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Filed under BOOKS
Non-fiction, Memoir
Follow the true story of two young yet disparate Brits as they venture east to
Hong Kong to join the colonial police out there. Initially bought-in to the
adventure, bright lights and the hedonistic pleasures of the Exotic East, Alan
and Bob are thrown into a world somewhat divergent to the picture painted
whilst under training. They begin to butt heads with corruption, colonial
excess, privilege and protectionism and run into connivers, skivers and
survivors.
The story follows the two young, relatively naive men along their journey from
their eight-month police training to their posts as policemen. It is filled
with colourful incidents and exotic tales, with liberal doses of tongue in
cheek humour and literary licence thrown in, you’ll scarcely believe what they
encountered.
About the Author
Victor Blair is a well-travelled, humorous, rather overly-free spirited
‘baby booming’ Brit, who is luckily still imbued with an energy
belying his years, so hence the slightly provocative gesture above, showing
him probably disagreeing with something or someone, yet again… our
apologies! He has worn ‘many different hats’ in UK banking, and in
a host of overseas appointments, including ten years in the colonial Hong Kong
Police Force, the tourism sector in Asia, and subsequently in worldwide oil
and gas exploration and logistics, and finally, engineering consultancy. An as
yet unappreciated comedic wit and poet, with a bright, if latent, creative
spark, and with early roots in Gloucestershire and Africa. He is now
semi-retired in north Thailand, where he busies himself with his sugar cane
plantation, scripting away at night time, and as the patriarch of his local
wife’s ever-increasing, extended family.
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Filed under BOOKS
Young Adult Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary Romance, Magical Realism,
Contemporary Fiction
Date Published: May 30, 2026
At eighteen, Solehn has everything figured out. A thriving social life in New
York, a close-knit circle of friends, and a future she’s carefully imagined.
But when her family unexpectedly falls apart, she’s uprooted from everything
familiar and forced to spend her final semester of high school in Austin,
Texas. Determined not to disappear into a life she never chose, Solehn
reinvents herself. She trades vulnerability for sharp edges, falls into
friendships that demand more than they give, and slowly becomes someone she
barely recognizes. Then there’s Alexander. Quiet, observant, and seemingly
immune to Solehn’s carefully constructed defenses, Alexander is the boy next
door who sees the person beneath her performance. Their unlikely connection
grows through rooftop conversations, shared silences, and an understanding
neither knows how to ask for. But when tragedy strikes, Solehn discovers that
a mysterious yellow umbrella holds an impossible promise: the chance to go
back and change everything. Armed with knowledge of what lies ahead, Solehn
sets out to rewrite the past. Yet the closer she gets to saving the person she
loves, the more she questions whether love means holding on, letting go, or
accepting what cannot be controlled. Because second chances aren’t always
gifts. Sometimes, they come with a price.
Seasons of Blooming is an emotional coming-of-age novel exploring messy
girlhood, complicated families, friendship breakups, first love, grief, and
the desire to undo our greatest regrets. Blending contemporary realism with
magical realism, Doreen Otaru explores what it means to lose yourself, find
your people, and discover that growing up isn’t about becoming perfect. It’s
about learning when and how to bloom. For readers who love complex characters,
slow-burn romance, found family, unexpected twists, and stories that linger
long after the final page.
About the Author
Doreen Otaru is a multidisciplinary storyteller and creative strategist whose
work explores human connection, culture, and the evolving relationship between
media and community. Drawing from experiences across storytelling, design, and
collaborative creative spaces, her work is rooted in curiosity, emotional
honesty, and a deep appreciation for the ways stories shape how people see
themselves and each other.
Filed under BOOKS
Date Published: 10-15-2026
Publisher: Mission Point Press
About the Author
Jon is a retired teacher, having taught social studies at Traverse City
Central High School for 38 years. Jon was the offensive coordinator for the
Trojans’ first state championship football team in 1978 and later was
named the boys’ varsity head coach, a position he held for 22 years. His
teams had a 341–161 record and won 12 district and 2 regional titles.
Jon grew up in Grand Haven, Michigan. There he had a small boat and motor that
he kept on the Grand River and would use to explore the river and its many
bayous. He graduated from Hope College and played quarterback for the Flying
Dutchmen for four years and played basketball for two years. Jon enjoys the
variety of all four seasons at Cedar Lake. When he isn’t kayaking, he
enjoys “working” at the scoring table for Trojans basketball games
and in the press box at Thirlby Field for Trojans or Traverse City West Titan
football games, reading, feeding and watching birds, and following the
activities of his three active grandchildren. Among his proudest
accomplishments is that he was able to write two books about kayaking. He is
sure that this is also surprising to anyone who knew Jon in Grand Haven or at
Hope College!
https://mybook.to/KayakingMomentsofZen
Filed under BOOKS
Children’s Book
Date Published: March 30, 2026
Publisher: Trela Mela Press
Little Branko lives high above Dragonville in Zmajograd, a city of dragons
controlled by rules – the Dragons’ Code. Under this code, dragons cannot
put out fires and dragons cannot be friends with humans. But Branko has never
understood why. Unlike the other dragons, he does not want to start
fires—he wants to put them out.
When Branko questions the Dragons’ Code in school, he is told to
“learn” and not “think”. When he persists, he is
banished from his community. Determined to follow his heart, he travels to the
human town below and dreams of becoming a firefighter. But the humans are
afraid of him, too. Caught between two worlds that refuse to accept him,
Branko must decide whether to give up—or keep believing that kindness
can change everything.
When a dangerous wildfire threatens the forest shared by humans and dragons,
Branko finally gets his chance to prove that courage is not about following
old rules. It is about doing what is right.
Branko: Smokejumper Extraordinaire is a heartwarming children’s picture
book about friendship, bravery, community, environmental responsibility, and
the importance of questioning division. With themes of inclusion, cooperation,
wildfire awareness, and respect for firefighters, this inspiring story
encourages young readers to look beyond fear, challenge unfair rules, and
discover the extraordinary power of helping others.
Perfect for children who love stories about dragons, firefighters, friendship,
nature, and unlikely heroes, this meaningful book is ideal for family reading,
classrooms, libraries, and conversations about courage, compassion, and caring
for our planet.
Great for readers interested in:
A beautifully imaginative tale for young readers who believe even the smallest
voice can spark big change.
About the Author
Born in Belgrade, raised in Belgrade and Sydney, and shaped by formative years
in New York City, Alexandra brings a global perspective to her work. Her
writing often features unlikely characters—from mushrooms and fax
machines to thunder, lightning, flowers, Beeps, Honks, and dragons—who
discover that difference does not have to mean division.
Her debut children’s book, Branko: Smokejumper Extraordinaire,
introduces young readers to a brave little dragon who challenges tradition,
reaches across fear, and helps unite humans and dragons in the face of an
unprecedented and fierce wildfire. Inspired by themes of friendship,
environmental responsibility, community, and courage, the story reflects
Alexandra’s belief in the importance of compassion, cooperation, and
protecting the world we share.
Beyond children’s literature, Alexandra’s creative work spans
genres and platforms, including Gravity FM, a deep dive podcast exploring
planetary health and human rights, the satirical Degenerate Carrot cartoons,
and impactful storytelling through Apocryphal Pictures. She is also a
practicing attorney at Cittone Demers & Arneri LLP, where she maintains a
robust human rights practice, and serves as President of the Global Witness
Foundation.
Alexandra lives in San Francisco with her family. When she is not writing,
practicing law, producing stories, or advocating for human rights, she enjoys
painting, yoga, and creating imaginative tales about the courage it takes to
reach across what divides us.
Filed under BOOKS
