Books published by publisher Quercus Publications

This is an enthralling book, where three heroes fight the dead and other weird creatures, which are taking over their land. Artborg, a thirty-five year old dagger, with his two dagger girlfriends Kate and Kelly, wage war against creatures from another world. They also calm down cemeteries, and are sent on a mission to bring home Attorand's sword. The sword will help their city from the total annihilation caused by the dead. Artborg saves a young lad, Dmitry, from certain death and the three daggers help him enrol in the military academy. The conflict between the daggers and the inquisitors is action packed! This is a well balanced story and the author Efim Shmakov is a keen observer of society's makeup. Although the subject is serious, he often makes us laugh.

The music of Mozart is my inspiration for writing this book. My entire source comes from listening to the lyrics of a three CD set of the opera: Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) I have translated it from German to English and endeavoured to create an entertaining story for young readers. This story involves adventure, magic, deceit, romance, humour and tragedy. It is a tale of human emotions. Although the tale is fantasy, there are serious elements in this story. To listen to the music of The Magic Flute is an exciting and magical journey. This is a story that can be read on many levels and enjoyed by all.

After escaping the freezing cold, blizzards and surprising events in Iceland, the friends return home safely; minus one obnoxious, annoying member of their group; Fredrick. Enjoying their relaxed life in Australia, the friends retire from future engagements with Francis. Until, another letter arrives, inviting Francis to India.The friends secretly accompany Francis for support, adding more fun and frolic as they travel through the air. Upon landing; Francis is driven to the famous Mumbai Racecourse, but his friends take it upon themselves to sightsee after meeting an old friend, putting Francis and Tom in deep trouble, again.The excitement through India makes for an unbelievable experience when becoming involved with a Bollywood film and a questionable figure. They embark on journeys to the jungle; where they encounter wild ferocious beasts that find them appetising.Crossing waters with elephants, borrowing cars to escape, dressing up to disguise themselves through markets and villages to visit the Taj Mahal, and experiencing an unforgettable time as they visit the River Ganges, where some of the friends are captured for sacrifice; only managing to escape to be confronted by police as they are chased on their way to the airport. Do they make it home to Australia, or are they stuck in India?

After surviving several mishaps in South America, Francis and his new friends eventually made it home to a contented life.A surprise letter arrives, inviting Mike, Sasha and Francis to the opening of a new racecourse in Iceland.They accept the invitation with some of the friends accompanying Francis. As in their previous trips, this one is filled with much amusement in transit, finally arriving safely in Iceland. Once again, Francis is absent from the opening ceremony because his friends get lost in the unforgiving land of survival and adventure. As they struggle to keep warm things take a turn for the worse, and they find themselves in the company of monkeys, polar bears, seals and huskies; blizzards, frozen waters and an abundance of snow and ice and an eruption from an active volcano add to their woes. Being so close to the North Pole, Francis can’t wait to become acquainted with a famous person; Santa Claus.The friends take up skiing and ice skating with a difference, and are faced with constant, but humorous challenges in the ice.Do they make it home, or are they frozen in time?