Two Women

This is the story of the lives of two women. They suffered loss, prejudice and adversity.  Determination and humour got them through. They were born worlds apart. One in Barbados and one in England. They met and formed a friendship that was both special and unusual at that time. The story is told over 38 years, capturing world events along the way. Although there are sad times, this is a heartwarming and inspiring story. These two amazing women are my mums.

Two Worlds Collide

The story is told through the words of the author’s dad, John Shirley, a Sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy on board the Alnwick Castle; and Herbert Lochner, a mechanical engineer on the submarine U425.

They fought separate wars, but were brought together in one dramatic and tragic incident that changed their lives forever.

Find yourself immersed in life aboard a Royal Navy minesweeper on the River Thames and an Arctic convoy Royal Navy corvette. Experience life as a German submariner, below the waves in a U-boat. Immerse yourself in the emotions of both combatants, their humour and their appreciation of the beauty of the Arctic Ocean.

This account is richly illustrated by John Shirley, with original water colours, painted from memory and based on sketches made at the time.

Umbadinga

When an end-of-term field trip goes horribly wrong and not all the students return, the teacher loses the plot. One student hatches a plan and together with the school bus driver, they attempt their own rescue mission.

The lost children enter a new world through a subterranean portal and things take a twist when the group get split up.

Umbadinga is full of mystery and intrigue. Their pursuit for self-preservation leads them into encounters with weird and wonderful creatures, but not all of them are friendly.

Become part of the adventure in Umbadinga, be a fly on the wall during the battle and mind-boggling escapes. But the big problem is, can they get back home again? That’s for you to find out!

Uncertain Ground

Business partners Ron and Neil invest in an attractive East African location following their reluctant forced exit from Zimbabwe during the new land reforms and policies that took hold in the country in 2003.

Years later, both men find themselves, their clients and their acquaintances drawn into an unavoidable set of circumstances involving national law enforcement, an international investigation agency and high-level criminal activity.

Strong bonding relationships and humour, along with lust, killing and survival come together in this gritty and gripping novel set in the city and in the heart of the largest game reserve in Africa.

Under the Desert Sands

On honeymoon, an archaeologist couple, Toby and Lucy, meet an emergency on Lake Nasser. A man, Hassan, was being attacked by a crocodile. Can they rescue him? Will he survive?

Leaving the lake for the Western Desert and its oases. They go to Kharga and have a wonderful party. A fantasia entertains them with whirling dervishes, Nubian dancers and pipes of hashish being handed around. Then back on to the White Desert, a “Wonder of the World”. They get stuck in the deep sand and freeze in the cold night; dug out, a surprise in the hole left by their rear wheel.

Is it what they hope? Is it part of a temple? Is it an archaeologist’s dream or just a lump of stone?

Lucy bewitches a colonel in the Baharyah Oasis; he brings manpower to raise the block. Suddenly, the edge of the deep trench crumbles and sand and rubble collapse into the hole. What will become of the young couple?

Under the Shade of the Mango Tree

Inaya – the daughter who knows her father to be dead.

Imaad – the son who has persistently betrayed and disappointed his father.

Zahra – in search of the man who saved her childhood and protected her mother.

Salmaan – An autistic youngster who finds it difficult to navigate himself in the big, wide world.

Today.

Inaya – The news of her father being alive shatters her existence completely as she is left with an air ticket and a damning decision. 

Salmaan – Her brother, autistic and confused escapes through an unlocked front door and discovers a world that is cruel and far from safe.

Imaad – A drug dealer on the brink of uncertainty drowning in a sea of betrayal and animosity.

Zahra – Finders not keepers of the man who changed her life and future.

Then, one moment, a fatal incident rips their souls apart and transforms their landscapes forever.

Understanding and Improving the Effects of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Looking to gain a better understanding of the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? Look no further than this informative and practical guide. With a focus on helping readers maintain their well-being and happiness, this book offers clear explanations of the symptoms associated with both conditions, including common signs like losing items such as keys or glasses, forgetting a friend’s name, or struggling to find the right word.

As the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease progress, they can significantly interfere with daily life. However, this book provides practical advice that can help individuals and their loved ones navigate these challenges and maintain their quality of life for as long as possible. Whether you are looking to learn more about these conditions for personal or professional reasons, this book is an excellent resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this important topic.

Understanding Tarot

At the heart of Pam Richards’ new book, Understanding Tarot, is a detailed guide to the imagery and symbolism of each of the 78 cards in the tarot deck. This book uses as its reference point the classic tarot deck known as ‘Rider-Waite-Smith’, which was designed by Arthur Edward Waite and then drawn and brought to life by Pamela Colman Smith in 1909. Readers who wish to learn more about the images of this extraordinary deck will find this book very helpful.

Understanding Tarot is intended to be a companion for all tarot students, with whatever deck they love, whether they are completely new to the subject or an experienced enthusiast looking to broaden their view of this wonderful deck of cards. Both the upright and reversed meanings of each card are given, and for those new to tarot, in these sections you will find keywords for each displayed in bold-italic text, and an ‘In a Nutshell’ section, which both give a quick glance at the cards without delving into the deeper elements of the book.

Whether you wish to understand each card in detail or use them for psychic development, this book has you covered.

Unique - the economic life

Connections in life are necessary to proceed with gaining what you want in life and achieving the best for yourself. Avoiding loneliness and being part of life is the way to stay alive: to maintain conversation and get news from around the world. Negotiation is the only way to achieve what you want in life.

Unity

Unlikely Destinies

As part of a small Australian military group three sisters of immigrant parents participate in secret missions to counteract People’s Republic of China coercion and planned terrorist attacks in the Indo-Pacific. The sisters enjoyed a happy but meagre childhood in a remote West Australian township from where they emerged as the fortuitous beneficiaries of a private school education in South Australia. They displayed exceptional talents in standard and elective subjects. As young adults they excelled in tertiary education and gained degrees in linguistics, admiralty and Pacific constitutional law, pure mathematics, and computer science before coming to the attention of Australian intelligence agencies and the military. They were recruited by the military group for clandestine assignments that ranged from the outer boundaries of the South China Sea to Papua New Guinea and in between. The main parts of the story are about these assignments.

Unpacking Italy

Tony Gates has a love affair with Italy. This book shares the affair with you. He has visited Italy more times than he knows. He brings to this “unpacking” of Italy the experience of many years, enjoyment of its many cultures, fascination with the events which brought a united Italy into being, deep appreciation of its art, and engagement with its people and places.

This is not a guidebook. Tony wants to take you to the heartbeat of Italy, a journey which looks carefully at the events and scenes along the way and listens attentively to the pulse beats of the Italian peninsula. The journey reveals that there is really more than one Italy. Greeks, Romans, Etruscans, Umbrians, Normans, Lombards, French and many others have ensured that.

Where once Latin held pride of linguistic place, numerous dialects remain, pointing to the variety that is the Italy which the author shares with you. His hope is that you will find an exciting Italy as you join him on the journey.

Tony wishes you Buon Viaggio.