July Oklahoma Book Releases

Welcome back to Read LOKal! Let’s find something good to read.

The Unpleasant Realms by Luna Freya (Horror/Fantasy - 6/26/26)

Connect with Luna on Instagram.

A Masquerade of Shadows by Christy R. Harrill (YA Fantasy - 6/30/26)

Wrong Day to Quit by Mark Edward Jones (Hard-boiled Noir - 7/1/26)

Private detective Frank “Twitchy” O’Brien thought finding a missing pub owner would be simple enough. Then mobster Charlie Rossetti walked out of prison looking for revenge, and Twitchy’s partner ended up dead in an alley.
Now the Potomac waterfront is buzzing with rumors, the police are pointing fingers, and every stranger who walks into Murphy’s Pub looks like trouble.
Caught between mobsters, crooked deals, and a marriage on the rocks, Twitchy is running out of time to learn who wanted his partner dead, and who might be next.
Wrong Day to Quit is the first entry in the Twitchy O’Brien noir series, a hardboiled noir filled with smoky bars, bad debts, and mob violence.
In this city, you either quit your sins or keep them quiet.
Connect with Mark at markejonesauthor.com

Obedience for a Paycheck by Dr. Crystal Hernandez (Business / Org Behavior - 7/7/26)

Connect with Crystal at www.drcrystalhernandezllc.com/

The Ghost Who Saved Halloween by Jen Anyong (Children’s Picture Book, 4-8 - 7/21/26)

It’s up to Ghost to save Halloween!
Might I try a good ‘ole haunt? Ghostly games I have to flaunt. Forgive me, I don’t mean to taunt... Ok, maybe I do.
Candy has upstaged Ghost on Halloween for far too long! It’s time Ghost learns a new trick and treats these kids to a good ole haunt, or else the holiday will fall flat like a busted pipe organ. To the tune of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, this spirited and clever rhyming picture book, ideal for Halloween read-alouds, is sure to enchant young readers all spooky season long.
Connect with Jen at authorjenanyong.com

Haunted Oklahoma Brothels and Saloons by Brooke Montoya (Nonfiction - 7/7/26)

Non-Player Character: A LitRPG Adventure by Tyler Lenz (LitRPG - 7/21/26)

The world is a game, and humans don’t get to play.
Humanity has been reduced to non-playable characters in a fantasy realm created for the entertainment of aliens who treat Earth like their own personal playground.
Everyone believes it has always been this way.
Even Milton Musgrave.
That all changes when Milton learns that his entire existence is a lie and begins remembering another life, including the wife he lost when Earth was remade.
Determined to find her, he embarks on a desperate journey to reclaim the world stolen from him.
It’s a seemingly impossible quest, but with access to a restricted system, Milton gains something no one else on Earth should possess:
The ability to become a Player.
Connect with Tyler on Instagram.

Celebrate Bookish Oklahoma and support Read LOKal by grabbing Read LOKal merch at our Shopify store! Store closes July 10!

From Broken to Brave: Memoir of a Heart Warrior by Amy M. Le (Memoir - 7/30/26)

With honesty and heart, From Broken to Brave explores the complexities of trauma, resilience, and personal transformation. It shines a light on the silent battles so many face and offers hope to those still searching for their way forward. From surviving the Vietnam War and leaving her homeland with the boat people, to living in disease-infested refugee camps and navigating the matrix of a foreign land called America, Amy M. Le's stories leave no stone unturned as she shares her pains of first love, discrimination, open-heart surgery, suicide ideation, sexual assault, abuse, an unplanned pregnancy, homelessness, and more.
Connect with Amy at quillhawkpublishing.com

Rhythm of the Night by Brooke Montoya (Thriller - 7/31/26)

Anatomy of Release by AmberLee Fuller (Contemporary Women’s Literature | Romance - 5/19/26)

After burying her father, Ryan Callahan leaves Florida with no destination and no plan beyond outrunning her grief. In Oklahoma City, she finds unexpected friendships, a chef who belives consent is an art form, and a chance to redefine what love can look like. Anatomy of Release is an emotionally intelligent contemporary romance about healing, found family, chosen love, and discovering that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stay. Perfect for readers who crave slow-burn chemistry, emotional depth, and stories that linger long after the final page.
Find out more about the book at www.amberleefuller.com/anatomy-of-release

Gwyn's Kingdom: Flame in the Emerald Shadows by Brian Holshouser (YA Fantasy - 5/30/26)

Terra Mutare by A Payne Samples (Post-apocalyptic - 4/2/26)

Maria and Annabella by Christin Dreher (Children’s Historical Fiction - 2025)

From Oklahoma to Africa by Nelda Villines (Memoir - 2025)

This memoir chronicles Nelda’s 31-year diplomatic journey from Oklahoma to Africa, serving at American embassies while supporting HIV/AIDS communities and photographing wildlife across the continent.
Connect with Nelda on Facebook.

Breath of Heaven Manifesting God’s Way - Using the Laws of the Bible and Brain Science to Create an Abundantly Blessed Life by Erica Elliot (Brain Science - 2025)

Embark on a transformative journey with “Manifesting God’s Way,” a heartfelt exploration that weaves together personal stories, biblical wisdom, and insights from brain science. This book serves as a guiding light for those seeking to manifest a life rich with purpose, joy, and blessings.
From the very beginning, a gentle whisper from the divine urged me to share my experiences and the powerful lessons I’ve learned about manifestation. As I navigated the challenges of life, particularly during my recovery from Covid, I discovered invaluable tools that allowed me to reconnect with my highest aspirations and God’s plan for my life. This book is not just a reflection of my journey; it is an invitation for you to discover the transformative power of manifestation.
Connect with Erica at www.warriorheartbraincoding.com