James the Third

James the Third (Unicorn, 2022) - a novel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    February 1949 brings the shock news that the queen has given birth to a baby boy, who leapfrogs his older sister, Princess Elizabeth, in the line of succession to the British throne. Three years later, George VI dies.

How does the young king's reign affect the royal family? Who is his regent? What happens when he rebels and starts to mingle unrecognised amongst his subjects - much to the disapproval of his slightly older nephew, Prince Charles? And, in later years, after King James has been forced to marry a 'suitable' bride, what scandal is unearthed by Glaswegian investigative journalist, Rab Rainsmith?

This book offers an insight into life behind the closed doors of Buckingham Palace - perfect for fans of The Crown. A parallel tale of two sisters from London's East End (royal fans Lil and Peggy) exemplifies public reaction to unfolding events and describes the transformation of society from post-war austerity through to the last decade of the twentieth century.                                                                 

James the Third is available to order from Amazon:                                                                                    https://www.amazon.co.uk/James-Third-Maggie-Ballinger/dp/191441456X 

from Waterstones: (may be available in-store)                                                                                              https://www.waterstones.com/book/james-the-third/maggie-ballinger/9781914414565 

and from Unicorn Publishing group:                                                                                                            https://www.unicornpublishing.org/page/detail/james-the-third/?k=9781914414565    

                                                                                                 

 

Britannia's Glory - A Maritime Story

Britannia's Glory - A Maritime Story (Uniform, 2019)                                                                              Great Britain's Seafaring History Told In Verse                                                                                          

  

Since before Great Britain became an island, through the age when supremacy at sea established the largest empire the world has known, and moving right up to the present day, the nation's maritime history is told in a unique way, in this celebratory gift book - Britannia's Glory.

Written in memorable verse, with narrative side notes, quotations and a number of original drawings, it is designed to be easily digested and dipped into, (rather than swallowed whole). Offering comprehensive coverage, its topics include piracy, privateering, disappearing villages, smuggling, seaside resorts, the iniquitous slave trade and why the seas round our coast afford limitless potential for the production of renewable energy. The reader will discover elements such as wars, battles and (sometimes unconventional) naval tactics, alongside ship development, fishing, trade, ports, dockyards, lighthouses, maps and navigation.

There are tales of settlers, mutineers, heroic explorers and daring saboteurs, as well as ingenious inventors and other land-based folk earning their livings manufacturing rope or gutting herring. All contributed to a British history that looks so very different when viewed from the sea.

As a country, we may not know where we're going, but we certainly know where we've come from.

British fishermen, crusaders,                                                                                                                        Explorers, smugglers, traders,                                                                                                                      Inventors, convicts, settlers in the hold.                                                                                                        Pirates, shipwrights, whalers,                                                                                                                            And our navies' trusted sailors:                                                                                                                  Presented here, in verse, their history's told.                                                                                                       

Available to order from Amazon:                                                                                                                https://www.amazon.co.uk/Britannias-Glory-Maritime-Britains-Seafaring/dp/1912690160 

from Waterstones:                                                                                                                                      https://www.waterstones.com/book/britannias-glory-a-maritime-story/maggie-ballinger/9781912690169

and from Unicorn Publishing Group:                                                                                                        http://www.unicornpublishing.org/page/detail/britannias-Glory-A-Maritime-Story/?K=9781912690169