Dragons in the Clouds by David Blair is a delightful middle-grade fantasy novella that sparks wonder and adventure for young readers. Told as a charming bedtime story a father shares with his daughter, the tale creatively reimagines the origins of thunder and lightning through the secret lives of dragons hidden in the clouds above the Kingdom of Albion. When a king orders the destruction of all dragons, the wise wizard Merlinius protects a family of gentle, plant-eating dragons with a magical spell of weightlessness. Their fiery breath becomes lightning and their roars become thunder as they soar safely among the clouds. A young boy named David and his loyal dragon friend Rago are drawn into an exciting clash involving friendship, courage, and the struggle between good and ambitious forces. The premise is inventive and heartwarming, blending Arthurian-inspired elements with themes of loyalty, seeing beyond appearances, and the magic that can hide in everyday storms. It’s a quick, engaging read ideal for ages 8–12 (and nostalgic adults who still love dragons), full of imagination that leaves readers looking up at the sky with a smile. Reviewers have praised its exciting pace, appealing characters, and ability to make fantasy feel accessible and fun. @Davidblr7777 - Amazon: amazon.com/Dragons-Clouds-Da… Bookshop.org (supports independent bookstores): bookshop.org/p/books/dragons… - Apple Books: books.apple.com/us/book/drag… Also available at Waterstones, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers (search the title + author for current editions and formats). About the author David Blair is the creator and writer of *Dragons in the Clouds*. Inspired by the atmospheric storytelling of Rod Serling (*The Twilight Zone*) and the heartfelt narratives of Charles Dickens (*A Christmas Carol*), he crafts tales with a touch of the paranormal and wonder. He began storytelling at age 14 with a student film called *Destination Destiny* and later worked as a production supervisor for EnterAktion Studios. This imaginative fantasy marks his debut in writing for young readers, bringing a cinematic flair and genuine enthusiasm for magical worlds to the page. #Authors #Artists #Creators

Bleeds When Broken by Joy M. Lilley is a poignant and emotionally honest contemporary novel that explores trauma, mental health struggles, and the long road toward healing and self-acceptance. The story centers on Fiona, a young nurse still carrying the scars of a difficult childhood. Her internal battles affect her relationships and sense of self, but a cruise offers a temporary escape where she meets Charles and experiences moments of connection. After returning home, her challenges intensify, leading her to seek distance in the South of France, where she finds work, kindness, and a measure of peace. Guilt eventually draws her back, bringing further trials that test her resilience. Lilley writes with raw empathy and authenticity, portraying Fiona’s journey as one of courage and gradual recovery. Readers appreciate the novel’s emotional depth, its compassionate look at the impact of past wounds, and its underlying message of hope—that even deeply broken things can find a path toward mending through understanding, time, and support. Buy links - Amazon (Kindle ebook): amazon.com/Bleeds-When-Broke… - Amazon (paperback): amazon.com/Bleeds-When-Broke… Also available on Kindle Unlimited and through other major retailers (search the title + author for additional formats and regional options). About the author Joy M. Lilley (pen name of Joy Gerken) is a British author and retired registered nurse who devoted herself to writing after a long nursing career. She is a grandmother who enjoys family life, the theatre, and the arts. Her works include historical romance (*Figs, Vines and Roses*), other novels, short stories, and contemporary dramas that often explore human resilience and emotional complexity. She blogs and remains active in writing communities. X handle: @JoygerkenJoy @joygerken (xitter.cf/joygerken) #Authors #Artists #Creators

Figs, Vines and Roses by Joy M. Lilley is a warm and moving historical family saga that captures the heart of late-19th-century England with tenderness and authenticity. Set beginning in 1888, the story follows young Isabella “Issy” Merryweather as she enjoys a privileged yet compassionate childhood at Cobnut Hall with her brother Clarence, beloved dog Molly, and cherished grandmother. A family move to Kent changes everything when she forms a secret, deep bond with Terence, a young man from a humble background. Through love, social barriers, heartbreak, resilience, and personal growth—including Isabella’s determination to become a teacher—the novel explores class differences, forbidden romance, family loyalty, and the quiet strength of the human spirit. Readers appreciate the gentle pacing, vivid period details of English life and gardens, emotional honesty, and the way the story lingers with themes of memory, empathy, and quiet courage. It is a thoughtful, heartfelt read that celebrates love and endurance across social divides. Buy links - Amazon (paperback): amazon.com/Figs-Vines-Roses-… - Amazon (Kindle ebook): amazon.com/Figs-Vines-Roses-… (or amazon.com/Figs-Vines-Roses-…) Also available through other retailers and the author’s platforms. About the author Joy M. Lilley (pen name of Joy Gerken) is a British author and retired registered nurse who devoted herself to writing after a long nursing career ending in 2015. She is a grandmother who enjoys her large family, the theatre, and the arts. *Figs, Vines and Roses* was her debut novel, a historical romance and family saga. Her other works include *The Liberty Bodice* (a WWII SOE story), the novella *Time’s Pendulum Swings Again*, short stories, and later titles such as *Strawberry Moon*. She blogs and remains active in the writing community. X handle: @joygerken @JoygerkenJoy (xitter.cf/joygerken) #Authors #Artists #Creators

Strawberry Moon by Joy M. Lilley Published April 6, 2019 (paperback); Kindle September 30, 2020. The Patterson family leaves the U.K. to begin a new life in France. St Severin, in the Dordogne, is the backdrop for the home they choose and the obstacles that follow. Maisie, almost seventeen, narrates the story. Philosophers plan the move; teenagers live it. The novel’s claim is that it does both: the exciting start in a new country, and the coming-of-age pain, the competing love interests, the older brother’s affair with a married French woman, and the disappearance that begins to unravel the family. The book gives the personal Lilley—the retired nurse who writes under this pen name—and the public one: Maisie navigating the complicated new world while trying to plan the rest of her adult life, and the rollercoaster that turns an exciting relocation into something harder with every chapter. Drawn from the family saga that starts with a ferry and ends with a missing son. Buy links Amazon (paperback): amazon.com/Strawberry-Moon-J… Amazon (Kindle ebook): amazon.com/Strawberry-moon-J… About the author Joy M. Lilley (pen name of Joy Gerken) is a retired nurse and the author of more than a dozen novels, including Figs, Vines and Roses and Strawberry Moon. She worked in nursing until her retirement in 2015 and now writes from Kent, England. X handle: @JoygerkenJoy @joygerken (xitter.cf/joygerken) #BooksAsAGift #UnexpectedReads #BuyTwo 📚 #Authors 🎨 #Artists✨#Creators