Vickie Johnstone

Biography

Vickie Johnstone lives in London. She has a thing about fluffy cats and also loves reading, writing, films, the sea, art, nature, white chocolate and travelling. Vickie has self-published 21 books.

Books published in 2011:

Kaleidoscope (March) – 119 poems, divided by chapter themes;
Travelling Light – a free book of 44 poems;
Kiwi in Cat City – the first in a series about a magical cat and her human pals (April);
Kiwi and the Missing Magic (June);
Kiwi and the Living Nightmare (October).

The Kiwi books have illustrations by Nikki McBroom.

Books published in 2012:

Day of the Living Pizza – a comedy horror for ages 10 up (May);
Life’s Rhythms – 316 haiku (June);
3 Heads and a Tail – a romantic comedy with a dog as the hero (June);
Kiwi and the Serpent of the Isle (August);
Day of the Pesky Shadow (October);
Kiwi in the Realm of Ra (November); and
Kiwi's Christmas Tail (December).

Books published in 2013:

The Sea Inside – a fantasy adventure (May); and
I Dream of Zombies – a horror set in London in 2013 (October).

Books published in 2014:

Haven (I Dream of Zombies, 2) (May).

Books published in 2015:

Mind-spinning Rainbows - 45 haiku and 109 poems (April).

Books published in 2021:

A Poem a Day - 446 poems (July).

Books published in 2023:

Tirips Shade - Ghost Detective (April).
Ink - poetry (May)
Woman - poetry (May)

Books published in 2024:
Between the Sky and the Sea - poetry (February)

Links:

Blog: http://vickiejohnstone.blogspot.com
Twitter: @vickiejohnstone
Website: Kiwiincatcity.com
Merchandise: www.zazzle.co.uk/kiwiincatcity

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorVickieJohnstone
http://www.facebook.com/KiwiinCatCity
http://www.facebook.com/KaleidoscopePoetry

Happy reading and writing :)

Videos

Kiwi in Cat City (6 book series)
Twelve-year-old Amy and her younger brother, James, are taken on a series of adventures by their magical cat, Kiwi.

Books

Murals - Selected Poems
Price: $7.99 USD. Words: 8,960. Language: English. Published: March 13, 2024 . Categories: Poetry » U.K. Poetry, Poetry » Female authors
A collection of 60 poems. © Copyright March 13, 2024, Vickie Johnstone. All of these poems were written between May 2018 and October 2023.
Between the Sky and the Sea
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 4,120. Language: English. Published: February 20, 2024 . Categories: Poetry » U.K. Poetry, Poetry » Female authors
A collection of 38 poems, written between March 2021 and May 2023, all about the sea and the sky. © February 20, 2024, Vickie Johnstone.
Ink
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 10,700. Language: English. Published: May 18, 2023 . Categories: Poetry » Contemporary Poetry, Poetry » Female authors
A collection of 74 poems. All of these poems, except for Judder, were written between April 2, 2022 and May 14, 2023.
Woman
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 7,570. Language: English. Published: May 18, 2023 . Categories: Poetry » Themes & motifs » General, Poetry » Female authors
A collection of 55 poems on the theme of womanhood. Most of these poems were written between January 2021 and May 2023.
Tirips Shade - Ghost Detective
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 77,500. Language: English. Published: April 6, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Historical
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
Whether alive or in spirit, Victorian London is a dangerous place for everyone. With a serial killer on the loose, Sarah Ann Bartley, who runs a safehouse for prostitutes, asks Scotland Yard’s finest detective, Tirips Shade for help. It is his fate to hunt the killer while investigating his own murder, assisted by his closest friend, Harold Walker..
A Poem a Day
Price: $6.99 USD. Words: 36,060. Language: English. Published: July 23, 2021 . Categories: Poetry » U.K. Poetry, Poetry » Female authors
A collection of 446 poems, written between April 2020 and March 2021. In April 2020, I decided to try to write a poem a day on my blog, Vixie’s Stories, following prompts on NaPoWriMo.net. The following month I kept going. And I’m still trying to keep it up.
Mind-spinning Rainbows
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 14,840. Language: English. Published: April 26, 2015 . Categories: Poetry » U.K. Poetry, Poetry » Female authors
A collection of 109 poems and 45 haiku, divided into two sections: light and shade. LIGHT As the world moves on See The sea Rising high An endless sigh A yawn upon the dawn; he stands and waves Waiting, his mind adrift on the blue waves Lost in her scent His heart sent He turns Yearns. Other poetry books: Kaleidoscope (poetry); Life's Rhythms (haiku); and Travelling Light (poetry, free).
Haven
Series: I Dream of Zombies, Book 2. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 112,310. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Undead, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
I Dream of Zombies, book 2: it started with a dream and then London went to hell. Marla, Ellen and Tommy have reached Haven in Rickslaw, England. Once a secret government building, it has become a refugee centre, offering sanctuary, and its scientists are focused on finding a cure for the virus that is sweeping across the UK. But what if the greatest danger isn't the dead outside?
I Dream of Zombies
Series: I Dream of Zombies, Book 1. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 100,300. Language: English. Published: October 16, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Undead, Fiction » Science fiction » Apocalyptic
(5.00 from 3 reviews)
It starts with a dream and then the nightmare takes over... It all begins on a summer’s day with the media reporting with some hilarity that people are dreaming of the dead coming to life, but those who have dreamt them are convinced they are a warning of things to come. Marla, her sister Ellen and friend Tommy find themselves fighting for their survival as their sense of reality is smashed.
The Sea Inside
Series: Cerulean Songs, Book 1. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 57,040. Language: English. Published: May 16, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Fairy tales & fables, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
A fantasy adventure about fate versus free will. Can you bend time or will it break? A diving accident leaves Jayne paralysed. As she battles to regain her strength, she finds herself alone in a parallel world. The crystal seems a bringer of good until her world shatters again. Then Jayne will face a series of trials to find her heart's desire, helped by a fantastical guide. For ages 9-99.
Life's Rhythms
Price: Free! Words: 4,490. Language: English. Published: February 24, 2013 . Categories: Poetry » Asian poetry » Japanese, Poetry » Contemporary Poetry
(5.00 from 1 review)
Old meets new in this collection of 316 haiku, composed in the traditional pattern of three lines with 5-7-5 syllables. Subjects include: nature, life, food, animals, loss, love, longing, hope, the seasons, dreams and time. I like creating little words that paint a picture for the reader.
Kiwi's Christmas Tail
Series: Kiwi (the magical cat), Book 6. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 31,340. Language: English. Published: December 9, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Pets & domestic animals, Fiction » Children’s books » Holidays & Celebrations / Christmas & Advent
(5.00 from 3 reviews)
Fur, magic, thrills and comedy moments fill this fantasy adventure set over Christmas, involving a star, a fairy, a witch, some catizens and Santa. Amy, James and their magical cat, Kiwi, must rescue a fairy from the clutches of an evil witch before Christmas Eve when Father Christmas will return. Set in the human world, Cat City and Santa's Grotto. Ages 7-99. For ages 9+.
Kiwi and the Serpent of the Isle
Series: Kiwi (the magical cat), Book 4. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 40,820. Language: English. Published: November 16, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Pets & domestic animals, Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Alligators & crocodiles
(5.00 from 1 review)
The wedding of Inspector Furrball and Madame Purrfect approaches. But, catastrophe, the ring is stolen! A pawprint identifies Fyre Cracker as the thief, which takes Kiwi and friends to the UnderPaw full of crimicats. Meanwhile, Dev shocks Kiwi with news that her father may be alive. The search leads to the magical Isle and Kiwi's most dangerous adversary yet – the Serpent. Ages 8-99.
Kiwi in the Realm of Ra
Series: Kiwi (the magical cat), Book 5. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 39,140. Language: English. Published: November 16, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Alligators & crocodiles, Fiction » Children’s books » Historical / Ancient Civilizations
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
Inspired by the film 'Back to the Future', Whiskers invents The Time-Squeaking Mouse. He plans to take his friends on a fantastic trip to celebrate Amy's 13th birthday. However, the time machine falls into the wrong hands and dastardly Dev travels back to Ancient Egypt. With Dev having changed the path of history, it's up to Kiwi and the gang to travel back in time to find him. Ages 7-99.
Day of the Pesky Shadow
Series: Smarts & Dewdrop Mysteries, Book 2. Price: Free! Words: 15,790. Language: English. Published: November 12, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Humor & comedy » General, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure
After his previous oregano-sprinkled adventure, Detective Smarts is still finding it hard to look at a pizza, never mind eat one. But there is a new mind boggler to solve - who is the mysterious, dark figure causing the townsfolk's legs to go all wibbly wobbly? Smarts and sidekick Dewdrop are hot on the trail. Book 1 in the series is called Day of the Living Pizza.
Day of the Living Pizza
Series: Smarts & Dewdrop Mysteries, Book 1. Price: Free! Words: 9,300. Language: English. Published: November 12, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Humor, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Mystery & Detective
(5.00 from 5 reviews)
A Smarts & Dewdrop Mystery, book 1. Detective Smarts of Crazy Name Town has a problem. Doctor Boring has been bumped off, and the only clues at the scene are some olives, tomatoes, mushrooms and a sprinkle of oregano. With the townsfolk dropping like flies and Pizza Dudes stumbling down the streets, Officer Dewdrop has an idea. For ages 10+.
3 Heads & a Tail
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 48,820. Language: English. Published: November 12, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Women's fiction » Chick lit, Fiction » Humor & comedy » General
(5.00 from 3 reviews)
When nature lover Josie moves into a house share with two pals, dreamer Ben and model man David, she doesn't bank on an attraction developing. Meanwhile, Ben's dog, Glen, has the hots for Miss Posh, the beautiful Lab in the park. When dog meets dog it's puppy love, but a complication leads to Glen taking matters into his own paws. "Laugh out loud funny" - Donna Brown.
Kiwi and the Living Nightmare
Series: Kiwi (the magical cat), Book 3. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 28,350. Language: English. Published: October 10, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Pets & domestic animals, Fiction » Children’s books » Fiction
(4.75 from 4 reviews)
In book 3 of the Kiwi Series, Amy, James and Kiwi embark on their spookiest adventure yet - on Halloween. What begins with an eerie dream about a three-legged cat will take the budding detectives on a quest to find an old house in the woods, meeting some perky squirrels along the way. Little do they know that there awaits a restless ghost who will do anything to stop them leaving. Age 7-99.
Kiwi and the Missing Magic
Series: Kiwi (the magical cat), Book 2. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 30,790. Language: English. Published: July 3, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Pets & domestic animals, Fiction » Children’s books » Fiction
(4.71 from 7 reviews)
James and Amy embark on their second adventure with their black cat, which will take them to the Land of Giant Mice in search of the missing Magic. They return to Cat City and meet some new characters along the way, including the Worry Bee, Whiskers and Moggie. Can James and Amy help Kiwi save the day? More importantly, will James' pet hamster find his true calling in life? For age 7-99.
Travelling Light
Price: Free! Words: 6,390. Language: English. Published: May 22, 2011 . Categories: Poetry » Contemporary Poetry, Poetry » Female authors
(5.00 from 1 review)
A collection of 56 poems, written in various styles. The majority are free verse. I have four other poetry books: 'Kaleidoscope' - 119 poems, written until 2010; 'Life's Rhythms' - 316 haiku, in the traditional pattern of three lines with 5-7-5 syllables, written from 2011-12; 'Mind-spinning Rainbows' - 150 poems written from 2013-2015; and 'A Poem a Day' - 446 poems written from 2020-2021.
Kiwi in Cat City
Series: Kiwi (the magical cat), Book 1. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 34,080. Language: English. Published: April 22, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Pets & domestic animals, Fiction » Children’s books » Fiction
(4.87 from 23 reviews)
Kiwi is a black cat with a big secret – she is magical and comes from a city of catizens. One night her humans, Amy and James, follow her to see where she goes. With a flick of her tail, Kiwi turns the kids into kittens and leads them to the blue-lit Cat City, where they help Inspector Furrball investigate a catnapping and Kiwi meets her nemesis. Furry fun for ages 7-99.
Kaleidoscope
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 11,350. Language: English. Published: April 3, 2011 . Categories: Poetry » Contemporary Poetry, Fiction » Anthologies » Poetry - single author
(5.00 from 3 reviews)
A book of 119 poems about people, life, philosophy, animals and nature. It is structured under eight themes: figures; nature; abstracts; love; haiku; creatures; childhood and darkwave. "Wow! This author writes beautiful words. I enjoyed each & every poem, I found myself turning page after page to read the next & the next. More of the same please!" (Smashwords review, wistfulskimmie, May 2011)

Vickie Johnstone's tag cloud

action    adventure    ancient egypt    animals    apocalyptic    bargain    bungling detectives    cat fantasy    cat mystery    cats    children 10 and up    children 7 up    children 8to12    children 9 to 12    children adventure animal dialogue    children books    childrens 10 and up    childrens book    childrens fiction    childrensbooks    christmas    comedy    comedy about dating    comedy horror    coming of age    crime thriller    dark poetry    dating    detective    detective crime    detectives    dog    dog adventure    dog is hero    dog love story    dreams    egypt fantasy    egyptian gods    empower women    english poetry    fairy    fantasy    fantasy cats    female action hero    female poetry    female poets    female writers    free    free ebook    free verse    funny    ghost    haiku    haiku poetry    haiku poetry nature    halloween    hamster    hero dog    heroine    heroine strong women    historical fantasy    hokku    horror    horror action    horror action zombie    horror series    human nature    humour    imagination    inspiration    labrador    life    literature    london    longing    love    love poetry    love triangle    magic    memories    mice    modern poetry    monsters    mystery    mystery detective    nature    nature poems    nature poetry    overcoming adversity inspiration    pharoah    philosophy    philosophy abstract    pizza    poem    poem a day    poem book    poem therapy    poems    poems and art    poems by women    poetry    poetry authors    poetry book    poetry general    poetry literary poetry womens poetry    poetry on life    poetry verses    poetry writing    pyramids    relationships    retriever    retriever dog    romance    romantic comedy    sea    seasons    senyru    serial killer    series    sherlock holmes    sky    spiritual life poetry    squirrels    suffragette    suspense action    teen    thriller    travel    undead    verse    victorian    walkies    witch    woman as hero    womens fiction    womens poetry    ya    young adult    zen life    zombies    zombies apocalypse   

Smashwords book reviews by Vickie Johnstone

  • Circle City Blues on May 27, 2011

    Circle city Blues by Susan Wells Bennett Reviewed by Vickie Johnstone I really enjoyed this book. It was a happy read. I had a feeling I was going to like it when I laughed about three times on the first page and I wasn't disappointed. It is nicely written and travels at a good pace. The people in it are fun and interesting. Mac is a solid central character and you are interested in what happens to him. I couldn't help thinking that some of the other characters could have their own spin-off books too, not mentioning any names! This is a good and funny book to escape into. Perfect for a long, boring train journey as you won't be putting it down. And the ending doesn't disappoint :)
  • Mementoes of Mai on June 24, 2011

    To me, this was part travel log, part food review and part nostalgic glance back over the life of a young man making decisions on life. The book took me to another place, filled with new sounds, a different language (I liked the touch of a dictionary at the back), new smells, different traditions, new foods and various scenery. It often made me hungry or gave me itchy feet to jet off somewhere. The pace of the book is quite leisurely and the main character drifts along, remembering his experiences and trying to make sense of everything that is happening around him. On his search for his ‘true love’, he discovers many things about himself, his values and what he really wants.
  • Upgrade on Sep. 10, 2011

    I enjoyed reading this book. It's well-edited and flows along really smoothly. It's also fun. The idea is novel and you dive into the story pretty swiftly. Here you have Mr Average Geeky Guy who would love to be Brad Pitt. The idea is: what would you wish for? And if you get your wish will it make you happy? Surrounded by what you wish for, what option would you choose? Imagine a box of chocolates, all tantalising and yummy... this book is like that. The female characters are all different and well developed (some more than others!!). Everyone is an individual - some have agendas, some don't. Brent is a curious character. Watching him deal with his new-found confidence is cool. What would you do in his position? Would you take advantage? Would you be nice? Would you stay the same? I also loved the ending. A well-written, fun, interesting and original read. I recommend it.
  • Wild Life on Feb. 25, 2012

    Last year I read another book of Susan’s called Circle City Blues, which I enjoyed immensely, so I decided to try this one too - the first book in The Brass Monkey Series - and I wasn’t disappointed. The same good writing, tight plot creation and sense of humour is still there. I enjoyed the setting of the zoo, and the way in which the chapter names are linked to animals and the way they act. The central character is Milo Crosby, a likeable character and a bit eccentric. When I began reading, I didn’t think I’d like him as he seemed a bit dodgy at the start, but then as you read on you learn his background story and his personality begins to fill out. I ended up liking him a lot. He’s funny and interesting, but has some flaws, like most of the characters. I found it funny when he began to realise that women still found him attractive – at his age, he didn’t seem to think this was remotely possible and I thought it was like someone had turned the light on for him! The not-so-central characters are detailed and nicely drawn, from Milo’s rather intelligent though young granddaughter to the trashy but fun Sondra Lane. Family plays an important part with some of the characters coming to terms with things that have happened in the past and attempting to reconcile events or their own feelings. There are Milo’s relationships with his son, granddaughter Alice Marie, Claire and an ageing movie star, Sondra Lane, and ghosts from his past. And then there is Claire with her sister Beryl and her parents. I liked Claire and was rooting for her. When I began reading I started realising there was more to her than meets the eye and an interesting background story emerged. You want to find out more about her. You know there's something there. This book is a rich mix of fun, tragedy, love and loss. The relation of the past and the present is important – the way the past sneaks in to stop you living fully in the present and some characters have some ghosts to put to rest. At the end you wonder what the future holds for these myriad characters. So I’ve just bought the second book, Charmed Life, which, the blurb says, focuses on Sondra Lane – now that should be interesting!