Away From My Island ~ The True Story of Eliza Gill by Gary Collins

Eliza Wicks was one of eight children born in 1914 to Mary Jane and Joe Wicks. She dearly loved her home on Silver Fox Island but always desired more than the fishing lifestyle afforded to her large family of seven brothers and sisters. As a child, dreams of "black, shiny, patten leather shoes and a long, gold-coloured dress" were frequent but replaced instead by daily chores or working "in service" as it was called in those days.  At the tender age of eleven she accompanied her father and nine year old brother on a schooner trip to the Labrador. Working day and night to cook for the fishing crew, Eliza quickly discovered she was exhilarated by the feeling of freedom and felt as though her "spirit was let loose and being carried over the bounding ocean".  Eliza eventually met and married the love of her life, a school teacher named Jacob Gill. Again, dreams of a better life for the newlyweds and their young family consumed Eliza even if it meant having to leave the island and eventually Newfoundland.  Navigating obstacles and overcoming difficult family circumstances, debilitating illness, and ostracization by her church and community, Eliza laboured and toiled with great stoicism and bravery, never succumbing to defeat . The ultimate challenge, however, proved to be her final act of love. Away From My Island by Gary Collins is the true story of the amazing life of an outport lady turned heroine.

How does one bid farewell to the birth den, say goodbye to the soil upon which one had flourished and been nurtured? Strangely, for me it was the natural part of my island that I found the hardest to leave. The part of the island that could not bid me farewell was the island itself - the magnificence of it standing boldly above the sea, the cleansing feel, the scent, the aroma of the sea lacing the spindrift at its foundation, created anew with each flood tide. It was the bastion that had sheltered me, upon which I had found refuge, and which now, of my own choosing, I was leaving.

Away From My Island ~ The True Story of Eliza Gill is Gary Collins' sixteenth book. Known as Newfoundland and Labrador's favourite storyteller, Collins does indeed weave a captivating biographical account engaging the reader with vivid images and great prose while encapsulating Eliza's entire life in a respectful and intimate way. There is no doubt that Collins fully delivers in communicating this tragic yet touching story but is also successful in telling the story of a generation of people who were shaped by the real world events of their time. As Eliza's life unfolds, Collins steps in with historically accurate commentary on the social and political climate of the day. Readers begin to truly appreciate Eliza's life circumstances as the facts are laid bare;  fishing families left "in the red" to wealthy merchants; men leaving their community in search of Labrador fish;  the effects of The Great Depression, the war in Europe and the TB outbreak on the Newfoundland people; and the unusually hot summer of 1961 that ravaged Collins' hometown of Hare Bay, forcing the residents to seek refuge on Silver Fox Island.  As the author expertly intertwines biography and historical facts, Collins' relationship with Eliza as her son-in-law is revealed as well as a most tragic and unexpected ending that left me both shocked and deeply saddened. I applaud Mr. Collins and his courage in telling this most difficult story and hope that it brings some solace and peace.

Away From My Island ~ The True Story of Eliza Gill  is a uniquely powerful story documenting the extraordinary life of one woman and her family. This riveting tale also reveals the complexities and hardships of a whole generation of Newfoundland people. I would sure love to see Gary Collins, the infamous Story Man, narrate this tale as part of a documentary series. Away From My Island ~ The True Story of Eliza Gill is a Flanker Press publication.

Revenge Finds A Home by Bill Coultas

When almost 40-year-old Professor John Peyton is found on the East Coast Trail murdered from a bow and arrow shot through his neck, Irishman Bob Lynch knew his penchant for risky work assignments had come to fruition as the newest member of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. Assigned to the unusual homicide case of the deceased geologist, Inspector Lynch sets out to solve this murder mystery only to  discover that the arrowhead used by the perpetrator has strong connections to a now extinct Beothuk tribe of Newfoundland and Labrador natives.  As the investigation continues,  similar killings are discovered in Brazil, North Dakota, and British Columbia, all victims suffering the same fate; a bow and arrow through the neck using arrowheads made from the same Ramah stone. As extensive police work reveals a host of suspects and clues as well as a victim with a rather interesting personal and professional life, Detective Lynch is reminded of the memoir of his great-great-uncle Peter Lynch rescued by a native Beothuk tribe after abandoning his ship 180 years ago.  Strange connections between this modern day case and the memoir are revealed. Revenge Finds A Home by Bill Coultas is a unique blend of historical fiction and murder, following the lineage of two Irish relatives who find themselves in Newfoundland almost 200 years apart.

A slice of sunlight cut across John Peyton's eye as he slowly woke up from a contented sleep. His slowness to get up was likely due to the fact that he didn't have to be at the university teaching classes. 

He was fair itching to revisit the promising fossil find he had stumbled on just days before the fall semester. But he needed a couple of days at his country cabin to develop a game plan before heading off to the Cape Shore. He'd been combing the area all summer and now needed to focus in on a few key places before the cold weather set in. He was determined to have a good look at their unusual geological features, because he felt certain they would have great significance. Peyton imagined his findings would rival the world-renowned Mistaken Point and its well over 500-million-year-old fossils. That made them the oldest fossils in the world. Maybe his own find would even surpass those of Mistaken Point. He gloated at the thought and saw his reputation soar worldwide. Peyton slipped out of the king-sized bed, and suddenly the elevation made his head ache. He groaned, noting he had a bit of a head on. A slight hangover from the party last night. It turned out to be more fun than expected. There had been some shoptalk early on, but when two especially attractive female students arrived, things had gotten more pleasant and the drinks more frequent.

Though author Bill Coultas is no stranger to writing and producing creative works of art, Revenge Finds A Home is his first foray into the world of novel writing. Coultas captivates the reader from the very start with vivid images and continues the narrative with consistently detailed storytelling. He does a phenomenal job at incorporating the historical facts of european native relations into an authentic storyline and seamlessly melds it with a fictional modern day murder mystery. The two tales run side by side, providing a fascinating glimpse into the past that serves to enrich the present day murder investigation. Readers will feel the authenticity of the setting and the plot as they navigate police work alongside Detective Lynch and will be fascinated by the ever present complexities that propels a character's motivation to murder and drive to act. 

Revenge Finds A Home is a well-written provocative exploration of the concept of revenge and reminds us that "what goes around comes around". A copy of this crime novel can be purchased wherever Flanker Press publications are sold.

She Said ~ A Crime Novel by Mitchell D. King

When 17 year old honours student Mia Kennedy heads downtown with her friends for a night of drinking she notices a rather attractive Robert Harris seated at the bar.  The 38 year old divorced trucker is unwinding after a stint on the road when Mia befriends him under the pretence that she is 24, not 17. Soon enough a relationship ensues and after four steamy encounters Robert finds himself accused of sexual assault by the bright, athletic teen. The charges are brought to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador where every detail of this forbidden liaison is publicly dissected, exposed for the world to see. Which way will the scales of justice tip?

She Said ~ A Crime Novel is Mitchell D. King's first foray into the world of crime writing. A practicing lawyer with a prestigious firm in St. John's, Newfoundland, King draws on his legal experience in crafting a captivating story that exposes bias, stereotyping and the ever present flaws of the judicial system.

Mia walked with her friends to their usual corner table and, on the way, noticed a familiar face out of the corner of her eye. She stopped dead in her tracks as Amber and Ashley took their seats. Under the neon lights flashing above sat the man who Mia had met some months before. He wore a dark leather jacket over a black hoodie. As he had last time, he wore black jeans that were rolled up and paired with black combat boots. His beard was as grizzly as she remembered. Mia noticed that he didn't have a hat on his head this time, and she thought his hair looked nice. It was combed over to the side in a haphazard way, but it was a healthy head of hair. A warm feeling crept into her stomach and flowed down her legs, sinking like an anchor. 

King's narrative is expertly organized and well written. The fast-paced easy to follow storyline is told from the viewpoint of many different people including jurors, attorney's, family members and the main characters themselves, Mia and Robert.  As each person's perspective is presented, the reader gains new insight into the case and the sometimes complicated backstory of the individuals. This technique creates, within the reader, an acute awareness of the biases that affect decisions and judgements, challenging one's perception of innocence or guilt. The fact that the story takes place in familiar St. John's settings throughout the capital city and outlying areas is a nice touch. King's decision to also include the courtroom as a story backdrop is quite effective in authenticating the tale but also at providing disturbing insight to some of the workings of the criminal justice system. Readers will become part of the jury, immersed in the arguments presented for both sides but will also experience some inner conflict by knowing what has truly occurred.

She Said is a great first crime novel for Mitchell D. King. Wonderfully analytical and psychologically insightful, the story propelled me to just keep turning the pages. The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger and it did sadden me but perhaps there's more to come from author Mitchell King, or at least I hope so. She Said ~ A Crime Novel is a Flanker Press publication. 

Seventh Son: My Road To Success by Jim Scott

 I was eight and had developed no thoughts around money other than there was never any extra. I also knew Thursdays were paydays, and for that day there was a lot of food in the house. Every other penny went to buy clothes and anything else we might need.  Not many dollar bills slipped into the cash pouch of my father's wallet and stayed there, and if there were any, they'd already been proactively claimed for future use. Nobody had spare money except, it seemed, Alphonsus Keefe. A business owner..... I knew, even at such a young age, that this was something worth striving for.

Seventh Son: My Road to Success is the memoir of self-made millionaire and successful entrepreneur Jim Scott. Born into a working class blended family of 12 children in the Central Newfoundland town of Windsor, life was rough for the seventh son of a paper mill worker and his hard-working bride. But as luck should have it, the Celtic fable of good luck and prosperity that is often bestowed upon a seventh son proved true. This memoir is an autobiographical series of snapshots demonstrating how one ordinary man turned misfortune to fortune, while staying true to his humble beginnings and family values. 

At the age of 16, on the heels of his father's death, the carefree days of boyhood were over. The agony of grief was tremendous and not having a father to assist with navigating the hurdles of being a teenager were tough. Thrust unwillingly into manhood and failing school, Scott left with Grade 8 education to help support the family. Like so many other Newfoundlanders, Scott tried studying at the college but ended up leaving the province and working menial jobs. Eventually he found success as a millwright and secured work with IOC in Labrador City. As is common in the trades industry, Scott was no stranger to a litany of layoffs and found himself travelling to find work. Over the years he worked on the Hibernia and Terra Nova Offshore Oil projects and travelled to the US to work on the Big Dig Project. Eventually, Scott's vast experience as a tradesman and savvy business acumen resulted in his decision to establish his own project and construction management firm at the age of forty four. Standard Consulting Inc. was born and lived for nine years as a multi million dollar operation until it was sold to a national engineering firm. Jim Scott was fifty-three.

Seventh Son: My Road to Success truly portrays the arduous journey to success and offers hope to those on a similar path. There are many turning points in the memoir as the author writes with truth and purpose, inviting the reader to walk in his shoes. At times it was overly detailed and I found myself skipping over some of the technical writing relating to his business affairs however, many people will easily relate to Scott's early experiences (childhood shenanigans, first romances, death and divorce) and will come to appreciate the lessons gleaned from his life that supported his success. Seventh Son: My Road to Success by Jim Scott is a Flanker Press publication. 

The River Murder by Patrick J. Collins

Author,  Patrick Collins is back!! Back with his thirteenth novel, The River Murder. Inspired by true events, Collins weaves another criminal tale of murder, suspicion and lost love set against a backdrop of religious rioting the likes of which the 1884 British Dominion of Newfoundland had likely never seen before.  

Set in the outport town of Harbour Grace Sergeant Sean Ryan is tasked to police the emotionally charged and tense community of Riverhead. On the heels of the infamous religious riot known as the Harbour Grace Affray, which saw the killing of four protestant men and the leader of the Irish Catholics, Patrick Callahan,  the community is deeply divided following public inquiries and trials which saw the exoneration of the Head Constable,  not guilty verdicts and finally acquittals for 19 Riverhead men. There is strong public dissent and great mistrust within the community but Sergeant Ryan,  a 12 year police veteran from Cork, Ireland, was the only officer who had not been involved in the Affray on that fateful day and would likely gain the trust of the Riverhead people. Certainly, being a Catholic himself and distantly related to the Callahans would also endear him to the community, one would think. 

The young police officer is propelled into action one June morning, when thirty five year old Thomas Callahan, the son of the late Patrick Callahan, was found floating in the river with a gunshot wound to his chest. The investigation is complicated and the Sergeant faces many obstacles and roadblocks.  As he works to gain acceptance and navigate a volatile situation fraught with complex social issues, he must also decipher his own mental health challenges while discovering that his former lover had been in a romantic relationship with the deceased man, Thomas. Will Sergeant Ryan gain the trust of the people and solve this gruesome murder?

In true Patrick Collins style, the author magically and expertly intertwines the unique factual history of his Harbour Grace home within a fictitious storyline. Complete with a detailed Prologue outlining the tumultuous events of the Boxing Day riot in 1883 as well as a map of the Harbour Grace area showing the location of the narrative, readers will have a better understanding of the storyline and like me, will have a desire to visit this quaint Newfoundland town. The story reads like a true who-done-it crime novel and readers will be introduced to many characters as the story develops and the mystery unfolds. The abundance of characters necessitated a reread of some sections in order for me to keep things straight but I still enjoyed trying to figure out who killed Thomas. Just when I thought I had figured it out, I discovered I was wrong. Needless to say the ending of the book did catch me off guard. Good job, Mr. Collins, on a great history lesson and an entertaining read!

The Newfoundland and Labrador Cocktail Book: The Definitive Guide to Cocktails Across the Province by Peter Wilkins

Whether you are just starting out, or a seasoned mixologist, The Newfoundland and Labrador Cocktail Book by Peter Wilkins,  is an easy to use book designed to expand your cocktail repertoire while offering a solid foundation for understanding the allure of mixed drinks using locally sourced ingredients from Newfoundland and Labrador. As it's title suggests this "definitive guide" to smooth tipples, flavourful highballs, and bold spirits is sure to pack a boozy punch and will no doubt become a well-used staple in your cocktail cabinet. 

From the very beginning readers will get a sense that this book is to be savoured and enjoyed. The Foreword is nostalgic, detailing the fun and merriment of kitchen parties and multigenerational get togethers fueled by liquid bliss, music and dancing. This book is about more than just a compilation of cocktail recipes but "about community, about gatherings that only end at dawn".  Author and Co-Founder of The Newfoundland Distillery Company, Peter Wilkins, invites readers to be adventurous and approach the repertoire with a reason to celebrate. Whether it be "a little celebration of the day, hour, company, a small feat or a moment" he reminds readers that a cocktail is both "life-changing and, most certainly, life affirming!" It is simply the tie that binds.

The physicality of the book is quite pleasing. Soft-covered and just the right size, the photos of cocktails made from Newfoundland Distillery gin, rum, and vodka accompany each easy to follow recipe and are colorful, warm and enticing.  Salt rimmed glasses, elegant flutes, sprigs of mint, a twist of lemon or a slice of lime; the photography is a feast for the eyes, leaving the mouth watering for just a sip. Wilkins also includes interesting historical notes surrounding the featured cocktail as well as his impression of the blended flavours providing proof of his passion for cocktail making and expert knowledge of mixology. Readers who are new to this wonderful world of cocktail making will be pleased to know that Wilkins offers tips on how to properly stock your at home bar and digs in to the tools and techniques of creating the perfect mix including recipes for homemade syrups and sweeteners. The section entitled Our Spirits provides a wealth of information on the seven varieties of spirits produced by the distillery in Clarkes Beach, Newfoundland and is a must read before stocking your bar. In fact, you might even be surprised by how many cocktails you can make from purchasing just one or two of the internationally awarded spirits. 

Divided by style (Highballs, Sweet, Light,  A Certain Delight, Bolder, Boozier, and For the Palate That's Choosier), there is a cocktail for everyone!   The author has included easy drinking cocktails that everyone loves like the refreshing Moscow Mule but has also included classic drinks with a twist such as the Rumhattan which, you probably guessed, is a twist on the ever popular Manhattan using the famous Chaga Rum. The Newfoundland Negroni made from Gunpowder and Rose Rum packs a nice punch and for those who enjoy citrus drinks the Salty Sailor made from Seaweed Gin is sure to get you smacking your lips. And who could pass up an opportunity to make a cocktail dating from the early 1800's? The Otterbury Fashioned, a take on the classic Old Fashioned, uses Aquavit, a Newfoundland "whisky" mixed with molasses syrup. As Wilkins reminds us, however, in the world of cocktails "there is never an outright winner, as subjectivity is what makes it such fun." The final chapter in Wilkins book explores cocktails from across the province; recipes from award winning, nationally and internationally renowned bars, breweries and restaurants who have mastered the art of a good cocktail using spirits distilled by The Newfoundland Distillery. 

The Newfoundland and Labrador Cocktail Book by Peter Wilkins is an adventure waiting to happen! Each recipe is filled with the promise of a unique and great tasting creation to be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home, shared with friends or as a celebration of anything and everything.  The Newfoundland and Labrador Cocktail Book: The Definitive Guide to Cocktails Across the Province by Peter Wilkins is a Breakwater Books publication.

Hunting Helena ~ A Novel by Natalie Carter-Giles

A psychological thriller that will leave you aghast, Hunting Helena is a chilling debut novel written by Newfoundland and Labrador author Natalie Carter-Giles. Already hardened by a lifetime of grief, Helena Douglas is a young university student attempting to start life over when the unthinkable happens. While jogging along a coastal trail she is captured by a deeply disturbed man. For three months, two weeks and five days Helena is held captive in a dark basement. With only a dirty mattress and meager offerings of food and water, Helena becomes the object of her abductors affection, enduring daily physical and mental torture, satisfying her captors sick obsessive desires and penchant for violence.  Fighting against all odds, Helena finds strength from within and manages to escape the clutches of his derangement.  In the following years, Helena works hard to recover and slowly puts her life back together to some semblance of normalcy but, in the back of her mind, she is constantly aware that her captor is still out there, lurking in the shadows, walking the streets. When Deer Lake college student, Melody Scott's body is found in a drainage ditch eight years after Helena's rescue, Helena resolves to stop this crazed madman in his tracks. She partners with Sergeant David Campbell and follows the clues back to her hometown where memories of happier times, moments of despair and episodes of nightmarish terror come flooding back. In this process of rediscovery she begins to see many things in a new light including the motivation of her one-time best friend and a childhood bargain she made with God.    

I have often said that fear is many things. It takes pieces of you that you may never get back. It makes you lose control and can stop you in your tracks. But what I didn't say is that fear can change you in ways you wouldn't think possible. It can take your ability to trust, to love, and to live, but sometimes fear changes who you are. It takes your very being and morphs it into someone or something you don't even recognize. Fear can transform you into someone you despise, and make you loathe the person who you have become. And sometimes, when the fear is just too unbearable, it turns you into the monster from which you are trying to escape. Not all of us survive fear - not all of us want to. And some of us wish we hadn't.

Hunting Helena ~ A Novel is a chilling psychological whodunit with frequent twists and turns. At the outset, the Prologue sets the stage for a page turning, fast paced story.  Readers will be instantly sucked in to the gripping story of Helena's reality as she lies "in the corner on the damp and dirty floor unable to wipe away" the blood splattered on her face.  Natalie Carter-Giles doesn't just lay out the facts and tell the story. She cleverly weaves the brutality of the crime and the life story of the main character using a flashback technique. As the story unfolds, the reader is constantly learning new information; information about Helena's early life, her time in captivity and recovery, and of course the present day detective story that is about to unfold. The audience will experience heightened feelings of anticipation and anxiety and will prompt thrill seekers to consider the darkness that exists within humanity. 

Natalie Carter-Giles writing is very well done, adding just enough description to invoke an empathetic response from readers as well as gut wrenching shock. I did find some parts of this story to be very disturbing making it a true psychological thriller, I guess. However it is important for readers to know that some of the scenes of violence and brutality could be triggering. I particularly enjoyed how the author cleverly constructs each chapter to end with a "what if" question creating a well organized story that kept me thinking about the current plot and wondering what was about to happen. 

Congratulations to  Natalie Carter-Giles on her first publication,  Hunting Helena ~ A Novel ! If you are in the market for frequent twists and turns, unending suspense, and a chilling story this is the book for you!!  Hunting Helena ~ A Novel is a Flanker Press publication.

 

Secure Parent, Secure Child; How a Parent's Adult Attachment Shapes the Attachment of the Child by Annette Kussin

 

Secure Parent, Secure Child by Annette Kussin is an in depth exploration of the relationship between parents and their children. Based on the Theory of Attachment, this twelve chapter parenting book explores how a parent's adult attachment style influences their parenting relationship with their children and the attachment of the child.  Kussin suggests that "children who experience loving, nurturing, and predictable environments develop secure attachments" and grow to be adults who expect to be treated well by others. Children who are not afforded positive and nurturing experiences from parents and caregivers, specifically from their mothers, are at risk of developing issues of insecurity and forming beliefs about themselves that influence lifelong relationships in the form of insecure attachments. 

Throughout the book Kussin provides a comprehensive study of Attachment Theory, the three kinds of insecure attachment and the parenting approaches required to create a healthy and happy caregiving environment in which children grow and develop. The author does a superb job at helping readers to understand their own attachment style and the strengths and challenges that arise in parenting. Through easy to read language and numerous case examples, readers will come to understand the traits of Preoccupied-Anxious Attachments and how they differ from those of Dismissing/Avoidant Attachments. In some cases, people who have suffered severe trauma or significant loss in their lives may recognize patterns of Unresolved or Disorganized Attachments. 

Kussin's book aims to assist readers in becoming "effective and grounded parents" by helping them to understand their own attachment style and the challenges that arise from it.  The information is presented in a well organized format, first highlighting the personality and behaviour of each attachment style then outlining both the parenting strengths and challenges that accompany it. Through examples and stories, the author takes readers through a series of exercises and interventions in how to effectively respond to simple everyday situations that may arise. With the goal to develop Securely Attached adults, Kussin believes that adults can learn to be kinder to themselves and to their children by gaining perspective on themselves and their parenting struggles.

Secure Parent, Secure Child; How a Parent's Adult Attachment Shapes the Attachment of the Child by Annette Kussin is a work emanating from decades of lived experience as a social worker and psychotherapist working in children's mental health as well as knowledge gained from working with various researchers and clinicians in the field. Kussin's book contains a plethora of information and practical insight for all parents seeking to change unhealthy parenting practices resulting from attachment insecurities. As an educator and parent, I recognize the importance of healthy and well adjusted children. I enjoyed the compassionate, informative and easy to read delivery of the author's research as she guides parents through a journey of self-reflection.  Secure Parent, Secure Child, published by Guernica Editions,  is the author's second publication following the 2020 release of It's Attachment! A New Way of Understanding Yourself and Your Relationships. 

Rescue Me ~ Behind The Scenes of Search and Rescue by Cathalynn Labonte-Smith

 

Rescue Me ~ Behind The Scenes of Search and Rescue is an amazing behind the scenes look at the many dedicated search and rescue volunteers who risk their lives to save others. In this fascinating oral history, author Cathalynn Labonte-Smith, profiles forty dedicated Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers and some of the harrowing cases that have forever affected their lives. The men, women, dogs and horses that comprise the SAR teams across North America work in any terrain and in all conditions simply for the satisfaction in knowing they make a difference. Labonte-Smith presents seventy cases in this well researched book.  Tales of avalanche victims and those lost in caves, deserts and mountains will leave readers shaking their head while learning valuable lessons in wilderness safety and preparation. There are also heartbreaking stories of missing children, homicide victims and the casualties of plane crashes, ground searches and underwater recovery that often require the quick action, courage and dedication of SAR members. And there are the stories of the SAR members themselves; those who dedicate their entire lives to search and rescue, those who are forever changed by the experiences they have gone through and sadly those who have lost their own lives during rescue attempts. This book will leave readers with a new appreciation for the many volunteers that lend their skills and tirelessly train to step up to the plate when the call goes out that someone is in crisis.

Inspired by her husband Stephen and his SAR cohorts who had the determination to stick with their training during the pandemic, Labonte-Smith writes with great compassion and respect, bringing understanding and experience to the subject matter. Readers will initially delight in the authors own personal story of search and rescue as an impulsive toddler escaping the watchful eye of her grandmother. Such a narrative provides an excellent backdrop for the following historical and present day information of search and rescue operations in North America, highlighting the truths and debunking the myths that often surround public misperceptions. Labonte-Smith's support and commitment to search and rescue efforts is clearly evident as a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Rescue Me will be donated to SAR units that are in need or underfunded

Steve has been my personal hero for over thirty years, and now through SAR I share his heroism with strangers who are having the worst day of their lives. I know that he's with the rest of his team and they take care of each other. 

When Stephen returns from a rescue, we rejoice. When he returns from a recovery, I marvel at how he and his teammates can do what they do. 

Though Rescue Me is an easy to read book, it is important to note that readers will be exposed to stories of survival. For me, it was highly engaging, sometimes shocking, and provided me with an opportunity to reflect on my own wilderness adventures and preparedness. For others, the stories may be triggering. However, all the cases that are presented reinforce the notion that we are all susceptible to danger and in potential need of help from complete strangers whether we are outdoor enthusiasts or everyday citizens going about our business. Take for example the story of Sheila, a female black Labrador retriever who fell over a 30 meter precipice into a rugged canyon. SAR members rappelled into the canyon, harnessed the dog and ascended to safety while holding the trembling canine in their arms. Other cases are not as triumphant like that of 66 year old Geraldine Largay, an experienced hiker who became impossibly lost in dense brush after stepping off the trail to "answer the call of nature". After her husband stopped receiving text messages hundreds of SAR team members and K9 teams, helicopters and game wardens searched the area for three weeks without a single clue being found. More than two years later a forester who was working in the area discovered an abandoned camp, backpack and a sleeping bag containing the skeletal remains of Geraldine. Next to her a bottle of water and a diary detailing her last days, sealed in a waterproof bag.  To say the least, the stories are inspirational and the author does an excellent job at capturing that emotion and exposing the dangers that rescue teams face when a call is made. 

Rescue Me ~ Behind The Scenes of Search and Rescue by Cathalynn Labonte-Smith is a must-read book. The real life stories will be cause for reflection as you plan your next outdoor adventure and the tips shared by the dedicated SAR members may one day save your life. Rescue Me is a Caitlin Press publication.  

 

 

The Life of a Pilot ~ Bush Planes and Water Bombers by Glen G. Goobie

Written in a relaxed conversational style, The Life of a Pilot: Bush Planes and Water Bombers is simply one man's narrative account of living life from the cockpit. This coming of age memoir follows the life path of author Glen G. Goobie and his journey from adolescence to retirement. The memoir is detailed, thrill seeking, and adventurous and is sure to appeal to readers with similar aspirations of living their best life, on their own terms. 

At the tender age of 15, Goobie's father had suddenly passed away and the small town boy from Queen's Cove found himself thrust into apartment living with his mother in St. John's.   After graduating from high school in 1961, Goobie secured a job with the provincial Department of Highways survey team and flew to many remote Newfoundland towns in the belly of water bombers. Within a few years, Goobie found himself in the cockpit of a de Havilland Beaver bush plane working with the Churchill Falls Hydro project in Labrador. This piqued the interest of the young, twenty-something-year-old Trinity Bay native and the rest they say, is history. Goobie trained as a commercial pilot at the Moncton Flying Club in New Brunswick and then began a summer job with a Newfoundland construction company. After a summer of  logging flight hours while transporting workers and parts to job sites, it was time for Goobie to look for new employment forcing him to head west to Northern Ontario.

Goobie's two year adventure at Little Beaver Lodge was not without incident and certainly the place where Goobie cut his teeth on bush flying. Even on the best of days, every trip was an adventure, and Goobie's prowess as a flight pilot was constantly tested and challenged. From mechanical failures to unpredictable weather, interesting passengers (including one flight with the mafia) and encounters with wild animals, Goobie's courage was challenged while he problem solved, rescued and utilized great psychological maneuvering to survive the harsh environment. 

One thing is for sure, if you are a bush pilot, something will go wrong from time to time in a place where no maintenance is available, and you'll have to figure out on your own a way to improvise, and if you are lucky, you might get home that night.   

Goobie eventually returned to Newfoundland and began working with Air Transport, Gander Aviation and the province's water bombers. Though he was now an "experienced" pilot, the adventures continued. Hauling fuel through Labrador, tasked to fly 'strange but true' medevacs, and assigned to ferry a single engine aircraft, without a radio and only a "bare-bones instrument panel",  from Texas to Montreal in the middle of winter......Goobie's stories are both entertaining and nonstop! They also include tremendous detail about the planes he flew and the many interesting characters and wonderful people he met and worked with along the way. One such opportunity that turned out to be a new, unforgettable experience for Goobie was to captain a charter to do the seal patrol and an opportunity to view the large seal population from the cockpit of a Widgeon aircraft with officers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

It was a beautiful day in March with light winds, and the visibility was so good, it looked as if one could see Ireland if you could climb high enough. My enthusiasm was not premature, because when we approached the seal herd, there were thousands of them with their newborn pups, sunning themselves on the large ice pans. Among the ice pans and calm open water, which was a vivid blue, were many icebergs, some of which towered what looked to be about a hundred feet above the surface. Without doubt it was a sight that many "southerners" would pay a lot of money to see. 

The day went by too fast, and just as the sun edged down toward the horizon, I reluctantly had to tell the officers that we would have to call it a day because we only had enough fuel to get us back to Gander. 

The Life of a Pilot is a story of great historical value. Along with pictures, poetry and a flying timeline spanning 40 years and two countries, this memoir is a sneak peak into the not so ordinary life of a rather "ordinary" outport adventurer. It reminds us that opportunities present themselves at the most inopportune time. The Life of a Pilot ~ Bush Planes and Water Bombers by Glen G. Goobie is a Flanker Press publication.

The crystal-clear sky revealed a crop of bright stars, which was another sight a city dweller doesn't often get to see. After landing back in Deer Lake, I thought it would only be fitting to drop by one of my favourite haunts , the Deer Lake Motel, for a couple of beers and a nice meal to top off my great day. I said to myself as I was sipping on my beer, "Imagine, we even get paid to do this."

 

Love Will Out: A Newfoundland Story by David Michael

St. John's was a visceral shock to them. In a hansom cab, on their way to the Crosbie Hotel on Duckworth Street, they saw faceless people sealed inside heavy woolen jackets, with hoods pulled up to protect them from the furious April gale. Like lost souls, they trudged silently down snow-encrusted sidewalks, alongside two-story-high snowbanks and manure-covered roads. Colourless, onion-crate-like wooden dwellings lined the streets. Large burned-out gaps bore witness to buildings that existed no more. Raggedly-dressed children picked the pockets of derelict men, gut-splattered fishermen slashed the heads off dead-eyed fish, and sozzled sailors led desperate women down dark alleyways into loveless embraces. 

Such was the city that greeted two immigrant families in the early 20th century Dominion of Newfoundland. Escaping to the New World where the promise of freedom was just too enticing to pass up, these families were world's apart in their beliefs and cultural identity. One family, the Rosenbergs; Jewish, fleeing Russian persecution and the other, the Abdullah's;  Maronite Christian Lebanese escaping the Ottoman Empire and possessing a strong mistrust for all Jews. But, when you're nine years old and living so close to each other that you can see right into your neighbour's bedroom, this strange new land of weird customs, intelligible dialects, and bland foods becomes a child's playground. Captivated with each other from an early age,  Ruth Rosenberg and Ali Abdullah's close childhood friendship evolves into a romantic relationship not readily accepted by Ali's traditionally minded mother.  When Ali's mother arranges to have her son married without his consent to a young Lebanese girl from the mother country, Ali and Ruth's love for one another becomes threatened. In an effort to do the "right" thing, both retreat to new and confusing relationships with other people while still hoping that love will out. 

David Michael's debut novel, Love Will Out, is an unforgettable true life account of two young people, forced to survive racism, violence, and bigamy while in pursuit of a love that is lasting and true. The simply written but captivating story details the interracial relationship of Michael's mother and father during the 1920's society of the country of Newfoundland. The characters are of course Michael's family and what characters they are! Ruth's passionate personality, tomboy exterior and willingness to stand up to anything and anybody is admirable and Ali's ingenuity, loyalty and quick wit proves to be what's needed to get the couple through the many obstacles that are thrown their way. Mother Abdullah is a force to be reckoned with while Father just wants to keep the peace. The story is well written and fast paced, reading like a juicy, five part soap opera with a plot that is almost unbelievable. This is a book I did not want to put down.

David Michael's fictionalized dramedy is also quite interesting from a historical perspective. Love Will Out shines light on the small groups of immigrants that came to our shores from areas outside the British Isles. Many of the Chinese, Lebanese, and Jewish immigrants that arrived during the late 1890's, settled in the St. John's area and operated businesses from the downtown with many of their ancestors still calling Newfoundland home today. I enjoyed how Michael was able to weave historical tidbits of info throughout this enchanting story reminding me of an overlooked era in Newfoundland history. 

Love Will Out by David Michael is a page-turning coming of age love story full of twists and turns. I look forward to reading upcoming novels by this author. Love Will Out is an Ingelwood Press publication and is also available at Breakwater Books.

Dear Billie: A World War II Love Story by Karen Lundy

 Hello, Billie,

    I hope you won't be too surprised hearing from me. When I came down to Union Station Sunday night, I met Jean Wilcox there. She told me about you and gave me your address. So here I am. I hope you will not mind me writing to you. By the way, Jean is coming up Sunday. How about you coming with her? I would certainly like to meet you. Jean said you were a very nice girl. 

    I guess I will have to sign off here. The lights go out in a few minutes. Cheerio for now.

                                                                                                   Vern Ploughman

Dear Billie: A World War II Love Story is an autobiographical piece of non fiction based on the full text of a series of 92 love letters written by the father of author Karen Lundy. Roland "Vern" Ploughman of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland was just a 19 year old trooper in the 23rd Armoured Regiment when a friend of a friend, 17 year old Lillian Alice Wenman a.k.a. "Billie", became the object of his affection. Though they had never met, Vern was training to be deployed for active duty, when he had become smitten over all the good things he had heard about the blue-eyed brunette that hailed from Ontario, Canada. Having the chance opportunity to meet twice before being shipped overseas, many more letters would follow detailing the young tank gunner's experience of training, combat, being wounded in Normandy, and eventually returning home. As the letters progressed, and the young couple navigate a long distance relationship complicated by war, their love for one another flourishes and Vern returns to his sweetheart to be married in 1945. 

Poignantly written, daughter Karen Lundy presents the beautiful saga of two young teenagers separated by an ocean and a war. In and of itself, the story is mesmerizing but knowing that the author is presenting the love story of her parents is even more beautiful, and somewhat haunting. Having discovered the stacks of photos and letters amongst her parent's possessions after Billie's passing in 2019, Lundy suddenly realized the gift she had been entrusted when she began to transcribe her father's letters for her family. Her eyes, and indeed those of the readers of this wonderful story, were opened to the possibility that these two remarkable people were more than just her parents; they were two youngsters looking for love, finding solace in the written word as they exchanged intimate details of their hopes, dreams, and fears. The exceptional research and information gathered by Lundy in writing this book helps to piece together and make sense of the young soldier's fight for survival and realistic outlook. It also serves as a historical record of one man's account of that horrible time in history. Lundy captures and brings to life two wartime lives that may well have been lost had Vern's letter's not survived.

Dear Billie: A World War II Love Story is a story of love and loss, fighting and survival. Armchair historians and those who enjoy a great wartime love story would appreciate this well documented and excellently researched narrative. Dear Billie: A World War II Love Story is a Flanker Press publication. 

Tell Aunt Gert that I wrote to her a few days ago. And thank her for asking if there is anything I need. Tell her not to send me anything. I don't mean to be rude, but there is really nothing that I want. There's one that I would like to have though and that's you. I guess it would be impossible to send you over here to me though. I sure wish she could though. Do you know, darling, it's a year since I saw you last. It seems like a lifetime. I can remember when I saw you last, too. It was at Union Station.   

 

 

Operation Masonic by Helen C. Escott

The fifth novel in the Operation series, Operation Masonic by Helen C. Escott is another crime thriller that delivers!  Mortimer Williams, the Freemason's Grand Master, is found murdered on a stormy November night in a downtown theatre company building recently purchased from the secretive Freemasons Society. When Inspector Nicholas Myra of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary shows up to survey the crime scene, questions begin to swirl. Why is the victim dressed in full Freemason regalia, laid out in a secret room known as the Chamber of Reflection? What does a cryptic note, written in Latin and left next to the corpse, say? Are the three tools found close to the body part of some sort of sacrificial ceremony? Little does Myra know that he is about to embark upon a murder investigation that will take him through thousands of years of history and symbolism, uncovering secrets and scandals rooted in rumour with elements of truth. 

A page turning thriller that you won't be able to put down, Escott does a superb job at weaving fact and fiction through this Newfoundland style Da Vinci Code mystery. The cast of characters are both familiar and new to readers of the Operation series. Inspector Nicholas Myra, who we've come to both respect and love in previous narratives, opens up and the reader becomes intimately aware of his struggles with PTSD.  And if we don't already know that police officers are human too, enter Constable Donna Whiffen. New to the Major Crimes Unit, and a cracker jack cop, Whiffen reminds readers that maintaining a work life balance with a child of autism is challenging for anyone. These subplots help to keep the story interesting and the reader grounded in reality.

 Surrounding the murder mystery is a unique closely knit group of characters who all seemingly have a motive for wanting Morty dead. From Morty's domineering wife, to his estranged brother, his oddball neighbours, and local church historian, Operation Masonic is a classic who-done-it that will keep you guessing to the end. Perhaps the biggest secret is the one held by Morty but all is revealed in the end and the charitable businessman who met with an untimely passing is able to finally rest in peace. 

Operation Masonic by Helen C. Escott is a tightly woven crime thriller that is well researched and intriguing. Readers will delight in the mystery but long after the book ends one question will remain; Are the Freemasons a secret society or just a society with secrets? Operation Masonic is a Flanker Press publication.  

The Last Days of Smallwood by Edward Roberts

 

The Last Days of Smallwood by Edward Roberts is a jaw dropping piece of Canadiana detailing the final collapse of the premiership of "the only living father of Confederation".  The late Mr. Roberts provides an up close and very personal account of the life and death of the Stephenville Linerboard Mill and in so doing provides great insight into the political climate and political players of Newfoundland and Labrador of the late sixties and early seventies. Roberts, Premier Smallwood's former assistant, Cabinet Minister and Leader of the Opposition,  outlines the attempted abuse by unscrupulous promoters of the linerboard mill in obtaining funding for the project and the Premier's dereliction of duty in protecting the province and its citizens from serious financial culpability. In so doing, Roberts explains with amazing detail how he and other ministers and officials were able to thwart the attempted coup by forming an alliance. Unfortunately, this youthful team of Smallwood's inner circle were unable to spare the fledgling province from irreparable economic harm as the succeeding government acquired the mill and continued to make futile attempts to turn it into a viable venture. 

Though Roberts' original intention for writing The Last Days of Smallwood was to lay out the trajectory of the Stephenville Linerboard Mill and the ensuing debacle, his "extensive and reliable knowledge" serves to further whet the appetite of the reader surrounding the Smallwood reign and Newfoundland and Labrador's bizarre political history. Using personal documents, verbatim quotes from court records and Hansard, and files of financial details, Roberts examines elections, byelections, floor crossings and alleged bribery. He details drunken brawls, an "illegal seizure of power by a deposed government", and even the burning of ballots in the woodstove of the returning officer of Sally's Cove. Juicy tidbits about Smallwood's  philandering Conservative successor are laid out for the world to see and Newfoundland's reputation on the national and world stage is called into question. If all this seems to be the stuff of fiction, it isn't.  Roberts' writing and recollections are further supported by five additional excerpts.  These include John Crosbie's No Holds Barred: My Life in Politics, Richard Gwyn' s Smallwood: The Unlikely Revolutionary, Bill Rowe's The Premiers Joey and Frank: Greed, Power, and Lust, Joseph R. Smallwood's I Chose Canada: The Memoirs of the Honourable Joseph R. Smallwood and Janice Wells' Frank Moore: The Time of His Life.  

The Last Days of Smallwood by Edward Roberts is an interesting albeit shocking account of just one political event in the bizarre political history of Newfoundland and Labrador. It will record for posterity the corruption, nepotism, and tyranny that once infiltrated Canada's youngest province and will hopefully provide a lesson to current and future political leaders about the importance of due diligence. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and would recommend it to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians born both pre and post Confederation. Roberts' staggering presentation of financial facts was, at times, overwhelming but in the end aided my understanding of the huge economic impact this project had on our province. I hope the current Muskrat Falls project does not fall into the same category. The Last Days of Smallwood is a Flanker Press publication.

A Baby Whale Ventures North by Samantha Baker

Come along and frolic in the waves with a baby humpback whale and her Momma as they travel from their breeding grounds in the south to the northern coastal waters of Newfoundland in Samantha Baker's second book A Baby Whale Ventures North.  As the two mammals swim side by side on their long journey the humpback calf learns so many things about it's ocean home and the many sea creatures that share her habitat. From learning to feed on capelin to taking deep dives and resurfacing for air, the young calf delights in the many sights and sounds that the coast has to offer. But most importantly, the calf learns that her mother is always by her side! 

A Baby Whale Ventures North is the second collaboration for daughter and mother duo, Samantha and Dawn Baker. Author Samantha Baker does a superb job at chronicling the journey of these two majestic ocean mammals! The tale is simple and delightful, tenderly written with a most uplifting message. Baker superbly weaves tidbits of information about the growing calf throughout the entire narrative, invoking excellent opportunities for inquiry and questioning, while at the same time introducing children to the many seabirds, fish and crustaceans that make the North Atlantic their home. The illustrations, by Dawn Baker, are bold, colorful and action oriented and reinforce the theme that all living things have needs supported by our adult caregivers, our mothers. They present wonderful opportunities for young children to interact with this Science themed book. I particularly enjoyed the "Did you spot?" section of the book where readers are encouraged to go back into the text and look for "6 Blue Mussels" , "3 Common Sea Stars", or "2 Common Terns". It is also nice to see iconic Newfoundland images like Signal Hill and, what looks to be, the Cape Spear Lighthouse incorporated throughout. An excellent addition to a home library and school resource centre, A Baby Whale Ventures North is simply a stunning book for the little person in your life. Congratulations, Samantha and Dawn Baker, on another wonderful collaboration! This book is a Flanker Press publication.

 The summer is coming to an end and the baby whale feels much braver than she did when she first arrived in the North Atlantic Ocean. She is eager to show off to her mother and leaps out of the water! Her mother proudly watches. .... Though the calf's world is about to change again, one thing remains the same: her mother will be by her side.

Murder At Lover's Leap ~ A Novel ~ By Patrick J. Collins

It is August 1927. Sergeant Frank Fallon is back on the beat at the Newfoundland Constabulary office in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland when reports of a ghastly discovery of two bodies at the foot of Lovers Leap is reported. Upon investigation Sergeant Fallon discovers that one of the men is the school teacher from the neighbouring community of Bristol's Hope, Mr. Nicholas Peddle, found clutching a woman's shawl with a superficial stab wound to the neck. The other severely injured deceased victim, an unknown gentleman with an interesting but crudely executed tattoo, is lying face up a short distance away. Fallon and estranged partner Christine Sullivan spring to action and quickly discover that Master Nicholas Peddle is not the well respected school teacher characteristic of the time. Over the course of the next four days, some deep secrets regarding the school master's conduct are uncovered and the list of possible suspects continues to grow until eventually the trail grows cold. Fast forward fifty years, 88 year old Fallon receives an unexpected phone call from the RCMP with news of a discovery that just might break this case wide open. Will an artifact recovered from the path near Lovers Leap bring closure to this unsolved mystery? What really happened on that August night?

From where he was standing, the shoreline leading to Lover's Leap was visible almost as far as the cliff itself, but it disappeared into a cove just before O'Keefe's Grove. He was glad he had tossed the hat and jacket earlier. It was a good half-mile jog to Lover's Leap. With his bad knee and feeling greatly under the weather, Frank wasn't at all confident he was up for the jaunt. But duty called. 

He braved a steady pace for the first few yards. The uneven pathway made the run even more challenging, forcing him to carefully place each and every step. Until now, he hadn't appreciated the degree of elevation as he moved along the headland. Within minutes he slowed to a fast, limping walk. Taking a lot longer than he thought, he arrived near the ledge of Lover's Leap, puffing and blowing.....He saw a thick rope dangling over the precipice. One of the men was securing a heavy line around his body, while the other was busy lashing the rope around a nearby tree. It was obvious to Frank that one of them was about to rappel down the face of the 100-foot cliff.

Murder At Lover's Leap is the twelfth publication for retired educator and author Patrick J. Collins. Inspired by a pair of true "but equally unnerving events", Collins' inspiration for this second narrative is based on the attempted double murder of two young lovers who, back in 1864, found themselves at the base of Lover's Leap. This unsolved crime coupled with the discovery in 2021 of a lead casing containing a badly deteriorated note suggesting that a murder was about to occur was the impetus for this latest narrative. Collins does an excellent job of crafting a tightly woven crime story utilizing these two events and seamlessly incorporates other factually accurate tidbits of information. Being a lover of Newfoundland history, I particularly enjoyed how the author was able to weave the construction of the Harbour Grace Airfield into the story while at the same time utilizing this local lore to aid in the construction of characters that are central to the story. 

As in Collins' previous crime thriller, Body On The Beach, this most current work also features the      detective-sleuthing of the romantically inclined duo of Detective Frank Fallon and investigative reporter Christine Sullivan. Collins crafts a crime thrilling story using authentic characters that are real and relatable while putting forth a narrative that will keep readers turning the pages to the very end. In this follow up novel,  the author effectively uses a flashback technique to pique the interest of it's readers. At the beginning of the story,  the author presents a very senior sergeant tormented by an unsolved double murder that had taken place 50 years previously, intrigued by the discovery of evidence that could lead to solving the crime. Readers are then taken back to a very different time and place as Frank Fallon relives the investigation and tells the story. At the beginning of the novel readers will get a sense that Fallon's continued struggle with "the bottle" is the result of some past triggering event, which will become clear at the end and readers will certainly be sympathetic with Christine's reluctance to continue the relationship with Frank under such conditions. As clues and suspects pile up, their commitment to each other is tested.  Readers will come to enjoy the flirtatious antics of the Irish barmaid Fiona who tries to serve more than just brew to the broken hearted Sergeant and interest will be piqued when the cocky son of Judge Donnelly makes a play for Christine. Readers will be happy to know that all will truly be revealed in the end when we find ourselves sitting with an elderly Mr. and Mrs. Fallon awaiting the outcome of the recent discovery. 

Murder At Lover's Leap by Patrick J. Collins is a well written crime thriller with expertly researched historical touches. The subplots that run parallel to the mystery provide an extra layer of interest that pulls the reader in, resulting in an entertaining and enjoyable read. I highly recommend reading Collins' first crime thriller, Body On The Beach,  for ultimate enjoyment however Murder At Lover's Leap is a great stand-alone mystery that really doesn't require the reader to have any background information. Murder At Lover's Leap ~ A Novel~ is a Flanker Press publication. 

 

 

Me and Issy ~ A Four Seasons Romance

 

Me & Issy is the Cinderella story of author Rosalie Wise Sharp. Her rags to riches autobiographical account spans seven decades and details how a young, woman from a poor, immigrant family meets and falls in love with a man, Isadore Sharp, who would one day change the course of her life. Rosalie's story tells of her early beginnings in a North Toronto home. Growing up in a Jewish family surrounded by households that were not of the same faith was difficult. The author speaks candidly about her parents and family, and even steps back in time to a dark period when many of her relatives were lost in the Holocaust. However, her chance meeting of the man who would eventually become her husband and hotel resort pioneer, is a true love story that transcends time. Their partnership in life and love would eventually yield a family of four sons and an ever expanding Four Seasons hotel chain valued at $10 billion U.S. today. And to think that this was the brainchild of a man who once earned just $40 per week while his wife diligently raised their children and worked hard to kick start her own career in art and design? With the triumphs, however, there was defeat. When their son Chris was diagnosed with cancer and eventually passed at the tender age of just 17, this powerful duo did not buckle under the sadness and the loss but were strengthened in their resolve to support other families and victims of cancer by establishing the Terry Fox Foundation. As an accomplished woman in her right,  Rosalie continues to work in partnership with her husband to make a difference in the lives of her own family and in the lives of others. 

Snooping around in our childhood is our days occupation during this year of the pandemic 2020. We are after answers. How did it happen that my husband and I are still best friends and lovers after 69 years? How did our random journeys from childhood fit each other as easily as my Apple earbuds slide seductively into their sleek white case? How did it happen that Isadore has become a global hero both to us and to his 40 000 employees? And why do we fly first class in a private plane and live in a rather nice house? Maybe the answer can be found in patching up the past, probably a regular pastime of all of us old fogeys although we don't admit to being old, just "older". Isadore and I come from similar privileged beginnings. Not moneyed but rich as only an immigrant household can be. 

Me & Issy ~ A Four Seasons Romance is quite simply an enjoyable and inspiring memoir. Leaving no stone unturned, the author Rosalie Wise Sharp is honest and forthright in laying out her life to the world. Readers will appreciate the conversational style and will immediately feel at home with the author, as if they were sipping tea from her beautiful china, sharing secrets of her love life. Supplemented by family photos from the past to the present, as well as colored photos of the author's artwork, readers will gain a greater appreciation of Sharp's seven decade story with anecdotes that evoke emotions ranging from sadness to surprise, anger to happiness. All in all, this little piece of Canadiana was an inspirational read. Rosalie Wise Sharp's memoir is more than just an immigrant success story but rather a tale of lifelong love with an unfailing partnership and service to others at its core. Me & Issy is an ECW Press publication. 

 

Rig Wives ~ Stories Edited by Kelly Earle

 

Told with honesty and gratitude, Rig Wives by Kelly Earle is the biographical/autobiographical tale of partners and wives of rotational oil rig workers. Earle provides a candid sneak peak inside the lives of families who are left to to keep the home fires burning while the lure of a lucrative living calls their men to the icy North Atlantic. In an easy to read format, this first time author details her own loneliness, depression, and struggles of adjusting to a part-time husband and Dad while dispelling the many myths encountered from her female friends, acquaintances and co-workers who just "don't get" the lifestyle. The fear and ever present danger of rig life is real, as detailed in the recounting of past tragedies, but experienced differently by different families. In relating both her positive and negative encounters, Earle relates the feelings and experiences of other couples; some who have adapted and live strong healthy marriages and others, unfortunately, who grew apart and were unable to withstand the pressures. Readers will also appreciate hearing from the "rig kids" who provide their own interesting perspectives about having a Dad that works offshore. One cannot help but feel teary eyed when these children recount missed birthdays and holidays. 

Offshore oil rigs are among the country's most dangerous workplaces that put rig workers at a high risk of injury and death. As I sit here with a cup of tea in hand, the house quiet after another day of "joyful chaos," I can't help but wonder if Jamie is warm in his bed, does he sleep as soundly as he would at home, does he feel safe?- all the little things I take for granted at home and which he is probably wishing for out there. 

The author does a superb job at relaying the triumphs and tragedies of a life common to many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. For decades our people have had to leave their families and communities behind to make a living elsewhere. This book provides an interesting perspective by those left behind and is a small tribute to their perseverance and resilience in holding down the fort while maintaining a house and a home.    

Old Broad Road/On The Rock by Phyllis L. Humby

When 63 year old Sylvia Kramer showed up in Chapel's Cove, Newfoundland she was far from ready to embark upon another love affair. That, however, is exactly what happened. Still in shock over her recent divorce from husband Paul, after what was perceived to be a marriage rooted in love and respect, and estranged from her adult children and grandchildren, Sylvia was broken and in need of an escape. A one way ticket to an east coast destination is what Sylvia seems to need; a place where she would be embraced by warmth and friendliness, eclectic people and unknown dialects, new delicacies waiting to be explored. A healthy dose of the North Atlantic is indeed the tonic that brings new life to Sylvia but evil lurks in all corners of the world and Sylvia is certainly forced to endure her share of the worst, plunging her into a tailspin of depression and doubt and experimentation with unorthodox coping strategies. Old Broad Road and On The Rock by author Phyllis L. Humby is the two part, two novel story of one woman’s will to survive and to make sense of her seemingly senseless world. 

On Route 60, I pulled the truck over and walked to a bench at the shoreline. My breath quickened at the natural beauty of Conception Bay as I gazed across the horizon. The drizzle had ended and the sun was remarkably warm. I removed my jacket to soak up the rays and then stretched my legs out in front of me until I settled into a relaxed position. My eyes grew heavy.   

I could see myself, arms outstretched, walk to the water's edge. Cautiously hop from rock to boulder. The blue sea lapped around my feet. The water crept up my legs past my knees. It stretched up my thighs and circled my hips, the silky surface luring me to its depths. My feet drifted off the rocks. My body submerged into the mysterious wet underworld. The icy water warmed me as I succumbed to the zenith of serenity. 

 (Old Broad Road)

In this two part series, Humby crafts a beautiful story that is masterfully written in the first person. In many respects,

the story has an “Eat, Pray, Love” feel with the main character Sylvia embarking upon a voyage of self discovery and new beginnings.  Though there are some heartbreaking incidents throughout both books that test Sylvia’s resolve,  this amazing piece of Canadiana is more about how love and friendship can conquer all. It is very much a feel good story that the reader just won’t want to put down and the tragic events are just part of that story. Humby also pens beautiful descriptions of an outport lifestyle that would be the envy of any writer. Her descriptions are factually accurate and truly invite the reader to become part of the story. Likewise, the author creates a wonderfully diverse cast of authentic characters that are as colourful as the jelly bean row houses located in old St. John’s. Instrumental to the development of the story and to Sylvia’s own personal development, the characters are funny and joyous, humble and adventurous. They are a wholesome mix of hearty Newfoundlanders (and some “Come From Aways”), a group I secretly wished to be a part of especially when they got together for celebrations and dinner parties.

Old Broad Road and On The Rock by Phyllis L. Humby is the story of one woman’s love affair with a place and with people who are just good for the soul. This book will leave you laughing, smiling, and crying and definitely booking your next adventure to Newfoundland. Phyllis L. Humby lives in the municipality of Lambton Shores, Ontario. She is the author of Hazards of The Tree, Old Broad Road and On The Rock published by Crossfield Publishing.

Adventures of a Lightkeeper: A Memoir by Barry Porter

Adventures of A Lightkeeper: A Memoir by Barry Porter is, quite simply, a romantic recounting of the maritime lifestyle of light keeping on the rugged northeast coastline of Newfoundland. Written with passion and great respect for the solitary life such a profession brings, Porter's book opens the door to these beautiful beacons of light and provides an exclusive tour of these lonely behemoths and the mystique for which they have become famous. 

Born to a farming family in Porterville, Newfoundland, Barry Porter was a young welder who started his career in Alberta, as a lot of young Newfoundland trades people do. He interviewed for an offshore welding position on the prized drilling rig the Ocean Ranger but quickly made the decision to leave the offshore life and the welding profession on February 15, 1982 after the tragic sinking of that drill ship. As one would say, the rest was history. Porter applied to be a relief lighthouse keeper with the Canadian Coast Guard and would devote the next 23 years living and working near the sea as lightkeeper in four different locations. 

I observed Mother Nature at her finest and sometimes at her most wicked. Every day, I would walk out on the helicopter pad nearby or onto the rocks, anchor my two feet, and just breathe, taking it all in, standing on the very edge of the cliff, binoculars gripped in hand, with the wild ocean churning below me. Scanning over the turbulent seas, I let the salt air blow over every inch of my skin and my soul. The endless sky, the clouds, the sea conditions, the wind direction and it's strength, the visibility, the colours - my senses were on overload. Most days I could see for endless miles, right to the horizon, where the sky would drop into the sea. It was so beautiful and so peaceful but also wild and dangerous. 

The recounting is a well balanced combination of intricate details and facts combined with beautifully written descriptions and thoughts, allowing the reader to gain a complete and full understanding of the time and place in which the author is describing. Whether it is the light station on historic Exploits Island or Long Point Lighthouse on beautiful Twillingate Island, Porter's life consisted of more than just operating a light and fog horn. Maintenance and upkeep of grounds and buildings were paramount and aiding in search and rescue operations were expected. Not to mention the administrative tasks of maintaining logbooks and weather reports. Readers will come to enjoy the many photos throughout the memoir that chronicle Porter's life as a lightkeeper. However, it was not all work and no play. There were many entertaining CB radio chats and opportunities to meet interesting people like Dr. Jon Lien, Geoff Stirling and Captain Peter Troake. But some of the more poignant memories recounted by Porter were of the intense moments of loneliness. Maintaining traditions like a freshly cut and decorated Christmas tree or a hot home cooked meal as well as frequent communication with home helped to ease the homesickness. It would be remiss of me not to mention Porter's canine companion and lighthouse beagle, Gypsy, who was by Porter's side 24 hours a day through three different lighthouses. This book was a relaxing and easy read, often enjoyed with a fresh hot brew, that opened my eyes to the adventures of remote living.

I was three-quarters through my lengthy shift on Bacalhao Island when I started to count off my days. I would hardly look at a calendar until I was a few days over the halfway mark. That was in my constitution out there. Winter months were always the longest, especially on this remote island. Sometimes, if you were lucky, the Marine Aids Office would send out a couple of technicians to repair the furnace or install a new Lister motor. In that case, the men would usually have to stay at the lighthouse for a few days. To have company and another person to talk to was always a pleasant change. 

Adventures of a Lightkeeper by Barry Porter is a great book that will whisk you away to another life, during another time when lighthouses were manned by adventure seeking, brave young souls who didn't mind being keepers of the light. It is a Flanker Press publication.