Lee J. Morrison

Dr Lee J Morrison was born in the UK, in Lancashire, with an Afro Caribbean Father and ancestors from Kenya. His White English Mother was from Derbyshire UK with French ancestors originating in the town of Vernon, Normandy, and Viking ancestors from South Yorkshire. For example his Maternal Great Grandmother was from Thurgoland, and his Grandmother was born in Wharncliffside, which still bear the traces of Viking strongholds. There is also the local legend of the Wharncliffe Dragon which supposedly occupied the granite cliffs. His Maternal Great Grandfather and Great, Great Grandfather were likewise from the same picturesque area of Bradfield at the head of the Derwent valley.

As the name suggests there is a Scottish connection with the Morrison 'Tartan' from the Scottish Isle of Lewis, dating from 1701.

Dr Lee studied in London and Paris, and at the University of Reading, affiliated to Oxford, and his qualifications include a BA Honours Degree and a Master of Fine Arts degree, and he now has PhD status.

After teaching at the University College London, Lee was a Tutor at the University of Sussex in Brighton, and at Hastings. Whilst married for 25 years and living in Brighton with a son and daughter, Lee experienced other professions including Construction, and a very enjoyable time as a Head Chef in a Restaurant next door to the Opera House. For several years he operated a successful Landscape Gardening enterprise, and was a regular exhibitor at the Brighton Festival, London, Calais, and the USA, selling Paintings and Graphic Art on a regular basis.

Writing was always close to his heart, and throughout his life Dr Lee has penned Poems, Songs, and Comedy sketches, and he has had considerable experience as a performer. In addition to working behind the scenes at the Royal Ballet Covent Garden, and other Theatres in London; he was a semi-professional singer and dancer with several Musical Theatre groups, and a Stand up Comedian; a Street Performer in St Tropez, and has appeared on stage in Tunisia and Brazil.

"Much of the Fictional CHRYSTABELL TRILOGY is based upon reality, but I love to try to write in what some publishers call the Passionate Romance genre, and they are illustrated with original hand drawn images, which I enjoy greatly. The stories also discuss social and supernatural issues, and I like to develop characters in a dramatic and realistic way full of joys and sorrows and frustrations, and humour, as well as success. I also like to write in a very visual way, maybe influenced by French Film Noir. I would consider the three books to be Philosophical and Poetic."

The books in this series are -

CHRYSTABELL'S SECRETS Published 20 December 2011.

THEO: A NEPHEW OF CHRYSTABELL Published 5th June 2012.

CHRISTINA: A SISTER TO CHRYSTABELL Published 28th June 2013.

Currently in 2014,I have a new fictional book published On 24 JANUARY 2014 entitled 'THE MANY FACES OF APRIL JADE' Although this is a different kind of story, it is basically a passionate Romance, but also a Detective Story.

As usual the characters are presented with humour as well as traumatic Poetic sadness. My aim is to make the characters realistic, with an awareness of the social issues in the world and run a whole gamut of emotions; and in this case there is a joyful happy ending. There are 10 original Hand Drawn Black & White illustrations which highlight my vision of THE MANY FACES OF APRIL JADE.

Currently again in 2014, I am working on a new fictional story with a slightly different writing style. I am writing in the 'first person' style, as Xerses Franklin relates the saga of Gabriel and Melona.

The 30th of January 2015 marks the publishing day for XERSES FRANKLIN: THE SAGA OF GABRIEL & MELONA, with 30 original Black & White illustrations.

Events take a disastrous and dramatic turn when Xerses tries to reunite his old friend Gabriel and his estranged wife Melona. Abby, a beautiful Cosmetics Consultant becomes Xerses wife and unwitting alibi. For them love grows even though trouble follows them, and they narrowly escape death on a Caribbean retreat.

Currently in 2015, I am working on a new novel BRANDON, which again is written in the first person of the character, and begins in a setting near the South Hudson River Park in the USA. Will Brandon discover why and by whom his colleague was killed, and will his family survive the threat to their safety?

March 7, 2016 marks the publishing day of BRANDON. Published again by Author House. Romance, Murder and Mystery surround Brandon as he becomes an Undercover Investigator.

"Just call me Brandon" says Dr Brandon Edwin Martin-Schally when asked to give a statement by Inspector McArthur.

This book again contains 30 Original B/W illustrations, and some original Poems. A complete work of art, as well as a Romantic Detective story full of action.

For this book also there is also BRANDON'S THEME performed by Fusion Band, JOHNDOG. Check out 'You Tube' and my website.

My most recent book for 2020, published on the 20th of December 2019 is entitled TWO SHORT DRAMAS. It features BLAZING HILLS and THE POETIC LIFE OF RALPH CANNON. They are both fictional based on realities, and around a story of the infatuation of Yaneck, a TV Director for Heather Firebrand a Canadian Rock Star with Scottish ancestry, many serious issues are touched upon including Global Warming. Offsetting the serious implications of the storylines, the character of Mac the Mackinty a Comedian and Children's Entertainer advises and comforts Yaneck Stravininsky and his wife Yolanda throughout.

As I have already stated, I write Poetry all the time, and this inspired me to write a short story in verse and rhyming prose. This is nothing new when one considers the pillars of literature such as Dante, Chaucer, Aesop, Shakespeare and Pushkin just to mention a few. The story is simple as Ralph, a Poet, drives out of New York round about 2002 and out of a relationship, reflecting on parts of his life with many humorous anecdotes that he shares with his brother in Manchester UK. His dilemma is whether to return to the familiar, or continue to new experiences and encounters. There is a surprise twist at the end.

Only the cover designs are featured by Derek Vernon-Morris and there are not the customary illustrations. This is because for these particular stories, I think that the visualisation would be more effective according to the imagination of each individual reader.

I hope everyone will find these TWO SHORT DRAMAS entertaining as well as thought provoking.