Cirrus@Austlit

'Crippled by writer’s block, New York Times best-selling author Kristen Winters fears her career is slipping away. Her publisher’s on her back, and her motivation is at an all-time low. When an opportunity to relocate brings Kristen to Hope’s Ridge, she hopes the gorgeous views and welcoming townsfolk will inspire her writing. What she hasn’t anticipated is making an enemy in the form of Hope’s Ridge’s resident artist, Ryan Williamson.

'For the past four months, Ryan has been floating on cloud nine. His artwork is being featured as part of an exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and he’s been offered an opportunity of a lifetime on the international stage. However, his charmed existence comes crashing down when a medical emergency sees all he has worked for come under threat.

'Will Kristen and Ryan recognize how alike their circumstances are and unite to support each other, or will their rivalry become so intense that one of them will need to leave town?' (Publication summary)

Who is behind the Christmas Secret?

Excitement builds in Hope’s Ridge in the lead-up to Christmas as whispered conversations, incorrect assumptions, and plenty of scheming keep the town buzzing. Who is the organizer, what is the connection to the uninhabited Lake House, and why does the instigator insist on remaining anonymous?

'Becca Hamilton can’t answer any of these questions. New to Hope’s Ridge and hoping to keep her demons locked in the past, she’s yearning for the fresh start the new town and job offer her.

'Local bar owner Isaak Trader also craves a fresh start. To have any chance at a relationship, he believes he needs to leave Hope’s Ridge and start again—until he meets Becca.

'With the Christmas Secret whirling around them, the flame igniting Becca and Isaak’s instant attraction is quickly extinguished as her past comes back to haunt her. Becca will need to put her demons to bed and move forward for the pair to have any chance at love. But how can she do that when Isaak’s lifestyle represents her biggest fear?

'It will take more than a Christmas miracle for these two to have any chance of a future together, but as the Christmas Secret builds momentum, anything is possible.' (Publication summary)

'When Jenna Larsen dreamed of her wedding day, she never visualized it being the most humiliating day of her life. But it was. Devastated and mortified by the turn of events, Jenna returns to Hope’s Ridge single and seeking solace in the comfort of her parents’ home.

'Matt Law has spent the last six months proving to the residents of Hope’s Ridge that he’s changed. He wants to be part of the town and part of the community, but one act undoes all of his hard work and makes him an enemy—Roy Larsen: the influential owner of the town’s mill; a major supplier to Matt’s businesses; and furious father of the bride. While Matt does his best to tame Jenna and her father’s fury, there are bigger issues brewing. His father, the majority owner of his businesses, is persuaded by an outsider to move his investments from Hope’s Ridge. But who exactly is venture capitalist Susan Lewis, and why does she have so much influence and power over his father?

'As Jenna does her best to move on from the wreckage of her wedding day, an opportunity arises for her to work with Susan. Their business collaboration could ultimately destroy Matt’s businesses. Matt ruined Jenna’s life—she’s single, unemployed, and without a home because of him—and now she has the opportunity to ruin his. But will she?' (Publication summary)

'Can shattered hearts be healed?

'Dealing with the trauma of recurring nightmares and nursing a broken heart, Zane Larsen arrives in Hope’s Ridge resolved to recover his self-confidence and find a new direction for his life. However, he’s stunned to discover he still has feelings he can’t ignore for his sister’s best friend, the one woman in Hope’s Ridge who’s hated him since high school.

'When her business plans crumble overnight, Asha Jones is wrong to assume life can’t get any worse. She’s made an enemy of an influential local property developer, and the man who crushed her heart ten years earlier has returned to town. Sure, she can do her best to ignore Zane’s existence, but what will she do when her feelings resurface for him? She can’t go there again…can she?

'Zane needs to redeem himself and fight for a second chance. But is working with the man who wants to destroy Asha’s business a guaranteed way to reignite her hate - or could it be an opportunity to change her opinion of him?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When dark memories haunt you, is it possible to move forward with an open heart?

'Twelve months ago, an accident destroyed Steph Jones’s easy-going outlook. Plagued with the horror and memories of that day, Steph is unable to forget and unable to forgive herself.

'In the nearby town of Drayson’s Landing, one man has the ability to help Steph move on. Only, he’s hurting more than she is.

'Can Steph muster the courage to leave the comfort of Hope’s Ridge, face the nightmare of her past, and confront the man she’s been avoiding for the last year?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Imagine you had the power to change the world…

'Sixth-graders Jasper and Izzy are shocked to discover they possess a unique power: they can freeze time. The only catch? They can't use it for personal gain.

'Led by an unexpected ally, they enter the in-between dimension, a waiting room positioned between their world and eternity; a place where mortality travellers (people who have died) are stuck, unable to move on unless changes to their pasts are made.

'Can Jasper and Izzy travel to the past, use their power to freeze time, and change the histories of Will, Hannah and Oliver, three individuals whose deaths have impacted the lives of thousands of others?

'And will they ignore the possible consequences of using this power to change their own lives for the better?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Responding to an unfamiliar cry for help, not only puts the Crafters’ Club members in danger but confirms they are not alone in the Minecraft world.  Mob encounters, glitches, foreign visitors, and unknown maps ensure this Crafters’ Club adventure is the most unpredictable yet.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Eleven-year-old Curly Jones’ life has become unbearable. A target of constant bullying, change seems impossible… that is, until new girl, Belle, arrives. Not only does Belle bring friendship, she provides an introduction to the Secret World; a world of magic, adventure and unexpected friends. But it’s not all fun and excitement. When an unwelcome visitor threatens the Secret World, Curly will need every ounce of courage to discover his own magic and fight for its future.' (Publication Summary)

'An exciting birthday adventure turns disastrous when a real-world player infiltrates the Minecraft map. Mobs are the last thing on the club members minds as they scheme to outwit this uninvited yet dangerous guest. Can the Crafters' Club protect the Minecraft world, avoid a fatal attack, and preserve their most precious secret?' (Publication summary)

'Turmoil erupts when the Crafters' Club members transport a potion from the real world into the Minecraft map. Their plan is sabotaged, leaving Archer and Spirit in extreme danger. JJ, Jamie, Annie, and Charli have no time to waste as a hair-raising adventure unfolds. Explosions, mobs, and potions, create further complications as the members try to outwit their enemy and survive.' (Publication summary)

'When the Crafters Club members re-enter the Minecraft world, unforeseen problems destroy the thrill of locating the masked hero. Frightening cave explorations, battles with mobs, and an intense rescue mission are just some of the challenges they face. Can the Crafters Club piece together the clues required to help the hero, free a prisoner, and survive another exhilarating adventure? Spirit is the fifth book in The Crafters Club series. The series is aimed at 6 to 10 year olds and will also appeal to a broader age range of Minecraft fans. ' (Publication summary)

'Fear overshadows the thrill of visiting a new map when an unexpected character creates chaos for the Crafters Club. Held prisoner, Charli must rely on the quick wit and resourcefulness of her friends if there is to be any hope of escape. Find out which map is chosen, who the mysterious character is, and what unimaginable difficulties the four friends face in this fast-paced adventure. The Professor is the fourth book in the Crafters Club series.' (Publication summary)

'Attempting to travel to the End brings unexpected mob encounters, heart-stopping battles, and an extremely difficult decision for Jamie and Sam. Overcoming these challenges is only the first step. If they are successful they will face the hardest task of all. Kill the ender dragon, or be defeated and never again return to the Minecraft world. Do the Crafters' Club members have the skills to complete their mission and live to have another Minecraft adventure, or is this really the end?' (Publication summary)

'When cousin Sam defies the Crafters' Club and sneaks into the Minecraft world alone, danger and unexpected chaos erupts. Set on a path of destruction, Sam must be stopped. Can the Crafters' Club members keep their promise, stop Sam, and return to the real world before lives are lost?' (Publication summary)

'When The Crafter's Club members decide to bring their villager friend Toby into the real world, their excitement turns to dread. Toby has disappeared and things have gone terribly wrong. How will they explain the situation to the villagers? With JJ and Charli unable to help, Annie and Jamie must mount a rescue mission. Can Annie find the courage to help Jamie save their friends? ' (Publication summary)

'Jamie's desire to visit a village leads to disastrous results when he ignores the Crafters' Club's rules and sneaks into the Minecraft world alone. Weakened by a potion he becomes trapped, unable to move or find a way home. Will JJ, Annie, and Charli be able to save Jamie, protect the villagers from zombies, and survive another adventure in the Minecraft world? ' (Publication summary)

'Finding a real-life portal provides Crafters' Club members, JJ, Jamie, Charli and Annie a doorway into the world of their favorite video game, Minecraft. Propelled by the portal into a Minecraft map, a thrilling, heart-racing adventure unfolds. Survival is their utmost priority as they learn to craft supplies, stay safe from mobs and exist in a foreign land. Will teamwork, friendship and courage be enough to ultimately guide them home? ' (Publication summary)