Hey Dog! Sniffs Are For Feet!

Hey Dog! Sniffs Are For Feet! is the companion to Hey Dog! Let's Talk!

Hey Dog! Sniffs Are For Feet! is aimed specifically at parents and its intention is to help dog owners deal with the potential problems that might occur when a small child is introduced to a home with a dog, or when a dog is introduced into a home with a small child.

It takes a simpler approach to the subject matter and is not, thankfully, over-long. It gives you the information that you need as quickly and as succinctly as possible.

It's broken down into four chapters which are sub-divided into several section.

It starts at the beginning dealing with the pregnancy, then moving to the arrival of baby, how to deal with a toddler in the house and then, finally, to the growing child.

It deals with vital topics of safety in the home and raising your children to show respect, kindness and consideration to the dog members of the family. The book's author, Wendy Keefer, emphasises that dog owners must always remember that the dog has needs, too.

It uses a gentle, caring humorous writing style, assisted by some nice cartoons by Sarah Hobbs.

It's published by the Book Guild at £7.99 and will be an ideal Christmas present for people who have to act as dog and toddler wranglers!

Wendy Keefer is a qualified expert in companion animal behaviour and training.

The Mystery of Martha

The Mystery of Martha is a debut novel from Eliza Harrison. It's a spiritual fiction that deals with the two stories of two Marthas, who are separated by 2,000 years.

There is the story of Martha from Bethany in 31 AD who was a witness over the last three years of the life of Yeshua (Jesus) who inspired her own life and her journey to spiritual enlightenment.

It is also the story of another Martha who is from the English Lake District in 2000 AD who learns of the hidden, mystical teachings of Yeshua, which offers this Martha a pathway to self-realisation and self-awareness.

Eliza Harrison does not ignore the 2,000 year gap between the two Marthas, she actually uses it, in a way, draws a clear parallel between the two women, using them to illustrate that although each person is unique, that we are all seeking for truth and real purpose in our lives.

It's an interesting novel that is moving, inspirational and nurturing.

I believe it will make a fine Christmas present for those who are seeking enlightenment.

It's published by Mstador at £9.99.

Vladimir's Diary

Vladimir's Diary is a novel by Martin M. McShane.

It explores a "what if?" scenario. What if Stalin had kept his nerve at Potsdam? What if, when Nazi Germany was finally beaten and Hitler dead, Stalin had turned on his Allies and ordered the Red Army to sweep over an already war-ravaged Europe?

In this gripping novel country after country topple under the might of the forces of the CCCP and American attempts to seek a diplomatic solution bring about dire consequences for the inhabitants of the defeated countries of Europe.

But now, at the dawn of the 21st century, the bloated Soviet Union is beginning to fall to pieces, bringing about terrible fear and unrest for its two billion subjects.

The economy tanks, causing the Soviet Empire to fall backwards toward the Dark Ages. How does the Central Committee wish to restore order out of chaos? By bringing terror and abject fear to all citizens.

But they had not counted on the uprising of a group of young freedom fighters who would risk their all, their lives, in order to rescue their country from such a dire fate.

But can they possibly succeed against their powerful enemies, and the personal ambitions and desires for riches and power from some people, perhaps even within their own ranks?

And how, exactly, would the government deal with its pressing economic problems?

This is a very chilling book, all the more so because it could well have happened.

It's published by The Book Guild at £8.99.

The Rooks Die Screaming

The Rooks Die Screaming is a new Inspector Edwards mystery from Clive Tuckett.

It's Bodmin, Cornwall, in 1921. And people are dying. More specifically the people who are dying are members of a mysterious and secret organisation called The Nest of Rooks.

They are being murdered with efficiency and dispatch, but if they are members of a secret society, who know them enough to be able to kill them? And why are they being killed?

Who is after Harry Frobisher and his bride? Why are they having to enter into a game of survival? Can his past being catching up with him?

What is the significance of the rooks? How does poison figure in this mysterious case?

Who is really the threat to Harry Frobisher? And can Inspector Edwards work out who is behind the murders and can he thwart them and bring them to justice?

This is a fine period detective novel and will be turning up in the Christmas stockings of many mystery fans.

It's published by the Book Guild at £9.99

Life's a Banquet

Life's a Banquet is a guide book for your life. The author, Robin Bennett, reveals the techniques that are useful for helping us negotiate our pathway through life. Family life, education, relationships, business life, marriage and even failure and rejection.

At age 21 Robin had his life mapped out for him. He was going to be an officer in the cavalry. But well before his 22nd birthday he found himself working as a grave digger's assistant in South London wondering how everything had all gone so drastically wrong?

But he decided that he wasn't going to take this lying down. He was determined to turn his fortunes around and, at age 23, he founded the Bennett Group and ever since that early success he has gone on to create in excess of a dozen successful business enterprises, in a wide variety of different fields, including home tuition, something to do with cigars, translation and dog sitting. In fact in his book's prologue which contains ten highly valuable helpful Life Tips (worth the purchase price of the book, it must be noted) is a PS "Always be kind to animals... It is the truest measure of a person."

From growing up in Reading (it was fairly grim at the time) to being inadvertently marooned on an island with the family terrier by his father who panicked when he accidentally shot a hole in the canoe they were in, finding out about the use of live pigeons for hunting decoys, managing investment funds, Robin Bennett's life has never been dull, in fact, it's quite colourful.

This book will be an inspiration to anyone who reads it and it will make a wonderful self-Christmas gift to you or a great Christmas gift to anyone else.

It's published by the Book Guild at £9.99.

Verbatim

In Verbatim Andrew Hill introduces his readers to two different writers.

There's Carol, who is an intelligent woman, known for being sensible, who is in her late 20s. She has her life together and is currently employed as a civil servant.

Grant, however, most certainly does not have his life together. Since his childhood Grant has suffered from mental health issues. Sadly these were just swept under the carpet and, as much as possible, merely ignored instead of being worked with and treated.

Grant is working as a barman and intends to get his life trued around.

Grant is looking for a publishing house to publish his debut novel, which he has titled 'Dead Letter Perfect, but after being rejected by publisher after publisher and by a curious twist of fate, he learns that another writer, a woman called Carol Green (who he has never heard of before now) is publishing a novel with exactly the same title.

But would it ever be possible for two writers, working totally independently of each other, with no prior knowledge of the existence of the other, to write a novel with not only the same title but with every detail and every word exactly, precisely the same?

Totally unaware of Grant's discovery, Carol's life continues as normal, but after the rejection of his novel, Grant's life continues to spiral out of control.

And when they finally meet things take a very, very dramatic turn for the worst.

It's a gripping a very moving novel and will make a very thought provoking Christmas gift for the writer or budding writer in your life.

It's published by The Book Guild at £8.99.

The Trial of Lester Chan

The Trial of Lester Chan is a light-hearted novel from retired barrister Martin Wilson QC.

It examines what happens when Lester Chan, aka the Jewellery King of Hong Kong, is brought up on a charge of banking fraud, a QC of the middle orders, Jonathan Savage, is sent out to Hong Kong to mount the defence of Lester Chan.

It's going to be a bit of a change for Martin as his caseload usually consists of murder and the like. Plus he has never dealt with a case outside of Britain, before.

However, also thrown or drawn into this case is retired solicitor Frank Grinder, who is also working for the defence.

For the prosecution is Graham Truckett, who is serving as a member of the Legal Department of the Government of Hong Kong. Unfortunately for Truckett, he is totally and utterly out of his depth.

The trial judge, Mr Justice O'Brien, is overly pleased with his reputation for running an efficient court, but even Homer sometimes nods, and troubles within the home of Justice O'Brien might mean  that his attention is somewhat distracted.

And all set against the background of life in Hong Kong!

Martin Wilson QC based his novel on his experiences with dealing with a number of major law trials in Hong Kong.

The book is published by Matador at £9.99.