Dog's Conundrum

Dog has a problem. His beautiful world is in crisis – again! Should he let events take their course, or should he interfere?

This book is an invitation to see planet Earth through the eyes of Dog and Mother Nature, from the era of the dinosaurs, though times of plenty, to our current and future crises. Who’s to blame? Is it us? Is it them?

This magical read takes us on an insightful journey where individual stories from around the world blend and unfold as Dog’s intimate understanding of the big picture grows. Despite the gremlins, can humans recognise what it is really that matters? Will the warmth and humour of the sprites be strong enough to help people rediscover the wisdom in their souls when faced with fear of losing everything they hold dear… or will Mother Nature not be prepared to wait any longer?

The best and worst of human nature is exposed here. Our assumptions are challenged as this book digs deep into ideas which will resonate with many.

Dragon Times

Have you ever wondered if dragons are real?

Well, of course they are real. Just because you haven’t ever seen one, it doesn’t mean that dragons don’t exist. The sad truth is that there are not many left nowadays. In times gone by, we humans lived very happily with dragons by our sides. But times change; nothing stays the same for ever.

In extraordinary times, extraordinary things can happen. And these are most definitely extraordinary times. A dreadful virus is sweeping through the country – around the whole world, in fact – with consequences for us all.

But in these troubled times, siblings Alexander and Lily discover many positives as they embark on an adventure into the unknown. Along the way they find that lots of important lessons are not learned in school!

Dragon Times is a heart-warming, inspirational tale of generosity, resilience and hope. Definitely hope!

Dragons Out!

Learn about software testing in a fun way, by reading stories about dragons and knights. The book is a great read for children on their own, with their parents, or as an additional reading in schools. It is also for anyone who wants to know what software testing is, they will enjoy this book tremendously.

The book talks about adventures of two children, Laura and Tom, who tumble into dragons annoying villages and castles. They learn about different dragons and how to defeat them with the help of knights. The children grow into exceptional dragon experts.

Stories are explained in information technology and software testing terms and concepts, e.g. a dragon represents a software defect, and knights represent testers and developers. Reading parallels is an easy-to-understand way of learning.

In this book, Kari Kakkonen combines his passion into fantasy and software testing in a new and fascinating way, creating an enjoyable experience for the readers.

The book is suitable for ages of 9-99, although it is written for children.

“I love the idea of bringing testing and dragons together. Explaining testing ideas in this way is great for new testers to give them a broad idea of the depth of testing. The stories can sit on their own for children as well, and may encourage them to think about how they could test some of the apps they use.”

Janet Gregory, DragonFire Inc, co-author of three books on agile testing.

DwarrowDelve: Paths of Rock and Shadow

In a world where Light threatens to corrupt and conquer, Taithe, a prisoner, possesses something invaluable: a formidable sword. This relic lures enemies from every corner – human, Effelin, and Dwarf alike – all desperate to claim its power and conceal their betrayals. But amidst this chaos, dark magic rises, vying to curb Light’s dominance.

Rescued from the clutches of the malevolent Spite and on the brink of death, Taithe is transported to Dwarrowdelve, the fabled lost mine of Dwarvern legends. Here, alongside the fierce Effelin Caliphe and the legendary Tunnel-Hunters, The Styx, he confronts a multitude of foes, from vicious black wolves to lurking Orcs and other treacherous beings.

But the most insidious threat of all is the Imp who shadows Taithe, hungry for the stolen treasure. In the depths of Dwarrowdelve, alliances will be tested, loyalties forged, and a choice must be made: to stand with the Light or embrace the Rock and Shadows. The balance of the world teeters on this decision, with Spite’s freedom – and the potential downfall of all – in the balance. The true enemy isn’t always as it seems; will they discern it in time?

Ed’s Odyssey How I Met Buddha and the Aliens

As Ed's life took unexpected turns, he found himself on a journey towards a spiritual awakening. From his childhood in the West Country to adventures East, with challenges and triumphs over addiction, to encounters with angels, aliens, and mystical energies, Ed's story is a captivating tale of personal growth and transformation.

His experiences in the altered state and waking state, backed up by several neurological feedback sessions, made it a welcome truth, which would change his life forever. Follow Ed on his extraordinary journey as he chronicles it all in a journal, originally written, to be discovered by distant relatives in a dusty attic.

“Ed’s book bridges spiritual experience, neuroscience, and psychic phenomenon in a real-world, grounded way. I have seen Ed’s capacity to channel the psychic and it deserves the research Ed is leading” - Stuart Black, Managing Director of Brain Train UK

Epiphanies

Understanding life and its realities has always been difficult, not only for children but also for those who are considered as adults. Epiphanies is a collection of short stories that portrays challenges of life and illustrates how events can lead to some 'Aha' moments!

Events of an Ordinary Life

Events of an Ordinary Life is a collection of wide-ranging and wildly imaginative tales. The series is a mixture of fiction, supernatural fiction and true event stories that will keep you wanting more. You’ll find comedy, suspense and drama in a very enjoyable reading experience.

Ex-Cop

In London, 1989, the metropolitan police are dealing with the biggest drug crime. Drug problem is rising in the capital and it is up to them to stop these lowlife dealers from smuggling drugs in their city.

PC detective Barry Dermative is the expert when it comes to drugs criminals, however, although he works for the police, Barry does not obey the law. He takes his job seriously and has his mind on only one man; Maverick Loki, more commonly known as Loki.

Barry failed to catch Loki before and has hungered ever since like a wolf. But when he finally succeeds in the arrest, the tables totally turn for him and his life gets turned upside down.

After spending time behind bars, Barry feels hopeless and just full of regret. The only chance for him now is redemption as he gets requested from his close friend, Michelle, to go and help her son, Lucas; to stop him from following his own footsteps. Barry needs to stop Lucas from getting his life messed up by the drug gang, just like they ruined his!

Ex-Cop 2 - Secrets Are Only Made for Liars

In this thrilling novel set in 2007 at the Metropolitan Police, follow PC Lawson on a journey where his lifelong dream of catching a notorious villain comes true, but not in the way he expected. A real mystery unfolds as a lorry escapes the UK, leaving the police puzzled, suspecting that it may contain drugs. The ingenious story follows a cunning and wealthy villain who turns the tables on the Met by exploiting their own policies to humiliate them in front of the PSD, the public, the press, and the media. 

PC Lawson knows that catching this criminal will be no easy feat, and if the Met is to succeed, they must overcome their past, learn to forgive, and trust again. However, with the PSD and half of the force breathing down his neck, Lawson knows that the only person who can help him is someone he cannot afford to be associated with. It’s a huge risk, one that could cost him his life and his career, but he’s willing to take it. Follow along as Lawson navigates a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where the stakes are high and the consequences are dire.

Faerie Tale

When the forest fairies notice the changes in the forest, the Oracle declares that they must recover the four fairy treasures from the elemental fairies;

“The darkness that has grown for many years,
the terror that every fairy fears.
But with the fairies’ growing plight,
hope is returned by a single light.
One chance we have to correct this wrong,
this hope will need to grow strong.
Because if the four races cannot unite,
the one will fail in the final fight.
You will need the earth’s wisdom to have its say,
You will fail without a flame to guide your way,
You need the air’s knowledge that is kept
You will fail without the water’s emotional depth.
These four elements are needed for all fairies’ creation,
to twist them is the darkness’s motivation.
To stop it collect the Tuatha De Danann’s four treasures,
even though the darkness will try to stop these measures.”

The Oracle sees that Elizabeth is the only fairy with a chance. The Dark Fairy tries to thwart their friendship and collection of the treasures, even invading their dreams with pixie magic.

Meeting friends along the journey and gaining wisdom from the elemental races, Elizabeth learns the true meaning of being a fairy. Can Elizabeth and her friends collect the treasures, unite the races and defeat the dark fairy to save the forest?

Fake Love

Moving through the complexities of dating, Stella and her friends quickly realised that the online world was simply a revolving door of people coming and going.

It had become a collection of hopeful souls and artificial feelings, all competing for attention. Conversing with many, yet rarely sealing the deal; because in the blink of an eye it was all yesterday’s news, and there were fresh, new people to talk to instead.

Craving love, and being burnt by the fire, losing hope, losing themselves, and getting lost within the deep, dark caverns of this online world of desire.

The fickle nature of being just a number and waiting your turn; of broken promises and stretching the truth. The short-lived swipe-right, swipe-left world around them was no easy game to play. The virtual world was certainly not a place to become emotionally invested in.

As Stella takes a reminiscent walk down memory lane, the stories of her and her friends are discovered, each with their own complicated tales of love, hope, heartbreak, and regret.

Was there really such a thing as finding the one? Or was that all just a fantasy?

Fastovski's Tales of Hampstead

Imagine that Isaac Babel’s Cossacks wassail together with Runyonesque Liverpool Jews outside the plate-glass window of a Hampstead café where a Klezmer band is playing to a packed and tea-drinking congregation of jazzmen, Hasidic scholars, surrealists, old soldiers, and retired strippers; and you have the tone and temperature of this unique and unclassifiable memoir – no, not memoir, more a stream-of-consciousness novella – no, not a novella but a piece of autobiographical fiction – no, not autobiography but a picaresque drama conquered from the unreliable and fertile brain of the eponymous Fastovski.

And who is Fastovski? Is he real or invented? Is he perhaps the alter-ego of real-life jazz pianist, Klezmer swinger, big band leader and flaneur, Wallace Fields, who stares at us from the book’s frontispiece in shades, Diaghilev coat and moustache, over a cup of strong black coffee? Fastovski’s not telling and anyway, who cares.

This is a book to be devoured, disseminated, denounced, and delighted in. It belongs to all who think art and life are one and that the Arch-Savant of Canterbury, Issy Bonn, Rashid the Manic Berber Chef of NW3, and Mrs Karl Popper, have an equal claim on history. I haven’t had such a good time since I shared Sir Ralph Richardson’s motorbike with a parrot and a striking grandmother clock.

Piers Plowright
August 2008