Enter Others

Enter Others is a sequel to Enter Spice. The endearing characters of the novel are Toby (an Irish Wolfhound), Roxy (a Boxer), Princess (a Labrador), and Curly (a Poodle).

Their ‘coming out’, or revealing their talents, is through a television interview with an annoying interviewer who doesn’t like dogs, but the four dogs ‘get the better of him’.

They receive great praise from preventing the robbery attempts of two criminals, from rescuing trapped miners in a collapsed shaft in a coal mine, and from proving themselves to be extraordinary at a number of sports.

When Princess is injured by bullies, Toby and Roxy seek revenge, but at the last moment they decide that doing so would make them no better than the bullies themselves.

They begin to help people who are not as fortunate as others (the old, the disabled and prisoners), and learn an important lesson from Private, a homeless man who is not what he appears to be.

They are approached to be superheroes in an action movie, but the venture has a comical result, and teaches the dogs another lesson.

The conclusion to the ‘dog trilogy’ is a heart-warming ending to the growing status of dogs.

Driving Mister Crazy

While waiting for her Australian visa to arrive, Jane leaves Zimbabwe to spend a year in England caring for the eccentric Mr Hazey.

‘You have to wear a seatbelt, Mr Hazey, it’s the law.’

‘Well, I don’t.’

Jane is tempted to return to Africa immediately, but stubborn pride makes her linger, long enough to meet Dr Bower. An awkward attraction develops, and several colourful characters embark on the bumpy rollercoaster ride – an outdated stately home – haunted secret garden – hidden past and impossible love affair.

Dosser's Dreams

We all dream when we sleep. Whether you can remember your dreams is neither here nor there as we all daydream.

Both nocturnal dreams and daydreams are part of our mental health and how we see and interpret the world.

Dosser’s Dreams are about the dreams of Dosser, a fictional character that emanates from his dreams.

Coffee Time

The essence of a good writer is to find that ‘writer’s moment’ – that little piece of observable idiosyncratic behaviour where humour lives. How Susanna loves to discover those eccentricities in people’s characters that she can frame on her artist’s canvas.

Humour is found in the ordinary, the everyday, the awkward and the sublimely ridiculous events that grace our faces. When faced with the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020 Susanna’s pen had hardly time to rest between scenarios, furiously recording stories, such as the stupidity of the Tissue Issue – ‘Spare a Square,’ or about the sneaky company tricks in ‘Plays and Ploys’.

Other stories share precious family time with her little granddaughter, whilst many raise issues prevalent in all our lives. Instead of becoming exasperated by incompetence, or the folly of people’s foolishness, Susanna’s pen quickly slips into writing mode to create each immensely amusing saga.

‘That Perfect Little Writing Day’

Knock, knock.

“Who’s there?”

“Me,” a newly turned three-year-old gives her nanny a kiss.

“Where did you come from?”

“From the door.”

“How d’you get here?”

“I walked. Silly Nanny – I don’t drive!”

The stories and poems are written for entertainment. Coffee Time invites you into the coffee shop to sip one or more of the delicious brews on offer. Please stay a while and chat and share these little treasures with your family and friends.

Class Act

Biggsy is an idealistic 50-year-old English teacher in a West London boys’ secondary school. A maverick head of department who battled against the educational establishment for twenty-five years, he’s beginning to crack. His departmental colleagues love him, but he suspects that the school’s management team is out to get rid of him.

His wife, Myra, a medical secretary, is his mainstay. She patiently endures his total commitment to his calling without complaint. However, when she realises that his work is taking an inordinate emotional toll on his personality, her patience wears thin.

Through his exchanges with teenage Ella, their only child, Biggsy reveals his beliefs about the connections between literary theory and the lives we all lead. But a violent assault on one of his students, an unexpected sexual encounter and professional betrayal expose the flaws in his philosophy. He discovers that trying to think one’s way through life is all very well, but the time comes when one has to act. 

Cherries

The London Borough of North Wick hasn't got anything going for it till the Chief Executive of the Council makes some big plans.

She wants to put it on the map for all time, but her plans go awry with the help of the Urban Farm and the local street girls.

Mix into that a Russian oligarch and his plans for a take-over, and the metamorphosis by her downtrodden PA make this the cure reception of the century.

Bye-Bye, Inglaterra

In Bye Bye Inglaterra, Horace’s life is seemingly simple with only one daily decision to make - whether to walk or drive to work. However, this routine is about to be shattered when his bosses plot to get rid of him before selling the company for a hefty profit. Horace is completely blindsided when a sudden explosion rocks his world in the dead of night, leaving him and his wife Delia plunged into a sea of uncertainty and financial ruin. To many, Horace’s life would seem like a leisurely stroll through the park, but he had no idea what lay ahead as the gates of opportunity were about to slam shut on him. Follow Horace as he navigates the turbulent waters of unemployment and struggles to stay afloat in a world that has turned against him.

Bees Make Honey and Butterflies Make Jam

No princesses were harmed in the production of this book except on page 13.

A collection of funny, wicked, modern fairytales, full of princesses, aliens, church mice, buttonholes, frogs, the W.I., and lots of playful mischief — Tom Wells.

I laughed so much I spat out my tea
— Samantha Drummond-Hay.

An Alphabetical Menagerie

Are you baffled by the word "axolotl"? Do the words "unau" and "vicuña" mean nothing to you? If so, this book will enlighten you, and thanks to the illustrations, give you an idea of what they look like. It may also alert you, if you need alerting, to the threat to the existence of many species brought about by human activity.

The author wrote the verses originally to humour himself in the midst of the Covid pandemic, when he was obliged to self-isolate. Subsequently, he thought they might entertain his sister's grandchildren, or indeed anyone else's, especially if they (the verses, that is) were accompanied by illustrations. It is the author's hope, however, that the book will appeal to young and old alike. If the verses don't make you laugh or at least smile, the illustrations by Dave F. Smith should.

Oh, and by the way, just in case you don't know your alphabet, this book will provide you with ample opportunities to learn it.

A Cuban Affair and Other Short Stories

Starting with A Cuban Affair and Other Short Stories, the author skilfully relates his hilarious adventure on a 'R and R' location for Castro’s rebel forces.

The book's 23 stories are grouped in a way to keep the readers enthralled as they go on a journey of hilarious and bizarre experiences to exotic locations or share, under Viking Tales, the pioneering experiences of the UK and Norway rushing to develop North Sea oil.

But it doesn’t end there as the author unfolds further chaotic tales of woe happening on ‘his watch’.

These include;

• A misidentification situation with security forces at a major airport
• A key witness in a bank robbery
• The first game of golf
• Observations of a supermarket bag-packer

And many others.

Also included are two amusing letters written through the eyes of a young boy to Santa and the Prime Minister.

A word of warning to the reader. This book is best read on one’s own as outbursts of laughter might raise cause for concern from the casual onlooker.

14 Apartments

Lady Elizabeth Barrington-Elsworthy’s charred remains are discovered after her home, Barrington Hall, is burned to the ground. She was ‘the keeper’ of the infamous Barrington jewels and heirlooms and her untimely death means that their whereabouts are now unknown. It is believed they are hidden somewhere on the estate. The estate is closed. Years pass and then Cavendish House, a palatial building, now stands where Barrington Hall once stood.

The property is now divided into fourteen apartments. Cherishé Love lives in apartment 4. She discovers a book, ‘The History of Barrington Hall’, that references the missing heirlooms and also that a substantial reward is being offered by Lord Henry Barrington-Elsworthy if they are found. Cherishé and her best friend Sonia are determined to seek out the treasure but they are not alone - others are also keen to look for them.

So begins an hilarious journey where lies, deceit, betrayal and lust all have their part to play.