Four books recently released by county authors include a first novel, the second in a series, an inspirational book, and a story of addiction.

'Picking Daisy'

Kimberly Miller of Butler has published her first book, “Picking Daisy,” a novel about a rock musician and a sweet, soft-spoken woman.

The contemporary Christian romance novel puts the adage “it's what's inside that counts” to the test with characters who seem unlikely to have anything in common and yet need each other to survive.

Miller is a graduate of Grove City High School and Slippery Rock University where she earned bachelor of science and master of arts degrees in writing.

She also received her doctorate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and now teaches writing and film studies courses in the communication and visual arts department at Grove City College.

The 346-page paperback is available now, and the digital format will be released Friday. Also, the author has donated a copy to the Butler Public Library.

Miller recently signed a contract for her second novel, “Forgiving Tess,” though it does not yet have a release date.

'Observe'

The book “Observe” by Terrie Mourningdove of Butler is an invitation to people young and old to take time to slow down and relax.

It provides an overview of the meaning and value of observing and ways that it can be used to enhance one's everyday life.

Readers are given basic instructions for an interesting variety of ways to meditate and are encouraged to begin or renew a practice of their own.

Mourningdove is a former Catholic nun who has worked as a teacher, art therapist and architectural illustrator. She has authored and illustrated two children's books written under the pen name of Terrie Tomko:  “The Wonderful Story of God's Creation” and “The Book of Angels.” 

The book is available in digital and paperback formats.

For information, visit www.tmdove.com.

'Krystal Scent'The newest novel in the Krystal Vibration Series was released earlier this month by author Richard Corrigan.“Krystal Scent” is about beautiful, wealthy and brilliant architect Karen Krystal who is still wrestling with the brutal assassination of her father when her aunt and uncle are killed and her beloved cousins are maimed as a result of a terrorist attack.Because of her unique talents, the head of Homeland Security convinces Karen to join the intelligence community; and she is thrown into the middle of a twisted, terrorist plot to destroy France.The 326-page “Krystal Scent” is available in digital and paperback formats.The first book in the series was “Krystal Vision.”For more information, visit www.richardfcorrigan.com.'A Whole Lot of Bud ...'Heather Link, a former Slippery Rock University student, has released the book “A Whole Lot of Bud Never Made Me Wiser.”Link, a recovering alcoholic, says she wrote the book for the average person because “there is no better teacher than experience,” according to her website, www.awholelotofbudnevermademewiser.com.The 12 chapters include “Family Traditions,” “Keg in the Closet,” “Get Drunk to Be Somebody” and “Stone Cold Sober.”The 441-page book is available in digital format.