In this month’s roundup of the best-reviewed BookLife titles, we highlight a ranch-set romantic mystery, a guide to changing the world through writing, a cowboy detective novel, and others.

★ The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book

Cynthia L. Morris

Synopsis: Novelist and creative writing coach Morris offers a feast of bite-size information, exercises, and encouragement.

PW’s Takeaway: A warm and uplifting guide

to finding inspiration and finding writing time.

Comparable Title: Ann Handley’s Everybody Writes: Your Go-to Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content

Sample Line: “Books have inspired my imagination and grown me into the person I am today.”

★ Return to Ruby’s Ranch

Rhonda Frankhouser

Synopsis: Family secrets are revealed and childhood crushes revisited in the emotional first in the Ruby Ranch series.

PW’s Takeaway: Vulnerable characters, well-timed reveals, and passionate love scenes make this irresistible.

Comparable Title: Nora Roberts’s Come Sundown

Sample Line: “The same photos capturing a more innocent time continued to be displayed on the dusty river-rock mantle.”

★ The Double-A Western Detective Agency

Steve Hockensmith

Synopsis: The Amlingmeyer brothers triumphantly return.

PW’s Takeaway: A fine addition to a superior series.

Comparable Title: Austin Davis’s Shoveling Smoke

Empty the Pews

Chrissy Stroop and Lauren O’Neal

Synopsis: Stroop and O’Neal offer an essay collection on leaving the church.

PW’s Takeaway: An inspiring public testimonial.

Comparable Title: William Lobdell’s Losing My Religion

The Winter Loon

Lori Henriksen

Synopsis: A young woman comes of age during the Great Depression and WWII.

PW’s Takeaway: A luminous debut.

Comparable Title: Erika Robuck’s Fallen Beauty