A First and Final Encounter With My Brother

A person may be wealthy, popular, and well-connected – but what happens when such an individual comes up against others of the same stature?

Some people may go to extraordinary lengths, far beyond what most could imagine, to help someone in serious trouble. Yet, when faced with a defining moment, there is always a limit – something they will not do, even when the stakes are at their highest.

There are circumstances where the deeply religious and the worldly find their lives unexpectedly intertwined, revealing the complexities and contradictions of human nature.

Bats, Balls and Bigotry

In the remote outback settlement of Greenfield Plains, newly appointed schoolteacher Kevin Bell faces entrenched sexism and racism when he tries to register his pupils for a school cricket tournament. Determined to create a team, Kevin includes girls and local Aboriginal children, only to have his submission rejected by the education department’s outdated policies.

Undeterred, Kevin rallies the support of the entire district, sparking a movement that draws in the local Member of Parliament and garners attention from the national radio network. Together, the small community challenges systemic prejudice and wins the right for their team to compete.

Though their performance on the cricket field falls short of victory, the diverse group of children from Greenfield Plains earns admiration for their sportsmanship, resilience, and courage, leaving an indelible mark far beyond the game itself.

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?

You Can't Do That and If It Doesn’t Kill You

At the heart of these two stories is a deep love for jazz – the music that shapes lives, fuels dreams, and overcomes adversity.

In ‘You Can’t Do That,’ Louise, a young African American girl in 1940s Georgia, begins her musical journey with piano lessons. But when her father leaves, and money grows tight, her lessons come to an end. Years later, after moving with her mother and brother to Detroit, Louise’s passion for music is reignited, especially when she discovers the transformative power of jazz.

‘If It Don’t Kill You’ follows Bill, an accomplished jazz musician in his early thirties, as he fights to break into the highest levels of the jazz scene. But as success looms, so do challenges: romantic entanglements and life-altering events threaten to pull him away from his first love: writing and performing jazz.

Together, these stories celebrate the struggles, triumphs, and unwavering passion of musicians who live and breathe jazz.

Roundabouts and Swings

In Roundabouts and Swings, Cressida is an orphaned English girl who has grown up since the death of her parents in a car crash when she was 12 years old. When she meets the man of her dreams, an Irish landowner who reminds her of her father, she thinks she has finally found happiness.

But as fate intervenes with divorce and suicide, Cressida finds herself caught up in a web of intrigue that takes the story from England to Ireland, Italy, the south of France, America and back to Switzerland. Follow along as the plot twists and turns, leading to a surprising ending in this heartwarming and satisfying tale set in the aftermath of World War II.

An Unusual Therapy

Max and David agreed that it was going to be only for a month…

Max Cooper was a passive-aggressive therapist with a sordid secret and two ground rules: no second dates, and no falling in love.

David Smith was as attractive as he was self-centered, and thought he was irresistible for any woman. Sadly, David was right, until Linda walked his way.

Life keeps moving. One day you’re thriving in your loneliness, and the next day you find yourself involved in a love triangle.

It will take Max and David a month to realize that rules are made to be broken, and that life is full of choices that have to be made.

Broken

Johnny is conflicted. Self-doubt, the animosity of the students he teaches, and the soul crushing education system are killing him. As a young, idealistic teacher, the school environment, which once seemed so promising, has crumbled into misery. His spirit is breaking. Trapped in a failing system and gasping for air, will Johnny rediscover his purpose and find his path?

The Corona Chronicles

A new and terrifying pandemic is sweeping round the world, bringing unprecedented miseries with it. And in its wake, many of us are left reeling with uncertainty, fear and isolation.

Where could support and inspiration be found during these troubled times?

Amy, a busy teacher in an urban, English junior school, sets up an online forum in order to stay in touch with her closest friends, for the country is in lockdown due to the global Coronavirus pandemic and normal socialising is forbidden or restricted depending on where exactly people are located around Great Britain.

And as the small group expands a little, the shared experiences of these friends, both new and old, provide cheer, comfort and companionship in these unprecedented times.

After all, we still have much to share and smile over, don’t we?

The Corona Chronicles is an original, entertaining and heart-warming read, revealing many interesting and delightful details which will resonate with us all.

To Keep Us All Safe

A deadly Chimapox pandemic has forced the country into lockdown, enforced by zealous vigilante volunteers. Jim exiled back to England to stay with his uncle and aunt after years in Vietnam, after finding employment with the Vestral corporation and finding his own lodgings must now contend with his interfering landlady, Marjorie, who curbs his companionship with housemate Alfie. With the strict lockdown in place, Jim struggles to meet lover Lily, member of a coven of witches.

Seen by Marjorie as a ruse to break lockdown, Jim has a permit as carer for his uncle and aunt and for their allotment, which Jim finds ransacked, the produce robbed, exposing them to food shortages arising from pandemic panic buying.

Jim, evading lockdown and security guards, slips into St Christopher’s Knoll, an exclusive gated community for the super-rich including the sumptuous home of Sir Albyn Denbald, head of the Vestral corporation, observing him in a secret tryst.

Disillusioned by censorship in mainstream social media, Jim allies himself with the Truth Seekers, anti-vax conspiracy theorists characterising Denbald as an arch-villain deploying mass vaccination for world domination.

Believing Lily to be held by Denbald, Jim enlists the Truth Seekers to kidnap Denbald. Exploiting Denbald’s secret tryst, Jim dissuades him from pressing charges.

The Adventures of Osmin

A high-wire walker’s life is shattered when a devastating accident leaves him disabled. Seeking anonymity and escape, he takes a job in the olive groves of Greece, far from the world he once knew.One day, a small stray puppy follows him home. He adopts the dog, naming him Osmin, and the two form an inseparable bond. To make ends meet, he begins busking on the streets with Osmin by his side.Their unique act catches the eye of a talent scout, landing them a spot on a popular talent show. With his past skills and Osmin’s charming tricks, their performance becomes an instant sensation, going viral on YouTube and capturing hearts worldwide.From despair to newfound purpose, his life is transformed in ways he could never have imagined.

Bringing the Philanthropy Project in You to Life

Globally, charitable work is expanding. Countless non-governmental organizations (NGOs) exist, the majority founded to address human need and advance humanity. However, with rising vulnerability due to conflicts, natural disasters, and the effects of climate change, needs are increasing faster than ever. Many people long to help but struggle to organize their efforts or support causes effectively.

In this book, the author shares crucial insights into establishing a successful nonprofit or charitable organization. He also provides fundamental project management tips to maximize the impact of your donations and activities.

The Cigarette-Flavored Tea and Strindberg

The alley is quiet. The light of lanterns illuminates the ground. A vague shadow trembles inside a car at the end of the alley. Reza approaches the car within a few meters. Suddenly, the car door opens, disrupting the balance of the alley. The equilibrium of raindrops and the balance of Reza’s motorcycle wheels. He is close to hitting the ground. He stops. In front of him, in the darkness, a shadow gradually takes shape and becomes like the figure of Shahab. Shahab is furious. His hands firmly grab Reza’s collar and slam him against the wall. The veins on his neck are bulging. Adrenaline in his blood tightens the muscles in his arms. He screams. Curtains are pulled back from the windows. Light spills from inside the houses into the darkness. A few people look outside. Reza is wandering. He wants to distance himself from Shahab. A punch is enough to keep Shahab away from him. He keeps Shahab away from himself. Defeated, Shahab moves towards the car. Something catches his throat, and he stifles his breath. He does not want to share his Tabasom with anyone else. The car swerves crazily towards Reza. Reza gives way. The car disappears. The alley is quiet. The cold and sets in under Reza’s skin. The corner of his lips is burning. Rain wipes away the thin blood streak on his lips. A long horn sound comes. The sound of an accident… the sound of silence… Curtains are drawn. The memory of the alley is forgotten. Few memories twist and sit on the body of the wall.