Oh Carole

This is a non-fiction love story with a tragic end, played out in the 1960s and 70s in Worcestershire, on the Hampshire-Surrey border, in the old county of Huntingdonshire and in Wiltshire.

On the way, the author sheds light on the Worcester of their courtship in the early 1960s with its pubs, coffee bars, new innovative Chinese and Indian restaurants, funfairs, a jazz club, concerts at the Gaumont Cinema and the Victor Sylvester Dance Studio free sessions on Friday nights, as well as the Cambridge of the mid-1970s and its noted resident Syd Barrett.

The author is not immune to getting sidetracked into waxing lyrical about his other main interests: music and cars.

Carole, with her quirky, childlike personality and lilting West Country banter, could turn any situation into a joyous, enchanting memory, and the author has tried to reflect this in her story. She had her own unique way of dealing with life’s challenges, like marriage, cooking, childbirth, motherhood, her husband’s “career moves” from one end of the country to the other, driving lessons, learning to swim, DIY, and being a parish councillor.

In meeting her final daunting challenge, she showed great fortitude, courage and consideration for others.

Engagement

Engagement is a biography/novel spanning two generations of a family bound by a shared commitment to improving the lives and livelihoods of poor families and communities in developing countries, though their paths differed greatly. The story opens with the meeting of Joan, an English artist and teacher, and Ion, an Irish magistrate and judge, at an official reception held in Kingston by the colonial Governor-General of Jamaica to celebrate the coronation of King George VI in 1937.

This introduction is followed by accounts of their lives and work in Jamaica, as well as the international commitments and complexities of their sons’ careers: one, a multicultural secular architect, scholar, and policy adviser; the other, a devoted evangelist and educational entrepreneur working with poor children in marginalized urban communities.

Rising from the Shadows

In this powerful and deeply personal memoir, Billy Smith shares the remarkable story of his spiritual awakening – a journey from the depths of depression to the light of faith. Struggling with feelings of hopelessness and a loss of purpose, Billy’s life was transformed when he embraced God’s love and guidance. Through his journey of healing and self-discovery, Billy learned that faith isn’t just a belief; it’s a source of strength, hope, and renewal.

As a devoted father and church volunteer, Billy now seeks to inspire others by sharing his testimony of overcoming life’s darkest moments. His story is a testament to the transformative power of love, forgiveness, and the belief that no one is beyond redemption. With honesty and vulnerability, Billy invites readers to reflect on their own lives, find their own spiritual path, and embrace the healing power of faith.

Rising From the Shadows is more than just a story, it’s a call to those who are searching for hope, those battling adversity, and those looking for a deeper connection with God. This memoir is a beacon of hope for anyone who believes that transformation is possible, no matter the obstacles.