Books published by Launch Point Press

"Can I change hearts and minds? I''m trying."~From "Day 82: Can I Change?"Sandra de Helen''s newest poetry collection is all about changing hearts and minds. This collection of poems, gleaned from many decades of keen observation, show the poet to be insightful and clear-headed yet displaying a sly wit at times. Her musings on justice, politics, women in society, war and peace, racism, the 2020 pandemic, and more will be enjoyed by anyone with a heart."This is the day I go for it. Full out, fullstop, no holding back. Plan A all theway. I''m straightening my shoulders,pulling in my chin, leading with myattitude . . ." ~From "Today''s The Day"The poems here go all out with attitude and with skillful creation by a poet at the top of her game. As the Rainbow Awards judges said:"The author wrote with lyrical, beautiful sentences that painted pictures in my mind. Her choices in style and presentation were fabulous."

Every writer would like to have a Muse—or many Muses. All writers want inspiration, encouragement, and ideas because there are few experiences better than getting into the  writing flow. Sue Hardesty reveals the Muses that inspire her. In sharing her practical  and sincere advice, writers will be encouraged to persevere through both the difficult and the joyous days of the writing process. Nine Muses is a book you can return to over and over to soothe your writing soul.

Panda Fowler is a good-natured tax preparer who loves her wife Mitzi, their cat Brutus, their friends, and her routine. She's a born skeptic who's practical and down to earth. Mitzi Fowler is a free-spirited travel agent who keeps Panda from being a total stick in the mud. She believes in fun and fantasy and isn't shy about her love of adventure or her belief in the possibility of magic and supernatural beings. One of their best friends, curator of the Merryville Museum, brings internationally-acclaimed Fiona Castlebaum to unleash a performance piece called Floodlight. But when Fiona goes off script, Mitzi and Panda have their lives turned upside down. And then a creature from the Hercynian Forest arrives with a cryptic message for Panda. Worst of all, Mitzi goes missing. Will Panda have the courage to face a frightening world that she never believed in so she can find and retrieve her mate? Will Mitzi survive the ordeals she encounters? The suspense gradually increases, but so does the humor as Panda and friends challenge the magical world, battle powerful villains, and struggle to get Mitzi back. "I love me some wacky plots and characters, and between the thrills and chills in Floodlight, this book has a lot of humorous stuff in it. Besides, there are elves and griffins and dwarves-oh, my!-who could ask for anything more? If you like the funny urban fantasies of Charlaine Harris or Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, you'll likely enjoy Birmingham's new series."~Jessie Chandler, award-winning author of The Shay O'Hanlon Caper Series

"An exciting adventure with unique characters navigating their way through fantasy and reality. . . [Words on a Plate is an] easy read, writing is crisp, and the mystical characters are interesting with creative powers." ~Katie Cotter, former news editor, The Advocate Panda and Mitzi Fowler, a married couple, and their best friends Valerie and Juniper are processing their recent discovery that magic is real. Elves! Fairies! Magical flying creatures! And Mitzi has magical powers she never knew about which she may have to employ when they take off for Peru to search for Panda's longlost parents. At home in Merryville, Juniper opens a new feminist exhibit at the museum called "Words on a Plate," which is met with homophobia and protest. As the women journey toward their goals, they end up threatened and tormented, all of which crescendos at the Merryville Museum. Can a bit of magic help them overcome evil and prejudice? Or will hatred win? "There's no way to introduce you to all the fascinating characters [in Words on a Plate that] Reba has created in her new take on the war between this world and the world of magic. But I can say this: Many of her characters in both worlds just happen to be lesbian or gay, bisexual or transgender. To Reba, whatever they are makes no difference to the story. I love that. One day we may live in a world where people are just people and fairies are just fairies, but until then, Reba's writing reflects the America we all want to live in."~Mel White, author of Stranger at the Gate: To be Gay and Christian in America and Holy Terror: Lies the Christian Right Tell Us to Deny Gay Equality

"Humor in mystery novels makes me happy, and Sue Hardesty has included plenty of wacky characters along with the serious ones. Longsuffering Loni Wagner has to put up with a host of dingbats, but as always, she manages. You can read this one for fun AND for suspense." ~Jessie Chandler, author of the Shay O'Hanlon Caper SeriesDevastated by the loss of her grandparents and the desertion of her girlfriend, Loni Wagner accepts a job offer and moves from Arizona to a coastal town in Oregon. As a police lieutenant with a small crew of detectives and a dispatcher, her days are routine and comfortable, that is, until her first lover, Jenna, reappears in her life. Loni and Jenna had spent two beautiful years together at Lewis and Clark College studying pre-law until one day Jenna left, and Loni never saw her again. When Loni's officers arrest Jenna for murder, Loni is not only shocked and curious, but she feels compelled to prove her innocent. The two head for a wild time in a dangerous tsunami of violence and treachery, facing unknown peril in unexpected places and an elusive someone who wants Jenna to rot in hell-with Loni beside her.

"Judy Kerr may be the new mystery kid on the block, but Black Friday is a crime novel you won't want to miss. This engaging debut will not only have you guessing as you move deeper into the story, but perfectly sets up the next in the series. Highly recommended!"~MWA Grandmaster Ellen Hart, author of the Jane Lawless series US Postal Inspector MC McCall has it all: a loving and supportive life partner, a nice home in St. Paul, and the job of her dreams. When she is assigned to a newsworthy joint task force headed by the FBI, she's excited to investigate a Ponzi scheme. MC is dedicated, smart, tenacious, and all seems to be going well for her until their critically important whistleblower goes missing, and MC and her work partner are unable to locate him. Two deaths follow and MC's professional world starts to tilt. When her personal life implodes, things topple altogether. Suddenly MC is drowning in the depths of darkness. Will she be able to keep her head above water in both her personal life and at work? Or will she be destroyed by corruption and dark deeds surrounding her? "A gripping debut novel, expertly crafted and impossible to put down. I loved, loved, loved this book!" ~Pat Dennis, author of the Betty Chance mystery series "A story that will amuse you, touch your heart, and make you want to share a cup of coffee with cheeky Postal Inspector MC McCall, a woman committed to hunting down Truth, even through her own personal heartache. Dry humor and a strong sense of place add special sauce to this spirited adventure."~Michael Allan Mallory, co-author of the Snake Jones mysteries

"In Harm's Way, by EJ Kindred, is a terrific read you won't want to put down. Nice pacing with funny, nostalgic, tragic scenes, twists, and surprises. The cast of characters is somewhat large, but I had no trouble keeping track of who was who, and I cared about what happened to them. In particular, I loved the realism of the average, every day people, the settings, and the jobs portrayed. The conflict was well-written between Downton Abbey upper crust nasty and Americana rural life with working people who care about each other. Highly recommended." ~Sue Hardesty, author of the Loni Wagner Mystery SeriesWhen her father dies in a fire and the suspected arsonist is later murdered, Annie Velasquez comes under suspicion. Though the police don't have evidence to arrest her, in an effort to escape stress and rebuild her shattered life, Annie moves south of Portland, Oregon, and gets a housekeeping job. Peace of mind is short-lived when her employer is stabbed to death and a new police investigator is on this case. Who killed Dr. Wentworth? Is there a malevolent force dogging Annie's footsteps? And what happened to the house chef, Annie's friend Mo? Will Annie live long enough to find out?

In her debut mystery novel, Linda Vogt evokes a multitude of emotions with clean, spare prose. The suspense gradually ramps up all the way to the climactic end. Best of all, who can resist Duffy the Dog? Not me!~Jessie Chandler, award-winning author of the Shay O'Hanlon Caper Series Riley Logan is looking for peace and quiet when she and her best friend Marie travel to beautiful Galiano Island, B.C. Instead, they find an environmental clash, a decades-old mystery, and the murder of a well-loved islander. At the Cliffhouse, a funky waterfront cottage Riley inherited from her aunt, they discover 60-year-old letters holding important clues. Will the letters help solve the murder?  What did someone hide on nearby Wallace Island that could break the case open? And why has Riley's new love interest gone missing? The answers to those questions, along with romance, adventure, and a dash of humor, can be found in Linda M. Vogt's debut novel No Thru Road.