Kirjahaku

Grief can follow a person throughout life and impact in so many ways. For Deedee the sudden and tragic loss of her parents when she was nine years old helped shape the adult she became. Immediately after her parents' death she left the security of a loving home and was taken to a small country town. There she was raised by her great aunt Minerva aka Minnie - an outwardly stern woman unused to children and her flamboyant artistic partner, Alice. Their home an enchanted cottage, a refuge to other long-dead residents, also sheltered Deedee and provided her with a safe haven in which to grow and recover.Now an adult Deedee has returned home to care for Minnie who is increasingly frail. Her return after much time away reawakens many memories from her childhood, the bullying at school, and time spent playing in the garden with the spirit child Bertie, whom for so long she had believed was real.So much has changed in this little country town yet much remains unchanged. The cottage and the garden are still as enchanted. Minnie continues to be as fiercely independent fighting her infirmities even as she mourns the death of her partner. Harry, Deedee's childhood protector remains nearby and with his reminiscing Deedee recalls the trauma of those bullying early days. Harry so friendly and so capable eases into her adult life. Is he destined to still be her protector? And what of Julian the strangely irresistible half-brother of her childhood bully? Does he really care for her as he says or is there a hidden motive with his talk of redevelopment? Can she trust him or does that matter? Should she just surrender to his charms regardless of the consequences?And what of little Bertie who still lingers in the garden and those scary old women who haunt the front parlour? Why can she still feel their presence?

Frankie can catch a perfect wave but in real life she gets dumped - over and over again. Frankie's future seems known - happiness with Charlie her childhood sweetheart and living in a small coastal town in southern New South Wales with extended family and most importantly, fantastic surfing breaks.Then that future shatters and Frankie must decide what she really wants in her life. Her surfing skills land her a role in a popular TV soapie and she is reborn as Francesca McAdam. A glittering adventure in Sydney with fame, glamour and designer clothes follows.When scandal engulfs her, Frankie seeks safety in the familiar - running for the security of her family and her beloved beaches. Is it possible to settle back in the environment that she had once been so keen to leave behind? How can she help her older sister who has troubles of her own?And what is the mystery surrounding Archie, Charlie's older brother who is struggling to keep the family dairy farm afloat and why does his father behave so strangely?

Who is the real Sabine? Is she the young lawyer destined to follow in her father's footsteps or is she something more?And what about Max, the young barrister who has befriended her? Intelligent, good looking - really good looking - and keen to spend time with her. Is he too good to be true? What really motivates him? The sudden death of the Judge Sabine's father brings change. Sabine starts to question her career path. Is this really what she wants to do? Her mother Anna, who had given up her career as a ballerina for marriage to the Judge now wonders if it is too late to follow her dreams. Never one to refuse a challenge Sabine takes charge - to sort out her mother, her colleague and finally herself.

Growing up can be murder In 1978 what 15-year-old Jodie came to describe as 'The Trauma' changed her world. In the days and weeks that followed she craved the once so boring life that she had previously despised. But those moments were now gone forever. What lingered were the images of her mother pleading with her to run. Those images of a blood-spattered face seared into her brain and replayed in her nightmares every night. What came next? In the small Tasmanian town in which Jodie lived she quickly became a pariah as the locals shared their suspicions that she was her mother's murderer. A total stranger called Charlie Wise turned up at her grandparents' house. Jodie discovered that he was her father who had left many years ago. To her disgust she was informed that she must leave and move to the wilds of the Tasmanian Midlands to live on a sprawling sheep property. When she returns to the village after three years the residents are no longer as hostile but not welcoming. She reunites with Will her childhood friend. And the mystery of who killed her mother? Jodie's return triggers events. The murderer is revealed.