However, if you don’t mind being completely grossed out one minute and laughing your head off the next, please read on ...
˃˃˃ Praise for Walkabout“I would read ANYTHING this man wrote.” That’s what Mr La Rue said. Plus he didn’t just read Walkabout, he had a little nap and then read all the way through to book 8, Final Straw! Pretty impressive.
˃˃˃ Other 5 out of 5 star reviews for the Urban Hunters series ...“Mad writing skills you’ve got. Billy is a juxtaposition of seasoned warrior and innocent child that makes him incredibly easy to like.” Jessica B, Publisher, BooksATrueStory
“This is definitely a one-of-a-kind book worthy of recognition and literary appreciation. Kudos to Gary Taaffe!” JB Cacdac, Singapore Review of Books
˃˃˃ Overview of Walkabout ...Billy’s gotta find some girls. The problem is he’s an Aborigine from the Australian bush and all he’s got to wear is a loincloth. Not a good look in the city. And what’s worse, he’s never even seen a girl before. Could life get anymore difficult? Why yes it could. Billy could fall in love ...
Billy arrives in the city to mixed reactions: he has to fight off a mongrel old man, he makes a gruesome discovery in a barrel at the tip and wolf-whistles leave leave him confused over the appeal of his bare bum. That’s all easy, until he meets Amber down a rat-infested alley.
˃˃˃ More praise ...“Taaffe's series is a wonderful action series for boys and girls who don't mind a little grit in their stories.” Tammy and Alex Dewhurst, Canada
“I have just finished reading the first three in this series and they were the funniest books I have ever read in my entire life! By the time I had finished Four Small Stones I had tears rolling down my cheeks I was laughing so hard. I couldn't wait to read Tribal Scarring and Walkabout and they were both just as good if not better. Can't wait for number 4.” Wendy and Andres, UK
“While written for a younger age bracket, adult humour has been included. However it has been written in such a way that what seems like a funny incident to a younger audience, holds an underlying meaning for the adults. I highly recommend this series to everybody who is interested in reading a beautifully written story.” Pinky Pollock, Australian Book Review
URBAN HUNTERS is laugh-out-loud, gut-churning, heart-wrenching storytelling at its best. Unlike anything you’ve ever read, in typical Taaffe fashion. Hilarious as usual. Always surprising. Wonderful!
#2 Teen and Young Adult Action Adventure Series#3 Teen and Young Adult Humorous eBooksBest selling Children’s eBooksBest selling Middle Grade eBooksBest selling Teen eBooksBest selling Young Adult eBooksSurvival is climbing up the charts- fingers crossed :)Scroll up and grab a copy today.
However, if you don’t mind being completely grossed out one minute and laughing your head off the next, please read on ...
˃˃˃ Praise for Budgie Smugglers“I would read ANYTHING this man wrote.” That’s what Mr La Rue said. Plus he didn’t just read Budgie Smugglers, he had a little nap and then read all the way through to book 8, Final Straw! Pretty impressive.
˃˃˃ Other 5 out of 5 star reviews for the Urban Hunters series ...“Mad writing skills you’ve got. Billy slowly learning about girls and falling in love for the first time in his innocent way was just plain adorable. And there were just enough gross-out scenes to make you squeal.” Jessica B, Publisher, BooksATrueStory
“It's wonderful how Gary made Billy's character learn how to fall in love for the first time.” JB Cacdac, Singapore Review of Books
˃˃˃ Overview of Budgie Smugglers ...Billy’s found a girl but what to do with her? A dinner date! Great idea, nothing like a freshly roasted rat over the coals on a starry night. Very romantic. Norm the council worker doesn’t think so though, he wants them out of his park! Until he sees what’s for breakfast. Yummo! And those loveable puppies: Larry, Curly and Moe, make a meal of a dying man, much to Amber’s relief. Life in the city, much more exciting than the bush.
˃˃˃ More praise ...“Taaffe's series is a wonderful action series for boys and girls who don't mind a little grit in their stories.” Tammy and Alex Dewhurst, Canada
“I have just finished reading the first three in this series and they were the funniest books I have ever read in my entire life! By the time I had finished Four Small Stones I had tears rolling down my cheeks I was laughing so hard. I couldn't wait to read Tribal Scarring and Walkabout and they were both just as good if not better. Can't wait for number 4.” Wendy and Andres, UK
“While written for a younger age bracket, adult humour has been included. However it has been written in such a way that what seems like a funny incident to a younger audience, holds an underlying meaning for the adults. I highly recommend this series to everybody who is interested in reading a beautifully written story.” Pinky Pollock, Australian Book Review
URBAN HUNTERS is laugh-out-loud, gut-churning, heart-wrenching storytelling at its best. Unlike anything you’ve ever read, in typical Taaffe fashion. Hilarious as usual. Always surprising. Wonderful!
#2 Teen and Young Adult Action Adventure Series#3 Teen and Young Adult Humorous eBooksBest selling Children’s eBooksBest selling Middle Grade eBooksBest selling Teen eBooksBest selling Young Adult eBooksSurvival is climbing up the charts- fingers crossed :)Scroll up and grab a copy today.
Pulling examples from high-profile pop culture cases, Seven Deadly Clicks explains the very real dangers behind common online activities. The book covers everything from over-sharing to sexting, online addiction, and more. Teens and parents will not only learn how to identify and prevent falling into these digital traps, but also how to recover if they do happen to make a mistake. This ebook exclusive acts as an internet safety net, giving teens an entertaining, yet informative, resource to
help navigate potential pitfalls and still live fulfilling lives online.
However, if you don’t mind being completely grossed out one minute and laughing your head off the next, please read on ...
˃˃˃ Praise for Bullies“I would read ANYTHING this man wrote.” That’s what Mr La Rue said. Plus he didn’t just read Bullies, he started at book 1, Four Small Stones, had a little nap and then read all the way through to book 8, Final Straw! Pretty impressive.
˃˃˃ Other 5 out of 5 star reviews for the Urban Hunters series ...“Another brilliant adventure from Billy. The fight is fantastic. Loved it. Making his first phone call - hilarious! Great storytelling.” Jack S, Australia
“It's comical, hilarious, and witty. It's nothing like anything you've read before because nothing like it has been written before. This is clearly a literary breakthrough!” JB Cacdac, Singapore Review of Books
˃˃˃ Overview of Bullies ...Turns out that shoving a fishing spear into a mongrel old man’s leg has its consequences. His son wants revenge, forcing Amber to come to Billy’s rescue. A brutal battle ensues leaving Amber with blood on her hands now too. Billy tidies up the mess with a lesson in respect that will leave you gobsmacked.
˃˃˃ More praise ...“Taaffe's series is a wonderful action series for boys and girls who don't mind a little grit in their stories.” Tammy and Alex Dewhurst, Canada
“These characters are so likeable and the message is so humane and positive. I am so tired of literature full of anger, angst and cruelty. I find this entire series uplifting. You won't find vampires, werewolves, magic etc. Just plain old folk relating to each other and their environment and doing the best they can with what they have. What can I say? I love this series and look forward to it's continuation. By the way, be sure you visit the glossary at the end of each book. The glossary is an entertainment in and of itself. Read these books. Enjoy!!” New York Book Review- WD La Rue
“While written for a younger age bracket, adult humour has been included. However it has been written in such a way that what seems like a funny incident to a younger audience, holds an underlying meaning for the adults. I highly recommend this series to everybody who is interested in reading a beautifully written story.” Pinky Pollock, Australian Book Review
URBAN HUNTERS is laugh-out-loud, gut-churning, heart-wrenching storytelling at its best. Unlike anything you’ve ever read, in typical Taaffe fashion. Hilarious as usual. Always surprising. Wonderful!
#2 Teen and Young Adult Action Adventure Series#3 Teen and Young Adult Humorous eBooksBest selling Children’s eBooksBest selling Middle Grade eBooksBest selling Teen eBooksBest selling Young Adult eBooksSurvival is climbing up the charts- fingers crossed :)Scroll up and grab a copy today.
Fear is a primal human emotion, and it often does play an important role in keeping us safe from threats. It’s part of our evolutionary makeup, after all. But fears can also spiral out of control, and if your perfectly reasonable fear of snakes has metastasized to the point that you run screaming from every uncoiled hose, then (news flash!) you’ve got yourself a phobia. Human phobias are strange, diverse, and actually have the power to teach us a lot about who we are and where we came from. And in this book, author Sarah Latta blends biology, psychology, history, and pop culture to provide a comprehensive account of 50 essential fears, from arachnophobia to zoophobia. Additionally, the book includes:
- An explanation of the history behind each phobia, and a discussion of notable people who have suffered from the fear
- Sidebars that highlight famous phobic moments from history and pop culture
- Updates on how successful various phobia treatments have been
Phobias are no laughing matter if you’ve got one, but sometimes the first step to overcoming your fear is understanding that sometimes we’re afraid of a lot of really weird things. So whether you’re looking for perspective, information, or just want to know what Madonna and David Beckham are afraid of, this is the book for you. (Bibliophobes, however, should probably keep their distance.)
However, if you don’t mind being completely grossed out one minute and laughing your head off the next, please read on ...
˃˃˃ Praise for The Orphanage“I would read ANYTHING this man wrote.” That’s what Mr La Rue said. Plus he didn’t just read The Orphanage, he started at book 1, Four Small Stones, had a little nap and then read all the way through to book 8, Final Straw! Pretty impressive.
˃˃˃ Other 5 out of 5 star reviews for the Urban Hunters series ...“Way beyond wonderful. A spine-tingling experience of anticipation. Fear and terror a plenty. I think it is the best so far.” Anne, Editor Australia
“Just finished reading the book. It was AWESOME!” JB Cacdac, Singapore Review of Books
˃˃˃ Overview of The Orphanage ...Billy and Amber go up against the dreaded dog catcher with a hot pursuit leading them into a creepy, rundown old orphanage where they find themselves under attack by a savage pack. Lives will be lost in this heart pounding edge of your seat episode.
˃˃˃ More praise ...“Plenty of laughs, as usual, love it. Great dialogue. The Bullie’s antics are hilarious.”Jack S, Australia
“Great ending.”Hermione, Editor Australia
“Taaffe's series is a wonderful action series for boys and girls who don't mind a little grit in their stories.” Tammy and Alex Dewhurst, Canada
“These characters are so likeable and the message is so humane and positive. I am so tired of literature full of anger, angst and cruelty. I find this entire series uplifting. You won't find vampires, werewolves, magic etc. Just plain old folk relating to each other and their environment and doing the best they can with what they have. What can I say? I love this series and look forward to it's continuation. By the way, be sure you visit the glossary at the end of each book. The glossary is an entertainment in and of itself. Read these books. Enjoy!!” New York Book Review- WD La Rue
“While written for a younger age bracket, adult humour has been included. However it has been written in such a way that what seems like a funny incident to a younger audience, holds an underlying meaning for the adults. I highly recommend this series to everybody who is interested in reading a beautifully written story.” Pinky Pollock, Australian Book Review
URBAN HUNTERS is laugh-out-loud, gut-churning, heart-wrenching storytelling at its best. Unlike anything you’ve ever read, in typical Taaffe fashion. Hilarious as usual. Always surprising. Wonderful!
#2 Teen and Young Adult Action Adventure Series#3 Teen and Young Adult Humorous eBooksBest selling Children’s eBooksBest selling Middle Grade eBooksBest selling Teen eBooksBest selling Young Adult eBooksSurvival is climbing up the charts- fingers crossed :)Scroll up and grab a copy today.
Standing between this invader and the people of St. Augustine are teenagers Jeff and Carla, the mysterious Native American shaman, Lobo, and Lyle, the homeless guy.
In their quest to save themselves and all the inhabitants of this ancient Florida city, Jeff and Carla uncover lost parts of St. Augustine history, push past the limits of space and time, and come face-to-face with what they come to realize are the true walking dead.
However, if you don’t mind being completely grossed out one minute and laughing your head off the next, please read on ...
˃˃˃ Praise for Bowels of Hell“I would read ANYTHING this man wrote.” That’s what Mr La Rue said. Plus he didn’t just read Bowels of Hell, he started at book 1, Four Small Stones, had a little nap and then read all the way through to book 8, Final Straw! Pretty impressive.
˃˃˃ Other 5 out of 5 star reviews for the Urban Hunters series ...“By far the best in the series, cliffhanger at end is driving me crazy.” Wendy and Andres, UK
“This is one hell of a book!” JB Cacdac, Singapore Review of Books
˃˃˃ Overview of Bowels of Hell ...Will this be the end of Billy and Amber after an accident entombs and dooms them to a slow and gruesome death? How can they be saved when no one even knows they’re in trouble? Can they save themselves?
˃˃˃ More praise ...“WOW! Great pace. A wickedly graphic conclusion. Loved it.” Anne, Editor Australia
“Just gets Better and Better. As this series of wonderful books goes along, character development, plot and involvement acquire greater depth.. The humour is there, as usual, but as this story goes along we have more of our questions answered (and more asked). Mr Taaffe, your cliff-hangers are killing me....
Anyway, I love these books, I truly do, and believe they are books that you will read over and over because as time passes and one gains a different set of experiences, so to will the books mean something different to you. Yes, they are that kind of read...
I may have said this already in another review, but, seriously..I would read ANYTHING this man wrote.” New York Book Review- WD La Rue
“Taaffe's series is a wonderful action series for boys and girls who don't mind a little grit in their stories.” Tammy and Alex Dewhurst, Canada
URBAN HUNTERS is laugh-out-loud, gut-churning, heart-wrenching storytelling at its best. Unlike anything you’ve ever read, in typical Taaffe fashion. Hilarious as usual. Always surprising. Wonderful!
#2 Teen and Young Adult Action Adventure Series#3 Teen and Young Adult Humorous eBooksBest selling Children’s eBooksBest selling Middle Grade eBooksBest selling Teen eBooksBest selling Young Adult eBooksSurvival is climbing up the charts- fingers crossed :)Scroll up and grab a copy today.
Finally, Jeff turns to his girlfriend Carla, and Lobo, the mysterious Native American shaman, for help. But what he discovers is a lot more than he bargained for.
A ghostly presence linked to a local historic cemetery is not only threatening Jeff’s sanity but his life as well. And before he knows what’s happening, Jeff finds both himself and Carla pulled into one of the nastiest and most bloody events in Florida history. It is a place from which they may never escape.
Twelve-year-old Jillian Blairington never thought she was particularly special.
She was wrong. She’s a Dream Shaper.
The scientists responsible for the genetic modifications kidnap her in order to teach Jillian how to use her Gift. But she isn’t alone. They also have her babysitter, Danielle Matheson, snatched to keep her in line.
They also have a task for her.
If Jillian can’t master her Gift quickly, Danielle might only be the first victim of many.
Interview with the Author:
Q: What makes the Devya’s Children series special?
A: At the heart, this series is about family and friendship as well as the ethical questions surrounding genetic engineering. It’s been likened to the Orphan Black TV show. I like to think of it as a more family-friendly take on those themes. The premise is that a brilliant scientist and his team created several genetically altered children who have special Gifts, such as telepathy, healing, and dream shaping.
The journal/letters style is not unique to this series, but I believe ultimately it suits my need to get in these people’s heads. I’ve worked very hard to fill the books with relatable characters. Some of them happen to have superpowers, but as Jillian points out, everybody has gifts, if not Gifts. It’s just a matter of finding out what those gifts are and how they can be applied for the good of the world.
Q: What order should I read them in?
A: I suggest the traditional order of:
- Ashlynn’s Dreams
- Nadia’s Tears
- Malia’s Miracles
- Varick’s Quest
… before jumping into the prequel—The Dark Side of Science—or the Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts.
The prequel and the short stories can certainly be read as standalones, but they may be more enjoyable once the reader’s already familiar with some of the characters.
Q: Where does this book fit in the series? What theme(s) make it special?
A: Ashlynn’s Dreams is where it all started. This is definitely the place where you want to jump in and get connected. If I had to pick a few central themes, I’d say kidnapping, family, and genetic engineering.
Why kidnapping? Well, it’s awful and scary and just plain wrong, but in this case, there’s a specific reason the scientists do it.
How does family fit in? What makes a family? The truth is that family’s a complicated thing. For example, here, Jillian has a mother, a father, a step-father, and much more. It’s been fun to explore those connections.
Science fiction’s all about the what-ifs. We’re actually just getting into the advancements in real world genetics where some of these things could be in the near future. That’s going to open a whole can of ethical worms. Fiction’s a wonderful playground for delving into scientific ethics.
Q: Why should readers check out this series?
A: Because Devya’s Children will introduce you to a charming cast of characters dealing with some big issues. Right or wrong, the children exist, so now what? If you have the power to change the world, should you? What are the personal cost and consequences of shaping the world? These are all questions explored by the series.
Q: Can the reader get the whole series at once?
A: Readers can grab books 1-3 in a combination.
In the meantime, eleventh-grader Ram Rajathani needs to figure out why his best friend, Henry Lipton, is acting like a zombie. Ram’s younger sister Laila may have a book of instructions for saving the world, but she has no idea how to read it. His older sister Nina isn't afraid of gods, but she’s totally annoyed by Ram and desperate to make friends for her senior year. Nina’s lab partner, Katie Chase, would really like to know who put the cursed iguana in her locker.
These five unlikely teens race against time and across two continents to save the world. The fate of humanity rests in their hands. No biggie!
Ruby Parker is a singer in an all-girl band. When she dies in a car crash and returns as a ghost, she uses magic to be with her boyfriend. Everyone except Ruby knows that magic comes with a price. Magic is meant to fix her problems, instead it's making things worse.
If magic can't get her out of this trouble, then nothing can, and her after-life depends on it.
For fans of 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' and 'Glee'.
Author note: This book was originally published as "Little Red Gem". This version has a new chapter at the end. Everything else is the same.
Chen grew up in Annam, but it was soldiers of the Chinese Emperor of the Dragon Throne who laid waste to his village and tortured and killed everyone. Chen, just twelve years old, escaped with the help of a mysterious old man. After many days march with the old man, he finds himself on a Chinese Treasure Ship, and it is then that the real adventure begins.
But the old man has already revealed that he is a magician, and there is something very strange about Chen that the boy had never known and could not have possibly imagined. His skills may be unique, and without him the Chinese ships might not survive the pirates or come close to completing their mission halfway round the world…
Then, hundreds of years later, another boy finds an ancient knife on a beach after days of searching because, somehow, he knew it was there. As if that was not enough, he and his friends are then plunged into a modern-day adventure of pirates, thieves, ghosts, and buried treasure.
Recommended for readers aged 12 to adult.
Jon Panzer, a well-known collector of Mayan artifacts, had found evidence of a “Lost City” deep in the jungles of Guatemala. Stolen artifacts were turning up that came from no known Mayan archeological site
Discovering a lost Mayan city had always been Woodson’s dream. Accompanied by Woodson’s girlfriend Blue, Panzer, and his secretary Carla Jamison, Woodson and Pedro head for Guatemala to meet up with their good friend and mentor, Professor Lyons and Keh, an elderly Mayan shaman hoping to discover the ‘Lost City.’
The dangers of the wild Guatemalan jungles and rainforests were not the only obstacles in their way. The expedition had to battle a dangerous gang of smugglers. These villains would stop at nothing to keep Woodson, Pedro and friends from finding the ‘Lost City.’
Filled with plenty of action, adventure, and ancient Maya mysticism, Site Q: The Lost City, the sequel to, The Fifth Codex is a fun read for the young adult audience and the young at heart.
Forced to leave home.
You become the hunted.
Could you survive?
"A gripping fantasy adventure. A FINALIST and highly recommended." -- The Wishing Shelf Awards
"..Very adventurous, thrilling, and action-packed." -- Litpick.com
"What a rich, complex world this author has created!" -- author Sunshine Somerville
The mark means honor. The mark invites death.
On a distant planet, Eros thrives in the Human settlement he calls home. Raised to follow his grandfather's noble footsteps, he studies the details of each species that co-exist here. But when the mark appears, he's called to fight, which changes his life forever.
Forced to abandon his home, the mark makes him the hunted. He's attacked the night he arrives in the city. A tough, street fighter named Kenrya saves his life. When they join others on the same journey, her cynical attitude drives a wedge between the group.
Given the perils facing them, can they put aside their differences and trust each other long enough to survive?
Discover this epic adventure where an individual's unique abilities can change the course of the future.