๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Aubrey and Owl Adventures ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Keith and Zekie Huggins โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Keith and Zekie Hugginsโ “Aubrey and Owl Adventures” offers an engaging collection of stories, perfect for young readers. The bookโs main characters, Aubrey and his trusty companion Owl, bring excitement to every page.
In the story “The Robbers,” Aubrey, tired of routine life at home and school, decides to explore with Owl. Armed with his dadโs old camera, they set off on an adventure. The next day Aubrey learnt that a local shop had been robbed. Could Aubreyโs photos hold clues to help solve the mystery?
Another thrilling tale, “The Haunted House,” follows the pair as they venture into a mysterious, abandoned building. Determined to capture proof of the supernatural, Aubrey and Owl set out to investigate. Will their photos reveal anything eerie?
Reading these stories to my nephews was a delightโthey were completely captivated by the adventures. The author has a knack for storytelling that keeps kids engaged. The cover art is appealing, and the title suits the content perfectly. I look forward to reading more from Keith Huggins and recommend this book for children looking for fun, adventurous tales.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: The Pendragon Tea Rooms ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Melody R. Green โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “The Pendragon Tea Rooms” penned by the author Melody R. Green is the third installment in “Maggie McCready’s Travelling Tarot Adventures” book series. The main character of the story is Maggie. She is a tarot reader and a light warrior. Maggie hoped for a partner, a husband and children. She didn’t receive anything from Nigel. After wasting seven years of her life with him, she moved on.
Finlay MacLeod was in an accident and went into a coma for six weeks. He had a short-term memory loss.
Archangel Michael is concerned as Phineas, the Dark Angel of Chaos has disappeared. Phineas loves Maggie. The role of Dark Angel of Chaos was forced upon Phineas and therefore he left. Archangel Michael was supposed to protect Maggie but he couldn’t warn her of any problems she may face.
Pendragon, Dragon High King of the Isles of Britannia informed Maggie about the mission. He requested Maggie to travel to Stonehenge and Glastonbury so they could save the Dragon Queen of Avalon. How Maggie will feel to know that Archangel Michael can’t accompany him on this mission.
This is a gripping story and made me curious to read the other books in the series too. The writing style of the author is nice and the narration is smooth. The characters are written well by the author. There are no dull moments in the book and it is well paced. I had a great time reading it.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Lost Inheritance ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Obert Holl โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Lost Inheritance is a family bio spanning 5 generations. William Holl the Elder was born in 1771. He was an engraver engaged in engraving Corbouldโs drawings of the antique marbles in the British Museum. William married Mary Ravenscroft, and they had four sons. During the Spa Fields Riots, he exposed himself to great risk by hiding the ringleader, Watson.
William Holl the Younger was the son of William Holl the Elder. Out of his nine children, the youngest was Harry Patrick Holl aka Pat. As Pat was his father’s only surviving son, most of the family treasures were handed down to him. Because of the relative shortage of white women, Pat married a black woman named uMsoli Mkwananzi. They became parents to four coloured children. Years later, Pat met a young widow named Genevieve Paula Bailley Blazina. She had a baby son named Renรฉ. Pat married her and took her on honeymoon to England.
Hello sent uMsoli to her village. uMsoli then left Intuta village to get married and moved to live in Avoca. She left her children behind. Because of their mother’s decision to leave her children behind, the kids lost their inheritance from their father. Pat’s black children suffered and thought if they would have been white, Pat wouldn’t have hated them.
This is a unique story. Those who enjoy reading memoirs with historical and political context should get their hands on this book. The title of the book is suitable. The author has shared great insights about Zimbabwe’s colonial and post-colonial land reforms.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. I am a serving paramedic. I love my job being able to make a difference in people’s lives I have 2 small children. They’re my world . I used to be in the military for many years. I survived travelling to Afghanistan and Iraq and gained my medals from this.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Silent Sirens”?
A2. I wanted to share with people. My story and were not invisible. We all struggle but there’s always a better way.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. My inspiration is my partner shes a published author on teen books and inspired me to write.
Q4. Whatโs your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. My favourite spot is Wales as peace and quiet make me much more relaxed.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Silent Sirens’?
A5. I was inspired and I was just out of a horrible time and felt people should know the power and endurance that is expected of us.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Silent Sirens’?
A6. It took me 2 weeks to write. I was up at 3 am writing, during work time and whenever I had time. I needed to finish it before I lost the courage.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Can find paperback, hardback. E book is free
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Silent Sirens’?
A8. I came up with Silent Sirens as siren means danger or something imminent. So this emergency siren happening to Joe is totally silent but still dangerous.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. It’s a mixture of funny stories to the most serious with a focus on mental health and support available.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Short Stories ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Chris McDonald and Clifford L Crenshaw โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “Short Stories” penned by the authors Chris McDonald and Clifford L Crenshaw is a gripping read.
“A Fateful Visit” is a story about Caturday and Feather. Feather was the expert of Who-Mans worldwide. She wanted to raise awareness about poor little creatures. Caturday offered a partnership opportunity which Feather gladly accepted. They formed the amazing Caturdayโs Cafe and Who-Man Adoption Center! Read this story to know will their business be successful.
“Peete meets Pierre” is another short story about Peete who arrived at Van Grow Culinary College in Amsterdam. By looking at Peete, others were wondering where this knucklehead had come from. Pierre realized that Peete was hurt and befriended him. This story teaches us to be welcoming to new people.
The stories are gripping and easy to follow. The narration is smooth and strong. One can enjoy a couple of stories in a single sitting. These stories pulled me inside the fictional world. The writing style of the authors is amazing. Those who are looking for an escape from their monotonous life should dive into this book and read adventurous stories. I am delighted to read this book and would like to recommend it to short stories lovers.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. Karma and Kismet with Michael Shandler Award-winning, multi-published author, life coach, and organization development consultant Dr. Michael Shandler has spent the better part of the last forty years coaching individuals in their psycho-spiritual development and well-being. Growing up in a dysfunctional family during the apartheid era in South Africa, Michael spent most of his childhood and teen years surrounded by conflict, abuse, and guilt. Filled with poor self-esteem and serious psychological damage, Michael reached adulthood, lost with no real sense of meaning or purpose. Setting out on a transformational personal journey that would span over the next 15 years and across many continents, Michael experienced life through many cultures, lifestyles, and settings that eventually helped him discover a deep meaning of place and purpose, earn him a masterโs and a doctorate, and eventually help him find a sense of home with the love of his life. Now, in his new book โKarma and Kismet: A Spiritual Quest Across Continents, Cultures and Consciousness,โ Michael shares his journey in this heartfelt memoir about overcoming bad karma and the role of kismet, or fate, and how it shapes your life and destiny.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Karma and Kismet”?
A2. Since Karma & Kismet is a memoir, challenges arose regarding content to be included and/or excluded. I worked to an algorithm that helped make the necessary choices of inclusion in terms of how they furthered the story. Because it is such a deeply personal book, writing about difficult scenes and episodes meant being scrupulously โcleanโ
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. Bryce Courtney โ The Power of One, Rian Malan โ My Traitors Heart, Aldous Huxley, The Doors of Perception,
Q4. Whatโs your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. Cape Town and the Western Cape Province in South Africa where I was born and spent the first twenty years of my life. It is arguably one of the most dramatic geographical areas on the planet. I donโt live there anymore, but I like to return to the southerly tip of Africa from time to time.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Karma and Kismet’?
A5. The stories in Karma & Kismet have been with me my entire life. Only when I reached a ripe old age did I have the perspective necessary to understand what had happened. I knew that some remarkable things occurred, but it took a lifetime (now pushing eighty) to gain perspective and write about it.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Karma and Kismet’?
A6. About eight to ten years
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Amazon, B& N, BAM
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Karma and Kismet’?
A8. The manuscript was completed before the cover was designed by Suzanne Bradshaw, a designer at my publisher โ Koehler Books. The bookโs structure โ Part One โ โKarmaโ covers the challenging karma of my childhood and youth. Part Two โ โSeekingโ details the internal and external journey undertaken in search of belonging and reconciliation with my painful past. Part Three โ โKismetโ- shows how the negative karma of my youth was transmuted and transformed by fate or the unseen hand of God, including the miraculous reconciliation with my abusive father and my finding love and belonging.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. I strived to be completely present in my writing sessions, to be patient, to write and rewrite until I was satisfied, and writing in the present tense, except for flashbacks.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice youโve been given about writing?
A10. Be true to yourself. Write honestly even when it is embarrassing or challenging in some way โ trust the truth as the ultimate arbiter.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Be The Weight Behind The Spear ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Dr. Josh McConkey โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Through this book, the author is inspiring Americans to be a part of something that is making a difference. People can use their available resources for the betterment and development of those around them.
The author encourages us to support the youth of the nation so they can make a change. The author has also shared some examples of how to NOT be the weight behind America’s spear. He has highlighted the importance of integrity. Josh has shared his work as an emergency doctor and how it made him have a profound respect for life.
Our services and the examples we set become the building blocks of our community and they become the weight behind the spear for the generations of Americans to come!
This is an eye-opening book. Before reading this, I hadn’t realized how important our role is in shaping America’s future leaders. By supporting the youth, we can make a positive impact on our national security. This is a well written book. I am grateful to the author for sharing his experiences with us. After reading this book, I am inspired to support others so I can be the weight behind the spear.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Silent Sirens ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Forbes Johnson โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Forbes Johnson’s novel โSilent Sirensโ is a compelling exploration of life behind the scenes in emergency services. This story provides an intimate look into the emotional and psychological toll on those who work in high-stress environments. The protagonist, Joe Gibson, is a fifty-year-old paramedic living in London.
Though the demands of his job are immense, Joe and his team often find humor amid the chaos. Joe is aware that every call holds a potential for an emergency so he is fully committed to providing the best care possible. However, the weight of each call takes its toll, leaving invisible scars. His military background has helped shape his perspective, giving him a strong sense of duty. For Joe, the ambulance service became a lifeline after his military career, offering him a renewed sense of purpose.
Yet with each traumatic call, Joe is drawn deeper into a dark mental space he refers to as “the black.” His desire to be a reliable paramedic is being overshadowed by the growing weight of “the black,” which becomes increasingly dangerous with time. Will Joe find a way to balance his dedication to saving others and the need to save himself?
This thought-provoking novel sheds light on the hidden struggles paramedics face. Johnson masterfully conveys the emotional strength required in this profession. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those in emergency services. Itโs a powerful reminder of the resilience and vulnerability of those on the front lines.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: JAKE – Don’t Look Back ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Barbara Eckhoff โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “JAKE – Don’t Look Back” by Barbara Eckhoff is a thrilling novel with an engaging storyline. The protagonist, Savannah Lanier, is tasked by her employer, Raymond Blackborne, to travel to Washington and recruit Jake Forester, the head of Guardian Angels.
Raymond’s company, Poole & Blackborne Drills, has been plagued by mysterious accidents, and he seeks Jake’s expertise to ensure his safety. Although Jake and Raymond share a complicated history, Raymond knows Jake is the best for the job. Initially, Jake declines Savannah’s offer, but after a personal meeting with Raymond and receiving a cryptic warning letter, he reconsiders. Blackborne told Jake that they get quite a few aggressive letters a year. Jake agreed to work alone on the case. Savannah has to convince him as she wants to work on this case too.
The story keeps readers on edge as they follow Jake’s journey and his dynamic with Savannah. Will Jake be able to handle the dangers ahead and form a solid partnership with Savannah?
This novel is packed with suspense, and I found it impossible to stop reading. The unpredictable twists and expertly crafted characters, especially Jake and Savannah, kept me captivated until the end. Barbara Eckhoff’s writing is sharp and compelling, making for a fast-paced and enjoyable read without any slow moments.
Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
A1. I am Molly Arbuthnott and I write. I write poems and stories. They convey more than just my observations of life. They are a way I share hopes, dreams, wishesโฆ everything really. I have written hundreds of poems and published twelve picture books. I like to think that three books are the equivalent of one child so technically I have four children!
What is the inspiration behind your book “Oscar the Ferry Catโ?
A2. We lost our cat on the ferry. I was feeling a bit lost in London myself at the time so decided to write a story conveying a sense of belonging and hope centred around our cat.
When did you realize you want to be an author?
A3. I donโt and I am not sure I really am. I just find it is an enjoyable way to pass time and it brings amazing people into my life too. It is a way I can observe the world and share and give. I love what I do and feel happy every hour of every day. I used to spend a lot of my life pining to be somewhere I wasnโt. This is not a very healthy way to be and so I can now imagine I am somewhere different sometimes through my stories and teach others about different places too.
Please tell us something about your book “Oscar the Ferry Cat”?
A4. It is a story about hope, the courage to try new things and always be open to new experiences and adventures and bringing new people into your life. It is easier to write about human experiences in animals because one is not restricted to a humanโs way of being; breakfast, work, lunch, tea, bed, marriage, children etc etc. It is very prescribed. Writing humans as animals gives one much more freedom.
For which age group is your book “Oscar the Ferry Cat” suitable for?
A5. I like to hope that the sign of a good book means that any age can enjoy it so I like to hope it is a book suitable for all age groups.
What is your favorite Quote?
A6. From my book โ โOscar thought for a while and then said โOk.โ Life- โI have that I might give.โ
What do you like the most about your country?
A7. The traditions- the dancing, the food and the multi-cultural environment.
What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
A8. Donโt force it. It will come naturally if it is supposed to. Do not feel you need to progress on from picture books to chapter books in order to be a โgood readerโ either. So much can be learnt from reading a picture book. I think the reading progression we teach in our Schools is so wrong for this. It encourages children to not really concentrate on what they are reading, just get though it so they can get onto the next book which is so wrong, I think. It is much better to inspire a โlove of readingโ whatever it is in a young child as this will stand them in very good stead for the future.
What does literary success look like to you?
A9. Encouraging someone to read a book who maybe wouldnโt otherwise and encouraging a different way of looking at the world.
Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?
My mother. We have a fairly up and down relationship; we are so similar you see. But she is one of the smartest women I know and she has always encouraged us all to follow our dreams and never give up and not worry too much about what other people think.. just do what is right for you.
Sassy Reviews 