Gallipoli Street – by Mary-Anne O’Connor
I had another post marked for today…
But…
These last few weeks, I saw someone’s dream coming true…
After years of hard work.
Belief.
Knockbacks.
Rewrites.
And more Belief.
My friend became a published author. (about time, she’s a brilliant writer)
The new fiction novel,
Gallipoli Street by Mary-Anne O’Connor
Is a fiction novel about Gallipoli as we draw near our 100th anniversary of the battle of Gallipoli and our Anzac tradition,
Of…
Love, tragedy and passion.
It’s by one of my great friends,
We went to school together,
Dreamed together,
Partied together,
Cried together.
Meet…
Mary-Anne O’Connor, author of Gallipoli Street.
I love how dreams come true,
if….
You. truly. believe.
In yourself.
To read behind the story of Gallipoli Street click here
Mary-Anne’s grandfather James Clancy served in Gallipoli, so while the story is based on fiction, some elements have wound their way into her debut novel.
About Gallipoli Street:
1913: Veronica O’Shay (Vera) is happier running wild on the family farm than behaving in the constrictive, ladylike manner her mother requires. She despairs both of her secret passion for her brother’s friend Jack Murphy and what promises to be a future of restraint and compliance. But amid the genteel tranquillity of Beecroft and the rural fringes of Sydney, Vera and Jack’s lives are about to change forever as the O’Shay and Murphy families, along with their friends the Dwyers, are caught up in the theatre of war. From the horrors of Gallipoli to the bloody battles of the Somme, through love lost and found, the Great Depression and the desperate jungle war along the Kokoda track, this sprawling family drama brings to life a time long past.
Check out this review from Good Reads
“I heart this book so much! Jack and Veronica were just bright stars in the story right from the start and their attraction was just undeniable!
Rose was initially just downright despicable and Pattie was a hoot! Mick and Tom stood tall and even their parents – you couldn’t pick the biggest stand out!
So much happening when the story of three families converges and their actions affect each other in so many ways. Heart wrenching scenarios… death, destruction, savagery and finding oneself again. From Gallipoli to Somme and even The Great Depression and on to The Kokoda Track. Descriptive, harrowing, dramatic and explosive reading!
Jack and Veronica’s story grabbed my heart strings right from the start, but every character involved in this story will steal your emotions in one way or another. I could shout from the rafters about this story, it was just that good.
Many shocks in a story that has so many facets and one that keeps readers completely mesmerised. The sacrifices our Diggers and their families made were just gut-wrenchingly tearful and beyond our imagination. Just awesome storytelling by the author that you can sink your teeth into and completely get immersed in.
5 stars”
And…
‘As we reflect on the lasting impact of a war that occurred a hundred years ago, Mary-Anne O’Connor brings us a story celebrating the good that can spring from war—love, hope and courage. In the heart-warming and heart-wrenching Gallipoli Street, the lives of three families will be irrevocably altered by the politicians and the powerful who send the nation’s youngest and strongest to fight wars on their behalves. Some will never return from the battlefield, some will never be the same but throughout it all, from one Great War to the next, family and faith provides the ultimate reminder of what it truly means to be human.’ –The Hoopla
Gallipoli Street by Maryanne O’Connor
is available on ebook Feb 23 2015
and in hard copy March 1 2015
To WIN or purchase of a Gallipoli Street copy click here.
To download a copy of my screensaver inspired by this novel, click the links below
Believe in Yourself Desktop Screensaver
Do you believe in yourself?
Do you believe in promoting creative works with all we’ve got?
Have you been to Gallipoli like me?
And more importantly,
Lest we forget,
Live with Love,
PS. Keep your eyes out for Mary-Anne O’Connor, author of Gallipoli Street, she will be appearing on The Today Show, Sydney Morning Herald, The Morning Show, ABC National, Good Weekend, The Australian.
I’ll be the very proud friend watching and reading her fabulous words.
Check out my Free printables for Easter
Easter gifts using recycled strawberry crates, easter bunny hats and more
…it will be here before you know it!
Linking up with With Some Grace, Life, Love and Hiccups and House of Hipsters
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Tags: Gallipoli Street Mary-Anne o'Connor, Gallipoli Street novel, TOMFO
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21 responses to “Gallipoli Street – by Mary-Anne O’Connor”
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Hi I'm Sarah, I'm a blogger and an artist who’s made the sea change and moved to the north coast of Australia. I love an easy DIY and making my house my canvas, my new home has become my greatest project: Yamba Scandi. Come visit me in my shop to view my collection of prints, canvasses, home decor and paper goods READ MORE.
Sarah Preston
Yamba Scandi Collection // Black and white prints and canvasses // Home decor //Paper goods
Unless otherwise stated everything posted on Tomfo
is © Tomfo. Thank you xx
Wow! What an achievement! My uncle is 77 and is a double amputee and has written two books in the last couple of years. I love seeing people make their dreams come true. They dream it, then they do it. And a beautiful screensaver too!
Oh wow, what an amazing uncle…so many amazing people out there, don’t you just wanna shout their names from the rooftops!
Wow wow wow! Such great reviews. I’ll watch out for her on the tele. It’s such a buzz when someone close to you achieves their dreams. I’ll await the hard copy to purchase. Love the screen saver. Xx
Thank you lovely lady. Yes, I just can’t wait to read this book and see her achieve such a wonderful dream. x
Great reviews, I must keep an eye out for this book. Thanks for sharing your friend and her great achievement!
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted…Friday Favourite EmHawker
I know right… such awesome reviews, she is one clever lady, I hope you grab a copy and let me know what you think. Have a great weekend. x
What a fantastic achievement. I will definitely keep my eye out for this, I’ve been looking for some good books to add to my bookshelf for when I have free time (hmmm..)
Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy recently posted…Get Paid to Shop – Cash Rewards $50 VISA Giveaway
Please do Eva, it’s filled with such passion and tragedy, I think you will love it!
I’m SO inspired by stories like this, Sarah. Huge congratulations to your friend! There’s something so wonderful about seeing someone’s dream come true, isn’t there?
Your screensaver is gorgeous x
I’m so happy for my talented friend, I believe it’s the start of a brilliant career for her. I will pass your congrats on, thanks for dropping by Lisa. x
I’m truly in awe of those that write books, it’s a dream of mine that will have to wait until my kids are older. Love that screensaver, as inspiring as ever. I hope you’re having a great Saturday!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted…Would you cope without your mum?
Thanks Emily, I agree, it is such a long process with many hours where you have to really believe in yourself. I think your book would be awesome when you get round to it too! x
Yay!!! Congrats to your mate. What a legend and I love that she wrote about the homefront, because it’s such an important story to tell too x
Bele @ BlahBlah recently posted…5 Top tips for thrift shopping
Too true it’s such an important story to remember. Thank you lovely lady.
What an absolutely inspiring achievement A HUGE congrats to your beautiful friend Mary-Anne. I can only imagine how proud she must be feeling right now xx
Thanks Sonia, yep, what a week ahead and a whole new brilliant career. I so think we need to celebrate creative achievements like this and the book is amazing, she is a brilliant writer and storyteller. x
That’s such a huge achievement! You must be so proud of Mar-Anne. And how wonderful to receive such glowing reviews on your debut novel! Will have to try and get my hands on a copy!
Grace recently posted…FYBF – Cyclone Scumbag
She is such a clever chick, I’m so happy for her, thanks for dropping by Grace.
I love those Easter hats! So cute. Thank you for linking up to Party Time and we hope to see you again next week!
Hi, Am reading this book. Just love it. It is so moving and also so inspiring. Wow what a great first book. I am sure Mary Anne is so proud of this achievement.
Hi Jay, I just think it’s an awesome book, so proud of my friend and can’t wait for the next one. Thanks for commenting too, I’ll pass it on to her.