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...
View ArticleReading 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...
View ArticleReview 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...
View ArticleWhy 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...
View ArticleReview No 25: The Satin Man: Uncovering The Mystery of the Missing Beaumont...
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...
View ArticleBook 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...
View ArticleBook 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...
View ArticleBook 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...
View ArticleBook 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...
View ArticleBook 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...
View ArticleBook 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...
View ArticleBook Review No 32: Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi
Originally known as Amanda Rogers, Portia de Rossi had her first major movie role in Sirens with Elle McPherson and Hugh Grant. A couple of years later she had her big break in Hollywood with a role in...
View ArticleBook Review No 33: Closed For Winter by Georgia Blain
Elise has lived most of her life in the shadow of her sister's disappearance from an Adelaide beach one hot summer's day. Although she was on the beach too, she did not see what happened to Frances....
View ArticleBook Review No 34: No Place Like Home by Caroline Overington
Having read her previous books, I am used to Caroline Overington's unique yet highly effective story telling style - so it was no surprise that No Place Like Home was told through the voice of a middle...
View ArticleBook Review No 35: How To Do A Liver Transplant by Kellee Slater
It is always interesting to read about people who grow up in the same town as you did, especially those who go on to do incredible things in their life. Brisbane surgeon Kellee Slater is one of those...
View ArticleBook Review No 36: Blood Secret by Jaye Ford
Rennie Carter had spent her whole life running from a violent past when she arrived in the sleepy town of Haven Bay. Initially planning to stay a short while (as always), she was not prepared for the...
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Flashback
While book number two is taking longer than planned, I am happy to announce that I have released a mini volume of three short stories entitled Flashback. At this time it is only available as an Amazon...
View ArticleReading and Reviewing Challenges - Nearly There!
Yeah I know you don't want to hear that we are now officially into the final quarter of 2013 - but we are. So I thought it was time for another update with my reading and reviewing challenges for the...
View ArticleBook Review No 37: Love, Sweat and Tears by Zelie Bullen
Growing up on the outskirts of Perth, Zelie realises early on in life that she has a natural affinity with animals. From a young age, she feels a strong connection and spends a lot of time being around...
View ArticleBook Review No: 38 One Piece of the Puzzle by Justine Ford
Murders are always shocking in our society, even more so when they happen close to your own community. Yet despite the massive media attention at the time of the crime and shortly afterwards, these...
View ArticleBook Review No: 39 Outback Heroines by Sue Williams
When most people think of the outback the images that usually come to mind involve dust, heat, isolation and rugged stockmen carving out a life in one of the most unforgiving environments on earth. But...
View ArticleBook Review No 40: The Cry by Helen Fitzgerald
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I came across The Cry, but within moments of starting the book I knew I would fight to put it down. Fortunately for me a train journey allowed me to devour most...
View ArticleGreat Aussie Reads Challenge Wrap Up
My Great Aussie Reads challenge incorporates the books I have read for the Australian Women Writer's challenge, plus those written by Australian male writers. As I will summarise my AWW books in a...
View ArticleAustralian Women Writer's Challenge Completed
Once again I have loved being involved in the Australian Women Writer's Challenge in 2013. Setting my target a little higher than in 2012, I am happy to report that I have made (and exceeded slightly)...
View ArticleBlog Has Migrated
This blog has now migrated over to my website: www.helenmckenna.com.au/blogI am leaving this blog active, however as links to my book reviews up until 2013 are listed on the Australian Women Writer's...
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