reviews

A literal gun-shot has called the adult children of Joy Tobin to her side - has brought their lives to a standstill and caused them to stop and consider their lives lived so far. Frances, Conor and Sinead all live as 'shards of brokeness' - sharpened to life in...

Much loved and favoured, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart was the debut novel for Australian author Holly Ringland in 2018 and in 2023, that book will feature on streaming platform Amazon Prime as a series. Holly's new book is another thoughtful, tense narrative with a...

More than a tale of historical slavery - but not to lessen the deep gouge on human history that slavery was, River Sing Me Home is a narrative on freedom. So longed for, wished for and a driving force deep within the souls of the enslaved, when freedom finally comes...

Stunning, informative, engaging…a book I could not draw away from even after the last chapter closed. Set in pre-colonial East Coast, North Island, Monty brings life to tribal utu (revenge), makutu (witchcraft) and kaitangata (cannibalism). A coming-of-age tale teamed...

Like so much of English history, Dawnlands encapsulates the turbulent times of 'a king in trouble, a country divided and determined women'. Set in 1685 through to the eventual overthrow of the Roman Catholic King James in 1688. Dawnlands returns to the successful...

If you haven't discovered New Zealand author Fiona Sussman, then now is the time! Returning to her crime fiction genre, she delivers a well-crafted, precise and tense novel. From the first page, we are introduced to the characters in a focused way and you engage with...

In 2010, Anna Bibby sold her Auckland art business and made the bold move to relocate to Martel, a small town on the Pilgrim's Route to Rocamadour, France...

Possibly my most loved book of 2022 and part of my best Top Ten Titles 2022! It was wonderful to meet Elizabeth Zott - groundbreaking chemist, overwhelmingly intelligent, extremely opinionated and unintentionally very funny. Sadly, for Elizabeth, it is the 1960s and a...

This is the first book in the Lost Daughters series, eight books are planned. The stories are connected through Hope's House, post-war in London. Un-wed mothers came to Hope in a safe, compassionate environment until their babies were born and the adoption process...

. . Wake by Shelley Burr Not since The Dry by Jane Harper (2016) have I been more excited about a debut Australian author - and there have been a treasure trove in recent years! I didn't want to miss a page as tension grew with every chapter. With convincing...

by Jane Ussher & John Walsh Stunning, vivid and colourful! This is a treasured keepsake book. Spaces, rooms and interiors feature works of art and creative design throughout every page. This book is packed full and is a visual feast. Jane Ussher is New Zealand's...