A New Feature to my Blog

This was taken yesterday from Marine Parade, Labrador.  A friend and I had met for a walk along the Broadwater followed by breakfast and coffee.

It shows the entrance to the Gold Coast Seaway with Porpoise Point, South Stradbroke Island on the left and Nerang Head on the right.  Out past the Seaway is the Coral Sea.

This picture was taken showing the Seaworld Roller Coaster and to the far left the buildings of the Marina Mirage Hotel and village.  Although the sky looks rather grey, it was high cloud and the temperature at 7.30 am was quite humid as the seabreeze hadn't kicked in at that stage.

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I rather like the idea of planning my own send off…although as I keep saying to my mother, “only the good die young”, so I guess we’re both here for a while yet.  From "Old Age and Villainy".

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Before I get on to the new feature, I'll update you on the progress of my book.  The editing is finished...yay!  I've heard it said that writing a book is the easy part - I now know what that means!  So apart from a final read through and fixing whatever glitches there maybe, hopefully, none, I'm ready to start the process of putting the hard copy together as well as formatting it ready for Kindle and other electronic media.

Now...the new feature I thought I'd incorporate once a week or so is a book review.  I say once a week or so, because I may not get through a book a week at this stage.  I usually manage to read a two or three books a week, depending on how long they and how much time I have to actually read.  I suspect it may not be much for the next little while.

I had a book review page on Facebook but I kept forgetting to put reviews up.  Naturally it went by the way in the end.  Since I've restarted my blog writing and am making a concerted effort to put up a post once a week at least, I thought I may be more diligent with the reviews.  Time will tell *cough*.

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BOOKS

The first review is "None But the Brave" by Joy Chambers, first published in 2003 by Headline (GB).

What an epic book!  It was one of those novels where I didn't want it to end...but I have to admit that after 816 pages it ended most satisfactorily.

It's set mainly during World War II but does start off in France during World War 1 before taking us across the other side of the world to Australia.  It's a wonderful tale with very likeable characters and these are enhanced by a well written and gripping saga.  It spans the war years and sweeps us from Australia to the USA and Great Britain, as well as the theatres of war in Europe and the Far East, before coming back to Australia every so often.  Ms Chambers encompasses actual historical figures into her book and her research is wonderful.  She also includes footnotes where needed with a comprehensive glossary at the back of the book.

The story revolves around John Baron Chard and his sister, Samantha, who moved from England to Australia with their parents at a very young age.  There is a secret about JB's birth about which he knows nothing, but the secret, which we readers are privy to right from the beginning, shapes and colours both JB's and Samantha's lives.  Add to this mix the dashing and reckless Cash Slade who knows what the secret is and keeps it to himself.  He also loves Samantha...

I'm not saying any more, only that it is a terrific read and extremely difficult to put the book down. Ms Chambers has the talent for keeping the reader riveted right from page one.

Rating:  *****

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I hope you enjoyed that review and as usual, I'd love to have your comments.  Happy Valentine's Day to you all!