Book Review No 26: Every Parent's Nightmare by Belinda Hawkins

While most Australians will be very familiar with the Chapelle Corby case, very few have probably heard of Jock Palfreeman. Yet Jock is living the same nightmare as Chapelle, he is currently stuck in a foreign prison for a crime he believes he did not commit and has very little hope of being released within the next decade.

Like thousands of other young Australian travellers, Jock set off for his big adventure back in 2006. Not one to stick to the normal tourist trail, Jock preferred to find off the beaten track places to visit, often volunteering and sleeping rough in his efforts to experience another culture. That was how he came to end up in Bulgaria. Having visited the country before, he was keen to head back and visit friends for the Christmas break in 2007. Unfortunately that decision set him on a collision course with an evil crime that left a young man dead.

Review No 25: The Satin Man: Uncovering The Mystery of the Missing Beaumont Children

Like most Australians I have always been fascinated with the mystery of what happened to the Beaumont children on Australia Day 1966. How was it possible that three children could be abducted in broad daylight on a crowded beach in Adelaide and simply disappear without a trace? Despite many theories being floated in the almost 50 years since, there has never been any kind of definitive answer.

In his previous book Searching For The Beaumont Children: Australia's Most Famous Unsolved Mystery, author Alan Whiticker examined the case in detail but was left with no real conclusion other than that he believed the children were dead. Following publication of that book he received a phone call that sent him on a new hunt for clues - and this time he believes he gone much further along the road to solving the case.

Why I'm Sold On e-Books

Can I just say to begin with that I do now (and think I always will) prefer reading a "real" book than a digital one. There is something about the weight and texture of a real book and the feel of turning paper pages, not to mention the sight of a physical "to be read" pile (and crammed bookshelves) that cannot (in my opinion) be replicated with an e-reader. Yet as an author (and a reader) I can see the real appeal of electronic books and I am incredibly grateful for the way e-books have transformed the publishing industry for ever.

When my book was first published it was initially only created as a paperback. My publisher did not deal with e-books (although he gave me the option of exploring that possibility myself) and I must admit I was not that fussed about creating an digital version of my novel. Although I was aware of e-readers I did not own one and had never really seen one in operation. Besides I figured that if anybody really wanted to read my book then they would buy a paperback. It didn't take me too long to realise that was not the case! In fact I soon realised that when asked if there was an e-book and I said no, rather than offering to buy a paperback many potential customers simply asked me to let them know if and when the e-book was released.

Review No 24: Sisters of Spicefield by Fran Cusworth

Jessica Davidson is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her two year old son Eeny, when she comes face to face with a new student named Mia at her kids' primary school. Stunned by the physical resemblance to her own children, it doesn't take much investigating to realise that Mia is in fact her biological child - the end result of a donated embryo after her own IVF treatment years before.

Mia's existence creates an immediate turmoil in Jessica's life as she struggles with the reality that "her" daughter is so tantalisingly close, yet at the same time off limits. The situation is further complicated when Jessica realises that Mia's home life is not ideal. Far from the stable marriage that the embryo was donated into, Mia's mother Carolyn is now divorced and living with a football star, known for his volatile behaviour. Trying to reignite a flagging modeling career, she is often absent, leaving Mia at home alone. Knowing she is stepping into a minefield, Jessica offers to babysit Mia - which then introduces a further complication as she and her other children quickly form a strong attachment with Mia.

Reading and Reviewing Challenges Update

As crazy as it seems to be saying the year is almost half over - it is quite true, so I thought it was a good opportunity to make a progress report on my reading and reviewing challenges for 2013. I am again LOVING being part of the Australian Women Writer's Challenge and the Great Aussie Reads Challenge. Similarly to last year I am spoilt for choice in the array of amazing literature available (both new release and previously published titles). This year I have embraced the historical fiction genre a little more and am really enjoying it - devouring several of Kate Morton's titles as well as a new favourite Amanda Curtin.

I have challenged myself to go a little beyond the 50 titles I read for the AWW challenge last year and am aiming for 55 with 40 reviews. At the almost half way point I am up to 33 read and 23 reviews, which puts me a little ahead of schedule - but I am realistic to know this can easily change as other things crop up - so it is handy to be a little ahead of the pace at this stage.

For anybody interested in either challenge it is not too late to sign up. Click on the icons on the sidebar of my blog for further details. You definitely won't be disappointed.

Book Review No 23: Elemental by Amanda Curtin

I am a relative newcomer to historical fiction, but the fact that I have read my second Amanda Curtin book in a fairly short period of time speaks volumes of the author's skill in constructing interesting and realistic stories that pick you up as a reader and sweep you along on a true journey.

Meggie Tulloch is advancing in her years and has made a pact she will record stories from her early life in the wilds of Scotland for her granddaughter Laura, whom she affectionately calls Lambsie. We soon learn Meggie's childhood was not an easy one, brought up as she was in a tiny fishing community on the Scottish coast. Locals have accepted their life is a harsh one, governed by the freezing sea and bitter winds that are an ever present force. From an early age Meggie and her sister Kitta are saddled with chores and conditioned to believe that their lives as females will follow one bleak path only. Yet Meggie dreams of escape and through chance and circumstance she does eventually break free.

Book Review No 22: Into My Arms by Kylie Ladd

When Sky and Ben meet purely by chance, there is an instant connection between them. Both are a little perplexed by the intensity of it but ultimately they have no choice but to give in to a force that is bigger than both of them. Although this means Skye needs to break off her previously happy relationship with Hamish, she knows that Ben represents the kind of love that only comes along once, if ever.

Although surprised by Skye’s decision, her family are supportive and welcome Ben into their circle. Skye, her twin brother Arran and mother Nell are close, even more so after recently losing Skye’s dad Charlie to the ravages of dementia. It is only after Nell notices a particular trait in Ben that she begins to wonder and worry. The idea seems too unreal to begin with, too fanciful to be possible. The odds of it being true are infinitesimally small – yet she knows she can’t remain silent. As much as she knows it will break her daughter’s heart Nell finally breaks her silence and then the fallout begins.

Book Review No 21: Whisky Charlie Foxtrot by Annabel Smith

William (Whisky) and Charlie are identical twins. Inseparable as children they gradually grew apart in their teens and young adulthood with Whisky being the outgoing, popular, successful one and Charlie believing he is trailing in his brother's wake. Now in their early thirties the twins have not really spoken for years but then one phone call changes everything. Whisky has been seriously injured in a car accident and is in a coma and Charlie realises he may never get the chance to say all the things he wants to say to his brother.

Although based around Whisky and Charlie, this book is much more than that. It is the story of a family fractured by divorce, distanced by immigration and deceived by secrets but also bolstered by love and acceptance and just getting on with things. It is full of wonderful secondary characters and realistic dilemmas (I especially like the character of Rosa). As for Charlie - he both irritated and endeared himself to me, but as the story unfolded further and more of the past was revealed I came to understand him much more fully.

Book Review No 20: Dark Horse by Honey Brown

Sarah Barnard is not in a good place. Her business has gone bust, her marriage is over and she just can't face Christmas with her parents. So she throws a few essentials together, saddles her horse Tansy and heads for the rugged Mortimer Ranges to spend the Christmas break alone. It is not until she is on the mountain that she realises a massive downpour is on its way and it is only through sheer grit and determination that she makes it to the old bushranger's hut at the top of the mountain. Undergoing renovation it is a very basic shelter, but it is enough to keep Sarah and Tansy safe and dry.

Bunkering down to ride out the rain and accompanying flood, Sarah is beyond startled when a lone man calls out for help in the night. Heath appears normal but there is definitely something about him that makes Sarah uneasy. Why won't he answer any questions about himself? And why is he so far in the middle of nowhere without any hiking gear or food? Sarah and Heath are forced to share the makeshift shelter, but she cannot shake her feeling of unease. But it is only when she realises her carefully hidden gun has been removed that she starts to panic.

Book Review No 19: Hopetoun Wives by Fran Cusworth

The tiny town of Hopetoun in Western Australia has been transformed from a sleepy coastal village to a booming mining town. New housing estates are being built at a rate of knots and families are pouring into the area. Amidst all these new arrivals are three women - Jasmine, Miranda and Brigid. Jasmine is there reluctantly - she cheated on her husband and is now willing to do anything to make it up. Miranda is the mine managers wife and is happy to be back in Australia after living overseas for years. And Brigid has relocated after years of coping with Fly In Fly Out to try and reign in her husband Jack's crippling debts.

While Miranda is used to the mining lifestyle, Jasmine and Brigid are still learning the ropes. They are surprised and a little dismayed to find themselves secondary to their husbands and the jobs they do and are unprepared for how some of the locals feel about the way the mine has changed their town. Forming a friendship the three women buy and overhaul the only cafe in town and transform it into a booming business - although their personal lives are not so successful. Jasmine is dismayed to find herself attracted to another man and Brigid knows that Jack still yearns to spend every cent he earns and more.