Down Below: 

Reminiscences of a World War II Engine Room Merchant Seaman

Edward (Ted) Jones Whitehead – 15 July 1923- 2 July 2021 (RIP)

Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2020.

There are a vast number of accounts of seafaring life, but almost all from an officer's point of view. And deck officers at that. The working men and especially the black gang, the men who keep the engines turning, are usually shadows in these books. It makes sense as few of these men had the ability to write their own story. 

But this is the exception and it's great to see these shadows turned into flesh and blood. What is dismissed in a line in the usual tale - "We sailed without a fireman who had jumped ship." or "The men returned penniless as usual from their shore leave." - blossoms into several pages of very readable detail here.

And thankfully, the book is reasonably well edited. There are few typos and it's easy to follow the action. Although I will note that the author tries too hard to be literary on the first few pages, but then settles down into his authentic voice. 

Click here to get Down Below on Amazon / Kindle 

 

 

Come Forth: Hence The Day

Have you ever thought about what would happen the day this world has had enough of our sins? When the toll of our mischiefs finally comes ringing upon us and the day of the reckoning seems closer than it was yesterday? Seven seals were set to break and on that day four horsemen shall come and judge all that humanity has done. But what would happen if such horsemen have experienced human life and empathize with that which they’re set to destroy? Would they side with us or would they end us without a second thought? Come forth is the journey that will shake your perception of the world and understand that every action, breathe, or sin we partake on will have consequences. As the day of reckoning comes four horsemen shall awaken and each with their own will decide what to with our God’s creation. Some horsemen are disgusted by humanities’ vanity and sins, while others are fascinated by the love and passion humans bring to the table. But throughout this journey not only will humanity's actions come to play but those of a higher power. The sins of our Creator will also catch up with his creation and all the unspeakable will collide. All that’s left is to hence the day of the horsemen and wait for Death, Famine, Plague, and War to enact judgment upon that which they saw created and now they ought to destroy.What will it be I wonder? And sure as hell I’m eager to find out.

Click here to get Come Forth on Amazon / Kindle 

 

The Last Sketch

The Last Sketch

They both hold tight to a terrible secret. When they cross paths in war-torn Europe, will their destinies lead to ruin… or victory over evil?

Poland, 1944. Wanda Odwaga will never stop resisting. As the Nazis occupy her beloved homeland, the twenty-three-year-old artist vows to do whatever it takes to help the underground movement mobilize against Hitler’s forces. But she’s devastated when the Gestapo storms her house in search of rebel leaders, killing her heroic father and leaving the face of his murderer forever etched in her mind.

New York. Finn Keller longs to balance the scales. Having escaped Germany with his mother as a teen, he’s disgusted his estranged twin brother has become a ruthless Nazi henchman with a vicious reputation. So when a covert government agency approaches him with a dangerous undercover mission, Finn willingly risks his life to play his part in turning the tide of war.

Still grieving her unforgivable loss, Wanda’s thirst for revenge takes an unexpected leap forward when she once again encounters her father’s killer. And as Finn dives deeply into the role of impersonating his cold-hearted sibling, he’s captivated by the beautiful Polish woman frozen in front of him… her eyes blazing with the promise of murder.

Can these two players in a deadly game survive the ravages of a sadistic conflict?

"The Last Sketch" is a breathtaking World War II historical fiction novel. If you like engaging characters, exhilarating espionage, and a dash of enemy-to-lovers romance, then you’ll enjoy Gosia Nealon’s powerful drama.

Click here to get The Last Sketch on Amazon Paperback

Click here to get The Last Sketch on Amazon Kindle

Click here to get The Last Sketch on other Platforms

 

Rocking The Boat

 

Rocking The Boat

Rocking the Boat chronicles the career of a black police officer’s extraordinary and unprecedented determination in challenging a police occupational culture steeped in racism. 

The author’s authority on the subject of institutional racism in British policing has been acknowledged time and again, as can be seen by his involvement as a consultant in numerous news and current affairs programmes; the many interviews with him that have appeared in the British media; his invitations to speak at events in France, Canada, South Africa, the UK and the US; and his status as the first British black person ever to be awarded a Fulbright Police Fellowship.

Though some of his views have been well recorded because of these accolades and appearances, in this memoir he presents a uniquely personal insight into these experiences. Spiced with both heart-breaking and entertaining anecdotes, the story of institutional racism and its development and challenges are told here in his familiar but unique voice with a personal angle that will appeal to anyone interested in the history and actual experiences of this current issue.

Though it addresses painful topics, this book is entertaining in addition to being educational. The author’s experiences as a constable on the streets of Croydon, his meeting of US President George W. Bush and his being rescued by a renowned jazz musician when he’s accidentally locked inside an apartment in Harlem, New York are some of the events that provide humorous counterpoints to the heavy main story. More than a simple history lesson, these anecdotes turn the book into a pleasurable read.

Click here to get Rocking The Boat

on Amazon / Kindle US Store

Click here to get Rocking the Boat

on Amazon / Kindle UK Store

https://rockingtheboat.biz

 

 

See Your New Normal:

A How-To Guide to Excelling in Your Post-COVID Future Using Scenario Planning

When the COVID pandemic struck in 2020, a new landscape began to take shape around us. It soon became clear that this seismic event would have significant consequences on how we live and do business even long after the pandemic itself is over. A “New Normal” has been emerging, the result of a thousand adaptations that we were forced to make as we found – or invented – new ways to get things done.

What will be the impact of this transformation on you and the future success of your business? If you can visualize today how your business terrain could plausibly unfold as we enter the post-COVID era, then you could already spot opportunities and challenges you may face, and develop strategies for coming out ahead.

Written by Woody Wade, a globally acknowledged expert on scenario planning, this practical handbook shows you step-by-step how to apply this powerful foresight technique to your specific situation so that you will not only be able to anticipate the “look and feel” of your-post Covid landscape, but even identify realistic ways to excel in it.

Click here to get See Your New Normal on Amazon / Kindle 

 

 

 

Botanical Line Drawing :

A Step By Step Book for Beginners: Learn how to draw botanical elements to use in card making, bullet journalling, planning and more!

This Amazon botanical line drawing book is for beginners. You do not require any skills to draw beautiful flowers and botanical line drawing prints.

This is a step-by-step guide drawing book that teaches you easy and simple ways of botanical drawing. This book is best for beginners as it teaches every design in steps and you can follow them easily to end up with the same design. These are doodle-like designs and you can create amazing illustrations with line drawing botanical art.

In this book of botanical line drawing, you’ll learn:

• To create fine and bold lines
• Different flower making techniques
• Simple and advanced botanical line art prints
• Variation of botanical line drawings
• Beautiful flower illustrations 
• To draw leaves, flowers, trees, branches, and much more!

It is a step-by-step guide that is easy to follow for beginners. You can make fun projects with your own style and coloring techniques. You can also add embellishments to your projects and decorate them.

The book guides you through detailed steps and short exercises. Learn botanical drawings and decorate your art journal and diaries.

Click here to get Botanical Line Drawing on Amazon 

 

Victorious Love:

Amazing Answers to Desperate Cries

Victorious Love is a true account of amazing answers to desperate cries. Please read the following book description to find out more! 

Karen Tracy was a woman with a problem- the problem was that she loved the people in her life deeply. The hitch? Those people happened to be caught in a dangerous web that threatened to destroy their very lives. Holding to her faith, Karen turns to God to help her loved ones out of seemingly impossible situations, trusting He can do what no one else can. However, as she begins to fight for her friends, she often realizes that she herself is seen as the enemy by the very ones she is trying to save. Victorious Love is a collection of short stories based on true events that transpired in Karen’s life, and in the lives of her friends. Comas, cult activity, anorexia, alcoholism, and more, Karen combats these invisible enemies by faith in her God. Rejected, rebuffed and even betrayed, she continues to hold on to the One who she believes can do the impossible…and learns in the end the amazing victories that come from a Love that won’t give up.

Click here to get Victorious Love on Amazon / Kindle