Drawn to the Light

Drawn to the Light is a captivating memoir that chronicles the life of an empathic child born into a loving and psychic family. From the author’s birth, readers will follow her journey of discovering spirituality and finding her place in the spiritual world.

This book is a collection of powerful experiences, ranging from psychic and spiritual to the everyday moments that shape us into who we are. Through sharing her story, the author hopes to inspire others who are also on their spiritual path.

While the author’s spiritual journey began in earnest when she joined a Spiritual Development and Meditation Group in 2001, her growth has continued to flourish in the years since then. In this book, readers will find inspiration and guidance for their own spiritual journey.

With quotes from spiritual luminaries like Neale Donald Walsh and Natasha Hoffman, Drawn to the Light offers a unique perspective on the difference between religion and spirituality, and how finding one’s own spiritual truth can unite us all. This memoir is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of their own spiritual path.

Drawing Breath

A book of memories.

Growing up in the 1950s and 60s, childhood is peppered with untold freedom and strict codes of behaviour. There are fears of not being accepted, not conforming and for those suffering from gender dysphoria, there is nowhere to turn.

A convent education brings Jennifer intense friendships, unrequited love and tussles with belief and disbelief in a higher being. She finds diversion in play acting and searching for adventure in the role of her alter ego.

Emerging from the protective arms of a white middle class family, she confronts the harsh realities of life with a charismatic young man as her cicerone. After four years of teaching bring feelings of inadequacy, of not being up to the job and finding no place in heterosexual British society, Jennifer decides to start afresh and to leave England.

Don't Take Care, Take Risks

Having lost the love of my life and feeling my world had ended, I asked God, “Lord, is this all you have for my life?” and two weeks later, Canon Andrew White, the vicar of Baghdad, asked me to ring. I didn’t know him but I rang and he asked me if I had heard of Saddam Hussein and explained that the judge who sentenced him to death, minster of justice for Iraq, Mr Raouf was coming to Spires Hospital Southampton for an operation and God told him I was to host him and his family. I thought it was windup, but I was to find out it was true…and this began a journey and friendships that are still ongoing ten years later. Read the story and find out what happened.

Don't Push Me Out

In the depths of institutional bullying, resilience and fortitude are tested. Across the globe, in myriad professions, individuals face a silent struggle that can shatter confidence, well-being, and personal relationships. Yet, amidst the silent tears and the unspoken pain, there lies a compelling tale of courage and tenacity.

A manager’s duty extends beyond just running the workforce; it’s about leading with dignity, respecting the needs of the business, and valuing every individual under their care. While managers are human and imperfect, prejudice and discrimination have no place in the workplace. Every individual should be assessed based on their worth, integrity, and capabilities, ensuring no room for regret.

As you delve into this narrative, you may find yourself questioning my endurance and wondering how I confronted the adversities thrown my way. I remain eternally grateful for the strength, determination, and blessings that guided me through both personal and professional triumphs. This is my story, unfiltered and real, shedding light on a pervasive issue while offering hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Don't Go Into Town, Tonto!

Born just prior to the outbreak of World War II and inspired by his hero, a Captain of a firefighting vessel, the author joined the Royal Navy at 15 years of age, purely to experience the life at sea as told by his hero and the great wide mysterious world depicted in the Encyclopaedia.

Hugh shares the rigours of the training ship “Ganges”, the excitement of his first war ship in the Mediterranean and several other drafts including being present at the Cyprus Emergency and the infamous Suez Crisis. This was also the time of his coming of age, the pain of unrequited love and the bewildering initiation by an older woman who should have known better.

Life as a merchant seaman followed, expanding his horizons even further, eventually merging with the diaspora of eager sunseekers to Australia in 1963. Worked in a copper mine in Queensland before the sea beckoned once more. Then south to Tasmania and enjoyed a different sea life as a lobster fisherman.

The author shared many unexpected encounters with colourful characters and events which taught him life lessons in an entertaining, humorous and honest manner.

A lusty account of a young recalcitrant, desperate to become a worthy human.

Dolly Dudman - A Lady of Quality

Ida Grace Nina Dudman – known as Dolly to her family – was born when Queen Victoria was the Empress of India on 18^th December 1897 and died on Easter Sunday 1983. She was brought up like a little princess but suffered much tragedy and upheaval in her life – two world wars, the Indian independence struggle, partition and most of all her long separation from her great love although they did manage to be reunited after seventeen years apart.

Despite marrying a Muslim, she remained true to her upbringing and culture unlike many who completely lost their identity after marrying out of their own community.

She has no memorial, no gravestone, nothing. But this book is – hopefully – the assurance that she will never be forgotten.

Doctor in the World

Doctor in the World opens with personal experiences of the socialist NHS in England and Wales; in developing countries in Central America, Africa and East Asia; Medicare insurance schemes in Canada and Australia; then back to the NHS in its hybrid public/private and internal market form.

It is an anecdotal record of medical care in many different places around the world. A country’s government has an impact on the health of its people and so geopolitical backgrounds that affect medical services have been included.

Finally, the results of WHO and OECD surveys from many countries are compared against the background of phenomenal advances in modern medicine.

The stories of world health will interest anyone involved in medical care, anywhere in the world.

Do You Want the Shortcut or the Scenic Route?

Lucky or unlucky? – You decide!

This engaging book chronicles the true-life adventures, and misadventures, experienced by the author and his wife during their global travels that sometimes did not go to plan!

Readers will be entertained by a spectrum of stories including a rendezvous with an amorous Frenchman, a few scary moments in the presence of wild beasts, general holiday mishaps, hell raising motor journeys as well as floating holiday adventures, to name but a few. This page turning travel memoir will pull your emotions in all directions from ‘hysterics’ to ‘shock’.

The author strives to provide an accurate depiction of the events and the fascinating people the dynamic duo met along the way. All information is as accurate as possible and as such is based upon meticulous notes taken at the various times.

Do You Think it's a Good Idea?

My life has been a complex journey, and you may wonder at what point I was driven as a middle-aged woman to pack my bags, travel halfway across the world to China to teach English, not even speaking the native language, and all this right at the beginning of a pandemic. You may be correct in thinking perhaps I was insane. However, I was also opportunistic, hopeful, and somehow lost, chasing a dream to fill my soul.When my son, Callum, passed away in 2015 at the age of only 18, I was so destroyed that I could not see beyond my grief and inconceivable loss, and all of what life was and what I knew was shattered. I had no desire to wake each day. I withdrew for many years and focused on keeping my mind active and blocking out almost everything and everyone as a coping mechanism. I constantly worked, studied and gained numerous qualifications, facilitated volunteer programmes and established a foundation; all of this back-to-back in a short timeframe. I was consistently evolving, but I was exhausted, both mentally and emotionally; avoiding the grief took so much energy. With the loss of Callum and the path that I have been forced to walk upon, I discovered an innate desire and determination to travel to China and teach.Callum led me to all my achievements, and I hope that he will be proud of all that I have established. On my return to Australia, I decided to write this book and share the experience of my journey, which for the most part, was a challenge but also a heart-warming experience at times and one that taught me so much about resilience and strength. Being a foreigner in an unfamiliar country really opened my eyes to the challenges immigrants face and just how difficult it is to adjust. I hope you will read my story with an open heart, and I encourage you to step beyond your limitations and find your dream.

Disability & Me

“Never give up, raise your voice, so it’s heard and if you want something, go and get it. Define your own odds. And remember – “it’s not how long it takes you to get there – it’s about getting there in the end!””

Tyler’s Story is one of strength and resilience. Diagnosed at a young age with dyscalculia, dyslexia and hard of hearing, she faced bullies and unsupportive learning environments.

When she started work, despite all her achievements, people continued to try and bring her down. However, Tyler has come through the other side stronger than ever. Whatever life throws at her, she prevails, and her story will make you think twice about putting her in a box.

Death by Dementia

You have two extremely active individuals, mid-60s, looking to many more years of future travel, boating, loyal companionship and retirement. How things can change! Not feeling well in one instance, forgetting what one did with the car keys in the other.

A routine unconcerned visit to the GP, subsequent referral to a specialist and in 48 hours your life is in turmoil.

“You have dementia Mrs Mclean, it’s in the early stages and in your case the CT scans have identified Alzheimer’s. No, there is presently no cure.”

We then roll the dice once more. “You have a carcinoid tumour Mr Mclean. Its metastatic and barely noticeable. However, we have made an appointment for you to see a leading professor of oncology who may put you on trial for a new form of tumour suppressant.”

It’s the two words that everyone fears dementia and cancer.

This, therefore, is a deadly personal journey dealing with the many and varied implications of dementia. In this instance it meant caring for my best friend, confidant, advisor, lover and wife of 50 years, whilst fighting my own diagnosis.

Misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, misunderstood and often denied, this killer with no conscience, now mainstream, leaves but an empty shell as a memory.

If you know anyone with dementia, have been diagnosed in the early stages of dementia or if you are caring for a person with dementia, then you should definitely read this story of love, loyalty, passion and patience. A tale of never-ending belief in the future.

Dealing with a Head injury at Nine Years Old

After suffering a severe head injury at nine years old, Henry has embraced the difficulties of his condition. In this book, he depicts what it was like growing up between the ages of thirteen and twenty-five with a small learning disability. His quirky and bold writing style makes the reader engage their critical thinking, as they wonder whether he will win out in the end.

Unlike most memoir writers, Henry chooses not to end his story; he wonders if he will ever need an ending. Brain damage is a tricky topic and Henry certainly isn’t easy on himself. After reading his first-person account of waking up from a coma, the reader may wonder how he has been able to accomplish so much. In the end, and in the light of his parents’ support, Henry will never know how much his head Injury has really affected his life.