The Midnight Mannequins and Other Stories

The Mother of My Children

In the early 1990s, within the fictional town of Mahogany, India, a tale of love, family, and personal transformation unfolds. Adam’s adoration for his wife, Mary, knows no bounds, leading him to embark on a remarkable endeavor—a book dedicated to her. But this is no ordinary love story; it delves into Mary’s evolution from cherished wife to the irreplaceable mother of their children. What could have influenced this humble woman from a small town to elicit such profound devotion?

The Mother of My Children weaves a captivating narrative set against the backdrop of tragedy, survival, and the unyielding spirit of an ordinary woman who refused to abandon those she held dear. Adam’s heartfelt words paint a vivid portrait of a woman who, faced with unimaginable challenges, became a beacon of hope for her family. This evocative tale celebrates the power of love and resilience, inviting readers to contemplate the transformative influence of an unassuming woman who defied societal norms and discovered strength through unwavering devotion.

The Mysterious Robbery of Big Ben

The Mysterious Robbery of Big Ben is a fantasy story. The king from a mysterious planet called Oxon had a dream of being in London and saw the Big Ben and loved this great clock. He tried to build a similar great clock. However, his architect couldn’t build such things. The king launched a contest to reward anyone who could make his dream project come true. But no one came forward to fulfil his dreams. Until, when the king was so desperate he received a mysterious letter from an unknown sender by promising to him that he could make his dream come true. But on one condition: to marry his only daughter, the Princess of Light. Finally, a young man called Winn Blitzzer presented himself before the king promised to him that he could steal the great clock the king needed in the City of London on planet Earth, it was the only way to get it. The king thought that is was a joke and fanciful idea. He said to the mysterious young man to go ahead, if he could achieve his promises. Finally, Winn Blitzzer came to steal the world’s most famous clock on New Year’s Eve in London. The mysterious disappearance of Big Ben that would leave the UK and the whole world in shock, without any explanation of how this unthinkable thing had happened without anyone seeing anything…

The Noggins of Kendrick

Aimed at teenagers, this is a romping, fast-moving story of friendship, love, loyalty, fortitude and courage. Swashbuckling heroes, dastardly villains, man-eating rats and brave youngsters take part in this compelling adventure, as matters of life and death are tackled and resolved on both land and sea.

Set around the seventeenth century, the story begins with the noggins, a colony of diminutive people (six centimetres in height) inhabiting tunnel homes beneath a large grove of ancient oak trees in the mythical kingdom of Kendrick.

On many levels this narrative contains lessons for us all. It deals with the darkest of motives to the more joyful and playful aspects of life. We see how social marginalisation can be overcome by peer support and, above all, how loyalty, trust and friendship can prevail against the darkest of forces.

The Padre was a Hooker

The commandment “Thou shalt not kill,” would seem to make it unlikely that a committed Christian would ever choose to pursue a career in the armed forces, where killing the enemy is, at the very least, a real possibility.

Becoming an army chaplain might well be seen as an even more astonishing choice for someone seeking to serve God.

And yet, the British armed forces have had chaplains since the beginning of warfare itself. Men and women from the traditional established churches who accompany the troops into the very face of the foe, seeking to care for the spiritual and moral welfare of the troops.

Despite all the changes in the society and warfare, the decrease in church attendance and the weakening of the spiritual profile of our nation, military leaders still want a padre to accompany them into action.

For 40 years, Stephen Blakey was one of these padres. With humour and insight, he shares the joys and the struggles of being the ‘man of God’ amongst what is sometime a pretty ungodly community.

The Perfect Fit

Have you ever wondered what a hermit crab goes through when his old shell is too small or is broken? Just remember, the grass isn’t always greener.
Follow Hermie in his adventures as he searches high and low for a new home and fingers crossed he finds his perfect fit.

The Playground Hero

The Playground Hero is a story about a school boy named Jack who doesn’t have any friends. It explores the hurtful feelings of being lonely, isolated and bullied. This book explores the huge positive impact that one child can have on another child’s life through a simple act of kindness. It is a call to action for children to make a positive difference in another child’s life through inclusion. It is a perfect example of modelling to children the actions underpinning the words: ‘be kind’.

The Power of Being Known: A Heart-Centered Journey Connecting to Self, Earth, Lineage, and Love

The heart’s technology is more advanced than a cell phone and is the first organ to be created while you’re in your mother’s womb - chosen to be first for a Divine reason.   Connecting to the heart daily is the key to gaining access to the truth, wisdom, love, and healing you are worthy of receiving.

To know yourself begins by knowing that you are one cell, one of many, and together, co-create your heart and entire Being. 

Choosing to know yourself from deep within and allowing yourself to be known opens the heart to be seen, loved, heard, felt, and supported in the present moment– which means you get to experience the richness of life wholeheartedly.

 This book shines light on what’s been hidden underneath the surface and gently leads you on an inner exploration for you to feel safe and empowered to alchemize fears, integrate a new way of Being, embody the truth and power of who you are, and love your Self (your cells) from the inside-out. 

This book can be read over and over again to support you in every phase of your heart-centered journey.

So, let’s begin!

Be still, feel, ask, listen, breathe, receive,

and know.

– Dr. Sofia Costa

The Power Of Rhyme

Lee knew the answer to his dad’s medical condition was somehow connected to the bedtime stories he had read to him. Now he and Lyndsay had made it back safely from the deserted island with the help of Mother Nature and one of the trade winds they were on the brink of solving the mystery. All they have to do is return to the moon and outwit Titch, the troublesome witch, with the help of Mervin the Magic Moose and Desmond the Duck.

The Professional Approach to Sculpting the Human Figure

The Professional Approach to Sculpting The Human Figure is the first book by Andrew Sinclair MRSS SWAC, recognised as a master of world-class figurative sculpture.
It is based on Andrew’s ground-breaking Sinclair Method, as taught at The Sculpture School, which completely transforms the building and creation of Contemporary Realist sculpture. This method is revolutionising the approach to sculpture, also acting as a powerful source of knowledge, enabling students searching for excellence to become professional masters of their art.
This book deals with the foundations of good figurative sculpture and offers a profound understanding of measurement, anatomy, design and composition in an easy to understand format that will inspire established sculptors and beginners alike.
So if you want to raise your game and lift your sculpture talents to a professional level – this book is dynamite! Consider it food for the sculptural soul.

The Queen Of The Geraticaian Empire

With the two parallel worlds of Geratica - Geratica and Geraticai - now finally separated, Geratica has a new constitution drafted by the brilliant young Alexandra Radcliffe. Her mother, Linda, is now aiming to become their first prime minister. She is determined to bring in reforms and will need to deal with the continuing issue of male rights. Alexandra is graduating from Castra University and will shortly be embarking upon plans for her own career, which Linda is keen to be involved in.

Meanwhile, Geraticai has returned to a monarchy after its recent bloody civil war, with Queen Saphron now reigning and married to Gordon, the son of a wealthy mine owner. However to be a Geratician monarch with her Geratican noble origins is controversial amongst some on that world, and her sister in law, an ambitious young woman called Christabel, aims to take the throne for herself. Geraticai now has a parliament for the first time and a prime minister, Daniella Sturridge.

At the same time the now officially deceased mongrel, Fiona, whose mind still lives on mixed with that of the other, Robert - Linda Radcliffe's former husband - as a hybrid inside the mistress of Geratica's domain, is plotting to avenge her situation by manipulating unrest on Geratica, and now sees an opportunity to infiltrate and adapt Christabel's plans for her own sinister purposes...

The Questions Put by Jesus

Questions are revealing. It is exciting, therefore, in this book to study not only how Jesus’ use of questions characterises his ministry and his style of teaching, but also how those questions reveal his train of thought as events unfold, and what they reveal about him as a person in relation to himself, his neighbour, his environment, and God. This book engages with the milieu and the different Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life. It examines 108 of his questions in some detail together with their parallels, amounting to 299 questions in all. It explores Jesus’ use of questions to promote his teaching and ministry and sometimes, more aggressively, to defend his disciples or discomfort and discredit his critics and opponents.

Hopefully, being alive to the questions put by Jesus and even wondering, perhaps, how we might answer some of them, helps to sharpen our personal beliefs.