Happy New Year 2016

Happy New Year to each and every one of you
May 2016 bring you peace, love, happiness and success.
Feliz año nuevo...
Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku

Recap of the holiday season

It's been a busy time in our household, last minute decorating & painting,  shopping galore, preparing for Christmas, cooking and lots of eating.
Lovely having our first Christmas as grandparents with our two grandsons Heath and Castiel.
It was the first time they were together and it was beautiful.
We had a great family reunion with 20 in our dining room,  fed and watered.... Brilliant.

The writing icing on the cake is seeing my books doing well, a great bonus.

Fantasmas en el Hospital is still in the top #100 in the Hispanic American Literature chart on Amazon....

It's available in English too,  let's not forget. So if you have read it,  experienced it and enjoyed it... Please write a review and share your thoughts.

Thanks

Merry Christmas to you all

Merry Christmas to you all.
I wish you all well and hope you have a wonderful Christmas with those you love.
May peace and goodwill prevail.
God bless

Spanish horror stories

Need something good to read over Christmas.. In spanish.
Look no further. Download a copy of Fantasmas en el Hospital. It will bewwith you instantl.

Here is the LINK

Number 29 in the charts... Cool

Check out who's at 29

Charting and getting noticed

Fantasmas en el Hospital

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/4542816031/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_kinc_1_6_last#2

Fantasmas en el Hospital...

Un pedazo de libro... Lleno de fantasmas y espíritus que tienen residencia en un hospital embrujado.
Fantasmas en el Hospital esta listo para ocupar in rincón de su vida, especialmente para las navidades.
Un libro que viene muy bien presentado y garantiza escalofríos. 😱

Ideal para sus amigas y amigos que quizás trabajan en un hospital?
En Kindle o libro

Comprar

Writers, authors or story tellers?

Why do we write?
It's certainly not for the money...
The artistry of blending words into sentences and giving life to our thoughts is more my thing.
Story telling in a written format is way of sharing a moment of thought and putting it on paper,  or pc nowadays!
It makes it solid and perpetual.

Writing a story that then turns into a novel is cool.
It is an escape of the mind into a relative reality.
Relaxation and disengagement from the pressure of life. 
I am not a professional writer and my books may not be prize winners but I like them and I like what they say.
Reviews are generally kind, thanks.
If and when there are less favourable ones,  well I feel it but you cannot please everyone all the time... Fact.

So am I an author? Am I a writer,  well yes as I like to look at the written word looking back at me.
I prefer story teller.
My aim is to be read and share my thoughts, dreams and hopes of leaving some joy and positivity behind.
It's not the money or immortality I crave,  just sharing my stories. That is my target and aim.

What attracts you to a book

What attracts you to a book?

A, the cover
B,  the genre
C,  the content
D,  the reviews
E,  the price
F,  random selection

Let me know your thoughts....

Books Going International

Fantasmas en el Hospital
Published 2 days ago and doing well, opening new markets with new readers... In Spain, Guatemala, Mexico, USA, Argentina and other Spanish-speaking countries.
A great collection of short stories involving spooky stuff in hospitals which is the culmination of a collaborative work between Julie (my wife) & Goretti who helped translate it into its polished version.
It's available on kindle and paperback so this will hopefully increase the number of readers.
Exciting times

Spanish readers

What percentage of the world speaks Spanish?
The percentage of the world population who speaks Spanish as their native language is increasing while the proportion of English speakers drops in 2030, 7.5% of the world population will be speaking Spanish (a total of 535 million people).
I hope a small proportion will enjoy 'Fantasmas en el Hospital' My new publication.
It's released today in both Kindle and paperback format.

Available as promised - A tiempo para Navidad, algo diferente para leer

As promised, please find the link to our book, Phantasms in the Infirmary - Spanish Version.
Fantasmas espanoles

It's exciting that there will be new people reading this in a wider population.
Spanish speakers can now enjoy the fruits of our imagination.
A big Thanks to Goretti for translating this so efficiently and eloquently.
In time for Christmas, something different to read

Enjoy the stories and don't have nightmares. Kindle version is also available Kindle Version

Como prometido, por favor, encontrar el enlace a nuestro libro, Fantasmas en la enfermería - Versión Española.
Fantasmas espanoles

Es emocionante que habrá nuevas personas que leen esto en una población más amplia.
Hispanohablantes pueden ahora disfrutar de los frutos de nuestra imaginación.
Muchas gracias a Goretti por traducir esta obra tan eficiente y elocuentemente.
A tiempo para Navidad, algo diferente para leer

Disfrute de las historias y no tengan pesadillas. Version Kindle

Kindle Version

Fantasmas en el Hospital

Nuestro libro nuevo, Fantasmas en el Hospital esta listo.
Estará disponible mañana en Amazon para que vosotros también puedan leer esta colección de cuentos en español

Billions dreaming of winning

Millionaires
What are the chances of winning big on the lottery?
Well the odds are stacked against you.
The odds of winning more than one big winner are even higher.
Legally Lucky is about Raj, he wins multiple times and is faced with a dreamy amount of cash.
However what transpires is far from ideal.
Legally Lucky was my first novel.
The Story still runs true.
It lives inside the hopes and dreams of billions of people.
The moral of the Story?
Well you will just have to purchase a copy of this enthralling rags to riches tale.

Mantra for authors

Never give up....

Interview

A fee more novels have been written since this #interview was recorded.

Re-living the moment

https://youtu.be/zpXGoJnQf38

Ghostly Christmas short

Night shift on Christmas Eve was unlike any other in St Augastine's hospital.
Only the very few patients that could remain in the hospital's wards were kept in. 
The staff came in at 8pm as usual and had prepared for the onslaught of what the night had to bring... Ghosts and all.
The spirit of Christmas past was well and truly present.
For some reason, Christmas was always full of apparitions and ghoulish goings on aplenty.
This Christmas was no different.

Most of the staff were used to the many surplus attenders but for the newbies, this was one to savour.
In the main, the spirits were not malevolent but regardless, this was far from normal, despite how well adapted they were.

Emotions running high, missing their families and festivities, the nurses looked at their colleagues to celebrate the significance of Christmas.

All was well and then the midnight chest struck.
All of a sudden, the spectral shenanigans began.
The clocks stopped, noises began,  furniture dragged and cries from beyond the grave were heard as lights flickered and poltergeist activities were now in full swing.
The ghosts had arrived for their turn at Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you all, ghost, ghouls and spectres alike. Christmas was truly for everyone to celebrate.

More in the Phantasms in the Infirmary series... Apart from this that is...
.

Christmas reads and deals

There's a couple of books of mine on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com that will be only 0.99 for a few days. Phobic Wars scheduled for 24th December (as a Christmas gift to you all)  until New Years Eve...
Mental Dental on Amazon.co.uk from
December 8th 2015 December to 15th 2015 and on Amazon.com from
December 12th 2015 To December 19th.

Make it a certainty to download your copy then....

My first flirtation with writing comedy

My next book is already in the wire-frame stage.
It's my first attempt at writing comedy in a novel.
It's based on a family holiday we had in France.
Most is based on truth....
It's going to be a mix between national lampoons holiday and a trip advisor nightmare.
I am still at odds at a good definitive title but St the moment it's working title is Frolicking French Fun or Hilarity on the Hills...
Advice on this greatly appreciated.
I'm enjoying penning the memories and relieving the reflections.

Glad we can laugh about this now. 
Not long now folks although next one up is the Spanish version of Phantasms in the Infirmary out later this month... In time for navidades...  Christmas

Log line for Mental Dental

My third book, Mental Dental( Murder by Proxy) is a great book and receives a big boost with the loglines festival entry...  Could it become an even bigger seller and / or film?
Tell us your oopinion and like it on Facebook etc...

Click Link Here

Black Friday inspired Deal

Legally Lucky and Phantasms in the Infirmary are both on at 0.99 on Amazon Kindle Countdown Deal.
MASSIVE discount on the normal price and for limited time only.
Log in to amazon and download a  copy of them now.
Happy Bargain hunting.

Lottery dreams at pre-Christmas

Lottery
UKllottery dreams are alight again.  A rollover waiting to be won.
So what if you were lucky enough to be the big winner?
Surely this would be a dream come true?
Legally Lucky is a fictitious twist to the aspirations of money and all its trappings...
It will take you to the world of the winner and reflect the truth about the fact we are all winners.  Life is enough to be happy although money helps but it's not the be all and end all.
Money is not everything and this book highlights the joy of family, love and friendship as the  true treasures.
Read it and start to live life for what it is hhowever, good luck with the lottery...

Not so unpleasant meet up with a ghostly nurse

Meeting up with a ghost is not always an unpleasant one...  The following excerpt from The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary leads to this...

The young student turned around to face the dark corridor, puzzled by the patient’s description of the nurse, especially as no nurses in the hospital wore white uniforms. Furthermore, hats had not been worn by nurses in decades. It was then that her questions were answered as she saw the nurse that had assisted her patients call for help. Joleyne was now facing a very pale looking figure, almost translucent in her white uniform and white hat in situ looking back at them. A pale face starred at her, a pallor that seemed to glow against the contrasting deep darkness in the background. Although she stood only a few feet away she could not recognise this nurse.

Want to know what happened next?
You're going to have to download the book then.

67% Off haunted book

Check out The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary...  Amazon Kindle Countdown Deal.
MASSIVE discount is now available for immediate delivery and reading enjoyment ...

The day job rewarded

Yesterday evening, one of the teams I manage and created was rewarded for our innovative approach to patient care.
We received a commendation for our YouTube video we produced for increasing Pulmonary Rehabilitation attendance.

Our CEO presented the prize at the awards ceremony in a great evening celebrating the best of the local NHS services.

Nice to be acknowledged especially in these times of austerity.

Motivation and inspiring

Video presentation

Legally Lucky revisited weekly

Life is one big lottery and Legally Lucky, my first book addressed some of these aspects whereby one concentrates on financial success and stability as a marker of quality of life.
Many strive to make money to live and some aim to make it big, the bigger the better.
By this I mean that success and quality of life is quantifiable by the amounts of money in their bank accounts.

Now, if we are realistic, no one would say "No" to a large amount of money at their disposal... however happiness is measured in many ways.
If we look at the possible jackpot for Friday's EuroMillions draw which is a whopping £110,000,000 it would be life changing for anyone.
However, to me, quality of life is measured in special moments. these are precious moments with our loved ones. Yesterday evening, there was a lottery draw, I won nothing with my numbers but I was happy.
Happy to be surrounded by my wife, eldest son, daughter-in-law and my eldest grandson.
Seeing them bond, have fun and spend priceless time with them was equal to and better than having an obscene amount of money in the bank.
These moments cannot be bought.
They are happiness at their peak and precious.

Legally Lucky explored the true meaning of life and happiness. It challenged the modern idea of happiness based on finance and successfully described happiness as love & friendship with the aims of becoming rich being a secondary outcome.
Yes play the lottery but do not overlook how rich you are and live the moments.

Rich does not make happy...

Fantasmas en la Enfermería

Un libro que viene muy pronto, a tiempo para las navidades.
Un libro lleno de fantasmas y espíritus que tienen residencia en un hospital embrujado.
Cuentos, leyendas y brujería...
Fantasmas en la Enfermería esta apunto de ser un libro que todos quieren leer, un libro que te dejará con escalofríos. Este es un libro con unas leyendas de monjas de la muerte y espantos malévolos, Angeles de otra portal y mucho más...

Ya viene, no queda mucho.

18 deaths inflicted by killer dentists

Mental Dental (Murder by Proxy) 

A peek inside this 5 star book available on kindle and paperback format 

File number Thirteen of eighteen 

Number thirteen, unlucky for some. Well yes, definitely unlucky for the next unfortunate patient who was to die. This was Dean Pepper. Dean had just returned to his home in Swansea, Wales after being on exercise in the Brecon Beacons with the T.A. (Territorial Army) where he was an infantryman. Regrettably, during an abseil down one of the many cliff tops, a gust of wind caught him and blew him at force against the cliff, clouting his face. He had sustained a black eye, a torn upper lip and three holes in his gums where teeth had very recently occupied. After having had some x-rays to exclude an orbital fracture or any other pathology, he was allowed to have the dental treatment at his local dental surgery and this would be paid for by her Majesty’s government, the M.O.D. were coughing up the readies. He was happy to go home after a fortnight of regimental duty. He liked to play soldier for a while, rolling around in the dirt, shooting expensive rifles, the drinking and camaraderie but then pined for his day job of local postman, and especially his role of doting husband / father. Rifleman Pepper was now plain old Dean Pepper. He called the dental surgery on route home from the exercise area. He arranged for an urgent review and as planned, turned up early and checked in at reception. He was only there for a few seconds when his dentist, Dr Paul Lattice, called him in. Although the x-ray was taken in the medical unit post trauma, he needed to have another set taken at the surgery to see the damage and plan the interventions. Dean was led to a small room just of the main corridor, it was the x-ray room and Dr Lattice explained what he machine would do and what he wanted Dean to do. Explicitly, the machine would rotate around his head and take x-rays; Dean would just need to sit still and upright for a few minutes, easy. Dr Lattice’s assistant was his trusty nurse Carole. As Dr Paul Lattice left the room where Dean was quietly sitting, Carole entered the room and reassured him that he would be on his own for a minute or so, as they had to be in another room whilst the x-rays were taken and reduce the exposure to the radiation. She placed the x-ray film in his mouth, asked him to bite comfortably on it and that it would be done in no time at all. She smiled and left him there. The police report stated that this was the last time that Dean was to be seen alive. The sinister goings on that occurred straight after this was horrific and very disturbing. Dean was left on his own in the radiology room, the machine poised to take a panoramic shot of his mouth, he was holding the film in his mouth that would then be developed and reveal the damage. As the dentist, Dr Lattice and his nurse were concealed in the room next door, the button for the x-ray camera to undertake its primary function, take pictures. The aging x-ray machine started to whir, and the motors slowly propelled it along its journey, around the patients face / jaw. Unusually, the whirring motors got louder and after about 30 seconds later, both the dentist and nurse got up, and concerned that the machine had not stopped, popped their heads around the wall to check on the patient. Carole shrieked at finding that the clinical room she had just moments left with Dean sitting on a chair now was a bloody crimson abattoir that housed a dead patient. Dean had his head severed by the rotating x-ray camera. What made things worse was that it was obviously not a clean cut. The lower maxillary bone or mandible was connected to the rest of the body but the rest of him from the upper jaw onwards lay on the floor, eyes turned down, a small tear running down his left cheek, his teeth still clasping the x-ray film, drenched in a sea of fresh blood, his own. There was no point in attempting to resuscitate or indeed, calling an ambulance, this was a fatality and only a miracle would resurrect this victim now. The Police were called; this was done by Dr Felix Collins. He called the police to report this tragic mess and no suspicions were cast on him, why should they, his only apparent crime was to be present in the same building as where the dreadful death had occurred. The Police attended and another dental surgery became a scene of crime. Masses of photos taken by the scenes of crimes officers (S.O.C.O.) and other attempts at forensics were taken. These were explicitly graphical and showed the extent of terror that had just happened. But what had happened? Other than a malfunctioning piece of medical technology that had resulted in a fatality, nothing suspicious obviously as no arrests were made and as with the other deaths, no conclusions were made. Very frustrating for Jessie as she, on reflection was slowly getting some evidence, however it was not enough. She had no motive and no apparent reasons to sustain this criminal goings on. Jessie had to persevere with her investigation but it was getting worse, the deaths were becoming more gruesome, as if there was an evil competition between the killers. There were three or four of them and she needed to get them, she needed to stop them. As she was about to close this file, her phone went off in her pocket. It was her father again. She answered it with an element of expectation. ‘Hello daddy, have you got any more information for me?’As if he had been reading her thoughts, he replied ‘Yes I do some interesting new information actually’Dr Stack senior continued his revelation…‘Dr Adam Shaw, your clinical partner was born Steven Lambe, he changed his name by deed poll some years ago and apparently because of an inheritance that was left to him by a great uncle on his mother’s side’. Jessie’s jaw dropped, aghast at the fresh facts imparted on her by her father. ‘Jessie, are you still there?’her dad enquired…‘Yes, sorry, I am, please continue with what you were saying ’. Her father continued his report on the new information he had gained and this made interesting assimilation. Jessie penned her points on her jotter and after the conversation was ended, she reflected on the brand new information she had. Her dad also clarified that the rest of her partners, Dr Vivek Budhrani, Dr Tony Marvell, Dr Peter Kelly, Dr Tracey Quinn and Dr Julie Walker were all legitimate and untainted in any shape or form. There was some reassurance at least. ‘There were only three of them after all; the trio of assassins was never a foursome. Thank god for that’. By this she meant that her findings were pointing to three suspects but curiously, there was a fresh new name, Adam Shaw. The trail of the murderous Steven Lambe had gone cold and the new boy in the block had come from nowhere. Jessie felt she was back on track with her exploration again, although she could not understand the motivation and driving force for killing and murdering innocent people, she was able to keep an objective overview of the perpetrators as this unholy trio. This cluster of deaths being caused by these three dentists was slowly being solved by her and the knowledge she was on the right path was refreshing but more so was the fact that she knew that there were only three rotten apples in this barrel, no more. She entered another few details on her expanding criminal time line, her metaphorical net that would help entrap these feral and ruthless slayers of innocent dental patients. Jessie could not rest on her laurels; she needed to remain systematic and objective in her quest for truth, in order to reveal the murderers and prevent them adding any further names on to their list of casualties.

Legally Lucky birthday

LinkedIn profile reminder: it's 5 years since I added author to my profile with this book.. Legally Lucky

Still no film Deal!!!
More reviews on Amazon.co.uk... Help It go viral

Does this blog generate interest and clicks onto the books?

I have been blogging for a short while now and am interested in the effectiveness of blogging
Does this blog generate interest and clicks onto the books?

I am relatively new at this and wondered if this is useful?
Does it generate interest in the books?
Is blogging a useful marketing tool?
Are there too many similar ones out there in the stratosphere already and is the blogging market oversaturated?

I would appreciate some engagement with this request and any tips to make this a more interesting blog...

Here is a quick survey on the link.

Thanks all
Kind regards
Ram

survey

Christmas reads

Christmas is around the corner...  The dreaded  hunt for a great Christmasgift is on.

Is there an avid reader in the family?

Is the compendium of ghostly  tales something they would be interested in?

Here's a great Christmas gift

Phantasms
The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary

Jam-packed with ghouls and supernatural spectres that occur in a  fictitious hospital...  But it could be your llocal hospital.

An appropriate gift for all ghost hunters, nurses and health care professional in the family and friends...  Order Your copy now

Dare to read it?

Going International - Libro en Español

Phantasms in the Infirmary has been a popular read / choice for many English speakers.
As a bilingual author, I have ventured into the Spanish version of the book and although its finished, it is having a re-edit at the moment from a colleague.
The book will be ready for Christmas so one hopes to tap into the ghost hunters and those interested in the genre who speak Spanish.
The ideal markets will be Spain and South America.
Fingers crossed this will continue to be a popular read in these countries.

Fantasmas en la enfermería ha sido un libro muy popular opción para muchas personas de habla inglesa.
Como autor bilingüe, he incursionado en la versión española del libro y aunque está acabado, está teniendo una re-edición en el momento por una colega.
El libro estará listo para la Navidad por lo que uno espera de aprovechar los cazadores de fantasmas y los interesados en este género que hablan español.
Los mercados ideales serán
España y América del Sur.
Esperamos esta edición seguirá siendo una lectura popular en estos países.

A very unique experience

Phantasms in the Infirmary

Is there another book similar to The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary out there?
I don't believe there is.
Of course there are hospital ghost story books out there but they are either written as fact or pure fiction.

Our book is a fact based fictional spin...  Stories written for the delectation of the reader but definitely ground on truth.

They have been amassed over many years and are collected in this compendium of scary tales.

Get a copy and read all about the spectral shenanigans we have to endure in a hospital

Musical interlude

As an author I love creativity and yesterday I went to watch a demigod of music, Mr Joe Satriani in concert.

I love music and rock especially.
He played in Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, Essex. Yesterday was a masterclass of showmanship and musical talent.
A class act and well impressed.
My favourite, Crystal Planet was played too... 
Thanks again Joe,  keep on rocking

Disenfranchised

A sense of quiet expectation is felt when entering a hospital that all will be well.
At St Augastine's hospital,  it's not guaranteed....
A constellation of ghostly stars is present in some form or other in one ward or area within the grounds and old building.

Want to meet some?
Well make an appointment to visit by reading The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary.
Available as an ebook or paperback format.
A great and spooky experience.

Disturbingly ingenious

A book I am really proud of...
It's been described as ingenious and clever and do you know what,  I agree.
I have now written a few books and this is still one of my favourite tales.

Don't just take my word for  it,  read it and correct me if I'm wrong.

MENTAL DENTAL

Check this out

Take a look at @KatherynLane's Tweet: https://twitter.com/KatherynLane/status/660885862914392065?s=09

Kindle Countdown Deal It's on.. One day only left... Hurry

Halloween Deal

Click on the link and visit a world of supernatural hospital horror...
Phantasms in the Infirmary Vol II is now available for the next day on Kindle Countdown Deal for only £ 0.99

Experience hospital horror stories galore

Seasonal book boost

Readers challenge
Can we get 100 downloads of Phantasms in the Infirmary by Halloween?

Appropriately seasonal spooky special Phantasms

Halloween kit

Essential Halloween Hauntings Kit
Start your party with a story or two from this book.
Haunted hospital horror stories galore.
It's jam packed with ghosts and  spectres
Click and purchase a copy now...
Halloween

A clash of books

Hospital cockroaches

My worst nightmare...  I hate bugs.
IIt's like Phobic Wars has met Phantasms in the Infirmay....

Halloween taster... Phantasms in the Infirmary Vol II

The followingis a llittle taster from Phantasms in the Infirmary Vol II The new batch.... 
THE portal to the book is thus: 
 Vol-II-Batch

However let me entice you if iI can?


Chapter 4
Shadows on the Wall 

‘I am well and truly shattered’said Dr Natalie Barlow to herself as she slumped on the comfortable and welcoming bed in the hospital accommodation she was renting during her six-month placement. She had just finished a stint in the busy medical wards in St Augustine’s Hospital. All in all, she had been on duty for more than twenty hours with little if no rest. She had managed to grab a quick few minute’s sleep between the incessant bleeps and calls and barely had any refreshments or nutrition. ‘Ironic’she thought, ‘considering I am supposed to look after people and I can barely look after myself it seems.’Life as a junior doctor was not all that easy. Learning the art of medicine was harder than she had anticipated. The long hours, calls, decisions, lack of support, lack of sleep and the miles and miles of walking were far from glamorous and fulfilling. She had to be at the beck and call of her registrar, Dr Gerry Fellows and her “Old school”consultant, Dr Cecil Johansen, a bright mind with no real character or people skills, for all those hours with little or no thanks from them. The hierarchy of medicine was not a nice and pleasant experience for her. Feeling like she was “flying solo”most of the time, this junior doctor was still supported but only for the more difficult and interesting decisions. It was certainly good experience but at times she felt she needed a short admission to a comfy bed on one of the wards, just enough to get some well-earned sleep and a welcoming meal. The pecking order did not stop there; she was also the “Goffer”for the myriad of ward sisters and nursing staff who insisted on her attention in order to manage the many patients under their care. ‘Dr Nat’as she was affectionately called by the nurses, ‘please write this patient for these meds’or ‘can you review Mr so and so in bed whatever to discharge them home, we need the beds and there is a bed crisis…’. The work seemed boundless and the bed crisis seemed to blend in from one day to the next. She must have walked thirty miles during her endlessly long stint, roaming the extensive corridors and endless staircases in the massive building. They seemed to get longer and the stairs steeper As she got more fatigued. ‘I must get one of those pedometers one day, it would be interesting to know what distance I have really covered on a shift’she mumbled to herself as her head snuggled into the comfortable feather pillow that now supported her weary head. ‘Surely this is enough exercise for anyone? I could even justify saving the extra expense of the gym fees with the half marathons I do on a daily basis?’the young medic thought. Now though, she could release some of the pent up frustrations and catch up on her precious sleep. This was time for herself, to pamper her battered physiological and psychological self. To regain some sense and shutdown the over activity her body and brain had endured with the assault of the last twenty hour shift. Although tired, she was not able to get to sleep straight away, after all it was three in the afternoon and people were in the middle of their busy working day and the hospital was crammed with visiting out patients and relatives undertaking investigations and undergoing consultations with her peers in the busy hospital. Doors banging loudly from parking cars outside, the din of people chattering, cries and wails from people, more cars and ambulance sirens galore were impeding her slumber, it was getting too much. Living in the hospital grounds was convenient and cheap but it had its obvious faults and she was experiencing them all. She needed a strategy to overcome the sleep deprivation and tiredness and Natalie busied herself in order to get the precious sleep her weary body craved for. She reached into the side table and reached for a small box, rattling it to ensure its contents were safely within it. Taking out a small lighter and a candle, she lit the candle, a scented candle with the essence of vanilla and lavender for ambience but kept the light on to ensure the dimly lit cell of a room was less eerie. She needed something to distract her for the next few hours and extinguish the noise pollution too as the candles scent would not achieve this so she reached out for her MP3 player in the same drawer. This was stuffed with relaxing tunes, placed the earphones firmly in her tired ears, looked through the range of genres in music and selected some appropriate music. ‘Aha, a little mood music from Enya will help soothe me into a snooze’as she pressed the play button and tried again to repose and rested back on the bed, staring up at the white ceiling and the light fitting fixed firmly in the centre of it. The sweet dulcet tones of Enya’s voice played “Orinoco flow”in her attempts at a lullaby. She was sailing into the song and getting more reposed with every note of the enchanting melody but alas, still not asleep. Still awake and eyes half open, she noticed the light bulb flicker. ‘Oh no, the bloody bulb looks like it is going to blow, I’ll wait for it to do so, change it then get some shuteye’she thought. The bulb now started to emit a brighter light and then flickered like a strobe light when suddenly the bulb no longer flickered and remained on. ‘Must have been a power surge?’said Natalie. ‘These old hospitals and their cranky electrical systems are quite the pain in the neck at times’she thought. Suddenly, the room became unbearably cold now and the scented candle extinguished itself. ‘That is very strange?’she reflected. However, little did she know what was to transpire? From the corner of the room, she noticed a smoky black figure appear. It was tall and big but there were no distinct features to identify it as anything in particular. It was simply a blackness that grew in front of her now gaping eyes. It glided across her small room stopping momentarily as if looking straight at her and then moved on until it disappeared through the wall opposite to where it originated. Natalie was frozen to the spot. Confused, bewildered and very scared, she was focused on its sinister sequence with no logical explanation to hand she clutched her quilted bed cover closer to her face, covered up in a protective huddle. A strong smell of burning accompanied the apparition. It was a spectral encounter for sure. The adrenaline surge now kicked in as she jolted up on the bed and starred at the wall. There was nothing there now. ‘It must have been a figment of my imagination’the young doctor thought, trying to distinguish logic from a mirage brought on by tiredness. Her rationalization made sense however this did not account for the candle, the light flickering, the cold…as she pondered on this, just as suddenly the smoky figure was standing in her room again. This time, its features were more evident. It was a man, or a figure resembling a man. Caped and sporting a big hat on his head, the appearance similar to a cavalier of old. The apparition was centered on the wall where it had disappeared. Again a sudden drop in ambient temperature and the smell of burning accompanied it. The burning smell was that of flesh. The ghostly dark figure now hovered toward Natalie, and screeched as it came nearer. Her response was to scream and jump out of the bed, propelling herself to the door of her room and pulling on the door knob to release her from her captivity. It was strange because despite the extreme coldness, the doorknob felt scorching hot and she released it immediately. It was then she felt the most helpless she had ever done. Her end was near, or so she thought. The ghost seemed to follow her and she felt trapped and endangered when the door suddenly opened and one of the neighboring nurses boyfriends was at the door, pushing it open and enquiring if she was okay. ‘Thank god you opened the door’a stuttering and shocked Natalie exclaimed. ‘Well we heard screams and wondered what was going on?’Rob, the boyfriend replied. ‘Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost’. ‘Yes, I think I have’she replied and grabbed hold of the young man and cried into his shoulder. Michelle, the nurse next door was now at the doorway, only witnessing this crying young doctor, grasping her precious boyfriend and wondered what on earth was going on. Rob gesticulated at Michelle as if to say ‘give her some space’as they led her to the communal kitchen. Michelle held her hand as she sat in the safety of relative strangers as Natalie now retold her short but terrible ordeal whilst sipping a small brandy. Michelle had been in the hospital accommodation for over two years and confessed to have heard this same story before. Natalie was shocked to hear that two previous occupiers of her lodgings had left suddenly following visitations from this cloaked smoky apparition. They had even given him a nickname; he was known as the “Caped Cavalier”. This was far from funny to the over tired and shocked Natalie. She was upset and no one had warned her of any malevolence or ghosts in her residence when she had pitched up the week before. ‘Well its something you don’t tend to advertise if you want to make some money from rent’an insensitive Rob uttered and stopped by Michelle’s look, before he said anything else that was equally as unhelpful! ‘It was extremely terrifying and I can’t go back in there’Natalie sobbed as she stressed the fear she was in. ‘I need to call the estates manager now and get another room’Michelle handed her cell-phone to the distressed woman and facilitated the call. ‘Hello, my name is Dr. Natalie Barlow, I am in room thirteen in the nurses quarters and I would like to get another room please, I cannot go back in mine’. There was a pause as she listened to the estates manager. ‘No there are no cockroaches or floods, there is a bloody ghost in my room and I cannot go back in there’she replied with a certain assertiveness to her tone. Again she listened before replying ‘don’t tell me to get a grip of myself, you haven’t had to live through a fucking cloaked man suddenly appearing out of no where, do something’. A few seconds later the call was ended and she hung up. ‘So, what’s the verdict?’Michelle enquired. ‘Well, apart from her thinking I am a nut-job, she will be here presently to examine the room herself’. Within ten minutes, a very hasty and flummoxed Mrs. Regan, head of estates was there. Mrs. Regan, a matronly looking woman in her fifties was now interrogating the young doctor ‘So tell me, where and when did this all happen?’Natalie recounted what had happened and the estates manager just replied ‘humph, we will see about that, give me your key, I will go in there and prove there is nothing like a ghost here in my building’. Natalie handed her the key to her accommodation and waited as the stout cynical woman made her way to the haunted room. Her little legs hurriedly propelled her down the short corridor in her determination to disprove this story. “Bang”the door closed firmly behind her, they waited. It was not long before the screams were heard from the room and a pale and disheveled looking Mrs. Regan appeared…‘Are you still insisting it

Promo pics for Phantasms

3 recently manufactured pics to promote The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary

Available on Amazon, CreateSpace and others

Pimped-up Halloween cover

Just for fun....
Halloween Version of The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary.

Link

Legally reduced

Kindle countdown deal is currently on for my first book - Legally Lucky.

This is a rollercoaster ride which has been likened to "Slumdog Millionaire meets In Pursuit of Happiness".
The story evolves slowly into a crescendo of disaster and mystery for a lottery winner.
It does make one think of what could go wrong if you had more money than you could handle.
Suspicion, espionage, courtroom drama and resolve... this book has it all.

Its waiting to be made into a movie - any takers?

Anyway, getting on with the matter in hand - read it now for at a discount for a limited period only....

legally promo

Potential best selling Novel

The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary.
Our new book has the potential and pedigree to succeed.
Why?  Well evidence, only after 1day of being published, it had 181likes on Facebook and has sold a few copies of the paperback edition already.
The other factors include Halloween and maybe even Xmas gift considereration.
This book makes an ideal present for doctors, nurses and medics throughout the English speaking world.
It's not heavy and arduous reading and could be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the occult or supernatural.
The short stories lend themselves to reading between work,  enough to immerse the reader into the world of imagination without totally separating them from the real world and tasks at hand.

It's a very enjoyable genre too.

The paperback version is available on the createspace website and Amazon websites.
There is a reasonably priced Kindle version too.

The link below will direct you to the paperback version.

Ultimate PITI

Enjoy and please don't have nightmares...!

Give the new novel some life...

Please give my new novel a like on Facebook.
Better still, buy a copy of The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary either on the link below or Amazon as it's also on kindle
https://www.createspace.com/5806494

'it's here' The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary

A collection of supernatural hospital horror stories.
It is an amalgamation of volume one and volume two of the Phantasms in the Infirmary series.
This also has an added story to it which was not published in the previous volumes.
The many years in healthcare have not only served the authors well in their career, there have also been the opportunities to collect a number of ghost stories and spectral phenomena that are shared in this book.
The stories of ghostly nuns, poltergeists, mad monks, returning dead members of staff and patients are told in all hospitals.
This is the best of them in one book.
An eerie collection to keep anyone awake at night.
Dare to visit St. Augustine's hospital?

Kindle edition also available 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016SCZGUM

The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary

THE ULTIMATE PHANTASMS IN THE INFIRMARY
ISBN-13: 978-1518652295 (CreateSpace-Assigned) 
ISBN-10: 1518652298 
BISAC: Fiction / Ghost

As planned, "The Ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary" is about to be published and available on Kindle and Paperback (CreateSpace).
Phantasms Galore will be available in time for All hallows Eve - Halloween.

The paperback has a nice matt finish and the black and white theme really suits it...

This is an amalgamation of both Vol I and Vol II resulting in "one hell of a book of ghost stories"
I am really pleased with it and so will you.

It is not just another book, it is several different theories put into practice too.
The stories have been developed from tales shared in many hospitals by many health care workers.
They have been spiced up for the delectation of the reader - You!
Two authors have contributed to it plus the Facebook page has produced an extra story that is included within it.
The third difference is that reader contributions have been added.

A Special Thanks goes to Pete Woolgar (Sussex,UK).
Pete was instrumental in adding in the seeds of the extra story and the results... Genius!

What happens now?
Well, I am just awaiting the review process to be completed, then after this, it will be available.
Next, get the book read and make it a top read around the world... Nothing wrong in dreaming big!

Be patient my friends, it is coming soon....

An ingenious story to download on Kindle for only £0.99

It's really on... My second foray into writing....
After publishing Legally Lucky, I wrote this one
This is challenging in many ways. It is a different deep and ingenious take on sci fi, science, phobias and environmental issues.
It is full of twists and turns that will keep you hooked on a very different type of story.
#PhobicWars #Amazon.co.uk
#Kindle Countdown Deal
October 16, 2015 to October 23, 2015 from 08:00 which means its been available at a discount price for just over an hour and a half and already, there have been several downloads..

Click on this link to get a dose of Phobic Wars
phobic wars

Phobic deals

It's really on.....
#PhobicWars #Amazon.co.uk
#Kindle Countdown Deal
October 16, 2015to October 23, 2015
http://t.co/x8D85g0yH1

Sorry... Kindle Countdown Deal for Phobic Wars rescheduled

Ghosts in the machine mean that the kindle Countdown Deal for Phobic Wars has been delayed until the16th oOctober on Amazon.co.uk...  Apologies...

Tweet

Take a look at @Author_man_ram's Tweet: https://twitter.com/Author_man_ram/status/654066442111950848?s=09

Chilling through painting

Apart from writing, I do enjoy a spot of painting.. Again,  it's a form of relaxation after a hard days work.
Today,  I painted a watercolour of my home, Gibraltar inspired by a photo posted on Facebook.
It's an hours painting..   Not a protracted piece but it relaxed and pleased me...  Needs a couple of finishing touches. Once done,  I'm getting it framed.
Asked an artist friend of mine and will try  mounting it with a 20mm wide white card border in a 15mm wide white frame, should look good, oh and glass in front too...
Any thoughts?

For the fiction aficionado... Phobic Wars

The following is an extract from Phobic Wars.
My second book published that is available on kindle Countdown Deal on the 14th  of October

It's a complex and entertaining read guaranteed to meet your needs as a fiction aficionado....

Who is Miss Sally Mack?

 It was a cold November morning, the snow had come early and the ward had seemed to admit half the population of the town. Obviously this was not the fact but it felt like it. The inclement weather and the low temperatures of minus ten degrees with a wind-chill factor of minus fifteen (Why not call it minus fifteen?) made many of the elderly patients quite unwell. On top of the bad weather, there was a particularly difficult strain of influenza hitting the community and the nation as a whole. The admissions ward was full to the brim, and there was a bed crisis in the hospital as always. A bed crisis is the term used when there are more patients needing beds in hospital than there are beds available. The crisis had escalated to Red on the Red, Amber, Green scale of bed management! All non-essential operations were called off, all staff available to cover any shifts were called in and in general, the movement of people, personnel, beds and equipment was planned and executed effectively by a bunch of managers and there teams. Frances was on duty on this day, working as hard and as fast as she could, supported by her team and colleagues. The phone rang for the umpteenth time that afternoon and the ward clerk jotted more details on the board, 3 patients coming up from the admissions unit. All three had “exacerbation of C.O.P.D.”as their diagnosis. With all the workload and the low numbers of staff, as a number of staff members were also suffering with the influenza virus, Frances needed to be dynamic with the management of her team. She asked a senior student and a more junior student to admit two of the patients, two males who were going to be allocated to one part of the ward and she would admit the lady, a Miss Sally Mack. The students would help each other and she could get on with the admission and any other pressing stuff that may be required of her and then she might squeeze in the I.V.’s and write up the reports and maybe cram in a quick cup of strong coffee to keep her going? At half past four in the afternoon, just before the evening meals were about to be served, Miss Mack and the two gents came from the admissions unit. Timing in hospitals is never right…Like a convoy of slow moving vehicles, the beds were wheeled in by burly porters and nursing staff, clad with notes, clothes, drips and oxygen tubing. Frances directed them to the spaces allocated for them and proceeded to delegate some tasks to Linda and Jill who were on duty too. As she was about to greet Miss Mack, the phone call she had heard in the background had been answered by one of the students and she said, ‘sister, it’s the E.R. asking to speak with you urgently’she turned and headed for the phone, gesticulating to the Porter to accompany the lady to the space in bed 5. Following the conversation about a possible other patient with a pneumothorax and chest drain in situ coming up to them, Frances directed her attentions to processing Miss Mack’s admission. She approached Miss Mack who by this point she was sitting comfortably on the bed, with the head-rest out, fluffed pillows and looking quite comfortable, despite the whooshing oxygen being delivered via the nasal specs. Her blue nightdress went quite well with her current complexion but hopefully, they would remedy this in the next few days. Frances approached her and said ‘Hello Miss Mack, welcome to ward 9’. Frances put her hand out to greet Miss Mack and then she noticed she had webbed fingers to both hands. Syndactyly. This was the rare Type 4: Haas-type syndactyly which was complete webbing, or complete syndactyly of all digits. She also had cupped hands. This was not mentioned prior to admission, the only problem she could foresee was that she may not be able to check her oxygen saturations with a finger probe and may need an ear probe. Practicalities of nursing care...! Frances tried not to show any shock on her face but it was too late, Miss Mack had noticed, but she said ‘it’s okay dear; it is not something you probably see every day’. She was right; Frances had seen clubbed fingers, cyanosed fingers, missing fingers, broken fingers, burnt fingers etc. but never webbed fingers. ‘I am sorry if I appeared rude but ...’‘Please dear’, Miss Mack interrupted, ‘don’t worry or apologise, you were not rude at all’‘Please call me Sally’. ‘I am Frances, the ward sister ‘she retorted. Frances proceeded to make her feel welcome and underwent the admission process, efficiently and with speed, not compromising on quality for the sake of getting the paperwork done. There was something atypical about her condition, during the admission questions she had noted that she was diagnosed with COPD yet she had never smoked, she was not an asthmatic or ever been ill before, her records were surprisingly small for someone so ill. What also made her curious was that her chest x-ray had shown she had pulmonary oedema yet her chest was remarkably clear of any crackles, strange! She was allergic to diuretics so none were prescribed and she noted that her blue discolouration, cyanosis, was not much better with her oxygen flowing at 2 litres per minute and her blood gases were quite normal, despite all the respiratory effort and breathlessness. Within 30 minutes, she was clerked in and ready for a bite of something warm to eat and a nice warm cup of tea. Hospital food can be quite off putting at times but hospital tea will help anything flow down the oesophagus. The meals, medicines, I.V. drugs, nebulisers and the plethora of other things that needed to be done had been done. The patients were comfortable, clean, fed and watered. Frances now had some time to herself as the visiting time was underway and she could catch up with the lesser priorities such as taking a quick break and resting. The shift was finally nearly over, ‘what a busy one it had been’Frances thought. She prepared all the information to hand over to the night shift and allowed the students off the ward a little early as they had worked their socks off and this was her way of thanking them, as well as saying ‘thanks for all your hard work today’. They left the ward with beaming smiles, feeling useful and part of the workforce. Frances handed over to the night shift and left for home, but not before she went down the ward and checked all was to her satisfaction. All was in order and as she passed by Sally Mack’s bed, she heard her say, ‘Frances, please go home and have a good rest, you cannot do any more for anyone else today, have a bath, have some food, have a warm drink and let your dreams take you on a nice long swim …’Frances smiled and said good night and walked off. However, as she left the ward, she recalled that last conversation and thought ‘a nice long swim’. What is a strange analogy’but thought nothing else of it. She drove home, in the winter weather; concentrating on the traitorous icy roads beneath the newly settling snow. She looked forward to the bath and rest, this triggered off another recall of that conversation with Sally and her watery comments. She arrived home, and run from the car, despite the snow. It was cold and she was looking forward to that elusive nice warm bubble-bath, putting the kettle and on and making herself a big mug of hot chocolate and the radio in the background chilling out. Once all this was done and she settled to bed, wrapped herself in her duvet and she finally relaxed and rested and seemed to go into a warm slumber.    

Greek mythology mixed with science

Phobic Wars
#legends of #Atlantis #kindle #countdown #deal
From October 14th-18th £0.99.... 59% #discount
Phobic Wars #Amazon.co.uk
http://t.co/x8D85gia5B

El muerto... Phantasms in the Infirmary Vol II

Story one in the new book...

‘Don’t look at him straight in the face, whatever you do’the grandfather said to his grandson ‘Why grandad?’enquired the young child as he held his grandfather’s hand, now with a firmer grip than previously.
‘He is a zombie, the living dead’ he remarked. ‘If he looks at you and you look back at him, he will measure you up for the coffin you will soon be lying in’he added. Julian never forgot that. After all, this was quite the weighted statement for a young child to hear in the sponge-like formative years where all is absorbed, digested and learnt.
The person he was referring to was a strange; dysmorphic man that always wore a shirt, tie and dark suit.
He was dishevelled despite the attire, which incidentally was ill fitting and looked like they belonged to somebody else, twice his size. This man, Mr O’Hara, looked quite frightening as his head seemed out of proportion to the rest of his body, small and pea-like in comparison. His arms were long and a short torso carried him through the busy streets of the town. He always seemed solemn and down. What made matters worse was that he never seemed to be clean shaven or sport a beard. It was that scruffy and annoying in-between growth. The eyes were his worse feature. One looked at you, the other away from you…! All in all, it was easy to believe why he was called “El Muerto”the dead man. His function was that of an assistant to a funeral director. He was lowly paid for all the grafting he did when a funeral was in the planning. He would liaise between the local grave diggers and the family and help ensure all went well. As well as a funeral could go. The rumour had it that he was born from an incestuous liaison between siblings. This was unverifiable but it created the negative mystique this man bared and carried on a daily basis. He was visible on a daily basis. He would walk through the town conducting his funereal business and occasionally run into some kinfd of argument with a passer by taking the liberty of bullying him. Nevertheless, Julian always respected and remembered what his grandad had said and never looked him in the eye. It was many years later that as a young student nurse, he came in on duty for a shift on the surgical ward and lo and behold, there he was…Mr O’Hara was sitting on a bed, in red and white, candy stripped pyjamas, again, looking like they had been borrowed off someone else. The shoulder areas hanging well off the shoulders, top tucked in the trousers and his trousers tied around the top of this with a thick cord. Not a great sight by any means. He looked at Julian, straight in the face and smiled as if to say hello. This young student was taken aback by this. How was he supposed to react with the inner conflicts that now run through him? His grandfather had advised avoidance of any contact in his formative years but now he had to be professional and make some kind of contact with him. This was his duty and obligation. Julian smiled back, a disingenuous smile but none the less a minor breakthrough. ‘Hello young man, what is your name?’Mr O’Hara directed the question straight at him. ‘Erm, Julian’he replied. ‘ErmJulian?, that is a strange name?’remarked the patient, mocking the young man…‘No Just Julian’he added hastily. ‘Pleased to make your acquaintance, I am Tony’the man said as he now stretched his hand out in friendship and awaited the young nurses reciprocal hand. What a dilemma, not only was he having to face him, talk to him but now having to touch “El Muerto”but he did. He inwardly shuddered but made no obvious signs of outward revulsion. This was awful as the judgements he had made over the years that were just malicious rumours were having an impact on his interactions with a patient. Julian composed himself. ‘So, Mr O’Hara, what brings you into St Augustine’s then?’‘I have a hernia that needs repairing, been shifting too many bodies around I guess’as a broke into an eerie chuckle. So much for the breakthrough, the inner child kicked in and he stepped back slightly, enough to be noticed by the older man sitting next to them. He said, ‘don’t let this old bastard tease you with his stories, he is alright really, don’t be frightened, it’s the living you have to fear, not the dead’and they burst out laughing. The ice broken, Julian slowly recognised that this poor man had been dealt a very raw deal in life, remarkably well spoken and witty; he had never been given the chances he should have had, because of his physical appearance. Julian felt sorry for him rather than fear. Over the coming days he got to know the man and not the infamous legend that shrouded him. He managed his care and grew quite fond of him, helping out wherever he could in the pre and post-operative stages to his full recovery. He had spent a good week in hospital, he was now clean shaven daily and seemed to have filled into his attire a little more. Mr O’Hara was now mobilising well and his pain was under control, the wound was healing and discharge home loomed over the horizon. It was just after the evening meals had been distributed and prior to the evening medication round, Julian stood beside his patient and asked, ‘All ready to go home soon then Tony?’‘Yes indeed I am, I cannot wait to get back to work and get out of here’. ‘Oh, why the hurry?’‘Well Julian, you know they call me “El Muerto”don’t you?’Ashamedly he replied ‘Well yes, but that is nonsense and very cruel’‘Thank you for the vote of confidence but there is some truth in that I do see and speak to the dead’Julian now regressed to his child-like state, all the work he had done to ensure he was not put off by the malicious myth that surrounded this man was well and truly out of the window…Tony sensed this and replied ‘You have nothing to fear as long as you remain as helpful and compassionate as you are but be aware’. ‘Aware of what?’he asked nervously, not really looking forward to the reply. ‘Be aware that there are many spirits in this place, the long departed that have remained here for their own gains, some are good but many are not’. Julian was uncomfortable with this and challenged the patient by saying ‘surely you do not believe in all of those ghosts stories do you?’‘They are not all stories, be warned, be careful and be vigilant, there is a lot of danger in here, I have seen it over the last few days’. ‘Do you remember the last two patient’s that passed away?’‘Yes of course’he replied. ‘Well they were taken by the Dark Angel’. Now terrified, he tried to rationalise the statement by saying that the patients he was referring to had died as expected due to their underlying pathology. O’Hara now looked at him straight in the eyes. His meandering eye, strangely focussed on him and said ‘There is a dark Angel in this ward that does its rounds every night, it floats in and looks at everyone, whilst they sleep, I have seen it’. ‘Once it decides on who it wants, the dark matter engulfs he person and they are taken by it…’‘Come on Tony, don’t say these things, they cannot be true’‘Well if they aren’t true, then tell me why they seem to die between the stroke of two and quarter past the hour?’‘Check the records if you do not believe me’‘I will’replied the young man ‘…but why are you telling me this?’‘I like you, you have been kind to me and I want you to protect yourself, the Dark Angel will take many and is not fussed by who it takes, if he takes a fancy to a staff member, it will take them…’Mr O’Hara now said firmly as he held Julian’s arm ‘Leave this ward, leave this hospital as soon as you can, it is not safe’. Saved by the bell, the call buzzer was loudly blowing and Julian made his excuses and left him to attend to the needs of another patient. The shift got busy with numerous tasks and admissions galore. Although he was intrigued by the tête-à-tête with his unusual patient Julian did not have a chance to return to his patient “El Muerto”. The conversation had remained unfinished and maybe this was a small blessing. Julian had pondered on the significance of this all and how it would affect his career choices, based on ghost stories? Maybe leaving the dialogue hanging could help him in not making any rash decisions? He was on another late the next day so he knew he would not get to say goodbye to the much maligned man he had got to know, like but now fear again. The next day, on shift, he came in a little early in order to look at the ward register. He was inquisitive and a little intrigued. Was there any truth or pattern to this ? He took out the old register and looked at the deaths and noted the vast amount of “time of death”entries for 02: 00 –02: 15. It seemed unnaturally high. He looked down at the register over the last few weeks and it seemed to give substance to the supernatural theory That O’Hara had eluded to. He followed the register down to the last week and then …there it was, the latest entry “Mr Anthony O’Hara; time of death 02.14”. The “Dark Angel”, the angel of death he had referred to had come to collect him. Julian wondered if Mr O’Hara had guessed this was going to be the outcome? Improbable and quite impossible however the facts were there…Mr O’Hara was expected to make a full recovery, but as “El Muerto”himself had said if the angel wants you, he will take you…. There is no choice!

Phantasms

The ultimate Phantasms in the Infirmary book

I've been thinking about the amalgamation of Vol I and Vol II of Phantasms in the Infirmary into one Ultimate book with all the stories in it plus some unique to the edition story.

The reason for this is not all commercially driven but access driven too.

I needyyour opinion on this.
Is it viable and needed?
In other words, will it sell?

Let me know your thoughts on this, seriously....

Thamks folks

New story evolving

The bright full moon shone on the stark looking edifice. St. Augastine's hospital was quiet and peaceful, apart from the occasional breeze whistling through the long corridors, you could say you could hear a pin drop. Now, the overwhelming silence, overpowering and all consuming was suddenly broken by a shrill scream of a woman's voice.
The fear was palpable as the young nurse was rooted to the spot,  her heart pounding within her chest, pale and hyperventilating, something scary had just happened.
Not only had the silence broken but a strange aroma began to fill the space. It was almost like the sulphur of a recently snuffed match.
The nurse tried to move but, somehow, her legs would just not work.
She felt incredibly cold and could even see the puffs of her erratic breathing form clouds as she exhaled.
A slow, steady tapping sound started at the far end of the corridor.
Her colleagues hurriedly came to her assistance only to be equally arrested by what they encountered, a strange and inexplicable form that darted from end to end of the four bedded bay, knocking the overhead lighting with the expanse of its form. It was huge, bizarre and dark, very dark.  The swollen blackness creating the tapping as it collided against the dimmed fluorescent bulbs.

Take part..

Writing a story together

I'm planning on joining up Phantasms in the Infirmary Vol I and Vol II into a compendium of scary hospital horror.
Obviously, I don't want to cannibalise sales so would leave the separate entities (pardon the pun) available for separate purchase.
However, there has to be something different in the amalgamated edition so I thought it would be great to write a scary hospital horror tale together with you all..  What are yourtthoughts on this?

How I will it work?
Add in and build the Story
On Google and on my Facebook page

https:// www.facebook.com/Ramsbooks

Once we have a complete story, edit and include in the joint version.

Sounds like a good idea?

I'll give it a week for replies then we will start building it....

Not long to go....

Ghosts
Ghosts fortunately aren't just for English speakers.
They are a worldwide phenomenon...

The Spanish version of Phantasms in the Infirmary is available very soon...  In time for Halloween.

BOO is boo in any languageand screams of fear are the same in any ttongue.

Obviously, there will be reminders nearer the time.

Phantasms series

Working in hospitals for most of my life have given me many experiences to reflect on.
Most are positive and treasured.
Some are not so...  Which is why Phantasms in the Infirmary was written and followed up by Phantasms in the Infirmary Vol II.
The spectral activity retold within the books is based on experiences from beyond the grave that have been shared by colleagues and friends.
They are adapted into the works of horror fiction that contained within the pages of these novels.
Ghostly monks and disembodied voices, nuns of death and shadows that attempt to  take life.
Nurses that have never clocked out of shifts and others make an entertaining and colourful read.
They are ideal for reading alone or sharing in a group... Especially late at night, only of you dare.

The Phantasms series is one I would obviously reccomend not only as one of the authors but also as a reader....

You will never be able to attend a hospital appointment or visit in the same way for fear of the ghosts that lurk in the Infirmary...

Don't feel left out - check it out

Kindle Surprise

Here is a light read that is sure to send your hairs in the back of your neck into a tingle...
Goosebumps galore with this collection of short stories that follow on from Volume one.
To make it extra special - it is available on a Kindle countdown deal for only a few more days.

Don't feel left out - check it out

Click and download as at the top of this email....
Enjoy and don't have nightmares


New review for the first one....

Phantasms in the Infirmary
  Read it .....if you dare !
By MR H. - 2 Oct. 2015
A page turner ....if you are brave enough....maybe not for a late night read. Author obviously has endured many a night shift ...in the shadows and what was that creak or groan ...great read and now there is a second volume to savour

Deal with the ghostly tales

It's on....  Phantasms in the Infirmary Vol II is on kindle Countdown Deal Amazon.com now.
Download it  soon....

Nice comments

Great inspiration
Driving more work...
Take a look at @FightingTheSky's Tweet: https://twitter.com/FightingTheSky/status/649309177924464640?s=09

Complexity in hauntings

Ghostly hauntings

This link will take you to the Phantasms lurking in hospitals and it's the follow up to our book Phantasms in the Infirmary.

It's a limited offer so pleaseddownload and enjoy the complexity of the stories.

Growing up

We've just left Poland, having spent a few days meeting our new grandson, Castiel.
Hes a little smasher.

Now sitting on the plane listening to my  stored music on my Samsung galaxy note 4....
Among The many classic tunes,  Yeah  by Usher just played.
This always reminds me of our three boys and the first time we went clubbing with them...  The song holds connotations of the transition from little boys to young men.  Seeing them throw some shapes on the dance floor to this song.
Appropriate as we are leaving our little man and his parents behind.  Sad but also many happy memories now that will take us to the next time we meet

Bravery in writing

Having read Battle for the three mile, I salute the bravery of authors and their conviction to tell la story that matters.

C. P. Ridgeworth does precisely this in her fictional story but it is directly based on truth and experience that occur to Gibraltarians on a near daily basis.

Obviously, I am familiar with the roots of this as I too orignate from the rock.

Are there any authors you can think of that could  be added  to the list of authors with a fictional true message to tell?

Please let me know as I'd be interested in your thoughts and recommendations to further read the genre.

In the mean time.. Well done Clara

New book release from Clare Ridgeworth

Started reading this new book by C. P. Ridgeworth.
Battle For The Three Miles Kindle

It's a political thriller that I hope never comes true.
It addresses Gibraltarian fears of invasion.

Excellent read,  starts subtly but develops into a crescendo of action .

Glued to it.

Well done Clara xxx

Arrival

I ordered my copies of the new novel...
They arrived safely today.
A batch of the new batch.

Blog feed on Amazon Author Page

I have updated my Author page on Amazon
It takes a little doing at my age... LOL

Anyway, added a URL and also added the Blog feed into it so hope this is useful...fingers crossed

URL

Discount codes as a thanks for reading my blog

Discount codes help shift books....  Here is one for mine on createspace.

How to redeem it?
Go to CreateSpace.com
Find the books you need

Type the following on purchases of Phantasms in the Infirmary and Phantasms in the Infirmary Vol II

VM58XCZG

Money off!!!!

Simplicity itself

Waiting for the dentist

Kindle Countdown deal
Mental Dental (Murder by Proxy) is about to be available for download... scheduled for the 22 Sept 2015 for a limited period only.
Due to time differences between the USA and UK,  it is scheduled but not yet active GRRRRR!

Well that is what I thought but because I am in the UK and not USA, I cannot see that the offer is on... so wait no more - download a great book today

Mental Dental (MBP) is an ingenious and entertaining read with characters that could prove to be your worst nightmare.
Help Dr Jessie Stack establish the truth, detect the crimes and assist in solving them.

If you do not enjoy gong to the dentist now, I promise you will be even more cautious after reading this Killer Thriller.

Here is the link for it folks... MD (MBP)

Enjoy

Swedish following

For the very first time since I started blogging, it's not UK or USA as the top views but Sweden.
Thanks for the follow and support ... Tack

Hours to go

Only a few hours to go till you can get a copy of Mental Dental (MBP) for a Crazy Price on Amazon.com
Tell your friends,  tell them to tell their friends and see if we can get this ingenious and entertaining book read and up the charts...

It's on.... 22nd September

Mental Dental (Murder by Proxy)
My third book and a great seller is available on kindle Countdown Deal Amazon.com from the date above...

Jesse Stack is a young dentist accused of killing one of her patients.
She now needs to not only prove her innocence but establish who and why.

Help Jessie Stack right the wrongs and catch the psychopathic killer dentists.
Get your teeth into this great book and help solve the crimes.

Remember it's available at a knock down price... For a limited number of days only.

What was included amongst the reviews.... I thought the plot ingenious and entertaining (although hopefully implausible!) and I'm sure it has done nothing to help foster good patient-dentist

Why so cheap?  I need the reviews... Simple

Post 666 on the blog.... Halloween as Christmas is around the corner

Halloween as Christmas is around the corner.
In preparation for this, both Phantasms in the Infirmary and Phantasms in the Infirmary Vol II The new batch are available to read.
They are both available on my amazon author page.
Excellent spooky short stories involving haunted hospital horror.
They are ideal for reading alone or sharing in a group to make this Halloween, extra frighteningly special.

A great genre,  hospital horro... Hauntings galore.
A plethora of things going bump in the night, ghosts, spectral activity and poltergeists...
Don't miss out....

Mental Dental Kindle Deal

Mental Dental (Murder by Proxy)
#THRILLER eBook 5 stars available in Kindle Countdown Deal on Amazon.co.uk for under a pound.
Limited time only
Kindle

Dentistry nightmares...

Weekend Madness
Kindle Countdown Deal

Kindle Countdown Deal

Starts September 19, 2015 at 8:00 AM (GMT)48h £0.99... MASSIVE discount of 60%
Ends September 21, 2015 at 8:00 AM (GMT)Original list price £2.47

Killer psychopaths in charge of Dental care... Horrific

Fan mail

Great to get two cards today with acknowledgement and appreciate the comments on Phantasms in the Infirmary and Phobic Wars

Paperback ghostly short stories

Phantasms in the Infirmary Vol II
The new batch ...

Paperback format available at createspace

Need the link?  Look no further,  here it is
Enjoy

Volume II... One of the stories to wet your appetite...

One of the stories contained in Phantasms in the Infirmary Vol II 

The Meandering Monk
The ancient building housed an old chapel that had been used for many different ceremonies and services over the years. The structure, although majestic and beautiful with a tall tower that stemmed from within the heart of the building also had an aura of menacing discomfort to it. It was the source of numerous reports that involved a ghostly monk. This monk had been witnessed by many individuals over the decades and was supposed to haunt the chapel, often described as wearing a dark hooded cloak, hands tucked inside his sleeves with a small crucifix hanging from the girdle around his cloak. A sinister glow emanated from the apparition that unmistakably differentiated it from a live human form, it was definitely a ghost. What made the sinister figure frightening was the fact it would circle the chapel slowly and effortlessly, hovering above the grass and concrete that surrounded it. It would then suddenly disappear, reappearing at the top of the thirty foot tower before letting out an unearthly screech as he fell onto the ground below. The thud would be heard and felt by any witnesses and the mangled body of the monk could be seen for a couple of minutes before dematerializing in front of their eyes. The screaming banshee of the monk could never be pre-empted; it was always a random appearance and not something anyone could prepare for. The only certainty was that it always remained a shock to any innocent witnesses to this tragedy that was caught in a perpetual catastrophic loop in time, replayed over the years. Over the decades, it was established that this was Brother Piers, a monk from an order of Franciscan Monks that had helped in the days when the hospital was an orphanage. It transpired that Brother Piers seemed to be very attracted to the young boys and was overly familiar with some. The then Abbott of the St Augustine friary had been informed of this Brother Piers’affinity for children and suspected him of being a paedophile. One afternoon, following another accusation of child molestation, the Abbott summoned the Brother Piers to his office and addressed the issue. He laid down the law as the accused monk protested his innocence, however the evidence had been gathered and his investigations had irrefutable proof he had sexually molested at least three boys. The Abbott had told him that he would be excommunicated and he would never work with children ever again. The disturbed Piers apparently run away from the office, crying in shame and confusion. He was next seen at the Chapel, praying and then walked around the building, encircling the area several times before climbing up the tower and leaping off it, plummeting to his shameful death. It was said that his ghost could never leave as he was in purgatory due to his actions and sins. He was destined to walk the earth in a shameful act of penance, chained to the area of his eventual act of cowardice and despair. There was never any issue with this spectral phenomenon, he had not harmed anyone else until one night one of the witnesses, Mr. Huddart, an acutely ill patient’s relative had snuck out of the main building for a calming cigarette and had found his way to the area of the chapel. The moonlight shone on the small, disused graveyard that harbored many of the previous inmates of the hospital in its different guises through the ages. The gravestones were ancient but nevertheless, interesting reading. Mr. Huddart was intrigued by them and innocently approached one of the older gravestones as he took another big puff from his cigarette. All was quite serene and calm when unexpectedly he felt coldness focused on the area he stood in. He turned to look for the origin of the change and was facing the Monk. At first, he was unable to distinguish if the man that faced him was moral or not but then noticed the aura around the hooded apparition and also the way he glided around the area. This was not a human. The proof of this encounter with a ghost was summed up when the ghost walked straight through Mr. Huddart, as if he was not there. He felt a shudder and the instant terror of what he was experiencing, goosebumps and all. He turned and cried ‘get off me…’as he now looked at the back of the cloaked sullen figures head. He hoped that he would carry on, the phantom monk would continue on his eternal treadmill and not focus on him, however the reverse transpired. The ghostly figure of Brother Piers turned and now, at a quickened pace, was heading back to the man who was definitely n the wrong place at the wrong time. ‘Please no, why me? He cried with a worried plea. ‘Please, leave me alone’I don’t mean you any harm’he remarked. However the spectral presence was now upon him. He took out his ghostly right arm from the left hand sleeve where he had housed it for eternity and plunged into the man’s chest. The screams echoed in the silent night. The cry of pain was soon accompanied by a cold sweat and a crushing chest pain as he writhed and slumped on the wet night grass, clutching at his chest. Help was soon at hand as other visitors and members of staff run purposefully to aid the fallen man. As they approached, they saw the unearthly presence with his right hand firmly protruding into the dying Mr. Huddart. The phantom monk was not dissuaded by the oncoming would be rescuers. He stood his ground and seemed to grasp at the very soul of his victim. The cries and laments were audible as he cried out ‘please, please don’t kill me, I didn’t mean to hurt her, oh god, I am sorry’and these were the last words he uttered as the life was extinguished by this murderous paedophile from the past. Around eight people witnessed this execution by the executioner from another dimension. The monk now faced the small crowd and his face, contorted by an evil driving force changed. Brother Piers now seemed satisfied and strangely peaceful following this unsolicited murder. Why he had changed his mood puzzled the on looking and worried crowd? ‘Who is he going to target next?’one of the pack cried out, perturbed by the ghostly sight before them. At this moment the spectral force extracted his supernatural arm from the lifeless body of the man laying at his feet, he sighed and disappeared. The gathered mass now doubled in number as some of the medics amongst them tried to resuscitate the cold remains of Mr. Huddart but alas in vain. The motionless face of the dead man peered straight at the night sky, unresponsive and taken by the paranormal dark force. One of the people called the emergency services, now that would be one hell of a statement they would all have to give! How could they explain the inexplicable events they had just been unfortunate enough to witness? The police arrived, two cars initially with four officers in them and then more. They busied themselves with the initial segregation of the murder scene as they hurriedly cordoned off the murder scene. The others were occupied with taking names and writing them down on their black note books, pens scribbling away manically. Almost immediately, the members of the press were buzzing around, like flies on a newly laid turd, they hovered and ear wigged into conversations, interrupting proceedings at times and filming everything and anyone they could. Innocent man slaughtered by ghostly paedophile monk …This story would sell. The Police crew amassed as now the people in the white overalls appeared, hooded and gowned, masks around their faces and gloved up to the hilt, they erected a small tent around the fatally wounded Huddart. Large lamps supplied the much needed light as they did their investigating and gathering for the clues that forensic science would yield and allow the eventual conclusions, hoping to ultimately solve the murder. The multitude of witness statements were taken by the officers as they traced all the detail to its minutia. ‘Anything, however insignificant can be important, please tell us what you witnessed?’was the standard statement. Every statement related the same scenario “a ghostly monk had murdered this seemingly innocent man”who by all intents and purposes was only guilty of smoking a cigarette in the hospital grounds. Surely the anti-smoking lobby had not resorted to these lengths to stop smoking! Within a matter of hours, the teams of the local law enforcement agency had all they would need and area was vacated, the body decanted to the mortuary where a post mortem would follow. The details of who the victim was were acquired by one of the officers, Mr. Edward Huddart, a forty six year old local man. He was a single parent and father to one seven year old daughter, Naomi. There were no relatives other than his young daughter who was an in-patient at the hospital. Everyone anxiously awaited any answers to this unprovoked and bizarre murder. The post mortem was carried out the next day. The pathologists conclusion were that the man had suffered a ruptured heart. He claimed he had never seen anything like it in all his years. ‘The patient’s heart had been crushed to a pulp’. ‘The force that needed to have done this was equivalent of an industrial car crushing machine…’They now knew how he died but still no clues as to why. The clues were pieced together slowly over the coming days. It transpired that the relative, Mr. Huddart, was visiting was his daughter who was in hospital. He wasn’t the innocent victim but more like a reprisal from beyond. He had abused Naomi for many years, sexually and physically harming the blameless young girl and in a state of passion had strangled her on the day of admission to hospital. In the conscious efforts to right his wrong, he had brought her into the emergency department concocting a lie of how the Naomi had strangled herself on the cord from the bathroom blinds. This was never believed by the staff as the mechanics of the injuries were inconsistent with the bruising and conclusions of initial assessments. Naomi now lay on a life support machine in the intensive care unit. Fighting for life. Huddart was a paedophile and when Brother Piers had walked through him, he obviously detected this and was determined to rid the world of this evil. The social workers had suspected he had been abusing Naomi but were never able to get enough facts to arrest and convict him. He had been very clever in covering his steps. Brother Piers however, had. His spectral detection was spot on. He had uncovered the truth within seconds and sentenced the perpetrator to death…Judge, jury and executioner in one. So why was this paedophile monk so keen to uncover a fellow child molester and expedite this gruesome act? As more interest in the case grew, more research into the history of the place and the killer monk was undertaken. The archives proved stated that Brother Piers was innocent of his crimes. He had always loved children and would never harm anyone. It transpires that some of the children who were in the workhouse at the time had confessed to wanting to play a sick prank on this gullible holy man. The prank had gone horrifically and disastrously wrong. Unimaginable as it was, this tom-foolery had led to the innocent man taking his own life. This man of the cloth had been wrongly accused but the shame of it all lead to his untimely and horrid death from the leap of shame. He’d taken his own life; he could not face the slur and accusatory repercussions. Rightly or wrongly, he committed a mortal
sin by choosing suicide and this was why he had remained in purgatory. These actions now exonerated him from everything, he was acquitted and he was now able to finally rest. He was never seen in the chapel area since but did make one more appearance. Naomi had been attached to machines and tubes for days, she was not responding to treatment and the nurses and doctors in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit were considering switching her life support off. As sad as this was, there seemed no way back for the poor little victim of such horrific injuries and repeated abuse. It was hours before the decision would be executed that a nurse saw a bright light coming from the room where Naomi was. On investigating the source, she clearly saw the figure of a monk, Brother Piers had returned. This time though, his dark cassock was bright white, he was silent and composed. There seemed to be no pain or dark force attached to him now. He was like an angel. Although sinister, as any supernatural encounter must be, it was a calming presence as the cassock wearing ghost reached out and placed his hand on the young girls head. The apparition now seemed to bow his head and pray. The nurse called for one of her colleagues to urgently witness what she was seeing. Both stood aghast as the glowing light intensified. They were rooted to the spot but intrigued, not frightened and did not call for help. It seemed like an eternity that the unresponsive child lay there in the medicalized environment, the obscure silence broken only by the bleeps and whirs from monitors and the rhythmic ventilator, set at twenty two breaths per minute. The light intensified, blindingly bright and warm. A few seconds later, the ghost of Brother Piers lifted his hand and stood there admiringly at the young child. As if by a miracle, Naomi slowly opened her eyes from the long slumber she had been in. She faced this radiant angel and she smiled at him as he smiled back. He then turned towards the flabbergasted nurses, smiled at them and dematerialized. Was this a miracle of medicine or a helping hand from a friendly ghost? Brother Piers was never to be seen again