
by Kathleen Costa
Digby Sloan has been hired as security for a 300-year old wooden icon called the “Kangaroo Dreaming” set to be the premier piece in an exhibit at the Royal Museum of London. The trip from Australia to London was long, but uneventful. However, the appearance of an Aboriginal man at the airport and on the street sets his little ‘gremlin’ (his professional sixth sense) chattering.

by Kathleen Costa
This is truly a delightful, entertaining series! Jamie Quinn may be a bit quirky with some low self-esteem issues, but one can easily identify with this young woman just trying to find her way. She loves her family, is loyal to friends and clients, misses her mom who recently died, and discovers she is more capable than she ever imagined…very realistic from her engaging first-person narrative. These books are quick reads, or listens in my case, but not short at all on enjoyment.

by Lorie Lewis Ham
Flameout is set in Melbourne, Australia and is the third book in the Souls of Fire series by Keri Arthur. There is a plague in the city called the Crimson Death which turns people into a new sort of vampire/zombie type creature called Red Cloaks. Most of those infected become a part of a hive that is run by someone from Emberly Pearson’s past–the brother of her former love Sam.

by Marilyn Meredith
I’m not sure where to begin with this review of After Ariel–there are so many good things to say.
First, there is a glossary of Australian slang at the front of the book. It was fun reading. However, I didn’t find it necessary in order to understand the outstanding dialogue.

by Lorie Lewis Ham
Who Needs Enemies is the first book in a new series by fantasy author Keri Arthur. This one is my favorite kind of book, a combo mystery/fantasy and it is only available as an e-book.

by Alicia Lieu
With the holidays coming, I became increasingly nostalgic for Thanksgiving with my family. It is just not feasible to fly cross country for a few days, even if I can get the days off of work. Because I happen to be holding down a retail job, holidays are the busiest time of year and difficult to request off. Not to mention that airfare the week of Thanksgiving is noticeably higher than the rest of the year. At least in New York, however, I’m still in my home country.

by Cynthia Chow
& Lorie Lewis Ham
In 1929 Melbourne, Australia, beautiful and independent Phryne Fisher only wanted to have a pleasant evening of conversation and a good drink at the Adventuress Club with a friend when, the ladies interrupt an attack upon novice reporter Polly Mettle in the sketchy Little Lon part of the city.

by Jackie Dale
Things have been hopping at the Cat House on the Kings. We just had a film crew come all the way from Australia to film a segment for the show “Bondi Vet.” Normally set on the fabulous Bondi Beach in Australia, the Cat House proved so compelling a subject that the show made the arduous journey to California to film a segment for their television show. Veterinarian Dr. Chris Brown is quite handsome and had all the ladies in quite a dither!

by Marilyn Meredith
& C. L. Shore
The story centers around the kidnapping of a concert pianist who disappears before the rehearsal of an important concert. The author is an artist of words when it comes to showing the anguish Ally, the kidnapped woman, experiences. Set in Australia, the different word usage is an added plus as are the descriptions of the unfamiliar places.

by Diana Hockley
On Sunday, May 27, I accompanied a friend who runs Destiny Donkey Rescue, to the service commemorating animals in war and the unveiling of the first memorial dedicated to animals serving in war. We took two donkeys, Henry – who carries the colors of the Medical Corp, awarded to him by Australia’s Governor General in a ceremony in 2011 – and Wombat.

by Diana Hockley
I see you’re packing your bags for an overseas holiday! Perhaps you are contemplating a trip to Australia, and while you are here you may drop in on my “neck of the woods,” the Valleys of the Scenic Rim.

by Diana Hockley
I rarely sulk, but when given to do so, it is necessary to make sure that it is done everywhere.
The lounge room is a good place if there is anyone else at home, as those in the house can’t miss what is going on. The loo is an excellent place to sulk, but only if my husband Andrew, the two cats and our four pet rats all know that I am in there expressly for the purpose of sulking.

by C.L. Shore & Lorie Lewis Ham
Lorie Ham interviews Australian mystery author and KRL writer Diana Hockley about her new book The Celibate Mouse and her love of pet rats, and C.L. Shore reviews the book which is the second one in her series. At the end of this article is a chance to win a copy.

by Diana Hockley
You’re a what? ‘Er…I’m a mouse judge.’
This is the typical start of a conversation with non-rodent admirers, who gaze at me like I am about to bare my teeth and gibber. The “what” is most pronounced when I am talking to farm people; for some reason, they are not rodent lovers.