Book Review - Call of the Wattlebird by Victoria Carnell

by Jeanette O'Hagan @JeanetteOHagan

The Book

Duty’s demand or heart’s call?

In nineteenth century Tasmania, Catherine Nicolson enjoyed the privileged lifestyle on the grand estate of Willowbank, and inspired by her grandmother Kate, she possesses a deep-rooted compassion for those less fortunate.

When her idyllic life is shattered by unexpected tragedy, Catherine’s circumstance becomes difficult and precarious, and she wishes to escape it's drudgery and danger. She is torn between two choices. Should she follow her heart and risk her place in society? Or should she marry well, pleasing her family and securing the means to fulfil her life-long desire to help the ‘Ordinary Folk’?

Will Catherine pursue intimacy or seize convenience? What path will she choose? Where will her faith and choices lead her?


Published: October 2017
Available at Amazon (ebook & print) or from the author.

The Author

Though a late-comer to the field of writing, Victoria Carnell's formative years were influenced by her mother, an avid reader, and by her father who indulged his passion: the philosophy of language. As an adult, serving in Christian ministry in Wesleyan Churches in Australia, alongside her husband, and being employed in the spheres of management and education in the wider community has afforded many valuable experiences. Her children, their partners and her grandchildren delight her life. Due to the many opportunities to interact with people from all walks of life, She have garnered an abundance of subject material to inform her writing. Since She approaches life from the perspective of a Christian worldview, her aim is to encourage her readers to develop a relationship with the Redeemer, by identifying with her characters, as they wrestle with the issues of life and faith.  Find out more on her website.

My Thoughts

Catherine Nichols is a delightful heroine who throws herself into life and has much to learn. Initially, her biggest concern is her annoying younger brother but tragedy shatters the safety of her world and she finds herself searching for a meaningful future. Should she submit to societal expectations or follow a larger vision of the meaning of life and her heart.

Call of the Wattlebird is set in late nineteenth century Tasmania and the setting with its wealth of historical detail is a definite strength of this book. In particular, I liked how Victoria Carnell explored the different strata of society from the landowners to the those far less fortune. In many ways a coming of age story with a Anne of Green Gables vibe, Call of the Wattlebird also includes a faith element and romance, with Catherine having to decide between the family's choice of a moneyed suitor or following her heart.

While not a fast-paced novel, I found it a charming and enriching read and look forward to the sequel.

Disclosure: I designed the cover for the Call of the Wattlebird and helped in the formatting and publishing, but was otherwise not involved.

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Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children and new release Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.


Find her on:

Facebook |Jeanette O'Hagan Writes | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Meet Debut Australian Author Peter McKinnon

By Peter McKinnon

What was he thinking? 

In his Sydney Morning Herald review of my book, Cameron Woodhead writes: 

"Adapting the story of Christ to 1960s Australia? The Songs of Jesse Adams is about as ambitious as it could be, and it's a testament to Peter McKinnon's storytelling that it doesn't fall flat on its face from the outset" ('SMH' 30/8/14).

Then, Jen Vuk writing in ‘Eureka Street’ says:

"What was Peter McKinnon thinking? Taking on the important figure of Christianity and rebranding him a guitar-toting literary hero?" ('Eureka Street' 28/8/14). 

The good news is both reviewers came down kindly on the book. But both, in their own way, were asking a pretty pivotal question: Why? Why take on a figure who is beyond iconic and re-imagine his story in a very different way to a potentially hostile local audience?

Part of my answer to these questions lies in the fact that the story followed me around for thirty years, asking me to tell its’ story and wouldn’t let me go. The story had its genesis in a little musical produced several decades ago by an energetic and passionate group of teenagers and twenty somethings. It dared to take an ancient story, a holy tale, and bring it alive in an uniquely Australian setting, with all the colour, characters and idioms of that place and time. It had an amazing impact, with total attendance figures running into five figures over ten performances. It seemed that people had an appetite for a story considered pious, boring and out of touch, but which now was brought alive:
- in a setting that was familiar;
- in a language they could relate to; and 
- was rich with the foibles and failings of characters they could identify and laugh with.

Both the original musical and now the book were born of frustration. 

Unlike, say, in the United States where God and patriotism are frequently uttered in the same sentence, religion is pretty much off limits for most Australians. Something private, to be avoided in polite and pub company, something stiff and uncomfortable, even embarrassing. Give us footy, politics and scandal any day. Our reactions are as much a part of our cultural cringe as our traditional national ‘inferiority complex’.

How then to bring an old story set in a strange land and culture into the flesh and bones of our realities and our voice so that the story might not just be heard anew and fresh - but heard at all? That was my ambition with The Songs of Jesse Adams. 

I also wanted to lock the person of Jesus into events and characters that cross over into contemporary issues, like power and corruption and the pull of ‘big money’; the challenges of being a woman or gay or indigenous. To ask who are the ‘lepers/untouchables’ of today and how far does grace extend (really...) and love really reach? 

Writer Valerie Sayers, writing in ‘Image’, wrote:

‘Our job is story: our job is poking around some little corner of the world our readers have never seen before, allowing them to experience its physicality, its ideas, its history, and perhaps even its future, in some way that defies logic, exposition, and instruction...It was, after all, the shocking narratives of the Gospels themselves that convinced me as a child, that convince me still, that the most unlikely and unsavoury characters are worthy of a storyteller’s attention, that this muck-filled world in which we are fully human is also where we ground our longing for the divine...’ 

Whether their eyes are on God or not, all writers worth reading ... stir up threat, possibility, celebration, crisis. Susan Sontag famously said that "real art should have the capacity to make us nervous." 

It was important to me as a writer to immerse the figure of Jesus into just such a world and lead the reader into a deeper reflection. 

In her Pulitzer Prize winning book, Pilgrim At Tinker’s Creek, Annie Dillard relates a story from her childhood growing up in Pittsburgh. She would take one of her own precious pennies and hide it in the roots of a sycamore or a hole in the pavement for someone else to find. Then she would take a piece of chalk and draw huge arrows on the sidewalk from both directions, labelling them with ‘Surprise Ahead’ or ‘Money This Way’. "'I was greatly excited,' she writes,...at the thought of the first lucky passer-by who would receive in this way, regardless of merit, a free gift from the Universe."

It is true that The Songs of Jesse Adams traces an ancient narrative well known to many of us. But it is, in the end, a fable, a tale, a novel. It lays down arrows and little signs for the reader. Whether he or she finds the prize in the tree at the end of the trail, I cannot predict. 

I have experienced the highs of business success, lived on the edge of human experience with World Vision and now landed deeply into the joys and struggle of writing. In the midst of it all, the ‘free gift’ found me. Perhaps, for others, that is all I can hope for.

Book Description:

Set in the turmoil of social change and political unrest of Australia during the 1960s, The Songs of Jesse Adams traces the meteoric rise of a boy from the bush – a farmer’s son who breaks away to follow his heart, his dreams and his love of music. But, as Jesse travels with his band and the crowds gather, it becomes clear that something else is afoot. This rock singer captivates and transforms a host of fans who hear his songs and encounter his touch.

Lives are changed in unexpected ways and the enigmatic Jesse becomes a symbol of hope and freedom for those on society’s edge. But not all will celebrate the rising tide of influence of this charismatic figure whose words and actions challenge those in power – the media, the politicians, the church. In one tumultuous week this clash of ideals comes to a head – with profound consequences.

Awash in all the protest and collapse of conservative Australia, the colour and madness that was the sixties, The Songs of Jesse Adams is a tale of conflict, betrayal and tragedy, but ultimately the triumph of love.

For seventeen years, Peter McKinnon held senior roles in some of Australia’s largest corporations, with a focus on human behaviour and organisational effectiveness. This culminated in his appointment in 1999 as Executive General Manager, People & Culture, of Australia’s then largest financial organisation, National Australia Bank. In late 2006, Peter was approached to head up the global human resources function of World Vision International (WVI), based in Los Angeles. WVI is the world’s largest humanitarian aid organisation, with over 40,000 employees in 100 different countries and countless volunteers working in highly diverse and challenging settings.

When he returned to Australia in late 2009, he committed to pursuing his creative interests more directly and began to write. The Songs of Jesse Adams is the result.

Peter has been published in publications as wide-ranging as the 'Age', 'The Australian Women’s Weekly' and '4 x 4' magazine and regards winning a Pacific cruise for his writing as his crowning achievement in this field! He has also written and produced several musicals.

Peter is a qualified psychologist, has studied theology, worked briefly as a minister and served on the Council of the MCD University of Divinity.

He lives in Melbourne with his wife Julie. This is his first book.

https://www.facebook.com/thesongsofjesseadams
http://acornpress.net.au/publications/fiction/the-songs-of-jesse-adams/

Reviews: 

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/in-short-fiction-20140829-109y0i.html http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=41902#.VAPoF0j0y8U http://www.tobefrank.com.au/fair-dinkum-theology-with-an-australian-accent/the-songs-of-jesse-adams-jesus-comes-to-sunbury/ 
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/euangelion/2014/08/review-the-songs-of-jesse-adams/ http://www.jmm.org.au/articles/33782.htm

Book table observations

Over the past six years or so, I have spent quite a few hours in Christian bookstores promoting my books. Last year alone, I made eight author visits to Koorong stores, most of which lasted for at least five hours. Also, on several occasions I have been allocated a book table at conferences and each year, at one of these, I share a space with staff from a Christian bookstore who have a whole range of books on offer. In all these settings, I have had ample time to listen to and observe potential customers as they make their selections.

In an actual bookstore context, I often see customers for whom the whole experience is obviously an enjoyable outing. They are not in a hurry and are happy to come and chat to this unknown author giving out bookmarks and find out about her books. And they can always graciously remove themselves without choosing any when I comment how many other books there are in the store. You see, I like to give people an ‘out’. Perhaps I’m not at heart a good salesperson, but I don’t want people to be embarrassed or pressured into buying. Often these encounters lead to some precious ‘God conversation’—something I always ask God for before I enter a bookstore to promote my books. The whole enterprise is worth it just for those moments.

Then there are those customers who are in a hurry and don’t want to be diverted. They know what they want in that bookstore—and it definitely isn’t any of my books! I’m sure I myself have fitted into this harassed customer role at times. Some might not be in a hurry but are still on a mission. They enter the store in a focussed manner, clutching their list of desired books. They might even be a little suspicious when I explain what sort of books I write, while they hold my bookmark rather gingerly as if debating whether to take it or not. Some might even look askance at my novels.\

‘But are they true stories? I don’t read fiction.’

At which point, I hasten to show them my non-fiction book Soul Friend. It comes in handy.

Then there are those who do read fiction but have made up their minds long ago which authors are worthwhile reading. In a conference setting recently, I watched as a customer stood gazing down at the novels on display at the official bookstore opposite my table. She proceeded to proclaim loudly how disappointed she was because there were no novels by Francine Rivers or certain other famous authors left and how she loves their books and wouldn’t read anything else. Now everyone is of course entitled to have favourite authors. After all, I don’t want to be told who I should like and not like. Besides, I suspect this person did not realise there was any author within earshot—albeit a humble Aussie one. But ... well, let’s just say I find such experiences somewhat character-building!

Despite this, I aim to persevere with my promotional adventures. For me, it is such a privilege to be able to offer something to others that I believe in with all my heart and that I trust God can use. But how about you? Have you too made some interesting observations as you promote your books? Or as a reader, how do you respond to those lovely, hopeful authors at book tables?

Jo-Anne Berthelsen lives in Sydney but grew up in Brisbane. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne is passionate about touching hearts and lives through both the written and spoken word. She is the author of six published novels and one non-fiction work, Soul Friend: the story of a shared spiritual journey. Jo-Anne is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and three grandchildren. For more information, please visit www.jo-anneberthelsen.com or www.soulfriend.com.au.

Putting together a blog tour

My novel 'Imogen's Chance' was released one week ago (April 1st). Since January, I have been very busy putting together a blog tour. Basically, a blog tour is comprised of several guest posts on various blogs, all within the same period of time. It is something I have seen other authors manage successfully. I've enjoyed participating in theirs but have never had one of my own before, so I decided that now was the time.

It has taken quite a bit of coordination. Some of the bloggers had only one date in April in which they could squeeze me in, so I had to take it. Others were able to let me choose my own preferred date, so that clashes were minimal. I managed to put together a tour which is more or less evenly spaced throughout the release month of April.

Parts which were challenging

1. Trying to answer all of the interview questions so that the posts were not repetitive
I wanted a blog tour in which every stop along the way is distinct from all the others. If I received questions from several bloggers which were similar to each other, I'd try to come up with different answers that nobody had read before. A couple of questions I can think of were along the lines of 'What are you working on next?' or 'Tell us something about yourself which may surprise people?' or, of course, 'What is Imogen's Chance all about?'

On the whole, I found the questions to be fairly varied. Some bloggers keep a stash of their own personal, standard questions which they send to every guest.

2. Getting all of the questions and guest posts finished in time.
I was overwhelmed that so many bloggers and fellow authors were willing to give me a plug. It was so heady that I'd accept every offer. It turned out this meant a lot of thinking and writing. The workload reminded me of schooldays, long ago, when I was always battling to get my homework submitted on time. Everything else, such as keeping up my regular blog and working on other writing, had to be put on hold. Getting ready for this blog tour turned out to be my life for several weeks. I still haven't finished all of them, although I'm getting close. It's been a bit crazy around my place.

3. Wondering whether I'm annoying old friends.
The necessary announcements on social media of each new post have been coming thick and fast so far. I'm trusting that the regular people who see my posts on Facebook or Twitter will understand that this is the nature of things for this month. Even though they may get tired of the sight of front cover, and Imogen's pretty face, by the time Easter has finished, they are still celebrating with me.

Parts which were great

1. Making new friends.
I'd never met some of these friendly bloggers before. I'm happy to have been introduced to several blogs which are brand new to me, and I've now got links to their blogs so that I can follow future posts. I'm anticipating news of several interesting books in the future. It's been lovely to see that each of the blogs I've been a guest on have their own unique character.

2. Having to dig into my heart of hearts for answers.
Some interview questions have been challenging, to say the least. Coming up with honest answers has helped me learn more about what makes me tick. Some of the insights were things I would never have necessarily tried to put into words.

3. Being able to meet new readers.
The theory behind a blog tour, of course, is for news of a new book to cover as much ground as possible. Each blog has its own loyal followers, maximising the number of potential readers who will learn about my new novel. It's been a pleasure to meet them, respond to their friendly messages, and even post giveaways to some of them. I love to think that just as I'm making new friends, others are learning about a new author whose books may fit well on their shelves.

It's been a rewarding experience, the challenging parts included, and I'd recommend putting a blog tour together to anybody else with a new release.

Paula Vince is an award-winning Christian novelist from South Australia. She writes contemporary dramas with elements of romance, mystery and suspense. She believes that nothing has the potential to make as much of an impact as a well-told story.
My blog tour for Imogen's Chance is well underway. If you'd like to have a look or join in, the link is here.

ACRBA tour The Inheritance by Jo-Anne Berthelsen with Author interview

Posted by Jenny Blake

7 - 11 October

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

Introducing

The Inheritance  

(Even Before Publishing September 2013)

By 

Jo-Anne Berthelsen

About the Book:

Michael Trevelyan is determined to claim his inheritance at all costs. Bitterness consumes him and he refuses to forgive those who have betrayed him. Yet, when he meets Alexandra Hope, things begin to change. She challenges his views but also listens while he shares his pain. Can Michael move on from the past and learn to forgive? Can Alexandra hold onto her faith in God as she deals with their deepening relationship? Can they both learn to trust each other - and God? The Inheritance is a stirring story of family secrets, forgiveness and faith - of leaving behind a dark, painful legacy and walking into the light of God's eternal inheritance. 

About the Author:

Jo-Anne Berthelsen lives in Sydney but grew up in Brisbane. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne loves communicating through both the written and spoken word. She is the author of five published novels – Heléna, All the Days of My Life, Laura, Jenna and Heléna’s Legacy, with a sixth, The Inheritance, due for release in 2013. Her first non-fiction work Soul Friend: The story of a shared spiritual journey was released in October 2012. Jo-Anne loves music, reading, mentoring younger women, and sharing with community groups about writing. She is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and three grandchildren. 
For more information, please visit www.jo-anneberthelsen.com or www.soulfriend.com.au.

 Interview with Jo-Anne

1.       Can you tell us something interesting readers may not know about you?

Many years ago, I majored in German and Japanese at Queensland University and later taught these subjects in high schools. During my second year at uni, I studied Classical Greek as well—plus I met my future husband in that Greek class!

2.       Where did you get the inspiration for your novel The Inheritance?

The idea for The Inheritance came during a week-long writing course I attended at the NSW Writers’ Centre a few years ago. One morning, our facilitator took us through a visualisation exercise in which we were asked to imagine a particular room in all its detail, as well as the people present there. This became the basis of our writing that day, as we were encouraged to unfold the story further. I kept what I wrote and eventually edited it to form the first chapter of The Inheritance, with the male character I visualised in that room developing into my main male protagonist in the novel.

3.       In your research did you find any interesting titbits that surprised you?

For one part of the novel, I had to find out how my main male protagonist would regain the use of his hand after it was badly burnt and crushed. A kind professor from the Concord Hospital Burns Unit here in Sydney helped me out, and one interesting thing I discovered was that there are such people as ‘hand therapists’ around—physios and occupational therapists who specialise in this area. I hadn’t known such people existed prior to that!

Also, at one stage in the novel, my main female protagonist heads to Ethiopia to undertake medical aid work, which meant I needed to research the type of diseases prevalent amongst children in that country. The sad fact I discovered here is that so many children still die there from diseases that are entirely preventable these days.

4.       What would you like readers to take out of reading your novel?

The Inheritance is essentially a story about forgiveness and about reconciliation with God and with others. The key verse I had in mind while writing it was Hebrew 12:15—See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Therefore, I hope that, as my readers follow the ups and downs of Michael and Alexandra’s journey with each other and with God, they will be strengthened to forgive those who have hurt them in any way and come to enjoy the freedom God’s grace can bring us.

5.       A fun question to end: If you were to recommend somewhere in Australia or New Zealand for readers to visit where would it be?

Having spent this morning sitting in the sunshine with a friend outside the Armoury Cafe at Blaxland Riverside Park beside the beautiful Parramatta River in western Sydney, I would have to say this area not far from the Olympic Games site at Homebush is well worth a visit!

6.       Where can we find you on the web?

I have two websites, www.jo-anneberthelsen.com and www.soulfriend.com.au.

Thanks Jo-Anne for sharing with us.

Australasian Christian Literature - An Industry Perspective.

With the launch of this new blog connecting Australasian writers, I thought it was timely to take a look at the dynamics of our industry. As a writer, knowing and understanding your industry is vital. The cogs and wheels of our literary world will influence a writer’s work, contributing to its position in the marketplace, and formulating a reader base. If we do not have an understanding of the industry, we are flying blind.

I have asked three questions to three industry insiders; Rochelle Manners - Director of Australia’s leading Christian Publishing house, Wombat Books; Anne Hamilton – Spokesperson for Omega Writers; and Jenny Blake – Otherwise known as ‘Ausjenny’, one of Australia’s leading literary bloggers.

I hope you find their answers as insightful and informative as I have.

1.      In your opinion, what sets Australasian Christian Literature apart from the rest of the world?

Anne Hamilton: This is a sweeping generalisation with all the flaws inherent in broad statements but I think there is a distinctive edgy aspect to Aussie and Kiwi romance, compared to that coming out of the States. On the other hand, we tend to be less experimental than the UK. To a large degree, the reverse is true in areas like speculative fiction. It's more conservative here - we don't have writers pushing the boundaries and coming out with horror. Even our fantasy stories tend to be a lot less dark than either the US or UK. We tend to ignore genre categories to a large degree and this can have an impact on overseas sales.

Jenny Blake: As a reader I would say the setting, language, and our unique style. We have sayings unique to us, as well as a different history and background.  As in life, our writing has a different flavour. You can see that we don't take ourselves seriously, and you can see it in characters. You can see the ‘Larrikin’ in some of the characters.

 Rochelle Manners: This is a hard question to answer. What sets it apart? There are so many things that could be suggested to be different. We have different styles, we have new authors, and we have different life experiences and perspectives. Australian Christian material doesn’t always follow all the “rules” that are often in place, especially for Christian fiction. Our books have a lot of potential locally when they relate to the Australian situation and experience. They might even be good to explore on the international front because they do relate and show the Aussie experience. What I hope can set us apart is actually the community. We can, in Australia, grow a community of Australian experience through literature that can touch lives.

2.      What do you see as the biggest hurdles our industry needs to jump in order to excel on the world stage?

Anne Hamilton: In no particular order: the tendency to ignore genre, the tendency to assume writing hasn't changed in the last fifty years, the tendency to stay with well-trodden plots and not take risks, the tendency to romanticise Christian characters as one-dimensional 'goodies', the tendency towards the formulaic especially in terms of the Christian conversion scene and over-explaining. That said, market forces tend to want the last one because that's what allegedly makes it 'evangelistic'.

Jenny Blake: From a readers point of view there are so many good books available now. In fact, I would say a glut of good books. Australian writers have to compete with all these books. It's not that readers do not want to read Australian books, as I know many are excited to read books set here, but they have to be well edited and to the standard readers are use to. Also one thing that annoys readers is not knowing what genre the book is, or reading a mislabelled book. We need to define what the book is. Cost is another issue, but now that books are available on ereader that will help. 

Rochelle Manners: Hurdles – how do we compete! We are in a small country down under and our bookstores and media in the Christian industry mostly notice what is coming from America and the “famous” well known authors, not the new ones from our own local country. There are images and reputations that need to be developed so that we, (Australian industry professionals in publishing and writing), can be seen as strong, reputable and profitable. We need to change perspective, and also simply have people know who we are - new authors and new publishers facing a big world. I think the trick is to increase networks and continue to increase profile and quality.

3. Where would you like to see Australasian Christian Literature heading in the next few years?

Anne Hamilton: YA literature today is very complex in terms of plot and character motivation. As that age group matures, I can't see the taste for multi-level plots and double or triple think changing. I think that particular audience will want the same within Christian literature. So I'd like to see us rethinking the very nature of our storylines and introducing surprises that are well foreshadowed even now. I suspect our reliance on the American model is holding us back.

Jenny Blake: As a reader this is hard to say. I would like to see more Australian books out there both set in Australia, as well as books by Australian authors set in other places. I would like to see the books on a par with the American books, and featuring our uniqueness. I would love to see more historical Australian books about our history. This also applies to New Zealand.

Rochelle Manners: We have big plans. I would like to see Australian Christian Literature first of all really touch lives and be noticed here in Australia. I would like to see us increase the digital world with Christian material that is high quality, and I would like to see us start to get noticed more on an international stage.

Note: Wombat Books have had some recent international successes including:

Puggle’s Problem (children’s literature title) translated into Korean.

Coming Home (children’s literature title) translated into German.

A Simple Mistake, Best Forgotten, and Fine Lines (fiction titles) translated into Korean.

EBP also attended the Korean Christian Rights Fair in August 2013.

Please visit me at; http://rosedee.com/