I’m trying something new today. I’d like more readers for my books and you might be tempted to become one of them. There’ll be one a week, in no particular order.
 

My first published novel, Breaking Faith, is a romantic thriller. With elements of betrayal, excitement, tragedy, sex, despair, hope, longing, fulfilment, and love it’s been well received by those who’ve read it.
 
A short introduction:
  
‘Brought up in isolation and ignorance by a religious fanatic parent Faith must take work with local glamour photographer, Leigh, or face the wrath of her cruel father. Leigh’s misogynist assistant hates her on sight and threatens violence. When Faith falls in love with Leigh, will corruption overcome her innocence and destroy her, or will he fall in love with her?’

A brief excerpt:

I crossed pristine snow on the village green to use the phone box for the first time in my life and trembled with more than just cold. Mrs Greenhough, cosy in her post office stores, might have let me use her phone but Father called her the village gossip, and it was not worth the risk.

I followed the scratched and faded instructions and dialled the number, taken from a card in the post office window. The ringing tone stopped and I heard his voice for the first time and felt an unexpected and disturbing tingle at its deep, musical quality.

A relief map of the local area stood next to the phone box to show tourists the walks. Fortunately, someone had scribbled ‘House of Sin’, in bright red felt tip on the map; otherwise, I would not have known how to find Longhouse.

Four miles from the village; it took me less time to cross unknown fields of snow than I planned. Better early than late. Though, with feet and fingers numb from cold, I could have done without the wait. Father’s watch, leant so I would not be late for my job at the Dairy, showed I still had a few minutes before the interview.

Curiosity, and a sense of mission; to save Leighton Longshaw’s wicked soul, took me to Longhouse. The inevitable punishment from Father, if I returned home without a job, after walking out of the Dairy earlier that morning, had only a little to do with it.

I ploughed through deep drifts that lay against blackthorn hedges lining the steep lane. Fresh snow worked its way into worn shoes Father had bought from a jumble sale, joining slush already soaking my socks. Near the white five-bar gate, I considered running back home to face the belt. Better the devil you know….

On the gatepost, a sign warned ‘Beware’ above a blue and white glazed tile of a man chasing a woman. I had never seen a man without his clothes and, although I should have turned away, I was fascinated. Father often saw Hope and me undressed but I had not seen him, of course. A man, being forged in the image of God, must preserve some mystery.

I wondered if they all looked like that; if I got the job, I would soon know.

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The story, set in 1976 in the Yorkshire Dales, a place of natural beauty and sometimes extreme weather, is told by the two leading protagonists: a male glamour photographer and an innocent, naive young woman.

Some review extracts, so you can see how it’s been received:
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER): You often hear about stories that stay with you long after they have been read. Well, for me this was ‘that’ story. I was bombarded by several different emotions whilst reading this book and I loved every minute of it!

By Karen Wolfe (east Yorkshire, England): This is the story of a triumphant human spirit. Heroine Faith’s rite of passage from horrific neglect and abuse to fulfilment and true love is an inspiring one. Stuart Aken’s novel, set in the summer of 1976, simmers with heat, decadence and sexuality, all of which Faith transcends to become her own woman. I loved the Yorkshire Dales setting, and I was rooting for Faith all the way to her well-deserved happy ending. More power to Stuart’s pen!!

By Shirley Mace (High Bentham): After several years of not having the time or making time to read novels I could not believe how determined this book was to make me read it and was surprised how quickly I read it and how much I enjoyed reading it.

By Mr. P. F. Field (UK): “Breaking Faith” is the story of Faith, ignorant, naive and completely overshadowed by the sadistic bully Heacham. Faith struggles to nurse her brain-damaged younger sister, skivvy for Heacham and be the family’s total financial support. I read this book in one sitting, unwilling to put it down, immersed in the Yorkshire of the sweltering summer of 1976 and Faith’s journey from darkness to self-knowledge. Her sometimes frightening honesty washes all hypocrisy away, for she is a girl who sees things as they are and tells it the way it is.

Where to get hold of it:

From FeedARead, the original publishers. Paperback £7.99
UK Amazon (if you replace ‘.co.uk.’ with your local regional id e.g. ‘.com.’ it’ll take you there. Kindle only £3.04
Universal link – it’ll take you to your local stockists. Paperback and Digital.
Draft2Digital Digital Digital only $3.99