Historical Fiction

The Koolura Series: YA Fantasy at It’s Best

ByMichael Thal September 12, 2018

Twenty-four years ago author Michael Thal began what would become The Koolura Series. His prime motivation at the time was to get his daughter Channie excited about reading. Then in the sixth grade, she promised to read the book upon its publication. Good for her word, even though she was twenty-eight years…

Magic 2.0: A YA Fantasy Series

ByMichael Thal August 9, 2018

A twenty-three-year-old computer hacker illegally enters the computer of a cell phone manufacturer and finds a curious file. It’s huge with five terabytes of plain ASC11 text characters with a boring name—repository1-c.txt. He gives it a look and finds something curious; many of the numbers change constantly. Then he searches the file for his name….

The Heart of Aleppo- a YA Coming of Age Novel

ByMichael Thal July 28, 2018

About the Book Title: The Heart of Aleppo Author: Ammar Habib Genre: Young Adult / Coming of Age / Contemporary Page Count: 235 After standing for over 7,000 years, Aleppo’s ruin came overnight. Separated from his family during the night the rebels attacked the city, thirteen-year-old Zaid Kadir is lost in the middle of a…

Fascinating Science Fiction Series

ByMichael Thal May 6, 2018

The Best Seller Maya Smock, an aspiring author, grew up in an orphanage and foster homes. Used and abused, she entered adulthood early taking a job at a Las Vegas bookstore by day and writing her novel, “The Master Race,” at night. When Maya’s book was finished she met a literary agent at a Las…

A YA Time Travel Thriller

ByMichael Thal April 15, 2018April 15, 2018

West Yorkshire, England January 1795 Highwayman Kit Locke, known as the Knightmare, sits atop his gelding, Dante, waiting for a coach to round the bend so he can relieve its passengers of their wealth. He is specifically looking for the Viper’s Eye. According to legend, the gem can absorb thoughts and feelings of people and…

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…

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…

Give the Gift of Learning this Holiday Season

ByMichael Thal November 9, 2017

Holiday shopping is right around the corner. Are you really looking forward to spending hours fighting for a parking spot or waiting in long checkout lines at Macy’s, Sears, or Best Buy? If you want to avoid the hassles, think about buying your favorite child a book this year. You will want your book choice…

A Time Travel Love Story

ByMichael Thal August 21, 2017August 21, 2017

Eighteen-year-old Lucy Channing has the responsibility of marrying Dashel Rothchild, the Earl of Westington, so her soon to be impoverished father can maintain his position in 1815 London society. Unfortunately, Lucy doesn’t love Dashel, a young man she’s known most of her life, even though he is a nice enough chap. Lucy’s grandmother, Agatha, the…

2017 Summer YA Reading List

ByMichael Thal June 20, 2017June 20, 2017

Summertime is that special time of year when we can lay out on the beach, absorb some rays, and catch up on our reading wish list. Below you’ll find the six best YA books Pop read this past year and figures you’d enjoy it, too. Flying to the Light Author: Elyse Salpeter Kindle Edition:…