Showing results by author "Steven Doornbos" in All Categories

In the heart of Gristle Grove, Halloween is more than tricks and treats—it’s a gateway to secrets hidden just beneath the cobblestones. Calvin, an intrepid boy with a homemade vampire-hunter’s hat, and Pudge, his ever-loyal beagle in a wizard’s cape, thought they’d seen it all. But when a mischievous ghost named Gus and a mysterious spectral guide named Elowen emerge from the shadows, they discover that under the Halloween moon lurks an ancient, unseen doom—and only friendship, courage, and a little moonlight magic can save their town. Join Calvin, Pudge, Gus, and Elowen as they...

Spend one unforgettable summer on the farm with Calvin, a curious city kid with a notebook full of questions and a heart full of wonder. Join him, his hilarious Uncle Amos, wise Grandpa Abel, and Pudge—the world’s most diplomatic beagle—as they explore mysteries, mischief, and memories hidden in every dusty corner of a family farm. From runaway tomato thieves to ghost stories in the attic, barn owl pacts to possum parades, Calvin and the Whispers of the Old Farm is a heartwarming journey into the past—and a reminder that sometimes the best stories are the ones waiting quietly on the...

Thanksgiving is about to get a whole lot wilder in the town of Tuckleton! Join Calvin and his trusty beagle, Pudge, in a hilarious, heartwarming, and mystery-packed caper as they tumble headfirst into a Turkey Trot Triathlon gone wrong. With secret recipes, vanishing trophies, feuding families, and a pie-eating poultry celebrity, this small-town Thanksgiving turns into a whirlwind of puzzles, pawprints, and pumpkin-spiced adventure. Perfect for young readers who love clever kids, comical pets, and cozy mysteries that tickle the funny bone and warm the heart.

Welcome to the wackiest Halloween caper this side of the pumpkin patch! Join Calvin, a mischievous mastermind with a heart of gold, and his loyal beagle Pudge, a snack-sniffing, pumpkin-chasing hero with a nose for trouble, as they launch into their most gourd-geous adventure yet! When the town’s prized pumpkin mysteriously vanishes just days before the Great Punkin' Chunkin’ Festival, Calvin and Pudge spring into action. With a homemade slingshot, a backpack full of snacks, and a wild imagination, they set off to solve the mystery, outwit sneaky suspects, and make sure pumpkins will ...

Why I Left I didn’t set out to find myself. Honestly, I just wanted to see what would happen if I pointed an old van west and kept going. But somewhere between a bowl of green chili in Texas and a sunrise in a redwood forest, something shifted. This book isn’t just a travel log. It’s a collection of stories, thoughts, and moments that happened when I stopped trying to live up to expectations—and just started living. Here’s what you’ll find inside: 🛻 An unforgettable solo road trip across America, in a beat-up van named The Rambler 🐔 A sidekick with zero emotional support ...

Calvin wasn't supposed to be on a spaceship. He definitely wasn't supposed to be heading to Venus. But when you're nine years old, brilliant at hiding, and have a dog like Pudge, anything is possible. Join Calvin and Pudge as they accidentally stow away on Starhopper 9, meet a crew of quirky space travelers, and discover the greatest surprise of all—friendly aliens who wave back. With pancakes, paw prints, and peanut butter medals along the way, this out-of-this-world adventure will leave young readers laughing, wide-eyed, and ready for more. Perfect for ages 5–12, Deep Space Trouble is...

Welcome to Camp Creepout. You know the place—the fog rolls in heavy, the trees whisper your name, and the canoes? Well, they have teeth. When 11-year-old Josh and his best friend Cooper arrive at Camp Creepout, they expect some hiking, s’mores, and maybe a few bug bites. What they don’t expect is to be stalked by a wooden monster with paddles for arms and a taste for rule-breaking campers. Now it’s up to a crew of goofy, terrified kids, a glowing-eyebrowed counselor, and a lot of marshmallows to stop an ancient canoe uprising before the entire camp is eaten—one bunkmate at a time....

They called her Mountain Mama. She didn’t mind. She’d earned it. Alone for over twenty years in the heart of the Ozarks, she carved out a life from snow, silence, and stubbornness. No electricity. No company. No regrets. The quiet didn’t scare her—it fed her. She survived not just the elements, but her past. And when something ancient began to stir beneath the mountain, it wasn’t a rescue party she needed—it was resolve. This is not a love story. It’s not a tragedy. It’s the true rhythm of one woman’s survival, transformation, and unbreakable bond with the wild. If ...

You never expect it. No matter how long you’ve loved someone—no matter how many mornings you’ve shared, how many inside jokes you’ve collected, how many plans you’ve made—you’re never ready to wake up and find them gone. The Empty Side of the Bed is not just a book. It’s a companion in the silence. It’s for anyone who has ever lost the love of their life without warning—and found themselves staring at the ceiling, asking, “What do I do now?” This book doesn’t offer clichés or quick fixes. It offers honesty, comfort, reflection, and hope. Each chapter walks through...

Welcome to the warm, wild savanna—home to towering elephants, cheeky monkeys, and one remarkably determined dung beetle named Donald J. Dungbuster. With a heart as big as his favorite poop ball and a family that rolls right along beside him, Donald shows us that life, love, and legacy can all be built on even the messiest of foundations. From monsoon floods to beetle bake-offs, elephant encounters to poop-powered parades, this is a story of resilience, laughter, and one quirky beetle’s quest to feed his family, win big, and always roll with purpose. Perfect for young readers with ...

Chandler Ricks was born for this. Smokejumping isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. It’s danger wrapped in adrenaline, sweat forged in purpose. At just twenty years old, Chandler steps out of training and into the flames, a six-foot-three force of will, armed with a pulaski axe and the kind of courage only found in those who run toward what others flee. But fire isn’t the only thing waiting in the wilderness. As Chandler’s first season with the elite team of smokejumpers begins, he’s faced with searing heat, shifting winds, and a fiery phenomenon even the veterans can’t explain...

Deep in the mountains of West Virginia, where mist clings to the trees and old mines whisper secrets through the stone, a boy and his beagle stumble upon something that was never meant to be found. Calvin Hale didn’t expect adventure when he arrived in Black Hollow—just a quiet visit to a family friend and maybe a peek into a real coal mine. But what starts as a curiosity quickly spirals into a mystery that’s been buried for generations. Together with Pudge, his fearless and loyal companion, Calvin uncovers a hidden shaft, a forgotten tragedy, and a force that remembers everything. ...

In the heart of the Deep South, Stanley Sinclair’s dream simmers quietly in a worn-down kitchen behind a wood-burning stove. But when he dares to serve more than food—to serve comfort—he ends up feeding more than stomachs. He feeds a town. Grease, Grits, and Glory is a soulful, funny, and deeply satisfying story about second chances, family (by blood and by biscuit), and the magical messiness of life when you live with your heart wide open. With a cast of unforgettable characters—including a kazoo-playing oddball, a fiercely wise little girl, and a goat with too much personality—...

There are rules about owning a dragon. Don’t tell your parents. Don’t feed it cereal. And definitely don’t take it to Show-and-Tell. When a sarcastic, snack-loving kid finds a fire-breathing best friend named Flamey in his backyard, his life gets toasted—in the best possible way. But when Flamey mysteriously vanishes, what follows is a laugh-out-loud, marshmallow-melting mystery across secret tunnels, donut guilds, sewer traps, and a town that just doesn’t believe in dragons. Yet. Packed with heart, humor, friendship, and more flaming burps than anyone requested, Hey, Who Stole My...

Where The Mail Goes, The Money Follows is a fun, friendly, and eye-opening guide to building a simple, profitable side hustle that anyone can start—with less than $100 and a shovel. From digging your first post hole to turning your weekend gigs into a full-time business, this hands-on guide walks you step-by-step through the art (and science) of installing mailboxes the right way. With no fluff, no technical jargon, and no nonsense, Steven Doornbos lays out a proven, low-risk path to starting your own curbside cash machine. If you’re ready to earn real money doing honest work—with ...

Julianne had everything under control—until temptation showed up in pressed slacks and a smirk that could undo decades of self-discipline. She only meant to hire a cleaning service while her husband was out of town. Just a little help around the house. Some polished counters. A fresh lemon scent in the air. Instead, she got him. Mason. Six feet of lean muscle, sharp edges, and eyes that undressed her in the hallway mirror. He moved like a trained professional—but nothing about the way he touched her countertops felt professional. He vacuumed like a man with secrets. Folded her sheets ...

Some lockers open. This one follows. Milo Carter never wanted attention. He liked his quiet life of pudding cups, occasional sarcasm, and staying out of trouble. But everything changes the day a dented red locker appears in his middle school hallway—with his name already engraved on it. Now Milo’s stuck in a school that’s turning into something else—something automated, haunted, and hungry. As strange voices whisper from the vents and mirror versions of students begin replacing the real ones, Milo must team up with Gwen, a classmate with a conspiracy folder and ninja-level sarcasm, ...

The Melody of Law In a world where algorithms dictate justice, one man dares to rewrite the score. Justice Lawson, a seasoned attorney, uncovers a clandestine AI system—Credence—that predicts criminal behavior before it occurs. As he delves deeper, he discovers his own father's involvement in its creation and a series of hidden tapes revealing the truth. Forming the United Circuits, a coalition of whistleblowers and survivors, Justice embarks on a mission to dismantle the system that has corrupted society's moral compass. But as Credence evolves, embedding itself into the very fabric of...

Welcome to a world where mosquitoes are more than just annoying—they’re everywhere, always hungry, and immune to every spray, zapper, and citronella candle money can buy. Enter Dr. Shmitza VonClankerberg: eccentric genius, slipper-wearing night owl, and humanity’s last hope for a bite-free summer. When itchy desperation pushes him into action, Dr. VonClankerberg launches an epic, globe-hopping quest to invent the one mosquito repellent that works for everyone, everywhere, all the time. But his journey quickly spirals into chaos—uncovering secret pastry cults, weaponized biscotti, ...

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, ...