Deepleigh & Madley

hapless and hopeless: Hugo and James, fledgling private investigators inspired by Enid Blyton and James Bond, with discretion about the only thing they can guarantee

... ... more or less.

Cynically encouraged and then recruited by Hugo’s conniving politician brother, a series of dubious errands follow and soon breaking and entering, arson and impersonation can be added to their charge sheet

... ... not to mention voyeurism.

But as they burgle, blag and con their way from the Costa del Sol to the Malvern Hills they inadvertently rattle some dangerous cages and dark forces start to gather

... ... mostly wearing leather jackets and sunglasses.

Narrowly escaping a blazing Thames backwater and on the run, Hugo and James find themselves in Western Scotland and their very survival in the hands of an eccentric crofter, her ghostly laird and their flatulent dog

... ... who’d have thought a stolen vacuum cleaner would prove so dangerous?

A twist of fate unexpectedly brings a group of travellers together in a terrifying encounter with a highwayman.

Following the independent lives of those involved, intrigue unfolds as unlikely friendships are forged, along with heart-breaking events, wrongdoing, a false marriage and the benevolence of a lonely man searching to create a better life for others.

A rector’s unfortunate predicament, deep secrets and tragedy, create a story of compassion, philanthropy, pioneering reform and love in many guises.

Gail lives in the Cotswolds with her husband of more than forty years and their border collie, Monty. She maintains she is busier now in retirement than ever before and keeps active with exercise, fitting in Pilates, walking and swimming as much as her diary allows. She feels privileged to spend as much time as possible with her grandson and is excited about the impending arrival of grandchild number two. She loves gardening and all things related to interior design, as well as keeping a full social calendar.

Gail and her husband continue to travel world-wide whenever they get the opportunity but admits she is most relaxed and happy when she is in her home environment and can indulge in her writing, drawing her inspiration from the nearby historic and picturesque villages surrounded by beautiful countryside. Gail has in recent years taken to fulfilling her life-long ambition to write novels. This is now her third book of similar genre and never takes for granted the positive feedback she receives from her work.

Alice Taylor is a young sorcerer of exceptional power.

In the first book in ‘The Taylors’ Magical Dynasty’ series, we watched her grow in talent and confidence.

Now she’s twelve years old and it’s time for her first assessment by the British Magical Council in Victorian London.

The Council are astounded by her talent. They realise that a child so outstanding must be the subject of an ominous and long-standing prophecy, a heavy burden for one so young.

The prophecy states that a female sorcerer, born to a dynasty of female sorcerers, will confront a malevolent out-of-world visitor named the ‘Beast’ in a final battle to control the world.

Now there is danger: the ‘Beast’ may become aware of her existence – and of the threat to his own.

Life changes overnight and her guardians must work hard to protect her from unwanted attention and to try to keep her hidden from his spies and minions.

But thanks to her guardians, she and her young partner, Hubert, are able to spend four years at Astimova’s School of Excellence, completing their academic training and developing their magical skills and powers.

Until, one day – they are ready to confront the ‘Beast'.

A story of love, loss and self-discovery set against a background of the industrial Midlands and the rural Shropshire borders.

Three generations of women are searching for the truth of relationships disrupted by a century of war.

When, in the winter of 1949, Katherine Quinton sets out on her personal journey away from the city of her childhood, Birmingham, she not only challenges the morality of her generation but becomes involved in the questions raised by other women’s past lives.

Through her love affair with Stephen Ross, an archaeologist, she becomes drawn into the contemporary world and past history of Ludlow.

When she uncovers the hidden reality of the life of Mary Webb, with whom she feels a haunting affinity, she can come to terms with her own past and creativity.

Alice Taylor is no ordinary child and she is about to become aware of her extraordinary magical powers.

In this first volume of The Taylors’ Magical Dynasty series, we travel back to the year 1882 and watch as six-year-old Alice discovers her exceptional potential for the first time, entering a world of phenomena so strange we have few words to describe it.

Soon, she can incorporate her ‘aura colours’ into her magical ‘weaves’ at will and change their characteristics.

Most importantly, she can make her rainbow-coloured aura dance around her body, which unique talent shows she is already a powerful sorcerer.

But at the moment six-year-old Alice Taylor makes her aura dance and discovers her power, she shines out like a beacon to a number of magical seers around the world, exposing herself to forces both good and evil before she’s old enough to combat them.

Not all seers are friendly – and, for Alice, there can be no hiding from destiny.

In the shadow of WW2 sixteen-year-old Ava clings to the remnants of a childhood that is fast slipping away.

Raised in a quiet village on the outskirts of Leeds, Ava’s days were once filled with painting, gardening and the comfort of her close-knit family and Bill- her love.

But when the war breaks out this world shatters, Ava is forced to grow up far too soon.

She endures both love and heartbreak and tries her utmost to keep going during a very trying time.

Keeping a diary keeps her sane and helps her express her feelings, but will the contents of this eventually lead to sorrow?

Through every heartache and every goodbye Ava discovers the quiet strength that comes from holding on to memories, even when the people around her insist on forgetting.

A heartwarming story of courage, family ties, heartbreak and the ultimate love between two people.