Wednesday, 14 April 2010
When the Sirens Sounded
It is 1940 and Great Britain is at war with Germany.
The bombing of British cities is about to begin. How will the people of Meadow Road, in the suburbs of Birmingham, cope with the coming onslaught.
Young Martin Wilson is a witness to events as they unfold and affect the lives of those people who live in his road - Meadow Road.
It is his story.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
'When the Sirens Sounded' is taken from my childhood memories of the period of the bombing of Birmingham during WW2 from 1940-1943 and is based on real people and real events.
Because memory can be a fallible thing after such a period, I have chosen to weave a story into the facts. Names have been changed and some characters amalgamated, but most of the events described, particularly the raids themselves, occurred as I have stated.
For example, the exploits of Tom Mostyn are based closely upon a Birmingham firefighter, who was indeed awarded the George Cross for his bravery.
In addition, I still remember, with a vivid clarity, the explosions in the sky, and the burning houses on that night I stood outside our Anderson shelter with my father.
Even now, many years later, the sound of a siren still sends shivers down my spine.'
The bombing of British cities is about to begin. How will the people of Meadow Road, in the suburbs of Birmingham, cope with the coming onslaught.
Young Martin Wilson is a witness to events as they unfold and affect the lives of those people who live in his road - Meadow Road.
It is his story.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
'When the Sirens Sounded' is taken from my childhood memories of the period of the bombing of Birmingham during WW2 from 1940-1943 and is based on real people and real events.
Because memory can be a fallible thing after such a period, I have chosen to weave a story into the facts. Names have been changed and some characters amalgamated, but most of the events described, particularly the raids themselves, occurred as I have stated.
For example, the exploits of Tom Mostyn are based closely upon a Birmingham firefighter, who was indeed awarded the George Cross for his bravery.
In addition, I still remember, with a vivid clarity, the explosions in the sky, and the burning houses on that night I stood outside our Anderson shelter with my father.
Even now, many years later, the sound of a siren still sends shivers down my spine.'
Night Train from Leningrad
Vladimir Petrov, as secret policeman, serves the state with unquestioning loyalty and with great brutality.
His philosophy is simple - everyone has something to hide and therefore is guilty of a crime. It is duty and his pleasure to punish wrongdoers.
For the four passengers in the last compartment of the last carriage of the night train, their ordeal will begin when they meet Vladimir Petrov.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The essential story line of the book is fictional but the background, the weather, the time of year and the landscape were as I saw and experienced during my own journey on the night train from Leningrad(as it was known then) to Moscow. I had taken the trouble to compose a sketchy diary of the main features of the journey, which stood me in good stead when I came to write the book shortly afterwards.
The character of Petrov was drawn from such a man who, with a comrade, stood behind us as we waited like good tourists to enter the great hall of the Kremlin. He was so obviously KBG.
Irina was indeed an attractive woman who I saw at the station in Leningrad. She stood out like a bright jewel amongst the drabness of the average Russian traveller that night.
The conductress of the train was I have described and the incident with the window is a true account of what I witnessed.
Olga could have been almost any Russian woman, approaching middle-age. They seemed to be everywhere.
Mikhail is loosely based on a young man who tried to sell me some roubles in Leningrad - Niet! was my answer.
Natalia is totally fictional.
His philosophy is simple - everyone has something to hide and therefore is guilty of a crime. It is duty and his pleasure to punish wrongdoers.
For the four passengers in the last compartment of the last carriage of the night train, their ordeal will begin when they meet Vladimir Petrov.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The essential story line of the book is fictional but the background, the weather, the time of year and the landscape were as I saw and experienced during my own journey on the night train from Leningrad(as it was known then) to Moscow. I had taken the trouble to compose a sketchy diary of the main features of the journey, which stood me in good stead when I came to write the book shortly afterwards.
The character of Petrov was drawn from such a man who, with a comrade, stood behind us as we waited like good tourists to enter the great hall of the Kremlin. He was so obviously KBG.
Irina was indeed an attractive woman who I saw at the station in Leningrad. She stood out like a bright jewel amongst the drabness of the average Russian traveller that night.
The conductress of the train was I have described and the incident with the window is a true account of what I witnessed.
Olga could have been almost any Russian woman, approaching middle-age. They seemed to be everywhere.
Mikhail is loosely based on a young man who tried to sell me some roubles in Leningrad - Niet! was my answer.
Natalia is totally fictional.
Splurge and the Seeds of Time
Splurge is an ordinary boy who has extraordinary adventures. Along with his friends he is looking forward to the summer holidays but the casual dropping of a book provides him with a strange adventure, which is full of mystery and danger.
What is the secret of Spiky Hollow?
And what will he find in the dark, sinister-looking Gosling House?
The Seeds of Time have become displaced. An eleven year old boy nicknamed Splurge doesn't know it but he has been set the task of putting them back where they belong.
And so at the beginning of the summer holidays, his adventure begins when, with his friends Dash and Blip, he ventures to a local out of bounds place called Spiky Hollow.
He goes in search of an intriguing house he has seen in a book given to him by his uncle. But when he gets to Spiky Hollow, strange things begin to happen. As he travels through increasingly unstable time portals, he meets people from other ages - unscrupulous people who all have their own agenda concerning the Seeds of Time.
His only defence from the threats he faces are his own honesty and sense of right and wrong, a bottle of drinking water - and a mysterious but good natured girl called Beth.
SPIKY HOLLOW
Extract:
'"I'm not hanging around here any longer," Dash whispered.
"May as well go go I suppose," Splurge whispered in reply.
Before either of them could make a move they were both shocked into silence by a low, rumbling sound, which at first they thought was thunder. But the rumble suddenly became a low, throaty snarl and was coming from somewhere close by. The sound grew louder and was now accompanied by a strange gurgling.
"It's coming for us!" Dash shouted in alarm and began to scramble away.
Splurge could see nothing. No creature, no movement of anything, not even in the grass. That surely would have been trampled if some huge beast were actually there, even if invisible. The noise continued as though it was stalking them and ready to pounce....'
ABOUT SPLURGE
Splurge is an average eleven year old boy, with an average boy's thirst for adventure and excitement, especially if spiced with a little danger.
His peculiar name came about because he was originally named by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, after six uncles, Sydney,Percy, Leonard, Ulysses, Ronald and George. His parents not wishing to call him one name before another, decided that the fairest way would be to use their initials, an arrangement for which Splurge was grateful. His friends were likewise dubbed Dash (Derek Ashford) and Blip (Brian Lipton).
Splurge has great imagination and an insatiable curiosity, which leads him into all kinds of situations. His extraordinary adventures often involve elements mystery, magic, time shifting and the supernatural.
What is the secret of Spiky Hollow?
And what will he find in the dark, sinister-looking Gosling House?
The Seeds of Time have become displaced. An eleven year old boy nicknamed Splurge doesn't know it but he has been set the task of putting them back where they belong.
And so at the beginning of the summer holidays, his adventure begins when, with his friends Dash and Blip, he ventures to a local out of bounds place called Spiky Hollow.
He goes in search of an intriguing house he has seen in a book given to him by his uncle. But when he gets to Spiky Hollow, strange things begin to happen. As he travels through increasingly unstable time portals, he meets people from other ages - unscrupulous people who all have their own agenda concerning the Seeds of Time.
His only defence from the threats he faces are his own honesty and sense of right and wrong, a bottle of drinking water - and a mysterious but good natured girl called Beth.
SPIKY HOLLOW
Extract:
'"I'm not hanging around here any longer," Dash whispered.
"May as well go go I suppose," Splurge whispered in reply.
Before either of them could make a move they were both shocked into silence by a low, rumbling sound, which at first they thought was thunder. But the rumble suddenly became a low, throaty snarl and was coming from somewhere close by. The sound grew louder and was now accompanied by a strange gurgling.
"It's coming for us!" Dash shouted in alarm and began to scramble away.
Splurge could see nothing. No creature, no movement of anything, not even in the grass. That surely would have been trampled if some huge beast were actually there, even if invisible. The noise continued as though it was stalking them and ready to pounce....'
ABOUT SPLURGE
Splurge is an average eleven year old boy, with an average boy's thirst for adventure and excitement, especially if spiced with a little danger.
His peculiar name came about because he was originally named by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, after six uncles, Sydney,Percy, Leonard, Ulysses, Ronald and George. His parents not wishing to call him one name before another, decided that the fairest way would be to use their initials, an arrangement for which Splurge was grateful. His friends were likewise dubbed Dash (Derek Ashford) and Blip (Brian Lipton).
Splurge has great imagination and an insatiable curiosity, which leads him into all kinds of situations. His extraordinary adventures often involve elements mystery, magic, time shifting and the supernatural.
Splurge and the Theatre of Magic
Splurge was not keen on theatres at the best of times but the Theatre of Magic was altogether something different. In his latest adventure he is plunged into a world inhabited by strange doll-like creatures called Quargs - small but very strong. He will also meet Mysterio, master magician extraordinary.
Learn what special powers outworlders like Splurge possess and how they help him against the evil Broga.
Extracts:
'The head stopped in front of Splurge, who thought he would be forced off the stage in an attempt to avoid it touching him. Before he could recover from his astonishment, the head spoke.
"There. That's better."
The figure of a tall, dark haired man, with a neatly trimmed black beard, had suddenly materialised and proceeded to kick at something on the floor. The man was dressed in black and around his shoulders a small, red-lined cap. How did you like my entrance?" He smiled a strange, mysterious smile as if daring Splurge to say something by way of praise.
"I know how that trick is done", said Splurge smugly. He had seen it on television, so he was quite sure that this strange, bearded figure was nothing more than an ordinary magician. Before he could utter another word, the man disappeared, except for his head, which now bobbed about like a balloon.
"Do you know how this trick is done then?" Without warning, the head suddenly shot upwards into the blackness above the stage, laughing as it did so. "Want to see some more?" the head called down to Splurge.'
'The room was dim, but Splurge could clearly make out the form of Hodges who was standing before what appeared to be a large wooden chest. There seemed to be nothing else in the room, not even windows. More light was needed, he thought, and subconsciously began to grope around for a light switch, not that he really expected to find one. This place was full of magic, after all. If he were a real magician, he would just wave his arms like so...
Splurge almost fell over in his astonishment. As he had waved his arm, so the whole room was suddenly lit in a bright, pink light.'
'"Pointless questions? Pointless questions? Broga's voice had returned and he pushed to the front of the crowd, who were more than willing to give him room. "They are anything but pointless, and well you know it," said Broga with a sneer, which made him look like a disappointed goblin.
"Do I have to seal your lips again, Broga?" Mysterio said quietly, but with a hard edge to his voice, that even made Splurge shudder.
Broga didn't appear to be overawed. "You can do what you like here in your own theatre, I daresay, but you can't shut me up forever. You know the price if you do. I warn you, Mysterio. The Quargs are mine and I will see that they remain so." As he spoke his voice became high and shrill till the last words were almost screamed out. He was about to turn away but suddenly pointed a long, lumpy finger at Splurge. "And the same goes for your lackey!" he shrieked. With a puff of black smoke, which left everyone coughing and spluttering, Broga was gone.'
Learn what special powers outworlders like Splurge possess and how they help him against the evil Broga.
Extracts:
'The head stopped in front of Splurge, who thought he would be forced off the stage in an attempt to avoid it touching him. Before he could recover from his astonishment, the head spoke.
"There. That's better."
The figure of a tall, dark haired man, with a neatly trimmed black beard, had suddenly materialised and proceeded to kick at something on the floor. The man was dressed in black and around his shoulders a small, red-lined cap. How did you like my entrance?" He smiled a strange, mysterious smile as if daring Splurge to say something by way of praise.
"I know how that trick is done", said Splurge smugly. He had seen it on television, so he was quite sure that this strange, bearded figure was nothing more than an ordinary magician. Before he could utter another word, the man disappeared, except for his head, which now bobbed about like a balloon.
"Do you know how this trick is done then?" Without warning, the head suddenly shot upwards into the blackness above the stage, laughing as it did so. "Want to see some more?" the head called down to Splurge.'
'The room was dim, but Splurge could clearly make out the form of Hodges who was standing before what appeared to be a large wooden chest. There seemed to be nothing else in the room, not even windows. More light was needed, he thought, and subconsciously began to grope around for a light switch, not that he really expected to find one. This place was full of magic, after all. If he were a real magician, he would just wave his arms like so...
Splurge almost fell over in his astonishment. As he had waved his arm, so the whole room was suddenly lit in a bright, pink light.'
'"Pointless questions? Pointless questions? Broga's voice had returned and he pushed to the front of the crowd, who were more than willing to give him room. "They are anything but pointless, and well you know it," said Broga with a sneer, which made him look like a disappointed goblin.
"Do I have to seal your lips again, Broga?" Mysterio said quietly, but with a hard edge to his voice, that even made Splurge shudder.
Broga didn't appear to be overawed. "You can do what you like here in your own theatre, I daresay, but you can't shut me up forever. You know the price if you do. I warn you, Mysterio. The Quargs are mine and I will see that they remain so." As he spoke his voice became high and shrill till the last words were almost screamed out. He was about to turn away but suddenly pointed a long, lumpy finger at Splurge. "And the same goes for your lackey!" he shrieked. With a puff of black smoke, which left everyone coughing and spluttering, Broga was gone.'
No Sanctuary!
In a tale of intrigue, treachery, adventure and romance, great nobles play for a kingdom and their powerful ambitions control the destinies of young knights like the Yorkist Robert Claverdon and Mark Seymour of Lancaster.
Women prove to be as strong and resourceful as men in a man's world. Soldiers, priests and peasants all have their part to play in a story which begins with intrigue and ends with murder.
Despite the perils into which he has been plunged, Robert Claverdon still manages to become involved with two women. One is the young peasant girl Wena, who tends him after he has been wounded during the Battle of Tewkesbury; the other is the lady Anne Seymour, sister of Mark.
He is much attracted to both of them. How will he resolve his dilemma?
However, it is the shrewd and somewhat enigmatic Richard of Gloucester, who will ultimately decide his fate.
EXTRACTS:
'It was late on a cold April afternoon. A sudden, sharp breeze rippled across a small field near the market town of Barnet. Many men lay upon that field, stiff in the coldness of death. The year was 1471 and a great battle had been fought. Cut down by the indiscriminate scythe of Nature's cull, once sprightly youths now lay alongside the grizzled veterans of several campaigns. For them all quarrels were now over. Enemies no longer, they reposed now in a new eternal comradeship.
Robert Claverdon led his horse carefully and reverently among the fallen figures, pausing only to wave away small groups of scavenging peasants that fed on the corpses.These carrion followed armies and scented death and profit like the wheeling crows above. It was a gloomy day for such work, but it well suited their grisly purpose.'
'"Sir, what means this? You would not take these men from the arms of Mother Church, from whom they have claimed sanctuary. That is blasphemy!" The abbot was not abashed at the fact it was to the king that he now spoke. He knew that the game was finished and that the best he could hope for was to mitigate in some way the fate of those captured here in his church. To do more would bring the walls crashing about his ears. The queen, he decided would have to manage as best she could.
Slowly the king looked at the abbot as he would any intruder upon his thoughts. "There is no sanctuary for traitors"'
'"Are you cold, Master Robert?" Wena pulled at the covering.
"No, I am very comfortable, Wena. " In fact Robert was finding himself growing warmer, but not so much due to the covering as to the proximity of this young girl. He had a sudden, wild temptation to hold her a pull her close to him, but he held back, afraid of her reaction.
"I am cold. That is why I came close to you. You don't mind, do you, Robert?" Wena asked the question in an innocent manner, yet, at the same time, her tone conveyed something more.
"No," he replied, " I like you being close to me." To emphasize the point, Robert plucked up courage and pulled her even closer.
For a while, neither of them spoke and the silence was loud. Wena was the first to break it.
"Do you really think me to fair?"
"Yes, I do," Robert whispered hoarsely.'
'That he was attracted to this tall, elegant and very beautiful woman was true, but dare he reveal so much to her? " I had already thought that we were friends," he said gently.
"Will your travels ever bring you to Fairfield?"
"I should very much like to think so." As soon as he had said it, he wished he hadn't, for it sounded like a betrayal of Wena. Yet he could not help himself.
"I am glad, Robert, for I too should like to think so."
Robert took a step towards then hesitated. Anne Seymour held out her hand and, instinctively, Robert took it and pressed it to his lips. Their eyes met and both knew that to meet again was inevitable.'
Women prove to be as strong and resourceful as men in a man's world. Soldiers, priests and peasants all have their part to play in a story which begins with intrigue and ends with murder.
Despite the perils into which he has been plunged, Robert Claverdon still manages to become involved with two women. One is the young peasant girl Wena, who tends him after he has been wounded during the Battle of Tewkesbury; the other is the lady Anne Seymour, sister of Mark.
He is much attracted to both of them. How will he resolve his dilemma?
However, it is the shrewd and somewhat enigmatic Richard of Gloucester, who will ultimately decide his fate.
EXTRACTS:
'It was late on a cold April afternoon. A sudden, sharp breeze rippled across a small field near the market town of Barnet. Many men lay upon that field, stiff in the coldness of death. The year was 1471 and a great battle had been fought. Cut down by the indiscriminate scythe of Nature's cull, once sprightly youths now lay alongside the grizzled veterans of several campaigns. For them all quarrels were now over. Enemies no longer, they reposed now in a new eternal comradeship.
Robert Claverdon led his horse carefully and reverently among the fallen figures, pausing only to wave away small groups of scavenging peasants that fed on the corpses.These carrion followed armies and scented death and profit like the wheeling crows above. It was a gloomy day for such work, but it well suited their grisly purpose.'
'"Sir, what means this? You would not take these men from the arms of Mother Church, from whom they have claimed sanctuary. That is blasphemy!" The abbot was not abashed at the fact it was to the king that he now spoke. He knew that the game was finished and that the best he could hope for was to mitigate in some way the fate of those captured here in his church. To do more would bring the walls crashing about his ears. The queen, he decided would have to manage as best she could.
Slowly the king looked at the abbot as he would any intruder upon his thoughts. "There is no sanctuary for traitors"'
'"Are you cold, Master Robert?" Wena pulled at the covering.
"No, I am very comfortable, Wena. " In fact Robert was finding himself growing warmer, but not so much due to the covering as to the proximity of this young girl. He had a sudden, wild temptation to hold her a pull her close to him, but he held back, afraid of her reaction.
"I am cold. That is why I came close to you. You don't mind, do you, Robert?" Wena asked the question in an innocent manner, yet, at the same time, her tone conveyed something more.
"No," he replied, " I like you being close to me." To emphasize the point, Robert plucked up courage and pulled her even closer.
For a while, neither of them spoke and the silence was loud. Wena was the first to break it.
"Do you really think me to fair?"
"Yes, I do," Robert whispered hoarsely.'
'That he was attracted to this tall, elegant and very beautiful woman was true, but dare he reveal so much to her? " I had already thought that we were friends," he said gently.
"Will your travels ever bring you to Fairfield?"
"I should very much like to think so." As soon as he had said it, he wished he hadn't, for it sounded like a betrayal of Wena. Yet he could not help himself.
"I am glad, Robert, for I too should like to think so."
Robert took a step towards then hesitated. Anne Seymour held out her hand and, instinctively, Robert took it and pressed it to his lips. Their eyes met and both knew that to meet again was inevitable.'
White Rose
The House of York is in the ascendant - but for how long?
Troubles continue to haunt the land and Robert Claverdon, a Yorkist knight, is once again drawn into the dangerous world of intrigue and conspiracy.
Treachery and murder dog his steps in service to the White Rose. Will he survive to pursue his own dreams? Yet even his dreams pose questions he would rather avoid, for both the peasant lass, Wena, and Anne Seymour have been much in his thoughts while up north serving Duke Richard.
A chance to see them again is presented to Robert Claverdon, when he is summoned by the duke to take command of a punitive force to root out a band of renegades which has been ravaging the countryside around Fairfield - Anne Seymour's home. Yet all he will meet is tragedy.
Troubles continue to haunt the land and Robert Claverdon, a Yorkist knight, is once again drawn into the dangerous world of intrigue and conspiracy.
Treachery and murder dog his steps in service to the White Rose. Will he survive to pursue his own dreams? Yet even his dreams pose questions he would rather avoid, for both the peasant lass, Wena, and Anne Seymour have been much in his thoughts while up north serving Duke Richard.
A chance to see them again is presented to Robert Claverdon, when he is summoned by the duke to take command of a punitive force to root out a band of renegades which has been ravaging the countryside around Fairfield - Anne Seymour's home. Yet all he will meet is tragedy.
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