Local Authors - Click on the author's name or scroll down to see all.
CHARLIE ALLAN - MARGARET AITKEN - ALAN
BARKER - DORIS DAVIDSON
-
DOUGLAS DAVIDSON - DEBORAH LESLIE - CAROL LESLIE - GRAEME MILNE -
MICHAEL MOLDEN - ROBERT STEPHEN
CHARLIE ALLAN
The
Truth Tells Twice: The Life of a North-east Farm
This is an affectionate and humorous look at the life of the small
Aberdeenshire farmer through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It
is full of folk wisdom and anecdotes from the people who made that
farming community the prosperous thing it became from Nature's rather
meagre bounty. Part social history, part family biography, we trace the
history of the farm and it's farmers from 1837, when the author's
great, great grandfather arrived, through six generations to the
present day. It is the story of a time forgotten, of an evolution in
farming techniques and attitudes and of a family living and growing
through it all.
MARGARET
AITKEN
Margaret Aitken was born in Kirkwall, Orkney and studied to be a
teacher at Moray House, Edinburgh. After many years living in
lighthouses, she was a teacher in Peterhead. She is now retired and
lives in Cruden Bay.
Twelve Light Years
Two lighthouses - Stroma in the Pentland Firth and Buchan Ness off the
Aberdeenshire coast - were Orkney-born Margaret Aitken's life and home
between 1954 and 1966, while her husband, Jimmy, was a lighthouse
keeper. This is the story of the peculiar problems of everyday life
which these strange homes threw up: shopping, cooking and keeping
stores, having visitors and occupying leisure time - all acquired a new
dimension. With just a handful of neighbours onStroma for comppany and
a wild stretch of water separating the island from Caithness and
Orkney, she and her husband became deeply interested in the natural
history of their island home. She vividly recalls the abundant wildlife
and flora and fauna around her and reveals much of the lore, legend and
history of this now deserted island.
'... a revealing insight into the daily responsibilities and
relationships of those make sure the warning beam never falters...
captivating, extremely informative' - The Orkney View '... an essential
chapter in the history of the lighthouse service' - The Orcadian 'This
is a book to treasure' - The Shetland Times
ALAN
BARKER
Alan
Barker served for twelve years in the Fleet Air Arm before working as
an avionics engineer at Aberdeen Airport. He has an enduring passion
for military history, rooted in his father's long service in British
tank regiments.
The inspiration for this book sprang from his reading the daily service
records of units serving during the Battle of Passchendaele (known as
`Form C. 2118'). On the day his friend's grandfather was wounded in
this battle, the entry merely read `the day was uneventful', despite
noting that an earlier attack on the same day had been unsuccessful and
lives had been lost.
That men should be inured to the horrors of war came as no surprise,
but from it was born the idea of telling the story of a unit despatched
to France during the Great War.
A
Sacrifice of Innocents: A Novel of the Great War
When John Barrett, a keen amateur historian, stumbles across the
official war diary of a British regiment largely composed of volunteers
sent to the trenches of France in the Great War, he is inexorably
pulled into a story of courage, heroism and appalling suffering. A
Sacrifice of Innocents draws us headlong into that world and the gritty
realities of trench warfare, in which a man's chances of seeing another
dawn were shockingly low.
Barrett learns that the 19th (Service Battalion) King's Own Lancashire
Rifles were first shipped to France in 1915, serving in a disastrous
offensive before being transferred to the `quieter' area of the Front
in the Somme Valley. There they engage in a little-remembered action
that preceded the infamous attack of 1 July 1916, but which was no less
disastrous in terms of casualties.
Fascinated and horrified by turns, Barrett reads on, oblivious to the
fact that his coveted find has a direct connection to the living as
well as to the dead.
£1.00 from the cover price of every book will be donated to The
Royal British Legion.
Berlin September 1945, Major Roger
Dawson MC, former SOE agent and concentration camp inmate, arrives in
the war torn shattered capital of the Third Reich on a secret
British mission, Operation Surgeon.
His task? To find and assist German aviation scientists and technicians
, together with their families, locate back to Britain in order that
Britain can benefit from the innovative German aircraft research that
so nearly turned the tide against the allies in the final days of the
Reich.
Nothing though can prepare him for the story of hope, death, love and
revenge that awaits him and he must fight for his survival amongst
those very people he thought of as friends.
‘ Spoils of the Eagle’ is the gripping story of a little
known part of history set in the dark days following the collapse of
Germany in World War II.
Alan James Baker is a local author with a consuming passion for
research into military history. In this, his second novel, he uses this
knowledge to great effect in bringing alive this powerful tale of
destruction , deceit and danger melded with compassion and love.
A fast moving story , meticulously researched and
written beautifully from a great story teller.
Alan Barker comes from an Army family who followed his soldier father
to postings across the world including two such postings in
Germany. He and his brothers followed their father by joining the
armed services but with Alan deciding to break with tradition when
entering service with the Royal Navy . He served with the Fleet
Air Arm for 12 years and moved into civilian life working for a
helicopter company serving the oil industry in the North
East of Scotland.
He lives in Ellon where he continues to write both novels and
poetry and is a regular contributor to the poetry scene at Better Read
Books. His first novel ‘ A Sacrifice of Innocents’ based on
the First World War established him firmly as a serious writer of
talent.
The new book will be launched at Ellon’s very own
bookshop Better Read Books on Saturday 31st July between 1 and 3
pm when Alan will meet with his readers and sign copies of
‘Spoils of the Eagle’
DORIS DAVIDSON
The
Nickum
Willie Fowlie's grandmother calls him a 'nickum' - he is a mischievous
Aberdeenshire boy who often acts instinctively, bearing little or no
consideration for the consequences of his actions. When he is eleven,
his playful antics lead to a full-blown murder enquiry, but it is soon
recognised that the hunt is based on nothing more material than
Willie's imagination. Four years later, however, Willie witnesses a
real murder, but believing that his eye-witness testimony is simply
another fabrication, the police wind down the investigation. It is not
until five years later, during World War II, that Willie is able to
prove the sincerity of his account and the murderer is
apprehended.Despite his errant ways, Willie's headmaster recognises his
potential and finances his matriculation at University along with his
own daughter, Millie, in late September 1939. Free from the constraints
of their childhood, the blossoming of their love begins to unfold.
However, within weeks of the outbreak of war, Willie's best friend from
childhood enlists in the army, but Willie feels duty-bound to his
sponsor to obtain his degree.
Two years later, however, in 1941, Willie is confronted with the news
that his friend has been killed in action. Racked with guilt, blaming
himself for not being there to protect him, Willie abandons his
education and volunteers for the Gordon Highlanders. The course of his
life is now completely changed, the troubled boy that he was now a
distant memory, but can the 'nickum' ever atone for the decisions that
he has made?
DOUGLAS
DAVIDSON
Child
of the Storm
Child Of The Storm is an heroic fantasy of staggering proportions. This
fast paced action-packed adventure bursts from every page and is a must
for every reader of blockbusting cutting edge fantasy. The debut author
Douglas Davidson has skillfully crafted a masterpiece of intrigue,
scorcery, romance, medieval warfare and mystery. Child Of The Storm is
the first part of an epic trilogy that is sure to set the world alight.
DEBORAH
LESLIE
Deborah Leslie's book Flumpaderries, Flanganans and the Real Book
of Benachie was one of the first we ever did a book
signing for, she teaches evening classes in creative writing at the
academy, has judged several of our writing competitions and more
importantly has since released a couple more books including a short
story anthology written in the Doric.
Flumpaderries,
Flanganans and the Real Book of Benachie
(Some
signed copies may still be available)
Aliens, lost souls and a magic book and key are the essential
ingredients of a thrilling children’s novel.
The book is set at the foot of Bennachie, in the small village Chapel
of Weerdee, where young Kirsty has come to visit her long lost aunt.
The pair stay in an eerie mansion on the outskirts of the village and
Kirsty soon begins to realise that all is not as it seems in Weerdee.
The youngster soon discovers a strange smelly green mist on the
mountain; a room in her aunt’s house where there is constant
fight between good and evil and the disappearance of the town’s
shopkeepers and teacher.
Even her aunt’s cat is something else.
The young girl soon gets caught up in this world of good and evil and
begins her adventures, which include being dragged into a painting, and
a well and rolling about in a moss ball.
This book is a must for all children who are interested in mysteries
and science fiction with its many twists and turns in the plot.
The fact that the book is set in a local location, with made up place
names reminiscent of real places in the North-east, makes it the
perfect stocking filler for local children.
Those children further afield will still enjoy the characters and
magical story.
Doric:
Alive an Kickin
Features short stories for adults written in the Doric dialect of the
North-east of Scotland.
Deborah Leslie's "Doric - Alive an Kickin" provides an enjoyable
collection of tales and poems told in the dialect of Scotland's North
East. The short, everyday tales are imbued with the unique character
and dry humour of Buchan. Anyone who's spent time in the area will
instantly recognise the characters and situations vividly brought to
life on its pages.
Although primarily aimed at those familiar with doric this book will
reward any reader willing to take time with it. Packed with
side-splitting one-liners, you'll recognise the folk of the North East
and it'll leave you with tears of laughter.
Doric:
Alive an Kickin 2 (Paperback)
Features short stories for adults written entirely in the Doric dialect
of the North-east of Scotland.
CAROL LESLIE
Carol is the proud mother of Paul, Scott and Danielle and for the last
19 years has been Grant's wife, partner, friend and love of his life!
When she hasn't been busy with her growing family she has been known to
sketch and paint (mainly commissioned) as well as write. When Carol
began her healing quest she not only learned Reiki and achieved
mastership, she gained various Diplomas in...Neuro Psychological
Immunology, The Sidereus Healing Technique, Indian head Massage. She
gained certification in Anatomy and Physiology and Understanding Body
Language. Carol is also a Magnified Healing Master. Carol is currently
our best selling artist as prints of her original works featuring local
landmarks are well liked by most people from the area and are still
available from our shop or possibly directly from her. She can be
contacted at nirvanawomanenterprises.co.uk
Divine
Timing
Book Description
A story of courage, hope and healing. This is the true story of Carol's
spiritual journey, which began when her brother, Ronnie was diagnosed
with terminal bowel cancer at the age of 45. Her quest to help Ronnie
become well again would change her life, but from the moment she began
to help heal him with Reiki therapy, she had no idea where this healing
journey would lead.....
From the Author
This is my first attempt at writing, but hopefully not my last. Writing
about my experiences and sharing it with the world helped to heal me,
but I have heard that many who have read my story are opening up to the
healing also. I certainly hoped that anyone who read 'Divine Timing'
would be able to see what can be accomplished when adversity or grief
comes along. All too often we believe that when a loved one is taken
away through serious illness that it is so final and tragic, but my
story may change your perceptions by giving just a glimpse of what
maybe lies ahead 'on the other side'......it will certainly leave you
thinking!
GRAEME MILNE
The
Haunted North:
Paranormal Tales from Aberdeen and the North East
Packed with tales of the paranormal, this book sensationally reveals
reliable evidence of ghostly activity in the North East of Scotland.
Herein you will find incredible stories taken directly from the case
files of Graeme Milne a man who is rapidly gaining a reputation as one
of Scotland's most creditable paranormal investigators. He has no
interest in the 'fear factor' usually associated with ghost hunting, he
approaches his work with dedication and professionalism, he leaves
others to deal in 'rattling chains' and 'bed sheets' of legend
MICHAEL MOLDEN
The
Fire House
The Fire House is a ghost story in the traditional
sense of the word and yes, it centres around a haunted house. However,
what makes this ghost story so chillingly unique is the fact that it is
based on actual events. Those events took place back in 1979 and for
several dark months they brought utter devastation to an unasuming
young family whose dreams and prospects of a perfect life were
terrifyingly shattered. The facts behing this ghost story appear to
prove beyond any reasonable doubt that just as there are angels, there
are also such things as malevolent spirits and of their evil powers we
have no real comprehension...until now.
THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN
The Strawberry Garden tells the story of
Richard Deacon, a man whose single-minded determination, bordering on
obsession, gained him everything a man could wish for. However his
relentless pursuit of financial success cost him his marriage and
estranged his only son. His business dealings take him to France and
there he meets by chance a penniless deaf gypsy boy. Over time he
begins to realise that his wealth means nothing at all without
friendship and love. When his unlikely relationship with the boy comes
under the scrutiny of the local authority and becomes the subject of
growing gossip he is forced to make a decision. Does he risk everything
he has taken a lifetime to build to maintain his relationship with the
boy or does he turn his back and walk away?
ROBERT STEPHEN
Robert is another innocent writer that we have somehow managed to
rope into judging competitions for us but tends to take these sort of
things with the sort of stoisicm that some of his characters would be
proud of.
Troll
Tales
Troll tales is an enthralling read for children and adults where the
reader feels transported into troll country. The art work is excellent
and helps to conjure up the magical backdrop for the tales without
detracting from the wonderful stories. I'm looking forward to Robert
Stephen's next book.
Fables
of Aesop in Scots Verse
By A Customer
Written in the Aberdeenshire dialect this tells the famous tales of
Aesops. Beautifully illustrated. Full of fun for all ages. Keeping the
local language alive thankfully. Translations provided so everyone can
enjoy.