You are viewing orangedale

Write and read with Dale [entries|archive|friends|userinfo]
orangedale

[ website | My Website ]
[ userinfo | livejournal userinfo ]
[ archive | journal archive ]

Historical fiction [May. 8th, 2013|10:36 am]
[Tags|, , , , , ]







6 - 10 May





is introducing



Ellenvale Gold




(Even Before Publishing November 2012)



By

Amanda Deed









About the Author



Amanda Deed grew up in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne in a Christian home, and found faith at an early age. She has followed her passion to serve the Lord through music and literature since her teen years. Now married, with three children, Amanda enjoys the variety of being a mother, finance administrator, musician and historical romance writer. Her debut novel, The Game, won the 2010 CALEB Prize for fiction, and Ellenvale Gold was a finalist for the same prize in 2012. For more information go towww.amandadeed.com.au.

Website is http://www.amandadeed.com.au/






About the Book:



It is the time of Australia’s harsh rogue-filled goldrush of the 1850’s when Miss Penelope Worthington suddenly finds herself orphaned, isolated and alone. With a large sheep station to run single-handedly, she has little option but to enlist the aid of a mysterious, but sinister stranger.

But who is the more treacherous? Gus—the scruffy, trespassing, ex-convict who co-incidentally shows up looking for work just when she desperately needs a farmhand or Rupert—the handsome, wealthy neighbour who would willingly marry her at the drop of a hat and solve her apparent dilemma?

Repeatedly, her faith is tested as she faces the unforgiving elements, deceit, lies and uncertainty. But where and how will it all end? But…is it the end? Will vengeance return or

will Penny’s faith prevail?



My thoughts
I enjoyed reading this book set in the gold rush days of the 1850s. It was interesting to see the way Penny’s attitudes and actions change over the course of the novel. When we first meet here, she is a snob and a product of her class. Left orphaned and alone with a large sheep station to run she needs help. But who can she trust? Gus the ex convict or Rupert the wealthy neighbour?

While I found this an enjoyable and interesting read, the Christian content in this novel is much more overt than it is in some other novels published by Even before Publishing. What this means is that even as Christian readers and especially lovers of historical fiction will appreciate it, I suspect it may be too much for those who have not reached that point in life. That’s not to say that the Christian content is thrown in as an added extra, because faith is intrinsic to the novel and to Gus. It shapes the attitudes and behaviours he exhibits. One thing I particularly chuckled over and could relate to was his exasperation with God at one stage. It made his faith feel more real.

Christians who enjoy historical novels will find this right to their taste. This is the first novel I have read by Amanda Deed and I doubt it will be the last.
link2 comments|post comment

one for women and one for boys [Apr. 18th, 2013|08:31 am]
[Tags|, , , , , , ]

Family Baggage
by Monica McInerney

I like Monica Mc Inerney’s books. This is typical Monica McInerney – warm, fun, sad in parts but with an added touch of mystery. It shows a close family though not without their squabbles, jealousies and differences. The Turner family run travel agency specialising in tour guides.
Harriet has had problems of her own in the past after the death of both parents a couple of months apart and a grudge she is holding from around that time. When she is asked to suddenly take on a tour with Lara after James breaks his leg and cannot do it, she agrees even though she has her doubts about her ability to cope after a meltdown the previous year.
When she arrives in England Lara, her foster sister who joined the Turner family as a child, is missing and no-one knows where she is or how to locate her. Harriet is left to manage the tour on her own with 12 elderly people from her town of Merryn Bay, all avid fans of the TV show Willoughby, and Patrick Shawcross who played the main character in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though I was left wondering about why James was in hospital for so long. Broken leg is not usually that much of a drama. But that is a minor quibble in what was a hugely enjoyable read.

To Brave the Seas
by David Mc Robbie

Written in an engaging style in the first person, this novel tells the story of Adam Chisholm who grows up in Liverpool. Nearly 14 when the story opens, he has a fascination with the sea and ships as well as Mavis Hill, a girl at his school. After his mother dies in 1940 Adam then 15, joins the merchant navy story as a deck hand. He makes an instant enemy of Cova who is a bully but he also makes good friends.
Adam learns a lot about conveys, lifeboats, fear, friendship and the horrors of war. He experiences a burial at sea, young love and a shipwreck.
David Mc Robbie writes in a highly readable style that involves the reader. The story moves easily from one situation the next. David McRobbie adds a note about the story at the end. While it is fiction, the story is based on eyewitness accounts that occurred during the Battle of the Atlantic combined with his own merchant navy experiences, like that of being seasick. The glossary at the end explaining unfamiliar words and naval terms is a good idea.
My only quibble was I thought it was a shame in a book for this age group a couple of incidents of blasphemy were used. It would be enough to stop some people from buying this book, and I felt it didn’t add anything to the dialogue, which was otherwise good.
linkpost comment

Web of Lies [Apr. 3rd, 2013|08:24 am]
[Tags|, , , , , , ]




1 - 5 April






is introducing





( Even Before Publishers 1 December 2012)




By




Laura O'Connell





About the Author


Laura enjoys writing stories about second chances in love and life. She calls the Gold Coast home, however, her curious nature leads her on adventures to locations that surprise and delight her. Laura has a passion for telling a good story set in places where she has lived and travelled. Laura is the author of African Hearts and Web of Lies. Her debut novel, African Hearts, was shortlisted in the 2011 Caleb Prize. To find out more about Laura visit her website: http://laura-oconnell.com






About the Book:


High school sweethearts, Stephanie and Lachlan are torn apart by circumstance, bad decisions and a web of lies,leaving an unknown future for their son, Ryan.


Eight years later they reconnect,but the time apart has changed them. The family had made decisions based on lies and deceit and now must find a way to either reveal the truth or find another option. On the surface their arrangements seemed flawless, but dig deeper, and the people they thought they knew, aren't as they appear.


Lachlan and Stephanie are forced to confront the consequences of their actions and the entire family is compelled to reveal the truth, find forgiveness, and renew loving one another. But the hardest decision is still to come...where does Ryan live?





My thoughts
This book is aptly named for it is not just one lie that has been woven into the fabric of this novel and the Hunt family, but so many lies. Now all of the Hunts, including Lachlan and his childhood sweetheart Stephanie, are caught in the middle and faced with a decision that could affect more lives than just their own.

Anything to do with a child and custody of a child will nearly always get and keep me reading. In this case the child is seven year old Ryan. He is the innocent party caught in this web of lies. If you can get through Web of Lies without a few tears you’re better than me. This novel had me tearful at times because I was so caught up with the characters and the predicament they found themselves in.

Web of Lies is a novel to do with actions and consequences of those actions. It’s also the sort of novel that not only involves the reader in the lives of the characters but makes you wonder how you would react in similar circumstances. Is forgiveness for the lies and their results possible? Was the right decision made in the end for Ryan and all concerned? You’ll have to read it to find out and then make up your own mind.
link2 comments|post comment

owls and ducks [Apr. 2nd, 2013|07:52 am]
[Tags|, , , , , ]

owl babies
Owl Babies
Martin Waddell
Illustrated by Patrick Benson
Walker Paperback Big Book
RRP $44.95
Anyone who knows me knows I adore owls, so I was delighted when this book arrived on my desk.
The three baby owls with their lemon fluffy chick feathers and confused looks are as are cute as they can be. Once there were three baby owls: Sarah and Percy and Bill, the story begins. The three owls live in the hollow of a tree with mother owl. The illustration of mother owl leaning over her chicks is gorgeous.
But then disaster strikes. One night the owl babies wake up and mother owl is gone. The three owls have differing responses to this event.
The expression on the faces of the baby owls conveys so much and fits in exactly with the simple text as the baby owls wait and wait. Though they try to be brave, they get more anxious as the night goes on and with each noise in the dark wood. In time mother owl come back to much rejoicing.
This is a gentle reassuring tale with illustrations that are divine. Surely a book to treasure for 2-6 year olds and one children and adults will enjoy poring over the detailed and exquisite illustrations.
ducks
Definitely No Ducks!
Meg McKinley
Illustrations by Leila Rudge.
Walker Books
Paperback
RRP $13.95

This early chapter book is another tale about Max, the class duck that readers met in Duck for a Day. Mrs Melvino is the teacher of the class and Max spends class time in school with the children as the class pet. Max has duck sleepovers at weekends at the homes of next door neighbours, Abby and Noah.
Each class in the school has been given a class project about a continent. Mrs Melivino’s class has been working hard on their project for the special assembly. Their continent is Antarctica but what happens when Max ends up in trouble for destroying the display of Antarctica. Mr Oswald the principal is sure Max is to blame and has threatened that Max has to go. But is Max to blame? Abby and Noah don’t think so and are determined to prove that Max was not responsible for the damage.
Mrs Melvino is creative and thinks outside the box, the type of teacher every young child would like to have. With short chapters and fun black and white illustrations this is a light hearted story for those 7 years and up.
Duck for a Day was shortlisted for the CBCA awards. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see Definitely No Ducks! end up there too.
linkpost comment

Two for the kids [Mar. 24th, 2013|05:07 pm]
[Tags|, , , , , , , , ]

word hunters
Word Hunters: The Lost Hunters
By Nick Earls and Terry Whidborne
University of Queensland Press
Paperback RRP $14.95

Not having read the first book in the series I was at a little disadvantage but it didn’t take too long to get up to speed. 12 year old twins, Lexi and Al are wordhunters. They have discovered that their grandfather, who has gone missing, is also a wordhunter. Lexi and Al are on a hunt to find their grandfather. He has gone missing somewhere in the past. The trouble is they don’t know where or when he is trapped. With the aid of some clues and the word hunter dictionary they hope to find their way back to the past and rescue him
The three words they follow through are okay, dollar and gun. They have some help in the form of Mursili.
The first word, okay, lands them firstly in 1928 Chicago in the time of Al Capone. The second clue leads them to 1865 New York and the offices of The New your k Times. The third clue has them in 1840 still in New York. And so it goes on as they travel through portals to different times searching for the grandfather with the aid of the three words and their origins in the English Language. But of course what would a quest be without those who are trying to prevent this rescue mission
Yes this is an adventure story for readers around 9-13 but it is also for anyone who loves history and language. Teachers’ notes are available to help teachers and children get the most out of this inventive series.
The black and white illustrations of Terry Whidborne add to the fun text. While action packed, it is also a clever and painless way to teach about history and language. This is a series designed to get teachers and children talking, investigating language and wanting to read more. My suggestion is get the first book Word Hunters: The Curious Dictionary, then read this one and then keep an eye out for the third in the series War of the Word Hunters.

my life as

My Life as an Alphabet
Barry Jonsberg
Allen & Unwin
Paperback
RRP $14.99
This is the first book by Barry Jonsberg I have read. I have no doubt children will love this story of Candice Phee, who is far from your average 12 year old. For relaxation she reads the dictionary and Charles Dickens exclusively. Some of the other children in her school call her Essen, which is an abbreviation of S.N - Special Needs. They think she has learning disabilities. Candace doesn’t make friends easily and is in her own words,’ socially challenged,’ but she is a delight to read about.
Told in the first person, as well as through letters to a pen pal Denille in USA who doesn’t write back, we find Candace has a unique way of looking at life. She is from a family struggling to come to terms with the death of their other child Sky (as Candace thinks of her. Her real name was Frances and the family has not been the same since she died when Candace was a little under 6.
Candace’s mother has battled cancer and has depression but there is nothing sad or morbid about this story. The story is told in a humorous tone and it is a story of hope and finding happiness, as Candace tries to fix the problems of those she cares about. Miss Bamford, despite her lazy eye, sounds an ideal teacher and Douglas just quirky enough to be a friend to Candace. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read about a child who doesn’t fit the norm. Highly recommended reading for 10-13 year olds and anyone who remembers what it was like to be a child who didn’t fit in.
Teachers can use this in the classroom to instigate discussions and lessons about showing respect for and caring for others who are a bit different, friendship and difficult family relationships.
Previous Barry Jonsberg books have won or been shortlisted for awards. I anticipate My Life as an Alphabet is destined for a similar fate.
link2 comments|post comment

Light in the Dark for Australian Writers [Mar. 15th, 2013|03:29 pm]
[Tags|, , , , , ]

light the darkA while back I received an email from a woman who had purchased Streets on a Map at Koorong in Sydney. After she returned to her home state of Queensland she told me she was, ’pleasantly surprised to find that Streets on a Map was written by an Australian.’ She started to read it that day and finished it the next. She not only loved it but emailed me to let me know. As a writer, while it’s always lovely to hear positives and praise about a book you have written, I was rather sad too when I read her email. Sad to think that stores in our own country are often not promoting our Aussie authors. This is not an isolated case. I have heard many Aussie authors complain that even their local bookshops don’t support them.
With so much focus on overseas authors at times and online book sellers, who largely feature overseas authors, it can be hard for Australian authors to get a look in. Quite simply people cannot buy our books unless they know about them.
So, in an effort to bring Australian writers to the attention of the public, Rochelle Manners started Light the Dark. Light the Dark aims to bring Australian writers and particularly Australian Christian writers to the attention of readers. These can be available through a party plan much like the Tupperware type parties. While we can find cupboards cluttered with containers that never see the light of day, a person can in my opinion never have enough books. So for those into the party plan idea a book party where someone hosts a party invite friends and everyone gets to see close up the range of Australian books out there, sounds ideal. It can be a good idea for community and church groups. Of course people are also welcome to buy direct from the Light the Dark website.
As I sat down to write this blog post I scrolled though I found I have read a number of the listed books and have them on my book shelf and/ or have given them to friends.
Fiction
Best Forgotten Paula Vince
Many-Coloured Realm Anne Hamilton
Yellow Zone Jan Dyer
Back to Resolution Rose Dee
Return to Baragula, Outback from Baragula and Justice at Baragula all by Mary Hawkins
Web of Lies Laura O’ Connell. A review of this will go up at the beginning of April
Picking up the Pieces Paula Vince
Streets on a Map Dale Harcombe
Tangled Secrets Carol Preston
The Greenfield Legacy Meredith Resce, Paula Vince, Amanda Deed, Rose Dee
Ellenvale Gold Amanda Deed is here on my desk to read
Non Fiction
Soul Friend Jo-Anne Berthelsen
The Singing Silence, The Winging Word, The Listening Land all by Anne Hamilton
Clues to Your Calling Janet Camilleri
God’s Poetry (both the first version and the second update version) Anne Hamilton
Poetry
Allsorts: poetry tricks and treats Andrew Lansdown (one of the best resources for teachers and lovers of poetry available)
Birds in Mind Andrew Lansdown
All Creation Sings Vol. 1 psalms of everyday Christians
In Due Season: poems of love and loss Valerie Volk
Water of Life poems for reflection and encouragement
Far from Home Andrew Lansdown
I’ve discovered some great authors this way. You’ll find reviews of a number of these books on my blog http://orangedale.livejournal.com/ Several of the books in this list prize winning books. So next time you’re looking for a book to buy and read or a book to give, why not consider buying Australian and supporting our local home-grown product, instead of opting for overseas authors and supporting overseas booksellers? You might consider hosting a Light the Dark Party where you and your friends can view a range of books available or simply take a look at books on the Light the Dark website and make a selection or two. To make it easy to purchase, Light the Dark not only accept credit card payments, they now accept PayPal. Why not check them out now? You may just find your next great read by an Aussie author.
link8 comments|post comment

Tangled secrets review [Mar. 4th, 2013|09:07 am]
[Tags|, , , , ]

4 - 8 March
is introducing
(Even Before Publishing Sept 2012)
by
Carol Preston
About the Author
Carol lives in Wollongong, NSW with her husband, Neil. As well as writing novels based on her family history, Carol has a private counselling practice and enjoys reading, gardening, spending time with her four grandchildren and bushwalking. She has pursued with great admiration the lives of her ancestors in Australia and has greatly enjoyed writing novels based on their stories and the inspiring history of the Australian people. For more information about Carol's books and her other interests she can be contacted on her website: www.carolpreston.com.au

About the book

In tragic circumstances Beth and her brothers are left in England to grow up without their parents. When Beth's childhood dream to be reunited with her father in Australia finally eventuates she finds that dreams do not always come true.The reality she faces is a tangled web of disappointment, deceit and mistakes. Further abandonment follows. Will she ever find true love? And will she discover she doesn't have to be alone before it is too late?Set in the early colonial days of New South Wales and based on real characters in the mid 1800s.Revisit Charlotte and Thomas from Charlotte's Angel and Mary's Guardian, and meet new characters in this new novel by Carol Preston. Mary's Guardian was a finalist in the fiction section of CALEB 2011.



My thoughts

I admit I rarely read historical novels especially those set during the convict era, largely because I binged on them when I was younger. Tangled Secrets is firmly set in that era. 1829 Bill is convicted and transported for stealing a lamb to feed his starving family. He is transported to Australia leaving his daughter Beth and two sons with their aunt in England after his wife and young baby dies. His dream is to work hard and bring them out to Australia, which he finally does in 1840.
Beth couldn’t wait to be reunited and be a family again, but after she arrives in Australia she finds that there is a distinct impediment to the dreams of a happy family in the form of Bridget who is jealous and resents Bill’s daughter and sons. In an effort to relieve the pressure on Bill, Beth comes to a decision that leads her, not to the happiness she hoped but to further disappointment and heartbreak. But she is a strong character and not bowed by life.
This is an enjoyable read and I shed tears at a couple of places as I empathised with Beth and the dramas in her life. It is historical fiction but based on real people and events from historical records of the 1800s. It is obvious a huge amount of research has gone into the writing of this books I and it shows in the details. The Christian message is subtly woven into the story and the lives of the characters.
Some of the characters appeared in previous novels which I hadn’t read. But it didn’t matter. This story stands on its own. Carol Preston is a new author for me but I doubt this will be the last book of hers I read. I also loved the muted green-grey cover on this book and the pensive face of Beth.
link6 comments|post comment

4 books to choose from [Feb. 27th, 2013|02:19 pm]
[Tags|, , , , , , , , , , , , , ]

the honey queenFour and a half stars. A good light read, despite dealing with some serious issues. Just what I needed at the time. Sometimes you just want a book that leaves you with a warm satisfied feeling and with likeable characters you care about. If that’s what you’re looking for then The Honey Queen will fit the bill. In Australia, Lillie’s husband has recently died and she is struggling to come to terms with that when she finds out she has a half brother and his family in Ireland. After finding this brother and contacting him and receiving a positive reply inviting Lillie to visits, Lillie’s sons, Martin and Evan pay for her to go to Ireland.
Lillie’s brother Seth is facing his own problems after having been retrenched. He lives with his wife Frankie in the town of Redstone, which sounds like the friendliest town out. But all is not well in the marriage between Seth and Frankie.
Then there is Peggy who has come from an abusive childhood and as a result doesn’t do trust men. After saving for years, she opens her own knitting shop in Redstone and thinks she is finally getting her life together. But then David enters the scene leaving her confused.
The town of Redstone is dotted with a lot of other characters as well, like Opal who is always interested in others. With the exception of Peggy’s father, Opal’s daughter Meredith and Opal’s future in law Miranda, everyone else is so nice. I especially loved Freya, the young 15 year old girl who, coming from a precarious background, has made her home with her aunt Opal and her uncle Ned. Freya is just one of many likeable characters in this novel. It’s a novel that stirs the emotions and Lillie is the kind of friend everyone wishes they had but very few people do. So is Opal. This is a real feel good novel and I enjoyed every minute of it.


anthony

Heartbreakingly beautiful. I started this book while in the middle of another novel which I was struggling to become involved with. I had no such problems with this one. I was immediately drawn into the story of Olivia and her son Anthony and then of Beth and Jimmy. While I have not had a close personal experience with autism in the family, by the time I had finished reading this book I felt I had. It seemed to me that it was accurate in its description of Anthony and his behaviour. As I read it, I could see in my mind’s eyes an autistic boy in our community whom I know a little. It also depicted well the effect autism and the demands of living with it 24/7 can have on a marriage. I became totally involved in the story of Olivia and Anthony and that of Beth who gives Anthony a voice. I found his voice convincing as was the response often of others and their judgemental attitudes when they see an autistic child and the lack of control parents are able to have at times. I cried my way though this book which I read very quickly. I liked the way it referred back toThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Timeanother book which brilliantly handles the topic of autism, though in a different tone and voice to this book. If you can get through this book without tears then you must be a harder hearted person than me. I sure couldn’t. I read it in a day.


runaway4 and a half stars
After her engagement is broken off, heartbroken Honor opts to join her sister Grace in setting out for America and the Quaker community situated in Faithwell. There Grace is to marry Adam. But life has a few surprises in store. Tragedy strikes and Honor is left alone in this new world and reliant on the kindness of strangers. She finds life in 1850s America and the expanses of Ohio very different from that of life in Bristol.
I found the details about Quaker life, which I’ve always been drawn to, after reading The Friendly Persuasion by Jessamyn West, interesting. I love the way they talk. It is so gracious and musical. Only one incident rang a little false to me given the times and beliefs and that takes place in the corn field. The little snippet about covered bridges answered a question I had often wondered about.
Honor is a likable and spirited character, who is not afraid of hard work. This novel highlights what happens when an abstract principle becomes a reality Honor is forced to confront, and also the consequences of standing up for what she believes.
The secondary characters are also well drawn including Belle who befriends Honor. Belle is a spunky character not afraid of breaking out of people’s expectations or of delivering a few home truths when needed. Her brother Donovan is in the business of catching runaway slaves and he is attracted to Honor despite their obvious differences in outlook and lifestyle.
This book made me feel I was there with the characters experiencing it all. I certainly learned a lot about what the slaves were subjected to and the prejudices they encountered. This was another book I didn’t get through without a few tears, as well as exclamations of outrage and shock. I read this through in a day and loved it. Highly recommended.


unsaid

Four a a half stars. Unsaid is a poignant and haunting read. In the hands of a less skilful author this could have denigrated into blatant propaganda for animal rights. That it did not is due to the multi layered story of David, an attorney devastated by the loss of Helena his veterinarian wife who recently died of breast cancer, Joshua a vet trying to escape his own guilt for actions in his past and Jaycee a scientist who has raised Cindy a chimpanzee who she claims has the capacity for thought and sign language equal to a four year old human. Both Jaycee and Helena share guilt from a past encounter with Charlie another chimpanzee who was the victim of experiments in an attempt to find cures for human diseases as well as Sally and her son Clifford who has Aspergers. Helena, is a spirit unable to go to her final resting place and the story is relayed through her eyes as she sees all the above people’s actions at varying times. If you accept this premise you should not have any problems with it. I could and soon became involved in the lives of these characters. There were times when I laughed, times I was outraged and yes I admit to more than a few tears at times. It is a moving and thought provoking novel about what it means to be human and how much human lives are worth as against those of animals used for scientific research and experiments. To make it more notable this is the author’s debut novel. Well done Mr Abramson.
linkpost comment

A special friend and a few surprises [Feb. 18th, 2013|09:49 am]
[Tags|, , , , , ]


acrba button1



18 - 22 February 2013



Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance



Is Introducing



Soul Friend: The Story of a shared Spiritual Journey

(Even Before Publishing October 2012)



By



Jo-Anne Berthelsen



Available at Light the Dark for $16.95




About the Book:

9781922074492


Soul Friend is an honest and intimate portrayal of the author's own journey with her wise, spiritual mentor and the warm, life-giving relationship that developed between them during their fifteen years of meeting together. This story is written in the hope that it will inspire many not only to seek out such a spiritual friendship for themselves but also to provide such a friendship for another.



Beautifully written, this honest and insightful memoir is an inspiring celebration of the ancient art of spiritual companionship. Dr Rick Lewis



Soul friendship is a very under-emphasised resource of Christian discipleship, particularly for Christian leaders. Jo-Anne has written honestly, beautifully, sensitively and powerfully. Dr Keith Farmer
















About the Author

3975230Jo-Anne Berthelsen lives in Sydney but grew up in Brisbane. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne loves communicating through both the written and spoken word. She is the author of five published novels – Heléna, All the Days of My Life, Laura, Jenna andHeléna’s Legacy, with a sixth, The Inheritance, due for release in 2013. Her first non-fiction work Soul Friend: The story of a shared spiritual journey was released in October 2012. Jo-Anne loves music, reading, mentoring younger women, and sharing with community groups about writing. She is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and three grandchildren.






And now a special treat. A guest blog from Jo-Anne. Welcome Jo-Anne and thanks for joining us here.

Soul Friend Surprises
It has now been around five months since my book Soul Friend: The story of a shared spiritual journey was released by Even Before Publishing. And what an interesting time that has been, as I have watched the journey of my latest literary offering unfold!
I did not know quite what response to expect from my readers this time around, since Soul Friend is my first work of non-fiction. Would those who enjoyed any or all of my five published novels make that leap with me over into non-fiction? Would there be anyone out there who could relate to my own journey at all and the things I share of my times with my spiritual mentor Joy? Would I find new readers, now I had at least temporarily changed genre? Or had I made a huge mistake?
My first Soul Friend surprise has been the depth at which this little book of mine seems to have touched the hearts of some of my readers. I am always moved when people bother to contact me with feedback about any of my books, but some emails, as well as face to face comments I have received this time around, have caused me to feel very humble indeed and very blessed. For example, an old friend wrote: I know that what you have written in this beautiful book is true and it is its authenticity that spoke to me as it will to many others. Another commented: We need books that are honest and for real and I am sure this book will help many. Then just a few days ago, an older gentleman shared how touched he was with the vulnerability and honesty displayed in my book. Heartfelt words, all of them. I had longed for such responses, yet when they came, they surprised me with their obvious depth of feeling.
My second Soul Friend surprise has taken place on various occasions and been quite comical at times. When some have discovered my new book is non-fiction, they nod in approval and seem immediately interested. It’s as if I have finally seen the light, after writing what they surmise are frivolous novels! I am happy to connect with this new found audience who seem to feel I am ‘okay’ now as an author, but I smile wryly to myself at times, too. Many of the issues I mention in Soul Friend have already found their way into my novels in the experiences of some character or another. I write general fiction, with strong faith themes, and tend to portray struggles with big life issues such as forgiveness, disappointment, rejection, change and grief. Yet now I find, to my surprise, I am cloaked in a respectability as an author that I did not previous enjoy in some circles!
A third surprise has been the number of people, including younger members of our society, who seem to connect so readily with the idea of having a soul friend or spiritual companion—someone who is prepared to walk beside you in your own journey, listening to you, praying for you and sharing godly wisdom with you when required. There is a yearning in all of us, I believe, to be understood, valued, encouraged and supported in life. And I hope and pray that in some small but significant way, my book Soul Friend will be used to meet that need.
My surprises so far with Soul Friend have shown me then that I didn’t make a huge mistake, after all—which make me one relieved and very thankful author!

Thank You Jo-Anne for that post.
To read my thoughts about Soul Friend head down to my review on January 17th Of course on the way you might also want to check out my interview about a work in progress, and other reviews and book info.
link3 comments|post comment

Australian Women Writers Challenge 2013 [Feb. 12th, 2013|02:24 pm]
[Tags|, , , ]

Well, I’ve gone and done it now. I signed up to take part in the Australian Women Writers Challenge 2013. What does that mean? It means helping bring our great Aussie women writers, which we have many of, to the attention of other readers by reading and reviewing their books. I mostly read fiction written by women anyway, and since I’m already taking part in the Annual Aussie Author Challenge 2013, I figured I could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, by entering this one as well. That’s the plan anyway.
So I’ve put myself in for Franklin which means to read 10 books by Aussie Women Writers. If reviewing, which I am, then I have to review at least 6. Hopefully I’ll manage that. But I don’t think it will be a problem. I’ve already read and reviewed 4 Aussie author books. You’ll find the review of Tangled Secrets by Carol Preston, http://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/16008540 and The Children by Charlotte Wood http://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/6974785.
The review of The Greenfield Legacy by a quartet of great women writers was reviewed on this blog on Feb 4th http://orangedale.livejournal.com/ and Soul Friend by Jo-Anne Berthelsen reviewed on this blog on January 17th. So I think I’m off to a pretty good start.
I hope some of you readers out there will also take up the challenge to read books by our Australian Women Writers. While you're choosing what to read , don't forget Streets on a Map by Dale Harcombe. You can find out more about this book and what some other readers and reviewers have thought on my website www.daleharcombe.com
link4 comments|post comment

navigation
[ viewing | most recent entries ]
[ go | earlier ]