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Matakana writer Jenni Francis has launched into new territory by penning a novel aimed at adults.
This month, River Press Publishing has released “The Other Side of the World” – a departure for Jenni, who previously has written six novels for teens.
Jenni says The Other Side of the World is a love story with a little bit of a mystery going on, too.
“It’s a search for truth,” she says.
In the book, a young woman, Coral, leaves England to travel to New Zealand when she discovers she is pregnant.
Coral’s son Tom grows up never knowing his father and Coral is determined to keep it that way. But when Coral dies, Tom is hungry to find out more and travels to Scotland to discover the truth about the past.
Jenni says the idea for the book came from a series of coincidences that happened over a 10-year period. They began when Jenni was able to meet up again with her first love.
She had first met him when she was 16 while working at a hotel in a small village in Scotland. Unfortunately, the relationship had little chance to develop as Jenni was soon obliged to return to New Zealand with her parents.
Jenni was able to meet him again when she returned on a visit to Scotland with her husband Phil.
Jenni says she felt the themes of the book, which revolve around family, loss and love were better suited to a more mature audience.
She says having a background in teen fiction made it relatively easy to transition to a more adult novel.
“I’ve got another idea wandering around in my mind at the moment, which is also an adult one,” she says.
Book Giveaway
Mahurangi Matters has one copy of The Other Side of the World to give away. To go in the draw, email your contact details to editor@localmatters.co.nz. Competition closes on October 25.
