Author Archive: Brooke Simmons

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Book Review: A Week in Winter, Maeve Binchy

Book Review: A Week in Winter, Maeve Binchy

| 8 February , 2013 | Reply

The Sydney Sun Herald said this novel was “An absolute gem”. The reviewer got it absolutely right! Maeve Binchey is rightly considered the Queen of Irish popular fiction and enjoys a huge following in Australia. Irish-born, Binchey was a teacher, journalist, speaker and writer of short stories, dramas and novels – 16 in all. These [...]

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Book Review: Oh Dear Silvia, Dawn French

Book Review: Oh Dear Silvia, Dawn French

| 6 February , 2013 | Reply

Silvia Shute, central character of Oh Dear Silvia by Dawn French has lots of secrets. But she’s not sharing any of them. It’s not because she doesn’t want to. She can’t. She’s in a coma. The latest from comedic talent Dawn French, Oh Dear Silvia will make you cringe, laugh, sniffle and amazed all at [...]

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Book Review: Be Careful What You Wish For, Gemma Crisp

Book Review: Be Careful What You Wish For, Gemma Crisp

| 1 February , 2013 | Reply

With Jesinta Campbell’s glowing review on the glamboyant cover of  Be Careful What You Wish For by Gemma Crisp, you’d think the book would be all bubble-gum sweetness and may indeed put some readers off. I advise you if this is you. Don’t be put off. Grab this book. What you’ll get, is a fantastic, [...]

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Book Review: House of Memories, Monica McInerney

Book Review: House of Memories, Monica McInerney

| 15 January , 2013 | Reply

If you’re a fan of Monica McInerney, you’ll want to read “The House of Memories.”  And you should read it. It’s almost textbook McInerney style/characters/plot/outcome. If you’ve not read any of Monica’s previous works, this is NOT the place to start. (Personally, I’d recommend “A Taste for It” or “At Home with the Templetons” as [...]

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Book Review: Only in Spain, Nellie Bennett

Book Review: Only in Spain, Nellie Bennett

| 10 January , 2013 | Reply

Have you ever wanted to do something completely out of character? Go on, be honest. I know I have. Spontaneously book a trip, splurge on a decadent pair of shoes… I could go on. Only in Spain follows this idea of chasing your dreams, if you only dare to. This memoir follows Nellie Bennett’s travels to Spain [...]

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Book Review: Waratah House, Ann Whitehead

Book Review: Waratah House, Ann Whitehead

| 10 January , 2013 | Reply

Imagine if you will, being among the first settlers to a foreign country, alone. No parents, friends, relatives. Just you. It’s a terrifying concept, one which central character – Marina – of Ann Whitehead’s beautifully written Waratah House faces. After a traumatic journey from “the motherland” Marina finds herself as a maid, at a beautiful [...]

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DVD Review: Think Like A Man

DVD Review: Think Like A Man

| 8 January , 2013 | Reply

Director: Tim Story Starring: Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence J, Jenifer Lewis, Romany Malco, Gary Owen, Gabrielle Union Sassi’s Rating: 2/5 Think about all the dating advice you’ve ever been given. Now throw that all out the window. You have to think like a man if [...]

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Book Review: A Story of Seven Summers, Hilary Burden

Book Review: A Story of Seven Summers, Hilary Burden

| 20 December , 2012 | Reply

I normally don’t give my reviews titles per-se but this review demands one…  Two Hundred and Seventy-Four Pages Too Short – a review of A Story of Seven Summers by Hilary Burden. Categorised as a Memoir, this absolutely wonderful book is a joy. You simply must read it! There. I’ve said it. Wonderful, inspiring, companionable, [...]

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Book Review: The Laughing Clowns, William McInnes

Book Review: The Laughing Clowns, William McInnes

| 17 December , 2012 | Reply

Following on from “A Man’s got to Have a Hobby”;” Laughing Clowns” by William McInnes is a very easy, enjoyable read. Thoroughly Australian with a few phrases that will have non Aussies racing for an Australian dictionary it has a seamless, flowing plot that evolves effortlessly. The character of Peter Kennedy has some similarity to [...]

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Book Review: When In Rome, Nicky Pellegrino

Book Review: When In Rome, Nicky Pellegrino

| 13 December , 2012 | Reply

If you love all things Italian (and I mean more than the good-looking men!) then When in Rome by Nicky Pellegrino should be on your summer reads list. Set in 1950′s Rome central character Serafina calls the winding streets of the capital city home. She shares a tiny apartment with her sisters & mother and [...]

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Book Review: The Meryl Streep Movie Club, Mia March

Book Review: The Meryl Streep Movie Club, Mia March

| 13 December , 2012 | Reply

As women – we can’t deny we do love things that connect us to other women. Yoga, book clubs, mothers groups and family. The last one may be negotiable. Well at least it appears that way in The Meryl Streep Movie Club. I’m not ruining anything by revealing that the three central characters – relatives – [...]

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