Jack Jack the Cat Loose in London

Jack Jack isn’t your average ginger cat; he thrives on thrill and mischief. Dive into the heart of London with him as he leaps from the decks of pirate ships to the opulent halls of royal parties. Along the way, he encounters a cast of eccentric personalities and finds himself woven into their captivating tales. Explore London like never before, with Jack Jack – the city’s most adventurous feline – as your guide.

Jack, the Pirate with a Secret

This is a fun, action-packed story with a twist at the end to allow for discussion between reader and listener. This could be used as a focus for discussion in PSHE lessons or as a one-to-one chat between the child and parent/carer.

Jack, the main character, is a very likeable and charming pirate. He appears to be extremely courageous. Throughout the story, he is portrayed as a very brave character who steers and leads his ship, The Mucky Duck, through a storm to a place of safety. Clearly, his crew look up to him for inspiration and guidance at a time when they are very afraid, but Jack performs his duties without hesitation. The story frequently reminds the reader/audience that although Jack appears to be brave, he has a secret! The story ends with the crew and The Mucky Duck reaching an idyllic cove where everyone is safe and happy!

A land filled with:

‘Treasure and gold and jewels,

palm trees and coconuts!’

All that Jack wants to do is to go to sleep in his cosy bunk in his cosy little cabin and dream of his adventures all over again!

Jake and the Magic Handle

Jake was bored. He’d had a dull day at school and was walking home. His dog, Jack, had just squeezed through a gap in the hedge and was barking for Jake to join him. Jake didn’t want to but Jack just wouldn’t stop barking. So Jake grumpily crawled through the hedge determined to grab Jack and go home for his tea. He went to grab Jack and as he did so saw something on the ground that changed his life. Find out what Jake and Jack found – it might change your life too!

Jake the Crocodile

In today's society it is easy for adults and children alike to get swept up in social media expectations around what somebody should look like. It is also incredibly easy to jump to conclusions and make judgements about others.

Jake the Crocodile is about taking a step back to not only look at the outside of a person (or crocodile!) but what is on the inside.

It is more important than ever to teach our children to be empathic and Jake will form a special place in your child's heart so they stop and think about their judgements of other people and take the opportunity to see past external appearances to open a whole new world of opportunity for friendship.

Imagine a world where we didn't judge and people were valued for their individual characteristics. Jake will help your child see that there is beauty in everyone, if you just take the time to look.

Jesus In My Corner

Jesus in My Corner, written by Andy Flute, chronicles his struggle to overcome a myriad of life-long challenges with violence and alcohol. For over 30 years, violence and alcohol were Andy's daily bread until, one day, by the power of prayer, he managed to achieve what no amount of alcohol or prison incarceration could ever achieve. When he was at the point of death, intoxicated with alcohol following a ten-day binging session, I went to see my old mate and prayed for him with Pastor Steve.

Andy was fighting the demon of alcohol and he was on the ropes, down for the count. Andy, a former captain of the English boxing team and British Middleweight title challenger alongside sparring partner Chris Eubank and other world class fighters, knew what brutal fighting was all about. This fight was different, one he couldn't win on his own strength. Andy felt the intense grip and destructive downward spiral alcohol had on his life. Battered and bleeding, with no more strength, he cried out to Jesus.

In a truly miraculous turnaround, Andy found Jesus in his corner and almost instantaneously gave up alcohol. During the bleakest of moments, he experienced a spiritual awakening. Slowly, he found his way through darkest era of his life. He came to believe a power greater than himself in Jesus.

Now with Jesus in his corner, Andy is an active member of Sedgley Community Church. The Bible employs the analogy of wrestling in reference to our warfare with Satan and his hosts. Andy had a fight that only Jesus could referee, this gigantic battle played out until he was baptised in water.

Andy Flute's willingness to share the most intimate aspects of his life was born out of a deep desire to help others addicted to alcohol and violence.
Despite these daunting events, Andy now works hard to live a normal life and raise a family of his own. He regularly attends prison workshops and shares his testimony in local schools. The Lord has made an amazing transformation in his life, He could do the same for you!

His good friend, John Cramphorn

Jock the Sheepdog

This is the story about a border collie puppy who is the sole survivor of a litter born in the wild in the hills above the Town of Drummond in the Scottish Highlands. He is found, reared and trained by a local hill farmer and becomes renowned for his intelligence, courage and endurance. His remarkable series of adventures eventually see him win the 'One Man and his Dog trophy' competition on television. 

Joint Enterprise

On a winter’s night, in a grubby alleyway, in a northern town, Josh, a 17-year-old A Level student, is found stabbed to death.

The police investigation soon focuses on the four people who were in the alleyway with him that night – Josh’s girlfriend, Naomi and three members of a local gang, involved in drugs and violence.

The three gang members are charged but the police start to look more closely at Naomi. New evidence emerges which seems to point to Naomi.

Could Naomi be complicit with the gang? Is she a victim or a suspect? Or are the police looking in the wrong place? Soon her lawyers become Naomi’s only hope of a life beyond this nightmare.

An emotional exploration of the impact of a murder on family and friends combined with the roller coaster ride of twists and turns which make for a high-profile criminal investigation and trial.

Journey to a New Life

This is a story about the long and traumatic journey of two hard working Irish families at the time of the great famine and potato blight in Ireland in the mid nineteenth century when the country was governed from London and the poor were suffering greatly from starvation and disease.

The Doyle and the Gill families both became victims of the arrogant and ignorant son of the local landlord and magistrate and were forced to leave the land of their birth.

In different ways they suffered on the first sea leg of their respective journeys to the port of Liverpool in England where they became united.

They decided that their eventual destination was Canada and to achieve that dream they had to earn enough money by working for an extended period in Liverpool and industrial Lancashire.

Finally, they travelled by sailing ship to Canada. How would they fare? Would their dream eventually come true?

Juniper the Magic Caravan and The Adventures of Izzie and Ozzie: Izzietown

It was Saturday morning and Izzie and Ozzie were getting more and more excited while they were waiting for Nanny and Grandad.

Izzie and Ozzie loved Nanny and Grandad and they were always excited to see them, only now there was someone else who was also special and it was:

‘Juniper

The

Magic Caravan’.

Juniper was parked up at the side of Nanny and Grandad’s house on their drive.

Whatever time of the year, summer or winter, Juniper was always there waiting for Izzie and Ozzie to set off on another adventure without moving off the drive.

And this was one of those weekends!

What magical adventure would Juniper The Magic Caravan be taking Izzie and Ozzie on this weekend?

Open up and read Izzietown now and join Juniper’s magical adventure.

Jupiter

The story of Isaac Marcu Moritz and the great affliction of his childhood caused by a lightning bolt launched by Jupiter, god of the sky, the father of gods and men, and the patron of Rome. 

The bolt kills his aged mentor whose knowledge of history and languages is transferred to the traumatised mind of the boy. He is plagued throughout his life by visions and torment of Rome’s ancient rulers and gods.

Growing up on the family farm his skill in the capture of flies by hand learned by watching his grandmother’s action while at the packing table leads to success in rural land sales and a posting in a university entomology research program of hand-fly-capture. He establishes Snap-Zap-Solutions with the aim of eradicating the pestilence to improve the human condition.

Will he ever understand himself enough to empathise or forever live in abeyance wondering who or what is really driving his life?

Just Before the Dawn

JUST BEFORE THE DAWN is a ‘snap-shot’ of four former African colonies as they approached independence at the end of the 1950s. It is also a travel book based on the author’s experience and adventures whilst living and working at that time in Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Ruanda-Urundi (as they were then called) and Kenya. The book touches on those countries’ differing histories, both ancient and recent. It also offers the reminiscences of an elderly man pondering his first experiences of the worlds of work, and of love. The book’s leitmotif is dawn, along with its challenges: the coming dawn of change in those four countries, and in the author’s personal life. Additionally, he describes the magnificent dawn he experienced while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, as seen on this cover.Some of the comments on the author’s book on Russia:‘A calm and objective witness for the truth’ – John Le Carré‘It affords twin pleasures of content and style’ – a reader in France‘An excellent book’ – Lord Wright of Richmond, former Head of the Diplomatic Service‘A fascinating account of conflicts and tensions’ – The Church Times‘Extraordinarily observant’ – Andrei Voznesensky, poet

Just Outside This Room

This book of poems was partially written while I was quarantined courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic in Henan Province, China.
A stay that was prolonged to seven and a half months.
The myth and mystery of human experience evoked by being alone, finding myself on the edge of no return. The vulnerability, sudden solitude, struggles in a lifetime, consolidated in meditations, poems and reflections.
Most of the poems are spiritual in context, some just free thoughts.
My nephew’s take on this book of poetry was: ‘If you thought through the poems, then I will read them.’
I am very thankful and humble for this unexpected and unique opportunity, a journey of lifetime.
I am also looking forward to sharing this adventure in mind and spirit with you.
Michael Hovi