eBook Titles and Descriptions
A short list of some of my more popular books.
Titles and descriptions
Scroll down and let your curiosity lead the way. If a title or cover draws you in, simply click its cover shown on the e Books cover page tab above or the My e Books tab in the menu. It will take you straight to its purchasing page.
Every book here is rooted in lived experience. What began as a personal compass, short stories written to navigate life’s twists, turns, and quiet reckonings, has grown into something broader: a space to share truth, imagination, and the gentle possibility of healing. And no matter what label or stigma life has placed on you at any moment, these pages carry a reminder that there is always a way out, always a path forward.
These stories reflect real journeys, told with honesty and heart. They invite you to discover your own meaning, whether you’re seeking inspiration, practical insight, or simply the pleasure of a good read.
Even the standalone collections are shaped, in greater or lesser measure, by the paths I’ve walked. Each one is infused with reflection, renewal, and a spirit of non‑judgement.
Having grown up in the baby‑boomer years, I learned early that nakedness, freedom, and the right to choose my own path went hand in hand. My name is Joanne Richards, and I am a fully apprentice‑trained builder, someone who can turn her hand to almost anything in construction and property maintenance.
I built my own business from the ground up, married, and eventually became very wealthy, though not by any conventional route.
This book is fiction. The names are fiction. But the spirit of the story is drawn from real events in the author’s life. It was fun to write, and even more fun to live through those times.
Life moves on, though, and so must we. Take every opportunity when it appears, step forward boldly, and keep moving. It worked for me, that much I can promise.
When Ray and Jean welcome new neighbours to quiet Oak Tree Lane, they expect nothing more than polite hellos over the hedge. What they get instead is a full‑blown culture clash between rural freedom and city precision, a clash that spirals into drone battles, smoky barbecues, village politics, and the kind of chaos only the countryside can brew.
Julian and Bella arrive from London armed with technology, expectations, and a belief that the world should bend to their will. But the valley has its own rules, unwritten, unspoken, and older than any smart‑hub. Through warm‑weather gatherings, unexpected friendships, and a crisis that forces everyone to pull together, the couple slowly shed their old lives and discover a new way of being.
As Bella’s hidden artistic talent blossoms and Julian proves himself in ways no one expected, the lane embraces them as its own. And when Ray and Jean take to the road in their motorhome, free to roam wherever the sky calls them, the story expands into a celebration of community, reinvention, and the quiet magic of belonging.
Heartfelt, humorous, and deeply human, this is a story about neighbours who become family, a valley that heals, and the freedom that comes when you finally let go of everything that held you back.
They built an empire by accident. They protected it on purpose.
Daniel and Juliet never set out to become the most disruptive force in the British holiday‑park industry. They were business partners first, problem‑solvers by instinct, and a couple who understood each other better than anyone else ever had. What began as a single opportunity soon grew into a network of modern, peaceful, freedom‑focused holiday parks that changed the way people thought about getting away from it all. Their model was simple: high standards, calm environments, no gimmicks, no compromises. But success attracts attention not all of it welcome.
As their parks expand across the Midlands and beyond, Daniel and Juliet face: copycat competitors trying to imitate their brand, liquidators offering failed parks for pennies, government departments seeking their expertise without paying for it, national award nominations they never asked for, corporate poaching attempts aimed at stealing their staff and their secrets. Through it all, they remain fiercely independent. No investors. No shortcuts. No outside control.
Just two people building something extraordinary, on their terms. With new woodland sites, expanding teams, and a growing reputation, Daniel and Juliet must decide how far they’re willing to go to protect what they’ve created… and how much of themselves they’re willing to put into the empire they never planned to build.
A story of ambition, loyalty, partnership, and the quiet power of doing things properly, even when the world tries to pull you in every direction. Perfect for readers who enjoy business‑driven fiction, character‑led partnerships, and stories about building something real in a world full of shortcuts.Set in a time when freedom of speech and freedom of choice were simply part of everyday life, this story follows two young people who grew up unafraid to express themselves, unashamed of who they were, and unbothered by what others thought. They fell in love early, built their lives side by side, and embraced every opportunity that came their way.
Together, they started a small business from nothing, just the two of them, a shared dream, and the courage to try. As the years passed, their hard work paid off. The business grew, they employed six people, and they enjoyed the pride of building something with their own hands. Later, they chose to sell part of it and return to the simplicity of running a small operation again, proving that success isn’t always about size, but about happiness.
Through every chapter of their lives, they held onto the values they were raised with: freedom, authenticity, and the joy of living without embarrassment or apology. This is a gentle, uplifting tale about love, independence, and the quiet satisfaction of a life lived on your own terms.
Two ordinary people build an extraordinary life together. Though the characters and setting are imagined, the emotional journey is real. This story is shaped by lived experience, by the healing that begins when judgment gives way to kindness, and by the quiet joy of discovering you were never as alone as you once believed.
Inspired by true events, this novel follows a couple who fall in love while working in the building trade. What grows from that simple beginning is far beyond anything they expected. Their journey twists, turns, and proves that a modest life can transform into a thriving, multi‑layered business when courage meets opportunity.
With thread, determination, and the unwavering support of his wife, he builds a small studio where garments become gateways to truth, and that truth strengthens them both, in life and in business. This is a story for readers who believe in second chances, quiet revolutions, and the healing power of loving and believing in yourself and those around you. It celebrates difference, partnership, and the bravery it takes to live freely. It is about finding sanctuary in unexpected places and building a business that reflects who you truly are.
Above all, this is a novel about what happens when people dare to be seen, fully, honestly, and without shame. It is about the courage to build something lasting from the ruins of an old life, and the quiet joy of watching others grow because you made space for them.
So take your time. Explore. And if a story speaks to you, click the cover, I’d be honoured to share it with you.
A gentle, deeply human story about two people who transform lives through compassion, craftsmanship, and quiet determination.
Serenity, a former NHS worker shaped by years of witnessing silent suffering, begins a small workshop dedicated to restoring dignity through adaptive clothing. Daniel, steady, thoughtful, and quietly brave, joins her on a journey that becomes far more than a business. Together, they build Specialist Protection, a sanctuary of care, innovation, and community. As their work grows, so does their partnership, weaving a life filled with purpose, tenderness, and shared strength. Through challenges, letters from the past, and the creation of the Freedom Line, they discover that healing doesn’t just happen in hospitals, it happens in homes, workshops, and the quiet spaces between two people who choose each other every day. This is a story of love built slowly, work done with intention, and the profound impact of giving people back their confidence.
The book closes on a milestone, not an ending, but a beginning.When Jacob retreats to the quiet edges of the countryside, he expects solitude. What he finds instead is a land that listens, a community that grows around him, and a group of veterans who have been abandoned by the world but not by each other.
The Loner is a powerful, atmospheric novel about healing, trust, and the quiet magic of nature. Through woodland paths, riverfront workshops, and the steady presence of those who have survived more than they speak of, Jacob discovers that isolation is not the same as peace, and that belonging can arrive when you least expect it.
As the trust expands, veterans rebuild their lives by helping others rebuild theirs. Children learn confidence from those who once lost their own. Cooperatives form, friendships deepen, and the land itself becomes a guiding force, whispering truth, offering refuge, and reminding everyone who walks it that healing is a journey, not a destination.
This is a story about second chances. About community. About listening, to each other, and to the land that holds us.
A deeply moving tale of resilience, nature, and the quiet power of belonging.
Clarissa never intended to shape the future. She simply wanted a place where she could think, a secluded woodland clearing where the world felt quiet enough for ideas to breathe. It was there, surrounded by nature and stillness, that she began building the first foundations of a system designed not to control humanity, but to help it understand itself.
What started as a solitary experiment soon grew into something far greater. As Clarissa’s life changed, a move to the coast, a family, a renewed sense of purpose, her work evolved with her. Together with her partner and children, she transformed her early woodland concepts into the heart of CJAT Dynamics Ltd, a family‑run company dedicated to ethical innovation and human dignity.
Their creations would go on to support global communication, reduce conflict, and bring clarity to a world overwhelmed by noise. Yet through it all, the family remained grounded, choosing quiet craftsmanship over recognition, and purpose over power.
The Ranger’s Nest is a reflective, character‑driven story about legacy, responsibility, and the extraordinary things that can grow from a single moment of solitude. It is a celebration of family, ethics, and the quiet brilliance that can reshape the world from behind the scenes.
A quiet valley. A man searching for himself. A love that changes everything. After leaving behind a life that no longer felt like his own, Daniel settles into a remote valley to start again. What he finds there is more than peace, he discovers a new identity, a hidden talent, and a community that welcomes him without question. But everything truly changes when he meets Claire. Together, they build a life of shared work, gentle routines, and a love that grows stronger with every season. The Builder Who Finally Built Himself is a heartfelt, character‑driven novel about starting over, finding your truth, and choosing a life that finally feels like home
On a quiet stretch of the English coast, a simple home renovation uncovers a secret that will change two men’s lives forever. When Justin lifts a loose floorboard in his bungalow, he and his best friend John stumble into a hidden world of forgotten engineering, sealed chambers, and artefacts untouched for over a century. What begins as curiosity becomes a journey through buried history, one that tests their nerve, deepens their friendship, and leads them to a discovery far greater than either imagined.
Their lives shift again when Justin moves to a secluded peninsula property, a place of deep woodland and untouched coastline. What starts as peaceful wildlife filming soon reveals something far more extraordinary: ancient symbols, hidden structures, and creatures long believed to exist only in folklore. As experts Eleanor and Ellery join them, the land awakens, releasing mythical animals unseen for generations and rewriting everything science thought it knew. The world watches. Eleanor and Ellery rise to international acclaim. And Justin’s quiet recordings become global treasures.
Yet when the last creature departs and the land settles, life returns to a gentler rhythm. Justin spends his days filming wildlife on the peaceful peninsula, while John enjoys the simple pleasure of fishing from his beach. Their extraordinary adventure may be over, but the bond forged beneath the old bungalow, and strengthened through every mystery that followed, remains unshakeable.
A gentle, character‑driven tale of friendship, discovery, and the quiet magic that appears when ordinary people step into the extraordinary.
Jack and Angela never expected the woodland to choose them. But from the moment they crossed the boundary, the land revealed its secrets, ancient rituals, hidden chambers, and a protective veil that only true guardians can see through.
When Lila and Tom arrive years later, drawn by a pull they cannot explain, the woodland awakens again. The young couple can see what outsiders cannot. They feel the land calling them. And soon, new paths open, paths even Jack and Angela never walked.
As the older guardians guide the younger pair through the mysteries of the forest, the truth becomes clear: the woodland has chosen its next keepers. A gentle, magical tale of inheritance, transformation, and the quiet power of nature, this novel follows two generations of guardians as they learn, teach, and ultimately pass the land from one pair to the next.
Atmospheric, heartfelt, and deeply rooted in the spirit of the natural world, this is a story for anyone who believes that some places are alive, and that they remember.
Justin and Joanne’s journey is anything but ordinary. Together they rebuilt a home, often working in their underwear, celebrating the freedom of cross‑dressing and the joy of living authentically. Joanne’s care and creativity made Justin feel beautiful, and their playful rituals became part of the fabric of their new life. But this memoir is not only about building walls and fitting kitchens. By chance, they uncovered family connections they never knew existed, weaving new relationships into their lives. At the same time, they grew a thriving art business on their own terms, carving out a niche market that embraced cross‑dressing as a form of creativity, intimacy, and recognition. When Jacob and Marianne entered their world, the couple embraced both the lifestyle and the business of JJ Art, sharing the workload and the joy of self‑expression with ease. The Silver Cabin is a memoir of transformation: a celebration of difference, partnership, and the courage to live freely. It is about finding sanctuary in unexpected places, discovering family when least expected, and building a business that reflects who you truly are.
Building Love by the River. Is a book of fiction inspired by truth, transformation, and the courage to be seen.
Justin is a skilled builder with a thriving company, but when it comes to love, he’s kept his heart behind closed doors. After years of emotional scars and self-denial, he begins constructing a home by the river, a sanctuary of his own. Joanne, determined to start her own business and rebuild her life, joins him on the project. As timber rises and walls take shape, so too does a quiet, powerful bond between them. Together, they navigate the wreckage of past relationships, rediscover trust, and embrace the joy of being fully themselves. With Joanne’s support, Justin finds the courage to return to cross-dressing, a part of him once shamed into silence, and reclaim it as an expression of freedom and truth.
This tender, uplifting story celebrates love born from mutual respect, the healing power of shared purpose, and the beauty of living authentically. A fictional tale rooted in real experience, Building Love by the River is a tribute to second chances, emotional sanctuary, and the quiet triumph of being seen.
The Derelict House. A novel of sanctuary, intimacy, and quiet transformation. What begins as a playful adventure, two people discovering a derelict house tucked deep in the South West of England, unfolds into a tender, unexpected journey of love, creativity, and communal healing.
Keith and Carol, a successful couple in the building trade, see more than broken beams and overgrown paths. They see possibility. From that spark grows a thriving business, a sanctuary studio, and a creative community where vulnerability is welcomed and difference is celebrated.
Tilda’s photography captures truth. Alan’s leadership brings steadiness. And the woods, ever-present, hold stories of laughter, intimacy, and becoming. This is a novel about what happens when people dare to be seen, fully, honestly, and without shame. It’s about the courage to build something lasting from the ruins. And it’s about the quiet joy of watching others grow because you made space for them.
Most readers will think this story is fiction, it is not, due to the years and times we lived, especially in our teenager days, this story was a part of our personal shaping, from those early days through till our divorce many years later. This book is a very personal account of his and their sexual side of their lives and the problems trying balance the situations at the time and how they evolved over time. Most of their friends found similar problems with their lives, and only opened up to the similarities after a divorce.
This book tells of the tribulations and problems the author and his wife had growing up from the early 50s through the baby boomer years and through the hippy time. He shows how those times stayed with him right through his life and never changed. It just goes to show that the times that we are all born, determines how our life is likely to turn out.
The Man in the Mirror Isn’t Alone is a deeply personal and transformative memoir that follows one man’s journey from childhood confusion to adult clarity. It began with a little boy dressed in girls’ clothing, not mocked, not punished, but quietly changed. Decades later, Edward opens his front door in a blouse and skirt, and everything begins.
Through the creation of the Studio of Light, a sanctuary for healing, self-expression, and creative truth, Edward, Joanne, and Sam help others find direction, dignity, and belonging. With sheer knickers, nappies, stitched affirmations, and garments that speak, this story honours those who’ve felt unwanted, unsure, or unlabelled. This book is for anyone who’s ever asked, “Is this wrong?” and longed to hear, “No. It’s you. And you are welcome.”
a celebration of healing, identity, and the quiet power of kindness.
Skirting the Ordinary is not just a short novel, it’s a sanctuary stitched in story.
Inspired by true events, this fictional tale follows Marcus, a young man from a modest background who dared to dream beyond the limits of circumstance. With thread, courage, and the quiet support of his family, he builds a studio where garments become gateways to truth, and where being seen becomes possible.
Set within a family-run business that welcomes clients from all walks of life, the story unfolds through intimate fittings, emotional conversations, and garments stitched with feeling. From sheer nighties stitched with courage to tunics that whisper healing, each chapter reveals the quiet power of self-expression and the extraordinary beauty of being known.
Whether it’s a velvet robe for a returning guest, a theatrical gown for pantomime, or a tunic stitched with memory, every garment tells a story, and every story reminds us that anything is possible with encouragement, determination, and a little kindness.
For readers who believe in second chances, quiet revolutions, and the healing power of handmade things, this book is your invitation.
A sanctuary of self-expression, where clothing becomes courage and every guest dares to begin. Tranquillity is a work of fiction rooted in lived truth, a tender, transformative story set in a woodland sanctuary where guests arrive with questions and leave with courage.
Justin, a former electrician, inherits a stretch of woodland and quietly reshapes it into a private retreat for those seeking self-expression, intimacy, and freedom from shame. Alongside Joanne, his warm and intuitive companion, he welcomes guests who have never dared to dress freely, speak openly, or simply be themselves. Through gentle rituals, shared walks, and the quiet power of clothing as language, Tranquillity explores what happens when people are given permission to shed inhibition and live, just for a while, as they truly are.
Though the characters and setting are imagined, the emotional journey is real. This story is drawn from experience, from the healing that comes when judgment is replaced with kindness, and from the joy of discovering that you are not alone.Whether you arrive in jeans or a camisole, with a suitcase full of questions or nothing but quiet hope, Tranquillity offers more than a holiday. It offers a beginning.
Is a tender, uplifting tale of love found in the quiet moments and nurtured through a lifetime of shared creativity. When Justin and Julie meet as strangers on a windswept beach, both are seeking peace, but neither expects to find it in each other. What begins as a chance encounter blossoms into a deep, enduring bond. Together, they open an art gallery by the sea, curating not just paintings but stories, adding their own to the tapestry of lives expressed in brushstrokes and colour. As the years pass, they marry, grow old side by side, and remain very much in love. Their days are filled with gentle rituals, laughter, and a profound sense of belonging, not just to each other, but to the world they’ve helped shape.
This is a story of quiet joy, lasting companionship, and the kind of peace that comes from living a life true to the heart. A celebration of memory, art, and love that endures.
The Builder on the Boat is a lyrical memoir of transformation, legacy, and the quiet power of place. Once a traveller drifting through the currents of ambition and change, the narrator now stands rooted, building not just with timber and stone, but with memory, meaning, and love.
Set against the backdrop of a winding river and the woodland it nourishes, this deeply personal story charts the journey from restless pursuit to purposeful creation. It’s about crafting a life with your hands, your heart, and your history. From the grit of trenching and land work to the grace of partnership and stewardship, each chapter is a meditation on what it means to build something that lasts.
Whether you’re drawn to tales of self-build living, reflections on retirement, or the enduring bond between land and soul. The Builder on the Boat offers a rich, resonant narrative that celebrates the art of becoming.
This is not a tale of grand gestures or dramatic twists. It’s a celebration of the everyday, the kind of moments that stitch a town together and keep its soul alive. From the first carnival to the quiet winter gatherings, Ashlowe becomes more than a setting. It becomes a rhythm. A way of being. A shared heartbeat. Whether you’re here for the floats, the flapjacks, or the stories whispered by the river, welcome to Ashlowe. The lanterns are lit. The sweet jar is waiting. And the next spark could be yours.
Set in a woodland sanctuary where stories are stitched into garments and healing unfolds through ritual, this is a tale of the selves we almost lived, the truths we tucked away, the identities we feared were too strange, too soft, too much.
Visitors arrive one by one, each carrying a garment, a memory, or a question. Some come to be witnessed. Some come to let go. Some come to become. And at the heart of it all is Keith, a gentle guide who doesn’t fix, but listens; who doesn’t lead, but accompanies.
Through 34 intimate chapters, we meet those shaped by grief, illness, longing, joy, and silence. A man who wears lace to be held. A woman who skips again after decades of seriousness. A visitor who prays in silk, seeking to reconcile faith with identity. Each story is a thread in a tapestry of communal healing.
This is not a book about answers. It’s a book about presence. About the slow, sacred work of becoming ourselves, not alone, but witnessed.
For readers who cherish emotional depth, quiet beauty, and the power of non-judgement, The Archivist of Unlived Lives is a sanctuary in pages.
Nestled deep in the British countryside, Our New Self Built Home is a heartfelt account of one couple’s dream to build a home from the ground up, brick by brick, trench by trench, and moment by moment. Set against the backdrop of a five-acre woodland, this story blends practical grit with quiet reflection, capturing the highs, lows, and laughter of a life shaped by hard work and shared ambition.
From laying foundations to lighting the first fire, Stephen and Ruth’s journey is one of resilience, partnership, and the joy of creating something truly lasting. Whether you're dreaming of your own self-build or simply love stories rooted in nature and determination, this book offers inspiration, insight, and a gentle reminder that the best things in life are built together.
In a quiet corner of England, Darren. a retired tradesman with aching joints and a heart full of stories, finds new purpose in the timber he shapes and the company he keeps. What begins as a personal retreat becomes a living legacy, as his grandson Jake steps into the workshop and discovers not just the joy of making, but the deeper rhythm of craftsmanship, patience, and pride.
Over the years, Jake blossoms under Darren’s guidance, learning the art of joinery, the honesty of fair work, and the quiet satisfaction of building something that lasts. Together, they welcome a third pair of hands, a young school leaver named Callum, and the workshop becomes a place of mentorship, memory, and generational strength.
As Darren’s health gently slows him, he passes on his tools, his space, and his legacy, not with fanfare, but with the quiet dignity of a man who knows his story will carry on in every joint, every bench, every hand that builds.
Legacy in Timber is a heart warming, deeply British tale of craft, connection, and the beauty of passing something on. Perfect for readers who love stories of family, purpose, and the quiet magic of making. Legacy in Timber.: A Grandfather’s Workshop, A Grandson’s Future, and the Craft That Binds Them.
The Timber Room. This short story is an emotional rollercoaster, about legacy which is not defined by what we leave behind, but by how we live among others. The Timber Room is a moving story of restoration, of timber, of people, and of generations bound by love and memory. At its heart is Justin Ellwood, a craftsman and teacher who transforms his humble workshop into a haven of community and care. His daughter Lyra, raised in the glow of sawdust and afternoon light, carries the rhythm of The Timber Room into her own future, weaving a narrative of inheritance, grief, and gratitude. This is more than a tale of wood and craft; it is a meditation on enduring love, generational healing, and the artistry of presence. For readers who cherish stories steeped in heart, heritage, and quiet strength, The Timber Room offers a lasting invitation: to pause, listen, and let the grain speak. Even I had tears, when I wrote this emotional rollercoaster of a story.
Finding Peace, Purpose, and Healing in the Natural World. By Justin,
After a serious accident changed the course of my life, my wife Joanne and I stepped away from our successful business and began a quieter, more intentional journey. I turned to nature for healing, walking, observing, and letting the rhythms of the land calm my mind and restore my spirit. This book shares that journey: from recovery and reflection to building a retirement bungalow on a piece of land we fell in love with. Along the way, we embraced a slower pace, part-time work with a digger and dumper, and eventually, a joyful hobby, building small boats by hand.
Whether you're recovering from trauma, seeking a simpler life, or just longing for a deeper connection with the natural world, this book offers gentle inspiration and practical insight into how nature can help us heal, grow, and begin again.
"From Broken to Brilliant: My Life, My Karma, My Way" is a true-life autobiography, written to share the author’s journey through hardship, resilience, and transformation. The second half of the book includes earlier short stories—each crafted to reach different audiences and remind readers they are never alone. Though written before the main memoir, these reflections offer insight, encouragement, and practical wisdom drawn from lived experience. Together, they form a powerful message: no matter what life throws at you, there is always a way forward. This book is for anyone seeking clarity, strength, and a reminder that healing begins with perspective.
A Simple, Honest Guide to Starting on Your Own. Thinking about going self-employed but unsure where to begin? This short, practical guide strips away the jargon and gets straight to the point. No hype. No hard sell. Just the essential facts you need to make an informed decision.
Written by someone who’s walked the path without outside help, this book offers clear advice on what’s involved, from registering your business to understanding basic responsibilities. It’s ideal for anyone curious about working for themselves but not ready to dive in blind.
Whether you're testing the waters or seriously considering a change, this book gives you clarity without costing you time or money. If self-employment isn’t for you, you’ll know quickly, and if it is, you’ll be better prepared to take the next step.
A Short Guide for DIY Pest Treatments offers clear, practical advice from a pest‑control professional with 28 years of real‑world experience. Written for homeowners who want to understand safe, effective ways to deal with common pests, this guide explains the proven methods used in the industry for treating wasp nests and managing a range of household and garden pests.
Alongside expert guidance on safe DIY wasp nest treatment, you’ll find helpful insight into identifying and addressing issues with cluster flies, fleas, moles, rats, and squirrels, as well as important awareness around health risks such as Hantavirus and Leptospirosis. The goal is to give you the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions, whether you choose to tackle a problem yourself or call in a professional.
Drawing on decades of experience, this guide provides straightforward explanations, practical tips, and a no‑nonsense approach to dealing with everyday pest problems safely and responsibly.