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  Mark’s Facebook page facebook.com/markdouglasstafford distributes ebook promotional codes and discount vouchers. Use these to download Mark’s ebooks from major online retailers at discounted prices. Just follow the links and click ‘like’.

   

  NOVELS

  If you enjoyed this book, may also enjoy reading:

   

  Dinosaurs Eat Paris

  The World Fair, Paris, 1889 (an alternate history)

  Dinosaurs are the last thing on Dante’s mind as his governess, Maria Schiaparelli, tucks him in to bed with all the love and devotion of a mother. It’s a warm night in Paris, the day before opening day. The day before Dante’s papa, Professor Augusto Righi, Italy’s greatest experimental physicist, will unveil his creation to the world: the Finestra Temporale, a window into time. Then he’ll finally be able to spend more time with his son, to talk to him, to explore the Exposition with him; at least that’s what Dante wants. But things don’t go according to plan, not at all. And it’s up to Dante to set things straight, if he can, before it’s too late, before dinosaurs eat Paris.

  The Paris Exposition of 1889 boasts more than 20,000 international exhibits. The newly opened Eiffel Tower is the most prominent attraction but the life-sized portions of recreated towns and villages from other cultures, like the Egyptian Bazaar and Cairo Street, are also expected to draw huge crowds. Wonderful advances in science and technology will be showcased, including ingenious new methods of harnessing the motive forces of steam and electricity. Organisers expect more than 20 million visitors over 6 months, all of them human.

   

  SHORT STORIES

  If you enjoyed this book, may also enjoy reading Mark’s short stories:

   

  The Grateful Girl

  Book I in the THIS IS BETTER THAN THAT collection

  A short story about gratitude

  Lucy’s parents never said ‘no’, not once. They never asked her to work for anything, to do any chores, to care for anything. So she had grown up ungrateful, taking everything for granted. It wasn’t that she was particularly selfish or unthinking; it was just that she didn’t know any better. Then strange things started to happen.

   

  Elsie and the Money Tree

  Book II in the THIS IS BETTER THAN THAT collection

  A short story about charity

  Elsie was the kind of tender-hearted girl who would give away her lunch money to someone more needy before she even got to school. Her parents had never understood her and despite their best efforts were unable to make her understand that money should never be given away and that it was their own fault that poor people were poor. As everyone knows: money doesn’t grow on trees…

   

  Grandmother’s Ashes

  Book III in the THIS IS BETTER THAN THAT collection

  A short story about contentment

  Emma wanted her little brother’s birthday party to be so perfect that even her mum would be proud. But despite her best efforts, everything was going wrong. And soon twenty snotty-nosed four year olds and their parents would arrive.

  If only she had more time.

   

  My Daughter the Mind Reader

  Book IV in the THIS IS BETTER THAN THAT collection

  A short story about conscience

  I’d done my fair share of thieving, such as any honest businessman did to get along. But a bank robbery, that was a whole different level. My heart was pounding when I woke Cassandra at midnight and dressed her in black, because the plan hinged upon my little daughter’s extraordinary abilities as much as it did her ignorance of what I was about to do.

   

  Sabina Octavius and the Volcano

  Book V in the THIS IS BETTER THAN THAT collection

  A short story about possessions

  ‘What would you take if Vesuvius erupted, what would you leave behind?’ Sabina’s teacher asked. It was an interesting question because it made her think about what was important. Her list was long at first. Then she asked the slaves of House Octavius what they would bring if they had to flee. The answer surprised her, and the reasons why. Their sole purpose was to make her life comfortable but it seemed they had thoughts and feelings, hopes and fears too, just like people. The revelation threatened to turn her world upside down, just like the rumbling volcano which rose above her family’s villa like a wave.

   

  When the Weather Changed

  Book VI in the THIS IS BETTER THAN THAT collection

  A short story about motivation

  It seemed obvious to Ash that if you wanted to know the truth about something you should ask people who actually knew, rather than people with no relevant knowledge or experience. But grownups didn’t always see the obvious, even when it was staring them in the face; even when the swollen rivers flooded their banks and the heaving seas lifted all but the biggest boats and smashed them on the rocks. But Ash knew what was coming and wouldn’t be caught unprepared; and so did the animals, which is why they came two by two.

   

  I Smell Smoke

  ON THE FAITH OF TREES, Volume 1

  A botanical fable about the pursuit of truth

  Reed’s brothers are always arguing. One aspires to a life of faith, the other to a life of reason built on the bedrock of scientific truth. She tries to strike a balance but isn’t at all sure. Then there’s the mysterious stranger who knows something’s that could change everything. Reed’s time is almost up. What will she do?

   

  The Artist

  ON THE FAITH OF TREES, Volume 2

  A botanical fable about faith and vision

  Little Apple had a dream his pragmatic brother couldn’t understand. As German bombs rained down on London and shook the Earth to its mantle, he would dare to bring something new and wonderful into the world, even though it might cost him everything.

   

  Blood Ties

  ON THE FAITH OF TREES, Volume 3

  A botanical fable about reconciliation

  The girl guessed who cut me and was determined to stop it happening again. She stood between me and knife boy as she had stood between her fighting friends, as a reconciler, an ambassador of peace. Her feet were as unmovable as tap roots but I knew in my timbers it would be a close thing. I didn’t want to die.

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Mark Douglas Stafford’s early years were spent building cubbyhouses, writing computer software on some of the world’s first computers and blowing up things in the garage.

  After high school he began with a teaching degree and finished with a business degree. He established then sold his first business in 2005 after which he embarked on a career in senior management, running various technology companies in cutting-edge fields.

  In all the chaos, he somehow managed to find the million hours needed to write his first two novels and crank out a raft of short stories about talking mattresses and trees that grow money instead of leafs. Mark writes particularly for the children’s and young-adult segment but his highly imaginative and original stories are enjoyed by readers of all ages.

  He draws inspiration from the fables of Gabriel García Márquez, Oscar Wild and Hector Hugh Munro. As an aficionado of science fiction he is especially fond of the classics, like Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Series which harks back to a time when it was still fashionable to be optimistic about the future.

  He is excruciatingly happily married and lives in the hills of northern Sydney, Australia with his wife and four rambunctious children, all of whom are fierce book critics; which helps.

  Mark won 'Highly Commended' in The Port Stephens Examiner Literature Awards 2013 for his short story 'The Interview'.

   

  Connect with the Author Online

  You can write to Mark through his
website or Facebook page.

  Mark’s Facebook page facebook.com/markdouglasstafford will keep you abreast of all news, reviews, awards and publications. It also distributes ebook promotional codes and discount vouchers. Use these to download Mark’s ebooks from major online retailers at discounted prices. Just click ‘like’ to stay informed.

  Mark’s website markdouglasstafford.com includes previews of published and unpublished work.

  Mark is also a Goodreads author.