Book Review: Clamour and Mischief by Narrelle M. Harris

 Clamour and Mischief

Edited by

Narrelle M. Harris

Publisher: Clan Destine Press

Publication date: 1st December 2022

Genre: Anthology / Fantasy

Pages: 248

RRP: $36.95AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Clamour and Mischief

Clamour and Mischief is an anthology of short stories with the connecting theme of birds, or more precisely corvids (birds from the crow family).

 

I do love anthologies as the stories are short, giving instant satisfaction, and can be picked up and put down without fear of losing the plot line. 

 

Corvids have been used prolifically in novels. Just read any fantasy where ravens are the harbingers of bad news and death, even transforming into demons.

 

Clamour and Mischief includes 16 short stories with very diverse themes such as doom, death, superstition, manipulation, myth and kindness. Something for every reader's taste.

 

Two of my favourite stories were The Jackdaw Maiden by Katya de Becerra and Kupara and Tekoteko by Lee Murray. 

The Jackdaw Maiden is an atmospheric tale of a young princess who was born with feathers and blamed for all the village ills, she befriends the birds and goes on to save the life of her sister.

Kupara and Tekoteko is a story of kindness and friendship set in New Zealand. Tekoteko oversees the village and asks Kupara (the raven) to help him do acts of kindness, to relieve the suffering of people living around them, as Teketeko is carved from wood and cannot move.

 

I hadn't previously come across any of the 16 authors featured in the anthology however I now have a few names I will be researching past works.

 

Some of the stories in this anthology were a bit too gruesome for me but the thing with anthologies is if one story doesn't suit you can move onto the next as it just might be the discovery of a new author you love.

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (averaged over 16 stories)

Book Review: Would You Ask My Husband That? by Kathleen Whyman

 Would You Ask My Husband That?

by

Kathleen Whyman

She's Wearing the pants in the family ...... and washing everyone else's too.

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 27th February 2024

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 400

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Would You Ask My Husband That?

Would You Ask My Husband That? is a humorous and sharp look at the load a working mother and wife carries. 

 

Sarah works full-time and does all the childcare arrangements, cooking, cleaning and household chores. When her husband, Will is let go sacked, Sarah gets his Directors job. This means longer hours and more travel, just like Will used to do. How hard can it be with Will home full time on 'gardening leave' to look after  the children and do the housework.

 

Would You Ask My Husband That? is hilarious!  Whyman has created a 2000's woman and married her to a 70's male. Surely men aren't still like Will!

 

A host of unlikable and selfish characters had me cringing at times. However the story was highly engaging and loads of fun. I couldn't put it down! I raced to the end to find out when Sarah would finally see she was being undermined at every turn. 

 

Even though the plot is very predictable, the insanely funny situations the characters find themselves in (usually of their own making) make the book an easy read. Don't take any of it too seriously and you will enjoy this tale of corporate climbing and people that want it all whilst others clean up around them.

 

I loved the Friday Fizz Club, so funny! Where was that when I was a SAHM!

 

4 stars from me. Would be 5 stars if it wasn't so predictable.

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Book Review: The Accident by Fiona Lowe

The Accident

by

Fiona Lowe

She thought their life was perfect.  She was wrong.

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 6th March 2024

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Pages: 480

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Accident

Trying my best at a spoiler free review here as it's best to go into this story with a limited idea of what unfolds. 

 

I was pulled into the story right from the prologue. The Accident opens with a tragic car accident but the reader is left in the dark as to who is in the accident and the details.

What ensues is a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking story rich in female-centric and emotive issues such as; posthumous IVF, women's choice to have, or not to have children, the many ways childless women are judged and child neglect.

 

Freya & Ryan and Hannah & Jamie are the best of friends however when one of them dies those left behind start questioning their own lives and each other. Lies and secrets surface and all their lives are irrevocably changed.

 

The Accident is a page-turning and thought-provoking story. Fiona Lowe thrusts her characters into moral dilemmas. The plot had me on a roller-coaster of emotions, tears, anger, a what would I do moment and delight. 

 

The Accident is a taut and absorbing mystery that is sure to be a huge hit with Fiona Lowe's fans and also with readers who enjoy Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth. 

 

My rating 4 /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Book Review: The Beacon by P. A. Thomas

 The Beacon

by

P. A. Thomas

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 30th January 2024

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 416

RRP: $ 32.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Beacon

Jack Harris, son of media giant Malcolm Harris, is sent from his high profile Melbourne office of Harris Media to their lowest regional newspaper, The Beacon, at Byron Bay. His father wants him to learn the business from the ground up but Jack thinks it may be punishment for questioning some of his father's actions.

 

Jack is eager for some journalistic work but when he arrives his mentor, Patrick O'Shaughnessy, is nowhere to be seen. Jack soon meets the colourful Caitlin O'Shaughnessy, Patrick's daughter. 

Patrick's body is found days later looking very much like the victim of a shark attack. Some things about the death don't add up for Jack so he and Caitlin decide to do some investigating of their own and soon find there are a few people that Patrick had managed to get on the wrong side of via his journalistic reporting.

 

The Beacon is such an entertaining page-turner. Set in the beach-side town of Byron Bay. P. A. Thomas cleverly portrays Byron's beauty and its flaws. Showcasing Bryon's eclectic and diverse cast of residents and their relationship with the missing reporter.

Thomas includes lots of fun banter, a main protagonist who can be a bit naive at times and a compelling mystery that kept me intrigued with plenty of twists and numerous antagonists. I was eager to see how the story would end.

 

Jack is the type of character you will find hard to let go of. He's honest, funny and a bit naive at times. He gets himself in and out of plenty of sticky situations. I closed the book hoping we would be seeing more of Jack Harris in the future. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ plus an extra ⭐ because there was a character named Veronica 💖

Book Review: Kaikoura Rendezvous by Stephen Johnson

 Kaikoura Rendezvous

by

Stephen Johnson

Publisher: Clan Destine Press

Publication date: 1st October 2023

Series: A Melbourne Spotlight Mystery

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 240

RRP: $36.95AU (paperback) $11.95AU (ebook) 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Kaikoura Rendezvous

In Kaikoura Rendezvous Stephen Johnson takes his reader on a roller coaster ride through New Zealand.

He has included a plethora of interesting characters who all play an important role in the development of the story.

 

Surveillance professional Heath Michel is under orders to watch fisherman and ex-con Gordie Tulloch and report on his movements.

Gordie, recently released from prison, has been offered the deal of a lifetime. Simply pick up a package dropped off-shore and exchange it for a generous sum of money.

Kim Prescott, TV reporter for Melbourne's Spotlight current affairs show, is suffering severe PTSD after being attacked on the job. She is given an ultimatum, go on a holiday with co-worker Jo Trescowthick or go into therapy.

Cyclone Gita is also brewing and intensifying, her course is not destined for New Zealand, so no-one is taking her too seriously.

 

The story starts with three separate story lines and multiple points of view. I found each of the story lines interesting and each were given equal voice throughout the book.

 

Kim and Jo's tour through New Zealand in a motorhome was well portrayed and brought back memories of a trip I had done many years ago.

Ex-Con Gordie was an interesting character, greedy and unscrupulous, but I kinda liked him.

 

I was intrigued to see how the different plots would come together; the reporters on holiday, Gordie's contraband pick-up, Heath's surveillance operation plus cyclone Gita twisting, turning and changing course. And when they did it was a fast-paced crescendo of heart-racing action on all fronts.

 

My rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: Snowy Mountains Dawn by Alissa Callen

 Snowy Mountains Dawn

by

Alissa Callen

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 31st January 2024

Series: Bundilla #4

Genre: Contemporary / Rural Romance

Pages: 368  

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: Gift from author

 

Review: Snowy Mountains Dawn

Firstly I would like to thank Alissa Callen for sending me a copy of Snowy Mountains Dawn. She is not only a fabulous author, she is also a kind and generous person.

 

I loved being back in Bundilla and was so excited for Brenna's story! Brenna and Taite are twins and we know from previous books that they both held old hurts from their past but each kept them closed not wanting to upset the other.

 

Now that Taite is with Hettie it's Brenna's turn to open up and find love but it's not an easy road. City boy Wyatt is definitely not her type, he doesn't tick any of her boxes, and Wyatt has demons of his own to work through.

 

There is lots of angst between our main characters in this story but lucky they have Bundy, the matchmaking kelpie, the town's own quilting society, who know exactly who should be with who, and even Taite giving them both the push to sort through their problems and realise they are perfect for each other.

 

It's not all angsty romance, Snowy Mountains Dawn has captivating rural scenes via treks through the mountains, communities working together to re-home injured horses plus the discovery of hidden letters opens up a centuries old mystery. Alissa has also included some deeper themes but to mention them would be a spoiler. There is also lots of fun with the quilting ladies delivering baked goods, heart shaped cookies and even baby booties to Wyatt.

 

I loved the mentions of characters from previous Bundilla novels. Characters I have grown to love over the whole series and I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to say goodbye to Bundilla.

 

Snowy Mountains Dawn is a heartwarming story of facing your fears and opening your heart to love.

 

My rating 5/ 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

Previous books in the series:

Snowy Mountains Daughter 

Snowy Mountains Cattleman

Snowy Mountains Promise 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Someone Else's Bucket List by Amy T. Matthews

 Someone Else's Bucket List

by

Amy T. Matthews

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication date: 31st January 2024

Genre: Contemporary / Romance

Pages: 390

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Someone Else's Bucket List

It's no secret I love a heart-wrenching read and Someone Else's Bucket List ticks all the boxes.

However, Amy T. Matthews doesn't simply break her reader's heart she has added lots of humour, adventure, arm-chair travel and even a touch of romance.

 

Jodie Boyd is shy and anxious, she has never been one to follow her dreams. Her sister Bree is an adventurous, globe-trotting, hugely successful Instagram influencer.  Jodie loves and admires her sister but she could never put herself out there like Bree does. Bree's untimely death leaves the family not only devastated but facing financial ruin with huge medical bills to pay.

Then a prescheduled post pops up on Bree's Instagram challenging Jodie to finish the last six items on Bree's bucket list. If she finishes them a sponsor will pay off the family's debts, with one condition, it all needs to posted to Instagram.

 

I loved how Matthews conveyed Jodie's terror at not only having to preform these very public acts but also having it all broadcast across Bree's Instagram, watched by over a million followers.

Every character in this story was so well portrayed, each playing an important role in Jodie's growth.

 

It was so much fun to follow Jodie as she checked items off the list, mostly freaking out about everything but pushing through and discovering a more assertive side of herself. Her character growth was slow to evolve which made it all the more believable.

I loved following all the # teams for who Jodie may have as a love interest - so much fun! 

 

Someone Else's Bucket List is a beautiful, heart-wrenching and fun read about grief, hope, love and courage. It's about believing in yourself and going after your dreams. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

If you like this review you may also like:

The Inn at Tansy Falls

Twenty-Six Letters 

The Way From Here