Bøker utgitt av Austin Macauley Publishers

A new term begins at the Worcester Institute of Fine Art, where the world-famous paintings aren't the only thing catching attention. Professor Philip Denton, the strikingly handsome art historian, notices a young student lurking in the shadows. But this isn't just any student: she's destined to become a master of fine art. Behind her baggy clothes and quiet demeanour, though, lies a web of secrets Philip has yet to uncover.Meanwhile, the seductive and manipulative Alexia Millward has plans of her own. Determined to keep the divine professor for herself, she uses every wicked trick in the book to ensnare him. Amidst these schemes, Olivia Whitmore, a lonely, isolated teenager burdened by tragedy, wonders if she will ever find the happiness and love she's never dared to dream of. Will her life ever be normal again, or is she caught in a drama far more dangerous than she realizes?

The story unravels in the dusty dryness of Baghdad, Iraq, which reminded Jake of Woomera, and the Colony of Clones. Living in a science-fiction reality, Dago from the Colony sees it as his duty to take control in his hero-quest to take-over as a world leader.A spume of volcanic ash erupts at Medina and Mecca, forcing thousands of gallons of oil-enriched emissions skywards. This in turn affects Muslim pilgrims as they make their way through the Zamzam valley to the Ka'bah, Islam's most holy site.Adventure lies ahead, querying the tomes of antiquity. Dago had done it again:First the bomb at the Vatican and, now, the eruption at Medina and Mecca; boundaries are crossed in an all-consuming blur. Dago's appearance does not raise eyebrows, as a unique saviour is common to many religious beliefs. Dago believes that by unlocking the genome he and his sister, Mary, obtain their potential, becoming not only world leaders but gods. Dago sets out on his hero-quest, dragging Ator with him, boasting they are perfect organisms made for the survival of their selfish genes.From antiquity to the modern day, the reader is engaged in a journey of discovery that could define either the future, or end in the destruction of mankind.

Veterinary nurse Esther Willard loves her work and enjoys spending time with horse trainer Morgan and farrier Brock. However, an unexpected confession nearly shatters the friendship she's always cherished.When tragedy strikes, it takes a series of destructive events and looming danger to force a decision that changes her life forever. Just as she begins to find her footing, a shocking twist arrives in the form of a motorsport-obsessed stranger who ignites her passion for both horses and engines. But can she handle a man who constantly reminds her of the past?As doubts and mistrust plague their long-distance relationship, unforeseen circumstances threaten to destroy any hope of a future together.In this story of friendship, emotional turmoil, and courage, Esther must confront her grief and face the lurking evil. Will she stand alone, or will she find the strength to overcome it with him by her side?

Mr. Meeks is practically giddy: he's finally won back the woman of his dreams. Together, they embark on a brand-new adventure, continually adding joy to their close-knit family bubble. Mr. Meeks, once doubtful he'd ever know the joys of fatherhood, now finds himself relishing the unexpected bliss of being both a father and a grandfather.Life for the Meeks Family is brimming with good fortune: from a lucky raffle win to a swiftly expanding business, and from rediscovering a forgotten holiday home to uncovering the spoils of a long-ago bank robbery. Yet, amidst the highs, life throws its challenges their way. Three funerals and a rushed wedding leave the family clinging to each other for support, navigating the waves of emotion together.Through it all, the Meeks Family exemplifies love, honour, and remembrance for those no longer with them while eagerly supporting those yet to come. This heartwarming tale is a celebration of life, love, and family - a poignant reminder to cherish what we have and to hold tight to those we love, never letting go.

Anyone who has read the first Edna the Witch book will know how amusing she happens to be. If you are reading about her for the first time you will see how she has a way of living that is the opposite to ours. Edna is very funny and gets into all sorts of trouble. She has a different take on life and who wouldn't when; you are centuries old. Edna can be hilarious when she's bossing everyone around and can always drum up a spell to sort anyone out who upsets her. Sometimes she's an adorable character and sometimes she isn't. We're often left wishing that we could use her methods when someone upsets us. But, no, only Edna can get away with it.When Edna gets into trouble, she can't understand what all the fuss is about. No-one can send her to her room, stop her allowance or ground her, because Edna is Edna and ultimately, she's in charge! Some of the things she does are unbelievable.She goes uninvited to the King and Queen's coronation, tells the captain of her holiday aeroplane how to fly and chooses another way to travel home. What will she do next?

One woman portrays two different faces. One looks angelic, while the other is out for what she can get. She has an insatiable lust for sex and does not really care who gets hurt along the way; she cannot see that she is doing anything wrong. But the tables do turn on her, and she has to live and pay the final price.

Inside the mind of a Schizophrenic ScouserThis book tackles the stigmas surrounding mental illness with raw honesty and dark humour. From straitjackets to fearmongering, from serial killers to the boardroom, the protagonist navigates life under the constant weight of being watched - a prisoner in her own mind.But when does psychosis become a threat to those who don't understand it? For her, it's not the voices in her head that are most frightening, but the people around her. With humour and small victories, she learns to cope in a world that often feels scarier than her own thoughts.

At twelve, Li Hua is sold to a floating brothel, but destiny has other plans. Behind the walls of the Forbidden City, she evolves from concubine to spy. She navigates treachery, suppresses a rebellion, and engineers a bold escape with only a mastery of martial arts and a cinnabar dragon pendant imbued with the fatal poison known as GU.In modern-day San Francisco, Lu Carter, an adopted Chinese American and a medical engineer, is introduced to the mysteries of her family's past when she receives an ancient chronicle. During a trip to Shanghai, she uncovers her birth mother's dark history-imprisonment and debts owed to the wrong people. Upon her return, Lu is terminated from her job and faces a corporate espionage lawsuit after her invention is leaked. But the past and present soon collide.

Marty the house martin sets off on his journey north for the summer, but along the way, he encounters unexpected difficulties and becomes separated from his fellow travellers. Alone and facing numerous challenges, Marty must find a way to survive on his own. Inspired by a true encounter, this heartwarming story celebrates bravery, perseverance, and the power of trust.

This book uses Dr. John Gray's metaphor of men being from Mars and women from Venus to explore the often humorous yet sometimes stressful dynamics of parenthood. From conception to childrearing, this witty and light-hearted compendium dives into the differences in parenting ideologies between men (Martians) and women (Venetians).The book highlights how an 'alpha mum' with high expectations of motherhood can amplify these differences, especially when emotions are processed differently between genders. Drawing on personal experiences and observations of other couples, Beamon presents a dad's perspective, offering insight into how fathers attempt to live up to their partners' expectations while keeping a smile through the challenging moments every parent will recognise.Whether managing through empathy or a lighter touch, this book offers relatable laughs and reflections on the universal journey of raising a child.

From a Lake District farm to the pulsating heart of London's nightlife, Jim Wyllie's 'Flashing Lights' charts an extraordinary path through UK clubland in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Wyllie's ascent is nothing short of remarkable: from entertaining holidaymakers at 16 to becoming the youngest Nightclub Manager in the Star Circuit's history at 18, before becoming the owner of groundbreaking bars, restaurants and nightclubs in London's West End.This memoir offers a kaleidoscopic view of an era, blending hilarious anecdotes with personal reflections and cultural insights. Wyllie's narrative defies simple categorization, presenting an easy read that invites deeper contemplation. It's an intoxicating mix of showmanship and psychology, combining the spectacle of Barnum and Bailey with the wit of Del Boy, the insight of Freud, and the candor of Bridget Jones.Jim Wyllie's 'Flashing Lights' captures the highs, lows, and everything in between of a life lived in the spotlight. Whether you're nostalgic for the golden age of clubbing or curious about the machinations of nightlife, Wyllie's story promises to enthrall and enlighten, offering a vibrant glimpse into the era that shaped modern club culture.

There's a lot to learn from nature and the wilderness if we truly listen and observe.Friendships can form among wildlife, offering mutual benefits or arising purely from good hearts and sympathy.But what are the chances that an egret and a turtle can become friends?

A terminally ill woman dying in a hospital in Redondo Beach, California. A Colombian teenage girl who has to face an extreme test alone. A young Welsh physicist and rugby player who has to take up service at CERN, in Geneva. A Sicilian boy on a very risky mission in the North. A disillusioned postal worker and dull family man in the Soviet Union. A Chinese thief waiting to serve her sentence. A young Australian Aboriginal becoming a man.The lives of these seven people, who have never met or known each other and live thousands of miles apart, are united by a common destiny with an eighth man: their story in fact culminates on the day of John F. Kennedy's murder in Dallas.Precisely then, each of them faces the ultimate meaning of their existence in a personal yet shared moment, while life does not stop, and the world goes on as it does every day...

Naan and Pa Bailey are back again, trying to cope with their cat MimiCleo, and three toys who come to life: Pedro the parrot, Fraser Bear, and Purple Ted.The animals are never far away from a crisis or an adventure, to the secret delight of the Baileys' neighbours. They are Jim and his bear Mr Ted (who are both over 70!), Miss Flora, an expert cake maker, and Bill and Elsie, who have three cats. Not forgetting Isabel, MimiCleo's vet and Pa's rowing student.Why not open the door to number 66 Leymor Road, and find out what is about to happen, whether it is the toys meeting Selwyn Seal on the Thames, or MimiCleo stepping on Pa's computer and paying the phone bill?

After a high-stakes, nighttime chase, a flying saucer is shot down, landing intact in a freshwater lake at the East Yorkshire seaside resort of Hornsea. The authorities, under the guise of discovering a small-yield atomic bomb, evacuate the entire town.John Phillips returns home to Hornsea, ignoring all warnings. As he explores the eerily silent town, now plunged into pitch darkness, his curiosity leads him to the freshwater lake.From his hiding spot, John watches as authorities haul not an atomic bomb, but a UFO out of the water. Suddenly, a bright light transfers the alien pilot's consciousness into John's mind. The boy agrees to help the alien return to its saucer. Despite being pursued by an army of security forces equipped with state-of-the-art technology, John manages to get the alien back to its ship. However, fate has other plans. What follows is an extraordinary adventure with life-or-death consequences for John.

Sometimes in life, the unexpected happens. A twist of fate can change everything, even who you fall in love with. When a man searching for the man of his dreams unexpectedly finds that a woman fits the bill, it's a surprising revelation. It's a story of opposites attracting, of love transcending gender, and embracing the beautiful diversity of human relationships.In a world where cruelty and prejudice can prevail, the love between two people, regardless of their gender or orientation, adds spice to life. This is a call to go for it and be happy, to take a leap of faith and embrace pride. Despite the hurdles and obstacles, the journey of love is worth it. As the wedding vow says: 'Let no man put asunder.'

Lilly, a senior lady, would never have dreamt of doing the Camino de Santiago. Yet, one day, she just took off and started this arduous pilgrimage, walking 800 km all alone through the north of Spain. Lilly's handicaps, as a result of previous brain surgery, made traveling on her own sometimes hazardous.On these pages, she draws the reader into the beautiful, peaceful, and happy pilgrim world, relating some of the incredible stories she heard. She listens to Stuart when he talks about the agonizing search for his younger brother at Ground Zero, and to Alexander from Peru, who had twenty siblings, all by the same mother. We hear about the lady who was struggling to get away from an abusive, narcissistic partner.At an almost hidden level, this story lifts a few veils off Lilly's own marriage. We also get to know David, who saved Lilly's life during a night of thunderstorms, which was, by the way, not the first time her life was in danger. David returns in quite an unexpected manner in the last few pages of these Camino tales, adding more magic to an exceptional journey.

It never dawned on me that I was getting ill, but what was happening to me was very real. Living in a world of make-believe, I was convinced my imaginary visions were genuine. I had delusions of grandeur, thinking I was all-powerful and the centre of everything. But I was not a monster; I was a lost soul. My story involves a struggle with mania and depression in the context of my life in England and France. How, despite my handicap, I held down a job abroad for 8 years and how, after 8 years of marriage to a Frenchman, I supported my daughter as a single parent. My memoir gives insight into living with mental illness. It is an autobiography concerned with memories of childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

When a mischievous P¿keko bird struts into a family's home, chaos is quick to follow!With every attempt to catch the feathery intruder, the family finds themselves in one hilarious disaster after another. Packed with humour and wild antics, this delightful story promises laughs for readers of all ages.Fun for both the young and the young-at-heart!

Have you ever wandered around the zoo looking at the animals, wondering which one you would like to be?Meet Groo - some days Groo feels like a giraffe and on other days it feels like a kangaroo! Groo is on an adventure to search for animals like it in the zoo, just to be like the other animals who all have a family.As Groo navigates this journey, it faces various challenges and learns valuable lessons about the other animals in the zoo. Each creature Groo encounters is eager to help.Will Groo find animals like itself or discover something even more profound? Join Groo on this delightful quest and find out!

What does art tell us about man's place in history?In Thought and Image, award-winning author and philosopher Fredrik Lång takes the reader on a two-thousand-year journey spanning the worlds of art and philosophy, from ancient Greece into the modern day. Thought and Image explores the ways in which artistic expression is linked to the way of life and manner of thought of people throughout the centuries."Art, like knowledge, is an interpretation of a contemporary existence, executed in the concepts that thinking provides at the time. Every picture is worth a thousand words and every significant work of art contains a statement and is a confirmation of the general values of its time."Lång journeys slowly through the winding gallery of images and concepts that man has built up over the millennia, analysing the gaze of Giotto and the technical metaphors of Duchamp. The book ends with a challenging question: What is the significance of the insights gained for the understanding of our own time?

A short story or two with a cup of tea is an ideal way to relax and escape from the cares of the world. None of the stories in this book are overlong, and all make for easy reading. The subjects are varied, ranging from ghost stories to little slices of life, with at least one drawn from the author's own experience. He hopes the reader derives as much pleasure from reading them as he did from writing them.

In his quest for truth and answers concerning the suspicious death of his son and his family, retired career soldier, Jesse Hunter, finds himself in a sedate retirement village in New Zealand's South Island where he reunites with a former Special Air Services buddy.After making friends with some of the village's retirees, who themselves have past military backgrounds, they find out that a young man who visits them regularly has a mysterious and out-of-character disappearance.Are Jesse's son and the young man's demise somehow connected?As suspicions are also raised about the integrity of the local police, the 'boys' decided to take matters into their own hands with a little bit of homegrown detective work. Their investigations take them from a peaceful retirement and a life of fun and humour into a world of intrigue, danger, kidnappings, Russian mobsters, murder, a biker gang and a terrorist cell group.Who can they trust?As they all draw on their past wartime experiences, they realise they can only trust each other and embark on rescue missions using their old age smarts and unconventional weapons to take on the bad guys.There is humour, action and drama as The Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Squad have one last battle to fight.

Reading Dad's poetry is like taking a walk through his life. It is easy to see there are demons, but there is beauty and love too. Beauty in memories of greyhounds, raging fires, the plight of Indigenous people, the complexities of religious beliefs, and recognising the power of other people's life stories.I remember sitting in the back seat of his car, listening to him speak of Shakespeare and reciting sonnets verbatim. He spoke of Keats and Eliot, of Yeats and Poe, and Yevtushenko and I did my best to comprehend the images of tragedy, love and loss. And now, many years later, when I read Dad's words, I think I understand them.

We live in crisis-ridden times. Civilization is repeatedly ravaged by diseases, recessions, wars, and international terror, while global climate change and the existence of nuclear weapons could soon put an end to humanity. What are we to do? Serious problems like these raise many moral questions, but people often disagree, sometimes vehemently, about the answers.Moral disagreements pose a fundamental question: Could some moral opinions be better than others? Are there any moral truths at all, or is right and wrong merely a matter of perspective, depending on the eye of the beholder? Perhaps moral beliefs are nothing but a kind of superstition, like beliefs about vampires or Greek gods and goddesses?In this refreshingly unorthodox introduction, Danish philosopher Thomas Østergaard deals with these questions in a novel way. Written as a philosophical dialogue, the book makes the various positions come alive through four people's interchange of ideas and arguments, continuously interspersed with everyday examples as well as intriguing thought experiments. As a witness to this debate, the reader is invited to ponder the nature of morality, the possibility of resolving our moral differences, and the puzzling and provocative question: Why should I care about morality?