Justin Sheedy's Blog - Posts Tagged "justin-sheedy"

Hello, Goodreaders!

I'm thrilled to be with you as part of the Goodreads community.

Please allow me to introduce you to my new book, “Nor the Years Condemn”, an historical fiction based on the stunning true story of how a breed of young men crossed the planet to fly and fight against Nazism - with a 1-in-3 chance of survival. The fact that these youths were the best and brightest of a generation will render the death of so many of them doubly heart-rending for the reader of my story, albeit that they gave their lives in so noble a cause.

I had my first book, “Goodbye Crackernight”, published at the end of 2009. This comic memoir of growing up in the 1970s Australia (when a child’s proudest possession was not a Playstation but a 2nd-hand bike) was so warmly received in this country that it earnt me a place at what is arguably Australia’s most prestigious annual literary event, the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival 2010.

As a child of the 70s, I grew up inspired by such timeless adventure stories as STAR WARS, only to discover in later life that the iconic ‘X-wing fighter’ low-flying attack on the ‘Death Star’ could well have been inspired by actual, true events from World War 2 history in which my own countrymen played a part. Sometimes history seems too fantastic to have been real. I’ve written “Nor the Years Condemn” to bring such history alive, to let readers feel it, breathe it, and know the integral role that young Australians played in that true history. Though numerically inferior to U.S. and British forces in combatting Nazism, these young Aussies not only came from the far side of the Earth to do so, but displayed a remarkable effectiveness in the task. But what qualities could have given rise to this reputation for excellence in combat?

Perhaps the ‘unconventional’ instinct and cynicism for authority famously central to the Australian national character. Maybe an innate toughness born of a harsh homeland. Or the necessary efficiency of a small nation in time of war. Was it, perhaps, due to a ‘young’ nation’s over-compensating eagerness to take a place on a World stage, to prove its membership of an Empire, albeit one already fading? Such questions are the stuff of “Nor the Years Condemn”.

“Nor the Years Condemn” is now available as an ebook at SMASHWORDS at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/... where it is downloadable in all ebook formats including Kindle with a FREE 80+ page sample in most formats.

With in-the-cockpit-seat flying sequences that readers have described as cinematic, “Nor the Years Condemn” is also the story of mothers cursed to relinquish their wonderful sons to war, of first love, of strategic deception and betrayal, of brotherhood and once-in-a-lifetime friendship on a knife’s edge. Of how only the best and brightest of a generation were chosen to fly and fight against tyranny. It is a story of shining young men destined never to become old, and of those who do: the survivors condemned by the years, and to their memory of friends who remain forever young.

I very much look forward to hearing your thoughts on my new book and on the true history surrounding it.
Yours sincerely
Justin Sheedy

My new book, "Nor the Years Condemn" is now available in print-on-demand paperback format at Amazon. With great reviews, thankfully. See below... 1st from Michael High of Colorado Springs, USA.

NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN - FIVE STARS.

"Nor the Years Condemn": Where to start? The writing. Excellent. Everything flowed and, from the first chapter to the end, was fluid. Hints here and there as to what may happen in the future were freely dropped along the way. This kept me engrossed, kept me reading.

The story. Again, excellent. The history behind these young men (and women), the planes they used, the circumstances surrounding this time frame, et cetera - all well done. I thoroughly enjoyed the "story" of each character and how they interacted with each other. There were some shockers in there; war is hell, no? I also liked the hint of "espionage" involved.

"Nor the Years Condemn", to me, was a fantastic read. I can but recommend this book to others and impatiently await Justin's next work.

Mike High
Colorado Springs, CO

2nd Review from Martin Zitek of Sydney, Australia...

IN APPRECIATION OF "NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN"

"Nor the Years Condemn" recounts the horrors of war as seen by one elite and effective unit of WWII. The author puts us there, in that time, by depicting: language, description of locations, the attitudes of the people and the spirit of the nation that would see it prevail through its darkest period of history. The reader is shown in clear, flowing narrative how war can touch us all, from the other side of the world, to the heights of the clouds.

The characters feel so real, we are sure they must have existed. The flying is portrayed so brilliantly, we feel an ace fighter pilot must have possessed Justin's head while he wrote this. The planes themselves become characters, even though mere machines, they became tools of victory and a symbol of ingenuity, technology and bloody determination. This is a testament to the research undertaken by the author and his wordsmithing we see as the end result.

We should count ourselves lucky today that the whole world has not since been embroiled in such a conflict and we hope it never will be again. Recounting the bravery of these men, and the staggering odds against their surviving, should make us never forget.
We will remember them.
Martin Zitek
Sydney, Australia.

Please see the lovely reviews for my latest book release, "Nor the Years Condemn" at my website, Crackernight.com
http://crackernight.com/2012/01/17/gr...

Please do see the link to my new book, "Nor the Years Condemn" at its Amazon page.
http://www.amazon.com/Nor-Years-Conde...

SHOULD BE A MOVIE
Review by Shell Lancaster, Melbourne, Australia.

The book “Nor The Years Condemn” is a must have for any history buff. Not only for an insight into what it was like at the start of the war, but also an insight into Sydney at the time. Not only for the boys, everyone will take something away from this. Could definitely see this made into a mini-series or movie. The author sucks you in from the start, it is very hard to put down. You can tell that the author did a lot of research when writing this book and is passionate about the story and characters. Hoping there will be a sequel.

See all reviews here...
http://crackernight.com/2012/01/17/gr...

I'm thrilled and privileged to have been invited to this year's Gloucester Writers' Festival for my latest book, "Nor the Years Condemn". See the GWF at the link...
http://www.gloucesterwritersfestival....

Plus! A lovely review just received re my new book, "Nor the Years Condemn", in Saturday's Northern Star newspaper (Byron Bay Area) plus in 20+ affiliated newspapers. Text of review: A MUST READ - NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN - Author, Justin Sheedy: THIS is the story of the “best and brightest” young Aussies – the high-flying pilots – who fought Nazism and won. Penned by Sydney author Justin Sheedy, it is a heart-rending, action-packed read, which includes first love, brotherhood and once-in-a-lifetime friendship. Justin’s first book, Goodbye Crackernight, a comic memoir of growing up in the 1970s Australia, was published in 2009 and warmly received by audiences at the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival in 2010. Nor the Years Condemn is available in print-on-demand paperback format at Amazon. It is also available as an e-book at Smashwords in all e-book formats. (My massive thanks to Contributing Editor, Helen Hawkes.)

http://crackernight.com/2012/02/18/a-...

AN UNUSUAL WW2 AVIATOR’S STORY, A TERRIFIC READ!!
Review by Celia Byrnes, Iowa, USA.

"This book follows the life of an Australian pilot from volunteering, training, shipping out to England, until the wind down of the war. Meticulously researched our fictional character’s story is wholly believable, from descriptions of military training, learning to fly, airborne dog fights, war torn London, relationships formed and lost. A gripping story of war, love, loss and survival. As a Brit I found it an unusual perspective which is frequently overlooked, try not to let it make you late for work– it did me!"

See this review and 3 others at the Amazon page for "Nor the Years Condemn": http://www.amazon.com/Nor-Years-Conde...

Also at Justin's blog, Crackernight.com: http://crackernight.com/2012/01/17/gr...

Nor the Years Condemn by Justin Sheedy is now available in Print-on-Demand Paperback format from Amazon. Nor the Years Condemn has had excellent early Reviews and is now being received in the post from Amazon by delighted readers. Thanks to Suzy Lee McNamara for posting her pic on Justin Sheedy’s Facebook page. Nor the Years Condemn is also available as an Ebook in all ebook formats from Smashwords and major ebook websites, along with Justin Sheedy’s first book, Goodbye Crackernight.
See below for more news on Nor the Years Condemn at Crackernight.com
http://crackernight.com/2012/03/03/no...

Latest Reader Response to "Nor the Years Condemn" by Justin Sheedy. This time by Denise Boneham of Thetford, England.

“Well I finally got around to reading this the other day. I was predisposed to like it before I started cos it was about Aussie aircrew but it surpassed even my huge expectations. It made me laugh and cry at different times. It’s a work of fiction but the voices and characters almost seemed like it was veterans speaking. Well done, Justin, there’s a mini series in this. Bomber Command based novel next pretty please Justin!!!”

My sincere thanks to Denise – please see her response at a great historical website, Commonwealth Forces in World War II. Denise, along with all reader-reviewers of "Nor the Years Condemn", will now feature in the next Amazon print-on-demand edition of the book in its Special Acknowledgements section.
http://crackernight.com/2012/03/04/hi...
"Nor the Years Condemn" by Justin Sheedy available HERE...
http://www.amazon.com/Nor-Years-Conde...