Bøker utgitt av Austin Macauley Publishers

The snail wants to be a writer, but he doesn't know what to write about. The lizard, the toad and the turtle try to help him by telling a lot of stories. Will the snail find inspiration? What if we tell you that it's because of his friends that the snail will overcome his fears and fight for his dreams?

Bombs. Tanks. Missiles. This is the constant reality of 13-year-old Marickha Babyak, a young girl living in Lviv, Ukraine. She wishes for nothing but safety and protection from Russia's attacks. Her father has left for war and Mari has no one but her mother and her twin siblings. She dreams of the day when she and her family can find peace and safety elsewhere. Her dream comes true and the family manage to escape the carnage in their country. Little do they know what awaits them in this new strange realm.

In the heart of the desert, amidst ancient secrets and forgotten desires, The Sailor and the Queen unfolds as a tale of forbidden passion and unexpected destinies. When Petru Slavescu and his fellow sailors are abducted by a fierce tribe of warrior women, they are thrust into a world of sensual rituals and untamed desires. As they navigate this seductive new reality, they must confront their deepest longings and grapple with the consequences of their choices. With each stolen touch and whispered promise, the boundaries between captor and captive blur, igniting a fire that threatens to consume them all. The Sailor and the Queen is a mesmerizing exploration of eroticism, power, and the enduring quest for love and freedom in a world where pleasure and danger intertwine.

On a chilly, peaceful morning in 1964, Brady and Truman set out on a casual fishing trip at Old Man Gray's pond, unaware that the day would take a life-altering turn. In the small Southern town of Alabama, where harmony is a façade, the boys find themselves grappling with the murky waters of injustice and the evil that lurks beneath the surface. As they navigate the treacherous path of defying the status quo, Brady and Truman seek unexpected allies to help them understand the harsh realities they face. But their determination to push boundaries exposes them to more than just racial injustice, and they soon find themselves in over their heads. With their childhood innocence slipping away and the pressures of their small town threatening to tear them apart, the boys are left questioning the strength of their friendship and the trustworthiness of those around them. In this coming-of-age story set in Gray's Crossing, not everything is as it seems, and Brady and Truman must decide whether they can rely on each other or succumb to the forces that seek to divide them.

The idyll of English rural life is peeled back to reveal a world where the new money of hedge fund managers and oligarchs along with the old money of aristocracy is used to project power and protect centuries old traditions. They will go to any lengths to silence opponents and activists are equally determined to reveal the truth behind hunting and shooting. On the ground gamekeepers and hunt operatives follow their orders leaving them one mistake away from losing their homes and livelihoods. But many in the rural community are making different choices. Activist Raven Harley is far from alone in his struggle but he soon realises the mistake he made in leaving his long-term partner Chloe for influencer Becky. Now it's Chloe who gathers the evidence that impels the police to investigate rather than protect the establishment. And as Raven faces increasing danger, can Chloe ever forgive him?

The Australian outback can be a harsh and hostile place to live, and the boy's home is no different. Sam must escape his abusive father for any hope of a future, but living on the street pushes him to the brink as he's forced to make difficult choices to survive. This is a gritty tale of dangerous lies and secrets that stretch far and wide. Events can't just be erased without people answering for what they've done.

Embark on an exciting journey into the world of bridge with Dini Thorne as your guide. From bidding basics to more advanced play, Dini's friendly advice and clear explanations will have you enjoying this timeless game in no time. Whether you're new to bridge or looking to sharpen your skills, The Dini Bridge Bible is your essential companion on the path to becoming a confident player. Let the adventure begin!

Amanda Harris, once a dedicated policewoman in Australia, tackling crime alongside Mike Rogers in the Kings Cross Violent Crime Division. She has now reinvented herself as the formidable Night Watchwoman. Her transformation had begun on a snow-capped mountain in Switzerland, where she ended the infamous Night Watchman's reign of terror. Learning from her mentor's mistakes, Amanda has now honed her skills, committing flawless crimes with unmatched attention to detail. Like an eight-legged octopus, Amanda deftly juggles multiple tasks, evading capture with ease. She sets her sights on the Gold Coast after her daring prison break, determined to purge its streets of criminal elements. In her new role, she surpasses even the Night Watchman, her enigmatic forerunner. Join Amanda in this action-packed narrative as she embraces her new identity as "Naomi" The Night Watchwoman. Readers will be taken on an exhilarating ride through suspense, justice, and the haunting echoes of her past.

Spring awakens Doug the hedgehog from hibernation, reuniting him with Ambra the blackbird. Join these unlikely friends on a three-week adventure across the countryside! Who will they meet? What peril awaits Doug at the campsite? And who are the three surprise companions at the journey's end? Discover friendship, courage, and wonder in this charmingly illustrated tale!

Desire A force unseen, yet always present. In the depths of our souls - It lingers - silently urging us forward. A paradoxical dance in which the things that we yearn for most Always elude our grasp. Life's irony lies in our desires The dreams that tantalise The passions that consume The heart's eternal quest. Desire, like an intricate tapestry, wove its web into Graham's life, tainted by the enduring ache of her absence - this tale - a mere expression of his everlasting love, or an enigmatic abyss brimming with concealed truths and untamed yearnings?

This autobiography tells of a pioneer family settling and farming south eastern Australia with lots of interesting, heartwarming and funny stories. Edward Dickinson's grandfather, Francis, came from an old English farming family. In 1873, with the colonies offering new opportunities, he sailed to Australia on the Agamannon landing in St.Kilda, Victoria where he purchased 40 acres of prime land and developed a lucrative pig and dairy farm which helped feed the fast growing city of Melbourne. Edward's father was born there, but eventually left with his own growing family enticed by government promises of good cheap farmland opening up in north west Victoria. The intrepid couple travelled 340 miles in a covered wagon with 5 young girls to find it hot, dry and sandy. In 1917 they had Ed, who grew up fast and strong in the area known as the Mallee. He loved country life but while still in his teens was city bound where he learned a trade, learned to box, found a wife, joined a war and always tried to demonstrate the qualities learned in his youth but nearly always missed the country. His observations and descriptive expression make for an entertaining and informative read set in a time and place seldom seen from this perspective.

Now, if you thought just because the title of this book is Jezebel, it is about you know who, I've some good and bad news for you, which one do you want first? Okay, bad news it is. At least, until this protagonist silences the little voice in her head that keeps telling her to conform and be ordinary, she will not be able to create a story worth telling. The good news is she has the potential but not before she untangles the web of murder mystery ensnaring her. That said, this reclusive protagonist, preferring the crisp logic of technology over the societal rules that do not serve her, does not only find solace in the digital realm, but she also devises an AI to aid her in understanding the mysteries of the ancient Egyptian society. This is until deceased bodies are discovered bearing tattoos of the symbols she had coded into the AI, giving her mundane life a whole new spin. What does she do? Well, we all know debug is not a pill available in drug stores, so she delves further into the technology and the new places it opens for her, every line of code she deciphers and every ancient rule she unravels, drawing her closer to a reality more startling than she could have ever envisioned. Except, the path to vindication becomes burdened with ancient rules encapsulated in a sacred book she must adhere to before she is able to debug the AI. Join Jezebel in a journey unbounded by time and space where she encounters the good and evil of the ancient world, and who is best to do it with but the historical and mythical figures she meets along the way!

Childhoods is a non-fiction picture book that explores how children live their childhoods depending on their social and cultural backgrounds. It also illustrates how these diverse children often share the same urban sites in most countries worldwide. The book intends to enable a critical reading of the material conditions of children in vulnerable situations. It encourages the reader to appreciate the sameness in all children through their dreams and their connection to the natural world.

Following the events in Bridge of Orchy, Colour Coded returns to action as The White Wire must revisit his family home to confirm if the woman Neon murdered was indeed his sister. As the story unfolds, Colour Coded discovers another gang intertwined with Neon's world, and The Yellow Youth quickly realizes his personal connection to one of its members. Forming an alliance may be their only hope to stop Neon. However, in just a few hours, Colour Coded's mission shifts from tracking and killing Neon to preventing a bomb from annihilating an unsuspecting village - a bomb that Neon has arranged for Colour Coded to be blamed for. Gang warfare, kidnapping, murder... and now terrorism. Neon will stop at nothing in his psychotic rage against his former team. Can Colour Coded set aside their personal issues long enough to prevent the bomb from detonating? Or will Neon's mind games lead to fatal consequences?

In the quest for meaning and purpose, humanity has long sought solace in religious beliefs and mystical practices. However, for those who find the concept of an omnipotent, external God difficult to accept or the idea of an afterlife questionable, this book offers a fresh perspective. Without detracting from conventional religion, the author explores an alternative spiritual path for sceptics, the uncommitted, and those who identify as atheist or agnostic. Delving into the origin and nature of life, the book proposes thought-provoking views on the essence of God and the possibility of life after death. It presents a gospel rooted in the realities of nature, drawing parallels with the beliefs of the Australian Aborigines, whose religion is uniquely intertwined with the natural world. This book invites readers to consider a spiritual framework that aligns with their observations and experiences, offering a compelling alternative for those seeking a deeper understanding of existence beyond traditional religious doctrines.

This is the tale of Aria, an eighteen-year-old street urchin who survives day-to-day using her charms and street smarts. After stealing a loaf of bread from a baker, she narrowly escapes his wrath by fleeing to the rooftops of the city. There, she inadvertently overhears a conversation between a city guard and the shadow wizard Malachi. As Malachi attempts to flee using a teleport spell, the guard offers him an audience with King Orginald, who might be able to help him. Intrigued, Malachi agrees, and Aria, familiar with the royal castle from her childhood forays in search of food, decides to follow him. She ends up on a balcony, where she overhears Malachi's conversation with King Orginald. Aria learns about the Book of the Dead and discovers that Malachi has stolen it from the royal treasury. Revealing her presence, Aria interrupts their conversation and offers her assistance in uncovering the secrets of the book. This marks the beginning of Aria's adventure.

Mary Earle's memoir, The Longing, is a poignant testament to resilience, born out of a desire to shed light on a dark chapter of history that mirrors her own turbulent past. Born in 1947, Mary's childhood was overshadowed by a dysfunctional family and a father known for his explosive temper. A harrowing incident at fifteen plunged Mary into a world rife with abuse and suffering, threatening to lead her down a path of despair and depression. Her father forbid her to ever speak of this incident, and it becomes locked inside her. Yet, Mary's spirit remained unbroken. Her story is one of remarkable transformation. In her forties, having escaped a violent marriage, Mary embarked on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, travelling solo to India. Today, she stands as a beacon of hope and strength, a counsellor and trauma specialist, healer and clairvoyant dedicated to helping others. With an 'eternally optimistic' outlook, Mary shares her journey in The Longing, not just as a tale of survival, but as a source of inspiration and courage for anyone striving to overcome their own adversities.

"My brother Mark and I wake in the night to the sound of gunfire... The open window, with its mosquito-netting casement, allows us to hear male voices speaking outside, hushed and urgent. Then another volley of shots and bullets spray the side of the house. There is a soft thud against the wall above the bed on the opposite side of the room, where a few minutes earlier my brother had been sleeping. At the same time, a loud metallic twang outside is followed by the frightened bray of a donkey. Our donkey!" Whether caught in a war zone in Lebanon, living in a castle in Hong Kong, or coping with extreme heat in a remote Arabian outpost, such experiences were normality for Philippa and her brother. Thought-provoking, humorous and poignant, Heavy Luggage is the extraordinary story of their adventure-filled childhood in the 1950s and 60s as they and their parents travelled on troop ships with the British Army to some of the remotest places on the globe. Offering a glimpse into a bygone era towards the end of British Colonialism, when military families followed the Drum to wherever they were posted, Philippa and Mark take us on a personal voyage, exploring their unconventional upbringing. Their parents' and grandparents' similarly remarkable life stories are also woven into this unique memoir that examines a family legacy shaped by history.

Stanley, a typical schoolboy, learns that nature has a playful but serious side. Each time he litters, animals like a cheeky squirrel and a wise owl teach him lessons in hilarious ways. From banana peels to eagle droppings, Stanley faces nature's humorous wrath. These antics lead him to realize the importance of keeping the environment clean. Nature Rules! is a charming and educational tale by Lee Graham that blends humour and adventure, showing young readers the impact of their actions on the world around them.

Hold on to your hats... here comes a roller-coaster, magical, mystical, and hilarious adventure for children of all ages. Little Odd lives happily on Cloud Ninety-Nine-a-Hundred, until one day, an accidental roll sends Little Odd tumbling to Earth. Completely clueless and lost, Little Odd soon gathers a motley crew of misfits and outcasts. Together, they embark on a madcap journey through The Dump, The Land of Wonder, the Pits of Despair, the Underworld, and finally, a grand finale of fun and festivities. The Little Odds Trilogy celebrates the joy of letting your imagination run wild while delivering serious messages about climate change, protecting our beautiful planet, and treating everyone with kindness and compassion. It is a whimsical tale about humanity that is truly like nothing on earth. Honestly.

After escaping from the awful Mr and Mrs Nicompoop, Rita sets off on a long, long journey back to Africa where her parents lived, and where they had been captured. On the way, she has a few scary moments where she has to think quickly to stay out of danger. But she is helped on her way by several acts of kindness - from humans and from other birds and animals - and she makes some good friends. This teaches her a lot about the world and about herself.

In the aftermath of devastating wars, seven distinct lands forged a pact to ensure lasting peace. Each land, with its own unique history, treasures, secrets, and traditions, remained under the rule of an honourable family. The pact was sealed by the creation of a magnificent jewel: Tnemaid. This powerful artifact prevented hostile actions without causing harm to the aggressor. However, one ruler somehow managed to avoid the curse cast upon traitors after invading a foreign land. The story unfolds as Ren, the heir to the throne of the invaded land, embarks on an epic journey to reclaim the stolen stone of power and inherit his rightful place as ruler. Joined by twin brothers Cillian and Cairell, heirs to the throne of the water land, Neasan, grandson of the queen of magicians, Aivalar, a young priestess, and Sanne, a newly met and mysterious girl, Ren faces a perilous quest. Will he succeed in his mission? What sacrifices will he have to make along the way? When put to the ultimate test, will the bonds of friendship prove strong enough to overcome the challenges that lie ahead?

A young boy's life takes a thrilling turn when he encounters a wicked witch and steals the 'go faster sticker' from her broom, rendering it unable to reach high speeds. Determined to retrieve her sticker, the witch unleashes her magical powers and special abilities to hunt down the boy. With the help of his friends, can the young hero outsmart the witch and keep the sticker out of her grasp?

POETRY, PEOPLE, PLACES AND PASSION. Each poem unique, a true window into the soul. An adventure into poetry, discover the joy of the journey. Following on from Anthony Keyes sell out books, Weston-super-Mare The Sands of Time, and Poetic Realms comes Anthony's new long awaited acclaimed original and illustrated third book, The Poetry Field, which covers many different heart felt subject matters. Anthony writes reflective and exciting new poems for you to relate to and enjoy in your own way. There is something for everyone: images, locations, history, remembrance, sport, the seaside, and a new poem set in Iceland. Find the trail in this book, visit for free, join the Poetry Trail at any point or imagine yourself in the poem's locations. A polished time travelling diamond of a book. Find references to RMS Titanic. Search out the poems Anthony has broadcast live at Remembrance Services over the years that reflect the sacrifice of all who served and remembering their loved ones. Anthony's new poems and a few of his earlier ones are here waiting for you to discover and enjoy. Anthony's previous poems have appeared in over fifty different poetry anthologies. Discover the West Country's new North Somerset Seashore Poetry Trail with its eleven poetry plaques that cover this spectacular coastal area. Including two poems settings to be found on the Striking National Trust coast. The poetry in The Poetry Field has been influenced by sounds and emotions and yes even the Fab Four, The Beatles.