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< Back Deborah S. Greenhut The Hoarder's Wife Inside the secret world of the hoarder, by debut author Deborah Greenhut Sixty-five-year-old Grace Berg receives a telephone call and is told that her ex-husband, and the father of her two children, Professor Ludwig Berg, has tragically taken his own life. As Grace grieves for the man she once loved, she reads her old journal and reflects on the life she shared with him. The signs were there from the start of their relationship. The clutter. The mess. The lack of empathy. The signs of disorder. Grace recalls how Ludwig took control of their finances and slowly accumulated lots of possessions, throwing their family home into disarray. The couple seek specialist help and Ludwig is diagnosed with adult ADHD, OCD, ODD, perfectionism, procrastination, and depression. But as Ludwig’s hoarding and anger escalates, Grace finally reaches breaking point and makes a heart-breaking decision to reclaim her life, after thirty-five years of marriage. The Hoarder’s Wife by Deborah Greenhut is an engaging and poignant novel, revealing the secret world of the hoarder from the perspective of a hoarder’s wife. Written as a series of journal entries, this is an intimate and personal story about one woman’s experience of living with someone with a severe mental illness, and the devasting impact of hoarding disorder on families and relationships. Greenhut writes about the disorder with sensitivity and compassion, describing Grace’s turmoil as she makes the most difficult decision of her life. This is a deeply moving and emotional story, and it will appeal to readers of women’s fiction and literary fiction. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘An engaging and poignant novel, revealing the secret world of the hoarder from the perspective of a hoarder’s wife. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ ​ Purchase here

< Back Tucker Madison Green Glass Can Ida track down the man who saved her life as a girl? Eleven-year-old Ida and her father survive a horrific car crash, when their car veers over a bridge and plunges into deep water. They are saved by fifteen-year-old John Murphy, who dives into the water and frees them from the car. John finds two triangular pieces of smooth green glass in the water. He gives one piece of glass to Ida and then quickly disappears from the scene. He gives the other piece of glass to his fifteen-year-old adopted sister, Maggie who has Down Syndrome. Fourteen years later, Ida is a medical student in Michigan and a competitive swimmer. Ida has vivid memories of the mysterious boy who saved her life and treasures the piece of green glass he gave her. She hires a private investigator to find her superhero and he tracks him down to Chicago, through newspaper articles and eyewitness accounts. When Ida finishes medical school, she decides to take her residency in Chicago, in the hope that one day she might meet her hero again. Meanwhile, John is working as a paramedic in Chicago and still caring for his sister, Maggie. John loves his job as a paramedic and continues to help strangers through random acts of kindness. Ida moves to Chicago and discovers over 400 John Murphy’s listed in the telephone book. Her mission to find her elusive hero is not going to be easy. Will Ida ever find the guy who saved her life? And if so, will he live up to her heroic expectations? Green Glass by author Tucker Madison is a tense and gripping drama about one woman’s search for the boy who saved her life as a young girl. This is an elaborate plot, full of twists and turns, which keeps the story alive and interesting. The characters are likeable and believable, and I was rooting for Ida and John to meet and fall in love. Madison develops tension, as the pair become so close to one another, but never quite meet. This is a unique and intriguing novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy drama, romance and mystery stories. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A tense and gripping drama about one woman’s search for the boy who saved her life as a young girl. ​ Purchase here

< Back S. C. Eston Deficiency Author S. C. Eston depicts a disturbing vision of society that is far too close for comfort. Set in Prominence City, on the planet Garadia, a prominent researcher at Thrium Laboratories, Detel Scherzel, suddenly disappears. Her profile is deleted from the data-sphere, and she is nowhere to be seen. Her brother, Artenz Scherzel, and sister-in-law, Keidi Rysinger, are frantic with worry. Keidi visits Detel’s laboratory but finds no trace of her existence. Meanwhile, it’s an important day for Artenz, as he launches a new project for his company, BlueTech Data. When Artenz nips out for lunch, enforcers enter his workplace and lock the building down. One of Artenz’s colleagues, Marti Zehron, contacts him and tells him not to return to the office, but to run and hide. The enforcers are searching for Detel, and when they learn that Artenz has left the building, they send out a team to capture him. Following Keidi’s unsuccessful visit to Detel’s laboratory, she visits Detel’s home and finds the place ransacked and destroyed. She decides to infiltrate the buildings security system, but her identity is discovered, and she is also pursued by the enforcers. Artenz is captured and taken back to BlueTech Data, where he is tortured by the enforcers. Keidi is hiding in Prominence City and, with nowhere else to turn, she seeks the assistance of an old acquaintance, and reporter for the Authentic Banners, Eltaya Ark. Eltaya and her team agree to help Keidi and they travel to the city to rescue Artenz. Artenz is taken to a place of safety, where he learns about Detel’s secret research and her mysterious disappearance. Keidi is lost somewhere in the depths of the underground, with the enforcers in hot pursuit. As Keidi tries to find her way to Artenz, Artenz plans to reveal the truth about his sisters’ research, and bring the aggressors to justice. Deficiency by author S.C. Eston, is a cleverly crafted science-fiction, dystopian novel, set on the planet Garadia, in the far distant future. Eston depicts a vision of society that is both disturbing and believable. On the surface, Prominence City is immaculate, and its citizens are healthy and law abiding, but the city harbours a dark and dirty secret. The citizens are merely pawns in a corporate game of greed, corruption, and control. It’s a vision of society that is far too close for comfort. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: Overall, a cleverly crafted, sharp, and chilling novel, with an intriguing and believable plot. ​ 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

Autumn 2023: Best Teen Book Stacy A. Padula Montgomery Lake High #2: When Darkness Tries to Hide Renee Hayes The Girl Who Broke the World Rande Goodwin The Witchfinders Serpent Terry Overton The Underground Book Readers: The Secret Society Marsha Tufft The Sea Turtle Spy Project: Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures Book 4

< Back Karen K. Brees Crosswind The adventures of a female spy during WWII, by author Karen K. Brees It’s June 1940, and MI6 Agent, Katrin Nissen, a Danish-American Professor of Botany, is sent to Nazi Germany to investigate the disappearance of a missing MI6 operative. Dieter Weiss, a German operative working for the Allies, has gone missing along with a top-secret microfilm believed to be in his possession. Dieter was last known to be searching for his estranged sister, Kristine Trautmann, a staunch Nazi Party member and a photographer working with Heinrich Himmler, a leading member of the Party. Using her academic research as a cover story, Katrin attends a horticultural conference at the University of Berlin to deliver a research paper, putting her life and reputation at risk. The conference is organised by Heinrich Himmler, to showcase the Nazis' plans to redesign nature and eliminate undesirable plants, aligned to Hitler’s social policies of eugenics. At the conference, Katrin m eets Weiss’ sister and discovers more about the Nazi’s horrific plans. But as Katrin lear ns of a number of mysterious deaths amongst the university faculty, she soon realises that the Nazi’s aren’t the only ones to fear. Crosswind: The WWII Adventures of MI6 Agent Katrin Nissen, is an excellent and satisfying World War II spy thriller, by author Karen K. Brees. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and gripping novel about a female spy on a secret mission to solve a mystery for MI6. Set in Berlin during the early days of World War II, the book is extensively researched and historically accurate. While a work of fiction, the novel was inspired by the remarkable stories of the many female spies who risked their lives during World War II. Beautifully written by Brees, the narrative slowly builds tension as it shifts between Katrin’s point of view, and other perspectives. With a well-developed and authentic character, and a gripping plot with plenty of twists and turns, this book will appeal to readers of historical fiction, espionage and political thrillers. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An excellent and satisfying World War II spy thriller, about a female agent on a secret mission to solve a mystery for MI6 during World War II. ​ Purchase here

< Back Jennifer Ivy Walker Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle Can Princess Gabrielle and her lover Bastien save the Kingdom of Finistère. Princess Gabrielle, ‘the Viking Princess’ and daughter of the King Guillemin of Finistère, has returned home from Paris due to her father’s rapidly declining health. French law proclaims that a woman can neither inherit the throne or rule as queen in her own right. If her father dies before she marries, the throne and Kingdom of Finistère would be lost. The Marquis de Nantes is pressurizing the King to arrange a marriage between Gabrielle and his son, Ugolin Cauchon. Ugolin is a wicked and ruthless man who seeks control of the Breton seas and plans to revoke the Maritime Treaty which ensures safe passage along the coast. Rather than reject the offer outright, the King announces a Yuletide Joust, where members of the nobility will compete to win Gabrielle’s hand in marriage. Gabrielle is distraught and seeks comfort in the arms of Sir Bastien de Landuc, her equestrian tutor and royal personal guard. Bastien has secretly loved Gabrielle for many years and the relationship soon becomes intimate. Bastien dreams of marrying his Viking Princess, but without a title of nobility, he is unable to compete in the joust. Meanwhile, Ugolin is determined to become the King of Finistère, and will stop at nothing to win the contest. He has a wicked plan to win the contest, marry the princess, and then enslave her in the castle so he can take control of the Kingdom. Ugolin and his cronies attempt to kidnap Gabrielle, but she is saved by her beloved Bastien. The King rewards Bastien with a fiefdom and a title of nobility, which makes him eligible to compete in the joust. As Bastien prepares to enter the contest and win Gabrielle’s hand in marriage, Ugolin has another devious plan to take the princess, her royal dowry, and the Kingdom of Finistère. Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle is the first in a new ‘Christmas in the Castle Series’ by author Jennifer Ivy Walker. Set in the mythical Arthurian period, the book features familiar characters, such as Sir Lancelot du Lac, and other characters from Walkers’ Sea Raven trilogy series. With a beautiful, star-crossed love story, an enchanting fantasy world set within the royal courts, and a wicked villain, this medieval fantasy fiction novel was a joy to read. The book transports the reader to a mythical realm of kings and queens, armoured knights, and horses. A delightful read for those seeking escapism from reality. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A perfect cosy, medieval fantasy book to snuggle up and escape with over the holiday period. ​ Purchase here

< Back Cristiana Pinciroli Sport : a Stage for Life - How to Connect with the Touchstones of Elite Performance and Personal Fulfillment Lessons in sport and life from professional athlete, Cristiana Pinciroli Sport: A Stage for Life: How to Connect with the Touchstones of Elite Performance and Personal Fulfillment is a self-help / handbook written by Cristiana Pinciroli, with her father Pedro Pinciroli Junior. Cristiana is a former professional water polo player who captained the Brazilian national team for over a decade, and her father Pedro represented Brazil at two Olympic games. Cristiana shares her memories of her father’s sporting achievements, and how his success and legacy inspired her to achieve her own goals in the sport. She shares her own personal experiences of sport, the successes and failures, the challenges and rewards, the highs and the lows. There are twelve chapters, divided into four parts (dimensions). The dimensions follow the ‘WeTeam’ method, which includes the things that motivate us, move us, and enable us to act intentionally (self-knowledge, purpose and values, and happiness). In each chapter the authors explore the key elements needed for a fuller and more successful life. They show how they applied the lessons from sport in building successful corporate careers. In addition, there are contributions from other athletes, coaches, psychologists, and academics, who share their own personal stories of the impact of sport. This is an inspiring and captivating book which will appeal to both professional and amateur athletes, parents of athletes, sport coaches, and anyone interested in sport. It provides a fascinating insight into water polo and other sports. For water polo enthusiasts, or those new to the sport, the book provides plenty of valuable hints and tips on how to play the sport. For athletes, she provides advice and guidance on how to balance the demands and pressure of high-performance sport and other aspects of life. The authors show how everything we learn in sport applies to life and they provide many life hacks that will help readers live a more fulfilled and happy life. This is a well-written, and entertaining book. The writing is warm, funny, and engaging. The book demonstrates the positive role and impact of sport on individuals, and on society as a whole. It will help readers develop more positive mindsets and behaviors to live a happy and more fulfilled life. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An inspiring and captivating book about the positive role and impact of sport on individuals and society. ​ Purchase here

< Back Carter Fielding Murder in the Marshes The Blake sisters are back to solve another murder mystery. Finley Blake is travelling home to Charleston with her life partner Max Davies for her sister’s wedding. Whitt is marrying David Quinn, and Finley is looking forward to spending time with her family and friends. Whitt has rented a stately mansion for the wedding party, and guests are due to arrive soon. As Whitt and David check the house before the guests arrival, they find a dead body wrapped inside a sleeping bag in the closet. Whitt thinks she recognises the man but cannot place him. The police are called, and a murder investigation opens when they discover the man has a blunt force trauma to the head. Whitt and David, and the wedding party, are relocated to Whitt and Finley’s aunt’s house, while the police search the property. The body is later revealed to be Whitt and Finley’s estranged cousin, Tommy. As the wedding party settle into the house, and preparations for the wedding begin, Whitt and Finley take a trip with their parents to their rental property in Beaufort. As they examine the house that has been left empty for many years, they find another dead body. Inside an old army issue duffle bag, they find a skeleton and thousands of pounds in cash. The police are called again, and another murder investigation opens. As Whitt and David find themselves under suspicion, their upcoming wedding is put in jeopardy. As the police fail to make any progress, Whitt and Finley start their own investigation, starting with enquiries into their own family. Their investigation reveals dark family secrets, a sinister blackmail plot, and a web of deceit and lies. But as the sisters get closer to the truth, they find themselves caught up in a dangerous situation. Will the sisters find a connection between the murders? Will they identify the culprit? And will Whitt and Davids marriage go ahead? Murder in the Marshes is the fourth instalment in the Blake Sisters Travel Mystery Series by Carter Fielding. The book sees the return of the Blake sisters, as they return home for Whitt’s wedding, and find themselves embroiled in another murder investigation. The sisters become unlikely amateur detectives as they discover not one, but two, dead bodies. This is a gripping murder mystery, full of mystery and suspense. While the book successfully embodies the cozy mystery genre, it also explores the sisters personalities, personal lives, and relationships. This adds depth to the characters and enhances the readers emotional investment into the series. While the book can be read as a stand-alone, readers will benefit from reading the previous books to get the full enjoyment of this cosy murder mystery series. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An enjoyable read, perfect for fans of cozy murder mystery. ​ Purchase here

< Back Adam Saint The Transfer Problem Adam Saint’s novel explores the future of AI technology and its impact on humanity. Ethan, a financial analyst at First Global Bank, is undertaking work to optimise financial algorithms, algorithms that enable computers to crunch data and make split-second investment decisions. Ethan’s parents died when he was a child, and he has a fraught relationship with his older brother, Robert. Robert bullied Ethan throughout his life, and they had become estranged in recent years. Robert is a top-notch hacker, whose crimes have resulted in a ban on using technology. Ethan meets Anna, a Russian citizen and a junior biomathematical researcher, at a university conference and they fall in love. Anna is conducting research, that if successful, would transfer human consciousness into a machine or a computer. Robert reappears, and Ethan introduces him to Anna. Robert persuades Ethan to use the pattern recognition technology that Anna has developed on First Global Bank’s high finance supercomputers. Together, they hatch a plan to make money on the stock market with neural network algorithms. Anna gets a job as a cleaner at Ethan’s bank and starts to integrate her work into First Global Banks systems. Their experiment is a success, but their technology triggers a global financial crash. With the economy in meltdown and society on the brink of collapse, Ethan is forced to go on the run to escape the authorities.The Transfer Problem by author Adam Saint is a fast-paced, gripping novel, with a blend of AI technology, espionage, and crime thriller. The flight scenes in the opening chapter grabbed my attention, and I found it hard to put this book down. The story does move backwards and forwards in time, which I did find a little confusing at times, but otherwise this was a fascinating story and very easy to read. This is a well-written, credible and thought-provoking book about runaway AI. It raises important questions about the future of AI technology and its impact on humanity. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fast-paced, gripping novel about runaway AI. A fascinating story and hard to put down. ​ Purchase here

< Back Aimee Hill All The Gray In Between Two clients, two deaths, one month apart . Thirty-year-old therapist, Lexi, specialises in cases of child neglect and parental alienation, a form of abuse where one parent is intentionally negative towards the other parent. Lexi had a good childhood, but everything changed when her wealthy stepfather abused her during her teenage years. Lexi’s mother stuck with her husband, and abandoned Lexi when she reported the abuse to the police. Following her stepfathers conviction, Lexi was awarded millions of dollars in compensation, which meant she never had to work again. However, as a result of her own trauma, she was determined to help other children, and qualified as a therapist. Lexi has had an on-off relationship with Beau, a detective for the Key Sebastian Police Department, for many years. Beau was also neglected by his mother and abused as a child. Lexi loves him deeply but is scared of commitment due to their troubled upbringings. When one of Lexi’s clients commits suicide, she wonders whether she could have done more to save her life. One month later, another client also commits suicide in similar circumstances. Lexi becomes suspicious and questions the cause of both deaths. Lexi believes there is foul play and starts to investigate the case with Beau. They find a connection between the deaths and a police officer, her own brother, and the son of one of her clients. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or is someone targeting Lexi’s clients to get to her? Meanwhile, Lexi thinks she is being followed, and her estranged mother pays her an unexpected visit. Will Lexi and Beau solve the two mysterious deaths? Will Lexi forgive her mother? And can the couple leave their past behind them and move forward with their lives together? All The Gray In Between is a harrowing, psychological thriller / crime mystery by author Aimee Hill. Hill weaves a chilling tale of a therapist whose life takes a dark and twisted turn when two of her clients are found dead in mysterious circumstances. As Lexi, and her on-off partner, Beau investigates the case, old wounds are opened, and their relationship is put to the test. With strong characters, and an original plot with plenty of twists and turns, this is a captivating read that was hard to put down. The twist at the end of the book was totally unexpected and made me reevaluate the whole story. A must read for fans of psychological thrillers. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A harrowing, psychological thriller about a therapist whose life takes a dark and twisted turn when two of her clients are found dead. ​ Purchase here

< Back Jim Malloy Raptor's Revenge A thrilling, fast-paced, novel, about a heroic privateer who seeks vengeance following the brutal murder of his entire family, from author Jim Malloy Raptor’s Revenge is a historical novel set in Elizabethan England. The book follows fourteen-year-old Jamey Fallon as he returns home to find his whole family murdered. The only clue left behind is a severed finger with a gold ring attached. Jamey pockets the ring and is determined to find and destroy the nine fingered murderer responsible. Jamey sets out on a heroic journey across the high seas, as he seeks revenge on the culprit who murdered his entire family. In doing so, Jamey takes command of his own pirate ship, the ‘Raptor,’ and takes on the persona of a pirate ‘El Raptor.’ For over a decade, Jamey and his one-eyed friend sail the Caribbean Sea and hunt down Spanish ships in search of the murderer. When he arrives in Jamaica, Jamey falls in love with Maria, but they are soon captured and turned over to the inquisition. The lovers escape and intercept the killer’s ship. Jamey finally comes face to face his family’s killer, and faces a brutal and bloody duel to the death. This is a thrilling, fast-paced, novel, jam packed full of action and swashbuckling sea adventures. With a blend of history, mystery, revenge and romance, this book will appeal to those who enjoy historical fiction and pirating adventures. With well-developed characters, an elaborate plot with plenty of gruesome battles, and numerous twists and turns, the book will keep readers captivated and on the edge of their seats. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A captivating, swashbuckling pirate adventure on the high seas. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ ​ Purchase here