Cirrus@Austlit

'When Cord McCullum, a young Australian surveyor working in Malaysia, meets Lucille Cao, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy tea merchant, their brief love affair ends in heartbreak when she is sent to America to attend to family business. Disillusioned, Cord returns to Australia and a remote outback cattle station where he becomes deeply touched by the First Nations' people, their stories and their culture, whilst trying, and failing, to stop himself falling for Kathy, the feisty Jillaroo daughter of the station's owner.

'Seeing a chance of a new beginning, and beguiled by the landscape, and Kathy's beauty, Cord resolves to continue on at the station. Yet, just as life seems to be turning for the better, Rodney Cao, the instigator of Lucille having to go away, makes contact. He asks Cord if he would stand as ward for Rodney's daughter, Mia to enable her to come to Australia and buy property.

'Cord reluctantly agrees and in doing so is drawn into a web of deceit that threatens to transform the scenery of all that has gone before.'  (Publication summary)

'“I have always thought a lot about writing. I have often felt compelled to do it. Sometimes, it has been quite arresting and I have had to put thoughts down in notebooks, write in journals and create short stories without delay…It has just been the Pink Bubble at work over and over…that goddamn Pink Bubble.”

'Anton’s life was unexceptional, in many ways, until one afternoon as a seventeen year old, his world was turned upside down. In a split second, life as he knew it was over, setting forth a cascade of questioning, confusion, and a thought-provoking journey from self-loathing to acceptance, understanding and finding peace amongst the chaos of life.

'Part philosophical musing, part travel journal, part piecing together the broken to create something new, meaningful and whole - The Pink Bubble is a deep dive into one man’s mind as he untangles his trauma and guilt, and learns some incredible lessons along the way.'  (Publication summary)

'The Life of Australia's Pioneer Aviator and Wartime Commander Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennett CB CBE DSO FRAeS

'Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennett CB CBE DSO FRAeS is best known as the Australian commander of the Royal Air Force's elite Path Finder Force in the Second World War. His drive, determination and passion for excellence saw him play a principal role in prosecuting the bombing campaign against Nazi Germany.

'Yet, the full story of his life has never been comprehensively explored. Few can recount his exploits as a pioneering aviator, or know why he was regarded as the most technically brilliant airman of his generation. Fewer still know the man's background, interests, passions and obsessions, or what drove him to his many aviation achievements.

'Relentless Skies, Volume 1: The Most Efficient Airman, explores Bennett's life up to 1942. New light is shed on his early years, pilot training, participation in the Centenary Air Race, setting world records in the seaplane Mercury, the 1940 rescue of the Polish General Staff from France and how he survived being shot down whilst attacking the Tirpitz.

'Binding together this series of extraordinary events and achievements is, crucially, an exploration of Bennett's character and how it influenced his choices, relationships and approach to leadership. Unparalleled access to the Bennett archive has enabled biographer Ian Campbell to reveal the many facets of one of Australia's greatest, and often misunderstood, wartime leaders.'  (Publication summary)

'How desperately can you want something?

'Grant discovers a Speed Devil Aurora advertised for sale on a village noticeboard - an unbelievable skateboard bargain. He must have it, but he doesn’t have the money. What can he do? Come up with some money-making schemes, obviously!

'But will his schemes work to raise the money before someone else snaps up the skateboard? And will the Limskey brothers thwart Grant’s aspirations?

'How far will Grant go to fulfil his dreams?' (Publication summary)

'Enter the realm of Scardia, where magic, love and betrayal are all too real.

• A kingdom cast into darkness.
• A hidden princess, running for her life.
• A boy with dreams of becoming a knight.
• A devoted guard with secret intentions.

'Aged seven, Princess Nina Fiordlasher made a wish. Within twenty-four hours her world was changed irrevocably, her parents murdered, her kingdom stolen and her status changed from royal to fugitive. Now, as Nina approaches her eighteenth birthday, she has the right to reclaim her throne. However, her parents’ killer, the Usurper, still hunts for her and so she plans to reunite with her mother’s long-lost family. Accompanied by a devoted companion, Keely, and a young boy Erik, Nina has to overcome her fears and navigate the many hazards in her path. For merely being the Heir to the Ice Flame does not guarantee she can claim her rightful destiny.' (Publication summary)

'Whilst the COVID virus spreads across Australia, Ian O Ustinoff and Allistaire Armstrong of Lord Winston’s Grammar School in Brisbane are concerned for their students.

'In Woodbridge Waters, Patrick Lloyd is getting into financial difficulties.

'Elderly residents, Caroline Meekin and Lewis Carter living in the Caravan Park are concerned as rents, food and petrol prices skyrocket. And amidst it all, the Government seems to lurch from one reaction to another.

'Through it all, ninety-year-old Ursula Plummer prays for all the people she meets on her daily walk, offering sympathy, a calming spirit and providing, she hopes, a defence against the snakes in the grass.' (Publication summary)

'Australian schoolgirl, Win Marshall, has a rare musical talent. Studying in England under one of the world's leading pianists, known simply as, Solomon, her days are filled by her teacher's exhausting and bizarre teaching methods. Win's excitement grows as her concert debut nears, but it is 1939 and the clouds of war darken London's skies. Despite the danger, Win continues her studies and in the bustle of a city at war she meets a dashing young Frenchman, part of the French Resistance. Win is far too busy with her music to take much notice of him, yet when the young man unexpectedly returns from Paris with a bottle of Win's favourite perfume, Jicky, her heart begins to unlock.

'Based on a true story, A Remarkable Stillness, scales the heights of love and music as two brave young people refuse to be overcome by the terrors of war and dare to hope for a better life together when the world is at peace again.' (Publication summary)

'Major Clement Wisdom of the Secret Intelligence Bureau is in Sydney, Australia to learn Morse Code and its Japanese equivalent, Kana Morse. But when a fellow student from the college is found dead and another missing, Clement begins to suspect espionage. While assisting the local police, Clement uncovers a network of enemy spies, fuelled by long held resentments and treacherous greed. In May 1942, three Japanese submarines entered Sydney Harbour. Their intention was to destroy the USS Chicago and as many other Allied ships in port as possible. Or was there another reason…The fifth in the award winning Clement Wisdom Series.' (Publication summary)

'When Harmony's mummy dies, the pain is worse than any Ouchy she has ever had and it won't go away. Then she stumbles on something special of mummy's and its comfort helps her navigate the difficult journey through grief. This heart-warming story helps children understand the grieving process in an open and gentle way.' (Publication summary)

'The Circle was over. 

'Ellie, Josh, and Sam's world is growing, expanding with people who suffer the same bane as themselves. 

'The cloistered Ellie must emerge from the shadows. The young Josh must learn to live with the beast that walks beside him. And Sam plays a duplicitous game to learn about the demonic phenomena that have destroyed all their lives. 

'The enigmatic Mika, with his Pantheon of Conduits each with their own curse, is searching for a legend of evil - the ancient blight and the one who restrains it. 

'But something has changed... Another evil is emerging and the Leviathans are moving closer into our world. A vile, unthinkable truce might be needed between Conduit and monster as both become the hunted. 

'Ascent, the 2^nd book in the LIT trilogy.' (Publication summary)

'A collection of 9 uniquely Australian Fables for children (of all ages). Featuring stunning illustrations and poignant tales' (Publication summary)

'What does it mean to truly hold your reflection in your heart and know who you are?

'The journey you are about to read is all about me and all about you. I am still learning through glimpses of recognition what it means to truly understand me and ultimately all of us. 

'The purpose of these guided writings is to access your true heart, to love completely, utterly and without reservation. On a night in December 2017 - the 23rd, I had the most beautiful glimpse of ultimate love from God. We are bestowed this gift in order to know what our mind, body and soul are here to remember; that love has always been all of us. And what God (our Creator) and our teams are here to guide us to ...' (Publication summary)

(Publication summary)

'It's Christmas Eve and everyone is buzzing, everyone except Bertie, who's too nervous to join in the fun.

'But when Santa shows up with a surprising request, Bertie will have to discover his courage - or risk keeping Santa from his delivery route.' (Publication summary)

'Janey wants EVERYTHING her way and she won't take no for an answer.

'Her friends do their best to fit in with her demands until they decide that enough is ENOUGH!

'Is Janey a stubborn bully?

'Or is it that she just needs time to understand the true meaning of FRIENDSHIP?' (Publication summary)

'In November 1956, a young couple packed their few possessions into a small brown suitcase and set off on foot for the Hungarian border. Half frozen, shot at by Russian soldiers, they eventually reached Austria and freedom. Like so many of their countrymen, they ended up in Australia.  

'This is their story.  

'A tale of an immigrant family in Australia interwoven with the history of Hungary and some favourite recipes for the food that united the two. Food that defined a woman's love for her friends, her family and her Hungarian culture. The food she would gift to strangers and the gift of cooking that she would pass on to her daughter and grand-daughters. For her, Food was Love yet it was more than that.  

'Asked why she and her husband had fled the Russian tanks as they rolled into Budapest, her answer was forthright and uncomplicated, "For food, and freedom."' (Publication summary)

'Bertie lives on a wonky old shelf squashed between toys.

'He longs to bounce in the sunshine, but no one wants to play with him. 

'Until Rosie sees his beauty, inside and out, and gives him the chance that he's been waiting for.

'A beautifully illustrated children's book to show how we all have our worth, whatever we may look like.' (Publication summary)