New book. First published April 2025.Summer Ball Weddings & Waltzing is the fifth book in the Scottish Highlands & Island Romance series. It can be read as a standalone novel or enjoyed as part of the series.1. Scottish Island Knitting Bee2. Scottish Island Fairytale Castle3. Vintage Dress Shop on the Island4. Fairytale Christmas on the Island5. Summer Ball Weddings & WaltzingStory:Three couples are getting married at the magnificent fairytale castle on the Scottish island. Finlay, the laird–to–be, and his two brothers, Innis and Ean, are marrying Merrilees, Skye and Ailsa. Everyone on the island is looking forward to the happy event that includes a summer ball.The three couples plan to sail off on Finlay’s yacht for a three–week honeymoon trip around the islands off the west coast of Scotland, leaving the running of the castle’s hotel facilities in the hands of their handsome cousin, Roag, an expert chef and owner of a successful restaurant in Glasgow on the mainland. Roag is known as a magnet for trouble.Fyona, an expert in patisserie, is also arriving to help with the catering, and ice the wedding cake. But sparks of attraction start to ignite between Roag and Fyona, even though neither is looking for romance.With weddings, waltzing, ballroom dancing and cakes galore in the mix, is it a recipe for romance on the beautiful Scottish island this summer?New releases by De-ann Black:Quilt Shop by the Seaside, Embroidery Bee, Crafting Bee, Scottish Highlands New Year Ball, Ballroom Dancing Christmas Romance, Christmas Ballroom Dancing, Autumn Romance, Knitting & Starlight, Knitting Bee, The Sweetest Waltz, Sweet Music, Love & Lyrics, Scottish Island Knitting Bee, Christmas Weddings, Fairytale Christmas on the Island, Vintage Dress Shop on the Island, Scottish Island Fairytale Castle, Scottish Loch Summer Romance, Sewing & Mending Cottage, Knitting Shop by the Sea, and Knitting Cottage.Romance books by De-ann Black:Quilt Shop by the SeasideEmbroidery BeeScottish Loch Romance series:1. Sewing & Mending Cottage2. Scottish Loch Summer Romance3. Sweet Music4. Knitting Bee5. Autumn Romance6. Christmas Ballroom Dancing7. Scottish Highlands New Year Ball8. Crafting BeeMusic, Dance & Romance series:1. The Sweetest Waltz2. Knitting & Starlight3. Ballroom Dancing Christmas RomanceSnow Bells Haven series:1. Snow Bells Christmas2. Snow Bells Wedding3. Love & LyricsQuilting Bee & Tea Shop series:1. The Quilting Bee2. The Tea Shop by the Sea3. Embroidery Cottage4. Knitting Shop by the Sea5. Christmas WeddingsThe Cure for Love Romance series:1. The Cure for Love2. The Cure for Love at ChristmasScottish Chateau, Colouring & Crafts series:1. Christmas Cake Chateau2. Colouring Book CottageSewing, Crafts & Quilting series:1. The Sewing Bee2. The Sewing Shop3. Knitting Cottage (Scottish Highland romance)4. Scottish Highlands Christmas WeddingAbout the Author:De-ann Black is a bestselling author, scriptwriter and former newspaper journalist. She has over 100 books published. Romance, thrillers, various fiction & non-fiction books.De-ann is also a professional artist, illustrator and designer. Embroidery patterns, fabric design, dressmaking, sewing, knitting and fashion are part of her work.Additionally, De-ann has always been interested in fitness, and was a fitness and bodybuilding champion, 100 metre runner and mountaineer. As a former N.A.B.B.A. Miss Scotland, she had a weekly fitness show on the radio that ran for over three years. De-ann trained in Shukokai karate, boxing, kickboxing, Dayan Qigong & Jiu Jitsu. She is currently based in Scotland.Her embroidery pattern books & colouring books are available in paperback on Amazon. Read more

As a wise ape once observed, space is big – vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly so. However, if you look too closely at space, it becomes nothing but lumps of rock and sundry gases. Sometimes it's necessary to take a step back, and let a few billion years go by, before any of the true wonder and scope of the cosmos becomes apparent. Similarly, the late 20th century author, humorist and thinker Douglas Adams was big – vastly, hugely and thoroughly mind-bogglingly so, both in physical terms, and as a writer who has touched millions of readers, firing up millions of cerebellums all over planet Earth, for over 35 years – and for nearly half of that time, he hasn't even been alive. It would be ridiculous to pretend that Douglas Adams's life and work has gone unexamined since his dismayingly early death at 49 but throughout the decade since the last book to tackle the subject, the universes Adams created have continued to develop, to beguile and expand minds, and will undoubtedly do so for generations to come. An all-new approach to the most celebrated creation of Douglas Adams is therefore most welcome, and The Frood tells the story of Adams's explosive but agonizingly constructed fictional universe, from his initial inspirations to the posthumous sequel(s) and adaptations, bringing together a thousand tales of life as part of the British Comedy movements of the late 70s and 80s along the way. With the benefit of hindsight and much time passed, friends and colleagues have been interviewed for a fresh take on the man and his works. Read more

Never tell a lie. Especially not to a cocky CEO who knows exactly how to seduce you. They always come back to bite.I should have remembered that before I spent the night with Liam Salinger.In my defense, he’s stupidly attractive and knows it. He also willingly admitted to me that he never sleeps with the same woman twice.So I shouldn’t feel too bad about lying to him the next morning. We can forget about each other and get on with our lives, right?Wrong.We’ve both been chosen as godparents to my best friend’s gorgeous newborn. Which means we’ll be spending a lot of time together, much to our mutual disgust.And yes, he looks great cradling a tiny baby against his expensively attired chest. Plus he’s funny, irreverent, and weirdly protective toward me.But I’m not going to fall for his charm. Not a second time.I just have to keep telling myself that. Read more

A printing cockup means Tim has lost his job, due to an unfortunate confusion which intimately exposed him (and many others) to Suzi from Scunthorpe. He takes refuge in France, but things go awry when he discovers a body at the bottom of his swimming pool. He’s unable to get in touch with his wife Rocky, who’s getting more than she bargained for on a yoga retreat in India. The French gendarme is minded to arrest Tim for murder, but he’s distracted by the charms of his sexy pathologist. Can Tim prove he didn’t kill anyone? How did the body get in the pool? And who the hell is she? Find out in this laugh-out-loud comedy caper from Giles Curtis. Read more

I hate hockey. He hates everything else... including me.Falling flat on my back in a sweaty locker room isn’t how I planned to introduce myself to my grandpa’s hockey team. Especially when I’m there to turn the business around financially; something nobody else in the stadium seems to want.But that’s how I first meet Eli Salinger, the team’s aggravatingly smooth player-turned coach.And from the moment I introduce myself to him, he makes it clear he doesn’t want me there.It doesn’t take a genius to work out why. Eli’s only interested in one thing – turning the team into a winning side, no matter what it takes.And he’s determined to fight every change I try to make.What he doesn’t know is that I’ve never taken on a project that hasn’t succeeded. And I’m not about to let this be the first.I don’t care if he’s grumpy and adorable in equal measure. Or that every time he looks at me it sends me all a flutter.This is a game of wits. And there can be only one winner.Strictly For Now is a standalone, steamy opposites-attract hockey romance featuring an over-40s hero, a strong, professional heroine and a love match that will make you smile and swoon. Read more

BRITISH BOOK OF THE YEAR: AUDIOBOOK WINNER 2024NERO BOOK AWARDS WINNER 2023WINNER, NON FICTION BOOK 2023, BOOKS ARE MY BAG AWARDSSHORTLIST, BOOKSHOP.ORG INDIE CHAMPIONSSHORTLIST, AMAZON NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEARSHORTLIST, GOODREADS CHOICE BOOK OF THE YEARAudible Books of the Year 2023The Times Books of the Year 2023Apple Best Audiobooks of 2023BOOKSHOP.ORG Book of the Month January 2024THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'I tore through this hilarious, smart, sad, revealing book' - Bob Odenkirk'Funny, sharp and has incredible clarity' - Jon Ronson'An absolute riot. I'm literally going to read it again once I've finished, and I'm a miserable bastard...it's a belter' - FRANKIE BOYLE'Strong Female Character is a testament to the importance of self-knowledge.' - Rachael Healy, The GuardianA summary of my book:1. I'm diagnosed with autism 20 years after telling a doctor I had it.2. My terrible Catholic childhood: I hate my parents etc.3. My friendship with an elderly man who runs the corner shop and is definitely not trying to groom me. I get groomed.4. Homelessness.5. Stripping.6. More stripping but with more nervous breakdowns.7. I hate everyone at uni and live with a psycho etc.8. REDACTED as too spicy.9. After everyone tells me I don't look autistic, I try to cure my autism and get addicted to Xanax.10. REDACTED as too embarrassing.'Fern's book, like everything she does, is awesome. Incredibly funny, and so unapologetically frank that I feel genuinely sorry for her lawyers.' - PHIL WANG'Of course it's funny - it's Fern Brady - but this book is also deeply moving and eye-opening'- ADAM KAY'It made me laugh out loud and broke my heart and made me weep...I hope absolutely everyone reads this, and it makes them kinder and more curious about the way we all live' - DAISY BUCHANAN'Glorious. Frank but nuanced, a memoir that doesn't sacrifice voice or self-awareness. And it has brilliant things to say about being autistic and being funny' - ELLE MCNICOLL'A set text for all of us in 2023' - DEBORAH FRANCES-WHITE'Fern is a brilliant, beautiful writer with a unique voice and even more unique story. Astute, honest and very, very funny.' - LOU SANDERS'So funny and brilliant' - HOLLY SMALE'Witty, dry, and gimlet-eyed, Strong Female Character is a necessary corrective. Brady offers a compelling, messy, highly resonant portrait of what masked Autism feels like.' - Devon Price, author of Unmasking Autism Read more

Martin never planned to do any actual detecting. He just wanted a quiet life. Something his mother was not going to allow. There again he never for one moment imagined he would have to look into the death of a 90-year-old lady who was gambling away her family fortune.The Hayden Detective Agency has no need of clients. The very existence of the Agency allows Martin Hayden to claim his large monthly allowance from the family fortune - without lifting a finger. Martin’s biggest problem is his interfering mother, who understands her idle son too well. She takes steps to find him not just clients but also a personal assistant to keep an eye on him.Under pressure from the women in his life, Martin agrees to take on his first client. How hard can it be to follow a 90-year-old woman who spends her time losing money at roulette tables? As it turns out harder than Martin ever thought possible, especially with the old lady dying in strange circumstances.Soon the Reluctant Detective is grappling with shady estate agents, an intellectual artist, missing charity money and an irritating Indian waiter. Luckily for Martin there is help in the form of Colin, a transvestite who, apart from having very good fashion sense, is an expert at breaking into houses.What readers have said about the Martin Hayden Mysteries.‘‘Just sat here reading the last 50 pages, slightly guilty on a Sunday afternoon whilst the husband is painting the walls behind me... read this, I urge you! So clever and the characters are ones I hope to read much more of’‘This a quirky detective story in the old tradition of crime fiction. It involves a young man who starts out with the Detective Agency as a cover for not doing much at all. He gradually pulls other individuals into his endeavours. I loved it. No violence, no guns, just pure detective reasoning.’‘Totally different type of detective story being mostly implausible but nonetheless a fun read, hopefully there’s more in the offing’‘My 1st and not going to be my last of the Martin Hayden mysteries. Loved the humour and managed to follow the plot which I normally find difficult. This attests to Adrian 's skill as a writer in this genre which is not my usual style. Thanks for an enjoyable read.’‘I would definitely not be reluctant to read further stories in this series. Keeps you interested all the time, keep Colin going.’‘A truly engaging and humourous read with a subtle underlying social commentary that doesn't spill over from the story at all - that is left to your own conscience....’REVIEWS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES:‘I enjoyed this very much. Lighthearted and fun yet believable characters and a well written plot. It’s funny, a love story and a solid bit of detecting. Definitely want more from this up and coming writer.’ Read more

"Previously published as MYSTERY IN THE APPLE ORCHARD: Hilarious misadventures when, completely out of the blue, caravanning mad Val and Geoff inherit a mysterious, old apple orchard on the Isle of Wight. By GUMBLETON, LYNNE AND CHRISTOPHER (AUTHOR)."Another fun packed comedy adventure when caravanning mad Valerie and Geoff inherit an old bungalow down on the Isle of Wight from a mysterious uncle. Little do they know, they have also inherited a mysterious, old apple orchard to go with it - hidden away, down at the far end of their garden. The orchard contains a secret that changes Val and Geoff's lives forever.Yet another tongue in cheek adventure from us - that we hope you will like. Read more

Everyone wants a piece of Martin’s astute detecting mind. A neighbour wants him to trace a young woman that even a professional investigator has failed to locate. A friend asks him to dissuade an elderly person from staging protests, thereby avoiding trouble with the police. Generally, people don’t appreciate that Hayden Investigations was set up solely for Martin to avoid doing any work, and why does his wife, Susan, want to help the world and its mother.With the assistance of her reluctant husband, Susan helps a band of elderly residents demonstrate against the impending removal of their live-in Warden. But keeping old people under control isn’t an easy task, they’re worse than kids! As for the missing woman, this gives Susan the opportunity to prove that Hayden investigators are better than real detectives, that is if they find her.Then there’s Mrs Rich, she wants Martin to manage the local neighbourhood watch scheme, something he has no intention of doing and plans to tell her in no uncertain terms, which he’ll live to regret. On the plus side, there’s an attractive female reporter who has her eye on Martin. Is Susan jealous? Of course she is!The Reluctant Detective Protests is the sixth Martin Hayden Mystery.All the Martin Hayden Mysteries can be read as stand-alone novels but might be enjoyed more in order.What Amazon readers have said about previous Martin Hayden Mysteries.‘Will they or won’t they……solve more cases lol. I definitely didn’t see that one coming! Great ending and as always a fun ride! 2 down the rest to go…..The reluctant Detective is quite frankly A MUST READ’‘Yet again I have really enjoyed this book. I could not recommend this series enough. Please tell me there will be more of the Hayden's.’‘Not my usual genre (fantasy) but am invested in the characters and the story is clever. I am enjoying this book series.’‘Lighthearted with many “possible” endings. Liked the characters and relationships linking them together. Easy read will be looking for more by this Author’‘Love the characters and plot twist I didn't see coming, and again laced with humour.’‘Just sat here reading the last 50 pages, slightly guilty on a Sunday afternoon whilst the husband is painting the walls behind me... read this, I urge you! So clever and the characters are ones I hope to read much more of’‘This a quirky detective story in the old tradition of crime fiction. It involves a young man who starts out with the Detective Agency as a cover for not doing much at all. He gradually pulls other individuals into his endeavours. I loved it. No violence, no guns, just pure detective reasoning.’ Read more

'There are prizes, normally named after PG Wodehouse, given to literary comic novels and non-fiction, and these books will have blurbs saying "hilarious" on them. This is infinitely funnier than any of them' DAVID BADDIEL'The funniest series of books ever written in the English language' RICHARD OSMAN'Hilarious' THE TIMES'Absolute f**king genius' CAITLIN MORAN'With a genuine belly laugh to be found on almost every page, it only cements Partridge's status as the world's greatest comedy character' EMPIRE'Partridge... has become the man our time deserves. Aha!' THE TIMES'This is a deeply silly book. It's also glorious...[with] proper belly laughs on pretty much every page' i NEWS'Every sentence screams pure Partridge...a spoof that comes close to comic genius' DAILY EXPRESS'Expect plenty of laughs' HEAT'Not only has Alan Partridge created an entirely new storytelling structure, it's very funny indeed' JON RONSON In Big Beacon, Norwich's favourite son and best broadcaster, Alan Partridge, triumphs against the odds. TWICE.Using an innovative 'dual narrative' structure you sometimes see in films, Big Beacon tells the story of how Partridge heroically rebuilt his TV career, rising like a phoenix from the desolate wasteland of local radio to climb to the summit of Mount Primetime and regain the nationwide prominence his talent merits. But then something quite unexpected and moving, because Big Beacon also tells the story of a selfless man, driven to restore an old lighthouse to its former glory, motivated by nothing more than respect for a quietly heroic old building that many take for granted, which some people think is a metaphor for Alan himself even though it's not really for them to say.* Leaving his old life behind and relocating to a small coastal village in Kent, Alan battles through adversity, wins the hearts and minds of a suspicious community, and ultimately shows himself to be a quite wonderful man. * The two strands will run in tandem, their narrative arcs mirroring each other to make the parallels between the two stories abundantly clear to the less able reader. Read more

First in a PITCHING UP! series of comedy camping fiction that you'll love.A group of strangers pitching up on a Cotswold caravan site, looking for rest and relaxation but instead encountering starvation, sleep deprivation, dehydration, motorbikers, drunken yummy-mummies, the police, shredded feet, unexpected nakedness, curries, the great loo run, and a line dancing barbecue. Oh, and the creepy guy in a tent at the bottom of the field. It was a camping trip like no other and it would change all their lives.A charismatic cast of characters that you’ll fall in love with. It’s about friendship, the kindness of campers, and the heart-warming humour of people getting on each other’s nerves.You’ll be so emotionally exhausted after reading this you’ll need a holiday to recover. Read more

Sequel to the much-acclaimed and very funny Pitching Up!The Woodsman pub and campsite is under new management, with new staff and improved facilities. The old gang, plus some additional characters, return by invitation to ‘check it out’, and the adventures begin; retaliating against marauding motorbikes in the middle of the night, enduring a bike tour to hell and back, watching Tel and Sophie jumping from a plane and witnessing Tel having some sort of nervous breakdown, fighting against the tyranny of Liv’s father and soon-to-be ex-husband, and almost losing a vastly expensive ring. You can’t get much more memorable than a camping trip like this – perfect holiday reading. Read more

The good news: Eric's inherited his father's pristine Aston Martin DB4. The bad news? Everything else.When Eric Sibley inherits his father's beloved Aston Martin DB4, he discovers there's an outrageous catch - he must tend to his father's allotment. Every week. For two years. For a London executive whose idea of gardening is buying pre-cut salad from Waitrose, this is nothing short of absurd.Between cantankerous allotment holders, a catastrophic incident with a mini-excavator, and suspicious herbs that may or may not be illegal, Eric's life is careening towards chaos. His marriage is teetering on the brink, his career is hanging by a thread, and the allotment committee seems determined to make his life as difficult as possible.Could there be more to this inheritance than just an aging car and an overgrown allotment, or is Eric's father playing one final trick from beyond the grave?Perfect for fans of witty British fiction and anyone who knows that sometimes the best things in life start with a little chaos. Read more

I spent the night with a hot, grumpy stranger in an airport hotel.No, not like that. Get your mind out of the gutter. It was just sleeping. And… maybe a little cuddling.Long story short, I embarrassed the heck out of myself. But at least I never have to see him again.Except the universe is clearly out to get me, because Monday morning, I arrive at my new job and who’s the first person I see?Hot stranger himself: Liam Donovan.AKA my new boss.AKA Annie, you are so freaking screwed.While the HR rulebook doesn’t explicitly say you can’t share a bed with your boss, I can read between the lines. And I need this job.Which is why I have to pretend that night never happened. Luckily for me, sexy as Liam—excuse me, Mr. Donovan—is, he’s surly, rude and totally not my type.Or so I keep telling myself.Because I’m starting to think there’s a warm, gooey cinnamon roll with extra frosting lurking beneath that impressive, muscular form.I promised I’d never choose between my career and love.But when a scandal threatens to break, that promise could prove impossible to keep…So That Happened is a laugh-out-loud funny, swoony, closed door romantic comedy. Expect some mild language and suggestive jokes coupled with tons of chemistry and tension, but no explicit scenes. Read more

New book. First published March 2025.New series. Quilt Shop is the first book in a new romance series set in a small fictional town by the seaside in the beautiful Kingdom of Fife, on the east coast of Scotland.Story:Eisla, an expert quilter, leaves Edinburgh and goes back home to Fife, to start afresh. She sells her quilts online from her website, but takes on the lease of a pretty converted cottage by the seaside, to continue her online business and live in the cosy accommodation. The front of the cottage has been made into a small shop, but Eisla plans to use it as a studio for herself to design and create her quilts.She ran away from the city in Fife a few years ago, broken–hearted, when her ex–boyfriend dumped her for her now ex–friend. Now, she’s back living in a quaint town where no one knows her. To make new friends. And work on her quilting.Eisla isn’t looking for romance. But when she meets Caerd, the handsome owner of the local castellated mansion hotel specialising in holiday accommodation for honeymoon couples and wedding parties — and learns ceilidh dancing, nothing goes according to plan.Will Eisla run away again, or piece together a patchwork of hope for a new life in the Kingdom of Fife, and find romance beside the seaside?New releases by De-ann Black:Embroidery Bee, Crafting Bee, Scottish Highlands New Year Ball, Ballroom Dancing Christmas Romance, Christmas Ballroom Dancing, Autumn Romance, Knitting & Starlight, Knitting Bee, The Sweetest Waltz, Sweet Music, Love & Lyrics, Scottish Island Knitting Bee, Christmas Weddings, Fairytale Christmas on the Island, Vintage Dress Shop on the Island, Scottish Island Fairytale Castle, Scottish Loch Summer Romance, Sewing & Mending Cottage, Knitting Shop by the Sea, and Knitting Cottage.Romance books by De-ann Black:Embroidery BeeScottish Loch Romance series:1. Sewing & Mending Cottage2. Scottish Loch Summer Romance3. Sweet Music4. Knitting Bee5. Autumn Romance6. Christmas Ballroom Dancing7. Scottish Highlands New Year Ball8. Crafting BeeMusic, Dance & Romance series:1. The Sweetest Waltz2. Knitting & Starlight3. Ballroom Dancing Christmas RomanceScottish Highlands & Island Romance series:1. Scottish Island Knitting Bee2. Scottish Island Fairytale Castle3. Vintage Dress Shop on the Island4. Fairytale Christmas on the IslandSnow Bells Haven series:1. Snow Bells Christmas2. Snow Bells Wedding3. Love & LyricsQuilting Bee & Tea Shop series:1. The Quilting Bee2. The Tea Shop by the Sea3. Embroidery Cottage4. Knitting Shop by the Sea5. Christmas WeddingsThe Cure for Love Romance series:1. The Cure for Love2. The Cure for Love at ChristmasScottish Chateau, Colouring & Crafts series:1. Christmas Cake Chateau2. Colouring Book CottageSewing, Crafts & Quilting series:1. The Sewing Bee2. The Sewing Shop3. Knitting Cottage (Scottish Highland romance)4. Scottish Highlands Christmas WeddingAbout the Author:De-ann Black is a bestselling author, scriptwriter and former newspaper journalist. She has over 100 books published. Romance, thrillers, various fiction & non-fiction books.De-ann is also a professional artist, illustrator and designer. Embroidery patterns, fabric design, dressmaking, sewing, knitting and fashion are part of her work.Additionally, De-ann has always been interested in fitness, and was a fitness and bodybuilding champion, 100 metre runner and mountaineer. As a former N.A.B.B.A. Miss Scotland, she had a weekly fitness show on the radio that ran for over three years. De-ann trained in Shukokai karate, boxing, kickboxing, Dayan Qigong & Jiu Jitsu. She is currently based in Scotland.Her embroidery pattern books & colouring books are available in paperback on Amazon. Read more

Take a spring to summer trip to magical Northumberland and find love and laughter in this feel-good romantic comedy, which will transport you to the iconic island of Lindisfarne and beyond…Ellie, and Zen with the coffee-bean eyes, met at Christmas when she came to Northumberland to look after rescue animals. They are taking their first tentative steps into a love-at-first-sight relationship and all in their spring garden should be wonderful.Notification of a death of one of the island’s stalwarts comes as a shock and the island is plunged into mourning, and when Lady Grace takes ill, life at the castle changes overnight, and not for the better. The new custodian and his fiancée have plans, and the islanders are far from happy, especially as it affects their own.The news that the filming of a reality show is to take place and that the animals must move out of their yard due to the Queen of the Castle production company taking over, really is the final straw.Can Zen and Ellie navigate their new life together? Will the residents be able to return to cosy Courtyard Cottage? Can the castle and estate survive the new regime?Amongst all the drama, Love Beyond Lindisfarne is a story of love, intergenerational friendships, camaraderie, and oodles of the warmth and humour found in this very special corner of the world. Read more

Praise in Amazon Reviews for Not From Round Here:★★★★★ "Very funny. We live in London but originate from Burnley so can relate to the differences."★★★★★ "Tek it from me, it wer a reet good'n! Cheered me up!"★★★★★ "Thank you for making me laugh."Professional Praise for Not From Round Here:"Not From Round Here I laughed so much I got odd looks when I read it in public. I loved this book & wanted more! " - Suzy K. Quinn, million selling author of the 'Bad Mother' series."A reet good laff! I hooted my way through this comical look at Northern life. Highly recommended – for Northerners and Southerners alike!" - Jacqueline Lambert, award-winning travel writer and author of the 'Adventure Caravanning with Dogs' series.From the Back Cover“I stuck a hair dryer on me bunion to stretch me skin out. Didn’t bloomin’ work.”So begins Brad’s uproarious new life as an Essex native who’s yanked from living his pipe dream in the Spanish sunshine to the grey and wet northwest of England.In this comedy memoir, Brad is catapulted to a strange land in his homeland where complete strangers tell him about their bunions and insist on showing him the holes “they burned” in the crotch of their swimming trunks.It’s a land of confusion where everything he thought true comes into question: bread rolls are now called, “barms"; tea is something you eat not drink; almond milk is unheard of because, “yer don't get teats on an almond, stupid!”It’s a land where Brad is so cold that he’s wearing more coats than a nightclub cloakroom can handle while the locals casually stroll around in their beachwear.Will fish out of water Brad sink or swim as he adapts to the culture shock of being a soft southerner up north?One thing’s for sure, you’re in for a pant-pissing, rollercoaster ride of mishaps, mayhem, and meat pies.So strap on your incontinence pads then scroll up to buy now!More Praise in Amazon Reviews for Not From Round Here:★★★★★ "Laugh out funny at times. It was inoffensive, light-hearted humour."★★★★★ "More laugh out loud moments than you can shake a stick at!"★★★★★ "Extremely funny and perceptive writing from the quintessential stranger in a strange land." Read more

Hope Brown’s mundane life is turned upside down when:-she unexpectedly loses the job she loves; runs into big trouble with the police when she’s implicated in an unexplained death; finds herself the target of a notorious local drug gang - out for revenge; and discovers dark secrets about her past that she is determined to uncover. Hope takes flight from the dreary London council flat that she shares with her slovenly stepfather Charlie, and stepbrother Joel, looking for a fresh start in Northumberland, in the peaceful, coastal town of Amble, where she was born. She's determined to escape the terrible vengeance of the gang, and unlock the dark secrets of her past...But life, as we all know, has a tendency not to go the way you want it to.Laughter, tears, drama, mystery and romance, written in our usual tongue in cheek style. We hope you enjoy our latest book. Read more

The plan was for a pleasant weekend away. Martin attending the wedding of a friend. A few drinks, stimulating conversation, good food, plus two nights in a four-star country hotel. The slight problem was Martin needed to take a female guest. Susan seemed the obvious candidate, why not?To be fair it wasn’t her fault, she told Martin, it was the lost dog, which she made it her mission to reunite with its owner. The trouble was in doing so they discovered a burnt-out house; the conflagration allegedly having been started by a church. Martin, who never had much interest in matters spiritual, intended to continue with his relaxing weekend. That changed when Susan decided there had been a blatant injustice that needed to be rectified.As for the friend’s wedding that Martin hoped would be some sort of refuge from Susan’s crusade, it was nothing of the sort. An unexpected hotel guest only added to Martin’s woes.The Reluctant Detective Goes North is the fourth Martin Hayden Mystery.The Martin Hayden Mysteries can be read as stand-alone novels but might be enjoyed more in order.What readers have said about previous Martin Hayden Mysteries.‘Love the characters and plot twist I didn't see coming, and again laced with humour.’‘Just sat here reading the last 50 pages, slightly guilty on a Sunday afternoon whilst the husband is painting the walls behind me... read this, I urge you! So clever and the characters are ones I hope to read much more of’‘This a quirky detective story in the old tradition of crime fiction. It involves a young man who starts out with the Detective Agency as a cover for not doing much at all. He gradually pulls other individuals into his endeavours. I loved it. No violence, no guns, just pure detective reasoning.’‘Totally different type of detective story being mostly implausible but nonetheless a fun read, hopefully there’s more in the offing’‘My 1st and not going to be my last of the Martin Hayden mysteries. Loved the humour and managed to follow the plot which I normally find difficult. This attests to Adrian 's skill as a writer in this genre which is not my usual style. Thanks for an enjoyable read.’‘I would definitely not be reluctant to read further stories in this series. Keeps you interested all the time, keep Colin going.’‘A truly engaging and humourous read with a subtle underlying social commentary that doesn't spill over from the story at all - that is left to your own conscience....’‘I enjoyed this very much. Lighthearted and fun yet believable characters and a well written plot. It’s funny, a love story and a solid bit of detecting. Definitely want more from this up and coming writer.’ Read more

Thurnscoe, South Yorkshire, England, 1944.The pit village awakens with the dawn – a tapestry of terraced houses, each brick etched with stories of endurance. The war may scar the landscape, but it cannot extinguish the spirit of this down-to-earth working-class community, forged in coal and grit. The war casts its shadow, yet life persists.On Deightonby Street three friends in their thirties navigate the highs and lows of life, love, conflicts, neighbours, children, and the formidable Doris Price.Will happily married Lucy Hobson give in to her mutual passionate feelings for her daughter’s charming G.I. friend, Paul?Will Meg Emmett find the courage to stand up to her abusive husband and open her heart to new love?Will handsome Eddie Calpin’s unwavering romantic pursuit of the unimpressed Dot Moore finally pay off? Will she give in to her hidden desires?As the sun dips behind slag heaps, the houses hold their secrets – the laughter, the grief, the unwavering hope.ARC REVIEWS:“Calling all Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Mount Pleasant and EastEnders fans – check out Deightonby Street. You’ll LOVE it.”“Hilarious, a scream, a hoot, a joy – brilliant read.”“This should be on Netflix. Where for art thou?!”“So, Coronation Street and Emmerdale got together and made a baby – Deightonby Street.”“I love Deightonby Street!” CAUTION: Some mild sexual references and swearing occur throughout. If easily offended, do not read. This book requires a sense of humour to enjoy. If you do not have one, do not proceed. Read more