On Sunday 20th August author Lina Saad will be at the London Halal Festival. Lina will be cooking live at Tobacco Dock from 12:30pm.  'Ramadan Express' is an indispensable recipe collection packed with ideas and all the inspiration you could ever need for family meals and entertaining. Whether you’re a well-dined halal gourmand, a newfound halal foodie, or are simply looking for a good time with friends and family,  there is something for everyone at the London Halal Food Festival. Discover international Halal cuisines for a truly global eating experience. Indulge in hearty meals from Halal burgers and hot dogs to traditional dishes.  Enjoy tasty sweet treats in the dessert parlour Refresh with a mouth-watering mocktail Relax and unwind in an exclusive mocktail lounge. Watch your favourite Celebrity Chefs in action in the cookery theatre Participate in activities including the hugely popular Halal Eat Offs Watch your children enjoy the dedicated kids zone Enjoy live entertainment late into the night whilst Find out more about the festival by clicking here.

Join author Michael O. Gregory at The Book Tavern and bag yourself a signed copy of his book 'Lady Eleanora'.  High treason and treachery prevail in this tale of fantasy and romance. A cat burglar, by the name of Eddy the Cat, overhears a plot to assassinate Prince Hugh D'Croix, the Prince of Dunboro. The cobbler whose shop he has just robbed is involved and just before scampering over the rooftops, Eddy the Cat steals a codebook. He soon realises that he is the chief suspect and when trapped in the city concedes that he may as well go to the Palace seeking safety and informing them of the plot. His secret is soon discovered; Eddy the cat is a lass, not a lad. Taken under the wing of Princess Julianna, Eleanora soon becomes a trusted part of the family and is elevated to a Baronet. As a member of the peerage Lady Eleanora travels and meets Crown Prince Ambrose of Turin. They become betrothed but Ambrose's father is concerned that Lady Eleanora is not from the correct background. Lady Eleanora excels in tactics, devotion and sheer force when fighting against an invasion by the Jutes. When the battle is over she is adopted by the royal family and becomes a Princess. Will she get her Prince finally?

The author of 'I Will Find You', John M. Taylor, will be joining The Littleport Society in celebrating 30 years of this community group. John will be taking part in a book signing and you will also have the chance to find out a little more about his book. Halfway through the evening there will be entertainment from Hobson's Voice - a local band! The event is free to both members and the public. It's certain to be a wonderful evening. To find out more about The Littleport Society, click here. 'I Will Find You' is a tale of mystery and intrigue which starts in wartime Fenland near Ely and then moves halfway across the globe to Australia. John Taylor's story is colourful, poignant and moving as it charts the journey of young Robbie Spalding and his path from a Dr. Barnardos Home in Cambridge to a new life on the other side of the world. Robbie becomes Nick Thorne and this account of his arrival into adulthood is more than a little tragic and filled with unexpected twists and turns. Touching, funny, sad and filled with drama, 'I Will Find You' is an authentic and pacey read, gripping and compelling, and will certainly keep the readers' attention until the last page is turned. Expect to shed a tear for the casualties of war.  

Author of 'Praying For Strawberries', Gail Simpkins, will be at Dennis Johnson Branch Library on Wednesday 29th November at 5:50pm. Join Gail for a reading of her book and even get the chance to quiz Gail on 'Praying for Strawberries'. You may even be able to get yourself a signed copy! Have you ever wondered what an Autism Assistance Dog does? Or about the unique perspective of a person living with autism? Through his mother's diary, follow nine-year old Lachlan's journey with his new friend "Itsal" the Labrador as they navigate the world together with Lachlan achieving one of his many dreams and goals-learning to surf! Read about the fantastic improvements Itsal makes to Lachlan's life, and how he strengthens and supports Lachlan and his family.   "Praying for Strawberries is a remarkable story of the daily real life events of a mother, a child and a family whose testimony to the joys and sorrows of a normal family who have been blessed as they travel with each other on a journey where each day unfolds with many surprises not planned for. It is this uncertainty that can be both exhilarating and challenging. The reader will not remain untouched."  - Trevor R Parmenter AM, Professor Emeritus, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney  

On Saturday the 23rd September Karen & David, authors of 'The Kingdom of Puli', will be at Waterstones Enfield for a book signing event. 'The Kingdom of Puli' tells the tale of three generations of the Royal Puli Family. The Pulies are a highly intelligent species that are dog-like in appearance. The Kingdom of Puli is a magical place, mystical horses fly across the sky and gladiators perform battles in the Great Arena. The Royal Family of Puli have magical powers, which are bestowed on them by the highest wizard. They are only allowed to use their magic for good not evil. Any Puli caught practicing evil is banished to Togo: a dark horrible swampland on the borders of the Kingdom. The story begins when the Evil Warlock casts a spell on Prince Ceaser and turns him into an ordinary dog. Then he locks him in an old chest and transports him to earth. A little girl called Lilly finds the chest in her garden shed. Lilly enters in the magical world of adventure and friendship with the Pulies. This spans over three generations of her family. They accompany the Puli princes on exciting quests to save the kingdom from being destroyed by the Evil Warlock. These dangerous quests send them back in time to the medieval England, the Crimean War and to Togo; as they have to bring back important objects that belonged to famous historical figures; for Wizard Merlin to use in a spell to save the kingdom. The reader will be introduced to all the colourful characters from the Kingdom of Puli; Wizard Merlin, General Hercules, King Brutus, Queen Allegra and many others. It is an old fashioned tale of good versus evil that will keep the reader gripped to the story from start to finish. We allow them into the secret kingdom of Puli that is hidden above the clouds where magic exists. Open the book and be transported to a faraway kingdom...  

Author Richard Abbott-Brailey will be at the Prudhoe Library on Thursday 5th October from 6:30pm. Join Richard to hear him talk about the creation of his book and maybe even grab yourself a signed copy.  The event is FREE - To book tickets head to http://bit.ly/abott-brailey or click here. 'Azarias Tor: The History Maker' -  Do we make history or does history make us what we are? Do we allow our lives to be dictated by history or do we attempt to make our history the ‘new' future; do we have an impact in history, and the future, or do we allow ourselves to be the ‘victims' of the impact of history upon us, having the future shaped for us by others? Imagine that there are people out there who will make us part of their history, and make their future our future; world leaders, artists, authors, and scientists. But what of the ordinary people - in the neighbourhood, or that person in their car, passing you on the road? Is that person harbouring secrets that you could not begin to comprehend? What if that person had secrets that they are not aware of; secrets that could have a major impact on the lives of everyone, everywhere, throughout the whole of time?

Join author Richard Bloss and the main man himself, Barney the dog, at Waterstones on Plymouth New Street on 11th November 2017. Richard, author of 'About a Dog', will be available to sign copies of the book and answer any questions you might have. ‘Barney the dog is a Westie crossed with a Cairn terrier.' More than that, Barney is, for Richard Bloss, ‘...a dishevelled scrap with his own distinct personality and character.' In 'About a Dog' Richard Bloss describes the adventure of owning a dog: the relationship with Boh the cat, the desperate need for chewsticks, the joy of walkies and the fear when cute little Barney goes walkies all on his own in next door's garden.  Delightfully illustrated and written with charming comedy, 'About a Dog' will be familiar territory for dog lovers; showing the trials and tribulations - but more importantly, the joy - of owning a rapid-moving, sentient ball of fur.

Richard Bloss, author of 'About a Dog', will be at Waterstones Hull with the main man himself, Barney the dog, on Saturday 28th October from 10am.  ‘Barney the dog is a Westie crossed with a Cairn terrier.' More than that, Barney is, for Richard Bloss, ‘...a dishevelled scrap with his own distinct personality and character.' In 'About a Dog' Richard Bloss describes the adventure of owning a dog: the relationship with Boh the cat, the desperate need for chewsticks, the joy of walkies and the fear when cute little Barney goes walkies all on his own in next door's garden.  Delightfully illustrated and written with charming comedy, 'About a Dog' will be familiar territory for dog lovers; showing the trials and tribulations - but more importantly, the joy - of owning a rapid-moving, sentient ball of fur.