Alexander of Macedonia was not “the Great” to everyone, but regardless of whether you counted yourself friend, family, or foe, the boy king dominated your world for over a decade. Alexander's story has been told a thousand times – and almost always by those who consider him a hero – or something akin to a god. But although Alexander loomed over the world of the early 4th Century BC, his is not the only story of that age worth telling. Those who followed, fought, served, worshipped, loved, hated, or suffered at the hands of Alexander also all had stories worth telling.

This book is all about their stories – the stories of those who lived in the shadow cast by Alexander the Great. These are tales I came across while doing the research for my Throne of Darius historical military fiction series, whose principal characters, real and imagined, fought AGAINST Alexander. Although they did not fit in the Throne of Darius books, they still stuck with me and inspired me to write short stories. I decided to present them to you as they are generally mostly unknown but interesting and entertaining.

Alexander the Great would have been furious at the disrespect shown to him in this novel. His mother, Olympias, would have surely cursed the author for depicting her son as a blood-thirsty glory-hound with delusions of godhood. On the other hand, Darius, the king whose throne Alexander lusted for, and Memnon, the general who was for a time the young Macedonian's greatest foe, are likely smiling in their graves, relieved that someone west of the Bosphorus has finally told their side of the story.
Princess of Persia is the second book in the series which began with Throne of Darius: A Captain of Thebes. It continues the story of the Greek and Persian men and women – and one woman in particular - to whom Alexander was anything but “great,” and tells the tale of the young world conqueror from the perspective not of those who worshipped him – but of those who fought against him.

Sacker of Cities is the third book in the series which began with Throne of Darius: A Captain of Thebes. It continues the story of the Greek and Persian men and women – and one woman in particular, a Princess of Persia – to whom Alexander was anything but “great.” From the battlefield of Issos to the walls of Tyre, and from the chambers of a captive queen to the waves of the wine-dark sea, this is the continuing saga not of those who worshipped the young world conqueror – but of those who stood against him.

Alexander the Great would have been furious at the disrespect shown to him in this novel. His mother, Olympias, would have surely cursed the author for depicting her son as a blood-thirsty glory-hound with delusions of godhood. On the other hand, Darius, the king whose throne Alexander lusted for, and Memnon, the general who was for a time the young Macedonian's greatest foe, are likely smiling in their graves, relieved that someone west of the Bosphorus has finally told their side of the story.
Princess of Persia is the second book in the series which began with Throne of Darius: A Captain of Thebes. It continues the story of the Greek and Persian men and women – and one woman in particular - to whom Alexander was anything but “great,” and tells the tale of the young world conqueror from the perspective not of those who worshipped him – but of those who fought against him.

Princess of Persia is the second in the series which began with Throne of Darius: A Captain of Thebes. It continues the story of the Greek and Persian men and women – and one woman in particular - to whom Alexander was anything but “great,” and tells the tale of the young world conqueror from the perspective not of those who worshipped him – but of those who fought against him.

Ancient Thebes, 335BC. Alexander savagely crushes the Theban revolt against his rule. Swearing revenge for their once glorious city, Dimitrios, a captain of the Theban army, physician Klemes, and soldier Ari, join General Memnon in Asia Minor to fight against Alexander as he sets off to conquer the Persian Empire.

An irreverent portrait of Alexander the Great

Throne of Darius is a story of high adventure, romance and war - especially war, told with heart and a sense of humor. Mark McLaughlin paints a unique and irreverent portrait of Alexander the Great, who certainly was not "great" to everyone. Unlike the majority of historical and literary works, this novel does not glorify the Macedonian king but instead tells the tale of the young conqueror from the point of view of those who fought against him.

An emotional tale of family secrets spanning three generations.

Mary Ann survives the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s and lives on to become matriarch of the McNamara family. This solid rock of a woman is the person they all turn to when in need of refuge, understanding, and a dose of wisdom. What they don’t know is that for many years Mary Ann has been hiding a heartache of her own.

Her granddaughter, beautiful but emotionally fragile Bridie, full of hope and courage, survives a life of hard knocks. Emigrating from Ireland, she builds a new life in Boston. Following an affair that would rock society were it to be discovered, she is forced into making a heart-breaking decision. She returns home to Ireland with her arsenal of secrets, in her search for peace and the meaning of life.

Hidden lives, memories of the past – who knows what lies beneath the surface we present to the world?

A tale of emigration from Ireland to America after the Famine.

Set in Ireland, Boston, San Francisco and Nova Scotia, Lives Apart explores the experience of emigration, both for those who had the courage to venture across the Atlantic and those they left behind.

In 1877 young Johanna McNamara leaves her quiet life on the family farm and emigrates to America to join her successful businessman brother Hugh. Full of hope, she is determined to make a success of her life. However, tragedy strikes before she finds her feet in this new world, and she must put the care of others before her own needs.

Back in Ireland, farming life for the family continues through the seasons, with her brother Art struggling to deal with his troubled son Declan. Sending him to the USA is an option that might help turn him into a man.

Little does Johanna know what lies ahead, with the arrival of a nephew whose act of betrayal will blow her life apart.

A new war approaches. The time has come to protect the seas and expand to the northern borders of Rome! The Second Punic War continues!

After a major victory on the island of Sicilia, Victor’s confidence soars along with his fortunes. He has the respect of Emperor Tiberius and the senate as he has his sights set on the lands of the Gauls. Victor will lead Rome into uncharted lands filled with untapped riches. Glory awaits and Victor is ready to level up further as the LitRPG adventure continues.

Along the way, he must upgrade his navy, towers, walls, and research new technologies, all the while staying in the gods’ favor. Keeping his ladies happy remains a top priority. One of them proves to be a formidable fighter.

In the north, barbarians await. They’re an enemy perhaps more dangerous than even the Carthaginians.
Whispers of a new foe come from abroad as Hannibal Barca prepares to make his mark on history. His forces gather beyond the Alps, emboldened to attack Rome head-on. Without support, Victor’s army must defend this assault on the empire. But will he be able to defeat Hamilcar’s son and gain victory in the Second Punic War?

This is a Real LitRPG, so everything including the pain is real.
Warning: For readers 18+ due to sexual references and violence.

The struggle for power in the Mediterranean continues as the Second Punic War carries on!

Victor heads back home after a bittersweet battle against the great Carthaginian general, Hamilcar. He now finds himself as one of Rome’s top generals in the bloody Second Punic War . The island of Sicilia (Sicily) has shifted towards Carthaginian control and Rome is in danger of losing the important strategic island.

While trying to liberate Sicily, Victor will have to deal with many naval battles against not only the Carthaginians but also the Greeks and the Iberians. In addition to the buildings he has access to, Victor will have new building options. As he conquers more of Carthage and Hispania, new resources are up for grab. He will also be able to research new technologies that will improve his army, defense, and navy. He'll need every advantage he can get against the Carthaginians, who are hungry for Roman blood and land.

Continue the adventure as Victor Maximus licks his wounds. This is a LitRPG set in the real world. Unlike last time, even one lost battle can tip the scales in the Second Punic Wars. The book is set in real life and the consequences, including the pain, are all too real!
Warning: This book contains a high amount of sexual references that might be inappropriate for younger audiences.

An empire-building LitRPG set on the Dawn of the Second Punic War. An old foe threatens the existence of Rome!

In the Roman Republic, Victor Maximus a young roman is determined to be the next legendary soldier. Through determination and grit, he has impressed his superiors and becomes a great Roman general.

Victor finds himself in the midst of the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage. A period where the elephant riders have become hostile and threaten war once again. He'll have to quickly hone his skills as a general, gain experience, and manage his own army.

Victor will have to use the spoils of war to improve his weapons, construct forts, manage settlements, and lead his armies to victory while having to tread the borders of the Roman Republic. Leading armies on land and leading warships on epic naval battles, Victor will have to juggle everything along with his desire to make some fine female friends. That is despite the lovely women being in enemy lands and having to break the code of ethics set in Rome, by the Senate.

Prepare yourself for a story of the rough life of a Roman general as he becomes, The Great Centurion! This is a LitRPG set in the real world. As Victor will learn, not every battle is winnable, and being a general isn't always glorious!
Warning: There is a moderate to high amount of sexual references. This book is set in real life and the consequences are all too real.

Award winning B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
WINNER OF 'CHILL WITH A BOOK AWARD' June 2017
Can a golden pomander contain the power of the past through the scent of roses it carries?
Fay, lost and lonely, feels trapped and unable to move on from tragedy. Haunted by restless spirits her life is not her own. When she meets an old rival she is drawn into a chain of events that both terrifies and fascinates her.
Meadowsweet Manor is also unable to escape its own tragic history from the English Civil War. Only when Fay follows a trail of roses back through hundreds of years can she unlock its secrets and redeem her own.

Is it chance that brings Fay and Persephone together?
Or is it the restless and malevolent spirit who stalks them both?
Once rivals, they must now unite if they are to survive the mysterious trail of roses they are forced to follow into a dangerous, war torn past.

Every journey is an adventure.
Especially one into the unknown.
Join Roxanne on her journey, travelling in France, as she discovers the pitfalls of falling in love, the trials of winemaking and unmasks a tragedy. Taste the wine, feel the sun, drive through the Provencal mountains with her, as her courage and resourcefulness are tested to the limit in this exciting vineyard romance.

The Twisted Vine is a 1980s romance set in the heart of France and is full of mystery and suspense. Roxanne Rudge, a feisty heroine, escapes her cheating boyfriend by going grape-picking in France. She feels vulnerable and alone in such a big country where she can't speak the language and is befriended by Armand le Clair, a handsome Frenchman. Armand is not all he seems and she discovers a darker side to him before exposing a dreadful secret. She is aided and abetted by three new friends she has made, charming posh Peter, a gifted linguist, the beautiful and vivacious Italian, Yvane, and clever Henry of the deep brown eyes with a chocolate voice to match. Together they unravel a mystery centred around a beautiful chateau and play a part in its future.

The stifling heat of a summer’s day lures four children to the cool green waters of the river running between Cheadle Manor and The Katherine Wheel Garage.
Al captains the little band of pirates as they blithely board the wooden dinghy. Headstrong Lottie vies with him to be in charge while Isobel tries to keep the peace and look after little Lily.
But it is the river that is really in control.
Lost and alone, the four children must face many dangers, but it is the unforeseen consequences of their innocent adventure that will shape their futures for years to come.
Book One in the award-winning Katherine Wheel Series, DAFFODILS, is a love story, whose tender heart is almost torn apart through the tumultuous challenge of World War One. Katy, a maidservant at Cheadle Manor, longs to escape her narrow life but events unfold slowly in her rural Wiltshire village. Jem Phipps has always loved Katy. His proposal of marriage rescues her from scandal but, after tragedy strikes, Jem becomes a reluctant soldier on the battlefields of The First World War leaving Katy behind, restless and alone. Through the horrors of WW1, Katy discovers only love brings freedom.