Apok

Set in 1991 against the prelude to war in Croatia, Apok is a dystopian view of an imperfect world on the brink, as seen through the eyes of the equally imperfect hero sent to save it. For he is the ultimate psychopath, a formidable, soon-to-be-invincible, death machine, an anomaly which science thought impossible yet which religion had always prophesied. Who said the next messiah would be from heaven and that the second coming hasn’t already happened? And what if the battle for humankind’s survival is just about to begin? 

Apok is a thought-provoking horror-fantasy, an exhilarating tour de force of forbidden taboos and crippling addiction. It is the stuff of nightmares, a roller coaster ride through the darkest recesses of the human psyche, where demons and monsters from twilight dimensions rip your dreams apart. It takes you through the pain barrier to places none of us want to go but are still curious to explore despite the terror. Apok is about humanity’s failings and how our species is heading for oblivion; it is about one man’s incredible journey and his audacious plan to put things right. 

As the plan unfolds, Apok travels through the horrors of a damaged mind and how humankind must first suffer in order to survive. The plan to spread the madness that drives men to do evil things; his mission to wage war on everyone and everything. For his mantra is ‘take no prisoners, dispense death to all and spare no one!’ Apok is the dawn of Hell on Earth ...

Apollonia

A storm is heading towards the city of Apollonia, and it is not just the bad weather. It is on horseback and in the shape of the Flock invaders. Being led by a man of mystery, the invaders are not necessarily there to break down the fabled walls, but can the Apollonians be convinced of the newcomer’s intentions?

The usual problems persist within Apollonia; lack of jobs, high taxes, trade deals along with an unpredictable monarch who has taken a fancy to making his mark in history. Sorvus, the last mage of Apollonia, is eager to save the city from the invaders but if he could not save the king’s wife, can he be relied upon to help save the city? A killer is on the loose but could he be the answer to stopping the onslaught by the Flock or even trusted?

Amongst all the chaos is a young boy called Tius, who just is after adventure with his friends but ends up getting more than he bargained for.

Approach by Stealth

It’s 1942 and a fleet of German mini-submarines are loose in the Mediterranean wreaking havoc on Allied shipping, sinking urgently required supplies destined for Malta and Alexandria and the new invasion beachhead in Algeria, thus jeopardising the squeezing of Rommel out of North Africa.

Awaiting an ETA regarding a large American convoy, they are re-arming and refuelling at their base in Vichy France near the Spanish border.

Can the British commandos en route in motor gunboats reach the port in time to destroy the vessels or will they fall foul from information supplied by a suspected spy at the War Office in London and die like so many Special Operations Executives, agents and resistance fighters in various recent missions?

Perhaps the best chance of success lies with S.O.E.’s secretly arranged mission involving their French agent Pierre Duvalle, seconded to a special boat section of the Royal Marines and transferred by submarine to within striking distance with five experienced and lethally efficient men of that elite force. Three two-man folboat canoes would see them to their target.

But what does the informer in London know? Will Duvalle, who has a very sad and personal reason to see him exposed, find a chink in the spy’s armour?

As I Rhymember It!

This little volume of poems and short stories is an absolute gem. It is the first time these writers have cooperated on a work published in the UK; they are already both published in Europe.

The mix of verse and stories makes it easy for the reader to pause and reflect, when required. The theme is “relationships” remembered and “Rhymembered” with plenty of poetic licence. Relationships in all their forms, noble, spiritual, sensual, and sexual. The wanting, the chasing, the capture, the high-octane climaxes, and all that follows. Sadly, sometimes abject failure and painful defeat.

All human emotion is here, raw, and unexpurgated. The twist is the way the authors decide to treat their subject. Doom and gloom play no part in this work. It’s light, wry, and lively throughout. As I Rhymember It! uses wit to smooth and sooth the many emotional extremes.

But this is no bedroom expose. The “action” takes place in a variety of settings as diverse as, a golf club AGM, a travelling Victorian circus big top, a suburban restaurant, and a European shopping Mall.

For an ever-changing backdrop, to the ever-changing world of human relationships, look no further than, As I Rhymember It! by Finbar Hanaghan, from the original ideas of Barry Thomas Harris.

Assorted Musings

If you enjoy a varied reading covering a variety of topics, some contemporary and some older, then this could well appeal to you. It is far removed from traditional romantic poetry. Nevertheless, it provides thought provoking material. There is something for everyone in this eclectic potpourri of reflective musings. Enjoy it at your leisure!

Astral Empire

In the 1^st century AD, Rome is a superpower with a vast empire, countless military victories and numerous enemies. But it is about to face its greatest threat yet: an invading species from another galaxy, known as the Hagrans.

This race of beings has been observing Earth for decades and is more advanced than any adversary Rome has ever encountered. With their eyes set on eventually claiming Earth as their prize, they invade Rome and enslave its citizens, using them to transform the city into a Hagran capital, with the intent of decimating all the humans on Earth once they have fulfilled their purpose.

But the Hagrans underestimated the resolve and ingenuity of their prey. Now the fate of Rome and of the world, lies with an unlikely hero: an ordinary blacksmith, named Gannicus.

Blending science-fiction, historical fact and inventive creativity, Astral Empire is a thrilling, action-packed saga that will take you on a wild journey to brave new worlds.

Astrid Book II: Good people do bad things

Astrid has been through ten years of fighting, ten years of killing, and is exhausted. She doubts whether she now even has the strength to fight any more but is desperate to find a way to bring the conflict to an end.Her country is sophisticated and technologically advanced but is bordered to the north by a belligerent dictatorship that has made threats of war. She was an actress and had been filming on the day an unprovoked attack took place; she witnessed friends being killed, and on that day, she gave up her dreams and became a nurse. However, another incident a couple of years later changed her, and she joined the military and became an assassin. She now uses her acting skills to move through enemy territory becoming different characters to avoid detection, blending in and hiding in plain sight.Then an enemy general becomes aware of her and pursues her as she makes her way out. Will she survive?

Astrid Book III: The Early Missions

Astrid Peterman is fighting with regular forces and has already shown herself to be a skilled fighter, driven in her desire to push back the invaders and seek revenge. She proves herself and is taken on by Captain DeSalva to become an assassin. She must further prove herself as a young woman in a male-dominated world. She decides that she will have no red lines, and nothing will be off limits when she is on a mission.

Riedel enters the enemy country as a deep cover spy, easily able to pass himself off as a native, and whose sole mission is to find out what the wonder weapon is.

Brigit Malaya, the enemy officer also has to prove herself, not only by fighting against her enemies, but in fighting against the deep-rooted misogyny in her country that devalues women. She works her way up through the ranks by virtue of brutal combat and is hardened by it; her ambition overriding her humanity, and all the while she is unaware that she is being watched and admired by the country’s dictator.

Astrid Book I: War Changes People

In her youth, Astrid had dreamt of becoming an actress. But once war breaks out, she gives up her dreams to fight for her country. She retains her acting skills and uses them to her advantage, and she will do absolutely anything to ensure the success of her missions.The war has degenerated into regular small skirmishes, but her commanders know that there will inevitably be a major assault that will overwhelm them. The only thing that is keeping the onslaught at bay is a policy of assassinating those enemy officers who show talent.But an enemy general has become aware of Astrid and is determined to stop her.

At Night, the Lanterns Cry

As the relentless war draws to a close, Oulyia’s fate hangs in the balance. With one final chance to repel the Covenant and save their land from the invading hordes, Oulyia rallies its last remaining army. But what if they fail? The weight of uncertainty looms heavy as their ultimate destiny teeters on the brink.

Pesan understands the slim odds and the painful reality that he was denied the chance to join the fight, unlike his brother. Yet, regardless of the war’s outcome, he knows he cannot remain with a family that neglects him and life itself. As the war for Oulyia nears its conclusion, Pesan’s own journey is about to unfold, with its own trials and tribulations.

In the gripping narrative of At Night, the Lanterns Cry, the ceaseless escalation of conflict unveils the profound impact of rulers’ pursuits on nations and their people. Allegiances are tested, friendships strained, and ideologies challenged as the characters navigate a world pushed to its limits. Prepare for an enthralling tale where the stakes are high, and the consequences of personal ambitions reverberate through the lives of nations.

Au Revoir, Mate!

My name is Dougay Roberre. My passport reads: Douglas Roberts. I don’t think either is real. At age three, my parents fled France to go into witness protection. I grew up in Sydney, Australia, among the sun, the sand, and the surf. As I neared forty, I had a yearning to discover my French roots, selling my Bondi Beach apartment and buying an attic apartment in Nice on the Cote d’Azur. I can speak French, though not read nor write it. I can use my fists – as a teenager I was taught to box. Without academic qualifications, I take whatever employment comes my way. I am a man for hire. I looked to where the car had stopped. On the footpath was a dark form – a non geometric shape. Curiosity aroused, I crossed to it. It was a person. I turned the body over and she moaned, “Don’t phone the police. Don’t phone the police.”

Audrey

‘Hello?’

‘I bet anything that you are pacing up and down right now, thinking of excuses to cancel on me tonight. Am I right?’ It’s Veronica. Audrey looks out the window as if expecting to see Veronica with a pair of binoculars.

‘No!’ Audrey is not at all surprised at how well Veronica knows her.

‘Great, pick you up in fifteen, babe. Mwah.’

Audrey Mills resides in New York City, The Parkway, a grand old building that has become home for Audrey, for almost four years. Known to be somewhat of a recluse, Audrey works at a small florist just a few blocks from where she lives, and except for a few close friends, she generally prefers to keep to herself, spending most of her spare time reading and playing her grandmother’s piano.

As Audrey stands there, mesmerised by the intricacy of the artwork, she is entirely unaware that a stealthy William has walked up behind her.

With his eyes fixated on her flawless profile, William allows several moments to pass before deciding to announce his presence.