Search Results

< Back W.A. Pepper You Will Know Vengeance: A Tanto Thriller Author WA Pepper writes a new techno-charged version of the Shawshank Redemption for the 21st century A young hacker, known by his handle name, Tanto, is captured and found guilty of cyber terrorism. Imprisoned under a new US law, he has lost of all his rights as a human being. He is implanted with a tracking and torture devise and is subjected to forced labour. To secure his freedom, Tanto must capture other hackers and defend government systems from cyber-attacks. Failure to do so would result in death, or worse, a transfer to Guantanamo Bay. For eight years, Tanto follows the rules and meets the minimum capture requirements, while at the same time he protects the other inmates (his tribe). But everything changes when a new inmate, the notorious hacker Barca, enters the prison and the safety of the whole tribe is put under threat. Tanto hatches a desperate plan to protect his tribe, destroy the enemy, and escape the prison. You will Know Vengeance, is the first part of a fresh, new techno-thriller trilogy by author WA Pepper. Set within the confines of a prison, and the wilderness of cyber space, the two disparate worlds collide in a tense, gripping drama. It is a fast-paced, high-energy novel, that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Whilst this book will certainly appeal to techno-thriller junkies, it is an easy-to-read novel for neophytes, providing a fascinating insight into the hidden world of hackers, cyber criminals, and the dark web. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A fast-paced, high-energy, techno-thriller novel, that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Sandra Sorenson-Kindt Teddy: A Boy Who Swam with Angels Author Sandra Sorenson-Kindt tells her father’s childhood story. It is July 1938 in Arizona and nine-year-old Teddy is looking forward to the fourth of July celebrations, his favourite holiday. Teddy is one of six children, and although the siblings do not always get along, they are always there for one another. Teddy is sometimes called Mr. Serious and Weirdo by his brothers’ friends because he likes to read and talk to animals. On the morning of the fourth of July, the family head out to Tonto National Forest, for a picnic with their aunt, uncle, and cousins. As the parents prepare lunch, the children play dodgeball, frisbee and volleyball. When the children are called inside to get out of the hot Arizona sun, Teddy escapes the campsite for his own adventure. He wonders down the riverbank in search of wildlife, away from his annoying siblings and cousins. Teddy soon gets lost and starts to burn under the hot sun. But things get much worse for Teddy when he gets stuck in the mud, and then falls into a fast-flowing river. Teddy is swept far away from camp, but he floats on his back and treads water to keep afloat. When a storm arrives, the river swells, and Teddy is swept further downstream. Teddy is exhausted and gives up hope of seeing his family again. Will Teddy survive the rapid river torrent? And will he ever see his family again? Teddy: A Boy Who Swam with Angels is a chapter book for middle grade readers by author Sandra Sorenson-Kindt. This is a sweet and charming story about a young boy in search of wildlife and adventure, who falls into a river and is swept far away from his family. When the boy gives up hope, he is rescued by an angel who pulls him out of the river and directs him to safety. When the boy questions why he was saved because he is just an ordinary kid, his mother explains that he is special to her and God. Set in the late 1930’s, prior to the outbreak of war in Europe, this is a wonderfully nostalgic book of a precious time gone by. The author was inspired by the story of her father, who was swept away by a river on the fourth of July when he was a young boy. Her father believed he was saved by an angel that day. This is a beautifully written book, with exquisite, pencil drawn illustrations by Sandra Jessop. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderfully nostalgic children’s book, with important life lessons for all ages. Purchase here

< Back Kathleeen Janz Anderson September Wind Book II A tale of survival and justice by author Kathleeen Janz-Anderson. Emily Rezell had a troubled childhood. Her mother died just hours after she was born, and she never met her father. She was brought up by her strict, god-fearing grandfather on his Illinois farm. After accidently killing a man who raped her over many years, Emily flees to San Francisco and finds work in a brothel to make ends meet. Emily is forced to go on a dinner date with a wealthy widow named Donald Shillings, by her manipulative landlady. Donald asks her to move into his mansion and be a nanny to his two children. Emily is unsure of Donald’s motives but has no choice after her cash and necklace are stolen from the brothel. She settles into the Shillings’ home and develops a bond with the children, Maria and Nathan. Donald is strange, elusive, and controlling, but Emily persuades Donald to buy the children ponies. He employs a stableman named Paul, but Emily believes he has been hired to spy on her. Emily notices odd behaviour from Donald and his staff and starts to explore the estate. When she finds something sinister buried in the grounds, she tries to escape but falls down a flight of stairs and is knocked unconscious. When she wakes in hospital, Paul is by her side. As Emily recovers from her injuries, she learns the truth about the mysterious stableman. Paul persuades Emily to return back to Illinois, and after a year on the run, she is forced to confront her past. September Wind Book II is a riveting and emotionally charged family saga / coming of age fiction novel, and the second book in the series by author Kathleeen Janz-Anderson. Set in the 1960’s the novel follows a courageous young woman who is forced into a life on the run after she accidently kills a man who rapes her. Her life spirals out of control, as she ends up in a brothel, and is then tricked into working for a man who exploits her. The book shows the plight of women and girls, during a period in our recent history when they had few rights and limited opportunities. Gripping, heart breaking and thought provoking, this book is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A riveting and emotionally charged family saga about a young woman who is forced into a life on the run. Purchase here

< Back Joshua Hershey Linden Falls Can a young woman free her people from darkness? Orphan, Mabel, was brought up by her grandmother, Gigi, in Linden, a nation cursed and shrouded by dark and evil forces. Mabel’s parents died of the plague when she was a young girl, but Gigi never discussed their life or death. Mabel always thought she was different from other children and had vivid dreams she was a witch. Rumors had even spread at school that Mabel was a possessed dreamer, who uses magic to enter shadows and speak with the dead. When Gigi dies, Mabel is left penniless and alone. She visits Gigi’s cabin to retrieve her belongings and feels a strange presence. When she spots a book that she had seen in her dream, she must open it. The book emits light and fire, and Mabel is spellbound. The magic book creates a cyclone and Mabel flees the cabin by stepping through a door of fire. Mabel is chased by a serpent, Lavian, and a hoard of Dark Angels. She is saved by the Light Angels and taken to Citadel; a fortress suspended above the Earth. Mabel learns from the Light Angels that the book has special powers, and she was chosen by the one who wrote the book to break the darkness over Linden. She also learns there are two worlds, the world where she lives and the unseen realm that permeates the heavens and Earth. Mable has two choices, to return to her old life in Linden and give up the book, or to harness the book’s powers and continue the path of her calling. Which path will Mabel take? Can she end the darkness that presides over Linden? And will she find out the truth about her parents, and her special powers? Linden Falls is an imaginative and thrilling dark fantasy fiction novel by author Joshua Hershey. This is a well written and tightly crafted story, with a gripping plot, and rich, memorable characters. Mabel is a strong female protagonist, who overcomes adversity to free her people. There are strong Christian messages throughout the book, which make this a unique and powerful read. Hershey has created a spellbinding world that will appeal to those who enjoy action-adventure, fantasy fiction, and Christian fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A thoroughly enjoyable and spellbinding read. Purchase here

< Back Brian R Estvander Stilled: The Story of Inklebrawt Winklehank An original and gripping sci-fi adventure, by author Brian R Estvander Inklebrawt (Ink) Winklehank is a Huply - a hybrid of a human and a biologically engineered species, created by humans using nanomachinery (the Plythi’i). The Plythi’i are a peaceful and empathetic species, and have psychokinetic abilities, called the Plythi’i Sense. Since their creation, the Plythi’i and Huply have lived in harmony with humans, in a world called Ply’. But the Shepherds, an exiled group of half-breeds and humans, want to eliminate any type of artificial speciation, threaten to attack Ply’ and eradicate all Huply and Plythi’i. Ink has always struggled to balance his advanced Plythi’i abilities and empathic temperament, with his wild human emotions and desires. But, when threatened by the Shepherds, Ink must learn to come to terms with his true identity to locate his Plythi’i siblings and safeguard the future of the human race. Stilled: The Story of Inklebrawt Winklehank by author Brian R Estvander is an original sci-fi adventure about a group of hybrid siblings and their fight for survival against a rogue group of Shepherds who want to eliminate them, and all artificial speciation. It is an epic battle of good versus evil, nature versus technology. The story interweaves effortlessly across galaxies and between past and present, revealing the complex backstory of the species and the characters. Overall, an expertly crafted sci-fi adventure, which brings together science, technology, and human evolution. With a fast-paced and gripping plot, authentic and believable characters, and excellent world building, this book will appeal to fans of action, adventure and science fiction. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An epic sci-fi adventure about a group of hybrid siblings and their fight for survival. 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

< Back Juliet Rose Do Over Can Sam leave her past behind and ‘do over’ in a new town? Samantha (Sam) Rutliffe packs up everything she owns into her car, and drives. She doesn’t know where she is going, she just wants to leave her old life behind. She ends up in a small tourist town by the ocean and sleeps in her car overnight. The town looks like the perfect place to start a new life, enabling her to leave all of her troubles behind. Sam settles into the town, finding herself a place to live and a job as a bar tender at a local bar. She meets lots of new people, and develops a close friendship with two lifeguards, Smitty and Casey. But the whole town is shocked when Casey’s lifeless body is found in the ocean. The cause of his death is uncertain, but drugs are found in his system, and his friends suspect suicide. Rumours spread across the town, and soon the nice boy who tragically lost his life, becomes known as a worthless, back-alley junkie. As Sam comes to term with losing her friend, she grows closer to Smitty, and they soon develop an intimate relationship. But as their relationship develops, Sam learns more about Smitty’s shady past, and his involvement in the local drug scene. As Smitty’s past finally catches up with him, Sam must make a difficult decision about their future together. Will she stay with Smitty as he faces the consequences of his previous misdemeanours? Or will she pack up her car again and start anew in the next town? Do Over, by author Juliet Rose, is a heart-warming novel about a young woman’s struggle with self-acceptance and undiagnosed mental illness. Sam makes a terrible error of judgement and betrays her best friend. She is riddled with guilt and unable to move on from her mistake. She sees her only option is to pack up and leave town, and start over again. But before she can move on with her life, and accept the love she deserves from Smitty, she must face her own demons. This is an authentic, well written and easy to read novel, with likeable and relatable characters, and an intriguing plot. The book deals with issues of mental illness, crime, and drug addiction, that many readers will relate to, and empathise with. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An authentic, well written and heart-warming novel about a young woman’s struggle with self-acceptance and undiagnosed mental illness. Purchase here

< Back Ashley Wall The Day I Had a Dinosaur Luke and his friends have the best-osaurus day ever. Luke is playing in the garden with his dog, Bobo, when the ground starts to shake. He spins around and finds a real-life Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex) in his garden. Luke and the T-Rex become instant buddies. But when the ground starts to rumble, Luke discovers his friend, Noah, riding a Brachiosaurus. Luke and Noah take their new dinosaur pals to the park, but the dinosaurs are way too big to enjoy the playground. So, they make their own playground instead, climbing up and sliding down their new dinosaur friends. They hear a roar, and their friends Emma and Mikey join in the fun riding their own dinosaurs, a Triceratops and a Pterodactyl. The friends decide to play hide and seek in the park, and soon realise it is not so easy to hide a dinosaur! They play fetch with the dinosaurs, using dinosaur sized tree stumps instead of sticks, they play basketball and baseball, and they even take part in a little dino-yoga – adapting each activity to make sure even the biggest dinosaurs can take part. The Day I Had a Dinosaur is an illustrated picture by author Ashley Wall about a young boy and his friends, who meet a bunch of dinosaurs and have the best-osaurus day ever, playing in the park. This is a delightful and fun picture book, featuring some of the most popular and famous dinosaurs in the dinosaur family. The illustrations are bright and playful, and the characters are charming. I liked the diversity of the characters and the adaptation of the activities, so all dinosaurs could take part. Perfect for young children who love dinosaurs and enjoy imaginative storytelling. Young people love dinosaurs, and they will laugh out loud at this dinosaur filled playground adventure. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A laugh-out-loud, fun-filled playground adventure, with a dino-sized twist. Purchase here

< Back Andrea Antico The Books That You'll Read with Leo the Lion, Your Library Guide Leo the Lion is a library guide, who will help young readers discover the wonder of stories and books. Leo takes readers on a tour of the library, and introduces readers to a wide range of books, children’s authors and their famous characters. Leo explains different types of books (including e-readers), how to borrow a book, and how to avoid a fine! He also helps children explore mobile library services (book bikes, bookmobiles). But there is much more to do in a library than borrowing books, children can also use laptops, find resources, use the space to do homework, and take part in activities, such as story time. The Books That You'll Read with Leo the Lion (Your Library Guide) is a cheerful and engaging picture book, written in rhyme, by Andrea Antico. This delightful book introduces young readers to Leo the Lion, a wise and gentle lion who serves as an informative library guide. If you ever wondered what happens inside a library, or just need a friendly face to show you around, look no further than Leo the Lion. The storytelling is engaging and informative, with illustrations that are bright and colourful. Leo is a loveable character who makes the library feel welcoming and exciting, especially for children who might be visiting the library for the first time. Perfect for pre-school readers, or prior to a first library visit, this book will help young readers develop a life-long love of reading. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A fun and friendly resource for young children, to help them navigate the wonder of libraries and discover the joy of books. Purchase here

< Back Kafilat Shobajo All The Things I Can Be A young girl named Kofo has big dreams. It is ‘Career Day’ at school and a young girl named Kofo is thinking about all the wonderful and amazing careers she could have when she grows up. Her parents have taught her the importance of education and she knows that she will have to work hard in any career. Her parents have also taught her the importance of self-belief, and everyday Kofo repeats positive affirmations to remind herself just how smart and strong she is, and that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. She could be a teacher, a lawyer, a nurse or doctor, an architect, a farmer, or a plumber, and many, many more things. With hard work and determination, she could even be the first woman President of her country one day. All The Things I Can Be is an illustrated picture book by Kafilat Shobajo about a young girl who explores all the potential career options available to her. There are no limitations to her ambitions. She is strong and positive, and knows with hard work and determination, she will achieve her dreams. This is an engaging, positive and powerful picture book for young readers. It will inspire readers to think about a variety of different career options, the importance of those careers, and the benefits they bring. It will encourage young readers to think beyond typical gender-based careers and consider all opportunities. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations, the diversity of the characters and the images of Kofo in different roles. The book has a positive message for both girls and boys, and will inspire young readers to follow their dreams. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A delightful picture book about a young girl and the endless career options available to her. Purchase here

< Back E.M. Schorb FIVE AND TEN, A Fairy Tale, a Few Poems, and a Fable Five and Ten, A Fairy Tale, a Few Poems, and a Fable is a collection of previously published stories and poems by author E.M. Schorb. The stories and poems are accompanied by a small number of sweet, hand drawn, illustrations by the authors’ daughters. The first story is a traditional fairy-tale called The Golden Squirrel about the Czar of Russia who asked his magician to perform a magic poem to turn his son, Prince Leo, into a golden squirrel. By turning his son into a squirrel, he hoped to bring him home from China in secret, and to protect him from being stolen by his enemies. Prince Leo, in the guise of a little squirrel, faces a perilous journey back to Russia, where he comes face to face with his fathers’ enemies, and a great white bear. The collection includes six sweet and funny, cleverly crafted poems, The Ghost Shop, The Riddle of the Clock, Monsieur Elan, Instant Angels, The Squid, Sock Puppets Song, The Horrid Truth, and The Rubber Church. My particular favourite from this collection is, It Must Have Been the Angels, which beautifully describes the wonder of nature and humankind. This is a beautiful collection of traditional poems and stories, reminiscent of a time gone by. Reading this book, I was taken back to my own childhood, sitting on my grandmother’s knee, whilst she read poetry. I hope young readers will get to experience the same joy and wonder whilst sharing this book with their loved ones. The book will appeal to readers who enjoy poetry and those who enjoy classic fables and fairy tales. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A wonderful, sentimental collection of poems, fables and fairy tales that will be treasured by readers forever. Purchase here

< Back Heather Mateus Sappenfield The River Between Hearts A young girls’ American Dream is thwarted when her family is deported, by author Heather Mateus Sappenfield Ten-year-old Rill Kruse reluctantly follows her cat to Fort Kruse, the tree house built by her father. Fort Kruse is a special place for Rill and the Kruse family, but she hasn’t visited since her father went missing over a year ago, following a kayaking accident on the Colorado river. Krill refuses to accept her father is gone, and believes he is lost somewhere down the river and will return home safely one day. As she enters the tree house, Krill is surprised to see a young girl, about the same age as her, hiding out in the tree house. She recognises the girl, but when she tries to approach her, the girl runs away. Rill eventually catches up with the girl, and learns her name is Perla. Perla is a Mexican immigrant, whose family have been caught by immigration services, taken into custody, and sent back to Mexico. Rill befriends Perla and allows Perla to hide out in the tree house. She brings her clothing, a sleeping bag, and food to eat, and helps her to write a letter to her family in Mexico. The two girls become good friends and Rill learns more about Perla’s family, their difficult life in Mexico, and their treacherous journey to the United States. As Rill comforts Perla, she starts to think about the loss of her own father, and slowly begins to accept that he will never return home. The River Between Hearts is a heartfelt, emotional novel for middle grade readers about two young girls, from different countries and different cultures, who share similar experiences of loss and grief. Despite their cultural differences, and some language barriers, the girls realise they share many things in common, and develop a close friendship. The book deals with difficult socio-political issues, such as death, illegal immigration, deportation and discrimination, in a way that young people will understand and relate to. Whilst the book deals with difficult issues, it is a wonderful story of love, friendship, compassion, hope and courage. A great novel for middle grade readers, but would also appeal to teens and adults alike. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A heartfelt, emotional novel for middle grade readers about two young girls who find a connection through unimaginable loss. Purchase here