Hollywood, Adulting, Atypical Science Fiction, and an Action Saga are among BookTrib's Bites.

"Deception: A Hollywood Mystery"

 In the enchanted kingdom of Hollywood, blood and dreams run red, and noble hearts rarely win the prizes of conflict... When Josh Sibley is offered the chance to write songs for a multimillion-dollar feature film, he jumps at the chance. Then he meets Lila Levy, a seductive singer/actor who is married to the film's producer. She tries to entice Josh into a covert love affair by using her sensuality.

Dark spirits, on the other hand, are cloaked in glitz and mystery in Hollywood. Lila vanishes after her husband is murdered, leaving Josh to face the woman determined to find her: Police Sergeant Rosemaria Baker. When the detectives finally apprehend Lila, she claims innocence and bases her case on a horrible childhood tragedy that would torment Josh's conscience.

"The Happy Clam"

If the author's last book, "Go Forward, Support!" was about staying a child for as long as possible, this one is about growing up. "The Happy Clam" covers all aspects of happiness: physical, intellectual, emotional, relational, and spiritual, combining insights from psychology and philosophy with practical guidance on how to put them into practice.

There are a thousand things we can do to make our lives happier, but only a few of them truly make a difference. The author has taken all the bits and bytes of everyday news, research, and experience, and stitched them together to produce a carefully made mosaic rich with hope and inspiration, just as clams filter feed on what's in the passing current.

"Terms of Service"

This isn't your normal science fiction book. "Terms of Service" is a mix of "1984," "Brave New World," and "Fahrenheit 451," with a dash of "The Matrix" and "Blade Runner" thrown in for good measure. It's a thought-provoking examination of the deep societal ramifications as the digital world and the all-powerful companies that dominate it play a larger part in our lives, leaving readers wondering where it'll all end.

This is a piece of literary science fiction, bizarre at times, mixed with sarcasm, mystical realism, and even absurdism. In terms of subject matter, it falls well within the cyberpunk genre's confines. A lengthy build-up that culminates in a bang. https://amzn.to/3pxMmWI is where you can get it

"The Orchid Farmer's Sacrifice"

Mu Feng, an overconfident and privileged 18-year-old in ancient China, enjoys life as the son of an acclaimed commander. He departs from home after his sister is kidnapped and his companions are slain. Soon after, he realizes that the magical birthmark on his body has imposed a hefty price on his head. Feng finds partners in two fierce warriors and a lovely assassin as he is pursued across the Middle Kingdom. When he discovers that his adversary is planning an incursion with superior weaponry, he must enlist the help of his pals and his burgeoning military expertise to defend his homeland.

Can Feng fulfill a job he didn't realize he had and bring the empire together in the face of a dreadful force? If you enjoy flashing swords, martial arts mayhem, and unavoidable fates, you'll enjoy this film.