The Water of Life ( Uisge beatha) by Daniel Marchildon

The Water of Life (Uisge beatha) by Daniel Marchildon is a well-researched book that has you traveling several centuries of whisky history. Presented as a fiction, it not only entertains but informs. 

I am not a whisky drinker, but I am a book lover. Within The Water of Life I found a book that, although I probably would never have considered reading until given to me for review, I enjoyed. I will admit it took me a chapter or two to get into the flow of the writing of Daniel Marchildon but once I did the ride was smooth. 

There is a large degree of to and fro from past to present within The Water of Life as the story spans several generations: three lineages and two continents. Daniel Marchildon writes in a manner that allows the reader to travel back and forth with ease, never missing a beat or detail.  For myself the connection was with Elizabeth Legrand and her determination to open a distillery, in a small isolated town, creating a single-malt whiskey. I envied her strong will and her passion for what she set out to do. This connection created a small degree of issues for me as a reader. With a strong connection to Elizabeth I battled to connect with the characters of the past. Daniel Marchildon does a great job of taking you there, allowing you to feel the place and time, but the bond I created with Elizabeth had me wanting to be back beside her. When reading reviews by others it is obvious this was a personal experience of my own and not what others found. It in no way reflected on my ability to enjoy my read but meant I had to focus more on what I was reading when in the past, instead of allowing the words to flow through my mind and connect. 

Daniel Marchildon has done a wonderful job at blending history with fiction. There is a lot of history within The Water of Life that, as a non-drinker of whisky, I was not aware of. My read of The Water of Life has definitely educated me and had me wanting to know more about not only about whisky but about the era, Scotland and Canada. It is rare that a fiction leaves you inquisitive and thirsty for more factual history, but Daniel Marchildon has definitely achieved this. 

Originally published in French as L’eau de vie  (Uisge beatha) The Water of Life ( Uisge beatha ) has been translated into English by  Märta Ziemelis and published by Odyssey Books in Australia. 

Overall Daniel Marchildon has done an excellent job with The Water of Life. Whisky drinker or not there is something in this piece of fictional work for everyone. History, saga and adventure all await, tantalizing your taste buds and nasal passages with the whisky you never knew you needed.

The Water of Life ( Uisge beatha) is available in both e-book and paperback from Amazon.com

Review: Jennifer Douglas

www.jenniferdouglasliterarypublicist.com 

KY! by Clancy Tucker

If there is one book you should encourage your child to read this year it should be KY!. If there is one book every adult should read this year it is also KY!. This beautifully written heart warming story of a young Muslim refugee and her journey to find acceptance leaves you with hope in your heart. Hope that all who read this story will find it in their hearts to accept others with open arms. The strength within KY! has the ability to change the thoughts and actions of the next generation of adults, creating a  world of compassion, understanding and cultural acceptance.

From the back of the book:

Rida Khalid is a Muslim refugee from Iran. She is bullied by two girls at school for wearing a hijab ( Muslim headscarf), reading books and wearing glasses, and seeks refuge in an old man’s garden after school. Rida meets an Asian girl at school, Ky, who also loves books, and Rida soon dumps her for a gawky girl, Carmen, who teaches her about fitting in. To be accepted, Rida removes her hijab at school, but she must wear her headscarf whilst competing in the inter-school sports. Her family will attend.

Rida deliberately loses the first race because Carmen says “ Only nerds do well in sports.” The sports master berates Rida for losing the race and points to Ky who’s made an extraordinary effort to get out of hospital to watch her run. Ky is battling leukaemia. Rida wins the next two races and gives her winning ribbons to Ky for good luck.

Rida enters the State Athletics Championships, but two athletics clubs lodge an objection to her hijab. Rida is shocked when a retired Queens Counsel (QC) represents her at the Equal Opportunity Commission. Who is he? Will Rida win the case? Will she run in the State Championship? Will Ky beat leukaemia, and who owns the garden that Rida used as a sanctuary?

The back blurb of KY! does not do it justice. In only 95 pages Clancy Tucker says so much. Within Rida he has created a young girl who is an inspiration and a great role model for children worldwide. Finding yourself in a new country would not be easy but Rida takes it all in her stride. From the detention centre to integration into Australian society, Rida embraces life and learning using Banjo Patterson’s The Man from Snowy River to drive her forward. 

KY! is a book that needs to become part of every school curriculum. The topical issues covered are those which are raw within society. With terrorism becoming the ‘norm’ within our news, and the Muslim culture and their right to wear a hijab continuing to be an issue of debate, KY! opens discussion in a non threatening and heart warming manner. KY! by Clancy Tucker does not judge it educates. 

Then their are the other topics within. When Rida finds Ky has leukaemia her compassion and care for her new friend, who she really hardly knows, is heartwarming. Rida sets about to learn as much about her friends disease as she can. She writes to her friend and visits her in hospital whenever she can. She uses positive words to share love and healing, creating a bond that will last a lifetime. Acceptance of who we are and others as individuals runs through Rida, leaving a message that the reader will carry with them throughout life. 

Poetry runs through my blood. For myself it is a  little piece of Australian history that often gets forgotten. Clancy Tucker has won my heart with his use of  The Man from Snowy River by Banjo Patterson. He has managed to interweave it into a children’s novel with ease and grace. It touched my heart to see a piece of bush poetry, a piece of Australian history, used in such a beautiful story full of  mateship and compassion; the Australian way of life. 

On an educational level KY! opens the door for discussion and further learning that will only enrich the life of children. KY! opens a whole new literary world. After reading KY! children will only want to know more about the Muslim and Asian cultures, they will want to know more about leukaemia, they will think twice before they bully and react to those who bully on a new level. Most of all they will find belief in themselves and love and compassion for all around them.

As a writer Clancy Tucker continues to grow in strength. When I pick up a Clancy Tucker novel I can be sure of one thing, that the housework will be forgotten and that the emotions will be flowing. Thank you Clancy Tucker for enriching the literary world. 

ISBN: 978-1-646-93226-2

Available as a signed paperback with matching bookmark and as an e-book from www.clancytucker.com.au

review: Jennifer Douglas

www.jenniferdouglasliterarypublicist.com 

PA Joe's Place by Clancy Tucker

Pa Joe’s Place by Clancy Tucker is sweet story that speaks volumes. At only 8 years old, and with her father dying Boo Nawigamune is sent to live at Pa Joe’s Place, an orphanage far away from her parents and seven siblings. During her journey she survives a train derailment,a snake bite, tsunami and a fire. 

Never before have I cried my way through a book like I did with Pa Joe’s Place. I cannot remember ever having cried so early in a book with the tears flowing at only chapter three. Within Pa Joe’s Place Clancy Tucker has created a book that moves you page by page. At times I felt that what Boo went through in such a short time was a little unbelievable but at the same time it sat true in my heart and it moved me. I could not do anything but love little Boo. Her strength and compassion as she travels 1700 kilometres from her home to live in an orphanage is inspiring. At such a young age this gifted girl teaches us so much. 

Pa Joe’s Place is an exceptional novel that is not often seen. It is one of those gems that leaves you reeling with emotions days, weeks, months and years after you have read it. Still many months after I shed my last tear Pa Joe’s Place sits within my heart. As I write this my heart flutters and my stomach feels empty as I vividly recall the journey I traveled with Boo. I feel the loss of Boo as though she was a child of my own. 

Pa Joe’s Place is a cultural journey through Thailand were the reader meets the people, the culture and the environment. It educates and it inspires. I cannot speak words powerful enough to do the content of Pa Joe’s Place justice nor the spiritual journey that it takes you on. Pa Joe’s Place gave me hope. It made me smile and it inspired me to be the best person I could be. 

In his author’s notes Clancy Tucker writes:

I met Boo Nawigamune in 1973 when I was dealing with the death of a very close friend. Boo reached out and we became the closest of friends. To this day, she is still the most gifted and compassionate child I’ve ever met. I was the lucky one. Our world would be a far better place had she lived longer. Sadly, Boo died of leukaemia, but she was happy and focused until the end - a magnificent kid. What you saw was what you got - pure sunshine. 

Within Pa Joe’s Place Clancy Tucker does Boo proud.There could be no better tribute to a little girl with a pure heart of gold.  The deep love, understanding and friendship that Boo and Clancy had shines throughout Pa Joe’s Place. 

I will continue to carry Boo Nawigamune with me in my heart as though I knew her personally. When times are tough I will remember the journey of a little girl that showed so much strength and courage. I smile as I think of her name. I share the kindness toward others on behalf of Boo, a little girl who’s short time on earth touched so many.

Boo wanted to change lives and today she continues to do so through the writing of Clancy Tucker. 

ISBN: 978-0-646-57220-8

www.clancytucker.com.au

review: Jennifer Douglas

www.jenniferdouglasliterarypublicist.com 

Coins for the Ferryman by Leone Sperling

Review by Skye Hancock

When I first started reading this book I was immediately sucked in by the main character, her life and her way of thinking.

I did not want to stop reading because I wanted to know what she was going to do next. I almost found her analysis’s and reactions throughout the book, hypnotising. 

Leone’s writing style is detailed, quick and to the point. It is written as though she is re-calling facts, leaving me constantly guessing as to whether they were actual events. She is so clever that I was so drawn into this book that it wasn’t until the end that I realised there were no names mentioned, not once.

What interested me about this story in the beginning was the fact that this recently divorced 40 year old woman, mother of four, was travelling to a foreign continent on her own for six weeks. A realistic, relatable story in today’s society.

As she begins her voyage she starts to also reflect on her past. She thinks about her marriage, children, relationship with her mother, relationships with men and other numerous past events to which all have helped mould the person she is and led her to this point in her life. With time and distance between herself and her family, she slowly begins to see her life from a different perspective and there begins her journey of self-discovery and self-love, finally finding her way to freedom.

There were times in the book where I did feel as though I was getting a little bored of her re-call of past events because I was desperate to find out more about her Europe trip. I also found the main character’s selfish ways and rebellious behaviour completely irritating at times. I know in the end, this helped concrete the purpose of the book and kept me interested in waiting for her to reach her maturity. Having said that, it was the stories of her past, her struggles within and battles along the way that intrigued me the most, forcing me to reflect on my own life, leaving me in tears.

The climax to the end of the book was fantastic. I loved the last four pages the most and the characters analysis and new found perspective on life were eye-opening.

In the end I think the book came together really well. I would recommend this book to anyone currently on their own soul-searching journey, or in need of a little woman empowerment inspiration!

ISBN: 978-0-9925601-6-4

Published by: www.cilentopublishing.com

Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon. 

Blurline by TW Lawless

Blurline is the third book in the Peter Clancy series by TW Lawless. Set in London Peter Clancy digs up the dirt on Olivia Michaels, a drug-and-alcohol induced celebrity. He soon finds himself deep in mud as he exposes the ugly secrets that stretch across the entertainment world.

Blurline is TW Lawless at his best. Can Peter Clancy continue to survive in the world of scandalous journalism? Can he succeed in his mission to blow the lid off Britain’s darkest secrets? 

Within Blurline TW Lawless touches on a topic that is raw within our media and the celebrity world. Although topical he shows awareness of the fact that this may be a little close to home for some, addressing a scandalous issue with softness and compassion whilst maintaining a read that entertains and relates. The topic of pedophilia has never been as reachable as it is in Blurline. At no time whilst reading Blurline did I feel it was a fictional book of controversy, instead I was caught up in the pages eager to find out what Peter Clancy uncovered next.

TW Lawless does not miss a beat from one book to the other. Blurline carries the characters from Homecountry and Thornydevils nicely, introducing new characters that only compliment. Peter Clancy takes a piece of Australia to London as he maintains his lovable larrikin ways, fitting nicely into the UK setting. 

It is hard to do Blurline justice as TW Lawless yet again leaves me on a high note wanting more. He shows that he only grows in strength from book to book. Prior to reading Blurline I was asked to read and review Gun Control by Peter Corris, who is labeled as “The godfather of Australian Crime Fiction.’ Unfortunately, after reading TW Lawless, Peter Corris was a flat read. He lacked the strength in his characters and the thrill and chase that TW Lawless provides. Peter Corris tells a crime story, TW Lawless takes you on the journey. Cliff Hardy tells you what is happening, Peter Clancy takes you with him and shows you one hell of a good time. From a woman’s perspective Peter Corris lacked the love and romance that TW Lawless provides, leaving a more manly read. TW Lawless provides his female readers with Peter Clancy, a male character that easily gets the hormones racing and cupid’s arrow flying. He is a womaniser with a cunningness that you cannot help falling in love with, leading you feeling you could be that one woman who hooks him in and holds him forever. 

Blurline has it all - crime, scandal, conflict, drugs, alcohol, love, sex and humour. Just the right mixture of the lot to make this a number one seller. It provides a light hearted read full of adventure, strength and character. As a fictional character Peter Clancy uses his wit and charisma to twirl you around and spit you out, leaving you wanting more. You can’t help but love him whilst wondering how one man can continue to get caught up in the underworld, putting himself at risk. Come on Peter, surely you have learnt your lesson by now? But then men like Peter Clancy never learn. The thrill of a chase, the dirt of others and a salacious life is what drives them forward.

I wait with anticipation and craving for the next book in the Peter Clancy series by TW Lawless.

ISBN: 978-0-9942651-0-4

Available in paperback and ebook www.twlawless.com 

Review: Jennifer Douglas

www.jenniferdouglasliterarypublicist.com 

Purchase a paperback copy of Blurline from www.twlawless.com to become an exclusive member of the Peter Clancy Club.

Other titles in the Peter Clancy series:

Gun Control by Peter Corris

Peter Corris has been around for a long time writing his first Cliff Hardy novel in 1980. Gun Control is the latest Cliff Hardy book, seeing Cliff hired by entrepreneur and one-time pistol-shooting champion Timothy Greenhall to investigate the violent death of his troubled son.

This was my second Peter Corris read, having read The Empty Beach, and seen the movie, many years ago. I will admit that The Empty Beach as a read never did it for me, the movie, on the other hand I enjoyed. This was a bit of a role reversal for myself as I am a reader not a movie lover. Over the years I have looked at other work by Peter Corris and for one reason or another never read them. I picked up Gun Control with an open mind hoping I was about to find a new crime fiction author to follow, be it later than most.  After all he is labelled as ‘the godfather of Australian crime fiction.’

Within the first few chapters my disappointment was evident. I was left scratching my head as to why he was ‘the godfather of Australian crime fiction’ when there are many Australian crime writers who offer way more strength in characters and plot. T.W Lawless is one that comes instantly to mind with his Peter Clancy series.

For myself Peter Corris did not give me enough connection with the characters. They lacked strength and the bonding process was slow, if at all. I do not feel I engaged and got to know the characters personally. There was no falling in love with a particular character or fondness. The lack of connection lead to just a read for myself instead of a journey. Peter Corris can write but for a man who has been labelled with a strong title and one who has been writing Cliff Hardy novels for over 20 years I was expecting more of a developed character with a plot that took me there, instead of just told me. 

The back blurb of Gun Control speaks of way more strength than the inside. There is a death to be investigated, followed by two murders. There is mention of a hook up with a policewoman and of an alliance with a bikie chief. It speaks of Hardy untangling the conspiracy behind the murders and of confrontations. Yes they happen, but they just happen. For me I was not ‘involved’ in them. I was not left gasping or sitting on the edge of my seat hoping Cliff made it through and caught the bad guy. When Cliff was thrown in the car and taken for a drive I was not left wondering if this was the end of him or how he would get himself out of this situation. 

The wonderful thing about books is that they are diverse and enable readers to take from them different thoughts and feelings. Some we connect with, others we don’t. Some love one book, others don’t. I appreciate that Peter Corris has a following but as a crime fiction reader I will continue to question why he has been given a title that befits so many other crime fiction writers. Is it the quantity of Cliff Hardy books he has published? Is it the length of time he has been writing? Is it just purely a spin off of the column he writes and good marketing? He has experience. He has history as an author. He even has awards. Peter Corris writes with professionalism that includes the occasional one liner to keep you interested but maybe, just maybe, he is being given attention that is leading to the neglect of the strength of other crime fiction writers in Australia.

Overall Gun Control by Peter Corris is a worthy weekend read if you are looking for something to fill in the hours. It has left me wanting to know more about Peter Corris himself and wondering if maybe I should read another Cliff Hardy novel in order to form a deeper opinion of the series as a whole. I can see the writing style of Peter Corris fitting nicely into that of autobiographies and will be delving into that side of Peter Corris the author. 

ISBN: 978-1-76011-206-6

Published by Allen and Unwin

Review: Jennifer Douglas

www.jenniferdouglasliterarypublicist.com 

Road To Nowhere by Evan Shapiro

Road to Nowhere by Evan Shapiro leaves you deep in thought about the past, present and future of the human species. It takes you to places you hope you never need to go, presenting global issues that although fiction seem so real. 

Presented as a science fiction novel Road to Nowhere is so much more. Evan Shapiro has entwined a variety of genre’s within one book. Based around the main characters of Patrick and Kirby, Evan Shapiro has your mind twirling around relationships, love and the need for ones own identity, whilst pondering how far you would go with another in order to protect yourself and the one you love. There is crime, a murder, left to be solved by Anthenian Detective Costas Paradisos, that uncovers more than he ever imagined and leads to relationships not only of sex and lust but of deep connection. Throw in Angel, a gifted teenager who is able to ‘complete advanced mathematical calculations in her head within a fraction of a second’ and an old man known as Ancient and you have an array of characters who hold a connection stronger than they realise.

Road to Nowhere takes you there. With Costas you travel the globe, with Patrick, Ancient and Angel you travel Australia whilst Kirby has you floating around in space talking DNA and atomic organic structure. Evan Shapiro is a writer not to be messed with. He shows immense strength in his structure and plot creating individual lives that have you enveloped in their adventure yet entwined in the complete journey.

Road to Nowhere by Evan Shapiro is one of those books that is hard to describe. I definitely do not feel I can do it justice in the form of a written review. This is a book that you must read to appreciate and to feel the full weight of what possibly may not be as fictional as it is presented. 

I urge you to put down what you are currently reading and grab a copy of Road To Nowhere. You will soon be seeing the world around you from a different thought perspective. 

I leave you with the three following extracts from various pages of Road To Nowhere by Evan Shapiro.

‘What was survival if its cost left you spiritually bankrupt? As a species should we not only strive to survive but also strive to evolve?’

‘There are only three things you need to worry about. What you were, what you are and what you’ll be.’

“What if all other living creatures apart from humanity are born with an understanding of universal truths. Seems to me they tend to live their lives in sync with nature rather than in opposition to it. They don’t destroy to the capacity and scale that people do. Perhaps humanity is wasting its time trying to find answers to questions that every other living being already knows instinctively?” The old man smiled. 

ISBN: 978-0-9925601-8-8

Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Evan-Shapiro/e/B00MUP0D78

Join Evan Shapiro on Facebook: www.facebook.com/evanshapiro.author

review: Jennifer Douglas

www.jenniferdouglasliterarypublicist.com