< Back Jeffrey Hallett Paths Into Darkness And Light Dr. Tricia Carling, an eminent scientist and self-declared introvert, is working on a new technology project at Crystal Bay University. The ‘Immersive CoSimulation’ is being developed to enable people to physically interact with a remote environment using holographic technology. The project involves using dark matter and dark energy to create the physicality required for instrumentation. During one lab experiment, Tricia is seriously injured and is hospitalised for over a week. But following the accident, Tricia notices changes in her appearance and her physicality, she cannot explain. The accident hyper-stimulated her system, resulting in greater strength and speed than before, and enhanced healing abilities. As Tricia attempts to rebuild her lab, she also has to learn how to control her new powers. She discovers a connection to dark energy, and learns that the forces within her are the same as those responsible for the expansion of the universe. As Tricia embodies her new powers, she takes on a new persona and identity. She is determined to use her powers as a force for good, and sets out to help those in need. But when the activities of a terrorist organisation threaten humanity, Tricia’s character and abilities are put to the test. Paths Into Darkness And Light is a compelling and entertaining science / superhero fiction novel by author Jeffrey Hallett. The novel follows the story of Dr Tricia Carling, a brilliant scientist whose life takes an unexpected turn after a freak accident leaves her with abilities beyond her comprehension. As Tricia learns to control her new powers, she also learns more about herself and her character. Jeffrey Hallett does a great job at blending several genre’s – science fiction, super-hero fiction, self-discovery and adventure. I particularly enjoyed reading about Tricia’s journey, and her transition from an introverted scientist to a fierce superhero. The digital illustrations are a wonderful addition to the novel, and represent the story and the characters perfectly. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A compelling and entertaining blend of science fiction and super heroism, with a strong female protagonist on a captivating journey of self-discovery and adventure. Purchase here

< Back Felicia Taylor E. Southern Spiced: A Brown Girl’s Tale Poet, Felicia Taylor E, shares her memories of childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Southern Spiced: A Brown Girl’s Tale is a collection of poems by Felicia Taylor E. centered around her childhood memories, adolescence and young adulthood. There are four distinct collections: ‘Beginning’, ‘Piney Woods Time’, ‘Blues of Life and Love’ and ‘Grateful’. The first is a collection about her early childhood, with sweet memories watching and learning from television, her love of books and her imaginary friends, movies, and her adventures with her mom and dad. But also, some traumatic memories of discrimination, random strangers touching her hair, the cruelty of her early years’ teacher, and a terrifying encounter with the Klu Klux Klan. The second collection is about her time growing up, spending time with her grandmother and grandfather, her love of music, playing out with friends, and the joy of singing in the church choir. In the third collection, Felicia describes her youth, her growing understanding of the world around her, the stories of others who fought every day for survival in an unjust society, the cruelty of dementia on patients and their loved ones, her growth as a young woman and a poet, a blossoming love with a ‘brown eyed Knight’, and thoughts about death. In the final collection, Felicia shares beautiful memories of lost loved ones. Southern Spiced: A Brown Girl’s Tale is a beautiful and poignant collection of poetry by Felicia Taylor E. The poems are both heart-warming and heart-breaking, as Felicia takes the reader on a journey through her life, and shares her experiences of growing up as a Black girl and woman in the South. The diverse collection of poems shows the authors ‘multilayers’ of womanhood and being a Black woman. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A beautiful and poignant collection of poetry that are both heart-warming and heart-breaking. Purchase here

< Back Donald Levin The World As It Is Book blurb... The lives of four strangers intersect when a shocking act of police violence inflames Detroit in 1963. “An unflinching, immersive, and incendiary portrait of injustice.” “Measured and haunting, this is a story that lingers long after the final page." “The historical authenticity permeates every layer, from the segregated housing protests to the nascent Motown sound.” “Historical fiction with skill and conviction . . . it deserves serious readership.” “Donald Levin masterfully developed a wide cast of characters. Even the minor characters felt fully fleshed out with their own recognizable quirks and mannerisms.” “Absorbing, angry, compassionate, and grounded in a way that stayed with me after the final page." Purchase here

< Back Susan Hayden Now You Are a Missing Person A memoir of love and loss, by poet and playwright Susan Hayden. Now You Are a Missing Person is a collection of poems, stories and memoir fragments, by author, poet and playwright Susan Hayden. Divided into eight parts, the collection follows Hayden’s journey from childhood through to adolescence and adulthood, as she searches for love, belonging and meaning in her life. Hayden describes growing up in the 60s and 70s in a quiet suburb of Encino, San Fernando Valley, and her move to the big city of Los Angeles as a young woman. With celebrity neighbours and dalliances with Hollywood actors, Hayden captures the glitz and glamour of Hollywood that many readers will be familiar with, but also the dark, seedy, underbelly of the city that often goes unnoticed. Hayden discusses her relationships with her parents, her friends and lovers. There are sweet, tender moments of love, joy and happiness, harrowing accounts of abuse, and painful memories of loss and grief. Now You Are a Missing Person by Susan Hayden is a stunning collection of poems and stories, drawn from the memoir of a woman who grew up in California and brushed shoulders with celebrities in Hollywood. Hayden has lived an unconventional and extraordinary life, and she tells her story with openness and honesty. The book is a hybrid of literary forms, weaving together poetry, short stories and fragmented memoir entries in both verse and prose. Each individual piece feels like a snapshot of a memory, woven together to tell the story of a life well-lived. Hayden’s writing is poetic and lyrical, even in its prose form, and the stories are full of wonder, warmth and humor. Throughout the book there are cultural references that defined the period– the music, food, fashion, events and stars– so vivid, I felt I was there walking by Hayden’s side. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A poignant and heartfelt collection of poems and stories, drawn from the memoir of a woman who has lived an unconventional and extraordinary life. Purchase here

< Back Hussein Kanji Happiness Deconstructed: The Hidden Architecture of a Life Well Lived Book blurb... Somewhere along the way, our ideas of happiness became contaminated. We internalized a version of success that wasn’t fully ours. It was louder, shinier, more marketable, and it promised a payoff that kept getting postponed. Eventually it confused us. We kept upgrading the surface while the underlying hunger stayed the same. So I’ve begun asking simple questions. What do I want? What do I need? What am I seeking? And where do these desires come from? Are they truly mine, or were they planted by a culture that benefits from my uncertainty, my dissatisfaction, my sense of never-enough? In Happiness Deconstructed, Dr. Hussein Kanji explores happiness, success, purpose, and identity, offering practices for quieting outside pressure and amplifying inner clarity. This is a profound examination of the human condition by a critical care physician who walks beside people at their most vulnerable. For the unfiltered truth, look no further. Happiness Deconstructed is the cornerstone for a life well lived. Purchase here

< Back Andrew Daniels Tomorrow's Rain Book blurb... Prepare to be whisked away on an adventure written by the majestic writer Andrew Daniels. His poetry is a monument to what a writer can create with their quill dipped in the sacred black ink of a poet's black heart. His drawings and illustrations bring his poetry to life with a flurry of colors and unique vision. Nothing is impossible if an artist has the imagination to build bridges and skyscrapers with only their words, and Andrew Daniels proves it in Tomorrow's Rain. However, will you find the answers to your questions in the trenches of his poetry? Grab your umbrella as Andrew Daniels takes you on an adventure to the state of Washington to find out. Good luck... Purchase here

< Back Doug Einfeld In the Shadow of the Most High: Uncovering My Jewish Ancestors' Perilous Journey Through History Book blurb... For generations, the truth remained hidden—until Doug Einfeld uncovered a family history long concealed: his paternal ancestors were Jewish. Purchase here

< Back Lesley Beiro and Heather Scott Over the Lotion Over the Lotion is a true story, written by mother and daughter Heather Scott and Lesley Beiro. Written primarily by Scott, a white woman who grew up in South Africa during the 1950s and 1960s. The book follows Scott’s journey from childhood through to adulthood, from her early years in Pretoria , to her emigration to the United States in later life. The latter part of the book is written by her daughter, Biero, following her death. Set against a backdrop of apartheid in South Africa, Scott recalls the social and political changes that happened throughout her life, and the impact on her family and community. From the release of Nelson Mandela, civil unrest, and the turbulent transition into post-apartheid South Africa. Scott faced many personal struggles throughout her life. She survived polio as a teenager, and later married a man she discovered was an alcoholic. Early in her marriage Scott experienced the tragic loss of a baby, and her husband was often violent towards her. As Scott tried to make a good life for herself and her children, she sought comfort, guidance and strength from God. Over the Lotion is a deeply personal and heartfelt memoir that chronicles one woman’s experience of life in South Africa during apartheid and in the immediate post-apartheid period. As Scott witnesses the social and political upheaval of her beloved country, she has to make a difficult decision for her family. Scott does not shy away from the moral dilemmas of many white South African farmers – those who grew up calling South Africa home, but were left feeling alienated and abandoned as society changed. Beiro finished the memoir following Scott’s death, and is a beautiful and touching tribute to a much-loved mother and grandmother. For readers interested in personal histories of South Africa, and the US immigrant experience, this book offers a gripping and emotionally charged perspective . Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A heartfelt and thought-provoking memoir of a white woman growing up in South Africa during apartheid. Purchase here

< Back Peter Mazurek Modern Catholic Concerns Peter Mazurek explores the history of the Catholic Church and modern catholic concerns. Modern Catholic Concerns by Peter Mazurek considers Catholicism and the current issues facing the Catholic Church. The author discusses the existence of God, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the authority and authenticity of the Catholic Church, and a number of contemporary issues and controversies. He presents classic arguments, such as Five Ways of St Thomas Aquinas and the Teleological Argument, to modern theories from physicists such as Stephen Hawking. The book is divided into five parts. ‘Part 1 Parameters’ considers the Catholic faith, and the reasons or explanations for each of those beliefs. ‘Part 2 The Existence of God’ explores how-to live a life as a Catholic, covering in detail the Mass, the sacraments, and other liturgical procedures, with explanations of how these procedures work, what they achieve, and their validity. ‘ Part 3 The Divinity of Jesus Christ’ examines socioreligious norms and the theologies and teachings of Jesus Christ. It includes the Ten Commandments and their meaning and applications to contemporary issues. ‘Part 4 The Catholic Church’ deals with Christian prayer and covers in detail attitudes towards various communications with God. ‘ Part 5 Contemporary Issues’ discusses modern issues, such as euthanasia, abortion, terrorism, paedophilia, and religious cults. This is a comprehensive, extensively researched, well written and articulate book about Catholicism. Written by an extremely knowledgeable layperson, with arguments presented in layperson’s language, this book is an accessible read. The author uses his personal knowledge and experience of growing up in the Catholic faith, but he does not preach to the reader. Mazurek states ‘I do not try to convert anyone to my views of faith’ . The book provides fascinating insights into Catholicism and the Catholic Church. It explores the history of the church and contemporary issues, and will help readers make more informed choices about their own faith and life. The book will appeal to Catholics, Clerics, theology students, anyone interested in faith and the Catholic Church, and those who might be experiencing a crisis of faith. Non-Catholics will be fascinated by the history of the church, and modern catholic concerns. This was a fascinating read, and I welcomed the opportunity to understand more about the Catholic faith, something I know very little about. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fascinating and insightful book about the Catholic faith. An essential read for Catholics, and anyone interested in the Catholic church. Purchase here

< Back Kate Sweden Wrecked By You Book blurb... There were two problems with kissing Max Harrington. First—he kissed like sin. Second—he knew it. Now we’re stuck in Scotland together, and pretending it never happened is definitely not on the itinerary. Rayann Wilder has charm, connections, and one job: make sure a million-dollar pre-wedding celebration in the Scottish Highlands goes off without a hitch. But when her boss assigns the company's broody security chief to join her? Everything unravels fast. Max Harrington is ex-military, exasperating, and entirely too attractive for Rayann’s sanity. He follows rules. She makes her own. He’s planning for worst-case scenarios. She’s trying not to jump him in a castle hallway. And the worst part? The more they argue, the harder it is to remember why this was supposed to be a strictly professional trip. Tensions are high. The stakes are higher. And between ancient feuds, competitive games, and one very inconvenient suite-sharing situation… the line between enemies and lovers is about to disappear completely. Wrecked by You is a sexy, enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy with snappy banter, forced proximity, and enough slow-burn tension to melt your passport. Perfect for readers who crave serious heat, sharp wit, and emotionally intelligent characters who know exactly how high the stakes are—especially when it comes to falling in love. Purchase here

< Back Angela White Nuclear Ashes Book blurb... Adrian will soon discover if the choices he’s made have cost him a son. Even Angela can’t be sure. Neither can any of the others like her. The power of the descendants is growing, and so is Safe Haven's awareness of having magic in their midst. Angela is no longer the only seer in Adrian’s camp of survivors…if she ever was. Now on the way to Arkansas, these battered refugees will face a more dangerous threat than the slavers. Furious at the latest bloodshed between lawless groups of humanity, Mother Nature has declared her own war, repeatedly unleashing her fury against everyone. The apocalypse has never been more lethal as the aftermath continues to take its toll on what remains of the great human herd. Purchase here

< Back D.F. Kennedy The Last Time I Saw Her Charlotte’s story Wealthy heiress and author, Dahlia Frost Hughes, is missing presumed dead when the aircraft she boarded in Miami failed to arrive at its destination. Dahlia was travelling to Puerto Rico, for a private getaway with her husband, famous actor Roland Hughes. Dahlia’s best friend and business partner, Charlotte Moore, is questioned by detectives about her disappearance. The police have received information that links Dahlia to the earlier disappearance of Charlotte’s ex-husband, Guy Burke. They believe Dahlia hired a hitman to kill Guy, conspiring with Charlotte to stop him getting hold of her inheritance. Charlotte has connections to the Italian Mafia, and their involvement in the disappearance of her ex-husband cannot be ruled out. Charlotte and Dahlia had been friends for many years, and set up a successful publishing company together. The women were inseparable and supported each other through tough times. Dahlia was finally moving on with her life with her husband and daughter, after she was kidnapped by her ex-husband and harassed by an online stalker. Charlotte also had a difficult few years, following the tragic death of her parents, a miscarriage, and a bitter divorce from her abusive, ex-husband. Guy had attacked Charlotte and left her for dead, before his disappearance a year earlier. As Charlotte grieves for the loss of her best-friend, she tries single-handedly to keep the company afloat, whilst also navigating a new relationship. When an old acquaintance makes an appearance at her office, Charlotte is forced to travel to a remote, private island off the coast of Brazil, to find the truth about her best friends disappearance. The Last Time I Saw Her is the next instalment in this gripping, psychological drama series by D.F. Kennedy. The book follows on from where the last book ended, as Dahlia’s aircraft mysteriously disappears on route to Puerto Rico. This book tells the story from Charlotte’s perspective, an equally fascinating and enigmatic character. Full of chilling thrills, nail-biting suspense, and timely-placed twists and turns, the story keeps you invested as you read in eager anticipation of what's going to happen next. Just when you thought you had it all figured out, a new clue takes you in an entirely different direction! Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An electrifying, page-turning, psychological thriller, with an intriguing plot, fascinating characters, and a multi-layered storyline. Purchase here