small town - Stories

Colt's temper got him expelled. Now he's starting over in a small town where he meets Noah, a quiet, bookish boy next door hiding a terrible secret. As their friendship deepens into first love, Colt discovers that Noah's stepfather has been abusing him for years. Desperate to protect the boy he loves, Colt agrees to a dangerous plan. But the guilt of his choices and the friends he's made over the summer may be the only things that can save them both.

Life is filled with surprises. We are constantly reminded that we are at the mercy of the universe; from the people we meet, to the events that shape us, to the places we find ourselves in. If we are among the lucky ones we will find our place in the world, and someone to share it with, and life will be sweet. But even then, everything is subject to change, and we either roll with the flow, or find ourselves fighting against the tide, because you just never know what might come at you from out of the blue.

When artist and illustrator Louis leaves London and moves to his late uncle’s house in Northamptonshire, his intention is to simplify his life. He didn’t expect a cute painter and his toxic aunt, a burned-out ex who comes to visit but stays, and a grumpy gay policeman, not to mention men from his uncle’s dodgy past who seem to have criminal intentions and an obsession with an ancient artefact.

*I'm rebooting the series guys!*

Shaun’s an outsider. He has a dark past and an even darker habit of cutting himself. The only thing he’s got going for him is his guitar and a head full of lyrics.

When Jesse moves to town, bringing bright smiles and warm blue eyes into Shaun’s dark life, he insists they become friends.

But that’s going to be a problem for Shaun because he's finding himself hopelessly attracted to Jesse’s undeniable charm. Being gay isn’t brutal and Shaun has an image to uphold if he’s ever got a shot at becoming the death metal God he knows he’s destined to become.

Joel's day has been completely normal until he comes home to find his younger brother sitting out on the front steps. After a word of warning, his life abruptly changes when a careless mistake reveals his one secret to the rest of his family.

*Originally part of the 2023 Secret Author Contest: Secrets (Only chapter One)

Sixteen-year-old Jacy Elliott has always felt like an outsider. When a sudden flash of foresight saves a stranger from a fatal accident, he’s left questioning his sanity. A simple family-history assignment then unravels hidden truths, old wounds, and long-buried connections. Pushing past his mother’s evasions, Jacy uncovers a lineage he was never meant to know — and a bond with a stranger that feels inexplicably ancient. Never Alone explores chosen family, identity, and the first glimmers of an extraordinary gift.

Kane and Ty have been friends for a while — good friends, but not the kind who talk about their feelings. All that changes one summer afternoon when Kane wipes out on his skateboard.

Kane’s Kiss is a warm, funny, and unexpectedly tender story about friendship, trust, and identity. It’s not a romance. It’s not about falling in love. It’s about the courage it takes to ask questions, and the kind of friend who doesn’t flinch when you ask them. It’s about growing up surrounded by noise and pressure, and finding moments of quiet honesty where you can just be who you are — even if you’re still figuring that out.

Owain returns to live in his home town, 20 years after leaving when he was disowned his parents for being gay. He needs to rebuild his life following illness and come to terms with his messy family history. There is much to learn and discover, along the way he meets Colin, a builder who has his own family issues. The two explore how to make a life the way that they want, irrespective of the weight of their family experiences.

The story takes place in Cheshire, UK. The main setting, Netherwich, is my invention based on elements of Crewe and Nantwich. The language uses some regional idiom.