< Back Rebecca Anne Nguyen The 23rd Hero A young woman travels back in time to try and avert an environmental disaster. Sloane Burrows, a twenty-nine-year-old Techno Engineering graduate from Vancouver, is working as a ‘Boothie’ subcontractor (technician) for ‘The Program.’ Developed by an unknown inventor, The Program is a government initiative that aims to right the wrongs of the past, by transporting people back in time, to change the future. Due to over population, deforestation, industrialisation and much more, the world is on the brink of an environmental apocalypse. Citizens are encouraged to apply to The Program to become a ‘Hero,’ to save the world and receive a $10 million reward for their family. Twenty-two Heroes have successfully travelled back in time, resulting in positive environmental impacts. Sloane has secretly dreamed of applying to The Program, but she is ineligible due to her work as a subcontractor. Almost a year has passed since the last Hero travelled back in time and the world is on the brink of collapse once again. The government lifts the restrictions and Sloane is eligible to apply. Her twin brother applies on her behalf, and she is shortlisted. The odds are stacked against her, as no woman has ever been selected as a Hero. But, out of thirty-three million applicants, Sloane is selected as the 23rd Hero. Sloane’s mission is to travel back in time to sixteenth-century France to the home of King Francis I. Her task is to pose as a royal fortune teller, to build the King’s trust and influence his decision making. The aim is to stop the King from investing in the first French expedition to the Americas. It is hoped that this will delay French colonization in the New World, and ensure Indigenous people retain control of their homelands, thereby reducing the carbon footprint for future generations. But, when the man of her dreams walks into her life, Sloane’s world is turned upside down. The mission is a huge risk. There is no guarantee that the intervention will work, and Sloane could die in the past without ever knowing the outcome of her mission, or ever seeing the man of her dreams again. The 23rd Hero by author Rebecca Anne Nguyen follows the journey of an extraordinary young woman who travels back in time to sixteenth century France to try and save the planet. Nguyen successfully combines an environmental disaster, with a historical time travel adventure, and a passionate love story. With an intriguing plot, beautifully written prose, and plenty of humor, this is a unique and remarkable novel from a debut author. Fans of time-travel, eco-dystopian fiction, history and romance will love this story. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : With plenty of humor and a passionate romance, this is a time-travelling adventure like no other. Purchase here

< Back J. F. Cronin It Could Happen Here - A Roadmap to Disaster The President of the United States, and his wealthy cronies, will stop at nothing to retain power. It Could Happen Here – A Roadmap to Disaster is a political fiction novel by author J.F. Cronin, about corruption in the highest state of office in the United States. The President, Wilbur Barron, calls Eric King, the wealthy CEO of International Surveillance, Security and Construction (ISSAC), requesting his expertise in planning an election strategy. Eric is a trusted associate of the President, and he often takes on jobs that are unadvertised, sometimes shady, and often secretive. The President is insecure, and he praises dictators who have inherited their positions. He knows he is going to have a hard time winning the next election and will stop at nothing to succeed and retain power. Eric meets with the President, and two other wealthy advisers, and they discuss how to discredit the opposition in the upcoming election campaign, the potential impact on the presidency of a new contagious virus that is spreading across the world, and the introduction of mail-in ballots. They consider a legal strategy to overturn the election in the event of a loss, and the use of military, if required. King is incredulous, but he weighs up his concerns about the democratic process and decides that money and power are more important to him. Will the wealthy, elite keep Barron in office? And how will they respond if he loses the election? It Could Happen Here – A Roadmap to Disaster, is a gripping political drama about a president, who will stop at nothing to retain power. The president and his wealthy cronies, hungry for money and power, develop a sinister plan to keep him in office. Cronin writes ‘ They were all that stood between democracy and anarchy’ . Their plan, if successful would damage the electoral process and destroy democracy in the United States. This is a well written, believable and convincing political drama, with many similarities to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. Cronin questions whether it could happen in the United States. It is terrifying to think it could. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A believable and gripping political drama about a president who will stop at nothing to retain power. Not to be missed. Purchase here

< Back Terry Ray King Deathly Vision Book blurb... Dean Malcolm begins to experience troubling premonitions from his brief death following a shooting at his workplace in New York City. These premonitions alert him to impending tragedies that will occur to others around him, which he struggles to understand. His journey of self-discovery leads him to confront his abilities and the impact they have on his life and the lives of others. Each vision leaves him feeling more isolated and desperate to find a way to change the fate of those he sees in danger. He moved to the Outer Banks where he meets a beautiful Hispanic woman named Amelia Lopez who has her own minor premonitions. She begins to provide emotional support for Dean and begins walking through each premonition at his side. A psychiatrist named Doctor Ascott pressures Dean to visit his Psychiatric facility to allow him to expose Dean to some unconventional and possible dangerous testing to understand what is causing Deans premonitions. Dean receives an offer from Alberto Black, who wants to recruit him and Amelia to work together in a team of individuals with special abilities to help solve crimes. This opportunity presents a chance for Dean to use his premonitions for good, but it also raises concerns about their safety and the nature of their work. 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 Jina Dcruz Lightning in a Bottle Book blurb... Lightning in a Bottle captures the essence of a reticent poet’s introspective journey, unraveling the complex emotions and curiosities that shape our lives. Each poem invites you to pause, reflect, and engage with themes that challenge the ordinary and explore the extraordinary. It’s a collection that will stir your imagination, spark deep contemplation, and leave you with a sense of wonder about the world around you. An evocative blend of thought and feeling, this book turns fleeting moments into lasting impressions. Purchase here

< Back JR Rice Broken Pencils A novella by J.R. Rice about one momentous night in a young man’s life. Jonah Tarver from a wealthy suburb of Oakland California is celebrating his eighteenth birthday on the same night of his high school prom. It is also the anniversary of his best friend’s death, who was tragically killed in a car accident four years previously. Still grieving the loss of his best friend, Jonah has received several years of therapy, but has recently stopped taking his medication. Struggling to cope, he has been caught shoplifting and truanting from school. His father, a Superior Court Judge, is a harsh disciplinarian and believes his son is dishonouring the family. While Jonah has led a relatively privileged life, he does not get the love or support he needs from his father. Jonah’s parents are on the brink of divorce, as Jonah strives to protect his little brother , Steven. His father agrees to loan him the use of his beloved Mercedes to drive his girlfriend, Taniesha, to the prom. But following a heated argument with his parents, his father withdraws the offer and Jonah takes the car without consent. During the prom, Taniesha dumps Jonah because he is unable to commit to their relationship. Fuelled by a cocktail of alcohol and illegal drugs, Jonah is involved in a serious, violent incident at the prom and flees the scene. He drives to San Francisco, where he visits an adult club, and his night goes from bad to worse. When he wakes up on a park bench the morning after, Jonah must face his father and the consequences of his actions. Broken Pencils is a short, literary work of fiction, by J.R. Rice. This is a dark, gripping and thought-provoking tale, which explores how a single moment of recklessness can have far reaching consequences. Rice delves into the complex life and psyche of Jonah, a young Black man suffering from mental health issues and trauma following the death of his best friend. On the night of his eighteenth birthday and prom, the night takes a dramatic turn, following a violent incident in the school bathroom. Jonah finds himself in a precarious situation, as he attempts to navigate the San Francisco underworld. Readers will both empathise with, and loathe, this relatable, complex teenager. S tar rating: 5 Stars Summary : A gripping coming of age story and a skilful exploration of grief, the human psyche and broken relationships. Purchase here

< Back Zelly Ruskin Not Yours to Keep Thirty-somethings, Billie and Tyler Campbell from Boston, Massachusetts, are thinking about adoption. Following years of unsuccessfully trying to conceive a baby, the couple believe it’s their only chance to have a baby of their own. Billie works as an adoption specialist at a local adoption agency, while Tyler is a successful attorney about to become a junior partner at his law firm. When Billie meets Madison, a pregnant college student considering giving up her baby for adoption, she becomes obsessed with her unborn baby. She longs to adopt Madison’s baby and raise it as her own, but Tyler is having second thoughts about fatherhood. He wants to make Billie happy, but he is haunted by past events that Billie knows nothing about. Meanwhile, a troubled local woman named Anne also longs for a baby of her own and becomes obsessed with Madison and Billie. Billie and Tyler’s life is turned upside down when Tyler starts to receive anonymous messages and a photo of an unknown baby. Then, when a newborn baby goes missing, the characters collide as Billie becomes prime suspect number one. Not Yours to Keep is a tense psychological thriller by Zelly Ruskin. The novel follows the journey of a young couple desperate to adopt a baby after years of heartbreak and infertility. Billie’s anguish and desperation to become a mother is heartbreakingly real. But their lives begin to unravel when a mysterious woman from Tyler’s past begins to stalk them. What starts as a story of heartache and longing, spirals into a chilling tale of obsession, secrets, and betrayal. Well written with multiple person perspectives and multiple timelines, the tension builds slowly over time. But, just when you think you have it all figured out, the plot twists again. If you enjoy thrillers with complex characters, this one is for you. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : An emotionally charged, captivating and heartfelt novel about a young couple desperate to adopt a baby after years of heartbreak and infertility. Purchase here

< Back J. J. Hebert The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth Book blurb... One father's desperate choice fractures time and reality itself. To everyone around him, Daniel Ward is a mild-mannered accountant, devoted husband and father in a quiet New England suburb. But when his ten-year-old son chases a runaway soccer ball into the street, straight into the path of a speeding truck, Daniel does the impossible. He freezes time. That single act of defiance exposes the secret he's buried for decades. His magic awakens the ancient order he once betrayed, the Arvynth, a brotherhood of immortal sorcerers devoted to stillness and death, determined to silence the world. As his carefully constructed life unravels, Daniel must protect his family while evading the brotherhood that hunts him. Every second he steals from time feeds the void that seeks to consume it, threatening not only the people he loves but reality itself. Forced to choose between sacrifice and survival, Daniel discovers the truth: sometimes the loudest act of love is defiance. The Breaking of Time is a race against eternity, a supernatural thriller that fuses urban fantasy and family drama in a story about the noise of life, the cost of power, and one father's desperate fight to keep the world from falling silent. Purchase here

< Back Dr Pietro Emanuele Garbelli The Doctor's Voice - Empowering Solutions to Physicians' Frustrations, Burnout and Healthcare Inefficiencies ‘Empowered doctors are catalysts for purposeful healthcare transformation’. In The Doctor's Voice - Empowering Solutions to Physicians' Frustrations, Burnout and Healthcare Inefficiencies, Pietro Emanuele Garbelli, Doctor of Medicine and founder of Transforming Healthcare Ltd, shares his experience of working as a doctor in the National Health Service in England. Dr Pietro describes his journey to becoming a doctor, from his own experiences as a young patient in Northern Italy and his struggles to fit in in an environment full of prejudices; through to his medical training in Italy, and his move to London to further develop his skills and clinical practice. Drawing on his own personal experiences, he shares his frustrations of working in a modern, complex healthcare system, and offers potential solutions to the common problems faced by doctors. He discusses ten common sources of frustrations and their impact on the workforce, such as: constrained budgets; the imbalance of supply and demand for healthcare services; increasing bureaucracy and restrictions placed on doctors; workload pressures, retention, stress, and burnout; and management and leadership challenges. As Dr Pietro writes, ‘ A common feeling I have experienced and observed time and time again is disempowerment: perceiving that we have no control over any of the problems affecting us, believing that the solutions depend on remote higher powers we cannot control or even influence, essentially feeling stuck and powerless .’ Dr Pietro aims to empower doctors and encourages them to become changemakers. This is an inspirational and provocative book that gives a much-needed voice to all those doctors and healthcare professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others. Through this book, Dr Pietro hopes to raise awareness of work-related frustrations, stress and burnout that are so common in healthcare and in many other workplace environments. Dr Pietro has written this book about/to f rustrated doctors, to help raise awareness of these issues and to drive a more positive workplace culture and environment. What I particularly liked about the book is that Dr Pietro doesn’t complain about these issues, he acknowledges the challenges and offers thoughtful and practical solutions to help doctors and improve patient care. Authentic, engaging, and accessible for all audiences, the book is a must read for anyone working in or with healthcare, including students, junior doctors, consultants, and healthcare managers. It will also appeal to those who are interested in the National Health Service and are passionate about health care reform. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An inspirational and provocative book that gives a much-needed voice to all those doctors and healthcare professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others. Purchase here

< Back Jeremy Haymore The Bandana Express: The True Story of the 1980 Giles Spartans Book blurb... The Bandana Express chronicles the coming-of-age tale of a high school football team and their young coach, Steve Ragsdale, as he strives to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. Faced with a threat directed at his star player, Coach Ragsdale unites the school and rural community behind a symbol of hope: the boy's red bandana. With a colorful cast of memorable characters, the underdog Spartans employ grit and an old-fashioned offense to propel their improbable season toward an unforgettable finish. A nostalgic journey through sports and pop culture, The Bandana Express illustrates why high school football remains an enduring thread in the American fabric. Reminiscent of Friday Night Lights, The Junction Boys, and Twelve Mighty Orphans,the true story of the 1980 Giles Spartans will captivate football diehards and casual fans alike. Purchase here

< Back John Bartell The Pilgrim's Progress Desert Experience One man's search of the King of Promise, by author John Bartell The Pilgrim’s Progress Desert Experience is a Christian fiction novel. Set in Egypt, a pilgrim breaks free from prison and makes his way through the desert in search of the King of Promise. The journey is long and arduous, but he must stay on the Narrow Path, guided by the Evangelist and Comforter. His faith is tested many times, as he experiences suffering and hardship. He meets lots of new people, some good and not-so-good, and he has to learn quickly what is right and what is wrong. He is seduced by many temptations, but the desert helps him learn how to live with both suffering and hardship. The Pilgrim's Progress Desert Experience by author John Bartell, is a captivating Christian story about one man’s journey, the suffering and hardships he experiences, and the lessons he learns along the way, through following the right path. Told through the first-person perspective, the author introduces abstract Christian concepts that people will easily understand and can relate to. This is a relatively short book, and easily accessible to adults and young adult readers. Enlightening and thought-provoking book, which will encourage people to reflect on their own journey, how they respond to situations, and how to stay positive and move forward, despite challenges and setbacks. This is a wonderful book, which is both educational and engaging. With a blend of modern cultural references, and traditional biblical teachings, this is a unique book that will appeal to readers who enjoy religious fiction and fantasy. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An educational, enlightening and engaging religious fiction novel, which will appeal to readers who enjoy religious fiction and fantasy. Purchase here

< Back David James Escala's Wish (Tales of Valla) Book blurb... An action-adventure romantasy filled with intrigue, sharp banter, dangerous secrets, and real emotional stakes. Escala's Wish, the debut fantasy-romance novel by David James, launches the epic Tales from Valla series - where fey folklore, political tension, and forbidden love collide in a world shaped as much by choices as by power. In the realm of Valla, immortal courts trade in secrets, bargains, and influence. Escala is a mortal caught between forces far larger than herself - drawn into a conflict of shifting loyalties, hidden agendas, and a connection she never expected to feel. As alliances fracture and betrayals surface, she must navigate deadly intrigue, unfolding destiny, and a slow-burn romance built on trust, loyalty, and longing - not cliche tropes. This is a fresh, unique romantasy: no werewolves, no vampires, no 'bad boy' love interest, and no enemies-to-lovers arc. Instead, the romance is sweet, gradual, emotionally sincere, and reminiscent of classic fantasy love stories - an innocent slow burn that grows from shared trials and genuine connection. The heart of her journey is forged in action, resilience, found family, and moments of warmth and wit with the unlikely allies who choose to stand beside her. It's a tale of redemption, sacrifice, and love tested by impossible choices - where every decision carries a cost. Perfect for readers who love: * Fey / fae-inspired worlds rooted in folklore rather than heavy magic * Slow-burn romance with emotional depth and believable chemistry * Action-adventure fantasy with political tension and intrigue * Found family, loyalty, betrayal, and courageous choices * Banter and character-driven storytelling With its blend of adventure, political manoeuvring, and forbidden affection, Escala's Wish delivers a gripping romantasy where passion and peril walk hand in hand - and one mortal woman's choices could change everything. Step into Valla and discover how one wish sets an entire world in motion. Purchase here