AustLit

'Beneath the facade not everything is as it seems...

'A moving and suspenseful story of family dynamics, obsession and the power of true friendship from Australia's master storyteller, Fiona McCallum.

'On the surface Natasha and Mitchell live an idyllic life in the Adelaide Hills with their two daughters and kelpie cross. While both have busy careers, they ensure time is spent with family and friends.

'Natasha, an aspiring interior designer, has started her own homewares shop and is excited to develop her business further. Mitchell, on the other hand, is becoming more withdrawn. Is he pressured by work, having a mid-life crisis or hiding something from his family?

'Jesse, a charismatic new locksmith in town, offers to help Natasha with client leads. She welcomes the assistance and distraction. But is Jesse all he makes out to be?

'Who ultimately is looking out for whom, and who is hiding from the truth?' (Publication summary)

'There's life in these old dogs yet ... and they're about to discover it. A heart-warming and humorous story about rediscovering the small pleasures that make life worthwhile, from Australia's master storyteller.

'Howard and Elsie Manning were born on the same day, met at kindergarten, and have been married for 59 years. They have lived sensible, productive lives, and raised two self-sufficient daughters. Now, at 78, they are bored with the predictability of life, fed up with contemporary society, have aching joints and dwindling finances, and - funeral by funeral - their circle of friends is shrinking. Worst of all, they are grieving for their beloved, recently deceased dog Maisie.

'Together Howard and Elsie consider bringing their lives to a peaceful end, but it turns out leaving this world is not easy, especially if they want to avoid pain or mess. Even the apparently simple methods have much room for error, as they discover.

'Then a knock at the door changes everything ...' (Publication summary)

'It's never too late to find your true self.

'While very pretty, the tiny town of Melrose isn't where Erica thought she'd be at almost fifty. And working in a funeral home and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, while navigating her grief as a recent widow, is not how she thought her life would look either. But she's committed to her lovely new boss, Walter, who gave her a chance when she so desperately needed it. 

'Erica's friends and daughters back in Adelaide cheer her on as she discovers a genuine love for her new job, forms friendships and immerses herself in the local community. But why is she being plagued with fresh bouts of anxiety and flashes of partial memories of her brother Mark who died when she was eleven? Why is there so much about him she doesn't know and can't remember? And why does it feel like it's more about her than him?

'But she has to put it all aside when, despite being happy and settled, Erica is suddenly called upon to step up and face her deepest fear. If she can, what will she discover about herself and her past? And what will it mean for her future?

'From Australia's master storyteller, a tender story about finding strength and fulfilment after major upheaval, and discovering you can only outrun your true calling for so long ...' (Publication summary)

'The old saying goes: 'A problem shared is a problem halved'. But what if your problem is secret?

'Erica, newly widowed, is devastated to discover her venture capitalist husband left their finances in ruins. Determined to save her home while protecting her teenage daughters, she vows to get back on her feet without letting them, or anyone else, know the truth. 

'When her girls head off on a long-planned overseas adventure, Erica focuses on her much-loved job behind a makeup counter to keep her emotionally and financially afloat - although she is troubled by a peculiar encounter at work. 

'Then she loses her job, the darkness beckons and Erica's life spirals downwards, further disturbed by strange occurrences in her house. Missing objects. Stopped clocks. Noises in the night. Should she doubt her very sanity? Can she swallow her pride and make herself reach out to her friends in time? Does she have a choice?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'You can't find where you truly belong until you discover who you really are...

'Alice Hamilton is enjoying her new life in Ballarat with the freedom to explore her future now she's stepped away from the constraints of her upbringing. She's learnt the hard way that knowledge is power, and is looking forward to her legal studies, then making a difference as a lawyer with heart.

'But while Alice's life is looking up, back in Hope Springs the world of her former husband Rick Peterson is unravelling. After a chance meeting a few months earlier, Rick and Alice have reconnected. And it's fortunate they have, because Rick is about to need Alice's friendship like he's never needed it before.

'Rick has always felt a bit lost - as a farmer, he could never admit he didn't feel the deep connection to the land that the only son and third generation farmer should. And now he's suddenly being forced to come to terms with just why his heart isn't in it and what's behind his fractured relationships. Has his whole life been a lie - and if so, where did that lie begin?' (Publication summary) 

'When knowledge gives you the power to change your life ...

'Alice Hamilton loved being a mature-age student, but now she's finished her university degree she needs to find herself a career. But the job market is tough and it doesn't help that her partner David keeps reminding her about their sizeable mortgage. When she's offered a role in a major real estate agency, she jumps at the opportunity. David is excited by her prospects in the thriving Melbourne housing market, and Alice is pleased that she'll be utilising her exceptional people skills.

'But Alice quickly realises all is not as it seems. What is she doing wrong to be so out of sync with her energetic boss, Carmel Gold, agent extraordinaire? Alice is determined to make it work, but how much will it affect her values?

'As everything starts to fall apart, a sudden visit home to the country town Alice escaped years ago provides an unexpected opportunity to get some perspective. Surrounded by people who aren't what they seem, or have their own agendas, can Alice learn to ask for what she really wants ... on her own terms?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Does one simple act of kindness have the power to completely turn someone's life around?

'It's been a year since Hannah Ainsley lost her husband and parents – her whole family – in a car crash on Christmas morning. Despite her overwhelming loss, she's worked hard to pull the pieces of her life together with the help of a group of dear, loyal friends. But while Hannah is beginning to become excited about the future again, she's concerned that her best friend and talented artist Sam is facing a crisis of her own. It's now Hannah's turn to be Sam's rock – can she save Sam's dreams from unravelling?

'When Hannah returns to work after her holidays, she can't settle. She's loved her job for a decade, and it's been her lifeline during her grief. But something's changed. She's changed. And for all this time she's avoided knowing the details of the accident or investigation – what would be the point, she'd thought, when nothing will bring her loved ones back? But after a chance meeting, it's all there in front of her – and, like ripples in a pond, it extends beyond her own experiences. Could knowing be the key to her recovery? Could her involvement be the key to someone else's?

'From Australia's master storyteller comes an uplifting story of new and old friendships, letting go of the past and looking to the future...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A tender story of one woman's journey through grief, and learning to live life again. Hannah Ainsley has the perfect life – an adoring husband, a close relationship with her parents, a wonderful job, and amazing friends. Best of all, it's Christmas – her favourite day of the whole year! It's a time to share with her family and friends, and enjoy the festivities. But this year will be like no other. Tragedy strikes and Hannah's world is shattered. If she's going to cope, she's going to need all the support she can gather and draw on every bit of her strength. Life will never be the same again but it's soon clear she has no alternative but to pull together a future from the remaining fragments. As Hannah heads towards the next festive season she will have to make a decision – should she stay with the people who have supported her or should she leave? Could the answer lie in a delayed gift?' (publication Summary)

'The sequel to the much-loved Wattle Creek.

'Former city girl Jacqueline Havelock, Wattle Creek’s newly arrived psychologist, has settled in to country life and is slowly coming to terms with the town’s quirky ways. Farmer Damien McAllister’s plans with his animal welfare venture are falling into place nicely and it finally feels like he has a future to look forward to.

'But everything can change as quickly as the fickle weather – and it does. A fire challenges the community and soon Damien and Jacqueline find themselves in a situation neither had anticipated. But is their growing relationship also under threat?

'Although the town comes out in support of their newest resident, is the Wattle Creek community strong enough to stand together and win this David and Goliath battle? And could happily-ever-after still be possible for Damien and Jacqueline?' (Publication summary)

'Jessica Harrington is a promising horse rider who dreams of representing her country. But the recent death of her father her coach and mentor has left her doubting her ability to continue in the sport. When she fails at the Adelaide International Horse Trials her fears are confirmed and her world begins to fall apart. Unable to bear seeing her well bred, highly trained horses languishing in the paddock, she makes the snap decision to sell. She's broken her own heart, but can't see any other way – now she will just have to focus on a life without them. Her husband Steve and best friend Tiffany, however, can see through her bravado. Jessica is dismayed when Steve brings home a horse from a clearing sale, a horse so skinny and forlorn he just couldn't leave it behind. Unwilling to be drawn back into the world of horses, she/​s reluctant to get involved. But when a summer thunderstorm brings on a life or death emergency, she finds she underestimated the heart of one little horse. Can Jessica put her trust in Faith? ' (Source: Publisher's website)

'Some secrets need to be told...Current affairs reporter Nicola Harvey has everything - she's part of Australian television's A-list, has a wealthy, successful fiance and a classy apartment in Adelaide. But appearances are deceiving and Nicola's sensing a problem. So when her boss sends her on an extended research trip, she's happy to get away for some country-style relaxation. When Nicola arrives in the little town of Nowhere Else, nothing is as she expected: there's no spa and all the locals are tight-lipped except the handsome stranger from the plane, who's keen to entertain her! The deeper Nicola digs for a story, the more time she spends with rugged Alex, and she realises coming here wasn't a mistake. In fact, Alex may just unlock the mystery of her past. And hold the key to her future happiness...' (Publication summary)

'The inspiring conclusion to Emily’s journey, from the bestselling author of Saving Grace, and Time Will Tell

'Emily Oliphant’s life finally seems to be settling down. Her new boyfriend Jake has joined her on the farm, they are looking forward to starting their life together, and her financial security seems safe and sound.

'They both love the peace and tranquillity of the setting of Emily’s beloved old cottage which had been reduced to rubble by her deceased husband. Jake suggests they rebuild it — it will be a big job, but a good project for them: a potential business for Emily, and a good advertisement for his building company.

'Their plans and the building progress well. But where Emily is involved, life doesn’t tend to run smoothly for long. This time it is her two best friends who face a personal crisis and Emily finally gets the chance to repay them for the kindness and support they gave her when she needed it. But now she has a new dilemma. How will she and Jake announce their news to Barbara and David? And what will happen to their friendship when they do?' (Publication summary)

'Emily Oliphant has made some drastic changes in her life. She's ditched her abusive husband and embarked on her own adventure, renovating a dilapidated property and starting up her own business. Against all odds, she's found a sense of place and purpose, but is still too scarred by her past to form any romantic attachments, regardless of who's vying for her attention.

'Now she's received an offer from the elderly owners of her beloved rented home to buy the property, land and all. Hopeful and tentative, Emily feels she is taking a step in the right direction, although is unsure how she will raise the money. Except Emily holds a button jar - a gift from her recently deceased Granny Mayfair - which, unbeknownst to her, could contain the solution to all her problems...

'But just when Emily thought things were beginning to go her way, everything takes a turn. Soon, she's involved in a romance she thought she had no time for and dealing with the shock of two unexpected deaths, forcing her to make some difficult decisions. With her finances, her property, her friendships and her budding relationship now hanging in limbo, Emily is once again drawing on her inner strength to overcome a new set of challenges. ' (Publication abstract)