The Beekeeper's Secret

When Tansy Butterfield decides to make contact with an aunt who is estranged from the family she is unaware of the minefield of family secrets that will be unleashed. 

Tansy's aunt, Maria Lindsey, is a former nun now working at Honeybee Haven on the Sunshine Coast where she cares for her bees as well as running a number of projects to raise money to send to an orphanage in Cambodia. She has remained hidden from her family since leaving the nunnery but is aware that all is about to change, especially when she recives a letter concerning an enquiry into the activities of some members of the Catholic Church with whom she once worked.

Since leaving the church Maria has found peace with her hives of bees. Throughout The Beekeeper's Secret by Josephine Moon, the reader learns much about beekeeping and the importance of bees to the environment as Maria learns to trust people again and to enjoy life. meanwhile other members of her family also begin to realise that they must face life's challenges and adapt to change.

The Cake Maker's Wish

Australian author, Josephine Moon, has set most of this book in the Cotswolds in England. Olivia and her young son, Darcy, leave Tasmania for England when they have the opportunity to become involved in the Renaissance Project, a project to encourage members of families who once lived in Stoneden to return to help revitalise the village. Olivia's grandmother left Snowden in the 1960s to come to Australia and returning to her grandmother's homeland not only provides Olivia and her son with the opportunity for a new start but also a chance to learn a little of her family history. Living in England also means that she and Darcy are closer to Norway where Darcy's father lives and hopefully Darcy will finally be able to meet his father.

Olivia is a cake maker and the members of the village arranged that she could set up her business in one of the vacant shops named Rambling Rose. Olivia is not the only newcomer to the village involved in the project. The new arrivals are welcomed by many of the villagers however it soon becomes apparent that not everyone wants the project to succeed. Olivia and Darcy, however, soon make new friends as they strive to become part of the village community and work to make the Renaissance Projet a success. Olivia encounters a number of challenges and eventually must decide how and where she wants to live her life.

At the end of the book is a recipe for the Persian Love Cake featured in the novel plus discussion notes for book clubs.