Secrets of Carrick Book 2

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Tantony by Ananda Braxton-Smith

This Is What I Am For!

Fermion and Bolson were twins, but despite there sameness they were very different. Though they shared the same face and the same heart, it was Fermion who was older, always in a rush, never believing what she couldn't see and always working for others. Bolson on the other hand always took his time with things, he saw whole worlds were others saw only a drop of water; he believed the birds spoke to him and he worked only towards fulfilling their wishes.

But when Fermion found her brother, the life drained from his cold body, her life was suddenly changed, as was that of her whole family. Losing Bolson meant losing a piece of herself, but it was also a loss to everyone at home. Everyone in her family was changed by his absence and for Fermion nothing could make sense again until she could discover the reason why he had died and accept that he was never coming back.

Tantony is a journey through grief and loss, a journey across land and sea, a journey to find your own path in life and what you believe. As one girl struggles with her life, her loss and what she believes she learns to accept others for who they are and herself for who she needs to be. Written with a raw and edgy language that reflects the uniqueness of this country and the quirkiness of its people, this down to earth story is one that settles deep within you and refuses leave.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2013
Price (AU): $18.95
ISBN: 9781742031668
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Monsters
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Secrets of Carrick Book 1

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Merrow by Ananda Braxton-Smith

A Sea-Girl's Story!

She is a wild girl, full of stories and covered in scales, growing up without a mother or a father. Although her aunt raised her it is the stories surrounding the island of Carrick that she lives on, stories of Other Ones, changeling's, the honey-tongued and cave people. But the stories she craves most are the stories of her own family, her great-grandfathers merrow wife, her fathers search for a sea wife, her mother's watery end.

With her affinity for water the long hot summer has driven her to the seabed for respite and answers, however it is through a hidden cave of hands, a man washed ashore in a net and an encounter with an ancient one that brings about the answers she so desperately needs. But when the truth is revealed it is not the story she had been hoping for, but with the truth she is finally able to find peace in her own story.

Merrow brings a young girls dreams of hope, magic and merrow's to life only to have those dreams transformed with the truth into memories of a woman who loved and was loved, a woman who was her mother. Neen's summer is one filled with stifling heat, enchanted stories, hidden truths, uncovered pasts and a new found affinity for bees. A notable story that is as wondrous as it is fulfilling.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2013
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031361
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Merrow
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Preloved

Preloved by Shirley Marr

A Borrowed Love!

With a head full of superstitions, a degenerated wishing fountain, a pack of Jason Donovans and a cheap crappy locket, Anna, the ever-present sidekick to the beautiful and shinning Rebecca, is for the first time in her life going to be the star of her own story.

Despite her mother's warnings against ghosts, Anna manages to attract the ghost of a good looking boy. The only problem, besides his annoying eighties attitude, is that no one else can see him and girls who are seen to talk to themselves are soon labelled a little crazy.

After making a promise to reunite her ghost boy with his true love Rebecca, Anna discovers there is more to this love story then first appears. A prelife, a prelove, will bring understanding and new life to a girl trapped by the actions of the past and closure for a boy trapped in the future.

Preloved is a story of a ghost trapped in time in search of his lost love, a story of a girl who is all but invisible to the world, a story of love, heartache and forgiveness. Packed full of ghostly superstitions, eighties references, witty confrontations and unrequited love this charming story is an enjoyable read.

Shirley Marr Webpage

Shirley Marr @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 April 2012
Price (AU): $18.95
ISBN: 9781742031903
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Ghosts
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Secrets of Carrick Book 2

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Tantony by Ananda Braxton-Smith

This Is What I Am For!

Fermion and Bolson were twins, but despite there sameness they were very different. Though they shared the same face and the same heart, it was Fermion who was older, always in a rush, never believing what she couldn't see and always working for others. Bolson on the other hand always took his time with things, he saw whole worlds were others saw only a drop of water; he believed the birds spoke to him and he worked only towards fulfilling their wishes.

But when Fermion found her brother, the life drained from his cold body, her life was suddenly changed as was that of her whole family. Losing Bolson meant losing a piece of herself, but it was also a loss to everyone at home. Everyone in her family was changed by his absence and for Fermion nothing could make sense again until she could discover the reason why he had died and accept that he was never coming back.

Tantony is a journey through grief and loss, a journey across land and sea, a journey to find your own path in life and what you believe. As one girl struggles with her life, her loss and what she believes she learns to accept others for who they are and herself for who she needs to be. Written with a raw and edgy language that reflects the uniqueness of this country and the quirkiness of its people, this down to earth story is one that settles deep within you and refuses leave.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2011
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031668
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Monsters
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Secrets of Carrick Book 1

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Merrow by Ananda Braxton-Smith

A Sea-Girl's Story!

She is a wild girl, full of stories and covered in scales, growing up without a mother or a father. Although her aunt raised her it is the stories surrounding the island of Carrick that she lives on, stories of Other Ones, changeling's, the honey-tongued and cave people. But the stories she craves most are the stories of her own family, her great-grandfathers merrow wife, her fathers search for a sea wife, her mother's watery end.

With her affinity for water the long hot summer has driven her to the seabed for respite and answers, however it is through a hidden cave of hands, a man washed ashore in a net and an encounter with an ancient one that brings about the answers she so desperately needs. But when the truth is revealed it is not the story she had been hoping for, but with the truth she is finally able to find peace in her own story.

Merrow brings a young girls dreams of hope, magic and merrow's to life only to have those dreams transformed with the truth into memories of a woman who loved and was loved, a woman who was her mother. Neen's summer is one filled with stifling heat, enchanted stories, hidden truths, uncovered pasts and a new found affinity for bees. A notable story that is as wondrous as it is fulfilling.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Black Dog Books Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031361
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Merrow
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Fury

Fury by Shirley Marr

"Hell Have No Fury Like A Woman Scorned"

Eliza is sixteen, finishing her final year of school and looking forward to the new sports car her mother has promised to buy her when she passes her driving test. Until then she has to put up with her elite school environment, wealthy but absent mother and sometimes infuriating but best friends.

The last thing anybody expected to happen in the perfect world of East Rivermoor, the wealthy suburb surrounded by a high fence to keep out the poor and dangerous alike, is for one of their own to commit murder. Eliza's confession is a dark and emotional story told with a raw honesty that doesn't sugar-coat what she has done or why. There is no excuse although she has her reasons but she's not sorry for it, not at all.

Fury is compelling, messy, complicated and just a little bit heartbreaking. When pushed to the edge and broken down with no one to turn to, belittled and victimised, is it any wonder that things turn vindictive? Eliza is selfish, spoilt and stuck up and that doesn't change but somehow her soft and vulnerable core shines through endearing us to this fiery redhead who deep down is as lost and broken as the rest of us. A brilliant debut novel.

Fury - cover

Shirley Marr Webpage

Shirley Marr @ Black Dog Books Walker Books

Eliza Boans - blog

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031323
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Fury
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Angel Fish

Angel Fish by Lili Wilkinson

A Journey To Find The Holy Land,

A Journey To Find Yourself!

From the first moment Gabriel laid eyes upon Stephan he knew Stephan was different; special. Gabriel had never been special, had never felt he belonged, and he could never understand the people around him. But when Stephan talks, Gabriel understands. As special as Stephan is in Gabriel's eyes, Gabriel is just as special; he is the alpha fish.

Stephan leads Gabriel across the country, and from every town and village they pass through their numbers swell as hundreds, thousands, join the Children's Army led by Stephan, as they march to the Holy Land. Only the pure and innocent children are able to free the Holy Land from the evils of the Saracen.

As the Children's Army marches they are led by a Holy man, a mad man, who is no man at all but merely a boy. There are many difficulties; the harsh conditions claim many of them, shaken beliefs send many to turn away for home, and deceit will see the remaining betrayed. As beliefs are shaken to their core, Gabriel starts to question, and where once he had thought Stephan an Angel, it is Stephan who now sees Gabriel as an Angel; his Angel Fish.

Angel Fish is a story of hope. This book demonstrates a strength and courage in acting on what you believe, even if it is not what everyone else believes, even if it takes you far from family and home. However, the innocent and naive must beware in blindly following others, for there is also danger, deceit and despair lurking in the depths of this story. Ultimately it is about belief. Find a belief in yourself, and others will believe in you.

 

Lili Wilkinson Webpage

Lili Wilkinson @ Black Dog Books Walker Books

On sale: 01 September 2009
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742030463
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Angel-Fish
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Scatterheart

Scatterheart by Lili Wilkinson

Appearances Can Be Deceiving!

Hannah Cheshire is a young lady of Quality living in London, and the daughter of a Gentleman. Arthur Cheshire is an important businessman, and wants only the best for his daughter. Hannah is used to having the best, fine dresses and jewellery, food and servants. Hannah has grown up with no mother and, apart from her father, has no one else in her life besides her tutor.

Thomas Behr has filled Hannah's head with history, poetry, and mathematics as well as languages, animals and stories; much to Arthur Cheshire's dismay. It was not necessary nor desirable for a young lady of Quality to know such things, Hannah's father would say. But still Thomas Behr loved to tell his story and Hannah loved to hear them. Her favourite story was that of Scatterheart.

One day Hannah finds her life turned upside down, and all her troubles seem to start with the dismissal of Thomas Behr as her tutor. Quickly afterwards things seem to turn from bad to worse, and Hannah finds herself imprisoned. "A series of misfortunes and calamities...", as Hannah puts it, has brought her to trial and despite her insistence of innocence; she is sentenced to "Parts Beyond the Seas", other wise known as New South Wales.

It is upon the seas and beyond that Hannah holds dear to her the stories told by Thomas Behr; she is haunted by the story of Scatterheart and the white bear. Along with the stories is the memory of the man she has become so fond of. Once she had considered him well beneath her, a servant, a commoner. Now she thinks of him more and more. But will she ever see him again?

Scatterheart is a fickle and selfish girl who accepts the offer of marriage from a white bear, not because she loves him but because he can offer her a castle to live in and beautiful dresses to wear. Hannah begins to wonders if she is not so different, willing to consider marriage to a man she detests for the chance to have a grand house with carriages, and fifty servants, and jewels and beautiful dresses.

Like Scatterheart, Hannah must endure a long and dangerous journey, to discover what is truly worth having, finding growth and learning and love; all the while searching for her own Mr Bear, 'East O' The Sun, West O' The Moon'.

Scatterheart is a wonderful story that mixes reality with fantasy, and truth with illusion. It's a story that portrays the ignorance and selfishness of the wealthy and the harsh reality of life for the poor living in London and Australia in 1814. Scatterheart is a fairytale that's actual and realistic.

 

Lili Wilkinson Webpage

Lili Wilkinson @ Black Dog Books Walker Books

On sale: 01 August 2007
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781921167850
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Journey
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

After

After by Sue Lawson

It's What Happens After That Counts!

In one moment your whole life can change. For Callum, a moment of thoughtlessness has turned his world upside-down.

Before, Callum was popular, cool; a city kid active with friends and in sport, and everyone had known him as Cj. After, no one wanted him around. Callum had been shipped away to the country, dumped on his grandparents whom he had never met before.

Callum was feeling isolated and alone, but most of all he was feeling angry. Angry at his mother for forcing him to leave, angry at his grandparents for not understanding, angry at the bully at his new school for picking on him and the weak kids. But mostly Callum was angry at himself.

Callum had still not dealt with the tragedy that had instigated his move to the country. His mother had hoped that the move would help him to heal; instead Callum retreated further inside himself, pushing away anyone who tried to get close, pushing back the grief and guilt that was building inside him.

Luke 'Benny', a boy in Callum's class who has suffered a brain injury, befriends Callum, much to Callum's dismay. Before, Callum would have treated Luke just as the bullies at his new school do. After, now, Callum finds himself sticking up for Luke. Callum finds that his friendship is able to help Luke heal, what he didn't expect was how much Luke's friendship would help him heal.

After is a poignant and thought provoking novel that steps between the before and after of a life changing event in such a way as to create a dramatic and intriguing story that from the opening pages draws you in, suspended, till its conclusion.

Its relatable characters shape Callum's experiences and feelings, impacting on his relationships with those around him, his own feelings of self worth and his ability to cope with what has happened in his life. It is a story about relevant issues faced by teenagers; friendship, family, feelings of belong and abandonment, anger, low self-esteem, change, grief and loss.

Sue Lawson Webpage

Sue Lawson @ Black Dog Books Walker Books

On sale: 03 August 2009
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031125
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: After
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
xx