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LATEST PROJECTS
Straight From the Donkeys Mouth
This is my first published e book (available on all good e book sites!) It was recommended in Kobo's January themed month called 'A New You'. It then reached number 1 in the Travel in Greece section.
“Straight from the Donkey’s Mouth” came from the sadness that I have experienced in seeing the dreams and hopes of the good people of Greece being shattered by their politicians. Our family has a holiday home in a village on an island in northern Greece. The village is close to the one where my father was born and I have come to know the people well. I have watched their children grow up and I have seen them lose their hope in the future. But I hope that I have told this desperately sad story with a light touch and with humour. A dose of depression is the last thing anyone needs and the nature of the Greeks is such that there is always something upbeat, something positive, some kind of fun going on.
It has sparked interest because it tells the economic and political tragedy currently being played out in Greece through the pithy and sharp observations of two lovable and very intelligent donkeys. It also portrays a completely true picture of life on a remote Greek island.
I have been interviewed about the book on BBC Radio Sussex and the Shropshire Star newspaper have written an article about me as well as favourably reviewing the book. Neos Kosmos newspaper in Australia have also reviewed it and there have been many favourable reviews on various book review sites.
I am grateful to my readers for the taking the time to share the pleasure they got from reading the book. Following very many requests I plan to publish this book in paperback.
Bertha, the Swiss Trader's Daughter.
This book, the first of a trilogy, has been inspired by a true story and takes place in Nyasaland, now Malawi, at the start of the last century, Ludwig, a Swiss entrepreneur travels from Switzerland to Nyasaland to find his fortune. Not only is he hugely successful but he also falls in love with Victoria, an East African girl. They marry and have four children. Their idyllic existence is shattered by events of the Great War and their daughters find themselves adrift, without male protection in a male-dominated, racist society.
This is an adventure story set in a place and time that has never been written about before and certainly not from the point of view of a person of mixed race. In this wild and beautiful continent life was exciting, even dangerous and bred a type of person who rose to challenges, determined to overcome them. Berta experienced heart breaking tragedy but she also knew fun, joy and love.
This is the story of her journey. It is a story of courage and a determination forged in steel. It is the most extraordinary story I have ever been told.
I have started work on the third book of the Trilogy and also a book about the experiences of a Greek family during the Second World War. As always, I get my information from people – or their direct descendants – who recall those years and, as you will know if you have read the Donkey book, I cannot resist injecting as much humour as possible into the story!
I recently was asked by Writers Services to contribute an article to their website on writing a book and this will be live by mid-September.
Finally, I am just completing a section that I was asked to write by Professor Colin Baker for a series of books that he has compiled about the work and lives of people in Malawi.
I am a frequent contributor to the Malawi Historical Site on Facebook.
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