My first book this week is Shadowmancer by G P Taylor which has been classed as an alternative to JK Rowling’s Harry Potter however I am undecided at the moment but maybe the follow up will let me decide.

Obadiah Demurral is merely the rather unprepossessing fire and brimstone-preaching Vicar of Thorpe, determined to curb the wilder excesses of his parishioners or is he. In truth he is a profoundly evil sorcerer seeking to control the entire universe. He has managed to get his hands on a golden statue, the Keruvim, one of only two in the world, and aided by his cowed and terrified servant Beadle he plans to obtain the second statue. Then total power will be his.

Against him are two children, Thomas Barrack, a tough almost orphan who sees straightm through Demurral’s pious act and the feisty Kate Coglan, a mysterious African, Raphah who has travelled far to reclaim the precious symbols and lastly there is Jacob Crane, a smuggler who has a big grudge against the vicar.

Fighting both human and supernatural adversaries the four embark on a journey of danger and discovery where they fight for the survival of themselves and the world. Dark creatures lurk on every page. Angels and Demons, witches and sorcerers do battle against each other.

To find out who triumphs you will just have to read the book.

My second book this week is a mystery by Siobhan Dowd, The London Eye Mystery.

The book starts when Ted's cousin, Salim, comes to visit. Salim and his mother are about to move to New York City and have planned a family visit in London before their departure. Of course, what is a visit to London without a ride on the London Eye? That's when the trouble begins.

Ted and his older sister, Kat, haven't seen much of their cousin in the past. The visit starts out on a wrong note because of the unusual sleeping arrangements required by their tiny house. Kat is unhappy about bunking on the couch, and Ted is unhappy with the disruption of his whole routine. Salim turns out to be quite a pleasant visitor. His only request is to take a ride on the London Eye, the massive ferris wheel attraction in the center of London. When the cousins and their mothers arrive at the Eye, they find the ticket line and actual ride line disappointingly long. Relief comes when a stranger offers one ticket, free of charge, to Salim. Ted and Kat eagerly accept the ticket and pocket the original ticket money from their mother as they rush Salim to the waiting ride.

The mystery begins when Salim doesn't disembark from the London Eye at the conclusion of his ride. Ted and Kat have as many as nine different theories. Was he kidnapped? Did he actually go on the ride at all? How could he have vanished so completely?

To find out the answers you will just have to read the book

For 29 years, "Miller's Antiques Price Guide" has been the leading and the most comprehensive illustrated guide to antiques from all over the world. New features in this issue include 'Experts Eye' which shows detailed views of antiques and 'Essential Reference' where the experts share their in-dept knowledge about antiques backed up with illustrations.

Edited by Jonty Hearndon, who is the popular presenter of BBC’s Cash In The Attic and BBC’s Sun, Sea and Bargains, he has updated Miller’s with a new image and the 2008 Guide boasts over 8000 new items – all sourced from the antiques trade. As well as traditional antiques such as furniture, pottery, porcelain, glass, and silver, the latest trends are covered in expanded decorative arts and 20th century sections. Special features give an in-depth look at Faberge, Picasso Pottery, Black Forest Furniture, Chandeliers, and Pin Cushions.

A full list of the contents are Furniture, Kitchenware, Pottery, Porcelain Chinese Ceramics, Japanese Ceramics, Glass, Silver, Wine, Antiques Silver Plate, Clocks, Watches, Barometers, Decorative Arts, Twentieth Century Design, Lamps & Lighting, Rugs & Carpets, Textiles, Fans, Jewellery, Enamel, Faberg, Gold, Asian Works of Art, Islamic Works of Art, Architectural Antiques, Sculpture, Metalware, Leather, Papier Mach, Treen, Tunbridge Ware Boxes, Music Icons, Portrait Miniatures, Silhouettes, Antiquities, Tribal Art, Books & Book Illustration, Maps & Atlases, Dolls & Dolls Houses & Accessories, Teddy Bears, Soft Toys, Toys Ephemera, Rock & Pop, Scientific Instruments, Marine, Cameras Optical Devices & Viewers, Photographs, Arms & Armour, Militaria & Sport, it then finishes with a Glossary, Directory of Specialists, Directory of Auctioneers and a Key to Illustrations, of which there are 8000 all in full colour.

The Miller's Antiques Price Guide is the dealers ' choice, used by auctioneers and collectors. Invaluable to the collector as prices reflect the current auction and retail markets. The definitive guide for auctioneers, dealers, and collectors so if you think you have any antiques at home this will help you.

Must The Show Go On by Les Dennis is a cracker, oops sorry wrong comedian, but this is a very good read and I am sure that by writing this honest and down to earth biography Les has managed to settle the anxieties and problems that had built up in his life.

Les Dennis's super memoirs takes us back to his childhood days growing up in Liverpool, where he went to the same school John Lennon had attended, through his early days on the comedy circuit as a teenager, before he moved on to theatre and fame on television, most notably his sixteen years as host of Family Fortunes. All is included, his partnership with Dustin Gee which was destined to become one of the great comedy doubles before the untimely death of Dustin. The time that he had to go on stage and crack jokes just after the great Tommy Cooper had collapsed and died while performing a trick and also many other anecdotes from his long career.

He also tells of his personal life – how he found out through the press that his wife Amanda Holden was having an affair with Neil Morrissey and the tremendous pressure put on him by the intrusion of the press and the media and how when on Celebrity Big Brother he was talking to the chickens, out of boredom, and once again the media was all over him question his sanity and blaming the break up of his marriage.

Must the show go on then goes on to tell how he recovered from all these set backs and how after parodying himself on Extras with Ricky Gervais he has resurrected his career.

An extraordinary good book about a very funny man.

My first book this week is Man of Honour by Iain Gale, if you like Bernard Cornwell’s Sharp series you will like this one.

The hero is Lieutenant Jack Steel, gentleman and soldier. Set in1704, the time before Napoleon, Britain is fighting in Upper Bavaria against France under Louis XIV who is after the control of all Europe.

Lieutenant Jack Steel, who is greatly admired by his men, the finest infantry in the army, has come to the notice of the Commander in Chief of Queen Anne’s army, the Duke of Marlborough and the Duke has an important mission for him.

The mission is to rescue a letter whose controversial contents could destroy the Duke. Jack leads his men through the battle of Blenheim, risking death and destructioin to save another man’s honour but not only does he have to face the French in his own army he has an enemy who wishes to see Jack Steel ruined, Major Jennings.

To see if Jack recovers the letter and escapes from the Major’s evil intentions you will just have to read the book.

My second book this week is Lessons In Heart break by Cathy Kelly.

The story revolves around Izzie Silver and her family. Izzie left the small Irish town of Tamarin behind her for life in New York. She's big, beautiful, and dreams of her own model agency for plus-sized women (what her grandmother would call healthy.)

Izzie has just broken one of her cardinal rules and fallen for a married man but lif is oh so good. Meanwhile in Ireland, Izzie's aunt Anneliese discovers the pain of betrayal for herself. Her husband Edward has been having an affair with her best friend, Nell. Devastated and angry, Anneliese is facing the realisation that she is now alone. Lily, Annaliese’s mother and Izzie’s grandmother falls ill and the family must put their own problems aside. Izzie is intrigued by her grandmother's past and begins to discover things she never knew about wise, calm Lily.

To find out what Izzie finds out about Lily and and how Annaliese gets on you will just have to read the book.

This is the first book by Sam Zien who has made his name as a TV cook on one of the many channels in the US – although never having seen the show Sam the Cooking Guy, Sam Zien is just an ordinary guy who cooks great tasting food that is easy to make.

This book was in answer to the requests from his fans and he has collected over 125 of his favourite recipes and set them out here for them and us.

The book starts of with a thank you and a short Introduction then into 12 chapters and a very good index.

The Chapters are Basic Stuff To Know

I Love Brunch

Appetizers

Soup And Salad

Fast Food

Just Chicken

My Favourites

Outside Food

Seafood

The Weather Blows But The Food Doesn’t

Don’t Be Mean To Vegetables

Each Recipe has it’s own page and is well set out – Title, Number of Servings, The Ingredients and then the Method and there is always a not from Sam, usually a funny one.

With recipes ranging from Soups and Starters to lovely Drinks and Beef and Fish to beautiful Desserts every one is catered for, some of them are

Soups – Egg Drop

Cucumber (with Mint and Yoghurt)

Shrimp and Corn Chowder

Starters – Honey Garlic Ribs

Brunch – Pastrami Benedict

Banana Bread French Toast

Beef - Chow Mein Tomato Beef

Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Crumbles

Fish - Black Bean Salmon

Seared Tuna Burger

Desserts – Toffee Chocolate Matzoh

Whole Pear Tart

Grilled Peach & Blueberry Pie

As I have said something for everyone and lovely puds for me as well this is a very good book for all.