All in Good Time

‘I sit and write poems for minutes not hours, whether sitting in traffic or hiding from showers’ typifies the urge to express my poetry and verse, inspired by feeling, thoughts and everyday life. Words from the heart to those that just have me laughing through each and every line, I trust in sharing an anthology that you will read over and over again, to share with those around you, from young to old alike. Poetry both emotional and entertaining, romantic and in tribute, are words and thoughts that readers will resonate with and most of all enjoy.

All Show Off

OK, if I’m completely honest, since I’ve been quite ill just before my half-century, at the end of 2016, I realised that I hadn’t ever got around to passing on the stories of my childhood to my children; that cluster of experiences and characters from my past that have “helped” me become the person that their father is today.   

Memories of a childhood in late 60s and 70s Llanelli is considered within, though they’ll possibly be of no consequence to others, I hope that my girls find them of interest. This entanglement of belonging and of being are what has made me who I am and how I am. 

I’ve never written a book before, though I’ve created one many times and at many stages of my life in my head. English is not even my mother tongue. Welsh has and always will be more comfortable for me, though I’ll try to make Dr Martin Rhys, my English teacher, who I both revered and feared at Ysgol y Strade, proud.

The childhood memories noted here are true from my perspective. Any factual mistakes are there because that’s how I remember them happening. None of the content is aimed at upsetting anyone, but I’m sure it will. “Que sera, sera,” as Myngu Norman used to say. 

I’ve kept some personal stuff out, which if included, would create a fuss and shadow all my recollections. I’ve lived with them long enough as it is, though they may surface unintentionally in my writing. 

Enjoy the reading, and enjoy the memories – I’ve enjoyed organising them into some sort of order, so that my children may understand why I am as I am, and for people that know me to have the option of crossing the road when they see me heading towards them!

Lastly, after you’ve read the book, consider this quote from Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) in his memoirs The Summing Up in 1938:  “There is an impression abroad that everyone has it in him to write one book; but if by this is implied a good book then the impression is false”.

All That I Am, All That I Could Be… Is Enough

A delightful book full of inspiration to help nurture and strengthen children’s self-belief, determination, and empathy.
A celebration of what makes us each unique and how we all are amazing on the inside and out.
We are all meant to be here.

All the Rage

Dust from a broom, spray from a can, a pillow from a bed, twigs from a tree and fish from a stream all combine to make the most outlandish hairstyle ever seen. Join Willow and her Mother on a ‘hair-raising’ afternoon full of imagination and make-believe.

All the Young Dudes

Question: What do you get when you cross a not-so-lovable rogue with an uptight lawyer and throw a little Elvis into the mix?

Answer: A thoroughly ripping page-turner of a yarn and a permanent residency in Heartbreak Hotel. Ellie Russell could certainly be forgiven for thinking somebody up there doesn’t like her. Laugh with her, cry with her – be very glad you’re not her!

Alliance

What happens when humans discover that they are not alone in the vastness of the Universe?
Theodore Newsome’s space cadet training is abruptly cut short not far from completion. That is one of the first consequences. He is thrown in at the deep end along with three of his fellow space cadets. It is a deep end that could be bottomless.
Contact with aliens was not meant to be like this, especially as a threat to an alien race could soon become a threat to the human race.

Allie the Alligator Gets Anxious

Allie feels strange when she is asked to go to the water park with her friend. She is unsure of new experiences and feels scared, worried and confused. Her mother tells her this is anxiety. See if Allie is able to use new skills to overcome her anxiety and try new things!

This book includes a parent and therapist companion with activities to help children overcome their anxieties.

Almost Down to Earth

In this fable for our times, feisty M’bali Hoyle has returned to the town of her youthful disgrace. 

Will tiny, isolated Quimbleton take her to its heart this time?
Two glamorous visitors drop into her world just as she meets ex-rock star Hayes.
Only M’bali sees the dark threat behind their glitzy facades.

How can she convince Hayes and the starstruck locals, a cast of rural eccentrics, that her intuition is right?

Can she draw them all more or less together when danger strikes?

With a dry wit, the narrator observes the foibles of human nature as the reader is launched into a twisting, turning adventure with the future of life on Earth at its core.

Alone Against the Ocean

This novel is a fictional story. The idea for it was in my mind for a long time during my night watches on the bridge when I sailed as an officer, chief mate and captain. The question was, if I remain alone on the vessel in the middle of the ocean, can I bring it alone to a safe landing? However, to be alone, something must have happened to all the other crew members. What if all this happened – not in the present when I have enough experience as a captain, but as a cadet on my first voyage – and not only did I have to solve technical problems but also survive after the vessel was attacked by pirates? Can somebody solve all these problems and more psychological ones that appear due to loneliness and disappointment when the vessel is not found by the maritime authorities? Will the main character Răzvan Mândrescu be able to solve all these problems and save his life, the vessel and its cargo? You can find out if he succeeded or not by reading the captivating story Alone Against the Ocean.

Also Known as Redemption

Gabby stole Calvin’s heart from the first moment that he saw her, without even speaking a word. He just knew. But he had no clue of how to truly become significant in her life. His antics left him out cold and out of a job. But now he is back. Now, he is ready. 

Meanwhile, Greta has married her man, is finally pregnant with their much anticipated first child and seemingly is on track to her happily ever after. Little does she know; devastation is lurking in the shadows. 

Me? Well, I think I am always okay. Sure, my superman is here. But I also know not to get too comfortable. My life has never been simple. But am I willing to fight for the best love I have ever known? And if I must fight for it, is it even worth it?

My girls and I, “The Three Gs”, continue to strive for our friendship, sisterhood, strength, independence and love. Yet each of us are facing a degree of difficulty that is exceedingly overwhelming.

Alucard

Emery is no ordinary teenage girl. She is the result of two gods that weren’t meant to fall in love, who were forbidden to love. She is the daughter of Goddess Indie Jones and the devil himself, Jethro Mist.

Emery’s life is far from ordinary. With people out to kill her, school bullies and living in the underworld, she has enough to worry about without him: her parted soul, her star-crossed lover, Tyler. He consumes her every thought and her body desires him in every way, yet he couldn’t care less.

Always There for You

This story delicately deals with the idea of separation anxiety in children. The story depicts how a mother handles the gentlest feelings of her little boy during separation anxiety. Their beautiful conversation about the butterfly is an engaging tale that helps the little boy understand that no matter where he goes his mother will always be there for him.