Book Review: Grace & Marigold by Mira Robertson

Through Grace & Marigold Australian author Mira Robertson brings 1970's bohemian London to life on the page.

 

It's 1974 when 20 year old Grace leaves Australia to reinvent herself. Sloughing off her Australian accent she immerses herself in what she believes is the real London experience, living in communal squats, debating politics, attending drug fueled street parties and taking part in protest rallies.

The story follows Grace and her new found friends as she struggles with her sexuality and falls secretly in love with the charismatic and furtive Marigold.

 

Grace & Marigold will appeal to anyone who lived these rebellious, tumultuous days of the mid seventies and will bring back memories of a wild untamed freedom enjoyed by many of the 20somethings of that time. Young adult readers will enjoy an insight into the lives of their boomer parents/grandparents and may just be surprised how radical they were.

 

Grace & Marigold is a sapphic coming-of-age story and I enjoyed Grace's evolution. There are many tender moments and moments of tension with plenty of humour interspersed throughout the story.

 

My rating 3 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Spinifex Press 

Publication date: 6th August 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction / LGBT

Pages: 272

RRP: AU$32.95

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

 

Book Review: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

 Bookshops & Bonedust

by

Travis Baldree

High fantasy. First loves. Second-hand books.

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Imprint: Tor

Publication date: 7th November 2023

Series: Legends & Lattes #0

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 352

Source: Own purchase

 

Review: Bookshops & Bonedust

Bookshops & Bonedust is a prequel to Legends & Lattes.

I totally enjoyed this cosy fantasy set in a small seaside village.

 

Viv finds herself recuperating from a battle injury in the small seaside town of Murk. All Viv wants to do is get back with her unit and capture the elusive necromancer Varine.

 

Aside from two fight scenes Bookshops & Bonedust is as cosy as they come. Every character is endearing from the potty-mouthed bookshop owner to her pet gryphet named Potroast. Bookshops & Bonedust is filled with plenty of good clean humour and heart.

 

Many reviewers have stated the first book was better but not having read Legends & Lattes I can't compare. I loved Bookshops & Bonedust for what it was, light-hearted and fun. It's a story about friendship and a bit of a journey for Viv to think through what she truly wants from life.

 

I loved the characters' passion for books and a good scone.

You know you've read a great book when you close it wanting to read more from this author.

 

If you've never read fantasy before, Bookshops & Bonedust would be a great place to start.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Book Review: Royals by Tegan Bennett Daylight

 Royals

by

Tegan Bennett Daylight

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

 

Publication date: 3rd May 2023

 

Genre: Young Adult

 

Pages: 280

 

RRP: $19.99AU (Paperback) 

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

My review of Royals

Royals by Tegan Bennett Daylight is probably not a book I would normally pick up, however I was sent a request from the publisher and it sounded a little quirky, and I enjoy books that are a bit different.

 

A group of teenagers find themselves locked in a shopping centre, all technology frozen. I loved the concept of this story! The teenagers don't know each other and there are no phones, which means no texting, no Snapchat, no Instagram. They are going to have to talk to each other, face to face!! 🤯

 

Tegan Bennett Daylight has used a group of Western Sydney teenagers as her protagonists. I think the author is showing a side to these teens we don't often hear. They are responsible and basically kindhearted. A  group of kids who wouldn't normally hang-out together were forced to rely on each other. 

The story bogged down a little in the middle and it was a little contrived with its range of diversity but I was happy to let that all slip by because I loved the magical realism element and how the teens opened up to each other and that the whole story was so quirky and we weren't given any reason for the whole thing. The book finishes and the reader is still left with a why. When I finished reading I was like "what just happened"!! 

 

My rating 4 / 5    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommended age: 12+

Allusion to sex

Underage drinking

About the author

Photograph © Tegan Bennett Daylight

Tegan Bennett Daylight is a writer, teacher and critic. Her books include the Stella Award shortlisted Six Bedrooms and the novels Safety and Bombora.  She lives in the Blue Mountains with her husband and two children.

 

Book Review: Blue Wren by Bron Bateman

 Blue Wren

by

Bron Bateman

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 2nd August 2022

 

Genre: Poetry

 

Pages: 96

 

RRP: $29.99AUD

 

Format read: paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review of Blue Wren

 

Blue Wren is structured around poems inspired by paintings by artist Frida Kahlo. I did google Frida Kahlo's art after reading the poems and seeing the paintings gives a further insight into many of the poems featured.

 

Bron Bateman's poems are raw and emotional. Confronting and in turns contemplative. Her words flow beautifully from the page to sink deep into your heart.

The poems reflect on still birth, miscarriage, pain and loss, the passing of life, an unburdening of life's memories.

This is not the style of poetry I would normally read however I feel it would make a good study piece alongside Frida Kahlo's paintings. There is much that can be taken from Bron's poems on her perceptive memories of life.

 

My rating 3.5 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐½  

 

About the author

 

Bron Bateman is a poet, academic and mother of nine. She is a researcher in Crip and Disability Studies at the University of Newcastle and her research interests include Crip and Disability Studies, Queer and Gender Theory, cultural studies, creative writing, Feminisms, and the body. She has her work published in collections and journals in Australia, the UK and the US. 

 

Praise for the poet

'Erotic feminist sensitive and skilled Bateman is a poet who wants and deserves to be widely read.' - Saturday Age

 

Book Review: A Family of Strangers by Fiona Lowe

A Family of Strangers

by

Fiona Lowe 

 

How can you know so little about those you love?

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

 

Imprint: HQ Fiction

 

Publication date: 2nd march 2022

 

Genre: Contemporary fiction

 

Pages: 544

 

RRP: $32.99AUD

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

In A Family of Strangers Fiona Lowe brings together three women, who would not normally mix, and has them supporting each other and solving problems together.

Set in the small seaside community of Rookery Cove, Tasmania, Brenda is trying to get back on her feet after the death of her husband. She is hoping to connect with her daughter Courtney. Their relationship has always been fragile. Encouraged by her friend Marilyn, Brenda joins the Rookery Cove choir.

 

Stephanie and husband Henry have come to the Cove to start a new life, a more relaxed way of living, with their young son and Henry's 12 year old daughter Zoe. But Steph finds herself doing the lion's share of the parenting and starts to resent Henry and his daughter. She joins the local choir for some me time.

 

Addy is back at the Cove to renovate her late parent's home. Meanwhile she is taking on large amounts of work and the pressure has her turning to alcohol as a release. When new friend, Steph, asks her to join the choir she is torn between friendship and old ghosts.

 

This is such a big book, I tend to shy away from anything over 400 pages because I easily get bored with the characters. However, I was totally immersed in the story of these characters. I loved them all and genuinely cared about their lives.

I am amazed how Fiona Lowe can include a diverse amount of topics that are relevant to women and the story does not sound at all contrived. (I don't think I did a single eye roll).

Some themes included are; alcohol abuse, helicopter parenting, step parenting, relationships after a partner's death, bullying, misogyny in the work place, shaming by social media and infertility.

 

I love the idea of a choir as the glue for the friendships. It's a hobby that is all inclusive and not bound by gender or age.

Each woman has her demons that need to be overcome and I loved the way they supported each other even when they weren't at their best. Forgiveness, acceptance and support are key themes throughout and Fiona Lowe shows how our decisions can impact on family and relationships.

 

Fiona Lowe is a counsellor herself and I like how therapists and counsellors have a sort of ghost appearance in her novels. Their value in society is sometimes overlooked. 

 

My rating  5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

For more about Fiona Lowe see my author interviews:

 

 https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2022/03/author-interview-fiona-lowe.html

https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2019/02/author-interview-fiona-lowe.html 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: The Heron's Cry by Ann Cleeves

 The Heron's Cry

by

Ann Cleeves

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

 

Publication date: 2nd September 2021

 

Series: Two Rivers #2

 

Genre: Crime / Mystery

 

Pages: 382

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

North Devon is enjoying a rare hot summer with tourists flocking to its coastline. Detective Matthew Venn is called out to a rural crime scene at the home of a group of artists. What he finds is an elaborately staged murder--Dr Nigel Yeo has been fatally stabbed with a shard of one of his glassblower daughter's broken vases.

Dr Yeo seems an unlikely murder victim. He's a good man, a public servant, beloved by his daughter. Matthew is unnerved, though, to find that she is a close friend of Jonathan, his husband.

Then another body is found--killed in a similar way. Matthew soon finds himself treading carefully through the lies that fester at the heart of his community and a case that is dangerously close to home.

 

My review

 

I loved Ann Cleeves' Shetland and Vera series. She has proven time and time again that she can write compelling stories. I think that is why I was so disappointed in The Heron's Cry.

 

I haven't read The Long Call so I can't say how this compares to the first in this new series.

The Heron's Cry is narrated through multiple points of view. I found the content repetitive with the three main detectives questioning the same witnesses, at different times, and getting the same answers then meeting back at the station and going over it all again.

 

I found the characters one dimensional (maybe I missed something by not reading the first book). I'm fine with flawed characters however to be reminded that Venn had a strict childhood and traumatic exit from The Bretheren every few chapters was overkill. Jen continually apologised over get drunk at a party and angst over being a bad mother. Stop  apologising!!  You're a strong woman, be you!

 

The plot was boring and slow, even my 7 year old granddaughter was saying, 'give it up nan.' She was tired of my moaning.

I hadn't intended to be so scathing in my review but I wanted to convey everything.

 

What did I like? Jonathan, sweet gorgeous Jonathan, Matthew Venn's husband who was always thinking of Matthew and how he could make Matthew's life more pleasant. I also liked Detective Ross May and the little glimpse into his private life and his love for his wife.

Cleeves touches on the difficulty families face with a family member with mental health issues and the enormous burden it places on families when there is little to no support from hospitals.

 

I don't think I will continue with this series however I will be on the lookout for other books by Ann Cleeves. 

 

My rating 2 / 5  ⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Ann Cleeves is the author of over thirty critically acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez, who can now be found on television in ITV's Vera and BBC One's Shetland. The TV series and the books they are based on have become international sensations, capturing the minds of millions worldwide.

Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. She is a member of 'Murder Squad', working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction. Ann is also a passionate champion for libraries and was a National Libraries Day Ambassador in 2016. Ann lives in North Tyneside near where the Vera books are set.

https://anncleeves.com/
 

 
 

Book Review: Home Truths in Tumble Creek by Louise Forster

 Home Truths in Tumble Creek

by

Louise Forster

Publisher: Self Published

 

Publication date: 21st may 2019

 

Series: Tumble Creek #1

 

Genre: Rural Romance 

 

Pages: 298

 

Format read: eBook

 

Source: courtesy of the author

 

About the book

 

London-based chef, Jennifer Dove, loves her exciting, fast-paced life and she has every intention of returning to it ASAP. This trip to the small country town of Tumble Creek is to visit her sister and niece and farewell her beloved uncle. But barely hours into her stay, she disturbs an intruder in her uncle's house and is questioned by police. Things are not all they seem in Tumble Creek, and as much as she tries not to, Jennifer is sucked into the mystery surrounding her uncle. What are the locals hiding?      

And why can she not get sexy local Calum McGregor out of her mind?

 

My review

 

Home Truths in Tumble Creek is light and fun, an easy read. 

 

Jennifer flies from London to the small town of Tumble Creek in country Australia. Jen may be a top London chef but she is no stranger to this country town. It was the home town of her Uncle Bob who Jen and her sister Sofie visited often when they were growing up. They are there to attend his funeral and organise his affairs. The last thing Jen expects to do is fall for a sexy farmer.

 

Louise Forster has delivered a romance read that is filled with mystery, humour and secrets. There are a couple of steamy scenes for fans of sexy romance reads but the majority of the story is sweet.

Tumble Creek is portrayed as a welcoming, small country town and I enjoyed getting to know the residents there.

 

City girl Jen got into plenty of scrapes where hot farmer Callum came to the rescue and in one instance the local fire brigade was summoned and a rescue through an upstairs window was quite comical.

 

A sexy farmer, Russian spies watching their every move and loan sharks determined to get their money by any means give for moments of light-hearted fun and moments of suspense. 

 

My only quibble with this novel is there was too much dialogue for my liking and it slowed the story.

 

My rating  3 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

Louise Forster grew up in a Victorian country town. She ran barefoot along dirt roads and loved looking through the leaves of tall eucalypts at the azure summer skies. Eventually, she grew up, and the country town became a suburb of Melbourne. Running barefoot to catch her train to work would have caused more than a few raised eyebrows so she opted for stilettos, of course. At eighteen, Louise travelled through Europe, parts of Africa and the Pacific Islands. These days Louise lives on the far north coast of New South Wales on a small property that includes her extended family, three dogs, three cats and all manner of wildlife. 

 

 

Challenges Entered: Australian Women Writers Challenge AWW2021

 

                                   Aussie Author Challenge #Aussieauthor21

Book Review: Better Luck Next Time by Kate Hilton

Better Luck Next Time

by

Kate Hilton

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 16th June 2020

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 368

RRP: $29.99AUD

Format read: paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

It isn’t easy being related to a feminist icon, especially when she’s celebrating the greatest moment of her storied career.

Just ask the daughters of Lydia Hennessey, who could have it all if only they’d stop self-destructing. Mariana, the eldest, is on the verge of throwing away a distinguished reputation in journalism, along with her marriage. Nina, the middle daughter, has returned from a medical mission overseas as a changed woman but won’t discuss it with anyone. And Beata, the youngest, has a hostile teenaged son who just discovered the existence of a father who didn’t know about him either. Meanwhile, their cousin Zoe is making divorce look like a death match, while her brother, Zack, is grappling with the fallout from his popular television dramedy, which is based far too closely on Lydia herself.

It might be easier to find their paths if they could step out of Lydia’s shadow—but the biggest women’s march in history is underway, and Lydia and her family are at the centre of it.

Over the course of an eventful year, the Hennessey children contend with the big struggles of midlife: aging parents, raging teens, crumbling marriages and bodies, new loves and the choice between playing it safe or taking life-altering risks. And as they inch toward a new definition of happiness, they might even persuade their parents—and themselves—that they’re all grown up.

Better Luck Next Time is a generational comedy with a subtle theme of feminism.

The story opens on a Hennessey Christmas where the Hennesseys and the Goldstein-Hennesseys all come together for Christmas lunch. This opening family Christmas scene is both tragically funny and wholly relatable. The room is in chaos, some are simply there out of duty and want to get the day over with.

There is quite a cast of characters in this extended family and Kate Hilton has them listed in the front pages but it doesn’t take long to get the idea of who is related to who.

I immediately liked Zoe who is reticent to tell her overbearing mother that she had recently separated from her husband. Zoe had a wonderful relationship with her younger brother Zack and it was nice to see them opening up to each other. Their friendly banter and ribbing come across as fun and natural.

Mariana, Nina and Beata are siblings, cousins to Zoe and Zack. Nina doesn’t feature much in the story but when she does it is heart-breaking and meaningful.

Mariana is a high flying journalist unhappy with her marriage but feels trapped with a no-hoper husband and young twins to bring up.

Beata, a single mother and Reiki specialist, has dedicated her life to raising her 15 year old son Oscar. She now wonders how she ended up with an angry teenager who slams doors and won’t talk.

Putting their grievances aside the family comes together as family matriarch and well known feminist Lydia Hennessey plans to lead the upcoming feminist march with coordinating marches across the country

The story follows the Hennessey family over the course of one eventful year which will see separations, bridal showers, secrets divulged and a confrontation ending in hospitalisation. The Hennessey’s are anything but boring!

Better Luck Next Time is a light easy read that is filled with relevant issues such as divorce, dating after divorce, single parenthood, secrets, gay relationships, self love and family. Hilton’s characters are highly relatable. You might find yourself in one of the characters or little bits of yourself in all of them.

Kate Hilton tests the six degrees of separation theory, again and again, but in most cases here it is on about two degrees which makes for some awkwardly funny situations.

This is not a dysfunctional family it is just an all round normal family finding their way in love and life.

Better Luck Next Time is everything it promised to be; funny, engaging and highly relatable.

 My rating 5/5     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kate Hilton is the bestselling author of Hole in the Middle, Just Like Family and Better Luck Next Time. Before settling on fiction writing, Kate pursued careers in law, university administration, publishing, and major gift fundraising. While she rarely uses her law degree these days, she's delighted that English degree has turned out to be so useful. Kate's non-fiction writing has appeared in The National Post. Canadian Living, and The Huffington Post, on topics ranging from working motherhood to creativity reinvention. She lives in a blended family - including a husband, two sons, a stepdaughter, and a rescue dog - in Toronto. 

 

Book Review: Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans

Euphoria Kids

by

Alison Evans

Publisher: Echo Publishing
Publication date: 4th February 2020
Genre: Young Adult / LGBT / Fantasy
Pages: 247
RRP: $19.99 AUD
Format read: Paperback
Source: Courtesy of the publisher via B Fredericks PR

Ever since the witch cursed Babs, she turns invisible sometimes. She has her mum and her dog, but teachers and classmates barely notice her. Then, one day, Iris can see her. And Iris likes what they see. Babs is made of fire.

Iris grew from a seed in the ground. They have friends, but not human ones. Not until they meet Babs. The two of them have a lot in common: they speak to dryads and faeries, and they're connected to the magic that's all around them.

There's a new boy at school, a boy who's like them and who hasn't found his real name. Soon the three of them are hanging out and trying spellwork together. Magic can be dangerous, though. Witches and fae can be cruel. Something is happening in the other realm, and despite being warned to stay away, the three friends have to figure out how to deal with it on their own terms.

Although not the intended readership, I absolutely loved this magical and tender story.

Alison Evans has a wonderful way of expressing feelings and emotions.

Iris is a plant child. They grew from the ground. The child of Clover and Moss. They know they are different. A non-binary child that talks to the fairie, Saltkin, in the garden.

“I didn’t want to be a strange baby made of plants, but it hasn’t caused any problems. I don’t know if anyone else can tell.”

Babs is trans-gender, a witch left a spell on her that makes her invisible. Life can be lonely when you are cursed with bouts of invisibility but one day Iris sees her and a friendship begins. Iris can see that Babs is made of fire.

I enjoyed watching the friendship between Iris and Babs develop and also the introduction of the new boy, a trans-gender who hadn’t yet discovered who he was.

“Here’s a boy, not sure of his name or what he is made of. Iris grew from a seed under moss, brimming with new magic. And me, a fiery mess of a girl, crackling when I walk. I forged my own name. I’m invisible sometimes, but I know who I am.

He just needs time. I hope he knows that.” - Babs

Babs’ words are filled with such confidence and compassion.

The characters grew and developed. There was no mention of bullying and the teens were responsible, caring and respectful of their parents. In turn the parents were supportive. It was such a heart-warming thing to see these loving close-knit families.

The magical element of the story is captivating. The teens live on the edge of the National Park and within the park is The Realm, a dark place they are warned to stay away from.

As Babs is drawn to the forest the tension mounts, making this a story that is hard to put down until you know the final conclusion.

Euphoria Kids is a tender, touching story seeped with magic bringing to life the earth, the plants and all things magical.

I finished this book wanting more!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 

My Rating   5/5

Photo credit: Goodreads

Alison Evans is the author of Ida, which won the People’s Choice Award at the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards 2017.

Their second novel, Highway Bodies, was published earlier this year and they are a contributor to new anthology, Kindred: 12 Queer #LoveOzYA Stories.

They are based in Melbourne. 

 




This review is part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie Author Challenge 

#AussieAuthor20  

 

Book Review: Making Trouble - Tongued with Fire by Sue Ingleton

Making Trouble - Tongued with Fire

by

Sue Ingleton

Publisher: Spinifex Press
Publication Date: 1st August 2019
Pages: 256
Format  read: Paperback
Source: Courtesy of the publisher

In the winter of 1875, two rebellious spirits travel from England to Australia. Harriet Rowell (age 22) and Alice Moon (age 18) were champion swimmers in a time when women didn’t go into the sea; and they were in love in a time when many women were in love with each other but held such love secretly. Harriet and Alice took on the world at a dangerous time for women’s freedom of expression, but their love ended when Alice moved to Sydney to become a writer.

Before Harriet can get over her grief from the breakup, tragedy strikes; Alice is found dead in her bed at thirty-seven. Suspicions rest upon the powerful, chauvinistic scientist, John McGarvie Smith, with whom Alice had been working in her newfound capacity as a journalist. This book seeks to uncover the truth of Alice’s death and seek justice.  

Making Trouble – Tongued with Fire is the imagined history of Harriet Elphinstone Dick and Alice C Moon.

Sue Ingleton has undertaken extensive research to compile this story however there are many aspects of these women’s lives that must be assumed or created as there is very little written communication available. Ingleton uses travel records, newspaper clippings and death certificates to validate her story.

Harriet, born in England in 1852, is a woman ahead of her time. She believed that women weren’t weak and feeble minded, as men would have them believe, and given the chance could be just as athletic as men. She was to become a great swimmer often competing in races against men.

In 1876 Harriet migrates to Australia, the land of opportunity, with partner Alice Moon. Alice was quick-witted, outspoken and bold. She loved a challenge. Harriet was more level headed, discrete and diplomatic.

The two women opened women’s gymnasiums in Australia and took their exercise programs to girls’ schools. Their aim was to bring the health that came with rural activity to women in the city.

I was fascinated by this story of two little known women who made such great inroads into women’s health and fitness and also women’s rights in Australia.

The author narrates the story more like a fictional tale than a biography bringing the reader right into the home, and daily life, of these women.

The story moves from Melbourne to Sydney and the two women have quite a list of remarkable achievements with a shadow hanging over Alice Moon’s untimely death.

Recommended for anyone who is interested in learning more about the women who pioneered our health and fitness regime and pushed for women’s rights.

On a side note, I don't think the cover or title give the book justice as this truly is an engaging read and extremely well written. I honestly think if I saw this on a shelf I would pass it up so I am immensely grateful for the publishers giving me the opportunity to read this amazing story.

                               🌟🌟🌟🌟

 My rating   4/5 

photo credit: Spinifex Press

Sue Ingleton is a multi-award winning actor, director, writer and stand-up comedian. 

Sue is a recipient of the Sydney Myer Individual Performing Arts Award, the Gloria Dawn/Gloria Payten Award, a Perrier Award Nomination at Edinburgh Fringe, and has performed at Adelaide International Festival of Arts, Montreal Juste Pour Rire, Festival of Fools UK, many Melbourne International Comedy Festivals, and New York International Theatre Festival. 

She has written and produced eleven plays, written two books and is in three published short story anthologies.