A Cuban Affair and Other Short Stories

Starting with A Cuban Affair and Other Short Stories, the author skilfully relates his hilarious adventure on a 'R and R' location for Castro’s rebel forces.

The book's 23 stories are grouped in a way to keep the readers enthralled as they go on a journey of hilarious and bizarre experiences to exotic locations or share, under Viking Tales, the pioneering experiences of the UK and Norway rushing to develop North Sea oil.

But it doesn’t end there as the author unfolds further chaotic tales of woe happening on ‘his watch’.

These include;

• A misidentification situation with security forces at a major airport
• A key witness in a bank robbery
• The first game of golf
• Observations of a supermarket bag-packer

And many others.

Also included are two amusing letters written through the eyes of a young boy to Santa and the Prime Minister.

A word of warning to the reader. This book is best read on one’s own as outbursts of laughter might raise cause for concern from the casual onlooker.

A Dalliance with Destiny

Spanning a century, and set in South Africa and India, the novel captures the odyssey of a seemingly brash man in his thirties, who fights to remain lucid in what appears to be an irrational world. Whilst everyone around him is still celebrating the euphoric entry of his country into the rest of the democratic world, he is at odds with it. After a series of distressing experiences, he attempts to extinguish the raison d’etre of his angst by embarking on an increasingly mystical journey to India with an unconventional best friend.

“A literary masterpiece, transcending the local and the global, with extraordinary attention to detail. A protagonist who scales the boundaries of sanity and material depravity in his higher spiritual quest.”

“The human condition is dissected in all its complexities with a sharp scalpel, where we sometimes feel a sense of discomfort because nothing is quite safe. And, then, just as rapidly, it suddenly points us towards our own soulful compasses. The intertwinement of humour and pathos cuts close to the bone, but leaves us with a blush in its wake.”

“The narrative reminds one of Chaucer’s ‘The Canterbury Tales’ – the bawdy unravelling of the archetype’s sex life juxtaposed against his quest for spiritual enlightenment as a pilgrim.”

“A commentary on the life of a young man in search of his epic life story, one roots for the main character, yet hates him in equal parts. This intrepid piece of writing brings to the surface a litany of oscillating emotions, for there is nothing ordinary about the lead character’s journey. There is no moment of blandness here.”

A Death Most Dastardly

Baron Randolf Bukeligh has been found by the butler in the library with a hook in his mouth and hands tied with fishing line. The baron, struggling to keep the estate going, had held a house-party in order to try and get things back on track. Being murdered hadn’t been part of the plan!

Inspector Baker, new to Whitby CID, is called in to work with local Sergeant Davies in order to discover who the culprit is. They are aided by a group of students who have just completed their degrees and had been hoping for a quiet holiday exploring the Yorkshire countryside.

A Decent Man

Set in 2025, Luke steps in to help a young woman getting harassed in a club, only to be brutally beaten up for his troubles, before a video of his heroics goes viral and he becomes a role model to millions. It should be a happy ending, but Luke soon tires of being labelled a “Decent Man” and after a drunken online rant, where he declares that “he will no longer be dating women”, he unwittingly starts a male empowerment movement. Now aided by Vaughan 2Lose, a middle-aged podcaster, he founds Mithras, while media mogul, Alex McDonald and self-styled conscience of London, Jake O’Callaghan join forces to plot his downfall. Despite this, armies of men now follow Luke’s new creed of “emotional self-sufficiency freed from the constraints of the female gaze” and after “No women February” and “The Summer of Bruv”, it seems that Mexit (male exit) is fast becoming the new reality and 200,000 years of romance may be coming to an end. Or is it? Conspiracies, bomb plots and an accidental orgy all follow, while a chance meeting in the street causes further complications until Luke reaches a final conclusion.

A Different View

Poetry about feeling alone and different in a big normal world. Poetry about struggling with depression and mental health. Poems that tell stories that everyone can feel familiar with. A Different View is a poetry collection that is more relevant than ever in these days of people struggling with mental health issues and in a society that gets more and more open.

A Fall to the Top

Colin MacKinnon MP is leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition and is nearing the end of a general election campaign that hangs in the balance when he receives an unexpected telephone call. The unknown caller knows of a dreadful incident from his past. What’s on offer by the caller sets MacKinnon’s career alight – his rise on the stage of politics is meteoric, at home and abroad. He lets nothing get in his way as he sets out to restore the United Kingdom’s standing in the world. He enlists the aid of two former SAS colleagues to help: Alan Croudace, his conscience, and Jack Somerton, his do-anything lieutenant.

Where is it all going to end? And who is really pulling the strings? As you read this book, put yourself in MacKinnon’s shoes and ask yourself, ‘What would I do in the circumstances given the opportunity?’

A Festive Juxtaposition

It was Christmas Eve in the good old city of London. Everything was alive with the joyous sounds of festive exchanges; carols floated on the breeze and gently wafted across the cold waters of the river Thames. Multi-coloured lights appeared to festoon the streets in every quarter, and the fragrant heady smell of pine needles could be detected everywhere. There was nothing quite like it. It could be said that there was, in fact, magic in the air.

At that point the Devil arrived at Charing Cross station. He was dressed immaculately in an Astrakhan coat, leather gloves and patent leather shoes that were so brightly polished you could see your face in them. He sported a small black goatee beard and had features that could easily have been chiseled from stone. Smiling, he stepped out into the night. But what was his purpose for being there? Was it purely philanthropic? Or, did he have an ulterior motive up his sleeve? As the evening wore on, the good old city was about to find out.

A Few of My Favourite Things

Consisting of a selection of anecdotes, advice, laughter and love, this book of poetry is a real glimpse inside the writer’s mind. The author has written from the heart, taking her material from real-life stories, experiences and everyday observations.

The author’s mum is one of the very unfortunate people suffering from Alzheimer’s, which is how this book came about. She needed to find a way to channel her emotions and raise money for Alzheimer’s research at the same time. Therefore, for every book she sells, she will donate £1 towards charity.

The author would like to thank you for your support and hopes you enjoy the book.

So, feast your eyes on (and see if you can relate to) the poems and tales in the pages ahead…

A Few Years In The Life of a Protest Poet

'I began writing poetry/ditties shortly after moving down to Cornwall back in 1977. It's amazing how inspirational the lapping of the tidal waves can be. Whilst working on a building, I began writing poems about all the different workers on the toilet walls. These were humorous and inoffensive, and although I'd written about the gaffer, he must have liked them, as he never sacked me. 

'The pandemic caused me to put my thoughts down on paper, ranging from what we've done to this planet and its wildlife, to how the Government has dealt with each situation, good or bad.' 

Lori Crasnich

A Fine Line

A story of the extraordinary lives of ordinary people.

Set between Victorian Liverpool and Dundee and the battlefields of the First World War, three families face the perils of life on the economic cliff-edge, where a single misstep can send lives plunging out of control.

Crossing a century of dramatic change, their journey begins in the aftermath of the slave trade, moving through the era of Empire expansion and Industrial Revolution to a time of religious strife and global conflict.

The world they navigate is one fraught with hazard in which exploitation, zealotry and violence lead to rape, prostitution, fraud, and murder.

At its heart, two indomitable women – lifelong friends – choose very different paths as they strive to hold their worlds together, and to survive.

A Frame of Mind

In a world where all is not as it appears to be, it is time to take off the blinkers and embark upon a cerebral journey through fractured minds and augmented realities in a tale of suburban survival. Chronicling more than fifty years of history, fates collide, presentiments are realised and prophesies foretold in a gripping and intense narrative revealing the interdependencies which are often hidden within the roots of the human condition.

A Furnished Affair

This is a story of love, laughter and new friendships. Lois discovers a whole new world she never knew existed till now. She finds herself unwittingly pitted against love rival Rebecca Giles, Lucien's alluring and high-polished ex-girlfriend, as Lois and her friends encounter a few close shaves along the way. Within a business where loyalty is paramount can Lois secure a future furnished with happiness or will a case of jealously and ambition tarnish her chances forever…?