Book Review: The Christmas Postcards by Karen Swan

 

Title: The Christmas Postcards

 

Author: Karen Swan

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia 

 

Publication date: 27th October 2022

 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance

 

Pages: 480

 

RRP: $34.99AUD (Paperback) 

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

 

My review of The Christmas Postcards

 

Every year I look forward to Karen Swan's Christmas story. I can always be assured of a riveting tale and a happy ending set in an exotic location with plenty of snow. 

 

In the weeks leading up to Christmas Natasha's  young daughter loses her treasured toy cow, Moola, accidentally leaving her behind in a B & B in Vienna. 

Duffy is staying one night in Vienna, hoping to catch up with a friend before his next flight to Nepal, when he happens across a toy cow exactly like the one his sister had. He takes this as a sign and now Moodle will be his good luck mascot as he treks the Himalayas.

 

A social media post to help find Moola goes viral eventually reaching Duffy although he is already too far to return the toy he promises to send photos whenever he has internet.

I loved the idea of a social media post to find Moola going viral and flying around the world. So many wonderful people wanting to help. 

 

There is so much to this story! It has mystery, suspense, armchair travel, edge of your seat suspense and romance all rolled into one.

 

Nat is very unsettled in her marriage, she has everything she could want and she can't seem to pinpoint why she is unhappy. Swan deftly depicts Nat's unsettledness without making her unlikable or appear selfish.

 

The two plot lines are so different in content and theme. Nat's is all about a husband who is rarely home and trying to handle a distraught toddler alone and her feelings of disconnect now she is no longer in the workforce. Duffy's story is more melancholy, showcasing the atmospheric Himalayas and the dangers faced by mountain climbers in extreme conditions. The two plots are pulled together by the emails and photos between Natasha and Duffy.

 

The Christmas Postcards is an immersive story about love, loss, second chances and the fate that sometimes controls our life.

 

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Karen Swan is the Sunday Times top three bestselling author of twenty-two books and her novels sell all over the world. She writes two books each year - one for the summer period and one for the Christmas season. Previous summer titles include The Spanish Promise, The Hidden Beach and The Secret Path and, for winter, The Christmas Secret, Together by Christmas and Midnight in the Snow. 
 

Book Review: Dark Deeds Down Under - A Crime & Thriller Anthology

Title: Dark Deeds Down Under

Author: Various 

Editor: Craig Sisterson

Publisher: Clan Destine Press 

Publication date: 1st July 2022

Genre: Crime / Anthology

Pages: 340

RRP: $11.99AU (eBook)

Format: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review of Dark Deeds Down Under

 

Dark Deeds Down Under is an anthology of fictional titles of mystery, murder and mayhem. Twenty-one short stories from some of the top names in Australian and New Zealand crime fiction.

"a stunning smorgasbord of stories, styles and settings" - Craig Sisterson editor

 

Many of the authors I had read before and I enjoyed their familiar writing style and the use of characters from well known series.

I love that anthologies have something for everyone and Dark Deeds Down Under is no exception, there is mystery, suspense, edge of your seat drama, humour and unexpected twists. Twenty-one short stories that can be enjoyed at your leisure - perfect holiday reading.

I was amazed how, even in these short stories, some authors managed remarkable characterisation. I had a few favourites and among them were Fiona Sussman's Hiding Something; where a grieving dad picks up a hitchhiker, a chance meeting that will change both their lives and Mr Pig by Stephen Ross; narrated by a friendless thirteen-year-old girl left with her curmudgeon father after her mother goes missing. The twists in these two stories really appealed to my sense of humour.

Dark Deeds Down Under is a superb showcase of Australian & New Zealand crime fiction with something for every taste.

 

My rating 4.3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⅓ (averaged over 21 stories) 

Authors included in this anthology

Alan Carter ~ Nikki Crutchley ~ Aoife Clifford ~ Garry Disher ~ Helen Vivienne Fletcher ~ 
Lisa Fuller ~ Sulari Gentil ~ Kerry Greenwood ~ Narrelle M Harris ~ Katherine Kovacic ~ 
Shane Maloney ~ RWR McDonald ~ Dinuka McKenzie ~ Lee Murray & Dan Rabarts ~ 
Renee ~ Stephen Ross ~ Fiona Sussman ~ Vanda Symon ~ David Whish-Wilson

 
 

Book Review: The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper

Title: the Butterfly Collector

Author: Tea Cooper

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 3rd November 2022

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 400

RRP: $32.99AU

Format: paperback

Source: Better Reading Preview 

My review of The Butterfly Collector

1868 – Theodora is more interested in her art than finding a husband and when her three sisters go to Sydney she stays behind on the family property in Morpeth. A chance sighting of a new species of butterfly starts Theodora on a quest to find its nesting place.

 

1922 - Verity is from a long line of journalists and when an anonymous invitation to a socialite ball arrives she sees this as an opportunity to write an article for the local newspaper. Connections she makes at the ball lead back to her grandfather's home of Morpeth and a fifty-year-old mystery.

Tea Cooper blends fact and fiction to deliver a story that is rich in intrigue and wonderfully immersive.
The Butterfly Collector is a dual timeline Historical Fiction set in1868 Morpeth in country NSW and 1922 Sydney, NSW. I enjoyed all the mentions of Sydney landmarks that still stand to this day. As the story evolves connections are made between the characters from each timeline.
Tea keeps the pages turning with a layering of mysteries. The mysteries hold you for a few chapters then once they are revealed a new mystery is created causing a continuous aura of mystery throughout the book. There is also an underlying sense of foreboding and I always had this feeling that something terrible was going to happen.
 

Centred around the first sighting of the Wanderer butterfly in Australia, the newspaper industry and baby farms, Tea Cooper has seamlessly delivered a story that is diverse in its content and impossible to put down.
Tea Cooper’s trademark strong female characters take centre stage in this multi-layered tale of friendship and tenacity.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Tea Cooper writes Australian contemporary and historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling.

 

            

 

 

 

Book Review: Keeping Up Appearances by Tricia Stringer

 In a small country town, better bury your secrets deep....

Title: Keeping Up Appearances

Author: Tricia Stringer

Publisher: Harlequin Australia 

Publication date: 5th October 2022

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 464

RRP: $32.99AUD

Format: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review of Keeping Up Appearances 

 

Single mother of three, Paige, is hiding from extended family and is hoping to fly under the radar in the small town of Badara.

 

Marion has been busy trying to build community spirit with exercise classes and a Celebrate Badara festival but the planned opening of a time capsule could destroy everything when long buried secrets work their way to the top.

Briony Hensley's grown children all have their lives together and Briony is smug with her perfect family. There would be no gossip around town about the Hensleys! Small towns do tend to gossip and for many keeping up appearances is imperative.

I do love Tricia Stringer's writing style however I felt the subject explored in Keeping Up Appearances was a little outdated. I wondered if people really do think like that in this day and age!

I loved the town of Badara, wonderfully drawn and filled with caring people who looked out for each other. The little spats between the townsfolk came across as real. There are lots of fun moments in Keeping Up Appearances such as the exercise class Marion is trying to promote, the family picnic for the sports club, the Op shop ball organised for the Celebrate Badara Festival and I can't forget the opening of the time capsule which was really quite funny but devastating for poor Marion.

Keeping Up Appearances has strong themes of kindness, forgiveness and acceptance. It is a story that will leave you contented and is garnering a multitude of five star reviews.

Even though I thought all the problems were wrapped up a bit too quickly and nicely at the end it is a feel good story and Tricia Stringer did deliver the feels.

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Tricia Stringer is a bestselling Australian author of contemporary fiction and rural romance.

Tricia grew up on a farm in country South Australia and has spent most of her life in rural communities, as owner of a post office and a book shop, as a teacher and librarian, and now as a full-time writer. She lives in the beautiful Copper Coast region with her husband, Daryl. From there she travels and explores Australia's diverse communities and landscapes, and shares this passion for the country and its people through stories.

 

Winners in my latest Giveaway Announced!!

 A huge thank you to everyone who entered my latest giveaway.   The giveaway closed on the 24th November 2022 and the winners were randomly selected (using Random org) from all entries. 

 

 And the winners are........

 

 Congratulations to........ Catherine B

 

 

Congratulations to........ Richard H

 

 

Congratulations to........ Donna R

 

 

Congratulations to........ Sharah Mc

 

 

Congratulations to........ Rachael

 

 

Congratulations to........ Billyjean 

 

 

Congratulations to........ Leanne

 

 

 Congratulations to........ Warrick W

 

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

 

 

Please check under the Giveaway tab for more great giveaways!  

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Book Review: The Furphy Anthology 2021

 Selected Short stories from 

THE FURPHY LITERARY AWARD

 

Title: The Furphy Anthology 2021

Author: Various

Publisher: Heads & Tales

Publication date: 1st December 2021

Genre: Various

RRP: $35.00AU

Pages: 216

Format: Hardcover

Source: Courtesy of DMCPRMedia

 

My review of The Furphy Anthology 2021

 

I loved the cover of this anthology; Sixteen jewels from the literary world.

 

These sixteen quintessentially Australian short stories with coastal, rural, desert and small-town settings are like a snapshot in time; leaving the before and after up to the readers imagination. 

I really enjoy anthologies and find most have a connecting theme that help the stories to  flow into each other. Although I don't think these short stories had a suggested theme they all felt connected in their Austalianness. There is something about each story that screams Australia, whether it be the seclusion of location, the atmosphere, the language, or the characters themselves, it seemed to permeate each story without being openly stated.

 

There are stories of young people feeling trapped, neglected children, test-tube meat, love, loss and disconnectedness. 

My favourite story was about a teenaged boy wanting to escape a small country town filled with racism, bigotry, dysfunctional families and drugs but family obligations keep holding him back.

"Everyone thinks everyone else is the problem; everyone gives their opinion; and everyone thinks someone else should fix it."

 

With stories from a wide variety of genres I am certain there will be something in this collection that will resonate with all readers. 

Beautifully presented in hardcover format The Furphy Anthology 2021 would make an excellent gift idea. 

 

My rating 4.31 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⅓ (averaged over the 16 stories)

 

About the Furphy Literary Award

 

The Award is named in honour of Australian writer Joseph Furphy, who wrote under the pen name Tom Collins and published Such is Life in 1903. Originally established in 1992, the Furphy Literary Award was relaunched as a national prize in 2020.

The Open Category is for short stories 5000 words or less with $20,000 prize money up for grabs. There are also four Junior/Youth categories, open to people from the greater Shepparton area in Victoria.

Visit their website to learn more about the awards: https://www.furphystory.com.au/furphy-literary-award/

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Upriver by Martin Roy HIll

 

Title: Upriver

Author: Martin Roy Hill

Series: Linus Schag NCIS Thriller #3

Publisher: 32-32 North

Publication date: 1st October 2022 

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 240

Format: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

My review of Upriver

 

Upriver is book 3 in the Linus Schag, NCIS thriller series.

I think Linus was a little out of his depth in Upriver. He tended to take a back seat and wasn't in charge of the situation as he usually is. In fact he left his rifle unattended on the deck, not once but twice! Scag is sent to bring in two Navy SEALs suspected of murder but when the apprehension goes wrong and the prisoners escape Schag embarks on a long and dangerous pursuit along the Tigris River and straight into ISIS territory.

Upriver is as action packed as all Martin Roy Hill's novels whilst also rich in Hill's trademark humour. Told through the dual narrative of Sikes & Rankin (the escapees) and Linus Schag's team, we get to see the action and circumstances from both perspectives.

Hill includes a brief history of the Tigris River, the pressure on defence personnel due to relentless hours worked on tours of duty, mental  breakdown and the dilemma of friendly fire.

 

"His anger grew from the myriad of lies and deceits he discovered this war bred. Corrupt contractors, war-weary service members, innocent victims."

The trip up the river following the escapees and surrounded by enemy fire in ISIS controlled areas was tension filled and action packed. And it wouldn't be a Schag thriller if there wasn't an explosion or two! 

Hill once again showcases his extensive knowledge with all things afloat and his detailed descriptions were informative whilst still being suitable for a layperson.

If you are after a thriller that is timely, believable and rich in action Upriver is the book for you!!

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Martin Roy Hill is the author of two national awarding winning series - the Linus Schag, NCIS, thrillers and the Peter Brandt mysteries, the USCG DSF-Papa sci-fi thrillers, and a collection of short stories. He is a former journalist and national award-winning investagative reporter for newspapers and magazines.

He lives in San Diego, California, with his wife, son and their three feline overlords.

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