< Back Alexander Fernandez Above the Ashes In 1689, fifteen year old Sybil Radella Cotterill is trying to escape the witch-hunters in Plymouth, England. After her mother is killed, Sybil boards a ship to the New World, with her friend and fellow-witch, Constance Chandler. The young women settle in Salem Village, Massachusetts, but fear and hatred of witches has followed the colonists to the New World. As the women try to keep their witchcraft secret, they witness innocent young women killed during the Salem witch trials. When Constance is accused of carrying out the devil’s work through witchcraft, she is sent to her death without a trial. Sybil reveals her true identity, and she is hanged alongside her friend. Sybil uses her powers to evade death, but the towns church leader, Minister Kendrick, casts a spell to make her sleep for three hundred years. In California, three hundred years later, vampires, witches and the undead are accepted in society, and live and work in mutual respect with humans. Vampire, Marcelo, discovers an ancient necklace in his car, which leads him to the Salem Witch Museum. At the museum, Marcelo discovers an old casket with Sybil sleeping inside. Sybil wakes from her three hundred year slumber and Marcelo takes care of her in a world that is now beyond recognition. As Sybil’s powers return, she sets out to find and seek revenge on Kendricks descendants. But Kendrick isn’t far behind, and has a sinister plan to harness Sybil’s powers and take over the world with his dark magic. Above the Ashes is a fantasy fiction novel by Alexander Fernandez, and the first book in the Blood and Hexes Trilogy. The book follows the journey of a witch named Sybil who wakes from a three hundred year slumber and seeks revenge on the man who killed her friend. Fernandez takes the reader on a journey from the sixteenth century to the present day, and from England to Massachusetts, and all the way to Peru. With witches, vampires, demons and dark magic, this is a gripping dark fantasy fiction novel, with a unique and modern twist. With a blend of dark fantasy fiction, adventure, and a touch of romance, this novel is an excellent choice for readers looking for a fresh take on the traditional witch trope. Star rating : 5 Stars Summary : A spellbinding and gripping read, with a fierce protagonist and the beginnings of a tumultuous love affair. Purchase here

< Back Joshua Qually Anxiety Reset 30 Days to Find Calm: A Self-Regulation Workbook for Busy Adults Book blurb... Anxiety overwhelming you? Inspired by my loss to suicide, Anxiety Reset: 30 Days to Find Calm is a 463-page workbook for busy adults. This science-backed 30-day program offers daily affirmations, narrated QR-coded videos, emergency relief cards, and accessible audio for all. With the R.E.S.T. Method, practical exercises, and trackers, it fights stress and digital overload. it’s ideal for veterans, first responders, self improvement seekers and busy adults. Purchase here

< Back Kelly Cheek Gazing Into the Abyss Spirit medium, Suzy Quinn, returns in the fourth book in the SpiritSense series. Suzy Quinn and Fin MacKinley decide to move in together, after three years dating. It’s been a tough few years for Suzy, after losing both her husband, Mark, and daughter, Emma, in a tragic boating accident several years previously. Suzy is a spirit medium and able to connect with the spirit world. She found notoriety in the media and was dubbed a ‘ghost whisperer’ for her ability to talk to ghosts. But despite her unique ability, she has not been able to connect with either her own husband or her daughter. The couple settle into their new living arrangements and Fin proposes to Suzy. As they look forward to spending the rest of their lives together, Suzy is contacted by the mother of an old friend, Joan Rossi. Joan explains that her daughter, Michelle, recently passed away and has been haunting her ever since. Michelle has asked her mother to call Suzy Quin, the ghost whisperer. Suzy agrees to help Joan, and within a few minutes of entering her home, she connects with Michelle’s spirit. Through her spiritual connection with Michelle, Suzy is able to see her flashbacks, and her memories of other dead people. She soon discovers that Michelle dated her husband Mark, long before Suzy had met him. Through Michelle, Suzy is able to feel, converse and experience the man she deeply loved. As Suzy continues to support Joan, in order to experience her dead husband, she questions whether marrying Fin is the right thing to do. Suzy witnesses Michelle’s flashbacks to her troubled life with her mother, her turbulent relationship with Mark, her addictions to alcohol, drugs and sex, and her devastating illness. During the final weeks of Michelle’s life, Suzy learns that her unfinished business is actually with her, and finally discovers the real truth about her death. Gazing Into the Abyss is a supernatural thriller, by author Kelly Cheek and the fourth book in the SpiritSense series. This is a gripping, page-turning thriller, about a woman who has a unique ability to connect with the spirit world. When the mother of an old friend contacts her, she gets to reconnect with the man she once deeply loved. The scenes where she observes her husband in his previous relationship are both heart-breaking and heart-warming. The characters are well developed, and the plot is well-crafted. Full of intrigue, mystery and suspense, this book was hard to put down. I had not read any of the previous books in the series, and could easily follow and enjoy the story. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A gripping, page-turning supernatural thriller, full of intrigue, mystery and suspense. Purchase here

< Back Mitzi Perdue Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul An insightful biography about an inspirational man, by author Mitzi Perdue Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul, is a biography about author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, Mark Victor Hansen, by Mitzi Perdue. The book comprises thirty chapters, which follow Mark from early childhood, his teenage and college years, through to his sixties and right through to the present day. The book describes how even at a young age, Mark was a hustler, buying and selling greetings cards to buy a racing bike. During his teenage years he excelled at writing, and at college he was destined for a career in academia. Later, he ventured into business when his academic career was cut short, but his business failed, and he was made bankrupt at the age of twenty-five. Described as one of the lowest points of his young life, Mark felt a failure and contemplated suicide. But, his faith in God pulled him through, and with the help of his friends and trusted mentors, he became a successful motivational speaker. He set up two successful companies: The Million Dollar Forum, and The Three Percent Club. The stories he collected during this time became the foundation for his book, Chicken Soup for the Soul, coauthored with friend and business partner Jack Canfield. The Chicken Soup for the Soul series led to sales of half a billion books and a Guinness Book of World’s Records entry for the most books on The New York Times bestseller list at the time. Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul is an insightful and inspirational biography by Mitzi Perdue, based on interviews with Mark and many of his relatives, friends, and colleagues, who shared their personal stories and memories. The stories show how Mark strived hard to achieve his goals and didn’t give up when things got tough, and how he maintained a strong sense of faith during good and bad times. Throughout his life, Mark was supported by many friends and mentors who guided him on his journey, and he used his experiences to give back to others. He inspired millions of people across the world, through his books, speaking events, and philanthropic activities. After each chapter, there is a short section titled ‘Learn from Mark’, which includes hints and tips for the reader to help them achieve success in their own life. Mitzi Perdue has done a great job at bringing Mark Victor Hansen’s story to life, sharing the good, the bad and the ugly events of his life. This is an honest, respectful, well-researched and exhaustive biography, which covers Mark’s life from early childhood to the present day. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fascinating and insightful biography, packed full of life-lessons that will benefit any reader. Purchase here

< Back Diana Dissette The Trackers Part One Nuremberg Lament for the Dead Diana Dissette’s The Trackers (Part One of the Nuremberg: Lament for the Dead series) is a compelling work of historical fiction set in the immediate aftermath of World War II. The novel immerses readers in the turbulent world of postwar Europe, focusing on the Nuremberg Trials, the hunt for Nazi war criminals, and the profound personal and collective trauma left in the wake of the Holocaust. The story is anchored by a diverse cast of characters, including Magna Scott, a battle-hardened U.S. Army Ranger turned Nazi hunter; Stace McKendry, a former homicide detective with a personal vendetta against the Nazis; and sisters Grace and Ginny Lewis, who travel from New Orleans to join the legal teams prosecuting war criminals. Dissette skillfully weaves together their personal stories with the broader historical events, creating a narrative that is both intimate and epic in scope. The depiction of the Nuremberg Trials, the complexities of Allied occupation, and the plight of displaced persons and Holocaust survivors are rendered with sensitivity and realism. The inclusion of diary entries, letters, and poems adds emotional depth and authenticity, allowing readers to witness the psychological toll of war and genocide. Dissette does not shy away from the horrors of the Holocaust or the moral ambiguities faced by those seeking justice. The narrative explores not only the pursuit of Nazi fugitives but also the challenges of rebuilding lives and societies shattered by atrocity. The characters’ personal losses are mirrored by the collective mourning of a continent. While the book is rich in historical context, it remains accessible and engaging. The pacing is well-balanced, alternating between action, investigation, and character-driven scenes. Dissette’s prose is clear and evocative, and her use of multiple perspectives allows for a multifaceted exploration of the era. Readers interested in World War II, legal history, or stories of resilience will find much to admire in this meticulously researched and emotionally resonant work. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A powerful and moving novel that brings to life the complexities of postwar Europe and the enduring impact of the Holocaust. Purchase here

< Back Robyn M. Bolton Unlocking Innovation: A Leader's Guide for Turning Bold Ideas Into Tangible Results Unlocking Innovation: A Leader's Guide for Turning Bold Ideas Into Tangible Results is a guidebook by business leader and innovation expert, Robyn M. Bolton. Bolton builds on her experience of advising global brands to help business leaders develop new approaches and strategies to drive innovation. In the United States, 90 percent of corporate innovation incubators and labs are shut down within the first three years. Bolton sets out to prove what it takes to succeed and be among the 10 percent of corporate innovators who survive the first three years. Bolton argues that most companies don’t lack bold ideas, they lack the systems and leadership qualities to turn those ideas into results. Drawing on her extensive experience of advising global companies, Bolton offers a new framework for a holistic approach to innovation, named the ABCs of Innovation (Architecture, Behaviour, Culture). The ABCs of Innovation is a clear and simple three-year road map that any business leader can follow to foster a culture of creativity within their organization and drive impactful change. Unlocking Innovation: A Leader's Guide for Turning Bold Ideas Into Tangible Results, is an insightful, engaging and candid guidebook. Bolton’s tone is refreshingly honest, and the book is packed full of practical tools for readers to take away. With real life stories and examples from global companies, this is an excellent resource for anyone serious about driving innovation within their organization. Bolton doesn’t pretend that innovation is easy, but that it is possible with the right approach. If you have ever attempted to launch something new in a large company and hit a wall, this guidebook is for you. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A refreshing and practical resource for both new and seasoned innovation leaders and corporate executives. Purchase here

< Back B.D. Murphy The Last Dwarf Book blurb... Times are hard for Hallr, the last dwarf. Hunted constantly by witches, his best chance for a meal is fighting and scavenging the grim spoils of human wars. Alone, he desires a place without being attacked by witches. Meanwhile, a small band of seekers risks everything for the chance to find the dwarven city of Molgan. There is Milfred, a blacksmith desperate for the secrets of dwarven steel, his apprentice Agnarr, the witch healer Sheyla, who hides a dark past, and Kaleb, a giant-sized kid with a knack for puzzles. Their combined quest leads them to the very gates of Molgan. But the legends only tell a small part of the story. The ancient city holds the dragon-guarded treasure they believed had already been looted. Still, it also has a terrifying history: it was abandoned after a brutal attempt by witches to seize control. The danger that exiled the dwarves is not gone; it’s merely dormant. They came to find a city and its secrets. Now, they must decide if they are prepared to protect it before history repeats itself and all the answers are lost forever. A dragon doesn’t buy anything, so why is gold a treasure? How does a city inside a mountain feed its people without a single farm? And what dark truth drove the dwarves from their legendary home? Purchase here

< Back Hannah Sward STRIP: A MEMOIR Author Hannah Sward tells the story of her life and work in the sex industry. Hannah Sward was abandoned by her mother at the age of two, and brought up by her father, poet Robert Sward. Hannah lived on a houseboat near Victoria, Lasqueti Island, with no cars, stores, and few people. Hannah describes a simple life, living off the land and sea, with fun filled summers spent in Florida with her mother and her half-sister, Rilke. Hannah dreamed of becoming an actress or dancer, and made a pledge with her sister to move to California when they were older. When her father leaves for a trip to India, Hannah is left with his girlfriend, Alina, but spends much of her time alone. One day, while playing at a park alone, Hannah is abducted by a man in a brown car and sexually assaulted. The police are called, and Hannah is examined, but no-one mentions the incident again. Her father and Alina marry, and Alina has a baby boy named Alex. When Hannah and Alex are left alone with a young male babysitter, Hannah is repeatedly sexually abused in the family home. At the age of twenty-two, after studying in Montreal, working as an escort in Chicago, and living with an older man in Miami, Hannah moved to Los Angeles with her sister. But their dreams of becoming successful actresses did not work out as planned, as Rilke worked as a burlesque dancer, while Hannah found more work as an escort. As Hannah struggles to make ends meet, she turns to crystal meth to help cope with her reality. She finds a respectable office job and starts to see a therapist, but jeopardises both when she replaces her drug of choice with alcohol. As Hannah spirals further into addiction, she must confront her past to move forward with her life. Strip: A Memoir, is a deeply moving and personal memoir by Hannah Sward about her childhood growing up in the 1970’s, and her adult life working as a stripper and escort in Los Angeles. Sward’s writing is raw, honest, and at times difficult to read. She describes the pain of being abandoned by her mother, the enduring trauma of abuse, the reality of sex work, and the impact of drug addiction. But she does not dwell on any of these incidents, she does not criticise, and she does not blame. She describes her experience in her own words, with no judgment of others. Sward’s story is heart-breaking. Her journey is inspiring. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A deeply moving and personal memoir about one woman’s life working as a stripper and escort in Los Angeles. Purchase here

< Back M. E. Torrey Fox Creek Book blurb... The beloved, biracial daughter of a Louisiana planter is sold into slavery and must somehow survive while caught between the world of the white elite and the brutality of slavery. 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 Stephen Alder Deehabta's Song One woman’s journey to find her true self, from author Stephen Alder Deehabta’s Song is set on the futuristic planet of Erunanta (Roon). We first meet the main character Krissa in 4025 AFS (After First Settlement), in her sixties, one day away from retirement as a government official in the Great Library. As Krissa looks forward to a new chapter in her life, she decides to bring in a roommate, and a young woman named Jo moves into her home. We next see Krissa as a young woman in her thirties, in 3995 AFS, where she teaches a style of martial arts which has originated from the neighbouring planet, Caderyn. We learn that this fighting style was banned following the interplanetary war between Roon and Caderyn, due to the prohibition against the spread of Caderyn military tactics. As a result, Krissa is subjected to harassment and abuse by the EPF (Emperor’s Protection Force). Back in 4025, Krissa is troubled and experiences unusual feelings and nightmares, as a result of her experiences during the war. Jo notices that Krissa possesses mysterious qualities and supports her to travel back to Caderyn where she learns the truth about her real identity and is finally set free from her past trauma. Deehabta’s song by Stephen Alder is an imaginative and thrilling science fantasy novel, set in a futuristic world, over two time periods. This is a well written and cleverly crafted story, with a gripping, well-developed plot, and relatable, realistic characters. Alder has created a rich, futuristic world and he builds momentum and suspense through movement between two different time periods. The book will appeal to those who enjoy both science fiction and fantasy. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A cleverly crafted story, with a gripping plot, and realistic characters. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Scott Tomlinson Letters to my Dog Book blurb... Letters To My Dog is a collection of poems. They are heartfelt declarations of the connections of owners to their dogs. They tell of the beauty of having a dog in your life, the unconditional love that a dog brings. The companionship of an animal that brings such joy to people. It also tells of the crushing feeling of losing a dog when they pass, no longer a part of your life. The emptiness it brings, the absence of such a beautiful part of your life that no longer exists. They encompass all that having a dog in your life is about, the joy, the love and the sadness. Thankfully dogs exist, for the world is a more beautiful place with dogs in it and part of our lives. Purchase here