Cirrus@Austlit

'Madison is looking forward to a play day at Grandma’s house—that is, until she sees Ferdinand the new dog. That’s when Madison’s belly starts to tremble like raspberry jelly! This is a story about being afraid and finding the courage we need to comfort others.' (Source: Author's blurb) 

'As the daughter of the Tea-maker, Shiro’s life is bound by the expectations of others. But Shiro has no interest in convention.

'Her holidays are spent with best friend Lakshmi, a coolie labourer, and she dreams of becoming a doctor, unhampered by her gender, her race or her social standing.

'Privilege is something Anthony and William Ashley Cooper take for granted. On the Sri Lankan tea fields in particular, the English are masters.

'When Anthony takes over management of the plantation, he discovers the truth about his family’s dealings with the locals. He desperately wants to make a difference – to be a different kind of man – but William’s reckless lust and their father’s never-ending greed stand in his way.

'Tragedy, grief and separation threaten Shiro and shackle Lakshmi in the bondage of class distinction. Can Anthony’s love of justice set right the wrongs of the past?' (Publication summary)

'One girl. One boy. And a friendship that could save them both. Good-girl Kat knew drinking alcohol at school would have serious consequences. But to protect her friend from being expelled, Kat lands herself a term’s worth of detentions. Inside the detention room, she meets a strange boy who obsessively draws dark pictures and covers his head with a grey hoodie. Little does she know, the hoodie hides a dark past ... An unlikely friendship forms between Kat and the boy in the hoodie. When she discovers a sinister truth he’s been hiding, she somehow feels compelled to help him—but at what cost? And how much is she willing to risk in order to keep him safe? The Boy in the Hoodie is a real, unforgettable story about past scars and how the ones we love can sometimes heal them.' (Source: Publisher's blurb)

'Chris Norman's dreams of being a commercial pilot are shattered when he crashes his light plane in central Australia and is badly wounded. His life hangs in the balance, a balance that is swayed by the intervention of an Aboriginal man. He leaves Chris with a mysterious and incongruous legacy, a Celtic cross made of stone. Partly blinded and in deep grief at no longer being able to fly, Chris finds his way to the inhospitable islands off the West Coast of Scotland where he seeks to unravel the secrets of the Celtic stone. A blind Hebridean woman, shunned by many in the local community, becomes his reluctant ally, along with a seven year old boy who is as wild as the storm tossed seas that surround the islands. But violence remains and Chris must overcome his grief to find answers to his questions. But the threat of murder lingers ...' (Publisher's blurb)

'A young girl visits her Grandma and 'brightens her dreams' whilst her little brother charms the nursing home residents with his playful antics.

'This is a joyful and poignant celebration of life and love with vibrant illustrations of present day and yesteryear.

'A delightful insight into the transforming power of children and love to enjoy with your kids, grandkids or great-grandkids. Share the romance of the past with the kids this Valentine's day!' (Publisher's blurb)

'Suzannah Casey was just twelve years old when she was transported to the Australian colony from Ireland. Though devastated by her circumstances she was grateful to be given an opportunity, through Caroline Chisholm's scheme for young girls, to start a new life on the Goulburn Plains with ex-convict, George Oakes. However, Suzannah could never have envisaged the trauma and loss that lay ahead of her. She must find the faith and courage to overcome abuse, disappointment, abandonment, illness, religious bigotry and finally her own yearnings in order to discover what is more precious than gold.' (Publisher's blurb)

'Madison is in a bad mood. Everyone is excited about welcoming a new baby into the family, but Madison's not so sure. This is a lovely story about how knowing you've been wonderfully made can sometimes make all the difference.' (Source: Author's blurb) 
 

'Resolution Island is a safe haven for Anika Demeur - a chance to fulfil dreams, find her place in the world, and a new life for her and young son, Kye. But her dreams of a future are shattered when her son's security is challenged, and the rich and privileged Texan, Nate Hollingsworth sails into the bay. Now Ani must not only fight for her son, but also a growing attraction she has to the one type of man she loathes.

'Nate is on a mission - to fulfill his mother's last wish, and change his life. Dropping anchor in the idyllic Resolution harbor, he didn't anticipate becoming involved in illegal fishing, a murder, or an unexpected attraction to the most exasperating woman he has ever met.

'The Australian tropical Island, Resolution, sets the scene again for adventures, dreams, and new beginnings. A New Resolution is the final book in the 'Resolution' trilogy, following Back to Resolution and Beyond Resolution. ' (Publisher's blurb)

'In tragic circumstances Beth and her brothers are left in England to grow up without their parents. When Beth's childhood dream to be reunited with her father in Australia finally eventuates she finds that dreams do not always come true.

All that seems to follow is further abandonment. Will she ever find true love? And will she discover she doesn't have to be alone before it is too late?

'Set in the early days of New South Wales and based on real characters in the mid 1800s.

'Revisit Charlotte and Thomas from Charlotte's Angel and Mary's Guardian, and meet new characters in this new novel which is a tangled web of disappointment, deceit and mistakes.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A young accident victim wakes up in hospital and can't remember who he is. Why does he have nothing in common with his family? Why does he despise the person he was supposed to be? Why has his best friend disappeared without a trace? Is somebody after him? His family can offer no solutions. His girlfriend is strangely aloof and he cannot shake off a feeling that the answers will prove more unpleasant than his amnesia. Somehow he must find out as it seems time is running out. Paula Vince has woven elements of secrecy and suspense with her trademark warmth and compassion. Best Forgotten is an inspirational masterpiece you won't forget.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A young accident victim wakes up in hospital and can't remember who he is. Why does he have nothing in common with his family? Why does he despise the person he was supposed to be? Why has his best friend disappeared without a trace? Is somebody after him? His family can offer no solutions. His girlfriend is strangely aloof and he cannot shake off a feeling that the answers will prove more unpleasant than his amnesia. Somehow he must find out as it seems time is running out. Paula Vince has woven elements of secrecy and suspense with her trademark warmth and compassion. Best Forgotten is an inspirational masterpiece you won't forget.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Little sisters pretending their father is a pelican; a man achieving “a gawky grace” while asleep in a public library; a woman stepping past a sprinkler in a confined space “like an Andalusian horse/ dancing”; a traveller weeping uncomforted in a café in Sydney; an aboriginal man playing a didgeridoo in prison; a son praying for his mother in her pain; a random spray from a damaged hose watering a wild daisy; a rainbow enfolding the fuselage of an aeroplane “like a promise”: these are a few of the many surprising, moving things depicted in this collection of poems by Andrew Lansdown. Far from Home abounds with warmth, insight, quirkiness and compassion. The poems explore and express loss, grief, longing, regret, hope and happiness. They celebrate family, friendship, freedom and courage.' (Source: Publisher's blurb)