Some Enchanted Waltz

In 1815, after Napoleon's defeat, the Congress of Peace is held in Vienna, with Prince Clement de Metternich, the greatest diplomat and most experienced lover in all Europe, having a central role. The Prince is desperate because the Czar of Russia is impeding the progress of the Congress. Lovely Wanda Schonborn, arriving penniless and in need of his protection, agrees to help by playing the part of a spy. Plots and counter-plots confuse and terrify her and when she falls in love with Richard Melton, an Englishman, they both have dangerous enemies.

Prince Metternich of Austria is growing weary of the political machinations of the European nations arguing over the spoils of Napoleon’s Empire, especially those of the duplicitous Czar of all the Russias, Alexander I. They are all gathered for the Congress of Vienna in 1815Presented with an exquisitely beautiful young girl with eyes as piercingly blue as his own Prince Metternich is powerfully reminded of a siren he once loved in his past and accepts Wanda as his Ward.But he has an ulterior motive – he persuades the naïve Wanda to go undercover in the Court of the Czar to glean information on his real intentions for Europe.Meanwhile the Czar has his own suspicions of Metternich and arranges for his English friend Richard Melton to take his place, as they have similar physical characteristics.Richard Melton is an exile from his home in England because he has been accused of duelling and, although he is innocent, no one believes him.So begins a tortuous tangle of deceit, secrets and subterfuge in which Wanda quickly loses her heart to the man she takes to be the Czar.But just as the truth eventually comes to light and love for Wanda stirs Richard Melton’s heart, his beloved is betrayed and is carried away forcibly in a sleigh bound for the clutches of the wicked Count Araktcheef in Russia – a fate Richard cannot bear to contemplate –

"The Enchanted Waltz" weaves a tale of love, redemption, and familial legacy. In a city where vendettas span generations, Alice and Daniel's fateful encounter leads them to an enchanted garden, unlocking hidden truths and a centuries-old curse. As they navigate the complexities of their intertwined destinies, a Ritual of Redemption becomes the linchpin for unity between the Montello and Carmichael families. Torn between ancestral pride and the transformative power of love, they must confront betrayal, reconcile with the past, and forge a new path toward unity. With echoes of the enchanted garden guiding their steps, can love triumph over the shadows of vendettas and rewrite the tapestry of familial legacy?

Mantovani - A Lifetime In Music will be the first full length biography of Mantovani - the light orchestral master and biggest selling British recording artist before the Beatles. It will be published by Melrose Books to coincide with the Centenary of his birth on 15 October 2005.The 24 chapter, 320 page hardback book tells the story of Mantovani's quest for musical perfection and how he achieved it. Written with the enthusiastic endorsement of his family, his record producer, several former musicians, Decca luminaries and Mantovani fans, this is the 'real deal', a book that 'no Mantovani fan or anyone interested in light orchestral music can afford to be without.'

Setting Glengarrif, Cork and Dublin Ireland, 1798. Modern Radio DJ Tara O'Neill is thrust back in time to 18th Century Ireland. She is captured by British solders and saved from them by Lord Dillon, who takes her into his protection. Tara has lost her memory. Unknown to her, Lord Dillon leads a secret life as Captain Midnight, the local leader of the United Irishmen attempting to free Ireland from British rule. Will she be able to prevent her lover from becoming a casualty in a cause destined to fail?

"As a device to get his beautiful daughter Tanya to marry the unpleasant Master of the King's Music, Allegro, Old King Cole of Melodyland arranges a competition for an original waltz. The winner of the waltz competition will gain Tanya's hand. The King is confident, of course, that Allegro will win. Tanya, however, has fallen in love with Johanne, a poor composer, and she persuades him to enter a waltz of his own. Allegro, afraid of being defeated, has the manuscripts changed when Johanne's "Enchanted Waltz" is hailed the best at the Court, Allegro claims it for his own. However, through the intervention of Queen Titania and her fairies, matters are righted and the wicked Master of the King's Music is made to confess his trickery before the King, while Johanne is given Tanya's hand."--Publisher.