Bright Dust (poetry)

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‘We met too soon, some said, and now you are gone,
and I am looking at the dawn of a thousand tomorrows,
still holding onto yesterday’s sun.’

Reminiscent of the work of early 20th century imagist poets, these poems celebrate all forms of love, from desire to treachery and betrayal, from love as destroyer to love’s destruction and loss, the consolations of domestic love, and finally to the ultimate solace found in the force and beauty of the natural world, and the peace that comes from an acceptance of our place within it.

Readers are invited to contemplate the intricacies of human experience through verses that are brief, evocative, and thought-provoking.

Praise for Bright Dust

‘Lightbourne’s work invites an appreciation for the subtle complexities of life and love, rendered with a delicate touch that speaks to the fragility and beauty of human connections.’
The International Review of Books (AWARDED A BADGE OF EXCELLENCE)
‘Beautiful and profound but also tender and enigmatic, these poems capture the essence of the human condition … A testament to Jane Lightbourne's promising talent in the literary world.’
The International Review of Books
‘Bright Dust is the kind of poetry book you can carry in your bag and read a few pages throughout the day to bring some happiness into your life. It's a beautiful piece of work that truly speaks to the soul.’
Goodreads reviewer

Hannah

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‘He might run fast, but she was faster. When it came to the chase, Hannah was driven by fear.’
‘Gripping and emotionally resonant.’
The International Review of Books (AWARDED A BADGE OF EXCELLENCE)
‘Beautifully written.’
The International Review of Books
‘An emotional rollercoaster.’
www.lovereading.co.uk
‘A pacy well developed plot… I was hooked.’
Reviewer, librarian

A charismatic but controlling father. A sadistic brother. Home for Hannah is like living inside a pressure cooker. Even her bond with loyal sister Sal and privileged friend Diana isn’t enough to make her stay.

But where will she go? And will she ever find the haven she so craves?

When at last Hannah meets the avuncular, alluring Charlie and his sophisticated sidekick Carla, she feels she has finally found her brave new world.

But once again all may not be as it appears, and Hannah soon learns that people will not always play fair and will do what it takes to get what they want.

This emotive, character focused coming-of-age drama explores the depths of human trauma and the power of resilience.

Loss

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‘It was the exact same shocking sound a body makes when it hits a car screen. I knew the sound, remembered it well. I started, heart pounding - but it was only the thud of her fist on the glass, her knuckles pressed white against it…’

Jamie, on a trip to the Scottish Highlands to visit his wayward brother, has his path blocked by the alluring but flawed hitchhiker, Katy. And yet he is drawn to her and to the darkness that is at the centre of her life, that eventually threatens to unravel his own, and the lives of those close to him.

Praise for Loss

‘Absorbing, elegantly written, and plenty to think about after reading … Lightbourne has achieved a satisfying balance between honesty and compassion in this clear-eyed look at love, loss, guilt and the capacity of humans to rebuild.’
Jill Murphy, The Bookbag
‘The book contained so many beautiful and vivid descriptive passages…The author's vivid descriptions of the scenery easily pull the reader into the time and place of the story…Beautifully written.’
The International Review of Books

Loss unfolds by way of the alternating voices of its central characters, taking the reader on a powerful journey through the painful effects of loss to the redemptive powers of love.

A Tale of Three Tabbies

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‘There were hundreds of cats, and they were starving. Help was needed, and it was needed at once…’

The year is 2020, and the world is in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic. On the Greek island of Agrion, forest fires are raging, tourists are scarce, and restaurants are closing.

Street cats Silva, Theo and Lila are hungry, very hungry, and under threat from perils known and unknown. They dream of escape.

Enter two English sisters and their five children, who have managed to travel to Agrion between lockdowns. The cousins fall for the three tabbies and are determined to rescue them. But how?

From the author of My Cat Called Red comes an exciting animal action and adventure chapter book for children aged 8 to 12. A Tale of Three Tabbies is based on a real rescue and is a heart-warming survival story that will appeal to animal lovers of all ages: relevant, contemporary, a tale of hope and humanity, of triumph over danger and adversity against all the odds. You can order a signed copy of the second edition by contacting me.

Praise for A Tale of Three Tabbies

‘The author really captures the minds & hearts of the cats as well as their plight for survival. I was on the edge of my seat towards the end … & I’m sure children … would absolutely love the book … A beautiful book, wonderfully written & we enjoyed it very much.’
Blackheath Books & Bubbles, UK
‘Perfect for any cat lover and kids who are 8 to 12. They will inhale this book and keep re-reading it.’
NetGalley reviewer
‘Five purrs and two paws up!’
Goodreads reviewer, Canada
‘This story stole my heart, and I … highly recommend this book, for animal lovers, and perhaps to be read aloud to children at bedtime.’
Goodreads reviewer, US

A percentage of royalties from the sale of this book will go to help the very real, very hungry stray cats still in Greece.

My Cat Called Red

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Eight-year old Robin doesn’t like cats very much. When a strange red cat turns up on his doorstep one evening, he ignores it. At first.

‘But this was no ordinary cat. Setting aside the unusual colour of his fur and the piercing quality of his eyes, he had a third most extraordinary feature, and that was his purr.’

What if you found a cat with a magic purr? A cat whose purr could turn your life around? If only you knew it.

My Cat Called Red tells the story of the magical cat, Red, and his perilous search for his forever home. It combines the excitement of a plot-driven adventure story with the timeless appeal of a classic, using both elements to weave a heartwarming tale about an unusual red cat with a magic purr that changes children’s lives. This is Red’s story, but it’s also Robin’s, the eight-year-old boy who finds him, and whose grandfather recalls how the cat came to lose his purr, echoing the famous Just So Stories of the past.

Praise for My Cat Called Red:

‘…I truly enjoyed My Cat Called Red. It's a tale of grief and loss on the part of both Red and Robin. But it's also a tale of hope and perseverance and of putting one foot in front of the other with trust in a better future… Children who enjoy stories about animals and those with sympathetic messaging about times of trouble, will love My Cat Called Red and return to it again and again.’
Jill Murphy www.thebookbag.co.uk
‘‘My Cat called Red is an inspirational book. It made me want to be brave and be positive, just like Red.’
Fiadh, 11
‘It’s so exciting and realistic, full of twists and turns.’
Alice, 10
‘A true gem. My Cat Called Red is a treasure…Five purrs and two paws up.’
Goodreads reviewer, Canada
‘Excellent in all respects.’
Goodreads reviewer, US
‘An exquisite book that I so enjoyed reading to my son.’
Educator, UK
‘A book that really moves you & touches your heart & soul. Stunning.’
Blackheath Books & Bubbles
‘It's a lovely story….I'd certainly recommend this book.’
Pauline Braishner, LoveReading4Kids