Books with author L. D. Taylor

In Canada, Phil Roland is a hero. He's saved his dad's company, Motive Games; solved his dad's murder; and exposed a mafia ring. But by his second day in Auckland, Phil's life is out of control. The E3 East gaming show was supposed to be Motive's big chance to get published. Instead, people are blaming Phil for a controversial FPS; someone's hacked Motive's game; and Australian mega- distributer, PFG, is threatening to ruin the company. The guy whose name keeps popping up? PFG president, Bailey Kant. Thanks to Kant, Phil is dodging the press and protestors and being trailed by the mysterious girl in green. Then a PFG exec turns up dead. An exec anyone could have mistaken for Kant. Now Phil and friends have 48 hours to solve the mystery... or watch their dreams die down under. Motive Games mysteries, are fast-paced, high-tech thrillers enriched by thought-provoking themes. Motive Games: Death Down Under is a standalone sequel to Motive Games, winner of the 2011 CALEB Prize for best Young Adult Manuscript.

The Toffee Makers' Halloween Party is the second book in The Toffee Makers series. The books follow the adventures of 10-year-old Alex who is introduced to the fun creatures who produce magical sweets at the derelict factory at the bottom of the field that backs onto his farmhouse.The story is perfect for bedtime reading for small children (4-7) in the run-up to Halloween. It is enchanting, but not scary, and is full of fun Halloween themes, with a magical twist.

With an incarcerated father and an estranged drug-addicted mother, Shanequa's dreams of higher education feel like a fantasy. When Shanequa gets the chance to attend a prestigious private prep school, she feels like her dreams might become reality. Shanequa finds it easier to lie to her new friends than tell them the truth about her family. When her lies are found out, and Shanequa strikes back in blind rage, her path changes forever.

Many promises are made in high school. Many hearts are broken. Murphy High head cheerleader Jessica Riley seems to have it all. She has social status, smarts and so many admirers; she’ll never be the girl who frets about not having a date for homecoming, or prom….or anything. She also has the attention of the star quarterback, Wade Quinlan, who sees his opportunity to get the girl he’s had a crush on since grade school. It’s a match made in high school heaven.But when the new kid, Lucas Foster, catches her eye Jessica finds herself in a struggle with who should win her heart: Lucas, who is new and complicated…and hot by every girl’s estimation, or Wade who is a tried and true friend?

Deep in the jungles of Vietnam on a reconnaissance mission, Beauregard, a smart and loyal Doberman Pinscher, alerts his patrol to danger. But when the sergeant ignores Beau's warning signs, the group find themselves under heavy fire. Managing to escape with severe injuries, Beau is the only one to make it out alive.Though many in the armed forces were sceptical about the use of military dogs, Lieutenant Colonel Ricci saw Beau's potential and fought for his rehabilitation and re-assignment to a new handler. Beau then found himself in the trusting and capable hands of Corporal Chivington. What he did next proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was a worthy and indispensable part of his team. This historical fiction is a touching tribute to all of the service animals who have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving - our canine warriors.

This is the third book in The Toffee Makers’ series, which features an enchanted sweets factory and its fun and magical workers. Alex – a ten-year-old boy – joins the Toffee Makers on their adventures. His farmhouse home looks out across a field towards the factory which, to the uninitiated, appears derelict. The factory is actually under threat of closure in this story – triggering a Christmas crisis. But Alex and his Toffee Maker chums jump into action in a quest to save the factory and its workers from ruin. All royalties from the sale of this book will go to charity. The proceeds will be split equally between Crisis in the UK (a charity for the homeless) and the international WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Merry Christmas.

Jax was just a puppy when his life got turned upside down! From home to home he went searching for the family that would love him forever, even if he felt he was hard to love sometimes. When he finally arrived at a family who cared about him, he was scared he would be sent away again. Follow Jax and Riley on this adventure as they learn life’s little lessons.

The fourth in the Toffee Makers series sends 10-year-old Alex on a magical World Cup adventure. Alex hones his football skills, with the help of his impish friend Delphi, The Rainbow Toffee Factory Unlimited Shop Steward. But will it be all right on the day? Will England win the World Cup final? This is a tale for football lovers or all abilities and ages! It’s perfect bedtime reading for this summer of soccer.