AustLit

'Brushstrokes of the Mind brings together a collection of poems that spread the colour of nature and the psyche with light and shade; colour and monotone; form and abstract - like an artist's brush. In Barbara Gurney's fourth poetry collection, where hope follows melancholy, 'Roses of the Heart', 'Mellow Glow' and 'In the Moment' remind us that our lives are painted with many hues, and blue can turn to gold.' (Publication summary)

'Ah, Prague - The City of a Hundred Spires. The home of the medieval Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge and colourful baroque buildings ... and, fascinating doors. So, who goes to Prague to hide away?

'Gillian travels to the Czech Republic intent on surviving her grief in her own way. She ignores the beauty and history of Prague, wallowing in sadness. On her daily wanderings, she photographs dozens of doors: elaborate doors, ugly doors, old doors, broken doors ...

'People come from behind some of these doors and, over time, befriend her.

'The adage of - One door closing, another opening - becomes significant to Gillian as her new friends ease her into finding a way forward.

'The sadness is balanced with love in many forms, a little humour and a touch of romance.

'Most of all, Doors of Prague is about hope and healing.' (Publication summary)

'Amid the reflective nature of many poems in Seeking Self, there is an expectant joy and delight of an ordinary day. In Barbara Gurney’s third poetry collection, the search for oneself is dominant: seeking memories in ‘When Leaves Fall’, hope in ‘And the Pipers Played…’ and the strength within ourselves in ‘Declaration of Soul’.' (Publication summary)

'Sometimes a perfect life is not enough.

'Belinda has what many women would envy: a stable relationship, grown up children who no longer need her the way they did, financial security and a stunning home. What more can she ask of life? She should be satisfied. But as one routine day follows another, Belinda knows she wants to do more than dust shelves and rearrange flowers. A solo getaway while her husband is on one of his regular business trips should be just the thing to sort out what she does want.

'Instead, it offers an unexpected opportunity to help out by looking after a shop in a small country town for a week. Belinda’s stay at Trinkets & Treasures turns out to be more than a diversion. She returns home with renewed confidence and the realisation that change is a choice.

'Whatever direction she chooses to take, is up to her...'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'Someone is tying yellow ribbons on to the front door of Serendipity Bridal Boutique. But who? And why?

'Nell is caught between now and the days when she waited for her fiancé Stan to return from war. Her daughter Fiona watches helplessly as Nell confuses past and present, convinced she is preparing for the wedding that took place years earlier.

'When it transpires that Nell has been tying ribbons of love onto the door of the bridal boutique, the boutique’s owner invites Nell to visit the salon and search for the perfect dress, against Fiona’s better judgement.

'This heartfelt story asks whether love can keep someone grounded when their grip on life is slipping away.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Barbara Gurney’s award-winning stories sit on an easel of storytelling, within a collection of multicoloured work. From ‘Purple’, a powerful story of the lasting effects of meningococcal, through shades of pink, white, silver and the bleakest of black, to ‘By Darkened Shore’, where the struggle for independence is won.'

source: Publisher's blurb.

'Life’s Shadows continues the melancholy journey begun in Footprints of a Stranger. Barbara Gurney’s poetry expresses others’ hurt with a caring voice and a message of hope. Grieve with ‘The Ticket Home’, overcome fear with ‘Conquering’ and finally, ‘Sing Loudly’.' (Publication summary)

'Road to Hanging Rock takes the enigma of Picnic at Hanging Rock and contemplates possibilities. Marion and Miranda live in a world untouched by time in its proper sense and battle with survival. While researching his family connection to the monolithic rock, Michael, in 2013, has an extraordinary experience which leaves him questioning his future. Rebecca has no particular interest in the ancient formations until her car is battered by an isolated storm near the turnoff to Hanging Rock. As they attempt to unravel the synchronicity of their episodes, they are drawn to each other. Road to Hanging Rock is a heart-warming story highlighting strength of character, determination and friendship. It has a mix of fantasy, romance an intrigue.' (Publication abstract)