Category Archives: Fiction

Original short stories.

Book signings, events and stalls in 2026

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Rel

These are my first events of 2026. Signed books are also available via my ebay page. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276570998880 Library visits Sat 17th Jan – 11 am – Accrington Library – St James’ St, Accrington, Lancashire,BB5 1NQ Tue 20th Jan – 2 … Continue reading →

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Paraplegion by Alice Barker – a review

Posted on January 2, 2026 by Rel

I received an ARC copy of this book from the indie publisher, Big Thinking Publishing. Paraplegion, as befits a book about people who don’t quite fit in, is a long novella, or maybe a very short novel. I enjoyed it, … Continue reading →

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FLASH

Posted on August 28, 2025 by Rel

Lauren groaned theatrically. Ellie was consulting her phone again. It was a new and expensive model that came with an advanced personal assistant. It had been marketed as ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and Lauren had been very vocal about her insistence that … Continue reading →

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April 2025 book blog

Posted on May 1, 2025 by Rel

This Spring has been about re-reading some old favourites. I ended March on ‘Native Tongue’, by Suzette Haden Elgin. It’s long been one of my favourite books. I started April with a reread of the sequel, ‘The Judas Rose.’ This … Continue reading →

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Upcoming events – Ransomed Hearts book sales

Posted on March 28, 2025 by Rel

Sat 29th March – Stall at D&D craft and artisan fair, Walkden Town Centre shopping centre, Bolton Road, Walkden Sat 26th April – Stall at D&D craft and artisan fair, Walkden Town Centre shopping centre, Bolton Road, Walkden Sun 27th … Continue reading →

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The hole in the pantry

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Rel

I wrote this earlier this week, for a performance with Sid Calderbank, the Lancashire Society, and Lancashire Authors’ Association at Tarleton Library. It’s based on a true story. There was a crack in my grandma’s pantry floor. There probably still … Continue reading →

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May 2023 book blog

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Rel

It’s nearly the end of June, and I’ve only just got round to this. I blame a rather nasty bout of food poisoning and some stupidly hot weather for me being so out of it recently. So. What did I … Continue reading →

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Diary

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Rel

Monday 4th Pilates am, dentist pm. Tuesday 5th Phone GP, lunch with Alys Wednesday 6th Dr Green @ 10.05 am, photography club AGM pm Thursday 7th Meetup with Julia and Mum Friday 8th Pilates am, St David’s hospital Dr Reese, … Continue reading →

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Buttons

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Rel

It’s not hoarding if it’s heirlooms, and it’s not Jessica’s fault that people trusted her with their button boxes. It was entirely reasonable that her great grandmother, two grandmothers, two aunts and a neighbour would pass their collections to the … Continue reading →

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February 2023 book blog

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Rel

‘The Witch in the Well’ by Camilla Bruce was my Jan / Feb crossover book. I’ve reviewed it separately with its own post. From there, I didn’t move very far away from the Shadow’s of the Apt series by Adrian … Continue reading →

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