The Bush Wood Valley Gang

This is a tale of a little mouse who, against all odds, survives many dangerous situations. He then discovers a new-found family friendship with a gang of orphans in Bush Wood Valley. Having lost his own near family, he quickly gets acquainted with his new-found family and gains higher status in the gang through his very positive attitude.

The Enemies of Nicolo Basti

In a near future where the Catholic Church has declared that choral music is inappropriate for the Eucharistic liturgy, the Patriarchy of Venice remains the only diocese that has not yet conformed. The Cardinal patriarch must navigate a series of complicated challenges, including the involvement of his niece with the city’s police commissioner and the interests of powerful individuals in government and international trade. As dissent grows and escalates into social, political, and criminal consequences, the independent state of Venice is also dealing with the approaching Historical Regatta. In the midst of it all, a conspiracy erupts on the Lagoon during the climax of the gondoliers’ race. Follow the twists and turns of this gripping tale in The Enemies of Nicolo Basti.

The Last of the Lucky Childhoods

This is the story of my childhood recollections while growing up in Glasgow. The streets were still for kids and we knew how to make our own fun, though some of the mischiefs we got up to may not be classed as fun nowadays.

If we were poor, we didn’t realise it; if we were ill-treated, we thought of it as normal. Kids didn’t complain in those days (or they got a ‘slap across the lug’). Kids knew their place, we just got on with life and enjoyed it to the fullest.

As Billy Connolly would say: “What I’m about to tell you is true…well mostly.”

If any of my old pals, relatives, or friends recognise themselves on these pages, you’re most likely right…but I have changed the names (in some instances) to protect the guilty!

The Life and Times of Victoria-Ann Penny

This is a memoir of Victoria-Ann Penny and, as you may have guessed, she is a Victorian penny. This is her story, as best she can remember it. She is well over a 100 years old so her memory might be just a little bit hazy.
Born towards the end of Queen Victoria’s reign Miss Penny recounts various historical events in the 20th century including world wars and the first moon landing.
She also travelled around various countries and the British Isles with her ‘owners’ and gives her impressions of the things she saw. 
Reader, I do hope you enjoy her escapades.

The Little Book of 101 Wise Words for Children

“A child is not a child if she does not know the meaning of fun.”

“When the child knows how to have fun, it cushions him to the ups and downs of life.”

Dear Child,

From the moment you were born, no matter where you came from, you have alongside within you a power waiting to be unleashed. The world is your playground and like the rainbows that you see behind the clouds, you can apply as many colours as you wish to make your own life colourful.

You are loved and every small step that you make counts. Once you dream, you should not be afraid to make that first step. Whether or not someone believes in you, but your dream is true to you, then do not be shy and give it a try. For every huge success started from that first, small step.

It is for you that I wrote this book to have fun and be free to pursue your dreams and to live life happily!

Lindzy McQueen

The Pompous Emperor and the Wise Old Man

In The Pompous Emperor and the Wise Old Man, the author explores the transformative power of truth and the fundamental principles that govern all of creation. Through the story of an affluent Emperor who meets a wise and humble man, the novel delves into the corrupt and lustful desires that often plague society and the importance of making positive impacts on the world. With a focus on authority and the influence of individuals on others, the story shows the transformative power of a single encounter and the lasting impact it can have on the heart. The book also includes a motivational piece called ‘The Fundamentals’ and a simple poem that offers insights on reality. With the goal of helping readers live a better life and make the world a lovelier place, The Pompous Emperor and the Wise Old Man is a thought-provoking and impactful read.

The Stony Stage

Peter travels the world with his guitar and harmonica, searching for a sense of belonging in a remote and mysterious place called Belonging Sun. Along the way, he encounters obstacles that test his determination and resourcefulness. But he remains determined to fulfil his principle: that progress comes from taking action and not just waiting. Join Peter on his journey to find belonging in this inspiring tale of self-discovery.

The Web

In a celestial realm of five planets orbiting four suns, echoes of a bygone civilization wait to be unearthed. The revelation comes when archaeologists stumble upon an enigmatic probe amidst ancient ruins. As they pry open this time capsule, they unveil the chilling tale of a civilization vanished, its demise tied to a rogue blue star mentioned in the ancient texts.

As astronomers cast their gaze towards the cosmos, they are startled to find the same blue star, now drawing closer, heralding changes both mysterious and ominous. The celestial menace, with its destructive energies, threatens to rewrite the destiny of this multi-sunned system.

Faced with a cosmic threat, the realm’s brightest minds rally together to conceive a grand design: a force field monumental in its making, envisioned to shield their world from the star’s ruinous touch. This colossal endeavour births... The Web.

The Zalan Bolt

The wondrous planet Zalan, lying far beyond the brim of known space, has but one detriment to its unprecedented beauty: the shockingly unpredictable, raging-red lightning storms that spawn the murderous fiery bolt able to fell any unprotected man, beast, or home.
It is on a night when one such storm rages that a stranger arrives at the Tavern on the Hill, in Zalan’s old world sector. A sinister, deadly, fascinating stranger, who rashly mocks the screaming bolt and wakes old, primeval superstitions and fears, and new nameless dreads, in the locals gathered at the hearth.
The stranger also holds the lovely, gentle, innocent daughter of the innkeeper in special thrall. He lures her along dark, forbidden paths to an exquisitely evil, unhallowed place, where beguiling dreams are deviously entwined with nightmares. It is here that she is to be terribly transformed, and where an unimaginable fate is waiting for her, her loved ones, and eventually... the entire planet.

Things Could Always Be Worse

In an alternate universe, on Earth’s sister planet Gaia…

When presidential science advisor Melanie Gryzolski and an immortal alien called Jeemis are abducted by a pair of BEWBs, the entire world is riveted to the six hundred mile, forced road trip to Poke’s Peak that follows. Craving immortality, lawyer Pitch Al hired the kidnappers, and assigned them to uncover the hidden site of the TDS, a mysterious entity that could hold the secret to ever-lasting life, and a cure for Gaian’s endemic stupidity-causing virus too. A second immortal alien, Robulus, teams up with Melanie’s father Matt, and a television journalist to reach the TDS first, to prepare for its unveiling to the world.

The make-believe media ignites a firestorm of speculative fear-mongering lunacy, and soon thousands are speeding to Poke’s Peak, to see or stop the Unveiling, including the celebrity-studded Sacred Stars Temple; a vicious motorcycle gang called Mel’s Angels; a cell of dwarf terrorists; Crime Blaster XL-5, a dedicated superhero; a vegan assassin and a bevvy of personal injury attorneys, not to mention bad drivers. What could go wrong?

Things That Go Bump in the Night

ONE CITY. TWO KILLERS
A serial killer and a supernatural killer terrorise a city. One kills willingly preying on adulterers and the other unknowingly with no memory of being a monster. The city knows about the serial murders committed by the Sin Killer, but unaware of the shape-shifter whose murders are blamed on the Sin Killer. The captain of police is related to one of the killers.

Things will Get Better

Normal is as normal does – right? Well, my version of normal seemed to be quite unique. Compared to friends I’d always be the one with the hilarious stories. My friends would flock to hear them, tall tales about my misadventures and awkward encounters with men. 

However, at university, these shenanigans began to take their toll. Euphoric highs and dramatic lows were exhausting and had nearly taken my life.

I’m sharing some of these stories which will definitely make you laugh out loud as well as cringe so you can better appreciate that mental health (good or not so good) is normal.

Hold on in there – things do get better.