Yearning Blue is the colour of distant hills. It's the colour of imagination.
It's also a line from one of my poems - 'The View from the Hilltop' - which, as near as I can, sums up who I am and why I write.
On this site you can find out (if you wish!) more about me, and more about my writing and publications, along with some samples of my work. You can also read my Blog, 'The Reality Escape Committee'.
My latest publication is out now. 'The Hidden Libraries' is a sequel to my earlier fantasy novel, 'The Empress's Lover'. It's set in a world on the cusp of change, in an Empire which stands on the brink of bloody civil war. One man can prevent that - but not alone: he needs help - from the Empire's greatest jewel thief.
A fast paced adventure story, which also asks questions about the foundations of Empire - in that world or this.
It's available on all the main e-book platforms, and as a paperback in some online bookshops. You can read a preview of the prologue and first chapter here. Or for more background on the Empire of Eskarin, there's a map, a history and a list of noble ranks here.
The first three books of the 'Local' series, published by Lion Hudson, are still available as paperbacks or e-books. All three are set in the same fictional English town, but with a different main character - though the stories overlap, and if you read through the whole series you get to see old friends from different perspectives.
The series begins with 'LOCAL POET' in which an apparent tragic accident leads van driver Rob Seaton into a dangerous world of drugs, murder and poetry. Read a taster on the Local Poet page.
The second book in the series, 'LOCAL ARTIST' was published in 2017. it takes some of the minor characters from 'Local Poet' and follows their story. Two murders, thirty years apart, linked by a painting. Ask for it at your favourite bookshop - if they haven't got it, they should be able to get it for you! Or if not, you can order direct from Lion Hudson, or from Amazon for paperback and Kindle editions.
The third book, 'LOCAL LEGEND' is a story of friendship, corruption and football - with what I hope will be some surprising twists. To read a short extract, go to the Local Legend page.
The fourth book, 'Local Killer' is not yet published. After it came second in the ACW (Association of Christian Writers) Novel competition, I decided to do an extensive re-write to take acount of the judges very useful and encouraging comments. There's always room for improvement!
As you might expect from the title, the body count is a bit higher than in the previous 'Locals'. But you will also get to revisit some old friends, meet some new ones, and get a new perspective on events that happened right back in the first book.
When the re-write is finished, I'll be looking at publishing options. In the meantime, you can read some of the opening chapter here.
For a dark and edgy look at crime from a British CSI's point of view, try my earlier novel, 'Can of Worms'. For a taster, take a look at this video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLGlxegJWqs
Feel free to browse. I hope you enjoy reading, and I'd love to hear from you if you do! Comments, Critiques or reviews can be posted on the 'Contact Me' page.
It's also a line from one of my poems - 'The View from the Hilltop' - which, as near as I can, sums up who I am and why I write.
On this site you can find out (if you wish!) more about me, and more about my writing and publications, along with some samples of my work. You can also read my Blog, 'The Reality Escape Committee'.
My latest publication is out now. 'The Hidden Libraries' is a sequel to my earlier fantasy novel, 'The Empress's Lover'. It's set in a world on the cusp of change, in an Empire which stands on the brink of bloody civil war. One man can prevent that - but not alone: he needs help - from the Empire's greatest jewel thief.
A fast paced adventure story, which also asks questions about the foundations of Empire - in that world or this.
It's available on all the main e-book platforms, and as a paperback in some online bookshops. You can read a preview of the prologue and first chapter here. Or for more background on the Empire of Eskarin, there's a map, a history and a list of noble ranks here.
The first three books of the 'Local' series, published by Lion Hudson, are still available as paperbacks or e-books. All three are set in the same fictional English town, but with a different main character - though the stories overlap, and if you read through the whole series you get to see old friends from different perspectives.
The series begins with 'LOCAL POET' in which an apparent tragic accident leads van driver Rob Seaton into a dangerous world of drugs, murder and poetry. Read a taster on the Local Poet page.
The second book in the series, 'LOCAL ARTIST' was published in 2017. it takes some of the minor characters from 'Local Poet' and follows their story. Two murders, thirty years apart, linked by a painting. Ask for it at your favourite bookshop - if they haven't got it, they should be able to get it for you! Or if not, you can order direct from Lion Hudson, or from Amazon for paperback and Kindle editions.
The third book, 'LOCAL LEGEND' is a story of friendship, corruption and football - with what I hope will be some surprising twists. To read a short extract, go to the Local Legend page.
The fourth book, 'Local Killer' is not yet published. After it came second in the ACW (Association of Christian Writers) Novel competition, I decided to do an extensive re-write to take acount of the judges very useful and encouraging comments. There's always room for improvement!
As you might expect from the title, the body count is a bit higher than in the previous 'Locals'. But you will also get to revisit some old friends, meet some new ones, and get a new perspective on events that happened right back in the first book.
When the re-write is finished, I'll be looking at publishing options. In the meantime, you can read some of the opening chapter here.
For a dark and edgy look at crime from a British CSI's point of view, try my earlier novel, 'Can of Worms'. For a taster, take a look at this video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLGlxegJWqs
Feel free to browse. I hope you enjoy reading, and I'd love to hear from you if you do! Comments, Critiques or reviews can be posted on the 'Contact Me' page.
