Readers enjoy seeing the triumph of an underdog, particularly one who has been good to her persecutors and has given them a second chance to treat her decently. Rosalie Ham’s witty writing and clever structure make this novel exceptional. The division of the book into four sections: Gingham, Shantung, Felt and Brocade, is not just a cute way of furthering the sewing motif; rather, the names are symbolic.
Interview with Mary E Martin
As part of her worldwide blog tour, the author of The Trilogy of Remembrance talks about the trilogy form and what draws her to it, about her characters and their extra-fictional lives, about the link between law and fiction, the relationship between truth and fact, what draws her to the art world, and lots more.
A review of Troubled Spirits by Teri Lee
Troubled Spirits is good, clean fun that delves into the world of modern ghost hunting with two, more than capable, female protagonists that take care of themselves and the big bad in town, on their own, in true Buffy the Vampire Slayer fashion. The way Harmony and Annie and the gang handle the ghosts and themselves is more than enough to make Zak Baggins proud.
Interview with Andrew Joyce
The author of Molly Lee talks about his work, his new novel, his main character, why he writes, how to deal with writer’s block, his favourite authors, advice for aspiring authors, and more.
Carolyn Martinez talks about Finding Love
Carolyn Martinez, author of Inspiring IVF Stories and Finding Love: 7 Things you Need to Know Before You Date Again reads from and talks about her new book, about her path to becoming an author, about her writing process, the…
A review of Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee
To me, Go Set a Watchman is a worthwhile work, although I wish Ms. Lee had been more precise about the historical context and had made Jean Louise a little less naive. Stylistically, the novel is dated, but that makes it authentic to the place and time in which it is set. Given the shocking instances of racial violence in the United States this past year, it would seem that Go Set a Watchman is relevant to our times.
Ali Cobby Eckermann on her book Inside my Mother
Ali Cobby Eckermann joins us to read from and talk about her latest poetry collection Inside my Mother, as well as the “My Mother’s Heart” sesion at the Sydney Writers Festival, the many meanings of “mother”, both personal, universal, and metaphoric,…
A review of The Eye of the Sheep by Sofie Laguna
It’s not just the characters that descend to their lowest level in this book. It’s also the medical profession, governmental welfare programs, and Mobil Oil where Gavin works scraping rust off pipes. However, Laguna never lets the characters – not even the most peripheral – slip into stereotypes. The Eye of the Sheep is a tender and delicate novel, rich with sympathy and understanding, even when it becomes almost unbearably dark.
A review of Hell and God and Nuns with Rulers by John Collings
As Tristan struggles with school, the crush his best friend has on him, and the crush he has on the young man he met at the party, the reader feels true empathy for the character. Collings’ writing style is conversational, personable, and real; I could almost imagine Tristan sitting across from me at a table in a coffee shop (or maybe over burgers at The Burger House) telling me how he set on his path of self-realization to emerge triumphantly okay at the end of it all.
A review of Strength to Be Human by Mark Antony Rossi
