Cirrus@Austlit

'Why would a woman in her late forties leave her family and friends in the beautiful Adelaide hills and go to live and work in the volatile Middle East? Why, after five years on Cyprus from where she travelled to the far corners of the earth, did Raylene Pearce move to Egypt? In Cairo, why did the landlord of the apartment house she found, lower the rent to allow her to stay there? And when the building emptied why did he say he wanted her to find more tenants and then abruptly change his mind? What really happened on the road back from Alexandria? Why did he tell his lone tenant to leave the morning after 9/11? It's all there in Night Journeys.....and more.' (Publication summary)

'Handsome Englishman Marcus Southey is running from the law after an illicit affair goes wrong. As he flees across the Scottish border, his path crosses that of fiery red headed Roberta Kyle, herself desperate to escape from the clutches of the loathsome Hamish McGheill. A partnership is born out of desperation, their mutual destination Glasgow. Along the way they meet up with a prize fighting troupe. Roberta encourages Marcus - against his better judgement - to partake in a bout. He wins and this sets him on the road to boxing success. Taking them from the slums of Glasgow to the halls of the aristocracy. Theirs is a strange relationship, at times tempestuous and at others contemptuous, layered over with an abiding care for each other.' (Publication summary)

A collection of short stories, some humorous, some romantic.

'In the reign of Edward III, most men are fighting the French war, but the people of Bristol are fighting an evil worse than the French―the scourge of Satan! On All Hallow’s Eve, when there was much merrymaking for everyone, a buxom lass goes missing only to be found at the remains of a Satanist ritual place. There begins the journey of Sherriff Bateman and his men to bring the evil leader, Dominus, and his bloodthirsty men to justice. But they could never have imagined the very church that condemns these spawns of Satan could be at the heart of this nest of unholy vipers! The Sherriff and his men are ready to give up, but God has other plans that no one can have anticipated!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A chemical factory is dumping waste overseas and is targeted by an environmental organisation which takes action including picketing. The newly appointed GM has not only that problem but difficulty at home. The interaction with an ambitious GM from the environmental organisation, the factory's bank manager who also has personal problems, the pompous owner of the factory, a pair of criminals, and a property developer weaves a quick paced and tale of humour and pain.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Sometimes we survive unscathed. Other times we are left scarred. Following an unforeseen attack, the White Elm council is depleted but even more determined to find and prosecute their former member, Lisandro, and his followers. Suggestions of a spy within the council ranks, however, cast doubt and suspicion every which way, and trust is suddenly a commodity no one wants to afford. Events that can only be considered fateful have thrown Aristea and her new ally Renatus into the middle of this political turmoil, bringing into question their loyalties, her faith in him and in her own impulsive choices. Despite a shared past it is quickly apparent that some scars run deeper than others and Aristea is running out of time to decide where to place her trust. Perhaps being chosen was just the beginning…Chosen is an urban fantasy novel and is book two in The Elm Stone Saga.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Starting in the 1970s, an adventure which follows the trials and tribulations of a young guy trying to make an improvement in his nation's agricultural and industrial initiatives. He finds that good things can happen from bad, and bad things can happen from good. The story contains an underlying indigenous theme.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'There are two Demon groups, the Guard and the Renegade. The Renegade use humans for sport and food, they hunt down all Witches and Warlocks for their prized blood and the temporary transference of magic. There is one particular style of magic that is permanently transferred through the blood. This is prized above all others, they hunt the Howard family. The Guard protect all humans. They recruit Witches and Warlocks into their organisation, to help clean up the mess left behind by their nemesis. It also helps to keep the main targets close to assist in stopping the slaughter. They search for the prized users of the preferred magic and protect them. They want to protect the Howard family. Today, Elspeth Howard is known as a powerful Witch, the matriarch of her family. She has ruthlessly killed many demons, from both organisations to protect her and hers, and she won’t apologise for that. What has made her this way? As a child she was kept hidden from the world for her own protection. But, you can’t be hidden forever; life has a way of revealing your secrets. At the tender age of 17, Elspeth is painfully introduced to a world of deceit, love, sorrow and happiness. For a young woman who has never spoken to anyone but her parents, how will she cope? Let’s go back to the beginning and see…..'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A 100 year old notebook, reveals information about William Jennings, who in his lifetime during 18th C, was considered ‘the Richest Commoner ‘in England. When he died, without signing his will, claimants came from far and wide,, to seek his millions. So began The Great Jennings Case, the longest Judicial Court Case, lasting 117 years.' (Publication summary)

'The Popperbottom Cure will fill children with delight and suspense. Escaping the world of the ordinary and the evil eye of his teacher Miss Cruely, Matthew Hannigan is thrown into a daring quest to find a cure for becoming a Popperbottom. A Popperbottom cannot EVER leave the couch and eats nothing but potato chips! Two friends are hurled into another world where a giant cat rules the forest of secrets and seeks to stop their escape. Light, friendship and magic propel their survival against the odds and two ordinary kids become brave heroes and masters of their own lives.' (Publication summary)

'Chance is the unknown and unpredictable and it was chance that propelled Jonathan Beckett Wind into the intrigue of two kidnapped females.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Sometimes dreams are destined to come to life Smart, quirky and ever-cynical Lailah Rhomes is about to have her already chaotic world turned upside down, beginning with a dream. Not all dreams are pleasant though, and lately Lailah seems to be in an eternal darkness. A nightmare designed perfectly to haunt and terrify her, masterminded by a dark-haired, evil, but beautiful creature. Enter Aeries, strong, handsome and a newly pledged Lightwalker, determined to save Lailah from the torment of his fellow Dreamwalker, Acantha the darkest of Darkwalkers within the Dream Realm. What no one expected was the instant and intense connection between Lailah and Aeries and the subsequent chaos that their love brings to both their worlds. Dream Sphere: Book One, begins the story of the trials, struggles and challenges faced by two young lovers from two very different worlds Real State and Dream State whose only wish is to live and become as one. But will the Darkwalkers allow Aeries and Lailah s dream to come true?' (Publication summary)

'Big Red is the story of the Australian Bush and a small family of kangaroos. The story follows the challenges the three kangaroos (Big Red, Stumpy and Patch) face in their daily lives. The story is told through the eyes of the main characters and follows the adventures they encounter in their attempts to lead a normal life and survive the natural and man-made threats to their existence.' (Publication summary)

'Light wielder is a fantasy novel about the balance of right and wrong when influenced by those in power. Set in a time when spirits of the earth still moved freely amongst the human race, and the law was upheld by those known as light wielders.' (Publication summary)

'In 1964 Michael Lamond was ten years old and surfing was the last thing on his mind. He lived a dull and stifling existence on a sugar cane farm in remote North Queensland and until his parents bought a holiday house on the coast he had no idea at all what life had to offer. During the family's first summer holiday a sequence of events was triggered that would forever change and influence Michael's life. Through new found friendships he soon discovered a natural affinity with the ocean that allowed him to do things on a surfboard that no-one else had ever imagined possible.' (Publication summary)

'The River of Dreams, is the epic saga of the dislocation of tens of thousands of people, to lands far away from all they have previously known; a result of the Industrial Revolution in the early 1800's. The story begins in 1832 and follows the fortunes of several families. Barnaby Essington, the second son of the Earl of Waldringham and his family, are encouraged to emigrate to the Swan River Colony. They will be financially assisted in their relocation, by his father, the Earl. Barnaby's brother Edmund, has an abiding hatred of his younger brother, involving Barnaby's wife Alice and is glad to see then go. It is different for the impoverished Marsh family, who lost their livelihood at the flax mill. Now homeless and destitute, they are thrown a lifeline, by becoming indentured servants to the Essington's. Sarah Royston, the spoiled, wilful daughter of the newly appointed Advocate General, Sir Gilbert Royston, will shock the colony with her scandalous activities. And what of the sad, beautiful aristocratic Isla, desperately in love with an indentured servant. From the outset the voyage is far from routine, when an unknown body is discovered in the hold, together with two young stowaways fleeing the crime ridden slums of London's docklands. If the emigrants thought the hardships on the voyage were harsh, life in the new colony will throw up even more challenges, including desperate encounters with the Aboriginals. Can such a disparate group survive the challenges and prosper?' (Publication summary)

'The second book in the Brumby Girl Series continues to follow the Ferraro family in Beverford near Swan Hill. The family take in a second wild brumby Kosci and an even wilder teenage girl, Stephanie – Jess’ worst enemy. The mother Annie gentles and trains Kosci as her 11 year old daughter Jessica develops her horse knowledge and skills with Half-Pint and Stephanie examines her relationships with her pony Danny Boy, her family and the Ferraros. From wild brumby to first rides, this book follows the training (starting under saddle) process while also following the early development of a young rider alongside issues of relationships and growing up.' (Publication summary)