A London Editor called this book: “One of those unique and wonderful manuscripts that come one’s way all too rarely; a most unusual and beautiful story that lingers in the mind long after one has read it”.
The Seven Gifts came to Earth and lay dormant, unknown, like seeds in an empty desert. Then the rains came, as an Angel bearing seven mysterious books. Woven within their stories, far from the eye of a reader, were the simple truths of The Seven Gifts. The Angel chose a young boy to reveal them: one who would endure a wild spiritual odyssey through seven bizarre worlds, at the end of which a lonely white dolphin is the final key to his unveiling of the seven gifts, and the enigma of the Angel, and the mystery of himself. And perhaps the mystery of us…
What are the main themes of your book?
The uneasy relationship between the material and spiritual aspects of our lives.
Who or what inspired your story?
During a wet Sunday afternoon on a boat in Glasgow docks I decided to write an essay on the future of Britain. Like all things it evolved into something else – different but not entirely disconnected from the original.
What do you like best about your primary characters?
Their integrity.
What are their worst peculiarities?
They certainly have peculiarities – one reviewer said they “tread that fine line between profound and insane” – but I would not condemn them for doing that.
How does your main character evolve?
He gradually realises that he is not the person he thought he was, but that that persona has been essential in preparing and strengthening him for the discovery of who he really is.
What’s the principal message you want to send to your audience?
“We do not have souls, we ARE souls. We have bodies.” – I pinched this from CS Lewis. I’m sure he won’t mind.
What’s the nicest thing anyone has said about your book?
This one is pretty nice too: “A series of beautifully written tales that capture the mind, heart and spirit; … a unique and utterly irresistible novel”
I feel ‘unique’ is a particularly rewarding thing to hear said about one’s story, and I am heartened by the fact that it occurs in a number of reviews, along with ‘things lingering in the mind long after reading’. I would like to hope that the book challenges readers rather than entertaining them; its rather whimsical, surface simplicity being a bit of a smokescreen. My shortest review said simply: “A book to make you think…” If I can achieve that in the reader then the long, lonely nights will all have been worthwhile.
Where can we purchase it?
My website – paperbacks and PDFs are on sale there, together with links to ebooks at Amazon & Smashwords.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I was born and brought up in Liverpool, UK quite a long time ago and went straight from school to sea as a young officer in the Royal Navy. After five years I resigned and worked as a professional yacht skipper for quite a few years before settling to full time writing. I have lived in and renovated a number of boats and houses in various places, and now share a delightful house and 10 acres of weeds near Nelson, New Zealand with wife, son, daughter and a motley collection of animals and boats.
Having had a dozen yachting books professionally published I am now striking out into publishing my own novels. The first is an unusual fairy tale called The Seven Gifts, which has been well reviewed so far.
