A compelling new group of books exploring suffering, redemption, family healing, political upheaval, and military suspense will be featured by Inks & Bindings at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2026, taking place at the University of Southern California (USC) campus on April 18–19.
Visitors to Booth #978 in the Black Zone will encounter a varied and thought-provoking collection of works that span spirituality and fiction, each offering readers a distinct window into perseverance, truth, and the enduring search for hope.
Among the featured authors is Leigh Reilly, whose spiritually rooted book “A Call to Suffer: Hope Beyond the Pain” offers encouragement to readers navigating physical disability and the deeper emotional and spiritual questions that often accompany suffering.
Written from a biblical perspective, the book speaks directly to those living with disabilities while also offering insight to loved ones, caregivers, and members of the wider public seeking a better understanding of how to support those who struggle. Reilly's message is one of steadfast faith: that suffering, while difficult, does not have to define a person as defeated, but can instead be used for God's purposes and glory.
Motivated by a desire to spread the truth of the gospel and strengthen others in their own painful seasons, she presents suffering not as the end of the story, but as a place where hope, purpose, and spiritual growth can still emerge.
Also featured are two novels by Cam O'Keefe, whose Fairchild series continues to resonate with readers through its themes of love, forgiveness, family, and faith lived out through historical fiction.
In “To Love Again: The Fairchild Story (Book 2),” Lady Katherine Fairchild follows a whisper of mystery within Faircastle and uncovers secrets that lead to reunion, healing, and the restoration of fractured relationships. As truths come to light and long-hidden wounds begin to mend, the novel explores how love and forgiveness can reshape both individuals and families.
O'Keefe continues the saga with “To Hope Again: The King's Revolt (Book 3),” which shifts the series into the turbulent era of King Henry VIII. Set nearly two centuries after the events of Book 2, this installment follows Lady Judith Fairchild Cambridge as she finds herself in peril amid the king's religious and political upheaval. Positioned as both sequel and stand-alone novel, it examines conscience, loyalty, and the cost of defending one's faith in a world transformed by power and rebellion.
O'Keefe, who spent years teaching at a small Catholic school, never originally intended to become a novelist. The series began decades ago as a handwritten “mental movie” that remained tucked away for years before eventually becoming a published trilogy. Her work has since found a devoted readership across generations, with many readers connecting personally to her themes of perseverance, truth, and the possibility of renewal even after great loss.
Bringing international intrigue and political complexity to the collection is Charles E. Webb with “Downfall And Freedom: A Novel about the Arms Trade, South Africa, and the KwaZulu.”
Set against the far-reaching consequences of trauma, revenge, and global unrest, the novel follows two men from vastly different worlds whose lives become linked through the illegal arms trade. As tensions escalate in South Africa and loyalties are tested across continents, Webb crafts a layered narrative of danger, morality, and revolution. The book combines personal backstory with geopolitical conflict, tracing how violence and ambition can reverberate far beyond their point of origin.
Webb brings substantial professional experience to his writing, having earned an electrical engineering degree from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and spent more than four decades working across global electrical, mining, petroleum, and safety industries, including over twenty-three years in international business. His background lends an informed perspective to a novel rooted in international dealings and high-stakes consequences.
Rounding out the lineup is Darrell Berry' s “Early This Morning,” a suspense-driven novel centered on a covert military mission with grave risks and far-reaching implications.
Beginning with orders signed at the Pentagon, the story follows a team of 105 men and women sent into a dangerous investigation involving biological agents, secrecy, and potential exposure to deadly substances. Over the course of six months, the mission unfolds through a tense atmosphere of deception, pressure, and uncertain outcomes, where professional ambition and human cost collide.
Berry, a retired Army veteran who served in both enlisted and officer ranks, draws from a distinguished military and academic background that includes studies in psychology, human resources, and strategic intelligence at the Defense Intelligence College. Having served during the era of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, Berry brings a seasoned understanding of military systems and culture to his fiction.
Through featured collections such as this, Inks & Bindings continues its mission of amplifying author voices and bringing meaningful stories to broader audiences at one of the country's most celebrated literary gatherings. Festivalgoers are invited to visit Booth #978 in the Black Zone at the University of Southern California (USC) campus during the April 18–19 weekend to discover these books in person, while readers everywhere can also explore the collection through the Inks & Bindings website.
All featured titles are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and through many other leading online book retailers worldwide.
About Inks & Bindings:
Launching brilliant stars into the spotlight! Inks & Bindings is set to broaden horizons, revamp to perfection, and produce a masterpiece through the power of books.
Inks and Bindings is a premier self-publishing company located at the heart of the Golden State. Aptly based where fashion, entertainment, and culture thrive, the team goes all out in bringing independent authors into the sweet California spotlight.
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