Justin Sheedy's Blog, page 5

First Newspaper Coverage of Rising Author Justin Sheedy’s Latest Book: “Ghosts of the Empire”

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...

1st 5-Star Amazon Review of “Ghosts of the Empire” by Justin Sheedy

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...

1st Rave Review of Rising Australian Author Justin Sheedy’s LATEST! “Ghosts of the Empire”

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...

Author Justin Sheedy’s Latest, “Ghosts of the Empire”, NOW ON SALE!

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...

Author Justin Sheedy Special Guest at Dymocks Chatswood Christmas VIP Night, Thursday 21 November 2013

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...

Major Distribution Deal Signed by Author Justin Sheedy for Latest Book & Sequel!

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...

Author Justin Sheedy’s Latest Book – “Ghosts of the Empire”

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...

Justin Sheedy, Author of “Nor the Years Condemn”, finishes his NEXT BOOK!

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 REVIEW OF “DESTINATION SAIGON” by Walter Mason

Sydney author, Walter Mason, is a man of genuine humanity, spirituality and charming sense of humour and these qualities shine out from his writing. His latest book, “Destination Saigon”, is a portrait of his odyssey through his ‘spiritual homeland’, Vietnam. Mason captures the rich and crazy tapestry of life in modern Vietnam, though in so many respects that ‘modernity’ is defiantly ancient, timeless. Mason takes the reader right with him on his journey through Vietnam’s cities and countryside - with many a rewarding motorbike-passenger near-death experience, dance frolic and quiet meditative moment on the intensely spiritual place that is Vietnam. Indeed, Mason takes the reader with him on a highly personal journey of spiritual insight and revelation.

His portrait of the Vietnamese people is inspirational - a people of such kindness and generosity in such a poor country. Mason’s profound human ‘connection’ with such souls will long resonate with the reader, especially for the life-changing truths revealed to Mason as a result. Indeed, from my own war-historical perspective, Mason’s portrait of the Vietnamese people could not be more ironic, and triumphantly so: A population which, having endured unimaginable violence, horror and loss, is capable of the most profound gentleness. Indeed, “Destination Saigon” provided me with a very good insight into Buddhism, Vietnam’s omnipresent faith, which permits no form of violence: As Mason captures it so beautifully, “not even towards a bell”, the Buddhist monks instead “inviting the bell to sound”. But most resonantly of all, Mason captures the profound humility of Buddhism in the context of one Buddhist ‘master’: the humility of the truly great in that they do not see themselves as separate from those less fortunate.

Mason evokes too Vietnam the nation of staggering contrasts and extremes, subtly, hilariously capturing the colour, craziness and contradictions of the maelstrom of Vietnamese city life: One of my favourite moments was his civic portrayal of a place dear indeed to his heart, the Kwan Yin temple in Cholon of which Mason writes, “though ostensibly dedicated to the Buddhist goddess, is in fact still a repository for dozens of different deities and spirits. So many, in fact, that staff at the shrine have a hard time identifying some of them. It is situated down the romantically named Lao Tzu street, within walking distance of several other temples as well as a porno theatre, a gay sauna and several hundred brothels. You’ve got to love Cholon.”

“Destination Saigon” presents Vietnam as a nation which, by the very nature of its people, has always survived and will always survive. The book touches on the Vietnam War, known in Vietnam as ‘the American War’, only briefly; for the Vietnamese people it is something in the far past. Something survived. So one of the book’s most enduring scenes for me was one I didn’t see coming. One where, in a brief aside from insanely happy celebration, ghosts are felt. In a nation full of ghosts.

“Destination Saigon” is a lovely book. Mason’s irrepressible curiosity, passion and respect for Vietnam and its people render it a highly rewarding read.
-- JUSTIN SHEEDY, Author of "Nor the Years Condemn"

“A book I was unable to put down… 6 Stars from me” – Latest Review of “Nor the Years Condemn” by reader Chris Wheeler.

LATEST REVIEW of my book: "6 STARS". By reader Chris Wheeler. "'Nor The Years Condemn' is a book that I was unable to put down. There are funny moments, and sad moments too. I was able to soak in the atmosphere of the places that Quinn and others visited, as well as feeling that I was in the cockpit with him. Well researched and well written, I commend it to anybody with even a passing interest in World War ll, or flying. 6 Stars from me."

(My heartfelt thanks to Chris -- Justin Sheedy)

Chris's Review plus More & latest news on "Nor the Years Condemn" at the following link.
http://crackernight.com/latest-news-r...
The book is currently available at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Nor-Years-Conde...
At Dymocks Bookstores
http://www.dymocks.com.au/ProductDeta...
And as an Ebook at Smashwords in all Ebook formats.
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
All Reviews of "Nor the Years Condemn" at the following link.
http://crackernight.com/test/