The Long Road Home

This narrative unfolds the life of Ernst, a young German soldier during World War II, caught at the crossroads of duty and family loyalty, stretched between Germany and England. At nineteen, Ernst navigates the tumult of his own moral dilemmas against the backdrop of a war-torn landscape, accompanied by an officer who has vowed to see him safely home.

As we journey through the pages, we’re drawn into the visceral experiences of war-torn Germany. Nightly, as Ernst and his comrades traverse the roads under the cover of darkness, the ominous hum of bombers overhead is palpable, each man acutely aware that their loved ones are in the crosshairs. In the daybreak’s light, the crimson hue of their burning cities stains the horizon, a constant reminder of the devastation being wrought upon their homeland.

The story doesn’t shy away from the shared fear and terror that grips both German and American soldiers, delving into the harrowing plight of US troops captured and held as prisoners of war. Despite the hospital’s eerie quiet, indicating few casualties are being brought in, the war’s end in 1945 doesn’t immediately herald peace for Ernst and his comrades. It’s not until four years later that they can finally part ways.

Returning to a country he can call home, Ernst confronts the suspicion and distrust from those around him. It is during this turbulent time that he meets a young woman who helps to heal the bitterness of war. Together, they embark on a life filled with hope, leaving the shadows of the past behind as they step into a shared future.

Ain't Nobody Perfect

In backwoods peninsular South Carolina live diverse characters including over-the-top cops, naive moronic crackers, the plainly mad, a Nazi war criminal and his nemeses, tempestuous lovers, and more. In a wonderfully out-of-place Scottish castle lives a very clever man with a hook for a hand. A greedy businessman tries taking everything not nailed down, while a beautiful, intelligent reporter is sent to this purgatory for her sins. An odd township of throwbacks and the criminally insane, many endowed with a Byronic ferocity.

The dialogue zooms, crackles, and pops, often wild, nonsensical and counterintuitive, with wild accusations and ridiculous alibis.

ONCE READ, NEVER FORGOTTEN!

It's What Friends Are For

Anne is an aging widow facing a small, lonely life with even fewer prospects. Unexpectedly, her tiny social circle expands by one with the arrival of Beverly. As the two women bond over their many commonalities, Anne’s dreary existence brightens. Their blossoming friendship soon sparks something more, sweeping Anne into an emotional affair before embarking her on an adventurous new journey beyond anything she’s known.

What first appears as a fun, lucrative modelling gig becomes the initial step down a winding path of exploits entirely outside Anne’s norm. Under Beverly’s guidance, Anne’s life grows increasingly removed from convention – yet isn’t that what friends are for? When domestic circumstances then steer events toward seedier terrain, Anne finds herself immersed in the sex industry, again chaperoned by her new companion.

From bad to worse, a family crisis threatens to embroil Anne’s daughter in her unconventional lifestyle. Finally, Beverly bares menacing true colours through blackmail, leaving Anne hapless and despairing. With nowhere left to turn, could a humble bookkeeper hold the key to her salvation?

In Search of New Life

In Search of Life chronicles the harrowing journeys of multiple refugee seekers fleeing their homelands, risking everything in pursuit of peace, opportunity, and a place to call home. Ali and Abdul Rahim endure nerve-wracking trials, illegally crossing borders and navigating countless dangers seeking sanctuary in Europe. Through hard work and resilience, they eventually find themselves back in the Middle East, reconnecting with memories and loved ones once lost.

While this narrative springs from the writer’s imagination, it echoes the stories of over 27 million refugees worldwide, dreaming big in the face of unbelievable adversity. More than a portrayal of distress and pity, this is a tale of strength, perseverance, and the enduring power of hope. No matter the difficulties endured, the longing for safety and human dignity rings clear.

From the Darkest Night to the Brightest Day

Facing an unthinkable crime, especially against a child, ignites a primal urge for vengeance. This book gives a voice to those often silenced: the unseen victims of violence. Through their narratives, including that of the child, it delves into the profound impact of such crimes, illustrating the widespread ripples of suffering they create.

Despite the darkness, it’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, showcasing how hope, love, and a sense of community can triumph over the deepest despair. This story is not just about survival; it’s a celebration of enduring love and the strength of familial bonds, even among neighbours.

The System

Within the confines of society, the relentless grip of routine and the wright of mundane existence cast a shadow on each individual. Each day unfolds with monotonous predictability, as people navigate the labyrinthine bureaucracy trapped in a ceaseless cycle of paperwork, regulations, and mind-numbing tasks. Within this menial existence, the collective does not yearn for something more, they play their part in the stifling confines of the system they are a part of.

Caught up in a web of manipulation and ambivalence, our protagonist gets entangled in a struggle with the very system he once trusted. As he peels back the layers of the machinery, he realizes that corruption and oppression run much deeper than it once seemed. With each revelation, the perception of the system which envelopes everything continues to degrade. The perception of the world shatters, and a complicity in and perpetuation of a malevolent status quo must be confronted.

The Silent Women

This time, they speak for themselves.

Long represented in the words of men, a group of iconic literary women reclaim their identities by finally telling their own stories. Raised in a society that denied their voices, these women have snatched them back.

From a woman unfairly propositioned to one trapped by convention… from women cornered into ruin to those endangered or killed prematurely – the so-called muses have their say. And they are no longer shy about telling their side of the tale.

In this stunning reimagining of seminal poems across centuries, the women within come alive on the page. Their lived experiences unfold in their own powerful words and images.

Be quiet? Not anymore. This collection gives voice to the voiceless and upends outdated representations of womanhood – once and for all.

Fib Tul

Everybody will surely agree:

Birthdays are fun.

Hiking with friends in the forest is fun.

Being young, reckless, and stupid is fun.

Being curious is simply being human.

And being human is considered to be fun, right?

And since the day of your creation seems to always be something you want to relive, how about living it so many times you wish you were never born? Hi, I seriously wish I wasn’t.

“I feel like I’m going crazy. Either that or I’m in hell.”

I’m not a devout believer because no religion entices me like the bold effort it takes to be responsible for my own actions. Alas, I felt like I was in hell. Except, as a normal human being, I liked to exaggerate. After all, I’m not exactly to blame for not knowing I would turn up in a poor excuse of the fiery hole twenty-three deaths later.

The Zodiak Assassins

A high-flying executive and single mother of an autistic son leaves her career behind to embark on a transformative journey. Seeking a simpler life, she moves to a quaint village in Crete, where she joins the Animal Welfare movement, a cause close to her heart. Yet she soon finds that attitudes toward animals in her new home are more complex than she expected. European vets make periodic visits, attempting to control the burgeoning population of ownerless animals. As her son discovers a newfound passion for their cause, they adopt a dog once trained for fighting.

But life in Greece takes a darker turn when the far-right party, ‘The Golden Dawn,’ rises to power. The government harnesses an experimental ‘Superdog’ program, envisioning dogs not just as pets but as the new workforce, replacing human salaries. However, the unintended consequences of tampering with animal DNA pose a grave threat to the world at large. As the situation spirals out of control, it’s the mother and son who find themselves at the heart of this unfolding crisis, and it’s her autistic son who emerges as an unexpected beacon of hope.

Dolores and Other Sorrows

Life is full of unexpected twists, but how do ordinary people like us handle these pivotal moments? This insightful book delves into the myriad choices we face: those thrust upon us, made subconsciously or where the right path is shrouded in uncertainty. It’s a reflection on the signs that guide us – those we heed and those we overlook – and a meditation on the intricacies of human nature encompassing frustration, joy, growth, and the subtle progression of ageing. It’s a celebration of the strength of the unnoticed heroes who don’t make it into the history books but move forward regardless.

“Often, Denis speaks so softly that you have to put your ear down close to the page to hear what he is saying. Then the b*st*rd turns the volume up.”

– A snippet of praise, from Greta Voitel, musician and artist.

Tederederies

Everyone supports Fanny Williams as little Renny becomes part of the Aberbryncraig story and causes a problem or two on his way, showing considerable ingenuity and originality.

Mrs Mopalot sorts it all out again with the help of those who have caused all the difficulties, her husband, cocoa in bed, and above all, most of the population of Aberbryncraig in one way or another.

The Summer Party is rather unusual this year.

The Miracle of Chance

This is the third novel in a series, following the stories and characters crafted in Miriam and Tato and The Retired Timekeeper. Whilst the earlier novels share no common thread, characters, place or time, The Miracle of Chance is a sequel to both, told through alternate chapters before melding into one story.

Hope and good fortune have eluded Miriam all her life. Faced with the aftermath of her father’s sudden death and tumultuous news that will change her life, can she reach out and grab the one chance to change it all?

With the turnaround in Tato’s fortunes, for the first time in his life the future looks bright and full of promise. But can his success continue as he navigates the opportunities and challenges that face his family?