Cirrus@Austlit

'A tale of the ups and downs of life, the successes and bitter disappointments, even despair and disbelief. Tom Ballantyne's story is about the quirks of fate, the twists and turns that change the course of a career and, at its core, a love story.

'Flying High... and Low is the story of a sixty-year career in the media that has taken Scots-born, multi-award-winning Australian journalist Tom Ballantyne to the four corners of the globe. Starting as a mere copy boy for the Scottish Daily Mail, Ballantyne has gone on to report on the minutiae of life, from crime and politics to natural disasters and guerilla conflicts in Africa. He spent 18 years with the Sydney Morning Herald and, for more than thirty years, has reported on one of the world's most volatile and exciting industries - the airline business.

'Through his turbulent and adventurous career, one thing has remained constant - the love shared with his wife of over fifty years and how, during the lowest of times, chance can bring two people together to forge a lifetime bond in marriage.'  (Publication summary)

'Jehanne d'Arc's (Joan of Arc) journey began as a ten-year-old girl living in Domremy, France with her family. Like many families, they endured the Hundred Year War ravaging across their kingdom. Her life suddenly changes when she meets an angelic being in the forest and is told the importance of her birth and her destiny.

'At thirteen Jehanne is visited by Archangel Michael and learns of a mission she will undertake. As Jehanne grows older, she begins to comprehend the world around her, the unrest, the threat of losing her home and family. But she also realizes the power of the Divine and builds her trust with her angelic guides.

'She leaves home at sixteen and finds support with the town of Vaucouleurs, and her journey begins as the saviour of France...

'How did a peasant girl from humble origins come to acquire all the skills needed to lead an army in battle? To be in command of the king's army, and to lead and win battles alongside hardened and expert war generals.

'This is a story of an unexpected heroine from the peasantry in a time of great need. Historical fiction, based on researched fact, will have you riveted to your seat until the last word...'  (Publication summary)

'A collection of short stories, where most are Amazing, Funny and Happy.

'Some are designed to bring the 'feel good' moment when reading, and others have an Ironic twist. These stories could be conversation starters and read at a party or gathering. Stories about horses, zoo animals, spaceships, the Melbourne Cup, bungee jumping, and much more.

'Marc wrote the stories to help him with his depression and deal him with boredom, to make him laugh and feel good. And to also help you to forget your problems and have a chuckle.

'In this book Marc O'Reilly brings a humorous and edgy element to his story telling.' (Publication summary)

'Something evil is afoot in the court of law.

'Chief Justice Selwyn Baxter has begun to suspect that some judges of the Supreme Court are involved in corruption. Recovering after heart surgery, he convinces business consultant Neil Ashton to investigate the matter for him. But what Neil finds could spell danger for more than just himself...

'A weak moment after the death of his wife left Justice Robert Rixon at the mercy of a criminal syndicate that now controls his life. Accustomed to the status and power of life as a judge, Rixon will go to any lengths not to have to step down...

'As the accusations of corruption mount and Neil's investigation circles closer to secrets Rixon would rather keep hidden, one question remains - will the halls of justice ever be clean again?'(Publication summary)

'On the verge of his 40th birthday, school teacher Ben Tiffen fulfilled a lifelong ambition by performing stand-up comedy for the first time. Not content with easing into mid-life in a comfy pair of tracksuit pants, Ben soon became hooked on this exhilarating and increasingly challenging artform. A Bit of a Laugh is an intimate memoir that begins with Ben's nervous debut in a pub on a Wednesday night and follows his journey into Melbourne's huge and diverse amateur comedy scene. Along the way, he meets many fascinating and hilarious people, and faces a series of personal challenges that only stand-up comedy can present. Ben learns many lessons about comedic art and the value comedy can add to our lives, as well as the importance of facing our fears and stepping outside of our comfort zones. He gains wisdom from some of Australia's most well-known comedians, and finds himself under the spotlight on stages he never would have anticipated.' (Publication summary)

'In the isolated outback town of Millengarra, a young man is found bashed to death.

'When his house-mate - an out-of-work drover - is charged with murder, the investigation goes to hardened Brisbane detective Dave Hocking, a career cop facing corruption charges that threaten his job, his liberty, and his very identity.

'In Millen, he finds a damaged community, held together by a fragile web of deceit. Struggling for redemption, the veteran detective uncovers a town's shame, and his own, as lies are exposed, and dark secrets unearthed.' (Publication summary) 

'In the country town of Alumuna Creek, things are about to turn deadly. 

'Samuel Levi, a young man molded into a life of crime, is left to die in the harsh Australian outback after a botched drug deal.

'The deal has made the situation spiral out of control. With the body count mounting, and tensions rising in the region, Sam fights for his life, and reflects on his own past and the town.

'To save himself, and those he holds dear, Sam must find a way back home. But first he needs to escape from the harsh realities of the outback, and avoid those hunting him down…'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Brane Love, a Mythologist going on sixty, after several month's fieldwork reconnects with his Jive/​ Rock 'n Roll dance school, 'Shuffle Jive.' He meets Rosetta, a feisty little Sicilian nurse in her mid-fifties, and falls in love with her. Over the years they establish a close friendship as dancing partners. But Rosetta has a boyfriend, Arnold, to whom she remains faithful. At the same time, she is secretly in love with Brane. But the relationship between her and Brane sees little change. They continue meeting at the classes and dancing together while friends around them break up and come together as a sort of backdrop to Brane's and Rosetta's impasse, real life getting in the way of the dancing pastime and proving that older persons get into awkward situations as much as younger people. The novel ends in slapstick chaos with pratfalls and rescues. There is no clear resolution of the relationship between Brane and Rosetta, except for a tacit understanding between them, just as in real life.' (Publication summary)

'Humanity is built on blood, not feathers "In the beginning there was darkness, and it is in this darkness that we will one day return. Some will find that they thrive in its rawest of shadows, whilst others will merely learn to survive in its harshest." In the wasteland, her poem had no name. Underground, it was given to her by a man she never understood. Salvation. The world has ended, but in a bitter twist of fate humanity limps on in ways one could never expect.'  (Publication summary)

'Objective: Relocate the Asset to the safe house in Melbourne.
'Objective: Protect the computer disk at all costs.

'A trained killer must learn to forget everything he has come to know as a well beaten path. He must become both father and protector to an orphaned ten-year-old girl. The Asset. Angel. A girl with a special gift and a destiny, who will change the course of history and human-kind. Nathan must oversee Angel's upbringing. He must see to it that Angel is groomed and prepared for her induction into ASIS as an adult. At the same time, he must maintain the security of the disk. The stolen intelligence leading to MILESTONE.

'That was the plan. It went so wrong.' (Publication summary)

'Clarinda and Henry tells the story of the Australian Father of Federation, Sir Henry Parkes, and his wife, Clarinda.

'It is a story of their struggles in England in the early 1800s, their hazardous journey to Sydney on an emigrant ship and their lives as early settlers in Sydney and the Blue Mountains. It is a tale of success, but also of hardship and endurance.

'While it tells the story of Henry Parkes'spolitical life, it has a large focus on his wife, Clarinda, a woman whose story was hidden behind her renowned husband's, but who, like so many others of her era, helped shape the Australia we know today.'   (Publication summary)

'"No happier or more adventurous child has ever been born!"

'The year is 1849. Nine-year-old Bunty Bailey lives with her family in the country town of Berrima, New South Wales, between Sydney and Canberra.
Brave, adventurous, kind-hearted, every day brings a new adventure for Bunty as she explores the secret places around the growing township and neighbouring countryside.

'And real dangers abound! From the natural world to bushrangers and escaped convicts, Bunty will need all her courage to protect the lives of those around her.'  (Publication summary)

Sydney lawyer, Cory is devastated by the loss of his family and friends. He accepts the help of an ex-ASIO officer to help track down those responsible. 

'Well, four actually, and in each you will meet some interesting and unusual folk and animals. They are all pretty cool, just like you, so why not go there now and read their stories.

'In one place, Ethan lets you know about a problem he has with his shorter leg and how a tiny ant helps him carry his heavy load.

'In another place, there is a lonely girl, Tessy, who finds out about how kindness can change everything.

'And in another, there is Winston and Eloise, who know all about feeling lonely after they become orphaned, but you won't believe what happens after a strange lady enters their lives.

'Finally, you get to meet two wild looking creatures, Tosca and Bella, as both find themselves in a very scary place... just before a great surprise!

'Feel inspired that you joined them here as they all welcome you to visit their special places.' (Publication summary)