Books
Blessed George Beesley - Priest and Martyr
A short account of the life of Blessed George Beesley, a Catholic priest from Goosnargh, Lancashire, who was martyred during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in 1591.
Blessed George Beesley lived in the Elizabethan era, at a time when it was high treason to become a Catholic priest in England. To be caught ministering to the faithful on English soil was a sure death sentence. Yet young men like George were prepared to risk everything, training overseas and returning to their homeland once ordained. George ministered to the Catholic faithful for around two years prior to his capture. He was held for a time in the Tower of London, suffered torture and was executed for his vocation as a priest. During his imprisonment, George never gave away any details of those who had sheltered him, nor did he falter in his faith. He was executed in 1591 at the tender age of 28 and beatified by the Catholic Church in 1987.
Portal by E.A.Deane - historic fiction novel
An ancient manuscript, a shocking crime that took place 700 years ago…
Fretting about misconduct allegations and impending investigations at work, Suzanne Brookes agrees to take up her friend’s offer of a week away in her cottage in the beautiful Dorset village of West Lytchett. Planning to spend a quiet week, Suzanne soon discovers that her time away will be anything but. Accepting an invitation to walk to the nearby mysterious St. Alban’s chapel, Suzanne witnesses a shocking crime that took place 700 years earlier. As the week in West Lytchett progresses, so unfolds the story of Blanche, a medieval peasant girl caught up in the deadly politics of her time and in need of Suzanne’s help. Suzanne must put her own troubles aside and reach out into the past if she is to help Blanche, but dark forces are at work in both the present and past times. What is the connection between an ancient manuscript and an incident in Suzanne’s childhood? Should Suzanne confide in the villagers who profess to know the secrets of the chapel? The story builds to a dramatic climax when Suzanne realises she is inextricably linked to the events of the past and fears for her own life.