Not Exactly Friends

Ageing actor, Charlie Wallace is jolted back to a post-war past to find lost loves and friendships from his tough and brutal schooldays and a summer spent at Connaught Hall – whose consequences follow him today.  Protected by his schoolboy hero, Christopher Mountjoy, Charlie’s infatuation with Christopher’s sister, Isobel leads to the discovery that brother and sister have a darker side. Friendships can be fickle in a world of make-believe, where fact and fiction blur.

A passionate encounter with the girl has consequences too, when the actor is forced to abandon the stage. Past and present again collide and more events from long ago return with implications of their own. Can Charlie keep his memories safe and will he ever be reconciled to what took place at Connaught Hall that summer?

“Peter Fanning’s pleasure in language, literature and the theatre shines through this gentle, sometimes dramatic, story of growing up and falling in love in the 1940s. A sympathetic study of the agonies of self-discovery, it has romance, charm and a glorious English setting."

- Heather Neil, writer and critic, Literary Editor Times Educational Supplement.

Not for the Telling

A minor road accident led to a chance meeting of two new undergraduates, whose origins, study paths, and potential employment proved to be so contrasting. War was out of the question at the time, but when it arrived it enabled both women to devote their interests to a common objective. One found her metier in the air. Though discouraged by the exclusion of women from flying in the air force, nevertheless she seized a golden opportunity to fly in the service of her country. Her wartime record was distinguished and record breaking. Meanwhile, the other was recruited into an anti-espionage service designed to curb the activities of those citizens who were bent on crippling the national effort, if and when war actually came. The ensuing wartime enabled both women to excel in their respective duties, one in the physical sense, the other surreptitiously. On leaving university their ways had taken them apart, through unexpected adventures, trials, tribulations and various love matches, but a second sheer chance in their lives brought them together again, after losing each other and forgetting their former friendship.

Notes from a Restricted Land

Have you ever wondered how your life would be if you were forced to exist in a place called Restricted Land? Many of you are unaware of this mysterious location and the reasons why it remains unknown to you. In this seemingly fictional and implausible country, its inhabitants are burdened with harsh realities and endless suffering. Their simple aspirations for life and freedom are unattainable due to the oppressive environment in which they reside.

In Notes from a Restricted Land, freedom is constrained, life is limited, and the expression of femininity is an ongoing struggle for the women trapped within its borders. These individuals are merely puppets manipulated by an oppressive government, unable to embrace their true selves. Rather than allowing personal growth and individuality, the dogmatic regime enforces strict conformity upon its citizens.

The situation in this restricted land is far more intricate than a mere collection of rules; it represents a system of dominant beliefs that devastate the lives of countless individuals. While regulations can serve a purpose, the oppressive beliefs upheld in this country shatter the hopes and dreams of millions.

Now Who's Talking? 1

Discover the animal kingdom as you’ve never seen it before! In this charming and witty book, with words by Des Lynam and illustrations by Bryony Hill, creatures ranging from squirrels and butterflies to baby hedgehogs and tiger cubs finally get a chance to speak for themselves, revealing their quirks and habits in a way that’s sure to delight readers of all ages.
Whether you’re a die-hard animal lover or just looking for a good laugh, Des and Bryony’s unique perspective is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face – and every so often, perhaps, tell you something you didn’t know about our winged and furry friends.
‘Quirky in the best possible way. Putting words into animal’s mouths is no easy thing, but that is exactly what Des has managed to do. It talks to us of being human – and also of being animal – but expressed in a way that we can relate to. And the illustrations take the words to another level: a perfect match!’
Jonathan and Angela Scott
(aka The Big Cat People), award-winning photographers and conservationists

Now Who's Talking? 2

Are you ready for round two of Now Who’s Talking? Des Lynam returns with more animal antics in this second collection of conversations, once again illustrated by Bryony Hill. This time, they’re heading to the farm and the zoo to eavesdrop on an even wider variety of animals, ranging from ferrets and turkeys to flamingos and crocodiles.
Just as in the previous volume, Des gives voice to the animals in a way that mirrors their behaviour in the real world, while at the same time offering some intriguing insights into their interactions with us humans. As ever, Des’s words are perfectly complemented by Bryony’s imaginative yet realistic drawings.

‘Full of charm, novelty, and wit – just like the man himself.’ Susie Dent
‘I loved Des’s voice. It was always one of my favourites to imitate (“Wine ’em… dine ’em… Lynam”). Now the old master’s found a whole range of voices and applied them to the birds and animals in his garden and beyond. Whimsical, witty, imaginative –  and great fun.’ Rory Bremner

Nusantara

After dropping out of university, getting a job as a storeman, doing drugs and then splitting up with his wife, Jack, in a fit of depression, joins the Australian Army and is sent to East Timor at the height of the troubles. He “volunteers” for a mission in Indonesia, where the United Nations, with help from the US Navy and the Royal Marines, are trying to rescue a group of foreigners, mostly Europeans, being held hostage by the local rebels. Jack completes his mission only to become the victim of misdirected revenge.

Obesity Wars

If the world turned its back on your best friend for being fat, would you turn your back on him too?

At a time when the obesity problem is headlining at world health conventions, one small nation struggles to find solutions to the rising cost of healthcare. Campaigning on promises to clamp down on obesity, Shape Up – led by the charismatic William Tanner – claims a landslide victory. Honouring its campaign promises, laws targeting fat people are swiftly introduced. Government obesity squads – the GO squads - roam the streets in black vans with a license to enforce the laws by any means, whipping up violence towards fat people.

Teenagers Monty and Levi have been best friends since kindergarten. Levi is smart, funny and loyal – he’s also obese. As the obesity laws become harsher and fat people increasingly disaffected, Monty begins to resent his friend, eventually disowning him. When Levi is brutally beaten by the neighbourhood bullies, Monty hardens himself to the injustice, blaming Levi for not doing more to lose weight.

But when Levi disappears, Monty realises that something more sinister is at play. Recruited to an underground anti-government organisation, Monty seizes the opportunity to fight back in the hopes of finding his friend and restoring balance in a society gone mad.

Observations

These poems are observations on personal experiences, memories, philosophy, mental illness, and other topics. They are an attempt to express myself despite a long struggle with depression. They are short poems, designed to convey themes and ideas concisely. Topics covered span from reflections on spirituality, to childhood memories, to historical figures and more.

Oklem

“Just because the war is over, doesn’t mean the story is.”

What happens after a 10-year war? Unity brought the Mortal, Fire, Ice and Earth Nations together to defeat Skull, a pirate army desperate to merge the supernatural world with the mortal.

19-year-old Azar Geminus finds himself at the centre of a bizarre, supernatural mystery. With the war at an end, and his heart broken, his only goal is to reunite with his parents. But this proves more challenging than expected when he learns that they have gone missing. Whilst the city he has lived in all his life begins to expose the darkness that dwells within, Azar finds himself changing in ways he cannot control.

As betrayal, mystery, and danger close in around him, Azar realises that there are three sides to every story: the Nations, the supernatural, and the truth. As one war ends, another, much more personal, is just beginning. And when the fate of the Nations rests on lies, who else can he rely on other than himself?

Old Jim's Poems for Kids, Young and Old

James Tweddle has composed poems of wide appeal.  Whether the readers are nine years old or even younger, or eleven years old or even older, this book contains many poems to capture and hold their interest.

'Are you interested in conserving our natural resources? .... or satisfying your curiosity about natural phenomena? ..... or wondering how it was possible for a shark to have a pirate's leg growing out ofthe top of its head? .... or enjoying reading of conversations between animals? ... or heeding warnings about catching crabs? ... or going fishing? .... or watching fairies in the back garden? ... or nonsense poems about imaginary creatures?........... then this book is for you!

Whatever your interests, it is to be hoped that you have been lured to dip in, become immersed, firmly hooked, and well and truly caught, by reading or listening to this illustrated book of poems, which is available in paperback, hard cover or e-book editions.

Older

A sociopath managing an aged care facility: What could go wrong?

Precocious and pretty Maxine Gilbert is a clever and talented nine-year-old, adored by a doting father. She is also cruel, sadistic and without remorse, delighting in manipulating others and torturing small animals. When her mother is diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, Maxine is disgusted, not just by her mother’s disability, but by the inconvenience it brings. Watching a nurse care for her mother, Maxine learns that nurses can hurt or heal. Maxine decides to be a nurse when she grows up.

Forty years on, after countless complaints against her nursing in various clinical care settings, Maxine scams a job as Managing Director of an aged care facility, Treetops, and the residents are in for a rough time.

Under Maxine’s management, physical and medical restraint of residents is encouraged, and neglect, poor hygiene, and restrictions of residents’ liberty, nourishment and medical support are exhorted. Frightened, depressed, and malnourished residents are left isolated, locked away, and laying in their own waste. They develop excruciating infections, suffer illness, and even die. Maxine faces rising antagonism from Treetops’ residents, and their friends and family. 

A new carer at Treetops, Seleena, who recently escaped an abusive marriage, cannot stay silent. Along with warning residents, and others, Seleena writes a letter of complaint. After finding a suspicious lump in her breast, could Maxine, who always hated illness and vulnerability in others, finally learn compassion? Or will she continue her ruthless ways?

Olivia Taylor Fashion Dreams

Olivia Taylor, a stylish and creative genius, has a serendipitous and life-changing opportunity while navigating the convoluted world of haute couture. The 35-year-old British designer embarks on a career in fashion, which she discovers, she is ‘tailormade’ for. The dream job versus ruthless reality. Glamour versus drama. And to escort her through the conflict and cutthroat competition on this roller coaster journey, she depends on the loyal support of her precious friends and loving dog, Duke.

Olivia is surprised and immediately curious when she stumbles across a miniature version of her namesake, a young orphan, nicknamed ‘Liv’. The little girl is captivating, with her lookalike features and natural charm. But something is about to turn her own world upside down in the realm of both work and romance. Olivia, through no design of her own, meets the handsome and mysterious Damien, which forces her to reconsider her notions of love. Will her whirlwind lifestyle even allow her to explore the possibility of a committed relationship? Only time and fate will tell.

Her innate spirituality and sensitivity, coupled with her uncompromising self-belief will stand her in good stead, in pursuing her true calling in life. Adhering to those strong instincts, Olivia is able to seamlessly shift gears along the path of destiny and arrive at the best decision she has ever made, regardless of the extent to which her project threatens to tie her up in knots…