Books

Fiction and Non-Fiction

LUKA

In the days after the bomb blast that kills Luka’s mum and sister, Luka’s family begins to fall apart. His dad retreats to his bedroom, his brother slips into vigilante mode, and his uncle tries to rescue them all, when all they want is to be left alone. Luka, who has always been a peacemaker, tries desperately to hold what’s left of his family together, but he finds he’s teetering on the edge himself, struggling to keep his own demons of guilt and rage under control.

Luka is a story about men and boys, how they cope with grief and anger when the emotional glue of women is no longer there to support them. It’s a story of pulling the pieces back together when it seems there are no pieces left to find. Ultimately, it’s about acceptance, forgiveness, and the realisation that life isn’t always about getting the answers you think you need.

 

Readers of Luka

  • Amazon review

    Beautifully written. Heart felt entry into a young child’s life.

    “I loved this book. As a Mom I could relate to this story on so many levels. I thought the writing from a teenage boy's perspective was brilliant. The journey that you'll take with this family will engage you emotionally from start to finish. I was overcome many times and my heart broke for this boy more than once. I would recommend this book for adults as well as young adults and I really look forward to reading more from this author.”

  • Paula Ellery - editor

    A rare gem. I can't recommend Luka highly enough.

    “Luka is a heartbreaking story that only an experienced and talented writer could pull off. Fortunately we are in good hands with Sarah James. Her talent and skill allows the reader to gently sink into Luka's world and walk with him on his painful journey towards healing.

    Luka’s story is universal. Not only will young adults connect but readers of all ages will relate to it.”

  • Harmony Lee

    Better than John Green

    “I couldn’t put this book down. One of my all time favourites.”

  • Nicola Taylor

    A beautiful way with words.

    “I sat up half the night reading Luka, then got up early to finish it! I really enjoyed it. You have such a beautiful way with words. I wept like a baby in the last three chapters. I can relate so well to how Luka's feeling and thinking. The dynamics of the characters drew me in. Luka's sensitivity! I can't wait to read the next book. Sarah truly has a gift.”

  • Yofy Dolev

    A beautiful and heartbreaking tale.

    “A beautiful and heartbreaking tale about loss and grief. Losing the main female presences in your life and coping with the strange emotions that follow. This book was an amazing read that allowed the readers to connect with Luka and understand his perspective of the horrible situation that occurs. Definitely a tear jerker.”

  • Ezra Aubort

    This book is beautifully written from a very heartfelt perspective.

    “I enjoyed reading Luka because it is a story about grief and sorrow many people go through when losing their loved ones but ultimately overcome to find peace with themselves in the end. The perspective from Luka, a young teenage boy, was brilliant and really put you in his shoes, uncovering the many emotions sorrow brings to boys like Luka. It was a great book and I highly recommend it for many audiences, especially for those that are struggling with grief themselves.”

MIDWIFE WISDOM, MOTHER LOVE

As a midwife, Sarah James has delivered hundreds of babies; as a birthing educator, she has helped ease the uncertainty of an equal number of expectant mothers; and as a mother she has brought her own four children into the world. In Midwife Wisdom, Mother Love, she has written a pregnancy, childbirth and parenting book that fuses the valuable insights she has gained from both her personal and professional experiences.

In an age when many mothers-to-be have never even held a baby, Midwife Wisdom, Mother Love provides an understanding and practical guide. It is an authoritative, candid and often fun account of childbirth—from pregnancy through to labour (and what to expect afterwards), which unlocks the mystery surrounding birth and provides answers for the most concerned parents-to-be.

Listen.

ABC Brisbane interview with Maddona King and Anne Marie Taplin.

ABC Gold Coast with Peter Scott.

ABC Gold Coast Home-birth Indemnity.

Readers of Midwife Wisdom Mother Love

  • Cindy Pan - doctor, writer and media presenter

    Oodles of common sense.

    “Sarah James offers oodles of common sense, practical tips and useful insights in a simple, down-to-earth style. This balanced approach is at once comforting and credible…I warmly invite every woman and every man to open their minds and their hearts to Midwife Wisdom, Mother Love.”

  • Kindred

    Not an advice book but written from the heart.

    “A wonderful first read for mothers to be… It is not an advice book but written from the heart… James holds nothing back and it is refreshing to read about things that even some more bold authors shy away from.”

  • The Weekend Bulletin Magazine, Gold Coast

    Authoritative, candid and fun.

    “An authoritative, candid and often fun look at childbirth from pregnancy through to the baby blues.”

  • Sydney's Child

    Easy to follow advice.

    “Sound practical and easy to follow advice in a candid way, unlocking the mystery surrounding birth and providing answers for the most concerned parent to be.’

  • Sunday Tasmania

    Gentle, humorous and ultimately enlightening

    “Great book for mothers-to-be, fathers-to-be, those who have done it before and those who are thinking about doing it. Gentle, humorous and ultimately enlightening journey through pregnancy and childbirth…in a matter-of-fact, everyday sort of way she manages to dispel fear and inform the reader at the same time…immensely readable and reassuring book.” Sunday Tasmanian

  • Pregnancy and Birth Magazine

    An easy read written in language which is a breeze to understand.

    “Practical and sometimes humorous advice on what to expect during pregnancy, the facts about what’s going on inside your body, how birth feels and how to cope immediately afterwards. An easy read written in language which is a breeze to understand.”

  • Mary Ann

    Gorgeous Book

    “I devoured Midwife Wisdom, Mother Love in one day which is unheard of in our busy house! It is a gorgeous book. It’s open, welcoming, honest, witty and inspiring. The voice is so strong. It carries the book beautifully. Truly a celebration of the magnificence of our bodies and the wonder of new life.”

  • Cath Lawler

    Perfect blend of knowledge and wisdom.

    “Midwife Wisdom, Mother Love has the perfect blend of knowledge and wisdom. I found the birth of my first child to be not what I expected to say the least - reading this book has opened my eyes to the fact that the next birth experience can be different. It allowed me to start thinking about the possibility of having another child. The book is like having a best friend who is a midwife - comforting, easy - particularly with the sharing of Sarah’s personal birth stories. Highly recommend.”

  • Pippa Price

    Tremendously comforting.

    “I devoured this book, just couldn’t put it down. In the last days of my pregnancy I found it tremendously comforting and rewarding. Not only insightful, but very open, gentle and informative. A very talented writer whose voice lifts clearly from the page and from her heart to speak to the hearts of her readers.”

  • Simone Williams

    True warmth and honesty

    “I have read Midwife Wisdom, Mother Love from cover to cover - an excellent read! I am sure it was written specifically with me in mind! What a wonderful combination of common sense and personal experience delivered with such ‘true’ warmth and honesty - quite rare these days! Both my mother and I could not put it down. Mum said all her wonderful memories came flooding back. In fact the book brought a tear to both of us.”

  • Fiona Woods

    Read it three times.

    “I have read Midwife Wisdom, Mother Love three times now while waiting for my baby. After the many books I have read on pregnancy, birth and babies over the last eighteen years I can honestly say this is the best ever. I have savoured every word. Honest, practical, down to earth whilst being personal and so reassuring, all making it so easy to read. By sharing her own birth stories and feelings the author allows exploration of emotional events and situations that are often passed over by other authors. I loved it.”