Lost Souls

I grew up not knowing whether I was related to the ancestors my grandmother lived with or not. My mother repeatedly told me stories that her mother had handed down to her about an aristocratic lady who was related to us, and had eloped with a groomsman near where my mother bought a house. As I grew older the stories left me with no real sense of identity of who I was. I felt like a part of me was always missing and where did I belong? When my mother died the house was sold; a few years later my daughter moved to Galway for college, it felt right for me to move back to the area again. Ironically, I found a cottage to rent very quickly just a few fields away from where my mother’s house was. It felt like fate. I just knew that this was the right time to go on a self-discovery journey for me and my ancestors. Once the thought was in my head, it would not go away. A few days later transgenerational trauma popped into my head and disappeared again. My phone seemed to have a mind of its own and words cropped up; trapped in a timeline, karma not released, negativity building up, toxicity to the land, reason trapped there and ancestral healing. All I needed to do was to take that first step forward and then wait; the universe would let me know what to do next.

The Pandemic and Me

Ever wondered what it was really like for a nurse on the frontline during the Covid pandemic? How did they juggle work and home life during this unprecedented time? This book shares one nurse’s experience of being redeployed to set up and manage a ward during the first wave of the pandemic, all while running a household and caring for her parents after her mother’s two recent brain haemorrhages. This day-by-day account offers you, the reader, a chance to truly understand and live through this unique experience, warts and all. It’s an honest depiction of the feelings, challenges, and triumphs of balancing all aspects of life, celebrating the successes, and finding joy in the role. Relive it all as if you are walking in her shoes.

The Palestinian Tourist

Embark on a riveting journey with Adria Arafat as she shares her extraordinary tale of courage, resilience, and unwavering love in The Palestinian Tourist. Leaving behind the comfort of a small town in northern Utah, Adria and her family dove headfirst into the heart of the first intifada in Gaza. But this daring move wasn’t impulsive; it was preceded by two pivotal trips that laid the groundwork for their life-changing decision.

As Adria navigates the unfamiliar terrain of a foreign land, she faces daunting challenges alone, grappling with language barriers while tackling essential tasks like enrolling her children in school and securing employment. Her husband’s delayed arrival only adds to the complexity, leaving her to shoulder the weight of their new life.

Yet amidst adversity, Adria discovers an unparalleled affection for her adopted homeland, Palestine. Her bond with the land and its people transcends borders, as she embraces its culture and spirit with a fervour unmatched by many natives.

In the midst of her journey, Adria experiences the profound depths of love and loss, giving birth to her fourth child amidst a medical crisis, underscoring the sacrifices made in pursuit of a dream.

The Palestinian Tourist is a poignant testament to the power of love, resilience, and the human spirit, showcasing the extraordinary lengths one woman will go for the place she calls home.

Constellations and Consolations

Following the sudden death of her brother, a former chorister and a celebrated cabaret star, the author embarks on an extraordinary journey, geographical, spiritual and musical in her wish to understand the mystery of her brother’s soul.  

From the Norfolk coast to the Baltic Sea, she follows the tides of ideas and music behind a pilgrim map that her brother had left for her and finds it is a route to peace and joy. 

Jane Austen in the Thames Valley

Discover a fresh perspective on Jane Austen in Jane Austen in Thames Valley. This book delves into Austen’s lesser-known association with the Thames Valley, a connection that has received minimal attention due to scant evidence.

A significant focus of this guide is on the often-underestimated influence of Austen’s mother, Cassandra Leigh. It compellingly illustrates how Mrs. Austen’s impact profoundly shaped Jane Austen’s outlook on life.

The Thames Valley, a region frequently overlooked in Austen studies, actually harbours numerous ties to the beloved author, more than initially apparent. This thoroughly researched and meticulously documented book unveils these connections. Accompanying the narrative are three detailed excursions designed to help readers explore and uncover the links between Jane Austen and the Thames Valley.

East to West across Russia: The Long Journey Home

Embark on a captivating journey across the vast Russian steppe aboard the iconic Trans-Siberian Railway in this modern tale of self-discovery and introspection. The narrator, known only as D, begins his westward voyage in Vladivostok, traversing the ever-changing landscapes that unfold before him. As time moves inexorably onward, the everyday lives of the passengers intertwine with the rhythmic churning of the train’s propellers, contrasting sharply with the raw silence of the natural world beyond the windows.

As the journey progresses, D’s physical expedition takes an unexpected turn, delving into the depths of his own psyche. A haunting presence, N, permeates the narrative, her essence imbued in the natural world, particularly at the breathtaking Lake Baikal in Siberia. N represents the one who got away, leaving a void and a profound fragility within D’s soul, scattering her ghostly influence across the many places his footsteps tread.

Immersed in the tranquil vistas of the external world, D finds himself enamoured by the everyday characters he encounters along the way. As he navigates the complexities of his inner turmoil and the beauty of his surroundings, the narrator embarks on a transformative odyssey. The D who began his journey in Vladivostok will inevitably be different from the one who arrives in Moscow at journey’s end, but what will this transformation entail? Join D on this introspective voyage as he unravels the mysteries of his past, present, and future on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The Mallee Boy

This autobiography tells of a pioneer family settling and farming south eastern Australia with lots of interesting, heartwarming and funny stories. Edward Dickinson's grandfather, Francis, came from an old English farming family. In 1873, with the colonies offering new opportunities, he sailed to Australia on the Agamannon landing in St.Kilda, Victoria where he purchased 40 acres of prime land and developed a lucrative pig and dairy farm which helped feed the fast growing city of Melbourne. Edward's father was born there, but eventually left with his own growing family enticed by government promises of good cheap farmland opening up in north west Victoria. The intrepid couple travelled 340 miles in a covered wagon with 5 young girls to find it hot, dry and sandy.

In 1917 they had Ed, who grew up fast and strong in the area known as the Mallee. He loved country life but while still in his teens was city bound where he learned a trade, learned to box, found a wife, joined a war and always tried to demonstrate the qualities learned in his youth but nearly always missed the country. His observations and descriptive expression make for an entertaining and informative read set in a time and place seldom seen from this perspective.

The Longing

Mary Earle’s memoir, The Longing, is a poignant testament to resilience, born out of a desire to shed light on a dark chapter of history that mirrors her own turbulent past. Born in 1947, Mary’s childhood was overshadowed by a dysfunctional family and a father known for his explosive temper. A harrowing incident at fifteen plunged Mary into a world rife with abuse and suffering, threatening to lead her down a path of despair and depression. Her father forbid her to ever speak of this incident, and it becomes locked inside her. Yet, Mary’s spirit remained unbroken. Her story is one of remarkable transformation. In her forties, having escaped a violent marriage, Mary embarked on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, travelling solo to India. Today, she stands as a beacon of hope and strength, a counsellor and trauma specialist, healer and clairvoyant dedicated to helping others.

With an ‘eternally optimistic’ outlook, Mary shares her journey in The Longing, not just as a tale of survival, but as a source of inspiration and courage for anyone striving to overcome their own adversities.

Heavy Luggage

“My brother Mark and I wake in the night to the sound of gunfire... The open window, with its mosquito-netting casement, allows us to hear male voices speaking outside, hushed and urgent. Then another volley of shots and bullets spray the side of the house. There is a soft thud against the wall above the bed on the opposite side of the room, where a few minutes earlier my brother had been sleeping. At the same time, a loud metallic twang outside is followed by the frightened bray of a donkey. Our donkey!”

Whether caught in a war zone in Lebanon, living in a castle in Hong Kong, or coping with extreme heat in a remote Arabian outpost, such experiences were normality for Philippa and her brother. Thought-provoking, humorous and poignant, Heavy Luggage is the extraordinary story of their adventure-filled childhood in the 1950s and 60s as they and their parents travelled on troop ships with the British Army to some of the remotest places on the globe.

Offering a glimpse into a bygone era towards the end of British Colonialism, when military families followed the Drum to wherever they were posted, Philippa and Mark take us on a personal voyage, exploring their unconventional upbringing. Their parents’ and grandparents’ similarly remarkable life stories are also woven into this unique memoir that examines a family legacy shaped by history.

May to May – My Journey to Self-love with God

One of society’s main problems today is a lack of self-love; this is evident in the way most people live their lives – sadly, I was also part of the statistic. The fact that I was not living life to the full bothered me in many ways. I was not running my own race; I constantly compared myself to others; I had not accepted myself for who I was, and I had not taken full responsibility for my life. I was merely alive and confused. Although everything on the outside looked good, I felt miserable. I learned the hard way that what goes on inside us is more important than what people can see. A lack of self-love impacted most areas of my life negatively - I knew something needed to change.

Once I had surrendered my life to God, He helped me see my own value. I started May to May – My Journey to Self-love with God to move my life in the right direction. After discovering the 20 components that lead to self-love, my life has never been the same. I could finally accept myself just as I was. I am proud to say there is no other race I would rather run than my own. I needed to love myself first, so I could truly live.

Back in Three Months

Join us on a true story of a seven-year cruise from Norwich to Africa aboard a 25-year-old motor cruiser. The decision to sacrifice a comfortable middle-aged life for an impractical and seemingly impossible dream led to many ups and downs, much humour, some drama, and even tragedy. This isn’t a tale of heroics or ocean crossings, but rather the story of two ordinary people who find themselves in a variety of unexpected situations, striving to cope with whatever life throws at them.

The book traces their 1,000-mile journey through the French waterways from Dunkerque to Séte on the Mediterranean. The serene beauty of the rivers and canals was breathtaking, culminating in a winter spent with a small, quirky international boating community in Provence, where they participated in some unexpected activities.

The following spring brought their first taste of the Mediterranean Sea. Wild and unpredictable, it was far from the flat calm pond they had imagined. They encountered rough seas, thick fog, pirates, tsunamis, Spanish paratroopers, and even the French Foreign Legion. A near-death experience and abandoning ships in a marina were certainly not part of their plan. However, the variety of people they met, the places they visited, and the incredible sights of large pods of dolphins, whales, turtles, and a two-ton sunfish made it all worthwhile. The whole experience gave them the best and worst times of their lives.

Mum’s Secret Diaries

A strong and moving memoir which offers a captivating and extremely rare insight into the life of an ordinary girl growing up in a British working class family in the 1950s.

Mary’s secret diaries discovered by her children, chronicle her early personal life experiences, successes, challenges and hardships in an amusing and delightfully innocent way. Mary’s first diary begins in 1952 when she is an impressionable fourteen-year-old, living in Berkshire, England and continues to 1956 when she turns eighteen. Through her eyes and subsequent diary entries, she recounts the fascinating dramas of a lively, sensitive young woman navigating her way through family life, finishing grammar school, entering the workplace at fifteen, all intertwined with juggling romantic interests and aspirational dreams.

Witness her day-to-day trials, happiness, and emotional struggles in a world of boys and married men, as she juggles a string of admirers, her sister’s favouritism and independence leading to a shock elopement, being forbidden to sing with a band, taking her first holiday abroad with friends where she reveals all the details of what went on, along with many other of life’s firsts.

Will she ever find ‘The One,’ or manage to resist buying those beautiful high heels?

The charm and honesty in which Mary regales her private life and the pickles she gets herself into, is so engaging and powerful that you can’t help but be drawn into her remarkable and totally relatable world, which additionally enlightens the reader of a bygone era of innocence, simplicity, and glamour.