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< Back Angela White Stopping Time: Life After War Another thrilling instalment in the Stopping Time series, from author Angela White Marc and the mission team have left the protection of the Safe Haven Refugee Camp, to stop the great reset following the nuclear war. Leaving behind Angela, his pregnant wife, and leader of the Safe Haven, to maintain law and order on the island. As news arrives that Marc and his team have been captured, imprisoned, and brutally tortured, Angela faces increasing pressure to rescue the mission team, from her son, Charlie, and other camp members. Tensions rise and a rage illness spreads throughout the camp, threatening the survival of the entire community. Before Angela will agree to send a team to rescue Marc, she must first be assured that her leadership team are ready to lead, and that the community will follow their orders. As Angela prepares her leaders, she embarks on a cunning plan to give the ‘normals’ the freedoms they desire. She hopes that with greater freedom, they will make bad decisions and turn on each other, which will destabilise the community. If her plan is successful, the ‘normals’ will understand the benefit of the controls that have been imposed on them, and will succumb to the leaders demands. But as Angela’s plan unfolds, an adored camp member, Samantha, is kidnapped and taken off the island. Angela and the Eagles must leave the island to find Samantha and bring the kidnapper to justice. Angela knows that Samantha is simply the bait, and that she is the real target, but puts herself in danger to rescue her friend. Ultimately, their mission to bring Samantha home will be a crucial test of any future attempt to rescue Marc. Will Angela find Samantha and bring her home? Will the kidnapper capture his real target? And how will the camp fare, when their esteemed and feared leader is away from the island? Stopping Time: Life After War, is a post-apocalyptic, science fiction novel, and the seventeenth book in the Stopping Time series from author Angela White. Life After War is an intense and high energy book with a gripping and thrilling plot. Angela has built a rich and imaginative post-apocalyptic world with strong, complex, well-developed characters. Angela’s writing is intricate, but easy to read. The plot is complex, fast paced, and full of action. With many twists and turns, the book will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This is a mammoth read, which will appeal to committed readers of this series and fans of this genre. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Life After War is an intense and high energy book with a gripping and thrilling plot. Purchase here

< Back Ginger Smith The Magic Blanket Jo Jo searches for a new home with her mom and her magic blanket. A little girl named Jo Jo carries her beloved magic blanket, as she looks for a new home with her mom. Together they walk the streets in search of a home, and sleep in the park one evening when they are unable to find a place to rest. But mom turns the search into an adventure, as they gaze at the stars in the night sky, and play in the park. Jo Jo meets a puppy and follows it to a warm cosy house. She wishes her magic blanket could find a warm house like the puppy’s. She meets a bird, who flies into a nest in a tree with her babies. She wishes her magic blanket could find her a happy home like the bird’s. She meets a little mouse, who runs into a hole in the wall. She wishes her magic blanket could find her a safe place to go like the mouse. Jo Jo’s mom comforts her and reminds her that home is where you feel love, and she will always be loved. As Jo Jo and her mom find space in a shelter one night, it is Jo Jo’s turn to comfort her mom. She reminds her mom, that home is where you feel love, and she will always love her. The Magic Blanket by author Ginger Smith is a powerful, heartbreaking, and endearing picture book about a little girl who is homeless and in search of a new place to live. Jo Jo’s magic blanket gives her hope that things will change for the better. The book is both sad and hopeful in equal measure. It highlights the devastating impact of homelessness on young children and families, but also demonstrates the unconditional love between parent and child. The book will provide comfort, reassurance and hope to children and parents who might be going through a similar situation, and will help develop understanding, empathy, and compassion amongst readers. The book deals with sensitive and complex issues of homelessness and disadvantage, in a simple way that young children will easily understand. It is an excellent resource for parents or caregivers to open up conversations about social inequalities and privilege with very young children. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A powerful, heartbreaking, and endearing picture book about homelessness. Purchase here

< Back J J Alo The Street Between the Pines A new, chilling horror fiction series by author J. J. Alo. The residents of Forest Street, Norwich, Connecticut, have received offers from a pharmaceutical company to buy out their homes. Resident, Amy Reynolds, is separated from her husband, Curtis, who is working away for a telecommunications company in New Hampshire. With financial struggles, and the impending break-up of the marriage, Amy and Curtis are considering the offer. When Amy calls Curtis and asks him to return home immediately, Curtis travels back to Connecticut. He discovers that his neighbour, Frank Cavanaugh, has been found dead, brutally mutilated in his basement. As Curtis secures the house in preparation for a tropical storm, he discovers another dead body, decapitated, and discarded by the shoreline. The body is identified as local man, Ronny Haverhill. When the police learn that Ronny owes Curtis a significant amount of money, he becomes a potential suspect in his murder. As the storm hits Norwich , the Reynolds’ home is badly damaged, and Curtis and Amy find a monster in their flooded basement. The beast chases the couple, but they manage to escape unharmed. Curtis thinks the monster is a Norwich Norwaukus, a creature believed to have roamed the woods in southeast Connecticut in the 1960’s, killing and mutilating farm animals. Curtis investigates the creature and discovers a hidden research facility in the woods, an entire colony of Norwaukus’, and a connection to the pharmaceutical company that wants to buy out Forest Street. The Street Between the Pines is a new horror fiction series by author Joe Alo about a family and community ravaged by a dangerous creature lurking underground. This is a gripping, original horror story set in a small town in Connecticut, with a touch of folklore, science fiction, and government conspiracy. The book follows the Reynolds family, as they try to navigate their troubled past, whilst an ominous presence lurks in their basement. The author slowly builds tension and suspense as Curtis uncovers the terrifying truth about the creature and the pharmaceutical company intent on purchasing his home. The book successfully blends the chilling elements of horror, with the complexity of family dynamics. There is plenty of blood, guts, and gore, which will appeal to ardent fans of horror fiction, and enough family drama, to appeal to those who enjoy more realistic horror. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A gripping horror novel, leaving readers wondering what they might do if they found a monster living in their basement. Purchase here

< Back Jessica Wendi Abel The Little Blue Rocket Ship Author Jessica Wendi Abel provides comfort and reassurance for those impacted by postpartum depression. The Little Blue Rocket Ship: A Story About Postpartum Depression is a children’s picture book about a young boy whose mom suffers postpartum depression following the birth of his baby brother. The boy wants to play with his mom, just like he used to, but suddenly she no longer wants to play. The boy launches a blue rocket ship from his window with a note to bring his old mom back, and waits every day for the ship to return. After a long time, and following lots of rest and support, his mom finally returns the blue rocket ship. The boy knows things will never be the same, but looks forward to building another rocket ship with his mom. This is a heart-warming book about postpartum depression, lovingly and sensitively told from the perspective of a child. He doesn’t understand why his mum doesn’t want to play anymore, or why she stays in her room. He experiences a range of emotions, from anger through to sadness. The book provides a great resource to start conversations about postpartum depression with younger children. It will help children to understand that postpartum depression affects many women, but with lots of rest and support, they will get better with time. It will provide comfort and reassurance for those experiencing postpartum depression, and those impacted by the illness. The book contains much needed additional resources for those who might need further information or support. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A heart-warming book about postpartum depression, lovingly and sensitively told from the perspective of a child. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Teri M Brown Daughters of Green Mountain Gap An Appalachian granny woman. A daughter on a crusade. A granddaughter caught between the two. Maggie McCoury, a generational healer woman, relies on family traditions, folklore, and beliefs gleaned from a local Cherokee tribe. Her daughter, Carrie Ann, believes her university training holds the answers. As they clash over the use of roots, herbs, and a dash of mountain magic versus the medicine available in the town’s apothecary, Josie Mae doesn’t know whom to follow. But what happens when neither family traditions nor science can save the ones you love most? Daughters of Green Mountain Gap weaves a compelling tale of Maggie, Carrie Ann, and Josie Mae, three generations of remarkable North Carolina women living at the turn of the twentieth century, shedding light on racism, fear of change, loss of traditions, and the intricate dynamics within a family. Author Teri M. Brown skillfully navigates the complexities of their lives, revealing that some questions are not as easy to answer as one might think. Purchase here

< Back Mariah Clark Skewes O is for Pig O is for Pig by author Mariah Clark Skewes is an illustrated, A to Z picture book for young children. The book features a diverse and colourful cast of characters and creatures, from babies to weightlifters, and pigs to kangaroos. But this is not your average A to Z book. Instead of naming the animal or object, this picture book highlights either the sound the animals make, or an alternative expression, for example ‘O’ for oink’, ‘B for baaa’, ‘E for eeekk’. This is a unique and creative A to Z picture book by Mariah Clark Skewes, which invites parents and caregivers to be playful with storytelling and phonetics. Young readers will laugh out loud at the vibrant illustrations and the sound effects that leap off the page. Written in rhyme, with lots of lovely alliteration, young children will enjoy repeating the sounds aloud. The unique concept not only makes learning the alphabet fun, it will also help build vocabulary and develop phonemic awareness. The illustrations by Terri Einer are lively and full of personality, complementing the fun journey through the alphabet perfectly. At the end of the book there is a ‘real letter list’, for those who want to teach the alphabet in the traditional way. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A fun, fresh and playful take on the classic alphabet picture book. Purchase here

< Back Sarah Sparks The Bounciest Monster on Mill Street Becks bounces all the way to the stars and back. Becks is the bounciest monster on Mill Street. She loves to twirl and giggle, dance and giggle. She loves to have fun and never sits still. One day, Becks feels like she might explode. She bounces down Mill Street and through the playground. She bounces through the mud and splashes into the pond. She gets so excited, she bounces high into the sky, off the planet Mars, and zooms across space. She flies past the sun before crashing back down to earth with a bang. Poor little Becks is dazed and confused and has a sore noggin from all the bouncing. As she cleans up her mess, she thinks she needs to bounce a little less. She finds a new sport to work off all of her energy, and she even finds time to relax a little bit now and then. But Becks will be Becks, and she is still the bounciest monster in Mill Street. The Bounciest Monster on Mill Street is part of the Monster on Mill Street series by Sarah Sparks. This book follows the adventures of Becks, who like many children just cannot sit still. She has lots of energy and loves to bounce, but after a fun-filled day full of bouncing, Becks has a terrible headache. Becks learns that she needs to burn off a lot of energy, but she also needs to rest. Ultimately, she needs balance in life to stay happy and healthy. The book and the series teach young children important lessons in life. Beck’s story is a reminder to have fun, but to have fun safely. It is also a reminder to slow down occasionally and take those well-deserved breaks. The book is beautifully written in rhyme and has lots of alliteration that young children love. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A charming picture book about a little monster who cannot sit still. Purchase here

The Asgardian Exchange: The Touch of the Valkyrie < Back Mark Bryan The Asgardian Exchange: The Touch of the Valkyrie A young student of Asgardian magick must learn how to control her powers, and the darkness within her, to help save Asgard from an evil curse, by author Mark Bryan. This book retells the story of the Asgardians, the inhabitants of Asgard, a fictional realm from Norse mythology and the home of the Norse Gods and Goddesses. Teenager, Amanda West, a student of Asgardian magick, and one of a handful of the Favoured of Asgard, is busy helping the Light Elves with a swarm of Hel bees, when a powerful and deadly curse spreads throughout the Nine Realms. The curse, released by the Hel and Wild Hunt, infects people at random, causing fever and madness. Amanda performs a spell to try and stop the curse, but inadvertently sets it loose, wreaking havoc across the Nine Realms. Amanda must master new spells and learn how to control her powers, and the darkness within her, to help the Valkyrie and save the realms from the dark evil. The Asgardian Exchange: The Touch of the Valkyrie by author Mark Bryan is an imaginative, well written, and cleverly crafted fantasy fiction novel, with a complex and gripping plot. Mark Bryan has created a mesmerising, magical, fantasy world, with well-developed and likeable characters. With a strong female protagonist, Amanda, it was great to see the character grow and develop as she battled to protect the Nine Realms. The novel is rooted in Norse mythology and has a perfect blend of dark magic, mysticism, action, adventure, and suspense, which will captivate and engage young adult readers and appeal to fans of this genre. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An imaginative, well written, and cleverly crafted fantasy fiction novel, with a complex and gripping plot. Purchase here

< Back Kay Smith-Blum Tangles In 1963, Luke Hinson, a PhD student of biochemistry at Oregon State University, is investigating all possible causes for the increase in cancer in the region. Luke has a personal interest in the research, as many of his childhood friends died of cancer and his own father died from unidentified health hazards. During his research, a whale is harpooned off the Oregon coast, and Luke discovers it is contaminated with radiation. He suspects radioactive waste dumped into the Columbia River is the source of the contamination. When he plans to publish his findings in a scientific journal, the US Atomic Energy Commission pulls the funding for his doctorate and confiscates his samples and data. As a child, Luke lived in Richland, Washington State, next door to Mary and Matt Boone, a young couple who both worked at Hanford, a nuclear site established during World War II. In his teen years, Luke developed a close friendship with Mary, based on a mutual love of science. Mary worked as a secretary at Hanford, in a classified laboratory testing plutonium. Concerned about the impact of radioactive waste being pumped into the Columbia River, Mary made carbon copies of her work. Several years later, while Luke is at college, Mary mysteriously disappears, and the classified papers she smuggled out of the lab, disappeared with her. As Luke continues with his investigation, his research takes him back to Richland, his relationship with Mary, and the wartime effort to build an atomic bomb. When a thirteen year old time-capsule is unearthed, the truth about Mary’s work at Hanford and her disappearance is finally revealed. Tangles is a historical fiction novel by Kay Smith-Blum, set during World War II and the cold war period, and inspired by real people and events. Beautifully written and meticulously researched, the novel delves into the circumstances surrounding the environmental disaster at the Hanford Nuclear Power Plant. Smith-Blum does a fantastic job of weaving together real-life events with fictional characters, creating a narrative that allows readers to connect with this significant period in history. At the heart of the novel is a story of love, tragedy and loss, that both warms the heart and tugs at the heart strings. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A fascinating and thought-provoking historical fiction novel, with two memorable characters and a gripping plot inspired by real-life events. Purchase here

The Joker's Revenge < Back Nancy Beaule The Joker's Revenge Book blurb... Darci Miller is fiercely committed to being the perfect daughter for her widowed father, but his overprotective nature is testing her limits. Set in the backdrop of a Maine summer camp in 1972, this captivating young adult mystery/romance dives deep into a dark family secret surrounding her late mother. When she learns of an opportunity to become a secretary at the very camp where her mother once worked in the 1950s, she jumps at the chance to find the truth. As Darci settles into camp life, she quickly realizes that there's more afoot than just innocent marshmallow roasts. While a malicious prankster is playing cruel tricks that are harming innocent children, the head chef is on the verge of a culinary breakthrough a machine that eliminates fat and calories from food. This invaluable invention has drawn the attention of someone intent on stealing it for financial gain and to settle old scores. In her search for the truth, Darci uncovers shocking revelations about her mother's past that could change everything. Amidst the escalating chaos, she finds herself drawn to her charming boss, all while navigating the jealousy of the camp owners' spoiled daughter. Purchase here

< Back Michael Shandler Karma and Kismet A spiritual quest across continents, cultures and consciousness. A Memoir of Adversity and Triumph One man’s journey of struggle, self-acceptance and success. Author Michael Shandler writes about his life growing up as ‘Gary Fuchs’, in South Africa, and his journey across the ocean to North America as a young man. Part one (‘Karma’) focuses on his early life in 1950’s Cape Town, where he lived in constant fear of his violent father. At age thirteen, he was sent away to an all-boys boarding school, where he was regularly bullied by other students. After leaving school at eighteen, he was drafted into the all-White South African army but struggled to find his place: “I’m not a proud South African. The country’s history is alien to me. I love the land and the sea, but I’m a Jew. An outsider. Bullied by Afrikaners and English alike”. After he is discharged from the army due to medical reasons, he joins a training program in Johannesburg, but he remains sad, lonely, and depressed. Part two (‘Seeking’) focuses on his early twenties, as he leaves South Africa in search of new opportunities. Following the outbreak of the Arab-Israel conflict in 1967, the twenty-one-year-old volunteers to work in a kibbutzim to support the war effort. When he receives cash from his uncle's in Canada, he decides to emigrate to Vancouver. He takes several jobs, and experiments with psychedelic drugs. He soon discovers a love of yoga, which he later teaches and develops a friendship with Ram Dass, a spiritual teacher and yoga guru. He is given the spiritual name Ravi Dass, and he joins an intensive ‘Arica’ enlightenment training program. He later marries Aparna, and they have a daughter named Manju. In the late 1970’s he writes a yoga journal and publishes his first book. In Part three (‘Kismet’) he publishes several other books with his wife, under the names Michael and Nina Shandler. Aparna gives birth to their second daughter, Sara, and Michael reconciles with his estranged father. Karma and Kismet A spiritual quest across continents, cultures and consciousness: A Memoir of Adversity and Triumph is an absorbing and heartfelt memoir by author Michael Shandler. Shandler shares his personal journey from Cape Town to Canada, chronicling key personal, social and political events during his life. Shandler escapes a violent and controlling father, and builds a new life in a new country, where he finds peace and a sense of purpose through yoga and spiritual practice. This is a deeply moving, honest, authentic and courageous memoir, exploring the complexity of the human experience and the basic need for love and belonging. It offers a beacon of hope and healing for anyone recovering from childhood trauma. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A deeply moving, honest, authentic and courageous memoir, exploring the complexity of the human experience and the basic need for love and belonging. Purchase here

< Back Michelle Carbajal Heirs of Ruin Book blurb... Alésia fell two thousand years ago. When the last queen was betrayed and murdered by her own sister. The surviving Aléshen people were banished from their home and forced into exile. Hiding within protected havens throughout Velendia. Forced to wait... Until the heir to the throne would appear to lead the Aléshen people to victory against their mortal enemy - The Alkarii. Kiona was born into this world of turmoil. The eldest daughter of Alésia, it falls to her to restore her people to their ancestral home. Facing off against powerful foes, dark sorcerers, and insubordinate allies, she struggles to find her place in a world she never asked to be in. A world she would rather forget. Because by all laws and decrees of Alésia, Purchase here