to read more about author Paul Lubaczewski.
Music Theory
Basie Wenger, a twenty-four-year-old trained percussionist from Philadelphia, impulsively takes on a sudden posting as choir director for a church in Kansas City. Trying to adjust to small town life is difficult enough. But as she begins her new job, Basie has make peace with angry church board members, single-handedly save a children’s dance recital, manage a growing list of potential boyfriends, and complete three bizarre and humiliating challenges commanded in the will of a recently deceased church member. Oh, and lead the choir... all while keeping the secret that she can't actually sing.
Read more about author Brian McCann HERE
Read more about author Brian McCann HERE
Baggage Claim
Aaron Davis hid the fact that he struggled with a rare genetic disorder and severe depression for most of his life. For 15 years he served in churches as a pastor and missionary. Eventually, depression got the better of him and Aaron was admitted into a psychiatric hospital for 4 days of observation. This gripping memoir details the factors that led to his depression and pastoral burnout and the plans and choices he made to finally become whole.
Read more about author Aaron Davis HERE
Aaron Davis hid the fact that he struggled with a rare genetic disorder and severe depression for most of his life. For 15 years he served in churches as a pastor and missionary. Eventually, depression got the better of him and Aaron was admitted into a psychiatric hospital for 4 days of observation. This gripping memoir details the factors that led to his depression and pastoral burnout and the plans and choices he made to finally become whole.
Read more about author Aaron Davis HERE
Killerjoy
This epic novel is set in a dangerous world of mysterious monsters, ruined kingdoms, vast cities, and superheroes for hire. A young outcast with the ability to walk through walls leaves her mercenary life behind to join a team of royal guards. At the same time, a young man gets recruited by masked vigilantes to take on the caped heroes who abuse their power. This unique science fiction novel is the first in a trilogy and celebrates diverse voices not often shared in epic fantasy adventures.
Read more about author Jon Negroni HERE
First Case Scenario
Undercover and using moves she didn’t learn at the Detroit Police Academy, Harlee races to identify the cold case murderer who has struck again. While juggling a charming ex-fiancé, a friend with benefits, and a partner who is too darn handsome for his own good, Harlee begins socializing with the potential suspects outside of work... until the killer learns of her double identity. This mystery has a perfect blend of humor, sexiness and suspense.
Read more about author Annemarie DeClark HERE
Read more about author Annemarie DeClark HERE
Dreamfield
On his forty-first birthday, Ethan travels back to the past for a second chance to relive his senior year of high school and undo the greatest regret of his life. But only God knows how Ethan's new past will affect his future. An exploration of faith and pop-culture, this modern-historical novel appeals to both adult and young adult readers.
Read more about author Ethan Bryan HERE
Sid Sanford Lives!
Riffing on noir and told in a series of vignettes, Sid Sanford Lives! douses humanistic themes—love, loss, and family—in bourbon, shoves them in the barrel of a gun, and shoots. This emotionally-charged debut is sure to keep readers up late into the night to find out who is left standing.
Sid Sanford always follows a path, just not his own. From backyard Wiffle ball games to New York City skyscrapers, Sid finds triumph and pain in equal measure during his uncertain, and at times violent, thrust into manhood.
A colorful, loyal family, a plethora of eccentric friends, and a few star-crossed soulmates highlight his journey, but it’s ultimately up to Sid whether his destiny fulfills his potential or drowns in the bottom of a bottle.
Read more about author Daniel Ford HERE
Sid Sanford always follows a path, just not his own. From backyard Wiffle ball games to New York City skyscrapers, Sid finds triumph and pain in equal measure during his uncertain, and at times violent, thrust into manhood.
A colorful, loyal family, a plethora of eccentric friends, and a few star-crossed soulmates highlight his journey, but it’s ultimately up to Sid whether his destiny fulfills his potential or drowns in the bottom of a bottle.
Read more about author Daniel Ford HERE
Smothered
Rising child star Kitty Holbrooke was murdered fifteen years ago. The story captured the nation's attention, but Lieutenant Andrea Bennett was never able to bring Kitty's killer to justice. Today, an online tabloid has reopened the case, letting a ravenous public read previously-sealed police interviews and grand jury proceedings. Loosely inspired by the JonBenét Ramsey case, this unique mystery novel is told through transcripts, court documents, emails, and comments from an online audience who just can't get enough.
Read more about author Megan Cassidy (writing as MC Hall) HERE
Read more about author Megan Cassidy (writing as MC Hall) HERE
The Christmas Letter
Mary is a naïve twenty year old in 1945 when her high school sweetheart, Jack, returns to their small Indiana steel town wounded from World War II and makes her his bride. While Jack struggles to find his place in the world, Mary begins her own journey of self-discovery. As the years and letters unfold, Mary and Jack have five children, including their first-born son, Junior who is not “right," an issue that contributes to the turmoil in their marriage and impacts their lives in unforeseen ways. Mary's Christmas letters track her children from toddling to adulthood, while also commenting on her marriage, her friendships, and the world around her-- advances in technology, the dawn of the nuclear age, the Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, Vietnam, Woodstock, and more. Through disappointments, triumphs, dark moments of doubt and suspicion, loss of loved ones, and the lessons learned from hard experience, Mary’s Christmas letters are a constant in an uncertain world. A part of the ritual of Christmas, these letters are a touchstone from which Mary takes strength and comfort.
Read more about author Steven Berman HERE
Read more about author Steven Berman HERE
Hidden Thorns
Recently divorced after thirty years of marriage, Lil is on her own for the first time. The last thing she anticipates is an exciting new relationship... or a stalker. After Lil gets a series of disturbing hang-up calls, roses and cryptic notes start showing up in her home. Through a series of church connections, her case is expedited into the hands of Detective Michael Corsey, a confirmed bachelor and part-time playboy. Lil never expected to have feelings for someone so soon after her divorce, particularly someone with such a sordid reputation. But the mutual attraction between Lil and Michael is obvious, a complication that will transform both of their lives. Unfortunately, their growing relationship emboldens Lil’s stalker. His threats increase, testing Lil's faith and friendships, while endangering both her second chance at love and her life.
Read more about author Melissa Bennett HERE
Read more about author Melissa Bennett HERE