After ten years living with Charles Carstairs and Charles’ maid, Winifred, in the penthouse of Belvedere Mansions Knightsbridge, eleven-year-old dachshund, Reggie, is in a reflective mood. He’s endured a rocky relationship with Winifred, (who doesn’t like dogs), and successfully plots to replace her with Zsa Zsa, a luscious (dog-loving) Hungarian maid. Finally freed from Winifred’s close supervision, Charles and Reggie climb aboard an emotional roller coaster and bond over shared experiences: the highs and lows of life. Canine philosopher, Reggie, thinks back on his relationship with Winifred and is wracked with guilt. Did he behave badly? Throughout the story, Reggie’s observations on the similarities and differences between man and dog are humorous and, at times, heartachingly poignant.
Abbie Brown kicks off her 34th year with an unexpected splash of fame: her Santorini vacation snap, featuring her in a vibrant yellow bikini atop a donkey, is plastered on billboards across London. (For clarity, the bikini is on Abbie, not the donkey!) Riding this wave of newfound celebrity, she lands a spot on Sir Giles Bromley’s BBC gardening show. Life seems perfect, until the universe serves her a slice of humble pie. Navigating the chaos of single life (weighing in at 73kgs, if you must know), Abbie finds herself in the midst of an office medical drama, dealing with her nightmare flatmate Janice, and questioning if Rebecca truly is the refined acquaintance she seems. As for romance? Between George’s overbearing mother, Oliver’s youth, a married butcher, a BBC exec with a cringe-worthy habit, and the not-so-perfect ‘Peter Perfect,’ Abbie’s love life is a rollercoaster. Yet, she remains hopeful that her knight in shining armor is out there in the vast English countryside. In the midst of it all, she gains a furry companion: Woofer, a lovable terrier with a quirky ear. Plus, there’s a promising spark with a dashing farmer from the Yorkshire Dales. The two are smitten. (We’re talking about Abbie and the farmer, not the dog, of course!) But with Abbie’s track record, what could possibly go awry? Dive into a tale of unexpected fame, comedic misadventures, and the quest for true love.
Temuera, a southern bull elephant seal on Campbell Island, has been defeated in battle with the other bulls and has lost his harem of cows, along with his title of Beachmaster. He swims north and travels along New Zealand's coastline. When he reaches Gisborne, he blunders up the city's main boat ramp into the car park. Three-tonne seals usually do as they please, and it pleases Temuera to stay in the car park until he has finished moulting. He decides the car park is an excellent territory and lets out a deafening roar to announce his reclaimed title of Beachmaster!
Abbie Brown kicks off her 34th year with an unexpected splash of fame: her Santorini vacation snap, featuring her in a vibrant yellow bikini atop a donkey, is plastered on billboards across London. (For clarity, the bikini is on Abbie, not the donkey!) Riding this wave of newfound celebrity, she lands a spot on Sir Giles Bromley’s BBC gardening show. Life seems perfect, until the universe serves her a slice of humble pie. Navigating the chaos of single life (weighing in at 73kgs, if you must know), Abbie finds herself in the midst of an office medical drama, dealing with her nightmare flatmate Janice, and questioning if Rebecca truly is the refined acquaintance she seems. As for romance? Between George’s overbearing mother, Oliver’s youth, a married butcher, a BBC exec with a cringe-worthy habit, and the not-so-perfect ‘Peter Perfect,’ Abbie’s love life is a rollercoaster. Yet, she remains hopeful that her knight in shining armor is out there in the vast English countryside. In the midst of it all, she gains a furry companion: Woofer, a lovable terrier with a quirky ear. Plus, there’s a promising spark with a dashing farmer from the Yorkshire Dales. The two are smitten. (We’re talking about Abbie and the farmer, not the dog, of course!) But with Abbie’s track record, what could possibly go awry? Dive into a tale of unexpected fame, comedic misadventures, and the quest for true love.
This collection includes fiction, fantasy, and horror stories, all underpinned by humour. So, whilst eavesdropping on the hearts and minds of the protagonists within, feel free to chuckle as you cheer the goodies and boo the baddies. Or vice-versa... None of the characters is drop-dead gorgeous, has perfect teeth, or is living the dream with their one true love. No. These characters are muddling through life like the rest of us which means some stories may seem familiar – perhaps a little too close to the bone. Some are irreverent and others, downright disturbing. Nevertheless, whatever your reaction, whatever you feel, the stories tell things the way they were and without judgement. Fair enough?
After ten years living with Charles Carstairs and Charles’ maid, Winifred, in the penthouse of Belvedere Mansions Knightsbridge, eleven-year-old dachshund, Reggie, is in a reflective mood. He’s endured a rocky relationship with Winifred, (who doesn’t like dogs), and successfully plots to replace her with Zsa Zsa, a luscious (dog-loving) Hungarian maid. Finally freed from Winifred’s close supervision, Charles and Reggie climb aboard an emotional roller coaster and bond over shared experiences: the highs and lows of life. Canine philosopher, Reggie, thinks back on his relationship with Winifred and is wracked with guilt. Did he behave badly? Throughout the story, Reggie’s observations on the similarities and differences between man and dog are humorous and, at times, heartachingly poignant.
Keen to escape the pressures of city life, Marsali Swift and her husband William are drawn to Listowel, a glorious historic mansion in the seemingly tranquil small town of Muckleton. There is time to read, garden, decorate, play chess and befriend the locals. Yet one night Listowel is robbed, and soon after a neighbour is murdered. The violent history of the couple’s adopted Goldfields town is revealed, and plans for a new goldmine emerge. Subtle and sinister details unnerve : the novels that are studied at book club echo disappearances and colonial transgressions, a treasured copy painting painting of Monet‘s Field of Poppies recalls loves and dreams but also times of war. Atmospheric and beguiling this is a novel the seduces the reader with mysteries and beauties but also speaks of something much larger. The planet is in trouble, but is the human race up to the challenge? Are Marsali and William walking blindfold into a hostile world? ‘It celebrates the human catastrophe with grace and charm. It takes years of experience for a writer to be able to pull off this kind of sorcery.’ — Michael McGirr ‘Carmel Bird has a gift for distilling the essence of her characters and locations and bringing them together in wonderfully unexpected ways. Her distinctive voice and lightness of touch shine in this penetrating and evocative novel.’ — Michael Sala
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