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< Back Jennifer Ivy Walker The Lady of the Mirrored Lake A sensational second instalment in the Sea Raven trilogy, by Jennifer Ivy Walker The Lady of the Mirrored Lake is the second book in the Sea Raven series, and picks up where the first book, The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven, ended. Issylte leaves Avalon and her beloved Elf, Ronan, and travels to Bretagne with the Blue Knight of Cornwall, Tristan, and Lancelot. Issylte is given the name Lady Opale to hide her identity from her evil stepmother, Morag, and trains with Tristan to become a Warrior Priestess of the Tribe of Dana. Both Issylte and Tristan are determined to regain their thrones and prepare for battle with Morag, the Black Widow Queen, and the dark wizard, Voldurk. As Issylte grieves the loss of Ronan, she grows closer to Tristan and their relationship blossoms. When she kills the evil dwarf, Malvon, she becomes the Priestess of the Mirrored Lake and enters into an eternal bond with Tristan. Issylte is gifted new powers and sworn to protect the sacred waters of the lake . She embarks on a treacherous journey to find an enchanted orb that is imbued with special powers, and hidden in the depths of the mirrored lake. In Issylte’s absence, Princess Blanchine of Armorique tries to seduce Tristan and is tricked by Voldurk into casting a powerful enchantment on him to bind his love. Once the spell is cast, Princess Blanchine is murdered, and Tristan is wrongfully arrested and imprisoned in the castle of Tintagel . With her new powers, Issylte frees Tristan and blocks Voldurk’s evil enchantment. Issylte and Tristan rekindle their mating bond and are married in the sacred forest. But their lives and kingdoms are put in danger, as Voldurk and The Black Widow Queen try to capture and kill them. Issylte is forced to seek the assistance of her former lover, Elf Ronan, and convince him to forge a sword for Tristan that can slay the wizard and stop the evil queen. The Lady of the Mirrored Lake is a medieval fantasy fiction novel by author Jennifer Ivy Walker and the second instalment in the Sea Raven trilogy. The novel is a thrilling, action-packed and captivating adaptation of the A rthurian myth, with a passionate and steamy twist. With magnificent world building, wonderful characterisation and rich storytelling, this is a dark fantasy fiction novel not to be missed. I recommend readers start with the first book in the series, to get the full benefit of this unique and enchanting novel. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A steamy adaptation of the A rthurian myth, with magnificent world building, wonderful characterisation and rich storytelling. ​ Purchase here

< Back Juliet Rose Prick of the Needle Can Wren leave her troubled past behind her, to live a more simple and sustainable way of life? Twenty something Wren (Gretchen) Meyer was heavily bullied as a teenager. Seeking love and self-acceptance, she fell into a wrong crowd at school and became involved in illegal drugs. Her boyfriend, Gabe, died tragically in her bed of a heroin overdose. Overcome with grief for her first love, Wren falls into a deep depression, and spirals further into drug addiction. When the property she is squatting in is raided by the police, Wren is arrested, charged and sentenced to eight years in the state penitentiary. During her prison sentence, Wren enrols in a program to learn how to become a wildland firefighter. Soon after her release, she is offered a paid position with the fire department, and becomes a crew supervisor, tackling wildfires across Arizona. Wren meets new friends, and is happy and content in her role, but her depression and addiction never leave her, and she battles every day to stay clean. When a new crew arrives to help tackle the wildfires that are sweeping out of control, Wren meets Elijah, a Native American fire fighter, and single father, from the Navajo Nation. Both have been hurt previously and are afraid of commitment, but their relationship slowly blossoms over time, and they fall in love. When Wren has to leave town following her father’s sudden death, Elijah realises that he cannot live without her. He develops a plan to leave the fire service, and to make a living off the land as an ‘agricultural warrior’. Will Wren leave the job she loves and friends she adores and join Elijah? Can she leave her troubled past behind her, to live a more simple and sustainable way of life? And how can she use her own experiences of addiction, depression, and incarceration, to support others? Prick of the Needle by Juliet Rose is a wonderful novel about two young adults who must learn how to conquer their own fears, pain and trauma, to move forward in their lives together. This is a heart warming love story, with great characterisation, a unique setting, and an imaginative plot. The book highlights some of the stressors and pressures on young people today, and the great work being done to help rehabilitate offenders and provide meaningful jobs after release. The book also provides a fascinating insight into regenerative agriculture, that certainly made me question my own life choices. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderful love story, with great characterisation, a unique setting, and an imaginative plot. ​ Purchase here

< Back Bryan Asher The Assassin of Malcoze Debut author Bryan Asher builds a rich fantasy world in the Intercontinents The book takes place in the Intercontinent of Malcoze, a fantasy realm, comprising a floating world of continents. The Malcozeans are an advanced species, with unique powers and special abilities to augment, enhance and manipulate everyday things. Three Malcozeans, Auros, Analia and Taurong are each on an independent journey of self-discovery, finding their own way in life. Auros an eccentric, ageing mercenary is working on a contract to find a mysterious heir of the King Tarburous. Analia, Princess of Malcoze, the Kings daughter and a student with a unique talent for enchantment. Taurong, a young man studying battle arts to become a member of the Rincoyle elite military, with special aura powers. As the characters’ progress on their own journeys, they are unwittingly united by a dangerous assassin, Scoria Kith from a neighbouring continent, the Intercontinent of Kratas. Kith’s mission is to destabilise Malcoze and assassinate King Tarburous, and he will not stop until he achieves his goal. The Assassin of Malcoze is a gripping, fantasy fiction novel, set in the fantasy realm of the Intercontinents. Asher has built a rich, fantasy world with strong, well-developed characters that will appeal to fans of this genre. The second half of the book was amazing, and I couldn’t put it down. I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A beautifully crafted fantasy fiction novel, with an intriguing plot, brilliant character development, and excellent artwork. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ ​ Purchase here

< Back Stephanie Woodward The Big Scale Back: Success and Balance By Your Own Design Author Stephanie Woodward describes how she ‘scaled back’ her life in business to find fun, happiness and love. Author Stephanie Woodward excelled in business, and climbed the ladder to the very top. But, her drive and dedication to work eventually took its toll on her mind and body. Woodward describes how she sacrificed herself and her relationships to achieve success. But the success she was striving for was based on other people’s standards of productivity, long hours, loyalty, dedication and self-sacrifice. Woodward describes how she was conditioned at a very young age to enter the world of business, suppressing her inner desires and love of reading, writing and creativity. When her father sadly passed away from a terminal brain tumour, Woodward reflects on her father’s life as a businessman, and her own life as a self-described ‘loyal workhorse’. Exhausted, burnt out, and grief stricken, Woodward receives support from a coach and therapist. She begins to question her role in the workplace, and seeks to make changes in her life, to restore balance and find happiness. The Big Scale Back: Success and Balance by Your Own Design is an engaging and insightful memoir and self-help book by author Stephanie Woodward, a life and leadership coach. Woodward shares her own personal journey, from her school days, through university, and into the corporate world. She describes how her work was all encompassing, impacting all areas of her life, and how she managed to step ‘off the ramp’ to find fun, happiness and love. She explains the many obstacles and challenges she faced, and how she eventually identified four measures of success: having fun, paying bills, moving her body and love. She provides a useful framework for others who might want to embark on personal change, based on the concept of ‘conscious productivity’, which defines success on understanding the self. This is a real and honest book about how one woman found fulfilment, personally and professionally. With resources, worksheets and reflective questions, this book may encourage readers to start their own journey to find work-life fulfilment. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An engaging and insightful non-fiction book, which will appeal to readers looking for a real and honest book about leadership, management, and personal development. ​ Purchase here

< Back Jerry Gundersheimer Reach: A Nexus of Life and Love A heart-breaking love story, by author Jerry Gundersheimer Reach: A Nexus of Life and Love by Jerry Gundersheimer is a beautiful story about Ernie Resnick, who met his childhood sweetheart, Ava Winkler, when he was just 11 years old. The young couple fell deeply in love, and believed they would grow old and spend the rest of their lives together. The couple were happy and pursuing their dreams, Ava as a professional ballerina, and Ernie as a New York Times bestselling author. But when Ava was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, their whole worlds fall apart. As Ernie watches Ava’s health decline, he feels powerless to help her. But he must also face his own frailty, and the possibility of life without his beloved sweetheart. As Ernie comes to terms with Ava’s diagnosis, it has a devastating impact on his own mental health, and he is later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Reach: A Nexus of Life and Love is a powerful, heart-breaking and deeply emotional story about a man who slowly loses his wife to Lewy Body Dementia, a type of dementia with a rapid loss of mental ability. Beautifully written, well-researched, and told with sensitivity and compassion, through the eyes of Ernie. It is a powerful story about love and loss, and a tribute to all those who have been impacted by Lewy Body Dementia, and the dedicated caregivers who provide love, care and support to those in need. One cannot fail to be moved by this book; it brought a tear to my eye on several occasions. Gundersheimer’s beautifully written prose will remain with me for a very long time. Anyone who has been impacted by Lewy Body Dementia, or other types of dementia, will relate to this story. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A powerful, heart-breaking and deeply emotional story about a man who slowly loses his wife to Lewy Body Dementia. ​ Purchase here

< Back Marianne Hartley ALIGN & SHINE A step-by-step guide to brand design by author Marianne Hartley. Align & Shine is a reference book about business, marketing, and brand design. Author, brand consultant and designer, Marianne Hartley, describes how to create beautiful, inspiring, and powerful brands, by connecting the heart and mind. Hartley discusses her personal journey, from studying graphic design at l’Ecole d’Art Appliques, in Switzerland, to settting up a successful agency, Hartley & Soul. The company was created to bring together the author’s interests in energy healing and design. The book is divided into three parts: Dive, Discover and Define. Dive is the foundational stage, which involves diving deep into the business, understanding what is unique about the business, and identifying the problem it is trying to solve. Dive involves the left, logical side of the brain. Discover involves connecting with intuition and engaging with the heart to get a deeper level of understanding, and aligning the brand with both the heart and the vision. It involves working with the right hand, creative side of the brain. Define brings both sides of thinking together, connecting logic and intuition, to develop a coherent vision, mission and value, to bring the brand to life. Hartley provides many examples through real life client stories and testimonials. At the end of each chapter there are exercises and questions to help guide the reader on their own brand journey, and tips and tools to support self reflection, guided meditation an visualisation. Align & Shine is an inspiring and insightful book by a guru of brand design, Marianne Hartley. Hartley is a leading authority on brand design, and her knowledge and expertise shines throughout this book. The book’s emphasis on the emotional aspects of branding, and connecting hearts and minds, is refreshing. As a reader with little knowledge of brand design, I found the book fascinating. I would love to see more images and examples within the book, as I found myself googling many of the brands the author references. The book is aimed at anyone who has a business idea and wants to turn it into brand; those who are already running a successful business and want to refresh their brand; and serial entrepreneurs who want to create iconic brands for their businesses. It will also appeal to students, teachers, and anyone interested in branding and design. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: Connecting hearts and minds: a refreshing and fascinating insight into brand design. ​ Purchase here

< Back Viola B. Mecke, Ph.D., ABPP Aging Wisely: Life from Fifty to Seventy-Five Years Wise words for aging wisely, by author Viola B. Mecke Aging Wisely: Life from Fifty to Seventy-Five Years is a book targeted at older adults, about the authors’ own experience of growing older and as a practicing clinical psychologist. The book is divided into two parts, with thirteen chapters. The first part of the book discusses life and aging, and the passage of time from the ages of fifty to sixty-five and the beginning period of the loss of youthfulness, right through to the ages of eighty-five plus, and the ‘final curtain call’. The second part of the book discusses how to age wisely through physical activity and exercise, a positive mindset, gratitude and resilience, stress management, good self-esteem and positive relationships with others. The author explores issues of love and loss, change and uncertainty. Eighty-five-year-old author, Mecke, draws on her own personal feelings and experiences of ageing, and her professional experience as a clinical psychologist to help people age wisely and deal with the many stressors that aging brings. She discusses many of the myths associated with ageing and demonstrates the strengths of older senior citizens. The book will help readers to understand their own strengths to live a more fulfilled life in later years. Aging Wisely: Life from Fifty to Seventy-Five Years is a valuable resource for those who are in the later years of life, or those approaching older age. It will also be beneficial for others who might be supporting or caring for a parent, friend or family member in older age. This is a deeply personal book by author Mecke, who lays bare her personal experience of ageing. Older adults are often overlooked in society, and it was great to hear first-hand about Mecke’s life and personal journey. As a reader in the intended target age range, I found this book incredibly insightful and impactful. With plenty of practical advice and guidance, the book will help others to maintain a high quality of life in older age. I would highly recommend this book to anyone impacted by aging (all of us at some point!). Beautifully written, and easy to read, this book was a pleasure to read. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A valuable resource for those who are in the later years of life, or those approaching older age, and their caregivers. ​ Purchase here

Autumn 2022: Best Adult Book (Nonfiction) Mark Roeder What We Do Next Really Matters Kyli Santiago Healing Yesterday's Tears: An Inspiring Poetry Book about Overcoming Emotion and Discovering Love of Self Ralph L. Bayrer Liberty, Science and Wealth: The Evolution to Modern Society Ashley Porsche Bugge The Ocean is Calling Rick Soshensky The Music Therapy Studio: Empowering the Soul's Truth Cynthia Hughes Live...But LIVE! Felicia Taylor E. Southern Spiced: A Brown Girl’s Tale Jim Lichtman Trust and Confidence: The 1998 Battle between the Secret Service and Ken Starr Leon Conrad Story and Structure: A complete guide Jamie Anderson Drive All Day (Because I'm Too Old to Drive All Night) Madeline Pasimio Contrary to Conception: Stories and Lessons about Successful Birth Control and Contraceptive Methods Frederick Douglass Reynolds Black, White, and Gray All Over: A Black Man's Odyssey in Life and Law Enforcement

< Back Gail Scoates Paws, Purpose and Possibilities: How therapy dogs and faith healed my heart Author Gail Scoates shares her story of how therapy dogs gave her a sense of purpose following the death of her beloved younger sister. Dogs had always played a significant part in Gail’s life. Growing up, there were many dogs in the family, and Gail recalls happy memories and adventures with her sister, Karen, and their dogs. She describes how dogs provided a sense of comfort and security throughout her whole life. When Karen was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at the age of thirty-eight, Gail witnessed the special love and bond between Karen and her two dogs, Preston and Tanner. When Karen sadly passed away, Gail’s dog, Tucker, provided comfort and helped her through the grieving process. Following Karen’s passing, Gail became involved with the PAWS ministry, a therapy dog program. Gail trained up Tucker as a therapy dog, and together they visited a residential home for children with emotional and behavioural challenges, providing them with an opportunity to play and have fun, while learning how to interact with a dog safely. When Tucker passed away, Gail adopted a rescue dog, Max, and also trained him up as a therapy dog. Through many dog therapy visits, and observing the positive impact on children, Gail was able to find a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Later, Gail set up her own dog therapy program, named Karing Partners in memory of her sister. She was successful in setting up a program in a hospital and recruited other volunteer handlers and their dogs. With Max, and a subsequent dog, Sadie, the program made a significant difference to the lives of many patients and their families, hospital visitors, and health care staff. Paws, Purpose and Possibilities: How therapy dogs and faith healed my heart is a beautiful memoir by author Gail Scoates. Gail shares her story of how dogs supported her through many difficult periods of her life, including the death of her younger sister, and how therapy dogs have changed the lives of many others. This is a powerful story that not only shows the special bond between humans and dogs, but how dogs can help support, heal and rehabilitate people. A ‘ Paws for Reflection’ section at the end of each chapter, provides the reader with an opportunity for personal reflection. Gail’s commitment and dedication to dog therapy work is remarkable and her story is inspiring. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A beautiful and inspiring memoir, by an inspirational woman. ​ Purchase here

Autumn 2023: Best Adult Book DF Kennedy Nothing But The Truth Angel A Holy Parrot Dr Pietro Emanuele Garbelli The Doctor's Voice - Empowering Solutions to Physicians' Frustrations, Burnout and Healthcare Inefficiencies Roni Robbins Hands of Gold Geoff Spellberg Escape From Hawaii Kathleeen Janz Anderson September Wind Book II J Paul Rieger Jr Clonk! Jamie Andrea Garzot Unconventional A Memoir of Entrepreneurism Politics and Pot David Zelman PhD What's Next? Get Clear & Get Going Ben Merrick Where the Valley Meets the Sky Matthew Binder Pure Cosmos Club Dr Nizar M Benazzouz The innovative Animal Rozsa Gaston Margaret of Austria Glendall C Jackson III Naked Came the Detective Jeremiah Gilbert On to Plan C A Return to Travel J J Alo The Street Between the Pines Marlayne Jan Giron Second Chance Inn Jonnie Ramsey Brown You Promised To Do No Harm: A True Story of Love, Loss, and the Horror of Healthcare Disparity for One African American Family Jennifer Ivy Walker The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight Gail Grant Park We Are Shadows An Irish Ghost Story Anthony J Mohr Every Other Weekend Coming of Age With Two Different Dads Margaret Tran The ACTIONS Marianne Hartley ALIGN & SHINE Aimee Hill All The Gray In Between Carter Fielding Murder in the Marshes Sherman E Ross Code Name: Juggernaut

Spring 2023: Best Adult Book Alex Poppe Jinwar and Other Stories Shonna Waters The Coaching Shift: How A Coaching Mindset and Skills Can Change You, Your Interactions, and the World Around You Stephanie Woodward The Big Scale Back: Success and Balance By Your Own Design Karla Huebner In Search of the Magic Theater Sabrina Simon Violet Jackie Ewing Life Lessons from a Late Bloomer - Vignettes of a Small-Town Girl Ed Norwood Be a Giant Killer: Overcoming Your Everyday Goliaths Andy Lipman The CF Warrior Project, Volume 2: Celebrating Our Cystic Fibrosis Community Glenda Brown The Story of Raine Cristiana Pinciroli Sport : a Stage for Life - How to Connect with the Touchstones of Elite Performance and Personal Fulfillment K.c. LaSaga Dragum Paul Sanders Victim or the Crime - The Day Before Jerry Died: A Grateful Dead Thriller Juliet Rose Trigger Point Peter Eliott A Dream of Shadows Geoff Sease When We Push Through Sound Julia Brewer Daily ;The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch A Modern Ranch with an Ancient Secret Ronan James Cassidy Margaret Anne: Child of the West Wind Robin Jeffrey .exe: A Cadence Turing Mystery David Cairns The Case of the Emigrant Niece Marieke Lexmond The Cup, The Madigan Chronicles #4 David W. Berner The Islander Elizabeth H. Cottrell HEARTSPOKEN: How to Write Notes that Connect, Comfort, Encourage, and INspire Alison McBain The New Empire Jennifer Ivy Walker The Lady of the Mirrored Lake Wendy Hewlett Witches & Whisky DF Kennedy The Whole Truth Lisa Towles The Ridders Mitzi Perdue Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul Gail Scoates Paws, Purpose and Possibilities: How therapy dogs and faith healed my heart Kelly Cheek Gazing Into the Abyss Lachlan Pirie The Resolution Holly Brough The Name I Choose Peter Mazurek Modern Catholic Concerns Hannah Sward STRIP: A MEMOIR Juliet Rose Carrying the Dead M. E. Taylor Brothers J. F. Cronin It Could Happen Here - A Roadmap to Disaster Joanne Griffin and Declan Foster Humology: How to put humans back at the heart of technology Leslie Kain Secrets In The Mirror Robin Jeffrey R.A.T.: A Cadence Turing Mystery Genevieve Jenner Chocolate Cake for Imaginary Lives Alison Jean Lester The Sound of It Dr Haseena Chokkiyil The Kintsugi Moms: Transformative Insights from a Healers Diary Isra Sravenheart Her Dark Love Lisa Towles Salt Island Mary L Schmidt Her Alibi Alex Poppe Duende Melissa Jacobus The Accomplice Julie Cadman UnMasked Christopher H. Volk The Value Equation: A Business Guide to Wealth Creation for Entrepreneurs, Leaders and Investors Karen K. Brees Crosswind Pat Wahler The Rose of Washington Square: A Novel of Rose O'Neill, Creator of the Kewpie Doll Viola B. Mecke, Ph.D., ABPP Aging Wisely: Life from Fifty to Seventy-Five Years Joshua Hershey Linden Falls Raejean Kanter Who Held the Door Open?: Mentoring Through Life's Challenges Tucker Madison Green Glass Lem Moye Catching Cold Vol 2 - Redemption Jeremy Bazley My China - Living Inside the Dragon Anne Angelo Sprig of White Heather and a Scottish Lass Hayley Lyle Barefoot King: The Indian Dalit Who Defied Caste to Bless Others Richard Lui Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness Gifford MacShane Rainbow Man Adam Saint The Transfer Problem Tony Jeton Selimi A Path to Excellence Reese Trapped

< Back Rozsa Gaston Margaret of Austria “Fortune, misfortune, fortifies one.” Margaret of Austria, born in Brussels in 1480, was the only daughter of the great Habsburg Roman Emperor, Archduke Maximilian I of Austria, and the Duchess Mary of Burgundy. She was raised to become Queen of Austria, and betrothed to Charles, the Dauphin of France. As a young girl she was sent to France to experience life at the French court. But, when King Charles married another woman, Maximillan forms an alliance with Spain. Margaret marries Juan , the Prince of Asturias and heir to the Spanish throne. But their marriage is short lived, when Juan becomes ill and dies just a few months later. Four years later, Maximillan arranges a marriage between Margaret and Philibert II, the Duke of Savoy. The Duke has little interest in state affairs, and Margaret begins to manage the Duchy, where she develops skills in leadership and diplomacy. After Philibert's death, Margaret's becomes the governor of the Netherlands in 1507, as Regent for her nephew, Charles V, who was too young to rule the country. Margaret of Austria: Governor of the Netherlands and Early 16th Century Europe’s Greatest Diplomat is an engaging, historical fiction novel by author and art historian, Rozsa Gaston, about one of Europe’s great, but often overlooked, leaders. The book follows the life, fortunes, and misfortunes of Margaret, from her early life, her two marriages and her role as Governor of the Netherlands, through to her death in 1530. Gaston describes her many connections to European royalty, and how she became an accomplished leader and diplomat, negotiating disputes between various foreign parties and maintaining peace in the Netherlands. During a significant period in European history, when women seldom had a voice or role in politics, Margaret became one of the most prominent figures of her time. This is a rich, insightful, and entertaining historical fiction novel, with a captivating cast of historical figures. Meticulously researched by Gaston, this book will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly those interested in early European politics. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: With a captivating cast of historical figures, the book sheds light on the fascinating life of one of Europe’s great leaders. ​ Purchase here