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Reign or Shine (The Forged Flower Saga Book 1) < Back Coriana Hope Reign or Shine (The Forged Flower Saga Book 1) A contemporary twist on the traditional fairy tale, by author Coriana Hope Princess Chrisithia (Chris) heir of Agaedith is invited to the birthday party of Princess Coralla in the neighbouring kingdom of SeaCrest. When Chris is attacked by a swarm of bees on the birthday parade float, the horses pulling the float are spooked, and career through the parade, before crashing into the ocean. Princess Coralla is furious and yells at Chris, who responds by punching the birthday girl in the face. Chris flees the scene and is banished from SeaCrest. She meets a strange boy in the forest and learns he is Coralla’s secret brother, Prince Kedrick. Chris and Kedrick become good friends and they meet in the woods one day, where they are attacked by possessed trees and chased by a pack of wolves and their leader, a talking alpha wolf. Chris’s parents, the Queen SnowWhite and King Orrluxe, are embarrassed by their daughter’s unprincessly behaviour and send her to the Interkingdom Collaborative University for Princesses, in the hope that the boarding school will control her behaviour and secure her a prince for a husband. Chris loathes the school and the wretched princesses that reside there. She tries everything she can to get expelled, skipping classes and being rude to the teachers, but all of her attempts fail. As Chris develops an unlikely friendship with a commoner girl named Rachaella, the wolves who chased her through the woods track her down, and threaten to kill her. Meanwhile, princesses are disappearing across the land and Chris discovers a monstrous evil power roaming through Agaedith. Chris must seek the help of her arch-enemy the alpha wolf, and her old friend, Kedrick, to solve the mystery before the evil power destroys the entire kingdom. Reign or Shine by author Coriana Hope is a wonderful adventure and fantasy fiction novel for young adult readers, with a contemporary twist on the traditional fairy tale. The book features some familiar fairy tale characters, such as Snow White, but not quite as you might remember them. Chris is a strong and feisty female protagonist, who rebels against her parents and their expectations of good princess behavour. She is a typical teen, with a desire for fun, friendship and adventure, but is abandoned and neglected by her parents, and trapped in a hostile royal castle. Despite her privilege, she experiences many challenges, anxieties and insecurities, that young adult readers will relate to. The book ends on a thrilling cliff-hanger, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderful adventure and fantasy fiction novel for young adult readers, with a strong and feisty female protagonist, and some familiar fairy tale characters. Purchase here

Spirited < Back S.M. Webb Spirited A new teen fantasy fiction series, by debut author S.M. Webb Teens, Sienna and Cassidy, attend the same school in the small town of Fleet. The girls share the same friendship group, but they do not have a great deal in common. Sienna is quiet, humble and reserved. She has a long-term boyfriend and is content with her modest life in the small town. Cassidy is from a wealthy family, and is loud, obnoxious and a little spoiled. She cannot wait to leave home and explore life outside of the small town. But their paths cross unexpectedly, when they have a near-death experience on a dark, mountain-side road. Both are driving home one evening, when they spot a mysterious figure in the middle of the road and are forced to stop. Cassidy’s father collides into the back of his daughter’s car, narrowly missing the girls who scramble to safety, inches away from the cliff edge. The near-death experience doesn’t bring the girls together and they continue with their daily lives. But when the girls are forced to sit together on a bus trip to a charity event, both of their lives are changed forever. A catastrophic event forces Sienna and Cassidy together, and they must work as one to make the best out of an unimaginable situation. The girls must learn how to put their differences aside and capitalise on their strengths, to secure a positive future for themselves in a different world. Spirited by author S.M. Webb is a beautifully written and profound novel for young adult readers. This is a believable fantasy fiction novel, with plenty of action, teen drama and a touch of romance. The novel questions whether life exists after death, and deals with philosophical and religious issues in a way that will captivate and engage the target reader group. Author S.M. Webb has crafted a unique fantasy world, with well-developed and relatable characters, and a gripping plot. The book will appeal to teens and adults alike. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading the next edition in this series. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A beautifully written fantasy fiction novel, with plenty of action, teen drama and romance. Purchase here

Soul Scepter: Time Marauders < Back Eric Westergard Soul Scepter: Time Marauders A time-travelling fantasy adventure to medieval England. Sixteen-year-old Will Donovan is the son of a mass terrorist, who blew up hundreds of people when Will was just a baby. Will was relentlessly bullied by his classmates, and his family received death threats, when he displayed ‘violent genetic predispositions.’ Unbeknownst to Will, his family have special ‘unhuman abilities,’ and he has been watched and monitored by the authorities for years. During a game of paintball, Will and his friend Danny are targeted by a bully named Tanner and his friends. Will and Danny manage to outsmart the bullies, but they are left abandoned in the Idaho desert. When their friends come to rescue them, they are chased and attacked by a militant organization. The friends find themselves in a battle for a powerful scepter in the middle of the desert. When Will inadvertently activates the soul scepter, the friends are transported back in time to medieval England, in the year 1345. As the friends learn how to survive in their new (old) world, they are pursued by the evil Commander Morgan and his army. Soul Scepter: Time Marauders is a historical fantasy fiction, adventure novel by author Eric Westergard, about a group of American teens who travel back in time to medieval England. This is a well written and cleverly crafted novel for young adult readers, full of action, adventure, and many plot twists and turns. With vivid descriptions of medieval England, and a number of historical characters, this is both an entertaining and insightful read. This is an exhilarating, fun filled, time travelling adventure that will appeal to teens and young adult readers who enjoy historical fiction, fantasy, and stories of time-travel. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An exhilarating novel for young adult readers, combining the thrill of time travel with the intrigue of medieval England. Purchase here

Gripped Part 3: The Fallout < Back Stacy Padula Gripped Part 3: The Fallout Book blurb... Now being adapted for TV by Emmy Award-winning producer, Mark Blutman! After a near-death experience, Chris Dunkin begins surrounding himself with positive influences and putting his efforts towards living a clean lifestyle. However, the night before school starts, his best friend Jason convinces him to host a party that shows Chris more about himself than he actually wants to know. Meanwhile, Marc Dunkin has received word from a detective that his oldest brother Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential case headed by the Boston Police Department. They know Taylor's clean; they know he wants out of the game; and they want to help make that happen. However, their "help" will come at a cost-one that may put Taylor and his entire family in grave danger. Taylor is trying to get his life back in order after an opiate addiction wreaked havoc on his once promising athletic future. Getting clean was a difficult feat, but breaking free from the Bilotti crime ring will present an even greater challenge. Purchase here

Rogues of the Crosslands: Azoria's Blade < Back John Daze Rogues of the Crosslands: Azoria's Blade 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

Petals & Teeth < Back Renee Hayes Petals & Teeth Book blurb... Magic is dark, magic is wrong, and magic is banned in all of Martarell. The Demon King is at war with people of Martarell, but when a violent storm tears through Inola Dreston’s cottage, it shakes something loose in her world – and in herself. Desperate for coin, she seeks work at the crumbling Cattenburg Manor, where shadows linger, ravens gather, and an injured soldier named Silas captures her heart before vanishing without a trace. The deeper Inola digs, the more the manor reveals strange memories, a stirring power, and secrets buried beneath the dust – the mysterious Elwin Cattenburg. As the Demon King’s army marches closer, Inola uncovers a truth long stolen – not just from her, but from all of Martarell. Magic is waking, and Inola may be the key to stopping the darkness. Because fire kills demons… and she’s ready to burn. Purchase here

< Back Randy Susan Meyers The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone A young woman is torn between saving the world and saving her family. Summer 1964, eighteen-year old Annabel Cooper, a self-declared, free-thinking Unitarian, volunteers with the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project. She is assigned to work as a teacher in a Baptist church, and decides she wants to devote her life to serving God. Everything changes when she meets and falls in love with Clay, a young African American volunteer. The couple try to keep their blossoming relationship a secret, but when Clay mysteriously disappears, the involvement of the Klu Klux Klan cannot be ruled out. Annabel returns home and starts a new relationship with Guthrie. Annabel and Guthrie attend college in Boston together, and move into an intentional community, Puddingstone, with other civil rights activists. The Puddingstone families devote their time to fighting for human rights and social justice, but Annabel is forced to give up college when she falls pregnant and has a daughter named Ivy. In the mid 1970’s, the Puddingstone families decide to move their children to a commune in Vermont - the Roundhouse. The children are cared for permanently by one adult, while the other parents continue to fight for their cause in Boston. Life in the commune is challenging, and Ivy struggles to adapt to the new environment and regime. But when the children discover an old, locked trunk in a barn, there are tragic consequences that change their whole lives forever. The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone is a poignant and thought-provoking novel by Randy Susan Meyers. Set predominantly in the 1960’s and 1970’s, the story centres on Annabel Cooper who makes the heart-wrenching decision to send her children away to live in a commune. Interweaved throughout Annabel’s story is the story of her daughter, Ivy, who reflects on her own experience. Meyers has crafted a story that is both intimate and expansive. Told from the perspective of the two women, the book captures the unique bond between mothers and daughters, and it also captures key events of this turbulent period of American history. There are beautiful moments of joy, love and tenderness, and there are harrowing scenes of loss and grief. I laughed and cried in equal measure. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A beautifully written, witty and heart-warming novel of love and loss, set against the backdrop of the American civil rights movement. Purchase here

< Back Melissa Jacobus The Accomplice Author Melissa Jacobus’ lived experience of raising children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The Accomplice, by author Melissa Jacobus, is a courageous and inspirational true story of the authors personal experience of parenting children with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). FASD, also known as the ‘invisible disability’, is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions that can occur in an individual as a result of exposure to alcohol in utero. The effects can have life-long implications, including physical, mental, behavior, and/or learning issues. Mother of four, Melissa, describes her journey of caring for two adopted children, Natalie and Nicky, both challenged with FASD, and the impact this disorder had on the children and on family life. Natalie ran away from home and fell in with a wrong crowd, who took advantage of her disability. She became involved with Max, also suspected of having FASD, and both were incarcerated for involvement in check fraud. Natalie became pregnant prior to her sentence, and gave birth shortly after her release, but the baby was taken into foster care, as Natalie and Max were unable to take care of her. Melissa describes her struggles as she tried to get the courts, health care system, and social services to recognise FASD and get the support Natalie deserved. Nicky, feeling abandoned while Melissa was supporting Natalie, and experiencing significant work-related stress, also ran away from home. He lived with his older brother for a short time, before ending up homeless and on the streets. Melissa describes her struggle to find her son and bring him safely home. Melissa works tirelessly to increase awareness of FASD, through advocacy and speaking events. Alongside her own lived experience, she describes how FASD has impacted the lives of many others, including a fifteen-year-old boy suffering from FASD, who killed his mother in a violent rage. The book deals with some of the common outcomes of FASD, such as homelessness, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and criminality. It is a heart-breaking and difficult read, but it is a story that needs to be told. The book is a call to action to raise awareness of this invisible disorder, and to recognise FASD as a developmental disability. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An inspirational story of one woman’s fight to protect her children and raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Purchase here

< Back Lesley Beiro and Heather Scott Over the Lotion Over the Lotion is a true story, written by mother and daughter Heather Scott and Lesley Beiro. Written primarily by Scott, a white woman who grew up in South Africa during the 1950s and 1960s. The book follows Scott’s journey from childhood through to adulthood, from her early years in Pretoria , to her emigration to the United States in later life. The latter part of the book is written by her daughter, Biero, following her death. Set against a backdrop of apartheid in South Africa, Scott recalls the social and political changes that happened throughout her life, and the impact on her family and community. From the release of Nelson Mandela, civil unrest, and the turbulent transition into post-apartheid South Africa. Scott faced many personal struggles throughout her life. She survived polio as a teenager, and later married a man she discovered was an alcoholic. Early in her marriage Scott experienced the tragic loss of a baby, and her husband was often violent towards her. As Scott tried to make a good life for herself and her children, she sought comfort, guidance and strength from God. Over the Lotion is a deeply personal and heartfelt memoir that chronicles one woman’s experience of life in South Africa during apartheid and in the immediate post-apartheid period. As Scott witnesses the social and political upheaval of her beloved country, she has to make a difficult decision for her family. Scott does not shy away from the moral dilemmas of many white South African farmers – those who grew up calling South Africa home, but were left feeling alienated and abandoned as society changed. Beiro finished the memoir following Scott’s death, and is a beautiful and touching tribute to a much-loved mother and grandmother. For readers interested in personal histories of South Africa, and the US immigrant experience, this book offers a gripping and emotionally charged perspective . Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A heartfelt and thought-provoking memoir of a white woman growing up in South Africa during apartheid. Purchase here

< Back Madeline Pasimio Contrary to Conception: Stories and Lessons about Successful Birth Control and Contraceptive Methods Everything you wanted to know about birth control and contraceptive methods but were afraid to ask, by Madeline Pasimio Contrary to Conception is an informative and educational reference book by Madeline Pasimio about birth control and contraception. The book describes the key terms and definitions of contraceptive methods, explores the history of birth control, and provides useful insights into different methods, such as the pill, emergency contraception, barrier methods, the shot, the implant, hormonal and copper IUDs, and sterilization. Each chapter includes detailed information about each method and how it works, its effectiveness and side effects, and other considerations and common misconceptions. Each chapter also includes fictionalised stories, based on women’s real-life experiences, such as student Gina who suffered aggravating period cramps and decided to try the pill to help alleviate her symptoms, and parents of two-Terri and David who considered permanent methods of contraception to prevent future pregnancy, such as male and female sterilization. This book is a valuable resource for anyone considering birth control for the first time, or for those who want to learn more about different contraceptive methods. It is educational and informative, but accessible and easy to read for all readers. Madeline Pasimio writes about this sensitive, and often taboo subject, respectfully and without judgement. This book will help educate women and their partners, to make informed choices about contraception and birth control options. This book should be an essential part of sex education and the school curriculum, and would make a valuable addition to any home, school, or public library. As a veteran, but very naïve, contraceptive user, I wish I had this book when I started using contraception many years ago. Now, as a mother of a teenage daughter, I will be recommending this book to her, and all of my female friends and relatives. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An informative and educational reference book about birth control and contraception, that should be an essential part of sex education and the school curriculum. Purchase here

< Back David W. Berner The Islander An ageing writer develops an unlikely friendship with a young hiker. Eighty-year-old writer, Seamus Damp, lives alone with his dog in a small house, on a remote island, ‘The Rock in the sea,’ off the coast of Dingle in Ireland. Following his divorce, Seamus sunk into a deep depression, and moved to the island seeking solitude, leaving behind his only son, Aiden, on the mainland. Berner writes, Seamus had fallen into his own silence, a retreat of spirit, increasingly in need of solitude. He had become an intensely quiet man. No longer present. No longer capable of giving enough to someone else. After several medical emergencies, Aiden, and Seamus’s doctor, encourage him to return to the mainland, but Seamus refuses to leave. Early one morning, Seamus is disturbed by a tap it his door. He meets a young American named Maddie, who asks to shelter in his home during a turbulent storm. Maddie is hiking in Europe to find solace and to escape her own troubles. They share an evening of conversation, and they develop a deep connection through their personal stories of betrayal, death, despair, and hopelessness. Maddie and Seamus become friends and find comfort in each other’s company. As Maddie helps Seamus with a number of medical emergencies, Seamus helps Maddie heal from her past trauma. The Islander is a short novel by author David W. Berner about a man in his later years who finds friendship with a younger woman. This is a poignant and heartfelt novel, beautifully written by Berner with great sensitivity and compassion. The book deals with themes of friendship, love, loss, and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. With well drawn, complex and relatable characters, stunning imagery of the wind-swept Irish island, and a beautiful story of two strangers who develop an unlikely bond, this is a compelling read. Highly recommended. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A poignant and heartfelt story of friendship, love, loss, and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. Purchase here