#6 The Mystery In Arizona

Author: Julie Campbell

Pages: 234

Age group:11+

Genre: Mystery, Arizona, cowboys

 My review

I love Trixie Belden books and can see how they were such a hit in the 1950's & 1960's. Unfortunately they aren't extremely popular in this generation but I want to change that. As usual the Mystery in Arizona was great although this was Julie Campbells last book and people think that she didn't do a very good job of her last two books, I thought they weren't that bad at all, in fact I thought they were just as good as the others.

In this book Trixie, Mat, Brian, Honey, Jim & Di all get invited to fly over to Arizona to spend Christmas at Di's uncle's Dude Ranch. Unfortunately Trixie assumes she won't be allowed to go as she has to study for the half year exams. Since she was failing every subject her mother said she had to study, study, study. When they arrive in Arizona, Di's uncle is flustered because strangely enough all of his staff have left the dude ranch.
What will the Bob-Whites do?? Is Trixie allowed to go??
 Read this awesome book to find out!!! 

Hope you are enjoying this series as only have 8 more books to get before I have the whole series (39 books)!!

see you all soon,

courts

Billy the kid

Author: Michael Morpurgo

Pages:160

Age:8-12

Billy and the kid is set in world war II. It is about a boy called Billy who Loved playing football and had a dream to play for the Chelsea football team.His mother gave birth to Joe, who later on in the story joined the army. A while later they received a message to say that he had died. Joe died at Dunkirk on the French coast around the time when the Germans advanced, routing the British army.His family was depressed to hear such sad news. Soon after Billy decides to join the army to fight for his country(And Joe). They Succeeded and He survives to become a player for Chelsea Football Club and lives to an old age.

My review

This was a great book, even though it was a short story. This book would be suitable for anyone from an age of about 8-12. Although this book wasn't very long it had a really goos storyline and is a very interesting read. In this book there were some sad moments but over all it was a very lovely book with a great ending.

Enjoy, 

Courtney

The undercover secret

Author: Colin Thiele

Pages:133

Age group:10+

Genre: realistic, mystery

 Jenny Cox loved the river that flowed past her suburban home. Often she sat on the bank dangling her feet in the water, sometimes meeting her old friend and neighbour, Swampy Marshman, and his friends - enigmatic trio, Hoppy, Fatso and Slim. It was during the Depression of 1930s - Jenny's father was out of work and times were hard for everyone she knew, but in her private world by the river Jenny felt safe and secure. When swampy died unexpectedly, Jenny was suddenly plunged into strange and terrifying experiences. WHO was the  mysterious stranger whom she surprised searching through Swampys house? What was the secret of Swampy's parting gift-two battered old stamp albums that were practically worthless? Why was Jenny chased in a frightening pursuit through the park one night? And worst of all, would her parents really be forced to give up their riverside cottage and be thrown out onto the street? Just when everything seemed to be lost, Jenny discovered the old mans secret...

My Review

The undercover Secret was a exciting read which was very cleverly set out. All of Colin Thiele's Books are set in Australia. This book was located in the heat of Hackney, 10 Min's out of Adelaide.It was great to read a book that shows how Adelaide would have been in the 1930's. It  is a great book suitable for anyone! Every page was leading you towards the 'under cover ' secret. And left you wondering what was going to happen next.

I highly recommend this book and also all of these other Colin Thiele books I have read...

February dragon

Jodie's Journey

Blue Fin

The fire in the Stone

You will defiantly be seeing more of Colin Thiele's books on my blog soon.

Thanks readers, Hope you are enjoying the rest of your holiday and had a great Easter,

Cya soon,

Courts

Golden Stranger #4 Diamond Spirit Series

Author: Karen wood

Pages: 241

Age group:11+

Genre: horses, Cattle drafting, real life

  

Shara heard her father's four-wheel drive and moments later the sounds of hoovesup a tailgate. She rushed to the window and saw Rocko's big brown rump disappearinto the float.

'Dad! Dad! No!' She threw herself down the back steps, sobbing. 'I'm sorry!'

When Shara decides to join her friends in protesting against a wild horse race at the local show, it sounds fun, even heroic, but she isn't prepared for the tangle of heartbreak that follows. Now the police are at the door, her friend Corey has severe head injuries and her dream of rescuing a golden colt from its cruel owners is fading fast. Can she clear her name ? Will she ever see Goldie again ? And what will happen between her and Corey now ?

My review

As usual an amazing read. Karen wood has done an amazing Job of this series!

 In Golden Stranger, Shara's friends convince her to join them in a protest against the wild horse race at the local show. They don't agree with this discraceful event and would love to see the brumbies released.They didn't realise that they could get into a lot of trouble if they are caught out.

When a special Golden brumbie turns up in their yard, Sharsy knows she has found her once-in-a-lifetime horse. But when she and her friends muck up again will she be able to keep him?

Lovely read. You would understand it best if  you read the first 3 before reading it.

Brumby mountain is getting released in June so watch out for it!!

Thanks readers,

Hope you are all having a great holiday and Have a good Easter.

Cya soon,

Courts

Interview with Karen Wood

Karen wood with Reo her once-in-a-lifetime horse.

Hi everyone,

I have interviewed Karen Wood, who is a great author friend of mine.She has just released, Golden Stranger which is the fourth book in the Diamond Spirit series. I asked her a range of questions regarding her books and got great answers. Here they are...

Where did you get the ideas from to write the diamond spirit series?

Diamond was a real pony. My young friend Jess leased her to me and then she really did get stuck in a cattle grid. Jess was only eleven and she had to make the awful decision to have her pony destroyed. She was so brave and so gracious the day that Diamond was put down that I was inspired to write a book about her. So the first few chapters came from an event in my life that really touched me. The rest of the books and the stories are based on people I have known and places I have been.

Who is your favourite character in the series?

I really like Grace, she's funny and I just love Luke.

Do you wish that you were one of the character in the book?

I wish I had their lifestyle!!! I used to have their lifestyle but now I'm married with two small girls and can't just pack up and go campdrafting every weekend. Most of the characters in the books have a little bit of me in them.

Around how long does it take you to write each book?

Every time I write one it seems to take less time. It took 6 years to write book 1, but now it only takes me about 6 - 8 months.

Any, tips for young writers?

Just tell the story, write write write write write! Don't worry about spelling or grammar or getting it perfect, just tell the story. Any story. You'll be amazed at what comes out. Later, you can go back, delete the stuff that didn't work and keep the good stuff. And tidy it up. Add pretty bits, etc. Just get the flow happening.

Also read good quality books by well regarded authors, you will absorb a good style by osmosis.

Are you releasing any more books after Brumby mountain?

I'm in discussions with my publisher and my agent at the moment, about what comes next. I do have quite a few unfinished projects filed away. So many ideas - so little time!

Can you give us a sneak peak of Brumby mountain??

I can give you the official blurb for BRUMBY MOUNTAIN (due for release in June).

'I want to stop whoever's running those brumbies.' Luke looked up at her suddenly. 'Come with me, Jessy. I don't want to leave you behind this time. I miss you too much.'

When Luke brings home a truckload of traumatised brumbies, some with horrific injuries, Jess agrees that something must be done. Can Jess, Luke and their friends foil the brumby runners and save the wild horses from their cruel fate? And in going back to matty's Flat, will Luke discover where he really belongs?

 Congratulations Karen, You are doing great in the world of books. I'm sure all of us readers out here, especially me, can't wait to read Brumby Mountain and any other books you will be releasing in the future. I absolutely love your books and the amazing characters you have created. Keep on writing.

Readers,

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Karen wood, I will be doing interviews with an other author soon....

Golden spirit is now aviliable at most bookshops so... GO Buy it!!

Also on an ending note Brumby mountain is going to be released in June, i'll keep you posted.

Bye for now,

Courtney

#4The unsuspecting Gourmet

Author: M.E Rabb

Pages:169

Genre:Mystery & detectives, General
Age:7&8 (12+)

Sophie knows that she's made a big mistake, when she accidentally lets her mother's famous matzo ball soup recipe to Wilda Higgins, the owner of the Petal Diner. After all, she and her sister, Sam are known to the town of Venice, Indiana as two Christian girls whose parents were killed in a car accident, not two Jewish girls who ran away from Queens, New York with their evil stepmother's money. However, Wilda quickly adds some Midwestern touches to the recipe to make it her own, and then enters it into a contest. However, when Wilda wins, and is chosen to appear on Griffin Gateauxs cable television cooking show, she invites Sophie to join her on-screen. Now, Sam must figure out a way to prevent Sophie's face from being broadcast all over the media, or their identities will definitely be blown. But that's the least of their worries, for Wilda and Griffin quickly disappear while touring local dairy farms, and now it's up to Sophie and Sam, along with their Private Investigator boss, Gus, to find Wilda and Griffin before they're both...deceased.

My review

Margo Rabb has a fantastic way of writing her books and makes it feel like everything is happening in real life. When I read her books I seem to read twice as fast as usual and lose track of time! Margo defiantly deserves an award for writing such an amazing series!It is such a shame that this Fabulous series has came to an end.

Case #4 The unsuspecting gourmet was and awesome book!! Case #2 was my favorite book in the series! Actually I loved all the books in this series equally. This is my favorite series along with the Trixie Belden books.

In this book Sophie accidentally shares her mothers delicious Matzo ball soup recipe with Wilda Higgins, the owner of the Petal Diner. Wilda added a few personal touches and then entered it in a contest. Sophie didn't think it wouldn't have a chance of winning But unfortunately... It won!! When Griffin Gateaux's crew appears in the town to start rehearsing the show,The girls have to quickly make up a reasonable excuse to get Sophie out of it or else her face will be plastered all over the Media and their cover will be blown. But they needn't 

worry because Wilda and griffin quickly disappear. Now it's up to Sophie Sam and their Private Investigator Boss, Gus, To find Wilda and Griffin before it's to late.

Hope you enjoy reading these 4 exciting mystery books, if you like these books you will also like reading the Trixie Belden Books!! Enjoy

#3The Venetian police man

Author:M.E.Rabb

Pages:1

Genre:Mystery & Detective, fiction, General

Ages: 7 & 8(12+)

Sophie and Sam thought they knew everything there was to know about Gus Jenkins, the private detective they're working with. But when Gus's life takes a turn for the worse, the girls discover that he has a missing son. They decide that they have to find him. Can they manage to find Gus's son, while keeping their identity and their motives a secret? 

My review

I rate this book 9 out of 10. Terrific book!

In this book the sisters uncover the truth about Gus and find that he has a son called Jack that left home and apparently travelled to Los-vegas to have a career in show biz. Will they ever be able to find Jack amidst the busyness of los-Vegas???

It is sad that there is only one more book of the series to read:(

Margo Said that she will be releasing a new book coming out next year!!

I know it is a long time to wait but... I know that her new book will be awesome!!Enjoy,

Courtney

#2 The Chocolate lover

Author:M.E Rabb

Pages: 192

Genre:Mystery 
Ages: 7 & 8(12+)

When Sophie starts school, she notices a flyer for a lecture featuring Professor Leo Shattenberg. Could this be their grandfather’s missing cousin, believed to be dead since World War II? At the lecture, Sam and Sophie discover that Professor Shattenberg has a missing person of his own—a childhood sweetheart who, like him, had a love of chocolate. Seeing their chance, the girls offer to help the professor find his missing sweetheart—all the time running their own investigation of him.

Will they finally have relatives like normal people?? 
                   My review

I rate this book 10 out of 10!!!!
Case #2 of the Missing Persons series was awesome!It was a great sequel to the first book!You will love it!!

Sophie and Sam have finally settled into Venice, Indianan, and now have a nice group of friends and both have great jobs working alongside Gus, The local detective. When Sophie finds a flyer featuring professor Leo Shattenberg, she thinks they have finally found there grandfathers cousin who apparently died in World War II. After the lecture they found out that Leo was missing his childhood sweetheart Ruth, Who like Leo also loved Chocolate.The girls saw their chance and offered to help.

Will the girls be able to find Leo’s sweet heart?? Or will she remain undiscovered like the girls themselves.

The next book I shall be reading will be....

 

Case #3 The Venitian Police Man

Enjoy your reading

,Court's

#1 The rose queen

Author:M.E.Rabb

Pages:176

Genre:Mystery & Detective, fiction, General

Ages: 7 & 8(12+)

Sophie and Sam Shattenberg are two Jewish sisters from Queens, New York. Both love knishes(Type of pastry pie) and kosher pickles. Both have said I'm wawkin here! to cab drivers and meant it. When the unthinkable happens and their father dies, the girls are devastated. Desperate to get away from their greedy stepmother, they withdraw their fathers money from the bank, pick up fake IDs, and hit the road. All is well until their car breaks down outside of Venice, Indiana, a town so isolated that the mechanic tells them, You could get lost here forever. Which is exactly what they decide to do.... Sam and Sophie arrive in the small town of Venice, decide to stay, and try to blend in. They get jobs, make friends, and practise talking the talk instead of tawking the tawk. Then 16 year old Noelle Mcbride the most popular girl in town,the queen of the upcoming Rose Festival disappears. The sisters were the last people to see her and so become prime suspects. Sophie and Sam realise that they're going to have to find the missing girl themselves if they want to clear their names. Even if their names are fake....

Will the sisters be able to blend in and find the missing girl??

My Review

I rate this book 10 out of 10!!! Awesome book you'll love this amazing series and will enjoy reading a good mystery!In this first book the two sisters have to escape from there evil step mother who wants to separate the girls by sending Sophie to a Canada to a girls boarding school. So Sam decides that they will have to go and live somewhere miles away where their step mother wouldn't find them. When their car breaks down just outside of Venice Indianna, They have to stay there for the week... But they loved the town & people so much that they decide to stay. But when the popular soon to be Queen of the rose festival goes missing... The villagers turn the blame to them... If the sisters can't find Noelle themselves they will have to leave.

I am positive that you will love reading this book every bit as much as I did.

Enjoy your reading,

Courtney

#1 The Famous Five, Five of a Treasure Island

Author: Enid Blyton

Pages:200

Genre: Adventure

Five on Treasure Island is the First book in the Famous Five series. In this book Anne,Julian and dick go to their Aunty & Uncles house for their holidays. They are really excited to finally be able to meet their cousin Georgina! But when they get to know her they arn't so thrilled!! Georgina was not very friendly at all! She also did not LIKE to be CALLED GEORGINA she only answered to George!!! After awhile she starts to soften and takes the five of them onto her own, Kirren Island. When the children find a treasure map they are determined to find the treasure, BUT they didn't know that someone else is looking as well!!

 My Review

Enid blyton is a very splendid writer and deserved all of the fame that she got. It's a shame that she isn't alive right now as their are still lots of kids who simpily adore her. The Famous Five series was and still is a popular, well known series. From Timmy the cute dog to George/Georgina the unusual girl who has some strange opinions you will love every moment of these exciting books!

AWESOME, Book you will love its exciting story line and will enjoy sharing all the rest of these exciting adventures with the famous five. 

If you havn't already read these awesome books,  Enjoy

#5Trixie belden and the mystery off glen road

Author: Julie Campbell

Pages:236

Genre:Mystery

After a hurricane hits sleepyside, the Bob whites clubhouse roof gets damaged.They are desperately trying to earn the money to repair it. But bad storms and snow is on the way, If the Club house doesn't get repaired quickly it could be ruined! Brian offers the money he had saved to buy his car, but Trixie and Honey come up with a plan to get the money and keep Brian's car.A diamond ring, a strangely dressed man, a unicycle and a dead deer become elements of a strange mystery that in the end isn't that mysterious. 

My Review 

I rate this book 9 out of 10
This book was a great read, Although most people say it isn't as good as the first 4 books in the Trixie Belden series, I thought it was great just like all of her books! It was Julie Campbell's second last book, before Kathryn Kenny took over writing the rest of the series.

In this book Honeys father had just bought the paddocks along glen road to use as a game reserve.Unfortunately his Game Keeper wasn't very good at his job and got fired leaving the Wheelers without a Game Keeper.

At the time a huge hurricane ripped through Sleepyside partly wrecking the Bob-whites club house roof/wall. They are all broke so the Bob-whites have to earn money quickly before the snow comes.

Could they be the Game Keepers until Mathew(Honeys dad) finds another one? 

Hi all you readers out there.

I would love to hear what you thought 

about the trixie belden series.

Cheers, Courtney

War horse

Author: Michael Morpurgo

Pages:165

Genre:Horses,War, 

War horse was an Inspiring story told through the eyes of a horse. Joey falls into the hands of a young boy called Albert who simpily adores him. When his father sells Joey off to the army, He knows he made a terrible mistake!! Albert is heart broken as his whole life leaves him. He desperatly heads off to war in hope of finding Joey among the hundreds of thousands of horses there.

Joey made many friend along his journey of life and Albert was the very first and greatest friend! It was very sad that he had to leave Albert behind but luckily he made many great friends along the way who loved and supported him. 

War horse is a amazing book that will be popular forever and inspire many people. It is suitable for all ages. Even Adults will enjoy reading this beautiful story.

Thanks again, 

Courtney

Courtney meets Politicians at Pearson Institute

I was luckily enough to get a photo with Peter Hall MLC Eastern Victoria & Tim Bull MP at Pearson Institute.
Grenadi school of Graphic Design & Grenadi school of Beauty

Gypsy from nowhere

Author: Sharon Wagner

Pages: 210

Genre: Horses

Wendy loved horses-yet horses were the reason for her fight against living on a ranch. Her father's new foreign assignment was only for a year, but to Wendy, the thought of staying for even one year on a ranch, so close to the hoses, was sheer torture.

Aunt Laura and Uncle Art were kind and sympathetic, of course, but they didn't really understand....about Buck and all.
Then there was Gypsy, a stunningly beautiful filly with one blue eye and one brown eye, who knew how to open doors - including the tightly locked door to Wendy's heart.
No one knew where Gypsy came from. She appeared at the Cross-R Ranch the same day Wendy arrived.
Gypsy and Wendy had other things in common, too. Each had something hidden in the past; each had been badly injured; each was afraid of people, afraid of being hurt again; each cried silently for understanding.
So it was natural that Wendy should be the only one who could rescue Gypsy. And it was just as natural that this courageous, intelligent horse-the gently, shy, love-hungry Gypsy from Nowhere-should be the only one who could restore Wendy's happiness and self-confidence.

My review 

The Gypsy from nowhere was a great book about a girl called Wendy who had a traumatic accident on her 'dream horse' Buck.Unfortunately Wendy has to move to her uncle and aunty's ranch for a whole year!Before her accident she was a horse fanatic!! Now she can't even stand the sight of a horse ,let alone riding one! when she finds out that everyone from this area whose her age, rides horses she has to face her fears and start to ride again.
Will she ever be able to ride??

I rate this book 9 out of 10.

In this series there are 3 books

 

#2Gypsy and Nimblefoot 

 #3Gypsy and the Moonstone stallion

Hope you enjoy reading these terrific horse books. Perfect for Horse/Animal lovers.
Enjoy

,Courtney

The Door in the Dragon's Throat

Author: Frank E. Peretti

Pages: 125

Genre:Youth/Fiction,Adventure,mystery.

Age Group: 9-13

Two teenagers by the name of Jay and Lila Cooper and their archaeologist father travel to Nepur, a very uninviting land of deserts full of danger. They must search to uncover the truth behind an ancient legend. Locals claim that inside a dark cavern called the Dragon's Throat is a forbidden Door that brings certain death to anyone who tries to open it. Armed with the knowledge that God is more powerful than any legend or curse, Jay & Lila plunge down into the Dragon's Throat, determined to find out what awaits them on the other side of the door. This daring book will have you on the edge of your seat.

 My review
I rate this Book 7 out of 10 (really good)

 This book was a very good book set in the land of the middle east. The Book starts by a very wealthy, greedy, conceited president called Al-Dallam, dreaming about getting richer and richer. He has always wanted to have all of the 'treasure' which he thought was behind the doors in the cavern but no one has been able to open the door to get to this 'treasure'. Finally he discovered the Cooper family who agreed that they would try and open the door in the dragons throat, Even though most of the people that went into the dragons throat never came back alive. This is how the adventure Begins.....

It was a little bit confusing in one or two of the paragraphs but I just re-read the few confusing parts and then I Understood the meaning.

On the Book it says ages 8-12 but I am 13 and I enjoyed reading it and I think that you will too!

The other Books in the series

 

#2Escape from the island of Aquarius

#3The Tombs of Anak

 #4Trapped at the Bottom of the sea

 #5The secret of the desert stone

#6The deadly curse of  Toco-Rey 

#7The Legend of Annie Murphy

#8Mayday at Two Thousand Five Hundred

Although I only have the first three I'm pretty sure that you will enjoy reading this exciting series. 

Thanks again, Courtney