Liverpool Early Teens

No longer a schoolboy but now a youth poised for a fresh start, he sensed significant changes brewing in the aftermath of World War II. With the war concluded, nations, both victors and vanquished, were in a flurry to redirect their economies towards peace. He was caught up in the palpable excitement of a transformation on the horizon.

‘I’m leaving school this Easter,’ he announced to the boys on September Road. Climbing down from the low stone wall, he made his way home, bidding farewell with a wave.

He found himself on the brink of joining the ranks of the unemployed. A ship’s engineer, or perhaps an apprentice to one, as his father had hinted? The discussion around what job might suit him never ventured into the realm of Marine Engineering. The topic soon became as extinct as the proverbial dodo – his initial taste of disappointment.

The challenge of finding a position as a young adult had arisen, and his life progressed accordingly. Demonstrating eagerness and a willingness to work was non-negotiable; he was more than ready to spread his wings.

Yet, amidst these challenges, his reflective moments found solace in the image of the breathtakingly glamorous Hollywood actress Rita Hayworth. Her latest film had introduced her new visage, now occupying his quieter moments: a comforting vision that offered him a gentle escape.

Celestial Dining to Entice

In the celestial realm of Paradise, the atmosphere has grown somber. Nightly discussions among Arab scholars, spanning from the classical to the medieval periods and even the present day, have reached an impasse. Conversations aimed at finding solutions for the earthly world below seem increasingly futile, as if history’s lessons have been forgotten or ignored. The vibrant mood once prevalent in Paradise has given way to listlessness and gloom.

But what if the key to reigniting joy and inspiration lies in an age-old universal tradition: sharing a meal? That’s right, a food contest! Celestial Dining to Entice: An Arab Food Contest in Paradise aims to shift the narrative from despair to delight. Scholars present their chosen medieval Arab dishes, each accompanied by personal stories that reveal who they are and why they’ve selected their dish.

The contest does more than just brighten the atmosphere; it serves as a poignant reminder that history may have its lessons, but food possesses the timeless power to unite and uplift. Experience a celestial gathering where heavenly flavours meet earthly concerns, and discover how even in Paradise, the simple joy of sharing a meal can transform the spirit.

Mysterious Ways: The Death That He Died

The crucifixion of Jesus was not the simple event we imagine. All sorts of factors played a part including politics, religious rivalry and the need to destroy what we cannot understand. There are seeming inconsistencies in the Bible story such as what happened in the long period between when Judas left the Last Supper and when Jesus was arrested. Common sense would suggest that Caiaphas would send his guards out as soon as he knew where Jesus was, but he didn’t. Why not?

Many people were involved ranging from the star players such as Pilate and Judas Iscariot to the bit players such as Simon of Cyrene. In this book each of these is given their chance to explain their role in their own words. They can say what they really thought of what was going on. The author finished writing his book with a far firmer conviction about the divinity of Jesus and how much his sacrifice cost him, than when he started.

These stories have been used and appreciated by the author’s own church and by friends who knew what he was doing. They have been used as devotional readings for Holy Week, in schools, as dramatic readings in services, for Bible studies and to help students with their studies. They are also a good read and an effective way of introducing people to Jesus.

Kampaku: The Rise and Fall of Ishida Mitsunari

2023 HFC Five-star award for Historical Fiction.

In the heart of sixteenth-century Japan, where loyalties are tested and fragile alliances are pushed to the brink, Kampuku unfolds the riveting tale of Ishida Mitsunari, a young samurai rising through the ranks in service to the renowned warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A shrewd tactician and accomplished tea master, Mitsunari becomes the target of a shadowy network of spies, determined to end his life since childhood.

Upon Hideyoshi's shocking and sudden demise, Mitsunari finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue to determine the future heir.

Mitsunari faces the ambitions of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a formidable rival warlord who is scheming to seize control. Determined to safeguard Hideyori, whom Mitsunari believes to be the legitimate heir, he orchestrates a desperate bid to thwart Ieyasu’s ascent to power. The ensuing epic battle shapes the destiny of Japan.

Kampuku is a tale of honour, deception, and the relentless pursuit of destiny in a nation ravaged by war and secrets.

Acclaim for Kampaku

Another stunning immersive story of 16^th century Japan, full of power struggles, life-changing secrets, and high-stakes gambles. HFC Awards/reviews

Vlad Dracula : The Impaler

1456, the night of Vlad’s coronation: a dastardly plot, a joint venture between the Ottoman Empire and Catholic Hungary to kill the Impaler’s beloved, sets off some of the worst atrocities in history, enshrining the name Dracula as a synonym for terror.

He drank the blood of his victims, and filled the castles of the land with wretches destined for the stake: Scourge of the Saxons, champion of the peasants, national hero who saved his country from Islamic conquest, Vlad was all of these, and much, much more... His name has become a byword for cruelty, Vlad’s draconian policies the horror of Europe.

But who was the man behind the legend? Written off by historians, the Dacians were thought to have vanished immediately after the Roman conquest of Dacia, but Vlad, Son of the Devil, would revive the ancient Gaulish pride, bringing hope to the oppressed Wallach remnants of Transylvania through a dastardly series of impalements: he would become known in Romanian as Vlad Țepeș, the Impaler! A man more terrifying than any vampire.

The Agony of Poland

In the latter part of 1939, German leader Adolf Hitler made a pact with the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to invade Poland. Confident that British and French leaders would opt for a weak peace settlement, Hitler’s army stormed in from the north, south and west on September 1st, while Stalin’s Red Army invaded from the east on September 17th.

This story, part fact and part fiction, is an account of the suffering endured by the Polish people at this time, many of whom were imprisoned in Siberia and forced to work under dreadful conditions. Yet when Hitler turned on Stalin and invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, Poland’s exiled found common cause with their Russian captors to take up arms against Nazi oppression.

Though the Allies emerged victorious in 1945, a heavy price was exacted from occupied Poland. Many survivors discovered they no longer had homeland to which they could return, their former communities now under firm Soviet control.

Song of the Nightingale

England, in the 1820s: young widow Anella Hebb confronts many challenges to keep her Wiltshire farm afloat. At first, one of these challenges appears to be Major Eade Jameson, the imposing local landowner. However, after initial suspicion on both sides, a friendship begins to develop. Could it prove to be more than friendship? And what of the Major’s mysterious employee and friend, Mantel Buchanen, who comes to work at Anella’s farm?
Combining narrative drive with fine characterisation and impressive period detail, Sue McGregor’s Song of the Nightingale is a stirring tale of love, passion, tragedy and recovery.

Napoleon Conqueror: Tide of Eagles

France is embroiled in war with Austria as Napoleon races from victory at Castiglione into the ragged peaks of the Tyrol. His aim: defeat the cunning General Würmser and conquer the fortress stronghold of Mantua. But even while Napoleon pursues Würmser down the Brenta River Valley, Austrian forces are secretly gathering under General Alvinczy. They plan a daring offensive to drive the outnumbered French from Italy entirely.

So begins a thrilling campaign that will span continents, from the snow-capped Alps to the swirling sands of Egypt. Pursuing his grand vision of strangling English trade by conquering Alexandria and Cairo, Napoleon must defeat both Ottoman forces and the unforgiving desert itself. Even a prowling British Navy led by admiral Lord Nelson cannot deter the ambitious Corsican from this vital strategic prize.

This well-researched history analyses Napoleon’s audacious Italian and Egyptian operations. Can his Army of Italy withstand aggressive Austrian counterattacks in the mountainous Italian theatre? Will the harsh Egyptian frontier thwart Napoleon’s expanding ambitions and grand strategy? This scholarly appraisal provides authoritative perspectives on these pivotal early campaigns of Napoleon’s meteoric career.

Napoleon General: Mountain Paths

In the aftermath of the Siege of Toulon, Napoleon emerges triumphant, driving the British from the Midi Region of Southern France. Yet, the shadow of war with Austria looms ominously. While battling external foes, Napoleon faces internal demons: the treacherous political landscape of Paris, the snare of Barras, and a corrupt Directory eager to undermine him.

Despite saving a government that once sought his demise, having him imprisoned during the chilling Jacobin purges post-Robespierre, Napoleon’s resilience shines. His decisive ‘Whiff of Grapeshot’ during the Vendemaire crisis not only earns him accolades and the command of the Army of Italy, holding back Austrians in the rugged terrains of Genoa and Piedmont but also the heart of Josephine de Beauharnais, his legendary love.

Napoleon General: Mountain Paths meticulously chronicles this turbulent era, offering readers an immersive journey into warfare's evolving artistry and Napoleon’s growing genius within it.

Christina and the George Cross Island

In the years leading up to the Second World War, amidst an economic depression, a young cabaret dancer from Northern England accepts a job at a modest music hall in Malta, a Mediterranean island. Unbeknownst to her, the outbreak of war following Italy’s declaration against Britain and France in the summer of 1940 would leave her stranded in Malta for the entirety of the conflict. In these challenging times, she finds herself working for the Royal Air Force and embroiled in a passionate love affair with a distinguished RAF pilot.

The author, drawing on contemporary eyewitness accounts and historical resources, sets the scene against a backdrop of bravery, resilience, and sacrifice. This period marks the two and a half years when Malta’s population and its defenders valiantly withstood the relentless onslaught of the Italian and German air forces.

Christina and the George Cross Island weaves a narrative that blends fact with fiction, infusing both humour and heartbreak into this compelling tale of war, love, and endurance.

Strings of Destiny

In an era where freedom remains elusive, a young man finds himself at the heart of a struggle for the most fundamental human right: the right to be free.

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1950s Cyprus, this tale, inspired by true events and interwoven with a touch of magic, sees Herodotos championing the cause for independence on multiple fronts. His story marks a timeless testament to the resilience of the few who dare to defy the might of the many.

Will from Melrose: A Romantic Trek Through a Web of Conspiracy

The year is 1317, and relations between Scotland and England are strained.Will is from Melrose, Scotland, where his father has been telling him heroic stories of fighting the English. Filled with enthusiasm, he runs away from home and joins a raid into England.After crossing the border, he is attacked and left for dead, but is found and brought back to health by a village girl, Rachel. But she is English…It isn’t long before Will is falling for Rachel, but at the same time, he senses a plot to assassinate King Robert of Scotland. What will he do now, torn between the girl he loves and the King he worships?