Fleeting Images from a Bloodied Past

Ships against the sea! Was…STILL IS, a threat to all the vessels who sail upon her, and especially so, an ever-present threat to the crews who do their duty and put their lives in harm's way. Of violent storms, tempests… All the unpredictable hell of crosswinds, headwinds and tailwinds, roaring madly like some frenzied monster, changing direction, attempting to plunge the man-made object under the vengeful, towering and swamping thunderous waves, against which so many hardy ships have foundered, perished and been lost. The fact that the CSS Alabama came through such a storm and survived this maelstrom is testimony to the meticulous skills and concentrated painstaking patience and hard work of Laird's well-led and well-managed shipbuilding workforce and professional seamanship, that ensured the crew's safe passage and escape from this seaborne wretchedness. Warships, which survived incredible battle experience, and - at war's end - were reviewed for conversion, replacement or the breaker's yard was a consideration. Not all, however, because the fate of HMS Zealous continued in a new page of history, when she was transferred to the Israeli Navy. Later, in 1967, whilst out on patrol in the Eastern Mediterranean, she was suddenly attacked by Egyptian warships equipped with superior firepower. The new crew of this old warhorse knew that the fate of their emerging and vibrant new nation, fighting to retain her hard-fought existence, was dependent upon their spirited defence. Despite the fact that they were up against Soviet-supplied STYX surface-to-surface missiles, against which they had no defence, they steered into battle, undaunted. With battle pennants flying, they bravely challenged the enemy. Their fearlessness and courage shone in the face of certain destruction and ultimate sacrifice. The Cammell Laird scenario is riveting and strikingly dramatic…

Fleo, Master of All Men

Fleo is a very talented flea, with impeccable cooking skills. Differently to all other fleas within the flea kingdom, Fleo was a vegan, not by choice, but due to his intolerance to blood, and all other animal products, which he could never stomach. Whenever Fleo saw blood as a child, he would faint.

Fleo is loved by all in the animal kingdom for his kindness. His kindness would not only make him loved and famous but would ultimately save his life.

After his sudden disappearance, his absence brought out the respect of animals across the animal world, and made them realise the importance of appreciating what they have before it is lost.

Flicker

After discovering that her nemesis is none other than her friend, Lexi must live to fight another day. But now he knows that she’s a witch.

Can she survive long enough to her abusive step-father face justice, or are her days numbered? And can she carry on alone, or is there someone out there to help her?

Flora and Fauna Part 1

This is one of a series of stories about the great Orme goats in Llandudno. On 31 March 2020, a group of 122 Kashmiri goats captured the world’s attention on social media and television, and from the United States of America to Australia, when they came down off the mountain and into the streets of Llandudno, eating all the shrubs and plants in people’s gardens. Some of the homeowners and businesses moved them on, but most people let them be and filmed or photographed them.

The world press was in attendance on 14 September 2021 during a five-hour rescue mission by the RSPCA, coastguards and Conwy council trying to rescue 15 stranded goats from Austin’s rock, but unfortunately, one was killed.

On 8 February 2022 police were called to an incident when fighting Kashmiri goats locked horns in an Asda car park causing chaos and gridlock.

Sometimes the goats disrupted traffic wherever they went, but fair play to the motorists, they gave the goats a wide berth as they roamed the streets in search of food.

Because of the pandemic and the lack of people and holidaymakers, they knew they would be safe.

Even now, in 2022, people from all over the world are still coming to Llandudno especially to see the goats.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Phil Wilson is an ageing saxophone player who washed up in the Ocean Breeze caravan park, like flotsam left on the beach after a storm. Even for those somewhat on the margins of the good society, life can be pleasant. Phil and his fellow caravan park renters thought so.

But life throws a series of curveballs and they can give in or fight back. They will need to navigate the testing waters of interpersonal relationships, bureaucracy, and the unpatrolled worlds of online communities.

Set on the Surf Coast in Victoria, the novel is a wry study of male mateship and the challenges of friendship and relationships.

For Redder

Harry Larsen’s boyhood in post-war Sydney is marred by the death of his Danish father. With the loss of their breadwinner, Harry and his mother move to a new life in the country in New South Wales. He takes with them an old biscuit tin containing letters and items left by his father. The letters, in a language he cannot understand, and the words ‘For redder’ levelled in anger at his father, become posers that the Harry seeks to solve. The adult Harry learns of his mother’s death while employed as an engineer on a copper mine on the island of Bouganville, a mine that is increasingly opposed by the islanders. Returning to Australia for his mother’s funeral he decides to give up his life as an engineer and go to Denmark to find the truth of his father’s wartime activities; to his resistance to the German occupation of his country. For Harry it is a journey of discovery to find the family that he has not known and, ultimately, to love.

“A debut novel of a boy raised in Sydney to the adult who seeks to find the truth of his father’s participation in resistance to German occupied Denmark.”

Foraging

She can be found anywhere – sitting in a café, walking along a rocky beach, cramped in coach class, or bored at her desk. Heartbroken and lonely, she seeks solace, another chance, and redemption in snippets of words, phrases, and puzzling rhymes. These missives to others capture her passions, grief, and bubbly glee. Her mind fades in and out at these moments, almost drunkenly grabbing any napkin to jot down cryptic notes in pencil or pen before folding it haphazardly and shoving it into her wallet.

Years later, she retrieves these tattered memos and in the quiet of early morning coffee or late evening wine, she writes, drafts, edits, and trims, perfecting the feelings, capturing the place, time, and emotions that were almost lost.

Forest Friends

In a world where creatures are judged by their size and species, Kao stands out. Despite being a towering grizzly bear, his heart is as tender as a cub’s. Born to be a symbol of fear and power, Kao struggles to find his place. How can one make friends when mere appearances send others fleeing in terror? As Kao embarks on a journey away from his family, he hopes to find not only adventure but also a path to becoming the bear he truly desires to be.

In the second story, a boy named Bobby faces daily bullying, but his dreary life changes when a mysterious old woman named Martha comes to his rescue, chasing his tormentors away with a pistol. As Bobby is welcomed into Martha’s peculiar home, he discovers her secret past as a globetrotting spy. Through dress-up games and swapping stories, these new friends find joy, purpose, and the courage to face life’s obstacles.

This charming collection reminds readers that kindness and bravery can be found in the most unlikely of hearts. Suitable for middle grade readers.

Forever and a Day

Life is never dull in the seaside village of Trentmouth on the Dorset coast. Molly and Alistair await the joyous arrival of another new life into the family and to their friends they are the perfect happy couple. Bertie finally opens his vegetarian beachside café with the support of his wife Lucy, a midwife at the local hospital. The Reverend Suzanne has caused quite a stir in sleepy Trentmouth and Lady Isobel has plans of her own at the Manor.

Tranquillity is short-lived when Molly has to make some serious decisions about the veterinary practice she has worked so hard to build; Lucy’s health is threatened and she is faced with imminent changes at the hospital and the ‘Rev’ has ruffled one too many feathers.

Molly, Lucy and Suzanne continually find themselves thrown together for mutual help and support turning this quiet little backwater of village life upside down in ways they had not expected – will life for them ever be the same again?

Forever Bear

Do you talk to your teddy bear? Does your teddy bear share your secrets?

Forever Bear depicts a teddy bear taking on the role of confidant, companion and advisor.

The opening abundance of colour and joy introduces the relationship. Ted knows the ‘why’ of everything and shares in the inner and outer life of the child, whether at tea, in the bath or asleep.

If Ted could talk transitions like magic into him actually speaking, coming at the critical moment of the child’s sadness at the loss of their nan. There is a sharing of secrets. The sensitivity of the child not wanting to upset her mother is poignant.

The mystery and strength portrayed in Forever Bear brings the discussion of death as a natural progression. 

Forever Love

Experience a love story that transcends time and place in Forever Love. When a young man living in the bustling metropolis of New York City is transported into a dream world, he discovers a love so profound that it defies explanation.

In this alternate reality, he finds himself living with a woman who is his wife in another century and country. As he delves deeper into the mystery of this dream world, he realizes that his actions could have real-world consequences for himself and his relatives in Sicily.

With the help of his trusted friends, he embarks on a journey to mitigate the danger and uncover the truth behind this mystical love story. Through the power of hypnosis, he unravels the secrets of his dream world and discovers a connection that spans across centuries.

Join our hero on this thrilling adventure as he travels to a far-off land in pursuit of a love that has no bounds. With danger lurking around every corner, he must navigate treacherous waters to protect himself and those he holds dear. Will he uncover the truth behind this mystical love story, or will he be forever lost in a dream world of his own making? Find out in Forever Love.

Forgetting Jake

Ben is a rancher, living in Carter’s Pass, Oregon, a small town where nothing ever happens. He spends his days taking care of his young son, feeding horses, and mending fences around his property. That is, until early one morning, when a stranger ends up on the road to his ranch.

The young man is uninjured but has no idea who he is or how he ended up on the road. Named ‘Frankie’ by Ben’s son, the young man has flashes of his past. But as he begins falling for Ben his memories become clearer, and the past catches up with him. What will happen when the life Frankie has made with Ben clashes with the old?