Justin Sheedy's Blog - Posts Tagged "ghosts-of-the-empire"

Woo Hoo! I have just finished writing my latest book, “Ghosts of the Empire”, sequel to my warmly-received historical fiction, “Nor the Years Condemn” – a tale of shining young men destined never to grow old. I now just have to proof-read the last 50 pages & design the cover. “Ghosts of the Empire” will be published towards the end of this September. Between now and then, if you’d like to read the prequel, “Nor the Years Condemn”, please do pick it up via the links to follow.

Available in Australia at Dymocks Bookstores...
http://www.dymocks.com.au/ProductDeta...

Available internationally at AMAZON...
http://www.amazon.com/Nor-Years-Conde...

Reading excerpts of “Nor the Years Condemn”...
http://crackernight.com/2010/02/10/ju...

For Rave Reviews...
http://crackernight.com/2012/01/17/gr...

Latest & Breaking News...
http://crackernight.com/latest-news-r...

For the Opening of “Ghosts of the Empire”...
http://crackernight.com/2011/06/01/op...

I have richly enjoyed writing “Ghosts of the Empire”, just hope it is received even half as well as the Prequel, “Nor the Years Condemn”, and truly look forward to seeing it on bookstore shelves. -- Justin Sheedy, September 2013

http://crackernight.com/2013/09/07/ju...

My latest book, set for release this October. “GHOSTS OF THE EMPIRE”. Book description below!


GHOSTS OF THE EMPIRE

As the storm of World War II breaks, Mick O’Regan is a peaceful Sydney working-class boy. Yet he and the shining youth of his generation are cursed to enter a world of high-speed life and death. Like first-time Aussie backpackers they cross the planet to save the British Empire, their job on arrival the most dangerous of the War: flying for Royal Air Force Bomber Command.

Based on a true Australian war story only now being brought to life by author Justin Sheedy’s vivid historical fictions, “Ghosts of the Empire” is also a story of young people living life to the full while they can – in a blacked-out world where dance partners, sex and death flow in equal abundance.

Though standing on its own as the white-knuckle excitement saga that it is, “Ghosts of the Empire” is the much-anticipated sequel to “Nor the Years Condemn”, Sheedy’s highly acclaimed story of shining young men destined never to grow old. ‘Ghosts’, it is said, are the spirits of those who die violently, tragically, or when ripped from life too young. “Ghosts of the Empire” is their story.

To read the opening of “Ghosts of the Empire” plus further excerpts, CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK...
http://crackernight.com/2011/06/01/op...

Justin Sheedy, September 2013
http://crackernight.com/2013/09/15/au...

It is indeed a hard-earned Dream-Come-True for Sydney author, Justin Sheedy, that he has just been offered & signed a Major Distribution Deal for his latest book, Nor the Years Condemn, and it’s highly-anticipated Sequel, Ghosts of the Empire. A proudly Independent Australian Author, Sheedy will now see his books (as will his loyal Readers!) in wide bookstore distribution between now and Christmas 2013, both in Australia and Internationally. DETAILS BELOW!

GHOSTS OF THE EMPIRE

As the storm of World War II breaks, Mick O’Regan is a peaceful Sydney working-class boy. Yet he and the shining youth of his generation are cursed to enter a world of high-speed life and death. Like first-time Aussie backpackers they cross the planet to save the British Empire, their job on arrival the most dangerous of the War: flying for Royal Air Force Bomber Command.

Based on a true Australian war story only now being brought to life by author Justin Sheedy’s vivid historical fictions, “Ghosts of the Empire” is also a story of young people living life to the full while they can – in a blacked-out world where dance partners, sex and death flow in equal abundance.

Though standing on its own as the white-knuckle excitement saga that it is, “Ghosts of the Empire” is the much-anticipated sequel to “Nor the Years Condemn”, Sheedy’s highly acclaimed story of shining young men destined never to grow old. ‘Ghosts’, it is said, are the spirits of those who die violently, tragically, or when ripped from life too young. “Ghosts of the Empire” is their story.

Until “Ghosts of the Empire” is published this October, if you would like to read “Nor the Years Condemn” (the warmly-received Prequel), please do click HERE if in Australia...
http://www.dymocks.com.au/ProductDeta...
HERE if International...
http://www.amazon.com/Nor-Years-Conde...
ALSO IN SYDNEY AT GLEEBOOKS!

http://crackernight.com/2013/10/02/ma...

As special guest author at Dymocks Chatswood’s Christmas VIP Night, Justin will be signing copies of his latest historical fiction, “Ghosts of the Empire”, also his first two warmly received books, “Nor the Years Condemn” and “Goodbye Crackernight”.

“Ghosts of the Empire” is the story of peaceful Sydney boy, Mick O’Regan, who, as the storm of World War II breaks, is cursed to enter a world of high-speed life and death. To save the British Empire, his job is the most dangerous of the War: flying for RAF Fighter and Bomber Command. “Ghosts of the Empire” is also a story of young people living life to the full while they can – in a blacked-out world where dance partners, sex and death flow in equal abundance.

Though standing on its own, “Ghosts of the Empire” is the sequel to “Nor the Years Condemn”, Sheedy’s highly acclaimed story of shining young men destined never to grow old. For Rave Reviews of “Nor the Years Condemn”, click the Link...
http://crackernight.com/2012/01/17/gr...

“Goodbye Crackernight”, Sheedy’s first book, is his comic memoir of growing up in the suburbs of 1970s Australia, back in a long-lost era when a child’s proudest possession was not a PlayStation but a second-hand bike. For Rave Reviews of “Goodbye Crackernight”, click the Link...
http://crackernight.com/reviews/

Date: Thursday 21 November, 2013
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Venue: Dymocks Chatswood, Shop 301 Westfield Shopping Centre, Chatswood
Cost: Free!
Bookings/Enquiries: (02) 9412 1630 or chatswood@dymocks.com.au
ALL DYMOCKS CHATSWOOD STOCK DISCOUNTED ON THE NIGHT!
http://crackernight.com/2013/10/26/au...

Justin Sheedy’s latest book, the much-anticipated “Ghosts of the Empire” is at long last on sale! Readers Australia-wide and Internationally will be delighted to know that this sequel to Sheedy’s so warmly received World War II historical fiction, “Nor the Years Condemn”, delivers all the ingredients they loved with “Nor the Years” but with everything shifted up a gear: The air combat action is more white-knuckle, the sex is sexier, the horror more horrible, the anti-war themes more biting. Based on a true story so exciting, so heroic, so tragic, so dramatic as to defy belief, “Ghosts of the Empire” is high-exhilaration history brought to life! Sheedy is delighted that, even though “Ghosts of the Empire” has JUST been released, sales have already been brilliant, in fact, reprints have already been called for. To see why “Ghosts of the Empire” has been so highly anticipated, for rave reader-reviews of the prequel, “Nor the Years Condemn” click HERE... http://crackernight.com/2012/01/17/gr...

For press coverage, HERE... http://crackernight.com/press-coverag...

“Ghosts of the Empire” is now available on the bookstore shelves of Dymocks Sydney, Dymocks Chatswood, Dymocks Macquarie Centre, Dymocks Rouse Hill, Dymocks Warringah Mall, Dymocks Camberwell, Dymocks Carindale, Dymocks Garden City, Book Review St Ives, The Lindfield Bookshop, Collins Booksellers Camden, The Constant Reader Crows Nest, Megalong Books Leura, Berkelouw Books, The University Co-op Bookshop, Book Warehouse Lismore & Port Macquarie, Hooked on Books & Gifts Normanville, Robinsons Bookshop Frankston, The Book House Noosaville and The Australian War Memorial. With more stores to come! “Ghosts of the Empire” is orderable internationally from any of these stores and will soon be on international bookstore shelves and in all eBook formats. To order immediately from Dymocks, click HERE... http://www.dymocks.com.au/ProductDeta...

To order from Amazon in paperback & Kindle formats, click HERE...
http://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Empire-J...

GHOSTS OF THE EMPIRE

As the storm of World War II breaks, Mick O’Regan is a peaceful Sydney working-class boy. Yet he and the shining youth of his generation are cursed to enter a world of high-speed life and death. Like first-time Aussie backpackers they cross the planet to save the British Empire, their job on arrival the most dangerous of the War: flying for Royal Air Force Bomber Command.

Based on a true Australian war story only now being brought to life by author Justin Sheedy’s vivid historical fictions, “Ghosts of the Empire” is also a story of young people living life to the full while they can – in a blacked-out world where dance partners, sex and death flow in equal abundance.

Though standing on its own as the white-knuckle excitement saga that it is, “Ghosts of the Empire” is the much-anticipated sequel to “Nor the Years Condemn”, Sheedy’s highly acclaimed story of shining young men destined never to grow old. ‘Ghosts’, it is said, are the spirits of those who die violently, tragically, or when ripped from life too young. “Ghosts of the Empire” is their story.

http://crackernight.com/2013/11/24/au...

WHAT A FANTASTIC READ! TOOK NO TIME AT ALL BECAUSE I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN
“Ghosts of the Empire” – A New Novel by Justin Sheedy – Review by Mark Bentley

“This latest fact-based but fictional novel by Justin Sheedy is without doubt every bit as good as the prequel, “Nor the Years Condemn”. Both are written to tell the story of the brave young men from the British Commonwealth, in this case from Australia, who volunteered to become aircrew during World War II as part of the Royal Australian Airforce.

The opening pages of the book tell you all you need to know about the story’s main character: who he is, what he does before joining up, the background of his family life. Sheedy excels here; in just a few short pages you feel you have met the character and know him personally – Other authors have used half a book to attempt this, and bore you rigid doing so – definitely not so here.

The way in which “Ghosts of the Empire” has been researched for accuracy is quite simply astounding, even down to a countryside walk away from the main character’s UK airfield, an airfield that is still in use today, and one which I visit to photograph the modern Royal Air Force: The description of the land by Sheedy made me feel I was walking on those very country lanes and roads, only next time I do I’ll ask, “Is that a gentle breeze I feel, or is it someone else taking a stroll from an earlier time?!”

Another aspect of Sheedy’s writing style is that during the book he jumps mid-page at times to events happening elsewhere in the story, events happening at the same time, and then back again. When Sheedy does this it actually works, and works very well; he keeps you enthralled the whole time, unlike some other authors where you find it annoying and end up skip-reading or even missing pages to get back to the main narrative thread.

Very Well Done, Justin Sheedy. An excellent read from cover to cover!

Mark Bentley
Hertfordshire, UK.
PS: This is my own first attempt at a book review, but I just had to do one for THIS book.”

My most heartfelt thanks to Mark Bentley – Justin Sheedy
Full Blog Post HERE at Crackernight.com!
http://crackernight.com/2013/12/06/1s...

SHEEDY’S LATEST NOVEL TRIUMPHS!
Review by Author Marc Stevens.
‘Ghosts of the Empire’ is the latest WW2 novel from Australian author Justin Sheedy, the follow-on to ‘Nor the Years Condemn’. The second book of a proposed trilogy is neither prequel nor sequel; rather the story takes place concurrently with the first, and actually briefly shares one or two of the characters.

Once again, Sheedy succeeds mightily in getting the reader quickly invested in the story, whose proponent is a young Australian pilot, Mick O’Regan. Growing up in working class Sydney, our hero enlists in the Royal Australian Air Force, desperately hoping (like all young men of the day) to become a Spitfire pilot. He gets his wish, joining the elite group of flyers whose simple job is to kill or be killed. A sad fate that becomes too many of his friends and allies.

The background research necessary to write this story well (and Sheedy has indeed written it very well) is evident at the turn of every page. But where the author triumphs, once again, is in drawing the reader so deeply into the emotional lives of his characters that one cannot wait to turn the page. As a reader, you CARE about these brave aircrew and their families. And there is no shortage of pulling at heartstrings on the family front. Letters between combat ace Mick and his 6-year-old sister back in Australia do a credible job of ripping at your guts.

In addition to his marvellous characters, Sheedy is also showing himself to be a master of plot. Unexpected twists and turns keep the reader awake and begging for more. Yes, you will cheer for the good guys and sneer at the villains, but you will also come to learn that the innocent victims of war are never on just one side or the other.

Justin Sheedy is rapidly becoming that to which every author aspires: a novelist with serious talent.
Full Blog Post here... http://crackernight.com/2013/12/09/1s...

GHOSTLY TALE PORTRAYS LOVE AND LOSS ON FRONT LINE - Northern District Times, Wednesday 11 December 2013
by Robbie Patterson

GHOSTS, it is said, are the spirits of those who die violently, tragically or when ripped from life too young. Epping-born author Justin Sheedy’s epic tale of life, death, love, innocence and youth on the front line, Ghosts of the Empire, tells their story. It is the much-anticipated sequel to Nor the Years Condemn, the highly acclaimed story by Sheedy (pictured) of shining young men destined never to grown old. Based on a true Australian war story, Ghosts of the Empire is a tale of free-spirited young people living life to the full while they can – in a blacked-out world where dance partners, sex and death flow in equal abundance. “Being an Epping boy, it’s particularly rewarding to have been invited to sign copies of this, my third book, at Dymocks Macquarie Centre,” he said. His first book, Goodbye Crackernight, depicted Sheedy’s 1970s childhood in Epping. The author now lives in Surry Hills.

Sheedy’s next in-store book-signings will be at Dymocks Chatswood on Saturday 21 December and Dymocks Rouse Hill (just before Christmas!) on Monday 23 December. Sheedy’s books are available at Dymocks Bookstores & all Australian bookstores and at Amazon in paperback & Kindle formats.
For full blog post, click the Link...
http://crackernight.com/2013/12/13/fi...

NORTHERN STAR WEEKENDER – Saturday 14 December 2013 – feature by Helen Hawkes

A Must-Read – WARTIME TALES – Title: Ghosts of the Empire – Author: Justin Sheedy

TRUE Australian stories of war and bravery and lives lost too young are the stock-in-trade of rising Australian author, Justin Sheedy. After the success of his first books, "Goodbye Crackernight" and "Nor the Years Condemn", the self-published author, whose books will soon be available nationwide thanks to a large distribution deal, has penned "Ghosts of the Empire".

As the storm of the Second World War breaks, Mick O’Regan is a peaceful Sydney working-class boy. Cursed to enter a world of high-speed life and death, he flies for the Royal Air Force Bomber Command. "Ghosts of the Empire" is also a story of young people living life to the full while they can – in a blacked-out world where dance partners, sex and death flow in equal abundance, says Sheedy. If you like a rollicking wartime story, you’ll love his latest adventure.

Justin Sheedy's books are available in paperback & Kindle formats at Amazon, at Dymocks Bookstores and orderable via ALL bookstores.
For full blog post, click the Link...
http://crackernight.com/2013/12/16/la...

I do not do war. Not movies, not books, not artefacts – absolutely nothing. So when my favourite writer, Justin Sheedy, published a book on Fighter Pilots in WW2 I was in a quandary. Mindlessly I found myself asking bookshop owners if they carried 'Nor the Years Condemn' and as no one seemed to have it, I was, all of a sudden, on a mission. Eventually I found a copy and out of nothing more than blind trust, I bought and started to read 'Nor the Years Condemn'.

There was just enough of everything to keep me turning the pages. It became my date book – got to get back to that book, sorry, just have to finish the next chapter. In no time it was over and I was sorry it was over.

You knew there were horrible things that happened and they are mentioned but not laboured. There is romance, adventure, and good people facing situations never contemplated with varied outcomes. I fell in love with some characters, admired others and despised some as well.

There are some details about planes and missions and even those were easy to read about because by that time you knew Daniel Quinn so well that you care about what he cared about.

After reading, I have a better appreciation of some aspects of the Second World War but this was a story about people in a certain time and it is written with heart and it shows on every page. Just a great read – it deserves all the praise it gets."

(Personal note from Reviewer Sandy Neilen to Author Justin Sheedy...) "You really have mastered Page Turning Quality... I have only just finished 'Nor the Years'. It has been on my holiday reading list. Fantastic read. I was not able to get 'Ghosts of the Empire' up here. It will be an online purchase. Keep up the brilliant work." - Sandy Neilen
To purchase "Nor the Years Condemn" & "Ghosts of the Empire" in Australian bookstores, click this Link... http://www.dymocks.com.au/Search/resu...

To purchase internationally via Amazon, click THIS link...http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...