Episode 5: Lauren Chater – The Lace Weaver
We are so excited. This week we feature our first debut author Lauren Chater, who has written a beautiful novel set in World War II Estonia, called The Lace Weaver. It's a story of love and courage in one small country caught between warring powers. We cook Estonian ribs and investigate Lauren's blog The Well Read Cookie.
King of Ashes – Raymond E. Feist
Sarah's review
Fantasy fans have been awaiting Raymond E. Feist’s ‘King of Ashes’ the first novel of his new trilogy, The Firemane Saga, with keen interest. It is the first book Feist has written outside the universe of The Riftwar Cycle in more than 30 years, and few knew what to expect. The fantasy master wanted to break with tradition, and he has. In Garn, magic takes a back seat to politics and the social context, while human passions - the lust for power, love and revenge - take centre stage.
Raymond E. Feist’s fantastical giveaway
Thanks to publisher Harper Collins Australia, we have a special giveaway to celebrate our interview with Raymond E. Feist. Raymond was in Australia recently promoting his new book King of Ashes, the first book of his new trilogy The Firemane Saga. King of Ashes is Raymond's first book set outside the Rift War Cycle in 30 years and we are lucky to have two copies of the hardback edition to giveaway - our first hard-cover! Click through to find out how to win.
The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club – Sophie Green
Sarah's review
Set in the isolation of the vast, sparsely populated Northern Territory, in a land of cattle stations and stockmen during 1978-1981, The Inaugural Fairvale Ladies Book Club harks back to an even earlier Australia. Just as Australia’s pioneer women suffered the trials of isolation, the women of the small towns and cattle stations in Australia’s north continue this tradition today.
Loving the Sydney Writers Festival!
Wow! What a fabulous few days we’ve had at the Sydney Writers Festival. The Carriageworks is a great venue – plenty of space, groovy eateries and bars, and wonderful lounges to relax after author sessions. And what a fabulous line-up of authors. It has a great central hub that makes it easy for people to mingle and meet, and watch the authors zooming through to their next appearance.
How it all began
Kate and I are the best and oldest of friends. We first met fresh out of university at an industrial psychology test in the most inauspicious of circumstances. We were being pitted against each other for the plum job of journalist at Fairfax Media, the owner of such illustrious mastheads as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sun Herald and The Age.
