June 2023 New Releases
(Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2023)
Summertime is here! As June begins, Mascot Books is excited to welcome many titles to our catalog. Check out the new releases below. We look forward to hearing your thoughts!Subplot
The latest book from our distinguished Subplot Books fiction imprint is Into the Gorge: When the perilous journeys of a beautiful Austrian woman and a wayward Australian commando collide, the two discover escaping a war is only half the battle . . . they still have to find their way home. The explosive events that follow will determine whether physical chasms can ever separate true love.
Mascot Books
Our latest Mascot Books titles both explore complicated stories from across the cosmos, from two unique perspectives. Read the descriptions at the links below and select which one will be the next summer read you can’t put down.
Mascot Kids
June’s new picture books cover a wide variety of exciting topics, including important messages for people of all ages, fun voyages, adorable animals adventures, and lessons about real-world concerns, appropriate for little ones. Choose your favorite below to get your summer off to the right start! 
May 2023 New Releases
(Posted on Tuesday, May 2, 2023)
“April showers bring May flowers,” and many months (or years) of hard work bring May books! As we begin the month of May, Mascot Books is excited to welcome many titles to our catalog. Check out the new releases below. We look forward to hearing your thoughts!Mascot Books
Our latest Mascot Books titles, both fiction and non-fiction, explore the mysteries of life: from love and meaning, to big conspiracies and small-town crime. If you want to learn more about yourself or the world around you, dive into one of these new releases this month!
Mascot Kids
April’s new children’s books are a unique blend. From adventures with furry friends and imaginary creatures, to grounding yourself through meditation and empowerment, these books contain special life lessons for little ones—or anyone—to enjoy. Let your imagination play with the books below! 
April 2023 New Releases
(Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2023)
Welcome to April! As we enter the spring season, we are thrilled to add more books for little ones, teens, and everyone in between to our catalog. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on our latest releases.
Mascot Kids
April’s new releases for young people (and those young at heart) cover a wide variety of topics, from accepting others’ differences, treating people with kindness, and loss and grieving…even surviving an attack from a vicious alien race! Click below on to learn more about our latest titles and join us in celebrating their release day! 
March 2023 New Releases
(Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2023)
It’s hard to believe it’s March already! We are proud to welcome many new titles to our catalog this month. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on our latest releases. Mascot Books The latest Mascot fiction releases center strong women, the captivating magic within them, and the fates they must face. We are proud to announce these new additions to our far-out catalog of Fantasy and Sci-Fi titles—including one story designed just for young adult readers (or, those young at heart!)
Our new nonfiction Mascot Books titles center on lives well-lived: that of one of history’s most fascinating and elusive artists, Leon Schulman Gaspard, and that of Christiana Cioffi, a real woman on her journey to find true love before reaching forty. Whether you’re seeking history of humor, Mascot Books will be able to help this month.
Mascot Kids
March’s picture books share stories about family, furry friends, and fun—while imparting lessons to the next generation about important topics such as the power of positive thinking, what to do when a family member is sick, and being kind to others. We are also excited to see many additions to existing Mascot Kids series. Help us welcome these latest releases to our shelves!
October 2022 New Releases
(Posted on Tuesday, October 4, 2022)
As October begins, we are welcoming many new titles from three different imprints—Mascot Books, Mascot Kids, and Subplot Publishing. With a wide variety of books to choose from, it might be time to cozy up and add these books to your autumn “TBR” list. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on our latest releases!
Subplot Publishing
A Knock on the Door is the exciting October release from our newest imprint for contemporary fiction, Subplot Publishing! When the protagonist’s husband dies in a tragic accident, her life is turned upside down. What unfolds is a thrilling investigation that leads to one of the most powerful men in the country. But who will believe her story? And how many more will die before they do? Now, she must decide if she has the courage—and the ability—to finish what she started.
Mascot Books
Our nonfiction Mascot Books titles this month share hard-hitting stories that may change how you think about the world around you. Whether you’re trying to live a more stress-free life, coping with a life-changing discovery, or curious to learn about a slice of American history, this selection may have something for you.
Meanwhile, the latest Mascot fiction releases take readers around the world for a series of exciting plots that will sweep you off your feet—from a stunning action thriller with impossible stakes, to an emotional and raw story about love in the face of grief, to tales of faith and devotion from the Buddhist tradition.
Mascot Kids
Our newest children’s books share age-appropriate lessons about facts of life, friendship, and even financial literacy while engaging young readers through memorable stories and colorful characters. 
September 2022 New Releases
(Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2022)
We are proud to announce the newest books from our Mascot and Mascot Kids imprints. Full of helpful advice, thrilling action, and important life lessons, these books are sure to inform and entertain readers of all ages. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on all of our latest releases!
Mascot Books
Our nonfiction Mascot Books titles this month are all prepared to offer you great advice. Whether you need help processing emotions, improving your business acumen, or eating healthier, these books will help you live a happier and more fulfilled life.
Meanwhile, our fiction Mascot Books release this September takes readers on an exciting adventure to fight a powerful evil force. Don’t miss this rousing, action-packed novel! 
Mascot Kids
Our latest children’s books feature characters who are daring, loving, helpful, and confident—each sharing life experiences and lessons with young readers in an age-appropriate and fun way!
August 2022 New Releases
(Posted on Tuesday, August 2, 2022)
We are happy to announce the newest titles from our Mascot and Mascot Kids imprints. Full of creativity and ingenuity, these books will tug at your heart strings, inspire your imagination, and renew your self-confidence. We look forward to hearing your opinions on all of the newest releases.
Mascot Books
Our Mascot Books title this month is one of overcoming obstacles and persistence. Twenty-five years before Jackie Robinson, Spottswood Poles was poised to be “the one” who shattered baseball’s color barrier. But, WWI and racism in America denied him this dream. The new book by local Northern Virginia celebrity Wayde Byard is the story of Poles’s life before the War as a baseball player and after as a mentor, leader, and entrepreneur.
Mascot Kids
This month’s new releases for children cover topics such as self-confidence, inclusivity, and imagination, in addition to teaching children about life experiences in an age-appropriate way. The stories may vary, but these life lessons aim to help children grow in a positive way.
July 2022 New Releases
(Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2022)
Readers of our blog will remember that last month’s new releases touched on themes of introspection and nostalgia. This month, our new titles continue on that path and focus on meaningful reflection. Whether on the past, relationships, world choice, or actions, the midway point of 2022 is the perfect time for contemplation.
As always, please leave us comments below or review this month’s books on your favorite platform; we love to hear from readers, and our authors do too!
Amplify Publishing
We’re kicking our July titles off with Reimagining Blue from Amplify Publishing. Written by former Aurora, Illinois, police chief Kristen Ziman, this captivating memoir shares details of Kristen’s life and upbringing, her time in the police force and the many challenges she faced, and her thoughts on the way forward for policing. 
Mascot Books
At Mascot Books, we’re releasing four new nonfiction titles. From a multigenerational story about a legendary Hungarian family, to one man’s account of his bond with his dog, to the life story of renowned NFL coach Mike Westhoff, this month’s memoirs are insightful, heartfelt, and incredibly honest. And topping things off, we’re releasing a guide that helps readers improve their writing and learn how to make words shine. No two stories are the same, but these four books show that we can always learn from each other’s journeys. 
Mascot Kids
As always, our new releases from Mascot Kids include several engaging and beautifully illustrated picture books. This July, several of our titles center around mindfulness and self-awareness to help children grow and learn to respect themselves and others.
But of course, we haven’t forgotten summer adventures! With stories like The Swimming Pugs, in which two puppies explore the Bahamas, and Big Daddy and Rico’s RUFF Decision, which follows Big Daddy and Rico as they search for a new puppy, new adventures are all in a day’s work. 
June 2022 New Releases
(Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2022)
Often, our new releases find a serendipitous harmony. This month, many of our latest books revolve around introspection and reflection. Whether it is parents teaching their children about loss and sharing nostalgia for the past, or adults meditating on life or financial concerns—with so much going on in the world, everyone needs to step back and look inward once in a while. Take a moment now to explore our June releases.
As always, please leave us comments or reviews of this month’s books; we love to hear from readers, and our authors do too!
Amplify Publishing
Women Wise: The Essential Guide to Financial and Lifestyle Decisions as We Age by Eleanor Blayney and Marjorie L. Fox is our latest Amplify release. This project is the culmination of a collaboration between financial experts Blayney and Fox, our Amplify team, and our CEO Naren Aryal. Finances can be challenging, especially as we age, but Fox and Blayney have created the essential guide to women’s financial decisions. As they say, “when it comes to retirement advice, one size does not fit all.”
Subplot
We are excited to release The Art of Traveling Strangers by Zoe Disigny in paperback this month. This way, wherever your summer travels take you, you can bring this popular fiction story—filled with art and historical places—along with you. 
Mascot Books
From Mascot Books, five exciting titles will be released this month. These diverse books explore themes of introspection and finding the motivation to move forward—whether the challenge is running with cerebral palsy, living with chronic illness, grappling with history, finding compassion in the world, exploring your own skills, or stretching yourself at work. 
Mascot Kids
In addition to the usual plethora of adorable animals, this month’s children’s books also dive deep: from learning about the stock market and dealing with death, to overcoming fears and literally jumping into the pool this summer. This collection has something for everyone, with colorful adventures in Orange S’more-ange, confidence building in Chloe Cha Chas in London, and nostalgic baseball cards in My Shoebox. 
A Knock on the Door Excerpt
(Posted on Friday, May 13, 2022)
We are thrilled to share a sneak preview of the latest page turner from Subplot, our imprint focused on literary fiction. A Knock on the Door (coming October 2022) tells the story of Lori Crawford, a small town journalist whose world is turned upside down by the death of her husband, Jack. After twenty-five years of marriage, she thought the rest of her life would be spent in an uncomplicated, happy life. But just as Lori feels she’s coming out on the other side of her grief, Jack’s former assistant, Rita Johnson, discovers information that convinces Lori that Jack was murdered.
The two women vow to bring the perpetrator to justice, but time is dwindling, and both of their names are on someone’s kill list…
Chapter 47
Rita had been driving for a few hours when she pulled her car into the parking lot of a seedy motel along the edge of the highway. She got out of her car and strolled into the office.
Jacob had left thirty minutes ahead of her, so he should already be at the rendezvous point they had identified from a Google webcam search. She thought she spotted a quick flash of light, letting her know he was parked at a partially hidden spot across the street from the motel.
They had counted on Rita’s phone being tapped, and on Trench Coat Man following her to this place. The red SUV turned off his headlights and pulled in between two cars at the far end of the motel’s parking lot.
Rita told the manager she’d be staying for what was left of the night and leaving later than the normal checkout. He eyed her carefully as she paid with her credit card. There weren’t many people checking in that wanted to stay more than a few hours or that didn’t pay in cash. He figured he’d treat her to one of his nicer rooms in the back.
She emerged a few minutes later with the key to room 183 and spotted the red SUV hiding in the back of the lot. Perfect! She casually glanced up toward Jacob’s car as she got her empty roller bag out of the trunk to signal him that she would just be a few minutes. Jacob kept his eyes trained on the red SUV while Rita walked around the side of the motel toward the rooms in the back.
The smell of cigarette smoke and stale beer overwhelmed her when she opened the door. In the bathroom, she briefly turned on the shower, wet the towels a bit, and put a couple of pieces of toilet paper in the toilet. Then, she walked over to the bed and rumpled the sheets and pillows. The filthy comforter made her gag. She placed a half empty can of soda on the nightstand.
Rita parted the curtains slightly and scanned for anyone loitering. Seeing no one, she used her burner phone to call Jacob. He confirmed that the man was still in his car.
This was her opportunity. She took the roller bag and trotted quickly across the back embankment of the hotel property and over to the next block where Jacob was waiting for her. She crawled into the car and melted into the front seat, allowing the adrenaline to subside. They headed back to Cooperville, wondering how long Trench Coat Man would watch her car in the morning before he got suspicious.
Chapter 48
At 8 A.M., the phone in Nathan’s cubicle started ringing. Nathan didn’t have to be psychic to know who would be on the other end.
“Nathan Schilling.” He was completely prepared for how this call was going to go. Stay calm and in control.
“Who the hell do you think you are? Making the deaths of two of my employees a sensational story worthy of the National Enquirer? Where’s your respect? Do you realize that SpringWare is the economic pillar of this community? Run another headline like that, and you’ll be talking to my lawyers!” Mason’s tirade seemed to go on forever. The longer he went on, the bigger Nathan’s smile grew.
Just the reaction I was expecting.
“Mr. Mason? I understand your concern, sir. I think you might be interested in some new information that has come to my attention since I wrote that article. Are you in your office? I’d like to come over and talk to you about it.”
“Yes, I am . . . I mean, no,” Mason stammered. “Whatever you have to say to me, you can say on the phone.”
“All right,” said Nathan. “I have confirmation from the ME’s office that George Packwood’s death was a murder, not a suicide . . . that certainly changes things, don’t you think, Mr. Mason?”
Total silence. Gotcha!
“Mr. Mason? Are you there?” Nathan thought for a minute that he might have hung up or passed out.
“Uh, yes. I . . . I have no comment.” The call abruptly ended.
Without giving anything away, we’ll just say: this is a riveting thriller that will surprise readers at every turn. A Knock on the Door is available for preorder now exclusively through our bookstore and will be available for purchase through major retailers on October 4, 2022. Looking for more stories like this one? Check out our other Subplot titles here.