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Book Reviews
Here are reviews of the most recent books I've read. I'd love to hear what you're reading too. I know how it feels to read a book you've enjoyed and the excitement it brings to share your views with others— I invite you to add your comments. And if you have a suggestion for any upcoming books or authors you'd like to give a shout out to, then this is your chance.
Happy reading.
xx Chrissie


The Lost Letters of Rose Carey
So delighted was I after reading this terrific novel that I gushed to author Julie Bennett straight away.
Chrissie Bellbrae
May 22, 20242 min read
0 comments


War of Hearts
By Tania Farrelly New York Times investigative reporter Grace Winter longs to make her mark as a correspondent. When America enters the...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Sep 12, 20232 min read
0 comments


The Five Year Plan
By Jodi Gibson It’s the perfect climate to read a book set in Italy, and to travel vicariously via our memories and imagination– on a...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Oct 9, 20211 min read
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THE EIGHTH WONDER
By Tania Farrelly If you're a fan of historical fiction, and love Belinda Alexandra and Natasha Lester, you're in for a treat. Debut...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Jun 30, 20212 min read
0 comments


THE FAMILY INHERITANCE
By TRICIA STRINGER “Sometimes an ending is really a beginning…” There’s nothing like a family squabble to set the juices flowing. But in...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Sep 21, 20203 min read
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THE WOMEN'S PAGES
By VICTORIA PURMAN “The war has ended, the fight begins…” Victoria Purman is a wonderful writer of historical fiction and her latest...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Aug 23, 20203 min read
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SORROW AND BLISS
By Meg Mason I’m unfamiliar with Meg Mason’s previous books, but Sorrow and Bliss is an enlightening and enigmatic read. Poignant,...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Jul 12, 20202 min read
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THE GOLDMINER'S SISTER
By Alison Stuart 'There are people in this town with the gleam of gold in their eyes and cold steel in their hearts.' This is the second...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Jul 8, 20202 min read
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THE SILK HOUSE
By Kayte Nunn “Weaving. Witchcraft. Herbalism.” I enjoy Kayte Nunn’s historical fiction novels — my particular favourite is, The Lost...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Jul 5, 20202 min read
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MY LIFE FOR YOURS
By Vanessa Carnevale “No parent should ever have to lose a child. No husband should ever have to lose a wife. No one should ever have...
Chrissie Bellbrae
May 31, 20203 min read
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WHEN GRACE WENT AWAY
By Meredith Appleyard She's gone ... will her family pull together, or fall further apart? Delightful story of a family in turmoil — and...
Chrissie Bellbrae
May 5, 20203 min read
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GULLIVER’S WIFE
Every so often, a book comes along, where the beautiful language and evocative images are so intense, so fruitful,
Chrissie Bellbrae
Apr 30, 20203 min read
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THE PARIS SECRET
By Natasha Lester "A wardrobe of Dior gowns, a secret kept for sixty-five years, and the three women bound forever by war..." The one...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Apr 1, 20202 min read
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SHEERWATER
by Leah Swann The beautiful phrasing, evocative language and fresh style of Leah Swann’s writing had me reeling. I warn you—you’ll need...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Mar 24, 20203 min read
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MAGPIE LANE
By Lucy Atkins With an intriguing premise and disturbing setting reminiscent of Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier, Magpie Lane promises...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Mar 22, 20202 min read
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The End of Cuthbert Close
by Cassie Hamer I’d love to live in Cuthbert Close. From the first few pages, I was so invested in the neighbourhood I was ready to move...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Mar 14, 20202 min read
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Book Review: Easter Promises—an Historical Anthology
By Clare Griffin, Sarah Fiddelaers, Ava January & Nancy Cunningham Each story in this terrific anthology by four Australian writers...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Mar 1, 20203 min read
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The First for 2020
THE DESERT NURSE by Pamela Hart Hi and welcome to 2020! Moving many years forward from my previous throwback, I’ve chosen a more recent...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Jan 3, 20202 min read
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Throwback Thursday #1
At the risk of giving away my age, the first book I fell in love with was THE ENCHANTED WOOD by Enid Blyton. Introduced to Moonface and...
Chrissie Bellbrae
Nov 10, 20192 min read
1 comment
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