We are very pleased to be giving away two copies of Karen McMillan’s book ‘Turbulent Threads’, to our GrownUps members.
All you need to do to enter the draw is be a GrownUps member, make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter and fill in your details near the bottom of the page!
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About Turbulent Threads
A passionate tale of freedom and love in Victorian Dunedin by bestselling New Zealand author Karen McMillan is a page-turning saga set in extraordinary times.
Dunedin, 1890: Suddenly orphaned at the tender age of twenty, Greer Gillies is reduced to working as a humble servant at Larnach Castle, a far cry from her dreams of literature, fashion and music. And as she struggles with the stark reality of grief, she finds her journey has only just begun as the decade proves transformative for women’s progress.
Greer’s discovery of newfound friendships and a supportive community becomes a catalyst for change, echoing the progressive spirit of the times. But as she grapples with affairs of the heart, betrayal, the threat of lost love and social upheavals, her resilience shines through. Greer becomes a symbol of courage, daring to pursue her dreams, follow her heart and find her place in a world that promises a better future.
Spanning the last decade of the 19th century, this page-turning saga not only explores the healing power of friendship and love but also celebrates the pivotal role women played in one of New Zealand’s most turbulent eras. Greer is an independent woman of her time, and her journey stands as a beautifully imagined account that captures the essence of a historical milestone when women’s voices rose above the tumult.
Author Note
‘The 1880s in New Zealand was a time of depression and hardship, but the 1890s were exciting and prosperous times, especially for young women. Never before had they had so many opportunities in life, and I have tried to capture what it would have been like living in Dunedin in this decade. New Zealand became the first country in the world to pass a law so women had the right to vote in the parliamentary elections, but numerous other laws were passed during this progressive time that are the cornerstone of our society now.
Despite its bad reputation, the Devil’s Half-Acre was a poor but thriving community in Dunedin, where Scots, Irish, Chinese and Lebanese lived side by side, often new immigrants supporting each other in their endeavours. It was wonderful to include characters that reflect this multi-cultural heritage.
Greer and most of the characters in this book are entirely fictional, but her story is counterpointed by the real-life story of William Larnach and his troubles, his marriage to his third wife Constance, scandalous rumours of an illicit love affair, and his suicide in the house of Parliament. There are also cameo appearances of the real-life businessmen Bendix Hallenstein and Charles (Choie) Sew Hoy.
To research this book, I am very grateful to the Robert Lord Writer’s Cottage Residency for allowing me concentrated time to work on this novel, a wonderful labour of love.’
About the Author
Karen McMillan is the author of 22 books, published in ten countries. She has written bestselling fiction, including The Paris of the East, The Paris of the West, and Brushstrokes of Memory. Her non-fiction titles include Love in Aotearoa, which was shortlisted for the Ashton Wylie Award, Unbreakable Spirit, and Everyday Strength. She is also the author of the popular Elastic Island Adventures books for children, which have been optioned for the screen, and The Quokka Logic and Baking Book, which placed third in the baking category of the prestigious Gourmand World Awards 2023.
Karen is a regular speaker at festivals and events, and has been fortunate to travel the world researching, writing or promoting her books. She was the resident book reviewer on The Café, TV3 for two years, and is a regular reviewer on radio and in print. An enthusiastic supporter of Aotearoa writers, she instigated the annual NZ Booklovers Awards. Karen lives on the beautiful Hibiscus Coast with her husband.
Terms and conditions
- You must be a GrownUps member and receive our newsletter to be eligible to win.
- Competition closes on the 10th April 2024, winners will be notified via email by 11th April 2024.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you correctly enter a New Zealand postal address where the prize can be sent. GrownUps will not take responsibility for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
- Winners are drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
- GrownUps employees and family are not eligible to enter.
- By entering the giveaway, you approve for GrownUps to use your name on social media as winner of the competition.
- One entry per household.
- Prize in non transferrable.
- You must reside in New Zealand – the prize can only be redeemed within New Zealand.
- You must be over 50 years of age to enter, please check your details are correct in your membership dashboard.
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