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Blaze
International publisher Nina Jansous is the epitome of grace and style, and Blaze, her New York-based magazine has become one of the most successful in the world. Now Nina wants to return to Australia and re-launch an Australian edition of Blaze. Alisson Gruber, not yet 30, is unimpressed by Nina's decision to appoint her as editor of the Australian Blaze. Larissa Kelly, the 30-something chief-of-staff of Blaze New York, is sent out as Ali's deputy. Joining Ali and Larissa on Blaze; is Miche Bannister, a young woman coming to terms with the suicide of her mother, the editor of the New York edition of Blaze. Four women whose paths are entwined are facing the same demons - coming to terms with their past and the present before embracing their future. The men they love, the men they find, the men they never knew, all play a role in a private dance on a very public stage.
- GenresFiction
662 pages
First published January 1, 2000
28 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Di Morrissey
77 books381 followersDi Morrissey (born 18 March 1943 in Wingham, New South Wales) is one of Australia's most popular female novelists. She grew up in the remote surrounds of Pittwater, north of Sydney, Australia.
Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.
In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.
After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.
Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.
In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.
After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 22, 2015
Loved this Di Morrissey one, a stark contrast to her usual theme based on a specific location. Enjoyed the sneak peak into the world of magazine publishing. This is one I want to re read. I highly recommend it!
November 11, 2018
I should have known better than to read this after how mind numbingly boring the last book I read by this author was. But apparently I’m some sort of glutton for punishment because I insisted on reading it anyways. And I immediately regretted my decision because this book is just as, if not more boring than the last one I read by this author. The setting was mildly interesting but the dreadful characters and mind numbing boredom made this book quite torturous.
January 1, 2020
Ali is a right bitch. She's got a problem with older people and authority. She thinks forty year olds are old and not up on todays issues and tastes ! I find that really offensive. And her line earlier about Nina being past her used by date angered me. Sixty is hardly old . I would have liked this book better if it didn't have unlikable characters such as she.
Larissa didn't earn her job. She got everything handed to her on a silver platter just because her mother died and she's the god daughter of Nina. She didn't rise up through the ranks line Nina did.
Not one of Di Morrisseys better books I'm afraid,
Larissa didn't earn her job. She got everything handed to her on a silver platter just because her mother died and she's the god daughter of Nina. She didn't rise up through the ranks line Nina did.
Not one of Di Morrisseys better books I'm afraid,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2017
Di Morrissey is one of the bestselling contemporary Australian writers. This is the first book by Morissey that I read. The author showed skills depicting the lives of 4 women- Ali, Nina, Larissa and
Michelle and their journey to balance career and personal lives. Although the reading became tedious at many pages and almost read like a newspaper report rather than literature at times, the author was successful to keep me guessing about Ali's secret. And finally it was revealed along with the author's brutally realistic portrayal of Ali's response to coming face-to-face with her dark secret.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thick weekend read.
Author also gave a good sneak peek into the world of magazines and how they make money by pandering to advertisers.
The portrayal of Sally's modelling career was probably brutally honest and poignant.
On the downside, the way Nina uncovered her grandfather's family secret in Croatia was laughable and childish. The author failed to make me believe that a woman from USA can just go to a family home in Croatia and dig the backyard to find valuable information that could lead to destabilizing Croatian government!
Michelle and their journey to balance career and personal lives. Although the reading became tedious at many pages and almost read like a newspaper report rather than literature at times, the author was successful to keep me guessing about Ali's secret. And finally it was revealed along with the author's brutally realistic portrayal of Ali's response to coming face-to-face with her dark secret.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thick weekend read.
Author also gave a good sneak peek into the world of magazines and how they make money by pandering to advertisers.
The portrayal of Sally's modelling career was probably brutally honest and poignant.
On the downside, the way Nina uncovered her grandfather's family secret in Croatia was laughable and childish. The author failed to make me believe that a woman from USA can just go to a family home in Croatia and dig the backyard to find valuable information that could lead to destabilizing Croatian government!
June 1, 2017
This is quite different to Di Morrissey's other books. This book is about women in the women's fashion magazine industry.
This is probably more like a 3.5. I liked it but I think there were too many side stories. This made the story much longer than it needed to be. I think it might have been better as separate, but connected stories in different books. I also felt that some of the stories didn't wrap up (e.g. April-v- Heather).
It is a good book though so I recommend it for a read.
This is probably more like a 3.5. I liked it but I think there were too many side stories. This made the story much longer than it needed to be. I think it might have been better as separate, but connected stories in different books. I also felt that some of the stories didn't wrap up (e.g. April-v- Heather).
It is a good book though so I recommend it for a read.
June 28, 2019
Fun and dark all rolled into one. A very colourful read and always thick with interesting characters and sub plots which took the reader around the world through various interesting and informative landscapes and discoveries.
April 20, 2020
Unlike her other books this was a throw back to 80's womens fiction. Really enjoyed it
May 2, 2022
A good read. Lots of twists and turns. Di Morrissey never disappoints.
November 16, 2010
This is a great story about a Magazine called Blaze and 4 women involved with it. It is a tough world on a renowned magazine.
Nina Jansou ‘ started Blaze in Australia after the death of her husband Paul, then moved it to America in partnership with Baron Von Triton who had wanted to buy the magazine from her. Allie Gruber who has been waiting for her chance to be Editor when Nina retired and but was offered the Editorship in Australia instead when Nina decided to publish an Australian version of the magazine again. Larissa Kelly who came across as Assistant Editor and ends up being a buffer between the staff and Allie. Mich (Michelle) Bannister whose mother Lorraine had been Editor in the US but had recently committed suicide.
Nina has decided to take a break from her position as Editor in Chief to go to Croatia to revisit her roots, she finds more than she bargained there and on the way reunites with her first love, a French Film Maker named Lucien. Allie becomes a very unpopular boss and she has a secret in her background that she does not want anyone to know about. Larissa is given an ultimation by her boyfriend Gerard – come back to the US and marry me or I have to move on. Mich has come to look for her Australian father and to work on Blaze – she does a great story on a young model named Sally and meets Jeremy a wine maker from the Hunter Valley .
Nina Jansou ‘ started Blaze in Australia after the death of her husband Paul, then moved it to America in partnership with Baron Von Triton who had wanted to buy the magazine from her. Allie Gruber who has been waiting for her chance to be Editor when Nina retired and but was offered the Editorship in Australia instead when Nina decided to publish an Australian version of the magazine again. Larissa Kelly who came across as Assistant Editor and ends up being a buffer between the staff and Allie. Mich (Michelle) Bannister whose mother Lorraine had been Editor in the US but had recently committed suicide.
Nina has decided to take a break from her position as Editor in Chief to go to Croatia to revisit her roots, she finds more than she bargained there and on the way reunites with her first love, a French Film Maker named Lucien. Allie becomes a very unpopular boss and she has a secret in her background that she does not want anyone to know about. Larissa is given an ultimation by her boyfriend Gerard – come back to the US and marry me or I have to move on. Mich has come to look for her Australian father and to work on Blaze – she does a great story on a young model named Sally and meets Jeremy a wine maker from the Hunter Valley .
December 30, 2012
Another great story of Di Morrissey's.
A story of Blaze, a magazine empire and the 4 women's lives who are intertwined throughout the story.
From Nina, the founder of Blaze who retires and tours Croatia, discovering her roots and finding her first love to Ellie, the tough, hard as nails Editor-in-chief, with a dark history.
Larissa - the cotton wool between Ellie and their Australian staff with a partner half way across the world and Mich (Michelle) the daughter of Lorraine, the previous editor in the US who committed suicide.
A novel that takes us through the characters lives and troubles and leaves you with a strong connection to each.
A must read for all Di Morrissey fans.
A story of Blaze, a magazine empire and the 4 women's lives who are intertwined throughout the story.
From Nina, the founder of Blaze who retires and tours Croatia, discovering her roots and finding her first love to Ellie, the tough, hard as nails Editor-in-chief, with a dark history.
Larissa - the cotton wool between Ellie and their Australian staff with a partner half way across the world and Mich (Michelle) the daughter of Lorraine, the previous editor in the US who committed suicide.
A novel that takes us through the characters lives and troubles and leaves you with a strong connection to each.
A must read for all Di Morrissey fans.
October 21, 2010
not enough australia
January 29, 2013
Not one of Di's best books, I have read better
January 16, 2015
More like 2,5 really. It took me forever to finish Blaze because it's such a long book. I enjoyed the emotional drama but I wasn't that pleased with Ali's story and how it ended.
October 8, 2015
Not one of this Authors best that's for sure. Ok but nowhere near her usual standard
February 19, 2015
A good read.
August 7, 2012
Prefer her more Australian based stories to this one
October 3, 2012
Not as good as others but can't give 2.5 stars and not as bad as a 2.
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May 18, 2018Great- loved it!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews