Public Participation Involvement and Engagement in Cancer Research

Patients and the public have a history of participation and advocacy in cancer research, generally for the benefit of future cancer patients rather than themselves. Participation is necessary if drugs and treatments are to be properly tested. Advocacy adds a unique perspective that enables the integration of two valuable and powerful viewpoints, the experiential disease and treatment knowledge, needs and priorities of the patient, and the professional disease and treatment knowledge and priorities of the researcher or clinician. This synergistic combination is a key enabler for focused and relevant diagnostic and treatment advances in cancer research. However, recruitment of the right numbers and profile of patients and the public into participation and advocacy remains a challenge. This book seeks to take the mystery out of participation and advocacy in cancer research trials by explaining the whole process, in lay terms, in the hope that more people will be encouraged to participate and become advocates.

Cascade Smith: The Hydra Sanction

THE HYDRA

A giant sea serpent of Greek mythology with nine heads, one of them immortal. The task to slay the Hydra was the second labour of Hercules – no easy task, as for every head cut off, another would grow in its stead.

To kill the Hydra, its immortal head must be cut off then cauterised in flame.

It is the year 2031, and Australia has just turned back a Chinese invasion force in the naval Battle of the Arafura Sea, ensuring stability in the South Pacific for the foreseeable future.

But China is playing the long game, moving its focus to a massive cyber-attack across the West, aimed at world domination through stealth in lieu of military conquest.

To this end, China’s MSS has developed Hydra, the most advanced quantum computer the world has ever seen, and in 2032 they start to use it, successfully attacking the governments of the Philippines and then Japan with devastating effect.

The ‘brain’ of Hydra is sunk 1000 feet deep in the Dragon Hole, a sinkhole in the South China Sea, from where it beams attack codes to eight satellites orbiting the key capital cities of the West.

America’s NSA identifies the location of Hydra, but President Sigourney Owen rules out a tactical nuclear strike, as that would be a prelude to a Third World War.

It is resolved to mount a commando operation, with US Navy SEALs launched by submarine to attack the Dragon Hole with a specially-designed depth charge code-named Hercules.

Four SEALS volunteer for the suicide mission.

One of them is Cascade Smith.

The Thinking Donkey

The Wisdom of Harold

‘It’s true, I carry man’s burdens, but burdens are easy to carry for people when you love them.

And if I, a donkey, can so easily carry the burdens of men out of love… then how much more would God the Lord of everything be able to love men, too.’

What you need to know:

Harold, the thinking donkey, is a thoughtful story about resisting injustices and being kind to others. An important message is how moral attitudes are conveyed with the knowledge and use of a wide vocabulary, and therefore of how vital the importance of reading is becoming in a world of emoji mobile dialogue and poor literacy.

Young minds can be easily influenced, and persuaded about many things, but sometimes they need to resist the persuasion of peers trying to take advantage of any intolerance leading them into quick judgements, for by encouraging their tolerance they cannot be so easily persuaded, and will begin learning to think for themselves.

Bunny’s Amazing Adventures

Life is very different when seen through the eyes of a toy rabbit. What matters to Bunny is way different from the things we consider important, and visa-versa.

His international travels and adventures are fraught with dangers and new experiences at every turn.

Being his mother has always been able to hear him speak, this story is an autobiography of the luckiest, most loved bunny ever.

His perspective of an ever-changing life full of love, loss and everything in between is enlightening and uplifting.

Rediscovering God

This book defends the existence of God, but not the God described in the Bible. First, it discusses two serious errors in the Bible. The first is that God made Adam first and then later made Eve. What science proves is that the template for the human body is without doubt female. Men are only modified women. The other serious error in Genesis is that God wanted to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the sin of homosexuality. Read the evidence that homosexuality is genetic or epigenetic and hence created by God.

The book shows that if you want to be an atheist, you have to believe that: 1. All of the matter in the Universe came from nothing. 2. That, there must be an infinite number of Universes. 3. That, in a Universe where entropy (a measure of disorganization) rules, the dirt of the Earth self-organized into the most complex structure in the known Universe, your body.  A hint about the incredible complexity of the human body is given in the book.

Because a subatomic particle changes its behaviour based on whether it is being observed or not, Pantheism is the possible nature of God. The author is a big fan of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, but because the God that created the amazing Universe we live in and then humanity would not require blood to be spilled to appease the disobedience of a primitive man, it is unlikely that Jesus was God.

Fishers of Men

The second instalment in the dramatic new series, The Flavian Trilogy.

Joshua, Maria, and Linus Flavian now determine their destinies. From the Nazirites and the Essenes to the burgeoning fishing industry on the Sea of Galilee, Joshua and his band of followers are led from obscurity to the portals of the Roman Prefect in a movement poised to change the world. Maria of Magdala becomes a part of this movement, and is left with an awesome responsibility. Linus Flavian pits Roman pride and ambition against a Galilean past.

Fishers of Men provides a fascinating commentary on the origins of Christianity that is both challenging and yet plausible, incorporating traditional beliefs, fictitious thoughts, and new controversial interpretations. With vivid prose and compelling characters, Fishers of Men offers a captivating glimpse into the first-century Roman and Judean worlds.

“A provocative new picture of the ‘historical’ Jesus.”
– Kirkus Discoveries, Texas.

“Peter Longley’s unique interpretations of the life of the Messiah, along with his interesting and plausible explanations of miraculous events and his indications that Maria of Magdala played a vital role in the ministry of God’s son, make for a fascinating and intriguing story and increases anticipation for the third and final book in the series.”
– San Francisco and Sacramento Book Reviews, California.

“From the descriptive nature, it is obvious that this author has personal knowledge of these important first-century sites, giving authenticity to his work often missing in Biblical narratives.”
– Beecher, Springfield, Missouri.

Watch Out, He Bites!

Living the quiet life in a grassy paddock on a Yorkshire dairy farm is a small, fuzzy black-and-white Shetland pony, spending his days happily grazing with his even smaller ginger buddy.

From over the rickety dry stone wall, Humbug easily gives the impression of being very sweet – with big dark eyes, long eyelashes, a rounded tummy, a forelock that Tina Turner’s hairdresser would have been proud of, and slightly misshapen legs due to arthritis in his knees.

Nothing in his outward appearance gives even a hint of the chaos he’s caused over the past 20 years or so, but there’s a reason the stone wall is rickety – and it’s only as you look more closely that you realize the ponies are contained within a paddock with four (yes, four!) low strands of electric fencing. The gaps along the top of the stone wall are a testament to Humbug’s escapology pursuits, occasionally aided by large, wet-nosed dairy cows who love a bit of entertainment!

This is the true story of Humbug and his family (human and equine) and the often hilarious exploits and misdeeds that have entertained, frustrated, and exasperated his long-suffering humans.

You’re invited to sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know this charismatic little pony. I hope you appreciate his adventures… but watch out—he bites!

Follow Humbug on X (formerly Twitter): @HumbugAndToby

And on Instagram: @humbug_and_toby

He looks forward to welcoming you there!

The Westminster Series Book 1: In Private

Amber Celeste Reynaud, a young schoolteacher of Huguenot descent, and proud of it, is passionately keen to enter British politics as a member of the Ecology party.

Her bête noir is the rich and famous MP for the Business party, Catherine Fitzwilliam. Daughter of a baronet, she is married to a wealthy banker and lives in a fabulous, listed property. Amber loathes her and everything she stands for.

A chance meeting in a London theatre leads to a far from polite outburst from Amber, for which she is ashamed. But Catherine’s teenage son had, after all, poked her painfully in the back with his umbrella.

Amber teaches sports and English at a state school in the Brighton area. When she is summoned by the head teacher to meet a prospective new entry to her class in the winter term, it is Catherine and her son who she finds sitting in the Head’s study. Sam, who Amber has realised is on the Asperger Spectrum, insists he leave his private school to join Amber’s class. Against the Head’s better judgement, Amber persuades her to give the boy a chance.

Amber lives in a marriage of convenience with her husband, Ian. She has never questioned her indifference to sex, believing she needs all her energies to flow into her career ambitions. Now she recognises that the looks the very married Catherine gives her are far from innocent. And strangely, they don’t leave her cold either…

Blue: Tiny Tales of Friendship

In Blue: Tiny Tales of Friendship, children will learn about the qualities that make a good friend through seven heart-warming stories featuring three animal friends – a small grey mouse, a robin, and a fat ginger cat. Set in a village where magic and mystery abound, these tales follow the characters as they discover the power of kindness and friendship and are changed forever by the events they experience. From helping a stranger with an extraordinary gift to learning to love and respect one another at school, these stories will teach valuable lessons about friendship and the importance of being kind. Along the way, secrets are kept and lives are saved – and kids will even find out what all that blue wool is used for!

Big Horns Little Horns

Join Edward Chocolate and Bertie Boo Boo, two spirited goats locked in a playful rivalry, in this delightful and exciting tale.

Their latest nighttime game brings them head-to-head once again, this time competing over the size of their horns.

But when the wise owl swoops in with her words of wisdom, the competition takes a heartwarming turn, reminding them that true worth goes beyond appearances, and putting any feelings of inferiority to rest.

A Poem or Two from Me to You

Join us on a poetic adventure celebrating life and the incredible animal kingdom in A Poem or Two From Me to You. Feel the highs and lows of being human and the magic of animals all around. From heart-warming bonds with our furry friends to the wild spirit of untamed creatures, these verses will touch your soul. Hear the joyous melodies of nature, witness the innocence in a bird’s song, and marvel at the wisdom in an old owl’s eyes. Groove to the rhythm of these poems, connecting us all and inspiring appreciation for life’s diversity.

A Poem or Two From Me to You is a heartfelt tribute to the symphony of life and the wonderful presence of animals. Get ready for a wild ride!

No. 1 Werone Way

My name is Elise Mustang.

I thought it’d be a weekend like any other.

I just wanted to play and eat and sleep.

Who would’ve thought that opening a small box would unleash the wildest magic and take me on an out-of-the-world adventure?

Now I’m back to tell you my story.

A story so extraordinary, I wouldn’t have believed anyone if they told me the same.

I travelled across continents and explored the world with new eyes.

…except that I wasn’t human anymore.

“Truly one of the most spectacular books of all time... must read...”

                                                                                    - Elise Mustang (yes, that’s me again!)

Ananth Kopalle took the train every day to return home. Most of the seats were taken during the rush hour, so the 20-minute ride had to be done standing, often sandwiched between other passengers. Unable to read a book or comfortably browse the phone, he’d use this time preparing for what he loved the most – narrating bed-time stories to his then-8-year-old son. Holding on to the handrails, he’d weave stories intended to stimulate critical thinking and bring a sense of adventure and wonder about life. He’d often intermix a variety of subjects like love, nature, war and conflict, Gods, fairies and demons, life in other countries, and so on. He created enough stories in his memory bank to never run out of them at bed-time.

After about three years of doing this, Ananth thought it was a good idea to take story-telling to the next level by writing a book. That’s where he found contentment – creating stories that inspire curiosity and enrich young minds.