All posts filed under: Books

Royal Mistresses of the House of Hanover-Windsor

Published by Annie Shrimp

This fascinating and colourful romp through the annals of royal history gives rare insight into the lives and loves of rather rampant royals from the house of Hanover-Windsor. The detailed description of pomp and privilege is also a rather refreshing escape from coronavirus overload. Today’s royals, no matter how badly behaved, tone-deaf or spoiled, appear positively tame in comparison to their frisky and overindulged forbears. The apparent largely fictional The Crown Netflix series may beg to differ, but there is no doubt a wanton disregard for monogamy far exceeded current Royals norms. Marriage back then involved titles and bloodlines with the hope that love came later. In the 1800s, arranged marriages were made for ‘political, financial and dynastic reasons’ — mainly to produce the all-important heir. “Most of them compensated for loveless arranged marriages to German cousins by taking mistresses. Royal brides had to have blue blood and be virginal to prevent any chance of a cuckoo in the royal nest, so a prince marrying his mistress was unthinkable,” says the author. Camilla Parker Bowles …

Aussie, actually now in Kindle and Audible version

Published by JNews Shop

South African born, Lois Nicholls and her daughter Lara, have produced a book on the trials and tribulations of migrating to Australia from South Africa. Called Aussie, actually, the book is an honest and humorous account of life as new Australians. “My intention was to relay our 12-year sojourn through a series of thoughts and anecdotes to help other migrants realise they are not alone. People often assume the transition from one country to another is seamless, but there are many difficulties one encounters along the way. There are also many humorous episodes when misunderstanding language or cultural norms. My Boston-born American sister-in-law lived in Australia for three years before returning to Los Angeles and found some of the Australian quirks very amusing. She couldn’t believe, for example, that people actually froze their chicken carcasses in summer so they didn’t propagate a bin full of maggots!” says Lois. Lara illustrated each chapter with cartoons after she was given a brief outline of the content.“I’ve always loved drawing so my mum asked me to have a …

Green Vanilla Tea

Published by Media Release

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA―This is a true, heart-wrenching and authentic account of life, marriage, raising sons and facing the reality that a young husband and father is dying. Marie Williams takes the reader on a reflective journey through the memorable times she and her husband spent together – during their courtship years, as a young close-knit family raising two sons and how they practically coped over the final months when Dominique’s body started to ‘shut down’ as a result of early onset dementia. It’s raw and sad … so sad. But it’s the kind of book that makes you appreciate that LIFE, no matter how long we’re given, is a gift we should always treasure. Amazon says, ‘Marie Williams has worked as a clinical social worker in health settings, non-profit sectors, clinical education, and private practice. She is also an artist and believes in the power of creativity and story to transform. The Australian edition of Williams’ book, Green Vanilla Tea won the national Finch Memoir Prize in 2013. Williams lives in Brisbane, Australia.’  Connect with Marie: www.twitter.com/GelaMarie_ …

Early onset Alzheimer’s fictional story, ‘Still Alice’ insightful

Published by Lois Nicholls

Forgetting the odd word or where we left our keys is forgivable but what if this persists down a more sinister lane and we start forgetting how to get home or who we met yesterday. This is what Alice Howland faces when this Harvard professor starts slowly losing her mind. So applauded for her academic prowess, she starts forgetting words mid-sentence during lectures she’s delivered umpteen times. The spiral is slow and insidious and she at first dismisses the lapses but when she’s unable to find her way home after a routine run, she realises something is seriously wrong. The prognosis is not good. Alice has early onset Alzheimer’s disease which is cruelly robbing her of the intellect on which she has built her career and persona. But far from being depressing, the reader is led through Alice’s journey through Alice’s eyes. She has to re-evaluate her relationship with her husband, her three children and where she now stands in this emerging new world. Still Alice is a moving, insightful read which while it puts fear …

Papa Spyk Recalls Colourful Life Journey in A Naughty Thing called Life

Published by Media Release

Brighton, United Kingdom – New book chronicles Papa Spyk’s life and how it was turned around after suffering a near death experience. Sometimes all it takes is one dramatic event to be the catalyst for change. Author Papa Spyk takes readers on a nostalgic road down memory lane highlighting the shocking events that led to the turnaround. His book, A Naughty Thing called Life’ captures the story behind the ex professional rugby player, top international model, Hollywood actor and stuntman. Born in the Sixties, he describes himself as ‘an overly intelligent child, trapped in a hopelessly dysfunctional world’. He  lived an incredibly colourful and intense life ‘on the edge’ until he suffered a near death experience in his late Thirties when his aorta literally ‘exploded’ in half. The near fatal incident was the result of years of steroid and recreational drug abuse which  created a lethal cocktail. He survived, but was told  he would be a paraplegic and never be able to father a child or live a normal life. Through his loving family and close friends, …

New book offers lifeline for parents of sick children

Published by Lois Nicholls

HAVING A CHILD HOSPITALISED can be traumatic for both child and parents. Brisbane mother of four, Becky Wauchope has drawn on her experience with her son’s lengthy hospital stays, to write a book that helps ease the journey for both parents and child. Aptly called Help! My Child’s in Hospital, the cleverly illustrated book is based on Becky’s experience with her youngest son, Gus and how she coped with his endless hospital stints. Gus, now a healthy 12-year-old, was two when diagnosed with a form of tuberculosis called atypical mycobacterium – extremely rare in children. The condition caused the rapid growth of a large benign mass/tumour between his lung and heart. The family was living in the UK at the time of diagnosis and Becky was forced to stay behind while Gus endured endless treatments and the rest of the family left for Australia.  “I was told we couldn’t leave for our Australian emigration and that Gus would remain in hospital for a while, as something was very wrong with his breathing and they needed …

The Elephant Whisperer

Published by Lois Nicholls

An old friend kept telling me to read this book as not only was she captivated by the tale of a passionate conservationist taming a herd of rogue elephants, but the vivid picture of the bush setting had reignited a deep desire to return to her Zululand roots. And then the connection was made. The author, Lawrence Anthony was the son of the iconic Zululand Observer editor, Reg Anthony. My first job was as a fledgling reporter with the newspaper in Empangeni.  The co-author, Graham Spence had worked for the same newspaper group in another lifetime. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on The Elephant Whisperer and was enthralled from the first chapter. The story, in essence, is about the incredible relationship Lawrence forges with a herd of rogue elephants destined to be shot if he doesn’t agree to take them on. As the owner of Zululand’s Thula Thula game reserve, against all common sense and in true Lawrence style, he tackles the challenge head on. And what a challenge it is. These magnificent …

Water for Elephants

Published by Jessamy Owen

Jacob’s life seems laid out before him – he will shortly complete his veterinary studies and join his father in his veterinary practise. Just prior to his final exam, however, life takes a cruel turn and both parents are killed in a car accident. To compound matters, it turns out that his kind-hearted father was not as financially sound as thought, and appears to have wavered fees for clients battling in the Great Depression of the 1930’s. He has also likely used all his savings to put his son through university. Suddenly homeless and without financial security, Jacob runs away – inadvertently, to the circus. In a state of extreme anguish, he hitches a ride on a train that turns out to be a travelling circus. He soon realises this is one train journey he would rather not have taken. He enters a world that while sequined, glamorous and filled with pageantry on the outside, is dark, sordid and unspeakably cruel behind the façade of the Big Top. It is a world where only the …

A beginner’s guide to dying in India

Published by Lois Nicholls

Levi’s house burns down, his fiancé dumps him for the nunnery and he gets fired from his job – all in quick succession. When his long lost brother requests that he join him in India post-haste, he does so without hesitation – he doesn’t have a lot going for him back home and the adventure sounds rather enticing. It soon becomes clear that the trip is not to be a relaxing holiday. As it turns out, his brother is gravely ill – dying, in fact. He dies shortly after Levi’s arrival and bequeaths his somewhat surprisingly substantial estate to his younger brother – Levi. Claiming the money is not that simple, however, and Levi must unravel his brother’s diary and set off on a journey through India to ultimately lay his hands on the prize. The journey and convoluted, cryptic trail leading to the ample contents of his will, is presumably to teach Levi invaluable life lessons his older brother learnt during his own life journey. Some intriguing characters along the way – and the …