Greener

As teenagers, Helen, Annie and Laura were inseparable, bonding over family, boys and their dreams for the future. But when school ended, so did their friendship.

Twenty-five years later, a snowstorm forces the three women to spend time together, leaving them wondering if they can reconcile the gap between who they are and who they used to be.

Greener is an exploration of the changing dynamics of adult friendships and asks whether old friends can ever let us become new people.

Winter People

          The wild Atlantic coast of Ireland.

The Ghostlights

Can anyone really choose to be forgotten?

Where the Edge Is

As a sleepy town in rural Ireland starts to wake, a road subsides, trapping an early-morning bus and five passengers inside. Rescue teams struggle and as two are eventually saved, the bus falls deeper into the hole.

Under the watchful eyes of the media, the lives of three people are teetering on the edge. And for those on the outside, from Nina, the reporter covering the story, to rescue liaison, Tim, and Richie, the driver pulled from the wreckage, each are made to look at themselves under the glare of the spotlight.

When their world crumbles beneath their feet, they are forced to choose between what they cling to and what they must let go of.

‘A suspenseful, beautifully crafted debut, which is written with feeling and tenderness’ Irish Examiner

‘A dauntingly impressive first novel- a nuanced examination of raw private grief and public distress… Grainne Murphy is an observant and subtle writer whose prose is informed throughout with a hard-won authority.’ Paul Bailey, Booker short-listed author of At the Jerusalem

‘A truly brilliant debut’ Emily Mazzara, Books Ireland

‘With sentences that you will want to cut out and keep, this is an intelligent, exquisitely crafted debut’ Fiona Mitchell, author of The Swap and The Maid’s Room

A Technical Approach to Novel Writing

A Technical Approach to Novel Writing has a foreword from acclaimed historical fantasy novelist John De Búrca.

“Why? Why apply a technical approach to creative art?”

Read on, MacDuff.

Phil is the author of more than twenty novels. In his previous life, he spent over thirty years as an author and editor in the technical space. During that time, Phil received awards and plaudits for the procedures he developed. His recognition was such that he was described as “the best in the business” on multiple occasions.

When asked why he wrote the book, Phil said, “Writing is about communicating an idea. Whether that communication is creative or technical, the fundamentals remain the same: getting a message across and quality.

Many years ago, Stephen King wrote that quality doesn’t matter; only story matters. But things have changed. As professional writers, we are under siege, both by wannabe fast buck generators and AI. In this era, when ‘The Machine’ and cowboys threaten our livelihoods, the only defence is quality. Quality does not come naturally but through processes.”

“…in 2006 [Phil] quickly put into place new technical writing processes and really transformed the quality of our product documentation.” — Paul Cotter, IT industry leader.

“I am really looking forward to reading more books by this very talented author.” – Book Bandits Library – Professional book critic.

The Last Summoner: Conquest

Humankind has pushed their world to the brink of disaster.

Partholón’s disciples—Conquest, War, Pestilence, and Death—are close to breaking free of their bonds and submitting the Five Kingdoms to a scourge. However, to do so, they need a summoner and a witch.

Choca, the village mischief-maker, sets fire to a rickety cowshed, which drags him into a quest he neither expected nor wanted. Aided by Upthóg, a recluse and hunted by a Captain of Horse Warriors, he heads south searching for the last sage, Myddrin, hoping the Wiseman will have answers to his problems.

“Fantastic Irish fantasy that combines meticulous research and worldbuilding with incredibly creative storytelling. Also features my favourite character that I’ve read in a long time – Upthóg.” — John De Búrca, Historical Fantasy author

The Alcoholic Mercenary

They said, “See Naples and then die!”

Rachel had thought it was to do with the place’s natural beauty. A misconception she soon lost after climbing down from the C130 troop carrier. Her predecessor’s suspicious death, the murder of a sailor, and an enforced liaison with a chauvinistic and probably corrupt cop saw to that.

“See Naples and then die!”

Some said the saying was anonymous. Some attributed it to Goethe. Still, others said it was Lord Byron, or maybe Keats. When the young brother of a mercenary hitman became her main suspect, Rachel leant towards Keats. Didn’t the poet die here? Somewhere near, for sure. He probably coined the phrase on his deathbed.

And then, the cherry on the top of her ice cream soda, she could smell grappa on the breath of the mercenary when she interviewed him—the only thing worse than a violent man: a violent man who drinks.

The only thing worse than a violent man who drinks is a violent man who drinks and considers himself Rachel’s enemy.

The Alcoholic Mercenary is an excellent read for fans of Mediterranean Noire and the Mediterranean way of life.

The Iron Between: Hammer

Genonn’s tired and dreams of a remote roundhouse in the Cuala Mountains.

However, sudden rebellion in Roman Britain destroys that dream because the Elder Council task him with delivering Lorg Mór, the Hammer of the Gods, to the tribes across the straits of Pwll Ceris. Despite being torn between a waning sense of duty and his desire to become a hermit, Genonn finally agrees to help.

When his daughter follows him into danger, it tests his resolve. He wants to do everything he can to see her back to Druid Island and her mother. This new test of will means he is once again conflicted between duty and desire. Ultimately, his sense of duty wins; is it the right decision? Has he done the right thing by relegating his daughter’s safety below his commitment to the clans?

Agricola’s unsure of his superior’s motives. After being seconded to the Legio Fourteenth Gemima – raised by Julius Caesar and commanded by Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, governor of Britannia – the commander’s choices seem strange. Why send the legion west when the threat is in the east?

His question remains unanswered until after the battle when Queen Boudica’s army is crushed. The answer is destined to change Agricola and his future, creating one of Rome’s most famed military minds!

For you, Sweetheart: Тебе, любимой!

“For You, Sweetheart” is a two-language book for teenagers and about teenagers (the first boy in love, the first kiss, the first experiments, the first sex). Situations are revealed not only from the point of view of the main character, a guy, but also a woman, who gives an assessment and understanding of what is happening based on her life experience. The main goal of the book is to help teenagers find answers to their questions, which sometimes they don’t even have anyone to ask; find a way out of difficult situations; give an understanding and feeling that they are not alone in their life situation and that they can always find a way out. The book will also be interesting for the older generation, allowing to dive into the memories of the past. The story is easy to read and captivating, creating the impression of an autobiography.

Это книга для подростков и о подростках (первый влюбленный мальчик, первый поцелуй, первые эксперименты, первый секс). Ситуации раскрываются не только с точки зрения главной героини, парня, но и уже взрослой женщины, которая даёт оценку и понимание происходящего исходя из своего жизненного опыта. Основная цель книги помочь подросткам найти ответы на свои вопросы, которые иногда даже некому задать; найти выход из сложных ситуаций; дать понимание и ощущение того, что они не одни в свой жизненной ситуации и всегда можно найти выход. Книга так же будет интересна и для более старшего поколения, позволив окунуться в воспоминания прошлого. История читается легко и увлекает, создает впечатление автобиографии.

BRAIN GAIN

One brain. Two minds. No where to run…

Dawn Harrison wakes up in a research lab with no memories and an AI implanted in her brain. She escapes into a world she no longer recognizes only to quickly become the most sought-after person on the planet.

Pursued by shadowy agencies desperate to reclaim the technology in her brain, Dawn races against time to uncover both the truth of her past and secrets in her head.

But in this high-stakes thriller, even a single thought can be deadly.