The Angel of Marham

Constance Baker (née Ketteringham) was born in 1868 in the quiet farming village of Marham, Norfolk. In her early teens, she moved with her parents to bustling Kensington, London, where she found work as an apprentice dressmaker. Years of dedication led Constance to establish herself as a dressmaker in her own right, crafting elegant gowns for some of the most celebrated Victorian and Edwardian actresses, opera singers, and music hall performers of the era.

Her marriage to John Baker, a former Royal Navy serviceman, marked the start of a family legacy in dressmaking. Together, they raised their children on Harwood Road in Fulham, where they all contributed to Constance’s flourishing business. Among them was Aderline, my grandmother, who learned the trade from Constance herself. Remarkably, they lived just down the road from Dame Nellie Melba, the famous soprano and close friend of Constance; the two would often share tea, discussing the events of the day and critiquing the ambitions of Kaiser Wilhelm II.

The Bakers’ home wasn’t just a hub for the family business—it was also a haven for those in need. Constance and John took in destitute children and cared for them as if they were their own. With the outbreak of World War I, Constance’s connections in the entertainment world led her to organize performances for soldiers at Bishop’s Park, Fulham, throughout the week from 1914 to early 1918, supported by Field Marshal Haig, who had opened up London’s green spaces for military training. These performances featured lady entertainers and provided much-needed moments of levity for the troops, including those depicted in the iconic film ‘Oh! What a Lovely War.’

As the wounded began to return from the front in 1915, Constance’s dedication only grew. She transformed her home into a refuge for injured soldiers, offering care and comfort, often buying them gifts and providing for their needs. Her unwavering compassion earned her the cherished title “Mother of the Wounded.”

Tragically, Constance’s own eldest son, John Gilbert Baker, who served with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, was killed in action at Passchendaele in 1917.

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…

Parvon Zin Koban Hunter Book 4: The Games

The Ninth Roman Legion didn’t fall in the wilds of Caledonia or the forests of Germania. They were stolen away – snatched from the battlefield by the Yonath Anunnaki, forced to fight and die in the brutal arenas of an alien empire.

Now, with the planet Thera Three enslaved by the iron fist of Gishma, a new supply of gladiators has been found: the Adamu. Countless innocents are shipped across the stars to fuel the bloody games of Master Kollexx, where they will be sacrificed for the entertainment of the bloodthirsty Anunnaki.

Parvon Zin Koban Hunter Book 4: The Games

The Ninth Roman Legion didn’t fall in the wilds of Caledonia or the forests of Germania. They were stolen away – snatched from the battlefield by the Yonath Anunnaki, forced to fight and die in the brutal arenas of an alien empire.

Now, with the planet Thera Three enslaved by the iron fist of Gishma, a new supply of gladiators has been found: the Adamu. Countless innocents are shipped across the stars to fuel the bloody games of Master Kollexx, where they will be sacrificed for the entertainment of the bloodthirsty Anunnaki.

The Green Cat

Wrongfully dismissed and relegated to driving a van, David Enfield never expected a second chance. But fate has other plans. Summoned back to his old company, he’s inexplicably promoted and tasked with solving a terrifying mystery: why are planes suddenly falling from the sky? His investigation leads him to a new home with an ancient secret – a burial mound in the neighboring field. When a raucous house party awakens the mound’s dormant power, David must enlist the help of Professor Jonathan Heart to unravel the connection between the ancient site and the deadly aviation failures. But as they delve deeper into the mystery, they become targets themselves, facing sabotage and assassination attempts. Can they uncover the truth behind the falling planes before more lives are lost?

The Green Cat

Wrongfully dismissed and relegated to driving a van, David Enfield never expected a second chance. But fate has other plans. Summoned back to his old company, he’s inexplicably promoted and tasked with solving a terrifying mystery: why are planes suddenly falling from the sky? His investigation leads him to a new home with an ancient secret – a burial mound in the neighboring field. When a raucous house party awakens the mound’s dormant power, David must enlist the help of Professor Jonathan Heart to unravel the connection between the ancient site and the deadly aviation failures. But as they delve deeper into the mystery, they become targets themselves, facing sabotage and assassination attempts. Can they uncover the truth behind the falling planes before more lives are lost?

Tufnell

Tufnell chronicles the transformation of agricultural land on the northern fringes of London into urban developments in the mid-nineteenth century. Through the intertwined biographies of four key figures, the narrative brings this period of change to life: Henry Tufnell, a landowning civil servant and politician; Anne Wilmot, Henry’s first wife, who played a pivotal role in developing the Tufnell Park Estate; Tom Murphy, an Irish immigrant and bricklayer who fled the Great Famine (1845–1852) and became a contractor overseeing the construction of terrace housing in Tufnell Park; and Kathleen Kean, a domestic servant from rural Ireland, who became Tom’s betrothed and later his wife.

Tufnell

Tufnell chronicles the transformation of agricultural land on the northern fringes of London into urban developments in the mid-nineteenth century. Through the intertwined biographies of four key figures, the narrative brings this period of change to life: Henry Tufnell, a landowning civil servant and politician; Anne Wilmot, Henry’s first wife, who played a pivotal role in developing the Tufnell Park Estate; Tom Murphy, an Irish immigrant and bricklayer who fled the Great Famine (1845–1852) and became a contractor overseeing the construction of terrace housing in Tufnell Park; and Kathleen Kean, a domestic servant from rural Ireland, who became Tom’s betrothed and later his wife.

Murano Mice: Tales for Wise Children II

The creatures in these tales are faced with challenges. They will have to rely on their resilience, inventiveness and the ability to relate to others to tackle what comes their way.

Rebecca, the matron heading the Glassworks mice, is frantically searching for a misplaced will. She will need her daughter’s help to outwit crafty Micio, the alley cat, and retrieve the precious document before it is too late.

Gloomy Daisy, an unconsolable dairy cow who has been deprived of her calves, ventures away from the pasture where her companions are peacefully grazing to enter the realm of the great auroch, thereby finding happiness.

And what about Taco and Pico, the lab mice? Being made to run through mazes all day is no fun. The pair make a daring escape, but are in for a few surprises, among which learning that not all mice are white.

Or Leonardo, a young fox who finds out at his expense that he would have done well to heed his mother’s warning. Going into the woods on one of the ‘Terrible Nights’ has dire consequences; it won’t be easy for him to put things right.

There are many more creatures within the pages of this book – among which a bombastic tardigrade – just waiting to share their stories with you.

Eternity - The Beginning

Five young adults in various parts of the world are asked to audition for the band ‘Eternity’. Being that they are all highly talented individuals, they find themselves making the cut and are asked to join the band.  All accept the offer and are brought together to Cleveland, Ohio, in America, where they will begin their journey together.

Through each other they learn how different it is from where they come from, but then they also learn how similar they are in their wishes and desires.

As time moves on, they also learn that they were all born at the same time, on the same night, during The Culmination of the Pleiades Constellation.

What does that mean? In ancient times the Culmination of the Pleiades Constellation meant a time to give thanks for the fading light, for all that has gone before, by November 21, fruits are stored away for the winter.

All of the members of ‘Eternity’ Jag, Eres, Al Akio, and Crys were brought together not just to give thanks for the fading light but to be a bright light for humanity at a time when the world truly needs it to move forward.

Counting Cockapoos

A rhyming counting book from 0-10, all about Cockapoos and what they like to do.

Anyone who has met a Cockapoo will know the funny things they do. If you don’t, count along with this book to discover the entertaining things they get up to. Cockapoos are a crazy but delightful breed of dog, certain to make you laugh or put a smile on your face.

Counting Cockapoos

A rhyming counting book from 0-10, all about Cockapoos and what they like to do.

Anyone who has met a Cockapoo will know the funny things they do. If you don’t, count along with this book to discover the entertaining things they get up to. Cockapoos are a crazy but delightful breed of dog, certain to make you laugh or put a smile on your face.