Cozy Light, Cozy Night by Elisa Kleven

Cozy Light, Cozy Night

by Elisa Kleven

Elisa's richly illustrated book Cozy Light, Cozy Night takes you through the seasons with lots of family fun and multicultural activities. While it may be a bit much for younger readers to read on their own the illustrations are engaging and this would make a lovely story for parents to read aloud to their children.



This book would be a great addition to any children's collection and would also be valuable in a school library.

The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty - Illustrated by Thomas Docherty

The Snatchabook

by Helen Docherty, Thomas Docherty (Illustrations)

Eliza Brown and her friends love nothing more than a great story before bed but when a Snatchabook comes to town things change quickly and no body is happy.

Just what is a Snatchabook - well I'm not going to spoil that for you. But I will tell you this much, Helen Docherty has created a beautiful sorry that will quickly become a favourite bedtime story. Thomas Docherty's illustrations help to bring this story alive.

I can't wait for this book to come out in print so I can get a copy for me - and one for my new Cousins so it can become her bedtime book.

Review of House on Burra Burra Lane by Jennie Jones

The House on Burra Burra Lane (The Swallow's Fall Series #1)
by Jennie Jones (e-book)

When I read the preview for Jennie Jones' debut novel The House on Burra Burra Lane I instantly added it to my reading wish list and I have to say it definitely didn't disappoint.

This rural romance has all the right ingredients - great Australian Rural backdrop, lovely small town with all the usual quirks and stories, a girl next door trying to get her life in order and a ruggedly handsome, always helpful, little bit mysterious guy and a great story line and Jennie has a best seller on her hands.

Sammy has left her life and its associated hassles in Sydney and moving into her "new" (rundown) farm house on Burra Burra Lane in the Snowy Mountain town of Swallow Falls (population 87) and after literally falling (thanks to Ruby the pig) for Vet and part time carpenter Ethan it seems that things might finally be falling into place for Sammy.

But as in real life things are never that easy - every time Ethan seems to get closer he pulls away to the point that even their friendship seems to be at risk. Can these two loveable characters ever work things out or will old man Grandy, Swallow Falls patriarch have to give them both a big push??

This book held my attention from start to finish, my only regret was that I didn't get the time to sit down and read it straight through.

This is the first book in the Swallow Fall's series and I eagerly look forward to the next instalment of this lovely small town. I would definitely want to buy a print copy if it comes out - it will fit in well along with the other great Australian Rural Authors already on my shelf.

 

 

Review of Promise Me Something by Sara Kocek

Sara Kocek’s book Promise Me Something tackles some serious issues and won’t be for everyone.

I could relate to Reyna at the start of this book with having to start at high school somewhere different from all of your friends because the Government says you live on in the “wrong street”.

On top of starting High School Reyna has to cope with looking after her father who was injured in an car accident which his girlfriend was driving, and missing her mother who was killed by a drunk driver when she was young.

Its never easy to start high school especially when you are shy and don’t know anyone so when Olive decides to save Reyna from cafeteria hell of eating alone Reyna’s original feeling is relief but Olive isn’t your everyday school girl. She says exactly what she think, no filter attached and nobody else likes her. Reyna has her doubts but with a lack of other friends sticks with Olive. But Olive has another life and when Reyna find out she is not sure how to react. Add in your request “Mean Girls” a party and its a recipe for disaster for these high school kids.

But this isn’t a warm fluffy high school story. It tackles issues of bigotry, suicide, alcoholism and at the heart of it – teens coming to terms with issues of homosexuality. It has some mostly believable  twists and turns and overall was an interesting read.

Reivew of Half Moon Bay by Helene Young

Half Moon Bay
by Helene Young

I've always enjoyed watching mystery/CSI kind of shows on TV but this was probably my first foray into the world of Romantic Suspense books and I wasn't let down.

The story starts with photojournalist Ellie Wilding on her way to Afghanistan to meet up with her sister, investigative journalist Nina but she ends up having to bring her home in a coffin. Two years later she is back home in the not so sleepy coastal town of Half Moon Bay when the locals need her skills to fight corruption and possible drug running which pulls her into the path of danger that had gotten Nina killed. Nick Lawson fell in love with Ellie the first time he saw her trying to organise a medivac for his sister and has never been able to get her out of his head. But she was the last person he expected to see in Half Moon Bay.

Ellie doesn't know who to trust, and trying to avoid falling for the hansom Mr Lawson is harder than expected, and if she could just remember where she knew him from he might be able to put the pieces of the puzzle together. But with so many lies can Ellie find the truth in time??

I loved this fast moving novel that has twists and turns to keep you hooked right to the end.

I'm looking forward to reading her Boarder Watch Series just as soon as I can swing past Torquay Books and pick them up!

I was fortunate enough to meet Helene at a recent Get Reading Author Tour visit to Waurn Ponds Library and this Award Winning Author is just as lovely in real life and she is in print.

If you haven't read her books yet check out her website and Get Reading! http://www.heleneyoung.com/

Children's Books

Ok, so I will admit I don't have kids of my own but I do love and treasure children's books. I still have all the books I had as a child. I have fond memories of being read to as a child and my dad can still recite by memory one of our favourite stories.

What do I love about children's books? They are simple and to the point, many have BEAUTIFUL illustrations. And I believe all kids should be encouraged to read from babies which is why I always give books as presents to babies and children of friends and family - I'm known for it :)

Here are a couple that I have read recently.

A Year on Our Farm by Penny Matthews Illustrated by Andrew McLean This is a beautiful well illustrated book which discusses the what happens in a year on the farm. It is truthful account and if your reading it to young children you may have to "gloss over" some of it but I really liked this book. It covers topics like the different months and seasons, Life and Death on the farm, feral animals and the weather (including Drought and Flood). Andrew's illustrations are beautiful. Little Mates Series by Susannah McFarlane Illustrated by Lachlan Creagh These cute book series have 26 (so far they have released up to Vocal Violet) plus some bonus books. Each book is based on a letter of the alphabet with Australian animals and very cute (if not somewhat of a tongue twister sometimes). They are aimed at young kids but will need adults to read the books to them. These make great gifts, especially if your fortunate enough to match the child's name to the book like I did with my cousin's little girl Amelia her mum Katie and a friend's girl Ruby.

Books always make great presents - no sugar and can be used again and again

Happy Reading
xoxo

Review of Read my Lips by Jana Novotny Hunter

Read My Lips

by Jana Novotny Hunter

I really enjoyed Jana's book about the battles that deaf people can face (she has a brother & sister who are deaf). In this story "Cat" who lost her hearing at 5 when she contracted meningitis, is sent to a boarding school for deaf children. She feels abandoned by her parents, especially her mother. She is now in her final year at school and worried about going "outside" into the hearing world. At "Deaf City" (the nickname given to her school) the is a war between signers and speakers (deaf who also speak) and Cat get's thrown in the middle when, as a signer, she falls for a speaker. She helps bring the argument to a head with a school debate but at what cost?

I have read a few books about deaf kids (my own sister is hearing impaired) written by both hearing and deaf and found Read my Lips up there with the good ones.