When you’re all that stands between the murderous past and the fate of those you love, how far would you go to save them?
When Audrey Kepler inherits an abandoned homestead in rural Queensland she jumps at the chance to escape her loveless existence in the city and make a fresh start. In a dim back room of the old house she discovers the crumbling photo of a handsome World War II soldier – Samuel Riordan, the homestead’s former occupant – and soon finds herself becoming obsessed with him. But as Samuel’s story unravels, Audrey discovers that he was accused of killing a young Aboriginal woman upon his return from the war in 1944. When she learns that other unexplained deaths have occurred in recent years – one of them a young woman with injuries echoing those of the 1944 victim – she begins to suspect that the killer is still very much alive. And now Audrey – thanks to her obsessive need to uncover the past – has provided him with good reason to want to kill again.
Thornwood House, written by Anna Romer, is a brand new release from Simon & Schuster.
Available in paperback where all good books are sold for $24.99. Also available as an ebook for $13.99.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from first to last page..Love the great detail and explanation of places and people . Easy to read . Great author. Not so long that you get uninterested like some book. I would definitely recommend for young and old. My friend is currently reading it now and is also enjoying it.. thanks for the opportunity ..
I absolutely loved this book! I wasn’t selected for the review, but the book really appealed to me so I went and bought the ebook. It took me only just over a day read the book (and that is with a 12 month old running around)…. I just couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed the story, thought it was well written, I loved the main character. I rarely find books that I can’t put down and this was one of them.
Anna Romer captured me with this book from the very first page. Written in detail always explaning, like for example; blinking, I tried to move, but my arms and legs refused to obey; they were skewed under me useless. The chracters are interesting. Setting the story in australia is also what captured my attention, the description of magpie creek, the house made you feel really like you were Audrey in the book. Thankyou Mouth Of Mums for choosing me for this review, good to read a great aussie set novel. Cannot wait to read more from Anna Romer
Do not open this book until you have
1:hired a babysitter for the duration
2:cooked and frozen enough meals for everyone
3:taken the phone off the hook.
I can assure you any interruption will be very frustrating. You will not want to put it down!
I just received the book today and am up to page 15 so far and really enjoying it. Its hard to put down but I am promising myself I can read more later once all the house chores are done 🙂 One of the things I love about Australian Books are the familiar place names and when describing bushland it is easy to get the picture. The Author is excellent with words and it is an easy read
I have just started reading this and recommended it too to my book club this month and I am really enjoying the book so far. I have not read any books by Anna Romer before and so far I really like her use of descriptive writing conjuring up vivid pictures for the reader. I think it will be an enjoyable book.
OMG!! I could not put this book down. Thornwood House had me hooked from the first chapter. Anna Romer is so descriptive when she writes and she is able to paint a picture in your mind that makes you feel like your the one running through the bush. I would happily recommend this book to anyone who wanted a great book to read. I can’t wait to read more from Anna Romer 🙂
I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down. The climax was excellent as she didn’t give too much away and had me guessing. She goes into a lot of detail mentioning things for each of the senses. Sometimes this can be a little too much. I have already recommended this book and handed my copy on for a friend to read. I look forward to reading more of Anna’s books in the future. Thank you MOM for the chance the review this book
I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to get into at the start and she can be quite over-descriptive, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to more books from her. Thank you Mouths of Mums for my first review product, a wonderful Australian novel that I enjoyed very much.
I have just started reading this and recommended it too to my book club this month and I am really enjoying the book so far. I have not read any books by Anna Romer before and so far I really like her use of descriptive writing conjuring up vivid pictures for the reader. I think it will be an enjoyable book.
I always enjoy a well composed novel that has an effortless ability to conjure the sounds, scents and textures of an atmosphere. Anna Romer engages her readers with eloquent language and a rich visual imagery. Australian novels will always hold a special place in my hear (and bookshelf) and this is no expectation, I have no hesitation recommending this passionate tale.
Great story to read especially in rainy nights when all you really want to do is to snuggle with a blanket in a couch drinking nice hot chocolate. Its a good read and definitely hard to put down. The story line is different from other story lines used in other books. It makes it interesting. The characters have great personality that just draws the readers to the story and to the lives of the characters. Will re-read again and will tell friends to buy this book because I am not sharing. hahah
This book is really really good, I really felt if engaged me a lot, I found It very difficult to put down, had to be reading it all the time, really annoyed the crap out of my hubby! which made it even better,
very good story , would be happy to read it again!
I love that this book is set in Queensland and has Aboriginal heritage with it as well. It incorporates a little of everything and being 1944 there is war as well as struggles to be had. it is the type of story that you don’t want to put down until the end
Thornwood House keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through – there is a little bit of everything in this novel – love, mystery, murder, war and history. The characters are not your usual run of the mill ones – a real mix which made the story all the more interesting.
Do not open this book until you have
1:hired a babysitter for the duration
2:cooked and frozen enough meals for everyone
3:taken the phone off the hook.
I can assure you any interruption will be very frustrating. You will not want to put it down!
This books cover makes you want to see whats inside.
There is nothing hard about these recipes which is always a bonus but the recipes are exciting. They don’t require a lot of special ingredients which once again is a bonus but the end results are amazing. I unfortunately haven’t had time to make any, however I do have a list of which ones I will be making. They include, Korean braised chicken with rice noodles, Lahmacun ( Turkish Pizza) and Strawberry Layer Cakes. Yum Yum Yum . thanks
I absolutely loved this book! I wasn’t selected for the review, but the book really appealed to me so I went and bought the ebook. It took me only just over a day read the book (and that is with a 12 month old running around)…. I just couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed the story, thought it was well written, I loved the main character. I rarely find books that I can’t put down and this was one of them.
I loved this book. It drew you in and made you apart of the story, so much so that I felt almost lost once I finished the book. Time just flew past, and before I knew it I was deep into the story, lies, deception and danger. I love how unexpected the ending was! I envisioned it completely different, but it was pleasantly surprising.
OMG!! I could not put this book down. Thornwood House had me hooked from the first chapter. Anna Romer is so descriptive when she writes and she is able to paint a picture in your mind that makes you feel like your the one running through the bush. I would happily recommend this book to anyone who wanted a great book to read. I can’t wait to read more from Anna Romer 🙂
Anna Romer captured me with this book from the very first page. Written in detail always explaning, like for example; blinking, I tried to move, but my arms and legs refused to obey; they were skewed under me useless. The chracters are interesting. Setting the story in australia is also what captured my attention, the description of magpie creek, the house made you feel really like you were Audrey in the book. Thankyou Mouth Of Mums for choosing me for this review, good to read a great aussie set novel. Cannot wait to read more from Anna Romer
Wow, loved this book. It just kept twisting and turning and evolving. I enjoyed as the descriptions of places and the different time frames that Anna jumped back and forth through. I just wanted to keep reading to learn more about each of the characters and their intertwined lives and how they all linked in to each others, with lots of little surprises on the way. Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down. The climax was excellent as she didn’t give too much away and had me guessing. She goes into a lot of detail mentioning things for each of the senses. Sometimes this can be a little too much. I have already recommended this book and handed my copy on for a friend to read. I look forward to reading more of Anna’s books in the future. Thank you MOM for the chance the review this book
I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to get into at the start and she can be quite over-descriptive, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to more books from her. Thank you Mouths of Mums for my first review product, a wonderful Australian novel that I enjoyed very much.
i have read more into the book now, it is fantastically written Anna Romer really writes in detail so you can imagine in your head what is really happening. The way she describes Australia makes it sound like such a nice country. The storyline is interesting a bit of a mystery and the characters are good too. Will post more when i finish
Now I’m further into this book I am not disappointed. I’m enjoying the fast paste storyline that keeps you enthralled with lots of mystery and drama. The characters and setting are described colourfully and descriptively. I find it hard to put the book down as I want to find out what the family mystery is. I like how the author writes from different characters perspectives.
Even though it was initially slow to set the scene this book managed to grab my attention with it’s well built characters and sense of intrigue. I managed to finish this book in a day,after a slow start the momentum of the text held my interest. I guessed the ending and was easily encourage to care for the characters by the writer’s skill. The main characters were not initially lovable but developed at the book did.I would recommend this text to my older patients as most of the younger ones prefer to read scifi and romance for some reason and would probably sneer at steering towards this Australian setting thriller.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from first to last page..Love the great detail and explanation of places and people . Easy to read . Great author. Not so long that you get uninterested like some book. I would definitely recommend for young and old. My friend is currently reading it now and is also enjoying it.. thanks for the opportunity ..
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
Genius Beach And Pool Tips Every Aussie Mum Should Know
Summer beach and pool days are core childhood memory creators, but getting the kids out the door, not so much! From wrestling wriggly toddlers into rashies to arguing with teens trying to dodge sunscreen and cramming half the house into the car, the exhaustion can kick in before we’ve even set foot on the sand!
But there are some very clever tips that will make even the most stressful summer days smooth sailing – and the Mouths of Mums community know them all! Which is why we asked our mums for their hints, hacks and tips – from sand removal to stress-free sunscreen application (we’re going to introduce you to the fabulous new Banana Boat SmartMist Sunscreen Sprays that will make your life so much easier).
You’ll want to take note before you next hit the beach or pool!
Pack Smart, Not Big
Do you feel like you take waaayyy too much when you head to the beach or pool, and then you seem to forget a couple of key things that would have made life so much easier?
Our Mouths of Mums community swear by this fab list of essentials which should be in every mum’s beach kit, and
A plastic bag for wet towels and bathers
A dry bag for clothes
A bucket or basin to wash off sandy toys
A ‘clean zone’, sand-free blanket or mat for eating and changing
A pop-up tent for changing
Waterproof phone case
Talcum powder to get sticky, wet sand off little feet. Just pop it on and brush it off – it’s magic!
A hand-held car vac for quick sand cleanups!
“The amount of times my kids have gone home in wet chafing swimming costumes because they didn’t want anyone to see them changing is unbelievable! Our pop up tent has been life changing! We all drive home comfy and cosy! Lastly, a sand proof picnic blanket is so perfect for a sand reprieve! The sand literally falls right through them!” – MoM Member
Get Safety Sorted Before The Fun Starts
It’s pretty hard to get the kids’ attention once you’re at the beach or pool, so the safety talk should really start at home. Our mums recommend chatting to the kids about:
Swimming between the flags at the beach
Setting a meeting spot in case anyone gets separated
Sunscreen: Always apply sunscreen 20 minutes before heading outdoors. And set alarms to reapply every two hours throughout the day. Reapply immediately after swimming or using a towel.
Applying sunscreen at the start of the day and regularly throughout is so important, but it usually causes the most arguments. Kids don’t want to stop, teens assure you they ‘did it already’.
That’s where Banana Boat’s new SmartMist™ Sunscreen Spray SPF50+ actually makes a difference. The iconic sunscreen brand has just launched its newest product, which turns sunscreen time into something simple and fun. It’s an easy and convenient way to tick off sun safety – which isn’t always easy when it comes to kids!
Why Banana Boat SmartMist Sunscreen Spray makes sunscreen easier
The Smart Control Spray gives you the choice of a short spray for tricky spots or a long spray for larger areas like those wiggly little legs, making application simple and convenient. It also sprays from any angle – just spray, rub in and you’re ready for playtime.
Clear, lightweight formula that absorbs fast and with no greasy feel.
SPF50+ broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and 4-hour water resistant.
Kids SmartMist™ is mild and gentle for kid’s sensitive skin, fragrance free and contains Aloe and Vitamin E.
Sport SmartMist™ features high-performance Powerstay Technology™, designed to stay on through sweat and water.
Banana Boat SmartMist makes those important sunscreen stops much easier and effective and is perfect for active Aussie families this summer.
Prep & Time It Perfectly
There’s nothing worse than kids itching to get to the beach while you’re trying to remember everything you need to pack – it makes everyone frazzled. So get prepped early – even the night before. And time your departure to minimise the amount of time in the car (and the amount of times the kids ask ‘are we there yet?!’.
“Packing the car the night before, always a huge help getting the bucket, cabana, and bag of spare clothes/towels in the boot. We usually leave straight after breakfast to avoid heavy traffic as the beach is an hour away.” – MoM Member
Pack Smart Snacks
Snacks are a must, but it can be tricky to know what’s going to survive a hot, Aussie summer day – and what’s good for hungry tummies. Here’s what our mums recommend:
Chopped fruit
Crackers
Boiled eggs
Drink bottles that have been frozen overnight
“We have a few allergies/intolerances, so being prepared with food is helpful and saves us the search and some money. I pre-chop carrots, cucumber, apples, boiled egg, in a handy separating container, a packet of chips, dip, and bring water bottles. If it’s a longer day planned at the beach I’ll bring lunch too.” – MoM Member
A chaos-free beach day. Yes please!
You don’t need a military-style plan to enjoy a sunny day out. A beach trolley, some prep, and an easy sunscreen like SmartMist™ are enough to help things run calmly – or at least calm-ish!
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Wear protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses in addition to sunscreen. Reapply frequently every 2 hours or more often when sweating and immediately after swimming or using a towel. Avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure.
Mouths of Mums is proudly working with Banana Boat to bring you this article.
So happy to share the magic of baby powder after a messy day at the beach or park! It’s been a game changer for us.
Not quite as elaborate as the pop up tent, but a large towel with a hood has been great to discretely change out of bathers! It’s my husband’s go to now haha
My biggest tip is to be very clear who’s watching the kids, especially when they’re in the water. Like, actually verbally hand over and make sure it’s acknowledged if you’re going somewhere (like to the bathroom). That can definitely save lives, but also save panics about lost kids in crowded spaces.
Some really good tips here! I had no idea about the talcum powder hack – who would have known! That is amazing and I will definitely try it next time we go to the beach! It is definitely worthwhile getting things ready the night before though, especially if you want to leave before midnight lol.
8:57 am
loved it..
9:34 pm
Thornwood House
10:37 pm
Aweaome reading
3:09 pm
Hire a babysitter
3:50 pm
Thornwood House
7:30 pm
gave to mum for xmas
10:41 am
Just started
12:07 am
OMG!!!! Read this book!!
6:45 pm
Thornwood House
3:08 pm
Thornwood House
7:30 pm
gave to mum for xmas
10:41 am
Just started
2:50 pm
Rich Australian imagery
5:57 pm
hard to put down
5:46 pm
so good
11:13 am
Wonderful read
9:14 am
Novel with a little bit of everything.
3:09 pm
Hire a babysitter
3:09 pm
This books cover makes you want to see whats inside.
9:34 pm
Thornwood House
10:15 am
Couldn't put it down!
12:07 am
OMG!!!! Read this book!!
10:37 pm
Aweaome reading
9:52 pm
Great read, couldn't put it down.
6:45 pm
Thornwood House
3:08 pm
Thornwood House
3:08 pm
8:07 am
Great read
4:17 pm
thornwood house
8:57 am
loved it..
- 1
- 2
- »
Click here to post a reviewReviews 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.