"Life is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel." For those who observe, it is just entertainment. I hope these stories capture life well enough to be just that. So, come on in, enjoy the comradery and partake of the offerings of Joe's Bar.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝙍𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙪𝙚 Thirteen-year-old Princess Lucy of Lindensea longs for adventure - but in her quiet life behind castle walls, the only excitement the budding author ever finds is in the pages of her own novel. Her fictional heroine, Princess Lucinda, is daring enough to lead the thrilling life Lucy can only dream about. Then an unexpected invitation arrives, offering Lucy a summer in the faraway Lakelands. There, she discovers not only the freedom she's imagined, but a friendship with someone who changes the way she sees the world - and herself. At Castle Avalon, Lucy finds her own kind of magic and Princess Lucinda's story takes an unexpected new turn.

Remember when I said earlier I was glad there hadn't been a spark between us when we shook hands? Well, it must have just been on a temporary loo break or something because energy is now throbbing in the small space between us. Once again, I can't look away from him. Heat pulses through the hand he's holding. There's a look in his eyes too that I've never noticed before. And his pupils are rapidly dilating. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Socially awkward Chloe West prefers to live very much within the border of her own tiny comfort zone. The last thing she wants to do is go on a traditional Glasgow Subcrawl, but she's determined to be a good friend . . . even if it means she's a stressed mess the whole day. But let's not forget the following points . . . 🥂 The self-appointed subcrawl coordinator is determined to force fun on them whether they like it or not 🥂 Chloe's ex is going to turn up at any moment, possibly with his new girlfriend in tow 🥂 And, Liam, the guy who has always rubbed Chloe up the wrong way? Well, *he's* already there... Can she make it through this nightmare unscathed and complete the subcrawl? And will she find something unexpected in the process?

Where in the secret to life the universe and everything is revealed. Who says entertaining writing has to have a story, or a plot? Why can't it be just a stream of consciousness, some interesting episodes from one's life, some regrets revisited, some apologies long overdue, some philosophical speculations and some plain nonsense to keep it entertaining?

***FEATURED ON @HISTORICALFICTION'S READING LIST 'WORLD WARS & REVOLUTIONS' IN JUNE 2023*** For the duration of the Second World War, newlyweds June and Harvey Dougherty played their respective parts. June got a job and raised the couple's twins to the best of her ability; Harvey defended the line overseas and helped lead the Allies to victory on the shores of Omaha Beach and the steps of the French capital. But when peace is declared and the men retire their weapons and return home, it's not long before the Doughertys realize that living on the same front is more of a challenge than they could have anticipated. Because in the war, the couple knew what front they were fighting on. Together at home? Neither can be wholly certain. A POST-WW2 SHORT STORY.

"Here's the thing though . . ." He trails off thoughtfully and then he looks straight at me. His eyes are steely and that makes me realise the fundamental difference between the young Ryan and this Ryan. He's hardened now. The sweet boy I once knew is probably still in there somewhere but life eventually got to him and he had to toughen up. "I need someone I can rely on. I don't want to take a person on who just decides it's too much hassle a few days or weeks in and just . . . Ghosts me." He finishes. There's a definite challenge there. He's not just talking about the job. He's getting a dig in there about the way I disappeared out of his life. As well as implying I'm generally unreliable . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Iona Stewart is pretty sure she's having a premature midlife crisis. Recently made redundant, permanently unlucky in love, and back living with her parents, she's desperate for a change of scenery. So when an opportunity comes up to work in a hotel in the Highlands, it seems like fate has stepped in. The problem? Her new boss is Ryan Thorne. Her former friend. Her first crush. And the boy who broke her heart nearly 17 years ago. She had no intention of ever seeing him again after that night. And it seems he isn't that keen on having *her* around either. Be prepared for nineties flashbacks, many awkward encounters, and *hopefully* a happy ever after . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ❤️Second Place in the Chick-Lit category in The Pink Cloud Awards❤️ ❤️Second Place in the Chick-Lit category in The Hibiscus Awards❤️ ❤️Winner of Best Opening in Chick Lit in the Berry Pancake awards❤️ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Complete companion novella entitled "No Reservations: Ryan's Version" is now available*

He once believed the typewriter would help him bring life to his stories. Now he hopes it would do much more.

𝗔 𝗯𝗼𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀. 𝗔 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿. 𝗔𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻. 𝗔 𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻. 𝗔 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲, 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗲 ... 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝘁? Pip is the happiest boy in the kingdom of Lindensea, until he loses everything and becomes the saddest boy in the world. Falling in love with a dishevelled young nobleman who is leaving the kingdom seems like a piece of foolishness that will only break his heart. It took hard work and determination for Pip to survive. It will take time, luck, and a sprinkle of magic for a chance at true happiness. But are the stars on his side, or working against him? The question remains: 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘙𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯? 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘙𝘶𝘦? AWARDS 🏆 Winner in Fantasy - Celestia Cove Awards 2024 🏆Winning Finalist in Fantasy - NanoWatt Awards 2023 🎗️ Semi Finalist - Rose Gold Awards 2023 ✨Shortlisted in Fantasy - Amby Awards 2023 27 Major Prizes FEATURES 📖 Newly Written Books - All the Places We Will Go 28/03/2023 📖 Retold - Fractured Fairytales 11/05/2023 📖Magic - Fantasy and Other Worlds (19/10/2023) 📖 TCR Reads - Secret Identities (02/02/2024) 📖 The Reading Room - Feast on Fiction (02/04/2024) 29x Featured Cover design by @AnnamitaMuscaria

Half of me was fantasising about the idea of Joe just throwing me, caveman style, on that pool table and having his wicked way with me, while the other half was already realising how hard it could be to get over him if that did happen. Maybe the moments of anticipation are better than the follow-through. Maybe I need to protect myself and see this as just a flirtation and nothing more. And, yes, maybe I need to stop overthinking every bloody thing . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Sienna Norton decides to surprise her boyfriend, she's the one who ends up surprised - and heartbroken - when she discovers him with another woman. Her best friend Kate convinces her they should go on holiday abroad to help her move on . . . But once they reach the beautiful Greek island of Kefalonia, Sienna somehow ends up abandoned once again. Things start to look up, though, when she meets Joe, and they make an agreement to spend the rest of their holiday together. Joe is gorgeous, smart, and funny, and there's absolutely no denying there's chemistry between them - but Sienna hasn't expected to feel . . . *things* so soon, and Joe . . . well, there's definitely something he just isn't telling her. Will there be a chance for them to be *more* than just holiday buddies?