Claudine Tinellis's Blog

How many people out there love reading romance novels, but feel embarrassed to admit it? Do you dream of one day writing your own romance novel, but wonder what your friends and family would think of you if you did? Would you write under a pen name, perhaps? To avoid the scrutiny you might come under if people knew it was your work?Penelope Janu's new book, "On the Same Page" (XO Romance, 2018) explores this dilemma in a fun, witty and sexy commentary on the Australian literary scene. Our heroine, Miles Franklin, is a modern woman with a distinguished literary family, who works as a lawyer by day and romance writer at night. She doesn't want anyone to know about her romance-writing alter-ego. But when her latest manuscript wins a prestigious literary prize, she is under pressure to reveal herself as the true author and in the process challenges stereotypical views about romance writers and their work. A wonderful, uplifting and highly entertaining novel that will have you racing through the pages to find out how it all ends. I loved it!

We live in a world where the justice system requires an individual or organisation take responsibility for their culpable acts of wrongdoing. Whether it is a crime punishable by imposition of a penalty or a term of imprisonment, or an act of negligence which causes someone to suffer a physical or financial loss, in a perfect world someone must be held liable. But let's suppose for a moment, that the victim of such an act is not a good person. What if that person was an evil person? Or a person who, say, has questionable morals? From a theoretical point of view (not legal), does it make the crime/negligent act any less heinous or serious? Does it make their suffering negligible or somehow less worthy of sympathy because they don't fit the model of what a victim should look like? Spiritualists might argue that it's all a question of karma. The notion that you 'get what you deserve' or 'you reap what you sow' - to use the old cliches. The civil libertarians and lawyers amongst us might argue the victim's own actions and character are irrelevant - so long as that person did not contribute to the cause of the incident - that they are blameless or innocent. Wherever your own view of the matter falls, it's an interesting notion, isn't it? That the victim's character makes them inherently more or less sympathetic from an objective point of view. . .BM Carroll's "The Missing Pieces of Sophie McCarthy" explores this paradigm in a gripping, yet thought-provoking manner when strangers Sophie McCarthy and Aidan Ryan, are brought together in a tragic incident. Sophie is the victim and Ryan is the perpetrator. But Ber Carroll's exploration of betrayal and revenge in this novel will have you questioning whether Sophie really is the innocent victim in the tragic and devastating chain of events depicted. . .A compelling page-turner that will have you reading late into the night! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

If I have the opportunity, I'd like to grow old disgracefully - just like Peggy Smart and her friend Angie Valentine. The rules are changing and being nearly 80 doesn't look the same these days as it once did. This is a topic explored by Joanna Nell in her brilliant and hilariously funny debut novel, "The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village" (published by Hachette in September 2018). This is a book you'll definitely want to add to your summer reading list. It's a heart-warming and poignant tale about growing old, grief, friendship and love in the modern context. Join me in my final podcast for 2018 as I chat to the clever and charming Joanna Nell about her inspiration for the book, her medical career, writing journey and so much more. This interview is guaranteed to make you smile!

Over a cup of coffee with a girlfriend or sometimes when I'm cranky and have had a particularly bad day I've often joked that if I was to have my time over, I would live my next life as a dog or a cat or. . .as a man! But, as much as I may grumble about the vicissitudes of life as a busy mother, I wouldn't change it. Not one crazy, chaotic or stressful moment. Because every moment, every day and everything that's ever happened to me has led me to where I am now. And that's a great place to be. Nevertheless, it's an interesting proposition, isn't it? If you had a choice, would you live the same life over?In this week's episode of Talking Aussie Books, I chat to Vanessa Carnevale, author of "The Memories that Make Us", a beautiful novel which explores this very question. It's a heart-warming love story that will keep you guessing til the very end. Will Gracie marry Blake as she was supposed to? Or will the flower farm and her growing attraction for the local vet, Flynn, take Gracie's life in a new direction?I adored this book. A great holiday read and one you are unlikely to forget anytime soon.

I love reading - not only because it's a pleasurable pastime and helps me relax - but because books can take you to places you haven't been to before. Books help you make sense of the world or (escape it!). They offer a glimpse into a life or world different from your own in a way that is often compelling and easy to digest. It's a testament to the writer's skill that a novel can put you in the shoes of a character we meet between the pages - to see what they see; to think and feel what they think and feel - even if we don't always understand. "The Way I See It" (Elephant Tree Publishing, 2018) by debut Australian author Lucy Marrett squarely puts us in the shoes of its lead character, Holly Adler. Holly is a young journalist struggling to come to terms with her ongoing and debilitating anxiety. But the sudden death of a school friend brings her to a crossroads and forces her to confront her illness. We are privy to Holly's thought processes, the multitude of everyday decisions which can be affected by her illness and the events that can trigger an attack. It's a book that helps us understand what it's like to live with anxiety and what it might look like from the outside. Loosely based on Lucy's own experiences with anxiety, "The Way I See it" is a realistic, poignant portrayal of a young woman's struggle with mental illness. An inspiring and hopeful tale about a commonly diagnosed mental health condition in Australia. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

I love to travel. And I've been fortunate to have taken a cruise - not once, but twice in recent years. One to the South Pacific and another from Alaska to Canada. The next best thing to actually being on a cruise, though, is reading about one. And Tricia Stringer's new book, "Table for Eight" (HQ HarperCollins) faithfully details life on board a luxury cruise to the South Pacific for eight unlikely dining companions. Ketty Clift is a veteran cruiser and despite concerns about the future of her Sydney-based couture business going under, she boards the Diamond Princess as it prepares to make its final voyage from Sydney to the South Pacific, determined to make changes to her life and help others to do the same. Little does she know the difficulties that lie ahead. . . "Table for Eight" is an insightful tale - touching on such ubiquitous issues as divorce, grief, ageing and loneliness - that will leave you feeling inspired and hopeful about life and love on the other side of forty!A wonderful story! Get your copy today to go in the running for a trip for two people aboard P&O Cruises. See: www. harpercollins.com.au/hq for details.

I've always been fascinated by language.A method developed by humans as a means to express ourselves. And despite our many cultural and geographic differences, language gives all us the facility to voice our needs, feelings, our hopes, ideas and dreams.But what happens when language fails us? When our voices are silenced? When trauma, violence or suppression robs us of our ability to express ourselves?This is a dilemma Holly Ringland explores in her stunning debut novel "The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart" (HarperCollins Publishers, 2018). When a terrible tragedy changes nine-year-old Alice Hart's life forever, she goes to live on a flower farm with the grandmother she never knew and learns the language of flowers to help her say things she cannot speak of. The idea that flowers can offer an alternate method of communication is not new. But it is an idea that is explored with heartbreaking courage in this remarkable book. Beautiful, vivid and compelling, this is a book that should be on everyone's reading list.

'There are moments of destiny and moments of choosing and we rarely know the difference.' Shirley Patton, The Secrets We Keep (HQ HarperCollins, 2018)Have you ever wondered what your life would look like if you had made different choices? If you hadn't decided to apply for that part-time job when you were still in school? Would you have met the love of your life? Or was that pre-destined?This is something Aimee McCartney must consider when she blows in to Kalgoorlie on a dust storm, running away from her past, intent on making a new life for herself. But as Aimee's connection to the community becomes stronger, her past unexpectedly reaches out to her. If she had stayed in the city, she would never have learned the truth behind her dark secret. But now that she knows, what should she do? Can she confront her past without compromising the lives of the people she has come to care for?Shirley's debut novel is a heartwarming story of love, loss and hope set against a backdrop of political and social unrest characterising the 1980s, capturing the essence of a remote Australian mining town in all its dusty, red glory.A wonderful read.

In an age when digital technology dominates our children’s time and attention, it has never been more important to find books to stimulate their imagination; to inspire a sense of adventure and independence. To help kids understand that it’s okay to be different. And that sometimes being different is what makes something or someone special. The 'Huggabie Falls' Trilogy by Adam Cece does exactly that. These stories follow the adventures of Kipp Kindle, Tobias Treachery and Cymphany Chan, who, at least in Book 1, take it upon themselves to solve the mystery of the extremely weird thing that happened in their hometown of Huggabie Falls, the weirdest town on Earth. They embark on an heroic, crazy adventure, finding vegetarian piranhas, killer vampire bats and a creepy scientist along the way. And in the process, come to understand who they really are. When renown Australian children's author, Andy Griffiths says a kids book is 'wonderfully weird and lots of fun', you know it's going to be good. Books 1 and 2 in the series are out now.

To answer that question, you'll have to tune in to Episode 6 of "Talking Aussie Books" where I chat to the fabulously talented and intelligent Marita Smith.Marita is a mushroom-growing science graduate who lives in a tent on the NSW South Coast and writes fabulous science-fiction novels for young adults. If you're feeling slightly in awe of Marita's skills at this point. . .don't worry you're not alone!In our fun chat, Marita gives a fascinating insight into her inspiration behind these compelling books - which follow the adventures of Australian research scientist Robyn Greene as she uncovers evidence of an ancient gene enabling humans to communicate with animals.These books are filled with smart, savvy characters who face a range of complex issues in their race to avoid being captured by the insidious MRI, and in the process save the planet from destruction. Not only suitable for young adults, this series will be of interest to anyone who loves science/speculative fiction. Convergence (2017), and its sequel Emergence (2018) are both published by Harbour Publishing House and available online at: https://www.harbourpublishing.com.au/....