From Hook To Book

Mar
16

International Writing Sprint

What do you do when presented with a fabulous challenge but no time to think? You go, go, go for it. The inspiring Anita Heiss sent out a world-wide challenge, via Facebook, an invitation to write for one hour on the Monday morn just gone. The idea being for everyone to start … Read More

Mar
12

“George and Ghost” Catriona Hoy talks Picture Books: Here and Overseas

Today, I’m thrilled to have delightful author Catriona Hoy stop by on her blog tour and tell us all about her brand new picture book George and Ghost. Catriona has published several picture books including: My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day, The Music Tree, both the Daddies and Mummies are Amazing titles … Read More

Mar
09

Writing into the Inspiration of Place

During my time in Scotland, researching my novel, I fell in love with a small Roman brig near the site of where my great-grandparents’ mining village once stood. (Bothwellhaugh, Lanarkshire) It conjured for me a strong sense of place and a romanticism that followed me home, begging me to write … Read More

Mar
03

Exciting visitor – coming soon – Catriona Hoy on tour

Catriona Hoy is about to launch her brand new picture book George and Ghost. To celebrate and publicise her latest book baby, she’ll be touring the blogosphere from Monday 7th March ’til Monday 14th March. I’m excited she’ll be visiting me here at From Hook to Book on Saturday 12th March to talk all about George and … Read More

Feb
26

Travelling Back in Story to Move Forward

Back at the end of October, I was like a kid let out of school for summer. But with a firm goal to finish my novel by new semester start. (Next Tuesday.) Ha, ha, ha! What naivety! But, oh, how thrilling the challenge! (When I wasn’t gnashing teeth and tearing … Read More

Feb
16

Life changes how we write.

My gorgeous daughter has left home. Flown away to far off places to live and work for an indefinite time. Taking a little piece of my heart with her, and no doubt changing my psyche in her absence. I suspect, in some small part, changing the way, and how, I … Read More

Feb
10

Writer Hell…

Writers need ~ Solitude, silence, thinking space, musing time… NOT THIS:- [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4XBeQoCgPM] Seriously people, a couple of weeks ago, I blogged about the positives of going out to write in other environments and escaping the nightmare noise of the new estate going in across my road. (Not ten metres away.) … Read More

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.

- Better Reading

Bell’s evocation of setting is an outstanding feature of the novel. Her social and physical landscapes of the years 1909 to 1919 are vivid with sensory and historical colour. Full Review.

- Westerly Magazine

Once I started reading No Small Shame, I could not stop. I was utterly swept up by Mary’s story and her refusal to settle for the life she is expected to lead.

- 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.

- Jane Sullivan, Literary Critic and Author (Storytime, Little People)

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

- Lauren Chater, Author (The Lace Weaver, Gulliver's Wife)

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.

- Cass Moriaty, Author (The Promise Seed, Parting Words)

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.

- Nadine Davidoff, Freelance Book Editor

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

- Christine Balint, Author (Salt Letters, Ophelia's Fan)

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

- BJs Reviews

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)

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