Extract: Feel-Good Stories, by Sarah Swatridge

Feel-Good Stories by Sarah Swatridge

Overall Blurb – An eclectic mix of heart-warming stories, full of memorable, quirky characters. Read about the heroic postie, the eccentric duke, a spoilt parrot, a true friend and a determined would-be husband. Perfect bite-sized reading with your favourite drink.

Choose Your Words Carefully page 36 For people interested in the importance and power of words. Generally, a gentle story that might make you think twice.

Can Mollie use her heartfelt words to get her message across to Joe? And therefore, save a potential unhappy relationship.

Choose Your Words Carefully by Sarah Swatridge

“You shouldn’t do it. It’s not honest Joe,” snapped Mollie from her chair beside him.

“It’s only a bit of harmless fun,” said Norah.

“Harmless!” screeched Mollie, waking up at least two of the residents of Dove Farm Nursing Home. “You shouldn’t meddle in other people’s affairs, especially not affairs of the heart.”

Mollie stood up and made her way out of the communal lounge, as quickly as she could, on legs that had seen too many decades.

          “What’s wrong with Mollie?” asked Heather, the warden.

          “Joe’s written a song. It’s lovely. Read it Joe,” urged Norah.

Joe read out his lyrics. When he came to the last line, some of the residents clapped.

          Heather looked puzzled. “It’s very good Joe. What’s made you start writing love songs at your age?”

          “That lad you’ve had on work experience,” admitted Joe, “he’s had a tiff with his girlfriend, and wants to make up. They sing in a band and he wanted to write a love song for her to show he really does care. I said I’d help, but Madam’s got a bee in her bonnet about it!”

          “Stop him!” cried Mollie, from the doorway. “Don’t let him give that song away,” she said to Heather urgently.

     “Calm down Mollie, he’s only trying to help.”

          “He’ll do more harm than good. It’s dishonest, that’s what it is.”

     “She’s only jealous,” chimed in Norah.

          “Not now Norah,” soothed Heather as she straightened her crisp, white uniform. “Sometimes I feel more like a referee than a Carer.”

          “She’s bitter and twisted. She should have appreciated Sid when he was alive,” continued Norah, unable to let go.

          “You leave Sid out of this.”

          “Ladies please. Why don’t I go and make a tray of tea, while you two make up?”

     “I’m going to lie down,” announced Mollie. Heather followed her as she went to put the kettle on, but Mollie refused to come out of her room.

          “There’s no need for all this fuss,” began Heather. “And be careful about calling other people dishonest. You’re forever telling people you’re sixty-nine, but we both know you’re nearer seventy-nine.”

          “Ok. Point taken,” agreed Mollie. “But please stop Joe handing over that song.”

     “I don’t know that I can,” admitted Heather.

          “Well, if you can’t, maybe I can,” said Mollie getting up and making her way along to Joe’s room.

     “Not you again,” said Joe by way of a greeting.

          “Just hear me out,” asked Mollie. Her voice was tired and pleading.

     “You’d better take a seat, if I’m in for a lecture.”

          “Not a lecture Joe, just a life story….

Want to read on?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Feel-Good-Stories-Sarah-Swatridge/dp/1914199626/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FNLUJ9D53D89&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.013ojV4EN5qbFr–iaUL2Q.ryTj0Q1cBuwkA_BG9LYneOc5z_v9iw5i5qgsDVrVcQo&dib_tag=se&keywords=feel-good+stories+by+sarah+swa


Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Feel-Good-Stories-Sarah-Swatridge/dp/1914199626

Author Bio

ADRIAN POPE COPYRIGHT2024

Sarah Swatridge’s name can often be seen in women’s magazines worldwide such as My Weekly, Woman’s Weekly, Fiction Feast. She also writes novels, mainly historical, which can be found in the Large Print section of your public library. These novels are standalone and the themes vary from – women setting up a co-operative together in response to dishonest traders in the area (United we Stand) to stories set around employees in a biscuit factory (Biscuit Wars, Gentle Annie, Cakes in the Biscuit Factory etc) to the work of pawn brokers (Adam’s Emporium) or a woman in 1900 wanting an adventure before agreeing to marry (Biddy’s Big Adventure – also available from Calibre Audio if you have problems accessing print in the traditional way)

Social Media Links – www.sarahswatridge.co.uk

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084730450618

Giveaway to Win 2 x Paperback copies of An Honourable Wager by Sarah Swatridge (Open to UK Only)

https://gleam.io/C3Bqe/win-2-x-paperback-copies-of-an-honourable-wager-by-sarah-swatridge-uk-only

Lizzie’s badgered by the local paper who want to print a story about her.

They’ve challenged her to be self-sufficient for a year. Eventually she 

accepts – but on her terms. It’s not an easy year, but she does learn 

what’s important.

Win 2 x Paperback copies of An Honourable Wager by Sarah Swatridge (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Extract: Tombstoning, by Doug Johnstone

PUBLICATION DATE: 12th FEBRUARY 2026
PAPERBACK ORIGINAL | £ 9. 99 | ORENDA BOOKS

Your best mate just fell off a cliff in mysterious circumstances. You
were the last person to see him alive. What do you do?

If you’re David Lindsay from Arbroath, you leg it – and don’t go
back. Not for fifteen years.

Then Nicola Cruickshank – yes, that Nicola, the girl you always
fancied but never had the guts to speak to – gets in touch. She
wants you back for a school reunion. At the very place it happened.
Of course you say yes. Not to lay ghosts to rest, but because you
still fancy Nicola.

The thing is, if you are David Lindsay, then returning to Arbroath
isn’t going to bring closure. Because when someone else tumbles
off the cliffs – an act the locals now call tombstoning – David has a
choice: run away again, or finally find out why people around him
keep dying…

Continue reading “Extract: Tombstoning, by Doug Johnstone”

Promo Post: Magic, Maps And Mischief, by David Green

Publication date ‏ : ‎ 24 Oct. 2025

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wise Owl Publishing

https://mybook.to/magicmapsandmischief


What Would You Do To Discover Your Heart’s Desire?

Greton of Willow is in a spot of bother. Caught in the act while escorting a family of elves to safety, Greton flees for greener pastures with only his scant magic and brilliant mind to his name.

And a question. The question.

‘What is your heart’s desire?’

A life-long outsider, Greton sets out to uncover what lies at the centre of his heart. Is it adopting a tawny owl? Owning his very own map shop? Forging a found family with others as similarly scorned as himself? The possibilities are endless. Determined to put his marvellous mind to the task, Greton discovers a way to reveal anyone’s heart’s desire, but not everyone’s longings are as pure as his…

Something odd is occurring in Greton’s new home of Barrow’s Hill, and, before long, the old man in search of a comfortable new life finds himself swept up in danger and mischief.

A heart-felt, cozy, neurodivergent adventure filled with found family and an elderly autistic hero searching for his place in the world, ‘Magic, Maps, and Mischief’ is a story built on love, friendship and acceptance, perfect for readers of ‘Legends and Lattes’, ‘The Teller of Small Fortunes’ and ‘Under The Whispering Door’.


I have an advanced copy of this book (from the author), and so far, I love it. Greton is delightful! Elderly, autistic, and asexual, he makes friends with elves, disabled owls, and sea captains as he searches for his hearts desire. I will be reviewing after publication, and I will be buying an official copy.

I hope David publishes a paperback copy eventually. It’s available on Kindle Unlimited from publication date, but you can also buy it for £2.99. For more about David, see his website. I have two different editions of his In Solitude’s Shadow, and will also be reviewing the latest edition as soon as I get a chance.

The cover design is gorgeous – Liz Delton is so talented! I’m going to have to talk to her about a cover design when I get my space dragon story finished.

Final word: GO PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK

Promo post: The Damned King by Justin Lee Anderson

Release Date: 19 August 2025

Book Launch: Topping & Co, Edinburgh, 19 August

Book Links: US: Bookshop.org UK: Bookshop.org

Linktree: justinleeandersonauthor

Blurb:

The revolution continues in the thrilling third novel of Justin Lee Anderson’s epic Eidyn Saga, perfect for fans of Anthony Ryan and David Gemmell.

The eternal light keeping demons at bay has been extinguished and Eidyn’s last bastion is under brutal siege. Aranok and his allies draw the final battle lines as the war for the kingdom nears its end. With death threatening from every shadow and truth itself at stake, Eidyn’s defenders must put aside their grudges and come together. But is it possible to save everyone when some prefer the lie?

Short bio:

Justin was a professional writer and editor for 15 years before his debut novel, Carpet Diem, was published, going on to win the 2018 Audie award for Humour. His second novel, The Lost War, won the 2020 SPFBO award, leading to a four-book deal with Orbit for The Eidyn Saga. The Damned King is book three in the series.

More information:

Justin was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, but grew up in the US for 11 years, following his dad, Ian Anderson’s football career, through Tampa, Houston, Cleveland, New Jersey, St Louis and Wichita, moving back to Edinburgh when he was 14. He has an Honours degree in English from the University of Dundee and also spent three years living in the South of France.

Two short animations Justin scripted and produced were shortlisted for Scottish Creative awards, and he also writes TV and film scripts with his wife, Juliet. Their children’s audio story, The Great Bumpkin King, was produced by BBC Scotland in 2019. Justin and Juliet live with their family in East Lothian, near Justin’s hometown of Edinburgh, where Justin is an active member of the Scottish Green Party.

Promo Post: Unique Minds, Ed. by Rosemarie Cawkwell

Yes, that’s me. I edited an anthology of work by Autistic people for my employer, Faraway, and now it’s ready for sale. We received funding through the Amazon Literary Partnership, and worked with Matthew’s Hub over in Hull to run creative writing groups.

Here are the details:Link:

https://amzn.eu/d/1OYN9Wr

ISBN: 9781914313073

Blurb: This anthology contains stories, poems and art by neurodivergent creatives and explores the diversity of the human mind and how art is made even more beautiful by the inclusion of voices often left unheard. The power of Autism is not one of ‘blacks and whites’, but a full spectrum of experiences that you may have yet to encounter.

The book is available as a paperback, it is currently available for pre-order with 20th July being publication day.

I have a sci-fi story in there. There are poems and art. There is a piece of memoir and several fantasy stories. I got to read a wide variety of work to as part of my editing process, and the choices were difficult to make. I decided any work by Faraway members would go in automatically, to encourage them to keep writing their stories and poetry, and creating their art.

Plus, they’re really enjoyable works.

There were one or two stories that I had to do a lot of editing on, mainly spelling and grammar. Autistic people can have idiosyncratic approaches to words and sentence structure, and I’ve tried to keep those idiosyncrasies where they make sense. Sometimes I’ve had to correct a systematic misunderstanding of sentence structure that detracts from the work but otherwise not changed anything.

I have a lot of respect for professional editors!

We’re planning to send copies to contributors and sell some copies from our office, so people in the area can buy a copy direct from Faraway. The funds raised will be used to support our work supporting Autistic adults. I’m hoping we make enough for me to restart our creative writing group.

Angry Robot Sci-fi panel at Foyles

I reviewed Gogmagog in March and will be reviewing Ludluda later this month.

This duology by Jeff Noon and Steve Beard is a sea-faring adventure that has tapped into the minds & hearts of readers who love strange and mythical perspectives on the UK. Ahead of Ludluda‘s publication, Angry Robot is excited to announce the very first in-person event with Jeff & Steve. Who better for them to be talking to then the fantastic Adrian Tchaikovsky! The panel will be chaired by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Dr Una McCormack.

Join them at 7pm on Tuesday 3rd December for a wonderful chat and evening with special, exclusive, tote bags of goodies for attendees! 

Tickets & full details are available here.

For an indie publisher like Angry Robot, an event at Foyles in December is a

big deal

I’m very pleased for them and wish I could get to it, because I would love to get my copies of Gogmagog, Ludluda, and Vurt signed. However, London in December is not my idea of fun – there are too many people doing their shopping and it’s rather expensive to stay in London in December. Plus, train tickets less than four weeks out will be extortionate.

However, I really hope people who can get there will go, and have a great time.

Extract Post: Birdie, by J.P. Rose

Summary:

Birdie Bagshaw has never known her parents. Having grown up in a children’s home for mixed race children in 1950s Leeds, now she has come to live with her great-aunt in the Yorkshire Dales. From her arrival, Birdie is treated like an outsider by the local children. When their bullying drives Birdie to hide in the nearby coal mine, she finds an unexpected rescuer in the form of Mr Duke, the last remaining pit pony in the village. As the weeks pass, Birdie forms a special bond with the spirited little pony. But his future is in danger, and Birdie comes up with a daring plan to save his life in return . . .

Book Information

Title: Birdie
Author: J. P. Rose

Release Date: 3rd October 2024

Genre: YA

Publisher: Andersen Press

Continue reading “Extract Post: Birdie, by J.P. Rose”

OUT NOW! Ellie the Crocodile Goes To Gymnastics, by Emily Bardwell

Out Now: 16th September
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Ages: 2-5 years

Blurb 

Ellie’s plans for a fun day at the park are dampened by the rain. So when Patrick suggests gymnastics instead, Ellie embarks on a new adventure filled with trampolines, beams, and monkey bars.

Will Ellie have the courage to try something new?

This is a story about being brave, facing your fears, and believing in yourself.

Author bio 

Emily Bardwell is a first-time author of the children’s picture book, ‘Ellie the Crocodile goes to gymnastics’.

Working in Social Media Marketing, she has a passion for writing and storytelling. Her book was inspired by her own children, who from a young age, would regularly ask her to tell them stories.

A little crocodile named “Ellie” came to mind, and she began telling them all about an adventure she went on with her animal friends.

For over a year, whenever her children had a quiet moment, they’d ask her to tell them an, “Ellie Crocodile story”.

And so Ellie and her adventures became part of their family. She went everywhere with them; camping, bedtimes, doctor’s surgeries, long car journeys.

Until one day, she decided to start writing them down. ‘Ellie the Crocodile goes to gymnastics’ is her debut story.

Emily lives in Surrey (UK) with her husband and two children.

Buy Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ellie-Crocodile-gymnastics-Emily-Bardwell-ebook/dp/B0DF5WC262

https://www.amazon.com/Ellie-Crocodile-gymnastics-Emily-Bardwell-ebook/dp/B0DF5WC262

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218130236-ellie-the-crocodile-goes-to-gymnastics