Memoir and Biography

Sixteen Days
Victoria Wilson-Crane Ph.D.

January 2020.  Her sudden, unexpected and unexplained death.
She's 22.
Everyone wants to help.  Few know what to say and do.
Sad, funny, honest accounts.  All true.  How we were supported, what worked for us, and what experts say.

Read Sixteen Days.  Be confident supporting others in shock and grief.

You Only Live Thrice – Perspective is a Superpower
Karl Perry

Sometimes, the Universe goes out of its way, to invite the opportunity of not just a second, but a third incarnation of life. 

You Only Live Thrice is an often comic but brutally honest account of surviving cardiac arrest at home, embracing the opportunity for a second life, struggling to get balance in that second life. Uplifting, frank and irreverent, this isn’t a self-help book. But in testing times, it can help to realise that your own perspective on life, is sometimes your greatest Superpower.

Survival Without Roots
Anna Anderson

Adopted as a baby in North Yorkshire in the 1950s, Anne grows up feeling an ‘imperfect fit’ for the ‘Mum’ who raised her. Years of criticism, control and complete withdrawal of love affect her choices in life as she endlessly seeks the love and acceptance she craves. 

Join her as she careers and swerves through the first eighteen years. Will she find the resilience to survive her upbringing and the tragedies encountered along the way? 

 

Wasn't Me, Miss!
R.K.J Adams

What do you remember about your school days? Which teachers left a lasting impression?

From childhood memories to stories through the eyes of a primary school teacher, reminisce whilst Emma Challis tells her poignant, often humorous tales. Witness changes in education, attitudes, and society over six decades as Emma meets characters who shape her future, capture her love or break her heart.

The Clot That Almost Killed Me
John Alfred Kingdon

The stroke monster had entered my life with a ferocity that crushed my thoughts and smothered my memory. What is the future without a memory? Search every corner of your mind for a glimmer of hope. Learn, and take advantage of all you’ve found, to go forward with a rehabilitated confidence. 

As a survivor, I found a new life I am keen to live. I have fought for every word to make one more dream happen; publishing my memoir.

What Happened To Uncle Norman?
Sue Cavill

Norman made mistakes.

His marriages, desertion during WW2, disappearance from his family, appearance at the Old Bailey, but what really happened to him after that.

Based on years of family history research, army service records, newspaper reports and word-of-mouth stories, all pieced together with a little poetic license.

Scared to be Me
Beth Parris

Your painful past does not have to dictate your current reality or determine your future. You are way more than what they said about you. Yes! You are an amazingly beautiful human, just like me. I am here to share my story to show you that your past does not define your future! You are in charge and can create an amazing life once you start believing in yourself.

It's All About Me! & William The Conqueror's Grandfather
Tricia Frances deGray

Tricia Frances was an artist, actress, author, and entrepreneur then she bought a portion of sweet and salmonella chicken, and everything changed. Not only did she meet her ancestors, but she also almost became one! 

After a Near Death Experience, Tricia decided to write her Autobiography... then Ant & Dec gave her an idea! The launch of Tricia's long-awaited autobiography celebrates her 50 year career as a mixed media and textile artist, designer, and author. The book includes research of her well-documented ancestors - The House of Gray.

The true story of one woman’s life of art & ancestry, comedy & murder.

Ten Pound Poms
Susan Wilson

Sally was twelve when she left Liverpool to emigrate to Perth, Western Australia, in 1965. Jack, her father, thought it would be a better life for himself, his wife and their two daughters.

The Ten Pound Poms is the wonderful telling of a family’s journey by sea on the liner Fairsea. To the landing and settling in Australia, their lives there with the friends they make and the new family they acquire. A memoir of a young child’s life, of the challenges and changes and sometimes the sadness she endured.

The Narrowboat
Susan Wilson

This is a sequel to Ten Pound Poms. Now 60, Sally is leaving her matrimonial home for the second time. In her first marriage, she suffered physical and emotional abuse when her husband became an alcoholic. Her second marriage ended due to redundancy and financial issues.

Sally finds love again with Dan and joins him on his narrowboat, Pavonis. As they travel at a sedate pace along the Grand Union canal to Little Venice, you will share their delight in the English countryside and be drawn into the friendships they develop. Like Sally, you will learn about the importance of a windlass and discover what it is like to live life afloat. This is a true story of a woman who has suffered heartache and pain but eventually finds peace and happiness.

I am Norwell Roberts: The Story of the Met's first Black police officer

Norwell Roberts

Norwell Roberts, who became the Met's first Black police officer in 1967, found out he had a new job the same way the rest of the country did - from a Daily Telegraph headline that read 'MET TO HAVE FIRST COLOURED POLICEMAN'.

Conversations about the police as an institution have never been more heated or more urgent than they are today, but to appreciate the present and how far we have come we sometimes need to revisit the past, no matter how painful. Honest, moving, and impossible to forget, I am Norwell Roberts is a story of resilience against the odds, and of one man's ability to make a difference.

The Bumps Ahead: The tale of a five-year pregnancy
Nick Finney

It’s natural to want to become a parent, but sometimes it’s not so simple. ‘The Bumps Ahead’ is a prospective dad’s account of the heart-wrenching highs, and sometimes devastating lows, of trying for a family when nature doesn’t take its course, and what happens when that little bundle of joy isn’t what you expected it to be… 

I Don’t Talk To Dead Bodies: The curious encounters of a forensic psychiatrist
Dr Rhona Morrison

Delve into the fascinating adventures and encounters of a forensic psychiatrist and into minds of real people, whose actions may shock and stun you, but who’s stories have the power to challenge your assumptions and the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

Scratching the Surface: A Tapestry of Israel & Palestine
Julie Jones

Julie Jones first visited Israel, with her 11-year-old son 30 years ago, to learn what the British, her father included, wouldn’t talk about.

A taboo subject; a forgotten conflict of the 1940s, and the real People of Israel and Palestine, reflect on the challenges of a century and how the past continually seeps into current issues. Thought-provoking narratives will encourage revised opinions about the ever-changing Holy Land.

Sink or Swim: A memoir of triumph over adversity
Lynne Given

Imagine waking up locked in your own body, at the age of 17, and all you can do is BLINK! That was just the start of a long journey back to health with another major bump in the road. A positive mindset, tenacious spirit and family support, were all massive factors in recovery. But her passion for swimming allowed Lynne to move and exercise in water, when unable to walk or support her own bodyweight.

This is a story of hope and determination to never give up.

Found In The Med Without Papers
Tina Smith

The resistance has heard that Anna is decoding for the Nazis and they see her as a collaborator and are coming to kill her. She is smuggled out into the Med in a fishing boat where she is picked up by a British frigate.

Anyone found without papers was taken to Palestine for the duration of the war. That's where the truly beautiful Anna finds herself.

An Adoptee's Journey: Letters of my life
Gaynor Cherieann
Foreword by Michael Heppell

It is the 1960s; a sixteen-year-old girl is in a mother and baby home; her heart is breaking as she prepares to give up her baby for adoption. Shunned by society, she has no choice. That baby was me.

Join me on my life’s journey through the letters I have written to everyone who has shared my unique story. Follow me as I find the courage to share this story, from my birth to my unhappy adoption to getting married and becoming a mum and granny. Learn how I took control of my life after disassociating myself from my past, unearthing my birth family, and realising what true happiness means.

Winds of Change: Hear the truth, see the illusion, know the prophecy
Claire Guichard

'You are going to have a dream and it will be very important’ was all I heard. One message from the spiritual world that became many more.

The meanings behind the messages could not be ignored. This book had to be written, you had to be told.

This is Me: No darkness too deep
Fiona Myles

Fiona's Journey through horrific low points in her life, stemming from her inability to manage the emotional challenges of being adopted. To go on to become a successful writer and woman of strong faith.

This is Me: I'm adopted
Fiona Myles

Fiona goes on in book two to share more about how being adopted affected her. Her thirty three year journey of infertility and the joy of having a child at fifty. Fiona's faith shines through again in this book.

Adoption Trauma
Fiona Myles

Growing up I had been under the impression that I was just bad, naughty and at one point in my childhood the adjective ‘evil’ was applied. Of course I completely bought into the adjectives used to describe me. Even when the odd teacher spoke to me about my good attributes, caring, kind and compassionate. Still I veered towards the negative. Adoption Trauma is very real had it been recognised as a ‘thing’ when I was a child, if someone had picked up on it, things may have been different for me. I can’t change anything but can walk towards inner healing. So can you. 

Do you want to take a step towards confidence, acceptance and well being? This book is my inward look at Adoption trauma with some helpful tips that I have used over the past six years to help me overcome the feelings of unworthiness, anger, fear and rejection that plagued me for 50 years. 

Georgie Me & ADHD
Fiona Myles

If I had a pound for every disdainful look I've had thrown my way as a parent over the past seven years, I would be a millionaire!

Me and my little tornado have had some real ups and some real downs in our journey as parent and child. Nobody knows how to parent until it falls upon you. I was scared and had no idea how my parenting would pan out. Thankfully no one got seriously hurt in the journey so far. A couple of near-death experiences for Georgie. A couple of expulsions from school at four years of age. A diagnosis of ADHD at four and a half.

If you're looking for a book that has all the answers to parenting a child with ADHD, complex needs and learning difficulties, then this is not for you.

If you're looking for a book that talks about how an exhausted parent does her best to manage life in this new unfamiliar arena, then go ahead and pick up this book.

Laugh and cry with Georgie and Me

The King's Wonderful Older Women
Fiona Myles

Being wise is the ability to contemplate and act productively using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight.

Twenty four wonderful older women have joined me in bringing this book together. Filled with testimony, stories and devotions designed to make you think, as they share from their hearts and their experiences.

Our Spiritual lives need to be fed on a daily basis or we start to fall back and fade into the shadows. Plenty to feed your soul in the pages of this book, to light up the world you live in.

Proverbs 16 v 16: How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver.

Are We There Yet
Ian Pilbeam

Imagine quitting your secure job right before a recession to backpack around the world with two children aged 8 and 10. What would it be like to be that parent, let alone that child? Come along on this inspirational, educational and entertaining journey with an intrepid family of four who did just that. From Bali to Beijing, Edinburgh to Ecuador and Madagascar to Machu Picchu, it certainly wasn’t your average holiday!

Certified
Roger Wilson-Crane

Three tales, following one man through birth, marriage, and death.

Inspired by real life events, this humorous fictional memoir takes you on a journey of joy, loss, and heartache, through life's three certificates. 

It is, ultimately, a love story.

Chocolate & Chips
Gillian Westlake

Leaving home and marrying at 19, Gill shares her struggles through broken relationships and overbearing bosses.

Never taking the easy option, always standing on her own two feet.

Finally being comfortable with what life has offered. A difficult decade ended with a trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. 

Up The Wall!: Getting through lockdown one take-away at a time
Audrey Macnaughton

What was your lockdown like? Did you smash it? Yoga every day? Learned Mandarin? Painted the entire house? 
No, neither did I. 
If you want a good laugh and a galloping read, join me in the retelling of my family’s lockdown experience. Starting on the first day of Lockdown One (or just Lockdown as we called it then, we didn’t know that it was destined to be a mini-series), this book brings you our hilarious antics, a few tears and many stroppy episodes
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The Love of Summer: My dog and me
Liz Pert-Davies

A delight for any dog lover.  This book will take you on a journey of the ups and downs of dog ownership, of a first-time dog owner. Summer’s first major decision in life was at the age of three weeks old when she choose Liz as her dog mother. Both Summer and Liz embark on an unknown journey and put their entire faith in each other.

Follow them on all parts of everyday life, from dog training classes to holidays away and meet Summer’s many friends, both human and dog.

Thank You For The Kiss
Beth Jordan

Gina travels to Cuba for a for a long-awaited holiday soon finding herself in an unfamiliar world. A country trapped in a time warp, its people still living an old man’s dreams. She meets a young cuban whose beguiling eyes are more dangerous than a viper, his strike more deadly than its venom and her world becomes a hurricane of devastation. Whispers of be careful, take care, follow her. She should have listened. She should have seen the signs. She should have known better. What made her ignore all those warnings?

Thank you for the Kiss, a memoir, is a story inspried by real-life events.

And Always Annaliese
Clare Louise

Outliving your child is not something you expect to have to face. The waves of panic, terror and total hopelessness crash over you endlessly in those early months. Nothing makes sense, yet still you try to work it out. She’s gone. Just like that. And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. The day our seven-year-old daughter died, I changed forever, though I didn’t realise it at the time.

Navigating life as a bereaved parent (or supporting a bereaved parent), is one of the hardest things you will ever face. Every aspect of your world changes, and it is painful, isolating, scary and confusing.

Learning to live with a grief so acute it actually hurts your heart can feel impossible - but I’m proof that it’s not. I’ve learnt so much in the past few years and I want to help you (and those around you) by sharing my story.

Beatrix The Time Travelling Collie
Debra Murphy

A tale of companionship and adventure; funny, frightening, and at times mystical, but always revealing the true nature of my fantastic dog. 

Life for Beatrix revolves around her obsessions, mainly sticks, stones and balls. But then there is Baby Jesus from the handmade nativity scene, who comes out each year. She was never allowed to eat him though. 

Beatrix also travels through time, where her adventures have no limit.

No Way Home 
Elisabeth Dunleavy (Lis Ainsworth)

Separated in the final months of WW2, German sisters’, Ursula and Christa-Maria’s diaries tell of their different experiences, in 1945 Germany, as they flee across their destroyed homeland in the hope of being re-united.

A heartfelt, enthralling true story where faith and courage triumphs over conflict and betrayal.

A Suitcase Through Time
Belinda Smith

Read about affluent Yorkshire families, how privileged individuals led their lives, and how things changed through the passage of two world wars and beyond. Like most families, they also provide some entertainment for onlookers. Yes, there are dates and family trees, but Belinda focuses on memorabilia, diaries and letters found in a suitcase to tell their story.
High-quality A4 colour paperback, now available to order.

Ten Years Before the Mast
DC Washington

A fifteen-year-old schoolboy watches in awe as the spectacle unfolds on TV. He dares to dream. Five years later, with an audience of 15,000, he proudly marches into the arena, heart pounding in his chest.

A personal account of ten eventful years in the Royal Navy, from participation in the spectacular Field Gun Competition, to incredibly close encounters during the Falklands War. Follow the remarkable journey, with tales of adventure, danger, and ultimate glory.