Flight to Freedom

The planning was complete, and the three girls started their once in a lifetime journey. It had taken a lot of planning, but not as much as was needed later. It all started off so well but left Deb in a filthy cell with nothing to do but count the cockroaches, which there were many, the fetid water she was given gave her stomach cramps.

Then Dad arrived… but how?

He grabbed her quickly and pulled her near the door to unlock the hand and ankle cuffs that secured her. She sighed so he did not need to check her pulse. He managed to lift her onto his shoulder, noticing how light she was – a bonus in a way – as he managed to move quickly across the road. He quickly retrieved his bow and disappeared into the bushes, managing to trip only twice and never enough to floor him. Can they get away for good?

Flora and Fauna Part 1

This is one of a series of stories about the great Orme goats in Llandudno. On 31 March 2020, a group of 122 Kashmiri goats captured the world’s attention on social media and television, and from the United States of America to Australia, when they came down off the mountain and into the streets of Llandudno, eating all the shrubs and plants in people’s gardens. Some of the homeowners and businesses moved them on, but most people let them be and filmed or photographed them.

The world press was in attendance on 14 September 2021 during a five-hour rescue mission by the RSPCA, coastguards and Conwy council trying to rescue 15 stranded goats from Austin’s rock, but unfortunately, one was killed.

On 8 February 2022 police were called to an incident when fighting Kashmiri goats locked horns in an Asda car park causing chaos and gridlock.

Sometimes the goats disrupted traffic wherever they went, but fair play to the motorists, they gave the goats a wide berth as they roamed the streets in search of food.

Because of the pandemic and the lack of people and holidaymakers, they knew they would be safe.

Even now, in 2022, people from all over the world are still coming to Llandudno especially to see the goats.

Florence the Christmas Cat

Florence the cat was upset at being left alone over the Christmas Holiday, until Santa came down the chimney and persuaded Florence to spend Christmas Eve helping him to deliver all the children’s presents. On the way they discovered a very sad letter from a boy called Harry. Harry recently had to go and live with his dad and his dad’s new family and was not happy. So Santa and Florence collected Harry to join them on their journey.

Just after they set off, the shooting stars erupted and upturned Santa’s sleigh! Harry and Florence were sent flying through the air, only to land in a country neither of them had heard of before. They befriended Malik and his sister Aaral, who lived on the streets. Harry was stunned when he realised how Malik and Aaral survived and he began to feel ashamed of his behaviour at home and at school, and realised that he did in fact have a good life compared to his two new brave friends. The three children were then kidnapped by the Deputies, who sold children to adults in foreign countries. Will Florence rescue them in time?

Flotsam and Jetsam

Phil Wilson is an ageing saxophone player who washed up in the Ocean Breeze caravan park, like flotsam left on the beach after a storm. Even for those somewhat on the margins of the good society, life can be pleasant. Phil and his fellow caravan park renters thought so.

But life throws a series of curveballs and they can give in or fight back. They will need to navigate the testing waters of interpersonal relationships, bureaucracy, and the unpatrolled worlds of online communities.

Set on the Surf Coast in Victoria, the novel is a wry study of male mateship and the challenges of friendship and relationships.

Floxy the Mermaid

This is the tale of a kind little mermaid called Floxy who is very upset that her fourth birthday party has been cancelled because of the ‘coral virus’.

One day, to cheer herself up, she swims out to the rusty old anchor and discovers a poor turtle trapped underneath a rock.

The story unfolds, and just like a birthday present, it is all wrapped up, this time in a soft seaweed blanket of kindness, selflessness and love.

Flying Used to Be Fun

Civil aviation has changed out of all recognition over the period during which the author was involved. In many ways it is now far safer than it used to be. In the early sixties, majority of flights were conducted in piston engine aircrafts and many were tail draggers i.e. you would have entered at the back of the aircraft and then struggled uphill towards your own seat. Turbine power soon took over and planes not only became faster but could climb higher, which usually produced a smoother flight.

By the mid-sixties, jets were being introduced. They were even faster and flew still higher, once more increasing passenger comfort as more of the rougher weather was left below. Along with this, airfields were being expanded to cope with ever-increasing passenger numbers. For many years the government had no money to pay for updating navigational aids including safe landing systems. Appropriate radar coverage for air traffic controllers was hindered by lack of funds. Aircraft manufacturers improved the reliability of the aircraft they produced and engines were also being developed with far greater power to increase safety standards for both airfield performance and speed during the cruise.

This is the story of a life lived across many different eras of aviation.

Food, Sex, Respect

In a post apocalyptic world, there’s no idealism. You’re down to the bare essentials. Food and water. Safety and survival. Everyone is starving, desperate. 

If you can’t defend yourself, you die. But also, if you don’t protect your family, you die.

The selfish do not survive.

Suffering from traumatic amnesia, a man struggles to relearn the rules of the desolate earth and not be a burden to his family as they fight to survive in the remnants of a dead planet. Monsters and robots roam the surface, few of them friendly.

Can he protect his family from the survivors of the end of the world?

Can he master his mental state and be the hero that humanity needs?

For Goodness' Sake, Let's Talk Sugar

An enlightening guide and refreshing approach to sugar. This book, scientifically backed and complete with infographics born of decades of research and experience, aspires to inform both professionals and lay people alike on the controversial topic of sugar in health and nutrition, debunking common fearmongering myths in the process. It:

- answers that important question of what you need to know about sugar

- poses and then answers the question – what is the connection between sugar and energy?

- reveals the answer to that all-important question – what does a teaspoon of sugar weigh and how many calories/kilojoules does it contain?

- discusses the important role of leftovers

- explains how to read the food label of common drinks and foods containing sugar

- identifies the connection between atmospheric carbon dioxide and sugars

- suggests the important information on how to lose and maintain weight. What is the sugar-free diet?

- informs about the power of marketing of sugar-containing foods

- answers the questions you have always wanted to ask but didn’t know where to go.

For Redder

Harry Larsen’s boyhood in post-war Sydney is marred by the death of his Danish father. With the loss of their breadwinner, Harry and his mother move to a new life in the country in New South Wales. He takes with them an old biscuit tin containing letters and items left by his father. The letters, in a language he cannot understand, and the words ‘For redder’ levelled in anger at his father, become posers that the Harry seeks to solve. The adult Harry learns of his mother’s death while employed as an engineer on a copper mine on the island of Bouganville, a mine that is increasingly opposed by the islanders. Returning to Australia for his mother’s funeral he decides to give up his life as an engineer and go to Denmark to find the truth of his father’s wartime activities; to his resistance to the German occupation of his country. For Harry it is a journey of discovery to find the family that he has not known and, ultimately, to love.

“A debut novel of a boy raised in Sydney to the adult who seeks to find the truth of his father’s participation in resistance to German occupied Denmark.”

Foraging

She can be found anywhere – sitting in a café, walking along a rocky beach, cramped in coach class, or bored at her desk. Heartbroken and lonely, she seeks solace, another chance, and redemption in snippets of words, phrases, and puzzling rhymes. These missives to others capture her passions, grief, and bubbly glee. Her mind fades in and out at these moments, almost drunkenly grabbing any napkin to jot down cryptic notes in pencil or pen before folding it haphazardly and shoving it into her wallet.

Years later, she retrieves these tattered memos and in the quiet of early morning coffee or late evening wine, she writes, drafts, edits, and trims, perfecting the feelings, capturing the place, time, and emotions that were almost lost.

Forbidden Love 2

Six years later, Carmine Basie continues having recurring cryptic lucid visions while trapped in a paradox of dreams, unable to distinguish between reality or fantasy when he awakens. Meanwhile, Renata Moreau from his past life haunts him in his sleep reciting her unconditional love that they once shared, begging Carmine to persist with life. Whereas Renee Roberts continues holding her cards close to her chest, further prolonging the prospect of her awakening to finding out the truth. Will Renee be convinced? Alternatively, will Carmine run out of time?

Forest Friends

In a world where creatures are judged by their size and species, Kao stands out. Despite being a towering grizzly bear, his heart is as tender as a cub’s. Born to be a symbol of fear and power, Kao struggles to find his place. How can one make friends when mere appearances send others fleeing in terror? As Kao embarks on a journey away from his family, he hopes to find not only adventure but also a path to becoming the bear he truly desires to be.

In the second story, a boy named Bobby faces daily bullying, but his dreary life changes when a mysterious old woman named Martha comes to his rescue, chasing his tormentors away with a pistol. As Bobby is welcomed into Martha’s peculiar home, he discovers her secret past as a globetrotting spy. Through dress-up games and swapping stories, these new friends find joy, purpose, and the courage to face life’s obstacles.

This charming collection reminds readers that kindness and bravery can be found in the most unlikely of hearts. Suitable for middle grade readers.