Jan
12

The Culprit

The house is quiet. Perfect writing solitude.

My bliss.

BUT… what is that noise? Again, and again, and again.

Three times I’ve thought hubby home with a clatter of keys on the bench, but no one was there.

Three times I’ve called out ‘hello’, but no one was there.

Three times I’ve wandered the house, checking behind doors, and springing open the en suite, but no one was there.

Until…

…

I narrowed the sound to hubby’s office,

and…

…

I couldn’t catch his Mum, but this little guy turned up on the fence, waiting for her to finish her game. For she was the culprit tapping on the window. Too quick for me to catch on film.

Now I can go back to work, without worrying about burglars, or the ceiling collapsing, or that I’m going not so quietly mad.

How can I be mad with anything so cute?

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Gabrielle Wang" alt="Gabrielle Wang">

Gabrielle Wang

Glad it wasn’t intruders, Chris.
That little fella is so cute. Hope he’s safe and not too young to leave the nest.
It might be a good idea to keep an eye on him and make sure the mum’s around.

January 12, 2011 at 10:25 am
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Lisa Mac

THAT! is the cutest thing ever. love your pic 🙂

January 12, 2011 at 1:55 pm
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christinemareebell" alt="christinemareebell">

christinemareebell

Isn’t he darling? 🙂 C. PS: Hope I’m still saying that if I end up with two of them playing at the window.

January 12, 2011 at 3:54 pm
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Categories: My writing journey

Tags: The Writing Life

Praise for No Small Shame

Christine Bell’s No Small Shame is impossible to put down. Her writing is wonderful, wise and empathetic. No Small Shame is a masterful debut novel, and an excellent addition to Australia’s historical fiction genre. Full review.

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- Kate Mildenhall, Author (The Mother Fault, Skylarking)

This is a novel of darkness and hope, full of insight, and written beautifully, with intelligence and sensitivity. A wonderful debut … Full review.

- Robyn Cadwallader, Author (The Anchoress, The Book of Colours)

Be prepared to be transported into the past, to be caught up in a slice of Aussie history but, mostly, swept away in a completely relatable and beautifully told tale that will move and, in the end, fill you. Outstanding. Full review.

- Karen Brooks - Author (The Chocolate Maker's Daughter, The Darkest Shore ...)

An absorbing, convincing and heartbreaking picture of a woman trapped in an impossible marriage. I ached for Mary and grew to love the defiant spirit shining through her doubts and fears.

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Mary O’Donnell’s journey to self-awareness will have you turning the pages until the heartbreaking climax.

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Mary’s compelling journey and her indomitable spirit are heartbreaking, moving and inspirational. This novel is a well-researched examination of the roles and rights of women at that time, the struggles and discrimination they faced, the hardships they were expected to endure and the small victories they celebrated, often silently.  Full review.

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No Small Shame is a beautiful and inspiring story about female power. Christine Bell gives us a brilliant story of female heroism and shows us that women are capable of much more than we could ever really know. Full review.

- Courtney Dyer, TheBookSlut.com

Compelling and addictive. … a rich and absorbing experience. Full Review.

- Angela Wauchop: Backstory History Journal

What distinguishes the novel is its rich characterization. Each character in this carefully drawn work lifts off the page, evoking our enduring interest and empathy.

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An epic tale of a woman who finds her voice and ultimately, her agency. Meticulously researched, ambitious in scope and compelling in realisation.

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My heart hurt, my heart soared, and I was left thinking about the amazing women who paved the way for women today. Full review.

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No Small Shame is an important reminder of how far we have come in Australia … and how much we need to protect. It is a story crafted with great empathy – and immense believability. Full Review.

- Dr Wendy Dunn, author/poet (Dear Heart, How Like You This? Falling Pomegranate Seeds: The Duty of Daughters)

No Small Shame is an exquisitely written, absorbing and intelligent story of love, betrayal and the painful journey to self-awareness.

- Alison Goodman, author (Eon/Eona, Lady Helen and the Dark Days series, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies)

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