How many of us have wished for the ability to travel through time? With such a power we could save loved ones from personal tragedy, prevent major World disasters and catch a glimpse of what the future holds in store for us. Joe Cooper has found such a power – and uses it. Together with his partner Niki Ling and Russian hit-man Smirnoff they embark on a series of mind-boggling adventures.How many of us have wished for the ability to travel through time? With such a power we could avert past wrongs, save loved ones from personal tragedy, prevent major World disasters and catch a glimpse of what the future holds in store for us. Joe Cooper has found such a power – and uses it. Together with his partner Niki Ling and Russian hit-man Smirnoff they embark on a series of adventures in an attempt to change the world for the better. But, as they soon discover, altering events in one reality can have alarming effects in another.Whilst waiting to board his plane to New York from London Heathrow, Joe discovers that the mobile phone his Chinese wife Niki gave him for his birthday has one function that other phones just don’t have: the ability to travel through time. Confused by finding himself in the year 2001, and astonished at becoming a real-life time traveller, he attempts to use the situation to stop the 9/11 World Trade Centre attack, which is due to happen that day.Returning to his London home in the present time, he discovers that his actions have had a far greater affect than he could ever have imagined. Not only events, but his wife’s memories have been changed to in order to accommodate the new future he has engineered. He attempts to prove to her that he can travel though time, and eventually Niki has to believe him. This prompts the two to embark on a series of time travelling adventures in an attempt to change the past, and thereby affect the future. Their travels inevitably bring them into contact with other versions of themselves in past and future time zones, with mind-boggling consequences.Finding the need to assassinate an evil dictator in order to avert World War Three, they employ the services of a Russian hit-man called Smirnoff, recommended by Niki’s Chinese uncle. Smirnoff also helps prevent the death of Diana, Princess of Wales – though again with consequences they had never envisioned. At other times, they use their amazing gift to become time tourists for a while, visiting ancient China (where they narrowly escape with their lives) and a civilisation predating the ancient Egyptians - the Boskops. Curiosity finally drives them to find out what the World will look like in two thousand years’ time. Again, they take Smirnoff with them - only this time he steals the phone from Simon, preventing the time-travelling duo from returning to the present and condemning them to live in a disaster-hit Scotland in the year 4,200 CE. Or so they think.

When journalist Kevin Lee first meets retired academic Frank Peters and hears about an intelligent alien virus that has invaded the Earth, he is naturally very skeptical. However, when Peters is murdered, his skepticism soon turns to a real concern for the future of the planet and the survival of mankind.When journalist Kevin Lee first meets retired academic Frank Peters and hears about an intelligent alien virus that has invaded the Earth, he is naturally very skeptical. However, when Peters is murdered, his skepticism soon turns to a real concern for the future of the planet and the survival of mankind. Kevin joins a group of liked-minded people in Edinburgh dedicated to eradicating the virus. Returning to London, he rescues his colleague Sandi from a London hospital. Finding himself a wanted man, he seeks refuge with members of the group on a remote Scottish island. There he gains a new understanding of Frank Peters – who turns out to be much more than he first appeared. Together, the group make a final bid to eradicate the virus from humanity – and from the Universe.

An anthology of short stories from author Steve Howrie. Each of story has an unpredictable twist in the tale - see if you can spot them! The topics range from Murder and Mystery, to Horror, Humour, Love and Relationships, Despite the huge popularity of novels today, short stories remain a wonderful way to put across interesting and thought-provoking ideas in just a few pages. Enjoy!An anthology of short stories from author Steve Howrie. Each of story has an unpredictable twist in the tale - see if you can spot them! Despite the huge popularity of novels today, short stories remain a wonderful way to put across interesting and thought-provoking ideas in just a few pages. Here’s a line or two about each one:44 ACORN GROVE. Inspired by Ian Rankin’s detective novels, this story includes Rankin himself in a cameo role. In fact, this short story won first prize in the Unpublished Writers category one year at the Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference. Ian has actually read the story, and commented that he would have preferred me to have killed off one of his rival authors!YESTERDAY. This is the only completely true –life story in the collection, based on my own young experiences. I am still very much in contact with my life-long buddy Gordon Cockroft (mentioned in the story), who is a fellow writer - and an excellent one at that.KATTJA. One of the fortnightly projects of Bute Writers was to create stories based on one of the seven deadly sins. I came across the Swedish word for lust, and that seemed a perfect title for my story. I hope you enjoy the humour of it.THE TUNNEL. I remember encountering some very long and dark old railway tunnels when I was young. As a family, we used to go blackberry picking along the railway cuttings in Leicestershire near where we lived – which was great fun. I recall my big sister venturing into one of these tunnels, and it took a great deal of courage to join her.THE INCOMERS. This is based on one of my visits to East Midlands airport. Some social comment here.THE ROAD TO RUIN. This is based on our Writers’ group on the Isle of Bute in the West of Scotland, with the feel of island life. It was great fun to write this - and to read it to the members!BRENDA. I used to holiday quite regularly in the Algarve, Southern Portugal, and this was written there during one of my visit. I remember that I was reading an article about a multi-millionaire at the time, and that influenced the storyline.THE UNIVERSITY OF ROGER. Memories of my university days in Edinburgh inspired this one. A bit silly, and hardly a short story, but I just had to put it in.ORGANISED INTIMIDATION. Another Bute Writers project. Each meeting, one of the members would choose the title for the next project, and one week the Secretary chose this. Some really good stories came out of that particular project.JAMIE. I’ve always enjoyed reading plays, and I remember studying Shakespeare and Arthur Miller at school. Reading later led to writing plays. When I wrote Jamie, I was imagining a stage play, with strong emotions in a family situation – with the inevitable twist at the end.THE WESTERN. This is probably my favourite in the collection. Again, a twist in the tale – and I particularly like the zany humour in this one. It makes fun of all those unbelievable Westerns I watched when I was a kid (whilst wearing the obligatory cowboy suit).CARVOLUTION. I have had a life-long interest in Astronomy and studied Astrophysics at University. This story is a light-hearted look at contemporary scientific theories through the eyes of a journalist. Whilst in many ways we are living in an enlightened age, I strongly feel that we are in still in the Dark Ages as regards our scientific theories. Make your own minds up about this one.BELINDA. This is the only story in the collection that was written in China, where I currently reside. It is set in the town of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, and refers to a writers’ group to which I belonged. I hope it gives you a feel for at least one aspect of traditional Chinese culture.

A very funny, light-hearted fictional diary/blog, seen through the eyes of misfit twenty-something Simon Broom. After starting a microbiology course, Simon lands a English teaching job in Shanghai, China, and heads off on a life-changing adventure with quirky girlfriend Julie Bucket. The story covers eight months in the young couple's lives as they struggle to find themselves in an alien culture.A very funny, light-hearted fictional diary/blog, seen through the eyes of misfit twenty-something Simon Broom. After starting a microbiology course, Simon lands a English teaching job in Shanghai, China, and heads off on a life-changing adventure with quirky girlfriend Julie Bucket. The story covers eight months in the young couple's lives, as they interact with other expat teachers and strive to understand each other, and themselves, in an alien culture.READER REVIEWS:This is absolutely and utterly hilarious! I am very picky about my humor; most of what passes for it is witless and dumb. Yours is of the smart observational kind, and wickedly funny. (Andi Brown, ‘Animal Cracker’).What madness! Is getting a job in China really that easy? Wonderfully escapist stuff with a plenty of smile-raising moments. On my watchlist as we speak. (Simon Marks, ‘That English Weirdo’).I like it! An easy read for when you need cheering up or when relaxing by a pool. (Claire Lyman, ‘Inevitable’).A la Adrian Mole - a really humorous foray into teaching. (Sarah Churchill, UK).This is an extremely funny story. I like the diary idea. Each day listed and noted, and yet it’s not so tedious as I began to think it might be. Your voice is good, and its light hearted and humorous. There’s a wonderful friend-like quality to it, and I have to admit I found myself reading more than I first expected to. It is well written and very easy to read, and packed with lots of fun. This is my kind of book. I give it 6 stars (Ruby Middleton, ‘Will Ryan’). I’m a huge travel writing fan so I was excited to read this and you didn’t disappoint. The very first paragraph you had me laughing and knowing I was in for an entertaining read (with the part about Julie holding your head underwater and the cockroaches). Is that for real about being questioned for impersonating William and Kate?? Hilarious! They’re not so good at taking a joke are they, the old royal family. Oh sh*t, don't tell them I called them old ok. Thanks for making me laugh, just the kind of travel writing I like! 6 stars. Tammy.