A summer cruise should be just the ticket for a few weeks of luxury and relaxation – but for the passengers and crew of the Empress of the Ocean, the sights of the Mediterranean are nothing compared to the excitement on board…

For bickering couple Albert and Maureen, the trip might prove a much-needed escape – or the final straw. Elegant Frances de la Mare is determined to hobnob with the right kind of people – but her penthouse suite proves lonelier than she ever imagined. Meanwhile, precocious twelve-year-old Oliver discovers that guidebooks don’t teach you everything, sparks fly when the port lecturer finds himself upstaged by a popular author, dancers Bruce and Babs can’t keep in step, and cruise expert Neville just wants someone to speak to.

But as unlikely friendships are forged, feuds bubble in the laundry room, and everyone jostles for a seat at the Captain’s table, they might find all their plans going overboard….

Warm, funny and uplifting, this is the perfect escapist read for fans of Gervase Phinn’s Yorkshire novels, as well as readers of Celia Imrie, Alan Titchmarsh and Maeve Haran.

‘[Gervase Phinn is] a worthy successor to James Herriott, and every bit as endearing’ – bestselling author Alan Titchmarsh

A summer cruise should be just the ticket for a few weeks of luxury and relaxation – but for the passengers and crew of the Empress of the Ocean, the sights of the Mediterranean are nothing compared to the excitement on board…

For bickering couple Albert and Maureen, the trip might prove a much-needed escape – or the final straw. Elegant Frances de la Mare is determined to hobnob with the right kind of people – but her penthouse suite proves lonelier than she ever imagined. Meanwhile, precocious twelve-year-old Oliver discovers that guidebooks don’t teach you everything, sparks fly when the port lecturer finds himself upstaged by a popular author, dancers Bruce and Babs can’t keep in step, and cruise expert Neville just wants someone to speak to.

But as unlikely friendships are forged, feuds bubble in the laundry room, and everyone jostles for a seat at the Captain’s table, they might find all their plans going overboard….

Warm, funny and uplifting, this is the perfect escapist read for fans of Gervase Phinn’s Yorkshire novels, as well as readers of Celia Imrie, Alan Titchmarsh and Maeve Haran.

‘[Gervase Phinn is] a worthy successor to James Herriott, and every bit as endearing’ – bestselling author Alan Titchmarsh

‘A worthy successor to James Herriot, and every bit as endearing.’ – Alan Titchmarsh

Change is afoot in the usually sleepy village of Risingdale. Gerald Gaunt, headmaster of the primary school for over thirty years, is retiring. It is the end of an era and Gerald hopes that his replacement will work with him to secure a bright, happy future for the school. But Mr Smart has his own ideas about how things should be run, and things start to become fraught very quickly.

On top of this, the teachers have plenty of other dramas to contend with. Still dealing with a class of children who seem to understand agriculture better than arithmetic, Tom Dwyer is pining over Janette, his one-that-got-away. Meanwhile, his colleague Joyce Tranter’s new marital bliss is shattered by the arrival of her husband’s avaricious, scheming nephew. And elsewhere in the village, Sir Hedley’s long-cherished plans for his future are jeopardised by the arrival back in his life of his bitter, desperate ex-wife.

Can the residents of Risingdale pull together and achieve happiness against the odds?

With a lively cast of characters both old and new and countless laugh-out-loud moments, A Class Act is a warm, enchanting portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.

Readers are loving the Top of the Dales series:

‘Loved it. So easy to read, lovely story, unforgettable characters.’ – 5 STARS

‘Brilliant!’ – 5 STARS

‘Could not put the book down. Gervase Phinn is an expert story teller.’ – 5 STARS

‘Such a relaxing and calming read’ – 5 STARS

‘I have been waiting for this sequel and it didn’t disappoint.’ – 5 STARS

After an eventful start to his first ever teaching post in the sleepy village of Risingdale, Tom Dwyer is hoping for a bit of calm. Nursing a broken heart after a romantic disappointment, he just wants to keep his head down and get on with his job.

But it is not to be. A beautiful London artist sets tongues wagging when she moves into the village, and her precocious yet frail son is in Tom’s class. On top of that, his colleague’s malicious ex-husband is back, determined to create mischief, and a tragedy on one of the winding country roads sends the village reeling. And all this alongside a class of children who still seem to know more about farming than fractions.

With its colourful mix of characters both old and new and its many laugh-out-loud moments, Tales Out of School is a warm, humorous portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.

Readers are loving TALES OUT OF SCHOOL:

‘Loved it. So easy to read, lovely story, unforgettable characters.’ – 5 STARS

‘Brilliant!’ – 5 STARS

‘Could not put the book down. Gervase Phinn is an expert story teller.’ – 5 STARS

‘Such a relaxing and calming read’ – 5 STARS

‘I have been waiting for this sequel and it didn’t disappoint.’ – 5 STARS

‘It’s a small village is Barton-in-the-Dale, Mrs Stirling,’ said the shopkeeper. ‘You ought to know that by now. Nothing can be kept secret for too long. News travels fast.’

In the little village of Barton-in-the-Dale, long-hidden secrets are bubbling to the surface. Ashley Underwood and Emmet O’Malley are set to tie the knot, when a revelation from the handsome Irishman’s past returns to haunt him. The town’s resident nosey-parker discovers some juicy gossip about the primary school’s dishy new staff-member, and head teacher Elisabeth Stirling has a very special secret of her own.

As the wedding day draws closer, brewing secrets threaten to boil over. But along with the skeletons tumbling out of the closet comes plenty of laughter, drama, friendship and love. One thing’s for sure: for some, life in Barton-in-the-Dale will never be the same again.

Readers are loving SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE SCHOOL:

‘Wonderful’ – 5 STARS

‘Perfect light summer reading’ – 5 STARS

‘Just as good as his previous book in the series.’ – 5 STARS

‘I so enjoy the trials and tribulations of this Yorkshire school. Gervase is a fine writer.’ – 5 STARS

‘It’s like having a gossip with a good friend – a beautiful series of books.’ – 5 STARS

But Gervase is far from daunted – he is ready to brave the steely glare of the officious Mrs Savage, and even feels up to helping Dr Gore organize a gathering of the Feofees – just as soon as someone tells him what they are! He is still in pursuit of the lovely headteacher Christine Bentley, but will she feel the same?

This is a delectable second helping of hilarious tales from the man who has been dubbed ‘the James Herriot of schools’. In Over Hill and Dale, Gervase Phinn will have you laughing out loud.

‘Gervase Phinn’s memoirs have made him a hero in school staff-rooms’ Daily Telegraph

Gervase Phinn is an author and educator from Rotherham who, after teaching for fourteen years in a variety of schools, moved to North Yorkshire to be a school inspector. He has written autobiographies, novels, plays, collections of poetry and stories, as well as a number of books about education. He holds five fellowships, honorary doctorates from Hull, Leicester and Sheffield Hallam universities, and is a patron of a number of children’s charities and organizations. He is married with four adult children. His books include The Other Side of the Dale, Over Hill and Dale, Head Over Heels in the Dales, The Heart of the Dales, Up and Down in the Dales and Trouble at the Little Village School.