-
The Anemone Bowl
“If the inability to see other than that which you wish to see can be considered a kind of heaven, then presumably the inability to escape self-knowledge must be one version of hell.”
The ill-fated consequences of happenstance: Born into an English country village community in the 1950s, a young boy is led, through a series of events over which he in effect has little or no control, to take the life of a neighbour’s child, and subsequently his own. And this is the tale, if there can be any, of the subsequent accounting.
The book itself is set in an ever-mutating afterlife that also provides an interim existence before rebirth – an illusory world where, of necessity, it is in large part conveniently repressed memories that hold sway, and where for Eric (if we can suppose that to be his name), each step forward is also leading (with some level of perversity) to the truths of his own personal past transgressions.
-
The Armadillo
The book concerns the fate of an Armadillo sadly overcome by an earthquake in the Amazonian Jungle. On arrival at the Pearly Gates, he is weighed on the Heavenly Scales of Justice to determine his future in the hereafter. Astonishingly, the Scales remain in the neutral position. Never has this happened save for perhaps the Phoenix back in the time of Zeus.
How is the All-Wise to resolve this problem Destiny has set? Clearly a Holy Commission is required consisting of Angels of the Celestial Service. After extensive interrogation of the Armadillo about the living conditions in the Amazon Basin they decide they must go and see for themselves.
Will the Armadillo be admitted to the Everlasting Pastures of Heaven or consigned to the less agreeable environs of Outer Darkness?
-
The Bitterest PLC To Swallow
If you’ve ever worked in a pub, currently work in one, or simply have an interest in the history and evolution of pubs, Neil’s book is a must-read. In this insightful and entertaining memoir, Neil shares his experiences and observations about working in local estate pubs during a time when they were the heart and soul of their respective communities.
Through humorous anecdotes and blunt opinions, Neil highlights the many challenges faced by pub owners and workers in the modern era. From policies that leave him screaming to people who make him swear, Neil pulls no punches in his assessment of the pub industry.
The book also explores the transformation of local estate pubs into modern-day branded establishments, such as curry houses and convenience stores. Neil’s revelations are sure to surprise and shock readers, and may even cause them to question the value and quality of the food and drink they pay for in these establishments.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Neil takes readers on a trip down memory lane, revisiting the fun pubs of the 80s before they became bitter PLCs. Through Neil’s vivid storytelling, readers will laugh, cringe, and even taste the history of these once-beloved establishments.
In the end, Neil offers his take on what happened to pubs and what they have become. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and evolution of pubs, and may just make you think twice about where you choose to spend your hard-earned wages.
-
The Blighted Road
The Blighted Road is a 17th-century story of two women’s harrowing journeys through plague and a brutal witch-hunt. Orla, renowned healer and mid-wife in rural England, confronts stillbirths and a mysterious, deadly sickness afflicting her community. The local superstitious people suspect these sinister events are the actions of the Devil. Desperate for answers, Orla’s investigation into past plague outbreaks reveal a shocking correlation with the harvesting of blighted grain. Her revolutionary findings lead to accusations of witchcraft. Meanwhile, Abigail, a young Londoner faces the horror of life in the plague-ridden city. After losing her family to the Black Death, Abigail escapes the locked gates of London. She flees on the plague road to Salisbury, which is fraught with danger and despair.
The separate tales of these women weave in and out as they reach a time and place where they are united by grief, loss and an uncanny will to survive.
-
The Book of Shenanigans
Geoff is having a biblically bad day. For a start, his car gets written off and he loses his job at a call centre in Manchester. Then the Devil tells him he’s the Anti-Christ and unless he delivers the apocalypse, he’ll be tortured for eternity at a call centre in Hell. With the help of the Devil, his best friend, Rob, who turns out to be an infamous duke of Hell, and Mr Sox, a Hell hound trapped in a cat’s body, they are chased by the forces of good and that’s when all the fun starts…
The Book of Shenanigans is the word of God that is full of:
MORE Nuns with Guns MORE Talking Animals
MORE Decapitations MORE Cute Musical Satanists
MORE Cordless Drills MORE Evil Nazis
MORE Tea Drinking MORE Scary Stuff
IMPORTANT READING GUIDANCE
The following groups are strictly prohibited from reading The Book of Shenanigans:
British Royal Family Cancel Culture Cartel Members
Catholic Church Cats Folk Bands
Mexicans Norwegian Blue Nose Rabbits Nuns
Penguins Satanists Scots
Seal Pups Serial Killers Snowflakes
Swedes Unicorns Witches
-
The Broken King
Far from his home in the Kingdom of Ferinatia, Thorn continues his journey through the dying world of Elcina and the plan to bring the disunited realms and peoples together that he may guide them from the dying world into the safety of his own. With the kingdoms of Isthia and Taroth behind him, and the unexpected departure of the Ranee, Thorn enters the land of the Keegan nomads accompanied by the wolf pup Rark and the living crystal Lorak Ledel intent on finding a way to unify the tribes to his cause and find Princess Ranee who fled here after the destruction in Rata.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Varth prepares for their invasion of his world and his own kingdom. Secretly controlled by the Sorcerer Tarna, now emboldened by the murder of Thorn’s friend Penias, who was known as the Crown Prince Jarel Whitethorn. As Thorn enters the nomad lands, the Varthians stretch out their hand against the nomads and all other kingdoms and peoples who would stand against them, and their sorcerous leader.
-
The Caterpillar and the Butterfly
From Michael Rosenblum, the bestselling author of Happily Ever Always: A Guide to Personal Transformation, Security, Confidence, and Healthy Self, comes a debut book for beginning readers. This ageless story introduces us to a caterpillar named “Fear”. Fear is afraid of everything – the other critters who share the garden, lightning storms, being bullied and making new friends. A chance encounter with a wise butterfly named “Faith” helps Fear find the courage within to experience the world in a bolder and more joy-filled way. Rosenblum’s message for children is simple yet profound: fear is just faith turned inside out.
“Children will realize that changing fear to faith is up to them as they explore this magical story. Bravo, Michael Rosenblum!”
Dr. Kathleen Hagstrom
Principal
Walt Disney Magnet School
Chicago Public Schools
-
The Child Soldiers
Wherever you’re from, from whatever background or class, no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. The trauma and abuse I was brought up with from a young child has made me the person that I am today. It is like a branding iron put onto a developing mind. The scars you cannot see but dictate my every moment, others of you out there will know exactly what I mean. I hold no shame for what was done to me as a child. It has certainly given me more tolerance for other’s situations because of it. It has certainly made me more understanding. For all my adult life, I have suffered from mental health issues as a result. This itself has made me more empathetic with others. All these poems come from deep within. Some written from very dark places, others from hope and forgiveness, I’ve written many poems when I’ve had no one to talk to. Writing has always been there for me - it has always been my friend. Forgive those that hurt you for it will only harm you.
Love and good luck
Braveheart.
-
The Conscious Code
In an age where Artificial Intelligence (AI) evolves at a breakneck pace, the boundaries of machine capabilities are constantly being redefined. Propelled by advancements in deep learning and related technologies, AI is inching ever closer to mimicking human intellect. But can it achieve consciousness? And if so, at what cost to humanity?
This book delves deep into the multi-faceted debate surrounding artificially conscious AI. It untangles ethical quandaries, philosophical dilemmas, technological challenges, political considerations, and the regulatory landscape. By drawing connections between AI research, neuroscience, and cognitive science, the narrative provides a comprehensive understanding of what consciousness might mean in the context of AI.
As over a thousand AI luminaries globally sound the alarm, urging a pause on certain AI developments, the book underscores the urgency of its message. Recent incidents have spotlighted AI systems with capabilities so advanced that even their creators grapple to fully grasp or control them. It’s imperative, now more than ever, to critically assess the implications of AI consciousness, weighing its potential risks against its benefits. This book offers both a timely warning and a call to informed action.
-
The Continuing Adventures of Warty Willy and Pimples Pete
After accidentally interrupting a leadership ceremony being conducted by the magical but evil Treplicons, Willy is cursed to grow warts over all parts of his body. This brings on a source of embarrassment that leads him to despair.
He soon discovers that he must travel to the Treplicon realm to reverse the curse. Once they arrive in the beautiful magical world, Willy and his best friend Pete discover that the reversal of the curse is only half their task. They must overcome the powerful and soulless Swamp Spirit to save the land they have come to love.
This is a story for all ages that includes trials and tribulations, friendship, and love. It involves intriguing characters such as stone trolls, sabre eels, wood rats, rose warriors and many more.
-
The Crossingway
Strange things are happening to Howell. His mother disappears after a car crash in the mountains, and his uncle insists that only he, Howell, can find her. And what of the unknown Latino blind boy who rescues Howell from school bullies, the Haitian-Creole deaf girl stopping him from falling into a pit that magically appears in his bedroom, and the Native-American girl appearing in his town, accompanied by a large grey wolf? Howell’s uncle insists everything relates to Howell’s upcoming birthday and his need to journey through the Crossingway to complete the Transfer—whatever that is.
-
The De Molay Complex
The story begins with the main hero, Ben Arnold, when he is 11 years old. You see this young child on an almost suicidal mission. And after he loses his parents he is sent to the learning rooms, deep at the bottom of the De Molay complex; this is where all De Molay orphans are sent. There you see the other seven main characters within the Omega Squadron. The story then jumps forward 20 years. The now Hollywood heartthrob and chief director of the De Molay, U.S. Chapter, Ben Arnold, hears about the gruesome murders taking place in New York. And with his Omega unit, sets about stopping the monster. Army girl, Staff Sergeant Edwards, is on a mission in Mexico. And on her return, you then learn about the gateways all around America, which she uses in Florida. When she arrives back in New York, within minutes she stumbles upon a near-death situation for Ben Arnold within the gateway exit, where she goes on and saves his life. Later, a huge battle ensues at Lake Titicaca, on land and underwater between Ancient aliens, the U.S. Army, and an ancient religious order.