Terry Waite Q&A

It's fair to say that Terry Waite has had a varied career. From working for the Anglican Church to being appointed Advisor to the Archbishop of Canterbury, to campaigning as a hostage negotiator...before being taken hostage himself in Lebanon in January 1987. He remained in captivity for 1,763 days, well over four years of which were spent in solitary confinement. Since his release in November 1991 he has devoted himself to study, writing, lecturing and humanitarian activities. He is President of Emmaus UK (an international charity working with homeless people) and founder chairman of Hostage (a charity providing support for hostages and their families). He was made CBE in 1992 and is the author of three works of non fiction.

His first novel - The Voyage of the Golden Handshake - is published today by Silvertail Books and available on Amazon.

On a cold morning in Grimsby, Albert Hardcastle wakes up to his first day of retirement. His days of working in a shop are behind him, and he and his wife Alice decide to celebrate by taking the luxury cruise they always dreamed of. Meanwhile, on the Essex coast Rear Admiral Sir Benbow Harrington, a retired Royal Navy officer, is trying to assemble a fleet of passenger ships. His newest vessel, The Golden Handshake, is ready for its maiden voyage. At least that's what Sir Benbow thinks... When Albert and Sir Benbow embark on The Golden Handshake's first cruise, they encounter characters and experiences more colourful than they could ever have imagined, and meet with both triumph and disaster, with plenty in between.

Leave your questions for Terry Waite on the thread before 7 May - five people who post will each win a copy of the book.