Australia We Didn’t See

A reception is being held at the prime minister’s official residence, The Lodge, to celebrate democratic multiculturalism in Australia, when a young guests suddenly attacks the prime minister.

Walking through the parkland to a jeweller to buy his wife a birthday present, the prime minister meets several seniors enjoying the sunshine. He also meets a man from Iraq who has no job but has been offered one by a terrorist group.

The prime minister also meets a young man who has a brother living in Bradford, England, connected to a formidable terrorist group responsible for terrorist acts all over Europe.

Trying to get his motorcade through a large crowd of protesters, the prime minister walks out to plead for access to his next appointment. A lunatic shoots for fun and hits him in the shoulder.

The story involves ASIO, terrorist recruitment, spy agencies and international connections.

Will the terrorists prevail? Will the prime minister survive?

Will China cause trouble next to an American Naval Base and RAAF Base?

All this, and much more, is revealed in this gripping political thriller.

Another Time

Set in three continents, over an eighty-year span, this is a story of loss, guilt, shame, deception, love and the ultimate struggle for survival.

Unable to accept his lot in life, in the midst of the desolate and desperate backdrop of Siberia, Stefan Jablonski plunges into a destructive spiral of betrayal and deceit. The silver pocket watch, given to him during his immigrant days in America, and always worn close to his heart, gives him comfort; but what secret link does it have with the past and why will it play such a prolific role in the life of his daughter, Magdallena, and that of future generations?

How will the past, present and future interlink and how will time set the fate of generations?

Alexandra

Alexandra is a story set in a near future that is all-too-possible. Humans are changing the environment and ecology of the planet without thought to the consequences for the planet or human civilisation. Many civilisations have collapsed in the face of environmental change, and our current technology dependent society is also vulnerable despite the hubris of science and technology. The novel follows two young women who learn to cope in a world that changes completely in their lifetimes.

Alan’s Lesswilling Chronicles: the monologues of an unhappy man

Alan is trying hard to make sense of his world since his wife left him for Chuck in Morewilling and the local Co-op closed down.

21^st century technology is eating into his wallet and his soul, and the price of a night out doesn’t leave change from a tenner anymore. But he is sure about three things:

No one in Lesswilling needs a bidet or a hot tub.

There’s no place for preserved lemons on British supermarket shelves.

His mother was right about hindsight – it is a “wonderful thing to meet your own arse coming back.”

Abbie Brown: On the Cusp

Abbie Brown kicks off her 34^th year with an unexpected splash of fame: her Santorini vacation snap, featuring her in a vibrant yellow bikini atop a donkey, is plastered on billboards across London. (For clarity, the bikini is on Abbie, not the donkey!) Riding this wave of newfound celebrity, she lands a spot on Sir Giles Bromley’s BBC gardening show. Life seems perfect, until the universe serves her a slice of humble pie.

Navigating the chaos of single life (weighing in at 73kgs, if you must know), Abbie finds herself in the midst of an office medical drama, dealing with her nightmare flatmate Janice, and questioning if Rebecca truly is the refined acquaintance she seems. As for romance? Between George’s overbearing mother, Oliver’s youth, a married butcher, a BBC exec with a cringe-worthy habit, and the not-so-perfect ‘Peter Perfect,’ Abbie’s love life is a rollercoaster. Yet, she remains hopeful that her knight in shining armor is out there in the vast English countryside.

In the midst of it all, she gains a furry companion: Woofer, a lovable terrier with a quirky ear. Plus, there’s a promising spark with a dashing farmer from the Yorkshire Dales. The two are smitten. (We’re talking about Abbie and the farmer, not the dog, of course!)

But with Abbie’s track record, what could possibly go awry? Dive into a tale of unexpected fame, comedic misadventures, and the quest for true love.

A Tale of Two Pixies

A story of, how at times, people shoot themselves in the foot, metaphorically speaking, only to wonder who inflicted the wound.

Then, wouldn’t you know it, along comes help from an unusual quarter...

But, of course, many things can happen in a quasi-world.

You never know who your neighbours are these days, but you always know when there’s something odd about them.

Funny that...

A Tale from a Promised Land

This novel tells the story of three generations of an Australian-Sri Lankan migrant family. After a bomb explodes near two leading schools in the city of Colombo, he persuades his wife that for the sake of their children they must leave and start a new life in Australia. After her mother passes away, her father — a retired school principal — agrees to join them in Australia.

The novel identifies the travails that beset new migrants from traditional conservative Asian backgrounds to a western oriented materialistic culture, which now accepts migrants from multi-cultural and multi-lingual backgrounds but expects the new arrivals to assimilate and integrate with the society of which they now form a part.

This novel provides deep insights into socio-cultural and psychological barriers encountered by a first generation of Sri Lankan migrants after their arrival in a new country. Through the combined interactions of a few protagonists, the novel depicts the struggles of socio-cultural adjustments, gains and pains of a South Asian migrant family who try to adjust their lives in a country with western socio-economic and cultural values.

A Natural Pause

Michael learns he is dreadfully unhappy but he is in the middle of his life. He has a wife, children, a job and responsibilities galore. People count on him! How can he just stop? How can he correct the situation? He is not prepared to be tied to this situation, so he decides to face his fear. His methodology is unusual to say the least. He must relive some of his past, navigate a new relationship and convince people he is not insane. Does Michael succeed? Does he achieve his goal?

A Maltese Crossing

After a full life’s hard work, retiring to the Maltese sunshine was supposed to be a relaxing sunset for Rosy’s grandparents, and a great holiday for her. But when a bleach-blonde barmaid from Bradford exploded on the scene, it all got a bit complicated. Rosy and Iain had to learn some tricky local law and intricacies of Maltese life quickly.

This family saga guides the reader across the years, and between the seasides of Lancashire and the Mediterranean, along with plenty of photos to help. A Maltese Crossing won’t make you a lawyer, but it will give you a great virtual adventure on this most enigmatic and fascinating island in the sun. Whether you read it at home, on the plane or on a Maltese beach, you will soak up the feeling, at no risk, unlike our accidental heroes.

Amaze your friends with your new favourite word: ‘usufruct!’ Guidebook, social history, a crime to solve or absolve, and a collection of all-too-realistic characters walking off the page to meet you – a captivating read.

A Festive Juxtaposition

It was Christmas Eve in the good old city of London. Everything was alive with the joyous sounds of festive exchanges; carols floated on the breeze and gently wafted across the cold waters of the river Thames. Multi-coloured lights appeared to festoon the streets in every quarter, and the fragrant heady smell of pine needles could be detected everywhere. There was nothing quite like it. It could be said that there was, in fact, magic in the air.

At that point the Devil arrived at Charing Cross station. He was dressed immaculately in an Astrakhan coat, leather gloves and patent leather shoes that were so brightly polished you could see your face in them. He sported a small black goatee beard and had features that could easily have been chiseled from stone. Smiling, he stepped out into the night. But what was his purpose for being there? Was it purely philanthropic? Or, did he have an ulterior motive up his sleeve? As the evening wore on, the good old city was about to find out.