General Fiction

Most of us know a Ray Taylor. He was a familiar figure in the more down-trodden town-centre pubs of the last two centuries. He would be perched on his usual stool at the end of the bar, chatting and joking with all and sundry. The landlord (and especially the landlady) would have been his bosom friend and he would have considered it his duty to support the hostelry come rain or shine. But in living this life, all else is sacrificed. So, home for Ray is a cold lonely place. Only his pub friendships survive as he erratically steers his life from one family and relationship disaster to another. Ray has a certain native charm and is not unintelligent but in true Man o’ the World fashion, he eventually destroys and loses almost everything of meaning to him. We are indebted to Graham Ashworth for penning this sometimes sad but always entertaining and humorous, life-story. Author Graham Ashworth was born in Rochdale, England in 1959. Formally a Firefighter with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service, he retired in 2009. Both his debut novel, Man O’ the World and his follow-up, The Original Wag, published in 2014, mirror extraordinary life through the medium of contemporary fiction. Nostalgia, humour, synaesthesia and a gritty way of life feature prominently to create a welcome journey down memory lane. A life in the Fire Service plays a large part in the story-line of Man O’ The World. His third book Crossed Paths was released late August 2015 and a fourth, Kandyman, in June 2016. Graham released a collection of unique short stories, simply titled Shorts it was made available in November 2016. The latest edition to his works of fiction is Keel Hauled, a tale of two journalists eager to uncover the wrongdoings of a 1970’s comedy hero. Graham now lives Rossendale, Lancashire with his wife Dawn. He has two children, Mark and Kayleigh and two Grandchildren Evie and Oliver.

Churchwarden Christopher Jamieson has devoted himself tirelessly to St Benet’s Church and its Anglo-Catholic tradition. Single, lonely and prickly, he feels happier in the company of eighteenth-century church architecture and beautiful vestments than in that of his colleagues. But the parish is struggling and when the Church authorities plan a takeover by a hugely successful and popular Evangelical church, Christopher finds himself at odds with his upbringing, his associates, his fellow churchwarden, Caroline and even his loyal and sympathetic friend, Max. As the takeover becomes more certain, his outlook on life becomes bleaker and desperate, until he takes a step that will change everything. Author Margery Roberts was born in London but has lived in Hertfordshire for nearly forty years. After university, she worked for the Church Commissioners, where she met her husband, David. She left to start a family and, when her three sons were small, pursued a career as a freelance journalist, writing for a variety of publications and contributing stories to the Beano comic. She was, however, soon enticed back into the charity sector. For the past eighteen years, she has been the administrator of a Church of England charity based in Westminster, besides being involved with several other charities, both as an administrator and a trustee. She is a churchwarden of a London church and sits on various diocesan bodies. Margery has enjoyed writing poetry, stories and articles since she was a young child. Her other interests include walking, conservation and allotment gardening, although she struggles to find time for everything. She is the author of Church Linen, Vestments and Textiles, published by the Canterbury Press. The Churchwarden is her first novel.

Ralph Waters, a successful, wealthy and gay Queen’s Counsel and since May 2015, the elected Conservative Member of Parliament for the constituency of Pepynbridge Forest, spends most weekends in a rented cottage in the village of Pepynbridge, accompanied by his much younger partner, Pascal Legrand, a retired black African Top 14 French rugby union player. Ralph and Pascal’s request that Herbert Onion, Rector of Pepynbridge, should conduct their marriage in St Aidan’s Abbey and the knowledge that Ralph is promoting a Private Members’ Bill in Parliament to force the Church of England to permit same-gender marriage in church, unleash controversy in the village and further afield that challenges long-held assumptions about homosexuality and entrenched attitudes towards same-gender marriage; and puts at risk not only a livelihood, but a life as well. Author Peter Morrell was born just before D-Day. After school and university, where he read French, he qualified, first as a solicitor and then as a barrister. He practised at the Bar until 1992, when he was appointed a circuit judge, trying criminal and civil cases in London and the East Midlands. Peter retired from the Circuit Bench in 2009 but continued to preside over Mental Health Tribunals until 2014. Peter has been an observant Christian since childhood and in 2008, was ordained a deacon of the Church of England; and a year later, a priest. He currently ministers in country parishes near his home where he has lived for over forty years. Peter wrote two thrillers in the 1980s, which were not published. In 1998, he started to write The Rector of Pepynbridge. Professional commitments meant it was not completed until after he retired in 2014. It was published in June 2015. Two other books in the series, The Islamist of Pepynbridge and The Rector of Pepnybridge are both set in Pepynbridge, a village in Northamptonshire and draws upon Peter’s professional experiences as barrister, judge and clergyman as well as his knowledge of rural life. Peter is married to Mary, with two grown-up daughters and a granddaughter.

Pepynbridge is a large village in the East Midlands, with an abbey as its parish church needing £1million to repair its roof but riven by disputes over its style of worship and with a dreadful track record of not hanging onto its rectors. Into this toxic mix, the Reverend Herbert Onion, a bachelor and gifted musician with strong views about worship, but nurturing a dark and potentially catastrophic secret, arrives as the new rector. As Pepynbridge struggles to accommodate the outsider, relationship storms break out that threaten not only Herbert Onion’s reputation and liberty, but the futures of others in the community as well. Author Peter Morrell was born just before D-Day. After school and university, where he read French, he qualified, first as a solicitor and then as a barrister. He practised at the Bar until 1992, when he was appointed a circuit judge, trying criminal and civil cases in London and the East Midlands. Peter retired from the Circuit Bench in 2009 but continued to preside over Mental Health Tribunals until 2014. Peter has been an observant Christian since childhood and in 2008, was ordained a deacon of the Church of England and a year later, a priest. He currently ministers in country parishes near his home where he has lived for over forty years. Peter wrote two thrillers in the 1980s, which were not published. In 1998, he started to write The Rector of Pepynbridge. Professional commitments meant it was not completed until after he retired in 2014. It was published in June 2015. Two other books in the series, The Islamist of Pepynbridge and The Honourable Member for Pepnybridge are both set in Pepynbridge, a village in Northamptonshire and draws upon Peter’s professional experiences as barrister, judge and clergyman as well as his knowledge of rural life. Peter is married to Mary, with two grown-up daughters and a granddaughter.

After the success of his first book ‘Now It Begins’, Gary Markwick has ventured into the world of docu-fantasy, chronicling the life and times of his grandfather’s adventures in America, Canada and Europe. The Adventures of The Great Marlo and The Blue Pearl opens up a Pandora’s Box of delights. Journey with The Great Marlo, Marko the Magician and the many friends and foes, experience the thrills and spills of life on the edge as well as the spiritual enlightenment that comes their way. This is a book like no other you have read before, part documentary, part fantasy it manages to mix the two in a sympathetic and bold manner that leaves the reader hanging out for more. The story unfolds, as seen through the eyes of David – “The Great Marlo”, who left his home in Edinburgh at the age of 12 to join a travelling circus where he met Marko a magician who tells him the story of ‘The Blue Pearl’. Deep below the surface of Buddha’s birthplace in Lumbini lies the sacred Buddha Stone, which holds the secret of the Blue Pearl! What is the secret that the Blue pearl possesses? Filled with mysticism and intrigue the great adventure unfolds, covering the period from the late 1800’s to the 1960’s and crossing India, USA, Canada and Europe. We see truth and enlightenment on a spiritual journey revealed before our eyes. David Galloway Lindsay later became well known as an escapologist (The British Houdini) a magician, a palmist, and a performer with mind reading skills. Working with his son Roy, and later on his daughter Georgina, he performed with the BBC and theatres around Great Britain, and some parts of the USA, going on to become famous as “The Great Marlo and Georgina”. Author Gary Markwick is an international professional Palmist and Psychic who has been using his talent for the last twenty years. In addition, Gary is a Usui & Karuna Reiki Master, Teacher and spiritual healer. He is also a qualified clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP, Past life Regressionist and a trainer in the law of attraction. Gary has written another book, Now it Begins. In his capacity as a talented singer-songwriter, Gary has performed at venues including, the Glastonbury festival, live on radio and had singles released in the past.

In his debut novel, Back in the Frame, Jake Yardley has produced an intriguing tale about world snooker champion John Kelly. From the trappings of fame and success achieved at a young age, Kelly suddenly finds his world collapsing around him through no fault of his own. Jake demonstrates both sensitivity and insight as he tells of how his hero copes with the many difficulties, physical, professional and romantic, that litter his path. Jake Yardley is an amazing young man. At just seventeen years old, his first novel, Back in the Frame, has been released. The hero is John Kelly but Jake is little short of a hero himself and he has put all his life experiences to good use. At the tender age of seven, he was diagnosed with Asperger’s. Then, at the age of fifteen, Jake was diagnosed with a severe spinal curvature, and had a major operation. He is an avid snooker player and this gave him the inspiration to write a novel about a snooker player who has a serious back operation. Jake is ambitious and determined to live life to the full. Since recovering from his surgery, he has progressed to the sixth form at Manchester Mesivta where he is studying Maths & Business Studies, finished his novel and secured a job in Accounting. He has just started his second novel.

Andy Fine is a brilliant, unscrupulous young businessman. He transforms his father’s Manchester based textile company into a huge corporation. He agonises about his sexual orientation. Andy’s arrogance eventually results in the loss of his job. Andy’s father, Rube, is blackmailed after the mysterious death of his mistress. Andy meets New York banker Mario Franconi and becomes head of the London branch of Franconi’s bank. What is Franconi’s background? Why does the bank crash? Valerie, Andy’s ex-wife, meets Charles, a religious Jew. They fall in love. Charles asks Valerie to convert to Judaism to marry him. What secret is Valerie’s mother guarding? Will it affect her daughter’s life and happiness? Andy is forced to sell his home. A mysterious lady arrives at the eleventh hour to make an unusual offer! Could this be his salvation? Including Fine Feathers, author Lionel Ross has published eight books. He is from Greater Manchester where he lives with his wife Luise and enjoys spending time with his large family. Lionel is the owner / publisher of i2i Publishing.

The story take place in present-day Athens on a beach and adjacent café over two winters. This location, the weather and a love of the sea, bring an eclectic group of people together on Sundays, to pursue their passion for swimming. Sundays revolve around Betty, her café, her son Jacob and Louli, the brindled cat. The swimmers, of all ages, backgrounds and types, have their views on life in Athens as economic, political and social tensions across Europe take effect on Greece. As well as swimming, they relax together, using the café and the beach as their oasis in difficult times. A mysteriously staged suicide sets events in motion which will affect them all to various degrees. Against this clandestine backdrop, the stories unfold about the swimmers’ lives, past and present and their hopes for the future. They experience happiness and joy, tragedy and loss and become close friends who try to help each other wherever possible. For those who have visited Greece and fallen in love with the land and the people, the book may offer a deeper insight into realities of life there and to Greeks, many of the characters and stories may seem all too familiar. The Winter Swimmers’ Club has a message about the positive power of love and friendship and how it can sustain us and offer us all hope in the face of adversity. The story unfolds with a dose of romance, mystery and a passion for life which should entertain readers of all ages. Author Sheila G. Bardas is a teacher by profession. Born in Manchester, she graduated from Manchester Polytechnic where she achieved a BA (Joint Hons) in English and History. She trained as a teacher at West Midlands College and achieved an MA in Philosophy at Newcastle Polytechnic. After teaching in England for some years, she left to work in Athens, Greece, initially for a year but stayed on making the city a base from where she travelled extensively. She then settled to teach in an English school in Kallithea. She married Christos Bardas and the couple live in Thiseio, central Athens where they raised their two children, Gordon and Helen. After living through the difficult years of political turmoil and witnessing the effect of the economic crisis first-hand, Sheila was prompted to write this story hoping it might touch the hearts of all those, Greeks or not, who have endured the problems caused by austerity, thereby offering some relief and hope for those who find themselves embroiled in similar circumstances. The Winter Swimmers’ Club is Sheila’s first book.

It is the early 1970s and Bernard is part of a group of seven young adults who most Wednesday evenings meet at the Green Man, a pub in the west country town of Steynmouth. Included in this soon to disintegrate assembly are Clive, an old university acquaintance whose fragile mental state becomes a seriously threatening presence, and two vivacious young women, Liz and Amy. It’s the latter two who contribute in Bernard’s life to a roller-coaster of emotions, into which there is a further intrusion from Deborah, a former teenage girlfriend from his home town in central Wales. The backdrop is the resort and small fishing village of Steynmouth itself – but there are short interludes in Wales and France. The final ‘resolution’ is as multi-faceted as the social interplay that takes us there. Author Geoffrey Allan is a native of North Wales, where he currently lives. Three’s a Crowd is not his first published work and was preceded by a collection of his photographs of urban and rural landscapes. His interests are varied and include gardens, cookery, music, walking and travel, especially to areas of continental Europe whose history and geography have long held a particular fascination for him. In World affairs, he is an ardent follower of political and environmental trends. An avid reader of non-fiction, this book is his first venture into the world of fiction writing.

A fictional story about the power of music to alter, affect and raise spirituality in individuals receptive to it. The main character is subtly touched by music during his experience of Cranleigh Choral Week. When the week concludes, he has been permanently changed by it. While there, he sees people for whom music is a dedicated way of life. He sees that they have a vitality of spirit affecting and influencing them, their attitudes to life and other people. Is life for them harder or easier because of the joy of music? The week makes him review himself as a person and he finds aspects he likes but also, ones he does not. He vows to leave those traits behind. His relationship with a woman he meets during the week forces him to continue examining everything in his life, especially his primary relationship. After returning home, the character continues to look at his life and attitudes prior to taking part in the event. He acknowledges that his mind, opinions and attitudes have changed. He has become softer, more forgiving and less harsh. He sees and accepts a different life around him. The music and its effects gradually recede as more layers of his home life overlay the Cranleigh Choral Week experience. But will he be able to implement his decision to change himself or will it be eroded by his day-to day life back at home? Author Pawl Clark was born in the West Riding of Yorkshire. He ran away to sea and trained as a marine engineer. After years of life on the watery swell, Pawl decided to embrace dry land and qualified in horticulture, becoming head gardener of a manorial estate in Warwickshire. His employer persuaded him to higher ambitions and Pawl found himself working up to 130ft high on scaffolding, restoring stained glass windows and becoming a master-craftsman and heritage expert in that field. In retirement, Pawl spends his time quietly, relaxing into various garden activities, making the occasional stained-glass window and treating blackbirds and nightingales to fine tenor arias, from time to time. He wrote Summers of Light, Hearts of Gold after attending Cranleigh Choral Week in 2010. This book was inspired by the event, the participants and the dedicated team of professional musicians.

Welcome to Allbrite a sleepy town in Montana, US where three generations of the O’Brien family are raised. Follow their trials, tribulations and celebrations as they cope with contemporary life. What happens when Mama vanishes without a trace? Will Eric ever settle down? Can the beautiful Candice ever find true romance? Will the family succeed in a constantly changing world? Explore Guatemala, Laos, Montreal, Los Angeles, glamping, cruising, fund raising, unemployment, war wounds, dyslexia, child prodigy, bullying and attempted rape. Will life run smoothly for such a diverse bunch? Who says nothing ever happens in Allbrite? Hi everybody, my name is Anne Attias, thanks for tuning in. I have always written mainly media reports as I began my career as a trainee reporter for the local paper. In 1986 I wrote my first script for The Paradise Scheme, about a group of people seeking an alternative lifestyle to escape the Rat Race. Once typed out this was put in a brown folder at the back of my wardrobe where it remained until 2018, when it was published by i2i Publishing and was well received. This encouraged me to write some more so I wrote a short story called Lifetimes following the dramatic changes that took place from the 1950s to date including: decimalisation, first man on the moon, supermarkets, colour tv, the Swinging sixties, regeneration of inner cities, all seen through the life of a modern emancipated woman. My latest published book is called Allbrite. The sequel, Consequences awaits editing for those who want to find out what happens next. In between I try to keep fit, go to art classes, enjoy my lovely grandchildren and make the most of life. Thank you for dropping in, all the best.

“The Rose of September” is a collection of short true stories about human destinies filled with love. This is an attempt to be heard and understood. Unique episodes of the past peaceful life we all dream of now. This is a small part of Ukraine in the big world.

Guy de la Moroz is a direct descendant of a Dutch mercenary who had come over with William the Conqueror. As magic often attracts magic, natural evolution has made Guy into the most powerful witch in the country and he had risen to be a Madge. By travelling the world, he had also become a shaman in many cultures including Aboriginal, Hindu, American Indian and Amara, Inca and Nazca from South America. Guy lives on a seventy-two-foot Big Woolwich ex-working narrow boat named The Wizard of Oz. His boat is also magical and often talks to Guy. His brown and white spaniel called Dorothy is his witch’s familiar. Although never married he has two children in the village of Coven, his adopted home. His relationship with the mothers of his two children and various lovers in the village only complicates his life. Coven is a quiet little village in Shropshire until one day the vicar’s wife is killed on the village green in broad daylight; another murder soon follows which embroils Guy in a merry-go-round of jealousy, madness, revenge and passion as he uses his magical abilities to help solve the case. In 1941 when the author William de Leie was born, as was traditional, he was taken to the local witch who told his mother that he was special because whatever the world threw at him, he would survive to grow old. Within a week of his birth, he moved to the town of Teignmouth. Here he was brought up, married and had two daughters. He met his present wife and set up home with her. He worked long hours and his wife had a demanding job as a cook. They had honeymooned on a narrow boat and one day she reminded him that when he retired, they would sell the house and buy a narrow boat to live on. Four months later they moved on to their new floating home which he renamed Witchcraft. For eight wonderful years he toured the canals and rivers of Britain, writing for waterways magazines and selling his wife’s crochet work from the boat. He only stopped to allow his son to attend college. Without travelling, living on a boat wasn’t much fun and he has now sold his boat and moved onto dry land in Chester.

Gunther Conrad comes from humble beginnings in early twentieth century Hamburg. Pursuing his dream, he makes his way as an actor in the world of theatre and then the cinema, during the rise of the Nazis. After a stint in Hollywood in the heart of the studio system at the advent of sound, Gunty returns to Germany. However, as the Nazis increase their stranglehold on the country, political tensions force him to leave home again and he ends up in Britain at the centre of the show business world. But Gunty’s personal life will tie him to Germany where the ever-encroaching power of the Nazis engulfs his homeland, Europe and then the world in destructive conflict. Meeting important British political figures through his growing status as a star, Gunty is presented with a new opportunity to help banish the Nazis once and for all. He moves back to Hollywood again to make take up a major contract and to make his contribution to the war effort. Gunty’s rags-to-riches story provides a nostalgic look back at the film industry during the Golden Age of Hollywood before anti-trust legislation and television presented a dual threat to the established studio system. He mixes with many of the greats of the time from the star actors to the moguls in charge of the film business who ran the big studios with a rod of iron. Set against the backdrop of changing political, social and cultural times in the first half of the twentieth century, Gunty’s War will give readers a picture of life in the inter-war years, including the cosmopolitan culture of 1920s Berlin, the pre-war society in London and life in Los Angeles during Hollywood’s heyday when for so many people in the United States and around the world, going to the cinema was an essential part of their weekly lives. Born in London, Michael Levenson has lived in the UK and the US. He has spent most of his working life in the licensed trade including many years as the Parliamentary Chairman of the Licensed Victuallers Association. Michael has had a life-long love for the cinema and is passionate about the history of the film industry. Reflecting that interest and his considerable knowledge, he hopes that Gunty’s War will take readers back to the Golden Age of pictures and inspire others to find out more about the world of cinema and films. Gunty’s War is his first book. He now lives in Egerton, outside Bolton, Greater Manchester with his wife, Janet. They have two girls and a boy, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Michael’s favourite film is The Best Years of Our Lives and his favourite actor, Claude Rains.

Life was difficult for Angela who grew up in ghetto-like poverty in the lush, beautiful land of Guyana. The strict religious, cultural discipline of patriarchs and matriarchs was the unwritten law; they decided children’s choices of partners and were always the ones calling the tune. Angela remembers in vivid terms her childhood and the abuse meted out to her and her mother by their drunken father. She recalls meeting her future husband while he was in the Army and how the relationship turned sour and into a tirade of frequent abuse, mentally and physically by a bully, a liar and a controller. His deviance to get what he wanted knew no limits. Her life after her bitter divorce is one of peace and contentment. In her retirement it has given her the chance to reflect on her continuing struggle against the odds. Her perseverance shines like a beacon. She has emerged a better person as a result.

Bisi is a novel that succinctly highlights the lifestyle and experience of African people but with special focus on a unique African girl who is able to override the common challenges often experienced by girls in this setting. The book traces the life experience one such African girl, named Bisi, from birth until she is joyfully married. Right from childhood, Bisi battles with the challenges of tradition that forbids girls from schooling, the challenge of poverty, the challenge of sexual harassment, the challenge of death, the challenge of HIV/AIDS and the challenge of girls succeeding in science and engineering courses. Miraculously, Bisi surmounts them all and achieves great success. Yes, Bisi is truly a unique African girl. There are lots you will learn from her experience. Read on.

In London’s East End, Perry Shoebottom, an ageing man working in Fish Island’s cooperage, finds himself stuck in a dreary way of life. Trapped in a loveless marriage to a jealous woman and father to a good-for-nothing son, Perry is dissatisfied. Everything is as it always has been, until one day at work, when he befriends a comely young woman named Valerie working in the cooperage’s canteen. When they discover Valerie is pregnant, Perry vows to help her raise her child. In order to ensure his wife, Edna, approves of the arrangement, they employ the help of his son, Callan, to act as the real father. While Perry, Valerie and Callan are living a lie to shield Edna from the truth, Perry has secrets of his own. An annual commitment in trips to the continent and a troubling source of income keep Perry comfortable, offering an escape from his unstimulating life on Fish Island. But secrets can’t stay hidden forever. Who is Perry Shoebottom? How far will he go to secure his own happiness, and where do his loyalties lie? Author James Leslie Payne lives in London Ontario Canada with his sweetheart Susan and a white retriever named Beau. After spending over forty years in the radio and television industry he took to telling stories. He has written The Clock, FEAR and now this, his third story, Shoebottom’s Deceit.

Justin is a talented college graduate who lost his way while dealing with depression and grief. Will he ever be able to open his eyes to the possibility of finding love while regaining his passion for architecture and travelling? Heidi always struggled to understand her messed up family. With an absent father, her brother in jail and her mother having yet another mental breakdown, she will find out that a family can be found in the most unexpected places. Wendy had a tragic childhood, but she learned to grow from it and became a good person whose main purpose in life is making others happy. With the help of her newfound friends, will she open her heart and learn to put her own happiness first? Michael is not a good guy and has never tried to be. He enjoys his ruthless approach to business, cutting people out of his life when they are no longer useful to him. What will happen when he finds someone who isn’t so easy to push away? Sarah came from a big loving family and being a mother has always been her dream. Now that she has what she wanted – a loving husband and three adorable kids – will she realise that it is okay to have more than one dream? After a tragic accident, five struggling patients find themselves sharing a hospital ward. They are as different as can be in every imaginable way but somehow unlikely friendships starts to grow between them. Fate is a funny thing but these five strangers soon learn that it’s best to give into it and follow the path life has thrown at you.

In this much requested sequel to ‘The Lights Came on For Marcia Duncan’, the family revelations continue to surprise all. Having capsized a rather dodgy boat and given birth in the middle of the River Ellis, Marcia Duncan did not greet parenthood with delight. Hampered by learning difficulties and immobility, our favourite character accepts the world as it is and tries her very best. With never-ending support from her best friend Molly, she has successfully, well almost, managed to raise her daughter Tanya into her eleventh year. Molly, however, is still harbouring dark secrets and as events unfold, these will inevitably surface, invading the blissful unawareness that prevents Marcia from seeing her friend as she truly is. It is here our story resumes, as life in the small terrace council house in Chalksbury bumbles along. One would say without incident, but, of course, as we all know Marcia and her accident-prone comical antics, this is just not going to happen!

A tale of nearly disastrous revelations from a barbaric past with the possibility of rectification through terrifying familial solutions. Planned revenge for past crimes comes from an unexpected source. The outcome is extreme but there is hope.