Winners in my Mega Friday Freebie Giveaway Announced

 A big thank you to everyone who entered my Mega Friday Freebie Giveaway. I had an amazing number of entries.  The giveaway closed on 15th April and the winners were randomly selected (using Random org) from all entries. 

 

 Congratulations to.....

 

Janelle, Liz H, Gloria A, Pam S, Kylie H, Suzanne, Donna Rae & Jodie K

 

 

 The winners have been notified and have seven days to provide a mailing address. 

 There will be more giveaways coming soon!

 

 

Book Review: Bring Him Home by Nicole Trope

 Bring Him Home

by

Nicole Trope

 

 A totally gripping and emotional page turner

 

 

Publisher: Bookouture 

Publication date: 30th March 2021

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 250

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

About the book

 

‘Your son is missing,’ they say, and life as I know it is over. ‘Where would he go?’ the police ask. ‘Where would he be?’ my daughter begs.

My heart races as images flash in my mind. The cabin we rent every autumn, surrounded by fiery red maple trees. Voices raised. Tears falling. A marriage falling apart. And worst of all my husband telling our child, Theo, to run.

The rest is a blank in my memory. If I close my eyes I can almost see it. A betrayal that has left me alone, in tatters, grieving for what we had.

It wasn’t meant to be like that. It should have been precious time as a family, with boardgames, walks in the mountain and pancakes for breakfast.

Instead my little one has vanished. ‘They are looking for him,’ the nurse told me, ‘but the storm is slowing down the search.’

The police think Theo has the answers, that he knows what tore our family apart. But I have no idea where he is. No clue if he is safe. And that’s the most terrifying thing of all…

My review

 

Nicole Trope has depicted, with stark reality, a family on the edge of collapse in this intriguing and moving story.

 

Told through the eyes of multiple characters with a compelling mystery running through the heart of the story Trope explores the complexity of PTSD when Cecilia is found leaning over her injured husband with a knife in her hand. She is unable to speak and can't remember what happened.

 

Set in the holiday cabins in the heart of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. The area is deluged by rain and communications have been cut which adds to the tense atmosphere.

The couples autistic son, Theo, is missing. Through Theo Trope explores the mind of an autistic child. Although I know nothing about autism it came across as believable. 

Eighty-four year old Rose who has lived in one of the cabins all her life gives us a view of autism in the 50's & 60's as she looks back at the prejudices and problems she faced with her autistic brother and the lack of support and understanding then.

I have to admit Theo and Rose really stole the show in this story. Rose's story is heartbreaking. She is a strong determined woman and she had wonderful support from her nephew.

Teenaged Kaycee highlights the affect having a sibling with a disability has on siblings.

The story is filled with villains and heroes and a few twists and turns that will have you reeling. However ultimately it is a story of family, of supporting each other in times of crisis and an undying connection that goes beyond the grave.

This is an easy read I was totally immersed and stayed up late to finish the story.

 

4.5 / 5    ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

About the author

Photo credit: Goodreads 

Nicole Trope went to university to study Law but realised the error of her ways when she did very badly on her first law essay because-as her professor pointed out- ‘It’s not meant to be a story.’ She studied teaching instead and used her holidays to work on her writing career and complete a Masters’ degree in Children’s Literature. After the birth of her first child she stayed home full time to write and raise children, renovate houses and build a business with her husband.
The idea for her first published novel, The Boy under the Table, was so scary that it took a year for her to find the courage to write the emotional story.
She is now published by Bookouture and is an Amazon top 100 bestseller in the USA, UK, AUS and CAN.
She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children

 

 

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

 

 

Book Review: As Swallows Fly by L. P. McMahon

 As Swallows Fly

by

L. P. McMahon

 

 

Publisher: Ventura Press

Publication date: 3rd March 2021

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 384

RRP: $29.99AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

When Malika, a young orphan in rural Pakistan, is savagely attacked, her face is left disfigured and her self-esteem destroyed. Haunted by the assault, she hides from the world, finding solace in her mathematical theories. A few years later, her intellectual brilliance is discovered and she leaves conflict-stricken Pakistan for a better education in Melbourne, where she finds herself placed with Kate—a successful plastic surgeon facing emotional insecurities of her own.
 
Malika and Kate’s lives slowly intertwine as they find within each other what each has lacked alone. At first, Kate’s skills appear to offer a simple solution to Malika’s anguish, but when tragedy strikes, the price of beauty is found to be much higher than either of them could have known.
 
As Swallows Fly is a poignant portrayal of survival, identity and empowerment in a culture dominated by the pursuit of perfection. In a captivating and unforgettable debut, McMahon asks what might be possible if we have the courage to be flawed.

 

My review

 

L. P. McMahon's debut novel As Swallows Fly is poignant and moving. McMahon uses perfection as the driving force behind this story of two women thrown together by circumstance, each finding their new friendship offering the emotional support they lacked.

Kate is a successful plastic surgeon spending her days saving limbs and saving lives. She is overworked and over stressed, always striving for perfection.

The medical procedures and hospital scenes are well described, believable and not overly technical. I wasn't surprised when I later read that the author has an extensive medical background.

Malika, orphaned at the age of 12, is taken to another village and raised as one of their own but when jealousy raises its head and Malika is savagely attacked it is decided she will be safer in Australia to continue her education.

I really enjoyed Malika's part  of the story. Her life in Pakistan was realistically described and I can imagine a village accepting a young orphan into their mix and bringing her up as their own. When Malika started teaching lessons to the other girls she was told to stop by the village elders but they also showed how proud they were of her academic achievements. 

McMahon has included themes of belonging, jealousy, secrets, moving on from the past, the pursuit of perfection and the importance of friendship.

From the life of a young girl in Pakistan to the rooms of the University of Melbourne deciphering theories and equations Malika's story is heart-breaking and awe inspiring.

Together Kate and Malika learn that an unlikely friendship can lead to healing and self acceptance.

5/5     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

L. P. McMahon was born in Melbourne. His writing career began as a medical student, and he has since won or been shortlisted for multiple national and regional short story competitions. He has travelled, lectured and published widely in his medical career, living and working in Oxford, Berlin, Pakistan, Newfoundland and New Zealand. He currently directs a busy medical department as Professor of Nephrology at Monash University. As Swallows Fly is his debut novel. 

 

Challenges entered:  Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

Mailbox Monday & Life This Week - April 12th

 

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Life This Week is a meme created by Denyse Whelan Blogs where bloggers share snaps of what is currently happening in their lives.

Happy Monday!

It's been a while since I've posted a book haul update and a little of what I've been doing. Well over a month! 

Since my last post we have had a deluge of rain causing floods state wide,  celebrated Dot's birthday, my birthday, my sister visited from Queensland, celebrated Easter, visited the Royal Easter Show and we are currently in the second week of the school holidays.

Dot's birthday

My birthday

 

Our local creek usually only has a dribble of water

 

Dot's favourite part of the Easter show

 

You can't get more Australian than Kookaburra's on a Hills Hoist!

 

Books I've received and purchased over the last 6 weeks. 

 

  I would love to hear what books you've received in the mail recently! 

Book Review: The Codebreakers by Alli Sinclair

The Codebreakers

by

Alli Sinclair 

 

  They will dedicate their lives to their country, but no one will ever know...

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia 

Imprint: Mira

Publication date: 3rd March 2021

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 496

RRP: $29.99AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

1943, Brisbane: The war continues to devastate and the battle for the Pacific threatens Australian shores. For Ellie O'Sullivan, helping the war effort means utilising her engineering skills for Qantas as they evacuate civilians and deliver supplies to armed forces overseas. Her exceptional logic and integrity attract the attention of the Central Bureau-an intelligence organisation working with England's Bletchley Park codebreakers. But joining the Central Bureau means signing a lifetime secrecy contract. Breaking it is treason.

With her country's freedom at risk, Ellie works with a group of elite women who enter a world of volatile secrets; deciphering enemy communications to change the course of the war. Working under immense pressure, they form a close bond-yet there could be a traitor in their midst. Can the women uncover the culprit before it's too late?

As Ellie struggles with the magnitude of the promise she's made to her country, a wedge grows between her and those she holds dear. When the man she loves asks questions she's forbidden to answer, how will she prevent the double life she's leading from unravelling?

 

My review

 

The Codebreakers is a fictional story inspired by the real code breaking women of Australia’s Central Bureau operational during WWII and situated in the Brisbane suburb of Ascot.

I was mesmerised by this story from start to finish. Ellie O’Sullivan is a captivating character. Nothing phases her and she has an intelligent come-back to every put-down whether it comes from a male or a fellow female.

Alli Sinclair highlights how, during the war, women stepped into jobs usually occupied by men however there was still much prejudice and differing conditions and, I’m sure, wages between the two. The men working on intercepting Japanese radio communications were in a house whilst the women deciphered coded messages in the garage out the back thus the origin of the name ‘The Garage Girls.”

“All this happened under the roof of a regular-looking garage in suburban Brisbane and no one outside Central Bureau would ever be the wiser.”

I love any books featuring WWII whether it be on the troops fighting or the affect on civilians, set in any country around the world, I have read many yet I am always learning something new and finding each author has their own unique way of telling a story. The Codebreakers was another unique story where I was continually learning new aspects of how the war impacted life in Australia.

The Codebreakers features the war’s affect on all Australian citizens and how the women of the Central Bureau contributed to ending the war in the pacific. Alli Sinclair goes beyond the work that the women were involved in to include some off duty activities as they attend dances, go to the movies and fall in love. I found the story a wonderful, believable depiction of Australia during the war.

The demand for total secrecy put a huge burden on the women who felt they had to continually lie to their loved ones. It took many, many years before the women were officially honoured and recognised. With many of them passing away before this happened, which was heartbreaking.

5/5     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 About the author

 

Photo: Goodreads

 Alli Sinclair, an adventurer at heart has won multiple awards for her writing. She's lived in Argentina, Peru and Canada, climbed some of the world's highest mountains and worked as a tour guide in South and Central America. She enjoys Immersing herself in exotic destinations, cultures and languages but Australia has always been close to Alli's heart. Alli presents writing workshops around Australia and volunteers as a role model for Books in Homes. She also works on international film and TV projects as a screenwriter and producer. Alli's books explore history, culture, love and grief, and relationships between family, friends and lovers. She captures the romance and thrill of discovering old and new worlds. and loves taking readers ona journey of discovery.

 

 

 
Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

                                 Historical Fiction Challenge #HistFic2021 

Other books I've read by Alli Sinclair

 

 

 

Book Review: An Ordinary Life by Amanda Prowse

An Ordinary Life

by

Amanda Prowse

 

 

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication date: 9th February 2021

Genre: Historical Fiction / WWII

Pages: 396

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

About the book

 

Christmas Eve, 2019. Ninety-four-year-old Molly lies in her hospital bed. A stroke and a fall may have broken her body—but her mind is alive with memories.

London, 1940s. Molly is a bright young woman, determined to help the war effort and keep her head up despite it all. Life becomes brighter when she meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance. But then war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice, and when she’s brought to her knees by a daring undercover mission with the French Resistance, only her sister knows the secret weighing heavily on Molly’s heart.

Now, lying in her hospital bed, Molly can’t escape the memories of what she lost all those years ago. But she is not as alone as she thinks.

Will she be able to find peace—and finally understand that what seemed to be an ordinary life was anything but?

 

My review

 

I love reading anything that is set during WWII and Amanda Prowse hasn't disappointed in this family drama centred around a young woman who made great sacrifices and risked her life to help end the war.

 

The story opens with Molly aged 94 suffering from a stroke and a fall that lands her in hospital unable to communicate, although her mind is perfectly clear. Molly is desperate to tell her story.

 

From here we go back to 1943, London and an 18 year old Molly. She is an amazing, strong woman and very intelligent. She is fluent in German and works for The Ministry of Information as a senior translator translating propaganda posters and transcripts intercepted from the enemy. We follow Molly's extraordinary life through the ups and downs of love, friendships and family in a time of war.

 

Amanda Prowse portrays how the war had changed the trajectory of many lives and how women slotted into jobs usually allocated to men. The story also shows the societal restrictions of the time concerning reputation and appearances. Molly falls in love fast and hard, as many did during this time of uncertainty. When he is sent off to fight she spends many hours thinking of her love and praying for his safe return whilst she continues with her life and doing what she can to end this war and bring her loved one home.

 

With themes of PTSD, spies, societal expectations and family, Amanda Prowse has written a beautifully described story that is filled with love, danger, tension, sacrifice and heartbreak.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling Historical Fiction.

 

4/5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

About the author

 

Photo: Goodreads

 
Amanda Prowse was a management consultant for ten years before realising that she was born to write. Amanda lives in the West Country with her husband and their two teenage sons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Challenges entered: Historical Fiction Challenge #HistFic2021 

 

 

I have a giveaway currently running and you can enter HERE

 

 

 

Book Review: The Good, the Bad and the Backstory by Melissa Minery

The Good, the Bad and the Backstory

by

Melissa Minery

Illustrated by Stephanie Hider

 A Unique Story that Presents a Timeline of Events in the Day of the Life of Five Middle-School Students

 

Publisher: Boys Town Press 

Publication date: 9th March 2021

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 172

Price: $10.12AUD for kindle

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Smith Publicity

 

About the book

  

This story presents a timeline of events from sunup to sundown, in a day in the life of five seventh graders - Ashley, Kenisha, Taara, Ryan and Andrew.

As they walk the hallways, attend class and navigate the dreaded lunchroom, they experience all the messiness of middle school - the fragile friendships, the peer pressure, the fickle social hierarchy and the relationship drama. Issues at home and interactions at school influence how they relate to one another, their classmates and their teachers throughout the day.

 My review

 

The Good the Bad and the Backstory follows five year 7 students through an entire day from waking in the morning, through the ups and downs of the school day, to back to bed that night. The story is told from all the characters’ perspectives giving the reader a rounded view of every situation.

Melissa Minery has written an entertaining story that includes messages of self-esteem, family relationships, courage, forgiveness, empathy and resilience.

The five pre-teens, Ashley, Kenisha, Ryan, Andrew and Taara, all have different backgrounds and family dynamics and through these characters Minery shows how upbringing and family circumstances can affect a child’s actions.

 

The children have their tiffs but come together to talk about their feelings and also reach out an arm of friendship putting aside the fear of rejection.

The school counsellor has an important role in this story and I liked the way the children stopped and thought about the lessons from the counsellor and how they could use these lessons in the situations they found themselves in.

 

The Good, the Bad and the Backstory brings up everyday events that children will encounter in the school environment, bullying, jealousies, rumours and feelings of anxiety and offers effective solutions by encouraging children to voice their feelings, own up to their mistakes, offer forgiveness to others and have compassion.

 

This book will be a valuable teaching tool perfect for classroom discussions about the different families, the situations that arose for the children and the coping skills and strategies they used to handle them.

 

Each chapter is headed by a full page cute greyscale pencil drawing depicting a scene from that chapter.

 

5/5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

Recommended for ages 9 -13 years

 

About the author

 

 Melissa Minery is a Certified School Counselor in New Hampshire. She has worked at the elementary-to-high school levels and as a career Counselor with young adult's. She's always doing something to "grow her brain" and loves going on adventures with her family and hiking in the white mountains. This is her first published work.