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Tag: australian author
Author Talks with Zoë Coyle
Zoë Coyle is a natural born storyteller. Her career in corporate speaking and presenting has taught many around the world how to communicate choice and improved strategy. Her two novels, Where the Light Gets In & The Dangers of Female Provocation have brought her writing and creative industry talent, feminist power and years of experience to the page.
Welcome Zoë, to Mel Reviews Her Books 🌸🎙
Zoë WOW – what an edgy, powerful and fierce novel you’ve created. Tell us, what was the turning point for you to start putting pen to paper?
Thank you, that’s a lovely thing to say. The book sprang from several tributaries, one being an acquaintance’s husband had an affair. He was absolved with astonishing totality and speed – I wondered what would need to happen for him to actually repent and evolve. Another source was growing up female. Another is being the mother to two teenaged daughters and two little boys, observing how the world they navigate is so different due to their genders. I also wanted to pour some petrol on the conversation around marriage and like so many before me, set a match to the bullshit of patriarchy.
Was there a particular reason for picking 6 couples to span Odessa’s female rage and educational methods?
I like balance and I thought that 6 was the right number of characters for Odessa to unleash her mission of reeducation. Anymore would have been confusing and any less would have offered fewer computations. Each relationship shows another dimension of Odessa’s love, hurt, bravery and rage.
The central question of the novel is not monogamy or non-monogamy (weirdly some men have reflected back to me that they think it is), but to intentionally explore how is it we can turn up for love, platonic, familial and sexual in whatever shape we courageously co-create to live beautiful, purposeful and compassionate lives. Then, if that love comes to an end or changes shape, it is a powerful teacher for us if we are brave enough to learn. In the book as in life, good people do bad things, why is that? Though more interesting to me is when people have the courage to stand in accountability – what beauty can grow from that?
Paloma! What a companion! Did Paloma represent anything in particular within The Dangers of Female Provocation for you? Do you have your own Paloma in real life?
I don’t have a Paloma because in truth, I’m quite afraid of cats. I do however have a beloved miniature dachshund named Solace, but I loved the idea of a cat as Odessa’s companion. Cats always strike me as complicated, calculated, independent and elegant – much how Odessa is. Paloma ended up being one of my favourite characters I’ve ever written.
Odessa’s marriage, familial relationship breakdown and grief have such influence over the decisions she makes in this period of her life. Did you always plan on making Odessa such a complex and layered character? Additionally, was Odessa always your lead voice in the story?
Yes, Odessa was always the central voice. I aim to write characters that I would like to read; complex, contradictory, valiant, weak, love filled, damaged, learning, all the things. What The Dangers of Female Provocation explores is how dishonesty to self and others, erodes belonging, and our sense of selves. That when we do the hard work of garnering self awareness, integrating our trauma and family of origin story, we don’t lash out and damage. Hurt people hurt people.
That moving towards clarity is the sacred integration that Odessa the main character undertakes. She is propelled by traumatic events, and is painfully waking up to her actualised adult self. All the wealth, brands and conventional power were a mirage. What is truth is the art of loving and being loved. Where there is courage, there is vulnerability and we must resolve our demons or they own us.
Describe to us how different the writing and publishing experience was for you with The Dangers of Female Provocation, compared to your first novel, Where the Light Gets In.
My first novel was a labour of love. Exploring issues that I have thought about deeply and that have upended my life. I found The Dangers of Female Provocation much easier all round. From the writing, which was so much fun, through to the editing as I had two amazing women editing me. Alex Craig from Ultimo Press and Nadine Davidoff. It fulfilled every hope I’d ever had of being edited. As for the process of being published, it is surreal and so vulnerable. I have a dear writer friend who says that the writing is the thing, the rest is just crazy making. Of course we write and publish to find readers, and that has mostly been really beautiful.
Thank you Zoë for your time, thoughts and responses on the blog! I look forward to seeing your next novel 😊💫🌸
You can find Zoë’s books available via this link & my review for The Dangers of Female Provocation here.
Book Autonomy
My confessing this may come as a shock to some people but it’s the honest truth. I finished up working in my local bookstore after near 7 years of being a bookseller … and I feel an overwhelming sense of book autonomy.
Here’s how I can explain …
Since working around books, I’ve always been given the generous opportunity to read books before they’re released (many of you would name these as ARC’s ‘advanced readers copies’) which are handed onto booksellers from Publishing House representatives. This is one of the most appealing and exciting parts of bookselling.
Yet, this comes with added pressure to always keep on top of the latest books, read the most anticipated novels before they hit shelves and recommend, recommend, recommend. I don’t mean to sound like this isn’t fantastic because it truely is – but the challenge comes when new stock is unboxed EVERY SINGLE DAY. That means, every week, I was taking home at least 3-4 new titles that NEED to be read. My book autonomy dwindled. My ability to finish books grew and my bookshelf has become an absolute MESS! Plus the added piles of books overtaking my living room, desk, bedroom, kitchen has become unbelievable!
Now, having closed the bookselling chapter, I’m pleased to revisit titles that are still new and popular like; Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid; Kookaburra Cottage by Maya Linnell; The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman; Charlie, Love & Clichés by Ella Maise; I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy; Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas; One for my Enemy by Olivie Blake; and so many more! (this is just SOME of my TBR books 🤓)
In summary, I’m looking forward to a little time to read for pleasure, reignite my passion for diverse genres and get planning for the July 2024 Riverina Readers Festival 📚
Book Review: ‘Five Bush Weddings’ by Clare Fletcher
My goodness, I needed to pick up my laptop and get this feeling down before it was gone! I finished Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher last night (Friday) at 1.30am!! That’s right – this novel had me grinning from ear to ear and I was so invested that sleep was not in sight.
I can easily say by far, this novel has been my most fun, laugh out loud and unputdownable read so far this year.
If you’re a follower of the blog, you may remember that I DNF’d this book back in May last year (READ HERE) but I specifically pointed out that it was a funny and capturing read, just not what I was feeling at the time. Let me tell you – the time was RIGHT and this is why you should never be ashamed about keeping books that you haven’t read … like ever! … says an unashamed book buying lover 😉
Stevie-Jean is 31 and feels as if love is passing her by. She’s a trending bush wedding photographer who takes on the role of capturing everybody else’s special day. The flowers, the dancing, the speeches, the cake cutting and more. But when will it ever be her?
Feeling a little lost but pushing through with the task at hand, Stevie is snapping away at a local wedding when Johnno West strides over. Johnno is the best friend of Stevie’s old uni flame and has always had a long lasting crush on her. But that’s in the past … isn’t it 😉
Johnno is at a bit of a crossroads himself. He has finally hit the ripe age of 31 as well and is being called back to run the family farm. He is of course, the only son in the family. His job in London had his passions sufficed but something was missing and being in an office job 9-5 was not his calling.
See, Stevie and Johnno actually have a bit of history and their long line of weddings they are both attending in the year of 2019 is ever growing. It’s a given that they’re going to bump into each other and learn about the other’s life again. What’s not a given, is whether Stevie can accept that love isn’t always about grand gestures, much like the displays put on at these wedding dos, but more like the little gestures of love Johnno gives along the way.
I adored every inch of this story. I particularly LOVED that you could read the ending and it connected in sequence to the beginning of the story. The perfect circle! I actually have the privilege of moderating a panel of which Clare Fletcher is a part of, next weekend at A Romantic Evening of Books. Come along if you’re a Wagga local, you’ll be feeling cozy, loved up and chummy 💖
WWW Wednesdays
WWW Wednesday is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words 📚 It is a book tag to broaden the reading community and help connect avid readers!
All you have to do is answer the following three questions:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
CR: Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher is going down as one of my favourite books this year! I am laughing out loud at the conversations between Stevie-Jean (bush photographer who is yet to find love at 31) and Jen (social worker, housemate and best friend), as well as the spicy implications of Johnno (handsome farmer who is best friend of Stevie-Jean’s ex) moving back to the country after being away for years. Stevie-Jean and Johnno have a bit of a history. They promised each other drunkly one night while catching up overseas, that if they’d turned 32 and were both single, they’d marry each other … will it come true?! I DAMN WELL HOPE SO!!
RF: Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare was such a nostalgic read for me in my week off of R&R. How is it, that since starting out with the Mortal Instruments series (perfect for 15-20 year olds) when I was 16, I’m now 25 and have the same warm and cozy feeling reading Cassandra Clare. Every time a new book by her comes out, I need to buy it! I just know it will find me when the time is right. All I can tell you about Chain of Gold (as you probably do need to read the Infernal Devices series for reference) is that the children of Will & Tessa Herondale are fighting off demons and figuring out their own individual powers and abilities to help save the human race and world.
RN: The Last Love Note by Emma Grey is my next read and it is connected with an upcoming romance panel I am moderating, plus – it’s just such a sweet book!! The perfect romantic comedy to lighten ones TBR and whisk you into another fictional world.
If you’re local to Wagga Wagga, come along to this event I’m moderating:
Simple & Marshmallowy Carrot Cake 🥕🍰
Are you excited to spend your Sunday recreating this simple & marshmallowy Carrot Cake?
This is a Women’s Weekly recipe. You can find the OG recipe which I have used for the exact base and some of the topping for via this link.
What you can find right here, right now, are my suggested little tweaks and additions to the OG Carrot Cake.
INGREDIENTS:
Cake Mix
1 cup of brown sugar
1 cup of vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 cups of self raising flour, sifted
1 teaspoon for ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate soda
2 cups of carrot, grated
1/2 cup of walnuts, roughly chopped
Toppings
500g cream cheese, room temperature
3/4 cup of pure icing sugar
2 Tablespoons of lemon juice
1 Tablespoon of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 cup of walnuts, roughly chopped
METHOD:
- Pre-heat a fan forced oven to 108 degrees celsius& prepare a 22cm cake tin with baking paper.
- Whisk together brown sugar & vegetable oil.
- Whisk one egg at a time into this mixture
- Sift flour, cinnamon & nutmeg into the mixture. Stir through the flour mixture well.
- Stir in grated carrot and chopped walnuts.
- Make sure you taste test the mixture at this point – key notes of deliciousness should be evident 😉
- Pour your tasty mixture in the cake tin and place in the oven for 1 hour. *tip* every oven is so different with their heat, however I have baked this cake in two different ovens and both took 1 hour exact. Be sure to skewer your cake and if it comes out clean, your cake is cooked. Another *tip* when you start to smell your cake, you should be checking if it’s cooked.
- Take a break, read a book. Then with 10 minutes to go in the oven, start making your topping.
- Beat together cream cheese, icing sugar and lemon juice. *tip* To make this marshmallowy, keep beating with the electric beaters a bit longer than you think you should. You want to aim for the look of silk. If your frosting is starting to look like shiny, smooth and soft – you’re complete!
- After letting your cake cool completely, cut your cake in half length ways – our aim is to create layers.
- Layer half of your cream cheese frosting onto the bottom half of the cake. Smooth out. Sprinkle on brown sugar and cinnamon. Close the cake with its lid.
- Now throw your flare in – for me, I like thick and high frosting. I will roughly smooth out leaving dips and curves. With a cake like this, I prefer not to frost the sides as it allows us to see what we’re about to get on the inside. Finish off with a sprinkling of walnuts and if you desire, a little pinch of cinnamon & nutmeg.
- We’ve made it to 13 and this is the most important step – EAT & SHARE! My cake was eaten over a cup of tea & a game of rummy-o with a dear friend 💖
If you enjoyed this baking post, be sure to give this post a LIKE and drop me a COMMENT 💫
I do not take any credit for the creation of this recipe.
WWW Wednesdays
WWW Wednesday is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words 📚 It is a book tag to broaden the reading community and help connect avid readers!
All you have to do is answer the following three questions:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
CR: Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin has me captivated and desperate to find out where these characters lives are at the end of the novel. I cannot wait to break down each character and my thoughts in a full review when I finish this. I have SO many thoughts on Sadie, Sam, Marx and Dov. Golly, if any of my previous encouragement has not gotten you over the line in reading this novel, this is your calling – DO IT!
RF: The Redgum River Retreat by Sandie Docker was an Australian fiction I recently finished and loved this month. As you longtime book blog followers will know, Sandie is not only one of my favourite authors but also one of my favourite people! Sandie was the first Australian author I interviewed on this blog and she was/is incredibly kind. I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to actually meet Sandie in a week as she visits my local bookstore. It was an absolute pleasure reading her latest novel (in 48hr as per usual – I ADORE them all) and to have organised a few events for her.
RN: How To Be Remembered by Michael Thompson is a perfectly modern and unique spin on The Time Traveller’s Wife and also a novel that I am half way through … meaning, I desperately need to finish it and write a review. Additionally, having the pleasure of meeting Michael recently upon my organisation of his visit to our local store, ensured my desire to finish Tommy Llewellyn’s story.
What are some novels on your TBR pile?
Book Review: ‘The Whispering’ by Veronica Lando
Imagine a rainforest that overshadows your local town. The sounds of the leaves rustling, the swoosh of the trees moving and the crackle of branches being trodden on the damp and mossy floor which create a sort of compelling whispering.
A whispering that many young people have heard before.
A whispering that is believed to take people away, into the rainforest and never come out again.
‘The Whispering’ by Veronica Lando had an eerie, compelling and unique spin on crime fiction. I have only read one other novel similar in this spiritual/naturalist/mystical sub genre of crime fiction, and that book was ‘The Bluffs’ by Kyle Perry. It was one of my favourite books of 2021. It was a given as soon as I read the blurb of this novel, I was hooked. ‘The Whispering’ was also the winner of the Banjo Prize for Fiction in 2020, therefore I was also more inclined to start reading. This prize is awarded by Harper Collins Australia to an unpublished Australian manuscript and author with the hope of launching their writing career.
Now about the book … Callum Haffenden never believed he would return to Granite Creek. It’s a place of heartbreak, sickening memories and feelings of physical and emotional loss. In the past and as a teenager, Callum was involved in an accident that caused the loss of his leg from the kneecap down. At the same time, he also lost the girl who was his first love and she lost her elder sister. The tragic series of accidents have always been swirled with mystery and secrets. But a feeling, or a whispering of events unresolved, are calling him back now.
In the present, a local, well-known and well-loved community man has gone missing in the rainforest, around the same dangerous boulders of Callum’s accident. When his body is soon discovered, Callum’s previous journalism traits jump to action. In search of answers, Callum’s past and present collide. This isn’t the only secret that Callum begins to uncover the more questions he asks around town. You quickly discover as the reader that nobody is trustworthy and everybody has a motive to be part of this towns historical eeriness.
This was a quick but slow read. Quick because the storyline mostly flowed and the amount of dialogue included helped to move things along well. Slow because, I personally felt some aspects were disjointed. One moment I was in one place and then the next the story had moved on without a clear explanation or connection. HOWEVER, I will hand on heart admit I read a lot of this novel before bed and mostly falling asleep. This is also one the first crime book I’ve read in a while (like, 6 months a while), so my judgement could be swayed. Overall an enjoyable read for a debut fiction ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5 stars)
WWW Wednesdays
WWW Wednesday is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words 📚 It is a book tag to broaden the reading community and help connect avid readers!
All you have to do is answer the following three questions:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
CR: ‘Words in Deep Blue’ by Cath Crowley is my current read. I’ve picked this book up as inspiration and current writing research. This dual perspective follows two teens on the brink of just finishing high school and the lead up to where their decisions will take them. Swirl in some romance, a setting in a secondhand bookstore, plus some beautifully raw writing, and you have the masterpiece that is this Aussie YA novel.
RF: I recently finished ‘Heartstrong’ by Ellidy Pullin. Read my full review here 💫
RN: ‘Verity’ by Colleen Hoover is my first ColHo novel and I think it may be the only one suited to me … I’m yet to decide as I’ve only started the first few chapters. This psychological and disturbingly twisted thriller is said to keep you on the edge of your seat and gaping until the final chapter. This year I’m searching for fast paced and intriguing – I think I’ll get those things from this novel. Have you read this? Comment below and tell me your star ratings ⭐️👀
Book Review: ‘Heartstrong: Chumpy, Minnie & Me’ by Ellidy Pullin w/ Alley Pascoe
Chumpy, Ellidy and Minnie’s story is one for the ages. Their perspective on love, life and strength is unbelievable. In particular I strongly admire Ellidy’s ability to keep living through her grief and bring Minnie into a world swirled by strong belief that she is loved, she is a miracle creation and first and foremost, that she is the daughter of Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin.
Let’s start by chatting about the big and colourful being that was Chumpy.
Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin was an Australian snowboarder who competed at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics. He held the honour of carrying the Australian Flag in the opening of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. He won the snowboard cross World Championship – twice. He was an athlete. He was the musical creator and singer behind Chumpy and the Sunsetaroonies. He was a bright soul and he was Ellidy’s person for this wonderful thing called life.
On the 8th of July 2020, the life that Ellidy knew took a devastating turn. Chumpy tragically passed away in a shallow water diving blackout at the age of 33. This unfathomable accident shook those who knew Chumpy personally, had followed his athletic life and achievements, those who competed with him, those in his home town, celebrities across the globe and just ordinary people like myself who heard this on the news one morning. A fit, healthy and active man who was incredibly experienced in the water, passing away. Surely this doesn’t happen right?
A little about Ellidy – she and Chumpy met at the age of 21 and fell immediately in love. She had studied nursing, commerce and worked in a variety of jobs. Chumpy used to describe her as someone who was ‘always happy’ and ‘woke up happy’. For Ellidy to still find that light within herself and for Minnie, even now after the tragedy she’s experience, I’m just in awe and admiration. A really large part of what Ellidy’s purpose, advocacy and awareness is around shallow water diving blackouts. She also aims to shine a light on post mortem sperm retrieval, as this is how little Minnie was created.
Ellidy and Chumpy always knew they’d start a family and they’d been trying for the past 12 months before Chumpy’s accident. Luck was never on their side. They felt as if they came close a few times, but sadly never fell pregnant. IVF appointments were discussed, plans were made and then suddenly, Chumpy wasn’t there. In the hours after Chumpy’s passing, a close friend that actually brought Ellidy and Chumpy together in the first place, relayed to Ellidy’s brother this amazing procedure called post mortem sperm retrieval. Ellidy only had to hear the words, “There is still a chance you and Chumpy can have a baby” and that was enough for her to say “Yes, go, do what you need to do”, for close friends and family to jump to action. There are a number of loop holes in making a procedure like this happen, including time sensitivity after a persons passing, legal requirements and state legislations. The stars aligned and Ellidy likes to believe that Chumpy was along the journey pushing for those green lights from above.
Even through her grief, Ellidy knew that having Chumpy’s baby was something she had to do. She had her parent’s support, her brother, Chumpy’s parents and sister, as well as her multitude of close friends encouraging her to make this happen when she was ready. 15 months after Chumpy’s passing, que the creation of Minnie Alex Pullin. And let me tell you folks, she’s bloody gorgeous!
I’m so glad this heartbreakingly beautiful story was one of my first reads this year. I love watching my daily Instagram stories of Minnie, as found on Ellidy’s profile, and watching her grow surrounded by love. I encourage you to read this book, educate yourself on the power of true love and absorb the wonderful miracles that are created through modern medicine. Below, you’ll find one of the most heartwarming videos of Minnie and her dad 💫💖
Mel Reviews Her Books 