Monday 8 August 2016

Chilly Bins and Jandals.

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I had a call from my sister yesterday. She is an avid reader of Christian fiction, far more than I am, and she knows what she likes. I had recommended one of my recent reads to her—Close to You by Kara Isaac—and she had rung to tell me how much she enjoyed this entertaining book. We went on to have a conversation about New Zealand.
Neither one of us has visited the ‘land of the long white cloud’ and we both decided Kara’s book had piqued our interest in travelling there one day.
Kara’s novel is so full of visual pictures of her country that even I (who hates the cold) am excited to visit. My newfound desire to trek the wilds of Kiwiland was cemented by watching the movie, Hunt for the Wilderpeople. If you are looking for a great movie to see, this is it. The spectacular New Zealand bushland is a major feature in this movie, not to mention the wicked Kiwi sense of humour that tickled my Aussie funny bone. But what also struck me was the truly talented work that is coming out of this small country.
This is not to say that truly talented work hasn’t always come out of New Zealand. It’s just that, for me, I’ve been impressed with the recent offerings. So impressed that it has sold this tropical ‘princess’ on chilly NZ adventure—though, I don’t know if my jandal collection will suffice. I might need some proper closed-in shoes for the journey.
I would like to dedicate this post to my talented and superb friends from ‘across the ditch.’ And I want to recommend the creative work coming out of this country, after all, they are most certainly a vibrant and vital part of our Down Under body.
Apart from Kara Isaac’s novel, Close to You, and the new movie, Hunt for the Wilderpeople (in cinemas now), please find below some NZ work on my ‘to read’ pile. Please check out these titles for yourself.
The Pounamu Prophesy by Cindy Williams
Where Lions Roar at Night by Rosie Boom
Where Arrows Fly by Rosie Boom
Where Crickets Sing by Rosie Boom
Where the River Rises by Rosie Boom
Broken Shells by Debbie Roome
Fragrant Hope by Debbie Roome



Rose, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, was born in North Queensland, Australia. Her childhood experiences growing up in a small beach community would later provide inspiration for her first novel, Back to Resolution. Beyond Resolution and A New Resolution are the second and third books in the Resolution series.
Back to Resolution won the Bookseller’s Choice award at the 2012 CALEB Awards, while A New Resolution won the 2013 CALEB Prize for Fiction. She has also released The Greenfield Legacy, a collaborative novel, written in conjunction with three other outstanding Australian authors, and has recently released the standalone novel, Ehvah After.
Her novels are inspired by the love of her coastal home and desire to produce exciting and contemporary stories of faith for women. Rose resides in Mackay, North Queensland with her husband and son.

Visit Rose at: https://rosedee.com/


18 comments:

  1. Thanks Rose for that catchy title and for leading us into some new avenues to broaden our reading lives. I wish this tropical princess a wonderful time away and hope the weather will be just right for you. I know New Zealand is a really beautiful country and it is on our bucket list to visit sometime. Thank you for the list of books from these authors - I might try some myself.

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    1. Thanks, Anusha. No firm plans to visit yet - but I will. Maybe I should watch Lord of the Rings first. ;-) xo

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  2. I love love New Zealand where creation is so amazing it made me cry. Must check out the book and movie. Thanks Rose.

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    1. Had some real LOL moments in 'Close to You', Jo. And having visited, you will love the visuals in the book. I must go one day soon. My stepdaughter tells me I should wait a few years for Tully to get a bit older as there are a lot of things to do over there for the over 12 range. I would just love the scenery like you. xo

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  3. I love New Zealand too, Jo--and Rose, although I have seen only parts of the North Island. And I have enjoyed several of those books you mention too, Rose. Just one little comment though, It's Kara Isaac and not Karen--although I'm sure that wouldn't stop anyone finding her book 'Close to You' online anywhere!

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    1. Oh, Gosh, that is bad. I've got it stuck in my head that she's Karen. Sorry, Kara. I've changed the name in the piece. Hopefully she will forgive me. I'm a shocker for that. I once called someone the wrong name for a year. When they finally told me I felt a little foolish. lol.

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    2. Oh - And thank you so much for telling me, Jo-Anne. It's freshly published so hopefully not too many have seen the mistake yet. Very pleased you didn't wait a year to let me know. ;-)

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  4. I'd dearly love to visit NZ some day. Although I've been fortunate enough to visit a few far away places when I was younger, it saddens me that I've never made it to this beautiful destination which is so much closer. And yes, I echo your encouragement to all our kiwi friends who write, read and love books.

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    1. I'd love to do one of those caravan holidays there. Then you can get around and see everything and you don't have to pack and unpack all the time. :-)

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  5. Thanks Rose for the teaser on NZ. A visit is on my bucket list too since my parents holidayed there many years ago. They had a wonderful time and that's saying somerhing for my Mum because she hated travelling. Have also,added the books listed to my ever growing books to be read pile.

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    1. My Mum went there when she was 19. That was back when you didn't need a passport to travel between Aust and NZ. She loved it.

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  6. This a lovely post Rose. Tempting us all to set those extra dollars aside for a visit. Yes, those clever KIWIS are in a class of their own. And so proud of their spectacular country. I've only visited the North Island but was fascinated with the hot springs etc.

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    1. Do they smell as bad as they say? I've heard the mud is pretty horrible, but very good for the skin. ;-)

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  7. Thanks so much for your post about NZ, Rose, and for mentioning The Pounamu Prophecy. Any mention of NZ tugs at my heart strings. If anyone wants ideas for what to do in NZ I am happy to suggest - from walking on a live volcano and swimming with dolphins to white water rafting and amazing coastal bush walks - and that's just around where I grew up xxx

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    1. Your book has been on my long TBR list for a while now, Cindy. I promise I'll get to it soon. Thank you for your offer to help with NZ activities. I will definitely be taking you up on that and picking your brains when we plan our trip. No date on that yet - but it's my next destination. :-)

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  8. I love New Zealand and find it a very creative place. Thank you for the list of recommended books as well.

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    1. Can't wait to go, Elaine. ... One day soon.

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  9. This is a beautiful post. I have a writing friend from New Zealand. I would love to go there one day. Love your dedication. :-)

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