Spring 2022: Best Children's Book Age 3 to 7 Ron Keres The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard Marta Almansa Esteva Nurse Bear Does First Aid Angela Delf Trixie Bixby and Her 66 Pairs of Socks Linda Harkey Chatty the Hen Pheasant: Travels with the Pack Charlene McIver Medieval Mashup Sasha Graham Whitney Wins Everything: A Tiny Ninja Book Ron Keres It's Not That 'Big a Deal' JB Van Cleave PTSDragon Alan Claycomb Maisley's Moon Brett Gunning & Stacy Padula On the Right Path: Book Two Julia Coldicott Just Being Fred Amy Lee Westervelt The Colors Inside of Me Joe Burud AJ and the Bouncing Ball Jessica Wendi Abel The Little Blue Rocket Ship Charlene McIver Squishy Sand Deborah Wade Always In Your Heart Leah Ingledew Meowl! Billy Baldwin Orbit's Monster Nebula Anna Kutishcheva Jake and Nick's Spooky Fall Leah Ingledew Where's My Shell? Deanna Chesley What If We Had A Pet Shark? Janet Lau The Little Grey Pig: A Story About Self-Confidence Michelle Medlock Adams Dachshund Through the Snow Carina Ho & Jesse Byrd Mighty Mara Mariam Latifi A to Z of Mini Muslims Tracey Lear Eli’s Story What Makes Me, ME! Mr Z The Mayfly and the Methuselah Tree Joanne Russo Insull Sarah and the Crows Clean Up

< Back DF Kennedy The Whole Truth Dahlia Frost returns in this gripping second instalment, by author DF Kennedy. The Whole Truth is the second book in a series from author DF Kennedy, which follows on where the first book, The Truth, ended. Following her kidnapping in Scotland, pregnant Dahlia returns home to rebuild her life with her fiancé, Roland. Dahlia suspects her stepfather Bob was involved in her kidnapping, and confronts him at his home, threatening to kill him. With Roland away at a movie premier, Dahlia calls her ex-husband, Daniel, for support. There is an altercation at the river, when they find Bob in a boat with her mother, Sylvia. Bob is reported missing when his boat washes up on the bank, empty. Sylvia is rushed to hospital with a suspected brain bleed, brought on by ongoing health issues, the stress of Bob’s disappearance and recent revelations in Dahlia’s autobiographical novel. Meanwhile, as Dahlia tries to settle into her new home with Roland, she finds a letter in her mother’s possessions with the real identity of her birth father. When Bob’s dead body is found in the river with a bullet wound, the scene bears an uncanny resemblance to the death of Dahlia’s father, many years ago. While Roland is away, Daniel visits Dahlia in the hope of a reconciliation. When Dahlia turns down his advances, Daniel threatens to tell the police that she killed Bob, unless she leaves Roland and tells him the baby is not his. Dahlia plays along and attempts to leave Roland, but when Roland’s life is put in danger, she finally reveals the truth. Daniel informs the police and Dahlia is arrested and taken in for questioning. The murder weapon is found with Dahlias fingerprints. The police interrogate Dahlia and review her autobiography, finding a compelling motive for his murder. The Whole Truth by DF Kennedy is a gripping psychological thriller, loosely based on the authors own experiences. The second book in the series, this novel explores further the relationships between the main characters, and their backstories. This is a captivating novel, with a complex, intricate and well-crafted plot, and well-developed, authentic characters. The book had me gripped from start to finish. There are a number of clues and key pieces of evidence featured throughout the book, but I still have no idea where this book will end! I cannot wait for the next instalment. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A gripping psychological thriller, with a complex, intricate and well-crafted plot, and well-developed, authentic characters. ​ Purchase here

< Back Leslie Kain Secrets In The Mirror A moving novel about a dysfunctional family, by author Leslie Kain Secrets in the Mirror is a psychological drama about the DiMasi family, parents Tony and Colleen, and mirror twin brothers, Devon Umberto and Gavin O’Malley. While the twins look alike, they are very different. ‘Devious Devon’, the older twin by ten minutes, is arrogant and has a rebellious streak. Whereas ‘Goodie Gavin’ is quiet, sensible and sensitive. He dreams of becoming a chef and making a better life for himself. Gavin is ridiculed and tormented by Devon, and bullied by his father, who favours the first-born twin. Tony considers Gavin weak, but still expects him to look out for his older brother. Tony has connections to the mob, and is resentful of his wife, who has a PhD. At the twins sixteenth birthday party, Devon gets drunk and steals a friend’s car. He is seriously injured in a car crash and diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder. Following the accident, Devon spirals out of control and is drawn into a life of drugs and crime, causing his mother and Gavin significant distress. He takes over the family business and puts everyone’s life in danger when he gets involved with the mob. Gavin leaves the family and vows never to return, but he can't hide from his brother forever. Secrets in the Mirror is a thrilling, drama about a dysfunctional family and the habits they develop over many years. Author Leslie Kain pulls no punches, and dives into the ugly, complicated layers of domestic violence, abuse, addiction and co-dependency. The book follows the twins from their teenage years, through to adulthood, and explores the vicious cycle of abuse and the enduring impact on family relationships. This is a tense, dark, psychological drama that is as hard to take in, as it is difficult to put down. If you enjoy gritty family dramas, you will love this book. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A thrilling family psychological drama that explores the vicious cycle of abuse and the enduring impact on family relationships. ​ Purchase here

< Back Lukman Clark The Alexandria Scrolls Brandon Blakes’s exploration into past life regression hypnosis takes him on a journey to ancient Egypt, by author Lukman Clark Brandon Blake’s parents died unexpectedly when he was a young boy. He grew up with his loving Aunt Grace, who treated him like her own son, but Brandon always felt there was something missing from his life. He had strange visions and memories he couldn’t understand or explain, and attempted hypnotherapy to help shed light on these inexplicable experiences. During a session of past life regression hypnosis in Bel Aire, Los Angeles, with Dr Clara d’Uccelli, Brandon discovers the lost scrolls of Hypatia of Alexandria, hidden in a cave in Libya. On waking from the hypnosis, Brandon decides to travel to Haua Fteah Cave in the Green Mountain region of Libya to retrieve the scrolls and find proof of his past life. Clara feels a deep connection to Brandon’s vision, and supports him on his journey to retrieve the scrolls. Brandon arrives in Libya, and apart from a brief encounter with a group of fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq, he retrieves the scrolls with relative ease. He flies to Malta, and spends the following months translating the scrolls under the close supervision of the doctor. As Brandon and Clara’s relationship grows intimate, the scrolls are stolen by Brandon’s girlfriend, Julia, who tries to sell them to the highest bidder. Clara reveals that she knew his mother from the time she worked as a trainee therapist, and his mother had experienced past life memories shortly after Brandon’s conception. Returning home, Brandon seeks answers from his Aunt Grace and his mothers’ therapist, Dr. Charlotte Bourne. Dr. Bourne shows Brandon a letter written to him by his mother, and left in her care. The letter explains that his parents were part of a secret and special community of extraordinary individuals and encloses a key to a safe deposit box to help him start his journey to joining the community. As Brandon goes on an epic journey in search of the stolen scrolls, he commits to learning more about regression therapy in the hope that he will learn more about his parents’ life and find closure on their untimely deaths. The Alexandria Scrolls (Book Two - The Transfiguration of Brandon Blake) by Lukman Clark is an intriguing and imaginative fiction novel. This is a fast-paced, action-packed novel set across time periods and continents, with well-developed characters, and an enthralling plot. With elements of fantasy, this book will appeal to readers of both historic fiction and fantasy fiction. The Transfiguration of Brandon Blake is the second book in a series, and can be read independently without reading the first book, In her Own Words, although readers might want to read the first book in the series to understand more about the story of Hypatia of Alexandria. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fast-paced, action-packed novel, with well-developed characters, and an enthralling plot. ​ Purchase here

< Back Deborah S. Greenhut The Hoarder's Wife Inside the secret world of the hoarder, by debut author Deborah Greenhut Sixty-five-year-old Grace Berg receives a telephone call and is told that her ex-husband, and the father of her two children, Professor Ludwig Berg, has tragically taken his own life. As Grace grieves for the man she once loved, she reads her old journal and reflects on the life she shared with him. The signs were there from the start of their relationship. The clutter. The mess. The lack of empathy. The signs of disorder. Grace recalls how Ludwig took control of their finances and slowly accumulated lots of possessions, throwing their family home into disarray. The couple seek specialist help and Ludwig is diagnosed with adult ADHD, OCD, ODD, perfectionism, procrastination, and depression. But as Ludwig’s hoarding and anger escalates, Grace finally reaches breaking point and makes a heart-breaking decision to reclaim her life, after thirty-five years of marriage. The Hoarder’s Wife by Deborah Greenhut is an engaging and poignant novel, revealing the secret world of the hoarder from the perspective of a hoarder’s wife. Written as a series of journal entries, this is an intimate and personal story about one woman’s experience of living with someone with a severe mental illness, and the devasting impact of hoarding disorder on families and relationships. Greenhut writes about the disorder with sensitivity and compassion, describing Grace’s turmoil as she makes the most difficult decision of her life. This is a deeply moving and emotional story, and it will appeal to readers of women’s fiction and literary fiction. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘An engaging and poignant novel, revealing the secret world of the hoarder from the perspective of a hoarder’s wife. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ ​ Purchase here

< Back Tucker Madison Green Glass Can Ida track down the man who saved her life as a girl? Eleven-year-old Ida and her father survive a horrific car crash, when their car veers over a bridge and plunges into deep water. They are saved by fifteen-year-old John Murphy, who dives into the water and frees them from the car. John finds two triangular pieces of smooth green glass in the water. He gives one piece of glass to Ida and then quickly disappears from the scene. He gives the other piece of glass to his fifteen-year-old adopted sister, Maggie who has Down Syndrome. Fourteen years later, Ida is a medical student in Michigan and a competitive swimmer. Ida has vivid memories of the mysterious boy who saved her life and treasures the piece of green glass he gave her. She hires a private investigator to find her superhero and he tracks him down to Chicago, through newspaper articles and eyewitness accounts. When Ida finishes medical school, she decides to take her residency in Chicago, in the hope that one day she might meet her hero again. Meanwhile, John is working as a paramedic in Chicago and still caring for his sister, Maggie. John loves his job as a paramedic and continues to help strangers through random acts of kindness. Ida moves to Chicago and discovers over 400 John Murphy’s listed in the telephone book. Her mission to find her elusive hero is not going to be easy. Will Ida ever find the guy who saved her life? And if so, will he live up to her heroic expectations? Green Glass by author Tucker Madison is a tense and gripping drama about one woman’s search for the boy who saved her life as a young girl. This is an elaborate plot, full of twists and turns, which keeps the story alive and interesting. The characters are likeable and believable, and I was rooting for Ida and John to meet and fall in love. Madison develops tension, as the pair become so close to one another, but never quite meet. This is a unique and intriguing novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy drama, romance and mystery stories. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A tense and gripping drama about one woman’s search for the boy who saved her life as a young girl. ​ Purchase here

< Back Tobin Marks Ark of the Apocalypse A new post-apocalyptic/science fiction series, by author Tobin Marks Planet Earth is dying. The global temperature has risen, the polar ice caps have melted, and forest fires are raging out of control across the world. Eleven billion people are dying of thirst, and are on the brink of extinction, as governments rage war over scarce natural resources. The only hope for the survival of the human race is to leave Earth and colonize another planet. The nation states come together and build the Magellan II, the first star ship capable of interstellar travel. The ship transports ten thousand people of childbearing age to the far distant Draco constellation. Reminiscent of the Noah’s Ark, the ship carries the genetic strains of all Earths species, to recreate life on the new planet. It is hoped that the lush, watery planet, as seen in the visions of a prominent geneticist, will have the ability to sustain life and continue humanity. But survival for the colonists isn’t guaranteed, as the star ship crash lands, and the colonists must learn to live alongside the giant, dinosaur-sized reptiles that inhabit the planet. Will the colonists survive in this new alien world? And can this world survive with new human inhabitants? Ark of the Apocalypse by author Tobin Mark is a thrilling and captivating science fiction and fantasy fiction novel, and the first in the series of the Magellan ll Chronicles. This is a well-researched, insightful, and thought-provoking book that details some of the significant scientific and engineering discoveries made by humans, as well as the destruction of planet Earth, caused by power, control and greed. It is a timely reminder of the environmental emergency we are currently facing, and what we could potentially face in the future if we fail to act now. With superb world-building, plentiful and colourful characters, and a fast-paced, engaging plot, this book will appeal to fans of science fiction, fantasy fiction, and those interested in the environment and climate change. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A thrilling and captivating science fiction novel, with superb world-building, colourful characters, and a fast-paced, engaging plot. ​ Purchase here

< Back Anne Angelo Sprig of White Heather and a Scottish Lass A young woman leaves the Scottish Highlands, in search of a new life in France. Sprig of White Heather and a Scottish Lass is a memoir by Anne Angelo about her life growing up in rural Scotland. This is the first volume of a two-part series and follows her journey from early childhood through to her mid-twenties. Angelo was born in 1913 in Invergordon, in the Scottish Highlands. Her father was an Italian mechanical engineer working in Scotland, and her mother was from a wealthy French family. They met at a motor car rally in Bordeaux, and were married a few weeks later after a short, whirlwind, romance. But when her mother’s family learn of her father’s intentions to live off his wife’s wealth, they cut her off from the family’s assets. The couple returned to Scotland and Angelo’s father became increasingly angry and bitter about their predicament. He was verbally and physically abusive towards his wife and children, and even tried to arrange a marriage for Angelo. Angelo takes a job as a governess for a wealthy widower in France to escape her father and to “become a new person”. She moves to Lille and experiences what life is like in the upper echelons of French society. But as another war looms in Europe, Angelo is forced to return back to Scotland. Sprig of White Heather and a Scottish Lass is a captivating memoir by Anne Angelo, about her life growing up in the Scottish Highlands. Written from her own manuscripts, this is an intriguing and heartfelt novel about one young woman’s fight to make a better life for herself. The book provides a fascinating insight into life as a young woman growing up in the early part of the 20th century, and the differences between life in rural Scotland and France. Angelo was physically and emotionally abused throughout her childhood, and experienced significant financial hardships, but she was never bitter about her father or her life. Ultimately, this is a story of empowerment and strength, as Angelo finds the courage to leave her family home and attempts to rebuild a new life for herself. Readers can follow the rest of Anne Angelo’s journey in the second volume. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A heartfelt glimpse into the life of the author, and the experiences that shaped her formative years. ​ Purchase here

< Back Geoff Sease When We Push Through Sound Can Tristan find happiness again following a painful divorce? Tristan James thought he had it all. A loving wife, a happy daughter and a successful career in a top tier investment firm. But all that changed three years ago, when his marriage to his college sweetheart, Sharon, ended, and he experienced a number of setbacks in his career. Sharon and Tristan share joint custody of their seventeen-year-old daughter, Sara, and Tristan still hopes for a reconciliation with his ex-wife. Over-worked and highly stressed, Tristan makes a series of investment errors and experiences a crisis in confidence in his career. Tristan battles with depression and self-medicates with drugs and alcohol. As he contemplates his future, he considers taking his own life. In an attempt to shop his way out of depression, Triston buys a BMW 745i. He goes on a number of innocent dates with women he knows from around town, but they never lead to anything more serious. Until one day, Tristan meets Julie, a young aspiring musician in a bagel shop, and goes on a date. He meets another woman at a work event, an advertising executive named Beth, and he feels an immediate connection. But just as Tristan starts to find happiness in his personal life, his work life becomes unmanageable, as a multi-million-dollar investment is at risk of collapse. Tristan is close to the edge, but he is supported by five women, his ex-wife, daughter, lover, friend, and assistant, who refuse to give up on him. When We Push Through Sound by debut author Geoff Sease, is about a middle-aged man on the verge of a mid-life crisis, following a painful divorce and a number of setbacks in his career. The book follows Tristan’s journey as he struggles with depression and attempts to pull his life back together. But the road to recovery is not easy, and Tristan experiences a number of challenges that push him close to the edge. Tristan is a believable and likeable character, and many readers will relate to his story. This is a remarkable and heartfelt debut novel from a talented writer with a gift for storytelling. The book will appeal to readers who enjoy romance, realistic fiction and character driven stories. Highly recommended. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A remarkable and heartfelt debut novel about a middle-aged man on the verge of a mid-life crisis. ​ Purchase here

< Back Regan Walker Bound by Honor Two young men become comrades in life and in battle, by author Regan Walker In 1286, following the death of the King of Scots, Scottish lords meet in secret at Turnberry Castle, to discuss the successor to Scotland’s throne. The lords pledge their allegiance to Robert the Noble, a direct descendant of King David. Fourteen-year-old Angus Og Macdonald, who has travelled to Turnberry Castle with his father, the Lord of the Isles, meets a young Robert Bruce, the grandson of Robert the Noble. The two young men become good friends and Angus promises to stand by the Bruce’s and his loyal friend, the future heir to the Scottish crown. A few years later, Angus meets and falls in love with Aine, a young widow and daughter of an Irish Lord, Cumee O’Cahan. Following the death of his father, and the brutal murder of his elder brother, Alexander, Angus takes over the lordship of the Isles. Angus is thrust into matters of state and war, as tensions rise between the warring Scottish clans and the English overlord, King Edward 1. After several years of courtship, Angus and Aine finally marry and start a family, but their lives together are often disrupted as Angus joins his loyal friend and comrade Robert Bruce, as they battle for Scottish independence and Bruce’s rightful position as the King of Scots. Bound by Honor by Regan Walker is a medieval fiction novel about the battle for Scottish independence during the early thirteenth century. Historically accurate, with imaginative storytelling from Walker to fill the gaps in historical records, this is an authentic, meticulously researched, and cleverly crafted historical novel. Walker describes the Scottish and Irish landscapes and bird life beautifully. The battle scenes are brutal and intense, but depicted honestly and sensitively. The characters are authentic and memorable, and the love scenes are intimate and tender. Walkers’ beautiful storytelling, and skilful juxtaposition of love and war, make this novel a compelling and captivating read, for fans of medieval fiction and other genres. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An authentic, meticulously researched, and cleverly crafted historical fiction novel of love and war. ​ Purchase here

< Back S. C. Eston Deficiency Author S. C. Eston depicts a disturbing vision of society that is far too close for comfort. Set in Prominence City, on the planet Garadia, a prominent researcher at Thrium Laboratories, Detel Scherzel, suddenly disappears. Her profile is deleted from the data-sphere, and she is nowhere to be seen. Her brother, Artenz Scherzel, and sister-in-law, Keidi Rysinger, are frantic with worry. Keidi visits Detel’s laboratory but finds no trace of her existence. Meanwhile, it’s an important day for Artenz, as he launches a new project for his company, BlueTech Data. When Artenz nips out for lunch, enforcers enter his workplace and lock the building down. One of Artenz’s colleagues, Marti Zehron, contacts him and tells him not to return to the office, but to run and hide. The enforcers are searching for Detel, and when they learn that Artenz has left the building, they send out a team to capture him. Following Keidi’s unsuccessful visit to Detel’s laboratory, she visits Detel’s home and finds the place ransacked and destroyed. She decides to infiltrate the buildings security system, but her identity is discovered, and she is also pursued by the enforcers. Artenz is captured and taken back to BlueTech Data, where he is tortured by the enforcers. Keidi is hiding in Prominence City and, with nowhere else to turn, she seeks the assistance of an old acquaintance, and reporter for the Authentic Banners, Eltaya Ark. Eltaya and her team agree to help Keidi and they travel to the city to rescue Artenz. Artenz is taken to a place of safety, where he learns about Detel’s secret research and her mysterious disappearance. Keidi is lost somewhere in the depths of the underground, with the enforcers in hot pursuit. As Keidi tries to find her way to Artenz, Artenz plans to reveal the truth about his sisters’ research, and bring the aggressors to justice. Deficiency by author S.C. Eston, is a cleverly crafted science-fiction, dystopian novel, set on the planet Garadia, in the far distant future. Eston depicts a vision of society that is both disturbing and believable. On the surface, Prominence City is immaculate, and its citizens are healthy and law abiding, but the city harbours a dark and dirty secret. The citizens are merely pawns in a corporate game of greed, corruption, and control. It’s a vision of society that is far too close for comfort. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: Overall, a cleverly crafted, sharp, and chilling novel, with an intriguing and believable plot. ​ Purchase here

< Back David W. Berner The Islander An ageing writer develops an unlikely friendship with a young hiker. Eighty-year-old writer, Seamus Damp, lives alone with his dog in a small house, on a remote island, ‘The Rock in the sea,’ off the coast of Dingle in Ireland. Following his divorce, Seamus sunk into a deep depression, and moved to the island seeking solitude, leaving behind his only son, Aiden, on the mainland. Berner writes, Seamus had fallen into his own silence, a retreat of spirit, increasingly in need of solitude. He had become an intensely quiet man. No longer present. No longer capable of giving enough to someone else. After several medical emergencies, Aiden, and Seamus’s doctor, encourage him to return to the mainland, but Seamus refuses to leave. Early one morning, Seamus is disturbed by a tap it his door. He meets a young American named Maddie, who asks to shelter in his home during a turbulent storm. Maddie is hiking in Europe to find solace and to escape her own troubles. They share an evening of conversation, and they develop a deep connection through their personal stories of betrayal, death, despair, and hopelessness. Maddie and Seamus become friends and find comfort in each other’s company. As Maddie helps Seamus with a number of medical emergencies, Seamus helps Maddie heal from her past trauma. The Islander is a short novel by author David W. Berner about a man in his later years who finds friendship with a younger woman. This is a poignant and heartfelt novel, beautifully written by Berner with great sensitivity and compassion. The book deals with themes of friendship, love, loss, and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. With well drawn, complex and relatable characters, stunning imagery of the wind-swept Irish island, and a beautiful story of two strangers who develop an unlikely bond, this is a compelling read. Highly recommended. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A poignant and heartfelt story of friendship, love, loss, and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. ​ Purchase here