September 4, 2015

The Man with a Pocketful of Bees – latest from Frances

Old Sam, reclusive Gentleman of the Road, enjoys a magical summer wandering the hills with his new friends the bees who have set up home in his trouser pocket, but when winter comes there is a problem; the bees need a warm winter home and want to go down into the village. Old Sam doesn’t like to go where folks are, but he loves his bees, his stripy friends, so reluctantly he agrees, but no one will give him a home. Eventually Lady Meg and her cuddlesome cats take him in.

This story, told in traditional fairy tale style, deals with difference, diversity, belonging and community and will prompt many discussions.

The story is told in rhythmic language with exuberant illustrations. It is a splendid read aloud book, suitable for ages 4-10 and grown ups too.

April 29, 2013

She Should Have Come for Me – short fiction for adults ⁰

This novella is a dark thriller for adults told from a unique perspective. Available for download on Kindle.

Kindle: She Should Have Come for Me

April 29, 2013

Where is She Now? – Short fiction for adults ⁰

Rosemary wants only to feel the calm promised in the hymns of her childhood, she wants to ‘lay down her burden and enter in.’ Cradling her green pocket book wrapped in an old green shawl, she wanders through her daily life with her husband Brian, her traumatized self, and her alter ego, the bossy and competent Anna. Something has happened in the past, centering on her baby, but Rosemary can’t quite remember what it was. And where is the baby now?

As she oscillates between rational and delusional spells she seeks validation and support from the inanimate objects around her, the cups on the shelf, the knobs on the bedposts, the books in the bookcase, and the houses lining the streets. In her conversations with them we see a Rosemary who is not quite as deranged as she seems, and a Brian, not quite as supportive as he would like to have you believe.

The book is set in a fictional amalgam of two small English towns.

Read the review by Nina Sankovitch

Available from Amazon.com

March 11, 2013

The Cookie Thief ⁰

Someone has been stealing cookies .. but who? Everyone in the family is locking away their cookies, and Thomas is upset because now there are no cookies to eat. His wise friend Kristina helps him to make a plan and to catch the Cookie Thief. Order now from Frances Gilbert Books on Amazon