I am a children’s author who lives in the north west of England and took early retirement from my job as a data analyst for one of the local Health Authorities in order to dedicate myself to my writing. I have been a prolific reader all my life, and for many years have spent most of my free time writing. As well as being educated up to degree level, I have completed courses and received diplomas from ‘The Writing School Ltd’ and ‘The Academy of Children’s Writers’.My aim in life has always been to write, and I have had a sideline of freelance writing for more years than I like to admit to having lived. This has mainly involved published articles in such magazines as ‘Prediction’. I have also completed two children’s novels, ‘Caution: Witch in Progress’ and ‘Zac’s Destiny.’ ‘Caution: Witch in Progress’ was published by Ghostly Publishing in 2013 and launched at Earl’s Court Book Fair. It is available in paperback and on kindle on Amazon worldwide. Zac’s Destiny is also available on Kindle.
I released something completely different on Kindle in 2014, a compilation of 13 macabre Twist in the Tale short stories, titled ‘Unlucky For Some’ and definitely NOT for children! If you enjoy scary, check it out!
A very different children’s humorous fantasy, ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’, was released by Crimson Cloak Publishing on St Patrick’s Day 2016.
Are you a fan of Role-Play gamebooks? I have written two of those too. ‘The Chalice of Jupiter’ and ‘Pirate’s Peril’. Can you survive? Why not check them out…
In 2019 I also released a companion guide to Caution: Witch in Progress. ‘Gertie’s Guide to Nature’s Cures’ is both an educational and fun book for children, introducing them to the amazing cures and remedies available in nature! Well worth a look.
I am currently working on 12 illustrated zodiac books aimed at children, and a fantasy novel for young adults titled ‘Dimensions’.
My Books
Caution: Witch in Progress
previously published as ‘Gertie Gets it Right (eventually)’ under a different cover, is a children’s humorous fantasy novel aimed at the eight years of age to young teen market. Gertie Grimthorpe comes from a long line of witches. Unfortunately, she hasn’t really got the hang of it. Being blonde-haired, blue-eyed and free of warts isn’t much of an advantage. Try as she might, Gertie’s spells fall flat. She manages to give her bat-headed umbrella the ability to talk, but then wishes she hadn’t when all he does is complain and insult people. Even finding an owl to be her Familiar doesn’t help. Then again, he is extremely shortsighted… Gertie is sent to The Academy to improve her spell casting skills. She soon has a best friend in the form of Bertha Bobbit, a big girl, with a matching appetite. Add to that a Moat Monster with a flatulence problem, the weirdest array of witch’s Familiars possible, and a warlock determined to ruin Gertie’s chances of success, and the story unfolds. Not to mention the demon…
Zac’s Destiny
A children’s sword and sorcery fantasy novel aimed at the nine years of age to mid teen market. Zac is a fifteen year old stable boy whose life is turned upside down when he finds himself in the midst of demons, magic and a perilous quest. The land around Albemerle castle is under attack, and the only hope of survival for Zac and the people he loves is to find the great wizard, Aldric. Men have already died trying. Strange dreams mark the beginning of Zac’s life changing events. Armed with a magic sword, ring and crystal, he sets out with a group of soldiers to find Aldric. Demon attack almost ends Zac’s quest as soon as it begins. Zac refuses to give up, and soon finds himself accompanied by unusual travelling companions. Many dangers bar their way. Only Zac’s determination and the unexpected help he receives can make it possible to find and free Aldric, and return for the final battle to save the land…
Out now in paperback and on Kindle!
When in the enchanted wood, Emily finds she has a surprising connection with her little dog and all of the other animals. When she discovers she needs to help rid the wood of marauding goblins, she must work with the animals to bring peace back to the woodland realm.
Out Now in paperback and on Kindle!
‘A macabre Twist in the Tale anthology comprising thirteen tales to be read with the light on…This one is certainly not a book for children.’
Out Now! Released on St Patrick’s Day 2016
Finn is a bored young leprechaun. He wants something exciting to happen, but never having been blessed by the Good Luck Fairy, he soon gets far more than he bargained for. This is no fairy tale…
Out Now! Released by Crimson Cloak Publishing in 2016
If you decide to brave this Crimson Cloak Quest you will find yourself in the ancient Roman city of Veradum. Amidst the ruins and dangers that await you, you are seeking the priceless Chalice of Jupiter; but many others have tried to find this precious treasure before you. Indeed, many have died trying. You begin your quest with little to help you, but if you make your choices with care you might be the lucky one. You will face many strong adversaries, determined to end your quest almost before it begins. You need to roll your dice well to ensure you embark on your quest with as much Vigour, Agility and Psi as possible. During your adventure, you will need every bit of all three to achieve your goal, believe me. Will you find the Chalice of Jupiter when so many before you have failed? Indeed, will you even survive? Are you brave enough to embark on this quest? Decide now, because once you begin there will be no turning back …
Out Now! Released by Crimson Cloak Publishing in 2018
If you decide to brave this Crimson Cloak Quest you will find yourself on a pirate ship bound for Bone Island in search of Evil Eye Bart’s treasure. By chance you find a map to guide you, but it gives you no real idea of the danger and death defying perils that await you on your journey and on the island itself. You begin your quest with little to help you, but if you make your choices with care you might be lucky. You will face many strong adversaries, determined to end your quest almost before it begins. You need to roll your dice well to ensure you embark on your quest with as much Vigour, Agility and Psi as possible. During your adventure, you will need every bit of all three to achieve your goal, believe me. Will you find the treasure when so many before you have failed? Indeed, will you even survive? Are you brave enough to embark on this quest? Decide now, because once you begin there will be no turning back …
Out Now! Released by Crimson Cloak Publishing in 2019
The Companion Guide to ‘Caution: Witch in Progress’
Meet Gertie Grimthorpe, a trainee witch who starred in the children’s humorous fantasy novel, ‘Caution: Witch in Progress’. You don’t need to have read the book to enjoy this companion guide, but it might encourage you to!
During Gertie’s studies she discovers that her interests lie in natural cures and remedies. This guide contains what she is learning, written in her own words and aimed at children. It is educational, but great fun. You will get to know Gertie and all her quirky ways. She will introduce her family, mainly her Gran who is quite a character. Gertie loves her, and I think you will too. You will also learn about a moat monster who suffers from stomach ache! Can you see him on the cover?
Discover the cures and remedies that can be found in nature itself. Flowers, weeds, herbs, shrubs and trees all have many healing qualities. Learn how to recognise all the plants from telltale signs, and what they are used for.
This fun but instructive illustrated guide is a must for any child who would like to know more about nature and its many amazing natural medicinal properties.
Out Now! Released by Crimson Cloak Publishing in 2023
Christmas Under Threat
Christmas is the most exciting and busiest time of the year. All the elves are hard at work making toys for Father Christmas, and Bodo the Chief Inventor Elf is desperately thinking up new ideas for this year’s special toys. He loves the work, but someone else isn’t quite so happy.
Luka is jealous. He is sure he could invent much better toys than Bodo, so decides Bodo should be out of the way. But wouldn’t that spoil Christmas for everyone?
Luka finds out too late that he might not have thought this through properly. Can Christmas, and Bodo, be saved?
Coming Soon
When Leah first sees the old necklace in the window of an antique shop, little does she know what life has in store for her. Increasingly drawn to the pentacle on a silver chain, Leah finally buys it and soon finds herself having strange dreams about Stonehenge. Trying to put the dreams to rest, she visits the ancient site; only to be transported into another dimension.
