LOCAL WRITERS Summer Beach a perfect read for a long, cold winter

By James Mullan

After the success of her debut novel series, McMahons Point author Amber Jakeman has released the first book of her new ‘Escape to the Coast’ series: Summer Beach.

As long as Jakeman can remember books and literature have been a strong part of her life. “I have always been passionate about books from the first picture books I saw. They took me away to another world and I afforded them. I loved learning to read and write, composition time at school was my favourite!”

This naturally led her into a career in journalism which included time at the Sydney Morning Herald, The Sydney Sun and suburban newspapers. As her children grew up, she obtained a Masters in Professional Communications which led into roles writing for universities and schools. Yet there was something missing, as this path had Jakeman dealing mainly in the nonfiction world: “I found I was particularly interested in stories especially after a career in journalism. I really wanted to read and write stories with positive resolutions.”

It’s fair to say Jakeman isn’t a fan of writing horror, taking inspiration more from authors like JoJo Moyes, Beth O’Leahry and Jane Austin, describing her style as ‘feel good fiction.’

After a long career in journalism, Jakeman had a strong desire to write more creatively, so began to take an interest in fiction writing.

“I just realised that life was going by. It’s a bit of a cliche but it’s not a rehearsal, if you want to do something you should just do it.”

Early on, she had discovered the ‘5am writers club’ on Twitter which had the author writing with the sunrise where she found it was the best time for undisturbed, creative writing. After writing five books, Jakeman was ready to publish her debut work ‘House of

Diamonds’ which is an “enemies to lovers” tale about sassy indie jeweller stallholder Stella Rhys taking on an infamous diamond store.

This was followed with the release of a full series which included Hearts, Spades, Clubs and finally Full House. The series followed the tales of the Huntley jewellery family and was very well received by readers not just in Australia, but around the world. All were launched last year.

With the momentum from her debut books, Amber began to work on a new series titled ‘Escape to the Coast’, starting with her latest release; Summer Beach.

For Jakeman, a story always begins with character development. “The key character in this one is Sam, she’s a workaholic who is Australian but lived in the US for most of her working life.” Sam is a computer coder who takes her work very seriously. When her father dies, she returns to Australia to settle his beach side property. While in the “back water” place, Sam meets neighbour Jake. “He comes across as gruff and quite difficult person.”

The two clash on a lot of things from petty to big picture. After some time, they begin to get along but Sam slowly finds out more about some of Jake’s skeletons in the closet.

That’s all we can tell you! You’ll have to pick up a copy to find out what happens.

Stylistically, Summer Beach is slightly different to the House of Diamonds series yet Jakeman says “the main bones of it are similar: serious themes, positive resolution and hopefully with characters that readers will be barracking for.”

Inspiration for the ‘Escape to the Coast’ series comes from the author’s time spent living and working as a journalist on the Central Coast.

Jakeman said that themes from news stories she had written at this

Neutral Bay Community Centre 190-192 Military Road, Neutral Bay

Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre 16-18 Fitzroy St

Nimba Bakery 4 Ennis Rd, Milsons Point

James Milson Village 4 Clark Rd, North Sydney

Kirribilli Hotel 35-37 Broughton St, Milsons Point

The Flying Bear 76 McDougall St, Kirribilli

Altitude Cafe Shop 3/48 Alfred St S, Milsons Point

Rustic Charm Cafe 2/102 Alfred St S, Milsons Point

Latitude Cafe 55 Lavender St, Milsons Point

Kirribilli Club 11 Harbourview Cres, Lavender Bay

Blues Point Hotel 116 Blues Point Rd, McMahons Point

Waverton Community Bookshelf 94A Bay Rd, Waverton

1st Sipzz Cafe 157 Walker St, North Sydney

North Sydney Council Chambers 200 Miller St

Stanton Library 234 Miller St, North Sydney

North Sydney Community Centre 220 Miller St

Crows Nest Community Centre 2 Ernest Pl, Crows Nest

North Sydney Indoor Sport Centre 36 Hume St, Crows Nest

Bean Drinking Shop 1/13 Ernest Pl, Crows Nest

Fresh Crows Nest Cafe 13 Ernest St, Crows Nest

Woolworths Crows Nest 10 Falcon St, Crows Nest

Galleria Cafe 66 Pacific Hwy, St Leonards

Norths Cammeray 12 Abbott St, Cammeray

Orpheum Theatre 380 Military Rd, Cremorne time fed into many elements of Summer Beach and the trilogy. As for the next two books, Sunset Beach and Midnight Beach, she has begun to plot out the stories however prefers to go along with her imagination and the feel of the story instead of rigorously

We have three copies of Amber Jakeman’s new book Summer Beach to give away. The first three people to email us and answer the following question will win.

Name one of Amber’s previous books. Send the correct answer and your contact details to James Mullan at james@northsydneysun.com.au planning an arc.

First three correct emails wins a copy of the book.

Sunset Beach will officially be launched at 3PM on Sunday 25 June at Better Read than Dead in Newtown. For those who can’t wait, you can now order the book online through Amazon.

Re Council’s decision to reduce apartment-to-car space ratios

North Sydney Council exhibited its proposed changes to parking regulations in new apartment buildings in certain areas close to railway stations and asked the community for feedback. Of the responses received, 82% opposed the proposed changes. Yet at its meeting of 26th April, Council decided to ignore its community and change the planning document anyway.

So we have the situation where a staff report to Council recommended changes and these were endorsed (with minor change) by six of the Councillors in the face of community opposition to the change proposed.

It is time those six Councillors supported the community.

Ian Curdie

Re Coles’ Neutral Bay plan to build plaza, underground parking

Would be helpful to see what Coles’ plans are but many in the community enjoy driving up to Neutral Bay and parking the car above ground and going to one of the many cafes there to meet up with friends. A lot may be lost if the community and open feel of the space goes but if the redesign keeps the area open for cafes and is a park like environment then it may receive community support. Good reporting on an important issue by North Sydney Sun.

Tim Charlton