The countdown is on to Central Queensland's 3 School Literary Festivals from April 18th to the 22nd.

But the children at the 3 schools involved are not the only people who have the chance to meet the 8 visiting authors and illustrators. A luncheon will be held in the Leichhardt Hotel on April 20th where anyone can come along and meet and chat with the group and enjoy a lovely light lunch.

Visit our Literary Luncheon page to see the fantastic line up, which includes Paul Collins, Michael Gerard Bauer and many more well known, award winning authors and illustrators.

But don't forget to book. Bookings close on April 11th, so the venue can have the final numbers. The bookings are rolling in and we have only limited seats, so if you are thinking of coming, book now.

That what this reviewer thinks of Robert Favretto's hillarious book, CAT-astrophe.
Read on to see what else she had to say.

CAT-ASTROPHE
by Robert Favretto, Illustrated by Kevin Burgemeestre
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

This chapter book for younger readers is clever and entertaining due to the marvellous play on words that is used throughout, and the terrific illustrations produced by the multi-talented Kevin Burgemeestre. It’s the kind of book kids love to read – full of nonsensical barbs, and smart-mouthed conversation. It comes highly recommended for reluctant readers.

Rhys has detention for not showing interest in his Writing
assignment. Bored out of his head and with not even a floating thought of what to write about, a ball comes through the widow, shattering both his thoughts and the glass. A brilliant idea enters his head, breaking his  day-dream.

The story flows through him at great speed. It takes on a   peculiar, detailed form. It includes the class suck-up Alex, and Alex’s  well-known, over-used story about the fish that got away, and an incredible but  hilarious cat tale with a strange twist.

Available at your local bookstore, from our bookshop, and on your favourite online store. Select the cover to go to the books page and learn more.


 

That is the opinion of reviewer Anastasia Gonis on Calvus by Darryl Greer. Read the whole review below. It is the perfect Christmas book gift for any mystery/thriller reader on your list.

Calvus
by Darryl Greer
(Morris Publishing Australia)
 PB RRP $ 24.95
 ISBN 978-0-9859147-3-8
Category Mystery/Crime/historical  thriller.
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis
Available from all bookstores through Dennis Jones and Associates or visit our bookstore to purchase on-line. 
 
Thirteen days into his constabulary, PC Costain finds his first dead body. It’s not so much the body, as how it died. The crucified man is discovered in Verulamium Park in England, by the ruins of an ancient  Roman city. Australian DI O’Rourke is called in to head the investigation. This riveting introduction to the first part, set in modern times, is a strong hook which draws the reader into this interesting and well-crafted murder mystery.
 
Part I goes back in time to the crucifixion of Christ and gives an intimate view of the life of Calvus, a loyal and ethical centurion in the age of Nero, Ruler of Rome. The young Calvus is amongst the soldiers who cast lots for Christ’s belongings, and he reluctantly ends up with His sandals. These sandals are the thread used to connect the past with the present story. The experience of the crucifixion will change Calvus’ entire life. It will influence his beliefs and moral attitudes, and reward him with dignity in death. 

This is an expansive and well-researched historical thriller/ murder mystery. It exposes the class distinctions, corruption, abuse of power, but also the absolute loyalty commanded, before it again returns to modern times, the reason for the crucifixion and how it was connected to Calvus’ life.
 
But who carried out the crucifixion and why? This is the challenge for O’Rourke and his group as they go back and forth in time to find the answers.
 
The author Darryl Greer is a Gold Coast lawyer with a passion for writing gripping, murder mystery. With powerful writing and a unique subject, he has the reader engaged from the first to the last word.

Available from all bookstores through Dennis Jones and Associates, or visit our bookstore to purchase.

 

AND THE WINNERS ARE ...........

Nerys Lewis
Rachel Bradbury
Mary Preston

Congratulations, Santa is making a special delivery to you (via Australia Post).

Thank you to all the many entrants. If you missed out you can buy a signed copy from our bookshop. 



Don't miss the last of the launches planned for this fun title. You still have three to choose from.

1. Venue: Jungle Cats Family Restaurant & Playcentre 2769 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach, Gold Coast. Meet the Author: Book reading and signing. Date and time: Sunday, 9th December, 2 pm.

2. Venue: Shannon's Restaurant Coomera Waters, Coomera Gold Coast. Meet the Author: Book reading and signing. Date and time: Sunday, 16th December, 10.30 am. Free event.

3. A book signing at Love That Book, Westfield Shopping Centre, Helensvale. Saturday December 15th, at 1 pm.  

Bring the kids to all the events, dressed in their best Christmas hat to win a prize.

Looking for strategies to overcome the effects of the Global Economic Crisis? This Seminar will give them to you. 
Have you ever wondered why so many fail or struggle financially all their lives? 

The GEC (global economic crisis) has not gone away. Are you and your associates looking for answers on how to more effectively survive and even grow economically? In the Economic Vision book and seminar, author Kim Stedman sets out a system to provide solutions. Kim's sees his role as a mentor and coach who can help you become better informed and able to create a much more secure financial future.

Economic Vision provides ways of having  more control over your income
as well as  understanding the role and advice of your professional support
team. This is a real confidence booster.

Through Economic Vision, Kim offers a foundation for personal financial
freedom. The Economic Vision book is a valuable companion in today's
unpredictable economic conditions. By securing your seat at the seminar, you
will take home a copy of this valuable book on which the seminar is based. 

The Economic Vision Seminar is presented in an easy to understand language.
It's thought-provoking while providing sound insights, directions, and ways of
creating and achieving what you really want financially. 

If you're serious about making positive changes to the quality of your life,
secure your seat now. 

A copy of the book Economic Vision will be given to each attendee.

SEMINAR DETAILS
DATE AND TIME: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 31ST, 7 PM TO 9 PM.

VENUE:              Technology Park Function Centre 
                        2 Brodie Hall Drive, Bentley, WA 6102.
INVESTMENT:   $20.  A copy of the book Economic Vision, valued
                        at $24.95 will be given to each attendee.
  
Contact information: For bookings, please go to the website www.morrispublishingaustralia.com or www.economicvision.com.au and
select the Pay Now button.  For book purchases or more information, please
contact Elaine Ouston, Ph 07 49267171 or Kim Stedman 0408471430  info@morrispublishingaustralia.com

REVIEW BY CECILIA JANSINK

Based on the authors own life experience, Destiny Road is one young woman's coming of  age tale that will have the reader utterly spellbound. 
 
Wray has managed to write with absolute brutal honesty that very easily could have become too confronting-especially for those that have undergone a similar situation. Nothing is "glossed over" or any emotion down-played but the
strength of her characterisation softens the blow from the issues faced.

Jessica leaps from the page right from the very first line. Her journey fast becomes your own, and rather than feeling that you are just a voyeur along for the ride, you soon feel fully invested.

The timing is perfect. You have time to catch your breath when needed without ever compromising the flow. In fact the novel has such a polished feel I was
surprised that this was indeed her debut into the published world.
 
Due to the fact that the issues are slightly mature and the emotional content often intense, I would only recommend this for the older YA bracket and
up.
 
Destiny Road is a delightful, well rounded adventure that will linger with the reader and leave you wanting more of Jessica's tale. Definitely one to add to your wish list. 
 
http://cels-confessionsofabookymonster.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/destiny-road-melissa-wray.html

Review by Cecilia Jansink of the Confessions of a Booky Monster blog. Link below.

This only landed in my review pile less than 24 hours ago and from the very start the concept had me intrigued. I didn't so much read this as devour it.

 Ashwin has taken our present reality and twisted it into a future that is both horrifying and transfixing. A superb mix of corruption, mind blowing science,
love and fear; The Mask of Deceit will leave you puzzling over the fact that this could very well become reality and leave you with questions long after the last page is turned.

Anton is a strong lead who will soon have you feeling as though his footsteps and battles are indeed your own and will immerse you fully in his plight. The many layers of corruption and conditioning will leave the reader wondering just what "truths" are indeed real. The descriptive scenes are visually stunning to the piont you can almost feel and smell the sanitiser on your own skin.

The writing style is fresh and fast paced and Ashwin has truly nailed all that is delightful about Spec-Fic with her own unique twist. In fact, the authors own comments in the press release sum this novel up beautifully. When asked her motivation for the novel, Ashwin replied "I set out to write a quest book with a modern theme. At the time, there was a lot of political talk about GM food and superbugs so I used these in a speculative fiction context. I wrote about the science that is happening in the 21st century and what it would be like if it were to go awry."

Quite frankly in my opinion she has nailed it. This is a novel that should be on everyone's TBR list.

:http://cels-confessionsofabookymonster.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/the-mask-of-deceit-hettie-ashwin.html

With the instability of the global economy, you may be looking for answers on how to survive. Many people hesitate to go to financial planners and ask questions because they don’t understand the financial world and they are afraid
of being given bad advice. If you are one of these people, this book and the seminar are perfect for you.

 After reading this book or attending a seminar, you will be better informed and therefore able to be more trusting. In Economic Vision, author Kim Stedman sets out a system to provide the solutions you seek. He serves as an educator who aims to help you become better informed and give you more control over your financial future. After hearing Kim’s solutions, you will be able to understand the advice that financial advisors give you, and sign the documents  they produce with confidence. 
The information in book and the seminar are delivered in a language that is easy to understand. It is thought-provoking, and provides sound insights, direction, and the mechanisms for creating and achieving financial objectives. It ensures a much more thorough understanding of the importance of properly structuring and maintaining financial resources. 

Providing direction, support and encouragement to achieve the ultimate objective of financial freedom, they have the capacity to change lives, relationships, and communities.

Through Economic Vision, Kim offers  a foundation for personal financial freedom. It is a valuable companion in today's unpredictable economic conditions. Visit Economic Vision's pages to read an extract from the first chapter.

Don't miss meeting Stephen Anastasi, author of The Druid and The Runes of Ire, during his Brisbane book signing tour.

 
Wednesday 4th July: Dymocks Indooroopilly from 11 - 1,


Thursday 5th July: Dymocks Northlakes from 10
to 12 and Collins Morayfield from 2 - 5.



Saturday 7th: Sunshine Coast:
Collins bookstore in the Sunshine Plaza Maroochydore from
10.30 to 12.30
and Collins Kawana Shoppingworld from 1.30 to 3.30.