Designs of a Gentleman

Designs of a Gentleman is a prequel to Judith Thomson's Phillip Devalle series.

It's 1662, Charles II as been King for two years. Restoration England was an exciting place to be. But it was also a pl;ace of opportunity for ambitious young men such as Philip Devale.

Philip Devale was the young son of an earl who had decided to travel to London in a determined effort to make something of himself.

There had been the plague, the great fire of London, a war against the Dutch and there were politicians who were plotting and scheming top make sure they would come out on top. There was also the spectre of religious hatred and intolerance.

Throughout the years filled with adventure that were before him liker an open, yet unwritten book, Philip learns that not all people in Court are honest, that there's a dark side to it and that he must keep his wits about him as he fights in the army of the Sun King and is a courtier in England.

It's a novel that is well researched and well written and will be a welcome novel on the bookshelves of lovers of historical fiction.

It's published by Matador at £9.99.

Sorak's Legacy

In Sorak's Legacy Sorak has become elected to the Chair of the city Senate. He had remained in the city after returning with Nasa and her son from their home which was in the hidden valley.

A new society, based on equality between the genders is slowly and painstakingly being established.

The harsh and rigid control mechanisms of the old ways are gone and everything is more free, although free, the new society that is emerging is not perfect.

However, there are people who are still not happy that the old ways have gone. In fact, there is a body of females who are resentful of the efforts that Sorak is putting into to creating a new, more equitable and fairer society.

It become clear that there are people who are living in the forest on the far side of the plain that surrounds the city.

Some believe that the original founders of the city had arrived in a space going vessel and had made landfall in that area of the forest.

Nasa decides to seek out the forest dwellers. And it seems that evidence confirms that the ancient stories about the beginnings of the people of the city are, in fact, true.

Contact is, eventually, made with the forest dwelling people. But what, exactly, is the truth of the situation?

Would the city be able to survive the turmoil and the violence that would ensue?

It's published by The Book Guild at £8.99.

Two Become One

Two Become One is a book by Richard Lodge and Brian Swinyard as they explore the meaning of life as they come face to face with their own diagnoses in an interesting and unique book of poetry and photography.

The book raises some very interesting and emotive questions about life, death, living, love and a whole host of other topics.

The book is a masterful blend of poetry and photographs, designed to help explore the meaning of life.

Both of the authors have been diagnosed with illnesses and they have teamed up with The Motor Neurone Association and Sarcoma UK to share half the proceed and to also bring comfort and ease for those people who are looking for answers to some of the puzzles and conundrums of everyday and not-so-everyday, life.

The poetry is beautiful as are all the images. The poems and the photographs all contain wisdom that has been crystallised and refined until they are like boats of burnished gold floating on the Sea of Infinity. 

You really must buy multiple copies of this book as there will be several people in your life, perhaps including yourself, who will without a shadow of a doubt, richly benefit from this book.

It is published in hardback by Matador and costs £10.99.

Plague

Plague is an hilarious look at medieval history, written by Jonathan Forth.

Apparently there needs to be a war between England and France. Who says so? The Pope. Why? He believes that peace has prevailed for far too long.

People have become lax, which is, the Pope believes, a result of living a life that is far too peaceful. If there were a war between England and France, goes his Papal reasoning, people who become so scared that they'd return to church services and, as a consequence of this, money would be put on the collection plates. After all, when the plate is passed round the church, who wants to be the odd one out by not making a 'voluntary' donation?

He has a very daring and gorgeous assassin who is primed to kill Edward, King of England. Who must die a painful and horrible death just at the time when King Philipe of France is visiting England.

However, much to the Pope's chagrin, the plague has already reached Europe and it's now a bit of a race to see who kills King Edward: The plague or the assassin.

Sir Walter, vassal to the King, is charged with sorting the situation out. But what, exactly, is causing the plague? Strongly scented French cheeses? Is it fornication as the Church pontificates? The fireball that appeared in the sky? Or something else?

But as an interesting aside, what would happen if Death and the Plague were to get together and work in harmony?

And what exactly would be the reward of the Pope?

This book is a very amusing romp through some of the lesser known avenues of Medieval history.

It's published by Matador at ££9.99.

Ayeme's Circus of Redemption

In Ayeme's Circus of Redemption, a new novel from novelist Keith Blackburn, we meet Arthur. Arthur used to be a teacher at a very good grammar school. But that was  long time ago, before alcohol had taken its toll on him.

After an unfortunate meeting with a white delivery van he awakes in a hospital bed. However, it's no ordinary hospital, this one has fireplaces in the rooms and Arthur (registered for some reason as Ayeme) manages to escape from the hospital ward by the simple means of going through the fireplace.

He emerges into a completely different place, wearing completely different clothing, weighed down by a very heavy rucksack.

He is in a moonlit garden, which is imbued with peace. On the other side of the garden he espies a woman who is dressed in black who is conversing with a man who is wearing  top hat and tails.

He realised that they are planning a funeral. In some way that he cannot define, Ayeme feels a connection of some sort with the woman, so he attaches himself to the procession which finally reaches a church which is in the middle of a wood.

And then things begin to get really interesting as he sets off on an odyssey of a journey, he meets and interacts with a variety of rather interesting and intriguing characters, as he attempts with varying degrees of success, to try to work out what is happening and what is going on.

And what, exactly, is the circus of redemption? Who is it attempting to redeem?

It's a stunningly original book, sadly it is the last book written by Keith Blackburn who passed away in October 2018.

The book is published by The Book Guild at £9.99.

Force of Nature

Force of Nature is the next in the 'Mathew Hawk' series of thriller novel, from the pen of David Collenette.

A series of murders have been committed. They would all be dismissed as being totally disconnected from each other. Except for the fact that at the scene of each murder someone has left a mysterious symbol.

Roche and his team are at a loss at how to proceed. They are stuck and the only possible way out that he can think of is to put a call in to Matthew Hawk, who must travel to Israel in the possible hope of being able help him find out what has been going on.

It appears that the murders are not as random as they had first appeared. There is, after all, a link between the apparently senseless slayings. They are all linked to a specific area of scientific research.

And the truth is that the situation far worse than anyone could have possibly imagined.

But suddenly it seems that the tables are now turned and Matthew is the hunted rather than the hunter. A hired killer known as The Machine is seeking to kill Matthew. Roche does his best to help Matthew escape, but can he succeed in helping him?

In a mad, worldwide dash, Matthew manages, just, to keep one step beyond the grasp of the pitiless killer. Whilst still trying to help solve the mystery of why the murders were arranged and who arranged them, bringing the guilty parties to justice.

But can he and Roche find a sollution to what, exactly, has been going on? Will they prevail against all the odds? And who, exactly, are they really facing up against?

It's a fast paced thriller and will be a welcome holiday novel this summer.

It's published by The Book Guild at £8.99.

Ampheus

Ampheus is book one of the Four Realms series from Jonathan Forth. The series is a fantasy realm aimed at readers of 12 years and older.

Gorath is a Dark Lord. His ambition is to bring the Four Realms under his control. He has a frightening Horde army, the callous Janshei horsemen. These are supplemented by beasts taken from the caverns of Dern from the very depth of Gamura.

He is also seeking the totems from the other realms as this would give him power to conquer the Ancient World.
However, all will not be plain sailing for Gorath as the King of Terramis is a prod and noble man. He and his castle Ampheus will stand inj his path.

Gorath lays siege to the castle. His plans to capture the castle have inside help from a spy who dwells within the castle.

Ambassadors have been dispatched from Ampheus to seek assistance from the capital cities of the other realms. But before they can reach their destinations, they must evade the agents of Gorath who are plotting to stop them.

Lord Gorath has not counted on the fact that brave people are prepared to face up to him and strive to defeat him and his minions.

Will they be able to stop him?

It's an exciting and well-crafted story that bodes well for the rest of this series.

It's published by Matador at £9.99