Four years ago I began writing a memoir. It covered my early forced marriage, it’s breakup and loss of my children. Then, working as a bus conductor, not my ideal job, but it paid the bills. When I began writing I’d no idea how long it would take or how cathartic it would be. This week I finally wrote “ The End”.
Of course, it’s not the end at all. The work must be edited, proofread and sent to beta readers. While the book has grown, so has my understanding of my life, finally allowing for self-compassion.
Like most writers, I’m an avid reader and my reading has continued. For balance I’ve chosen to read books on the lighter side for now.
My dating life continued too with The Aussie Bloke. We went to see Jean Valjean; the movie. Part of a French Film Festival Its based on Victor Hugo’s Les Miserable with Gregory Gadebois as Jean. A deep character study and exploration of degradation, atonement and forgiveness.
In contrast the following week Aussie Bloke brought his dogs, who are generally well behaved and attentive to him, to my place. Henceforth known by me as the “Hellhounds” .
The dogs bark annoying his neighbours if left alone too long. We went to dinner, came back and settled the dogs. As I have a cat they can’t have full household access. They were allowed into the back garden and the garden room. At some time, one or both , began digging in the grass. The excavation was quite extensive. Aussie Bloke offered to fill it, but I foolishly said it was ok. Two days later I’d almost filled “the pit”. Dating has certainly adding excitement and variety to my life.
The Payback Plan by Amy Andrews.
The Karma Club 1 .
Introducing The Payback Plan, the first installment in this gorgeously spicy series The Karma Club…where just desserts are best served shared! Karma’s here to stay!
When fate strands Paige Parker at O’Hare airport during a snow storm little does she know her misfortune is the beginning of a wild and life-changing adventure. Because when she meets three complete strangers, they quickly bond over shared tales of betrayal and heartbreak. And just for fun, they concoct a scheme to exact sweet revenge on their exes!
Except when the plan becomes a reality, Paige finds herself in Cornwall with Olly Prendergast. Son of a movie star, grumpy recluse and responsible for jilting his fiancé on their wedding day with a text message. The payback plan has begun! Step one: move into his spare room and disrupt his peace and quiet. Step two: bring a pet hamster, adopt a dog and let chaos run loose. Step Three: unapologetically make a mess in his pristine house at every opportunity. Step 4: Show Mr Grumpy what fun looks like!
But Paige is unprepared when the plan begins to backfire and she starts to see the man behind the reputation. And when she can’t ignore their undeniable chemistry anymore Paige has to battle with the secret she’s been keeping from Olly and loyalty to her friend and The Karma Club…
Romance. Rom Com. Audiobook. Contemporary Fiction. Humour. 317 pages, Kindle Edition
My Review.
It starts with an impulsive promise, one that would never have happened if the women hadn’t got stuck at O’Hare airport. At first, Paige is hell bent on getting revenge , but as she gets to know Olly better, she finds herself drawn to him. He is nothing like she imagined. Some genuinely laugh out loud moments. Hot sexual chemistry and a couple who are perfect for each other, if only they will see it.
The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis.
Two parents and their recently-bitten-werewolf daughter try to fit into a privileged New England society of magic aristocracy. But deadly terrors await them – ancient prophecies, remorseless magical trials, hidden conspiracies and the PTA bake sale
When Vivian’s kindergartner, Aria, gets bitten by a werewolf, she is rapidly inducted into the hidden community of magical schools. Reeling from their sudden move, Vivian finds herself having to pick the right sacrificial dagger for Aria, keep stocked up on chew toys and play PTA politics with sirens and chthonic nymphs and people who literally can set her hair on fire.
As Vivian careens from hellhounds in the school corridors and demons at the talent show, she races to keep up with all the arcane secrets of her new society – shops only accessible by magic portal, the brutal Trials to enter high school, and the eternal inferno that is the parents’ WhatsApp group.
And looming over everything is a prophecy of doom that sounds suspiciously like it’s about Aria. Vivian might be facing the end of days, just as soon as she can get her daughter dressed and out of the door…
Fantasy Fiction. Adult Magic. Vampires. Cozy Fantasy. Urban Magic.
My Review.
The title and cover were promising so I gave this a go. I read to the end but it’s not my book. It may be yours. There are some fun moments, but PTA politics overshadow much of the book. If I’d been paying more attention, it was clearly on the cover. So, a mismatch.
Tell Me Why by Sandi Wallace.
Georgie Harvey and John Franklin 1
WINNER 2015 DAVITT AWARD READERS’ CHOICE
What will they risk for answers?
Picturesque Daylesford has a darker side. Melbourne writer Georgie Harvey heads to the mineral springs region in central Victoria to look for a missing farmer, and soon links the woman’s disappearance with the unsolved mystery surrounding her husband.
Meanwhile, maverick police officer and solo dad John Franklin is working a case that’s a step up from Daylesford’s usual soft crime: a stalker targeting single mothers.
Georgie’s investigation stirs up long-buried secrets, and attracts enemies. When she reports the missing person to local cops, sparks fly between her and Franklin.
Has he dismissed the writer too quickly? And what will the truth cost?
Mystery Crime. eBooks. Fiction Suspense. Australia
452 pages, Kindle Edition First published September 1, 2014
My Review.
Sandi Wallace’s books have been on my mental “to read” list for ages, but this is the first that I’ve read. It made sense to go back to the beginning of her popular Georgie Harvey and John Franklin series. An intriguing set up and a genuine small-town feel. Neighbours looking out for neighbours and a disappearance that intrigues Melbourne based Georgie. A puzzle solved but the spark of a new relationship has left me thinking I must read book 2.
Risky Business by Amy Andrews
From bestselling author Amy Andrews comes a new single-title romance about putting pleasure before business, and the risks we all need to take when we find someone worth risking everything for.
Samantha Evans’s life is going to hell. Not only has she rage-quit her beloved, high-powered job, but she is suddenly afflicted by hormones, free time, and an unavoidable, unignorable, undeniably gorgeous irritant in the form of Nick Hawke, her extreme sports star neighbour, who has come home to take over the reins of his grandmother’s second-hand bookshop. Sam needs something to keep her from begging for her old job back until she’s good and sure her boss understands how wrong he was, and taking a low-risk, low-stress job helping Nick at the bookstore might be just the thing.
After all, it’s not like Nick is the right guy to help her with her hormones. He’ll just be fun to look at while she searches for the one.
Nick has six months to get over an injury before Everest and a big, fat contract beckon. That means no sports, no danger and, above all else, no risks. It means playing it safe. And Nick Hawke doesn’t do safe. So he’s going to need something to stave off the boredom while selling books he doesn’t read to people who wouldn’t know a carabineer from a crochet hook. What could be safer than hiring a cranky, unemployed accountant to help run the bookstore? Sam is efficient and methodical and messing up her neat, post-it note world could be a fun way to pass the time….
Risky Business mixes the classic romance of Philadelphia Story, the humour and wit of When Harry Met Sally, and a strong, contemporary Australian setting to create a delightful, irresistible, utterly satisfying treat of a novel.
Romance. Contemporary Romance. Humour. 257 pages, eBook First published July 1, 2014
My Review.
A total romp of a book, with sparkling dialogue, and sexual tension that rolls off the page. It’s funny , witty , sexy and relatable because high powered exec Samantha (size 14) is convinced she is fat and beyond hope. Meanwhile, she sees gorgeous Nick with a posse of young anorexic types and is convinced that is what he wants. Sam’s hormones though want action, a baby daddy and fast. Nick helpfully sets Sam up with supposedly “suitable ” men. But no one is right. Meanwhile, totally unsuitable Nick could be just what she needs -if she lets her heart rule her head. Nick has to convince her that she is gorgeous and what he wants too.
The book is written, but I have more work to do. Editing, getting rid of repetition, reading for clarity. Preparing questions for the beta readers. Recontacting the cover designer and talking to the editor.
Sadly, the Aussie Bloke and his “hellhounds” have departed my story. I am sad to see them go. It was good while it lasted. I’ll miss them and will always think of them fondly. Dating him and meeting them, has contributed to my growth, but life goes on and I have books to read and write and other adventures to experience.
Until next time
Sonia Bellhouse- Author. 