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‘The Effects of Henry’s CageBook One
Elean’s Story’
by
Bernadette Joyce
We have some good writers in New Zealand and often they tell stories about our past. Bernadette Joyce comes from Otago and writes about Otago history. This, her first novel, is set in Dunedin. It’s a charming tale of Otago settlers in the1870s, of two women who grow strong and independent and there is a sweet romance as well. I really enjoyed reading it.
Our heroine, Elean, leaves Scotland accompanying Mrs Roseville and her three children, as companion and tutor. They are going to Dunedin, New Zealand to join Henry Roseville and Mrs Roseville has not seen her husband for six years. Little does she know that Caroline’s husband, Henry, disillusioned as a young child, has built up a cage around his feelings, a cage of resentment, deceit, lies and bitterness. Soon she will be trapped in this terrifying cage. A thoroughly enjoyable read which will have the reader eager to turn the page and find out how Elean (and Caroline) will escape Henry’s cage.
I won't tell you how old Bernie is but she's a lot older than me and is already finishing off book two of the Effects of Henry's Cage. She makes me feel tired!
Book launch for 'The Effects of Henry's Cage Part one Elean's Story' is on December 2nd in Timaru. Anyone in reach and wants details of how to get there email me. She's also doing a book signing and reading in the Oamaru Library on December 8th and one in Dunedin. Where does she get the energy?There's quite a party planned in all three places and I am so pleased for Bernie. This is her dream come true and the novel is a lovely historical story.
Will do, Kathleen, She's learning how to put an author's page together for Goodreads and Amazon. So much to learn and do at her age but she'd loving it and so happy with her book.
Bernie is inspirational and I hope to meet her one day. All my best for her book launch and my greetings from Ankara, Turkeyi where life is slowly but surely coming together again at least for me amidst the turmoil of human and political tragedies.
It's nice to see someone giving attention to Indie books by NZ authors. How do I get your attention for my 9th novel "Losing & Winning"? See more about me at www.thomaswdevine.com
P.D.R. wrote: "‘The Effects of Henry’s CageBook One
Elean’s Story’
by
Bernadette Joyce
We have some good writers in New Zealand and often they tell stories about our past. Bernadette Joyce comes from Otago and..."
I'm writing a series of blogs right now compiling a stack of books to read over the holiday period. There are 9 challenges in all, and the last one is to find an NZ author I'd never heard of before. I think I've solved my problem. My favourite genre is historical fiction - which I also write - so I'm really interested in this story. And it's nice to support a first-time indie author.
PS - sorry I should have included the blog link for those who are interested in some ideas for reading material - I'm up to Challenge Six which goes up tomorrow morning - www.vickyadin.co.nz/blog
Vicky wrote: "P.D.R. wrote: "‘The Effects of Henry’s CageBook One
Elean’s Story’
by
Bernadette Joyce
We have some good writers in New Zealand and often they tell stories about our past. Bernadette Joyce comes..."
And I can vouch for Henry's Cage. It is a very good HF story, and a great first book from Bernie.
I have just finished reading your The Cornish Knot and loved it. Have got the next in the series lined up on my 'shelf' already!
Thomas, I pick up the books at the Indie Book Fair. I will only recommend what I have read and think are quality Indies, well designed, edited and published and worth reading. Both Bernie and Dinah are shy members of this group too which is why I pitch in as well. Indies who join in here and chat and ask questions and do a lot of reading of the books read here get preference.
Ella's Gran wrote: "Vicky wrote: "P.D.R. wrote: "‘The Effects of Henry’s CageI have just finished reading your The Cornish Knot and loved it. Have got the next in the series lined up on my 'shelf' already!
Thank you so much for the feedback - I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. The Art of Secrets is more modern and contemporary with history only back to the 50s and 60s (which for those of us old enough is not strictly speaking history - but it is to those younger) and The Girl from County Clare which is set in the 1880s
Vicky wrote: "P.D.R. wrote: "‘The Effects of Henry’s CageBook One
Elean’s Story’
by
Bernadette Joyce
We have some good writers in New Zealand and often they tell stories about our past. Bernadette Joyce comes..."
Just to update the conversation, I did include Bernadette's book in my blog - http://vickyadin.co.nz/challenge-nine...
I'm about to head to the South Island for an extended caravan trip. We expect to be in the Timaru/Oamaru area in February. I'll try to get in touch.
That's lovely for Bernie, she'll be so chuffed!She is slowly learning how to get on to Goodreads and join us all.
Dinah is another learning her way round here. They will be good members when they know what to do!
Give me a ring when you hit Oamaru, Vicky. Email me from my website and I'll let you have the number. I'm with family over from Canada until Jan 7th but any time after that would be great.
Thank you for the nice comments about my book. I really appreciated that you took the time to do this.
Hi everyone,I've started a new radio show on Access Radio focusing on independent NZ writing. We have a facebook page and a (slightly out of date) web site. The facebook page in WritersIslandNZ the website is http://writersisland.sitey.me/
Always interested in new indie NZ books for the show.
cheers, Peter
Oh, and by the way, I've finally released the hugely cleaned up 3rd edition of the Changels series. It now features new covers, slight changes and new maps in both the ebook and printed editions.
,
,
,
,
,
OR all six together in one vast 2,700 page monster
Good news, Peter. how do we get in touch with our Indie novels. Bernie and Dinah would like that PR I'm sure. I would for my next one too!
I was hoping to be able to launch my second book, The Last Letter at the NZ Book Festival next weekend, but the paperbacks won't be in NZ on time. The Last Letter, which is the sequel to Fifteen Postcards goes live on 1st November - my birthday (I thought that might be a cunning marketing ploy!).
Exciting times.
Peter wrote: "Oh, and by the way, I've finally released the hugely cleaned up 3rd edition of the Changels series. It now features new covers, slight changes and new maps in both the ebook and printed editions.[..."
Great covers Peter!
Peter wrote: "Hi everyone,I've started a new radio show on Access Radio focusing on independent NZ writing. We have a facebook page and a (slightly out of date) web site. The facebook page in WritersIslandNZ t..."
I found this show by accident a couple of weeks ago, Peter (having missed this notice on Goodreads while I was away).
I hope you know about the NZ Book Festival coming up on 5th November at Mt Eden War Memorial Hall. https://www.facebook.com/nzbookfest/
I'm sure all the indie authors showcasing their books there would be interested in being on your show (me included https://www.facebook.com/VickyAdinAut...)
What would you like any of us to do to access this PR?
Kirsten wrote: "I was hoping to be able to launch my second book, The Last Letter at the NZ Book Festival next weekend, but the paperbacks won't be in NZ on time. The Last Letter, which is the seq..."
Oh, Kirsten, how frustrating that the books won't arrive in time. Good luck with your new release and happy birthday for Tuesday.
Fifteen Postcards is in my reading pile, and it looks like I'll have to add your second book to it too.
Kirsten wrote: "I was hoping to be able to launch my second book, The Last Letter at the NZ Book Festival next weekend, but the paperbacks won't be in NZ on time. The Last Letter, which is the seq..."
Happy Birthday for the 1st, Kirsten. I'll have a present downloaded to my kindle that day!:)
Vicky wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I was hoping to be able to launch my second book, The Last Letter at the NZ Book Festival next weekend, but the paperbacks won't be in NZ on time. The Last Letter, ..."
It is frustrating, but it was always a long shot given we were working towards a publication date of 1st November. But I was still secretly optimistic!!!
Thanks for the birthday wishes xxx
Ella's Gran wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "I was hoping to be able to launch my second book, The Last Letter at the NZ Book Festival next weekend, but the paperbacks won't be in NZ on time. The Last Letter, ..."
Thank you! Too kind xxx
Bernie's second novel is now out. It's part two and is the story of the daughter, Roberta. 'The effects of Henry's Cage: Roberta's Story.'lots of local history and a story about a shy downtrodden lass making her way in the world.. NIce little love story too.
You can read it without needing to read the first book but I'd recommend reading both.
P.D.R. wrote: "Bernie's second novel is now out. It's part two and is the story of the daughter, Roberta. 'The effects of Henry's Cage: Roberta's Story.'lots of local history and a story about a shy downtrodden ..."
Not available in Kindle yet, P.D.R. - just in paperback on Amazon?
Oh boy, I thought Bernie said she'd got in in Kindle. Will chase her up and get it done!!!
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by Dinah Holman
I found this book at this year’s Auckland International Book Fair. There were a lot of good Indie books to buy at the fair and this was certainly one of them. Dinah Holman has a past history as a writer of New Zealand non-fiction and is the literary executor in charge of A.R.D. Fairburn’s literary estate. She’s written a book about the poet. Her writing skills are well honed and show clearly in this her first novel. It is a well written and enjoyable read. The novel has already attracted interest in two competitions, was long listed to the final nine in the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel and a finalist in the Indie Excellence Book Awards, a US contest recognizing and celebrating excellence in Indie book publishing.
For Kiwis this book will help explain the bitter grievances that Ngai Tuhoe hold about their land. In fact I recommend anyone trying to sort out the historical truths of the New Zealand land grabs to read this to see who the villains really were. Alas, the book is fiction so the happy ending never happened in real historical time but the story ought to be finished happily today in the Waitangi Tribunal hearings when Ngai Tuhoe present their case.
I hope this is the first in a series of New Zealand historical crimes examined and turned into fiction by Ms Holman. She has a real gift for doing it well.