This is a work of neurodiverse, culturally diverse, gender-bendy, socio-politico-economic, drunken-arguments-in-the-pub science fiction – not bang-bang-pew-pew science fiction. Other stories will take you to Mars. This one will take you inside the boardroom, the pub, and the bedroom with the people planning the mission. Gurdeep is an engineer and a soldier. Georgie’s a food scientist. One is pragmatic with a tough outer shell; the other's an optimist, a person of ideas and compassion. In the span of a single afternoon, the couple find themselves in charge of planning a self-sustaining colony on Mars. Together, they’re humanity’s last hope for survival. They have 160 slots to fill with experts from all over the world as they set about designing an all-new society with its own government, economy, and culture – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Among those chosen for the mission is Devon, an autistic scientist with a unique skill set who finds life on Earth strange and alienating. Maybe a whole new planet is exactly what's needed. With 1,114 days until the launch, excitement and tensions run high. Earth’s second chance hangs in the balance. Between strict genetic requirements and the dangers of the dystopian almost-present, will everyone make it to the final countdown? REVIEWS 'This book is tailor-made for armchair scientists who enjoy the process of world building. Devon’s Island is a surprisingly topical book for our moment, and I look forward to seeing where Clarke takes the story next.' Miranda, The Lesbian Review 'It reminded me of Becky Chambers but a bit more sciencey.' Sarah, GoodReads 'No character is who you expect them to be.' Caroline, Amazon UK * * * * * * * * * Fans of these other spec-fic authors may also enjoy this series: Gareth Powell, Robert J Sawyer, Becky Chambers, Charlie Jane Anders, Lindsay Buroker, John Scalzi, John Wilker, Matthew Metzger, Kaia Sønderby, Corinne Duyvis, Mary Robinette Kowal, Dave Walsh, Mike Chen, P. Djèlí Clark, Charles Stross, Laura Lam, Elizabeth May, Temi Oh File under: fully automated luxury gay space communism, hard science fiction, feminist sci-fi, quirky characters, misfit characters, Canadian, British, strong female characters, lesbian characters, asexual, autistic characters, found family, outsiders, London, Scotland, near-future, impending disaster, queer fiction, Mars colony, planning for disaster, pandemic fiction, multicultural, fictional pubs

Torre Abbey is an archaeological site of national importance. Founded in 1196, it became the wealthiest English monastery of the order of Premonstratensian canons. The extent of its survival makes Torre Abbey the best preserved medieval abbey in Devon and Cornwall. After King Henry VIII closed the monastery in 1539, two of its former ranges were adapted for use as a private house. From 1662, this house became the home of the Roman Catholic Cary family, who lived there for nearly 300 years. The story of Torre Abbey mirrors in a remarkable way the story of English Catholics during the years of the penal laws. The local council acquired Torre Abbey in 1930, and adapted it for use as an art gallery and Mayor's Parlour. Today, the abbey provides an ideal setting for Torbay's collection of paintings and antiques, most of which have been donated by local people. It has recently been restored and modernised. This book is the first complete history of Torre Abbey. It is based on the latest historical and architectural research, and is richly illustrated throughout.

When Devon's father, a man who deals with national secrets for a living, receives a threatening letter, he hires the bodyguard Grey to protect her. She doesn’t want Grey watching over her 24/7, especially when she has secrets of her own she wants to keep. Devon finds a way to escape her security detail, but Grey is determined to fulfill his duties. And for some reason, when Devon looks at Grey, her heart starts pounding…

Story 1: Alex Gabe and Calli Joe were true friends. They went to see if anything was going on at Devin's Pond. They were noticed after Calli Joe stumbled. The leader of the mermaids made them come to their queen they saw great things . Story 2: Billy and Sarah were two young kids with parents who had very little money. Their mom needed something from the store and needed to take the kids with her. While in the store, Billy noticed a bad dragon stuffy, and Sarah noticed a beautiful dolly. They both prayed to Jesus to send the toy angel--they had great hope. Story 3: A family relocated to Montana because that was where their father's job was. They settled in well. The twins, Dana and Dawn, played great basketball. They had a nice group. They practiced three-pointers and free throws. They got so good, they were playing for the championship with their rivals. It was a very exciting game! Barn burner! Great fun! Story 4: The great mystical train ride in the sky. The train operator yelled out for all to come: young, old, and of any nationality. They were invited to visit three destinations, and each would be a surprise. The places they went to, there were a few things to learn. They had snowball fights with kids that came from another country. They learned about fruit markets, guns and knives, and how to hunt and provide food. The dragon that had lost his fire was crying. When they were getting ready to leave, the dragon came running, and he was smiling because he had found his fire. Story 5: A mischievous fox who was young and just wanted to find adventure. Maybell the chicken that seemed to be in control of the chicken pen. Catfish Freddie sneaking around. And puts it right out there. Either you get caught for your mischievousness, or you can be our security in the chicken coop! What's it going to be? Finally, Freddie decides that he might get some respect, and so he said, "Eh, would love to be their security!" Story 6: A little girl of three years lost her parents. Was sent to an orphanage, and she wouldn't interact with people or kids. And then one day, after going to the kitchen, Annie Mae ran across the orphanage pet cat named Whiskers. He was a cat with very blue eyes and white long fur. She fell in love with Whiskers, and he seemed to like her too. He purred very loud. So Annie Mae and Whiskers were walking, when they heard some noise. Annie Mae tried to keep Whiskers' purring not too loud when she noticed a young boy. Jonas was his name, and he had happened on the orphanage puppy--his name was Bo. They both became friends because they had changed stories about why they were there. Most kids pray for someone to love them and ask them into their homes. Annie Mae and Jonas shied away from not wanting anything to do with adoptions. Read and see the great ending! Story 7: A sixth-grade teacher, Mr. Robertson, planned a field trip to the science museum in Astoria, Ohio. Mr. Gilbert was their tour guide. There were two areas: first was the space room, and they found it very interesting. After lunch break, a bathroom break, and a trip to the gift shop, they were ready for their second part of the tour--it was the dinosaur room. The guide was very informative, but when the tour was finished, Shana and Sheena were deep in thought about dinosaurs. Before they knew it, their class had exited the dinosaur room. The doors closed, and Shana and Sheena were left alone, not understanding why their teacher hadn't checked on them. It should be fun to see the ending!

This history takes factual information provided by encyclopedias and other historical documents. Other reference material includes birth certificates, death certificates and census data which support the factual basis of this history. The war records and military history of individuals and their family members were also used in the determination of their contributions to the society in which they lived. Other research material included Wikipedia, Ancetry.com, wikitree.com, genealogy.com family bibles and my many brothers and sisters. Two directions of ancestry history were investigated to gain the most effective approach to the design of this history. First the genealogy of Amye Grenville was traced to her origin of Charlemagne. Her marriage to John Drake VI allowed further investigation into his ancestry. Both were thoroughly pursued with vigor to determine their origins over the last 1300 years. The investigation provided by Earl Drake combined with my efforts has provided this history for your enjoyment.