Books, Poetry & Short Stories
A selection of recent works.
Please find below just a small selection of more recent books, poetry, and short stories.
The Quantum Lace Series
Historical fiction with a quantum twist.
Poetry
Words that stay with you.
Alone No More
When consciousness returns to this mortal frame
And slumber’s escape is no more,
Alone and adrift do I feel once again
As manners are pushed through extinction’s door.
Silent replies now a coward’s ghosting retort,
Too feeble of spirit to say, “Sorry, but I’ve naught
Inclination in continuing this current refrain,
But I wish you well, and may our paths cross again
My hat I will tip and my smile I will give.
May good fortune be yours as long as you live.”
Gone are the customs that once made living so sweet,
Replaced by superficial rapport.
But still my heart prays a kindred spirit I shall meet,
And I’ll wake alone no more…
— Ms Bella St John
Love is Enshrined
In a fragile world where AI’s path looks so dire,
When the Earth’s core shifts, yet no one’s the wiser,
Will we stand together in this time of extremes,
Seeing these dangers, yet enshrining our dreams?
As we see the threads of human connection fray,
As respect and manners continue to sway,
As anonymity’s mask becomes a ghosting shield so cold,
Will humanity’s beloved values become a lost story of the bold
That is only told in history lessons of old?
Will we choose a positivity that shines through the night,
A reminder that darkness is simply the absence of light?
If we focus on dreams, on what can be,
Can we still shape the future we want, and set our concerns free?
Our choice is for each to be an inspiration to us all,
To rise above, to answer the call;
To see the dangers, yet not be confined,
And by our selective focus, create a world where it is
love that is enshrined.
— Ms Bella St John
Short Story
Alchemy of the Heart
In the heart of the ancient city of Elysium, where cobblestone streets stretched seemingly infinitely and weather-worn buildings whispered tales of yore, resided Aleron — a tall, distinguished, albeit somewhat aloof, violinist known for his melancholic compositions.
The townspeople had seen Aleron grow from a curious boy with a penchant for mournful tunes into an artist who painted beautiful yet sorrowful soundscapes on his treasured five-string violin.
One April, as the daffodils began to bloom, a strange sound was heard in the town square. Aleron was meandering from door to door, his fingers producing only melodic notes found in major scales — for Aleron had met Lisbeth, an elegant, dance-loving creature who brought life and movement to his compositions, and who was soon to become his wife.
The daffodils were to outlive their love story, for in the August Lisbeth breathed her last, cradled in her husband’s arms, her head resting gently under his chin and against his shoulder — her long, soft auburn curls resting in the same sacred space where his beloved instrument was held day after day.
With Lisbeth’s passing, Elysium’s skies cried for days, as if echoing Aleron’s grief. She had been the vibrant melody to his solemn chords. Without her, his world dulled into muted dissonance.
One fog-laden morning, as Aleron ambled through Elysium’s labyrinthine lanes, he chanced upon an old bookstore. Its façade, weathered by time and draped in ivy, hinted at treasures within. Inside, amidst the scent of yellowing pages slowly dying and stories long forgotten, he discovered a tome entitled The Perceptive Heart.
This wasn’t just any book. As Aleron’s fingers traced its spine, it whispered promises of solace — and thus, he began to read.
The book spoke of the magical notion of perception — the ability to see the world not as it is, but as it could be. Through its words, Aleron discovered that grief, while oppressive, also has within it the power to be transformative — a tunnel, at the end of which lies an expanse illuminated by understanding and acceptance.
Each evening, Aleron would lose himself in the book’s pages. Through its teachings, he began viewing Lisbeth’s loss not as an end but as a transition. She wasn’t gone; she had merely changed form. If he chose to see it thus, she was there in his every memory. Every breeze carried a hint of her laughter, every raindrop echoed her dance, and every dawn whispered her love.
Embracing this renewed perception, Aleron embarked on composing his magnum opus — an aural tapestry interwoven with memories of Lisbeth, her love, their moments. He named it Lisbeth’s Lullaby.
The day arrived when Elysium’s grand auditorium, bathed in the soft amber glow of candlelit chandeliers, awaited Aleron’s performance. As the curtains rose, a palpable hush descended. Aleron, with his five-string violin poised, began to play.
Each note was a tear, each chord a sigh, each crescendo a heartbeat. The audience, rapt, could feel Lisbeth in the melody, pirouetting gracefully. They felt her presence, her essence, and her love.
As the final note lingered, a profound silence reigned. The city of Elysium had not just heard a composition — they had journeyed through Aleron’s heart and soul.
Post-performance, as accolades poured in, a young girl approached Aleron, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Sir,” she began hesitantly, “I lost my mother last month. Your music made me feel she’s still with me, dancing in the wind. Thank you.”
Aleron, with moist eyes and a heart full, realised the power of perception. Grief had been his crucible, and it had forged him anew. Through his music, he had transformed his deepest pain into a healing symphony for others.
Years rolled on, and Aleron’s tale became legendary. The Perceptive Heart found a home on the bookshelf of many a dwelling, from grand mansion to simple cabin, its wisdom illuminating countless souls.
And thus, in the annals of Elysium, amidst tales of valiant knights and tragic romances, flourished the legend of a violinist, his symphony, and his perception — a tale that whispered the power of love, loss, and the alchemy of the heart.
Author Coaching
Your book deserves to exist.
Ms Bella St John has written and published just over thirty books — many as a ghostwriter — across fiction, non-fiction, business, and personal development. That breadth of experience, from first draft to bestseller ranking, informs the private one-on-one coaching she offers for those who have a book inside them and are ready to finally get it out.
Whether you are starting from a blank page or have a manuscript that needs shaping, the process is entirely tailored to you — your story, your voice, your timeline.