Cirrus@Austlit

'John Franks' remarkable debut novel, Echoes, is primarily a modern story of love, challenge and relationships. Interwoven through this contemporary tale is an intriguing historical narrative, the significance of which left me guessing right up to the book's ending.

'The reader follows Marek, born in Australia of Polish parents, as he navigates the establishment of his new construction business in Newcastle, Australia, and at the same time begins to fall in love with Gwynne, a practical single mother hesitant of risking all that she has worked so hard to achieve. Family events in Poland take Marek to the land of his parents' birth where he learns some surprising truths and experiences a deluge of unfamiliar emotions. Ultimately Marek must return to Australia and attempt some resolution in both his business life and his, at times, confounding personal relationship.

'Echoes is beautifully and sensitively written without ever being sentimental or saccharine. A lovely debut novel - touching, poignant and effortlessly readable!'  (Publication summary)

'My name is Jacinta Roberts. I am twelve years old, and I HATE MY LIFE.

'Jacinta doesn't want to give up dancing, just her mother's strict rules.

'With her best friend's help, Jacinta flees to Orion Downs where her father now lives with his parents.

'Luckily, Gran kept the upstairs dance studio after her daughter died. With a little cleaning and some dance music, Jacinta is soon practising again - without Mum's horrible diet. But there is one move that she just can't master.

'A new friend appears to help her get it right: Heather,the ghost in the mirror.

'Join Jacinta, Heather and the other dancers in the FIRST of The Dancers series.

'They train and compete, fight and befriend, hurt and get hurt. And learn to love life, and family, all over again.'  (Publication summary)

'Life does not always go to plan. It is not always easy or fun. It's just a process we go through - until we die. But it doesn't have to be morbid or funny. What we experience in our life makes us who we are - the strong, resilient, powerful people who have earned the ability to have empathy to help others. These stories will make you laugh and cry ... that's just life: a variant of adventure.' (Publication summary)