Best Book Publishers UK | Austin Macauley Publishers
  • The Little French Cafe
    Paperback
    The Little French Cafe
    D.R. Ghirlando

    At first, this story seems light-hearted, but it gradually takes a darker turn as it unfolds. At its core, it is about human acceptance, examining love, emotion, trauma, and the lasting weight of the past. The only thing keeping the main character going is his love for his daughter. Without her, he might have given up altogether.

    Although the story is set in the 1960s, the protagonist often reflects on his experiences during the Second World War, especially the tragedy of losing his wife, who was murdered by the Nazis in occupied France.

    Running his own café and working for himself were key to his hopes for the future, allowing him to escape the control of any oppressive forces. Yet no matter how hard we try to avoid trouble, it often has a way of finding us.

    £8.99
  • Melody of Peace
    Paperback
    Melody of Peace
    Narjes Azimi

    In a world torn by war, young Adele finds solace in music, a universal language that transcends borders and conflict. As she navigates the chaos around her, she discovers the power of compassion, unity, and hope. Through her melodies, she bridges divides, bringing together those who once stood apart. But will her song be enough to heal the wounds of the past? Amid the chaos of war, young Adele clings to the one thing that gives her hope: music. In a world where division and conflict seem insurmountable, she discovers that melodies have the power to soothe pain, bridge differences, and bring people together.

    During her spiritual quest, Adele embarks on a journey of survival, encountering individuals from different backgrounds, each carrying their own scars of war. As she plays her music, she witnesses moments of unity that defy hatred and fear. But as tensions rise and old wounds threaten to pull communities apart, Adele must find the strength to believe in the power of peace, even when the world around her feels hopeless.

    Melody of Peace by Narjes Azimi is a poignant exploration of a child’s resilience amid the ravages of war. Drawing from her own experiences growing up in conflict zones, Azimi delves into how children learn to coexist with diverse communities, seeking harmony and understanding even in the most challenging circumstances. Melody of Peace is a moving tale of resilience and courage, reminding us that even in the darkest times, harmony can be found.

    £6.99
  • Painting Paris
    Paperback
    Painting Paris
    John Simmons

    The art of love and loss

    Paris, 1908. In Montmartre, painters are creating works that will change the way we see life. Some do it better than others; some fall victim to the pursuit of love as well as art. But it’s a time to live deeply and take risks with whatever you care about the most.


    Painting Paris tells the story of the intertwined lives of an artist, a would-be artist and a collector. The artist, Berthe, is destined by her mixed race to be always on the brink of exclusion, but she takes in the Italian Paolo, who arrives as a painter with more ambition than talent; and they are both drawn to an uncomfortable reliance on the financier Henri, who is struggling with his sexual identity.


    In three parts, each viewed from different perspectives of character, time and place, the story of aching love and loss unfolds towards a resolution in the 1930s. Another era, another secret to confront, another reconciliation to strive for – this is a novel of courage and hope, of yearning and fragility, with a tone of self-reflection that will haunt readers.


    “Assured, exquisitely written, wise in its judgements and insights with a feel for character and the complex relationships between life and art. And Berthe is just a wonderful character.”

    – John Mitchinson, founder of Unbound, host of Backlisted podcast.


    Cover image by Mark Noad.

    £9.99
  • Whispers of the Maple and Mango Trees
    Paperback
    Whispers of the Maple and Mango Trees
    Jayashree Thatte Bhat

    Born and raised in India, Jayashree immigrated to Canada more than five decades ago and holds master's and Ph.D. degrees in biochemistry and Indian classical music. An award-winning author of several books written in two languages – English and Marathi – her books cover varied subjects, those being medical science, Indian classical music, real-life experiences of Canadian immigrants and historical fact-based novels. Serving as a member of the board of trustees with many Canadian non-profit organisations, Jayashree is a visiting professor of music at many Canadian and American universities.

     

    This book is based on two major historical events of two secular, democratic and powerful nations of the world, Canada and India, which are strikingly similar in nature: the October Crisis of Canada and the Operation Blue Star of India. Both the events, supposedly freedom movements, done by the French in Quebec (Canada) and Sikhs in Punjab (India) for gaining sovereignty are documented as the most catastrophic events, sadly stamping ugly, dark blemishes in the historical pages of the respective countries. This book details information about those two crises with a comparative aspect.

     

    The story captures the atmosphere through the portrayal of fictional characters, a few among them being based on real people, in its grand scope as well as the subtleties of circumstances of those times in Canada and India. It is narrated by wind, personified as Sir Wind, with exceptional sensitivity and grace, who in turn hears it ‘first hand’ from the whispers of the maple trees in Canada and mango trees in India.

     

    The story sheds light on the fact that terrorism undoubtedly is counterproductive in any civilised society, and violence and extremism have no place in a democratic society. In dealing with terrorism, it tells us how Canada and India exemplified to the world a brilliant spirit in that we all lose when misinformation sells more than truth, when moral exploitation sells more than decency, and when political leaders, whom we elect and trust, care more for their personal gain than people's pain.

     

    Today, looking at the stellar achievements of both Quebec in Canada and Punjab in India, the idea of either of them wanting to be ‘independent, sovereign countries’ was indeed too far-fetched and downright futile.

    £13.99
  • Liverpool to the Promised Land!
    Paperback
    Liverpool to the Promised Land!
    Bernard Fredericks

    A young Liverpudlian sets out on a determined quest for a better life in The Promised Land, landing in a small township in southern Ontario, Canada, where he resolutely seeks to fulfil that promise.

    The beginning presents a stark reality. Will he rise to the occasion, or will obstacles thwart his plans?

    He quickly realizes that immediate job opportunities are scarce and that unemployment benefits are unavailable for newcomers, forcing him into a relentless hunt for work.

    At a shoe store, a young female customer glares at him with indignation. ‘My mother asked for pumps,’ she declares angrily. ‘These are running shoes, not high heels!’

    Even as he navigates the challenges of his new life, new acquaintances invite him to a lakeside retreat for a much-needed break. But unexpected dangers arise when friends yell, ‘WATER MOCCASIN!’

    Suddenly, one friend is bleeding. ‘Those crazy bastards punched me!’ he shouts. ‘Let’s take them on!’ another responds. An old white van screeches out of the parking lot, igniting a furious chase.

    He understands that mastering his situation is critical.

    Will this tumultuous journey end in disaster?

    He plunges headlong toward the final scene of this turbulent journey.

    £11.99
  • The Reluctant Hero
    Paperback
    The Reluctant Hero
    Milson Alan

    Kerry, an eighteen-year-old sixth-form student, attends her Grandad’s funeral and learns something she never expected: he was a war hero.

    At the wake, she is guided to a secret box hidden in the attic. Inside, she finds documents and items that reveal a side of her grandfather’s life she never knew existed. Before settling down to raise a family, he lived a life filled with mystery, courage, and hidden connections.

    He leaves her with a task: to tell his story.

    What Kerry uncovers includes secrets, foreign ties, and truths so extraordinary they seem stranger than fiction.

    £9.99
  • The Miner of Wittenoom
    Paperback
    The Miner of Wittenoom
    Kesh Douglas

    Based on true events, this powerful story of love, resilience, and the fight for justice unfolds against the backdrop of corporate greed.

    In 1961, Abele and Maria Moretti moved to Wittenoom, Australia, seeking a better life. They soon adapted to the harsh and desolate outback, creating their future and embracing new opportunities. But the mine where Abele worked hid deadly secrets.

    At short notice, the mine stopped operating. Soon after, the Government was determined to close the town the family had come to love.

    In 1992, as Abele’s health declined, the family uncovered the truth and sought justice. Meanwhile, a lawyer for the mining company made a surprising discovery about her family that caused her to rethink her allegiances.

    £11.99
  • Ippenbury – Graveyard of Ambition
    Paperback
    Ippenbury – Graveyard of Ambition
    Anthony Clifford

    What do we really know about the lives of others?

    The villagers of rural Ippenbury in 1913 puzzle over their new schoolmistress, as Adele reveals very little about herself and almost nothing of her past. Telling her story, using her letters and journals, she recounts the enormous changes in the village during the Great War, including her responses to wounded soldiers recovering in the old mill hospital. She keeps her own life and loves private, but we can follow their twists and turns, even if it is only later that we begin to understand what has driven her reaction to these challenges and the tragic epidemic that followed.

    Her life in Ippenbury may have been her graveyard of ambition, but her story could be true of many others during these turbulent years, or indeed now.

    This provocative and compelling exploration of life, passion, love and ambition may leave you questioning how much we really understand about those around us.

    £10.99
  • Angels Cry Too
    Paperback
    Angels Cry Too
    Jože Mlinarič

    Angels Cry Too delves into the profound nature of human relationships. Each person is a universe unto themselves, and when two such universes collide, they create a new constellation, an intricate web of shared stories, experiences, and emotions. Every thinking being on this planet carries a history, a personal narrative shaped by the interactions that define us.

    In Angels Cry Too, these interactions are not just exchanges but reflections of our individual journeys. The novel explores how lives intersect, revealing the events and decisions that shape our destinies. While the story is set in the 1970s, its themes are timeless: humans have always been architects of their own fate, choosing paths at life’s crossroads, with each decision carrying its own consequences.

    Inspired by the tragic events of the worst air disaster in aviation history, the 1977 collision of two Boeing 747s on the runway of Los Rodeos Airport in Tenerife, Angels Cry Too is a deeply human story about choices, chance, and the profound connections that shape our lives.

    £9.99
  • Two Little Girls in Blue
    Paperback
    Two Little Girls in Blue
    Victor E Knight

    In this captivating family saga set in London from the late Victorian era to the early twentieth century, two sisters and two brothers navigate the complexities of love, family, and fortune. The elder siblings, favoured and spoiled since childhood, find themselves grappling with unhappiness and a secret misfortune that haunts the sisters’ lives, while the overlooked younger pair demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity.

    Woven throughout the narrative is the poignant melody of the popular 1897 song, ‘Two Little Girls in Blue,’ whose tragic love story mirrors the events of the novel, with the song’s composer making an appearance. From the bustling family businesses to the atmospheric Horn of Plenty pub in London’s East End, still haunted by the spectre of Jack the Ripper, the novel’s vivid settings come alive, with the pub managed by the author’s own grandparents.

    Narrated by the son-nephew of the two couples, the story takes an unexpected turn when, guided by his friend, the renowned H.G. Wells, he unravels the tragedy that has shaped his family members’ lives.

    £16.99
  • King of Snowland
    Paperback
    King of Snowland
    Pingxi Huang

    The sixth Dalai Lama, Cangyang Gyatso, was caught between his devotion to religious duty and his longing for love and freedom. Though bound by the rituals of monastic life, his heart yearned for the ordinary joys of the world. Disguising himself and using a pseudonym, he often ventured beyond the Buddhist palace to form friendships and experience life beyond his sacred role.

    His immortal poems, filled with passion and longing, continue to be cherished worldwide. Cangyang Gyatso’s Love Song remains a beloved treasure, echoing through the vast Tibetan regions and beyond.

    This book explores the mysterious customs of the Tibetan people and the tragic fate of Cangyang Gyatso, whose story continues to captivate hearts across generations.

    £7.99
  • Locked Out
    Paperback
    Locked Out
    Geoffrey Stokes

    Henry Evans, a 19-year-old coal miner working at the Hunter Valley Rothbury Colliery marries a local girl, 18-year-old Wynnie Spencer in September 1928 and takes a loan to purchase a small miner’s cottage located in the village of Rothbury only one block from Wynnie’s parents and directly across the road from the Rothbury colliery gates.

    On the 14th of February 1929, the Northern New South Wales coal mines are given 14 days’ notice to accept new working conditions by the colliery owners.

    The Mineworker’s Federation rejects the colliery owner’s ultimatum, which culminates in the colliery gates being shut and the miners thrown out of work.

    The events that follow throw Henry and Wynnie’s lives into turmoil, coming to a head when, on the 16th of December 1929, an incident takes place that is described as the worst industrial event in Australian history.

    The consequences have catastrophic ramifications for Henry, Wynnie and their extended family members.

    £9.99

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