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REEKS, Kerri

Jun 30, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, Fiction \ Novel, Military, South Australia, War Fiction

cage of war by kerri reeks
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ISBN 978-1-923386-87-7
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Cage of War

Can they escape the horrors of war, or will they consume them forever?

Captured by Viet Cong in late 1960s during the Vietnam War, Australian soldier James ‘Ned’ Kelly is imprisoned in a bamboo cage in the Mekong River, with fellow captive Brady. They’re eventually ‘rescued’ by a Special CIA Covert team.

They soon discover the rescue is part of an elaborate, corrupt and clandestine war tourism operation – ‘Tiger Hunts’, where wealthy Japanese businessmen pay to hunt & kill real VC soldiers. Kelly & Brady reluctantly join the ‘Tiger Hunts’, ultimately uncovering dark & suspenseful secrets, including war crimes, political assassinations, & drug trafficking tied to the covert teams. A catastrophic ‘Tiger Hunt’ leaves Kelly, Brady, & one Japanese ‘Tiger’ as the only survivors; they’re rescued & taken to a US Hospital ship to recover.

Years later, back to Australia, Kelly is settled on a small farm in the Adelaide Hills. A deadly chain of events is sparked, targeting Kelly, his veteran friends & loved ones. The fallout threatens to also expose the surviving ‘Tiger’, now a prominent Japanese politician, & the rogue CIA operations behind the ‘Tiger Hunts’.

To stop the violence escalating, Kelly teams up with old colleagues to expose the truth, bringing the dark past to light via exposure in the international media.

Kerri Reeks author

About the author

KERRI REEKS was born in Adelaide in 1953 and spent his formative years in Broken Hill, Cockburn, and later Mount Gambier. At 18, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Army, qualifying as a Sapper in the Corps of Engineers. He trained in combat engineering, earthmoving construction, minefield clearance, and demolition-though he did not serve in Vietnam. After his military service, Kerri forged a diverse career. He became a multi-award-winning landscape gardener and later owned and operated both a restaurant and a hotel. For over 30 years, he has worked as a consultant in the oil and gas industry, travelling to more than 60 countries. During this time, he completed a Graduate Diploma and a Graduate Certificate in International Disaster Management. Drawing on his global experiences and the many cultural intersections he encountered along the way, Kerri researched and wrote Cage of War, a novel inspired by the Vietnam War. He now lives in the Adelaide Hills on a small acreage with his partner and their dog, Beau. When not consulting in the energy sector or working on his next novel, he enjoys landscaping and tending to his property.

RANKINE, Warren

Jun 30, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, Autobiography, Biography, Memoir, South Australia

Fifteen Feet Tall by Warren Rankine
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Panelist ~ 2025 Indie Author Book Festival

ISBN 978-1-923443-66-2
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ISBN 978-1-923443-67-9
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Fifteen Feet Tall

From abandonment to belonging, an incredible life story of survival, identity and hope

Abandoned into an orphanage in the middle of the night, a two-year-old boy became File #61249600—the official identity of a child marked by institutionalisation, extreme displacement, rejection, challenge, failure, resilience, persistence, and, ultimately, self-realisation.

Set against the backdrop and soundtrack of suburban South Australia, this is a story filled with colourful characters, misadventure, heartbreak, and tragedy—culminating in the remarkable success of a man who refused to give up on himself when so many others had.

Fast-paced and deeply engaging, with rare insight drawn from his own state department file, Warren Rankine shares his life’s journey with vulnerability, humour, and raw, unflinching reflection.

Others may have put him on a path. Ultimately, he forged his own.

KOVACS, Frank

May 15, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, Biography, Memoir, Military, Psychology \ Mental Health, Social Sciences \ Politics \ Government, South Australia

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ISBN 978-1-923265-17-2
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Invisible Scars Somalia

 

A true story of an Australian soldier living with the effects of PTSD

Africa, 1984: Al-Shabaab militants succeeded in smuggling weapons and equipment into Somalia from Ethiopia, unimpeded. The US President Ronald Reagan authorised a shadow team of international soldiers to spy on the movement of rebels and arms fl owing into Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.

An Australian Regular Army soldier, together with two British military personnel, seconded by the US to join a CIA special agent and an Ethiopian female warrior to infi ltrate to Luuq, a rural town and staging area for Al-Shabaab rebels in Central Somalia, on a clandestine mission. Their call sign was ‘Delta One.’ Their secret and urgent mission was to observe the movement of rebel forces, their equipment, and ammunition, then report back directly to Langley. During the mission, the team needed to cover their own tracks in case the proverbial hit the fan.

Staying one step ahead of the rebels was easy, whilst racing against the clock, until the team wound up in a horrendous ambush against superior rebel forces.

For a nation, unaware of the effects combat has on its soldiers, life for the Australian soldier returning from Somalia became harder after discharge, as he battled the complexities of PTSD and alcoholism in civvy street. Haunted by the nightmares of his time in Africa and racked by guilt from driving his wife and family away. He discovers help at the Repatriation General Hospital, Psychiatric Ward 17, in Adelaide, South Australia.

However, there was another enemy at play. The lure of Soldier of Fortune work would set him in action again

DANVERS, Ron

Apr 14, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, History, Military, South Australia

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ISBN 978-1-923443-01-3
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1837 Colonel Light’s Vision for Adelaide

 

Postulation and Testing a Preemptive Model Plan Adapted by Light for the Capital of South Australia

Colonel William Light’s history has been the subject of several admirable publications, but none have satisfactorily addressed the method he used in designing, surveying and laying out the plan of the City of Adelaide on the topography of the site chosen on December 31, 1836. Although evidence supports there being a preemptive Model Plan produced in London before that date, the connection has generally been missed on how such a plan, following the pattern of many colonial antecedents, could have been simply cut up to fi t the topography of the chosen site.

In postulating the form a Model Plan might have taken by reverse engineering the final plan, it becomes obvious that this was the method used by Light to lay out the plan of the Capital. It was not done in a week from January 3, 1837 as Stretton suggested, but by February 7 the basic cutting up had been formulated and sketched by Light from Green Hill.

About the Author

 

Ron Danvers LFRAIA is an architect living in the City of Adelaide in South Australia. He was instrumental in introducing urban design to South Australia, becoming the founding Chair of the State Urban Design Advisory Panel. Although he has undertaken major cultural heritage projects in Malaysia and Indonesia, most of his architectural work has been in the City of Adelaide.

He was awarded the RAIA Lachlan Macquarie Award and a National Trust Australian Heritage Award in 1987 for restoration of the Mortlock Library. In 2005, his architecture practice was awarded a UNESCO Asia Pacifi c Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation for heritage adaptation of the Treasury Buildings in Victoria Square. He was President of the RAIA SA Chapter 1988-90, representing the architectural profession at that time in the South Australian State Planning Review. He was granted the adjunct title of Associate Professor by the University of Adelaide.

ISBN 978-1-923443-01-3
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1837 Colonel Light’s Vision for Adelaide

 

Postulation and Testing a Preemptive Model Plan Adapted by Light for the Capital of South Australia

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Colonel William Light’s history has been the subject of several admirable publications, but none have satisfactorily addressed the method he used in designing, surveying and laying out the plan of the City of Adelaide on the topography of the site chosen on December 31, 1836. Although evidence supports there being a preemptive Model Plan produced in London before that date, the connection has generally been missed on how such a plan, following the pattern of many colonial antecedents, could have been simply cut up to fi t the topography of the chosen site.

In postulating the form a Model Plan might have taken by reverse engineering the final plan, it becomes obvious that this was the method used by Light to lay out the plan of the Capital. It was not done in a week from January 3, 1837 as Stretton suggested, but by February 7 the basic cutting up had been formulated and sketched by Light from Green Hill.

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About the Author

 

Ron Danvers LFRAIA is an architect living in the City of Adelaide in South Australia. He was instrumental in introducing urban design to South Australia, becoming the founding Chair of the State Urban Design Advisory Panel. Although he has undertaken major cultural heritage projects in Malaysia and Indonesia, most of his architectural work has been in the City of Adelaide.

He was awarded the RAIA Lachlan Macquarie Award and a National Trust Australian Heritage Award in 1987 for restoration of the Mortlock Library. In 2005, his architecture practice was awarded a UNESCO Asia Pacifi c Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation for heritage adaptation of the Treasury Buildings in Victoria Square. He was President of the RAIA SA Chapter 1988-90, representing the architectural profession at that time in the South Australian State Planning Review. He was granted the adjunct title of Associate Professor by the University of Adelaide.

JAY, Katie

Apr 14, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, Mystery Fiction

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ISBN 978-1-923386-65-5
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ISBN 978-1-923443-17-4
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A Murder On The Cards

A seventy-eight year old man is found dead at the back of Glenelg Bridge Club. A bullet hole in the side of his head is just the first of some startling and sometimes ominous intrigues that are presented to Cecilia, the Health Inspector for Glenelg Council.

As an amateur sleuth, and a keen bridge player, Cecilia is not going to let this murder be swept under the carpet.

Her favourite homicide detective, Aldo, is missing in action and her relationship with him seems to be wavering… as well as taking a few hits from the romantic attentions of one of the murder suspects!

A Murder on the Cards follows Cecilia Archer in a new and entertaining adventure in her beloved community – Glenelg.

Katie Jay Mystery Author

About the author

Katie Jay is a successful children’s picture book author who is now writing mystery crime novels.

Spanning over fifty years she has been a keen dog owner, including a pair of naughty dachshunds who feature in her books.

Visit her website to keep up to date with new releases and events: katiejayauthor.com.au

CLARKE, Gerry

Mar 24, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, Biography, Relationships, South Australia

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ISBN 978-1-923386-45-7
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ISBN 978-1-923386-44-0
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My Name is Ryan

 

The Story of Ryan Clarke, A man with Down Syndrome

Told through the eyes of his father, My Name is Ryan is the hopeful and heartwarming story of the transformation of a boy with Down syndrome, into a man with Down syndrome.

We follow Ryan’s journey through adulthood as he faces the daunting challenges of moving into the workforce, finding a home, the inevitable loss of loved ones, and the joy of welcoming new family members and a tribe of nephews and nieces, who know him lovingly as ‘Uncle Barnas’.

This is book two for Gerry Clarke.

Ryan’s Rainbow, first published in 2003, and taking us from Ryan’s birth through to his 18th birthday, is included in this edition.

Together they provide the full picture of Ryan’s life to the age of 40, a life of joy in the heart of a large and loving family.

My Name is Ryan is a celebration not only of Ryan, but of all people with disabilities, their families, their carers, and the community organisations that provide the dedication and support to ensure they live rich and fulfi lling lives.

It removes some of the myths, mysteries and stereotypes that surround raising a child and young adult with a disability and is sure to inspire parents and siblings facing similar challenges.

Ryan’s story will touch your heart, inspire your spirit, and remind you to cherish the profound beauty in the simple everyday moments in life.

My Name is Ryan will make you smile, and then smile again.

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About the Author

 

My Name is Ryan is Gerry Clarke’s second published work. Gerry’s first published book was Ryan’s Rainbow, which became a best-seller in South Australia and is incorporated in this book.

After retiring in 2023, Gerry’s primary goal was to complete writing this book in time for Ryan’s 40th birthday in October 2025.

Gerry enjoyed a long and successful career in the public and tertiary sectors, where he was able to use his writing and people skills to good effect. Gerry worked in a variety of human resources, communications, internal culture building and administration roles in the employment, education, health and aged care fields.

Gerry is married to Joyce, and they are proud parents to Matthew (and Shelley), Dale (and Amy), Ryan, Brett (and Rebecca), Patrick (and Kyleigh) and Lauren (and Will). In their retirement years, Gerry and Joyce are sharing in the joy of watching their ten beautiful grandchildren make their way in the world.

Gerry is a keen sportsman, with many achievements in a long basketball career. Gerry currently enjoys the challenge of playing lawn bowls.

Gerry has helped to raise thousands of dollars for many not-for-profit organisations, schools and sporting groups in his role as quizmaster.

Gerry has achieved his goal of publishing My Name is Ryan in time for Ryan’s 40th birthday. It is an achievement of which he is justifiably proud.