life. Launching The MECAnism, a practical framework
Inspirational
Date Published: September 2026
Publisher: Serapis Bey Publishing
TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH THE WAY YOU SPEAK
As human beings, we have a deep need for social connection, yet our primitive
fight-or-flight response can be a major barrier to achieving it, leading to
misunderstanding, conflict and disconnection.
Fortunately, there is a solution.
The Human Language delivers a compelling message. By replacing our habitual,
learned patterns of communication we can experience greater understanding,
empathy and connection in our relationships, transforming our lives.
Through easy-to-follow chapters, this book introduces The MECAnism, to calm
your instinctive reactions, gain emotional clarity and develop psychological
safety. It gives you the practical tools and techniques to listen, speak and
act in your daily life with compassion, for yourself and others, enabling you
to meet your needs with confidence.
verbalise my feelings and work through moments of overwhelm. There are
applications across all areas of life.It can, and will be, a transformative
book.”
Pam Bryant, Oxford, UK
“Penny uses just enough science to help the reader understand why they behave
the way they do while focusing on simple techniques to get to the heart of
change.
The Human Language should be required reading for anybody who has to work or
live with other people, which is most of us.”
Diana D’Ascoli, Philadelphia, US
EXCERPT
Changing the way we speak to other people is not an easy or quick
process. It has become deeply ingrained in us for various reasons—
our judgements, unconscious biases, unmet needs, and the
assumptions and reactions we make on a daily basis. However, and
it is a significant ‘however’, the crucial fact remains that … we hold
the power to change. It is entirely within our human capability to
break old habits and form new ones. The new type of
communication and connection we are discussing involves skills that
can be learned by any one of us at any point in our lives. We have
the ability to re-engineer our relationships so our daily lives no
longer resemble the examples mentioned above. Our daily existence
can transform into a state where we have greater control about how
we listen to and speak with others. We can experience the benefits
of genuine connection and understanding, both with other people
and with ourselves. This shift will bring about less conflict and
xvenable us to attract less of what we don’t want and more of what we
truly want. Ultimately, it will lead us to a greater sense of inner
peace. To embark on this journey, we examine how we conduct our
conversations. In this book, we encourage you to shine a light on
your minds, to pay attention to the messages conveyed by your
emotions, to identify your underlying core needs, and to choose
actions that will best fulfil what you truly want underneath. First, we
must address the most significant conversation of all; the one we
have with ourselves.
About the Author
Penny Newton-Hurley is the founder of CommPassion Ltd. She has worked with
large private organisations in the UK and globally, and in the public sector
across the areas of government, military, healthcare and education for more
than 30 years. CommPassion provides training in interpersonal communication
skills, resolving conflict between individuals and building psychological
safety within teams for higher workplace and relationship performance.
In 2025, her company launched their first four online courses, taking their
expertise and experience from the world of business directly to individuals in
all areas of their lives. This book reveals the details behind her courses and
supports the learning of improved communications skills.
Communication has been a fascination for Penny since childhood, when she spoke
with her father in Morse Code! After a few exciting years spent working in
International Marketing, Penny had an opportunity to be involved in the
nascent field of Internal Communication where she began to understand the
importance of humanto-human connection in the workplace. In 2005, she was
introduced to the teachings of nonviolent communication. From that moment on,
it became her purpose to spread this message as far as possible, a mission to
change the way we talk and listen and communicate with each other; to change
the way the world speaks.
Today, she is a trainer of compassionate communication techniques, Workplace
Mediator, Certified Psychological Safety Facilitator with the Fearless
Organisation; as well as a UK Samaritans Listening Volunteer. Penny holds a BA
(Combined Honours) in Modern Languages (French/Spanish) with Politics,
Economics and Linguistics.
Contact Links
Instagram: @pennynewtonhurley
Facebook: Penny Newton-Hurley
LinkedIn: Penny Newton-Hurley
TikTok: @pennynewtonhurley
YouTube: Penny Newton-Hurley
Date Published: 06-06-2023
Publisher: KCIN Entertainment Group, LLC
Books 1 & 2 (Book 3 releases September 8, 2026.)
Judge Keenan Waters and his family have spent decades building a legacy of power, influence, and respect. But behind the perfect public image lie buried secrets, betrayal, and deadly consequences that threaten to destroy everything they’ve built.
As loyalties are tested and relationships crumble, the Waters family is pushed closer to the edge of ruin. With shocking twists and intense family drama, the Dark Waters series keeps the readers turning pages until the very end.
Perfect for fans of Black & African American Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction, the first two books are available now, with the shocking conclusion, Dark Waters 3, arriving September 8, 2026.
EXCERPT
PROLOGUE
It will be a sweltering summer in Philadelphia for the Waters family. The temperature in the city will match last year’s heat, but the pressure, hatred, and drama will bring record highs and crushing lows for all of them.
Judge Keenan Waters Sr. sets the tone for betrayal and disloyalty when he decides one family isn’t enough—so he creates another. His ten-year affair with Mia, his mistress, is a deliberate slap in the face to his wife and children. Lost in a haze of love and lust, he doesn’t care about their feelings. He’s made it clear: Mia is non-negotiable. He doesn’t hide that he loves her or spends most nights at the house he bought for her on the other side of town. She completes him in ways thirty-five years of marriage simply cannot. From the very beginning, he’s been upfront with Lillian: he’s not leaving Mia. He even reiterated it two weeks ago when Lillian confronted him—again.
Though Keenan Sr. doesn’t anticipate or expect it, everything will change suddenly for him, Mia, and their secrets. He knows Lillian still loves him wholeheartedly, but he doesn’t realize she’s finished rolling over and taking his shit. This time, she’ll make sure it all stops—one way or another.
Keenan Sr. reaches for his phone on his desk, scrolling to his wife’s number. Instead, he dials his eldest son, DA Keenan Waters Jr.
After a few rings, Keenan Jr. answers.
“Hey, Dad. How are you doing today?”
Keenan Sr. can tell his son is busy. He shakes his head, thinking, I hope you’re not stuffing your damn pockets again. Clearing his throat, he says, “Good afternoon, son. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”
Keenan Jr. gestures to his assistant as he answers. “Julie, we’ll review the criminal history and Bob Stanton’s ties to the community for tomorrow’s bail hearing this afternoon. Also, CC me on the sample grant proposal email for my brother. Thanks.”
Once Julie leaves, Keenan Jr. focuses back on the call. “Sorry about that, Dad,” he says. “Just finishing meeting notes before heading to court.”
“Okay, well, I won’t keep you. Just wanted to confirm that you, Taylor, and my grandbaby will be at the house tomorrow night for the anniversary party. Your mother moved dinner to six instead of seven-thirty. You three will still make it, right?”
Keenan Jr. picks up on his father’s desperation—a ploy he’s used for the past three years to avoid another anniversary meal alone with Lillian.
They’ve fallen for it every time. Distracted by a text on his phone, Keenan Jr. responds with a rushed, “We’ll be there, Dad.” The words he’s typing on his screen demand his attention: Where in the fuck is my money? “Alright, son. I’ll let you go. See you tomorrow night.”
“Okay, Dad.”
While his parents fight and hate each other, Keenan Jr. has a loving marriage with his wife, Taylor Christine. She’s his and their daughter’s lifeline, the backbone of their family, and he loves her to pieces for it. Taylor keeps it all together while Keenan Jr. lies, steals, and cheats his way to the top.
Sitting behind his desk in the District Attorney’s office, he works incredibly hard to become the next mayor of Philadelphia. He attends charity galas with Taylor by his side, repaying the city with a sliver of the money he’s stolen. He’s an ideal candidate on paper: an eighty-two percent conviction rate, volunteer work with underprivileged kids, and a great campaign slogan, Building a Safer Philadelphia. But his dirty dealings are a ticking time bomb.
Just as he’s about to send a death threat in response to a string of angry texts, his phone rings. He answers, his tone sharp and impatient. “Hello.”
“Hey, Keenan, bud. I couldn’t keep texting; I’m in traffic, so I called you,” says the man on the other end.
“Muthafucka, let me tell you something,” Keenan Jr. growls. “I sent that official letter to the FDA to sway the judge against revoking your guy’s liquor license. My name and reputation are on the line here.” When he doesn’t get an immediate response, he snaps, “Did you forget that, or do I need to break your jaw to jog your memory?”
The man chuckles dismissively. “Chill out, dawg. I’ve got it covered.”
“Don’t fucking mock me, you fat-ass.”
“Relax, man. Raynard Kordan knows the email you sent to save his ass will cost him 20k.
I’ll drop your cut off tomorrow. And ease up with the name-calling, or else.
” Keenan Jr. leaps to his feet. “Or else what, you sloppy—”
Click!
The man hangs up, cutting him off mid-rant.
Fuming, Keenan Jr. grabs his suit jacket and storms out of his office, texting his sister, Naomi, as he heads to the elevator.
Naomi reads her brother’s message about tomorrow night as she sits at a red light on Chestnut Street. She rolls her eyes before texting back: I don’t want to come, but I’ll be there, Keenan, damn
After texting her brother, she makes a call. She grins when Jace, her on-again, off-again engaged boyfriend, answers.
“Wassup, Naomi?”
Her tone is nasty. “What size shoe does your new bride wear?”
“What? Why do you want to know her shoe size?”
“Because I just passed a second-hand work boot shop and thought of her,” Naomi replies, smirking. “I was going to grab her a pair as a wedding gift, but I think I’ll get her something else since I don’t know her size.”
Jace sighs. “Naomi, come on. I already asked you not to show up tomorrow.” “And I was thinking of asking you the same thing.”
Before he can respond, Naomi hangs up and sends him a text: See you tomorrow.Then she blocks his number.
Tears threaten to fall as she thinks about the boy she can’t have. He’s getting married tomorrow, though Naomi has tried to stop him. She used everything from her body to threats, but nothing worked. Jace told Naomi from the start how much he was into her, but when she turned down his ring, he asked another girl, who happily accepted it.
With Jace heavy on her mind, Naomi angrily pulls into the mall’s parking lot, parks, and gets out. “I know what I’m going to do… I’m going to expose his stupid-ass, but first, I have to find something cute to wear and just the right gift for the bride.”
As she’s walking up to the main entrance, she calls her brother, Saint. When he doesn’t answer, she hangs up and texts him.
Saint laughs as he reads the text from Naomi: Did you really just press ignore on me punk? LOL!
Sitting at the plaintiff’s table in a dark-colored athletic-fit stretch suit, he quickly types back, trying not to let the judge or the senior associate he’s assisting notice his phone. Lol I’m in court
Saint Kenny is the youngest of the Waters children. Unlike his brother, tainted by greed and power, or his sister, consumed by sex and control, Saint is different. Different from his siblings. Different from his sneaky, manipulative parents. To everyone, he’s the good one. The baby boy who can do no wrong—the saint of the family. He’s an attorney, too, with a bright future, a girlfriend named Porsha, and a secret boyfriend named Jonathan.
Saint keeps Jonathan and his sexuality hidden from his family, parading Porsha as the perfect girlfriend for everyone to see. Jonathan, however, holds the keys to Saint’s heart and bedroom. Saint fears his family won’t accept him for who he truly is. So he lies. And lies. And lies—until someone gets hurt.
“Mr. Waters, is your client working now?”
Saint quickly stuffs his phone into his pocket and stands to address the judge. Clearing his throat, he replies, “Yes, Your Honor. Mr. Benton has been employed at the oil refinery in South Philadelphia for the past twelve months.” He thumbs through the manila folder in front of him. “However, my client is a contractor and hasn’t been called back to work since the Easter holiday.”
The judge peers down at him. “So, he’s not working?”
“Well, Your Honor, as I stated, Mr. Benton is a contractor, and—” “Mr. Waters,” the judge interrupts, “without steady employment, my judgment would normally be jail time. But I’m in a good mood today, so I will recall this case thirty days from now. If your client is not working by then, he will be locked up until he can start making payments toward the twenty-six thousand dollars he owes in back child support.”
The judge bangs the gavel, and Saint gathers his belongings. He, the pencil-nosed senior attorney, and their client leave the courtroom. In the hallway, the senior attorney says, “See you back at the office, Saint,” before walking off.
Outside the courthouse, Saint’s client—a pale, thin man—speaks up, his voice shaking. “He was ready to lock my ass up in there, Saint. What am I going to do? I can’t go back to jail.”
Saint’s phone vibrates in his pocket as he responds, “I won’t let that happen. Listen, Austin, sit tight, and I’ll call you around three to discuss our next steps.”
“Alright,” Austin mutters before heading off in the opposite direction.
Saint smiles as he answers his phone. “Hey, Mama.”
“Hi, baby. Are you working?”
Saint gets into his car and exits the courthouse parking lot. “No, I’m just leaving court. What’s going on, Ma?”
“Your father and I are making our rounds to remind you and your brother and sister about the time change tomorrow night.”
“Yes, Naomi messaged me while I was in court. She said dinner is now at six instead of seventhirty?”
Lillian’s tone is flat. “Yep.”
With his turn signal clicking in the background, Saint says, “Ma, what is it? I know you, and I know how mad Dad can make you.”
“Baby, what does that have to do with dinner?”
“Because I can hear that you’re upset.” Saint pauses. “Ma, why don’t we go to dinner instead? Just me and you. I’ll pick you up on time, bring those purple orchids you love so much, and I’ll even let you listen to your favorite oldies station in the car—no rap this time. I promise.”
“You and Porsha just make sure y’all aren’t late tomorrow.”
“But, Mama—”
“Bye, baby. We’ll see you tomorrow night.”
After hanging up on Saint, Lillian sits in the living room, lost in thought. The children are all in place for dinner tomorrow night. But tonight is our actual anniversary.
Over the years, Keenan Sr. has given her cars, furs, and jewelry to make up for his absences. But none of it has been thoughtful. None of it has been loving. Once, he stooped so low as to hand her a generic greeting card stuffed with cash. It’s been like this since Mia came along. He used to be so attentive, so caring. Now, he doesn’t even show up half the time.
Lillian takes a deep breath. “…Keenan, I told you how important this anniversary is to me. You promised you would be here. And you better be. But if you mess this up in any way, this will be one anniversary dinner that you or the kids will never forget. I can promise you that…”
About the Author
Nick Haskins is the author of the Dark Waters series, as well as novels She’s Obsessed, Betrayed, My Husband’s Wife, and On the Edge of Heat.
Known for his suspenseful storytelling and unforgettable characters, Haskins has spent more than a decade building a catalog of contemporary drama and suspense that has attracted readers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, where he still resides, Haskins began his publishing career in 2011 and has remained committed to independently producing professional, reader-focused books. In addition to writing novels, he is creating film and visual media projects based on his work.
Haskins continues to connect with readers while developing new stories to expand his publishing catalog.
A Story of Political Peril
Date Published: 09-10-2026
Publisher: Mission Point Press
country when the wrong people have too much money and power.
The Vote is a political thriller built around a conspiracy among powerful
political actors, billionaires, and party operatives who seek to manipulate
the constitutional amendment process in order to permanently reshape the
structure of American government. The mechanics of American politics,
particularly the Article V constitutional amendment process, is the framework
that informs the central premise of the novel. The current political landscape
of the country lends credibility to the story and gives the narrative an
interesting and timely foundation.
The manuscript opens with a series of interconnected storylines involving
political figures, wealthy conspirators, and emerging state-level candidates.
These threads gradually reveal a coordinated effort to gain control of state
legislatures and Congress as part of a broader plan to fundamentally alter the
country’s political system. The concept itself is ambitious and grounded
in recognizable political realities.
About the Author
received a degree in political science from the University of Puget Sound and
an advanced degree in foreign trade from the Thunderbird Graduate School of
International Management. Between degrees, he served a stint in the United
States Navy.
In 1981, he founded Daavlin, a medical technology company that eventually grew
into a prominent player in the field of dermatology. As part of his career, he
stepped foot on every continent and dipped his toes in every ocean on earth.
Reading, writing, traveling, acting, and directing live theater are his
favored pastimes.
He’s also a lifetime political junkie. As this book goes to press,
Swanson is a candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives.
Historical Fiction
Date Published: September 9, 2026
Before Vicky could truly understand herself, there was a story she needed to
understand in her Great Aunt Elizabeth.
Queens, 1984. Dr. Elizabeth Khayat—Palestinian-American, former pilot
and pioneering physician—is recently widowed and fiercely private about
her past. When her rebellious teenage grandniece, Vicky, is sent to spend the
summer with her, the two clash immediately. Vicky is consumed by romance and
rebellion; Elizabeth has built her life on discipline and hard-won
independence. But Elizabeth’s guarded presence conceals a wartime
history in World War II France—where, as a young doctor learning to fly,
she formed a dangerous alliance with a German-Jewish colleague and became
entangled with the French Resistance. Survival demanded impossible choices,
and not all of them can remain buried.
As Vicky’s own reckless relationship begins to spiral, long hidden truth
threatens to surface—forcing both women to confront who they are.
Discovering Elizabeth is a dual-timeline novel about legacy, sacrifice and the
complicated inheritance between generations of women.
Alexandra Khayat Dahl is a fourth-generation American whose family’s
origins are from the Levant region of the Middle East. Raised in Washington,
DC and educated in Catholic schools, she went on to attend an international
university that set the course for a life defined by global experience. She
spent the majority of her adult years in Europe, where living across cultures
sharpened her perspective and strengthened her voice. A mother of four adult
children, she returned to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic with
a renewed commitment to preserving the stories that shape generations.
Inspired by the true life of her great aunt and godmother—a fearless
doctor, aviator, supporter of the French resistance and a trailblazer who
defied an arranged marriage to marry for love— Alexandra celebrates a
legacy of courage, conviction, and uncompromising independence.
Self-Help / Philosophy
Date Published: May 30, 2023
dominant culture which governs how society conducts itself.
Wars, famine, political corruption, economic depression, social injustice,
civil unrest, all of which leads to the spiritual, personal unrest of the
human soul.
And it makes us wonder… How do I, as a person, and we as human beings, work
together individually yet collectively to make the world a better place for
those who live here today and for those who will be born into this world
tomorrow?
Aspiring author Phillip Anderson, author of The Needs of the Heart, provides
deep insight into the human emotional spectrum as well as giving deep
introspective insight into the emotions and principles he believes people of
all races, religions, ethnicities, and demographic backgrounds need to not
only make themselves better people, but the world a better place.
EXCERPT
I am not prone to dismiss logic, reason, strategy, or any other analytical processes of the left hemisphere of the human brain. However, I am a man who believes that there is more to life than just having one outlook. I am of the belief that emotions are just as powerful and just as necessary as logic, reason, and all the other rational approaches to life. I believe that what makes life grand is the emotional factor that comes with it. I would rather feel, experience, live in the moment, and have a genuine connection to that which I feel than to just view it from an analytical point of view. The best part of being human is that we have both options. We have the ability to live in the moment and connect on a deep level to the people, things, and experiences we encounter in our life. We can also cognitively approach something from afar while at the same time determining whether or not to attach ourselves to it. My main emphasis is the emotional connection we have to people. From our emotions comes the connections we forge, and from those connections come beautiful things. The human heart is one of the greatest things ever gifted to humanity; in our limited time on this earth (this physical realm), we can live and remember how we lived before we die.
City. My love for writing started when I was 16 years old when I was writing
in my journals rather than thinking about publishing a book as a professional
Author. I graduated high school in 2014 and later in that year was accepted
into Morehouse College where I would graduate with a Bachelors degree in
Kinesiology. However, It wasn’t until I was in grad school where my passion
for writing truly took hold. After completing the first year of my 2 year
master’s program, I dropped out of the program to pursue my passion of
writing. A year and a half later, I would go on to complete and publish my
first book titled The needs of the Heart in 2020 with the intent to pursue
writing as a full time endeavor.
LGBTQ+ Regency Vampire Romance
Date Published: September 11, 2026
Sussex. Jeremy Takeshi Colbourne is honor-bound by ancestral duty to find and
destroy such madmen. Foremost among the vampires of England, he must find a
way to ensure the safety of the English citizens and the vampires that live
among them.
Then Jeremy and his blood-host Morgan Holland discover a brutally savaged
girl. With this latest victim of the nosferatu, Jeremy realizes the time has
come to make Morgan aware of the Colbourne responsibilities. But the situation
could not have come at a worse time.
For years, Morgan has served as Jeremy’s blood-host. Though Morgan adheres
faithfully to his Contracted terms, he refuses to surrender to the sexual
seduction that completes each feeding. He yields neither his body nor his
heart, though Jeremy yearns for both.
As the nosferatu’s atrocities grow, Jeremy must ask everything of Morgan to
gain the strength needed to fight the ravening monster. Will Morgan relent and
give up body and heart to help Jeremy defeat their enemy, or will the battle
destroy them both?
EXCERPT
Jeremy cursed at the knock on the oaken door of his study. Morgan had
attempted to corner him several times today. Pure cowardice had driven Jeremy
to take refuge here, a place his loyal Host rarely intruded on, since it held
the Buddhist shrine housing his mother’s mortuary tablet. He glanced at
the portrait standing behind the black stone, wishing for a bit of Keiko
Yamakawa’s legendary strength.
Evading Morgan had taken a toll on Jeremy. The Contracted day for his feeding
had come and gone. Today marked two full weeks since Morgan had wrenched
himself from Jeremy’s grasp, nearly bleeding to death before Jeremy
could administer the requisite clotting agent. The sight of Morgan’s
injuries had seared itself into Jeremy’s mind, rendering him unwilling
to risk another such incident.
It almost made him wish to return to Japan, despite the difficulties involved.
Obtaining the necessary dispensation from the Tokugawa Shogunate had been hard
enough when he left. Lord Matsumae had done what he could, but it had taken
his mother’s personal attendance on Emperor Kōkaku and an appropriate
gift to Tokugawa Ikeharu to get it done. Going back would be far worse,
despite his home’s exemption from the Sakoku Edict. Even so, he was
tempted. If only to avoid what he now faced.
The knock came again, harder than before, followed immediately by the entrance
of Morgan Holland. “Excuse me, Lord Colbourne. While I am always loath
to disturb you in your sanctum, you cannot avoid me forever.”
Exasperation filled Morgan’s voice, underscored by heavy concern.
Jeremy risked a glance at his Host, unwilling to see but drawn nonetheless.
The wounds on Morgan’s neck had healed; his skin flushed a healthy hue.
Unlike usual feedings, the last one had left two ragged scars, visible
reminders of Jeremy’s lack of control. Even now, the remnants of
Morgan’s refusal echoed in his mind, invading his dreams.
“I am not convinced you are well enough to support a feeding,
Holland,” he hedged, though his Host showed no lingering signs of ill
effects. “Your wounds have barely healed.”
Morgan sighed. “I understand your reluctance after the debacle last
time, but you cannot risk your health or your sanity by some idiotic attempt
at endurance. I am prepared to meet my Contracted terms without qualms.”
“So you say. Nonetheless, your refusal made quite an impression.
I’d prefer not to endure that again so soon.”
Morgan’s cheeks heated with angry embarrassment. “Then break
Contract, my lord, and find someone more willing to accommodate all of your
needs. Or go back to Japan.”
The slap of the words felt like a further refusal. Jeremy straightened in his
chair, denying the spike of pain, determined to retain his rationality. Fear
was anathema to the Barons of Colbourne and to the Yamakawa family. Being
afraid to feed on his Contracted Host shamed both houses. He stood, feeling
the weakness of flesh from self-deprivation.
“After twelve years? I’d rather not, thank you. You’re all I
need. Or want.” Jeremy considered the irony of his irrational thoughts
mere moments before. “It is far harder to return than to leave,”
he added. “While my home in Matsumae is exempt from the Sakoku Edict,
only my status as a noble Chi no Kami allowed me to leave in the first place.
I have no wish to reverse the process any time soon.”
Morgan considered for a moment and then gave him the ghost of a smile.
“Then please stop delaying the inevitable. Despite what happened before,
I refuse to watch you kill yourself, however noble your ancestors may have
found the practice. It would render all my efforts worthless.”
“Such things are not reserved for my ancestors,” Jeremy growled.
“If I chose seppuku, who would be my second? You’d still have to
watch me die.”
“At least it would not be this slow death you’re attempting
now.”
Trust Morgan to know him well enough to hit so close to the truth of the
matter. Jeremy allowed silence to reign for a moment and then gave a grudging
chuckle. “No quarter, I see. You win, Holland. Give me two hours, and
I’ll meet you in the sanguis cubiculum.”
Two hours would give Jeremy sufficient time to contact William Carter. After
this long, the sexual urges would be difficult to suppress, but he could not
afford another mistake like the last time.
Morgan nodded to him. “Two hours, then, Lord Colbourne. I will be
ready.”
At the appointed time, Morgan waited as instructed, nervous despite his
earlier words to Colbourne. He touched the scars on his neck gingerly,
wondering. For all his bravado and calm facade, the thought of facing
Colbourne’s fangs disturbed him. That last bite had driven into his neck
without preparation, the savage sting a hint of what mankind had faced in the
early days of the nosferii. Yet beyond the pain, another sensation had lurked,
one he was reluctant to recall.
Perhaps it was only the remnants of the lust that rose in him every time
Colbourne fed, but the agony of the unprepared bite had seemed to turn into a
hazy pleasure at the end, before he’d passed out. Perhaps the
recollection was only some perverse blending of his memories.
Colbourne entered the sanguis cubiculum through the far door. Morgan caught a
brief glimpse of another person before the closing door blocked his view.
So he arranged for his companion to be available immediately after he is
finished with me.
In spite of the obvious benefits to the situation, the idea irritated Morgan
for some reason. Though he refused to offer up his body for postfeed sex,
he’d always steadfastly ignored Colbourne’s subsequent retreat to
his rooms for several hours. To have that person here, in the antechambers of
the sanguis cubiculum, the mere thought left a burning ache in Morgan’s
gut. This was his domain, his sacred trust, no one else’s.
“Are you ready, Holland?”
The deeply sensuous voice rippled over Morgan’s skin, bringing him to a
half-aroused state before the feeding started. He did his utmost to quash the
reaction, trying vainly to focus on something other than Colbourne’s
mouth.
A hand reached for his chin, gently turning his face away to expose the length
of his neck.
“I’m sorry, Morgan,” Colbourne whispered.
Morgan felt the faintest tremble in his master’s hand. He turned his
head the opposite direction, offering the undamaged side. “Here,
Master,” he urged, “feed from here.”
Colbourne’s tongue touched him gently, tracing a line across his skin
before stopping. “No, I think not,” he said, trailing his fingers
past Morgan’s throat. “I’d rather feed from a different
source today. Your neck is still healing.”
Morgan shivered as his master’s hand roamed down his front, then stroked
along the inside of his thigh.
Autumn grew up loving history, mythology, and all things Japanese, not
necessarily in that order. This eclectic love affair has bled over into her
writing, and her stories are always well spiced with the taste of Japan,
strange mythological beasties, or the lords and ladies of the ton. Sometimes
all three, leading to dark desires and forbidden loves.
And after all, dangerous passions should lead to uninhibited love.
Steampunk Adventure Romance
Date Published: September 11, 2026
Cressida be saved?
Mourning the loss of her husband, Cressida Troy is on her way to Earth. Her
mission; to meet the Queen of England and cement relations between the
Lunarians and humans to present a united front in the approaching war with the
Martians. For Cressida, the mission has a much deeper and personal meaning.
Being human, as well as the Lunarian Empress, Cressida is plagued by doubt and
guilt and seeks redemption for what is seen by many as the betrayal of her
species. Matters are complicated when she is kidnapped by the pernicious
witch, Lady Neva, who is hell-bent on revenge against Queen Victoria. Armed
with unlimited magical power, Lady Neva is planning to usurp the crown and
rule both Earth and space.
Meanwhile Jacob McLeary, Cressida’s former fiancé, is under the
watchful and lascivious eye of Lavinia Branscombe, a Lunarian agent. Knowledge
of the dark secret at the heart of the Lunarian society fuels Jacob’s
loathing of the aliens, but with so much at stake, can love overcome the
barrier of hate? Will Cressida find redemption?
Like a child’s toy, the cradle of humanity filled the bridge windows
with brilliant colour: blue, green, and brown, flecked with white, a gemstone
set against the black velvet of space. If only people could know how
insignificant this world was in the scheme of things, floating silently in the
incomprehensible emptiness.
Pointless philosophising distracted me for only a moment. My heart trembled
with anticipation. I was nearly home.
The Lunarian crew, in their natural form, goblin like, winged with leathery
skin and large bright eyes, ignored my presence, as they should. Though they
were experienced, with hundreds of trips behind them, piloting a spacecraft
was not something to be taken lightly, especially with me on board creating
the expectation that everything should be executed perfectly.
I would have put them at ease, but that would have been churlish of me, I
realised. They wanted to impress me, and lowering expectations would have been
like a slap in the face, a sign of patronising condescension on my part. Not
an endearing action no matter how well intended.
I turned my thoughts back to the sparkling globe before us, and the people who
awaited me. I’d read how the ancients believed that the souls of the
dead fled their bodies and ascended to the moon, a way station before
reincarnation, or their ultimate disposition in paradise or the underworld.
Little did they contemplate that souls from that grey desert of a world would
descend upon the Earth and conquer it.
I had to be careful how I approached not just the Queen, and her parliament,
but most importantly the bureaucracy which ruled from the shadows and exerted
more power than she could ever hope to wield. I hoped they understood we
humans were a conquered species. Of course, behind the mask of cheerful
bonhomie and expressions of respect as they delivered begrudging cooperation,
there would be fear and hatred. From that febrile soup simple
misunderstandings could bubble up and poison the nascent relationship.
The politicians had wanted a state visit to impress everyone with the
importance of our relationship, and to thank me for using our power to save
them from their European enemies. Though our reasons differed, I agreed with
Her Majesty that ostentatious displays of pomp and ceremony were unnecessary.
She wanted to maintain her image of the Warrior Queen and didn’t want to
share the adoration of the crowds as the saviour of the Empire. She feared the
loss of face if I was seen as an equal.
I wanted none of that either, feeling as disloyal as I did for my part in what
was fundamentally the takeover of her empire. I requested a low-key, quiet
visit. A gentle introduction back into human society. One in which I would not
feel such a fraud. With Her Majesty’s relieved endorsement, my desire
had carried the day.
The other vexed issue was the taking of her son the Prince of Wales by Lady
Neva. I had to placate and convince her that we were doing everything we could
to return him to her. Though she detested the Prince — after all he had been
intimately involved in several assassination attempts, and she had come so
close to strangling him with her own hands — he was her son.
Randolf, my bodyguard and general factotum on this mission, floated at my
side. “My lady,” he said softly into my ear. “Amanda has
prepared a meal.”
“Thank you, Randolf.” I had skipped breakfast, and as always, my
body servant had correctly anticipated my needs. I was indeed feeling hungry.
Randolf was a handsome, powerfully built, athletic man. His bright azure eyes
reminded me so much of Jacob’s. My body stirred, my nipples hardened,
and my quim throbbed. He and his female counterpart, the stunningly beautiful
Amanda, had pleasured me delightfully and often since we had left the moon,
and I had gratefully surrendered myself to them. That train of thought pushed
the need for food aside. I wanted to be pleasured again.
I took Randolf’s proffered hand, and we glided to the access chute that
led “down” to the passenger quarters. His body heat pulsed through
his tunic and through my gown to warm my flesh. He wore no pants, and his
stiff cock swayed enticingly as he propelled himself before me. Amanda was
awaiting us, naked and undeniably aroused, the nipples of her ample breasts
pink and erect. I gave her an encouraging smile to confirm my thoughts were of
a similar nature.
Being firm, she countermanded my desire with the advice that I needed
sustenance. She offered a full English breakfast: steaming scrambled eggs,
kippers, ham, bacon, and sausages, kidneys, mushrooms, and fried tomatoes. A
feast for a multitude. With a petulant pout, I took a dainty bite of each and
finished with a cup of tea and a slice of toast. I’d maintained a
salacious gaze which lingered on her almond-shaped eyes and gave rise to a
pink flush to her cheeks. When I’d finished, I gracefully dabbed my
mouth with a napkin and took Randolf’s cock in hand.
“Keep the food warm, and join us,” I told Amanda. “I may eat
some more later. My current appetite, though, is for the diverting pleasures
of unbridled fornication.”
Making love when one has no weight, once the initial challenges are overcome,
is a sublime enterprise, more like an ethereal ballet of the most intimate
kind. Holding your partner in a close embrace, limbs entwined, his cock held
snugly by one’s tight sheath, so that you become as one, spinning,
rotating, pirouetting like a ballerina celebrating a mind-shattering climax.
About the Author
Aussie Mikala Ash used to be a mild-mannered training & development
consultant by day, and a wild sci-fi and paranormal adventure writer by night.
Now she is a brazen full-time writer and nature photographer who is
concentrating on having among other things, “… bags, and bags of
fun!” Mikala can be found on Facebook and on Twitter.
A Guide to Accidentally Getting Everything Wrong
Date Published: September 7, 2026
A night shift in an abandoned psychiatric hospital.
You learn to laugh. Fast.
Arriving in England for a fresh start, the author quickly discovers that the
English language is a minefield of polite confusion, baffling idioms, and
linguistic traps. Without the vocabulary to express who she is, daily life
becomes a high-stakes game of translation roulette at the absolute bottom of
the career ladder.
Spanning decades through the beating heart of the British workforce—from
factory lines and catering at Heathrow to securing film sets and government
buildings—her biggest opponent isn’t the long hours; it’s the English
dictionary.
Navigating professional environments with a mismatched vocabulary leads to
spectacular, unintentional blunders. From mixing up sound-alike words to
translating idioms far too literally, every shift becomes a lesson in how
easily things get lost in translation.
Yet, behind the comedy lies a deeply personal struggle: the quiet isolation of
startincover. When pressure peaks, remarkable encounters and a profound return
to faith offer a path to true transformation.
Fluent in Faux Pas is a warm, witty, and wonderfully honest memoir—a
celebratory story of resilience and an inspiring reminder that the best parts
of life are often found when we are completely lost in translation.
About the Author
Daniela Hristova arrived in the UK with an English vocabulary consisting of
little more than “teabag” and a background as a multi-media journalist,
actress, and singer who had spent years working in television, radio,
newspaper, and stage in her home country. With a diverse professional journey
that later ranged from wielding a mop to building a career in leadership and
court security, she has navigated life’s twists with a steady faith, a sharp
eye, and a wonderfully dry sense of humor. Channeling her unique experiences
and cultural blunders into the written word, she has penned a witty tribute to
the resilience it takes to start over. When she isn’t writing or tackling new
adventures, she enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Dea. Fluent
in Faux Pas is her debut memoir.
Contact Link
Crime Thriller / Suspense
Date Published: 09-07-2026
Publisher: Mission Point Press
interplay between human nature and the natural world. The story follows Jim
Peters, the comptroller at Ramsey Motors, who uncovers a corrupt scheme by the
company and its insurer, U.S. Underwriters, to defraud employees of their
retirement and insurance benefits before moving operations overseas.
Infuriated, he devises an elaborate extortion plan to expose their corruption
and protect the employees through a spectacular plot that ends up achieving
national headlines. To accomplish his plan, Peters uses simple, everyday
methods and lessons learned from alpha predators in the natural world.
About the Author
best ragtime/boogie-woogie piano players of all time. A solo concert
performer, he traveled all over the world playing for dignitaries and
celebrities as well as small town audiences. He was given the title of
National Treasure by the Library of Congress and deemed an Ambassador of Music
by the U.S. Department of State.
Bob’s extraordinary musical abilities were the subject of numerous brain
studies, which have inspired a popular RadioLab podcast.
Little did they know that Bob was also a talented writer.
For years he wrote articles about his saloon-playing days for music
publications. Many of these stories were compiled into a book called The
Journeyman Piano Player: Adventures in Gracious Dining. Bob has written reams
of poetry, some of which became lyrics to songs that he composed. The longest
piece of poetry he ever wrote was the lyric book for The Legend of Sleepy
Hollow, a grand opera he composed and orchestrated.
Mr. Milne has been fascinated by nature his entire life. At a young age he
realized that instincts are present in all species of birds, mammals
(including humans), and literally every living thing in nature. He has used
this information countless times over his lifetime to predict what the human
species will do in future situations.
Bob is now retired from the long piano tours and is enjoying his woodland
home. Today he spends his time studying nature in the woods. Signed copies of
his book may be purchased through his website.
life. Launching The MECAnism, a practical framework
Inspirational
Date Published: September 2026
Publisher: Serapis Bey Publishing
TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH THE WAY YOU SPEAK
As human beings, we have a deep need for social connection, yet our primitive
fight-or-flight response can be a major barrier to achieving it, leading to
misunderstanding, conflict and disconnection.
Fortunately, there is a solution.
The Human Language delivers a compelling message. By replacing our habitual,
learned patterns of communication we can experience greater understanding,
empathy and connection in our relationships, transforming our lives.
Through easy-to-follow chapters, this book introduces The MECAnism, to calm
your instinctive reactions, gain emotional clarity and develop psychological
safety. It gives you the practical tools and techniques to listen, speak and
act in your daily life with compassion, for yourself and others, enabling you
to meet your needs with confidence.
verbalise my feelings and work through moments of overwhelm. There are
applications across all areas of life.It can, and will be, a transformative
book.”
Pam Bryant, Oxford, UK
“Penny uses just enough science to help the reader understand why they behave
the way they do while focusing on simple techniques to get to the heart of
change.
The Human Language should be required reading for anybody who has to work or
live with other people, which is most of us.”
Diana D’Ascoli, Philadelphia, US
About the Author
Penny Newton-Hurley is the founder of CommPassion Ltd. She has worked with
large private organisations in the UK and globally, and in the public sector
across the areas of government, military, healthcare and education for more
than 30 years. CommPassion provides training in interpersonal communication
skills, resolving conflict between individuals and building psychological
safety within teams for higher workplace and relationship performance.
In 2025, her company launched their first four online courses, taking their
expertise and experience from the world of business directly to individuals in
all areas of their lives. This book reveals the details behind her courses and
supports the learning of improved communications skills.
Communication has been a fascination for Penny since childhood, when she spoke
with her father in Morse Code! After a few exciting years spent working in
International Marketing, Penny had an opportunity to be involved in the
nascent field of Internal Communication where she began to understand the
importance of humanto-human connection in the workplace. In 2005, she was
introduced to the teachings of nonviolent communication. From that moment on,
it became her purpose to spread this message as far as possible, a mission to
change the way we talk and listen and communicate with each other; to change
the way the world speaks.
Today, she is a trainer of compassionate communication techniques, Workplace
Mediator, Certified Psychological Safety Facilitator with the Fearless
Organisation; as well as a UK Samaritans Listening Volunteer. Penny holds a BA
(Combined Honours) in Modern Languages (French/Spanish) with Politics,
Economics and Linguistics.
Contact Links
Instagram: @pennynewtonhurley
Facebook: Penny Newton-Hurley
LinkedIn: Penny Newton-Hurley
TikTok: @pennynewtonhurley
YouTube: Penny Newton-Hurley