Orion’s Messenger

Schoolboy Alex is transported to a magical island faraway and thus begins the adventure of a lifetime

A dull, wet school holiday which has been so disappointing, is drawing to a close for Alex. All this changes when an unexpected visit to the Great Museum of History with his eccentric aunt sets off a fantastic chain of events. Alex finds himself transported to a fantasy place called Blue Sky Island, in the midst of talking creatures, a kindly wizard and a magnificent golden eagle called Orion, as the legacy of The Magic Orb is revealed.

Pitted against the dastardly schemes of The Grizzly Grumpot, find out what happens to Alex and his new friends when you step into this colourful world of adventure, mystery… and spells that don’t always work!

About the Author:

Antonia de Winter is a children’s author, poet and songwriter. She lives in northwest London with her husband. She has been surrounded by colour all her life, having been involved in the family’s soft furnishing and interior design business in Notting Hill. Antonia has two married children and four grandchildren. She enjoys swimming, walking, narrow boating and taking photos, particularly of family and the changing seasons. Her dream would be to once again take a skidoo across the frozen wastes of Lapland, which is an awe-inspiring experience!

Orion’s Messenger lay on the back burner for over 30 years, waiting to be published – whilst all the above took priority. However, it is never too late to print a magical story which will let children’s imagination fly – and so, finally, here it is…

Antonia is currently working on the sequel to Orion’s Messenger and on a collection of poetry to be published in the near future.

The colourful characters and all the illustrations in Orion’s Messenger are brought to life by talented artist Daniel T. Sullivan.

Excerpt from the book:

The room was in dark shadows once more.

“I must be seeing things,” whispered Alex under his breath.

“I’ve been calling you for such a long time,” said the Voice.

There was another flash of lightening, this time with a loud clap of thunder. It nearly made Alex jump out of his skin!

“I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Is it really you?” he gasped.

“Oh yes, I assure you I am quite real,” said the Voice.

Alex was shaking as he stuttered, “I – I – I don’t understand…”

“Come closer Alex,” said the Voice.

Alex took two hesitant steps forward. Another flash of lightening lit up the loft brilliantly. Alex’s eyes became as big as saucers for there, perched on the back of the old dining chair, was an enormous bird.

“Who, who … who are you?” he asked, but he knew the answer already. 

“Orion’s Messenger”by Antonia de Winter is available in hardback from the Book Depository at:

https://bookdepository.com/Orions-Messenger-Antonia-de-Winter/9781839751899

This book is currently available in paperback from:

https://bookdepository.com/Orions-Messenger-Antonia-de-Winter/9781839751820

It can also be downloaded in e-book format from Amazon at:

Press/Media Contact Details:

Grosvenor House Publishing
Tel. 0208 339 6060
E-mail: [email protected]

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Margaret Beaufort of Bourne, Collyweston, Maxey and Deeping: The Tudor Dynasty

Exceptional biography about the mother of Henry VII who had a profound impact on English history

An amazing woman from Bourne, Collyweston and Maxey who had a profound impact on history but has been virtually forgotten in our Lincolnshire locality.

Read tales of her survival from the traumatic birth of her son (Henry VII) when aged only thirteen, her ever-changing fortunes in the Wars of the Roses, being condemned as a traitor by Richard III and her eventual triumph, which saw her become the matriarch of the Tudor dynasty.

As the only blood link from the Normans to our present Royal Family, her legacy through her symbols and academia is still far-reaching today.

About the Author:

Margaret has always had a deep love of her hometown of Bourne. She can trace her paternal ancestry back to the 1660s in the Bourne Abbey registers. She attended at the Bourne Abbey Primary School and was later educated at Bourne Grammar School; it was here that her interest in history began, with her history teachers, J. D. Birkbeck and his wife, Margaret.

Margaret’s husband, Ken, also a teacher at the ‘Robert Manning School’ is keen to preserve the heritage of Bourne and is in the latter stages of constructing a model railway of Bourne Station that will soon be ready for exhibition.

Both would admit that their main hobby now is singing, being members and soloists in ‘Stamford Gilbert and Sullivan Players’ and the ‘Stamford Singers Concert Party’. They are members of the ‘Bourne Abbey Choir’ and perform in their own entertainment group, ‘Tinderbox’.

Having become fascinated with the life and achievements of Margaret Beaufort and seeing her as one of the most influential women in history, Margaret was confused as to why little to no mention has ever been made linking her to their local area, and in particular, Bourne. She hopes this biography will help rectify this and give the mother of the Tudor dynasty the recognition she deserves.

Excerpt from the book:

“Margaret’s life was a roller coaster of wealth and poverty, stability and frantic disaster.  So many of her family were either killed in battle, executed or, like her father, had committed suicide.  Throughout all this, Margaret had to steer a course of diplomacy and humility in order to survive but at the same time had to keep her strong resolve and courage.  What an achievement then in her finest hour, to see her son crowned on the battlefield by non-other than her husband Thomas Stanley.

Margaret’s family always had to face the fact that their line was illegitimate.  John of Gaunt produced his line of Beauforts whilst still married to his first wife, even though he did eventually marry his mistress, Katherine Swynford.  Richard II, John of Gaunt’s nephew, did legitimise them but with the proviso that no-one in their line of descendants could ever have a claim to the throne.  Margaret would know this and must have wondered when this question of Henry VII’s legitimacy could rear up and deprive him of the throne she had fought so hard to gain for him.

The character of Margaret cannot be fully explained without an examination of her part in the Wars of the Roses.”

“Margaret Beaufort of Bourne, Collyweston, Maxey and Deeping: The Tudor Dynasty” by Margaret Wainwright is available in hardback from Amazon at:

Press/Media Contact Details:

Grosvenor House Publishing
Tel. 0208 339 6060
E-mail: [email protected]