#Moon Sun Myung

[howwelldoyouknowyourmoon]

Fans Show Concern After Two Fourth-Generation Groups’ Scheduled Performances Are Linked To A Homophobic Cult

Celebrities with ties to the church cult have been criticized.

Recently, fans were shocked to learn that OnlyOneOf and Cherry Bullet’s announced festival appearance is linked to a cult.

On September 26, it was announced that OnlyOneOf would be performing at the 2023 Korean Dream Festa For Korea United, something that initially thrilled fans. Also included on the event’s flyer was the FNC Entertainment girl group Cherry Bullet.

As the performance is in a few days, the notice seemed a little late, but there is a reason for this — the two groups were not included initially in the lineup. The original poster shows that B1A4 and H1-KEY were originally listed as performers.

B1A4’s company, WM Entertainment, later shared they were not attending and had no links to the organizations involved, which led fans to research the event.

In the original poster, one of the organizations involved in the event is the Global Peace Foundation, founded by [Hyun Jin Moon] the son of Moon Sun Myung, the founder of the Unification Church.

The Unification Church’s members, also known as Moonies, believe that the founder was the Messiah and have been linked to problematic mass weddings and the assassination of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

“Hello, this is WM Entertainment. We would like to inform you that our artist, B1A4, does not have any events scheduled on October 3, 2023. We are aware of the fan concerns regarding a certain event. However, we hereby confirm that we are not associated with it. Also, please be assured that the company and its artists are not associated with any specific organizations. Thank you.” — WM Entertainment

The Moon Sun Myung was also known for his strong stance against homosexuality, saying that gays would be “eliminated” in a purge. OnlyOneOf, in addition to starring in an upcoming BL series, have had queer storylines in their past releases, making fans worry for their safety.

Fans of the groups have begun trying to spread awareness, with LyOns attempting to reach out to 8D Entertainment regarding OnlyOneOf’s participation. Many also criticized the company for negligence in booking the group to perform at this event.

The group gained infamy in the US a few years ago for including rifles in their service just weeks after a mass shooting.

[jacksprostate]

believe it or not but cult leaders are actually a keystone species! they provide food and habitat for many other animals, including a lot you wouldn't expect, like us congressmen! in fact, the very way they change the social and legal landscape creates opportunity for the evolution of new, specialized species like the After Project Mayhem: Moving on from Tyler Durden support group leader :)

[tilbageidanmark]

(All the other memes I made..)

[whatisonthemoon]

Sun Myung Moon Was A Genocidal Messiah

Sun Myung Moon had a very blunt and straightforward concept of a Messiah: Kill all your opponents quickly and efficiently and then found the Kingdom of God on Earth and in Heaven. All your killed enemies can be restored later in the spiritual world. So it is not really a big deal to kill all communists and left-leaning people because they are able to live further in the spiritual world, probably in hell because they are God’s (read: Sun Myung Moon’s) enemies. Sun Myung Moon was cooperating with the CIA through his Anti-Communist League WACL in secret military operations all over the world and was liquidating hundreds of thousands of people in Asia, Africa, South and Central America and Europe. Another as equally an efficient way was to kill all leftist people through drugs. During the Richard Nixon era at the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s a great number of people who opposed the Vietnam war were young people, students and hippies. The CIA flooded American cities with marijuana and heroin and tried to subdue the anti-war protests by turning young people into drug addicts. Addicts are not interested any more in politics, their primary concern is only where to get their next shot. Sun Myung Moon together with Yakuza and WACL and the CIA funded their secret military operations through drug trade. In the 1980s the CIA flooded the black communities in South California with crack cocaine with the purpose to turn young people into controllable drug addicts. After that their rebellion against societal injustices and street demonstrations diminished and their activities became drug trade in the street gangs. Sun Myung Moon is guilty of genocides on a massive scale, his church is only a religious facade behind which he hides. “Put your sword in its place”, Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”(Matthew 26:52 NIV).

[novakspector]

how sushi became popular in the US

[tetelbierg]

On Nature and God

Cyprus Troodos Mountains northeast of 1,950-m (6,400-ft) Mt.Olympus / Khionistra, March 1987(picture taken with cheap Yashica fixed-focus camera) From my diary Tuesday 4 July 2023: Today, as I was in the forest up the hill behind our house with our dog Hana, I thought of my relationship with nature – our natural environment – and God. As with almost all humans, our favorite pets are predators…

[tenth-sentence]

Sun Myung Moon, father of ostensibly one of the least perfect families ever known in public life, died of pneumonia complications in September 2012, leaving his wife to lead his church and businesses, and reclaim her children's carved-out chunks of them as her own.

"Zealot: A Book About Cults" - Jo Thornely

[seriallover]

I’ve noticed that Jyestha and Shatabhisha are common nakshatras among famous people who have incredibly loyal fan bases (some of them batshit crazy); the kind that stick by them through anything— giving off that “we ride at dawn” energy.

Jyestha’s symbols, the amulet🧿 (or evil eye) and the umbrella ☂️, are both connected to protection, so their supporters tend to act as a shield for them.

E.g. Taylor Swift, Donald Trump, Osho, Nicki Minaj.

Shatabhisha, with its symbols of the circle ⭕️ and the veil, represents protection as well, but also exclusivity, creating a kind of cult or elite vibe around them.

E.g. Rihanna, Michael Jackson, Sun Myung Moon.

[junkobato]

Upcoming Kdrama August 2024 🌈

2/8: Bad Memory Eraser with Kim Jae Joong, Jin Se Yeon, Lee jong Won. 16 episodes; rom-com.

10/8: Romance in the House with Ji Jin Hee, Son Na Eun, Choi Minho. 12 episodes; melodrama, romance.

12/8: Your Honor with Son Hyun Joo, Kim Myung Min, Kim Do Hoon. 10 episodes; thriller, law, crime.

14/8: Perfect Family with Park Ju Hyun, Yoon Se Ah, Kim Byung Chul. 12 episodes; thriller, family.

14/8: the Tyrant with Cho Seung Won, Kim Seon Ho. 4 episodes; sci-fi, fantasy.

16/8: Black Out with Byun Yo Han, Go Jun, Kim Bora. 14 episodes; thriller, mystery.

17/8: Love Next Door with Jung So Min, Jung Hae In, Yun Ji On. 16 episodes; rom-com.

17/8: DNA Lover with Choi Siwon, Jung In Sun, Lee Tae Hwan. 16 episodes; melodrama, rom-com.

23/8: Pachinko 2 with Lee Minho, Kim Min Ha, Noh Sang Hyun. 8 episodes; historical, melodrama.

23/8: The Frog with Go Min Si, Yoon Kye Sang. 8 episodes; thriller, mystery.

24/8: Cinderella at 2 AM with Shin Hyun Been, Moon Sang Min, Yoon Park. 10 episodes; rom-com.

26/8: No Gain, No Love with Shin Min Ah, Kim Young Dae, Lee Sang Yi. 12 episodes; rom-com.

Many new shows coming up just in time for my vacation!!!

[howwelldoyouknowyourmoon]

How Cults Use Language to Control | Otherwords

20 June 2024

Host: Erica Brozovsky, Ph.D.

If there's one thing cult leaders do, it's talk. A LOT. Language is an integral part of how cults keep their members bonded, isolated and obedient.

Speak a lot to assert leadership 2:00

Use loaded language to push feelings 3:15

Use thought terminating clichés to suppress critical thinking 4:00

Encourage “Us vs Them” mentality 5:00

Create a lot of jargon to promote a sense of privilege for “secret knowledge” and again “Us vs Them” mentality 6:35

Incrementally alter the target's worldview ...

[straykidsnerd255]

Since it's not forbidden to marry and have kids in sects (Tang Bo was married and the Hwayoung dude had a son). Could I ask for Chung Myung getting caught by someone with his s/o?

I will not do anything smut related but I will write about the reader and Chung Myung having quality time with the baby and the rest of the sect. Enjoy this little drabble!! Sorry if it's short!!

Chung Myung froze. He knew it wasn’t forbidden to have children or be married when in a sect, but he was still nervous. He turned around to see who it was that was standing there and found Yoo Iseol. Her eyes focused on the baby in your arms. “Is that your son?” she asked. Chung Myung nodded his head and smiled softly. “This my son.” He said, turning around to face Yoo Iseol. She made her way over to the both of you and looked up at you. “May I hold him?” She asked. You released the breath you were holding but nodded your head. You carefully handed your baby to her and watched as her eyes completely softened.

“What’s his name?” She asked. You looked at your husband before smiling. “Tang Bo. We named him after an old friend of Chung Myung’s.” You said, a sad smile appearing on your face. Chung Myung felt a pang in his heart but found it beautiful that his wife wanted to name their baby after his best friend. Yoo Iseol gently smiled before handing the baby back to you. “You should show the others the baby. They would love him to the moon and back.” She said, moving to leave the small room she had entered.  She stopped in the doorway and turned back to them. “Please come out and show the others. They need a little one-on-one time with the young baby.” She said before disappearing just like she had appeared. 

Rolling his eyes, Chung Myung stood from the bed and carefully helped you stand up. “I guess we can’t keep the others waiting.” He mumbled, glaring at the door. You giggled before walking closer and pressing your lips to his cheek, making him lose the scowl and look at her with surprise written on his face. “What was that for?” He asked. You giggled and walked towards the door. “Just to calm you down. They won’t do anything to harm the baby Myung.” You said his name in such a gentle tone that it made his heart swell with so much love that it would burst if you said something sweet like that again.

“Alright fine. They can see the baby but I will kill them if they don’t hold the baby like Yoo Iseol did.” He mumbled under his breath and you both left the room and walked towards the training grounds of the Sect. You giggled before the warmth of the sun hit your skin. You turned to your husband as he started yelling like he normally did around them. You shook your head and laughed but you were soon surrounded by the others. BeakCheon bowed to you and with a bright smile smile asked, “May I hold the baby please?” You smiled at his politeness and gently passed your baby to him. “What is the baby’s name?” He asked. You smiled. “Tang Bo. After Chung Myung’s best friend.” You answered.

[nori-the-cat]

begging you do a sohee & bnd jaehyun friendship reading, how close are they actually behind the cameras? because the way sohee looks at myungjae so invested whenever he's telling a story is so clear especially in that riize mcountdown waiting room live 🥲🫶

You don't have to beg girly 😭😂 I've always wanted to do it. So glad that you asked 💌

Remember, tarot readings should be taken with a grain of salt. This tarot reading post is for entertainment purposes only.

Q. In general, how close are they?

cards pulled: seven of cups, the devil reversed, king of wands, the magician reversed, and five of pentacles reversed

Myung Jae reminds Sohee of a "friend" (iyyk). I think this is because Sohee and Myung Jae were born in the same year. He thinks he gives off the same vibe as someone he was or is close with. The 7oC is a dead give away to me that Sohee feels close to him because it reminds me of "someone". Someone who is playful and energetic.

They're not close, but professionally, they rely on each other. They know the "dark side" of having a job as a K-pop idol. However, I see Sohee's guard is still pretty high. This boy trusts no one and nobody.

Q. What does RIIZE Sohee think about Boynextdoor Jaehyun?

cards pulled: the star reversed, judgement reversed, and seven of cups

Pulling the 7 of Cups again makes me think Sohee sees Myung Jae as someone he knows. *scratches my head* I think the adoration in Sohee's eyes comes from the fact that Myung Jae reminds him of someone...

I need to stop saying someone. Yall probably get it by now.

Sohee wants to get closer to Myung Jae but he's not sure if he has good intentions. I think Sohee's guard is still up. He's still observing Jaehyun. He still can't differentiate Jaehyun as Jaehyun and the "person" he knows. Btw this "person" has Sagittarius Moon. Jaehyun is a Sagittarius Sun. 😀

Q. What does Boynextdoor Jaehyun think about RIIZE Sohee?

tarot cards pulled all in reverse: 4 of wands, 6 of swords, the hanged man, the high priestess, and the chariot

Even Jaehyun thinks Sohee has his guard up. Jaehyun knows Sohee is going through something and possibly something related to RIIZE. However, Jaehyun refuses to approach him about it. He's letting Sohee take his time to tell him.

Q. Are they close behind the camera?

tarot card pulled: knight of swords rx

Honestly? No, they're not. It's not easy to befriend Sohee. They don't talk as often. I think there is a clip of Sohee explaining that Myung Jae left him on read. That's probably why. Lack of communication is the issue between them.

If they want to get close, Sohee has to let his guard down and Jaehyun has to put in the effort to befriend Sohee.

[whatisonthemoon]

The Real Issue in the Case of Rev. Moon (1984)

△ Pictured:  From left to right: Senator Orrin Hatch, Rev. Everett Sileven, Moon By Colman McCarthy

February 5, 1984

The Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder and leader of the Unification Church, is not everyone's idea of the Second Coming. I confess to having had a passing feeling of elation when in May 1982 he was fined $25,000 and sentenced to 18 months in prison for tax evasion and filing false returns. An appeals court upheld the conviction.

I wasn't alone in that feeling. Polls have reported wide hostility to Moon. Perhaps it's his mysterious smile that irks us, because in fact he's as completely normal as any commie-hating, money-loving preacherman at the head table of the town prayer breakfast beating a pious breast when the cameras roll.

Unfortunately for me, I understood more the reasons that Moon was unpopular--his methods of programming recruits, the mass weddings, his real-estate holdings--than I did the reasons the government won its case. Last week, when Moon asked the Supreme Court to review his conviction, some reconsiderations were in order.

First Amendment principles of religious freedom are involved, as well as procedural questions on whether Moon's original trial before a New York jury was fair. What the appeals court described as "troubling issues of religious persecution and abridgement of free speech" has created a unification of believers that only amazing grace or love of the First Amendment can explain.

It is the latter. Some 40 national groups joined the appeal last week as friends of the court. These include the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Baptist Churches, the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, the United Presbyterian Church and the National Council of Churches.

This is a Noah's ark of views and styles. Everyone is on board, not to express faith in Moon but to perform the good works of protecting his right to express his Unification beliefs. If his church is under unfair attack this time, someone else's may be next time. The First Amendment forbids the government from nosing into lawful internal church matters, regardless of how odd those matters appear to outsiders. The more bizarre, the more reason for protection.

Moon was prosecuted for not reporting as personal income--and paying taxes on--$162,000 earned as interest, mostly from a Chase Manhattan bank account. The critical question was who owned the money, the church or the church leader. Moon argued that he was the trustee of the money. It was given by church members to be used, through Moon, for their religious purposes. The members had decided, in a legal process, that this was the way they wanted their assets to be managed and used.

Laurence Tribe, a legal scholar and a professor of constitutional law at Harvard, is Moon's chief counsel. In the petition to the Supreme Court, Tribe argued that the religion clauses of the First Amendment are violated when the government decides it is wrong for a church leader to use funds that his followers want him to use.

In United States v. Moon, the government, Tribe writes, "simply proceeded with a theory that ignored Rev. Moon's relationship to his followers; a theory that Rev. Moon's ownership of the assets were in Rev. Moon's name and under his control, and that the assets had been used for what the government deemed Rev. Moon's personal investments and expenditures. This theory treated the intent and religious identity of the assets' donors as wholly irrelevant, and relegated Rev. Moon to the role of an 'ordinary high-ranking businessman'--the very image the government continuously conjured up before the jury."

The national concern generated by this case isn't wasted. Moon's unpopularity is unimportant. Even then, the personal attacks against him are similar in meanness and bias to those vented historically against Jewish, Christian and Moslem leaders when they were newcomers bringing a minority religion into the community. The Unification Church members I know are decent and honest citizens.

The conviction of their leader represents a brick knocked out of the wall of separation between church and state. Every church, and every leader of one, will be more at the mercy of the state if Moon's conviction is allowed to stand.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1984/02/05/the-real-issue-in-the-case-of-rev-moon/ad8c3905-ccda-4854-a3d5-1a403177dcc1/

Note on this article: This editorial by Colman McCarthy in the Washington Post portrays Rev. Moon as a victim of oppression. This may appear to be a defense of religious freedom but on closer examination, the biases and class interests become evident. The media is not a neutral and impartial observer, but rather an active participant in shaping public opinion and promoting the interests of those in power. The emphasis on religious freedom in the Rev. Moon case should be seen as part of this larger pattern of deception and propaganda, rather than as a sincere defense of religious liberty. The media, including the Washington Post, is not a neutral and impartial observer of events but rather an active participant in shaping public opinion. The media is dominated by large corporations and the wealthy, who have a vested interest in promoting their own views and interests. Media outlets often focus on stories and perspectives that align with the interests of their owners and advertisers. In the case of the Rev. Moon, the Washington Post editorial emphasizes the importance of religious freedom, and the diverse support from civil leaders that Moon received in his struggle for freedom, but fails to mention the financial interests of those who benefited from his release. The fight for Rev. Moon's freedom was not just about religious liberty, but also about the interests of those who financially supported him and the organizations that advocated for his release. This was not just the forming Religious Right and Evangelicals, but also included Democratic politicians, former Civil Rights leaders, the ACLU, the National Council of Churches, as well as other political and civil leaders. They were all paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, in some way or another. 

None of what was said in this editorial addresses the constant abuses and mismanagement of funds by religious organizations, which often go unnoticed and unscathed, and how Moon’s victory would likely ensure that they remain unscathed. The emphasis on religious freedom can distract from these important issues and create a false impression of the reality of the situation.

The Washington Post is part of the bourgeois establishment and represents the interests of those in power. Its support of religious freedom can be seen as an attempt to protect the interests of religious organizations, which have significant influence and resources, rather than as an impartial promotion of religious liberty.

[iicomet]

"psst-" "...?" "chung myung-ah! come here." He tilted his head at the voice, seeing the head of his senior peeking out of the window. He would've cursed the person out if it were anyone else, to be honest. But, it was his senior, one of the few people in Mount Hua who tolerated and even loved him like a younger brother despite his attitude. He couldn't even see their face, only staring at their eyes with confusion. It was late at night, and everyone was asleep. Why was his senior, the most well-behaved disciple in the entire sect doing outside his window at such a weird time? Surely they're not drunk, or hoping to attempt something strange. His senior wasn't the type to do something like that. ...Or were they...? Reluctantly, he walked closer towards the window, the only source of light in the dark room. Finally, he sees his senior's face, their bright smile evident on their face. They weren't drunk, he could see now. "...?" They only ushered him over to move closer to the window, passing him a box of items once he was deemed close enough. As he looked down upon the mysterious box, they used this opportunity to pat his hair, chuckling softly at the touch of scarred fingers against fluffy hair. They had always wondered, how did he get his hair to look like that? "i hope this makes you happier, sajae." They said, smiling gently. In the midst of the darkness, he felt as if the sun reflected it's rays on his senior's face instead of the moon, for it brought a sense of warmness into his heart in this cold night. His hands held onto the box tightly, as if scared to drop something so sacred to him. For a moment, he felt as if the room had brightened up lightly, as if a person's presence could bring this much light to a place. Before he could even thank them, they had disappeared, leaving behind the fragrance of plum blossoms in the winter, a scent so strong yet so faint at the same time. His eyes slowly trailed to the box in his hands, opening it slowly to reveal beautifully made mooncakes, packed neatly as if the person took great care in their art. A smile graced upon his lips as he took a bite out of the mooncake, feeling the soft yet slightly tender texture of the delicacy he loved so much fill his mouth with joyful goodness. Immediately his day brightened up, and he had forgotten the reason why he was so frustrated even when it was late at night. The salty and sweet taste plagued his senses, and he wondered how his senior knew. However, even if he spent the night awake thinking about it, he would never get a definite answer. After all, it's his senior. Someone who knew how to cheer someone up even in the darkest times.

[richincolor]

New Releases

This week's an exciting one for new YA books! Quite a few of these books coming out tomorrow are at the very top of my must-read pile, like Transmogrify! and Venom & Vow. What's on your TBR?

Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic edited by g. haron davis Transness is as varied and colorful as magic can be. In Transmogrify!, you’ll embark on fourteen different adventures alongside unforgettable characters who embody many different genders and expressions and experiences—because magic is for everyone, and that is cause for celebration.

Featuring stories from: AR Capetta and Cory McCarthy g. haron davis Mason Deaver Jonathan Lenore Kastin Emery Lee Saundra Mitchell Cam Montgomery Ash Nouveau Sonora Reyes Renee Reynolds Dove Salvatierra Ayida Shonibar Francesca Tacchi Nik Traxler

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee Dylan Tang wants to win a Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake-making competition for teen chefs—in memory of his mom, and to bring much-needed publicity to his aunt’s struggling Chinese takeout in Brooklyn.

Enter Theo Somers: charming, wealthy, with a smile that makes Dylan’s stomach do backflips. AKA a distraction. Their worlds are sun-and-moon apart, but Theo keeps showing up. He even convinces Dylan to be his fake date at a family wedding in the Hamptons.

In Theo’s glittering world of pomp, privilege, and crazy rich drama, their romance is supposed to be just pretend . . . but Dylan finds himself falling for Theo. For real. Then Theo’s relatives reveal their true colors—but with the mooncake contest looming, Dylan can’t risk being sidetracked by rich-people problems. Can Dylan save his family’s business and follow his heart—or will he fail to do both?

Hurt You by Marie Myung-Ok Lee

Moving beyond the quasi-fraternal bond of the unforgettable George and Lenny from Of Mice and Men, Hurt You explores the actual sibling bond of Georgia and Leonardo da Vinci Daewoo Kim, who has an unnamed neurological disability that resembles autism. The themes of race, disability, and class spin themselves out in a suburban high school where the Kim family has moved in order to access better services for Leonardo. Suddenly unmoored from the familiar, including the support of her Aunt Clara, Georgia struggles to find her place in an Asian-majority school where whites still dominate culturally, and she finds herself feeling not Korean “enough.” Her one pole star is her commitment to her brother, a loyalty that finds itself at odds with her immigrant parents’ dreams for her, and an ableist, racist society that may bring violence to Leonardo despite her efforts to keep him safe.

Hurt You is a deep exploration of family, society, and the bond between siblings and reflects the reality that people with intellectual disabilities are far more likely to be the victim of a violent crime, not the perpetrator.

Last Canto for the Dead (Outlaw Saints #2) by Daniel José Older

Two gods-turned-teenagers wage simultaneous battles in the Caribbean and Brooklyn in this sequel to Ballad & Dagger.

Healer. Destroyer. Creator. Mateo Matisse and Chela Hidalgo are not just two teenagers in love–they’re powerful gods in human form. Powerful enough to have saved their Brooklyn diaspora community from the wrath of an ancient enemy and to have raised their once-sunken native island of San Madrigal from the sea. But soon they discover that their problems are far from over. On the shores of San Madrigal, two creature armies are battling for survival. And on the streets of Brooklyn, a once tight-knit community is divided, with two sides at each other’s throats. But worst of all, a heartbreaking prophecy rips these two young lovers apart, sending Mateo back to the city, where cops are now patrolling the streets, and keeping Chela tethered to the island, where chaos and death lurk around every corner.

Healer. Destroyer. Creator. As gods, their powers know no limits. But as teenagers–separated, desperate, grieving–what will become of them? And what will become of their people? Join their battle and witness their love in this thrilling conclusion to the epic saga that began with BALLAD & DAGGER.

Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie McLemore and Elliott McLemore Keep your enemy closer. Cade McKenna is a transgender prince who’s doubling for his brother. Valencia Palafox is a young dama attending the future queen of Eliana. Gael Palma is the infamous boy assassin Cade has vowed to protect. Patrick McKenna is the reluctant heir to a kingdom, and the prince Gael has vowed to destroy.

Cade doesn’t know that Gael and Valencia are the same person. Valencia doesn’t know that every time she thinks she’s fighting Patrick, she’s fighting Cade. And when Cade and Valencia blame each other for a devastating enchantment that takes both their families, neither of them realizes that they have far more dangerous enemies.

Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra Graduation is only a few months away, and so far Rubi Ramos’s recipe for success is on track.

*Step 1: Get into the prestigious Alma University. *Step 2: Become incredibly successful lawyer. But when Alma waitlists Rubi’s application, her plan is in jeopardy. Her parents–especially her mom, AKA the boss–have wanted this for her for years. In order to get off the waitlist without her parents knowing, she needs math tutoring from surfer-hottie math genius Ryan, lead the debate team to a championship–and remember the final step of the recipe.

*Step 3: Never break the ban on baking. Rubi has always been obsessed with baking, daydreaming up new concoctions and taking shifts at her parents’ celebrated bakery. But her mother dismisses baking as a distraction–her parents didn’t leave Cuba so she could bake just like them.

But some recipes are begging to be tampered with… When the First Annual Bake Off comes to town, Rubi’s passion for baking goes from subtle simmer to full boil. She’s not sure if she has what it takes to become OC’s best amateur baker, and there’s only one way to find out–even though it means rejecting the ban on baking, and by extension, her parents. But life is what you bake it, and now Rubi must differentiate between the responsibility of unfulfilled dreams she holds, and finding the path she’s meant for.

As Long As We’re Together by Brianna Peppins A heartstring-tugging, uplifting, modern spin on Party of Five — a love letter to family, hope, and finding strength in unexpected places.

Even though she has six siblings, sixteen-year-old Novah still knows what it’s like to feel lonely. Her friends never remember to invite her anywhere because they assume Novah will be too busy overseeing dinner, baths, and homework — tasks that fall to her when her parents are at work. She wouldn’t mind it so much if her “perfect” older sister, Ariana, wasn’t always excused from helping out. She’s the star of the volleyball team, and their parents don’t want anything to jeopardize the scholarships she’ll need to become the first member of their family to attend college.

Needless to say, Novah feels like she’s been given a raw deal, especially when she’s forced to cancel a maybe-date with her crush, Hailee. Then one terrible night, their parents don’t make it back home. A car accident takes their lives and leaves seven heartbroken kids on their own. The Wilkinson siblings have no grandparents, no aunts or uncles. Since Ariana has just turned eighteen, she manages to convince the judge to give her temporary custody. If she can keep her family running smoothly, they’ll get to stay in their home. If not, they’ll be placed into foster care.

Novah will do whatever it takes to keep her family together but finds herself in a constant power struggle when Ariana refuses to take her advice, even once it becomes clear that they are all in way over their heads. Will Novah find her voice and summon the strength to do the impossible? Or will she be forced to say the hardest goodbyes of all?