Books
The Dragon Wakes : Sarah Dalton
A world built on the tales of dragon kings. Powerful brothers at war. An orphan girl sold as a bride.
Long ago, the Kingdom of Estala was a place of dragons and sorcerers. Those with magical powers were more than human, they were Menti. But now Menti sorcery is outlawed by the capricious king, and those who wield it are hunted down by the fanatical Order of Insight to be made into slaves, or worse, executed.
Two young heroes find themselves unwillingly thrown into the centre of these uncertain times.
Prince Luca, King Davead’s second son, has always been the sickliest of the royal children, but in a shocking turn of events, Luca finds himself at the heart of a magical power so great it may consume him forever. If he fails to control those powers, he could be put to death by his own father.
Reva Avalon grew up believing she would marry her childhood friend, Prince Luca. But after she is orphaned in the Menti uprising, the King of Estala sells her to his most feared general instead. Young and frightened, but still strong-willed, Reva must survive a harsh new life away from the palace.
And in the realm rebellion looms, as do the return of the mighty dragon shifters. Some long for the return of the dragons…others fear it will be the end of the world as it is known.
Book Links
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon UK
On Amazon
Teaching English in Japan : Vedran Markovic
Based off Objectivism, the philosophy of Ayn Rand, this short but concise book explores the problems faced when teaching English as a secondary language in Japan, alongside examination of its culture, a new and radical way to approach teaching, and brief, practical examples to help improve your craft and hopefully inspire interesting activities.
If you have interest in Objectivist thinking and how it is applied practically, this book may be of interest to you and may even push you into reading more about philosophy, particularly epistemology. It is designed to be easy reading for an educated reader and avoids the confusion that reading philosophy can sometimes bring along with it.
Book Links
Blog
Facebook
Linkedin
On Amazon
Fire in the Mountain : Lily Ennis
Set against the backdrop of an erupting volcano in New Zealand’s North Island, Lana wrestles with her recent grief, for survival on the mountain and her future with a man whose past she was once part of. Woven through her narrative is Alfred’s story and the theft of war medals, and which Lana finds herself enmeshed in, further threatening her life.
Follow Lana as she tries to extricate herself from not only the mountain but her past.
Lana returned to New Zealand after the tragic death of her husband, Yuri. Both were musicians. Too painful to continue without him, she finds solace in her old school friend, Sarah, who inspires her to stay and take up geology. She settles into her new life and new love until she unexpectedly reunites with Paul, her first love. With that, she is thrown into turmoil as she tries to reconcile the girl she once was with the woman she became.
Paul travelled the world studying volcanoes, devoting little time to his marriage, but he came home to study Mt Ruapehu’s lahar. His love for Lana never died and when he learns of her whereabouts he engineers himself back into her life. Every day of his life Alfred tried not to think of his years spent in prison camps. Then some medals are stolen and he is inextricably thrown back to Monte Cassino. But as he follows the search for the medals he is pleased to add some excitement to his sedate retirement years until it comes at a cost, first to Lana and Paul, and then himself.
Seaton’s War, by Lily Ennis, is also on Whizbuzz Books.
Book Links
Website
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon
The Lost Legionnaires : Tabris Lockhart
The Blood Sky Incident… An event known the world over as the day the skies over the world turned as red as blood and brought forth ten legions of demons and ten legions of angels into the world of man.
Wasting little time, the demons entering the world quickly attempted to blend in with humanity while the angels who entered the world went out of their way to stand out and immediately declare that they are here to save humanity. They enter into an agreement with the Vatican to quickly make the world of man as inhospitable as possible in order to drive the demons who entered the world with them into hiding.
However, there are some slender rays of hope.
World-renowned demonologist Prof. Edward Oswald has had extensive dealings with a myriad of demons throughout his life and knows the true character of the members of the Infernal Legions. Ed quickly steps up to become the demons’ staunchest ally and advocate, openly condemning the blatant discrimination the demons find themselves facing at the hands of the angels by suggesting that humanity give demons the chance to demonstrate their character.
Meanwhile, Ed’s best friend, Dexter Grimes, a quiet, unassuming, and highly intelligent individual, finds himself doing exactly that when he unexpectedly becomes the apple of a female demon’s eye. Janyse, the female demon in question, finds Dex irresistible thanks largely to his mild and gentle disposition. Dex, on the other hand, finds himself being won over by Janyse’s affectionate nature and vivacious personality, despite having his world turned upside down in the process. Sadly, not everyone approves.
Cassiel of Avalon, an angel who is bitter enemies with Janyse, quickly discovers the pairing and wastes little time launching a campaign to drive the pair apart for the sole purpose of crushing Janyse. Once Cassiel’s campaign is underway, Dex finds himself caught in a world he does not understand and, the more he struggles to comprehend it, the more the illusions he has always been told begin to crumble, enabling him to see things as they truly are.
Thus, begins the tale of The Lost Legionnaires.
Book Links
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon
The Grand Getaway : Frank O’Keeffe
Danny, a homeless recovering alcoholic, is mourning the death of his best friend, Pete. Cold and despondent, Danny wanders into Cavandish, a long-term care home in Calgary, Alberta. There he is befriended by Charlie, a cantankerous resident who convinces him to stay under the guise of a new resident and roommate. Danny is introduced to Charlie’s two best friends: Betty, a feisty senior who is more than happy to assist in the deception, and Caroline, who suffers from dementia.
After several weeks spent residing in Cavandish as an imposter, Danny helps his new friends organize a day trip to the zoo on their own. Bouyed by their success and newfound sense of freedom, they set their sights on a bigger adventure. Inspired by Betty’s dream of returning to see the Grand Canyon before she dies, a plan to escape from Cavandish is hatched. Under the cover of night, road trip supplies are liberated from the care home and the foursome make their getaway.
With very little money, no passports and not even a legal driver’s license, their first obstacle will be to find a way to cross the U.S. border. Standing in their way is a cast of characters – bizarre, comical, and outlandish, any of whom could help or hinder the fulfillment of Betty’s dream. This laugh-out-loud funny, yet touching novel is a trip you won’t want to miss.
Woodbine by Frank O’Keeffe is also on Whizbuzz Books.
Book Links
Facebook
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon
Benjamin Street : Rick J Barrett
Why would a wealthy 74-year-old man want to renovate a dilapidated apartment building in the poor area of the crime-ridden area of Pontiac?
Jack Bartlett is driven by memories—both wonderful and horrendous from his tenure there in 1943. As thoughts of retirement haunt him, inner demons make resurrection of the tired building a priority.
The thoughts of reliving that time during World War II rejuvenate him. In a coming of age journey, he recalls the three friends in the building that helped define him and his values. Their antics and experiences are firmly rooted in his mind.
Book Links
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon
Just Ask the Universe : Michael Samuels
A No-Nonsense Guide to Manifesting your Dreams
Just Ask the Universe is not a book of New Age gobbledygook filled with empty promises. Angels won’t fly from above and touch you while you’re reading. You will not be asked to practice unusual or tedious rituals. There will be no preaching or sage advice and there will most certainly be no channeling of your inner chakras or dressing like Friar Tuck.
Just Ask the Universe is a realistic guide to personal development. By creating a blueprint for self-growth and commanding your subconscious mind, the Universe will manifest all your dreams.
For over two decades, Michael Samuels has studied and methodically tested hundreds of books on self-improvement, spirituality, and the metaphysical.
Just Ask the Universe accumulates the wisdom from “thought teachers” like: Wallace Wattles, Anthony Robbins, Rhonda Byrne, Joseph Murphy, Robert Collier, and Napoleon Hill, and compiles it under one unified lesson: if your thoughts are clear and in harmony with your mind and the truth of your surroundings, your life can be filled with all the richness the Universe has to offer. As a culmination from these teachings, Michael will show you how to use simple and fun techniques to create a more desirable future. This approach, coupled with real-life stories, will teach you how to achieve personal power to overcome any barrier.
Regardless of what your present circumstances might be, by following the principles in this book, you will be able to gain power over your destiny. The Universe is listening. All you have to do is just ask.
Book Links
Website
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon
Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island : Michael Phillip Cash
Paul Russo’s wife just died. While trying to get his family’s life back in order, Paul is being tormented by a demon who is holding his wife’s spirit hostage on the other side.
His fate is intertwined with an old haunted mansion on the north shore of Long Island called Stillwell Manor.
Paul must find clues dating back hundreds of years to set his wife’s soul free.
Book Links
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon
Bulwark : Brit Lunden
Clay Finnes is the sheriff of a small town in Georgia called Bulwark. Recently separated from his wife, all he can think about is what went wrong, and will Jenna ever come back to him.
He’s troubled by a bothersome reporter trying to build a story from what he thinks is a normal day in his life.
Clay has to admit that with the fantastical stories told by an accident victim, as well as unusual sightings of wolves, things are getting a bit strange.
A visit to the ominous Gingerbread House makes him realize that his life as he knows it will never be the same.
Book Links
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon
Monsterland : Michael Okon
Welcome to Monsterland—the scariest place on Earth.
Wyatt Baldwin’s senior year is not going well. His parents divorce, then his dad mysteriously dies. He’s not exactly comfortable with his new stepfather, Carter White, either. An ongoing debate with his best friends Melvin and Howard Drucker over which monster is superior has gotten stale. He’d much rather spend his days with beautiful and popular Jade. However, she’s dating the brash high-school quarterback Nolan, and Wyatt thinks he doesn’t stand a chance.
But everything changes when Wyatt and his friends are invited to attend the grand opening of Monsterland, a groundbreaking theme park where guests can interact with vampires in Vampire Village, be chased by werewolves on the River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville.
With real werewolves, vampires and zombies as the main attractions, what could possibly go wrong?
Book Links
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Amazon Author Page
On Amazon