Here’s our top 10 winter-warming books!
Mince pie in hand? Comfy slippers on? Woolly jumper hugging your body? Put the kettle on, settle down, and dive into some of our top reads this Christmas.
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Here at Mardibooks, we’re determined to get those festive fingers flicking through some of our winter page-turners; we have everything from poetry to home therapy! Whether you want a quick-read on the move or a sofa-snuggling fantasy, we guarantee that at least one of these ten books will appeal to you.
Counting Rings by Douglas Thompson
This collection of poems arises from observations of the world around me and things that get into my head, then, rattle around until they form into poems.
I have a preference for rhyming poetry, for no particular reason. My hope is that they give the reader something to think about, and sometimes, something to smile about.
The mighty elm was a tree at the end of our orchard. It was huge with three trunks, and was home to tawny owls among many other things. My poem of the same name is an elegy for all the elms that died in the 1970s and 80s.
In this collection, I have aimed to include sadness, happiness, food for thought, and fun – A Counting of Rings.
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Mrs Godbothers by Belinda Hunt and Abby Fermont
A slim edition of poems reflecting the spiritual catharsis of today accompanied by a selection of short stories
The collection is based on the Seven States of Modern Man – a modification of Shakespeare’s “Seven Ages” from “As you Like It”.
For each age, the poems and short stories follow threads that reflect the perpetual tension between reason and imagination. In turns lyrical and wistful, juxtaposed with the harsher realities and bitter ironies of today’s society, they are about someone, no-one, everyone….
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A Steppe in Time by Peter Ball
Satirical spy thriller A Steppe in Time, by Dragon in Post author, Peter Ball, follows the powerplay between man and ideas as the unscrupulous Prime Minister, his brother and the President play politics on the Steppes, seeking to control the world’s last natural resource. Several varying shades of decent people, along with Lady Portcullis, have alternative thoughts on how this might well play out… A great read for Pythons, Red Dwarfs and Douglas Adams fans in particular. So will the clichés win? And would that be such a bad thing?
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Under Loch and Quay by Alice Westlake
When their car breaks down on a remote Highland road, Martin, Esther and their mother take refuge at a lonely loch-side guesthouse. Are the other guests just trying to spook them? Or could there be some truth in rumours that a monster lives beneath the dark, rippling surface of the loch – a monster that has claimed two lives already?
Esther and Martin are determined to uncover the facts about the mysterious ‘loch monster’ deaths. But what starts as an adventure quickly takes a strange and sinister turn, as they realise they are part of a plot that just keeps getting thicker. Why are the beds all empty at night? Who is the mysterious red-headed stranger? What is the significance of the symbol in the gallery? And who can they really trust?
The longer they stay, the more Martin and Esther begin to realise that no-one is quite who they say they are… and that someone really doesn’t want them to leave.
The sense of menace builds layer upon layer as the children start to unravel the web of intrigue… and then comes crashing over their heads in the final action-packed denouement.
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The Emperor who wanted to be a Saint by Len Dansey
The death of Carloman, younger brother of King Charles of the Franks, is a mystery. But no-one investigates until his brother wants to become a saint.
Then the Pope appoints Osulf to find out the truth. Osulf the Sinful, the drunk, the fornicator. Who would believe Osulf?
But someone wants Osulf dead. Beaten to death, drowned, torn apart by dogs, poisoned … any method will do.
Osulf survives them all…
And then witnesses a terrible crime against humanity.
No-one believes Osulf, but Osulf the Sinful finds redemption and love at last.
By the same author: ‘Quest-Hunger’ Len Dansey ‘… a genuine feeling for the period… a well-composed and smoothly-written novel …’ Haydn Middleton, author and editor.
‘The Double Seal’ Len Dansey ‘… interesting and informative and building the backbone to the story…’ Sheena Macleod, author of ‘Carnival of Lies’ and ‘Conspiracy’s Child’.
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The Fiduciary Delusion by John Molik
A man’s slow and terrifying ride into psychosis and his accidental discovery of a dastardly conspiracy to implode the world’s financial system as a last ditch solution to consolidate power, come together in a character driven, mind warping novel of suspense and intrigue. Seen through the lenses of two main characters, life’s intriguing themes of karma, breach of trust, false ambition, and the power paradox are thoroughly explored and provide the reader a psychological crime thriller with depth and plenty of food for thought.
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Gold Digger by Sue Benwell
Journalist, Kate Hartley, is in Snowdonia to interview Welsh-gold prospector, Tom (Digger) Johns.
Things do not pan out the way she hoped, but Kate’s editor is keen for her to take advantage of another golden opportunity. Superstar Hollywood actor, Sir David Evans, is back in his homeland to search for a reliable and sensitive ghost-writer. Will Kate be up to the job of dealing with the reclusive, grief-stricken actor, widowed after the tragic events in New York in 2001?
Kate is soon out-of-her-depth; the treacherous weather and a dangerous adversary conspiring to put her life in double jeopardy.
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A Flock of Colours by Patricia Horwood
Lauren has a new business with friends, happiness and contentment at home, a beautiful son, life is perfect. One weekend her world is turned upside down when the love of her life dies in a boating accident and her 8 year boy finds he has no father. Was it suicide? After clawing back a life, Lauren’s order and control disintegrates when she meets Adam. She becomes embroiled in adversity, secrets and lies. Opposing tensions and tragedies are more than one person can endure and now there are difficult decisions to make as she discovers some unwelcome truths. The haunting ancient Cornish coastal fortress of Karneved weaves its mystical spell as Lauren finds her faith and courage have deserted her efforts to ever find happiness again.
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Mao Mao by Simon Langton
Dog thieves steal the beloved pet of a prosperous middle-class Chinese family. The daughter of the family, 17 year old Yan Zhao is devoted to her dog Mao mao, a 160 lb Tibetan Mastiff, and is determined to rescue him with the help of a young policeman, Kuam, recruited by her father, an influential businessman.
Mao mao is driven to a dilapidated Fur Farm near the Mongolian border where he is confronted with the brutal reality of dogs being half beaten to death then skinned alive. His ancient war-dog subconscious kicks in and he overpowers his captors and escapes into the countryside through which he begins his long journey in a mostly hostile environment.
Constantly in touch with Yan, Kuam follows the dog’s trail starting from the Fur Farm and gradually narrows the distance between them.
After life-threatening encounters including setting fire to a Dog-meat restaurant Mao mao begins to approach the Village where he lives. Yan overhears her parents quarreling over the fate in store for Mao mao, now that he has become news. She calculates from the distance of the Village and goes out to search for him while Kuam approaches from the other direction. A gang of youths on motorbikes corner Yan in the main Park as she tries to rescue a small dog they are tormenting. At the same time Mao mao arrives and scatters the youths to protect Yan. The Police arrive and Yan and Mao mao have to face the consequences, as a largely hostile crowd demands that the Dog must die.
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Home Therapy by Reg and Christa Pearce
Christa Pearce and her husband Reg have created a unique Home Therapy course, which explains and demonstrates with illustrations exactly how to perform simple but effective soft tissue treatments and safe exercises for the neck, thoracic and lower back areas. At the end of each chapter there are links to filmed demonstrations of the techniques performed by Reg himself. Reg is an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher, working from direct experience, having suffered many injuries himself in his rugby career. These fired his interest in Physiotherapy – he not only likes it, he lives it, and is a fully qualified Physiotherapist, Cranio-Sacral Therapist, Manipulative Therapist and Life Coach. After her successful first book, Insight Out, Christa has worked with Reg on this Home Therapy course, something that is certain to improve your understanding of how the body works, and how to eliminate the unnecessary pain life sometimes generates!
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All books are available to download as ebooks on Amazon – all you have to do is click on the picture and follow the link. Happy reading!
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