The Mid-grade YA thrilling adventure series starts with action, twists, turns and ultimate danger
Eleven-year-old Aime Snave and her little brother, eight-year-old Oro, prepare for summer camp at the School of Fruit Learning. Accompanied by Aime’s best friend Gramon and Oro’s friend shy, little Violer, the foursome enters a mysterious world full of mystery and hidden magic. While at the school run by strict headmistress Mrs. Blackfruit, the children meet a new friend: inquisitive Semia, who is certain that all is not as it seems. Navigating the many teachers of the school, all of whom seem to harbor deep secrets, the five soon discover that they are part of something much larger than they ever could have imagined. History soon begins to repeat itself, with five young children caught in the middle of its deadly wake.
Pentagon Pirate Gang: Secrets of the Orchard by J.W. Nelson is an engaging read which focuses on a tightly knit group of five friends (the Pentagon) as they struggle to uncover the truth about the Hogwarts-style school and its mysterious past. The story is well-written, with substantial world-building and deep characters. There are no easy answers for brave Aime, her perceptive brother Oro, athletic Gramon, intrepid Semia, or sweet little Violer, who all find themselves in the midst of a mystery with far-reaching consequences. Instead, the Pentagon Pirates must work together to discover the truth in a world where uncertainty reigns supreme.
There is so much good to say about this book. Even minor characters and villains have depth, especially the malefic Mrs. Blackfruit and her paramour, Mr. Thornby. However, there are so many characters that it can be difficult at times to keep everyone straight. A bit slow getting started, the book truly finds its stride as the school sporting events begin, and the pace gets more intense as the plot thickens. The complex mystery ends on a serious cliffhanger, leaving the reader dying to know what will happen to the Pentagon Pirates next.
A rich world with a myriad of mysteries at our fingertips, Pentagon Pirate Gang: Secret of the Orchard is suitable for readers 12 and up who love a complex setting. The book contains minor language, and children regularly find themselves in harm’s way. A deep setting with memorable characters, an engaging plotline, and unsolved mysteries that challenge the reader to think outside the box, of the Pentagon Pirate Gang.
As we had our first batch of snow in 2024 it reminded me of seeing children getting overly excited.
The sleighs came out aplenty. Warm coats and wellington boots were located . And of course gloves were to tools of creativity as Snowmen/women started to appear for the briefest of periods.
The shorter-lived but eternal joy could been seen, as the winter snow-filled fervour saturated the day, as the schools closed, leaving hosts of happy, free spirited children to once again enjoy their youthfulness!
Here’s my little take on the ‘iceman’ created by cold hands, yet leaves you with a warm heart.
‘There’s no mystery to Black History‘ (that’s my little poetic saying). Parents from Jamaica. I have traced my ancestry back to the point when slavery was just abolished (around 1834).
And now nearly 200 years later in the UK my son and daughter are just learning about Black History in school. Wow. Is this ‘Titantic’ ship starting to turn? Who know, hopefully for everyone of colour, wherever we are all are, whatever status we hold, just maybe there are slivers of light appearing amidst the once long and eternally dark tunnel, that we have been treading.
As a would be poet, below is my first take on the many wonderful black inspirational people that have had endure; so people like me, don’t have to as much. More to follow throughout October (and maybe beyond) on other topics.
WHO ARE WE? (starting with the past)
We could be the person on the bus
Your name may be have been Rosa Parkes
Your life made to suffer by the colour of your skin
Yes; they have tried to keep us hidden; into the dark
We were the people without a voice
But Martin Luther made them hear
Look what they did to our dear proud brother
Because he made ‘them’ see what they all feared
We are the ones that move fast
Yes; Jesse Owens showed the dictator this
In the face of complete and utter oppression
It’s something that hasn’t quite fallen over the precipice
We have own Marvel Man from the past
No wheelchair in sight; but his name has an X
A voice for black empowerment
And contrary to many he wasn’t always vexed
A personal mentor; the first black female poet
If you don’t know; Phillis Wheatley was her name
George Washington recognised the talent
For every poet; she should be in your ‘hall of fame’
We need to be like our once enslaved Frederick Douglass
He fought to support those via the abolition of slavery
Putting pen to paper for all to read
His life, his very own Black History
We are the ones that Marshall the Good
Overturn the wrong for the right
Winning against segregation for the learning to occur
We thank him for providing; ‘out of darkness’ we too now have light
We are among the ‘greatest’ ones that had to rumble
The man with fists and feet of flight
Yes Cassius/Muhammed Ali knew how to move
You couldn’t stop him talking either; any day or night
We are the ones that have had to ACT
Mr. Poitier the consummate pro; won an Oscar
Imagine that in an era for his accolade
Showed that black people could also raise ‘the bar’
We should be Harriet Tubman the saviour
Literally saving over 300 enslaved souls
Nursing her community to a better educated life
She was dedicated, selfless and bold
We are the forerunner’s to make things happen
From a seat of power to make the change
Shirley Chisholm started the political race
And now her stepping stones has put us on the front page
We are the entrepreneur’s with a million in the bank
Madam C J Walker knew how to make ‘hair pay’
Making jobs for over 3,000 people at that time
Means we continue to use her genius every single day
We are everyone, everything, just like you
We have beautiful, hair, colour, skin and eyes
We are proud, clever, funny with intelligence
We are here, we are all together, let’s all keep aiming for that prize…
Here is another little bit of that Christmas sprinkle or sparkle whatever you prefer is your call – As always i wish you the very best, yes indeed to one and all.
Company of Fools: Wild, Irreverent Rom-Com Novel Proves Love & Life are Tricky Business (if Not Impossible!)
J.W. Nelson’s ‘Company of Fools’ zeroes in on the tumultuous life of Justin Whalley, a well-intentioned man who dreams of a wife, children and a steady job. But of course, in true literary fashion, this is too much to ask – as Justin finds himself thrust into the pain of heartache, embarrassment, a love triangle at work and the obligatory suspicious death of a colleague. Join Justin as he attempts to unravel the mess, get his life on track and figure out how on earth anyone can define the world “normal”. It’s hilarious, poignant and tugs at the heartstrings.
United Kingdom – J.W. Nelson has been writing his entire life. This unique muscle of creativity affords him a frank view of the world and people around him, something that oozes off each page of his latest romantic comedy novel.
AVAILABLE IN 14 COUNTRIES ON AMAZON
‘Company of Fools: Selling For Love & Life, Is A Tricky Business’ will either make readers grateful their own lives are so “boring”, or provide a wake-up call for them to get their shizzle back on track. Either way, it’s absolutely thrilling.
Meet Justin Whalley. He’s a straight-laced, not too bad-looking young man who wants three things from life – a wife, children and a good job. Not too much to ask, right?
For Justin it’s nigh-on impossible. His tumultuous journey to attain everyone else’s picture of ‘normal’ involves a heady rollercoaster journey (with his family and close friends strapped in beside him) through a wave of emotions, embarrassment and heartache.
He finds the girl he thinks is ‘The One’. Starts to win her affections and hopes his love story is about to blossom. However, the whole game seems impossible. Changing tack he ventures down a dangerous, wild path which threatens to damage his clean-cut reputation at work.
Justin’s ‘so-called’ sales performance sees him hauled up in front of his manger. He becomes embroiled in a love triangle at work. And then things turn disturbingly dark when a work colleague dies in dubious circumstances.
Are women always this difficult?
Is selling for love and life really such a tricky business?
Or is it Justin’s Whalley ways?
“This novel has everything die-hard fans of romantic comedies and drama crave, while of course giving them something totally new and engrossing,” explains the author. “Justin is perfectly flawed and, in a way, represents the hopes and vulnerability of us all. His struggles are ours, and we’ll find ourselves championing for his eventual success and stability.”
Continuing, “I’ve always had a huge interest in the common man, and our relationship with humanity as a whole. Justin isn’t sensational at all; he could easily be living next door, or might even remind you of yourself. Be prepared to run the gamut of human emotion as Justin attempts to emerge victorious from this thing we call “life”. As they say – nobody comes out alive!”
I was born in Birmingham on the same day as my mother.
I have enjoyed writing since I was ten years old. My stories were often read out to the class in English at school. Since then I have continued to write for the enjoyment of it, whether it was lyrics for songs, poems. I attempt to dedicate time to writing full-length manuscripts (hopefully for publication).
I’d welcome the opportunity one day to be able to write screenplays and scripts for movies and/or television.
And recently released on Amazon (and within the next couple of weeks in book shops) – Young Adult adventure mystery – Pentagon Pirate Gang; The Secret of the Orchard (for ages 9+)
Today I spoke with a marketing expert about how to better manage your online profile, promoting your work and doing this in the best way possible to get the best return.
Sounds simple enough, apart from the fact that one of the key things is to tell any visitors to my website/blog more about me, so they will glean from this this what they are here for.
So to this end I have updated my ‘about me’ or my ‘about J W Nelson’ sections in an effort to give readers, viewers the option to quickly know about me and what i want to achieve.
Please check out the above sections and let me know if its any good! And to help with knowing more about me – here is a little ditty…
ALL ABOUT ME…
Why not I’m a writer
I don’t box, so I’m no fighter
Like to boogie when I get chance
And by the way it means I like to dance
Like being happy and never sad
My occupation is being more than a dad
Never naughty so no ending up in court
Enjoy going to the gym and playing many sports
Enjoy the taste of food, especially spiced lamb
Yes, I’m the man from the Midlands – Yes that’s Birmingham
No hiding in my family of six
Growing up was like a certain film – maybe the Matrix?
The blue pill guided my path, my life
Doors opened, I found a job and my wife
The red pill meant having a boy and a girl
Precocious little blighters, make up our small world
I have always wanted to write
To have the ability to excite
Involve, stimulate and entertain
That’s the target, that is my gain
Hello from ‘Me’ – a poetic set piece about me and who I am and try to be.
Any feedback welcomed; on here or @jwnelson3 (twitter) or j_w_nelson309 (Instagram)
“There can be little doubt that the spirit of the children’s adventure stories has crept back into modern society and Pentagon Pirate Gang; The Secret of the Orchard by J W Nelson is a timely reminder that they’re here to stay”
“In far too many children’s books these days the emphasis is on winning but Nelson breaks with this tradition with a story that allows its kids to be kids that shows them in the insular world of imagination”
“With engaging prose Nelson knows how to excite and involve his readers, wanting them to wonder and dream, and on this level Pentagon Pirate Gang; The Secret of the Orchard never loses its quick pace or its sense of fun”
Thank you again for your interest in our book reviews. We read and reviewed your book, “Pentagon Pirate Gang: The Secret of the Orchard” and liked it very much. Here is a copy of our review:
Five Stars. “I enjoyed reading “Pentagon Pirate Gang: The Secret of the Orchard” by J W Nelson and found it to be an intriguing story written by an author who, in my opinion, has carefully crafted an intricate plot. It seemed to me this author put a great deal of thought and effort into creating this unique story.
Firstly, this author writes short chapters and I like that since it keeps the story moving with many events, happenings, clues being dropped here and there, and as I read it, I thought that this story is one not only for young readers but also for adults who enjoy a well-crafted story.
I liked the way this creative author writes in a highly descriptive style. I also enjoyed the descriptive and figurative writing style as in my view, the author artfully uses just the right amount of personification, metaphors, similes, and other rhetorical devices that most fiction readers enjoy. For example, here is a brief excerpt,
“The width of hedges compelled Aime, Gramon, Oro and Violer to approach it in single file. Above the six feet hedges hung branches from larger trees, that dwarfed the hedge on both sides. These larger trees surrounded the hedges and engulfed them, as though protecting them, making the space left inside shadowy darkness, leaving the morning sunlight having to admit defeat this time.”
“… Not looking behind her, Aime tried Oro’s suggestion. The gap in front of her began to loosen, opening up widthways and height-wise above her curly, brown locks. Branches shifted, as though swept by the breeze. Leaves spun up and about in a circular motion, dancing around Aime’s feet and ankles, dancing it seemed, to a tune only they could hear and enjoy.
“‘I think the trees like you, Sis,’ Oro offered a humorous comment.”
The description of this book gives a brief summary of the story of five children who are attending the “School of Fruit Teaching” (S.O.F.T). These five children are up against the aptly named, spiteful, and vicious headmistress, Mrs. Blackfruit, and her right-hand man the “scrawny, bespectacled, and deputy-head, Mr. Thornby.”
I thought one of the aspects of this highly engaging story is that the author develops a wide variety of fascinating characters, and I particularly enjoyed the way the author crafted the jewel-like personality and intelligent character of Mrs. Peaches.
I felt this story displays and strengthens a young reader’s mind with a strong set of values showing bravery, skills, planning, courage, caring for others, dealing with others, teamwork, cleverness, loyalty, and many other fine qualities in an excellent, educative, and adventuresome manner.
I liked how much this author keeps this highly eventful story moving sometimes at a brisk pace and at other times at a more detailed and focused pace. The varied characters move intriguingly and interact through this artful and adventuresome plot containing numerous twists, turns, mysteries, unexpected events, competitive games, and much more.
All in all, I enjoyed this delightful and engaging story and found it to be highly exciting and written with a rare quality. Very well done, and highly recommended!
It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book but that does not in any way affect my opinions in this review of this exceptional book.”
This is aimed at ages 9+ (middle Grade into Young Adult) – I can reached on Social Media – @jwnelson3 (twitter) – Jack Nelson (on Facebook) – TikTok under ‘the_poet_who_writes’ & j_w_nelson309 on Instagram thanks JW Nelson
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