Cirrus@Austlit

'Retired couple, Meg and Clyde Pilley, invite Clyde’s recently widowed brother, Mick, on an ocean cruise. It would be relaxing… But things start to go wrong. First of all, Mick becomes involved with Josie. Meg recognises her as a con artist who, along with her “brother”, is planning to rip them off financially. But Mick thinks he’s in love again. Clyde comes across Jim Morrison who says he’s a journalist. His behaviour doesn’t jell, and Clyde wonders if he can be trusted. Something more horrendous happens… Meg meets two young women who are in deep trouble, and Meg and Clyde try to help them. The Pilleys think they have encountered the worst of their problems when psychic Meg senses their cabin has been broken into – not once, but twice. Why are they being watched? Are Meg and Clyde’s lives in danger? Can they depend on the ship security? More importantly – who is Jim Morrison?' (Publication summary)

'Death, drug dealers and deception… Retired couple, Meg and Clyde Pilley, enjoy a quiet life in a their suburban Sydney home. Or do they? After a friend asks for help with a philandering husband, card reader Meg solicits Clyde as an amateur private eye. While following the errant husband Clyde is devastated to discover some unpleasant truths about his brother, and he determines to rescue him. To make matters worse, police are watching drug dealers who move next door. Then Meg's psychic powers escalate, and she visualises a gory pool of blood. She knows someone will be killed, but can't work out who it is. Will it be someone she knows? And who is the murderer? Before Meg and Clyde can feel safe there are many questions to be answered. They decide they need to become involved, and Meg digs deeper into the spirit world for answers. Who is the kingpin drug lord? How is Clyde's brother involved? Who can they trust?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Old people are meant to die … That’s their destiny… Meg and Clyde Pilley join the local bowls club and volunteer with Meals on Wheels, but they meet turmoil they hadn’t bargained for. A bowls player drops dead, and the bitter almonds smell indicates cyanide poisoning. Then Meg is overwhelmed by cigar smoke when no one is around. She realises that a cold-blooded killer is murdering the elderly. The situation escalates and becomes very personal when one of Meg’s beloved friends is a victim. The only clue is cigar smoke. Is that enough for psychic Meg to track down the evil predator?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Misunderstood or charlatan? She’d been his father’s mistress, had manipulated, schemed, swindled. That was how Juan Antonio Gaudens saw Gail Alworthy – until he met her. Then scintillating attraction set sparks flying, pushing all his preconceived ideas aside. Gail was content – running her small business, caring for her orphaned niece. She didn’t need a man in her life – especially a despicably arrogant Neanderthal. But when he touched her... Would lust turn to love? Or would his image of her spoil their chance for future happiness?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'What can Eve Benson do when she falls deeply in love with her handsome, recently divorced boss, Chris Melville, who doesn't seem to notice her as a woman? She decides to resign, but when he asks her to accompany him on a business trip to China a journey with him proves to be irresistible. While overseas they make love and Eve falls pregnant. Should she tell Chris? She knows he has integrity, yet he’s expressed bitter feelings about his former wife who trapped him into marriage. She doesn't want to lose his respect. Resigning and moving away seems the best option. What will Eve decide? Will Chris find out he’s going to become a father? Will she consider marriage when he doesn't love her? Will her love be enough? Or will she realise the truth? Sometimes being in love isn't enough.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Andrea Walker has no reason to trust lawyers and even less reason to fall for one. Until charismatic Steve Covington-Smith challenges all her prejudices – and threatens to destroy her defences. She decides she will be satisfied with a purely physical relationship. This fits well with Steve who has let Andrea know he isn’t interested in commitment. But now she begins to hope for more ... '

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The Fifties was a time of family closeness; a time of community support: a simple time. Yet, lurking beneath this laid-back exterior lay the narrow morality and culture affecting many families. Will Polly Carpenter find the courage to take a stand against the restrictive values of a small 1956 coal-mining village? Will she be able to hold her family together when the mines close? Will Polly’s daughter, Kathryn, be able to follow her dream and achieve a profession – definitely not something girls in her hometown would do? Kathryn isn’t concerned; she accepts what life has to offer. Her innocent outlook on boys and religion provides some amusing glimpses of the times. But every day adults live with the threat of pit accidents. Polly puts up with this without complaint, until one by one, her sons move away to find work, and her existence becomes unbearable. In Merthyr Vale women know their place. Many miners are heavy drinkers and cruel, yet there is no escape for the wives and children. Chip Carpenter is never violent, but one afternoon his drinking takes him too far, exposing Kathryn to danger.' (Publisher's blurb)