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< Back Michael and Nicole Collazo Cozy Critters on the Ark A contemporary twist on the Noah’s Ark story, for young readers. Rufi is a little mouse who believes that hard work makes a happy home. One day, the pipes burst in his house, and Rufi is forced to build a new home. As he searches for a perfect spot to build a new home in the forest, Rufi meets Noah. Noah explains that a storm is on the way, and he is building a big boat to keep all of earth's creatures safe during the storm. Noah invites Rufi to join him and help build the boat. Rufi wastes no time and gets straight to work on the boat. He works tirelessly to get the boat finished and the Ark sets sail, with a pair of all living creatures on earth. On board, Rufi works day and night to take care of all the creatures and becomes good friends with the humans and other critters. But one day, a pipe bursts on the boat and Rufi is nearly swept away. The critters put aside their differences and join together to help Rufi to safety. Rufi fixes the pipe and soon begins to realise that it is not hard work that makes a happy home, it is friendship and love. Cozy Critters on the Ark is an illustrated picture book for young children by Michael and Nicole Collazo, based on the story of Noah’s Ark. A lone, little mouse named Rufi unexpectedly finds his way on board the Ark. He works tirelessly to help all the humans and creatures on board, and makes lots of new friends. As Rufi finds a sense of purpose and belonging on the boat, all the humans and creatures learn how to coexist and live together. They put aside their differences and work together to save life on earth. The book is a great resource for parents and educators to help young children learn about the biblical story and core Christian values. The vibrant, cartoon-like illustrations bring the biblical story to life and the sweet mouse character will appeal to young readers. A captivating and entertaining read for young-ones and adults alike, and a poignant and timely reminder of the importance of friendship, unity, and collaboration. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : An endearing little mouse collaborates with humans and other creatures, to build an Ark and save life on earth. Purchase here

< Back Leon Conrad Story and Structure: A complete guide An essential read for anyone interested in writing and storytelling, by Leon Conrad ‘Story and Structure: A complete guide’ is a handbook for anyone interested in writing and storytell ing. It tells the untold story of what makes a story, a ‘story’. Conrad describes his approach, which is based on six primary symbols (inspired by Professor George Spencer-Brown’s book ‘Laws of Form’), as a simple, visual way to analyse and compare different story structures. The six sy mbols approach is a useful way to understand how story works, how and why structures differ, and why story is a much wider phenomena than most people underst and. It has the potential to help us not only understand stories better, but also to underst and ourselves better. He provides examples of 18 distinct story structures, some well-known and some less well known , from across different cultures and eras (from the earliest written records to the present day). Conrad describes the methodology of the approach and applies it to different story structures, as well as describing the implications for the approach, and how the methodology can be applied in the practice of writing, from poetry to creative writing, teaching and anthropology. ‘Story and Structure: A complete guide’ by Leon Conrad is a comprehensive, well-researched and insightful handbook. The book is well structured, and easy to read and understand. This book will help readers appreciate the importance of story structure, and will help anyone to write better stories. It is an essential read for anyone interested in writing and storytelling, includ ing writers, storytellers, teachers, poets, and readers. I really wi sh I had read this book ten years ago, when I started my own writing journey. Star rating: 5 St ars Summary: A fascin ating insight into how story works, which will help readers appreciate the import ance of story structure. Purchase here

Montgomery Lake High #2: When Darkness Tries to Hide < Back Stacy A. Padula Montgomery Lake High #2: When Darkness Tries to Hide Students at Montgomery Lake High believe the ominous clouds and impending storm will only bring a temporary interruption to their regularly scheduled lives. However, when the tempest grows worse and a classmate's life hangs in the balance, students must pull together to support each other and seek help for their friend. As the lines between cliques dissolve, dark secrets are revealed and hearts are transformed. Purchase here

< Back Dr. Thomas Epperson Values Based Organizations: Aligning Culture and Strategy Book blurb... Why do Values Based Organizations matter? Organizational success today hinges on aligning values and culture—and companies that use this as a business strategy rise above the rest. InnerWill: The Five Practices of Values Based Organizations, the anticipated follow-up to InnerWill: The Five Practices of Values Based Leaders, is a transformative guide for aligning culture with strategy, ensuring all leaders and employees are united in purpose. This comprehensive framework highlights the Five Practices of Values Based Organizations, offering practical solutions for crafting strategy, strengthening culture, and uniting diverse leadership goals. Grounded in research and experience from industry leaders, this book is a catalyst for change, featuring real-world examples and in-depth stories. No matter the type or size of business, Values Based Organizations is a must-read for reinforcing your culture and revolutionizing your organization. Purchase here

< Back Mrs. Anthony I Am Woman... : Book One: My Journey, My Tony A deeply moving and powerful memoir from author, Mrs Anthony Mrs Anthony recalls happy memories growing up with loving parents in Malaysia, and playing with her older brother Shiv, and their friends and neighbours. We follow her through adolescence and young adulthood, as she falls in love with an old childhood classmate and the man of her dreams, Tony. Despite their different social and religious backgrounds the couple marry and look forward to a long and happy future together. Tony is loving, attentive and kind, everything Mrs Anthony wanted in a husband, but their marriage is thrown into turmoil, when Tony’s business starts to fail. On a path of self-destruction, Tony spends increasing amounts of time in the pub, and becomes dependent on alcohol. As Tony makes reckless business decisions and squanders their money, Mrs Anthony is left alone to care for their two young children and manage her own tutoring business. Mrs Anthony desperately tries to save her marriage and the couple move in with her parents. But as Tony’s alcohol use escalates, his health inevitably deteriorates and Mrs Anthony and her family face unimaginable loss and pain. I Am Woman is a deeply moving and powerful memoir from Mrs Anthony, as she tells the story of her life and the love she shared with her beloved husband, ‘captain’ Tony. This is a heart-wrenching story, eloquently and compassionately told by Mrs Anthony, as she describes her love, pain, despair, and helplessness as she watches her husband’s alcohol addiction spiral out of control. This book is a real and honest account of one woman’s strength and determination to protect her family from this dreadful disease. It shows the devastation caused by alcohol addiction and will provide comfort to those impacted by the disease, that they are not alone. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A heart-wrenching story from Mrs Anthony about the devastating impact of alcohol addiction. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Richard Lui Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness The story of an award-winning news anchor who paused his successful career to care for his father. Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness is a guidebook, by author and former news anchor, Richard Lui. Lui shares his personal story, how he became a successful news anchor, and why he gave it all up at the height of his career. His father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Lui had a difficult decision to make, whether to continue to pursue his career, or whether to give it all up to care for his father. He decided his father was more important than what happens on camera and paused his career to take care of him. It was a difficult decision, and the care-giving lifestyle was not easy, so Lui set out to understand the psychology of selflessness. Lui discusses claims made by eminent social scientists, such as Charles Darwin and Richard Dawkins, that humans are not naturally selfless, and that pure altruism does not exist. Lui questions these theories and examines other evidence to suggest that selfless communities can survive adeptly. Lui argues that selflessness has many positive benefits, and he provides evidence to suggest that people who act selflessly are more likely to be healthier, happier, live longer and have more prosperous careers. Lui discusses his own personal journey, and the stories of many people he encountered during his journalism career. Lui challenges the traditional self-help / self-care trope and calls his book an ‘anti-self-help’ book. He offers advice, tips and tricks, and practical tools to help readers live a more fulfilled life, through thinking and behaving more selflessly. He shares the lessons learned from his journey and provides examples from others who have shown remarkable selflessness when faced with tragedy and loss. Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness is an inspiring and engaging book by an award-winning news anchor who performed an act of selflessness to pause his career and care for his father. The book will inspire readers to pursue more selfless goals and will help them to live a more balanced and fulfilled life. The book will appeal to readers who enjoy self-help books and who are interested in personal development. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A thought provoking, inspiring and engaging book about the power and impact of selflessness. Purchase here

< Back Jennifer Ivy Walker The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight Tristan and Issylte return in the third instalment in the Sea Raven trilogy series by author Jennifer Ivy Walker Tristan, the banished Blue Knight of Cornwall, and heir to the Kingdom of Lyonesse, and his wife Issylte, the Emerald Princess and heir to the Irish crown, have fled from Issylte’s wicked stepmother, the Black Widow Queen Morag, and taken refuge on the island of Avalon. As heirs to their respective thrones, Tristan and Issylte pose an intolerable threat to Queen Morag, and her sovereignty over those two kingdoms. The Queen poisoned her first husband, Issylte’s father, the King Donnchadh of Ireland, and also attempted to murder Issylte, to secure her position on the Irish throne. She is poisoning her second husband, the King Marke of Cornwall, Tristan’s uncle, to maintain her rule over the Cornish Kingdom. The Queen is still raging from the death of Morholt, her beloved Black Knight who was killed by Tristan during a failed Viking invasion of Cornwall. She vows to find Tristan and avenge Morholt’s death. When Queen Morag and her cronies discover that Issylte is pregnant with Tristan’s child, she is further enraged. With her ally, dwarf Bothor, she plans an elaborate plot to kill Tristan, and capture Issylte and her unborn child. The Queen plans to imprison Issylte until her baby is born, and then sacrifice the royal infant during the winter solstice, to break a curse that has plagued the Queen for many years. Issylte is captured and imprisoned in a tower on the top of a rocky cliff edge. Tristan and his army of knights must journey back to Tintagel to rescue his wife and unborn child. Will Tristan save his wife and child from the murderous queen? Will Tristan and Issylte ever regain their thrones to their kingdoms? And will Queen Morag ever be punished for her crimes? The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight is a fascinating medieval fantasy fiction novel by author Jennifer Ivy Walker. In this third instalment in the Sea Raven trilogy, Tristan and Issylte’s journey to reclaim their rightful positions on their respective thrones, comes to a breathtaking climax. With gruesome and bloody battle scenes, hot and steamy love scenes, and many unexpected twists and turns, this is an electrifying conclusion to a magnificent trilogy. The book, and the series, is a super addition to the medieval fantasy fiction genre and will captivate readers who enjoy Celtic history and folklore. I could not wait to read this final book and I am gutted the series had concluded. I am hopeful that Tristan, Issylte and their son might return for a new adventure very soon! Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An epic medieval fantasy fiction novel, comes to an electrifying conclusion. Purchase here

< Back Jonnie Ramsey Brown You Promised To Do No Harm: A True Story of Love, Loss, and the Horror of Healthcare Disparity for One African American Family Author Jonnie Ramsey Brown tells the heartbreaking story of the loss of her beloved husband and her fight to uncover the truth about his hospital treatment during his final days. The book is divided into three parts: Part 1 The Life, Part 2 The Loss, Part 3 The Fight. In Part 1, Jonnie describes her relationship with Thomas, how they met and built a happy home with their two children. Jonnie first met Thomas in 1972, aged twenty-three. After meeting by chance at a night club one evening, the couple fell deeply in love. Jonnie describes a fairytale romance and how from the moment they met, Thomas never left her side. The couple married in 1979. In Part 2, Jonnie describes how Thomas was suddenly taken ill during a family reunion in Florida. He was rushed to hospital and treated in an ‘unofficial’ ICU, when they couldn’t find out what was wrong with him. Jonnie recalls in graphic detail the neglect and subpar treatment her husband experienced, and her own experiences trying to navigate the hospital system and communicate with medical staff. Thomas’s condition deteriorated and he was moved to a hospice where sadly he passed away. Following his death, Jonnie describes her fight to uncover the truth about her husband’s illness and his treatment. She discovered that Thomas did not receive basic medical care and that the hospital had several opportunities to save his life but did not. Jonnie filed a lawsuit against the hospital in 2018. In Part 3, Jonnie describes the court case that ensued, and her struggle to get justice for her husband. You Promised To Do No Harm: A True Story of Love, Loss, and the Horror of Healthcare Disparity for One African American Family, is a poignant and heartbreaking memoir by Jonnie Ramsey Brown. This is a deeply moving book, written by Jonnie with such love, care, tenderness and compassion for her husband. Jonnie’s ability to put down in words this horrific experience is inspiring, and a true testament of her love for Thomas. The book highlights many failures in care, due to incompetence and racial discrimination. Sadly, Jonnie and Thomas’s story is not unique. Throughout the book Jonnie draws similar comparisons to the murder of George Floyd. Like George Floyd, Thomas did not receive the standard of care or compassion due to the color of the skin. This is a deeply personal and deeply distressing memoir, but it is a story that needs to be told. It gives a much-needed voice to Thomas and all those who do not have a voice. I hope this book will draw attention to racial discrimination in the healthcare system, and racism all its forms. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A deeply personal and deeply distressing memoir that shines a much-needed spotlight on racial disparities in the healthcare system. Purchase here

Multiverse Mayhem < Back Aurora M. Winter Multiverse Mayhem Ana Zest and her brother Zachery ‘borrow’ their uncle’s PUP (Parallel Universe Pod) and traverse the multiverse, before crash landing in the realm of Tellusora. Zachary is unwittingly frozen solid in the high-tech world of Avenir, and Ana is pursued by an evil sorcerer named Crimson Censor and her vampire son, Hunter. Ana is captured by Crimson, who severs her tongue and leaves her voiceless and powerless. Ana’s friend saves her just in time, before Crimson is snatched by a hippogriff and carried away. Crimson kidnaps Wizard Snapdragon, and claims the portal key to Spellbound. Without the portal key, Ana has no way to access Avenir, no hope of ever rescuing her brother, and no chance of returning home to Earth. While a surgical wizard mends Ana’s tongue and gives her a new truth-telling silver tongue, she is stalked by Hunter, who tracks her down by hiding under an invisibility hat. Meanwhile, Crimson Censor has a sinister plan to poison Tellusora by dumping toxic-air into the atmosphere. Before she can return back to Earth, Ana must find Crimson Censor, retrieve the portal key, rescue Zackary, and save the multiverse from complete destruction. But she must first seek permission and protection from King Ironheart, discover who is sending her mysterious messages in her journal, and unlock the secrets hidden in her family’s past. Multiverse Mayhem is the third instalment in this fantasy fiction series, by author Aurora M. Winter. The book follows the adventures of Ana and her brother, as they traverse the multiverse, and discover mystical realms, fantastical creatures and dark magic. This book is a fast-paced thrill ride of surprising twists, vivid world building, and a strong female protagonist. Overall, this is a gripping multiverse adventure that blends sci-fi, fantasy fiction, and magic. It is a great choice for readers who enjoy fantasy adventures and character driven stories. I would recommend reading books one and two in the series, first. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fast-paced, thrilling, and empowering sci-fi adventure, with a strong female lead and a cast of captivating characters. Purchase here

< Back Kenneth Chanko Exit Tickets Exit Tickets by Kenneth Chanko is a compelling exploration of identity, relationships, and the challenges of teaching in a District 75 school in New York City. Through the intertwined lives of its characters, the story delves into themes of resilience, power dynamics, family, and self-discovery, offering a poignant and realistic portrayal of life in a special education setting. At the heart of the novel is Martin “Mr. J” Jordanowski, a first-year teacher navigating the complexities of his role in a school filled with emotionally disturbed students. His journey is marked by moments of self-doubt, reflection, and growth as he struggles to connect with his students and make a meaningful impact. His relationship with Kandra McKissick, a bright but troubled student, becomes a focal point of the narrative, raising questions about the boundaries between teacher and student and the ethical dilemmas that arise in such relationships. Kandra’s character is equally compelling, as she uses writing to explore her identity, process her emotions, and navigate her relationships with her stepmother, stepsister, and peers. Chanko’s portrayal of the school environment is raw and unflinching, capturing the chaos, challenges, and occasional moments of triumph that define life in a District 75 school. The power dynamics between teachers, students, and administrators are explored in depth, highlighting the systemic issues and bureaucratic hurdles that often hinder meaningful progress. The novel also touches on racial and social disparities, offering a nuanced perspective on the experiences of Black students in predominantly white neighborhoods. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, capturing the unique voices of the students and staff. The novel’s structure, with its shifting perspectives and detailed character development, allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of the motivations and struggles of each character. A must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of education, identity, and social issues. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A thought-provoking and emotionally resonant exploration of the human experience within the context of a challenging educational environment. Purchase here

< Back Kate Giles Camp Cattitude Crazy camp capers and cats with a cranky cattitude, by author Kate Giles Camp Cattitude is the world’s top kitten camp, run by the formidable Meowmoiselle. Meowmoiselle trained all the top kittens, including the world’s Expert Sofa Shredder, the Olympic Napping Champion and the Fussiest Eater Alive, and was in high demand from all the cat moms. Camp Cattitude was bursting at the seams, much to the dismay of the neighbouring Rottweilers, when a little kitty named Snug, turned up at the door. Meowmoiselle was smitten by the kitten, and could not refuse to take him in. But Snug was no ordinary little kitten. He was well behaved. He did not follow the camp rules. He had no cattitude! One day, when Meowmoiselle was out shopping, the other kittens escape and wreak havoc in the neighbour’s garden. Little Snug is caught and faces the wrath of a raging Rottweiler. But rather than face-off with the Rottweiler, Snug tries a different approach. He works with the other kittens to repair the damage to the garden, and restores friendships with the warring neighbours. Snug teaches the other kittens an important lesson in kitty cattitude! Camp Cattitude by author Kate Giles is a sweet and funny picture book about a crazy camp, for cute cats with a cranky cattitude. The book is a funny and enjoyable read and has a subtle message about kindness and the importance of not following the crowd. With lots of word play and cat puns, children will laugh out loud at the mischievousness little kittens, and their crazy antics. The illustrations by Ben Chandler and Enile Reiner are simply delightful. With fabulous facial expressions and body language, and intricate details like the dog drinking a cup of tea and the comedy signs around the camp, the illustrations will amuse young readers and adults alike. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet and funny picture book, with delightful illustrations. It was a joy to read. Purchase here

< Back Joshua Hershey Linden Falls Can a young woman free her people from darkness? Orphan, Mabel, was brought up by her grandmother, Gigi, in Linden, a nation cursed and shrouded by dark and evil forces. Mabel’s parents died of the plague when she was a young girl, but Gigi never discussed their life or death. Mabel always thought she was different from other children and had vivid dreams she was a witch. Rumors had even spread at school that Mabel was a possessed dreamer, who uses magic to enter shadows and speak with the dead. When Gigi dies, Mabel is left penniless and alone. She visits Gigi’s cabin to retrieve her belongings and feels a strange presence. When she spots a book that she had seen in her dream, she must open it. The book emits light and fire, and Mabel is spellbound. The magic book creates a cyclone and Mabel flees the cabin by stepping through a door of fire. Mabel is chased by a serpent, Lavian, and a hoard of Dark Angels. She is saved by the Light Angels and taken to Citadel; a fortress suspended above the Earth. Mabel learns from the Light Angels that the book has special powers, and she was chosen by the one who wrote the book to break the darkness over Linden. She also learns there are two worlds, the world where she lives and the unseen realm that permeates the heavens and Earth. Mable has two choices, to return to her old life in Linden and give up the book, or to harness the book’s powers and continue the path of her calling. Which path will Mabel take? Can she end the darkness that presides over Linden? And will she find out the truth about her parents, and her special powers? Linden Falls is an imaginative and thrilling dark fantasy fiction novel by author Joshua Hershey. This is a well written and tightly crafted story, with a gripping plot, and rich, memorable characters. Mabel is a strong female protagonist, who overcomes adversity to free her people. There are strong Christian messages throughout the book, which make this a unique and powerful read. Hershey has created a spellbinding world that will appeal to those who enjoy action-adventure, fantasy fiction, and Christian fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A thoroughly enjoyable and spellbinding read. Purchase here