Patricia L. Blake Brings Mocha's Story from Children's Fiction to Memoir at BIBF 2026

Vancouver, British Columbia Sep 14, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - Over 1,700 exhibitors from 82 countries and regions gathered for the fair's 40th-anniversary edition, with the United Arab Emirates serving as Guest of Honor and forums throughout the week exploring artificial intelligence, intellectual property licensing, and cross-media publishing.

Amid those conversations about the future of the industry, the Explora Books exhibition booth offered something quieter: a foal's search for belonging, a girl's promise to protect him, and the lived experiences of an author who later spent three decades serving in law enforcement.

Mocha Angel Warrior: True Trust Book 1 opens with its narrator still finding his legs. Born under his mother's watchful care and separated from her before he was ready, the young foal struggles to find where he belongs after joining a working herd. His life changes when he forms an immediate bond with a girl named Pepper, who names him Mocha and accepts him without expectation. Told through the foal's own gentle voice, the story explores themes of faith, trust, and belonging without relying on overt moral instruction.

The companion volume, Mocha Angel Warrior: True Trust Book 1 Coloring Book, extends that world through illustrations inspired by the picture book. Returning to scenes such as the ranch, the herd, and Mocha's first meeting with Pepper, it encourages young readers to revisit the story through creative interaction while reinforcing its themes of friendship and belonging.

The fair's own numbers this year highlighted the continued importance of children's publishing. Even as forums focused on artificial intelligence and digital transformation, China's children's book market remained one of the country's strongest publishing sectors. National reading initiatives introduced earlier this year likewise emphasized expanding access to books for young readers across urban and rural communities. A story centered on kindness, empathy, and finding one's place aligned with those broader conversations.

While the first two books introduce Mocha through fiction for young readers, Blake's third title, Touched by the Hand of God: In the City of Angels SEND ME!, tells the real-life story that inspired them. The memoir recounts her thirty-three years with the Los Angeles Police Department, from her probationary service at Foothill Division to her leadership as lieutenant and Officer-in-Charge of the department's volunteer mounted unit. Running throughout the narrative is her partnership with Mocha Latte, the police horse whose steady service of nearly two decades inspired the children's series exhibited alongside the memoir at BIBF.

Readers and reviewers have noted the memoir's combination of faith, public service, and personal reflection, presenting conviction not as an abstract ideal but as something tested through years of frontline experience. Together with the children's books, it offers two perspectives on the same enduring relationship between people, animals, and purpose.

Patricia L. Blake is a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer with over three decades of service. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminology from California State University, Northridge, and a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. Her experiences in law enforcement and her longstanding partnership with Mocha Latte provide the foundation for all three books presented at this year's fair.

Mocha Angel Warrior: True Trust Book 1, Mocha Angel Warrior: True Trust Book 1 Coloring Book, and Touched by the Hand of God: In the City of Angels SEND ME! are available on Amazon and other major digital bookstores. For more information, visit warriorsandheroes.com.

About Explora Books

Explora Books is a book marketing firm located in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company specializes in self-publishing and marketing, taking pride in its exhaustive research and creative strategies that provide wider avenues for aspiring authors to gain recognition for their works. Explora Books aims to guide authors through the complexities of self-publishing, offering convenient solutions to navigate this process. The firm fosters and redefines creativity and innovation, setting new industry standards. Explora Books is dedicated to empowering authors globally.

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