I am an author. My debut novel, "A Family of Strangers" is a historical family saga set in Australia in 1790s.
Ever since I learned how to read, I developed a voracious appetite for fiction. I continue to read -- about 3 novels a week. I also try to write as my favourite writers do, hoping I will produce books I will enjoy reading myself -- novels that tell a compelling tale, have interesting characters and a well-researched historical setting. I am now working on the sequel to my novel.
I have used my education (B.A. and M. Comm) and my experience in the workplace to research, write and polish my novel (over thirty years) and finally got it published by Five Star Publishing, an imprint of Gale Cengage Publishing in the USA in December 2006.
It is great to be here amongst other avid readers. I look forward to checking out my Shelfari friends' good reads, especially when some of my favourite authors continue to disappoint me and have dropped off my radar.
I have decided to limit the books on my Shelfari bookshelf to the books I've enjoyed reading--i.e. I am recommending them to other readers here. I see no point in "boasting" of all the books I've read, where some -- including some by my ex-favourite authors -- are really not worth mentioning. :(
I've been checking out the books on my Shelfari friends' book shelves, and I'm delighted to see authors I have read long ago and enjoyed, many whose books are no longer available in bookstores--but may still be available at libraries.
I remember enjoying H.Ridder Haggard's "She" -- if you get a chance, check it out.
I keep adding all my favourite books, as I remember them,. I tend to read all the books published by a favourite author, but it gets monotonous listing all the books from a prolific author, so I'm listing only the really good ones. Besides I'm not competing to be the member with the most books on my shelf. :)
For the curious, here's a synopsis of my novel, "A Family of Strangers":
For retaliating against her employer's son who raped her, Kate O'Neal is shipped out in 1793 to Botany Bay to serve her 7-year sentence. She is expected to die in the new penal colony, that is if she survives the harsh, long voyage there, but the 15-year-old refuses to be life's victim. She endures her hard life, makes friends with a group of people who become her "family of strangers". Together, they forge ahead to make a new life for themselves in this new harsh land they decide to make their home.
It is a tale of how Australia began as a penal colony to replace Britain's American colonies following the American War of Independence of 1774.
For more, check out these links:
http://www.sanchona.com
http://www.myspace.com/sanchona
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