In the late Middle Ages, Orontius grows up in poverty in a peasant family. After the sudden death of his mother, his father entrusts him to the vagabond Eberlein to protect him from hunger and hardship. The only condition is that Eberlein and his troupe take Orontius to a monastery in Siegen on his 15th birthday. An adventurous time begins for the boy. At the monastery, Orontius learns about the life of the Franciscans and becomes a monk. It is during this time that he meets Gregory of Metz, with whom he forms a deep friendship. However, he doubts the abbot's integrity. After more than two decades, Orontius leaves the monastery to visit his father. There he discovers that everything has changed. From then on, he learns about life in all its brutality, but also in all its beauty.
The story follows the lives of three generations in the late Middle Ages, exploring themes of belief, friendship, betrayal, and the struggles of life. The reader is taken on an exciting adventure through danger and unexpected discoveries. The story promises to weave together history, adventure, romance, and spirituality to create an enchanting and thrilling tale.
The main theme of the book is the exploration of cultural differences and the challenges that arise when people from different cultures come together in an Australian context. Through Michael and Brolga's relationship, the story examines the ways in which cultural barriers can be overcome through love and understanding. The theme of cultural exploration is further emphasized through Michael's investigation of the bones of human historical significance, which offers insights into the origins of the Aborigines. Additionally, the book touches on issues related to health disparities and how they can stem from one's heritage. Overall, the book explores the complexities of cultural differences and the impact they can have on individuals and their relationships.
Homeless Sofia Waters arrives at a hospital suffering from exhaustion and severe leg pain. She meets Angela, who works for a charity, and tells her her story of being a once famous children's author who lost everything when her family took advantage of her financially. Sofia later meets a dying woman named Avril, who gives her the key to her villa and instructions to find a valuable diamond and have it appraised by a certain person. Sofia sets out to find the diamond appraiser but discovers that he has been murdered. She meets a man named Jamie Jamieson, who was the appraiser's business partner and knows the identity of the killer. Together they work to bring the killer to justice and expose a nationwide cartel of diamond dealers who buy diamonds from clients at undervalued prices and sell them on the international market at much higher prices. With Jamie's help and connections, the diamond is exhibited in galleries and museums, and the Cradle of the White Lioness, Avril's estate, becomes a place for street children and the homeless. Sofia takes over running the Cradle of the White Lioness and shares her experience with the homeless, young, and old.
'Seventy-Five' is set in a world where a ruthless government has decreed death at the age of 75. The story follows George and Magda, a couple whose life is shattered when their children take sides: Duke works for the government and Ella joins the resistance. As George's 75th birthday approaches, the family must decide whether to accept their fate or risk everything for a chance at a different life. On their journey, George and Magda encounter the possibility of life in an underground world that offers hope and healing beyond government control. The book deals with the possible realities that can unfold in our future world; both the relentless exploitation of a corrupt government and the tantalising prospect of discovering a new world, whether as mere wishful thinking or as a tangible reality.
Yana escapes an arranged marriage and finds solace in Sofia's sanctuary, the Cradle of the White Lioness, a shelter for homeless children. With Sofia's loving support, she overcomes her fears by taking on the role of mother to a young boy named Erster. As Yana matures into a young woman, her community is gripped by a series of baffling dog deaths. Determined to uncover the truth, she joins forces with the charming detective Jack Renna. Together they uncover the truth behind not only the dog killings, but also a man's murder that goes back decades. Embark on a gripping adventure as Yana and Jack navigate the complexities of crime and devotion in their pursuit of justice. I, Yana, weaves a tale of strength, love and the uncovering of dark secrets that will keep you guessing until the final revelation.
Max Brewman is in a deep crisis. The loss of his beloved mother, the breakdown of his marriage and bankruptcy have shattered his world and his hopes. To make matters worse, his long-time friend turns out to be an insidious enemy, and his own children are shrouded in a mysterious silence. In a desperate attempt to get his life back on track, Max makes the brave decision to go on a journey. But what is meant to be a quest for adventure and a new beginning takes a completely unexpected turn. His fate changes dramatically when he survives a plane crash in the unexplored Bolivian rainforest. There, far from civilisation, his path crosses with that of a little girl who, like him, survived the accident. These unlikely companions become inseparable. Together they face the dangerous challenges of the impenetrable jungle. Once on the brink of collapse, Max now faces a test of survival in a merciless environment. The search for food and water becomes a daily struggle, his fragile belief in himself a constant companion. As he struggles to survive, Max also carries the responsibility of the little girl on his shoulders. A remarkable bond develops between the dwindling supplies and the threatening wilderness. In these dark hours of struggle and loneliness, Max discovers an unexpected strength within himself and a deep bond with his companion. In the vastness of the unknown rainforest, where the laws of nature set the pace, Max finds a new meaning to his life. Every step through the thicket becomes a journey of self-fulfilment, every obstacle a springboard for his transformation. The unexpected alliance between Max and the girl becomes a reflection of his own struggle - the search for a new beginning and the rebirth of hope that comes in life's darkest hours.
During a visit to her birthplace, Mafalda, the third daughter of the juggler Orontius, finds an ancient coin in the ruins of a chapel where Saint Catherine was celebrated in 1551. The coin shows the profile of a head that resembles hers in every detail. Full of curiosity as to who this woman from the distant past was, she and a childhood friend set off for Egypt and St Catherine's Monastery. This is the beginning of an exciting journey full of historical events, love and Mafalda's spiritual insights as she searches for her identity.
Homeless Sofia Waters arrives at a hospital suffering from exhaustion and severe leg pain. She meets Angela, who works for a charity, and tells her story of being a once famous children's author who lost everything when her family took advantage of her financially. Sofia later meets a dying woman named Avril, who gives her the key to her villa and instructions to find a valuable diamond and have it appraised by a certain person. Sofia sets out to find the diamond appraiser, but discovers that he has been murdered. She meets a man named Jamie Jamieson, who was the appraiser's business partner and knows the identity of the killer. Together they work to bring the killer to justice and expose a nationwide cartel of diamond dealers who buy diamonds from clients at undervalued prices and sell them on the international market at much higher prices. With Jamie's help and connections, the diamond is exhibited in galleries and museums, and the Cradle of the White Lioness, Avril's estate, becomes a place for street children and the homeless. Sofia takes over running the Cradle of the White Lioness and shares her experience with the homeless, young and old. Yana and Timmy are two of the children seeking refuge at Sofia's shelter. Yana was forced into an arranged marriage with her older cousin but managed to escape with Timmy's help. While at the shelter, she becomes embroiled in a string of puzzling dog killings. To help solve the case, Yana joins forces with detective Jack Renna, and over time, the two develop a romantic connection.
The Koru of Times is a multi-generational odyssey that weaves together Māori heritage, love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. Set against the breath-taking backdrop of Aotearoa (New Zealand), this saga follows the trials and triumphs of a Māori tribe, beginning with Amiri, a brave warrior, and Hahana, their union symbolising tribal unity. But their legacy is one of tragedy. The invasion of European settlers unleashes chaos and shatters Amiri's village. Survival becomes paramount as Hau, a trusted warrior, protects Manaia, daughter of Amiri and Hahana, and leads her together with her care mother to a place near a spring, where they rebuild in the face of adversity. The narrative moves through time to focus on Waiora, Manaia's son of mixed descent, whose thirst for knowledge sparks a journey to reclaim the severed sacred heads of his ancestors from England. London becomes the setting for Waiora's quest, intertwining his destiny with Koa, a helping hand, and Reginald, an unexpected ally. Together they bridge cultures, restore ancestral honour, and forge lasting friendships, crossing barriers in search of reconciliation. The story shifts to Waiora's daughter Hinewai and Tāne, whose love story unfolds in the shadow of Pakeha atrocities during the Gold Rush. Their flight to London, guided by family ties, leads to the establishment of an art business at 55 Proolmise, nurturing indigenous art and a new generation in a foreign land. The next chapter follows Manu Manuka, the sole heir to the prized artefacts shop in London, whose life takes a tumultuous turn when he's wrongly accused of murder. As Manu grapples with imprisonment, a web of deceit and revenge unravels, tracing back to a vengeful carpenter with a deep-seated grudge against Māori success. His cousin Kahu and wife Hine join the fray, rallying to Manu's side and strengthening Māori-London relations through their trade in indigenous artefacts. The family expands through the trials of World War I, witnessing Ihaka's artistic expression amid conflict, Rua's tragic sacrifice, and Pare's devoted nursing. Amidst the echoes of war, Ihaka's art becomes a narrative of truth, fuelling the family's fortunes, which have expanded to include Rachel and Elias. But the upheaval of the Second World War leads them to shelter Jewish children, including Eva, when they surrender their mansion-turned-hostel to the military. Determined to protect these displaced souls, Ihaka and his family take thirty-two Jewish children to Hau's village in New Zealand, where they find healing in the protection of the bush and Māori hospitality. As the family reunites and faces life's trials, Eva and Elias's love blossoms, culminating in the bittersweet realisation of infertility and a rare disease. Fast forward to the present day, Eva anticipates the arrival of her great-grandchild and cherishes her connection to Hau's village and the legacy of hope and resilience it embodies. As the new family lineage unfolds, the youngest generation, Connor and Veronica, uncover a global conspiracy, revealing the enduring spirit of justice and integrity culminating in the anticipation of new life amidst the echoes of history.
