Stuffed by Sarah Junkin

I recently had the pleasure of reading a debut novel by journalist, Sarah Junkin. The book will be released in the next month and will be available on Amazon and other on-line book sellers. It is a contemporary novel that captured my interest and held it through to the very end. In fact, I read it in one sitting and could not put it down.

It is a novel about a young woman named Hadley who is married to Bud, the second best taxidermist in all of Canada. When Bud finds a new job in a Lovell, a mid-sized town in British Columbia, Hadley must leave her family, friends, and career in Calgary to make a new life. Hadley is empathetic and kind, and much beloved by all. But not all is what it seems. Hadley does not understand why her husband can be so cruel and indifferent towards her. Nevertheless, Hadley struggles to please and live in accord with him and make their marriage work.

Lonely, she turns to a warm, supportive group of individuals in an Alcoholics Anonymous group. Even though she is not and never has been a recovering alcoholic, which she keeps hidden from her new friends who accept her and bring warmth into her life. Through these new-found friends, she begins to come to terms with her problems.

Sarah Junkin has written an endearing first novel that captures the reader from the very first page with her colourful characters and “out of the ordinary” plot twists. Sometimes sad and sometimes funny, it is a spellbinding debut novel featuring a woman whose life is thrust into turmoil and uncertainty as she struggles to come to terms with a the realities of her life. Readers will identify with Hadley’s less than perfect life and her journey towards self-discovery, which awakens her desire to seek happiness, no matter the cost.

What I loved most about this book was the unique circumstances surrounding the multi-faceted, complex cast of characters. From rats to neighbours falling from the sky to an obscene Halloween costume, this book kept me turning pages to see what would happen next.

To learn more about Sarah Junkin and her work, please visit her website at: http://www.sarahjunkin.ca.

The novel is currently in the book cover stages and should be available in March or April.

Nostradamus

Nostradamus has always fascinated me. His predictions and prophecies have intrigued millions of people all over the world throughout history. No one has been able to fully unravel his codes and the secrets that lie within and many have tried. Even to this very day, some of his predictions are being identified and connected to current events.

I found the above video on You Tube and thought it gave a very good, brief history of the man and his clairvoyant predictions. Enjoy.

Emilie's Voice by Susanne Dunlap

Emilie's Voice is a novel set in Paris France in the oppulent court of King Louis XIV. Emilie is a young girl on the verge of womanhood, the daughter of a poor violin maker and his very conservative wife. One day, Emilie sings and the beauty of her voice and talent are discovered. Because of her talent, she ends up in the palace of Versailles and finds herself a victim, drawn into dark intrigues and the tyrannical manipulations of those in power.

Susanne Dunlap has written an endearing tale lost innocence amid the scandals of the king's court. The characters are all unique and memorable and ever-evolving. One twist after another keeps the reader spellbound until the very last page. The intense ending leaves the reader breathless and restless. It's a little book that packs a great deal of punch. For an easy, pleasant, and interesting read, I highly recommend it.