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The Emigrant’s Return
The gripping tale of a less than innocent – yet far from guilty – man unfolds as fifty-year old Pat Donaldson returns to Ireland, the land of his birth. Framed and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, he finds himself the unwitting victim of Dublin’s most ruthless drug baron, a man who acts with impunity from behind a shield of propriety, all the while aided from a cabal of corruption.
All seems lost for Pat until one sole glimmering light of hope, in the form of a young and honest guardian of the law, breaks through the seemingly impenetrable mantle of fate to secretly champion his cause. Good deeds and intentions must combine perfectly with the finesse of legal machinations to triumph over what, on the face of it, seems to be the perfect stooge caught in the perfect set-up.
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Life Blood
Life Blood, written by a renowned leukaemia physician, tells unforgettable stories of his leukaemia patients’ battles to be cured but also uniquely describes the stresses that doctors face when looking after extremely ill young people during an extraordinary time in their lives.
In reflecting on his long and illustrious career, Professor Marks’ memoir offers frank descriptions of his own medical family, some personal experiences of ill-health and his relationships with colleagues and patients in the NHS. Partly written during the Covid pandemic and as he approached retirement, Life Blood offers highly informed and compassionate views on modern medicine, from a pivotal point in both the author’s own professional life and the history of healthcare.
Uniquely, through these real-life stories, we enter the world of the leukaemia patient, to understand what it is like to be diagnosed and treated for a life-threatening yet frequently curable cancer. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or ALL was the first cancer to be consistently cured in children and is a model for much of modern cancer therapy given that more than half of us will develop cancer in our lifetime. Looking to the future we read of Nitya, whose treatment-refractory leukaemia was cured by CAR T cells, a modern immunotherapy using genetically modified white blood cells, which is now being adapted to treat breast, lung and colon cancer.
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Things We Do for Love
The moment Meg’s closest and only friend was abused and abducted; her mind changed gears.
Alone and physically weakened in a Spanish speaking country, she had to harness who and whatever to fight the overwhelming enemy.
Sacrifices had to be made.
The question is, would that be enough to save her loved ones?
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Flowers of the Demon Lord
Space pilot Milton Brown’s journey takes a perilous turn when he touches down in the blistering desert of planet Pangolin, his ship laden with metric bananas – a curious cargo that fuels his addiction to a drug causing devastating amnesia. Amidst his struggles with a smoking habit and haunting depression, Milton’s path crosses with Rashalika, the High Demonlord, who intriguingly sees potential in Milton for his mystical cult.
As Milton is thrust into a fierce power struggle, he finds himself between Quesha, the ruthless High Demonlady, and Rashalika, who, despite his quest for dominance over the interplanetary portals, aspires to reach the ethical pinnacle of the garden of Sequa.
Torn between affections for the sentient mechoid Karen, whose own mission to extract his rare DNA evolves into something tender, and the enchanting Demonlady Carmelia, wielding a hypnotic flute, Milton faces choices that transcend realms. As the narrative unfolds, Milton must navigate a labyrinth of love, loyalty, and identity – where the heart’s direction is as mysterious as the stars themselves.
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Held by a Thread
What was your experience of art in school? Was it all doilies, cheap paint, and crusty brushes? Or was it better than that but you still wondered why it seemed to be the runt of the educational litter. In this humorous, engaging, and thought-provoking book, Anna Cutler, a leading figure in art education, takes you on a journey through her personal experiences and reflections on the value of art in schools. By the end you’ll come to realise that the stakes are surprisingly high for the social, emotional, and intellectual development of our children. It is an impassioned plea to nourish, within and beyond schools, the one resource that will never run out: the human capacity to create.
“Engagingly informal and on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, this wise and witty book can be absorbed quite effortlessly in one sitting. It leaves you with the sense that you’ve enjoyed one-on-one tuition from the favourite teacher you never had.” Dr Shane Kinghorn, Manchester Metropolitan University.
“I learned a great deal reading this book and laughed in all the right places. It is a powerful, persuasive ‘Call to Arts’.” Andrew McGuinness, author.
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From Lagos to London
From Lagos to London: An African Immigrant’s Guide to Property Prosperity charts a remarkable journey of resilience and triumph. In this captivating memoir, Funmi Anu Bankole takes us on a rollercoaster ride through her life, from the highs of success in the competitive world of real estate to the devastating lows brought on by the global financial crisis of 2007/2008.
Through personal anecdotes and invaluable insights, Funmi reveals the secrets to her incredible bounce-back story. She reveals how she transformed her three-bedroom house into a thriving residential care home for vulnerable individuals and provides a wealth of resources and advice for anyone looking to follow in her footsteps. Whether you dream of entering the property market with a limited deposit or aspire to start a domiciliary care agency, Funmi’s wisdom and experience will guide you every step of the way. This moving and empowering memoir is a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs, immigrants, and anyone facing adversity on their path to success. Funmi’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the boundless potential within each and everyone of us. Her story is proof that recovery is not a matter of chance but a result of proven principles that anyone can apply for transformative, demonstrable results. Beyond property and business insights, Funmi delves into the impact of mental health on entrepreneurs, helping readers to discover their true selves and unlock their full potential. From Lagos to London is more than just a guide to property investing; it’s a compelling narrative of resilience, hope, and the unwavering belief that no setback is insurmountable. Funmi’s journey will leave you inspired and motivated to pursue your own path to prosperity.
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The Tale of a Tale
The Tale of a Tale is a companion to The Tale of a Hip (published 2018). It expands on the theme of taking up ballroom dancing seriously in middle age, and the problem of misaligned bones, a limiting factor in many aspects of Pamela’s life, leading ultimately to hip replacement. Despite difficulties, she and John go on to take professional exams in both ballroom and Latin American dancing, and teach for more than twenty years, offering the joy, companionship, and relief from worldly cares they have experienced themselves to a large number of people.
A second strand of the book follows major current events, notably Brexit and COVID-19, and shows an old person’s take on social change, and the march of technology. Controversial issues related to equality and diversity are explored from a then-and-now perspective, with humour, and respect.
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Four Seasons with the Poppets
As with any enduring fairy tale, children will want to listen to Four Seasons with the Poppets again and again, to revisit the charming world of the Poppets. The seasonal stories speak to a child’s senses, describing picturesque scenes. In spring, how pretty the forest looked when the flowers were in bloom; in summer, the animals would come visit to hear Margie’s and Millie’s songs; in fall, gathering pine cones for Mother Poppet’s fires; in winter, ‘The roasted acorn smelled just like Christmas dinner should smell.’
Throughout the story are life lessons: appreciation for and conservation of the world around them, inclusion and encouragement of others, teamwork, and neighbourliness. Children are comforted, learning about the continuity of the seasons. “When Father Poppet saw how the sun made the frozen creek look like a sparkling white path, he decided to whittle ice skates for the children next spring, out of soft green wood, that would dry and harden in time for Christmas next winter.”
When children use their imagination, it develops their ability to problem solve.
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Humanity and Human Sexuality: The Origin and Nature of Sexual Preference
In Humanity and Human Sexuality: The Origin and Nature of Sexual Preference, Dr. Kevin Franklin embarks on an extraordinary exploration of the human being, of mind, and their potential. Delving deep into themes of confusion and disorder, he unveils how a ‘trickster-mind’ can hinder an individual’s true potential for life and freedom. Drawing from his own profound experiences of childhood psychosis, which once seemed to destine him for a life overshadowed by schizophrenia and the threat of early suicide, Dr. Franklin defies expectations.
This book ventures beyond traditional boundaries to examine the metaphysical aspects of psychological order, offering a unique perspective on the often-misunderstood concepts of societal and psychological disorders. Dr. Franklin’s insights extend into a scientific demonstration of the innate origins and nature of both heterosexual and homosexual preferences.
Humanity and Human Sexuality: The Origin and Nature of Sexual Preference illuminates various fields - Philosophy, Religion, History, Science, Society, and Psychology - offering a revolutionary viewpoint on these disciplines. It challenges long-held beliefs and misconceptions, particularly in the realms of sexual identity, the gender and transgender discussion, and the complex relationship between religion and science.
Structured in two parts, the book first deconstructs the mythology of sexual identity, before reconstructing a comprehensive understanding of human sexuality. It seeks to resolve some of humanity’s most pressing issues: the lack of human compassion, the intricacies of gender identity, and the historical tensions between religious beliefs and scientific understanding. This book is an essential read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the origins and nature of sexual preference and identity, and the broader implications for society.
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Elements of a Better Life
It’s undeniable – our world is transforming at breakneck speed, propelled by the digital revolution into uncharted territory. The relentless influx of stimuli and information we now face daily is unprecedented and overwhelming. But do we fully grasp the impacts?
Human brains evolved for a very different world, wired to prize stability and conserve resources. Yet today, we confront a constant assault of inputs and disruptions that our neurology struggles to process. People compulsively check devices everywhere – the gym, work, meals, bedtime – bombarding already taxed neuronal capacity with TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram and more.
“What I see in practice, as a brain specialist is fatigue, muscle pain sensations in neck-shoulders resulting in headache, memory and concentration weakness, fears, anxiousness and sadness, and the complete inability to relax. We are always switched ‘on’.”
- Erik MatserBut there is hope. Buried beneath the strain lies a simple truth – you don’t have to be perfect to have an amazing brain. The real superpower now is calmness and control over your personal pace. What others do pales next to what you choose for healthy function.
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Sixteen Chickens on a Trampoline
Faye Lippitt is a journalist who found her inspiration in the happy chaos that enveloped their home as she and her husband raised their six children. The six arrived in eight years, sometimes arriving two by two, which made for interesting times.
This book is a series of snapshots of the family at their home in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. It is also about choices. As Faye puts it, when chaos rains, your response is your choice. Laugh? Cringe? Cry? Laughter feels a whole lot better.
It’s the author’s hope that busy parents will steal five minutes of the day to read one of the stories, and another five to write their own in the back pages of the book. For time flies, and memories fade and the things our children do and say are crazy enough and precious enough to keep forever.
Faye, and her husband Greg, now live in the Caribbean and are blessed with enough grandchildren to keep the laughter coming.
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Sindibad and the Time Machine
Sindibad, a seasoned explorer with a relentless thirst for knowledge, has sailed seas and navigated the stars in pursuit of adventure. Yet, nothing in his previous seven voyages could prepare him for the enigma looming on the horizon – a monstrous creature unlike anything he’s ever encountered.
When his ship meets a disastrous end, Sindibad finds himself plunged into the unknown depths, only to be swallowed whole by the very creature that intrigued him. But within this gargantuan beast, a greater surprise awaits: he’s not alone. Encountering an alien being, Sindibad realizes he’s on the cusp of his most extraordinary journey yet.
Having faced and overcome countless challenges before, Sindibad is no stranger to peril. But as he confronts the mysteries of futuristic creatures, extraterrestrial beings, and the twists of time travel, even he might be out of his depth. Dive into Sindibad’s eighth, and perhaps most incredible, adventure!