The Troll That Was Misunderstood

This book encourages readers to embrace their differences and understand that there’s no need to hide or change just to fit in with what others consider normal.

Told in playful verse, the story is designed to delight little ears and invite them to join in with the tale. It teaches young readers an important lesson: everyone needs a friend, and sometimes, a kind word or a bit of encouragement is all it takes to include someone who may feel left out.

In this charming story, the creatures of the village learn that just because someone looks a little different or lives in an unusual place, it doesn’t mean they aren’t a good person. You’ll discover how a lonely troll’s life is transformed by a simple act of kindness.

I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoyed creating it.

The Samovar

When a young girl, Elżbieta Kaminska, is raped, she vows to avenge her perpetrator. The only witness to the vicious crime is a silver samovar, which becomes a constant painful reminder as well as being a comforting crutch.

As life takes its toll on the young Elżbieta, Father Stanisław becomes her rock, but he cannot obliterate the dark shadows shrouding her life.

A vile rapist on the loose; an abusive, self-seeking ‘father’; Zygmunt Chmielowski’s secret connection; loss and rejection all have their part to play, and a dashing soldier, Paweł Jaroszynski, adds a certain intrigue.

Elżbieta has a huge mountain to climb, and only the peak can bring her the ultimate peace she craves.

Will the silver samovar forevermore remain a symbol of despair, or will it bring Elżbieta the hope and freedom she desires?

A Cat and Eight Kittens 2

If, like many others, you thought A Cat and Eight Kittens: The Town Version was fun and full of adventure, then you are in for a wonderful time reading A Cat and Eight Kittens: Life on the Farm.

While the main stars of the story remain the Cat and Eight Kittens, you are introduced to their new friends on the farm, including the farmer and his young daughter. The story shows how much adventure happens while living on the farm, how things can go from normal to crazy in a matter of hours. If these Kittens are known for one thing, it’s crazy, and no doubt you will find Felix right in the middle of it all. This time, it’s the Kittens’ new friends who are in peril, and it’s up to the Kittens to try and save the day.

Come join this wonderful adventure with Felix and all the other cats to see if they can help save their friends!

Punk: A Tale of Abuse, Addiction and Survival

Darkness lies in every corner of life. Sometimes you are lucky enough to avoid it; other times you are sucked in, and at its mercy. This journey through the horrors and torment of abuse in all its deplorable forms, is retold in explicit detail, because darkness does not care for the innocence of childhood nor for its screams of hope.

From childhood to adolescence, then moving through teenage years, set against a backdrop of late 70s and early 80s punk rock London, this is a story of a young life lived; a testament to the value of friendship; a tale of hope.

Based on actual events, PUNK: A Tale of Abuse, Addiction and Survival narrates the trials and tribulations of the need to fit in, squatting, heroin addiction, reaching the highs and the lowest of the lows, and surviving it all. Through sex, drugs and punk rock, you are pulled into Gary’s journey at every twist and turn, in explicit page-turning detail.

Punk: A Tale of Abuse, Addiction and Survival

Darkness lies in every corner of life. Sometimes you are lucky enough to avoid it; other times you are sucked in, and at its mercy. This journey through the horrors and torment of abuse in all its deplorable forms, is retold in explicit detail, because darkness does not care for the innocence of childhood nor for its screams of hope.

From childhood to adolescence, then moving through teenage years, set against a backdrop of late 70s and early 80s punk rock London, this is a story of a young life lived; a testament to the value of friendship; a tale of hope.

Based on actual events, PUNK: A Tale of Abuse, Addiction and Survival narrates the trials and tribulations of the need to fit in, squatting, heroin addiction, reaching the highs and the lowest of the lows, and surviving it all. Through sex, drugs and punk rock, you are pulled into Gary’s journey at every twist and turn, in explicit page-turning detail.

Ramblings of a Free Man - Volume II

And so, we continue…

Is it into the sunset or the sunrise?

Travelling into my final years on this wonderful planet of ours, that question can arise more than twice a day.

Observing England, Wales, Scotland and again Mallorca during my newfound freedom reveals the mores, habits, contradictions and petty annoyances of the 2020s.

This essentially human interaction, combined with a deep love of people, places and the written word, drives a poetic response that continues to tumble out.

Each day can trigger an enlivening of deep-seated memories, many re-emerging that had been locked away during our busy working lives.

Appealing to all ages, anyone who has marvelled at the depth, complexity, commonality and diversity of our fellow humans can continue to accompany me on my journey.

Feel free to join me now or at any time.

These poems are a testament to that journey.

The Adventures of Freddie the Foal

The Adventures of Freddie the Foal looks at life through Freddie’s eyes from the day he is born. His early life in the big wide world takes him on a journey of learning, adventure, and fun! What will he see? Where will he go? Who will he meet along the way?

Every day, Freddie learns something new about the farm where he lives with his mother and friends. One day, he leaves the farm, and his biggest adventure begins…

This is the first in a series of books about Freddie, his life on the farm, how he grows, and how he adapts to the challenges he faces.

In a humorous, traditional style, the book provides, within the story, practical knowledge of how to care for a pony. It is suitable as a bedtime story for very young children, for young early readers at home or in school, and for pony-loving children everywhere!

Fool’s Gold

Through the humdrum of lovers’ quarrels, the consequences of losing a loved one, a glimpse into the souls of flowers, and the hazards of space travel, these tales challenge what we too often take for granted: reality.

Feeling lonely or isolated? Perhaps, like Jana, you should step into one of the blue BLM booths that have appeared around the city. (The Big Love Machine)

Two lovers, flush with a big lottery win, struggle to decide how to spend their newfound fortune – until a shocking twist changes everything. (Blood Calls to Blood)

Planet XBC seems perfect for settlers, but a mysterious cube raises unsettling questions. (Time, Fickle Time)

Was the handsome and devoted Tony truly the ideal companion? And can Isla ever move on from mourning him? (Sleeping Beauty #16)

Imagine being chosen to sleep for a century until Earth recovers from climate change. What kind of society would you wake up to? (Anamnesis)

These stories explore what falls out when the fabric of reality is shaken.

Surreality

I have been on a personal search for faith for many years, striving to better understand the meaning and relevance of religion, and, in doing so, perhaps find some comfort.

Alongside this, I am deeply interested in exploring the complexity of emotions, the conflicting ways they affect people, and their impact on mental health.

Using poetry in a raw, personal, and honest way, I have sought to delve into my own emotional states, often writing from deeply uncomfortable places.

This book is the result of that journey: a collection that takes the reader through moments of darkness and light.

By experimenting with formatting and the structure of some poems, I aim to emphasize their content, challenge the reader, and provoke thought and reflection.

Ultimately, these poems, whether taken individually or as a whole, are intended to be relatable, rewarding, and an uplifting literary experience.

A Clearing in the Woods

Set against the rugged backdrop of rural Ireland, A Clearing in the Woods follows Louise McNulty as she grapples with the echoes of family secrets and the complex threads of her own coming-of-age. After her mother’s sudden death, Louise leaves her small village to find solace and answers with her Aunt Cathleen in Wales. Amid the warmth of a close-knit family and the harsh clarity of the sea air, Louise begins to confront the truths buried in her family’s past, piecing together the fractured relationships that shaped her.

Blending vivid storytelling with deeply human themes, Dianna Bournes crafts an evocative tale of love, loss, and redemption. As Louise navigates betrayal, the stirrings of young love, and her own inner strength, readers are drawn into a journey that celebrates resilience and the enduring bonds of family. A Clearing in the Woods is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to move forward while carrying the weight of the past.

For the Love of Animals

Our darling Labrador, Shadow, passed away shortly before her fourteenth birthday. Two months later, I was struck with a bolt of lightning. I had a vision of Shadow sitting by my feet, doggedly insisting I write my memoirs. What magic was this?

Contemplating what to do next, I became fixated with an urgency to write about all our pets.  My heart whispered that every animal should be included.

I started writing about my first Budgie, Cheeky, and ended my book with Sandy, a mad but adorable Cocker Spaniel. Travelling overseas to work in Indonesia, I relished the opportunity to sit with Orang-Utans, stroke a leopard and cuddle white baby tigers.

A Distant Voice in the Darkness

In 1972 Wales, Eleanor Larsen-Bruun, a headstrong young student with a mind for science, finds herself caught in a smoky university kitchen with Alec Jenkins, a fellow first-year with untamed black hair, large NHS glasses, and a talent for chaos. What begins as a spontaneous attempt to salvage a burnt chicken sparks a surprising friendship – and a tender, complicated romance.

Their story unfolds across vibrant settings, from the mist-covered hills of Wales to the bustling markets of Nigeria and the timeless streets of Rome. As they confront challenges both personal and cultural, Eleanor and Alec navigate family expectations, career ambitions, and the weight of the past. With each new chapter, Eleanor must decide how much of herself to give, and what she may have to leave behind.