Theresa Smith's Blog, page 140
March 26, 2018
Release Day Book Review: The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester
About the Book:
How much will a young Parisian seamstress sacrifice to make her mark in the male-dominated world of 1940s New York fashion? From the bestselling author of A KISS FROM MR FITZGERALD and HER MOTHER’S SECRET.
1940 – Parisian seamstress Estella Bissette is forced to flee France as the Germans advance. She is bound for Manhattan with a few francs, one suitcase, her sewing machine and a dream: to have her own atelier.
2015 – Australian curator Fabienne Bissette journeys to the annual Met Gala for an exhibition of her beloved grandmother’s work – one of the world’s leading designers of ready-to-wear clothing. But as Fabienne learns more about her grandmother’s past, she uncovers a story of tragedy, heartbreak and secrets – and the sacrifices made for love.
Crossing generations, society’s boundaries and international turmoil, THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS is the beguiling, transporting story of the special relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter as they attempt to heal the heartache of the past.
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My Thoughts:
The Paris Seamstress is my favourite novel from Natasha Lester so far. I loved it, was completely captivated from start to finish, barely even registering the pages that were flying by. There’s a total immersion aspect to this novel that is all too rare. Natasha doesn’t just write about her chosen topic and set it in an arbitrary place; she plunges you into that world, visiting the places and experiencing as much of the life she’s writing about as possible, securing a level of authenticity only second to experiencing it yourself. You only need to follow Natasha on social media to appreciate the dedication she applies to this world building. While I was reading The Paris Seamstress this week, Natasha was posting research highlights from the novel, complete with photos and background information. It’s utterly fantastic and provides the reader with such a rich context to draw from. I really love that sharing of information between the author and reader that’s made possible through social media.
I will happily admit up front that I love fashion. My grandmother was a dressmaker, professionally in Europe before she married and then just piece work after that. She made the most amazing outfits, for herself as well as us, and also made a lot of bulk items for markets. Her sewing room was located in what most families use as a rumpus room nowadays, quite large, but she needed it to be to accommodate the huge table, multiple sewing machines, dressmaker dummies, and shelves upon shelves of patterns and fabrics and tools and threads—the list goes on. I learnt to sew from her and while I didn’t mind it, I preferred drawing designs and playing around with the fabric, leaving the actual sewing to Grandma, who was a natural and far better at it. I don’t sew at all now, barely even mend, and all of my clothes are off the rack. But the love is still there and I remember the feel of fabric, taut beneath your scissors, that crisp sound as you cut out the pieces ready for a new outfit. I think I might have liked Sam’s career, as a cutter, to be honest. I never had as much as enthusiasm for working on the project once the cutting was done. All of this of course would have greatly enhanced my enjoyment of The Paris Seamstress, but even so, I think this is a novel that anyone can enjoy, special interest in fashion or not. There’s so much in this novel to love and draw from, so much to weep over and celebrate; enjoying fashion is just a bonus.
The dual narrative appealed to me from the outset. It’s a technique in historical novels I favour. Natasha arranged this novel really well too, with clearly set out parts identifying which era and character you were presently reading. I always find this useful as it’s quite easy to get swept up in a historical saga and not notice the pages and chapters slipping through your fingers. Both Estella and Fabienne were incredible women, I didn’t favour either one over the other and enjoyed spending time with both of them equally. The story was weighted more to Estella, but I expected this given that Fabienne was uncovering her grandmother’s past alongside making some crossroads decisions of her own. But essentially, the story was Estella’s, and I enjoyed how Natasha made that work in with Fabienne’s sections. It was so engaging, right the way through. I couldn’t believe how lost in this novel I became.
Much of this story is heartbreaking, as stories about any war tend to be. When you deal in truth and history, this is an expected side effect. What I do want to commend Natasha for, is the lack of sugar coating. Some characters in this novel have some pretty awful things happen to them; likewise, there are awful characters within the story. Too often, this can come off as watered down, as though the author is holding back so as not to offend delicate sensibilities. I don’t mean to infer that there is any gratuitous content within this novel, far from it, but rather, there’s the sharp truth, uncovered, stripped back. I love that sort of honesty, that truth telling woven into fiction. It’s a rare talent to hit that delicate balance with such perfection, and it’s so important for success in historical fiction, particularly when you are reflecting upon and examining issues such as the representation of women throughout history. To return briefly to the research aspect of this novel, what an incredibly detailed story this is. Absolutely sublime. Natasha has such talent for weaving fact into her fiction, it’s a seamless immersion, you learn so much and you are constantly marvelling over the finite details imparted. For all this, the narrative is never overloaded or weighted down by facts. She really is a marvel.
The emotions wrought within me while reading The Paris Seamstress were wide reaching. I loved the characters, I loved the tension and the heart ache, the unveiling of the secrets, bit by bit, but not too stretched out. The twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, the things I hoped for that were realised. This is top shelf historical fiction, definitely a title you could give as a gift with ease. I am so excited for what Natasha will be writing next. Her novels are always so good, yet keep getting better—how is that possible?! This is a great title for book clubs and while I try to never make comparisons, I did feel that this novel was reminiscent of other great sagas I’ve read, particularly The Spoils of Time saga by the late Penny Vincenzi. Masterpieces themselves, so I hope you’ll forgive my sneaky comparison there!
Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of The Paris Seamstress for review.
About the Author:
[image error]Natasha Lester worked as a marketing executive for cosmetic company L’Oreal, managing the Maybelline brand, before returning to university to study creative writing. She completed a Master of Creative Arts as well as her first novel, What Is Left Over, After, which won the T.A.G. Hungerford Award for Fiction. Her second novel, If I Should Lose You, was published in 2012, followed by A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald in 2016 and Her Mother’s Secret in 2017. The Age described Natasha as “a remarkable Australian talent” and her work has been published in numerous anthologies and journals.
In her spare time Natasha loves to teach writing, is a sought after public speaker and can often be found playing dress-ups with her three children. She lives in Perth. For all the latest news from Natasha, visit www.natashalester.com.au, follow her on Twitter @Natasha_Lester, or Instagram (natashalesterauthor), or join the readers who have become Natasha’s friends on Facebook.
March 25, 2018
New Release Book Review: You Wish by Lia Weston
About the Book:
Sometimes imagination is not enough.
Thomas Lash grants secret wishes . . . on-screen, that is.
White wedding gone horribly wrong and need to swap the groom? Never went to university but must have a graduation photo? Need to create a fake family for that job interview? Problem solved with expert Photoshopping and Tom’s peculiar ability to know exactly what you desire. Tom never says no, even when giving grieving parents the chance to see what the lives of their lost children may have looked like.
But where do you draw the line . . . and what happens when the fantasy Tom sees on-screen starts to bleed into his real life?
In today’s tech-driven world where our lives play out daily on social media, You Wish, is an entertaining, timely and thought-provoking read.
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My Thoughts:
You Wish is my introduction to the writing of Lia Weston and I am now feeling like I’ve completely cheated myself by not having read her previous novels. Such wit! I loved this novel, enjoyed it so much, laughing out loud, feeling all of the feels and getting completely caught up in the mystery and action. The characters were all so well collated, bouncing off each other with terrific dialogue; all of the elements that went into crafting this story just popped right off the page in the very best of ways.
You Wish is told from the perspective of Thomas, creative director of IF, a company who deals in the business of photographic wish granting. This was refreshing for me, to read a humorous novel from the male perspective, but written by a woman. And it worked, so well. Thomas is fundamentally likeable, even when he’s stuffing things up. He has a good heart, which is kind why he gets himself into certain scrapes. He’s dedicated to his family, particularly his younger sister who he feels a measure of responsibility towards, and this relationship in particular was a lovely one, totally heart-warming. Thomas is also deeply intuitive, a trait that sees him in a sometimes enviable and sometimes not so enviable position—depending on who he’s intuiting at the time. He was a great guy to spend the duration of a novel with and I found myself wholly championing him at every turn.
The concept behind this story is unique, slightly scary, probably happening currently in some form, and definitely thought provoking. At the basic level, there doesn’t seem much harm in putting yourself into a photo with a celebrity or posing in an exotic location you’ve never visited. But what becomes lies? How far does the moral compass need to swing? As the client requests get more outlandish, the employees at IF begin to find themselves having to justify what they do for a living to family and friends more and more, until eventually, they begin to question it all themselves. In amongst the laughs and mayhem lies an issue of morality that requires deep contemplation. At what point does faking it overtake reality?
You Wish is a highly entertaining novel with widespread appeal. Contemporary and fresh with a realistic cast of characters to champion for, Lia Weston’s natural wit will have you flicking through the pages rapidly long past your bedtime. Comedy, romance, mystery and action all converge in this highly original story that plays out with a distinctive Australian vibe.
Thanks is extended to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me with a copy of You Wish for review.
About the Author:
[image error]Lia Weston is the author of Those Pleasant Girls. In between writing novels, Lia Weston runs a bicycle shop in Adelaide with her husband, Pete, and also works as a freelance copyeditor. You Wish is her third novel.
www.liaweston.com
Twitter: @liaweston
Instagram: liawestonauthor
Facebook: LiaWestonAuthor
March 22, 2018
New Release Book Review: The Secrets We Keep by Shirley Patton
About the Book:
A mother’s secret, a father’s betrayal, a town on the edge…
When social worker Aimee arrives in the mining town of Kalgoorlie, she is ready for a fresh start. Her colleagues Lori and Paddy seem friendly, and she is also drawn to one of her cases: the Steele family, whose future looks particularly bleak. But Aimee has a dark secret and as the past reaches out towards her once more, she realises that somehow her secret is connected to this unfamiliar but harshly beautiful town and its inhabitants.
As she strengthens her ties with the local community — especially with the vibrant Lori, stoical Kerry and wise Agnes — she finds herself questioning earlier decisions. Can she reveal her secret, even if it is not hers alone to share?
A compelling novel of the transcendental love of children and the truth’s unwillingness to stay hidden.
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My Thoughts:
It’s always such a pleasure to read a debut novel written by an Australian author. We have such a rich writing community in this country and I love seeing new authors given the opportunity to showcase the fruits of their labour. I met Shirley Patton through the Australian Women Writers Challenge, well before the release of her debut novel, quietly reading and reviewing and supporting our Australian women writers, and it was some time before she let on that she herself was in fact an Australian woman writer on the cusp of having her first novel released. And here it is, The Secrets We Keep, and what a terrific novel it’s turned out to be.
Set in the mid-1980s, during that time when the Australian population was beginning to take environmental protection seriously and when racial discrimination against aboriginal people actually began to be considered as discrimination rather than the usual mode of conduct. The Secrets We Keep plays out in Kalgoorlie, but it could be any Australian mining town, the issues were the same, the foreseeable solutions equally so. Shirley’s background in social work provides a formidable grounding for the depiction of the many issues, environmental, cultural, and social, that orbited around the town of Kalgoorlie in the mid-1980s, and dare I say, to a certain extent, still today, particularly the cultural and social ones.
The complexity of these issues has been interwoven into the narrative seamlessly, the benefit of being an author who knows their material thoroughly enough to not shy away from painting the picture as it is, rather than how it looks best. I found myself remembering key issues that I studied while at university, but gaining a fresh approach through this read on account of being viewed from the grassroots community level. And that community aspect was conveyed so well; authentic and engaging, you got a strong sense, as the reader, on what life in an isolated community would be like. I live in one, so that authenticity was immediately apparent, but for those who don’t, their sense of place would be quite strong throughout this story.
There was a great mix of characters within The Secrets We Keep. They all had their secrets, their pain, their goals, their own personalities. Shirley has a way of writing welcoming scenes, it’s hard to pin down in words, but you just get this feeling of inclusion within the group, as though you’re in the scene along with them, everything playing out alongside you. It’s a unique talent, to recreate the everyday with such ease. I really liked Aimee, but what a shocking thing to carry within you; her secret devastated me and there were clues sprinkled along the way but I’ll confess that I resisted seeing the writing on the wall, it was just too terrible for me to accept until I had to. I like the path she chose in the end, the best one for all involved, but bittersweet for Aimee.
“Her resolve crumpled. She doubled up, clasping the photo against her chest. A rumble of thunder sounded in the distance. She pressed her forehead against the steering wheel. She stayed that way for several minutes then sat back, wiped her eyes and looked at the sky. It was getting lighter but there were dark clouds gathering in the north-east and a strange red mist on the horizon, mingling with the pink and yellow of sunrise.”
I liked Lori a lot too, but I will confess that the spiritual side of Lori’s story was almost as tricky for me to accept as Aimee’s secret. I struggle with the paranormal, but Shirley did incorporate this into the novel with style. And that’s the sign of a good book, isn’t it? Enjoying the story, even if it does wander out of your comfort zone from time to time. But Lori was a great friend and all round wonderful human being. I delighted in her romance and championed her decisions to live her life in the manner that suited her, rather than falling in line with her Italian family’s expectations. The 1980s doesn’t seem that long ago, but it is worlds away in terms of who were as women and what was still expected of us. This is another side issue that Shirley brought out into the light with a keen guiding hand.
The Secrets We Keep is a solid debut in the tradition of Judy Nunn. It’s an all encompassing story with valid themes and relatable characters, a look into our not too distant history, the shame as well as the triumph. I look forward to reading more of Shirley Patton’s novels for a long time to come.
Thanks is extended to HQ Fiction for providing me with a copy of The Secrets We Keep for review. Thanks is also extended to the author, Shirley Patton, for requesting I have an early copy of her novel for review. It’s always an honour to be trusted with the debut work of an author.
About the Author:
[image error]Dr Shirley Patton grew up in outback Western Australia and now lives with her partner and a miniature schnauzer, in wine-growing country overlooking the beautiful Tamar River, Northern Tasmania. She left an academic career as a published researcher of family violence and a lecturer to write fiction full time. Since then, she has published several short stories in a variety of literary publications. Prior to practising social work, Shirley worked in the media as a television newsreader and television chat show host. Like one of the characters in The Secrets We Keep, Shirley’s Irish great grandmother read tea leaves.
March 21, 2018
New Release Book Review: Three Gold Coins by Josephine Moon
About the Book:
One coin for love, one for marriage, one to return to Rome.
Two days ago, Lara Foxleigh tossed three gold euros into the Trevi Fountain. Now, she is caring for a cranky old man and living in a picturesque villa, …half a world away from her home and the concerns of her loving family.
Soon, it seems as if those wishes she made in Rome just might be coming true, and she may even be able to help heal a fifteen-year-old tragedy.
Until Lara’s past threatens to destroy everything she loves…
Three Gold Coins is a masterfully written celebration of food, family, triumph over adversity, and love – a deliciously imperfect life.
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My Thoughts:
I am filled to the brim with so much love for this beautiful novel that I hardly know where to begin. I’ve been a fan of Josephine Moon since the release of her first novel, The Tea Chest, not only for her storytelling, but also because she’s a really lovely person. Follow her blog and social media and subscribe to her newsletter and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Her stories all connect with food: tea (The Tea Chest), chocolate (The Chocolate Promise), honey products (The Beekeeper’s Secret), and now cheese (along with other Italian mainstays) in Three Gold Coins. What I love most about Josephine’s stories is how she learns everything about her chosen food, down to the most incredible detail, and then she weaves it seamlessly into her narrative with such precision that you end up learning so much alongside reading an incredible story.
Three Gold Coins is her best so far (and believe me, the bar was set pretty high), not only because it’s predominately about cheese and all good things Italian, but it’s absolutely soaked in atmosphere. I truly felt as though I was there, with Lara, in Tuscany and in the North Italian Alps; the setting was very special indeed and was brought to life vividly. And the food! I almost want to lobby Allen and Unwin to publish an illustrated edition, complete with recipes and cheese making processes.
Lara’s story is an extremely important one, on multiple levels. I’m not going to go into too much detail here because this novel is best approached without spoiling of any sort. Josephine has paced the story well, divulging in a timely manner and switching perspectives at the exact right time to keep the story moving rapidly. I enjoyed spending time with each of the characters equally, and while this is touted as Lara’s story, essentially, it also belongs to many other characters, not least of all Sunny, Lara’s sister, who in my opinion is a superhero like no other.
The relationships are rich within Three Gold Coins and they are built upon the structures of loyalty, love, and unwavering devotion. It’s not always easy to stand by your loved ones at the lowest of points, but Josephine highlights just how many ways it’s worth it when you do. Lara was a brave heroine, a woman to admire greatly, and I loved her personal story, even if some of it broke my heart along the way. I admire Josephine for not shying away from the dark and ugly side of Lara’s story. It’s not something everyone might like to read, but it’s something everyone should read. There are some serious problems within our society that we are just beginning to realise, much less tackle, but without awareness, all will remain broken. The sacrifice made towards the end of this novel is not one that should ever have had to occur, and yet it does, all too often, and I appreciated Josephine taking a stand and holding fast. Bravo!
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‘not real brie’
Food, family, friendship, and love: this is the heart of Three Gold Coins. Before I leave you with an excerpt of one of my favourite scenes, I have one piece of advice: buy some good cheese to eat while you read. Don’t get stuck like I did with a budget slab of ‘not real brie’. And clear your schedule. Because this is one novel you won’t want to put down. I loved it, and I’ll be completely honest, I would have kept on reading for another couple of hundred pages, that’s how absorbed I became in the atmosphere and lives of the characters. Thank you Josephine, thank you so much for persevering with this novel. I know it wasn’t easy but by goodness it was worth it.
“Why don’t you blow on your coffee to cool it down?” she asked.
Matteo’s shoulders rose, startled. “Perdono?”
“Your coffee.” She could hear her voice shaking. “You hold it to your face to check the temperature.”
“Si.” A corner of his mouth drew upwards and he shook his head, ever so slightly, confused.
“Why don’t you just blow on it?”
He studied her a minute, thrown by her questions. “The coffee is sensitive, yes?”
“Um, I don’t know—I guess so, sort of.”
“Most people blow…fff ffff,” he mimicked, “…to force it to cool down, but I respect the coffee. It will be ready when it’s ready.” He shrugged. “I am happy to wait; it will be all the sweeter.”
Lara stared at him, blinking fast against a wave of delicious tears. (Pg.240—241)
Thanks is extended to Allen and Unwin for providing me with a copy of Three Gold Coins for review.
About the Author:
[image error]Josephine Moon’s first novel, The Tea Chest (2014), delighted readers with its strong heroine and enchanting story and was a bestseller both in Australia and overseas. Her second novel, The Chocolate Promise (2015), was a love-story with a difference set in luscious Provence and rural Tasmania and was also a bestseller. The Beekeeper’s Secret (2016), a story of family and the happiness, guilt and grief that can lie within them, was her third novel.
Three Gold Coins, a captivating novel of families, food, adversity, hope and love, is her fourth novel.
Josephine lives with her husband, son and her horses, dogs, chickens, goats and cats on acreage in Queensland.
March 20, 2018
Behind the Pen with Amanda Knight
Today I give a warm welcome to Amanda Knight, joining me on Behind the Pen with a few of her favourites. Over to you Amanda!
What is your favourite…and why…
Character from one of your books?
Wow, it’s tricky to pick a fave – it’s like asking which of your children is your preferred!
Beth, from Situation Critical is a woman I admire. I love to listen to, and be amongst strong women, who also aren’t afraid to be vulnerable. Beth is a woman who ensures people feel safe both physically and emotionally, without exception. I love that she isn’t perfect. Beth can hold her own amongst her peers (mostly male) without changing herself. She’s authentic. She doesn’t see success as measured through the lens of whether you’re male or female – she simply sees it as a ‘person’ thing, and is committed to be the best she can be. Beth doesn’t let Nate (or anyone) treat her any less than she deserves, no matter how bad things get. She also holds Nate accountable for his actions, and allows him to redeem himself, admit to his mistakes, with his dignity still intact. She’s gutsy without being reckless, and has the courage, the tenacity to do what needs to be done, even when she is terrified. She can say she’s sorry, and admit to her mistakes… she’s quite a woman!
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Scene from one of your books?
From Situation Critical:
‘Listen, Doc, I’m sorry, real sorry about before.’
Despite herself, Beth smiled at Nate. ‘We all say things under pressure. I understand you’ve been through a lot, you’re not yourself.’ Neither am I for that matter.
‘Appreciate it,’ he said, scrubbing at the back of his head. ‘Listen, I know you and the Major think I need outta here to recover fully, but can you have another look at whatever it is I gotta do to keep my pass to stay on base? I want to be here. Actually,’ he pointed to the smoke haze in the distance, ‘I want to be out there.’ He turned to face her, desperation blazing deep in his eyes. ‘Please.’
‘There’s a few things that need to be considered,’ Beth said eventually, her damp palms pressed into the fabric of her pants. ‘I can review your progress again in forty-eight hours, maybe delay your transfer, but you have to understand, we’ll only do what’s best for you, follow the safest course so you have the best chance at a full, uncompromised recovery.’
‘I understand,’ he said quietly. ‘Thing is, I won’t recover, won’t want to recover, if I’m safe and they’re not. These men, I’ve sworn an oath to protect them, Finn too.’ The steel in his tone raised goosebumps over her arms. ‘And like I said, I won’t get on that plane without them.’ He reached for her, wrapped his hand around her forearm, the heat from his fingers burning through her jacket into her skin. ‘Please … you have to give me the chance.’
Every argument she had ready to go, evaporated from her mind. She fought the urge to lay her own hand on top of his, and instead, pulled her arm free, and pushed up out of the chair.
‘I’ll see what I can do,’ she said, swallowing hard. ‘But I’m not making any promises, okay?’
‘Okay,’ he said, still leaning forward, ‘then neither am I.’
Movie of all time?
I find this super tricky to narrow down to one; so will just go with the first one that popped into my head! Shawshank Redemption is a perennial ‘go to’ for the reminder of the power of hope. I find that is a common theme amongst the movies I love!
Book that you always keep a copy of and recommend to others?
Fiction: The Shiralee – D’Arcy Niland
I read all of his books in my teenage years and loved the emotional depth within each of the characters and the quintessentially Australian settings and people.
Non-Fiction: Light is the New Black – Rebecca Campbell
This reminded me that we’re all uniquely, beautifully different, and that to embrace this and live your own truth without apology is the very best way to find internal peace.
Fashion accessory that despite having plenty of, you still keep collecting?
Vintage inspired shoes (closely followed by dresses!) I am certain I’ve had a previous life during the late 40s/early 50s era!
Drink that you enjoy everyday?
Had I answered this question a month ago, I would’ve categorically said my daily mocha. However, having altered my diet slightly, now I will say it’s an afternoon Ginger and Lemongrass Tea, has a glorious aroma and also does revitalise my energy and mood!
Treat you indulge in?
Cadburys Turkish Delight is an absolute fave (and traditional rose water Turkish Delight is just as high on the love list!) closely followed by Arnotts Lemon Crisp biscuits.
Place to be?
Somewhere crisp and cold (I really, really dislike the heat!) preferably by a fireplace, watching a storm roll in through enormous glass windows…
Person you admire?
There isn’t one person I admire above all others. There are traits that I admire, and there are people globally, and within my little circle that exhibit these characteristics unreservedly, consistently and without the need to advertise the fact. These people have passion, and the courage of their convictions, and don’t give up when the going gets tough. They’re focused, they provide value to others, and advocate for those who can’t do so themselves. They challenge and encourage others to be their best selves. They’re authentic, warm and make everyone in their world feel valued and important. These are the kind of people I like to listen to, watch and learn from. Some, recently at the top of my list are Bene Brown, Emma Gonzalez and Malala Yousafzai.
Season of the year?
Autumn. The cooler days, stunning colours – amber, gold, red… the crunchy leaves, the smells that hint winter is coming – it’s a glorious sensory smorgasbord! For me, Autumn also inspires me to be reflective, a little quiet in my soul… I just love everything about this season!
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Follow Amanda:
Website:
www.amandaknightauthor.com
FB:
https://www.facebook.com/amandaknightwrites/
Insta:
https://www.instagram.com/amandaknightauthor/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AKnightWriter
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com.au/amandaknightaut/
Situation Critical
[image error]A taut debut novel about a wounded soldier, a courageous doctor, and a dog in desperate need of a rescue
Soldier, surgeon, traitor, dog…
When Sergeant Nate Calloway is carried into the field hospital with no memory of how he got there or where the other members of his unit are, Australian army surgeon, Captain Beth Harper cares only about repairing his broken body. But it’s clear that something went terribly wrong on the other side of the wire, and as Nate slowly recovers, he becomes more and more anxious to return to duty, go back into the field, and rescue his friends, his unit, and the bomb detection dog that he loves.
The only way Nate can be released to active duty is if a doctor agrees to accompany him, and Beth surprises everyone by volunteering. Her role is to monitor Nate and take him right back to hospital the instant that his health deteriorates enough to put their rescue operation at risk. But as she stays close, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to his courage, his determination, and his commitment to his fellow soldiers.
Instead of a straightforward recovery, however, Nate and Beth soon realise they’ve stumbled on a tangled web of deceit and danger, and the enemy is no longer outside the wire. He is one of their own, a traitor, and he has them in his scope.
If you like the sound of Situation Critical, there is currently a price promotion across all ebook platforms for $2.99. But get in quick as today is the last day you can purchase at this price.
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Congratulations to Amanda who is an ARRA Finalist in four categories for Situation Critical:
Favourite New Romance Author (first published in 2017)
Favourite Romantic Suspense
Strongest Heroine from a Romance published in 2017
Favourite Couple from a Romance published in 2017
March 19, 2018
New Release Book Review: The Shape of Water by Daniel Kraus in collaboration with Guillermo del Toro
About the Book:
It is 1962, and Elisa Esposito—mute her whole life, orphaned as a child—is struggling with her humdrum existence as a janitor working the graveyard shift at Baltimore’s Occam Aerospace Research Center. Were it not for Zelda, a protective coworker, and Giles, her loving neighbor, she doesn’t know how she’d make it through the day.
Then, one fateful night, she sees something she was never meant to see, the Center’s most sensitive asset ever: an amphibious man, captured in the Amazon, to be studied for Cold War advancements. The creature is terrifying but also magnificent, capable of language and of understanding emotions…and Elisa can’t keep away. Using sign language, the two learn to communicate. Soon, affection turns into love, and the creature becomes Elisa’s sole reason to live.
But outside forces are pressing in. Richard Strickland, the obsessed soldier who tracked the asset through the Amazon, wants nothing more than to dissect it before the Russians get a chance to steal it. Elisa has no choice but to risk everything to save her beloved. With the help of Zelda and Giles, Elisa hatches a plan to break out the creature. But Strickland is on to them. And the Russians are, indeed, coming.
Developed from the ground up as a bold two-tiered release-one story interpreted by two artists in the independent mediums of literature and film-The Shape of Water is unlike anything you’ve ever read or seen. The Shape of Water weaves fantasy, fable and romance. The book features a handful of illustrations by visual artist James Jean to create a tale that is equally gripping on the page as it is on the big screen.
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My Thoughts:
The Shape of Water might be ambitious in scope, but it more than lives up to the hype surrounding its release. A fairy-tale, with elements of romance and suspense, I was drawn into this story from the very first page and was held spellbound right through to the end.
There is an element of excitement for me surrounding this project. The collaboration of two artists, working together from the one original idea and building a film and a novel together for simultaneous release. There will be no need to compare the book to the film in this instance as it’s my expectation that they will be identical. There are even gorgeous illustrations throughout the novel to link it further with the film.
In terms of the story, I just loved The Shape of Water. An original fairy-tale of a mute woman forging a connection with an amphibious creature being held captive in her workplace. A crazed villain, torn apart by the horrors of war, hell-bent on destroying the creature as a means of avenging his own war crimes and cleansing himself of all evil. And all of the other supporting characters who provide their special input because no character exists within this novel without an explicit purpose. Unfolding against the backdrop of the turbulent 1960s in America, The Shape of Water is an extraordinary concept that has come together beautifully. I just need to go and see the film now!
At the heart of this story is the need for connection. We all need to have someone to connect with, and as Elisa demonstrates, sometimes this connection can come from the most unlikely of sources. To love and be loved in return; that is The Shape of Water.
Thanks is extended to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me with a copy of The Shape of Water for review.
View the Trailer for the film here:
About the Author:
Daniel Kraus has landed on Entertainment Weekly’s Top 10 Books of the Year (2015 – The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch) and has won two Odyssey Awards (for Rotters and Scowler). His novels have been Library Guild selections, YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults picks, Parent’s Choice Gold Award winners, Bram Stoker finalists, and more. He co-authored Trollhunters with Guillermo de Toro.
Guillermo de Toro is the award-winning director of numerous critically acclaimed feature films, such as Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy, and Pacific Rim, and the co-author (with Chuck Hogan) of the bestselling Strain Trilogy. He lives in California with his wife and two children.
March 18, 2018
New Release Book Review: In The Garden Of The Fugitives by Ceridwen Dovey
About the Book:
Almost twenty years after forbidding him to contact her, Vita receives an email from her old benefactor, Royce. Once, she was one of his brightest protégées; now her career has stalled and Royce is ailing, and each has a need to settle accounts.
Beyond their murky shared history, both have lost beloveds, one to an untimely death, another to a strange disappearance. And both are trying to free themselves from deeper pasts, Vita from the inheritance of her birthplace, Royce from the grip of the ancient city of Pompeii and the secrets of the Garden of the Fugitives. Between what’s been repressed and what has been excavated are disturbances that reach back through decades, even centuries.
Addictive and unsettling, In the Garden of the Fugitives is a masterpiece of duplicity and counterplay, as brilliantly illuminating as it is surprising – about the obscure workings of guilt in the human psyche, the compulsion to create, and the dangerous morphing of desire into control. It is the breakthrough work of one of Australia’s most exciting emerging writers.
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My Thoughts:
In The Garden Of The Fugitives is such an absorbing novel, it borders on addictive. Stylised as an exchange of correspondence between two people who have been estranged for twenty years, the entire is novel is a back and forth between Royce and Vita, a confessional for them both, although they each embark upon it for different reasons.
The voyeurism attached to the exchange, the nature of confession, where it begins with an agenda but moves into a cathartic response, was utterly absorbing. It was almost like a cat and mouse game, pens poised for retaliation but the draw of turning the focus back onto yourself, with an open audience, proved too tantalising to resist, so the accusations were thus implied, but kept to a minimum. What unfolds, after Royce’s initial letter requesting Vita indulge him in his deathbed confession via email, is two incredible stories, linked only by the depth of guilt each person clings to, and a mutual tendency for obsessive behaviour.
Through Royce’s confession, we learn about Pompeii from an anthropological perspective, and through Vita’s perspective, we learn about South Africa post apartheid. From both, we learn about guilt, its manifestation and destructive qualities, both on the individual and on those surrounding them. The examination of human nature is so precise; I’ve rarely encountered such intuition within a novel.
The history of Pompeii, both prior to its destruction and all of the discoveries about life within that has been uncovered since, was fascinating to explore. It’s incredibly mind bending to think of entire civilisations preserved beneath the earth. And to think, over time, how much has been lost on account of plundering and ill-advised excavations. Pompeii itself seems alluring on so many levels and I will admit to not knowing very much about it at all, with exception of the obvious. The effect that Pompeii had on those working on uncovering its secrets was well wrought, and for Royce – whose only attachment to the place was his obsession with Kitty, an anthropologist aiming to make Pompeii her life’s work – I was struck by how much the place got under his skin as well. I felt a deep sadness for Royce, the origin of his guilt, manifesting itself into his obsession with Kitty, and much later, with Vita. He was not quite the demon Vita liked to paint him as.
South Africa post apartheid gave me much to ponder on. I have met many South Africans in recent years, my hometown being a first point of settlement for immigrants. Conversations about South Africa have often shocked me, some going so far as to rage about Mandela and how he ‘ruined their country.’ But I see now, from reading Vita’s story, that this is not widespread. Perhaps those who have left have done so for one reason, while those who stay, do so for another. Indeed, I remember speaking with an older woman who mourned the fact that her son had not immigrated with them because he loved the new South Africa. Such a complicated history. The widespread guilt about being a white South African was utterly captivating to examine. The parallels drawn against the guilt experienced post Nazism within Germany was expertly applied. While Vita frustrated me in so many ways, I clearly understood her, what was preventing her from settling and why she couldn’t let go of the past. She was a floater, existing within but never fully engaging with her life. The ending makes me think this was not going to change for her, a realistic portrayal of those with the type of psychological burdens she was plagued with.
“Every human on earth has inherited privilege and inherited pain.”
Such insight into human nature is prevalent within the pages of this novel. This observation is particularly notable:
“Those who are considered to be good with people are also often depleted by people. Even a simple conversation can leave me feeling sucked out, bone-dry. Animals and plants ask for nothing in return, but humans take until you have nothing left to give.”
I love the truth in this.
In The Garden Of The Fugitives is a novel about guilt, the benefit of hindsight, and the powerful allure of confession. The research that has gone into this novel is evident, there is so much to dive into and explore. I have noted after finishing that Ceridwen is Australian-South African, and that comes as no surprise, for the knowledge imparted about living in South Africa, the sociological as well as the psychological, seemed empirical in its delivery. This novel really is addictive, so clear your schedule because you will not want to put it down once you begin reading. One to watch for next year’s Stella Prize longlist, I hopefully predict.
Thanks is extended to Penguin Random House Australia for providing me with a copy of In The Garden Of The Fugitives for review.
About the Author:
[image error]Ceridwen Dovey’s debut novel, Blood Kin, was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Award and selected for the US National Book Foundation’s prestigious ‘5 Under 35’ honours list. Her short story collection, Only the Animals, won the Readings New Australian Writing Award. She writes non-fiction for various publications, including newyorker.com and The Monthly, and lives in Sydney with her husband and two sons.
March 16, 2018
Bingo! P is for Pearl by Eliza Henry Jones
It’s bingo Saturday once again – that rolled around fast! The square I’ve filled for this entry is:
A book written by someone under 30
The book in question is of course P is for Pearl, by the incredibly talented – and young – Eliza Henry Jones. Eliza initially wrote this novel when she was 16 and then she tucked it away until recently. She’s still under 30, but I almost feel like she gets a double qualification for this square. To have envisaged and written such an incredibly deep novel at the age of 16 is truly impressive.
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There’s just so much about this novel that I loved. It’s a novel that makes you really appreciate the importance of being straight with children when it comes to the ugly truth about loved ones. The impulse to protect is strong but the implications of not being transparent can be far reaching.
I reviewed this novel a week ago, but if you missed it, or just want to read it again, you can do so here.
This year I’m playing book bingo with Mrs B’s Book Reviews. On the first and third Saturday of each month, we’ll post our latest entry. We’re not telling each other in advance what we’re currently reading or what square we’ll be filling next; any coincidences are exactly that – and just add to the fun!
Follow our card below if you’d like to join in, and please let us know if you do so we can check out what you’re reading.
Now I’m off to check out what square Mrs B has marked off for this round. See you over there!
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March 15, 2018
New Release Book Review: The Pearler’s Wife by Roxane Dhand
About the Book:
From the high seas to the deep seabed, from the latticed verandahs of Buccaneer Bay to the gambling dens in Asia Place, The Pearler’s Wife is a stunning debut, inspired by a small yet pivotal moment in Australian history.
A distant land. A dangerous husband. A forbidden love.
It is 1912, and Maisie Porter stands on the deck of the SSOceanic as England fades from view. Her destination is Buccaneer Bay in Australia’s far north-west. Her purpose: marriage to her cousin Maitland, a wealthy pearling magnate – and a man she has never met.
Also on board is William Cooper, the Royal Navy’s top man. Following a directive from the Australian government, he and eleven other ‘white’ divers have been hired to replace the predominantly Asian pearling crews. However, Maitland and his fellow merchants have no intention of employing the costly Englishmen for long . . .
Maisie arrives in her new country to a surprisingly cool reception. Already confused by her hastily arranged marriage, she is shocked at Maitland’s callous behaviour towards her – while finding herself increasingly drawn to the intriguing Cooper.
But Maisie’s new husband is harbouring secrets – deadly secrets. And when Cooper and the divers sail out to harvest the pearl shell, they are in great danger – and not just from the unpredictable and perilous ocean . . .
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My Thoughts:
I’ve read quite a few novels of late that have widened the retelling of Australia’s history to incorporate indigenous and immigrant experiences, and instead of glossing over our white Australia past, they’ve shone a spotlight onto it, warts and all. Fiction plays an important part in telling the stories of the past and I am thrilled to be reading more and more of these tales of truth.
The Pearler’s Wife surprised me with its depth and scope. I thought this was going to be a story about an English girl coming to Australia to marry an unpleasant man and we would follow her journey of adjustment and there would be some mystery and then it would all finish up with a big happily ever after bow. I underestimated this novel and have subsequently enjoyed it immensely.
Now, there is an English girl and she does arrive in Australia with the sole purpose of marrying a man she’s never met (who far surpasses unpleasant), and there is some adjusting, however, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This novel hosts an incredibly varied and authentic cast, and the vivid re-creation of the setting, particularly the oppressive humidity and heat, was sublime. It’s a story that doesn’t hold back, especially with the entrenched racism and deplorable treatment of non-whites. Based on historical fact, we are plunged, along with Maisie – our English girl – into a world of ruthless money making, corruption, class consciousness, racist national policy, and unchecked violence. It’s the wild west, but in Australia, and in the 20th century, and it’s a remarkable depiction of the north WA coast during the period when pearling and the White Australia policy intersected.
Up until the point she immigrates, Maisie had lived a sheltered existence where all of her needs had been taken care of by staff. Pampered, but not spoilt, she was a young woman who was well practised at being ignored, preferable to her mother’s constant disdain. I believe this countered her luxurious existence, tempering her nature to a more empathic response. Prior to arriving in Australia, Maisie had never encountered such explicit racism and her natural inclination was to reject it. She hires an aboriginal housekeeper when no other residents allow aborigines into their homes (inside positions normally given to Asians, while outside work is left to aborigines, although they were never paid for their contributions). Maisie makes a decision early on to not perpetuate community racism within her own home, a big challenge considering her husband is an incredibly despicable man with no regard for anyone other than himself. Marjorie, Maisie’s housekeeper, is such a card, a truly excellent character. The two women, along with Duc, the Chinese cook, form a unit, the three of them banding together against the master of the house. There’s some really excellent dialogue exchanged throughout the novel between these three and the loyalty runs deep as time goes by.
The story revolves around this experiment by the government, where 12 British divers were brought over to the north WA coast to replace the use of Japanese divers, who had over time proved themselves the most hardy at diving without diver’s sickness. The problem was, these British divers had to be paid a lot more, cutting into the profits of the pearling magnates. A plot unfolds whereby the magnates band together to sabotage the British diving experiment as a means of continuing with the use of the more experienced and hardy Japanese divers. Underpinning this British diving experiment was the White Australia Policy. The sociologist within me threw its arms around the modern history enthusiast and we all settled in for an incredible read. Roxane Dhand has pulled all of these threads together in order to bring this pivotal moment within Australian history into the spotlight. Consultation of the author notes in the back of the book confirm just how much of this story contains fact. It was very well done, complex social and political issues entwined with a domestic plot; my engagement with this novel never wavered.
Alongside this, Maisie is attempting to unravel the mystery of her husband. Why he married her when he has no interest in having a wife; the hold he has over her parents; the secret business dealings he is at helm of; and his curious relationship with the town mayor. Maisie digs deep into her own character and begins to emerge as a young woman worth reckoning with, far more so than her husband ever anticipated.
One of the English divers brought over for the experiment is a young man named Cooper. He falls in love with Maisie very early on and she is drawn to him also from the moment that she meets him. When it comes to historical fiction, I’m not a fan of romance, but I do love what I like to call, ‘restrained passion’, where two people are prevented from being together because of circumstances out of their control, and yet their love becomes consuming and impossible to turn away from. It’s not easy to pull off, Jane Eyre is the best example of this, but a more recent one that comes to mind would be The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth. Roxane Dhand pulls this off beautifully with Maisie and Cooper and I really did love this aspect of the story.
I’m fascinated that a British author chose to write this Australian story as her debut novel. Roxane talks of visiting Broome and being intrigued by the history on display there. I’m truly glad that this caught her eye because this resulting novel is an exceptionally good retelling of a little known history of a far flung corner of our vast continent. This is a novel with wide appeal and is a guaranteed good read. As long as you have an interest in Australian history, you can’t go wrong with The Pearler’s Wife.
Thanks is extended to Penguin Random House Australia for providing me with a copy of The Pearler’s Wife for review.
About the Author:
[image error]Roxane Dhand was born in Kent and entertained her sisters with imaginative stories from a young age. She studied English and French at London University, and in 1978 she moved to Switzerland, where she began her professional career in public relations. Back in England and many years later on, she taught French in both the maintained and private sectors. Now retired, she is finally able to indulge her passion for storytelling. The Pearler’s Wife is her first novel.
March 14, 2018
New Release Book Review: The Memories That Make Us by Vanessa Carnevale
About the Book:
Gracie Ashcroft is supposed to marry Blake Beaumont in three months’ time. The trouble is, she doesn’t know who he is…
After an accident leaves Gracie with severe amnesia, she’s forced to decide: live a life that is made up of other people’s memories of who she was, or start a new life on her own. Leaving her fiancé Blake behind, she moves to the country where she takes on the task of reviving her family’s abandoned flower farm.
While attempting to restart a business with an uncertain future, she tries to come to terms with the grief of losing a mother she can’t remember and a fiancé she so badly wants to fall in love with again. What she doesn’t count on is developing a deep connection with Flynn, a local vet. Worst of all is having to confront the fact that she might lose either chance at love.
Forced to examine the person she has become, Gracie confronts the question: if you had your time over, would you live the same life twice?
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My Thoughts:
Flowers were a constant presence in my life while growing up. My grandmother used to grow gladioli and carnations for flower shows and my mother grew roses. I love nothing more than having fresh flowers in the house, yet the green thumb seems to have passed me by entirely, so my flowers come from the shops rather than my own garden. But the memory of being surrounded by flowers, both inside in vases and outside in the yard, is one I preserve carefully. The Memories That Make Us might have easily been titled The Secret Lives of Flowers, so wonderfully rendered is the detail about all things that bloom, intricately woven into the narrative with seamless perfection. Reading this novel was like a trip down memory lane for me – the flower parts, not the losing your memory bit! – and the pages just flew by, that’s how absorbed I was in this gorgeous story.
I really enjoyed the entire premise of The Memories That Make Us. The idea of losing all of your memories and having to build yourself back up again was handled delicately by Vanessa Carnevale. I appreciated Gracie’s need to take herself back to her childhood in order to discover who she was now. Likewise, her separation from all of the people who were so eager to remind her of her lost memories. In this situation, so much would be so overwhelming. Some time and shush would be highly sought after, so I was definitely on board with Gracie’s plan for her own recuperation.
There were a couple of things within this novel, specifically about memory and how it works, that really stood out for me. The first was how Gracie knew nothing at all about herself, or her life, yet she knew things about flowers, instinctively, from the minute she opened her eyes upon waking from her coma. This was particularly fascinating to me and begs examination on just how deeply our memories can penetrate us. She was essentially a blank slate, but the residual knowledge she absorbed while growing up remained. The other thing that led me into contemplation was how Gracie ate different foods and drank different drinks after her memory loss. It makes me wonder how much of daily consumption is contrived by fashion rather than instinct. Do we drink herbal tea because we really like it or is it because we think we should because it’s perceived as better for you than coffee? Do we avoid eating eggs because we don’t like them or is it because we perceive they are no good for us based on the latest food news? I liked the way Gracie’s memory loss got me thinking about life in general. When you lose your memories, and you have to build yourself back up, how much of who you are from before is retained? Memory has always fascinated me and while it’s a very deep topic to delve into, Vanessa did very well with The Memories That Make Us.
I feel quite chuffed because for once in my life, I guessed what was going on before the character! I saw the twist! I have a feeling this was intentional, that as readers, we were meant to know what was going on before Gracie did as a means of heightening the allure. To be sure, waiting on the penny to drop for Gracie kept me turning the pages long into the night. But I’m still going to call this a victory on account of it happening so infrequently.
There’s much to enjoy within this novel and I believe it has widespread appeal. Congratulations to Vanessa Carnevale on a splendid follow up to her debut, The Florentine Bridge. The Memories That Make Us is a moving read that unfolds within a beautifully blooming setting.
To find out more about The Memories That Make Us, check out my interview with Vanessa that appeared recently on the Australian Women Writers Challenge blog as a Sunday Spotlight.
About the Author:
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Vanessa Carnevale is a freelance writer based in Australia, who has contributed to The Green Parent, The Huffington Post, Muse, and Italy magazine, among others. Her debut novel, The Florentine Bridge, was published in 2017 by HQ in Australia. She was a finalist in the Best New Author category for the AusRom Today Readers Choice Awards 2017.
You can connect with Vanessa at www.vanessacarnevale.com
