Solar Battery Decision Made

Aside

After more thought and planning a solar battery decision has been made. I discussed this and the various options here.

After lots of quotes and possibilities we have gone with the Tesla Powerwall

Solar Battery Decision Made Tesla Powerwall

Solar Battery Installer

We have ordered the Powerwall through Spirit Energy. We now await an installation date 6-8 weeks we’ve been advised.. (Update – 18 Sep – we have an installation date of 30 Oct and DNO permission.) (Update – 5 Oct – we have an installation date of 6 Oct)) We also have to get some extra work done with RCDs on a couple of house circuits to allow the backup capability to work for the whole house. (Update – 18 Sep – we have to have a new Consumer unit awaiting install and of course increase in costs) (Update 5 Oct – all completed) This is one of the key benefits of the Tesla – whole house backup. We won’t be off grid but hopefully a very low user. So low the daily standing charge rises for electricity (Power companies getting more money despite consumption price cap) we have seen are noticeable.

DNO

Another complication is the DNO permission. This is the Distributor Network Operator permission to install generation (the battery potentially sending power to the grid). We didn’t need DNO for our existing solar. This is a 3.5 kw/h system so doesn’t need full approval. The Powerwall can be installed at this level and software limited to 3.5 kw/h until permission comes through. (Update 5 Oct – all approved) The battery can supply 5kw/h or >16 amps which we want for EV charging. Spirit Energy blog on DNO. The battery has >13kw/h capacity or approx 4hrs of charging at pre-DNO rate.

In this case, our supplier will handle getting permission and Tesla will adjust rate after DNO comes through. As with most government things at the moment it will probably be New Year.

I’ll also add some more details to the main battery page including costs

The EV Experience and Solar – Add some batteries and a charger

Just launched a new page The EV Experience and Solar detailing my route to an Electric Vehicle, EV. We then have considerations of solar power, chargers, batteries and home wind. I’ll be updating the journey and experiences as we go along.

Tesla Blue EV Experience

The one above is not my car, wrong wheels. Nor is the one below that I photographed. It was the one that I tried to collect but mine is the same type and colour.

Tesla EV Experience

We purchased a Tesla Model Y All Wheel Drive Long Range. Not the Performance Model. The process has already not been smooth due to Tesla itself and Brent Cross Pick Up location in particular. I won’t regurgitate the pain here, please see the page.

I’ll be copying some elements to the Goodreads thread What Do You Know about Electric Vehicles

EV Experience Other Bits

I’ll also be adding details on our existing Solar system of 14 panels generating 3.6kw/h on a good day. We’re adding the Zappi charger we have chosen and our choice of battery if we decide to get one. Still trying to decide on the battery but compatibility and working applications with Solar delivery are critical. Also looking at energy suppliers who fit the combinations with variable charging. Supercharging at Tesla already done. Much cheaper than petrol!

The World of Fives on Audio Book Format

Now out, The World of Fives on audio book format narrated by Monica McIntyre – ACX profile here.

Available at Amazon, Audible US, Audible UK and Apple iTunes/Books

World of Fives Fives on Audio
World of Fives Audio Retail Sample

In The World of Fives, Human Beings have expanded into the stars, thanks to the benefits of 7D transportation. Life and planets are plentiful, intelligent life is not. A near Utopian existence for humans is supported by the dedication to various services. The Human Federation policy is one of non-intervention. Observe only, that is the mission of The Interplanetary Geographic Service.

Cathy is an Observer in The Interplanetary Geographic Service. She is observing the planet Fivur, as an exceptionally rare convergence of moons and orbits creates massive tidal shifts on the planet’s surface.  Five years into her initial six year mission, with only Ix her Artificial Intelligence system for company, she watches the planet.

Carlo, a Fivurian must overcome the impact of the tides on the planet’s power system, whilst keeping his love, Sello, safe.  Meanwhile, Cathy tries to persuade her superiors to intervene, and save the lives of the planets humanoid population.  If she can save them, they will need a new home, but Earth’s factions have different ideas.  Meanwhile, another intelligent species on the planet the Sharok wait to feast on any human or Fivurian who ends up in the water.

The book is also available from Amazon in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Canada and selected other Amazon sites

All my audio books can be found listed here

Counter is on Audio

Now out, Counter is on audio book format narrated by Greg Cooper or ACX profile here.

Available at Amazon, Audible US, Audible UK and Apple iTunes/Books

Counter ACX

Ben Walker, the count, is off the grid, hiding because of what he took. A life in the shadows with covert military operations was terminated. He sought revenge. He tracked down the chain of command. LC is the man who tried to have him killed, but he made an offer to be a different type of hunter.

Now, Walker has taken information and money and gone into hiding. LC wants Walker and what he took. He will take extreme measures to get it.

LC has also disappeared. He is wanted too. The hunters are now hunted.

Helen Lawrence is part of a team cobbled together from the maze of government agencies. They set out to try to find Walker so that he can help find LC, who has also vanished. The team members are not all they seem, and if they do find him, then the real hunt will start. She has her own problems and desires without an entanglement with Walker.

The missing data is valuable. The motives of the agencies are unknown.

The bullets are real.

As well as in Audio format, Counter can also be found in paperback, e-book on Amazon and in translations on other ebook sites

All my audio books can be found listed here

Trying To Hack My Web Site

Attempts continue daily trying to hack my web site. On multiple occasions I have approached IP address holder via the WHOIS service to complain and received bland reassurances. An example of the recent IP address is below the table. Once a host has been established from where the hacking attempt is coming from, you then have to fill in the contact form or abuse form for the host company. A few days later you’ll get a bland reassurance back and the hacks continue sometimes from the same IP address. In the table below, I have listed some of these hacking attempts over the last month. I get 50-100 every 24 hours. I’ll probably get more now.

UPDATE

Nothing back from web sites about IP addresses and in last 48 hours 1-3 Aug 2023 I’ve logged over 500 attempts. Waste of bandwidth….

Purpose of Trying To Hack My Web Site

It’s unclear why these bots or their instigators are trying to hack my site. The site has reputational value to me, but has no e-commerce element except links to book sites. It does not hold membership lists of thousands – in fact no members with no private data, except cookie lists – see privacy policy. It may be fun but it’s just a pain and so far unsuccessful. I’m not saying what my user account name is for admin access. Nor am I giving out a password/phrase but it’s strong and then there is 2FA, Two-Factor Authentication. That means these brute force attempts get nowhere even if they did get my username and password.

It’s all a colossal waste of time and resources for all parties. Having worked in the cyber security field, I know how much effort this costs for a company and what sort of reward these criminals are after. The databases or monetary ransom from encryption, but again why my site?

Dear hackers give it a rest. Why not use your skills for the betterment of human life? Mind you with the endless efforts of Government agencies some of which have leaked into the open this is an ongoing battle. Hadn’t realised this comes 10 years after Snowden’s revelations.

Table of IP Addresses

DateIP AddressUser Account attempted
June 22, 2023 07:24152.32.189.117admin (3 lockouts)
June 22, 2023 06:12148.72.244.186phenweb (1 lockouts)
June 21, 2023 20:1445.120.69.121admin (1 lockouts)
June 21, 2023 01:232a03:b0c0:1:d0::e6c:f001phenweb (1 lockouts)
June 20, 2023 06:10148.72.214.194admin (2 lockouts)
June 19, 2023 15:3266.94.96.129admin (2 lockouts)
June 19, 2023 12:51103.179.56.32admin (2 lockouts)
June 19, 2023 06:1535.187.58.136admin (1 lockouts)
June 19, 2023 05:50134.122.123.193admin (1 lockouts)
June 18, 2023 03:502a03:b0c0:1:d0::ee2:c001wwwadmin (1 lockouts)
June 13, 2023 00:032607:f298:5:6000::cb9:8de4admin (1 lockouts)
June 09, 2023 13:222a03:b0c0:1:d0::ee2:c001admin (1 lockouts)
June 09, 2023 07:18167.99.86.104admin (1 lockouts)
June 09, 2023 03:462a00:d680:20:50::4379admin (3 lockouts)
June 07, 2023 00:405.188.62.21pghadmin (9 lockouts)
June 05, 2023 22:35150.109.148.216admin (1 lockouts)
June 05, 2023 12:13185.2.4.134wadminw (1 lockouts)
June 04, 2023 09:1346.105.29.21admin (1 lockouts)
June 03, 2023 11:352001:41d0:403:1680::admin (1 lockouts)
June 03, 2023 05:132a00:d680:20:50::f4dcadmin (2 lockouts)
June 02, 2023 00:58195.154.184.235admin (1 lockouts)
June 01, 2023 15:25157.230.249.54admin (1 lockouts)
May 25, 2023 20:5147.111.116.44admin (1 lockouts)
May 25, 2023 12:442607:f298:5:6000::d15:5580admin (1 lockouts)
May 25, 2023 11:17116.109.45.9wwwadmin (1 lockouts)
May 25, 2023 05:142400:6180:0:d0::f6f:3001admin (3 lockouts)
May 24, 2023 19:1523.99.229.218admin (1 lockouts)
May 24, 2023 18:3224.199.86.99admin (1 lockouts)
May 23, 2023 01:5151.79.144.41admin (2 lockouts)
May 22, 2023 12:222001:41d0:403:1680::wadminw (1 lockouts)

WHOIS Trying to Hack My Web Site

Whois IP 152.32.189.117

The IP is registered to Hong Kong and UCloud. They have an abuse email hegui@ucloud.cn. I won’t hold out any hope of a response but I’ve tried.

% [whois.apnic.net]
% Whois data copyright terms    http://www.apnic.net/db/dbcopyright.html
% Information related to '152.32.128.0 - 152.32.255.255'
% Abuse contact for '152.32.128.0 - 152.32.255.255' is '@ucloud.cn'
inetnum:        152.32.128.0 - 152.32.255.255
netname:        UCLOUD-HK
descr:          UCLOUD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (HK) LIMITED
country:        HK
org:            ORG-UITL1-AP
admin-c:        UITH2-AP
tech-c:         UITH2-AP
abuse-c:        AU164-AP
status:         ALLOCATED PORTABLE
remarks:        --------------------------------------------------------
remarks:        To report network abuse, please contact mnt-irt
remarks:        For troubleshooting, please contact tech-c and admin-c
remarks:        Report invalid contact via www.apnic.net/invalidcontact
remarks:        --------------------------------------------------------
mnt-by:         APNIC-HM
mnt-lower:      MAINT-UCLOUD-HK
mnt-routes:     MAINT-UCLOUD-HK
mnt-irt:        IRT-UCLOUD-HK
last-modified:  2022-05-16T03:40:43Z
source:         APNIC
irt:            IRT-UCLOUD-HK
address:        FLAT/RM 603 6/F, LAWS COMMERCIAL PLAZA, 788 CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, KL,, Hong Kong
e-mail:         @ucloud.cn
abuse-mailbox:  @ucloud.cn
admin-c:        UITH2-AP
tech-c:         UITH2-AP
auth:           # Filtered
remarks:        @ucloud.cn was validated on 2022-12-29
remarks:        @ucloud.cn was validated on 2022-12-30
mnt-by:         MAINT-UCLOUD-HK
last-modified:  2022-12-30T07:26:18Z
source:         APNIC
organisation:   ORG-UITL1-AP
org-name:       UCLOUD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (HK) LIMITED
country:        HK
address:        FLAT/RM 603 6/F
address:        LAWS COMMERCIAL PLAZA
address:        788 CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, KL,
phone:          +86-18221224857
e-mail:         @ucloud.cn
mnt-ref:        APNIC-HM
mnt-by:         APNIC-HM
last-modified:  2019-12-10T12:58:29Z
source:         APNIC
role:           ABUSE UCLOUDHK
address:        FLAT/RM 603 6/F, LAWS COMMERCIAL PLAZA, 788 CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, KL,, Hong Kong
country:        ZZ
phone:          +000000000
e-mail:         @ucloud.cn
admin-c:        UITH2-AP
tech-c:         UITH2-AP
nic-hdl:        AU164-AP
remarks:        Generated from irt object IRT-UCLOUD-HK
remarks:        @ucloud.cn was validated on 2022-12-29
remarks:        @ucloud.cn was validated on 2022-12-30
abuse-mailbox:  @ucloud.cn
mnt-by:         APNIC-ABUSE

Audio Books Dedicated Page Now Published

I’ve been busy with narrators on creating audio books.

Audio Books Permanent Page

I have added a new permanent page here showing all audio books on a dedicated page. This includes all books both produced and in production. There are also details of narrators and links to sales outlets and retail samples.

Narrators

If you are interested in creating non-English translations, please let me know or use the ACX platform to contact me. As at June 08, I now have a narrator for To The Survivors, but I’m re-looking for a narrator for Sail Chains.

Audio Books

Audio Book Covers

Audio Book Details and Samples

BookTitleNarratorLanguageAudibleAmazonApple iTunes
Demise AudioAn Agent’s Demise
The Demise Series – Part One
Colin Fluxman
English – UK
Audible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
AmazonApple
An Agent's Rise ACXAn Agent’s Rise
The Demise Series – Part Two
Stephen H Marsden
English – USAAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon UKApple Books iTunes
An Agent's Prize ACXAn Agent’s Prize
The Demise Series – Part Three
Stephen H Marsden
English – USAAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible Germany
Audible France
Audible Australia
Audible Canada
Amazon UKApple Books iTunes
Demise Trilogy ACXThe Demise Trilogy
The Demise Series in one volume
Stephen H MarsdenEnglish – USAIn Production
SC ACXSailing Clear
Sailing Clear Series – Part One
Johnathan Welsh
English – UKAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
AmazonApple
Sail Chains ACXSail Chains
Sailing Clear Series – Part Two
Kevin Redson
English – UKAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon USAApple Books iTunes
Sails ACX CoverSails
Sailing Clear Series – Part Three
Kevin Redson
English UKAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon UKApple Books iTunes
Counter ACXCounterGreg Cooper
English – USAAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
AmazonApple Books iTunes
Fives ACXThe World of Fives
The Observer Series – Part One
Monica McIntire

Check Out Monica’s Web Site
English – USAAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany

Apple Books
AmazonApple Books iTunes
Intervention ACXIntervention
The Observer Series – Part Two
Monica McIntire

Check Out Monica’s Web Site
English – USAAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
AmazonApple Books iTunes
TTS ACXTo The Survivors
Charles Robert Fox
English – UKAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon UK
Amazon USA
Apple Books iTunes
Persuasive Man ACXThe Persuasive ManLiam Carrolan
English – USAAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
AmazonApple Books
Landscape ACXLandscapeCC Kline
English – USAAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon UKApple Books iTunes
NTM ACXNot Too MuchCC Kline
English – USAAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
AmazonApple Books iTunes
Semblance ACXSemblance of StormsTobey Alvarez
English – USAAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon USAApple Books iTunes
Take Four Audio ACXTake FourCC Kline
In Production
English UKIn Production
Re-Semblance Audio ACX CoverRe-SemblanceTobey Alvarez
In Production
English – USAIn Production

Audio Books Production

All audio books produced using the ACX platform to link narrators to writers.

ACX

Sailing Clear on Audio

Sailing Clear is now out on Audio narrated by Johnathan Welsh

It is available at Amazon, on Audible and on Apple Books/iTunes

Sailing Clear ACX
Sailing Clear Audio Sample

Missing girls, missing money, missing man, luxury motor yachts, and the people chasing them.

An old MI6 undercover mission to prevent terrorists entering the UK via sex trafficking routes went wrong. The undercover agent is assigned to a new role. A man lost in the shadows manages the hidden finances of the security services but dreams of a better life sailing the Mediterranean. When he runs off he is hunted, but he may have been killed by an organised crime leader. The police are assigned to find him. Two sisters run away to Greece from the sexual abuse of their father. The characters intersect as the hunt commences. Then the security services need to find options to deal with the fallout. The undercover agent now in her new planning role is assigned to trace the missing financier, but a corrupt cop may give them all away.

Semblance of Storms Republished

Aside

Semblance of Storms has been republished following a restructure, and re-edit.

A novel of writing, lust, storms, secrets and relationships…

It is available in Kindle and Paperback format on Amazon. I have also posted the title available for translation on BabelCube and for Audio narration on ACX

Semblance of Storms Cover

All that is required, by his publishers is to write a fourth book, not like the flop that was his third. His successful first two books bought him fame, some fortune and disputes with his terminally ill father. He wants his son to help with his half-sister. If only her mom, wouldn’t give confusing messages on what she wants; possibly him. A family friend and lawyer will help, as he always has done but there are secrets in his past too.

His new book will be a tale of boy meets girl in his usual elaborate and descriptive style. His agent, wants him to produce it soon but he has his own pressures from his new investors. There might be a movie deal to be negotiated. The new investor is represented by an attractive woman who is infamous for other reasons.

His editor, wants him to finish the book so she can stop his publisher asking for the advance back. She hopes he has written something as good as his first published book. He does too. He needs to concentrate on writing this book not drafting anything else. Old lost, and possible new loves and lusts, keep distracting him. The idle beach lifestyle diverts him as do post pandemic visitors.

Just when he begins to make progress on the last chapters a hurricane approaches his home in North Carolina. If he goes to visit his father, another storm may await in Houston. His neighbor and that family add further complications and secrets that need to be hidden or avoided, especially from the FBI.

Translations and Audio Books

I’m looking to expand my list of translations and audio books.

Marketing Translations

I am advertising the translations and existing audio books for sales but marketing is complex especially in different languages!

Translated Editions Samples

Translations

At the moment I have translations in Spanish and Portuguese for many of my books – see the list here. There is only one translation in French and a couple in Italian. I am looking to expand these and add translations into other languages like German, Hindi, and others. I use BabelCube for translation. The platform allows royalty share and publishes the translated e-book to other platforms not just Amazon which is my main publishing platform for Kindle and paperbacks. I have recently created a French paperback version of To The Survivors – Aux Survivants. The table showing the current book status is at the bottom of the post

Audio Books

For audiobooks I use the ACX platform and I have several projects underway. I have investigated AI routes to create the voices but ACX does not allow such use. I appreciate it takes a lot of time and effort to narrate and produce. Unfortunately, I can only support royalty share on this platform, as well. I know this limits some narrators. ACX titles are published to Audible and Apple as well as Amazon directly.

ACX

It is possible to add narration in translated languages, but so far I have not had any offers for this.

Contact

If anyone out there is interested in translating (to any language) or narrating please let me know directly or via the ACX or BableCube platforms themselves

The Books Status

CoverTitlePublishedAmazonAudioTranslations
DemiseAn Agent’s DemiseJan 2013AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon
Apple Books iTunes
Portuguese
Spanish
SurvivorsTo The SurvivorsJun 2013AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon UK
Amazon USA
Apple Books iTunes
Spanish
Portuguese
French
Hindi
Persuasive CoverThe Persuasive ManMar 2014AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon
Apple
Italian
RiseAn Agent’s RiseJul 2014AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon UK
Apple Books iTunes
Portuguese
Fives CoverWorld Of FivesJul 2014AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon
Apple
Spanish
Portuguese
LandscapeLandscapeMar 2015AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon UK
Apple Books iTunes
Portuguese
Spanish
InterventionInterventionJan 2016AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon
Apple
Portuguese
Spanish
Prize CoverAn Agent’s PrizeApr 2016AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible Germany
Audible France
Audible Australia
Audible Canada
Amazon UK
Apple Books iTunes
Spanish
Portuguese
TrilogyThe Demise TrilogyApr 2016Amazon In ProductionPortuguese
Sailing CoverSailing ClearFeb 2017AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon
Apple Books iTunes
Portuguese
Spanish
Too MuchNot Too MuchDec 2017AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon
Apple Books iTunes
Spanish
Portuguese
CounterCounterOct 2019AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Apple Books iTunes
Amazon
Portuguese
Spanish
Sail Chains CoverSail ChainsJun 2021AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon USA
Apple Books iTunes
Spanish
Storms CoverSemblance of StormsNov 2022AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon USA
Apple Books iTunes
Spanish
Sails CoverSailsOct 2023AmazonAudible USA
Audible UK
Audible France
Audible Germany
Amazon UK
Apple Books iTunes
None
Take FourTake FourFeb 2024AmazonIn ProductionNone
Re-SemblanceRe-SemblanceMar 2024AmazonIn productionSpanish In Production
[table “” not found /]