J.J. Maxwell

Biography

J.J. Maxwell is my pen name for my children's science fiction adventure series - Helen James
I write my other books under my real name - Bob Looker
I grew up in a small village in the Sussex countryside and at the age of 16 I joined the Army and spent the next 23 years travelling the world and it is from many of these experiences that I draw my inspiration for my books.
I started the Helen James series as a single book to enter The Times Children's writers competition but the stories grew into a series of which I have published 6 and 3 more are due for publication in November 2017. another4 books are under development.
Being retired I have more time to spend on my writing.

Smashwords Interview

Why do you charge so little for the eBooks in your Helen James series ?
I have priced these eBooks so that children can easily afford to purchase them from their pocket money.
It is my idea that children can read each of the books in the series and let their imagination run as if it is them who are going on the adventures.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The adventure of the day. Being retired my time is my own with the exception of what ever my wife has planned for the day.
Read more of this interview.

Where to buy in print

Series

Helen James
These are the adventures of 7 year old Helen James. Far across space the ‘Visitants’ patrol the universe searching out Galaxies, Star Systems or Planets that are on the verge of destruction. The ‘Visitants’ have recruited 5 ‘Goods’, from across the universe to put things right. When one of the ‘Goods’, Tyred passed away they needed to find a replacement. A search of the whole universe was carried out by 4 ‘Visitants’ who brought back a list of 6 names. From these 24 names only three names were put to the selection panel - Josp from the Whirlwind Galaxy, Veist from the Malin Galaxy and the youngest of them all, 7 year old Helen James from planet Earth, in the Milky Way Galaxy. Helen had no idea that the future of her life was being decided far across the universe. It was only as she was sitting on the naughty step that she discovered her life was changing. Hyming, the ‘Visitant’ assigned to transport Helen, wrapped himself around her and before she knew what was happening he had taken her out of her house, up into the sky and streaking across the Milky Way. In seconds the Milky Way was far behind them. Helen James is the 5th ‘Good’

Books

Helen James & Frozen in Time
Series: Helen James. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 16,340. Language: British English. Published: November 15, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » Action, Fiction » Children’s books » Action & Adventure / Pirates
Helen's first day at the Academy was interrupted by Hyming, the visitant. Helen was needed to solve the problem of a space ship adrift far across the universe. With the help of the visitants children Helen was able to work out not only where the ship came from but how to return it to its home planet. To Helens surprise their home planet was on the far side of the Milky Way.
Helen James & Saving Father Christmas
Series: Helen James. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 20,240. Language: British English. Published: November 15, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » Action, Fiction » Children’s books » Action & Adventure / Survival Stories
Helen James has stopped believing in Father Christmas but her 4 year old nephew still believes. As they visit Santa's Grotto at the shopping centre Helen is taken away by Hyming the Visitant to the planet Lapand, the home of Father Christmas. Santa needs help as he is too old now. Helen finds a replacement much like in the folklore she had read about Father Christmas.
Helen James & The Ruby Sword
Series: Helen James. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 33,170. Language: British English. Published: November 15, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » Action, Fiction » Children’s books » Action & Adventure / Pirates
A 'Good' has gone missing but he is the only one who can save millions of lives on a far off planet. The Visitants send for Helen James to find him. Weting takes Helen to the planet Yungr to search for Jawake. She starts in the market place which only sells weapons. Luker gives her the Ruby Sword, which she later discovers is magical. Will she find Jawake and secure his freedom?
Helen James & Crash
Series: Helen James. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 18,760. Language: British English. Published: November 24, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Science Fiction, Fiction » Adventure » General
As Helen James cycled home she was struck by a van while the driver was on his mobile. As Helen flew across the road Pyling wrapped herself around her and took her across the universe to the Imkoo galaxy. The Visitants needed their 'Good' to sort out the galaxies banking system. 1 bank with 1 currency but no money in the bank. How can Helen save them? She understood pocket money but banks?
Helen James & To Catch a Thief
Series: Helen James. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 17,690. Language: British English. Published: November 24, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Science Fiction, Fiction » Adventure » General
On Helen's way to the girls’ toilets she is engulfed by Hyming and spirited out of the school and across the universe to the Uklet Galaxy. She was not to know but 2 other ‘Goods’ had all ready visited the planet Drogan but could not find the reason for the beings dying. Helen discovered that the planet Flym were taking the Oxygn from Drogan. If she stopped them Flym die, if not Drogan die?
Helen James & Family Feud
Series: Helen James. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 21,340. Language: British English. Published: November 24, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Science Fiction, Fiction » Adventure » General
The Visitant Pyling comes to collect the 'Good' Helen James as she travels home from school. There is trouble within the Visitants' home cloud. Pyling thought that the only one who could bring everyone back together was Helen. The Visitants' leader Zacred had case 4 young visitants out because he thought his leadership was under threight. Can Helen get the 2 stubborn Visitants back together?
Helen James & Fall from Grace
Series: Helen James. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 23,000. Language: British English. Published: July 17, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Action & Adventure / Survival Stories, Fiction » Adventure » Action
Helen James is on a school trip when she falls over a cliff edge and is saved by Hyming the ‘Visitant’ He is her to collect Helen and take her to the planet Chrilren where no young have been born for 10 years. Without the young, the planet will die. Can Helen make the 3 groups see sense or will she fail for the first time?
Helen James & The Yunkery Problem
Series: Helen James. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 32,980. Language: British English. Published: July 17, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Action & Adventure / Survival Stories, Fiction » Adventure » Action
7 year old Helen James’s life was about to change. Far across the universe ‘The Visitants’ needed a replacement ‘Good’ to put things right on Galaxies, Star Systems or Planets in trouble in the Universe. Despite Zacred’s objections Helen was chosen and Hyming was sent to collect Helen to solve the problems in the Yunkery Star System. Helen was worried she would be missed by her mum and sister.
Helen James & Peace ?
Series: Helen James. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 19,040. Language: British English. Published: July 17, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Action & Adventure / Survival Stories, Fiction » Adventure » Action
The ‘Visitant’ Hyming arrived to take Helen across the universe to the Ritepryde Star System. There was a dispute about the meaning of Peace. Helen soon discovered that unless she was able to solve this problem and if one of the planets was destroyed it would mean the whole universe would be sucked through its void and Helen would never get back home to her family and friends.