novellas

The 2018 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and SCWBI

ByMichael Thal March 17, 2018

Looking for an interesting book to read? On April 21-22 the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books will be presenting its 23rd annual event on the University of Southern California campus. Five hundred authors, celebrities, musicians, artists, and even chefs will be featured. Admission to the festival is free. There will be over 230 booths…

Are YA Relationships Worth the Effort?

ByMichael Thal March 9, 2018March 10, 2018

Ella Jones has rejected the values of her wealthy parents. She insists on attending public high school and holds down a waitressing job that starts at 4:00 AM. One morning, while opening up the Read Between the Beans coffee house, she meets a seventeen-year old homeless boy sleeping near the restaurant’s dumpster. The morning Ella…

The Frog Prince- A Classic Folktale Re-Told

ByMichael Thal February 27, 2018

Like most fairy tales before it, The Frog Prince, as told by Mike Klaassen, has simple two dimensional characters, an appealing setting, an element of magic, and a villain who challenges the protagonist, seventeen-year old Prince Gerit, son of King Egon of Krickenheim. Gerit is hunting for frogs to avoid weapons practice with his father’s…

A YA Romance Novella

ByMichael Thal February 23, 2018

Pressley James finds her dream job—working as a social media marketer for Paws and Claws Animal Shelter. On her first day at work her new boss, Janet, informs her about Hayden and Jasper, warning, “…both are off limits!” Janet describes Hayden as “quite the looker,” and “the only full-time fella.” But he keeps to himself…

Thrilling YA Fantasy

ByMichael Thal February 6, 2018

Lizzie St. Laurent has several low wage jobs to help pay for her “luxury basement apartment.” Now that grandma has died from a stroke, Lizzie needs jobs over a college education to pay for food, clothes and the gas bill for her Mini Cooper. Late for the family meeting deciding the fate of Grandma’s belongings,…

A Nineteenth Century Romance Novella

ByMichael Thal January 4, 2018January 4, 2018

Sweethearts of Jubilee Springs is a series of books written by several different authors relating stories about the Arkansas Valley of central Colorado during the 19th century. The Christmas Outlaw by P.A. Estelle is one of the newest novellas to this series. Charlene arrives in Jubilee Springs Colorado on the same train as a batch…

A Twilight Zone Story for Kids

ByMichael Thal June 27, 2017June 27, 2017

Many young readers may not know much about “Twilight Zone,” an anthology series hosted by Rod Serling that ran for five seasons from 1959-1964. Episodes included psychological horror and thrillers, fantasy and science fiction. Usually an episode ended with a macabre twist. Author Majanka Verstraete undoubtedly was influenced by Serling’s TV show when she wrote…

Love Bites- A Young Adult Love Story

ByMichael Thal April 3, 2017

Jack is a 35 year-old eligible bachelor living in rural Florida. He dates attractive locals, but first they must pass “The Phil Test”. Phillipa, an Australian shepherd, has the task of meeting Jack’s potential mates. When she does, first her fur stands on end, followed by a low growl, and ending with bared teeth. Jack’s…

My Clueless Broken Heart- A YA Romance

ByMichael Thal January 30, 2017

Title: My Clueless Broken Heart Author: Jennifer DiGiovanni Genre: YA Romance Becca Thornton is clueless when it comes to love. Why else would she break up with Will Gamen, a boy at the top of the hottie short list for every other girl? Because, if she’s being totally honest, Becca will admit the truth. Her…

Tennis Love

ByMichael Thal December 1, 2016

Mackenzie Bell is Hillcrest High’s top female tennis star. When matched up against Tabor Julian, one of the school’s best jocks, Mac wins. At home, Mac isn’t such a star with her mother, Delilah, who tends to ignore her daughter for the affections of male suitors. When introduced to Roger Carmichael, Mac becomes livid, because…