< Back Timothy D. White The Original Human Beings: Sometimes, in the Darkest Moments, We Can See the Brightest Lights! Book blurb... The world treated her as collateral damage. She answered with music—a premonition of rediscovering humanity. In a world growing numb to cruelty, The Original Human Beings tells the inspirational story of a girl named Never—a Honduran orphan who escapes living in a Central American city dump and journeys north with a cello on her back. She's fighting simply to stay alive. She alone could protect her hilarious little brother, Homero. She searched for a hero—but found a dreamy Nez Perce young man, the most athletic person she had ever seen, who helped her realize the hero was staring back at her in the mirror. It is a romance as scandalous as it is soulful, with no promise of happily ever after—only truth. She found refuge in Loco Lucy, the garbage dump's foul-mouthed, delightfully deranged, vampire-dressing matriarch. She was hunted by General Alejandro Mendoza—El Caudillo—a ruthless crime lord who misbelieved he was her father and would burn down the world to control her. And she was stalked by Alonzo Gomez, a seven-foot hitman with a French accent, a loaded pistol, and a soul darker than midnight—until she made him believe in something more dangerous. It is a high-concept saga infused with magical realism. It echoes with the mythic power of Le Morte d'Arthur—as timeless a tale as we may see in our generation. This is how we remember what truly matters. This is how we broken walk out of the monster. Purchase here

< Back Sherman E Ross Code Name: Juggernaut A relentless cat and mouse chase between a seasoned detective and a cold-bloodied assassin. The FBI is investigating the brutal murder of several high-profile Black men, believed to be targeted by white supremist gangs. When another prominent Black man, Reverend Williams, is shot dead in broad daylight, Special Agent Douglas Rabson is called in to crack the case. Rabson is a rising star in the bureau and a member of the Bureau’s elite Domestic Counter-terrorism Strike Force. A jew, whose maternal great-grandparents had been murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust, Rabson is concerned by the disturbing resurgence of racism and anti-Semitism in the country. Rabson’s investigation leads him to Utah, and a compound named ‘JerUSAlem,’ the home of the Aryan Church of Yahweh the Creator, a violent, racist, white neo-Nazi supremacist gang. The gang believe they are ‘Aryan chosen people’ and are preparing to destroy the government in a race war. Forensic investigations link the William’s murder to other killings and gang member, Jacqueline 'Jack-L' Diane Lynch, is identified as the prime suspect. Jack-L , a twenty-nine-year-old ex-Marine and professional assassin is in a relationship with another gang member, Howard Brennan, a former USAF colonel and nuclear engineer. As Rabson's investigation continues , Brennan comes up with a bizarre plan to take down the government that wrecked his health and destroyed his career. Will Jack-L assist Brennan with his murderous plan? And will Rabson find her before she takes her next hit? Code Name: Juggernaut by Sherman E. Ross i s a gripping crime thriller and a chilling exploration of radicalisation, extremist ideology, and the threat of a nuclear race war. This is a thought-provoking and unsettling novel with graphic descriptions of racism, violence, and murder. Whilst the subject matter is disturbing, it is a timely reminder of the dangers of radicalisation and the urgent need to combat extremism and intolerance in all its forms. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A gripping, thought-provoking and provocative novel that raises important questions about humanity and society. Purchase here

< Back Sydney Curtin Courageous Considerations Courageous Considerations is a deeply personal and practical guide that explores the emotional, spiritual, and logistical complexities of adoption from the perspective of a birth mother. Sydney Curtin, herself both an adoptee and a birth mother, crafts a narrative that is as much a memoir as it is a guidebook, offering readers a rare, honest, and compassionate look into the realities of adoption. The book’s greatest strength lies in its vulnerability and authenticity. Curtin’s story is not sanitized or idealized; she shares her journey with raw honesty, recounting the pain, hope, regret, and love that shaped her decision to place her daughter for adoption. The dedication to her daughter Emberlyn sets the tone for the book, emphasizing that adoption is not about abandonment but about making the most loving - if difficult - choice possible in challenging circumstances. Curtin’s Christian faith is woven throughout, providing comfort and context for her decisions, but she is careful to make the book accessible to readers of all backgrounds. The reflective questions and journaling prompts in each chapter are thoughtfully designed to help expectant mothers, adoptees, and adoptive families explore their own motivations, values, and needs. The book is also highly practical. It covers a wide range of topics, from legal considerations and emotional self-care to interviewing prospective adoptive families and establishing openness agreements. Curtin’s emphasis on asking the right questions serves as a recurring theme, underscoring the importance of clarity, boundaries, and mutual respect in adoption relationships. A must-read for birth mothers, but also a valuable tool for adoptive families and professionals seeking to understand the nuanced realities of adoption. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A compassionate, faith-informed, and actionable resource for anyone navigating the adoption process. Purchase here

< Back Eddie W Runde Shadow of the Deceiver: The Genesis Trust, Book 3 Wayne Runde’s Shadow of the Deceiver is a compelling blend of science fiction and Christian allegory, offering a thought-provoking exploration of faith, redemption, and the battle between truth and deception. The novel is set in a dystopian future where technology dazzles society, but communities are fractured by the manipulative ideology of the Falcon, an enigmatic leader who twists faith into a tool for control and fear. The story follows Chris and Brianna Ballanger, newlyweds returning from Atlantis, as they embark on a mission to restore truth and faith in a world consumed by fear and false ideologies. The protagonists, Chris and Brianna, are portrayed as steadfast and compassionate leaders, embodying virtues of faith, love, and perseverance. Their interactions with villagers emphasize the importance of seeking truth and embracing faith as a personal journey. Runde’s writing is immersive, with detailed world-building that brings the dystopian setting to life. The pacing is well-balanced, blending moments of quiet reflection with intense action sequences, such as the climactic battles at Base Two and Base Three. The inclusion of scripture and hymns enriches the narrative, reinforcing its spiritual undertones and leaving readers with a sense of hope and purpose. The novel delves into philosophical and spiritual aspects of faith, exploring how it can be twisted into fear and control or used as a foundation for freedom and unity. The dialogue is thought-provoking, encouraging readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the role of truth in overcoming fear and manipulation. While deeply rooted in Christian themes, Shadow of the Deceiver avoids being preachy, focusing instead on universal struggles between light and darkness, fear and truth. The book challenges readers to think deeply about their beliefs and offers valuable lessons for navigating the complexities of modern life. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A powerful and inspiring read for fans of science fiction and faith-based fiction alike. Purchase here

< Back Simon Vine Turning Skills Into Dumb Luck: Skills and Mindset for the Times of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Book blurb... This isn’t a book of clichés—it’s a practical, honest guide to building a meaningful and successful career without losing your soul. Purchase here

< Back Mark Roeder What We Do Next Really Matters Author Mark Roeder discusses the global economic, political, environmental, societal and technological challenges that are shaping our world. The recent Covid19 pandemic has been a giant wake up call for humanity, but the reality is that the earth was already in a poor state of affairs, and our civilisation in a precarious state. How we respond to these challenges in the next few years will have significant implications for the human race and the planet. The choices we make at this critical point in our history and development, really matter. Roeder argues, if we fail to act now, we are likely to face the same fate as the Mayans, Anasazi, Akkadians, Harappa, Romans and other lesser-known civilisations that ignored the warning signs around them. Roeder questions our fundamental belief systems and explains why a fundamental change in mindset is required to solve the world’s problems. He argues that the pursuit of ‘growth at all costs’ mindset is threatening our very existence. He argues that we need to learn from the pandemic and harness the shock of Covid19, to make fundamental changes in the way we live our lives now, in order to save humanity. The book comprises three parts. Part one (Reflection) explains why humans are often reluctant to face up to difficult truths. Part two (Challenges) takes a critical look at the big challenges our world faces. Part three (Awakening) explores what it will take to put our world on a more sustainable path. Roeder proposes the development of ‘a social contract’, with a set of eight fundamental principles, which together, form the foundation of civil life. What We Do Next Really Matters by author Mark Roeder is an exceptional book about the global challenges that are shaping our world. What I particularly liked about this book, is that the author proposes a number of radical solutions. He recognises it is a difficult task, and suggests it may need to get worse before it gets better, but ‘ Once the ferocious winds die down, we may awaken to a different social landscape than the version we know now. Hopefully, one that is underpinned by a truly sustainable ethos that ensures our survival as a species.’ This is a well-written, thought-provoking book, which will appeal to anyone interested in the future of earth and the human race. It is a timely reminder that each and every one of us must play a part, and collectively we can make a difference. Everyone should read this book. We cannot ignore the warning signs. We have no choice. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An exceptional, well-written, and thought-provoking book that everyone should read. It was a privilege to read and review this book. Purchase here

< Back Josh Jensen No Easy Way Back Book blurb. .. For fans of character driven thrillers, like Orphan x, and modern westerns, Like Wind River, Graham Hayes has never fit in - not in the life he left behind, and not in the one he's trying to build. After years with the Regimental Reconnaissance Company ”an elite special operations unit” he walked away. Not because he was broken. Because he was done. But when his estranged brother, Colt, is accused of murder and disappears into the Utah wilderness, Graham is pulled back to a place that feels more like a monument to his failures than a home. The evidence against Colt is airtight. The man behind it ”Greg Langston” is powerful, protected, and untouchable. Finding Colt is just the beginning. As Graham starts pulling threads, he uncovers a web of corruption that runs deep and puts everyone he still cares about in the crosshairs. He's fought wars in the deadliest places on earth. But this time, the battlefield is home and the fight is personal. There's no easy way back. But there's a hell of a way out. Purchase here

< Back Joanne Coyle Echoes of Glenisla Book blurb... 1765 On a sultry June night in a lonely farmhouse in Glenisla, a laird dies an agonising death. In the turmoil that follows, his young bride, Katherine Nairn Ogilvie, and his charismatic younger brother, Lieutenant Patrick Ogilvie, are arrested. Accused of the shocking crimes of incest and murder, they must stand trial in Edinburgh, facing execution and eternal disgrace. But are they guilty? Or is history hiding a darker truth? 1997 While recuperating from a mysterious heart condition, history lecturer Caroline Caillouet discovers an old manuscript in a hidden antiquarian bookshop in Kirriemuir. Nestled within its pages lies an exquisitely painted miniature of bluebells, lilies and moss-green foliage. The discovery awakens something in her she cannot explain. Drawn ever deeper into the forgotten tragedy of Katherine and Patrick Ogilvie, Caroline uncovers long-buried family secrets, rumours of arsenic poisoning, and a mystery that Glenisla has guarded for more than two hundred years. As past and present become increasingly entwined, she finds herself pulled towards a desperate search for answers. But each revelation comes at a cost. As Caroline's own health deteriorates, time is running out for her, and perhaps for those whose names history has condemned. A haunting dual-timeline historical mystery inspired by real events, exploring innocence, guilt, redemption and enduring love across centuries. Purchase here

< Back Vincentia Schroeter Babymaking Book blurb... A story of one woman's harrowing journey through trauma and disillusionment on the road to become a mother. The author travels through infertility, loss and adoption, calling on faith to help her achieve her dream. Purchase here

< Back Alex Poppe Duende One young woman’s search for belonging and self-acceptance, by author Alex Poppe Sixteen-year-old Lava lives in Detroit, Michigan, with her mother, Lila Guajardo. Her alcoholic, drug addicted father, Jesse, is serving time in prison for drugs offences, and Lila struggles to cope with the demands of life and motherhood. As Lila grieves for the loss of her lover, she spirals into a deep depression. Lava’s only support and positive adult role model is Cody Ryan, a thirty-three-year-old Iraq war veteran who is a boarder in the family home. When Jesse is released from prison, he returns to the family home, and life for Lava becomes even more difficult. Cody is forced to leave, and Jesse continues to abuse drugs and alcohol. When Jesse asks Lava to do the unthinkable and use her own urine to pass his drug tests, she rebels and deliberately sabotages the test. Jesse confronts Lava, a fight breaks out and Lava is accidentally stabbed. Jesse is recalled to prison and Lila blames Lava. Unable to forgive her daughter, Lila evicts Lava from the family home and sends her to live with her cousin in Spain. Lava reluctantly moves to Seville and meets her mother’s cousin, Lola, a well-known and enigmatic flamenco dancer and teacher. Lava immerses herself into the culture, enrolling in Spanish language classes, and joining flamenco dance classes at Lola’s studio. She falls in love with flamenco and uses the dance to express her feelings, emotions and sensuality. As Lava settles into life in Seville, she meets new friends and experiences her first love, but her relationship with Lola is strained. Lola tolerates the teen, but is distant and elusive. As Lava attempts to learn more about her mother’s mysterious cousin, she soon discovers a dark family secret and the real reason she was sent to Seville. Duende by author Alex Poppe is a beautifully written and well-crafted coming of age novella, about one young woman’s journey from Detroit to Seville, and her search for belonging and self-acceptance. Lava’s journey of self-discovery is beautifully told through the rhythm and vibrations of flamenco music and dance. Poppe is a gifted storyteller – her prose is rich and lyrical, passionate and sensual. With vivid descriptions of flamenco and Seville, this novella is a beautiful homage to this unique artform and the place where it originated. The novella is suitable for both teen and adult readers, and will particularly appeal to those who are interested in Spanish culture and flamenco. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A beautifully written and well-crafted novella, and a wonderful homage to flamenco and Seville. Purchase here

< Back Suzanne Gillis The Landlady of Maple Avenue In 1951, wife and mother of seven, Marceline Gillis, is moving from one of the poorest areas of Cambridgeport to a grand Victorian property in a prosperous middle class suburb of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is her final move with her husband Fred and her adult son Tommy, who has special needs. Marceline’s son Andrew recently passed away following a heart attack, and her other children have moved out of the family home. Marceline isn’t entirely happy about the move. Her two other sons, Bernie and Johnny, purchased the large property as an investment. They plan to divide the property into apartments, providing a home for their parents and a rental income for the family. Marceline’s name is not on the deeds, and she has no say, or control over anything happening in the house. She struggles with the transition from the head of the household in her previous home, into what she considers forced retirement. Determined to own the house outright and become the new landlady of 27 Maple Avenue, Marceline has a secret plan to gain back control. As Marceline attempts to regain control of her home, she reflects back on her life and her turbulent relationships with her husband and children. But, when further tragedy strikes the Gillis family, Marceline is forced to reconsider her future. The Landlady of Maple Avenue is a heartfelt novel by author Suzanne Gillis, about Marceline Gillis and the Gillis family. The novel is inspired by true stories of the authors family, but the characters and events have been altered and fictionalised. Suzanne Gillis crafts a touching narrative about an elderly matriarch whose life is turned upside down as she reluctantly moves to a new house. The book explores themes of aging, womanhood and motherhood, identity and displacement. Suzanne Gillis beautifully captures the nuanced textures of Marceline’s world, her beliefs and behaviours, her routines and rituals, her deep attachments to traditions and her resistance to change. Suzanne Gillis does not paint Marceline as a caricature of stubborn old age, but as a deeply human and complex woman navigating change in later life. For readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction, with subtle social commentary. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A graceful and tender novel that explores the female identity, and the triumphs and tragedies of life. Purchase here

< Back Ed Norwood Be a Giant Killer: Overcoming Your Everyday Goliaths Author Ed Norwood helps others to face their fears, through following the teachings found in the Bible. Be a Giant Killer: Overcoming Your Everyday Goliaths by Ed Norwood is a non-fiction Christian book about how to overcome adversity and take back control of your life. The author draws on his experience of losing twenty-seven members of his own family, when cult leader, Jim Jones, massacred over 900 people in Jonestown, Guyana in 1978. Norwood describes the guilt and shame this placed on his own family, and how the tragedy turned many of his relatives away from God. This tragic event overshadowed his own life until he reconnected with God and discovered the life lessons in this book. He refers to negative events, people, and thoughts as ‘giants’, which exist to intimidate us and kill our dreams. Rather than run away from these giants, he explains that we must run towards them, confront them, and face our fears with courage to break the chain of transmission to the next generation. Norwood identifies seven giants (fear, dissatisfaction, unforgiveness, addiction, laziness, procrastination, and folly) that many of us will face in life, and he uses the biblical story of David and Goliath throughout the book to show how we can overcome those giants. This is a powerful, deeply moving, and inspiring, self-help book that will help readers identify and conquer their own giants. Whilst this book will appeal to those who might be seeking spiritual guidance, you do not need to be religious to understand the messages within this book. Ed Norwood is an inspirational man, and he tells his story with honesty and compassion. He has shown how he has slayed his own giants through following the teachings found in the Bible, and he uses his experiences to help others to overcome their own struggles. A remarkable book, by a remarkable man, and highly recommended. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A powerful, deeply moving, and inspiring, self-help book that will help readers identify and conquer their own giants. Purchase here