Showing results by narrator "Robin Howatt Shrock" in All Categories

There are somersaults and there are somersaults. Physically … no big deal. Lots of people can do them. This book is about the other kind of somersaults–through life. In this case, from a little girl plunked into the mid-fifties in socialist Czechoslovakia to a rebel at school with beliefs twisted and turned by social storms. Then in 1968, her family lives through morphing into socialism with a human face, the consequent invasion of the Warsaw Pact armies, and ultimately, the Russian occupation. And eventually, for many ordinary people, the reality of the so-called Velvet Revolution of 1989.

Early in the 1990s, the Czech Republic was changing, desperately trying to enter a western capitalistic lifestyle. But the change was slow motion compared to the turbulent life of a young female journalist trying to do it all–end her first marriage, mother two kids, while drowning in lots of work. One could also say–divorcing chin first, pulling new jobs while juggling old jobs, surrounding herself with loyal friends, and marrying a new man, the love of her life, who was–ooohh my god! A foreigner…how scandalous!

From humble beginnings, Jess Turner transformed her life. Not in the traditional way, but by fighting to secure a future more in keeping with her aim of marrying into wealth. Quickly realising her first goal to secure a drudge free future was unattainable, Jess moved toward her horizon using every ounce of guile and tenacity she possessed. Obstacles forced a decision in another direction, one where her friend, ally and business partner Julia, played an invaluable roll.

This book was originally planned to be about people, places and events in beautiful Kintyre but, like Topsy, “it just growed”—northwards and southwards—eventually including tales from Norway and the entire west coast of Scotland, down as far as the Irish Sea. Events in time vary from the reality of the present-day, sweeping back into history, and including Myth and Legend from our ancient Celtic heritage. There is humour and, inevitably, pathos as well as the happenings of every-day life—naturally occurring ingredients from the comedy and tragedy of every nation’s story.

William of Normandy set sail to arrive in England in October 1066 to take the throne and force his right above the Saxon King Harold. Successful in the battle and taking the crown, his army of well-trained knights were rewarded with lands.

It is winter in the Cotswolds and a suspicious death has occurred. Psychic medium ‘Madame Zelda’ is found dead on Christmas morning, an open box of chocolates by her side. DCI Hayley Pascal and her new oppo, DS Artie Frobisher, have little to occupy themselves over the dead time that is Christmas at Oxford Police Station, until the chocolates are found to contain a poisonous substance. Cold cases can wait. They now have a new case to solve: one of MURDER.

A trio of stories depicting true life struggles for people in all walks of life. How individuals can spoil what is good in life through the very stubbornness in their own nature.

The year is 1935. Art connoisseur-cum-private investigator Felix Underwood is asked to find out what happened to Reggie Soper, a young solicitor who disappeared without trace 15 years previously.

Alex, a Chemistry teacher, believes she has found happiness at last in Nicholas. Yet, she has to compete for his affections with his daughter from a previous marriage. When she discovers he's thinking about remarrying his ex-wife to be closer to his daughter, she writes him a "chose between us now" note. When Nicholas is suddenly and brutally murdered by an intruder and dies in her arms, Alex is treated as the prime suspect because of this note.