The Crossroads in Aussie Readers

Nov 16, 2016 Brenda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, own-read, aussie-authors, net-galley, rural, reviewing-by-request, contemporary-fiction, read-on-kindle, 2016-release

Rose O’Shea had lost her husband suddenly five years earlier – The Crossroads, the pub she and Mick had owned for the past twenty five years was now in Rosie’s care and she wouldn’t let Mick down. But the drought in far north Queensland had been a long one; the money for the necessary repairs to the heritage listed hotel just wasn’t there. And the council wouldn’t put money in to help her either – she had no idea how to make ends meet; how to get rid of the termites that wanted to ruin her dream Rose O’Shea had lost her husband suddenly five years earlier – The Crossroads, the pub she and Mick had owned for the past twenty five years was now in Rosie’s care and she wouldn’t let Mick down. But the drought in far north Queensland had been a long one; the money for the necessary repairs to the heritage listed hotel just wasn’t there. And the council wouldn’t put money in to help her either – she had no idea how to make ends meet; how to get rid of the termites that wanted to ruin her dreams…

Rosie’s daughter Stephanie, her husband Bryce and five year old son Jake lived on a nearby farm which had been in Bryce’s family for generations. They too were feeling the effects of the drought. Bryce was becoming more and more withdrawn; Stephanie and he seemed to do nothing but argue. The rains were needed so badly; the majority of their stock had been sold but even the ones that were left were thin and listless in the unrelenting heat.

In Sydney, Faith Montgomery had unexpectedly discovered she was adopted. Her decision to find her birth mother was a wild and spur-of-the-moment one and before she had even thought it through, she was on a plane for Queensland. But what if her birth mother wanted nothing to do with her? What would happen in the small outback town when an angry and bitter Faith arrived without any plans or ideas on what to do next?

The Crossroads by Aussie author Pamela Cook is set in far north Queensland in the middle of a long and hard drought. The constant heat day and night was something I could feel – the red dirt, the dust which settles on everything no matter how often you clean; all so well written that I felt I was there. (Thank goodness I wasn’t – that heat isn’t for me!) The Crossroads is an emotional read filled with intrigue and the love of family; of secrets kept and of forgiveness – it’s another brilliant read by this talented author. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
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Jan 13, 2018 Janine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

First book of Pamela's that I have read and I was absolutely riveted by the story. I would class this book as a Women's Fiction title as even though it is set in rural Australia, the story-line would apply to any setting.

It tells the story of Rose who is the proprietor of a heritage listed hotel that is struggling to survive. She runs the hotel with little help and it needs major repairs that she just hasn't got the money for. Her daughter and husband and grandson live nearby on a farm that is r ...more

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Nov 21, 2016 Helen rated it it was amazing

This is the first Pamela Cook story I have read and it won't be the last beautifully written with characters that are so engaging and alive this one had me riveted from the start till the end and had me feeling like friends with the people of Birralong.

This follows the lives of three woman linked but without knowing, when Sydney girl Faith Montgomery is riffling through her parents papers she comes across an envelope addressed to her and this envelope is going to change her life and open up a wh ...more

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