Africanism

Africanism is a story by author Patricia Bamurangirwa. It is the true story of how Patrica emigrated from Africa and how she was able to create a new life for herself in the UK.

Patrica's aim in authoring this book is a creditable and noble one: She wishes to help instill in the younger generation of people the confidence in themselves and their country.

It's target audience is a broad one. People who are from ethnic minority backgrounds and those who have not had to face the unique problems that can impinge on the lives of people who are from such backgrounds.

It also aims to bring to the attention of readers the current situation in Africa, of the problems faced by ordinary Africans, whilst their nations are ruined by violence and corruption.

It's an interesting book and will be of interest to not only the layman and laywoman but also to academics who study African and ethnic minority interests.

It's a well-written, important and inspirational book.

It's published by Matador at £10.99 and could be an interesting Christmas present and can be ordered here https://goo.gl/wdCFDG.

White Windows

White Windows is an enchanting debut novel from author David Wallis.

It's a tale of mystery and magic about a family which is having trouble coping with the high-paced, modern world.

Their house seems to be under constant threat with mysterious break-ins and a variety of strange and mysterious events, including the loss of several chickens from the garden.

What is going on? Rita believes that the family home is being targeted by an army of thieves and bandits. But the police who investigate can find no evidence of any crimes.

But members of the family are beginning to act strangely, too! What is Gary up to? Why would he attack Rita? Why is there a talking gnome? And what ancient secret does the house harbour?

And who were the Little Tree People? And what were they doing at White Windows?

It's an interesting story for children and I am sure this is not the last we shall hear of White Windows.

Great story for reading with children and it's got to be on the Christmas list for Christmas 2017!

It's published by Matador at £6.99 and can be bought here https://goo.gl/wdCFDG.

Steal Big: Vatican City

Steal Big: Vatican City is a new crime novel from crime writer Sean O'Driscoll.

The Mastermind. Remember him? After a year of living a blissful existence with the woman of his dreams (as they say) he is back, refreshed and with a newer and even more audacious scheme.

He doesn't have to steal, not any longer. Not if he doesn't want to. But, what if he does want to? What if he now just wants to steal because he can? What if he will now steal just for fun?

So, his next step is to plan the biggest, most daring robbery since Captain Blood attempted to steal the Crown Jewels of England. The Mastermind aims to go one better and rob the Vatican City itself.

He makes his meticulous plans and sets them to work, ensnaring people inot his schemes, willingly or not.

However, all is not to go as The Mastermind might have desired. For it is a little known fact that the Inquisition is still in operation and takes a dim view of The Mastermind and his plans.

Plus there is the fact that, following the stalling of his career when he previously failed to capture The Mastermind, FBI agent Ben Fox is after The Mastermind with revenge in his heart.

But what exactly is there to steal at The Vatican? And how come The Pope doesn't know about some of the treasures that are hidden there? What dirty secrets are there to be uncovered?

And when the world finds out exactly what The Mastermind has done, how will it react? With anger and outrage, yes. But who will the anger and outrage be aimed at? The Mastermind, or will it be directed somewhere else?

It's an exciting crime novel where there are criminals. But they might not be exactly who you think they are.

It's suggested this book is inspired by Dan Brown. If only Dan Brown could write as well as Sean O'Driscoll!

It's published by Matador at £8.99 and has to be on your Christmas present list! You can buy it here
https://goo.gl/wdCFDG.

Without Walls

Without Walls is an interesting memoir from a very interesting figure.

Meet Nilton Toubkin, the founder of the Southbank International School.

His life, was happy though in rather straitened circumstances, when he was born in South Africa.

His life is like that of many people, facing and surmounting a variety of trials and tribulations.

The break-up of his parent's marriage, his mother's suicide attempt and the tragic death of his own daughter at the early age of 19 are some examples.

However, Milton Toubkin is known in the educational world for his creation and operation of the Southbank International School with a number of fellow educationalists.

Even though the school began its life in less than auspicious circumstances (no funding, no financial backing, for example) the school, under his guidance, was able to thrive and prosper, growing in a relatively short period of time into an important place of learning with an International reputation and a unique educational programme.

Milton also tells the story of his marriage to Marj and the joys of becoming a parent and grandparent.

It's an interesting biography and is very well illustrated with a large number of high quality images.

It is published in hardback by Matador at £15.99 and will make an ideal Christmas gift for the biography junkie in your life!

You can buy it here https://goo.gl/wdCFDG.

Where Peacocks scream

Where Peacocks Scream is a fantastic adventure novel for young adults set on a magical isle not far from the Riverside public house.

The story is told from the point of view of Daniel Williams who lives at the pub with his family.

The pub is connected by a bridge to a path of wild land called The Island. Daniel likes to consider The Island as his own, special domain. He is friends with Josh and Chloe, the daughter of the boatman.

He is also very keen on the peacocks and peahens that live at The Riverside.

The opening of the story is tinged with sadness for Cora, who is Daniel's favourite peahens, has died and Daniel decides that he will bury her on The Island, in secret.

During the summertime, whilst he is on the riverside, fishing, Daniel notices that he is being watch by a mysterious man who habitually wears a white cap. He is photographing Daniel.

It transpires that the man is called Frank Jasper and he turns up The Riverside pub to stay as a guest. Whilst there he begins to make Daniel's life very uncomfortable and miserable indeed.

But why? What is Frank Jasper up to? He brought peacock feathers inot the pub one night. Why did he do that?

Does Frank Jasper have evil designs on The Riverside pub and The Island? If so, what are his plans? Why does he thirst for revenge? And does Frank Jasper know things about the past?

And more to the point, can Daniel thwart his plans for revenge?

Valerie Mendez has done it again with this excellent mystery novel which will be a hit with both young and old.

There are also some interesting subplots and not everyone close to Daniel might be entirely as they seem.

It's an ideal Christmas gift and at £8.99 from the Book Guild, it's worth every penny!

You can buy it here https://goo.gl/wdCFDG.

Love Never Fails

In his non-fiction book, former nurse Don Snuggs makes an interesting and very compelling account of his experiences as a sole carer.

When he reached 75 years of age, Don Snuggs married a woman who had a progressive medical condition.

She needed a wheelchair to help her get around and requires some assistance with day-to-day tasks and jobs.

Don relates how they were able to cope with life as newlyweds who faced the challenges of their particular lifestyle within the constraints of the health concerns that they lived with.

This book is a well-written account of the triumphs and tragedies  (to coin a phrase!) of the failures and successes.

He also raises the important fact (sometimes unacknowledged by society)  of the sheer dedication and selflessness required of a sole carer.

By now Don is 85 and still caring for his wife. During that time he has come into contact with a number of providers of assistance and support, but unfortunately, some of these encounters have been neither pleasant or positive.

However, Don is taking the time to bring the story of himself and his wife Sandi to the fore so that other sole carers can become aware that they are not alone and that, as Don puts it so well: "love never fails."

This book is published by Matador at £9.99 and should be required reading of everyone in the care industry, who is a sole carer or who has a relative who is a sole carer.

You can buy this book here https://goo.gl/wdCFDG.

The Last Squadron

The Last Squadron is a Science Fiction novel set not in the far, distant future, but in the near future.

It's 15 years into our future and the world has generated into a messy globe polarised entirely on religious and ethnic lines. Regional wars have rumbled on for the last 35 years.

97 members of an Allied 9th Mountain Squadron are departing the Northern War Front for a much deserved period of leave.

However, they are shot down over the wilderness of the Nordic fastness.

The survivors have no way of communicating with anyone so they are left to their own devices and, under the guidance and leadership of Natasha Kovalsky and the squadron commander, Major Alexander Burton, they manage to escape the icy wilderness.

But when they reach civilisation, they find that there is now no such thing as civilisation. In their enforced absence, a genetically modified and weaponised viral attack has wiped out the human race.

The world that they knew, flawed though it might have been, has ceased to exist.

This is a stunning debut novel, it grabs a hold of you and refuses to let go. It's clear that the author, Dan Jayson has a military background as he uses his knowledge and experience to bring a nobel that is not only exciting but technically right, too.

Although it is Science Fiction it is of broad interest to all overs of good adventure yarns and I can highly recommend this novel to anyone.

It's from Matador and costs a very reasonable £7.99 and will be a fantastic stocking filler this Christmas. You can order your copy here https://goo.gl/wdCFDG.