Month: December 2023

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, in Tony Webster’s Torn, David is abandoned by a Catholic priest in childhood, and after meeting Jennifer in adulthood is set on a dramatic path that neither can control.

Torn

In Torn by Tony Webster, a traumatic and dramatic tale that sees both protagonists facing more than their share of desperate moments, the power of love is shown to shine through the darkest times.

In Johannesburg, 1993, a young woman abandons her newborn son on the steps of a priest’s house. This harsh beginning to David’s life leads to an even harsher childhood at the hands of the priest who takes him in.

David tears himself apart to survive into adulthood, keeping his real self and his dreams hidden from view, always in fear of the consequences. One day a young woman named Jennifer bursts his world apart. Her spirit and presence transforms his life…but she is torn, too, by vows she is soon to take. Together they face a future neither of them can control.

This multi-layered story immerses readers from the outset (whilst also showcasing the darker elements of the Catholic church), keeping readers guessing whether happy ever after is ever an option for this fated couple right to the very last moment.

Tony Webster

The inspiration for this story has come from the darkest of places, the most painful of experiences, and in the suffering of those I would have swapped places with – at the drop of a hat – to free from their pain. I have been inspired beyond anything I could ever have imagined by the sheer determination of those closest to me in the way they have faced and dealt with their own adversities and battles. Their determination and courage is humbling.

Life teaches us all many lessons. Some are learned, some neglected or avoided, and some take us down entirely misleading paths until we discover the reason for the detour. I was educated in a time and place where I was told on a regular basis by people in authority that I would amount to nothing. 

One of them was a teacher who made what I now see as a life changing statement: ‘You’ll find yourself behind bars, Webster.’ Growing up in the rough and tumble of a Catholic secondary modern school in working class Wigan and from a loving family strengthened by faith, it came as something of a shock to me.

He turned out to be right. In a way. I spent 19 years of my life ‘behind bars,’ but not as he had suggested. I became a prison officer. I think one of the reasons was to help in a small way those who may have been similarly condemned but who unfortunately never got the chance, through better life circumstances, to prove their detractors wrong. There by the grace of God! “Last of all but not least of all, I need to thank the dreamscape from which I woke early one morning during the first Covid lockdown in 2020. There was a big question in my head. To answer the question I embarked upon a mission – and that mission was to tell the story of David, Jennifer and Father Seth.

-Tony Webster

Find more from Tony Webster now:

Kindle: https://amzn.to/3NqPzUC

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3NnW8rb

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/3RiSmQV

The Great British Bookshop: https://bit.ly/46xADvZ

Digital Platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4A2kxA

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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, Mary shares the story of Rose Evergreen who, following the death of her husband, inherits fashion house, The Grand Castle Boutique, from her grandmother.

The Grand Castle Boutique

The story of a young woman whose emotions and sense of loss overwhelms her, The Grand Castle Boutique by Mary (who writes only under her first name) is one of love, loss and empowering yourself to let go of all that restrains you.

Rose Evergreen is a highly successful seamstress at The Grand Castle Boutique; a renowned fashion boutique established by her late grandmother, Valerie Evergreen. Suffering from depression and trauma following the death of her first love, and husband, Charles, who passed away when he was called into war, Rose understands that the boutique is not a cure for her depression. Deciding to put the boutique up for sale, and taking a step towards a new journey in life, Rose sets out to find a suitable buyer for Valerie’s legacy, The Grand Castle Boutique.

Rose’s journey requires that her trauma and pain are confronted head on, and while most readers will not have a fashion house to sell, this journey of self-discovery will resonate with anyone who needs to disentangle themselves from all that reminds them of pain.

Penned by an author committed to imparting her beliefs on many of the societal issues that face us today, The Grand Castle Boutique makes for entertaining and contemplative reading.

Mary

This book is about letting go of attachment and believing that you have a purpose in life no matter how tough the going gets. Whilst sharing the love story of Rose and her husband Charles, it’s also a tale of overcoming trauma, and most importantly, knowing you’re never alone.

I am a passionate author wanting to educate my readers about various life lessons, and social issues, through my work. I believe in changing perspectives, breaking stereotypes, and encouraging equality for all, and want to showcase these beliefs of mine through my work. The Grand Castle Boutique is particularly close to my heart as it is a tale that portrays the beautiful message, that is, you can overcome pain and suffering in life.

As a passionate writer, I strongly believe that words have the power to heal, which is why I intend on using my words and unique voice to continue shedding light on various societal issues.

-Mary

Find more from Mary now:

Kindle: https://amzn.to/3TfJyht

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3uR23yG

Waterstones

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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, in dark and heartbreaking novel, Queens of Moirai by Rhiannon Hargadon, a princess, who is descended from the Three Fates has to come face to face with her captor.

Queens Of Moirai

Captivating exploration of mythology and destiny, Queens Of Moirai by Rhiannon Hargadon, is a mythological story with a feminist twist which enchants and intrigues readers with a modern retelling of the story of the Three Fates and the Grim Reaper. With a moral message to live a life we define for ourselves, while also imagining a world where our path is set, Rhiannon Hargadon immerses readers in her dark and troubling tale of Morena Atropos is the Third Fate, the controller of Death, the granddaughter of Atropos (a descendant of Atropos in the original myth).

Whilst born with the ability to cut the threads of life, Morena finds herself not wanting to fulfil her duties. Doomed with dark gifts of destruction and imprisoned for all of her life in a stone tower, her only view is the Obsidian Sea. Those she loves are taken away from her or used against her – what choice does she have but to serve as assassin?

Hiding her strength and her soft heart, Morena hones her murderous abilities, serving as slave to an unstoppable villain – her mother, Malinda the Mad, Queen of the Blood Throne. There’s no hope of escape until the arrival of a mysterious stranger who claims to be her betrothed. He’s there to finally rescue her, and Morena is all too willing to throw herself into his muscular arms. But all is not as it seems with the grey-eyed prince of her girlhood fantasies… and as his lies unravel, it plunges Morena into a love-triangle of forbidden love and arranged marriage, and a choice between her heart or her soul.

In the meantime, her mother and her zombie army are on the move, and the other Fates expect Death to save the day.

Set in an epic dark fantasy world in a timeline of hundreds of years, this dark romantasy features the Three Fates: Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, and their last descendants. 

Rhiannon Hargadon

Mother of two Rhiannon is a first time author and long-time reader and writer, whose love of reading was reawakened by Booktok and Bookstagram. She loves friends-to-lovers tropes and has been blissfully married to her bestie for ten years.

When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up on the couch in front of the fireplace with a fantasy book or swimming. She lives in North Carolina with her family, and their rescued Pitbull. Having worked three jobs through university, Rhiannon is passionate about higher education for low-income families, and on the side helps run an annual scholarship for high-school seniors.

Find more from Rhiannon Hargadon now:

Kindle: https://amzn.to/46St7KX

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3uTP6nA

Donate to support The Table Read Magazine
We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, after the death of a local businessman at the bowling green, Roy Ingamells’ murder mystery, Death On The Green, finds DI Hooper and his sergeant seemingly suspended from active duty.

Death On The Green

Inspired to write Death On The Green whilst enjoying a game at the Odiham and North Warnborough Bowls Club in Hampshire, Roy Ingamells’ creative juices quickly kicked into gear for his debut murder mystery novel.

After the death of a local businessman, alcoholic Detective Inspector Herb Hooper and his sergeant Prunella Prune are suspended from duty by the Chief Constable on the pretext they are under suspicion. Their undercover investigations reveal deep-seated corruption in the local police force; the secrets of the illegally imported blue diamonds; why are there dozens of caravans hidden in the woodlands around the canal docks, and who is the dumb manservant of a local landowner. It’s a masterly crafted whodunnit plot readers of all ages will enjoy.

With an easy flowing and well-constructed plot that throws in some intriguing red-herrings, Death On The Green not only keeps readers hooked, but also demonstrates that 90 year old Roy Ingamell has many of the literary skills that made Jeffrey Archer a best seller.

With his lifelong passion for writing now at the top of his bucket list (having taken up gliding at 62 and finally retiring at the impressive age 82) Roy Ingamell has no plans for slowing down. So, for all those who have been captivated by this very British mystery, the chances are DCI Herb Hooper and Sergeant Prunella Prune will be putting their investigative skills to good use for many years to come.

Roy Ingamells

Roy Ingamells was born in 1933 in the quaint village of Thurnscoe Yorkshire. The son of a miner, he was an inveterate reader, frequenting the local library from the age of 7.

He left school at the age of 15, became an apprentice painter and decorator and served an indentured apprenticeship for six years. A small foot deformity prevented him from being called for National Service in the armed forces which greatly disappointed him because he always wanted to be a pilot.

At age 23 he started a small painting/decorating contracting business and later began a house letting/cleaning service. When he was 63, he trained as a glider pilot and fulfilled his childhood dream of being an aviator. He pursued that hobby into his eighties, and retired from business when he was 83.

In his early twenties a correspondence course enabled him to get his first story published in a London evening paper and throughout his life he continued to write stories. Hooper is his first novel. When he is not writing, he regularly plays bowls and table tennis. Roy has one daughter, one grandson, and one brother twenty years his junior.

Roy now lives in Hampshire, calling himself a Yorkshire immigrant to Hampshire. His Detective Hooper was born in Hampshire, and it is here that he will continue to live his fictional life.

Find more from Roy Ingamells now:

Kindle: https://amzn.to/47PrPBH

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3NnT5iy

Donate to support The Table Read Magazine
We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!