Kirjahaku

Three brothers: doting dads, dealing with the everyday challenges of fatherhood.Following the imprisonment of his ex-girlfriend, Mike Jeffries has one priority: his six-month-old daughter, Bethan. Between caring for her and being a self-employed painter and decorator, he's already got enough on his plate, without his sisters-in-law insisting he's ready to date again. Now Bethan's grandmother intends to fight him for custody, and Mike's not sure he can rise to it.Always up for an adventure, Andy Jeffries has finally found the perfect challenge: keeping the woman he loves satisfied and raising their twin daughters, Rosie and Sorsha. The problem is everyone else thinks he needs more, and dealing with his brothers' trials and tribulations means he's getting it, whether he wants it or not.Dan Jeffries is about to become a father for the second time, and he's terrified, not that he's the kind of man to admit it. But after the premature birth of his daughter, Shu, he's taking no chances until his son is safely delivered into this world, which means putting a hold on his hunt for the perfect family home. However, the house he wants comes with a very big price tag, and not of the monetary kind.Those Jeffries Boys is a novel-length character special. Part of Hiding Behind The Couch series.

Journey back to childhood, where the buds of friendship and romance blossom; take a peek into the lives of the primary school children who would become...The Circle."A very sweet short story of blossoming friendships and childhood traumas." ..".a wonderful, engaging story that made me feel good inside... Highly recommended for readers who love richly written characters and clever dialogue."Beginnings is a stand-alone prequel (novella) to Hiding Behind The Couch.WARNING: this story deals with themes of child sexual abuse, sudden infant death, and parents' marriage breakdown due to infidelity. All issues are written about sensitively and in a way that is intended to be accessible for children aged ten and above.

Some things are just meant to be, or sometimes it seems that way. Like old uni pals inexplicably moving to your hometown, or realising that your childhood best friend is the love of your life, or landing a star role in a hit TV series that could well be your autobiography.Fate, karma, written in the stars, or just bizarre quirks of coincidence?For better or worse, the events of the next six months will push the friends to the limits. For The Circle can expand and contract, but it is always whole; eternal.Set over a period of six months (January-June), In The Stars Part I explores the day-to-day lives of The Circle--nine friends from high school, now in their late thirties--following them through a year of celebration, loss, illness and life-changing decisions.In The Stars Part I is Season Four in the Hiding Behind The Couch Series.

"You must learn to look beyond the evidence. It shows only what you wish to believe is real, not what you really wish to believe."Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love... (Hamlet, Shakespeare)The Circle is in flux. It's been a hectic six months, and as the friends head into the heat of summer, more trials await that will truly test the bonds of friendship.For whilst a circle may contract and may even at times constrict, it can also expand, accommodate, embrace.And it is always whole.Eternal.Set over a period of six months (July-December), In The Stars Part II continues to explore the day-to-day lives of The Circle--nine friends from high school, now in their late thirties--following them through a year of celebration, loss, illness and life-changing decisions.In The Stars Part II is Season Five in the Hiding Behind The Couch Series.

Saorla Tierney's sons are conspiring against her, and at their age, they should know better. After all, she's nearly seventy-one herself, and, quite frankly, whether she still 'has needs' is none of their business.OK, so, maybe she was a bit harsh with Sean when all he did was ask if she and Aileen wanted a double hotel room. And of course she feels bad for biting Finn's head off when he was only having a wee joke.Between her grandson's unconventional baptism and the decades-long feud between her sons, even with Aileen at her side it's not as easy a decision as they seem to think. Or maybe it is. Saorla doesn't know anymore, and until she's sure...

London: December, 1981. A White Christmas is on the cards, but as the temperature drops, the pressure on Arty mounts. He's got far too much planned in the coming days to have it all buried under a mountain of snow. Between his retirement surprise for Jim and the Christmas party at the dance school, Arty might need to curtail his daydreaming a little to ensure everything comes together. Still, if all else fails, at least he and Jim have each other to keep them warm through the impending blizzard. Note: this story follows on from When Skies Have Fallen and as such contains spoilers for anyone who has not read the novel.

After years of working for the police--both as a beat bobby and undercover--Rob Simpson-Stone is moving on with no regrets. It may be too late to rescue his marriage, but his relationship with his seven-year-old son, Lucas, is back on track. Rob's grown-up nieces might be a taller order, but he's prepared to do whatever it takes to prove they no longer need to worry that one day he won't come home.Fate, however, has different ideas.When Rob fails to arrive at his leaving do, his former boss/new PI business partner Gray Fisher can't understand why nobody else is worried Rob is MIA, never mind that Gray is pointlessly missing out on a night in with Will.As the reasons behind the night's events unfold, Gray's past recklessness threatens to catch up with him, putting those he holds close in danger and forcing both Rob and Gray to forge reluctant alliances.

All's fair in love and war. But not in baking.A humorous story about baking and village life. Also includes a rockin' reverend, cakes and bunting. Do what you do best.So said Henry's grandad a year ago to the day as he handed Henry a small, red-foil-wrapped box that gave a metallic rattle when he shook it. Inside: a large bunch of mismatched keys held together by a ring the size of a bangle.The keys to the bakery.Henry's bakery.No going back. Definitely not after Margaret changed the sign on her shop so it read: THE Village Bakery & Grocery Home of the Banton BunNot THE Banton Bun, mind you--Margaret doesn't have the Joneses' secret family recipe--but a reasonable approximation.As for Henry doing what he does best... Henry Jones the Ninth is no baker, that's for sure. He wouldn't even know how to assemble a Banton Bun, let alone bake one. But he does know his way around computers, accounts, managing staff and stock inventory. And he rides a mean tricycle.You might wonder how that could be a good thing. Read on, and all will be revealed.

When nineteen-year-old Kieran O'Sullivan takes a trip to the attic for the Christmas decorations, it proves to be an illuminating experience. Story includes: - a hapless but not altogether helpless student- a pedantic supernatural being (or two, or...well, quite a few)- a funky older sister- the coolest mum in the world- a naughty rescue bunny and her easily led feline sidekick- an insightful ex-girlfriend- twinkle lights- tinsel- baubles * Warning - may contain traces of magic and a smidgeon of social commentary (hey, it's a book by Debbie McGowan - did you expect anything else?) * Of the Bauble is a young adult, biromantic/non-binary fantasy romance.

A weekend in an ancient castle and a murder-mystery game that becomes all too real. It's safe to say Josh's plans for a romantic anniversary with George are not turning out the way he'd hoped.In spite of his cynicism, and his promise not to embark on any more life-threatening pursuits for answers, when one of the guests turns up dead, Josh can't help but put his talents to use to solve the murder.The Advent of Reason is a (more or less) stand-alone novella-length character special in the Hiding Behind The Couch series.

Josh and George have always shared the special bond of friendship. From days in primary school, to holidays spent riding their bikes along the canal, theirs is a promise to remain best friends forever.But can that promise withstand the trials of adolescence, and the changes in their feelings towards each other?NOTE: this is a fully stand-alone story, but it contains significant spoilers for anyone reading the Hiding Behind The Couch series, and should be read after The Harder They Fall (season three).* * *A story from Love Unlocked - a collection of seven short stories and novellas - unique LGBTQ romances inspired by the Love Lock Bridge.

Shaunna has a complicated Christmas ahead of her. For more than twenty years, she and Kris were a couple. Together, they bought a house and turned it into a wonderful family home in which to raise Shaunna's daughter, Krissi. Now Krissi is all grown up, and Shaunna and Kris are separated; Kris has Ade: his boyfriend of more than a year who adores him. And Andy-Krissi's dad-is in love with Shaunna... She knows what she wants for Christmas. She's had a long time to think about it. But is the ribbon binding these fabulous relationships strong enough to protect them? Or will turning on the lights reveal the true fragility of these precious ornaments? Either way, Shaunna knows she's set for a Christmas that might just be too hot to handle. * * * * * Red Hot Christmas is a novella-length character special. Part of Hiding Behind The Couch series. This story follows chronologically from In The Stars Part II (Season Five) and runs parallel to A Midnight Clear (Novella). The story continues in Two By Two (Season Six). * * * * * WARNING: this story contains intimate (moderately explicit) scenes between consenting opposite sex (F/M) adults.

Winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Romance.For many in war-torn 1944, love blossoms in the dance hall, and airman Arty Clarke is no exception. He's a thinker and a dreamer; however, it's not the beautiful, talented dancer in his arms--his best friend Jean--who inspires his dreams. For when his gaze meets that of Technical Sergeant Jim Johnson, Arty dares to imagine a different dance.Their love is forbidden, by both the armed forces and the law, but with Jean's cunning and support, Arty and Jim try to bridge the distance between them and find true love despite the danger and a life-threatening disaster that could destroy Arty's dreams for good.Can the pair stand strong together, no matter how many skies have fallen?This edition includes the Christmas novelette, A Snowy Ball.

Three years after his partner's death, Detective Chief Inspector Gray Fisher has finally made the break from the police. With a new place to live, a new job and his PhD underway, Gray welcomes the friendship of Will Richards, an investment banker with hidden depths and a farmhouse menagerie of rescue animals. Gray's not looking for love, and he's certainly not interested in becoming involved in police work again...until former colleague Rob Simpson-Stone tracks him down to ask for his help with a case. So begins Gray and Rob's new business partnership. For Rob Simpson-Stone, the career change may have come too late to rescue his marriage, but his relationship with his son is back on track. Rob's grown-up nieces might be a taller order, but he's prepared to do whatever it takes to prove they no longer need to worry that one day he won't come home. As events unfold, Gray's past recklessness catches up with him and Rob both, putting those they hold close in danger and forcing them to forge reluctant alliances in a bid to take down one Anders Folden-a psychopathic hitman Rob put away while working undercover. Folden won't stop until he's completed his mission-to fulfil a contract or end a personal vendetta? Either way, Gray and Rob need to find him before he finds them.

Mysterious happenings are mounting up for Josh, Sean and their estranged alumni. Josh Sandison-Morley was born a sceptic. Why else would he insist there's no such thing as ghosts when he's eliminated every plausible explanation for the noises in his former therapy rooms? Sean Tierney's having some 'performance issues'. His GP says there's no physical reason: his blood pressure is under control, and he's stayed off the booze, ergo it's all in his head. In the circumstances, being a palliative clinical psychologist isn't proving (self-)helpful. Despite two decades of friendship and their grand plans to open a private psychotherapy centre, neither man confides in the other. That is, until news reaches them both, via different avenues, that their experiences are but part of a bizarre cluster of unexplained phenomena, for which there is only one common denominator. Whether real or the product of overwrought imaginations, Josh, Sean and their alumni must lay to rest the spectre of a once-beloved friend...or admit defeat and crawl back under the safe, weighty stones of the jobs and relationships they've left behind.

Mysterious happenings are mounting up for Josh, Sean and their estranged alumni. Despite two decades of friendship and their grand plans to open a private psychotherapy centre, neither man confides in the other. That is, until news reaches them both, via different avenues, that their experiences are but part of a bizarre cluster of unexplained phenomena, for which there is only one common denominator. Whether real or the product of overwrought imaginations, they must lay to rest the spectre of a once-beloved friend...or admit defeat and crawl back under the safe, weighty stones of the jobs and relationships they've left behind. PLEASE NOTE: Alumni: Reverberations is part one of a two-part story; the second part, released simultaneously, is Alumni: Resolutions. Also available in one volume under the title Reverberations.

Mysterious happenings are mounting up for Josh, Sean and their estranged alumni. Despite two decades of friendship and their grand plans to open a private psychotherapy centre, neither man confides in the other. That is, until news reaches them both, via different avenues, that their experiences are but part of a bizarre cluster of unexplained phenomena, for which there is only one common denominator. Whether real or the product of overwrought imaginations, they must lay to rest the spectre of a once-beloved friend...or admit defeat and crawl back under the safe, weighty stones of the jobs and relationships they've left behind. PLEASE NOTE: Alumni: Resolutions is part two of a two-part story; the first part (which should be read first) is Alumni: Reverberations. Also available in one volume under the title Reverberations.

What do you do when you fall in love with your childhood best friend? Do you tell them and risk ruining the friendship? And what then, if it takes decades for them to respond to your admission? Do you wait for an answer, hoping it will be the one you want to hear? George did. Now, thirty years on, the secrets are out in the open. But can two hearts almost destroyed by denial and separation ever be healed? Fill in the gaps by joining George and Josh on their Cornish honeymoon against an awe-inspiring backdrop of breaking waves, sand and sunshine. * * * * * Breaking Waves is a novella-length character special. Part of Hiding Behind The Couch series. Chronologically, it falls between In The Starts Part I (Season Four) and In The Stars Part II (Season Five). * * * * * WARNING: this story contains references to previous self-harm, ongoing mental-health conditions and intimate (mildly explicit) scenes between consenting male adults.

For many years, Ade Simmons has been an outsider, trapped in an abusive relationship, seeking sanctuary in his job as a radio producer and in the checklists he makes in an attempt to regain control of his sorry excuse of a life. Actor Kris Johansson is patient, gentle and passionate - everything Ade's ex-boyfriend is not. When Kris takes a role in one of Ade's plays, the attraction is mutual and instant. It is the turning point for Ade. He can either stay on the same path, with Fergus, the bully who has repressed, used and isolated him from his friends and family, or he can look in the other direction, towards Kris, the handsome actor with family and friends who readily accept him. But Fergus will not give up his punchbag so easily. Can Ade finally find the strength to fight back? * * * * * Part of the Hiding Behind The Couch series. This story falls chronologically during the second half of The Harder They Fall (Season Three). The story continues in First Christmas (Novella) and In The Stars Part I (Season Four).