Book Review No 31: Traces of Absence by Susan Holoubeck

Still struggling to come to terms with her father's sudden death, Dee's daughter Corrie decides to defer university and spend a year in Argentina. Although the pair have a fractured relationship at that time, Dee is encouraging of this plan. Having hosted an Argentinian exchange student whose family is willing to return the favour, she believes Corrie will not only be safe and but also have the space and distance to work through her grief. When Dee receives the news that Corrie has disappeared without a trace, she is devastated and horrified at what may lie ahead.

Book Review No 30: Hindsight by Melanie Casey

Although I have read a lot of crime fiction, I have never read a title in that genre that also included a paranormal element. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with Melanie Casey's debut novel Hindsight, but it didn't take me long to realise it was a captivating story that kept me involved from start to finish.

Cass Lehman's terrifying gift which allows her to temporarily experience other people's deaths (if she is in the exact vicinity it happened) has kept her locked away at her family home for much of her adult life. Living in a small town she can negotiate her way to various safe areas but does not dare venture too far afield. Yet at the age of 28 she realises she wants to experience more of the world, no matter what the consequences.

Book Review No 29: After The Fall by Kylie Ladd

Kate and Cary and Cressida and Luke are two professional couples living in suburban Melbourne. They have become firm friends over time and often socialise together. Both are still childless and are caught up in the busy lifestyle of their careers with the occasional getaway for fun. But then something happens - Kate and Luke discover a mutual attraction that quickly flares into a full blown affair. And naturally, after that, nothing can ever be quite the same again.

This story is told in an alternating POV, which allows the reader to gain an insight of all four main characters. Also the chapters are almost like diary entries in that they are raw and honest comments and answers to the questions you as the reader want to know. This weaving between characters was done seamlessly and in such a way that did not impact on the flow of the story.

Book Review No 28: A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley

This was simply the most amazing story on so many levels.

Back in 1986 five year old Saroo made a last minute decision to accompany his older brother on a short train trip to a nearby town in rural India. Although he was supposed to be babysitting his baby sister, Saroo risked his mother's wrath and left his humble home, not realising just what a journey he was about to make. Instructed to wait on the platform by his older brother, young Saroo was scared and confused when his older brother failed to return in the specified time. Deciding to make his own way home he hopped onto a waiting train - a train that would end up taking him half way across the country and far, far away from his family.

Book Review No 27: Cliffy: The Cliff Young Story by Julietta Jameson

Having recently seen the ABC telemovie of the same name, I was eager to read this book when I came across it. 

It's hard to believe it was 30 years ago that a 61 year old potato farmer from Victoria won the heart of the nation when he not only "shuffled" his way from Sydney to Melbourne in Australia's first ultra marathon - but won by a huge margin. Suddenly this shy, unassuming man was thrust into the national spotlight and the legend of Cliff Young was born.

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.