Streets on a map
From the author:
Over the course of my life I have found God is revealed most clearly and has lessons to teach me in the hard times. That is where prayer and a personal relationship with Him are so necessary. Truths I have learned in my own Christian walk form the basis for much of what happens in Streets on a Map.
One of those truths is that choices have consequences for us, and those close to us. I have tried to show this through my characters and their stories in Streets on a Map.
All of us have hard times in our lives and it is often how we deal with them that shows people the reality of our faith and what a difference in makes. Laila, Eric and Bea are characters who live out their faith and it affects they behave and treat others. They are people for whom a relationship with God and the importance of prayer are a day by day reality. Another theme is that of forgiveness. Laila shows such forgiveness towards Margo. It is a reflection of the love and forgiveness God showed for us when we did not deserve it. Laila and Abby, to some extent, teach others about love, loyalty and putting yourself out for others.
Abby learns a lot from the example of Laila about how to deal with the hard times of life. She also learns about love, forgiveness and giving people a second chance, rather than writing them off.
I hope it will cause readers to stop and think about where they stand with God and how much they need Him in their lives.
STREETS ON A MAP
Dale Harcombe
Ark House Press
Dale Harcombe takes on us on a journey of change in her book Streets on a Map.
Abby, a city girl marries a country boy, Joel. Abby finds life in the small country town of Astley stifling when confronted by the prejudices and nosiness of small minds. As time passes she realises the nosiness on the part of the residents is really a caring for each other. When one member of the community is ill or in danger; the whole community come together to help.
Abby doesn’t take kindly to change but at the death of her mother she faces the greatest change of all. Newly married, Abby finds there are adjustments to be made between her and Joel; the birth of a daughter adds to the stress of daily life and causes even more changes to her life.
Laila, an older woman, befriends Abby. A lasting friendship grows between the two women and Laila takes on the role of confidant, mentor and partner in a restaurant business. Abby has a dream, but she feels she will never achieve it because of all the changes that distract her from her dream. To attract clientele to the restaurant business, Abby dares to dream again that her ambition to become a singer is at last on the way as she seeks to entertain the diners and bring them into the restaurant.
More changes face Abby when husband Joel is retrenched and the couple are faced with a decision to return to the city or to stay in Astley where they have now made a niche for themselves. Changes mean taking risks and Joel takes a risk by becoming a craftsman in creating wooden furniture. This grows into a successful business.
Streets on a Map is page turning. It is about the refusal to let circumstances overwhelm and to think outside the box. Abby discovers that Astley is a community and she has become a part of it and doesn’t want to live anywhere else.
Streets on a Map can be obtained from the publishers Ark House. Also is available from the website www.daleharcombe.com. $19.95 + $2.00 for postage or Koorong $19.95. It is also listed at Amazon and the Book Depository. GL
Other Reviews:
Red Alert
Dale Harcombe
Wendy Pye Publishing
Illustrated by Jennifer Cooper
Cassandra loves camping.
Her mum doesn’t.
Cassandra loves challenges.
Her mum doesn’t.
Cassandra’s dying to go on the mother-daughter three-day camp.
Her mother isn’t.
A-tishoo! Red Alert is a delightful tickle of a story about a mum willing to put up with all the things she hates for her daughter’s sake. It’s the story of a girl with spunk and a raring-to-go attitude. But mainly it’s the story of a girl whose mum can’t stop sneezing or reaching for the tissues. A-tishoo!
AH
Lights, Camera, Action
Dale Harcombe
Sunshine Books
Illustrated by Michael Wilkin
A film crew is coming to Saltspray and all around town are advertisements for extras to take part in the movie, Jellyfish Revenge.
The members of team Turbo are all keen to land a role so they are extremely pleased to find the amended flyer with the new audition details at the last moment. The casting call will now be held on an island called the Doughnut.
Maddy changes her mind once she realises that to get to the audition Team Turbo is going to have to paddle out in kayaks to the island. And something’s strange anyway: how come no one else is going to the Doughnut? Just where is the film shoot? Have they been tricked? Who would do such a thing?
In their excitement to get to the audition, Team Turbo forgot to secure their kayaks. Now they’re stranded. How can they even tell anyone they need rescue? Hari’s got his laptop, but even if he can contact Thor and ask for help, will Thor believe him? Will anyone believe Thor?
Another fast-moving adventure as Team Turbo lines up for movie stardom, only to find they have enemies with other plans. An easy-read chapter book illustrated throughout with fresh and cheery greyscale drawings.
AH
Saltspray Idol
Dale Harcombe
Sunshine Books
Illustrated by Sara Sliwinska
Maddy has an idea: Team Turbo to enter the Saltspray Idol competition and win!
Hari doesn’t think they stand a chance if Maddy sings. But Maddy suggests that Hari and Benji sing, while Stace, Carlo and Maddy form the band.
Practice, practice, practice pays off and Team Turbo wins!
But—! This is only the first round. The next round is in Sydney. How will they find the funds to pay for five kids and an adult to go to the big smoke? And what’s Maddy hiding? Is she or isn’t she the mysterious on-line ‘Thor’ who beats Hari in every computer game?An easy-read chapter books with loads of fine line illustrations, told with a dash of humour and mystery and a generous splash of saltspray freshness.
AH