There Are No Doors

There Are No Doors is about a family’s journey through life; the sacrifices, joys and dreams that carry them through several generations and four countries, and how they face each other and their challenges: with love, anger, humour, and empathy. There are no doors that are closed to the human spirit.

There is a Light

Abandoned

Orphaned

Manipulated

Gay

It was no wonder that I became rebellious and resentful. Standing up to all these pressures in my life and faced with my grandmother’s mortality, I reverted to the frightened child I thought I had left behind. I was overcome with anxiety and panic attacks; that paralysed me to the point of contemplating suicide.

The years of abandonment and feelings of futility following my childhood institutionalisation and the early death of my mother from a lifelong illness, manifested themselves in highly emotional and physical ways that made it impossible for me to function in society – so I withdrew.

From within this debilitating experience, I had to find a way through by obtaining the professional help I needed. This is my story of tenacity to live my life with the freedom to make my own decisions.

There was Once a Street in Bethnal Green

Derek Houghton was born and bred in London’s East End, Bethnal Green, when horses and carts were just as predominant on its streets as motorised vehicles. It was at a time when National Health was not even a dream, or any kind of benefit existed, the only benefit available was by taking the “Means Test” (Dole Money) that most East Enders were too proud to take. Poverty was never any stranger to their doors, unemployment was rife, and the pawnshops did a roaring trade. People then could walk the streets in safety, the streets were the children’s playgrounds, where they played unhindered. As hard as times were, neighbours showed great compassion in helping each other. Each street was like a village, where everybody knew everyone else. World War II was to bring about an even stronger bond with each other. Above all, it was the love of a street – “Our Street.”

There’s a Monster in My Tent

Having been awoken early in the morning by some strange noises downstairs, the little girl goes down to investigate. She is alarmed to find a monster sleeping in her tent and flees to her mother to tell her what she had seen.From the fierce growls coming from inside to his wild, hairy arms and legs, she had never come across anything quite so fearsome; nor quite so startling. Although all is not as it first seems.There’s a Monster in My Tent demonstrates a father’s devotion to his little girl as it details the imagination present in the minds of children. It’s as thought-provoking as it is lively and is aimed at educating and delighting in equal measure.

There’s a Monster in the Cupboard

Embark on a whimsical adventure and meet Buckeroo, the mischievous monster lurking in the cupboard, eagerly awaiting playtime! But beware when you swing open the door, for he might unleash a fearsome ‘boo-hoo!’ Yet, with a dash of caution and a peek through the crack, you’ll discover that this monster is far from frightful. In fact, he’s friendly and simply seeking amusement.

In this enchanting tale, children will learn a valuable lesson about appearances and fears. Buckeroo’s transformation from a perceived threat to a joyful playmate teaches young readers that things are not always as scary as they may seem. As they befriend the monster, children will understand that fear itself is the true adversary to conquer.

There’s a Mouse in the House

Aaron the mouse enters the house and runs up the clock. When the clock strikes one, the mouse runs down and befriends Mike, the boy who lives there. They become the best of friends. But Tom, the cat, gets jealous and tries to scare Aaron the mouse away as he feels he was there first. Little does Tom know that Aaron is not scared at all and returns to the house with a big surprise! This is a humorous and entertaining little book with clever rhymes.

They Call Me Jake

In this captivating memoir, Jakob, a Welsh-born Australian, takes readers on a remarkable journey that begins with a troubled youth and a life-changing decision. After running into legal trouble as a teenager, his family sends him off to sea on Scandinavian ships, where Jakob finds himself working out of Brooklyn, New York, joining ships engaged in global trade. It’s the era of rock and roll, with an atmosphere of freedom, free-spiritedness, and indulgence. However, tired of the endless partying and constant financial struggle, Jakob sets his sights on a new path.

He travels to England, enrolls in a navigational school, and earns his license as a ship’s deck officer. But his thirst for adventure and reinvention leads him to an unexpected destination - Israel. Jakob’s love for the kibbutz lifestyle and a young woman on the kibbutz captures his heart. However, as war disrupts the region, their relationship crumbles, and Jakob finds solace in a hippie commune on the sunny shores of Eilat. Through ups and downs, Jakob’s journey takes him across continents, from the Canadian Arctic to Thailand and beyond. His tale is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of a meaningful life amidst the challenges and uncertainties of a rapidly changing world.

They Never Reigned

British kings and queens are famous today. But many heirs to the British throne never became the actual king or queen due to various quirks of fate. This is their story. The stories include the oldest son of William the Conqueror, who lost the chance to become king because he was off fighting in the First Crusade; the White Ship disaster of 1120, England’s medieval Titanic, in which the sole male heir to the throne, and many others, drowned; an intrepid woman who nearly became queen in her own right four centuries before a woman actually did so; two princes who should have become a second King Arthur; the romantic warrior known to history as the Black Prince; the Princes in the Tower, who were supposedly murdered by King Richard III; the ill-fated Mary, Queen of Scots, beheaded by Queen Elizabeth I after an utterly unfair trial; James, who was born the heir and then was overthrown while still a baby, and was later known as the Old Pretender; a beloved Nineteenth Century princess who tragically died in childbirth at the age of 21; and many more.

Who suspected that the heirs who never reigned are every bit as interesting as those who did reign?

They Who Dared

In a world where advanced DNA manipulation has created miniature special operational beings, Max and his peers are the elite force trained to combat international terrorism and infiltrate enemy cells. But as they approach maturity and active service at age 18, they realize their true purpose: to be disposable assets for the top-secret Project OV organization. With the help of his friend Flea, a tough and determined character, Max leads a daring escape for his group and sets off on a dangerous journey evading capture and searching for a hidden community where they can live in freedom. Follow Max’s thrilling adventure as he fights for survival and fights for his fellow fugitives in this action-packed novel.

The Baby Spa

The Baby Spa has been described as a ground-breaking technique in child development.

Parents’ hearts swell with pride and joy as they eagerly observe their baby’s first unfolding of awareness during independent water exploration. They experience a sense of overwhelming appreciation for their child as an independent and unique little being with a distinct personality while observing in awe as their baby adapts to buoyancy and total freedom that only by being in water can provide.

When babies are happy, parents are happy—an excellent start to the beginning of a close parent and child partnership and joyous journey of swimming through life.

The Bridge

A mysterious letter arrives for Michael, enshrined with three secretive and ancient symbols that would forever change his life.

The letter informs Michael that he is assigned a sacred mission to walk a forbidden bridge, but first he will have to defeat the army that surrounds it. But how would he do this and keep his loved ones safe from the Brotherhood of the Bridge, who seek to destroy him and all that is good in this world?

Michael, his friends, Zacharias and Cisco, and lover, Adeona, go on an action-packed, high romance, breath-taking, daring, and suspense-filled journey across the world and into other dimensions on their sacred quest.

On a collision course with the most ruthless, uncompassionate, and foul beings in the universe with love as his sword and faith his shield, Michael learns where impossible starts, miracles are born.

The British in Italy

The British in Italy is a fascinating exploration of the enduring relationship between the English and Italians, dating back to the times of Shakespeare, Leghorn, The Grand Tour, Florence, and Venice, up to the cataclysmic events of World War II. The author draws parallels between Victorian England’s progress and the Italian Renaissance, particularly the British presence in Italy during the 19th century.

In a unique approach, the author embarks on a journey through Italy, beginning in the Alps and continuing on foot and by bicycle from Monviso to Trieste, then down to Sicily. Along the way, he rediscovers the forgotten Anglo-Saxon characters who played a significant role in shaping Italy’s cultural, artistic, and scientific landscape, such as the true Count of Montecristo, textile industrialists, inventors, painters, archaeologists, botanists, and travelers.

Their stories are intertwined with the author’s encounters, memories, lost friends, legends, and conversations, providing a rich tapestry of Italy’s diverse history and culture. The book is a veritable treasure trove of knowledge and insight, revealing Italy's layers of history and culture from a unique Anglo-Saxon perspective. As Doctor Johnson aptly said, “A man who has not been in Italy, is always conscious of an inferiority, from his not having seen what it is expected a man should see.” This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to discover the true heart of Italy and the enduring bond between the English and Italians.