Bøker utgitt av Austin Macauley Publishers

Jane McCulloch was once dubbed a 'Renaissance woman' by the great American soprano Jessye Norman, and her long career as a playwright, theatre and opera director, producer, lyricist, poet and latterly novelist is certainly testament to this. Jane's has been 'a life not without incident' - to quote her husband, the theatre director Toby Robertson. Growing up with fiercely gifted but troubled parents, she found herself with a front-row seat during a golden age of British theatre before forging her own career, running theatre companies both in the UK and abroad and working with the likes of Derek Jacobi and Judi Dench. Inheriting her father's ability to 'collect' celebrities (to the occasional exasperation of her children), Jane proves a born raconteur, describing, amongst other things, how she met Jackie Kennedy Onassis in an accidental Valium haze or managed to charm both Noël Coward and John Betjeman while still a teenager. Beyond the clear-eyed, often moving stories, however, what emerges is an inspirational tale of a woman's fight for her survival in a very tough profession.

"WE ARE ALL WANDERERS ON THIS EARTHOUR HEARTS ARE FULL OF WONDER ANDOUR SOULS DEEP WITH DREAMS"- ROMANY GYPSY SAYINGJakob Smith was a sometimes wild and reckless youth whose passion in life was to travel to new countries. Wherever he went, he was interested in the local history, daily life and culture of the people. During the daylight hours, he enjoyed visiting museums, religious sites, zoos and national parks.At night, contrary to his daytime wanderings, he would enjoy drinking beer and mixing with the local people in neighbourhood bars or restaurants. He would attempt to talk with anyone despite sometimes language difficulties. Frequently these conversations took place in places of ill repute where hookers and petty criminals made up the numbers. They conned him relentlessly but their stories, true or otherwise, were often amusing and worth the few drinks they cost.Now somewhat more mature, he looks back on such times with fond memories. So many people met only once for just a few, sometimes drunken moments, but never forgotten. Despite the odd black eye and a couple of nights spent in lock-up, was it worth it? I must say yes, as if I had my youth over, I would probably go down the same path.The few bad times fade into obscurity, and the many good times, prone to exaggeration, just seem to get better with age.A TRAVEL STORY DIFFERENT FROM MOST,ENTERTAINING, INFORMATIVE AT TIMES,JAKOB QUITE SIMPLY LOVES TRAVELLING,NEW PLACES AND NEW PEOPLE ARE HIS LIFE.

From the calloused hands of a former coal miner emerges a heartfelt collection that reminds us that even in life's toughest terrains, there is light to be found. Life is Mostly Fun is a tapestry of poems that spin tales of joy, wonder, and yes, the occasional hurdles that prove no match for an unshakeable spirit. With a keen eye for the quirks and humour that colour our everyday existence, the author invites you to join him on a romp through sunny vignettes that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Yet he also digs deep, unearthing profound truths about our shared human experience that will resonate long after the final line. Whether finding magic in the mundane or plumbing the depths of the soul, these verses celebrate life in all its messy, luminous glory.

When one of their flock falls victim to a local cat, Tiddles, the birds seek revenge. This prompts a series of attempts by the cat gang to eliminate the bird population. Life becomes pretty difficult for Tiddles the cat leader and for members of his gang. Tiddles also has problems with his human, Miss Print. Let battle commence!

Wafa Aisha's parents emigrated to Australia from the war torn West Bank to start a better life. Wafa is an aspiring actor whose goals after leaving school are to escape the clutches of her strict Muslim parents and to secure a lead role in a film. David Miller is a Sydney filmmaker whose production company is floundering. One day, out of the blue, he is approached by a white knight who offers him a large sum of money to make a film depicting Middle Eastern culture. When Wafa gets an opportunity to star in this production, she truly believes that fame and stardom have come knocking at her door. Coaxed into travelling to the West Bank by Rayad, the white knight who is bankrolling the film, she is tricked into marrying him. Feeling trapped and with no one to turn to, her instinct is to run. But Rayad has her passport as well as her mobile phone. Without these things, escaping this war-torn land seems almost impossible. In desperation, she assumes a new identity and joins the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, caring for wounded soldiers, all the while trying to figure out a way to somehow get back to Australia. Never in her wildest dreams could Wafa have imagined the obstacles she would have to face and the desperate measures she would need to take in order to achieve what she so desperately wants. Along the way, she becomes a member of Hamas and briefly works as a drug mule in order to get money. To complicate matters, she falls in love with a young soldier and has to decide whether to stay with the man of her dreams or continue her quest to return home. Juggling her confusing feelings becomes an overpowering emotion, which might just end up breaking her. 'A Million Times through the War Zone' is a story of survival and never giving up on what you desperately want, no matter what life throws at you.

In a world where espionage knows no bounds, where secrets are currency, and betrayal is a way of life, one book dares to delve into the heart of the clandestine underworld.Welcome to a realm where the line between loyalty and deception is razor-thin, and where the stakes are higher than ever. Follow the riveting exploits of secret agents and double agents as they navigate a landscape fraught with danger, where alliances shift like sand and trust is a luxury few can afford. But let's not forget the allure of the gorgeous lady spies, their serpentine bodies a sight to behold as they maneuver through a world of danger and desire. These agents are not just skilled in espionage; they're masters of seduction, swapping sex partners to abstract strictly classified secrets, finding not only the thrill of the mission but also divine pleasure in their pursuits.From the deserts of the Sahara to the lush oases of distant lands, from the depths of betrayal to the heights of redemption, this is a tale of epic proportions that will grip you from the very first page. Prepare to be enthralled by a world where danger and desire collide, where nothing is as it seems, and where the fate of humanity rests in the hands of those who walk in the shadows. But amidst the treachery and intrigue, there's another force at play: extraterrestrial beings who have witnessed humanity's self-destructive nature and have a plan to save the Earth from its own demise.

In the town of Woking, a story of motherhood unfolds. At its core is Lucy, a fifteen-year-old girl labeled by society as a lost cause, a soul grappling with deep troubles, overshadowed by her mother's battle with depression and alcoholism. Under constant scrutiny from social services, Lucy and her half-sister strive to find stability in their fractured world. However, Lucy's world takes an unexpected twist when she becomes pregnant at the age of fifteen. This newfound circumstance casts a glaring spotlight on their family, fuelling suspicions of Lucy's involvement with a South Asian gang. As a result, both the police and social services hone in on Lucy's case, their attention now undivided. As her world collides with that of determined social worker Milly and Detective Sergeant David, a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and redemption unfolds. A compelling narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Motherhood is a work of fiction that delves into the issue of child sexual exploitation in England, drawing inspiration from real-life cases involving South Asian gangs and the exploitation of young girls. Originally published in Bangla as Matritto in Bangladesh, the book has gained popularity and critical acclaim.

There were possibly twenty reasons why I hung the sign on my study door reading, 'Gone to Scotland... back in a month.' Reason number one: I was compelled to languish on a stone bench in the rocky high grounds of Edinburgh Castle, eyes closed, savoring the sweet sound of bagpipes echoing through the centuries-old stillness. The only thrill that could possibly surpass the bagpipes would be the sensory awakening at the Edinburgh Tattoo. Beyond that, my list included a longing to revisit the lochs in hopes of glimpsing the elusive Nessie, a craving for the earthy taste of haggis, a penchant for a lively Scottish reel and jig, and a need to purchase genuine Scottish shortbread. I also yearned for an authentic Scottish coat, gloves, and matching tam-o-shanter, the sight of a man in a kilt (preferably bending over to tie his shoelaces), and the desire to potter around a certain famous viaduct crossing.

Born out of wedlock to a bitter and vindictive mother, Laura Ashleigh is a brilliant student with a gift for languages. Denied the opportunity to attend Yale College due to its men-only policy, she accepts a newly created position at the local library. The sudden death of her mother frees Laura from a life of servitude and daily criticisms, leaving her struggling to find purpose in her life. An advertisement in a mid-west newspaper catches her attention: a horse rancher in Colorado named Ben McCallister is seeking a wife. With destiny beckoning, Laura posts a reply. As she journeys across Nebraska, she begins to transform, emerging from the shadows as a vibrant, confident woman ready to embrace life's challenges. When the Army supply wagons she is traveling with are threatened by a large band of Cheyenne Indians, a stranger saves them. To her surprise, the man who saved them is none other than Ben McCallister, the man she is destined to marry. He is more than she had dared to hope for-handsome and dangerous, moving with the lethal grace of a jungle cat. Laura will lead him down a different path and shape their future; together with his half-Indian brother Jake, they will forge a dynasty.

Embark on a delightful adventure with Aisha in Treasures from the Sea. Join her family's day at the beach, where she gathers intriguing discoveries, placing them one by one in her bucket while playing with her grandparents, mother, and father. She invites the young reader to remember and order the items she collects. Her final item is a truly special find - dive into the story to discover the lucky recipient of her unique gift. Perfect for young readers embracing the wonders of beach school pedagogy, this book promises a delightful blend of curiosity, family, and the magic found by the sea.

A long and hard road to acceptance for a child who wasn't supposed to be born. Against all odds, he fought just to survive, yearning for love and acceptance. Throughout his life, he has been protected by a Higher Order, guided by faith through trials from Communist oppression to freedom, and into unexpected success. Through hard work and dedication to his community, he rises to become their Mayor, a testament to his resilience and the unwavering support of his Protector.

Set in the final years of Queen Victoria's reign, at the beginning of the end of Empire in India, Flies to Wanton Boys records the life of Marian Chase as she defies convention to cross continents. Ignoring repeated advice that 'this is no place for a woman', she travels through India in search of experiences and relationships more extraordinary than she could ever have expected from her comfortable middle-class upbringing in London and on the South coast. Intoxicated by India; its colours, its sights, its people, she survives landslides and bandit tribesmen in the mountains of the Northwest Frontier, running aground on the mighty Brahmaputra River and devastating monsoon floods in the tea plantations of Upper Assam. And on her journey, she marries, gives birth to a daughter, is widowed, and then marries again to a man whose power and ego finally leave her abandoned and homeless. Her eventual return to England, to the family she left behind fifteen years earlier, is not enough to relieve the grief she feels at having squandered the life she once had. Marian was a remarkable woman who kept meticulous diaries, revealing with unique honesty not just the places and peoples she embraced but her emotions, her doubts, and her fears until eventually she had no energy left.

I hope this book will bring some magic to my readers, especially children and those who have experienced a holiday in a caravan near the sea. Open your minds and relive those exciting moments of being on holiday and falling asleep after an exciting day on the beach.

In his first book, An Unlikely Cornish Fisherman: The Early Years, Michael related his memories of having his first rowing and sailing boat 'Hilda', on his 10th birthday and of the period of his youthful years up to the summer of 1963. Endeavour to be a Cornish Fisherman is a sequel in which Michael relates his story from 1963 through the following years until 1972. His is a unique story, in which he shares his transition from a successful Guided Weapons Draughtsman employed by the Admiralty to become a member of his father's crew on the 35ft Looe fishing vessel 'Endeavour.' (FY 369). Michael describes his inner fears and his fight to prove to his family/ peers that being a 7th Generation fisherman was in his genes. His story takes the reader through the death throes and the final demise of the once vibrant Cornish Pilchard Industry in Looe. This story includes the personalities and elderly crew members with whom Michael came into contact. Interspersed with many comical moments are graphic descriptions of some dangerous encounters that befell the 'Endeavour', which all fishermen face in their everyday job.

The work now respectfully offered to the reader is a collection of sonnets in classical form. The writer is neither a Romantic nor a Modernist, and much herein draws aspects of character from the poetry of the 18th century and from the language of the law, which aspects of character are now instinctive to the writer. The poetry is, in general, serious but with a touch of humour in parts. It touches upon the various aspects of the human condition, including its joys, sorrows, insights, and aspirations. The writer would now respectfully offer the work to his readers, be they his critics or perhaps otherwise.

'Lightning fast, impossible to catch, and you thought they just hatch!' These new parents are soon to discover that they are in for a big surprise. At the same time, they discover something new about themselves in their life as parents and as tortoises. Putting their minds together and working as a team, they finally resolve the problem that their little one presents them. And along the way, have some fun themselves. Strap yourselves in!

Continuing with the charming Little T - Tales of a Jamaican Boy series, we find Little T brimming with excitement at the prospect of meeting Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas. In this heartwarming story, the community unites to take the village children on a magical journey, filled with anticipation and joy, to meet the beloved figure of Santa. Join Little T and his friends on this delightful adventure that captures the spirit of togetherness and the wonder of childhood.