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.

Shirley Murley and Clever Trevor

Here comes Shirley Murley and her adorable little dog Trevor. Trevor is calm and kind, Trevor is bouncy and playful, and Trevor is very, very clever. He is a very Clever Trevor.

Follow Shirley Murley and Clever Trevor as they lead their happy life together.

Find all the little extras that are hidden in the illustrations. See if you can spot the bumblebees. Find the dragonflies. Did you spot the aeroplane flying high in the sky? How many ladybirds can you find? Look out for the train!

If you love rhyming books, read along and enjoy the repetitive rhymes as they build up through the story page by page. Whether you are just beginning to enjoy reading on your own, or you are reading together during a story-time, Shirley Murley and her clever little dog Trevor will always make you smile.

They are happiest when they’re together, Shirley loves her Clever Trevor.

Halia Rises

Welcome to Halia, a land of prosperity, abundance, and breathtaking landscapes. That is, until one fateful night at Carnagon Castle, when a shadowy foreign force puts its sinister plot into motion. With the realm suddenly thrown into chaos, Veteran Captain Kane is thrust into a nightmare.

Who is the mysterious Lord Va’heash, and what do he and his ruthless Utreshians want from Halia?

At first alone and unarmed, Marcus knows there is no turning back. As a Halian soldier, it is his duty to protect his homeland against any who threaten it. The fight will be tough and brutal, but Marcus has never been one to back down from combat.

Will he gather enough allies to stand against the invading horde before they reach the Golden City of Farchester, the crown jewel of Halia?

One Moment in Milan

Does Sofia opt for the rich aristocrat who pursues her relentlessly and introduces her to everything high society has to offer, but in the process threatens her friendship with the young conservationist who saves her from tripping up in that one fateful moment in Milan’s glorious central square and then introduces her to the wonders of the natural world?Both men alter Sofia’s life and that of her family in more ways than she could possibly have imagined, especially that of her beloved younger brother Carlo.Her journey to self-awareness and true love heals the pain of a past which includes a father who has abandoned her and a mother who seems only to appreciate the superficial things in life, and whose own journey to love is just as cathartic.

Red Letter Day

‘Red Letter Day’
A special, happy, or important day that you will always remember.

Step into a bygone era with Red Letter Day, a collection of five poignant stories capturing the heart and resilience of America from the mid-19th century onward. From tales of frontier hardships and unexpected transformations to the enduring power of faith and family, these narratives bring to life a time when survival was often a prayer answered and dreams were built from sheer grit.