When you have lost everything, how far would you go?What would you do to protect your child? The war in Kosovo has already been relegated to the history books but in Flying with Kites, Alan Reynolds reminds us of the brutality and futility of this tragic conflict. In a powerful and moving account, we follow the plight of Katya Gjikolli an English teacher who is forced to flee her native village with her baby son after her husband had been captured by Serb forces and believed killed. Echoing actual events, we are transported through the unforgiving landscape of a Balkan winter, sharing the horror of her brief capture and subsequent escape. The flight to a squalid refugee camp in Macedonia and subsequent evacuation to the UK are vividly portrayed and we share her anxiety as she is resettled with another refugee and her daughter in a tower block in Newcastle. The story follows the two women s differing experiences and how they cope with acclimatising to the new culture. We learn too about the local population and how they are also trying to survive and make the most of their lives which become inexorably intertwined with the refugees.

Peppered throughout with great characters, the novel has colour, pace and depth, making this a very enjoyable read. It's tragedy and it's comedy. It's got sex. It's got violence. It's also got tenderness so well written that it can bring a tear to the eye. Just enjoy! - Geoff Newman Flying with Kites is an extremely riveting read - both for its depiction of the war in Kosovo and the personal anguish of the main character, but also for the warmth and the humour displayed when the story moves to the North East. Alan's style of writing is believable, your love for the characters is real and I can't wait to read the next instalment! - D. Middleton

Following a successful career in Banking, Alan Reynolds established his own training company in 2002 and has successfully managed projects across a wide range of businesses. This experience has led to an interest in psychology and human behaviour through watching interactions, studying responses and research. Leadership has also featured strongly in his training portfolios and the knowledge gained has helped build the strong characters in his books. His interest in writing started as a hobby but after completing his first novel in just three weeks, the favourable reviews he received has encouraged him to take up a new career. The inspiration for his stories comes from real life with which people can easily identify.