AustLit

'In this selection of compelling short stories, Liz Newton takes the reader into the lives of others, where relationships and families are dissected and reimagined. A myriad of characters, across different landscapes, weave their journeys of loss, love and survival through everyday and oftentimes unusual circumstances.'  (Publication summary)

'The Firing Line is the compelling true story of a girl growing up with her family from the mid-1950s. The ensuing few decades become a time when everyday life for her mother, brother and sister, and herself, changed when their father became mentally ill with manic depressive psychosis (now known as bipolar disorder), and then became addicted to prescribed barbiturates washed down with alcohol. Anecdotes of happy and tragic times are dotted with spot fires, and actual fires. Striving for a ‘normal’ family the reader is taken on a journey through the vagaries of childhood, and turbulent teens into adulthood. An emotional roller-coaster of pathos, aggression and fear, is juxtaposed against humorous coping skills. Dreams, love and loss, collateral damage and resilience uncover the truth about nearly forgotten times ultimately pierced by indelible memories.' (Publication summary)

'In 1961, the temperature hit ninety degrees Fahrenheit before lunchtime. It was going to be a scorcher as surfers and campers flocked to Narrabeen, one of Sydney's northern beaches. Late afternoon a typical southerly buster whipped up a sandstorm.

'Amid the mayhem Peter Wishart, barely three at the time, vanished. The story explores every mother's worst nightmare - the disappearance of a child. As the Wishart family struggle to overcome their grief and loss, nearly two decades later new evidence starts to emerge. A plot centered on overcoming grief quickly turns to one of revenge.' (Publication summary)

'A selection of short stories set in different time periods, where a myriad of characters wander across a variety of landscapes.Along the way they face everyday and sometimes unusual circumstances.' (Publication summary)

'In 1979 Ruby O’Leary follows her dream, only to find herself on an island in the Pacific Ocean, about ten degrees south of the Equator. Sailing with her husband, their yacht Windward is tossed in a storm, leaving Jack strangled to death on his lifeline. Rescued, Ruby wakes in a haze, as she’s greeted by the islanders and other locals. She is disturbed by screeching sounds coming from the middle of the island at night. No-one seems willing to tell her what they are. The sight of Reverend Mitch Wilson, who looks like a caveman, shocks Ruby. She’s wary of his ability to carry out the funeral service for Jack, but she has no choice as Mitch is the only church minister on the island. Ruby soon learns that Mitch’s version of faith connects well with the islanders, who respect and protect him. As Ruby struggles with her grief over Jack, she eventually finds herself trapped and alone with Mitch, where his tormented soul, secrets and strange habits are revealed. Over time their personal journeys enable each to muddle through conflicts, crises, traumas and distress. Immersed in island life, Ruby’s inner longing lures her to stay, which entwines with Mitch’s yearning for something lost. ' (Publisher's blurb)