Books published by publisher Lume Books

The battle for the skies of Britain has just begun.At the outbreak of the Second World War D. M. Crook, of No. 609 Squadron AAF, was at Yeadon, still undergoing his training; by the winter of 1939-40, he had his wings.Successfully applying to return to his Squadron, then on defence duties in northern England, Crook began to familiarise himself with their new fighter: the Spitfire.Soon they were posted to RAF Northolt, and it was at this time that Crook, much to his chagrin, was left grounded, undergoing knee surgery as they flew over Dunkirk.Following the Allied evacuation from France, Crook returned to the air and found himself facing the relentless sorties as the skies above Britain transformed into a battlefield.In one particularly frank passage, Crook recounts how he mistakenly shot down a Blenheim, going on to illustrate how easy it was for pilots to misidentify aircraft.‘Spitfire Pilot’ is a remarkable account of one officer’s life in 609 Squadron, the excitement, the anxieties and the camaraderie, during one of the most famous battles of the Second World War.‘Crook and his colleagues committed acts of unimaginable bravery against the German aircraft. Many did not make it and the author describes the ansence they leave in the squadron with great poignancy. His descriptions of aerial conflict will rarely be bettered.’ Magazine'A brilliant first-hand account of the life of a fighter pilot before and during the Battle of Britain.' - Spectator'A unique personal insight into one of the crucial periods of the war ... I cannot recommend this highly enough.' - World War II MagazineFlt. Lt. David Moore Crook, D.F.C. (1914-1944) was commissioned into the Auxiliary Air Force in September 1938, as an Acting Pilot Officer. In May 1940 he was promoted Pilot Officer, in December of the same year Flight Officer, before reaching the rank of Flight Lieutenant a year later. One of ‘The Few’ who fought in the Battle of Britain, where he won the D.F.C., in December 1944 he failed to return to base: his Spitfire was reported to have dived into the sea. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Enter the Netherworlde…Become the Changeling.Robin Fellows lives with his grandmother and lives what appears to be a rather ordinary life for a normal twelve year old boy. But when Robin’s Gran dies, quite suddenly and a bit mysteriously, his world is turned upside down. A long lost relative comes out of the woodwork and whisks him away to a mysterious new home, Erlking Hall, a quiet estate in the solitary countryside of Lancashire.Suddenly Robin must adjust to his new reality. But reality is no longer what he thought it was…Erlking has many secrets – as do his newly found Great-Aunt Irene and her servants. After a strange encounter on the train and meeting a cold, eerie man on the platform, Robin begins to notice odd happenings at Erlking. There is more than meets the eye to this old, rambling mansion. Little does he know that there is more than meets the eye to himself.Robin is the world’s last Changeling. He is descended from a mystic race of Fae-people, whose homeland, the Netherworlde, is caught in the throes of a terrible civil war. Not only this, but in this new world there is a magical force that has infiltrated the human realm.Before he can wrench power from the malevolent hands of the Netherworlde’s fearsome tyrant leader, Lady Eris, he must first search for the truth about himself and the ethereal Towers of Arcania.The first instalment of The Changeling Series, Isle of Winds is an engrossing tale written in the traditions of high fantasy story-telling while carving out a magical new realm. It is perfect for fans of The Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series.James lives in the North of England, close to wild moors and adjacent to a haunted wind farm, with his extremely patient and long-suffering family and a very old cat named Gargoyle. When the cat dies, James plans to buy a raven and name it Quoth. He is the author of the Changeling fantasy series, following the adventures of Robin, a seemingly unremarkable boy who is swept up into a war between our world, and the Netherworlde, a shadowy realm which lies beyond our own. In addition to fantasy, James also writes Science Fiction, Urban Gothic and Steampunk, for people old enough to know better. Venture Press is a science fiction and fantasy imprint of Endeavour Press, the UK’s leading independent digital publisher. We are committed to the discovery and rediscovery of immensely talented authors in the SFF genre, and continue to push boundaries in search of great literature. Join us as we venture across universes and unknown landscapes – past, present and future.

“It was treason against the home government, yet perfect allegiance to the law of right.” At a meeting of the Continental Congress in July 1776, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Declaration of Independence was signed.From across the Thirteen Colonies, fifty-six men — including two future presidents — put their names to a document formally explaining why they had voted to declare independence from Great Britain.It was an act that would have an irreversible effect on America, and history.Although this event has given rise to many stories and legends with the passage of time, there is little doubting the reverence with which the signers of the Declaration are held. In his 1848 work, B. J. Lossing presents a collection of brief sketches of “the chief events in the lives of the men who stood sponsors at the baptism in blood of our Infant Republic.”Those men include: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams as well as many more in this fascinating history of The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.Benson John Lossing (1813-1891) was a prolific and popular American historian, authoring more than forty books in his lifetime. He was best known for his works on the American Revolution and American Civil War.

‘Captivating – a real page-turner’ - Andrea Zuvich, historianEngland 1651.The English Civil War is over, but the wounds of the conflict are still raw. Young Lady Katherine Fanshawe is determined to save her inheritance from the grasping hands of the authorities, and build a brighter future for herself. Although Kate knows it is dangerous, she invites her rebel friends to live and work at Markyate Manor. But her plans are blown apart when, after months of hard work, her controlling stepfather returns unexpectedly, and evicts them all. Kate’s friends are bitter and turn against her, accusing her of being cursed, a bringer of misfortune. Desperate to regain their sympathy and trust, she turns to highway robbery to pay them back. But Kate is not the only highway thief on the road, and her rival is intent on bloodshed and murder. Soon the local constable is hot on her trail for crimes she did not commit. Just when Kate thinks things can’t get worse, another secret from within begins to reveal itself – a secret that threatens her very life. In this struggle against her loveless family, militant authorities and an unforgiving winter, will Lady Katherine’s birthright turn out to be a blessing… or a curse?Lady of the Highway is the final book of Deborah Swift’s Highway Trilogy for young adults and adults. Shadow on the Highway and Spirit of the Highway are out now. Each can be read as a stand-alone novel.Praise for Deborah Swift:‘There is no greater compliment than "give me more"’ - Susanna Gregory‘Characters so real they linger in the mind long after the book is back on the shelf’ - The Historical Novels Review‘The past comes alive through impeccable research, layers of intriguing plotline, an understanding of the complexities of seventeenth century politics and the sheer power of descriptive prose’ - Lancashire Evening Post

1918. The tides of war are turning. America enters the air and bullets cut living streaks of fire into the enemy.Eddie Rickenbacker's WWI memoirs were first published in 1919 and reveal the bravery of men leaping into dangerous contraptions 15,000 feet above the Earth, fighting for their cause and fighting for life.Over the misty, blood-stained fields of France Eddie Rickenbacker, ‘Rick’, takes us from his tentative, rookie steps aboard his plane during reconnaissance over enemy lines, through to the last victory of the Great War.His initial elation and fear as enemy squadrons hurtle past and artillery guns singe the air are soon tempered with experience and, after the disappearance of Captain Jimmy Hall, Rick must take command of his squadron himself.Rick flies on the new and experimental wings at the cutting edge of the Great War. Lessons are learned through victories and losses and men, comrades and captains, sadly lost.Ultimately, Rick’s 94th regiment ended the war in France with the highest number of air victories of any American squadron, earning him the Medal of Honour.These memoirs tell that tale from the humble beginnings. Men survive on a wing and a prayer, unable to distinguish an enemy’s colours from an ally’s. As death and destruction plough through France’s landscape below and an unforgiving enemy stalks the skies, Rick’s "Hat-in-the-Ring" Squadron are pushed to extremes unimagined prior to this conflict.Filled with technical insights and dramatic revelations, this is a tense and exciting account from the eyes of a celebrated and revered WWI American fighter pilot witnessing the trials and triumphs of the blistering skies.Eddie Rickenbacker (1890 - 1973) was one of the world’s top racing car drivers before enlisting with the U.S. Army upon their entrance into the Great War in 1917. By September 1918 he had become America’s most successful fighter ace with 26 aerial victories, receiving the Medal of Honour and the adulation of his countrymen and allies. With the end of the war Rickenbacker elected to leave the air service and established his own automotive company before becoming General Manager of Eastern Airlines.

War is coming.The summer heat is sweltering, and the young changeling, Robin Fellows, awaits further training. He has gained much skill in the Shard of Air, but what is coming next?After his previous tutor was revealed to be an agent of the mortal enemy of all Fae, Lady Eris, Robin is assigned a new mentor to continue his magical learning.Enter Calypso, a water nymph and member of the race of Panthea that also inhabit the mysterious, enchanted Netherworlde. Her job: to instruct Robin in the Shard of Water, a powerful magic with which the user can cast huge bolts of ice and command entire oceans to bear down his or her will.But all is not well at Erlking Hall, and war is fast approaching the Netherworlde.More agents of Lady Eris are in pursuit of young Robin, the Scion of the Arcania and last Changeling in the world.They’re out for the Shard of Water as well.And they’ll stop at nothing to find it, no matter who gets in their way…What follows is a spellbinding journey, as Robin and company navigate once more the enchanting and at times terrifying Netherworlde.The Drowned Tomb is the mesmerizing second instalment of James Fahy’s bestselling Changeling series. Perfect for fans of High Fantasy storytelling and fae mythology, this sequel to Isle of Winds is a must have.Praise for James Fahy:'Fast-moving with surprises and mysteries galore' - Simon Clark, bestselling fantasy author'A puzzle-solving, secret-tomb-discovering, magic-filled adventure that takes you deeper than ever before' - L. K. Smith, reviewer at Innate PlethoraJames Fahy lives in the North of England, close to wild moors and adjacent to a haunted wind farm, with his extremely patient and long-suffering family and a very old cat named Gargoyle. When the cat dies, James plans to buy a raven and name it Quoth. He is the author of the Changeling fantasy series, following the adventures of Robin, a seemingly unremarkable boy who is swept up into a war between our world, and the Netherworlde, a shadowy realm which lies beyond our own. In addition to fantasy, James also writes Science Fiction, Urban Gothic and Steampunk, for people old enough to know better.

'Romance with a capital R' - Manchester Evening NewsIt is nineteenth century Scotland and change is on the way.Sandy Logan is a man of his word and when Mattie Camerson’s father dies, he intends to honour his promise to marry her. But dark forces are at work and Mattie finds herself betrothed to the son of cruel Jacob Reevil. Before the marriage can take place, Jacob and his son corner Mattie alone in the shed.Sandy comes to her rescue, but his actions have terrible consequences and he and Mattie are forced to flee. They trek for many miles and eventually find refuge at the rundown farm of Fairlyden, nestling in a peaceful valley. Mattie quickly wins the heart of its owner, Daniel Munro who needs to produce an heir or else Fairlyden will fall into the hands of the unscrupulous Earl of Strathtod. Mattie and Sandy work hard on the farm to make a living and to restore the fertility of the land but Mattie is still haunted by the Reevils. To escape her betrothal, Mattie must be wed before the Reevils can find her.So Daniel comes to Mattie with a proposal: Marry him and escape her fate.Mattie and Sandy have loved each other since they were children, but Mattie fears he is only marrying her to appease her dead father. Will Mattie accept Munro’s offer? Will she choose her childhood sweetheart, Sandy?Or will the Reevils make the decision for her?Fairlyden is a charming romance set against the scenic backdrop of Scotland’s wild and rugged landscape. Praise for Fairlyden:“Romance with a capital R” - Manchester Evening News“A dramatic period tale set in the villages and countryside of Lowland Scotland”. - Fife Free Press“An enjoyable family saga of life in nineteenth century Scotland, when country people lived close to starvation and were subject to the whim of the laird.” - South Hams Free PressGwen Kirkwood is the author of sixteen Scottish novels and six shorter romantic novellas, including A Question of Love , The Wary Heart and A New Beginning . She won the Elizabeth Goudge Trophy, judged by Richard Lee, when it was re-introduced to mark the millennium in 2000. She lives in Scotland.

The Apocalypse has come – and it has left the World in ruins… ‘A smashing writer who really knows how to weave a tale…’ Booksellers’ Choice Following the terror of the Apocalypse, life in the community of Tugaim, Ireland is simple – but controlled. Families eke out their meagre livings from the blasted earth, carefully avoiding the forbidden patches of land that still shine with eerie light… Joanna Grady is happy in this community, and has even met Flynn, whom she loves and hopes to be matched to. They dream of Ancient Ireland, a land of magic, royalty and terrible foes. But bloodlines are carefully examined, and matches between families are only made to promote healthy breeding – preventing Mutant spawn. Suddenly, Joanna’s father breaks the news that she has been matched to Muldooney, a pig farmer. She is devastated, but can’t fight what is happening. She cannot bear it. She flees – into the forbidden place, the Glowing Lands. But little does she know that the Forbidden Lands contain a rip in the Time Curtain, a portal to the past – to Ancient Ireland. Now Joanna finds herself swept up in the life and myth of Cormac mac Airt, the Wolfking, as he fights to regain his throne and justice to ancient Tara. Will Flynn pursue her through the Time Curtain? Can they fight to restore right to Tara? Wolfking is an epic fantasy adventure and the first of a gripping quartet of novels that invoke Celtic tones of Ancient Ireland. Join with Joanna as she learns of her ancient heritage to fight against evil and tyranny and bring balance and honor back to Ancient Ireland. It was originally published under the pen name Bridget Wood. Praise for Sarah Rayne’s works: ‘Totally hypnotic… Grabs you from the start and builds to a gripping end…’ The Bookseller ‘Rayne writes with impressive authority, moving seamlessly through multiple perspectives, her expertly balanced prose creating sustained suspense…’ Kirkus ‘A smashing writer who really knows how to weave a tale…’ Booksellers’ Choice ‘Unputdownable…’ Western Daily Press ‘A positive feast of fast-moving action with unpredictable twists… An intelligent, gripping and enjoyable read…’ Mid Sussex Times ‘Rayne possesses superb story-telling skills…’ US Mystery Guild Sarah Rayne is the daughter of an Irish actor. She began writing in her teens, and after a convent education, which included writing plays for the Lower Third to perform, embarked on a variety of jobs. She is also the author of a number of acclaimed psychological thrillers and contemporary horror books, as well as a haunted house series.

From the author of the national bestseller Gone With the Wind.A spirited tale of love and honor in the South Pacific.Until recently, the world thought Margaret Mitchell had only one story to tell: Gone With the Wind. Now meet a heroine to match Scarlett O'Hara: Courtenay Ross, a feisty, independent-minded woman, and the two men - one a coolheaded, well-heeled gentleman, the other a hot-blooded, pugnacious sailor - who adore her. Equally intriguing is the story behind the story—the real-life romance that inspired Mitchell: how she gave the original manuscript as a gift to her beau, Henry Love Angel, and how the manuscript, along with Mitchell’s intimate letters and treasured photographs, were lovingly safeguarded only to be discovered decades later in a shoebox!A tale of yearning, valor, and devotion, Lost Laysen is enthralling from its delightful beginning to its unforgettable end.Praise for Lost Laysen:'Like Scarlett O’Hara, Laysen’s headstrong heroine is a woman ahead of her time' - Vogue'Fascinating … what’s most valuable of all is the light this literary novelty sheds on the extraordinary artistic process' - Entertainment WeeklyMargaret Munnerlyn Mitchell (1900-1949) was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Gone With the Wind, her only other published work of fiction, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937. It has sold more than thirty million copies in more than thirty-one countries.

"Something has happened in the forest, boy,” he said. “Something terrible. A Shard has been found, a Shard of the Arcania, and a monster has awoken."If you go down to the woods today…Something dark and dangerous stirs deep in the Netherworlde. A violent, primal power, awoken from its slumber by the Shards of the Arcania.A scourge lies on the great Everhart forest, a rampaging beast laying waste to the woods, and to the towns and villages that border it, bringing destruction.It leaves none alive, and Robin Fellows, heir of Erlking and the world’s last Changeling, may be the only one who can stop it.Pressed into service, Robin and his friends must navigate the deep and twisting secrets of the legendary woods, fighting to save the Netherworlde’s inhabitants from the ever-growing menace, while racing against dark enemies also searching for the source of the monster’s power – the Shard of Earth.Troubled by a rising darkness from within, and a tendency for his magic to go haywire, before Robin can wander from the path and begin to unravel the truth beneath the trees, he must first find a way to come to terms with who – and what – he is.Unexpected and unwelcome guests at Erlking, and uncertain guides in the wilderness, unsure what secrets are being hidden, even by his closest friends, Robin must decide who he can trust – in a world where it seems no one, friend or foe, is exactly as they appear.Chains of Gaia is the thrilling third instalment of James Fahy’s bestselling Changeling series. Perfect for fans of High Fantasy storytelling and Fae mythology, this sequel to Isle of Winds and The Drowned Tomb delves even deeper into the magical Netherworlde, and into the mystery of Robin’s own past.Praise for James Fahy:'Fast-moving with surprises and mysteries galore' - Simon Clark, bestselling fantasy author'A puzzle-solving, secret-tomb-discovering, magic-filled adventure that takes you deeper than ever before' - L. K. Smith, reviewer at Innate PlethoraJames Fahy lives in the North of England, close to wild moors and adjacent to a haunted wind farm, with his extremely patient and long-suffering family and a very old cat named Gargoyle. When the cat dies, James plans to buy a raven and name it Quoth. He is the author of the Changeling fantasy series, following the adventures of Robin, a seemingly unremarkable boy who is swept up into a war between our world, and the Netherworlde, a shadowy realm which lies beyond our own. In addition to fantasy, James also writes Science Fiction, Urban Gothic and Steampunk, for people old enough to know better.

One of the most dramatic heroine's of the American Civil War, Pauline Cushman acted as a Union spy and scout while behind enemy lines in the South. She was eventually captured, brought before General Nathan Bedford Forest, and sent to General Bragg for prosecution. She was found guilty and sentenced to hang, but was rescued by the forces of General James Garfield. Praised by Abraham Lincoln for her courage and services, General Garfield made Cushman a brevet major.This biography was written in 1865 by her friend, Ferdinand Sarmiento, was “prepared from her notes and memoranda.” The account spans her early life, her entry into the secret service of the Army of the Cumberland, as well as the exciting adventures with the rebel Chieftains and others while within enemy lines.Published before the close of the war, this book is not only interesting for Cushman's story, but as an example of the type of literature that a northern audience, after four years of horrific war, was hungry for.

Sarajevo, 1914. A gunshot is about to throw the world into chaos.Jack Christie knows it is going to happen.A short time ago, Jack was an average teenager spending time at school or with his best friend, Angus, playing video games. But when the boys accidentally discover a secret time-travel lab that Jack’s estranged father built, they are catapulted back to the start of the First World War.Dodging tanks, bombs and assassins, Jack arrives at the moment Gavrilo Princip aims his gun at Archduke Ferdinand, the moment that will trigger World War One. Jack needs to make a decision: does he stop the assassination and prevent the bloodiest war the world had seen, or does he allow history to take its course? The future of mankind is in Jack's hands.Day of the Assassins is a classic adventure story, based on true events, that readers of all ages will enjoy.Praise for Johnny O’Brien‘Johnny O’Brien’s original and consistently exciting novel makes sure that history truly comes alive in an unforgettable way.’ – The Independent‘A terrific debut. The characters of Jack Christie and Angus are brilliantly drawn...you’ll visualise the scenes and almost smell them as Jack tries to make sense of his new world. A very satisfying, sometimes shocking, but ultimately uplifting read.’ – loverreading.co.uk‘If you're still wondering, may I say that if ever there was a book to take a chance on, this is it. Expect it to win awards, it's that good.’ – Amazon reviewerJohnny O'Brien was born in Edinburgh and studied history at Cambridge University. He got the idea for The Jack Christie Adventures when he came across his grandfather's medals from World War I. His debut and first book in the series, Day of the Assassins was long-listed for the 2010 Branford Boase Award and for the Book Trust's Booked Up 2010 programme. It was also shortlisted for the Children's Quills, a new award for historical fiction for children administered through the Historical Association. Johnny lives in Surrey, England. Visit www.johnnyobrien.co.uk for more information.