Philosophical Muse and Stuff 'n' Nonsense

Stephen Peter Oldham is relatively new to the poetry scene. In his first book, he explores the issues facing ‘Modern Man’ through poetry, muse and stories in his original style of ‘Real Fiction’. Stephen examines issues facing humanity at this time as diverse as the family unit, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health, creation and revelations of prophesy! In this unique book, there are many questions raised which may one day lead to the ultimate question. Who are we and just what is it that we are supposed to be doing here! Take your time and enjoy his rhymes or read more purposeful perhaps. Designed to entertain, Philosophical Muse will certainly make you ask questions!

Persistent

People are affected by the good times and the bad times in their life. This has always been the case. However, when we go through acutely intense emotional experiences, as some people do, are we truly aware of how we’ve been affected? Or do we try to mitigate the effect of the experience? Do we perhaps consciously disassociate from the experience? In this, the second novel in the series, we learn more of the story of Michael’s life as we get to follow him through certain very intense experiences that change him over the course of his life. Most of the time, Michael is not aware of how much he has changed and who he has become. Michael’s life is a fascinating look at how his mind interprets his changes so they are acceptable. Follow along with Michael as he lives his life.

Pajama Stories: Volume 2

New York’s Secret Society of 31 Platinum Grills takes a turn for the worse after Providence, the top lady DJ, is kidnapped by the jealous twins in the Secret Society. The once superb and exclusive secret society for amateur DJs has now been tainted with death, jealousy and kidnapping. Providence, better known as Lady Lucina, becomes the newest member to the Secret Society of 31 Platinum Grills for amateur DJs. She is excited after receiving a phone call from the founder, DJ Calm, who has just notified her that she is the first female to ever get voted into the secret society. Little does she know that some of the society members are jealous and unenthused by DJ Calm’s decision to vote a female into the organisation, especially since Providence has just received a ten-thousand cheque during her first performance. 

Our Perfect Place

The story begins when David Ashby comes home on a weekend pass, he is a Captain in the Army. He finds his home bombed and his two children in the care of an ARP Warden at the side of the road. Shirley, his wife, arrives. She had been to meet the children from school due to the air raid. David takes his family to his parents’ farm in Dorset. The story is both happy and sad but they love their life in the village, a perfect place.

Onvoy: A Tale of Pain

A tale of a world at the brink of falling apart being abruptly thrust into a new beginning – life changes forever. Our hero finds a mysterious and powerful sword, something that amplifies his own emotions immensely, engaging them into physical manifests of a devastating heat that scorches everything, even himself. With so much hate, loss and sorrow on his shoulders, our hero must contain himself and not let go of his emotions lest they become too much and send what’s left of his world crumbling to ashes.

Life might never be the same again but that doesn’t mean it’s the end – only an opportunity. An opportunity for what? That is the decision of the holder. Where others not know what to do, feeling lost and hopeless, our hero has a purpose – to learn more about this mysterious power and sword which has entered his life, find his family and take back the apocalypse no matter the pain.

Obesity Wars

If the world turned its back on your best friend for being fat, would you turn your back on him too?

At a time when the obesity problem is headlining at world health conventions, one small nation struggles to find solutions to the rising cost of healthcare. Campaigning on promises to clamp down on obesity, Shape Up – led by the charismatic William Tanner – claims a landslide victory. Honouring its campaign promises, laws targeting fat people are swiftly introduced. Government obesity squads – the GO squads - roam the streets in black vans with a license to enforce the laws by any means, whipping up violence towards fat people.

Teenagers Monty and Levi have been best friends since kindergarten. Levi is smart, funny and loyal – he’s also obese. As the obesity laws become harsher and fat people increasingly disaffected, Monty begins to resent his friend, eventually disowning him. When Levi is brutally beaten by the neighbourhood bullies, Monty hardens himself to the injustice, blaming Levi for not doing more to lose weight.

But when Levi disappears, Monty realises that something more sinister is at play. Recruited to an underground anti-government organisation, Monty seizes the opportunity to fight back in the hopes of finding his friend and restoring balance in a society gone mad.

Notes from a Restricted Land

Have you ever wondered how your life would be if you were forced to exist in a place called Restricted Land? Many of you are unaware of this mysterious location and the reasons why it remains unknown to you. In this seemingly fictional and implausible country, its inhabitants are burdened with harsh realities and endless suffering. Their simple aspirations for life and freedom are unattainable due to the oppressive environment in which they reside.

In Notes from a Restricted Land, freedom is constrained, life is limited, and the expression of femininity is an ongoing struggle for the women trapped within its borders. These individuals are merely puppets manipulated by an oppressive government, unable to embrace their true selves. Rather than allowing personal growth and individuality, the dogmatic regime enforces strict conformity upon its citizens.

The situation in this restricted land is far more intricate than a mere collection of rules; it represents a system of dominant beliefs that devastate the lives of countless individuals. While regulations can serve a purpose, the oppressive beliefs upheld in this country shatter the hopes and dreams of millions.

My Kind of Normal

Born to Greek Cypriot immigrants and raised in a staunch Orthodox home, Irene feels the pressure of having to marry a suitable Greek man, despite her gay tendencies. In her quest for a conventional life, she falls in love with and marries Italian Mario, believing their love will last forever. While raising their four children, the turmoil builds as she tries to stay sane in a marriage characterised by incompatibility. When Irene’s attraction to Sarah is uncovered, she – and her community – are forced to come to terms with her sexuality. Irene and Mario’s final attempt to reconcile is ill-fated when she meets Emma – a meeting that will change the course of her life.

My Double-Whammy Days and Nights

Will young Gareth ever get his memory back? He’s lost in Paris, sleeps in parks and under bridges.

He wanders from church to church seeking comfort and solace. Will he eventually find his parents and who and where is this Mr Healer, the man everyone is looking for to cure mind and body?

Gareth meets Big Berthe of the night and other strange and wonderful characters, some of whom are just as down and out as he is. He is amazed to discover he has the gift of the double whammy and when he releases it, bodies fly. He also starts to paint and this is how he manages to eke out a living.

And then there’s this bird cawing away overhead and which sometimes comes too close for comfort.

Mud and Thunder

Ed Roberts is a young, talented and ambitious midfielder playing for Northtown United, a club buried in the depths of the Football League. A new owner and manager transform its fortunes and steers it into the First Division. Roberts plays a pivotal role in that progress and goes on to represent England before becoming one of the first English footballers to play abroad. This is his warts-and-all story of what it was like to play at all levels – before the advent of the Premier League, the influx of foreign stars, the appearance of the super agent and vastly inflated salaries. He writes, candidly, about some of the men he played with and for, how he didn’t always toe the club line, his failed international career and his off-field relationships. He broaches subjects such as racism, alcoholism, homosexuality and early player power. It all amounts to one of the most honest and compelling accounts yet written by a former footballer.

Matthew's Tears

Matthew is born in 1974 and his proud father, Geoffrey, takes him to their family doctor for his first triple antigen vaccination. Within 24 hours, Matthew begins to incessantly convulse. This is a time when no one questions their doctor, their word is sacred.

Nothing can be done to stop Matthew’s fits, and the doctors only say they are continuously causing more and more brain damage.

Geoffrey blames himself and descends into a self-destructive pattern of behaviour, causing his life to spiral downward and out of his control.

Martinup

The year is 1967 and Martinup, situated in rural Western Australia, is largely unaffected by the sixties revolution that is sweeping the rest of the world. High school is the focus of attention for Brian MacArthur and his friend, Trevor Stewart.

It is so different from primary school. They make their own entertainment in the bush.

Their science teacher, Paul Newton, is on his first teaching post, straight from Perth, missing his girlfriend and sharing a dreadful flat with an outrageous person who works as a primary school teacher. Life is unbearable and conflict inevitable.

Brian has reluctantly accepted the position of altar boy in the local Catholic church. The priest hides a dark secret involving church funds.

The Vietnam War rages on, threatening Brian’s older brother, Roger, with conscription should he fail in his exams at university.

Brian and Trevor launch a hot air balloon which starts a bush fire and causes the deaths of hundreds.

Well, no. But it could have.