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< Back Governor Nathan Deal Veto, the Governor's Cat Veto, an ordinary cat, with an extraordinary story. Veto is a cat, but not just any cat! He is the Governor’s cat. Veto was born on a farm and enjoyed playing with all the farmyard animals. One day, Veto and his big brother, Bill, were sent to live at the Governor and First Lady’s mansion, to help protect the mansion’s garden from the chipmunks and birds that were eating the fruits and berries. As Veto and Bill settled into their new home, they explored the grounds and liked to chase away the chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. They make friends with the troopers and a man who worked at the mansion, named Dan. But one day, it is time for the Governor and First Lady to move on, and Veto and Bill move to a new home in the country. The brothers are scared and sad to leave their friends, especially Dan. Veto and Bill have a good life in the country, and meet lots of new friends. But as time passes, Veto soon has to navigate life in the country without his big brother and best friend. He makes new friends, and the Governor and the First Lady become his very special companions. Veto, the Governor's Cat by author, Governor Nathan Deal, is a sweet, charming and heartfelt tale of the Governors cat, Veto. Written from Veto’s perspective, the book follows his journey from his birth on a farm, through to his time living at the Governor’s mansion, through to his later years in the countryside. As Veto moves to different homes, he learns important life lessons, including how to be brave in new situations, how to make new friends, and even how to deal with death. The story captures Veto’s emotions, the confusion of moving home and the sadness of his loss, while also offering moments of warmth and joy as he makes new friends and learns new things. His experiences are similar to human experiences and young children will relate to his journey. The watercolour style illustrations by Cheryl Riner Hodge are beautiful and capture Veto’s life and emotions perfectly. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A warm, tender and beautifully illustrated book that gently guides children through big life events. Purchase here

< Back Eric Kok ANIMALIS Ascent of an Angel Book blurb... In a world on the brink of collapse, three lives converge at destiny's edge. Gabrielle, a teenage girl revered as the Divine Emissary, becomes a beacon of hope amid rising chaos. Gifted with mysterious powers, she must navigate the treacherous waters of political schemes and religious fanaticism while struggling with fear and the crushing weight of expectation. Jacob, a brilliant young scientist, joins the world's top research council while concealing a dark family secret. As he works to build a better future, he is haunted by a legacy that threatens to destroy his credibility and everything he's fought for. Rafael, a hardened law enforcer, is tormented by the unsolved murder of his parents. Consumed by guilt and rage, he teeters between justice and revenge, his path one of inner turmoil and self-destruction. Their intertwined paths weave a tapestry of hope, betrayal, and the relentless struggle for survival as they confront the unravelling of their world. 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 Karla Huebner In Search of the Magic Theater Two women embark on a creative journey of self-discovery, by author Karla Huebner. Twenty-two-year-old Sarah has lived with her aunt since her mother passed away when she was a little girl. Sarah is an ambitious and talented celloist, but she is introverted and socially awkward, and has lived a largely sheltered life. Sarah is dealing with significant, unresolved childhood trauma, and is still processing her mother’s tragic death. When Kari, a forty-something divorcee, rents a room in her aunt’s house, Sarah is intrigued by the mysterious new lodger. Kari is on the verge of a mid-life crisis following her divorce, and is seeking fun and adventure. Sarah takes an unhealthy interest in Kari, and fantasizes about her life and relationships. Kari develops a relationship with a much younger man, re-awakening her sexuality and creativity. Meanwhile, Sarah meets new friends, explores new musical collaborations, and is exposed to new temptations. As Sarah and Kari each embark on their own creative journey of self-discovery, their lives intertwine through their relationships and through their art. In Search of the Magic Theater, by author Karla Huebner, is a well written, multi-layered and intelligent novel about two very different women, who both embark on a creative journey of self-discovery through music, art, and performance. The plot develops at a gentle pace, and the main action doesn’t happen until the last quarter of the book, but it is well worth the wait. This is an original novel, written in the first-person perspective, which alternates between the points of view of the two main characters. With authentic and intriguing characters, rich and honest dialogue, and a unique and unusual plot, this novel will appeal to readers who enjoy theatre, music, art history and classics. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A well written, unique and unusual novel, which will appeal to readers who enjoy theatre, music, art history and classics. Purchase here

< Back Ruthie Marlenée And Still Her Voice Book blurb... It’s Easter, 1967, when Anna LeMar, a lonely half-Mexican teen, stabs her father and runs away, but she’s not alone. Grandma Phoebe, her dead white grandmother, has colonized her brain and hitched along in a mental sidecar for the ride of their lifetime. Anna has also inherited Grandma’s musical talent and so reluctant travel companions, they navigate the world with Anna’s guitar strapped to her back and the knife she used on her father strapped to her leg. On the road, Anna encounters all sorts of characters and begins to discover her own voice as she searches for a way to cut the strings that bind her to Grandma Phoebe. Set during the Summer of Love and the tumultuous 60s, this coming-of-age speculative story chases history through Anna’s adventures and quest for love. A generational family drama, it’s also a story of mothers, daughters, granddaughters, and the ties that bind us for generations. 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 Margaret Grote A Farmer I'll Be and more poems for the young and young-at-heart Another stunning collection of poetry, by the late Margaret Grote. A Farmer I'll Be and more poems for the young and young-at-heart, is a collection of twelve poems, by the late Margaret Grote. The poems capture the countryside and rural life, and include a range of themes, including farming, the seasons, festivities, animals and nature, and a whole variety of other things. The poems capture the essence of childhood, and of a more simple, innocent time. My favourite is Six, about a little girl celebrating her birthday. The poem beautifully captures her lisp as a result of her missing front teeth. I also enjoyed the ice man, which you don’t see very often these days and reflects the time these poems were written. This is a stunning collection of poems, written by Margaret Grote for her children, over thirty years ago. The poems have been curated and published by Margarets son and niece, eighteen years after her death. The book showcases and celebrates the work of this extraordinary poet. This book is the second collection of poems published posthumously, following the publication of the critically acclaimed, I Like Mud. The whimsical illustrations by Marcia Wheelan Coles, capture life in the countryside beautifully. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A timeless collection of poems for the young and young-at-heart, by a much-loved poet. Purchase here

< Back Mariah Clark Skewes Never Pet a Penguin Nana said, ‘NEVER pet a penguin!’ Maddy knows she shouldn’t, but she really, really wants to pet a penguin. She goes out in search of a penguin to pet. She searches across her whole town, in the garden, in the fields, and in the woods. She even visits the animal shelter and the local zoo, but there are no penguins to be found. At schools she learns all about penguins and where they live on earth, but they are all far too far away. So, she tries everything she can to reach the penguins. She tries to build a boat, a hot air balloon, and even tries to make herself wings to fly to the penguins. But nothing works! Just as Maddy is about to give up all hope of ever petting a penguin, her Nana has an extra special surprise for her. Never Pet a Penguin is an illustrated picture book by Mariah Clark Skewes about a girl named Maddy - a little girl with a big dream – to pet a penguin. Maddy is a sweet and charming character, full of fun, imagination and adventure. Her journey begins at home, where she searches high and low for a penguin. Undeterred, she ventures across town, hoping that a penguin might be hiding somewhere unexpected. This is a fun and imaginative story that will captivate young readers who love wildlife and adventure. The illustrations by Phoebe Cho are simply delightful. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A super sweet picture book, about a curious, determined and adventurous little girl and her search for a penguin. mariahclarkskewes.com Purchase here

< Back Deanna Hart A Firefly Named Felix Felix is a little firefly, who is just like all the other fireflies, but he has a secret. All of his friends can light up their bioluminescence, but no matter how hard Felix tries, he cannot light up. One day, while playing with his brothers and sisters, they notice he cannot light up and laugh at him. Felix is sad and wonders what is wrong with him. When his friends at school tease him because he cannot play lightning tag, Felix thinks he is a dud and hides in the closet. Felix’s teacher gives him a hug and explains that not all fireflies can light up. She helps Felix and the other fireflies recognise that everyone has their own special and unique abilities. The next time Felix is asked to play lightning tag, he finds an alternative way to join in the fun. A Firefly Named Felix is a touching picture book by author Deanna Hart about a young firefly who cannot light up like all of the other fireflies. As Felix watches all of his friends light up in the dark, he feels left out and wonders if he’ll ever be able to join in the fun. Young readers will empathise with Felix’s feelings of self-doubt and exclusion. The story reminds young readers to believe in themselves, to celebrate their uniqueness, to show kindness to others, and to be an upstander to bullying. With additional information for both children and parents, the book is an excellent teaching resource to support conversations about bullying. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A gentle yet powerful lesson in kindness, diversity and inclusion, and self-acceptance. Purchase here

< Back Laurel Guillen A Bellwether Christmas: A Novel Inspired by True Events Author Laurel Guillen tells the story of the birth of the Christmas nativity, through the eyes of a little orphaned lamb. This is a sweet story about a little orphaned lamb named Bart, who lives in a small settlement in Greccio, Italy, in the thirteen century. Bart is a friendly, curious, and mischievous little lamb. He frequently escapes his pen so he can meet his farmyard friends and explore the world around him. While out grazing in the field, Bart meets Seconda, a young hare. Seconda tells Bart a story about a man who could speak to animals and saved her grandfather from a trap. Then, while out exploring the pasture, Bart meets Mr Lark, who also tells the story of a wise and mysterious man who can speak to the animals. One day, Bart and his friend Ginevra wriggle through a fence to find the best plants, and stumble across a lone wolf, Lupo. Lupo also describes a man who can talk to the animals and saved him from being hunted and killed by the towns people. Lupo explained that the man and his Brothers would soon be arriving in Greccio for the Christmas season. As Christmas approaches, Bart is excited to meet the mysterious man who can talk to animals. When a group of four strange men arrive in the town, Bart recognises one of the men from his friend’s description. Bart, and the other animals greet the travellers, and the man introduces himself as Brother Francesco, and his companions, Brothers Giles, Angelo, and Simon. Brother Francesco invites Bart, his shepherd Mundo, and an Ox and a Donkey, to a special Christmas Eve event – a nativity that has never been seen outside the Holy Land. Bart and his friends take part in the special nativity to help the townspeople imagine the night when Baby Jesus was born. The next day, Bart joins the Christmas day festivities at Greccio castle. He is given a special bell by Lord Giovanni and invited to be part of the Christmas nativity celebration every year. A Bellwether Christmas by author Laurel Guillen is a beautiful novel for newly independent readers, about love, belonging, honor and praise. The book tells the story of Brother Francesco (St Francis of Assisi) and the birth of the Christmas nativity. The story is told through the eyes of a sweet and mischievous little lamb, and will appeal to younger readers in this age category. The book would make a great family read on Christmas Eve, and a perfect Christmas gift. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A beautiful novel of love, belonging, honor and praise, told through the eyes of a sweet and mischievous little lamb. 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 Danny Holst The Harlem Story A harrowing and moving account of a young African American man growing up in Harlem, from debut author Danny Holst The Harlem Story is an intriguing novel, originally written as a musical screenplay. The novel follows the lives of James Harris and Diane Smith, who witness the murder of their parents at the age of six in 1963, outside their church, by the Klan. James’ great aunt Millie takes the children inside the chapel for safety when it is set on fire. Luckily, the children escape, and they leave with Aunt Millie from their home in the South, to Harlem. The children are raised by their aunt, and they grow up in the Christian faith, singing in church choir. James and Diane become accomplished singers and win an amateur singing contest, singing ‘Lift Every Voice.’ Diane goes on to be a successful recording artist, but James’ singing career is short lived after he is wrongfully arrested and imprisoned for murder in 1983. James is finally exonerated in 1990, but he has lost all of his faith in God. He struggles to reignite his passion for singing and his life spirals out of control. James faces unimaginable pain and hardship, but ten years on from his first singing contest, he reunites with his sister to sing again. This is a beautifully written and profoundly moving story about a young African American man and how he triumphs over adversity. The book deals with painful issues of hate and discrimination, murder, and sexual assault, yet there are wonderful and joyous moments of happiness, love, and romance. The harrowing events are told sensitively and with compassion, and the author does a remarkable job at developing a real connection and empathy for the main characters. The book gives hope that out of darkness, one can find light; and out of hate, one can find love. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A beautifully written and profoundly moving story about a young man and how he triumphs over adversity. A SILVER WINNER and highly recommended.’ Purchase here