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< Back DF Kennedy The Truth A gripping semi-autobiographical novel, by author DF Kennedy Dahlia Frost joins the US Air Force to escape her dysfunctional family, but during one particular mission she discovers a phobia of wearing a mask and small spaces. Unable to conquer her fears, and experiencing recurrent traumatic nightmares, Dahlia is medically retired from the Air Force. When Dahlia returns home to the US, she learns from her mother, Sylvia, the cause of her nightmares. As a child, Dahlia was abducted by her biological father, Dahmon, and driven into a lake where her father tragically drowned. Following her father’s death, her mother marries Bob, a violent man who terrorises and abuses both women. Dahlia learns she has lost six years of childhood memories and records her mother’s testimony in a journal. Several years later, Dahlia writes Daddy Issues, an autobiographical novel based on her dysfunctional family and traumatic childhood experiences. Published under the penname of Frances Slater to protect her identity, the novel becomes a worldwide bestseller. But when Dahlia’s real identity is mysteriously exposed, she is unwittingly thrust into the limelight and back into the arms of her ex-lover, Roland, an a-list Hollywood actor. The couple rekindle their relationship, but Dahlia is tormented by a secret stalker, who seems to know much more about her past than revealed in her novel. As the stalker closes in, Dahlia finally learns the truth about her childhood, and the real cause of her father’s death. The Truth by DF Kennedy is a tense, gripping and emotional semi-autobiographical novel, loosely based on the authors own experiences. The author successfully interweaves a story of horrific abuse and childhood trauma, with joyous, light-hearted moments of love and romance. Dahlia is a well-developed, complex character, with complex relationships. Readers will empathise with her and route for her, but will equally be frustrated by her decisions. This is the first volume in a planned series, and ends on a thrilling cliff-hanger. I can’t wait to read the next instalment in this series. The book will appeal to readers of drama fiction, suspense, and women’s fiction. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A tense, gripping and emotional semi-autobiographical novel, which successfully interweaves a story of horrific abuse and childhood trauma with a beautiful love story. Purchase here

< Back Terry Kirk Pitfall Frank Cork had it all. As head trader at Chicago’s leading commodities brokerage firm, Frank made a fortune trading wheat futures. He lived the good life, with his beautiful wife Katrina and their two children. Frank witnesses a gangland shooting and fears for his life when he is noticed by the shooter. Shortly after, Frank’s entire fortune is wiped out when the price of wheat plummets during the 1929 stock market crash. Frank flees to Canada, to escape the mob and recover his losses, leaving behind Katrina and the children. While the firm tasks intern Lewis to find Frank, the police open an investigation into his disappearance. Frank has a plethora of enemies, and the police suspect foul play. Frank travels to the Canadian Prairies where he adopts an alias and takes refuge with a local family. He partners with a bootlegger and begins to smuggle Canadian whiskey to the United States, while secretly orchestrating a high-stakes wheat futures deal to recover his losses. Meanwhile, Katrina, struggles to keep their family afloat and forms a bond with Lewis, who continues to search tirelessly for Frank. Frank’s journey is fraught with challenges, including encounters with mobsters, a relentless investigator, and a rival from the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Pitfall by Terry Kirk is a gripping historical fiction novel set in Chicago during the 1929 stock market crash. The story follows Frank Cork as his life unravels amidst financial ruin. The novel offers a fascinating insight into Chicago’s financial world, wheat trading, and the great stock market crash. The vivid descriptions of Chicago’s financial district and the wind-swept Canadian Prairies create a rich, atmospheric backdrop for the drama. The characters are well-developed, particularly Frank and Katrina, whose personal struggles feel authentic and relatable. The novel combines historical drama with personal introspection, making it a must-read for fans of character-driven stories and historical fiction. Star rating : 5 Stars Summary : A compelling and emotionally charged historical fiction novel, with memorable characters and a gripping plot inspired by real-life events. Purchase here

< Back Deborah Wade Always In Your Heart Always In Your Heart is a picture book for younger children exploring grief and loss, by author Deborah Wade. Always in Your Heart, written by Deb Wade and illustrated by Tim McGee, is a deeply moving children’s picture book about love, loss, and grief. It follows a number of families with children and their experiences of losing a treasured loved one. The children miss their loved ones deeply, and recall precious memories of cherished times they have spent together. The book encourages children to think about and visualise their loved ones and to remember the good times – the hugs and kisses, singing silly songs, reading stories together, and outdoor adventures, fishing and feeding the birds. It also shows children that it is okay to miss their loved ones. That it is okay to cry and be sad. That it is okay not to be okay. The book is a great resource for families who have experienced the loss of loved one, or for those who want to open up conversations about death and grief. With supporting questions for the reader, the book will encourage parents, carers, and children to talk about their own grief, and to discuss their thoughts, emotions, and memories of those who have sadly passed. Beautifully simple illustrations by Tim McGee capture the love, sadness, and sentiment perfectly. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A deeply moving picture book for younger children, exploring the important topics of love, loss and grief’. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Genevieve Jenner Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives A collection of food inspired short stories, by debut author Genevieve Jenner. Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives is a delectable collection of thirty-eight short stories, by debut author Genevieve Jenner. This is a diverse collection of fictional stories, with a wide range of characters and settings, but all centered around food and how people interact with food in their everyday lives. The book takes the reader on a culinary journey across different countries and cultures, including stories from England, the deep South, Paris, Jerusalem, and many more. It explores the role that food plays in all of our lives, and the relationships between people and the foods that they share. The opening story, Dead Dove , explores the weird and wonderful food that people leave in communal fridges in the workplace, and follows two unknown colleagues as they converse anonymously by sharing notes and recipes in the work fridge . I found it hard to find a favourite in this remarkable collection, but as an avid tea drinker I enjoyed An Incomplete Guide to Drinkers of Some Black Teas . I am ashamed to admit it, but I have been known to microwave a cup of Lipton Tea in desperation! Some stories are quite lengthy, others just a few pages long. Jenner discusses a wide range of foods, from Southern flips, borscht, macaroni cheese, chocolate brownies, and even pigeon. Each story serves up generous portions of emotions and memories inspired by our love of food. This is a unique, imaginative, and funny collection that will appeal to readers who enjoy short stories, foodies, and those who enjoy food inspired stories. With wonderful and colourful characters, intriguing story lines, and mouth-watering recipes, the book invites readers to reflect on their own relationship with food. A wonderful short story collection and a celebration of food and the impact it has on our everyday lives. I encourage readers to read, eat, repeat! Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A delicious, mouth-watering collection of short stories, inspired by our relationship with food. Purchase here

< Back Kristen Niedzielski A Bee In A Big Universe A bee discovers just how little he really is, in comparison to the universe. Brian is a very busy, and very fast bee. His friend, Sam the Snail, challenges Brian to fly to the end of the universe. Brian is confused, he has only ever known the meadow where he lives, and that is big enough. Brian asks his mom, What is the universe, and how big could it be? His mom explains that the universe is far bigger than the meadow, and much higher than the sun. It includes millions of planets and stars, and only some can be seen in the night sky. She explains that the universe is so big, no one has seen it all, and no one knows where it ends. Brian tries to fly as far as he can to reach the end of the universe, but his wings soon get tired, and he doesn’t get very far. When Brian explains to Sam just how vast the universe is, Sam apologises to his friend for being mean. One evening, Brian watches all the sparkling stars in the night sky and realises that he is a very small bee, in a very big universe. His mom teaches him about the solar system, and the names of all the planets. Brian decides that he would like to be a scientist bee when he grows up, and study the stars, moons, and the planets in the solar system. A Bee in a Big Universe is an entertaining and insightful picture book, written and illustrated by Kristen Niedzielski. This is a fun, engaging and accessible picture book that will help younger children learn about the universe and help build vocabulary about the solar system, planets, and seasons. The book provides additional resources for parents and carers and will hopefully inspire young children to learn more about science and astronomy. The digital illustrations are bright, fun and attractive for the target reader group. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fun, engaging and accessible picture book for younger readers about the solar system and the universe. Purchase here

< Back Michelle Medlock Adams Dachshund Through the Snow Crosby saves Christmas, from author Michelle Medlock Adams Crosby is the world’s teeniest-weeniest Weiner dog. Despite his tiny proportions he has a big ambition – to compete in the Arctic Animal Olympics! He was prepared. He’d done the training. He was ready. But as race day arrived, Crosby started to have second thoughts. The bigger, stronger competitors laughed and taunted Crosby about his size. Poor Crosby, desperate to flee, dug and dug and dug deep into the snow until he stumbled across a cave. Inside the cave, he found Santa and his reindeer in desperate need of help. Rudolph was missing and Santa needed someone to find him. Crosby knew just what to do. Will Crosby find Rudolph? And can the world’s teeniest-weeniest Weiner dog save Christmas? This is a fantastic, festive picture book about a tiny little pup who finds the inner strength to carry on when all hope is lost. You can’t help but to love Crosby, he is the cutest, most adorable pup with miniature proportions and the biggest heart. With strength and determination, he proved to all those who doubted and mocked him, that he can achieve great things. This is a great message to all that your physical size doesn’t matter, it’s the size of your heart that really counts. We look forward to reading more from Michelle Medlock Adams and hope Crosby will feature in his own book series. The illustrations by Ana Sebastian are magical. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A fantastic, festive picture book about a tiny little pup with the biggest heart. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

Will Fox Canidae save his beloved factory and city from the villainous Doctor Monkeyshine and his criminal gang? < Back Ryan Poirier The Herd Foxy Fruits merges with Bodaceous Herbaceous and develops a new product - a genetically modified juice, crossed between a fruit and a vegetable. But just before the big launch of the new juice sensation, a disgruntled employee Professor Doctor Monkeyshine and his criminal gang (The Pack), alter the genetic code of the juice, and threaten to destroy the company and the city. The CEO of the company, Fox Canidae, must act fast to beat The Pack and to save his family, his company, and the whole of Maple City. The Herd: Volume 1 Omnibus is a unique and creative graphic novel, full of wit and humour. Poirier has created an extraordinary fantasy world like no other. The characters, the plot, the book design, and every minutia of detail has been well thought through and excellently presented. The work and effort gone into the production of this book is remarkable. The digital illustrations are magnificent. The author has a real talent for digital, cartoon illustrations. The book captures every expression, every moment, and every scene beautifully. This book is on the lengthier side for a graphic novel, but I was completely enthralled and found it hard to put down. I can’t wait to read part 2! Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘An imaginative story, with magnificent digital artwork’. A FINALIST and highly recommended. Purchase here

< Back Diane LaDouceur Maggie Alison is excited to go to school. She is looking forward to seeing the school therapy dog, a yellow Labrador retriever named Maggie. Maggie is a retired service dog, and now lives with Alison’s teacher, Miss Thomson. Alison’s friends are sad they won’t get to spend time with Maggie, but Alison persuades Miss Thomson to let them visit her until the bell rings. Miss Thomson tells the girls that Maggie was trained to help a blind person, to guide them from one place to another, and to keep them safe from obstacles and other dangers. Miss Thomson also explains that service dogs are trained to help people with autism, seizures, anxiety, hearing, and many other medical challenges. Soon, Alison will get to spend more time with Maggie, as her family plan to take care of her when Miss Thomson goes on vacation. Maggie is a delightful, illustrated picture book, by author Diane LaDouceur. The book is based on the authors real-life experience of parenting a child with learning challenges, and her work with therapy dogs. Beautifully written by LaDouceur, with charming illustrations by Helle Urban, this book highlights the important role that animals play in supporting children’s health and wellbeing. Teachers and parents can use this story as a gentle introduction to the role of therapy dogs, and as a conversation starter about emotional well-being. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A beautifully written and illustrated book, which shows the special bond between children and dogs, and how dogs can support people and improve health and well-being. Purchase here

< Back Lem Moye Catching Cold Vol 2 - Redemption Can a small scientific company survive a hostile take-over from a giant pharma company? A small scientific company, CiliCold, has developed the ‘ immunology breakthrough of the century ’ , a partial antibody that can defeat many of the viruses that cause the common cold. A big-pharma company, Tripel S Pharmaceuticals, is desperate for their intellectual property and will stop at nothing to take over the company. But Tripel S has a sinister motive for acquiring CiliCold. They want to prevent the product reaching the open market, to protect their own work. A cure for the common cold would affect multi-million-dollar sales of their over-the-counter cold remedies and treatments. The CEO of CiliCold decides to relocate the team over 3,000 miles away to a secret research laboratory, to escape the clutches of Triple S. Meanwhile, the V ice P resident L egal of Triple S is forced to resign following an incident where she witnessed a colleague take her own life. She has no option but to defect to CiliCold. Triple S develop a new medicine that is successful in preventing autism, but they soon discover the medicine has catastrophic side effects. Board members disagree on how to manage the situation. Several board members want to continue with its development, arguing they would be withholding a new critical therapy from children who are going to be very sick. The CiliCold team, on the other hand, is on the verge of a breakthrough, and are in desperate need of financial assistance. Just when CiliCold receive the investment they require, they soon discover they have been duped by their biggest rival. Catching Cold Vol 2 – Redemption, by author Lem Moyé, is a tense and gritty pharmaceutical drama, about a disreputable big-pharma company that tries to take over a small scientific company, by any means possible. This is a well written, thoroughly researched and believable story about money and power, versus ethics and morality. The author clearly has excellent knowledge about science and medical research. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more from Lem Moyé. This is the second instalment in a three-part series. I had not read the first book in the series, and while there were a few moments where I struggled to understand the back-story, the story was easy to follow. I would recommend readers begin with the first book in the series, to get the full enjoyment of this trilogy. Star rating : 5 Stars Summary: A tense and gritty pharmaceutical drama about money and power, versus ethics and morality. Purchase here

< Back M. J. Kelley II Identity Crisis: Who Am I, Really? Book blurb... In an age defined by the noise of social media, constant comparison, and the exhausting pressure to perform, Identity Crisis: Who Am I, Really? offers a powerful antidote to the modern identity crisis. This book confronts the deceptive allure of the inward search and the cultural myth that worth must be earned. It guides readers to the unwavering foundation of their true self, revealing that identity is a gift received, not a title achieved. You will discover your unshakeable value as a masterpiece created in the Imago Dei and find eternal security as a beloved child adopted by the King, your life forever "hidden with Christ in God". The book equips you to wage the war for your mind by demolishing the enemy's lies with the truth of Scripture, liberating you from the crippling performance trap and empowering you to live an authentic, purpose-filled life, not for the fleeting applause of the crowd, but for an Audience of One. Purchase here

< Back Kyle Palmer The Last Rival: A Time of Our Choosing Late 1946, shortly after the end of World War II, and the Soviets continue to threaten peace in Europe. The Soviets have successfully developed a fusion bomb, and a group of men are summoned to Washington DC for a secret meeting with President Truman. Truman sets out his ‘Marshall Plan’, a grand scheme to resurrect Europe and position the United States of America as the leading world power. The plan brings together the great and the good of warfare, science, technology and business to construct and manage a new independent, intelligence agency, and build a fusion bomb. The new agency will be a rival of the Central Intelligence Agency, but entirely devoid of governmental influence or awareness. But when the men learn that Adolf Hitler did not die at the end of the War, their mission becomes even more critical. They discover that Hitler and other Nazi leaders fled to Argentina under the cover and protection of President Juan Peron. The men face an arduous journey by land and sea, to track down and eliminate the world’s most dangerous predator. The Last Rival: A Time of Our Choosing is an alternate history novel, set shortly after the end of World War II, by author Kyle Palmer. This is a chilling story, which imagines a world with a different outcome at the end of the War. The book poses a number of thought-provoking, but terrifying questions. What might have happened if Hitler survived World War II? What would you say if you came face to face with the Fuhrer? Palmer masterfully blends history, politics and detective fiction into a disturbing, but believable story. At over 500 pages this is a long novel, but very easy to read. A must read for fans of alternate history, political thrillers and detective fiction. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A well-researched and believable alternate history, with a compelling mix of mystery, suspense and espionage. Purchase here

< Back Russell Camp Seeking The Healer Book blurb... How far will a father go to see his son healed? This thing that would come and attack his son. Without warning. Without remorse. Without a cure. Yosef’s heart broke more with each one, his hope fading as he watched this thing slowly destroy his son, along with everything he loved. But just as the darkness seemed to envelop him, Yosef heard a whisper on the fluttering wings of a dove. There was one who might be able to help. A healer existed somewhere, out there. Yosef had only to find him. SEEKING THE HEALER is the gripping story of a father’s love, a son’s courage, and a family on the brink. Pursued by an enemy who is as relentless as he is corrupt, Yosef and his son, Gabriel, must flee their home and follow an unsure path, hoping it will lead them to a mysterious healer, of whom they have only heard rumors. Along the way, they meet others who will point them towards the end of their journey, but will they find this healer before their enemy finds them? Purchase here