Category: book review

When I Feel Lonely, is a powerful and timely exploration of childhood loneliness.

About When I Feel Lonely

When I Feel Lonely gently explores the feeling of loneliness through the perspective of a young girl.

In a world where many children, and adults, are grappling with intense emotions, When I Feel Lonely provides a calm, compassionate and understanding voice, helping young readers to recognize and name their feelings.

This newest book about emotions is a powerful and timely exploration of childhood loneliness.

• It acknowledges that, while feeling alone is natural and something everyone experiences, it also conveys how unsettling and scary the sensation can be.
• In a sensitive style, Teckentrup explores the quiet moments when the world seems distant and we are left grappling with the heavy silence that surrounds us.
• The narrative doesn’t shy away from the intensity of these emotions, instead offering an honest portrayal of how loneliness can feel like an all-encompassing shadow.

The book reassures children that while loneliness can be sad and difficult, it is a part of life that everyone experiences. It offers a glimmer of hope, showing that even in the darkest moments, there is the possibility of light and connection ahead.

Our Thoughts

When I Feel Lonely is a very unique story, I felt like she captured how it feels to be lonely so perfectly but yet so simply for a child to understand. We all feel lonely at times for a variety of reasons, it could be a change in location, school, extra curricular activities, and these are big feelings for little ones. I loved the words used, such as “with no around and nothing to share”, “how long will it take”, “longing, hurting, waiting”. These are all really strong emotions for young children and can be very difficult to put into words. Reading this story helps to speak about those feelings, who we can talk to if we need to and helping children put words to these feelings.

The special part about this book? The hope that comes about halfway through, “we need to show who we are and start building trust”. It is so hard to put yourself out there, but something good always comes from this. It shows young children to be brave, even when we are scared.

The illustrations were stunning and I loved the gradual transition from grey, singular imagery to bright, bold, warm and a sense of belonging as the story evolved. The illustrations helped to bring the story to life and gives hope.

This book is a lovely addition to your home library. It is set to release on October 7th and can be pre-ordered on Amazon.

About the Author

Britta Teckentrup is a German-born author and illustrator who has gained international recognition for her work in children’s literature. With a career spanning over two decades, she has authored and illustrated more than one hundred books, which have been translated into multiple languages. Previous titles include When I See Red, The Swing, the Fluffyville series and the Big Hedgehog and Little Hedgehog series, all published by Prestel.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

In The Midnight of Eights, was it divine intervention or coincidences that Nelan’s astral powers brought to bear on that fateful Midnight of Eights?

About The Midnight of Eights

The year is 1580.

Nelan Michaels docks at Plymouth after sailing around the world aboard The Golden Hind. He seeks only to master his mystical powers – the mark of the salamander, that mysterious spirit of fire – and reunite with his beloved Eleanor. 

After delivering a message to Francis Walsingham, he’s recruited into the service of the Queen’s spymaster, where his astral abilities help him to predict and thwart future plots against the realm.
But in 1588, the Spanish Armada threatened England’s shores.

So, how could the fledgling navy of a small, misty isle on the edge of mainland Europe repulse the greatest fleet in the world?

Was the Queen right when she claimed it was divine intervention, saying, ‘He blew with His winds, and they were scattered!’?

Or was it an entirely different intervention – the extraordinary conjunction of coincidences that Nelan’s astral powers brought to bear on that fateful Midnight of Eights?

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Amazon UK, Book Guild, WHSmith, Bookshop, LoveReading and Waterstones.

Enter to win a signed copy of this book here.

About the Author

Justin Newland writes secret history thrillers, history with a supernatural twist. 

His six novels represent an innovative blend of genres from historical adventure to supernatural thriller and magical realism. 

Author, speaker and broadcaster, Justin enjoys giving historical talks and radio interviews. 

A Ph.D. in Mathematics, he lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.

You can connect with the author on their website, X, Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, and Bookbub.

Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post.

In The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket, when Danny learns Soren screwed Crystal out of rights to magic tricks she’s created — and in spite of the cops on his tail — Danny plots revenge. He and Packard attempt the daring theft of a state-of-the-art lawnmower—during a live performance in front of 400 people.

About The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket

Frustrated novelist Danny is resigned to writing material for trade shows, promoting garage doors and non-stick cookware. His ex-wife threatens legal action for non-payment of alimony. Danny never dreamed the answer to his troubles could be larceny.
But then wealthy, charming Packard Hale III reenters his life. He was Danny’s college roommate, and like Lupin and Raffles, he now fancies himself a gentleman thief. Packard hires Danny to write about his capers.

Danny follows Packard as they break into a mansion and steal, among other things, a priceless Chinese vase and a curiously valuable souvenir blanket from Branson, Missouri. However, it’s not Packard who is pursued by the police, but Danny.

Simultaneously, he struggles to please his client, a lawn-and-garden CEO with an erotic attraction to lawnmowers. Danny also endures abuse from Soren, a boozy has-been Vegas magician. He tolerates the mistreatment because of Crystal, the magician’s assistant. He’s falling for her.
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When he learns Soren screwed Crystal out of rights to magic tricks she’s created — and in spite of the cops on his tail — Danny plots revenge. He and Packard attempt the daring theft of a state-of-the-art lawnmower—during a live performance in front of 400 people.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

About the Author

MARK NUTTER grew up in a motel near Joliet, Illinois, which is not as glamorous as it sounds. He’s the author of the humorous heist novel The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket. He wrote three collections of comedic short stories: Giant Banana Over Texas, Dancer on the Ceiling, and Sunset Cruise on the River Styx. He won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and the LA Weekly Theater Award for the music & lyrics for Reanimator the Musical. Mark also wrote for television (SNL, 3rd Rock from the Sun) and feature film (Almost Heroes). www.marknutter.com.

Connect with Mark on his website, Facebook, Bookbub, and Goodreads.

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post, all opinions expressed are my own.

What happens when a shy, quiet girl finds herself at the center of all attention at school? Shy Girl Big Stage tells the story of Seun, a timid girl with a magical way with words.

About Shy Girl Big Stage

What happens when a shy, quiet girl finds herself at the center of all attention at school? 

Shy Girl Big Stage tells the story of Seun, a timid girl with a magical way with words. In an unexpected twist of events, Seun suddenly becomes the focus of everyone’s attention. She must overcome her fear of public speaking and face the crowd on Speech Day at school.

Our Thoughts

Shy Girl Big Stage is a beautiful story that I feel that many of us can relate to. It can be so hard to jump out of our comfort zones, especially when we may have a personality that is more introverted. I feel that sometimes, especially as young girls, we are taught to tone down our voices and not always encouraged to speak up, show off our skills and take up the space in the room.

I loved that this book acknowledges that young girl with such incredible talent and skill, who has to overcome some of that self doubt and fear in order to share this amazing talent with the world. She shows all young girls that it is okay to be a little nervous and a little scared to do something that is outside of our comfort zone. That when we embrace this fear and challenge it, we can accomplish something great.

This is a wonderful book for all young girls that will inspire and encourage them to have the confidence to embrace their talents. You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

About the Author

Seun was born in Lagos, Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master of Business Administration and a PMP certification. She started telling stories from when she was just nine years old and has built a career from this talent. She is an experienced compere, scriptwriter and producer. She documents her childhood experience Shy Girl Big Stage and hopes to inspire young readers to embrace their talents confidently.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy in order to facilitate this review, all opinions expressed are my own.