Cirrus@Austlit

'It takes a hasty move from Melbourne to Corfu for an Australian couple, their five children, a book that needs to be written, a blown-out budget, an escalating military coup d'état, a tragic secret and an Australian Prime Minister's apology to create a childhood that is well ... quite extraordinary.' (Publication summary)

'Zac is sometimes a child, and sometimes maturity breaks through. He needs information to his level of understanding. Yes, he'll have mood swings and yes, divorcing parents will cause him conflicting emotions. That isn't his fault.' (Publication summary) 

'Rose leaves her home and her children in the Philippines to work with four other young women overseas. The work Rose is confronted with is far from anything she could have imagined, even in her worst nightmares. Rose’s one desire is to earn enough to escape from her captors and return home. But what is her family back home up to while she is gone?

'Then she meets a potential client, Mister Bob, an optometrist from Sydney who is dealing with his own escalating health issues while he develops and expands his business. Will he help Rose escape?

'And what are his motives?'  (Publication summary)

'This story is to help children explore what happens when someone dies.

'It's a conversation opener about the circle of life, soul energy and love.

'It's about two brothers' love and the loss of their beloved dog, Jessie.' (Publication summary) 

'This is Tommas's Story.

'At fifteen, Tommas needs to be included in decisions about his life after divorce. He sort of understands the issues but feels his life is disrupted.

'Remember, like all of us, he needs reassurance that he is loved.' (Publication summary)

'Words woven through poetry and prose by women writers.

'An eclectic collection of short stories, poetry and creative non-fiction in celebration of 2023.

'Many stories and poems reflect life and experiences in Western Australia'  (Publication summary)

'Midnight Owl is a collection of 30 poems and 11 illustrations by the author highlighting everyday happenings in a humorous and quirky style.

'Written in Pam Ayres style, Liz Gent relates in rhyme many of her life experiences.' (Publication summary) 

'We invite you to put up your feet, relax and dip at leisure into this gratifying collection of moods and moments, perceptive pieces from known Chapters writers and newcomers to the group.

'Within the covers of this anthology, the strong, well-articulated observations of tenacious 'True Grit' writers frame these literary voices. Indeed, we believe you will find an 'eloquent and elegant sufficiency' of insightful observations interpreted perceptively through personal and collective histories, observations and insights.

'Please join us in experiencing the delight words can deliver.

'Most of all, we wish you enjoyable reading.' (Publication summary) 

'Industrial engineer Bill Murrell's To Thyself Be True is the remarkably honest account of a man whose near-death experience as a baby on the kitchen table gave him an indefatigable zest and passion for life.

'From growing up in a sewers yard at Port Road, Thebarton in South Australia to the night clubs and strip joints of New York in the early 1950s, Bill's passions were art, cars and family. In a remarkably detailed account of life during the depression and pre-war years, we see how his drive and ambition was shaped by the opportunities that were presenting themselves in car manufacturing on a global scale.

'A direct descendant from a convict on the First Fleet, Bill goes on a personal journey to Norfolk Island, tracing his family history back to the Lords of Moresby in Cumberland and the Earl of Gospatric. He uncovers the stories of Calvert, the slave trader and Murrell, the sealer.

'Treasured moments are captured in his vast collection of photographs. His story personally documents the great social changes happening both in Australia and the US and is told in an open, authentic and direct way. It is a unique book by a faithful man who lived to the motto "to thyself be true".' (Publication summary)

'A poignant story of the impact of war on a defenceless French village during the Second World War. Four courageous villagers join the Maquis, the Resistance in Vichy occupied France, to protect their families. They are swept into a treacherous conflict where one false word or brave action can result in the torture and death of people they know and love. One old man and a young girl survive the savage destruction that wipes out the whole community.

'This novel uses the recorded history of the devastation of many rural villages in the Aveyron, Lot and Tarn departments of the Midi-Pyrénées. Oradour-sur-Glane in the Haute-Vienne Department is a famous memorial to the brutality of the Second World War.' (Publication summary)

'Twelve-year-old Connor has moved house yet again. His mum has signed him and his wee sister up to another new school, just so they can get fed. He is dreading the barrage of looks and stares he will get, being the newcomer again. And he's really not looking forward to the yelling and shouting from his new teacher as they tell him how dumb he is.

'Life has not been easy since escaping from their dad. Mum has crawled into an invisible shell and his sister ... well, who knows what goes on in that head of hers. He just has to deal with it all.

'Connor's predictions turn out not to be quite true and he slowly begins to discover that not all schools are the same ...' (Publication summary)

'A Story of Grandparent Carers

'What happens when a family falls apart, for whatever reason? Be it drugs, alcohol, mental illness or domestic violence, children are caught in the middle, and they suffer. But who will step in to save them?

'This dilemma faced Donna, a migrant mother, when she realised that her own infant grandchild had been born into a bad situation. Isabella was neglected, a child at risk, when Donna and Tom commenced the long battle through the Family Court to save her.

'Shedding a much-loved career to take on the role of Grandparent carer, Donna soon realised she was not alone. Thousands of grandparents were raising their grandchildren, most without any support, except from each other.

'This is a story of sacrifice, ingenuity, pain and hilarity as this widening band of women keep the wheels of 'family' turning ...

'They are the 'Grandcarers' ... and Donna was now one of them.' (Publication summary)

'Two young lovers. Heartbreaking decisions.

'Emmaline Cannon had plans - graduate teachers' college and take a posting in a small country town - but a chance encounter at a Vietnam War protest in Perth changes everything.

'When Micky Brannigan meets Emmaline, he realises he will break the promise he made to his mother not to fall in love and leave a girl waiting for him while he heads off to war. Instead, he makes a new promise. A promise to find his way back to Emmy.

'Pregnant and alone, Emmy is heartbroken when her letters to the man she loves are returned unopened. Meanwhile Micky's experiences in Vietnam are nothing like what he'd expected. Both are forced to make the most difficult decisions of their lives, but how much will they need to sacrifice before they find their way back to each other?' (Publication summary)

'It's school holiday break and thirteen-year-old Morgan is ready to enjoy it. Aunt Leah's birthday gift, however, suddenly brings Morgan's dreams to life. The purple door she has dreamt of appears on Morgan's bedroom wall and sets her off exploring through a gateway to different worlds.

'Each night, she is filled with amazement and wonder, until she steps through a door and immediately feels something is very wrong: it doesn't take her long to realise she has walked into a world full of danger.

'She escapes and never wants to return, but she must as this world's existence depends on it.' (Publication summary)

'When COVID 19 forced Australia into State lockdowns, seeing children and grandchildren became difficult so one Nana started writing letters to her grandchildren, aged 10 and 12. A grandmother's role is to nurture, teach and love, and this Nana does just that in the letters to her grandchildren, letters that all children can enjoy and learn from when missing their own grandparents.' (Publication summary)

'Footprints in the Sand, a collection of short stories, poems and stunning photography, that will engage and entertain for hours.

'Murder and mayhem, love and outback adventures, as well as some enigmatic puzzles and an insight into the writer's world, will keep the pages turning from cover to cover.' (Publication summary)

'Since she was a young girl, Aimee has had a passion for horses and dreams of becoming a Dressage champion. Under Sarah Brown's guidance, she works hard and struggles through the turmoil in her life to climb the ranks to the top.

'Riding the crest of success, Aimee's dream is almost in her reach. But life gets in the way again.

'Did she ever have the right to dare to dream?' (Publication summary)

'Healing a broken heart is something we all have to go through at some time in our lives.

'This book is a collection of heart murmurs and raw truths of the kind that are not shared enough.

'A collection of spilled thoughts.

'There is only one way to heal pain and that is to be with it, open-heartedly and honour it.' (Publication summary) 

'The captivating illustrations in this hilarious children's book introduce a cheeky blowfly who challenges Grandma's swatting skills and patience. First he lands on her freshly baked hot apple pie, and then ...?

'Grandma swishes and swats her trusty flyswat, puffing, panting and shouting "You won't escape me!" But does he?

'This action-packed poem entices children to read, recite and dramatise.' (Publication summary)