Showing results by author "Steven Doornbos" in All Categories

He was built to serve, abandoned to rust… and reborn by lightning with a spark of something no one expected: humanity. Krank is no ordinary robot. After years forgotten in a dusty warehouse, a freak lightning storm reboots him—this time with curiosity, emotion, and a mind of his own. With a spoon for a finger, a pigeon as a best friend, and a brilliant young girl named Maya by his side, Krank sets out to discover what it truly means to be alive. But when powerful forces try to shut him down, Krank must do more than survive—he must inspire. Together with a growing community, Krank ...

From companionship to stress relief, the emotional and behavioral benefits of owning a pet are profound and far-reaching. Research in psychology and healthcare consistently highlights the positive impact that pets can have on our mental well-being and behavior. In this chapter, we will explore the multifaceted ways in which pet ownership enhances our emotional and behavioral health. One of the key aspects of owning a pet is the companionship they provide. Pets, whether dogs, cats, or other animals, offer unconditional love and support, which can alleviate feelings of loneliness and ...

In the heart of the picturesque Evergreen Forest, a curious skunk named Slinky is poised to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Armed with a zest for exploration and a keen sense of curiosity, Slinky embodies the innate tendencies found in many young creatures of nature. These inclinations toward exploration are not merely whimsical; they are crucial elements in the survival and development of various species. Slinky, with his signature striped tail and vibrant personality, represents a fundamental aspect of animal behavior—exploration is not just about curiosity; it's about learning, ...

The Magical Arrival: Welcoming Your Kitten into Your Home** Bringing a new kitten into your home is a magical experience filled with excitement and joy. However, it is essential to prepare yourself and your living space to ensure a smooth transition for your new furry family member. This chapter will guide you through the crucial steps to welcoming your kitten into your home and setting the stage for a strong and loving bond. **Understanding Your Kitten's Needs** Before your kitten arrives, it is vital to understand their basic needs. Kittens require a safe and comfortable environment with ...

Meet Charles Emerson Crashoweski the Third—better known as Crash—a green-eyed, red-furred, fur-matted feline with more attitude than manners. Aloof, opinionated, and morally allergic to effort (unless tuna is involved), Crash is a cat with one mission: stay out of trouble… unless trouble deserves it. In a world overrun by smart appliances, nosy humans, and wannabe kittens named Buttons, Crash delivers an epic, hilarious, tail-whipping account of what it means to be a cat who simply cannot be bothered—until the fate of the living room (and the litter box) depends on him. Prepare to ...

Welcome to Sweetgum Hollow—where stories grow wilder than blackberry vines and one red-haired girl can stir up more truth than a Southern storm. Meet Jennymae “Jingles” Tibbins: a feisty, 13-year-old sparkplug with a jangle in her pocket, a rebel spirit, and a sweet tea wit that cuts through nonsense like a butter knife through biscuits. In these pages, you’ll ride shotgun through the Deep South—on dirt roads, church pews, and secrets buried beneath front porch chatter. Jingles doesn’t aim to cause trouble, but truth has a funny way of finding her—and when it does, it sure ...

His name was Sean Billings—but most knew him as “Stoner.” He wasn’t always a man of second chances. There was a time when the only thing that kept him going was the promise of another high, another escape, another slow fade into nothingness. A talented mechanical engineer with a mind built for innovation and precision, Sean had let the weight of pressure, loss, and his own silence push him over the edge. Literally. When he found himself sliding off the face of a mountain, nearly dying, clawing for life—something inside him cracked. Or maybe… something woke up. The Recovery Rig ...

Understanding the Downwind Society: Navigating a World of Easy Routes In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves drawn towards the path of least resistance, the route downwind. This metaphorical concept refers to the tendency of individuals and societies to opt for the easier, more convenient options rather than facing the challenges of sailing upwind. Understanding the dynamics of a downwind society is crucial for grasping the complexities of our modern world and navigating it successfully. One key aspect of the downwind society is the allure of instant gratification. People are ...

What if a butterfly could talk? One warm autumn afternoon, a butterfly named Becky landed gently on a young listener’s hand—and whispered a story so magical, it carried across mountaintops, jungles, thunderstorms, and even the sky itself. Told through ten unforgettable chapters, The Whispering Wings of Becky is a tale of courage, memory, and heart. With rich storytelling, humor, and a gentle dose of magic, Becky takes us on her incredible migration from “Up North” to South America—meeting coyotes, lightning bugs, jungle frogs, wind-blind vultures, and a chameleon who thinks ...

Your bucket list is filled to overflowing and you want to begin actually seeing some of the sights you’ve only dreamed about. But there’s a problem. You have convinced yourself that you really can’t afford to get on the road and travel as you haven’t yet saved enough money on which you can live while traveling. The fact that you’ve decided to at least check out the contents of this book tells me that you are serious about finding a way to survive financially while traveling and further that you’re serious about getting out of the rat race and enjoying the open road. Good for you...

Let’s be honest—being unemployed is not something most people throw confetti over. It’s a challenge, sometimes a gut-punching, pride-wounding, rent-is-due-on-Tuesday kind of challenge. Whether you were laid off, downsized, fired, furloughed, quit in a blaze of glory, or slowly backed out of a toxic job with a forced smile and a fake excuse, one thing’s certain: you’re standing at the edge of uncertainty. But here’s a radical thought—what if that edge is the beginning of something not just bearable, but better? This book is for you. The job seeker, the soul-searcher, the I’m-...

Millions of people wake up each morning fearing what lies ahead in their day. They’re afraid that when their feet touch the floor the mayhem will begin and go on and on and on throughout the entire day. You don’t have to be one of those people. You can hit the ground running each and every morning and look forward to what your day has in store for you. The process is really quite simple and in the next few pages I’m going to introduce you (or perhaps reintroduce you) to what you can do to spice up and energize your day. Although there are certainly more than just eleven things you can...

Two worlds. One town. Zero chance of staying in their lanes. Welcome to Whispering Pines, where the women sip Merlot and analyze character arcs while the men pour whiskey and avoid emotional subtext. But when Michelle—a determined lit-lover with a freshly broken heart—returns to her hometown and crashes headlong into Jason—a bar owner with a mysterious past and a talent for avoidance—the entire town finds itself on a collision course of bookish ambition and barroom bravado. Add a fearless book club, a wisecracking bartender, more gossip than a Southern sewing circle, and just enough...

Some friendships are made in school. Others? In swamp mud. Meet Al-E-Gator—a charming, grumbly, always-hungry alligator with a powerful tail and a big appetite for snacks and secrets. And then there’s Fluffy the Fish—a quick-witted puffer with the uncanny ability to puff up like a spiky balloon whenever trouble floats too close. Together, they’re not just best friends. They’re snack scouts. Crunch collectors. Swamp adventurers. And accidental heroes. From battling Bog Bandits to gliding through the sky on a homemade gator-glider, this duo will take you on a hilarious, suspense-...

Tony and Tickles live just outside the big city, but their small town is bursting with big trouble. From kangaroo conspiracies to trampoline disasters, every day is another chapter in the chaos of being siblings. One dreams of glory, the other craves quiet—but both have secrets, schemes, and sass to spare. Join this not-so-dynamic duo as they stumble, tumble, and triumph their way through the wildest adventures the Australian countryside can dish out. Buckle up. It’s going to be loud, muddy, and absolutely hilarious.

Welcome to The Adventures of Jeremiah Jackal, a laugh-out-loud, dust-kicking, tail-twitching romp across the most absurd corners of the desert you’ve never visited but will never want to leave. Meet Jeremiah Jackal—a bushy-tailed, peanut-butter-loving, sandal-snatching, chaos-stirring creature who lives on the edge of a scorching desert and doesn’t just survive… he thrives, schemes, and snickers his way into one unpredictable adventure after another. Written for readers of all ages with at least a 5th grade reading level (and a 10th grade sense of humor), this story blends heartfelt...

The sky always told the truth—if you knew how to listen. Jenny Maddox leaned against the hood of the matte-black Suburban, eyes locked on the gathering mass of dark clouds bruising the western horizon. The wind had shifted. Just a whisper now, but one with teeth. It brushed across her face like a warning. Most people would've taken it as a cue to head for the basement. Jenny? She called it a siren song. Behind her, the mobile Doppler radar unit beeped in steady intervals. On the roof of their secondary vehicle—nicknamed The Jackrabbit, a lifted, reinforced Jeep with steel plating and ...

In the past, the mere whisper of the “N” word sent chills down spines. Nations stepped back from the edge. It meant destruction, devastation—nuclear war. But not anymore. The world has changed. Power is currency, morality is optional, and the leaders who possess nuclear weapons no longer see them as last resorts. They see them as leverage. The “N” word—nuclear—no longer deters. It provokes. It threatens. And this time… it may just happen.

When you are ready to swap your comfortable office desk and all of it's trappings and make the leap between desktop of mountain top in a hands-on kind of way this book will help you navigate the transition. Whether you're chasing stability, freedom, or simply a job that just sort of feels "more real" this book walks you through the steps you'll need to take to make the change successfully and with limited stress.

A seven year old boy remembers his grandfather's lesson about stars. They discover the truth behind stars that only a select few people have ever learned. What's the secret of the stars? You'll learn all about it when you read this touching story. It is an excellent way to introduce children to books that teach while entertaining at the same time.