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Wirral writer and blogger
launches debut novel
LIVERPOOL writer and blogger Estelle
Maher has launch her debut novel at a special event, at Write Blend
bookshop, South
Road, Waterloo, Merseyside. The 45 year old mum of 2, had been signing copies of her new book:-
'Grace and
the Ghost' at her official book launch that has taken place at the
independent book shop, on Friday, 21 April 2017.
Estelle, who has dreamed of becoming a published author since she was a
teenager, said she was thrilled to have fulfilled 1 of her lifetime ambitions
and finally have a book in print.
"It has taken several months of hard work writing early in the morning and
late into the night to complete the novel, but it's all been worth it,"
said the independent author. "I'm really proud of what I've achieved and
I'm looking forward to the event on Friday and hope to see as many people there
as possible."
'Grace and the Ghost' is a book about life, fate and divine intervention. It
combines romance and humour as it follows the journey of a young woman who
becomes haunted by a man named Crowley and finds her long held beliefs about
Heaven and Earth being challenged.
Released on Amazon earlier this month, the book has already climbed its way up
the charts to become an Amazon Bestseller.
Estelle, who lives on the Wirral, said:- "I've been writing on and off
since I was a teenager, scribbling on wallpaper covered exercise books so it
feels amazing to have finally published my 1st book and I'm simply over the
moon to have become an Amazon Bestseller so quickly.
It wasn't until I started a regular blog a few years back that I became more
confident about my writing. Posting regular blogs and receiving positive
feedback greatly encouraged me to continue writing.
Then, I remember thinking 1 day whilst sat at work 'there must be more to life
than this'. Don't get me wrong I wasn't unhappy, just unfulfilled. That night I
drove home and Crowley the ghost popped into my head and he wouldn't go away. It
was like he was nagging me to write his story, so I did."
Commenting on the inspiration for the book Estelle said:- "Grace and the
Ghost is not a ghost story, there is simply a ghost within it. The plot was very
much developed around some of my own personal experiences throughout life.
I've been experiencing things since the age of 5. But it started to become a
daily part of my life at around 11 years old. I used to think that every house I
lived in was haunted, but once I got to my 30's I realised that it wasn't the
houses, it was me.
Some people like to label it as psychic, but I have never applied that to myself
as it has a lot of negativity associated with it. I've just felt I was a bit
like an aerial that could feel the energy of a room more than others. I think
that everyone has an ability of this kind. I do not think I am special or claim
to have a gift, I just think I'm aware of it more than others."
Estelle, who lives with her husband Pete, daughter Chloѐ (18) and son Zack (12),
is currently in the process of penning her 2nd book called:- 'Angel's Rebellion.'
For more information on Estelle, who is supported by Team Author UK, and to keep
up to date with her latest books visit:-
EstelleMaher.Com. |
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Sefton bus network changes
set to be implemented
CHANGES to Sefton bus services as part
of the on going bus network reviews, aimed at creating a simpler, clearer
network across the City region, are set to be introduced on Sunday, 23 April
2017. Improvements to services in Sefton include:-
► Improved link between Maghull and Aintree University Hospital.
► Improved evenings and Sundays provision linking South
and East Maghull to Maghull
Station.
► Evenings and Sundays service introduced on
Service 58.
► Evenings and Sundays service introduced on
Service 144.
► Evenings and Sundays service introduced on
Service 159.
► Extended hours of
operation of service 300 between Liverpool and Lydiate and 310
between Liverpool and Maghull.
► 300 and 310 timetable better co-ordinated in Maghull.
Full details of the changes can be found on the Merseytravel
website.
Sefton is the latest area to be reviewed as part of a wider review of the whole
Liverpool City Region bus network.
The reviews are 1 of the key work areas of the Bus Alliance which is seeing
Merseytravel, Arriva and Stagecoach work together to transform bus services to
encourage more people to take the bus. However, network reviews involve all bus
operators in the area that is under review.
Historically bus routes have been considered on a piecemeal basis and the idea
is to consider the commercial network and the supported network; that which
relies on public subsidy via Merseytravel; as a whole for the first time, to
ensure it best reflects current working and living patterns and new developments
and how they are served.
Part of the review has been looking at the current supported bus network and
considering how increasingly limited public resources can be focused where there
is most need. A consultation process involving members of the public and key
stakeholders, which saw a number of drop in events across Sefton and an online
survey, has helped to shape the review.
As has been in the case with the other reviews, Impacts of changes have been
mitigated by re-routing some existing commercial services where possible to
negate the need for a service supported by public funding. The proposals
endeavour to ensure that everyone is within reasonable distance of a bus
service.
The consultation for Sefton has resulted in adaptations to routes and services
beyond those that were originally proposed, including adjustments to the Maghull
circular services.
Frank Rogers, Chief Executive of Merseytravel said:- "The review of the
Sefton bus network has resulted in some significant improvements, which have
resulted in better links for part of the area than were previously available.
We've worked hard with operators to devise this new simpler, clearer network and
have listened to people who live and work in Sefton, making some changes to our
initial proposals as a result.
In some cases, people may have to walk slightly further to a bus stop or make a
connection to complete their journeys, but we've ensured that everyone can
access bus services. This is another example of us working innovatively through
the Bus Alliance at a time when, as a result of budget cuts, some areas outside
our City Region have communities left without any services at all."
The Bus Alliance is an agreement between Merseytravel, Arriva and Stagecoach to
improve bus travel for people across the Liverpool City Region. In time, it is
hoped that other bus operators will join the Alliance.
The Alliance's ambition is for a thriving, affordable and sustainable bus
network that offers the customer a value for money and hassle free journey
experience; leading to an increase in fare paying passengers. It will look at
creating simpler networks and fare structures to more investment in the buses
themselves. Encouraging more people to travel by bus drives investment and means
less reliance on the public purse.
Key work areas of the Bus Alliance will include:-
► A review of the City Region bus network.
► Investment in new and
greener vehicles.
► On board Wi-Fi and at
seat USB charging points on all new vehicles.
► Improved bus links to and from John Lennon Airport.
► Streamlined service changes to make bus services more stable.
► Simpler ticketing and a review of zonal structures and pricing.
► Review of all customer information including more Real Time Information.
► Better integration of bus and rail services.
► Improved Customer Service training for all bus drivers. |
