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THE MAKER’S NAME by Seamus McKenna

THE MAKER’S NAME: Winner Literary Titan Gold Book Award by Seamus McKenna

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Raymond Quinn did not hear it often, but when he did, the bock-bagawking of chickens, no matter where in the world he was, brought him back, as vividly as if he were physically transported there, to the yard outside his mother’s home place where he had spent two years until he was five. Then other memories would arrive; of walking through the garden of blackcurrant bushes at the side of the house which, relative to his childframe, he perceived to be of enormous size but, when visited in adult life, proved to have an unexceptional scale, and was even small; of being brought by his aunt Julia, by the hand, to pick nettles for nettle soup. He had memory neither of picking the nettles nor of eating the soup, only of being informed by that lady that it was to carry out that activity they were bound when they set off; of his grandfather and his uncle Jack cutting timber, later to be chopped up for firewood, on the other side of the lane, with a two-man cross-cut saw.

One or other of the adults would light the Tilley-lamps in the evening, and it was not until he moved to a modern house, in his sixth year of age, that he realised that switching on an electric light was not a facility they possessed. Aunt Julia baked both brown and white soda bread every day, in a big black pot that hung down from the chimney over a fire of turf and timber that never went out; it was allowed to go down to its lowest when everyone had gone to bed, and was revived the next morning by the simple expedient of adding more fuel. Later, he remembered his mother saying the thatched roof kept the house warm in winter, but yet cool in summer. They milked a single cow. Her milk was separated into cream, from which country butter was churned, and skimmed milk, with which her occasional calves had to be content. A bye-product, buttermilk, was used in the baking. Then one of the older girls, Maureen, married one Billy Barnes. He collected milk churns for the creamery. In Raymond’s time he used to stop at the end of the lane, climb on to the back of his lorry, and reach down into a churn with a ladle to let Julia have a jug of buttermilk for her loaves.

Raymond was surprised one day when he came home from school to find a package waiting for him. It was flat and hard but not too thick, and well wrapped. What could it be? He had celebrated his tenth birthday about five months ago, and it was not anywhere near Christmas. His mother, a slim woman with dark, wavy hair, was hovering when he started to open it.
“Oh I love to get surprise parcels,” she said. “I’m so happy for you. It’s from your uncle Mick.”
“How do you know?”
“It’s his handwriting.”
After unwrapping, the item was revealed.
“It’s a book. What’s its name?”
“Treasure Island,” he had said, pleased that he was able to read out the title.
There was a letter too. Uncle Mick, who was a teacher up the country, had decided on his last visit that his nephew was ready to start reading books.

“You’ll have to write to uncle Mick straight away to thank him,” said his mother.
Yeh, sure. Just after I feed Barney. And then I have to go to hurling training. What about the youth club meeting?

But he did want to please her. She made him feel good. Like the time a man had come to the door selling Hoovers. His father was in work and his mother had no one to discuss the matter with, so she had taken Raymond into her confidence.
“We need a hoover here,” she had said to him out of the hearing of the salesman. “I’m going to buy it.”
This made him feel big and of great value. One of the most important adults in his life was treating him like an equal.
Raymond started to read Treasure Island. He’d either skip over words he did not know, or look them up.
On his next visit uncle Mick said:
“How are you finding the book?”
“Really good,” said Raymond.
“How far are you into it now?”
“I’m at the part where Doctor Livesey told The Captain that, if he continued to carry on in the way he did on the day the doctor visited The Admirable Benbow, he’d wind up at the assizes, because the doctor was a magistrate too.”
“Do you know what assizes are?”
“Yes, I looked it up in the dictionary. It’s a kind of court in England. And a magistrate is a judge.”
“You’re a very smart young man altogether,” said uncle Mick. “When you’re nearly finished with Treasure Island I’ll send you another one.”
Raymond’s father had also read Treasure Island, but many years ago, when he was also young.
“I see you’re reading Treasure Island,” he said one day.
“Yes, uncle Mick sent it to me.”
“A great book,” said his father. He started singing:
“Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest,
Yo ho ho, and a bottle of rum.”

Raymond knew the words, but he didn’t know the music for that song. He suspected his father didn’t know it either, but that didn’t stop him from letting on.
Uncle Mick sent Kidnapped, also by Robert Louis Stevenson, and again his father was able to discuss the swashbuckling protagonist of that book, Alan Breck Stewart. The Coral Island, by R. M. Ballantyne, arrived, but this he had to digest on his own. The last one was The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, and Raymond marvelled at the doings of Mr. Toad, who needed all the assistance his friends, Mole, Ratty and Badger, could provide to prevent him getting into serious trouble, especially with his new motor car.

Many years later, when Uncle Mick was dead and gone, and when Raymond had realised how wonderful the world of books was, he did experience real gratitude to his uncle, and regretted he did not make a greater effort at the time he received these presents. He even could have, and should have, gone out of his way to thank Uncle Mick in his later years, before he died.
Raymond Quinn’s best friend was Augustus Considine. They had much in common but the love of books was a particularly strong bond between them. Later, Raymond’s reading was enhanced by his own acquisitions, and by books he got from Gus. They cut their teeth on as many as they could get their hands on of the James Bond books, by Ian Fleming. Later he advanced to Graham Greene, John McGahern, Somerset Maugham, Muriel Spark, Neville Shute, Evelyn Waugh, and many others. As some of these were regarded at the time as rather advanced for his age, even a little risqué, he found it necessary to hide them in a hedge outside, in order not to offend his mother.
But he did find ways to cause her anguish, great and small. He had an inquisitive nature.

Download THE MAKER’S NAME by Seamus McKenna while it’s on sale on Amazon April 2 – 8.

OPAL: Spirit of a Woman by Kevin Heaton

OPAL: Spirit of a Woman by Kevin Heaton

Despite having been so terribly abused herself as a young child; whenever Opal became aware of someone else’s need – she saw to it without ever being asked to do so. Only God knows why she felt so powerfully called upon to help others at such a young age. Somehow, she just seemed to know in her ‘knower,’ that the God she served had specifically appointed her to fulfill that mission and – that was good enough for her.

But, if by some miracle she could muster enough resolve to overcome this hopeless situation, it was going to require something far beyond simple faith. This was going to require faith, grit, and a heaping tablespoon of raw perseverance.

Download OPAL: Spirit of a Woman by Kevin Heaton while it’s free on Amazon March 31.

The Caregiver’s Path to FREEDOM by Rebecca Hartman

The Caregiver’s Path to FREEDOM: Simplify Your Home, Ease Your Stress, and Take Back Your Life by Rebecca Hartman

The Caregiver’s Path to Freedom by Rebecca Hartman is a must-read for caregivers feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, clutter, and stress. This practical guide offers real-world strategies to simplify your home, ease daily burdens, and reclaim control of your life.

Through step-by-step solutions, worksheets, and compassionate advice, Hartman helps caregivers declutter their spaces, streamline tasks, and set boundaries—allowing them to prioritize self-care without guilt. From managing burnout to organizing essential documents, this book provides the tools needed to transition from survival mode to a balanced, fulfilling life. Whether you’re caring for aging parents, young children, or both, The Caregiver’s Path to Freedom empowers you to create order, restore peace, and rediscover yourself beyond caregiving.

Download The Caregiver’s Path to FREEDOM by Rebecca Hartman while it’s free on Amazon March 31 – April 4.

The Nose Knows by Kit James

The Nose Knows: A Rescue Dog’s Funny Story (Mutt to Megastar Book 5) by Kit James

n his new life as a canine TV star, Elliott finds himself living a luxurious life as a time share dog in Sydney, with not one, but two loving families. But just when things seem to be going smoothly, tensions arise between newlyweds Adriana and Paul, and their manipulative advertising friend Jamie, and this triggers Elliott’s insecurity and the feelings of rejection that still haunt him. Can he recover, and more importantly can he use his special canine talents to save the situation?

Download The Nose Knows by Kit James while it’s free on Amazon March 31 – April 1.

Will’s Trusty Guide to Wills and Trusts by Will Worsham

Will’s Trusty Guide to Wills and Trusts: Protect Your Assets, Secure Your Legacy, and Keep the Government Out of Your Pockets by Will Worsham

Will’s Trusty Guide to Wills and Trusts by attorney Will Worsham is a straightforward, essential resource for securing your legacy and protecting your loved ones. This guide simplifies estate planning, breaking down complex legal concepts into clear, actionable steps.

With expert insights, real-life examples, and practical advice, Worsham explains the key differences between wills and trusts, how to avoid probate, and strategies to minimize taxes while maximizing financial security. Designed for beginners and experienced planners alike, this book empowers readers to take control of their assets with confidence. If you want to ensure your wishes are honored and your family is protected from unnecessary legal hurdles, Will’s Trusty Guide to Wills and Trusts is a must-read.

Download Will’s Trusty Guide to Wills and Trusts by Will Worsham while it’s free on Amazon March 31 – April 4.