Colin Martin

The definitive history of the Spanish Armada, lavishly illustrated and fully revised Selected by Foreign Affairs as one of the Best Books of 2023 “Will surely become the definitive account.”—Stephen Brumwell, Wall Street Journal In July 1588 the Spanish Armada sailed from Corunna to conquer England. Three weeks later an English fireship attack in the Channel—and then a fierce naval battle—foiled the planned invasion. Many myths still surround these events. The genius of Sir Francis Drake is exalted, while Spain’s efforts are belittled. But what really happened during that fateful encounter? Drawing on archives from around the world, Colin Martin and Geoffrey Parker also deploy vital new evidence from Armada shipwrecks off the coasts of Ireland and Scotland. Their gripping, beautifully illustrated account provides a fresh understanding of how the rival fleets came into being; how they looked, sounded, and smelled; and what happened when they finally clashed. Looking beyond the events of 1588 to the complex politics which made war between England and Spain inevitable, and at the political and dynastic aftermath, Armada deconstructs the many legends to reveal why, ultimately, the bold Spanish mission failed.

The definitive history of the Spanish Armada, lavishly illustrated and fully revised Selected by Foreign Affairs as one of the Best Books of 2023 “Will surely become the definitive account.”—Stephen Brumwell, Wall Street Journal In July 1588 the Spanish Armada sailed from Corunna to conquer England. Three weeks later an English fireship attack in the Channel—and then a fierce naval battle—foiled the planned invasion. Many myths still surround these events. The genius of Sir Francis Drake is exalted, while Spain’s efforts are belittled. But what really happened during that fateful encounter? Drawing on archives from around the world, Colin Martin and Geoffrey Parker also deploy vital new evidence from Armada shipwrecks off the coasts of Ireland and Scotland. Their gripping, beautifully illustrated account provides a fresh understanding of how the rival fleets came into being; how they looked, sounded, and smelled; and what happened when they finally clashed. Looking beyond the events of 1588 to the complex politics which made war between England and Spain inevitable, and at the political and dynastic aftermath, Armada deconstructs the many legends to reveal why, ultimately, the bold Spanish mission failed.

This tense, psychological horror-fiction novel is the third in the Call Stone Trilogy and is centered upon Emily, whose mother wants her to find her lost triplets sisters, but first Sarah must get acquitted of a crime she did not commit. Using records rescued from the doctor's mansion, Amanda (Dream Master) delves into the black arts to service her own corrupt vendettas. Meanwhile, Emily discovers that together, she and her two other sisters can stop the evil that Amanda conjures, but as family toil escalate, will the new sisterhood be too late?Colin comes from a small town in the heart of England. Since he was a child, he has been fascinated by films and literature about the supernatural. These include anything from ghost, monsters and vampires, witchcraft, dreams to ESP and UFO's. Colin had repetitive dreams; one of which influenced him to write his first horror-fiction novel. It is from his dreams, imagination, personal love and fears that he conjures ideas for his stories. He believes, although his university degrees may have enhanced his skill to write, it is his creativity and imagination that delivers the best in his writing.

"Cosmic Evanescence" is a collection of poems examining on tragedy, nostalgia, love, joy, and regret. It explores the beauty that exists in all moments, and the impermanence and imperfection of our own lives. Poet Colin Martin probes the intimacy of his own past aside broader shared truths in this collection of succinct, spare poems that reflect on the universal experiences that bind us all.

This tense, psychological horror-fiction novel is the second in the Call Stone trilogy and is centred upon Carl: a journalist who connects recent deaths to that of his horrific nightmares. Disturbed that he cannot control his dreams, he researches his family history, only to find the past torn between good and evil. Will friends help him or must he alone learn the practice of the Black Art to eradicate evil?

For years, Vlad had fought enemies to defend his realm, his people and his religion. And to honour his father and keep the Order of the Dragon, he had battled through extreme bloodshed, his cunning and defiance prevailing. But the Turks were advancing in increased numbers. With only his family, a depleted army and a group of travellers to entrust, would he be defeated, captured and tortured; or had he a darker option?

This tense, psychological horror-fiction novel is the first in the Call Stone trilogy and is centered upon Ethan, who after surviving the dry and treacherous plains of Colorado, finds consolation in an isolated village on the Kansas border. As he learns that all are suffering from drought, he tries to help on family, but underestimates their intense religious belief and the Preacher that governs them. Forgetting his corrupt past, he believes he can summon rain and rescue the girl he has become to love... but is all what it seems?

A history of Cheltenham's trams and early buses.

Cheltenham's buses 1939-1980

We have all become dependent on commercial vehicles to support all aspects of our lives. Goods and service vehicles collect and deliver items, distribute products, remove waste and support service industries. Gloucestershire Goods and Service Vehicles is a pictorial record of the many vehicle makes and types used by Gloucestershire's road transport operators during the last hundred years. It covers horse-drawn, steam, petrol, diesel and battery powered vehicles, ranging from the heavy hauliers with their eye-catching specialist tractors, to the rather humbler floats of the local diaries. A wide range of businesses are represented.