Clearwater

The author was born and raised in a traditional rural village in the most violently homophobic country on earth – Nigeria. His memoir tells a harrowing story – how he negotiated ostracism, imprisonment, homelessness, violence, extortion and intense persecution. But he is never a victim – drawing on his own spiritual and emotional resources, he overcomes. He seeks to understand the root causes of homophobia, providing fascinating insights into Igbo culture, history, spirituality and cosmology. Moving rapidly from one hair-raising experience to the next, the tight prose and action-packed narrative will keep the reader engaged until the end. At the same time the author provides hope to those facing persecution and violence, and who find themselves in similar situations.

Community Nursing Stories

An evocative memoir that paints a rich historical picture of life as a district nurse in a close-nit rural community setting in the mid-1970s and 80s. The author presents a fascinating set of memoirs that capture the essence of a district nurse at this time.

Presenting the challenges of coping with a young family to live and work as an outsider within a community, winning trust, and respect, whilst adapting to the challenges of working in a rural community, before days of central heating, mobile or in some circumstances house phones. The memoirs present a series of heart-warming, encounters, portraying a picture of a committed nurse, becoming a community champion and visionary pioneer in the development of much needed community services.

The stories of engagement with all-age community members present a strong historical context of the nursing role. In some ways very different to current nursing practice, reflecting the evolution of nursing and development of nursing, medical and technological knowledge to underpin the principles of knowledgeable, empowered, and informed practice.

Confessions of a Justified Hooker

Harrowingly honest and strangely uplifting, this is a courageous testimony written from the soul of a unique, if not peculiar, woman whose tale transcends political and legal struggles. So tragic, yet tremendously inspiring, her feats of strength take you into the dark heart of modern Britain that perhaps you have never seen before. It is a heartwarming fight of a gracious mother, desperate to get her son the medical care he so vitally needs, whilst his father seeks only to exploit him.

When faced with the greatest challenges of her life, she ventures a most ghastly and terrifying path to an uncertain future. There, her legion of clients become her unexpected support group. In them, she finds solace, exhilaration and, most importantly, healing. Rising from the ‘grime’ of Gorton, Manchester, Sandra breaks convention and rises into the sheets with the rich and powerful. Holding nothing back, the illicit encounters and rampant rendezvous, be they Premier League stars or Irish VIPs, all are weaved in. The layers of sacred promises, illicit secrecy and hidden intimacy are peeled back to reveal pleasure and purity. In the melting pot, her boudoir, those who have tasted her pleasures, become her story, her journey, her life…

Keep Calm and Kinky On.

Cooking up an Adventure in France

Having discovered new love, it was time for a new adventure…and what an adventure. Selling up and joining the many people who chose to relocate abroad, Miles and Bryony move to rural France and embark on the renovation of a cottage and barn. They strive to develop an unusual but creative and inspirational business in these pastures new. This book tells their story, it’s punctuated with delicious food and musical memories. An unexpected bittersweet historic story is uncovered early into their adventure. It's a feel-good read that sees the couple embrace the many challenges of day-to-day life, forge new strong and lasting friendships; together they strive forward with laughter and wonder throughout the seasons of their first year.

Coronation Baby

Born within weeks of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, Susie’s memoir tells a story of the fast-changing times: from her childhood in post-war Britain, through the horror of Kennedy’s assassination and the Cold War to the battles between trade unions and government in the early 1970s.  Highlighting changing attitudes and the breaking down of respectful society, her personal story is intertwined with the politics and events of the world at large.

For ordinary people, the grey world of the 1950s gave way to the colour and excitement of the 1960s. Television programmes began to reflect the social changes and attitudes of the times, bringing controversy, political scandal and realism into our living rooms. The trials, tribulations and excitement of being one of the first ‘teenagers’ is told with a striking honesty which allows the reader to elate in the author’s joys and share in her challenges.

Despite the changing times, the strict bonds of society were still in place for many young people, and suburban life and leisure were little changed. School, church and seaside holidays formed the backbone of most children’s lives. Those born in the 1950s, growing up in the ’60s and early ’70s enjoyed a golden age of opportunity, social mobility and optimism and believed in the power of society and the Welfare State.

Whether you were there or not, this story will bring to life that ‘golden age’ of British history.

Crossing the Bridges

At the turn of the twentieth century, Central and Eastern Europe was a configuration of nations dominated by three empires: Austrian, German and Russian, whose borders promised to be set in concrete. The Austrian Empire was a multi-ethnic entity of countries that had been absorbed over time. Among these were Polish lands annexed by Austria in the eighteenth century, which became the Austrian province of Galicia, where Zofia Neuhoff was born in 1905 into an upper-middle-class family. Victorian manners reigned supreme, young ladies were coached to gracefully alight from the carriage and ‘culture’ was a magic word, socially distinguishing people who possessed it from those who did not. That haute bourgeoisie morphed into the central-European intelligentsia.

Zofia’s childhood was upended by five years of WWI which she spent in the picturesque environs of Innsbruck. By 1918, the three imperishable empires disintegrated and several sovereign states emerged from the ruins. After the Neuhoffs returned to independent Poland, Zofia’s life continued on an even keel with a happy marriage and a law degree unusual for a woman in the 1930s. In September 1939, Poland was invaded by both Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. Overnight, Zofia’s existence was shattered. Alone, with an 18-month-old toddler, in the midst of mass arrests and deportations of civilian population, how could she cope with this new harsh reality for which her sheltered life had not prepared her?

Cycling 70 Years: Once World Champion

Join Gordon on a journey through the world of professional cycling, from following in the footsteps of Tom Simpson on a journey to Saint-Brieuc, Brittany, to building a successful financial services business and organizing popular training camps in Mallorca, which helped make the island the top destination for serious cyclists. Along the way, discover the amusing characters and incidents that defined Gordon’s career, as well as the challenges and triumphs of sponsorship and racing with one of the top amateur clubs in the country. Experience the thrill of home and away racing in countries like South Africa, where Gordon competed in the pre-Nelson Mandela era, and Russia, where he won the world championship. With a mix of cycling adventures and tourism, this book also takes you on a hilarious four-day pilgrimage ride from Albufeira to Fatima, culminating in a unique ceremony at the famous site. Through it all, you’ll get a unique glimpse into the world of cycling and the joys and challenges that come with it.

Dancing to the Beat of the Drum

Returning to her parents’ birthplace in 1994, Pamela Nomvete became a household name as Ntsiki Lukhele, “the bitch”, on a South African soap opera called Generations.

But the mirage of luxury and success in which she lived was just that, a mirage. Behind closed doors, she battled her husband’s infidelities, addiction, and spiritual confusion.

Dancing to the Beat of the Drum details the traumatic personal crisis Pamela went through as her success grew – a crisis which took everything she had worked for from

her – and how she came to re-evaluate her priorities and reconnect with the spiritual side of her life, something she had long neglected.

Dancing with Chaos

Dancing with Chaos is a memoir. It is an eclectic tale that centres around themes of mental illness and medicine, travel and the struggles of a single mother. The main character is raised in poverty and uncertainty by a single mother who suffers from schizophrenia. Later, as a vulnerable teenager, searching for love and acceptance, she finds nothing but heartache. Then, as a young adult, she begins to discover that the world is actually a fascinating and sometimes wonderful place. Heartaches resurface as the genetics of mental illness unfold.

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.

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.

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.