Fiction Books
Both Ends Burning
A Detective’s quest to solve a murder and deal with his own inner-demons at the same time! Can there ever really be a murder that no-one cares about?
Detective Inspector Alex Jamieson is set to investigate the violent killing of an elderly man. However, when the identity of the victim becomes apparent, there are whispers of justice prevailing.
Jamieson sets out to unravel the complex and harrowing case whilst wrestling with his own moral code.
“For a first novel, this is very good. Read it in two days, haven’t done that in a while. The story is well written, the main characters are a good mix and it makes you think about the conflicts that some have to deal with in day to day life. Looking forward to the next book.”
Jo Blackwell
Posted on Amazon
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 
“The characters feel familiar, as if they are ordinary people you’d meet or have as neighbours. Their ordinariness belies the depth and complexity that the plot then takes the reader to. A masterly weaving together of seemingly insignificant details. I don’t usually read detective type novels, so this came on the back of reading my first Agatha Christie. Peter’s book didn’t suffer for the comparison.”
Sue W
Posted on Amazon
Reviewed in the United Kingdom
“A really good police procedural which gets you thinking about some moral and philosophical issues. It is structured well with good back stories for the characters.I hope this is the first in a series of books featuring DI Jamieson and his team“
M.J.D
Posted on Amazon
Reviewed in the United Kingdom
“Believable characters, local setting and a good plot line. Read in 2 days!”
Jen
Posted on Amazon
Reviewed in the United Kingdom
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What is love? and more importantly, how did you know when you are in it? These are the perennial questions that Ben Archer a writer has struggled with to complete his first major novel.
Ben who for most of his life has been contented to flow along life’s river gradually finds himself in the faster flow of its rapids. Caught between a girlfriend he has and a girlfriend he wished he had.
Ben is committed to his girlfriend but is infatuated with a woman he has never met except through Television news.
Jess Arnott, successful Journalist and Ben’s girlfriend worries about her relationship with her boyfriend, she’s been supportive of him whilst he tries to earn a living as a struggling writer but maintains her faith.
Yasmin Taher, a T.V anchor and the the object of Ben’s infatuation is in a long standing relationship with her wealthy investment banker boyfriend whilst tolerating his insufferable aristocratic family.
Then through a simple twist of fate, bought on by enforced separation, and coincidence Ben, Jess and Yasmin find themselves on a collision course, testing the laws of attraction, fidelity, friendship and sacrifice.
A funny and heartwarming tale of three people, riding the emotional roller coaster of discovery to the very questions what is love? and how do you know when you are in it?
The world at his feet
A DI Alex Jamieson Mystery
Detective Inspector Alex Jamieson and his team return for another puzzling case.
Days before his seventeenth birthday, and his big break, wonder kid footballer Ashley James is discovered by his mother bleeding out on a dark and lonely street.
Just another victim of ever-increasing knife crime or something more?
The Immortals Trilogy short stories
Santa’s Mid Life Crisis
Author and freelance writer Ben Archer is planning to visit his father, who lives on the island of Majorca, Spain. Then Ben receives an email from a stranger purporting to be Santa Claus who advises Ben that he is having a summer break himself in Majorca at precisely the time that Ben is planning to visit his father.
Further, the stranger claims that he would be grateful if Ben could find some time to meet up and chat, that Ben may be able to help with a personal matter, and in return, the stranger could share experiences that might help with Ben’s next book.
An encounter with Lady luck
A funny yet heart-warming short story as the third book in this series about Ben Archer author and freelance writer who meets with yet another immortal. The mysterious and beautiful Sayida who claims to be Lady Luck.
A chance meeting on the luxurious La Dolce Vita Orient Express overnight train from Paris to Rome finds Ben entwined in a hilarious conversation with the enigmatic Sayida who is very direct about her romantic isolation and the frustration she feels, “the only beating around the bush I do is by myself” she complains. And just what does she really mean when she says that “for men life is like a penis, women make it hard?”
Her direct conversational approach leaves Ben uncomfortably curious about this woman. But Ben senses something deeper and discovers Sayida’s true intent. An Encounter with Lady luck takes us on a gentle rolling, rich and fun journey about sex and love.
Reflections of a vampire
A darkly funny encounter where Ben Archer, author and freelance writer unwittingly interviews the mysterious Monsieur Alucard who claims to be a Vampire. In this second instalment of the trilogy Monsieur Alucard lays bare his true feelings. How he came about and how he has been mis-represented in history. Is Monsieur Alucard a recluse because he really is a pain in the neck for most people? Or is he a sociopath with no self reflection?
These questions and others about aversion to garlic, ultra violet rays from the sun, turning into a bat and crucifixes are all answered. Ben, realises the stakes are getting higher but can’t resist knowing, when Monsieur Alucard reveals his true identity.
The Immortal Chronicle
A funny series of “interviews with three immortals”, Santa, a Vampire, and Lady Luck previously published as three separate short stories.
Ben Archer, writer and sometime journalist, finds himself inadvertently meeting with and interviewing three individuals who claim to be from the realm of the immortals. Each interview takes us on a hilarious journey of debunking popular myths surrounding each character while exploring critical questions about life.
Ben Archer, writer and sometime journalist, finds himself inadvertently meeting with and interviewing three individuals who claim to be from the realm of the immortals. Each interview takes us on a hilarious journey of debunking popular myths surrounding each character while exploring critical questions about life.
In Santa’s case, Ben finds that even immortals can experience a ‘mid-life crisis” as Santa whinges about the challenges of working with Elves, reindeer flatulence and the difficulty of dating when you are Santa.
Then Ben meets Sebastian Alucard, a reclusive billionaire and self-proclaimed vampire. Is he a recluse because he is a pain in the neck for most people or a sociopath with no self-reflection?
Finally, the mysterious and beautiful Sayida Mashallah, Lady Luck, batters Ben with sexual innuendo in some quest; what does she mean when she says that for heterosexual men, life is like a penis-women make it hard?
“I absolutely loved this book I loved how it took on the myths and legends of Santa, Dracula, and Lady Luck and gave a story to their history and made them more real world in a fun and exciting way. I was honestly sad the book ended because I couldn’t wait for another character to be developed. I hope he comes out with a book 2 and has other characters in the book. It was phenomenal. I was given the book free as an early reviewer for my honest opinion which is displayed above!!“
A Mackie Libarything reviewer
The Dark Elysium Trilogy
Gemma Stone, corporate Lawyer meets enigmatic billionaire Lucas Strong in negotiations for Strongs business to acquire the company she works for. Gemma is instantly attracted to the handsome billionaire but is determined to keep their relationship on a professional level but just who are Strong Investments? Something doesn’t quite seem right to Gemma and she soon finds herself not only attracted to Lucas Strong but embroiled in a mire of evil ambition centuries in the making and danger. Her conflicted feelings release long suppressed desires but can a supernatural forbidden love ever work or will the forces of dark consume it?
The Dark Elysium Gemma and Lucas
Book One
An enigmatic and rich private businessman is negotiating an acquisition of a large media company. Lucas Strong, Chairman and CEO of Strong Holdings is a handsome forty-year-old bachelor billionaire.
Gemma Stone is the corporate lawyer that works for the target company that Strong Holdings is interested in acquiring.When Gemma and Lucas Stone first meet across the boardroom table, she is instantly struck by his presence, there is an intensity about him that stirs some deep, forgotten sensation in her, and whilst not wanting to admit it to herself, she finds herself drawn to this enigmatic man.
But just who is Lucas Strong? As part of her company’s due diligence process, Gemma undertakes research on Strong Holdings, but the more she looks into Lucas Strong, the man himself, the more questions arise than answers. Unbeknown to Gemma, Lucas Strong does indeed keep a dark secret. Most of his existence has been a lie.
The Dark Elysium Sacrifice and Genesis
Book Three
The final instalment of the Dark Elysium sees Gemma and Lucas on the run from Damien and the considerable resources he has at his disposal. Gemma and Lucas know that time is running out; they can’t run forever. Then they learn that a fresh bid for Gemma’s company has already been made, with a final shareholder vote to be held in a few days. Damian’s trap is set.
Gemma realises that Lucas must be in danger and must find him before it’s too late to avoid a takeover that would see the world thrown into chaos, but for her, more importantly, before it’s too late to save the man she loves. No matter the cost, she must find him and put into play a dangerous plan, but even if she does find him, will the dark forces of evil ever allow their love? Can they truly be together?
Reflections of a vampireThe Dark Elysium Fallen Angel
Book Two
In part two of the Dark Elysium Lucas fails to return from a trip and Gemma cannot contact him, she seeks answers from his company Strong Holdings but is met with silence regarding Lucas’s whereabouts.Then mysteriously, she receives notification from Strong Holdings that Lucas has resigned as Chairman and CEO and is no longer involved with the business.
Upon meeting the new Chairman and CEO, Damian Castle, she knows instinctively something is wrong; Lucas would never seek to acquire her company. They had discussed this, and she knew the original plan to cause chaos, war and poverty. But that was over, or was it?
Usefulpublishing 