Books published by publisher Canadian Books We Love Ltd.

Fifteen-year-old Deanna Lambert is miserable. She can't find her niche with the popular kids at school and believes she is ugly. Then too, after her mother deserted the family to pursue an acting career in New York City, Deanna's father has grown distant and embittered. Now Deanna is saddled with most all the chores at home—and she and her dad barely communicate.Yet Deanna's one happy escape is her volunteer work at the nearby Children's Hospital. There the activities director convinces her to get back into her ventriloquism, a creative skill Deanna's grandfather had taught her years earlier. Deanna and her puppet, Ramblin' Roy, entertain and delight the young hospital patients, but Deanna is worried. What if the kids at her school discover what she's doing? Will they think she's just “a baby” who still plays with dolls?Deanna takes the risk, but one problem soon leads to another. Can she ever gain true acceptance at school, especially from Jason, the guy whom she has a major crush on? And most of all, can Deanna embrace her gift of ventriloquism, and in so doing, come to terms with her mother's leaving?Find all Sydell Voeller's BWL books by searching Books We Love

Fifteen-year old Will awakens in a vast underground bunker called the Beachhead, controlled by a supercomputer named REX. Will, like the other twenty-three teenage occupants, cannot remember his past life and immediately vows to escape. But two years later he’s still there. Soon there comes a turning point in Will’s life: REX opens an enormous steel door to the outside world. While other Beachheaders enjoy their newfound freedom on a tropical island paradise, Will plans his escape. Gradually he discovers allies: other teenagers in the Beachhead whom he recruits and builds into an effective team. But who can Will trust and who is going to betray him? There are rival conspirators, lackeys of REX, watching Will’s every move. How far are they prepared to go? Can Will and his friends make it past the perilous sub-levels of the Beachhead and through dangerous forest and swamps? What secret weapons is the all-seeing, all-hearing REX about to throw at them?

Jessica Williams wishes she were anywhere other than her small town in Oregon. All the kids there are the same except for the few skateboarders her father cannot stand. Life is pretty dull for Jessica until Cam Easton moves into her neighborhood. But when Cam teaches Jessica how to skate, and her father runs for mayor of Preston, her involvement with the skaters poses a threat to her father's campaign. Can the skateboarders prove themselves worthy of the community's support? And most of all, can Jessica and Cam resolve their differences and discover the true meaning of love? Reviews:SKATEBOARD BLUES is a spirited young adult romance book that is sure to grasp any young teenage girl's attention. Ms. Voeller has captured the art of suspension, realistic dialog, as well as well-established characters. Her entertaining story teaches the reader the responsibilities that teenager's have regarding family, friends, the law, and themselves. Review by Jennifer LB Leese, A STORYWEAVER'S Book Reviews"The best thing about this book was the characters. They acted like themselves all the time; their emotions, their speech, the list goes on. Adults and young adults will like this one." ~ Mandy Ramaglia, age 10MOM'S NOTE: I found the story charming and believable, reminding me of a favorite movie from my own teen years-a 2000 version of FOOTLOOSE, with skateboarding exchanged for dancing. Your daughters will enjoy this, mine did, and with all the skateboarding and such, the boys just might like it too, despite the "mushy girl/boy stuff." 4-1/2 Stars! ~ Scribes World Reviews"SKATEBOARD BLUES is a story of young love, believing in oneself and others. There is teenage angst and joy sprinkled throughout. The characters are believable in their struggle to get the community to listen to them. The reader comes away knowing that anything is possible when people listen to each other and work together. Sydell Voeller's SKATEBOARD BLUES is an uplifting story and one I would highly recommend for young readers!" ~ Carol Durfee, Romance Communications“Skateboard Blues shows how kids can overcome adult biases. The romantic relationship between Jessica and Cam gets a little shaky at times, due to a misunderstanding, which adds suspense and realism to the book.” ~ Review by Elle, Young Adult Books Central

Two sets of halfling twins, Ashlea, Brandien, Jaydren and Kylandra sent away from their home by their parents to protect them from trouble, search for mentors to teach them how to use their affinities. Each of these young teens has an affinity for one of the elements. Ash for Air, Bran for Water, Jay for Earth and Ky for Fire. During the escape, they face many problems forcing them to use their affinities by trial and error. They also meet Alizand, the son of the ruling prince of Wesren. Zand has an affinity for Fire and this will keep him from gaining the rule. Dom Senet, an advisor to his father, and once a friend of the quartet’s parents suspects Zand’s affinity. He wishes to corrupt the teen and use him to gain control of the four princedoms of the land and of the highlands. The evil dom has all four affinities. The four must reach a secret place and find teachers before the evil man discovers them

Shortly before the Civil War exploded in the South, thirteen year-old Ben McKenna was fighting his own war against slavery, on the hemp plantation in Kentucky where he lives. His best friend, a crippled slave boy, Josiah, was about to be sold by Ben’s father, and Ben decided to stop that sale by planning an escape for Josiah and his slave parents.When the buyer for Josiah arrived early, Ben realized the escape had to take place that very night. Without any kind of plan, or even a map, Ben and Josiah and his parents, Bess and Jesse, embarked upon a journey to find the Ohio River and the freedom that lay beyond for slaves. Instead, of help along the way they found hostility, danger, and deception, in a quest that almost cost their lives. Plagued with fear, hunger and exhaustion, they are on the run from slave hunters and their dogs -- dogs that followed their scent no matter what they did to disguise it. Hidden barns, tiny attic rooms, cellars full of rotting fruit and vegetables were their only means of safety. After each brief stay they had to leave and run again. Treachery seemed to be the name of the game, and Ben was never sure if they were ever going to find the safety and freedom of the Ohio River.

Also Available seasonally as Merry Christmas MarcieMarcie's attraction to Ivan sparked the very moment they met. But they lived in totally different worlds. She was a local high school student leading an everyday life and working after school for the local veterinarian. He was a dashing trapeze artist traveling with his circus family, and he would soon be back on tour.Was it only a fleeting romance? A romance that would vanish the moment Ivan left town? Had he fallen for her, or would he always remain an elusive dream? (previously Merry Christmas Marcie)This is a great book for teens. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It has it all--from information on how to help an injured bird, to being taken backstage to find out what happens when the circus is in its winter quarters. And a touching romance is woven through almost every page. What more can a YA reader ask for? Norma Davis StoyenoffThis sweet, heartwarming story with a touch of suspense will bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart--any time of year. Luv Books

The youngest child of the local doctor and evangelical preacher, Annie Baldwin was expected to work hard and not protest. Life on a pioneer farm was tough so neighbors helped each other. George Richardson the underage Doctor Bernardo Boy, orphaned and shipped to Canada a few years earlier, is loaned to the Baldwins to help bring in the hay. Younger brother Peter Richardson was placed with another neighbor, so the brothers stayed in touch with each other. The Great War brought a lot of changes to life even in the back woods of Ontario. In spite of the differences in their social standing, George and Annie fell in love. When George departed for France they had an understanding and he promised to return to her when the war was over. Like so many others, Annie waited and hoped, carrying on as best she could. Only time would tell if her dreams would come true.In celebration of Canada’s 150th Birthday, Books We Love, with the support of the Government of Canada, is publishing a series of novels set in each of the Canadian Provinces and Territories. Each book features a historical event or location as well as the story of a bride and groom, representative of the men and women who came to Canada in search of a new life and new freedoms. These books combine fact and fiction to show how these brides and grooms, all from diverse backgrounds, joined in marriage to create new lives and build a great country.

FIRST LOVESAll's Fair in Love and WordsLaurel can't handle her new authority as editor of the yearbook, especially when it comes to Matt, the new guy at school who has her head spinning! Can Laurel help her best friend, survive her chaotic household and resolve her war of words with Matt without losing at love?Trading FacesAn "Ugly Betty" and a Popular Beauty wind up trading faces—and lives—and the situation is not what either one expected! Trouble is, how do they get their own lives back?Life, Love, and Surviving High SchoolBecca hasn't been on the same page as her best friends since just before the start of middle school and she doesn't know exactly how things got so different. But when one day Claire makes an offer about drop-dead-gorgeous Brent that Becca can't resist, that changes everything!REVIEWS for FIRST LOVES books:"…not a dull page…everything came together smoothly…several plots that all wove together seamlessly…loved the characterization, it was absolutely fantastic. They all had unique personalities that they stayed true to, which lead to believable and entertaining figures…immensely enjoyable read!"

Will Nolan give up his bad-boy ways for Vija?17-year-old Vija Skalbe wants to be an all-American girl—no matter how hard her parents try to impose their strict Latvian standards on her. She feels unsure of herself with one foot in each country. Then Nolan, a folksinger, steals her heart at a coffeehouse. When Nolan stops at their table, it's Vija's friend, Caprice, who does all the talking. But it is Vija who gets his phone number—and later the back seat of his motorcycle. Soon she is cruising from one adventure to another, dizzy with joy, her new-found freedom and the excitement of being with the kind of guy who is a challenge. However, when her father has a heart attack, Vija must take over running the family lawn-care business. She feels overwhelmed until sweet brainiac Joel volunteers to help. He shares the workload and lifts her spirits with his humor. But it is Nolan who fills her heart. It doesn't matter that Nolan wants everything his way. Or that he's constantly eyeing other girls. Or that he can be pouty and punitive. Or that he says she's seeing things all wrong. Until it does matter. But Vija's in so deep. Will he change? Will she deal with Nolan's controlling tactics, or is she too far under his spell?

Born deep in the forest, far from the herd, Damien is kept a dark secret by his parents until his father, Samuel, decides the colt must join the other foals to be initiated. But the unicorns are horrified by Damien’s birth defect. They see him as a freak despite his astonishing abilities. Then when a rival shoves Samuel over the edge of the canyon to his death, Damien’s talents turn deadly. Can anyone stop him before he destroys their world? "If you liked Richard Adam's Watership Down, you'll love the series, Shadow of the Unicorn.

In Confrontations by J.L. Walters, a Books We Love Young Adult Fantasy, Ash, Bran, Ky and Jay along with their friends have now mastered their affinities. They now control their ability to use Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The time has come for them to face Dom Senet and He Who Walks with Evil. They have learned a disturbing fact. He Who Walks With Evil is able to exchange an old body for a new one. Dom Senet wishes to obtain the secret and he is willing to sacrifice even his own son to gain this power. The four sets of companions set off to rid the doms and domas of Dom Senet’s bonds and to defeat the two evil men. Can they or will they become pawns to evil?

Falling to sleep has never been so tiring. Sleep climbers Jayden, Connor and Max meet in a strange, moonlit dream land where the only way to ‘fall’ asleep is to climb. The climbing is not so simple, though. The mountain is full of night-time animals and things that could only exist in a dream world. Jayden, a brash, assertive girl, battles her own demons while joining forces with Connor, a calm, intuitive young man, and Max, a young teenager trying to be a man in a boy’s body. Together, they climb their way up the mountain but their many adventures are interrupted by Richard Hatemore, an evil, sickly-looking boy who will stop at nothing to prevent them from reaching their goal. As the sleep climbers move closer to the top, they begin to work as a team and ultimately, face their greatest challenge together.