Books published by publisher Shooting Star Press

To seventh-grader Georgie Martarano, problems are like wedgies. And this year, he seems to be getting a whole bunch of them. His dad’s been out of work for almost a year, and his entire family has had to scrimp and pinch and cut back on almost everything in order to save money. On top of that, he’s got to worry about all the other junk that you’d expect for a Sassy Girl-shoe-wearing dork (who’s a tad on the husky side): fatheaded bullies, know-it-all teachers, butt-biting dogs, ear-gnawing rats, plunger-wielding thieves—typical stuff. However, when the Martaranos are given an eviction notice on Thanksgiving Day, Georgie realizes that his problems are only beginning.To help his family out, Georgie’s willing to do just about anything, even if it means making a fool of himself in front of hundreds of people. So he does the only thing he can think of—something that he knows will bring shame to himself and his proud Italian father if it ever comes out: He enters the Seventh Annual Little Mister Chicago beauty pageant, determined to win the thousand-dollar grand prize. But when life spirals out of control for Georgie, he quickly realizes that you don’t always get to pick your wedgies—sometimes they pick you.

In 1868 England, artist Annmar Masterson dreams of owning her own illustration shop, which the city’s ruthless industrial magnate would willingly give her—but not for proper work. She flees his loathsome advances and takes advertising work on a farm in a secluded valley.Life in the countryside turns nineteen-year-old Annmar’s world upside down. Her lifelong fanciful visions of blue threads are every bit as real as the plant and animal shifters hiding their lives from the rest of Victorian England. The secretive folk with their strange powers might not fit Annmar’s proper city ways, but the attentions of shapeshifter Daeryn Darkcoat have Annmar re-thinking how proper she wants to be.But their timing is wretched. Daeryn is up to his whiskers fighting against a terrifying scourge. If the farm succumbs, Annmar’s job is over. Her magic might help stop the pests…if she can learn to use it properly. If not, she’ll be forced to leave the people she has come to care for and become what she fears most: nothing more than another cog in the city magnate’s gears.The Unraveling is Volume 1 of a 3-part serialized novel (NOT a standalone story) for readers 15+, mixing steampunk, fantasy, shapeshifters and romantic adventure in a historical setting. The action continues in The Twisting, Volume 2 of the series. The Luminated Threads series:The Unraveling, Volume OneThe Twisting, Volume TwoThe Binding, Volume Three “Together, they play tug-of-war with their emotions, as Annmar’s newly found roots give her the mettle to be a woman far ahead of her time! The Unraveling by Laurel Wanrow is full of the atmosphere of the steampunk era, the fairytale feel of magical gifts and the joy of belonging in a small, but special world.”–Goodreads review

From the back cover: This reference series introduces the reader to all aspects of Today's World-frm Natural History, Biology, The Universe, Transport and Communications, to Future Resources. The text is clear and concise and is organized into small sections to make the information approachable. Each chapter includes a fact file and a wide range of photographs that accompany clear and instructive diagrams. Each title has been written by experts in the field

In a world of winged wizards, can a mundane save her family?To save her Gran’s land, Fern needs magic.What she’s got is a green thumb.Unless she navigates tricky wizard politics, she’ll never bring together the family she’s always wanted.Fern discovered her mom’s deep secret, and now the grandmother she never knew existed is a few magical sparks short of meeting her wizard community’s demands to stop their land from breaking apart.Make that many sparks.Confronting a splintered community, Fern is unsure who to trust…even the Scottish boy with his shining green eyes and wings like a Greek god.Caring for this land is her birthright, one she longs to claim. But to take her place in this magical world, Fern must first figure out how to use her green thumb for more than gardening.Download THE WITCH OF THE MEADOWS and join the journey of a generation of magic-wielders as they restore their connections to nature and community."As a gardener and lover of nature, I truly enjoyed this novel. It combines nature, magic, sweet romance, and a bit of mystery with a strong female protagonist. And an adorable pet guinea pig!""This is a Geeky enjoyable book."**Fans of nature-focused fantasy like The Raven Boys and Woodwalker will be drawn to the outdoor adventure and magical intrigue of The Windborne Series.**

Gifted with tree magic, sixteen-year-old Cor learns that the largest pines in the UK still grow on a hidden island—and are endangered. He wants to live there and help, but the trees’ elderly caretaker refuses to train a smooth-talking city boy. To also come out as gay to anyone there would be bloody foolish.Without him...they will die.When an opportunity to visit this magical forest arrives, he grabs it, entangling novice witch Fern in his quest. Their mistakes anger the island’s elders and foul up her relationship with her boyfriend. It’s only after an island boy befriends him that Cor confronts the challenge of the massive pines—and his more powerful feelings for Oyster. If Cor wants to save the Pines and not lose Oyster, he will have to do something he’s never done—let Oyster and the others see who he really is.GUARDIAN OF THE PINES joins new wizards with old friends as a generation of magic-wielders restores its connections to nature and community. Book 2 of The Windborne Series can be read as a standalone. A sweet romance appropriate for adults and young adults. No graphic violence or sex. Some mild cursing.