Rochelle Carlton's Blog, page 7
February 28, 2015
Lifestyle or life sentence, continued!
It was a good idea, wasn’t it?
The reality of living the country dream hit quickly and it hit hard. The previous owners had abandoned their marriage, and before the ink had dried on the sale and purchase agreement they had also abandoned the soon to be ours rural dream.
Settlement day was fast approaching. As a surprize my loving partner brought forward the date, organized friends to join us for drinks and rung to proudly break the news to me. His proud moment was shattered. I sobbed on the end of the phone. I was holding our beloved cat who had just suffered a seizure. The vet was on the way.
We huddled in a sombre circle clutching chilled glasses of bubbles and remembering the pet that wouldn’t join us. We stared bleakly at the gorse and ragwort that had been allowed to flourish while the previous owners got on with their new and separate lives. We frowned at the herd of stinking goats that were soon to birth stinking kids. They too had been abandoned by the previous owners. We looked at the family of possums that had taken over the rafters. They glared from their perches, resenting our intrusion. Oh no what have we done?
The next morning we celebrated with a large dose of cholesterol, salt, sugar and caffeine at a local café. Purchasing our small slice of the good life was a great idea wasn’t it? Land banking, children growing up in the country air and room to move without the intrusion of lawnmowers and a seething mass of humanity on our doorstep.
We returned home feeling positive, invigorated and then invaded. While we had been enjoying an unhealthy break for the sake of our sanity a burglar had enjoyed removing many small, easy to sell tools from our yet to be secured sheds. Later that night my three year old son reassured me he was feeling fine through lips the colour of the pacific ocean. The pollens and grasses of our new rural paradise had taken their toll. Miserably we made the too familiar journey in to the emergency room of the hospital.
Available on Amazon
Welcome to the rural dream. This was seventeen years ago. Like our “real life” The Quilt, Unravelled is set in rural New Zealand. Our farm is situated a short drive from Auckland City. Twin Pines Station is situated in the central North Island. Today is the final day for proceeds of sales to be donated to a friend fighting cancer.
February 25, 2015
My nose is out of a book
One of the unexpected bonuses of writing a novel has been the interesting people that have come in to my life. Like minded people from different parts of the world. Talented people with different interests and experiences. But we have one thing in common. We like reading. Through their contact I have unearthed many great books. Books that may otherwise have gone unnoticed, buried forever under the monumental pile available on Amazon.
Each one I read I will review and post my experiences to this blog. Perhaps I can help you find your next best read? Below is my review of Mark Fine’s “The Zebra Affaire.” Go on hit the download button. This one is well worth the effort!
February 18, 2015
Latest review!
The latest review has made my day! Thank you Trish Carroll.
The Title of Rochelle’s Book stood for me because I am a seamstress, generally I go for specific Authors. The Book was not difficult to get into,the opposite in fact, I could not put it down. Every facet of the Story was fascinating. Rochelle stitched together all the characters past and present seamlessly. For me to feel as if I was actually there is rare. Her wording created within me many emotions and for that I Salute Her. I have the utmost confidence in recommending ‘The Quilt:Unravelled’ t The Title of Rochelle’s Book stood for me because I am a seamstress, generally I go for specific Authors. The Book was not difficult to get into,the opposite in fact, I could not put it down. Every facet of the Story was fascinating. Rochelle stitched together all the characters past and present seamlessly. For me to feel as if I was actually there is rare. Her wording created within me many emotions and for that I Salute Her. I have the utmost confidence in recommending ‘The Quilt:Unravelled’ to All my Family and Friends. – review by Trish Carroll.
http://goo.gl/yrnj5L
The Quilt, Unravelled
February 17, 2015
February 15, 2015
How was your weekend?
Sunset on Waiheke Island last night. Auckland City in the background.
Waiheke Island, location of The Quilt, Unravelled.
We have escaped the farm, left the animals in the care of a friend and not shown up at work.
The Quilt, Unravelled
February 13, 2015
Thank you Des Clegg.
" This book is a fantastic mix of everyday life ,its complex tale, of tragedy ,romance and family life are both very real and beautifully written . You will find this book hard to put down, indeed its is just a pity one can award only 5 stars.
http://goo.gl/yrnj5L
Lifestyle or life sentence?
Our move to the country. The first experience.
The houses bordering us were multiplying. They stretched out in front like a tapestry of brick and flowed in neat squares towards the blue green ocean beyond. It was time to move away from the growing community of houses and the sound of hammers, lawnmowers and drills. It was time to look for our own piece of paradise.
Our first glance at the impressive slope of gorse, noxious weeds and the daunting gravel drive did not inspire confidence. But when the lush green folds of paddocks and soft bush filled with native birds greeted us we both knew we had found our Eden.
The reality of our new rural lifestyle.
Native bush filled with Tui’s and Kiwi.
Two townies and their two young children arrived in the country with little knowledge, no stock and a large assortment of domestic animals and decaying cars. Country life was not to be the romantic ideal we had expected. Our lives were already hectic and time stretched by family, a manufacturing business and a launch that gave us a place to unwind while anchored in the sandy bays of the Hauraki Gulf.
The launch was the first thing to be sacrificed when our idyllic “lifestyle” became a not so ideal reality.
The journey of the troubled Clarke Family and a quest for love against the odds. http://goo.gl/yrnj5L
Congratulations to the winner of The Quilt, Unravelled. Thank you to those that entered..
Giveaway has ended
The Quilt, Unravelled is available on kindle or in print. Click on the link below if you would like to read this story of heartbreak and healing.
For the month of February all proceeds will be donated to a friend with bone cancer.
http://goo.gl/yrnj5L
February 12, 2015
Last chance to enter
All proceeds for the month of February will help a friend battle bone cancer.
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
http://goo.gl/yrnj5L
February 11, 2015
Latest 5 star review.
Latest review by Glen Barrera. Five stars. Thank you for taking the time to give feedback.
It was the title that intrigued me. I had heard of “story” patchwork quilts some years ago and liked the idea of a story that would unravel one. I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, the novel captured me from the beginning and didn’t let go until the last sentence. The story is about four generations of the Clarke family – “a family hunted by tragedy and hardened by struggle” – and how the past affects the present. At the same time it’s also a novel about relationships, love and loss, and the turning points in life that can make the difference between heartbreak and happiness. Like any good book, it’s the characters, good and bad, that make the story come alive. And Carlton has gone above and beyond in this department. Her richly woven creations still stick in my mind; the true mark of a good writer. I appreciated this book, and give it a high recommendation.
