The Chess Board Execution and Other Stories

The stories in this book touch upon the author’s own life and his sense of humour and wide-ranging interests.

‘By the Waters of Stepney Green’ is half historical recollection, half romantic dream.

‘Gilda’, a story set in Burma in World War II, will keep you reading well into the night.

‘Gareth’ is the story of a young man from orphanage to officer and tells how deep friendship can emerge from enmity, while ‘Chess Board Execution’ is a story of love, deception and revenge.

These stories will appeal to all readers who enjoy a mixture of genres and moods.

The Camera Obscure

Supernatural secrets; psychopathy; disturbing dystopias; vanity and Victorian graveyards. Each story, evoking an atmosphere of gothic classics, will take you on a journey through past, present and possibilities, where the familiar becomes strange. The new tenant above a bookshop uncovers a terrifying truth; a man looks out of his window to discover he is completely alone; a young man’s vanity ends up ensnaring him. You will anxiously anticipate characters’ fates, whilst reflecting on your own lives and experiences. It may lead you to speculate that there are many ways to be haunted, and that the most frightening spectres walk within us and among us. 

Tales from Here and There

From country bars, back seats of cars
and colonies on Mars,
there’s tales to be told.

Three dozen such tales spanning irony,
pathos and humour from here and there
are presented in no particular order.

So, start anywhere
for your first ten minutes of distraction
from the cares of life.

Stories and Anecdotes

This is a collection of stories, anecdotes, and reminiscences written, collected, and compiled over a long professional life.

They amuse or provoke serious thought, aiming to make the reader laugh for a few moments and think for much longer.

Most are in short essay form, some with a discursive introductory beginning leading to a serious or amusing ending, the real thrust of the story.

Most are based on personal experience. The stories about bees are factual and based on a life-long hobby of beekeeping.

The last thoughtfully written section from a lifetime as a doctor is entirely serious, educational, and thought-provoking.

Short Stories A-Z

This collection includes fiction, fantasy, and horror stories, all underpinned by humour. So, whilst eavesdropping on the hearts and minds of the protagonists within, feel free to chuckle as you cheer the goodies and boo the baddies. Or vice-versa…

None of the characters is drop-dead gorgeous, has perfect teeth, or is living the dream with their one true love. No. These characters are muddling through life like the rest of us which means some stories may seem familiar – perhaps a little too close to the bone. Some are irreverent and others, downright disturbing. Nevertheless, whatever your reaction, whatever you feel, the stories tell things the way they were and without judgement. Fair enough?

Short Stories

When an elderly gentleman is returning from a visit to his wife’s graveside, he is shocked to find himself the victim of a young thug. What the thug doesn’t realise is that this particular gentleman has nothing to lose and will make the young man regret ever having crossed him. (Bringing the House Down)

When a lady refuses to leave her bungalow for an easier life in a care home, nobody suspects the real reason behind her reluctance to go. (An Accident)

Three friends risk their liberty for great financial gain, but do they reap the rewards of such daring behaviour? (Happy New Year)

An SAS soldier returning from Egypt, still suffering after the kidnap and murder of his daughter, steps in with drastic action, to punish the would-be perpetrators of a similar crime. (Just Another Day)

When a recently unemployed man, witnesses, and assists at a road traffic collision, he is rewarded for his bravery in a very satisfactory way. (Right Time, Right Place)

Quartet of Human Love, Human Frailty

These four short stories embrace many emotions and characters: the man who goes back to his past to find a lost love; a woman with terminal cancer who finds a miracle in Australia; a shy girl who finds a lover and deals with her eccentric grandmother; and a visit to heaven, where a woman is amazed to find herself at the pearly gates.

There are intriguing characters and unusual stories in a collection that explores human tragedy and frailty, and also love.

Pet Rapport

Pets as part of the family, their inclusion in everyday life and their mishaps or adventures are reflected in these stories. Each story is accompanied by an illustration that is personally drawn by the author from a photo received from the owner and reflects their unique character and personality. Some true and real-life examples include: A cat which was inadvertently included in a parcel (but survived), a dog that was stolen from outside a shop but was restored to her owner and a rescue dog who found a wonderful home. These are all true, but there are also four fictitious and humorous examples ‘hidden’ amongst the others, which the author invites readers to discover. Adults will find these stories heartwarming and children will like the ‘happy endings’ and trying to spot which stories are ‘made up.’ A book with stories that appeal to the heart and illustrations that appeal to the eye, whatever your age and whether or not you have pets of your own.

Next

Stories should interest you, touch you, move you. There are 134 in ‘Next’. Many, possibly even most, will do just that. ‘Youth’, ‘love’, ‘life’, ‘death’, and so much more. Stories often relevant to you, your life, past and future. Stories very readable, memorable.

‘Next’ is generous, a friend you will want to spend time with. A book to keep beside your favourite chair, beside your bed. A friend to meet up with often over the years. Rather special, rather out of the ordinary.

Nancy's Magic

From the witch’s daughter who has always known about herbs and potions.

A stone which stands tall and proud, waiting but waiting for who?

Driving ahead at full speed, searching and looking for the right road, the one which will take her far away to freedom.

To survive – an instinct bred deep inside of every man woman and child. To have the courage to go on and never give in.

Dreams which can be more real and terrifying than real life but can also be a warning of events waiting to happen.

Then there always is true love, a love which can last for many years and can never die.

Let the time fly by as you enter an emotional roller-coaster, from love and survival, witches and wizards, laughter and tears.

But things are not always what they seem, twists, and turns at every corner and at the end – who knows?

Enjoy the ride and always remember to dance in the rain.

McCreed

Ashton struggles with university. He doesn’t have many friends but fills his time with coaching and training, looking to become a professional fighter.

One day, his twin sister reminds him of an expensive event that their parents are hosting. Loads of rich and significant guests will be joining the family for food and business conversation. Gorgeous women and suited men littering their mansion.

The security business is booming.

A person can change forever in a single moment, their whole world in a series of them.

At this high-profile and heavily-guarded event, Ashton and his family’s lives are turned upside down.

Lila's Tree and Other Stories

What if you knew what was to happen in your life and so you got a chance at amending by doing things differently?

It would save a lot of guilt and tears. And if these changes were easy things, new habits could transform your future and that of those you love into a brighter one.

What if your experience and knowledge of things in life could ensure you a better tomorrow, something you would be proud of? Something to claim as being a legacy of kindness, love and respect for humanity and the planet.

It happened to older generations, it is happening to us, it will keep on happening until we learn to replace the What Ifs and Should Haves by concrete actions and a better way of living so as to ensure our beautiful world keeps being so and the human race deserving to be the one in charge.

Let’s imagine the wrong side of tomorrow and steer away from that image, starting today.