Cirrus@Austlit

'Hidden transgressions a wrongful accusation and a blossoming love story in the heart of the Australian bush

'For Irishman Gerry Riordan the perfect, conclusion to a week’s toil is found in the comforting embrace of a pint at Cork’s Drawbridge Hotel. In the winter of 1828, his joy knows no bounds for he has just been certified as a stonemason, a testament to his hard work. Tomorrow he is to deliver ornate gold tabernacle doors to St Mary’s Cathedral, and he intends to propose to the enchanting Anne Donovan, the woman who has captured his heart. However, the very next night plunges Gerry into a nightmare. The gold is gone, Lawrence Toole his best friend and dear mate lies lifeless, and Gerry stands accused of both theft and murder. In this bleak hour, Anne the daughter of his employer, is the solitary believer in his innocence. Riordan narrowly escapes the hangman’s noose but is sentenced to transportation to New South Wales, a convict in chains with a fiery spirit. His fate is sealed as he toils on the most gruelling endeavour in the colony — the construction of the Great North Road. As he rediscovers his skill in working with stone, he encounters a captivating young woman and enigmatic overseer, and two fellow convicts who guide him towards a more hopeful future. Simultaneously, those responsible for his false accusations in Ireland have also been exiled to this unforgiving land. Can Gerry Riordan rebuild his shattered dreams in these harsh new surroundings?' (Publication summary)

'Step back in time to the heart of Sydney’s gold rush era with an unfiltered glimpse into the city’s bustling construction scene. Immerse yourself in the vivid historical backdrop transporting your senses to the hustle and noise of the burgeoning Sydney in 1855
Meet John Leary again, a man whose dreams of a construction dynasty are finally materialising. With his beloved wife Clarissa expecting their first child and a successful partnership with Sean Connaire, they left an indelible mark on the townscape. But with success comes envy, as an enigmatic rival seeks to thwart Leary’s progress by sabotaging a crucial project of his. To regain control of his company, John navigates a complex buyout leading to unexpected strains on his marriage due to a silent partner.
Amidst the chaos, an unexpected twist emerges as an ex-convict Gerry Gleeson reveals himself as John’s uncle and offers his assistance in identifying the saboteur. This tale is steeped in raw ambition, concealed secrets, and clandestine dealings leaving you wondering whether these elements will lead the young builder to ruin or triumph.

'The story is the second instalment in the Australian Sandstone Series, an immersive journey into 19th-century Sydney’s construction world. While it is part of the series each book stands alone offering a fresh perspective on this captivating historical period' (Publication summary)

'A tale of Unyielding Retribution: John Leary’s epic journey in 19th-century Sydney.
In the year 1850 amidst the lush green fields of Ireland, John Leary embarked on a life altering voyage, driven by boundless ambition. His destination: the shores of Australia, a land of new beginnings and untold opportunities. But beneath his dreams of prosperity, simmered a seething desire for revenge.

John’s heart burned with fury, fuelled by a violent injustice inflicted upon his beloved sister at the hands of her merciless landlord, William Baxterhouse. Fate, however had other plans Baxterhouse managed to slip away on a different vessel, harbouring even greater ambitions in the promising New South Wales.

Sydney, a city pulsating with the fervour of the gold rush and a relentless commitment to crafting the most splendid structures the colony had ever seen, became the stage for their fateful encounter. John’s determination to establish his construction empire gained new intensity, driven not only by his professional aspirations but also by his deep affection for the enchanting Clarissa McGuire, whose family viewed him with disdain. As John’s pursuit of success intertwined with Baxterhouse’s relentless ascent to wealth and influence, it appeared that his adversary was beyond reach but love and determination spurred John forward. Alongside him stood another young woman Beth O’Hare who cherished a profound love for him. John was faced with a heart wrenching decision that culminated in a climatic showdown with Baxterhouse.

Through grit, talent and seizing opportunities, John carved out his own construction empire, ceaselessly striving to be the biggest and the best. The construction industry itself serves as a metaphor for the city he chose – a place of contrasts, with both squalor and grandeur corruption the noble aspirations.

This gripping narrative marks the inauguration of the Australian Sandstone Series offering an awe-inspiring perspective on 19th-century Sydney. The Australian Sandstone Series unfolds as an enthralling historical fiction drama featuring a vibrant cast of characters. Each book stands alone as an independent tale yet together they weave a captivating family saga. Within these pages romance, vengeance, and a tragedy all converge to shape the destiny of the Leary family.' (Publication summary)

'Fulfilling the dream of many a book-lover, Annette Freeman bravely stepped outside her mid-life comfort zone and opened a bookshop café in the heart of Sydney. Tea In The Library became a beloved haven of readers and a cosy forum for writers. Plus a great place for coffee - and nineteen varieties of tea.

'But behind the scenes were anxieties large and small, frustrations, challenges, and - now and again - glorious moments of success. Welcome to retail!

'"How hard can it be to run a successful small business?" Annette asked herself. "People do it every day. It can't be rocket science." We find the answer to that question, and it is sobering news for those wannabe bookshop or café owners out there.

'The triumphs and disasters, the eccentric characters and the myriad challenges of retail are spiced with wry observation and a good sprinkling of literary references. In the end, everyone will have a view on what could have been done differently to save a small bookshop café that briefly lit up the Sydney literary scene.' (Publisher's blurb)

'1838 and the British Empire is expanding relentlessly. On a remote cattle station on the frontier of the young New South Wales colony a lonely convict hut keeper is forced to confront the power and greed, which drives that expansion. One of the convict stockmen on the station invites a group of Indigenous Australians to the station with the promise of protection from the bands of marauding troopers and stockmen who roam the countryside. The station's convicts and their overseer develop close relationships with the Indigenous Australians but the threat of violence is never far away. All must ultimately face some terrible choices, choices which reverberate across the colony and leave the young hut keeper struggling to find the courage to stand against powerful oppressors.'

Source: Sidharta website, http://sidharta.com
Sighted: 26/09/2007

'A Look Through My Window is more than a look, rather it is a roller-coaster ride of humour, love, tragedy and hope, interspersed with historical events that should not be forgotten, all whilst sharing the author's life from the early 1930s to the present day. The reader gains an insight into the aftermath of the Great Depression where hard times were a way of life endured up to and during the Second World War; however, these days were never without their funny side and reflect what true Aussie mateship means. Become caught up in the author's escapades of boyhood and youth during the 1940s and 50s and as the adventures continue throughout his working days. A lifelong love affair with aircraft is nourished by twenty years service in the RAAF and ten years with the now defunct Ansett Airlines. A diverse array of other occupations keep the wolves from the door and provide this story's other characters. The pace does not slow and all the emotions of a wonderful, happy marriage of forty-two years and the rearing of five children are captured in the pages of this memoir. You will laugh and you will cry, but most of all, you will enjoy A Look Through My Window.' (Publication summary)