Stories

A novel in twelve chapters.

It’s springtime in the Italian mountain town of Ravello, and the community is just starting to wake up for the new tourist season. But something isn’t quite right: businesses are being attacked, and the police are nowhere to be seen.

Into the midst of all this comes twelve-year-old Daniele Ferrero, a kind and gentle boy who dreams of being a hero but really just wants a friend his own age. One night, when he follows a boy he sort of likes, he gets caught up in a dangerous game that will test his faith in humanity.

A modern gay, but explicit, romance involving gentlemen over 30. One of our heroes has finally found the courage to act on his self-knowledge of being gay - but it was far from easy as he explains with much humour to the man with whom he falls in love. The story covers several years, with some of life's ups and downs along the way including a dash of personal trauma and some intrigue.

After a tragic accident brings his old life in London to an end, shy teenager Gianni is sent to live with his estranged grandparents in the beautiful surroundings of Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

There, he meets the irrepressible Angelo, who promises to show him his world and, as the long, hot summer days unfold, slowly helps Gianni to heal.

Gianni’s new life in the sun brings him friendship of a kind that he has never known and, with it, important discoveries about himself. But what will the future hold when the summer of the firefly comes to an end?

A novel in twelve chapters.

Summer 2020, and the inhabitants of the Italian mountain town of Ravello are making up for lost time after three months stuck at home. Families are celebrating being reunited at last, and the appetite for romance has never been higher.

However, two teenage boys are navigating this unusual summer alone. Cosmo, a lost soul, and Marco, a recently found soul, find their lives entwined by the fact that everybody seems to have a boyfriend except them. Both of them have experienced pain and neglect in the past; but can they both overcome it to find fulfilment in the present?

A shout out to Author Thorn Wilde who kindly gave me permission to use his name, which is awesome!

Cammy knew he was ‘different’, and not just in his dress sense, but he didn’t care. He knew people thought he was ‘odd’, but his mother said he was unique and that’s just what Cammy wanted to be. Pretty much everyone in the school adored him. Cammy had an enormous crush on Thorne, but Thorne didn’t seem to know he existed―until today.

Ben Craven’s break-up with Alex is a depth charge in the quiet pond of his life. When the debris settles, he finds himself with a new boyfriend, a new career and facing the challenge of a lifetime.

After the death of his parents Patrick is lonely and his life unfulfilled, in spite of being rich and able to indulge in his passion for creating unique art in his card shop in London. He longs for friends and for a romantic relationship, especially while creating Valentine cards. The chance encounter with a handsome Dane and his young son pitches the shy innocent cardmaker headlong into love and changes everything.

Following graduation and a double wedding, joined by their younger brothers, the newlyweds honeymoon in Europe. Upon their return, the younger teens start high school, but then tragedy strikes, bringing all Naptown Tales characters home for a final farewell. (June - August, 2010)

This is the 28th and final story in the Naptown Tales series, which can also be found at Awesome Dude and Nifty. Please see the Introduction for important background info.

Colin, Devon and Wayne seek those Other creatures infesting the world.