CONTEMPORARY FICTION
Turning the Clock Hands Backwards or Anthem by Olusola Sophia Anyanwu
A contemporary inspirational story that empowers women to be courageous and make their dreams come true. Vivian is bold and takes opportunities that come her way. She is a modern woman and never afraid to explore relationships to achieve her goals.
The Robe by Olusola Sophia Anyanwu
A thought provoking story that encourages reflection. Brian is every man or woman put into a tight situation imposed by culture and religion. Brian’s story encourages critical thinking when we look at when life happens: consideration or conflict
Living the Difference by Richard Frost
Second book in the Eastwood Story series and beginning on the same weekend as Richard’s previous novella, Looking to Move On ended. We encounter some familiar characters and meet new ones as each live with the differences and changes that life brings. Another story of hope overcoming adversity.
The Peace Garden
A young British girl befriends a South African political exile in the 1990s and is thrust into danger when his dark past catches up with him. A literary coming-of-age thriller.
Cuckoo in the Nest by Fran Hill
It’s the heatwave summer of 1976 and 14-year-old would be poet Jackie Chadwick is newly fostered by the Walls. She desperately needs stability, but their insecure, jealous teenage daughter isn’t happy about the cuckoo in the nest and sets about ousting her.
Funny and poignant, Cuckoo in the Nest is inspired by Fran Hill’s own experience of being fostered. A glorious coming of age story set in the summer of 1976.
Raincoats and Sunglasses
In Glasgow’s autumnal sunshine Raincoats & Sunglasses are everywhere. Join Kirsty, Jennifer and Paul as their lives intertwine around faith and Raincoats & Sunglasses.
To Belong by Judy Pex
In this contemporary story of hope and compassion, an Israeli woman named Tamar is fiercely loyal to family, friends, and faith. When she finds herself fostering two Sudanese refugee children, she faces opposition from the authorities, her family, and begins asking herself what is best for them.
A Question of Loyalty by Gillian Poucher
The story of what happens when professional counsellor Julia Butler offers a home to her newly discovered troubled niece Grace. Julia finds her relationships under strain as Grace’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and she tries to handle a manipulative client in her counselling practice. This novel touches upon complex relationships and mental health problems, with the intention of opening up a spiritual dimension.
After the Funeral by Gillian Poucher
When a stranger approaches Julia Butler at her mother’s funeral and hints at a disturbing family secret, her life is turned upside down. Who is this woman and how does she know so much about Julia’s life? As Julia finds her well-ordered life unravelling and her relationships in turmoil, she learns how a war-time love affair left a damaging legacy for three generations of women.
Home Truths with Lady Grey by Katherine Blessan
‘Home Truths with Lady Grey’ is an evocative, moving story about the power of friendship to unlock new ways of seeing life and self. ‘My world is narrowing, constricting down to the thin end of a funnel.’ When normally capable, career-minded Jennifer crumbles under a debilitating disease, she struggles with no longer being in control of her life.
Braver by Deborah Jenkins
Braver is a story of unlikely friendships and a local church community. Hazel, an anxious teaching assistant, Virginia, a minister, and Harry, a neglected teenager are shocked when an accusation threatens to destroy their relationships. Published in the mainstream market, with themes around mental health and identity, the book explores what happens when people fight their fears and pull together to help each other.
Looking to Move On by Richard Frost
A Map of the Sky by Claire Wong
Eleven year old Kit finds his family separated and uprooted to the North Yorkshire coast. In his quest to become a hero like the ones in his favourite books, he forms an unlikely friendship with guest house owner Beth, and learns a great deal about chronic illness, hand-drawn maps and family secrets into the bargain.
Lydia's Song by Katherine Blessan
Lydia’s quiet expat life in Cambodia is dramatically turned upside down by the sudden arrival of Song, a young & vulnerable Vietnamese girl, and the flattering romantic attentions of a handsome, dashing local man. Just as she settles into this new-found happiness, everything is shattered as Song is kidnapped and sold into the child sex trade.
Baby, Baby by Mari Howard
First in the Mullins Family Saga: thoughtful, funny, exploring our diverse culture through the relationship between two young people who meet at University, doubt they can be together, and try to solve a medical mystery. Set in the late 1980s, the story asks questions about both Christian and secular lifestyles.
The Runaway by Claire Wong
The story of Rhiannon Morgan, a teenager who runs away from home, and the rural Welsh community she leaves behind. Locals have given up hope of finding her again, until two strangers appear and turn the quiet village upside down. It’s a coming of age story immersed in folklore and the power of storytelling to change us.
Time to Shine by Mel Menzies
Chosen by Mel Menzies
The Painful Post Mortem by Mel Menzies
Explores the perennial parental lament: “Where did I go wrong?” in respect of the death of a wayward child. It resulted in author being interviewed on American radio, and was adopted by the Bereaved Parents’ Network.
After the Flood by Janet Killeen
‘After the Flood’, set in the Somerset Levels after the severe floods of 2014, twists together the stories of Theresa and her son Adam and the discovery of a historic crime: the violent death of a young woman and her child during the English Civil War. The discovery is transformative and leads to reflection on fanaticism and violence, forgiveness, healing and hope. Published, Mirador 2017.
