Empire Close

Empire Close unfolds in a quaint cul-de-sac of six 1950s detached houses in a mid-sized English commuter town, where Ted has always felt part of a close-knit community.As 1997 dawns, Ted, now retired and wheelchair-bound, reflects on the past 45 years in Empire Close. He fondly remembers a time when a strong British identity was the hallmark of the neighbourhood, a trait he held dear. However, he’s witnessed a gradual transformation that leaves him feeling isolated and nostalgic.With the death of the last original neighbour, Ted grapples with the reality that he may be the last ‘true’ Brit left. His internal struggle is profound, as he wrestles with his beliefs and identity, yet never fully confronting their deeper implications.An unexpected turn of events dramatically upsets Ted’s world, challenging him to confront both his past and his future. This journey of self-discovery brings Ted to a pivotal crossroads, where he must reconcile his past actions with their unforeseen impact on his life.The story navigates the complexities of identity, community, and change, leaving readers to ponder André Malraux’s notion: ‘When man faces destiny, destiny ends and man comes into his own.’ As the narrative unfolds, Ted’s journey towards understanding his destiny and himself takes intriguing turns, leading to a thought-provoking conclusion.

Greeted by Kindness

Can you always trust Kindness?The ghost writer of her autobiography thought so. The government that made her Lady Kindness and its minister thought so too.Kindness definitely believed it, but fact checking left some big questions unanswered. Whatever Kindness believed, it does matter that you are who you say you are.

The Top Valley Enigma

In The Top Valley Enigma, a tale unfolds of a wealthy American conservationist whose solitary and zealous nature leads him to Australia. Motivated by the discovery of ancient human remains and the threat of a new coal mine, his journey takes a turn when he meets a businesswoman from the United States in Melbourne. Their shared interests spark an unexpected partnership, and together they embark on a captivating adventure.

Their journey is marked by serene yachting days and a mesmerizing visit to the Great Barrier Reef, experiences that deepen their bond and become pivotal in their lives. The duo aligns with local conservationists and discovers a cattle farm that is crucial to their quest, revealing significant archaeological finds of early human life.

Meanwhile, the shadows of a complex past, including a major share trading deal, lurk behind the American conservationist. As their mission to thwart the coal mine gains momentum, they become entwined in a web of past endeavors in conservation. This ignites a wave of revenge from individuals with long memories, profoundly impacted by his previous actions. The Top Valley Enigma masterfully weaves a story of archaeological discovery, environmental activism, and the intricate play of human connections and past deeds.

The Smallest Show on Earth

From the 60s through to the present day Patrick Church has worked in the cinema from Peterborough through to Bury St Edmunds. In The Smallest Show on Earth he takes us through that experience in an autobiography that draws the reader into the trials and joys of a being a projectionist screening blockbusters like ‘Jaws' and a curious period of Indian films where half the time is spent splicing the films back together.The role of projectionist was always a low paid, but with the advent of TV and bingo and other demands on people's time it also became a precarious one as the decades rolled by. Sometimes Patrick had to plead his case as cinemas changed hands from ABC, to Odeon and bingo conglomerates, just to keep his job going and the buildings in operation. The fact that he succeeded is testament to his love for cinema and this passion shines through in this engaging book.

The Pleasure Cats of Nova Playa

The Pleasure Cats of Nova Playa is a story of sex, drugs, alcohol, violence and techno music. Set in the fictional sun soaked Mediterranean resort of Playa Nova where underground, under town, cats mirror the excesses of the sunseekers above. Into this bustling, vibrant underground city arrives the beautiful Napoleona, a charming and cunning cat with a past, but with her eyes fixed squarely on the future, and in particular the coming winter. In the summer the cats feast and party, but the cold desolate winter threatens to thin them out. She encounters new dangers, especially Count Luciano, the second in command to King Louie, gangsters with pretensions of nobility. The pursuit of power and pleasure seems to have no bounds in this subterranean city. How far will Napoleona go to ensure the party never ends?

The Painting

Using a shoreline for the book’s landscape, The Painting is about re-emergence from a crisis of confidence. It uses the metaphor of a young water-skiing artist painting his life with his beliefs, inspired by a muse. All ages will enjoy identifying with the insight into peer connections and society, reflecting on the wrecked confidence that is pieced back together in reinventing ourselves. Younger readers will appreciate the colourful symbols littered throughout the story for the simple pleasure of reading unpredictable sentences assembled to meet needs not satisfied by daily conversation. This is entertainment sympathetic to the journey of self-healing. Every word has been carefully chosen for its sound, shape (and colour!) which can be interpreted in ways that are as individual as those reading it. 

Starting To Shrink

Douglas Barker is a young doctor who starts work as a psychiatrist in Scotland in the 1980s. The job is fascinating, but he soon falls out with his grandiose consultant, Dr Burlington. A patient accuses Douglas of having sex with her, and backed by Dr Burlington, this complaint goes to the General Medical Council. He is called to a hearing in London, where his career hangs in the balance.

Sex in the Shires

Journalist and single mum, Rebecca Pearce is clever, sexy and sharp and on the lookout for a man. But there’s a snag. Life in the shires is dullsville.com with no decent guys in sight. On offer is Charles Smythe-Bothum Wethem. He’s loaded, but a complete DUD – as in dull, ugly and desperate. Or Mervin Purvis. He’s an amorous, overweight “spam man” she meets on a blind date as a decoy for her married friend Delia who’s bedding his cousin, Toy Boy.“He’s got nice eyes,” says Delia.“Yes,” replies Rebecca, “for a walrus.”Life revs up when she goes speed dating and meets Tor, but there’s a hitch as she clocks her ex, Jake, drooling over her friend Konnie. Meanwhile, hunky Australian, Scott Henderson, walks into her office and invites her to cover a juicy scandal, arousing more than her journalistic instincts. Rebecca is set on a course to create emotional havoc and social upheaval as she tries to decide which man is ‘the one’ – or if she really needs a man at all.

Invisible Ink

London lawyer Max Rivers has it all - a burgeoning career, a beautiful girlfriend, an exclusive address - but he harbours a long-buried secret that threatens to destroy his carefully constructed world.Invisible Ink is a mesmerising novel of guilt, loss and betrayal within a family - of sibling jealousy that threatens to run out of control, a mother's life all-but forgotten through the fog of dementia and a son who longs to, but cannot, escape his past. Pippa Kelly's haunting debut offers a deft exploration of the complex emotions hidden beneath the surface of our lives; drawing its readers into Max's story and leading them, step by careful step, towards its inevitable dénouement.

Chae Always the Wee Hero - Well We'll See

Set in 1827 England, Untitled follows the exploits of young Lissa Hughes and Miles Johnson as they both discover truths about their pasts previously hidden. From their first meeting, they find themselves embroiled in striving to bring down a consortium of smugglers with the aid of family and friends that brings them all to the attention of Britain's master of spies. As they journey between Paris and London, they become deeper embroiled in this effort to protect the nation and between the lies, secrets, near-death experiences and a pitched battle, Miles seeks to claim what is rightfully his: the title of viscount.

A Game of Consequences

Miles 'Tiger' O'Toole, the bank's new Chief Executive, is determined to make his mark. He unleashes a roller coaster expansion drive where profit targets are everything, and no prisoners taken. Ethical standards go out the window. It's time for customers, staff and shareholders to buckle their safety belts.As tensions mount, his steadfast deputy Des Peters realises he faces a stark choice. Should he remain loyal to his employers, or wave goodbye to his rewarding career?Narrated with humour and wry observation by an experienced former investment banker, A Game of Consequences is an engrossing contemporary exploration of organisational power, greed, and corruption.

Yaad, the Girl With No History

It’s 1987. Namo, the politically active bookseller, is preparing to save his marriage after his wife left to stay at her mum’s after an argument. Nazdar is at home, preparing for her wedding which will be taking place in her home village the next day. Friba, the pregnant Peshmerga, is on her way to the city’s hospital, together with her husband. They don’t know one another, but destiny will bring them together.

Sarwar Joanroy follows the fates of these people from the moment their daily lives are interrupted and they end up in the desert.

The novel is a journey through the black pages of the history of the Kurds in Iraq, before the invasion of the United States. Yaad, the girl with no history makes you face the facts about what Saddam Hussein’s regime did to the country and its citizens. It makes you understand why this country is still in turmoil, even today. Sarwar Joanroy based the events in his book on true events, some of which he experienced himself.

Yaad, the girl with no history is a story that is as moving as it is fascinating and educational.