The Current Rate of Exchange

by Jacqueline T. Lynch

Rose, a tall, bumbling American woman, travels to New Zealand to re-establish ties with her late mother’s family, navigating the otherworldly tension of traveling in the months after 9/11. Her ill-planned adventure turns her life around, and that of Nora, her New Zealand cousin, whose family problems immediately begin to involve Rose. Nora’s elderly mother, who broke off ties with Rose’s family; Nora’s unemployed husband who confides his dreams to Rose instead of to his wife; and Nora’s brother whose emotional meltdown from losing the family farm all challenge Rose to bring her family’s past full circle. A sudden romance with the farm manager with the mysterious past of his own was not, however, on her original agenda. She is anxious about continuing it lest she repeat mistakes her American father and New Zealand mother made. Armed with old family letters, Rose retraces her mother’s footsteps as a World War II government agricultural worker, or Land Girl. The information Rose learns from the letters is key to preventing a tragedy in Nora’s family.

Genres: Fiction, Romance

Nook

First published July 31, 2011

About the author

Jacqueline T. Lynch’s novels, short stories, and non-fiction books on New England history and classic films are available from many online shops as eBooks, audiobook, and paperback. She is also an award-winning playwright whose plays have been produced around the United States and in Europe, and has published articles and short fiction in regional and national publications. She writes Another Old Movie Blog on classic films, and the syndicated newspaper column Silver Screen, Golden Memories. For updates and special offers, please see her website: www.JacquelineTLynch.com.

Reviews

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED her writing style. I was laughing out loud as I read at her narrative and dialogue. As an ex-pat, I identified with some of the themes in the book as I followed Rose on her journey to New Zealand to discover her mother's homeland.

I will definitely be looking into her other books.

[Matt Ream · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this originally because it was free for my Kindle. I loved it, though! The thing that caught my eye was that the main character takes a trip to New Zealand. I've always wanted to go there, and this book scratched a bit of that itch. The story was decent as well, although there are a couple cultural tangents I could have done without. The characters are unique and interesting.

[Brian Gore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and solid.

[Sue Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I especially liked the characters. I feel like I've been to New Zealand and before this book I couldn't even begin to relate with this area of the world.

[Macpudel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle freebie about family and identity with some witty dialogue and a vivid portrait on New Zealand.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was highly impressed with this great story, filled with believable characters, set in contemporary New Zealand. A highly recommended read.