July Book Competition 2015

the other side of the world

Published by Hachette New Zealand, 30 June 2015 TPB $34.99 RRP/EBK $19.99 RRP

A story of melancholy beauty that proves the only thing harder than losing home is trying to find it again.

Cambridge, 1963.

Charlotte is struggling. With motherhood, with the changes marriage and parenthood bring, with losing the time and the energy to paint. Her husband, Henry, wants things to be as they were and can’t face the thought of another English winter.

A brochure slipped through the letterbox slot brings him the answer: ‘Australia brings out the best in you’.

Despite wanting to stay in the place that she knows, Charlotte is too worn out to fight. Before she has a chance to realise what it will mean, she is travelling to the other side of the world. Arriving in Perth, the southern sun shines a harsh light on both Henry and

Charlotte and slowly reveals that their new life is not the answer either was hoping for. Charlotte is left wondering if there is anywhere she belongs and how far she’ll go to find her way home.

About The Author: A stunning emerging Australian writer, Stephanie Bishop’s first novel was The Singing. This, her second novel, was recently shortlisted for the 2014 Australian/Vogel’s

Literary Award under the title Dream England. 

Stephanie’s work has appeared in Southerly, Overland and Island and she is a frequent contributor to The Times Literary Supplement, The Australian, The Sydney Review of Books, The Australian Book Review and the Sydney Morning Herald. She holds a PhD from Cambridge and is currently a lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of New South Wales.

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The Song Collector

Published by Hachette New Zealand, 30 June 2015 TPB $37.99 RRP/EBK $19.99 RRP

By the author of The Gallery of Vanished Husbands, the absorbing story of a post-war love affair, and the moving bond between a grandfather and his musically gifted grandson in modern-day Dorset.

Fox, as the celebrated composer Harry Fox-Talbot is known, wants to be left in peace. His beloved wife has died, he’s unable to write a note of music, and no, he does not want to take up some blasted hobby.

Then one day he discovers that his troublesome fouryear-old grandson is a piano prodigy. The music returns and Fox is compelled to re-engage with life – and, ultimately, to confront an old family rift.

Decades earlier, Fox and his brothers return to Hartgrove Hall after the war, determined to save their once grand home from ruin. But on the last night of 1946, the arrival of beautiful wartime singer Edie Rose tangles the threads of love and duty, which leads to a shattering betrayal.

Here is the story of a man who discovers joy and creative renewal in the aftermath of grief and learns that it is never too late to seek forgiveness.

About The Author: Natasha Solomons is the author of the internationally bestselling Mr Rosenblum’s List, The Novel in the Viola, which was chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club, and The Gallery of Vanished Husbands. Natasha lives in Dorset with her son and her husband with whom she also writes screenplays. 

Her novels have been translated into 17 languages.

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No Mortal Thing – Unavailable until next year now

We are very sorry however this book will not be available this year…we will replace the prize with another equally great book!  Thanks for understanding….please enter to win one of the other monthly prizes below.

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The Flower Arrangement

Published by Hachette New Zealand, 30 June 2015 PBK $29.99 RRP/EBK $16.99 RRP

A delightful, life-affirming novel woven around a Dublin florist from Irish author Ella Griffin.

Golden peonies bowing their heads beneath blue delphinium bells. Delicate pink anemones threaded between freckled green orchids. Soft apricot roses woven together with velvety purple irises.

Every bouquet tells a story.

And every story begins at Blossom & Grow, a tiny jewel-like flower shop in the heart of Dublin. Here,among the buckets of fragrant blooms, beneath the flickering candles and lanterns, Lara works her magic. Translating feelings into flower arrangements that change hearts and lives.

But what about her own heart? Has she really healed since she lost her chance to be a Mother?

What will happen when her own story takes a sudden turn?

Can the flowers that heal the customers work their magic on the florist?

About The Author: Ella Griffin was born in Dublin. She is an award-winning advertising copywriter and travel writer. She lives in County Wicklow with her husband Neil and their deerhound Haggis.

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