Recommended Reads
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Secrets, Lies and Little Joys
Poetry is far more than it seems. Writing verse can provide a creative shorthand for working through dark thoughts, making sense of your emotions and behaviours, as well as those of others. Poetry offers a way to navigate the tangled maze of challenges, strife, and joys that constitute our inner worlds. It can also magnify life’s wonders, awe, and delight. These varied experiences – regret, mistakes, learning, stumbling, and persevering with bravery – all comprise a life fully lived. Writing poetry helps minimize the bad times and spotlight the good. Revisiting these poems allows for deeper reflection, enriching your life further. Secrets, Lies and Little Joys contains a sampling of my own poems and experiences, along with contextual commentary. In some cases, I provide explanation of the impetus behind the verse. It is my hope these poems find a shared recognition, a communal understanding that you are not alone, mad, or bad in your travels through life.
£8.99 -
The Colour of Covid
As Melbourne endures some of the planet’s longest pandemic lockdowns, three disconnected lives spiral toward intersecting turmoil. Family man John Clark fights to hold career and relationships intact while opinionated libertarian Jimmy Bulwark rages alone against heavy-handed government restraints. By chance these childhood acquaintances reunite just as forthright executive Nicky Chan gets callously downsized.United in outrage over Nicky’s mistreatment, John and Jimmy impulsively intervene despite clashing worldviews that once kept them estranged. But social tensions run high and resources grow scarce as the crisis persists year after chaotic year. Personal principles get tested as the trio bonds through tribulation, forced to reconsider their stances on virus safety versus freedom and civil duty.Follow the tumultuous trajectories of three complex personalities as isolating upheaval strains relationships and erodes security. With compassion and humour, this revealing drama bears witness to everyday people persevering through a surreal epoch of ominous viral threats, social polarization, economic devastation, and uncertainty plaguing our planet.
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My Dreams and Themes
Andrea Wilkin, a distinguished retired couturier, ventures into the world of literature with a heartfelt collection of poetry. From fanciful verses about hippos, owls, and imaginative creatures to poignant poems on love, loss, and the changing seasons, Wilkin’s poems offer whimsy and wisdom in equal measure.This anthology, inspired by personal experiences and a vivid imagination, invites readers on a journey through the joys, sorrows, and wonders of life, offering a reflection on the beauty of the world through poetic narratives. From the powerful bond between sisters to the joys of motherhood, the wonderful and weird friends who keep you going to the ethereal beauty of winter, each poem, adorned with illustrations by Rachel Chaplin, becomes a window into the soulful contemplation of existence, love, and the enduring spirit of adventure.
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O.N.E - Opportunities Never End
Safia Hussein Guerras’ book, O.N.E - Opportunities Never End, is a profound exploration of the human experience, woven through a rich tapestry of philosophical musings and poetic reflections. The narrative delves deep into the essence of what it means to be human, contemplating the intricacies of love, pain, faith, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.At the heart of Guerras’ work lies a poignant understanding of life’s dualities and the constant search for meaning in a world fraught with contradictions. Each page resonates with profound insights, challenging the reader to ponder the complexities of existence, the nature of happiness, and the pursuit of inner peace.This book is not just a collection of thoughts; it is a journey into the depths of the soul, inviting us to reflect on our own lives, beliefs, and the choices that shape our destiny. With its blend of poetic eloquence and philosophical depth, O.N.E - Opportunities Never End is a beacon of light for those seeking understanding and enlightenment in the tumultuous sea of life.
£5.99 -
Poochtraveller
Poochtraveller is the bible of dog travel guides – an insightful and down-to-earth book, and an invaluable support system for all dog owners looking to travel abroad.Claire Templeton distils what she has learned over years of trial and error, traveling throughout Europe with her dog Snowy.You will come away from this book feeling confident and excited about your travels, with some personal recommendations to get you started.
£11.99 -
The Nair Al Zaurack
A destiny in the sunken Nail al Zaurack lands compels Gothrin northwards. Riding with the fierce Riders of Nath Earl as escort, the band flees Kotor’s pursuing forces, seeking Nath sanctuary. But peril dogs their heels. After skirmishes and brushes with death, the group arrives to their comrade, a sorcerer, gravely wounded. While foraging for healing herbs, Yanak’s party confronts Kotor’s men; in a blur of steel, they retreat to sanctuary – now with the army chasing close behind.Separated into groups, two routes remain: the twisting bowels of the Zaurack Halls. The nightmarish labyrinth had long defeated searchers of the fabled Nair. Blood marks the companions’ descent through cave and maze, the stone itself seemingly against them. Survivors emerge to an unexpected find: a potent new ally lurking Nair’s brooding forests. Yet this is a brief respite… for the true battle is yet to come. Will Gothrin and his stalwart band crush Kotor’s forces and brave Nair’s further dangers to find this prize – the mythic Stone of Athelas?
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Arno And Sophie Fly Back To Scotland
In this sequel to Jennifer Laidlaw’s The Adventures of Arno and Sophie, a year has passed since Arno and Sophie left Scotland to go and live in the south of France. Although they love it there, Sophie is missing her friends back in the Scottish village of Drumoig. They hatch a plan to return to Scotland for a holiday and celebrate Sophie’s birthday at the same time. Their two cousins Zoe and Hugo decide to go with them.Thus begins another adventure, as Arno plans a journey that will take them back to Scotland via a different route, flying over many towns and cities they have never visited. Top of the list is the capital of Scotland: Edinburgh.
£12.99 -
Camilla Caterpillar
In 1989, my Aunt Lois handed me a stack of paintings with a unique request: to write a story inspired by them. I was initially sceptical, as I believed stories usually preceded illustrations. However, Aunt Lois assured me that the narrative would naturally emerge from the artwork. Surprisingly, she was right. Words flowed to me like a song, often during the late hours while I was up nursing our second set of twins. It felt as though Aunt Lois herself was sending these words from afar, as the story of Camilla gradually took shape from the paintings.Sadly, Aunt Lois passed away soon after, and the story of Camilla was put aside as my husband Greg and I navigated the bustling life of raising six children. It wasn’t until our children had families of their own and tranquillity returned that Camilla Caterpillar finally came to life. With Camilla’s story, an idea sprouted to create a healthy snack for children. As you delve into the pages of this book, I hope you enjoy a little nibble and the whimsical journey of Camilla Caterpillar.
£7.99 -
The Daughter of The Merchant of Venice
The Daughter of the Merchant of Venice is an intriguing love story that follows the romance between an apprentice artist named Stefano D’Alvino and Giustina Boschetti, the daughter of a Venetian merchant. Theirs is a story of love, betrayal, forgiveness, and triumph over adversity, vividly detailed and depicted in 16th-century Venice, Candia (Crete), and Constantinople.Accompanied by their merchant father on the San Giuliano, twin sisters Giustina and Giovanella set out in 1532 on a challenging adventure to Syria. The family was captured by Barbarossa and his Turkish Corsairs during the sea voyage and later sold Giustina and Giovanella at the slave market in Constantinople. The Grand Vizir buys the Venetian twins and enslaves them in the Harem at the Topkapi Palace. Two years passed, and the twin sisters remained trapped in an Ottoman world full of intrigue, sensuality, female rivalry, and fear. The Venetian sisters plan their escape – but how?Enslaved in the Imperial Harem for two years, Giustina has not seen her beloved Stefano. Will Giustina be able to reunite with her beloved Stefano in Venice?A story that’s both captivating and sensuous, full of passion, mystery, and intrigue. It takes you on a journey to the heart of Venice and Constantinople, where the Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Harem, sultan, and concubines await.
£17.99 -
Another Adventure for Des Pond, Special Agent
Sir Desmond Pond, now Head of MI6, London, feeling the need to get out from behind a desk, decides to investigate a threat from a rogue state himself.A terrorist group is threatening to attack somewhere in England, but where?Des Pond investigates, but will he be able to avert disaster?
£8.99 -
I Saw a Little Fox
From reluctantly residing in a squat to the rules of Cricket, embark on a free-ranging potpourri of poetry that will render the reader to tears before producing intermittent cries of laughter.This genre-bending compendium weaves many of the author’s true experiences as a self-described hobo together with an entertaining brand of lyrical nonsense, testing the reader’s contrasting emotions to their absolute limit.If coming out the other side of life’s difficulties and addictions can influence or encourage just one person to do the same, this publication will not have been compiled in vain.
£8.99 -
Happy Belated Birthday
Sally Sparks is a woman in her blossoms, a writer, and a life adventurist.In her strife for keeping her freedom, reputation, and social stability, she uses creative means. A connection to her past life, brings conflict into her present relation with a young lover and forces her to take some major decisions regarding her personal life.
£6.99
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