When marketing executive Tessa Mathison leaves London to attend her great-aunt's funeral in Australia, her life is in turmoil. An indiscretion during a boozy night out has resulted in Tessa's name being mud in London's cliquey marketing scene, and soon after she arrives in her homeland she discovers she's been sacked. Tessa's childhood home, Danjar Plains, is an isolated station which holds some bad memories for her. She plans to escape it as soon as the funeral is over, but then an unusual request in her Aunt Violet's will makes it impossible for her to leave. When charismatic and charming Brendan McKenzie introduces himself to Tessa, staying at Danjar Plains no longer seems such a hardship. As various secrets begin to unravel, Tessa realises letting go of her heart may hold the key to unlocking both her past and her future. From the author of the bestselling outback sagas, Red Dust, Blue Skies and Purple Roads, this moving novel is about making peace with the past, overcoming fear and insecurity, and the healing power of love.
After growing up on a farm near Orroroo in South Australia, Fleur McDonald’s first job was jillarooing in the outback. She has been involved in agriculture all her life, including helping manage a 8000-acre station for twenty years. Today Fleur and her energetic kelpie, Jack, live in Esperance, Western Australia,
Fleur is the author of 23 bestselling novels and two children's books.
Fleur chats about her daily writing life on her blog http://fleurmcdonald.com, Facebook - Fleur McDonald Author Instagram @fleurmcdonald Tiktok @fleurmcdonaldauthor
Tessa Mathison was shattered when she received the call from her brother to say her beloved Aunty Spider had passed. Tessa was filled with guilt as she hadn’t replied to her aunt’s previous letter; her life was out of control with too much alcohol and wild parties involved – it seemed that things had escalated since she’d been in London.
Returning to her childhood home, Danjar Plains - a vast and isolated station in the middle of the red dust and heat of the Nullabor – was the last thing Tessa wanted to do. Her memories were traumatic; but she’d be happy to see her Mum and Dad, and brother Ryan again. It had been too long. But she would only stay for the funeral and she’d be out of there.
That’s not what happened though. Aunty Violet (Spider was the nickname she’d always been known by) had left instructions for Tessa, which meant she had to stay on at the station, at least for awhile. And as Tessa began to uncover long buried secrets; as well as danger and intrigue, she slowly started to heal. Was it possible for her to overcome the mistakes of her past? To move forward to a happier future?
Silver Clouds by Aussie author Fleur McDonald is a story of redemption; of making amends and letting fears and insecurities go. Tessa wasn’t a nice character at the beginning, but as I learned her story, I started to feel an empathy for her. The closeness of the family structure was special; the love of family was woven through the pages. Once again, this author hasn’t disappointed, and I highly recommend Silver Clouds to fans of the genre.
I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy going and engaging read and the rural Australian setting and history added to the intrigue and drama of the family mystery that unfolded. I also thought it dealt well with the topic of binge drinking and illustrated the very real consequences of unchecked excess.
The romance was a bit of a let-down for me and I was left questioning whether it needed to be there at all. The relationship developed very abrubtly in a way that detracted from the realism of the rest of the book.
On the whole this book certainly deserves it's 4 stars and I am keen to read more novels by this author.
It’s one bad thing after another for London marketing exec Tess Mathison. She discovers photos of her in a compromising manner plastered all over Facebook, she’s been in bed with the enemy and she receives the news of the death of her beloved Aunt Spider. With her job on the line and her life running rampant, Tess gets on a plane and heads back to her hometown, Danjar Plains amid the dusty miles of the Nullarbor in Australia. She makes quite an impression when the fun, happy Tess her family once knew returns with thick makeup, a harsh haircut and a chip on her shoulder. There’s also that drinking problem and the promiscuity but Tess tries to hide this from her family.
Almost immediately she throws herself into sorting out the remains of her Aunts home in search for the family secrets that was hinted in the final letter Tessa received from Spider. Gradually she sobers up, gets back into her country gear and essentially gets back in touch with her roots. Plus she’s on a mission to get to the bottom of this big family secret. She scours diaries, letters and photo albums and becomes fixated on finding the truth. It keeps her mind occupied, though Tess is still dealing with the fallout of the many mistakes she’d made over the years since she fled Australia. She attracts the attention of ‘bad boy’ Brendan McKenzie and for a little while seems to forget all the progress she’s made, but it’s distant neighbour Harrison and young daughter Cally who capture her heart and provide a safe base for her.
The setting is by far my favourite element of Silver Clouds, Fleur captures the outback community and lifestyle perfectly and I loved that she set the story in the Nullarbor. On a road trip a year ago, I set off across the Nullarbor in a campervan with my partner and our dog and it was such an amazing experience. I enjoyed learning about the history at the small random museums set up across the desert pit stops and so I was excited when I recognised the town Balladonia that is mentioned a couple of times in the story. I remember going into the service station there on the way to WA and also on our return trip and I found the museum to be such an interesting experience- particularly about the history of the camel trains and the importation of camels into Australia. I had no idea! So, this element of Silver Clouds really resonates with me as I enjoy reading about the history of our country.
The protagonist Tessa was difficult to like in the beginning. She was rather self-indulgent, impulsive and at times self-destructive. She’d never really recovered from the death of her friend 7 years prior, though I couldn’t really connect with her grief about this as it wasn’t fully explored. Because I couldn’t really connect with Tessa this story was a struggle for me at times. Particularly when she got involved with Brendan, even though she kept telling herself she shouldn’t be jumping into just anybody’s arms. I did like her determination to reconnect with her Aunt Spider and how she persevered with finding the truth about her family’s history. Though I really liked Harrison as a character, I just didn’t feel that he and Tessa had any chemistry. I’d really like for that element to have been explored further as it seemed quite rushed and their interactions a little forced.
The lack of connection with Tessa and the romance aspect of Silver Clouds was a bit of a letdown for me, but I think McDonald does a wonderful job at capturing the rural lifestyle and everyday struggles faced by these communities. She brought a whole new element into it by exploring the history of Australia in that region which I found really fascinating. Silver Clouds is the fourth novel by Australian author Fleur McDonald (and the 4th of her books I’ve read) and makes a nice addition to the rural lit genre that is gradually taking over my bookshelves.
Silver Clouds is about revenge, love and forgiveness. Tessa Mathison found out that her beloved Aunt Spider dies she decided to come back to Australia for her funeral. However, on the way home, she discovered that her employer sacked her after photos of a boozy night out ended up on the internet and the requested by her Aunty's will decided to stay in Australia. The readers of Silver Clouds will continue to follow Tessa to see if she unlocks the family secrets and find true love.
Silver Clouds is another fantastic book by Fleur McDonald. I love the way; Fleur McDonald incorporated Aunt Spider's letters throughout the book. Fleur McDonald did an excellent job of ensuring I engage with the plot of this book and bring live the hardship of living in a rural community. I like Fleur McDonald portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other. Silver Clouds was well written and researched by Fleur McDonald.
The readers of Silver Clouds will start to understand the consequences of social media if used the wrong way. Also, the readers of Silver Clouds will learn about racial discrimination and how it affects everyone involved.
The wonderful thing about reading rural romances is that they are just so easy to fly through, even though they may tackle serious topics they are still very much an easy and quick read and yet, important to be worthy of attention.
In my opinion the storyline in ‘Silver Clouds’ outshines the romance which certainly wasn’t a bad thing. The death of her aunt Spider brings Tessa back home to the Nullarbor and is given the task to resolve a family secret. The mystery is solved through letters, mysterious diary entries, unmarked graves and two engraved wedding rings.
Tessa and Harrison’s relationship develops at a very slow pace, I liked that the author didn’t feel the need to bombard the reader with too much smoochy, kissy, goo-goo stuff, the romance just blends into the storyline.
Crossing the Nullarbor has been on my wish list for many years and for this reason the setting in this story had me intrigued. Loved every description the author used to bring the Nullarbor to life.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Recommended.
Book No.2 #20Backlistin2020 Challenge
(Unofficial) POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2020: A book with ‘gold,’ silver,’ or ‘bronze’ in the title
I found this book to be an interesting story of a young Australian girl looking for a fresh start in life.
McDonald weaves a good story and I enjoyed the nice descriptions of the Nullarbor and I liked the Outback characters. The romance aspect was somewhat predictable but I enjoyed trying to work out the family secret.
The book is well written and easy to read with real and relatable characters and a satisfying conclusion.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a quick read of a romantic mystery in an Australian Outback setting.
Fleur has done it again. Written another compelling story. Mystery, intriguing storylines and a touch of romncie set in the gorgeous rural regions of Australia.
Well I loved it! I really like a good ole outback romance and if its written in places I've been then all the better, keep up the great reads Fleur, thankyou.
Tessa Mathieson leaves her marketing position in London to attend the funeral of her beloved Aunt Violet (Spider). Leaving her job in disgrace, Tessa soon discovers she has been sacked. Arriving at her childhood home of Danjar Plains on the Nullabor, a place that doesn't hold a lot of easy memories for her, Tessa finds that a condition in her Aunt's Will prevents her from leaving the property immediately after the funeral. When she meets Brendan McKenzie, Tessa decides that having to stay on the remote outback property will not be such a hardship after all.
Clearing out her Aunt's house, Tessa discovers diaries and letters and a pair of gold wedding rings and determines to find the family secret hidden within.
This is a story of family, of love, loss and hardship in the outback in the early days as we learn the history of the Mathieson family from their beginning in the area. I can imagine that even in modern times, life on the Nullabor Plain is not easy.
This story brings me to my final book to read by Fleur McDonald. Over the last little while, I have read 11 of her books...four of them, like this one, are earlier books...the rest of the books brings me up to date to wait for her next story, Out In Nowhere, due at the end of October.
Detective Dave Burrows does not appear in Silver Clouds, he is mentioned, but not physically in the story. However, I loved this story and the characters within it certainly gave plenty to think about.
I highly recommend all books by Fleur McDonald to other readers.
Marketing executive Tessa Mathison leaves London to attend her great-aunt's funeral in Australia after an indiscretion during a boozy night out which costs her her job. She plans to escape as soon as the funeral is over, but an unusual request in her Aunt Violet's will makes it impossible for her to leave. When charismatic and charming Brendan McKenzie introduces himself, staying at Danjar Plains no longer seems such a hardship.
Every time I read a new Fleur McDonald book, it quickly became a new favourite. It happened again with this one! Tess managed to steal my heart with all her flaws and imperfections.
Starting the book as a party girl, she managed to grow into a strong, assertive woman who learned the kind of life she wanted to have. Tess’ personal growth journey was riveting to follow. Tess might be one of the strongest heroines Fleur had ever written, and I was glad to see that Fleur herself mentioned Tess was the only character she’d consider writing a sequel for (aside from Dave Burrows, of course).
I’d recommend this for you if you want to try an Aussie crime fiction genre, or if you need an introduction to Fleur’s writing. I will be waiting patiently for the sequel!
Tess had made one huge mess of her life, ending up in London and making worse mistakes. Her beloved Spider (Auntie Violet) dies and she goes home for the funeral. Her erratic and unacceptable behaviour becomes known at her work and she loses her job. She wallows for a while but her home on the Nullabour and her aunt's request keep her there for a while and she starts working on her demons and the mystery hinted at by Spider. Eventually Tessa has to tell her family she lost her job but doesn't reveal the whole truth, she kept that close and worried about it all the time. Too ashamed to reveal it. While reading her aunt's diaries she slowly uncovers her aunts past. While doing so she has temptations in the form of bad boy Brendon and she also becomes friendly with Harrison and his daughter. Brendon's true colours appear at the muster. Harrison appears interested but she feels unworthy and that he if he knew of her past he would not what to know her. Finally she decides to tell him all and believes he will then not want her . Harrison is made of sterner stuff and instead decides to find out who put the photos online so she can find some closure. It was satisfying to find my suspicions in that department were correct.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was looking for an enjoyable, light read and I found it in Silver Clouds, the third book I have enjoyed by Fleur McDonald. It is a book of hope and love across different spectrums.
The story is set on a large cattle and sheep property in Western Australia. The main character is Tessa Mathison whose childhood home is Danjar Plains on the Nullabor Plains. The story commences with Tessa living a busy life in London as a marketing executive. A terrible thing causes major embarrassment to Tessa in London and she is eventually forced to resign from her job.
Around this time, Tessa's favourite Aunt dies and Tessa decides to return to Australia for her funeral. On her return, she discovers her Aunt has written her a letter with instructions to be followed in the event of her death.
Initially Tessa is in a hurry to complete her Aunt's requests, enabling her to quickly escape her family and the Nullabor and return to London. Tessa carries past pain and hurt from her younger years and cannot forgive herself for her terrible behaviour in London. Gradually she comes to terms with it during her stay in her Aunt's empty house. She slips back into an old lifestyle she has long forgotten and finds the true power of love.
Fleur McDonald is yet another rural fiction novelist that I've recently discovered, on recommendation from my local library. After reading this gorgeous and enlightening story, I'll be reading more of Fleur's books!
We are transported to the Nullarbor Plains in 𝕊𝕚𝕝𝕧𝕖𝕣 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕𝕤. Our heroine is Tessa Mathison, who has returned home to attend her great- aunts funeral. Upon her arrival, Tessa discovers to her horror that she's been caught up in a scandal and fired from her job in London.
Agreeing to stay home for the foreseeable future, Tessa takes on the task of clearing out Violet (Spider's) home. However, Spider has also left her further instructions- to uncover a family secret that's been kept since the days the Nullarbor was settled.
𝕊𝕚𝕝𝕧𝕖𝕣 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕𝕤 is a beautiful read about redemption, self discovery and family values. There's the perfect mixture of family drama and romance between Tessa and the two men who's vying for her attention. The scenery is so tranquil and I really enjoyed learning about the Nullarbor's rich history!
This my first Fluer McDonald book and I liked it. It is about a young woman who is working in England for a company when her great Aunty Spider dies and has to return to Perth Australia to the family farm. She also loses her job due to photos of her be put on line. Her aunty lives her task the task of clean her house this where she learns of her family's history and there is also Brendan who is the bad boy of the town but she soon learns that not the man for her. Harrison a single father of an 11 years old daughter becomes friends with her and they slowly become more than friends. She also helps her brother and wife with their problems of wanting to start a family. I thought it was a great read.
A nice light hearted book with a lovely little mystery thrown in. Easy to read and kept me interested. Nice for a summer read. Really shows off the Aussie bush and the desert. Just toward the end though it seemed rushed to get all the information down and explained. However I quite enjoyed this book.
As someone who came across this author by accident, and has now read 7 in 6 weeks, this one is the best so far. Any Australian can relate to things they would have liked to have not done (often alcohol related), and this puts the reader in this exact scenario, and expands it in a historical context. Make sure you set aside the whole weekend if you start reading it.
I really enjoyed this novel as it was great easy reading. Reading novels that include an Australian setting, I always find satisfying and this light little novel ticks those boxes.It is a great vacation read.
It was ok. Nothing spectacular but a quick, easy read. A good book for a holiday by the beach or to pass the time on a plane. You don't have to concentrate too hard.
Another great read from this author. Such easy reading that just flows along, before you know it the book is finished. Onto the next one. Thank you Fleur McDonald.