A tragic death. A family divided. Only truth can set them free.
Banjo Murphy is killed on the night he finally walks away from his wife, Jade, after twenty-five years of her adultery. In the aftermath, Banjo is bewildered to discover he still exists, and in despair he watches Jade collapse into deep depression and his daughters, Lissy and Cassandra, struggle with their unexpected loss.
Lissy is tortured by the mystery surrounding her father’s death. What compelled Banjo to leave the night he died? And why won’t Jade talk about what happened? Despite their volatile relationship, Lissy believes her parents’ love to have been enduring, but sensible
Cassandra sees things differently. When Cassy discovers a sketchbook chronicling Jade’s affairs, the truth of their parents’ relationship begins to unfold and Lissy’s loyalties are divided.
Searching for answers, Lissy contacts Jade’s ex-lovers. And watching from afar, Banjo aches as he discovers what these men meant to Jade – until Lissy’s quest reveals an explosive truth …
Being Jade is story about the passion and the bond that is hard to explain but impossible to erase from one’s mind.
Available as eBook or paperback from all major book retailers.
Riveting from the first page, the author has great story telling abilities, the descriptions were so great that you could picture what was happening and what it looked like. Loved the characters, you felt like you knew them. Can’t wait to read more.
Great book. Drew me in and made me feel what the characters felt
I love a book that i cant put down because its so good and this book did that.
Fantastic
emotional, thought provoking, encouraging you to question social values
I have enjoyed reading this novel. It had suspense as it unraveled who Jade is as a person. At times I felt sorry for her whilst other times I was left sheathing at her apparent selfishness. As the ending unraveled I was left still disappointment in her. I understood her behaviour better in some aspects but I felt her pride against Banjo’s incorrect assumptions was devastating. I would read a sequel.
This book is just amazing it is so hard to put the book after you read the first page. The story line feels like a real story. I’m in love with the book.
I’m supposed to post two reviews on this book one when I start it and one when I finish it but I can’t. I was so enthralled with this book that I couldn’t put it down, I had it read in 5 hours from front to back. The story shocked me and moved me, I even teared up at the end which was a credit to the author. The storyline was dramatic yet you believed it all and you felt it all. Simply amazing, I can’t wait to read another book by the incredible Kate belle.
BEING JADE by Kate Belle is difficult to review as it is not your typical book. There’s an intriguing plot and vividly drawn characters that engage you in such a way, you can’t put the book down. I read this book cover to cover in one sitting, I wanted to read it that much.
I really enjoyed this book. Captivating and enthralling it held my interest from start to finish. Part of the ending I guessed at but, the rest I didn’t see coming. It’s not a light hearted book, rather heavy at times, making you question things you probably would never of thought before. I highly recommend this book.
Loved this book from cover to cover. Spellbinding, intriguing, mesmerising. So well written you thought you were in the story with the characters. Heart wrenching at times.
Being Jade is a wonderful book. Kate Bell brings the characters to life so the reader really cares what happens to them. It’s a book you can’t puts down. It is suspenseful and interesting, I loved it and have lent it to a couple of friends who love it as well.
I lent my copy of Being Jade to a friend who loved it. She is now wanting to buy her own copy so she can re read it and then hand it on to her family members. Nice to have a positive report when recommending a book as it can be a personal thing where tast differs.
This is a suspenseful book that will test your emotions. It covers lots of contraversial topics. It is a book you will find hard to put down and overall it is a good read. The author is very talented and even though this is not my usual type of book to read, I’m glad I took the time to enjoy it.
Not my usual type of book to read but it was a good read. A well written novel by a very talented author. The book covered many emotions. I found Jade to be selfish and her morality questionable. Having said that, once I started reading I couldn’t put the book down.
This was a really good read as with all by this author.
I read it in a couple of days so for me not to put it down much says it was quite good. A friend of mine and my mum have read it and also enjoyed it.
Love the variety of reviews on mouths of mums. It helps us busy mums make easy decisions about absolutely everything. Thank you. Enjoyed it and would recommend to other mums.
Being Jade is a throughly entertaining book.
From the start, and all the way through to the end, it captivated me, and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.
It’s not your normal romantic novel, and can be quite brutal in describing the behaviour of Jade however, I think that is part of the appeal, what will Jade do next?
I have read this book a few times now and whenever I get others to read it, the majority have enjoyed it to.
Being Jade is a book that I really enjoyed reading.
From start to finish, this book grabbed my attention and held me interested as the story unfolded.
Some of the story I could see unfolding, other bits caught me by surprise.
It’s not the usual lighthearted chic lit but rather deep and heavy.
I throughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
BEING JADE by Kate Belle is difficult to review as it is not your typical book. There’s an intriguing plot and vividly drawn characters that engage you in such a way, you can’t put the book down. I read this book cover to cover in one sitting, I wanted to read it that much.
I found this book quite sad. It dealt with some pretty dark and serious topics, death, adultery, depression, but also love. It came down to all being about love. Some of it was a bit predictable but it was still enjoyable. There were some ‘if only’ moments. Jade and Banjo had great love for each other and it was really interesting going back over her extra-marital “relationships”. Not your usual love story.
Being jade
After reading the reviews I thought I’d give this a read. I’m sure glad I did.
It’s an interesting plot, with vividly drawn characters that keep you reading I’m finding it incredibly easy to imagining myself in story. Its seems like its getting more interesting as I go
I’ve not come across this author before, but will definitely follow through on another title to see if she is this strong across all her writings.
It’s an interesting plot, with vividly drawn characters that keep you reading along each night – I had trouble putting the book down at the end of a chapter to go to bed. The author has a clever narration that makes the book flow really well.
I’ve not come across this author before, but will definately follow through on another title to see if she is this strong across all her writings.
After reading the reviews I thought I’d give this a read. I’m sure glad I did. I couldn’t put it down.definitely not what I was expecting,love, drama, suspense and at times depressing. Give it a read you won’t be disappointed
I just finished reading BEING JADE by Kate Belle for a second time. This novel is a really great read. Be warned however, that it is not your usual chic lit romance story. It is dark, sad and at times depressing. A love story that endures, even though it is not typical of this genre.
I loved this book. I’ve read it twice now, I just couldn’t put it down! It was amazing and gripping
It was emotional and heartfelt
It was cold. But inviting
I could keep writing things but I loved it so much I want to go and read it again 😀
I would recommend this book to anyone
It was one of the best books I’ve read this year
I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to read it and fall in love with it
I borrowed this book from the library and have just finished reading it. It was captivating but I thought the story itself and the character Jade was narcissistic and sad. It left me thinking about my own life situation and it is a thought provoking book but I would prefer a book with a happy ending as for me reading is an escape, so while it is a worthwhile read, if you are looking for happy and uplifting, this isn’t it.
I brought the book an don’t mind it at all… I’m finding it incredibly easy to imagining myself in story. Its seems like its getting more interesting as I go 🙂
I really enjoyed this book. Captivating and enthralling it held my interest from start to finish. Part of the ending I guessed at but, the rest I didn’t see coming. It’s not a light hearted book, rather heavy at times, making you question things you probably would never of thought before. I highly recommend this book.
I can’t say I enjoyed this book. A bit abstract for me… I like books that even though they are fiction, they could be about real life situations! Banjo’s character still around is not believable and also I found this book depressing. I like novels that have uplifting moments and hopefully a happy ending! Life is hard enough and I like to escape into literature!
To register for reviews that are not open yet and for future reviews, enter your email below and we'll send you an email as soon as a review is open for application.
Article
Mums Reveal Their Fail-Safe Nappy Rash Tips
Whether you’re a seasoned or first-time mum, protecting your baby’s delicate skin is right up there on the priorities list. Because when their skin is irritation-free, it really does make for a happier bub! Anyone who’s had to deal with nappy rash (me included!) knows it’s an inescapable mum truth.
Having skin irritation as an adult is super distracting and annoying. So just imagine what that’s like for our teeny babies and toddlers, who need to focus on sleep, eat and play. No wonder they can be so upset when they have nappy rash.
One thing you do need to ditch when it comes to nappy rash is mum guilt. It happens despite our best efforts. But it is helpful if you can get ahead of the game by doing as much as you can to try and prevent nappy rash in the first place.
We asked our hundreds of thousands of Mouths of Mums members for their tried-and-true, trusted nappy rash tips, and their responses came down to four key tips. So if you’re about to have your first baby, or your fifth, it’s worth popping on the kettle and reading through what’s helped other mums.
Fail-Safe Nappy Rash Tips From Mums
What we love about these tips is they’re perfect for mums and expecting mums, and they’re really simple to do. Everything from what to use and what to steer clear of, to helpful hints on caring for delicate baby skin.
1. Nappy Free Time
“As much free nappy time as possible. Lay baby on a blanket covered with a towel on the floor, without a nappy on, if possible in front of a warm sunny window.” – Joanne W.
We love nappy free time for newborn and toddlers (although it’s a lot harder to get them to stay in one place!). And while nappy free time is one of the most popular nappy rash tips among our mums, using the right nappy also plays a huge part in protecting against irritation on your baby’s skin. For example, Huggies Ultra Dry Nappy Pants have clever Rapid-Dry™ Technology, which instantly absorbs for drier skin. And they’re perfect for day and night, with up to 12 hours of leakage protection.
2. Change Nappies Frequently
“For me, what worked on my two kids is not leaving them in soiled nappies too long. I definitely changed as soon as they were wet and let their skin air dry before placing a new nappy on. I would rather go through more nappies than have to deal with the uncomfortable rash they would feel.” – MoM Member
Frequent nappy changes are a fail-safe way to keep moisture, but it’s not always practical (babies just love to fill their nappies while you’re out and about!) Huggies Newborn Nappies are designed to help protect a baby’s delicate skin with a zinc-enriched layer*, clinically proven to help protect against skin irritation.
3. Use A Barrier Cream
“My mum put me onto Zinc and Caster Oil cream. It is FABULOUS stuff! It’s very thick and sticks like you know what to a blanket hehe I tried literally everything and this was the only stuff that helped.” – Trudes
Using a barrier cream was another really popular tip from our mums. But did you know that Huggies Newborn Nappies are the only nappy with a zinc enriched layer. The zinc oxide in Huggies Newborn Nappies is the same ingredient found in many nappy rash creams, which helps to protect against irritation with visibly less redness on skin. They’re also endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives and the number one choice in Australian hospitals.
4. Choose Gentle
“Don’t use scented wipes. Flannel and warm water is the best.” – Justine F
Using the most natural product possible for wiping a baby’s delicate skin to prevent irritation is a tip that’s been passed down from generation to generation – and it’s still a great one. But something lots of mums don’t consider that a nappy itself can help protect against skin irritation. Huggies Newborn Nappies are clinically proven* to help protect against skin irritation while Huggies Ultra Dry Nappy Pants keep up with wriggly little ones while providing superior dryness, making them perfect for active toddlers.
Nappy Rash Myths & Facts
🚫 Myth: Nappy rash is only caused by wet nappies. ✅ Fact: It’s true that moisture does play a role in nappy rash, it can also be caused by moisture friction, bacteria, and even what the nappy is made from.
It’s why choosing a nappy that’s specifically designed for skin protection is really important.
🚫 Myth: Cloth nappies are better at preventing nappy rash than disposable nappies. ✅ Fact: When it comes to nappy rash, there’s not really any need to compare cloth and disposable nappies, because it’s all about keeping baby dry. The longer baby can stay dry, the better.
🚫 Myth: Nappy rash creams are the only way to protect against irritation. ✅ Fact: A good nappy with a zinc enriched layer can also help to protect against irritation.
Find Huggies Newborn Nappies and Ultra Dry Nappy Pants in your supermarket nappy aisle today.
Mouths of Mums is working with Huggies to bring you this handy information.
*Zinc as Zinc Oxide. Tested on adult skin as a suitable substitute for baby skin. *#1 choice in Australian hospitals based on sales data.
Really terrific advice. My daughter never had much in the way of nappy rash develop and I believe that because I did change her so frequently and we had a lot of nappy free time, especially in the warmer months of summer. Sure there is things to treat nappy rash but we all know prevention is best!
My first born had terrible nappy rash and ulcers from acid urine and none of the specialists prescription creams did anything. I finally used Petroleum Jelly and it cleared up his skin very quickly and kept future rashes at bay. It is cheap and easy to use and works the best of anything.
Any redness can be resolved with a tub of Sudocrem. It’s a cream that smells like lavender. Very pleasant and usually works quickly within the first application.
Take it with you everywhere. It helps poo nappy changes. Just apply on bottom area to prevent future nappy rash. Your baby will be happy with it on. It doesn’t feel cold like a wet wipe.
Any redness can be resolved with a tub of Sudocrem. It’s a cream that smells like lavender. Very pleasant and usually works quickly within the first application.
Take it with you everywhere. It helps poo nappy changes. Just apply on bottom area to prevent future nappy rash. Your baby will be happy with it on. It doesn’t feel cold like a wet wipe.
I had issues with my son pooping a lot as a newborn. Sometimes it can be really hard to keep the rash at bay if you have a child that is constantly doing that. There is some acidity in the excrement and that can cause burning before it’s even been against their skin for long. I used to use paw paw cream on him and that worked best as a barrier.
Nappy Rash can be so raw and painful and i always worried so much when our babies had a bout of it. I remember trying so many things but always found good old petroleum jelly used regularly would help in keeping it at bay. There are some great suggestions in the article.
I did find that not all nappy rash creams are as good as each other. After trialing many brands I settled on Sudocrem as the best for me and my baby. Changing nappies frequently and air time is also very important.
There are so many common sense tip in this article and they are tips that we followed. We kept everything as natural as possible on very soft and sensitive skin. We went with plenty of nappy free times and we were very fortunate to not encounter issues with nappy rash.
This article describes very much what we always have done: frequent nappy changes, plenty of bare bum time, no fragrances also not in soaps and a good nappy rash cream. It can become more challenging when your child has diarrhea; in which case bare bum time becomes more complex and the skin more irritated in which the gentle washing with warm water, patting dry with a soft cotton flannel and good zinc cream is more important
Even though I agree that prevention is key, I also think it’s important to have a good barrier cream to hand to help at the first signs of trouble. There are lots of good brands, you can pick any really that suits your baby’s skin. But use it liberally when you need it!
Yay! First time seeing my own comment in an article! *happy dance*
But yes, i do swear by changing their nappies as soon as it’s soiled. It’s what worked for us for both children! We always go prepared and change either before going out, during or in the car boot if we really had to
Nappy rash is horrible and prevention is definately better than cure. This is a fantastic article with some great tips. Especially the changing of the nappy frequently. Unfortunately sometimes especially once they’re on solids and their poops get yucky a little nappy rash can be unavoidable in which case a small amount of sudocreme clears it up quickly.
We found that changing nappies frequently was key for us. And once the kids starting sleeping for long periods at night, we started using the really good quality nappies – Huggies, as it happens – while cheaper nappies were still okay for the day and frequent changes. Nappies do vary! .
This is a really great reminder that nappy rash can happen but there are some great tips to help try and avoid it. I use to do a lot of nappy free time with my daughter when we were home as she had sensitive skin and I layered the barrier cream on all the time, especially at night.
3:38 pm
Terrific book !!
10:56 am
Couldn't put it down
8:43 pm
Fantastic read. didn't want to put it down
10:52 pm
A good read
3:28 pm
emotional, thought provoking, encouraging you to question social values
8:26 pm
Great book
2:57 pm
Amazing, enthralling and moving
7:44 am
I read it in one sitting
3:05 pm
Captivating and enthralling
6:39 pm
Fantastic Author. Well written
5:17 pm
Jade needs to be read
11:29 pm
Being read
9:56 pm
Interesting
8:12 pm
Reading Jade
8:01 pm
Overall a great book.
1:59 pm
Being Jade
9:20 am
Great Book!
3:38 pm
Terrific book !!
7:44 am
I read it in one sitting
3:04 pm
Sad but interesting
1:07 pm
Recommended
10:21 pm
Being jade
11:42 am
gripping
10:04 pm
Not your typical love story
5:03 pm
I love this book!
4:53 pm
Captivating & Sad
11:52 pm
NOT TOO BAD
3:05 pm
Captivating and enthralling
11:38 am
addictive
3:30 pm
Not my style of book!!
Reviews on this page have now been disabled.
To register for reviews that are not open yet and for future reviews, enter your email below and we'll send you an email as soon as a review is open for application.