Alice Merryfield’s plans for revitalising Upper Bamton Vineyard are starting to unravel… The new visitors’ centre is nowhere near being finished… She might have made a mistake when she hired her ex-boyfriend for the job… And now he and his team of builders have done a bunk! With the first Knit One Pour One wine and wool evening looming, Alice doesn’t have anywhere to host it – and her nerves are fraying fast. When she discovers a trespasser parked near the river, Alice’s first instinct is to kick the unwelcome visitor off their land. The only thing that makes her pause is the loud snoring coming from the back of the beaten-up old van. Maybe she’ll come back later! The vineyard has always been Alice’s home and she’s determined to make it the centre of the community again – just like it had been when her mother was alive. It has taken a lot to convince her father that it’s finally time to let people back into their little world. Now that she has his - rather grudging - blessing, she’s determined to make it happen… somehow. Is it too late for Alice to unpick the tangle she’s in? Could her ex spin a convincing enough yarn to win her back? One thing’s for sure – the vineyard’s future is hanging by a thread, and change is coming whether Alice is ready for it or not! A cosy story full of friendship, fun and laughter! A New Arrival in Upper Bamton is the first standalone novella in the Upper Bamton series.
A beloved teacher helps modern people live the Bible’s message more fully. Respected teacher and author Verna Dozier explores the ways that humanity and the institutional church have strayed far from Jesus’s original message. To help us get back on track, she examines the Bible: a theological and historical record of hundreds of years in which two communities of faith (Jewish and early Christian) explored their own life experiences. Our task now is not to ask which interpretations are correct, but to ask “what did it mean to them” and “what does it mean for us?” Dozier encourages us to see Christianity not as creed or institution, but as “the vision of a new possibility for human life rooted in an ancient understanding of God and lived out by a Nazarene carpenter.” Through adept storytelling and study, Dozier reawakens our sense of calling and our desire for truth. This new and revised edition includes a new foreword by Sophfronia Scott and a study guide.
Keeping a big secret in a tiny community is never easy… But that's just what Polly Binmore has been doing ever since she moved to Upper Bamton Polly lives life on her own terms. Peace, quiet and plenty of mud are all she needs to be happy. That and selling her riverbank finds in her little shop – Hidden Treasures. Unfortunately, her chaotic, noisy and loving family seem to think that she's been left undisturbed for long enough - and they're determined to give her a good shake-up! Her mum's got a new lodger… She's volunteered Polly as his unofficial tour guide… And all her twin sisters will tell her is that he's a professor of classics… or an archaeologist… or something like that! Whoever he is, Doctor James Parnell-Hooper has got another thing coming if he thinks Polly's going to waste precious hours waiting around for him. The tide is low and there are treasures to find! Hoping to rattle his cage, Polly turns up bright and early at her mum's house only to discover that her unwelcome charge has already gone off on his own. She stomps off to find him… the last thing they need is for him to lose his way in the winding bends of the river Bamton. When Polly stumbles across a treasure in the shape of a dishevelled but dashing stranger stuck in the mud, her day takes a much brighter turn. This definitely isn't the crusty old academic she's been searching for! Will Polly finally learn that there's room in her life for a like-minded soul? Could this stranger help her discover feelings she's kept buried? Or is he just here to uncover the long-held secrets of the past? A crisp autumn read full of long-held secrets and new beginnings. Hidden Treasures in Upper Bamton is the third standalone novella in the Upper Bamton series.
Nell Fernsby is very good at waiting… but she’s finally had enough. It’s time for a change… It’s time to take control… It’s time for an adventure before it’s too late! Unrequited love might make people swoon in the movies, but as far as she’s concerned, it wears pretty thin after a while. Nell’s got a plan to make the man of her dreams finally sit up and take notice. All she needs is the help of her rather dashing next door neighbour Bill – who also just happens to be a pilot. As Nell discovers what it’s like to tingle from head to toe again, she plans the trip of a lifetime for the biggest stick-in-the-mud Upper Bamton has ever seen. The question is – will Arthur Merryfield succumb to her charms – or will he run for the hills of the vineyard when he finds out what she’s got in store? Get your flying-goggles on and head to Upper Bamton to share Nell’s long-awaited happy ever after. One thing’s for sure, there will be plenty of wine, wool and worry along the way! A cosy story full of friendship, fun and laughter! Time Flies By in Upper Bamton is the fourth standalone novella in the Upper Bamton series.
Patricia Woodley is having one of those days… weeks… okay, okay… months… Her beloved old bicycle has given up the ghost… She really doesn’t like the idiot contraption she bought as a replacement… And to top it all off, the ceiling of her spare room has sprung a leak and ruined weeks of hard work. Patricia’s not one to easily loose her temper, but with the most important deadline of her career fast approaching - she’s back to square one and her stress levels are at an all-time high. She’s due to present her new knitwear collection to buyers in London, but all she’s got right now is a room full of wet wool, and pile of precious patterns that have turned into papier-mâché. Patricia is at her wits end and more than ready for a good rant! Desperately searching for the right gear as she wobbles her way along the rain-soaked, riverside path towards her cottage, Patricia spots a random bloke lurking on her private land. Bingo – the perfect target! As she reaches for the bell to get his attention, the bike starts to skid and suddenly she’s sliding straight towards the deep, swirling waters of the river Bamton. As the rain continues to fall and the river threatens to burst its banks, will a pair of strong arms wearing a beautifully knitted jumper manage to put Patricia back on track? Or is she simply in for a dangerous dunking? The perfect summer story for those cosy, rainy days. Rainy Days in Upper Bamton is the second standalone novella in the Upper Bamton series.
An unflinching look at the failure to achieve an equitable society with faith-based approaches to a meaningful racial reconciliation. While the dream of post-racial America remains unfulfilled and the current turmoil (George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, to name a few), this examination of racism is more relevant and consequential than ever. Living into God’s Dream combines frontline personal stories with theoretical and theological reflections. It aims to forge new and truthful conversations on race and doesn’t shy away from difficult discussions, such as reasons for the failure of past efforts to achieve genuine racial reconciliation and the necessity to honor rage and grief in the process of moving to forgiveness and racial healing. This collection of nine essays is honest, pragmatic, and courageous in its real-world view of racism and how people of faith and conscience can work together to “dismantle racism.” Review questions at the end of the book, appropriate for individual or group study, can engender deeper discussions and reflections.
This collection includes all four titles in the popular Upper Bamton series! Come along to Knit One Pour One and get ready for a good gossip - just don't forget your knitting needles! A New Arrival in Upper Bamton Alice Merryfield’s plans for revitalising Upper Bamton Vineyard are starting to unravel… The new visitors’ centre is nowhere near being finished… She might have made a mistake when she hired her ex-boyfriend for the job… And now he and his team of builders have done a bunk! With the first Knit One Pour One wine and wool evening looming, Alice doesn’t have anywhere to host it – and her nerves are fraying fast. Is it too late for Alice to unpick the tangle she’s in? Could her ex spin a convincing enough yarn to win her back? One thing’s for sure – the vineyard’s future is hanging by a thread, and change is coming whether Alice is ready for it or not! Rainy Days in Upper Bamton Patricia Woodley is having one of those days… weeks… okay, okay… months… Her beloved old bicycle has given up the ghost… She really doesn’t like the idiot contraption she bought as a replacement… And to top it all off, the ceiling of her spare room has sprung a leak and ruined weeks of hard work. Patricia’s not one to easily loose her temper, but with the most important deadline of her career fast approaching - she’s back to square one and her stress levels are at an all-time high. As the rain continues to fall and the river threatens to burst its banks, will a pair of strong arms wearing a beautifully knitted jumper manage to put Patricia back on track? Or is she simply in for a dangerous dunking? Hidden Treasures in Upper Bamton Keeping a big secret in a tiny community is never easy, but that's just what Polly Binmore has been doing ever since she moved to Upper Bamton Polly lives life on her own terms. Peace, quiet and plenty of mud are all she needs to be happy. That and selling her riverbank finds in her little shop – Hidden Treasures. Unfortunately, her chaotic, noisy and loving family seem to think that she's been left undisturbed for long enough - and they're determined to give her a good shake-up! Her mum's got a new lodger… She's volunteered Polly as his unofficial tour guide… And all her twin sisters will tell her is that he's a professor of classics… or an archaeologist… or something like that! When Polly stumbles across a treasure in the shape of a dishevelled but dashing stranger stuck in the mud, her day takes a much brighter turn. This definitely isn't the crusty old academic she's been searching for! Will Polly finally learn that there's room in her life for a like-minded soul? Could this stranger help her discover feelings she's kept buried? Or is he just here to uncover the long-held secrets of the past? Time Flies By in Upper Bamton Nell Fernsby is very good at waiting… but she’s finally had enough. It’s time for a change… It’s time to take control… It’s time for an adventure before it’s too late! Unrequited love might make people swoon in the movies, but as far as she’s concerned, it wears pretty thin after a while. Nell’s got a plan to make the man of her dreams finally sit up and take notice. All she needs is the help of her rather dashing next door neighbour Bill – who also just happens to be a pilot. As Nell discovers what it’s like to tingle from head to toe again, she plans the trip of a lifetime for the biggest stick-in-the-mud Upper Bamton has ever seen. The question is – will Arthur Merryfield succumb to her charms – or will he run for the hills of the vineyard when he finds out what she’s got in store? Get your flying-goggles on and head to Upper Bamton to share Nell’s long-awaited happy ever after. One thing’s for sure, there will be plenty of wine, wool and worry along the way!
This is Seabury - where everyone knows everyone, the average tourist hasn't got a clue it even exists, and that's just how the locals like it! Lizzie Moore is back after more than a decade away. Now that her two grown up daughters are off living their own lives, it's time for her to follow her heart and head home to Seabury for a quiet life. Funny how life never quite works out the way you plan though, isn't it?! A Quiet Life in Seabury is part 1 of Lizzie's story, and book 10 in the Seabury series. A sweet summer read perfect for your sunny holidays! For fans of Holly Martin, Polly Babbington and Heidi Swain.
Holly Billingham is in seventh heaven - it’s her favourite time of year – and she’s determined to celebrate it properly. Her pine-scented house is festooned with tinsel and dripping with mistletoe… and no, she won’t apologise! All this sparkle is for her. Just her. And that’s okay. Really it is. Holly had almost forgotten what it felt like to celebrate Christmas. Her ex-husband, Colin, was the biggest scrooge she’d ever met. Now that she’s finally free of him - she's got a lot of making up to do for all those barren, tinsel-free years. Bouncing into Billingham’s Finest Chocolates, Holly can’t quite wrap her head around why everyone else looks like they’ve been bitten on their behinds by something far less fun than the festive spirit. Her grandad’s gorgeous little chocolate factory is her favourite place on earth. Sure… it’s taking her a while to get to grips with the fact that it’s her factory now… but she’s sure the rest of them will warm to her… eventually! Her grandad’s old workforce is a well-oiled machine – admittedly one that still runs on steam power – but they know better than her how to handle the holiday rush. Holly’s determined not to get in the way… until she hears something less-than-festive muttered on the breeze… something to do with Colin. Cue one seriously cute locksmith, an ancient Labrador with a thing for Christmas jumpers, and a whole lot of yuletide chaos as Holly makes it her mission to ensure that even the most ardent grump feels the full force of her season’s greetings. A feisty, funny, festive romance... for anyone in serious need of some holiday spirit! For fans of Heidi Swain, Holly Martin and Polly Babbington.
The story of one couple's move from the UK to live in the sun. From propositioning a builder, to battling bureaucracy, and adapting to a slower pace of life in the sunshine; this is the refreshingly honest and often hilarious account of one couple's move from the rainy UK to the sunny Algarve in Portugal. Alyson and Dave Sheldrake were determined to realise their dream of living abroad; so they ended their jobs, packed up everything they owned and moved to the Algarve to start a new life. Follow them as they battle with the Portuguese language, set up their own businesses, adopt a rescue dog and navigate the 'expat' world. Part guidebook, mostly memoir; this book is for anyone who has ever wondered what moving abroad is really like; and is essential reading for anyone considering moving to Portugal.
