Awards
| Furry Blur | Winner of the Writers Billboard Flash Fiction Competition UK | Feb 2012 |
| The Beast in the Blue Bag | Winner of the Writers Billboard Flash Fiction Competition UK | Jan 2012 |
| A Stitch in Time | Winner of the Writers Billboard Flash Fiction Competition UK | May 2011 |
| Formidable Fred | Long listed for Fish One Page Prize | 2011 |
| Moonwalking | Long listed for Fish Short Story Prize | 2010 / 11 |
| Together Forever | Winner Writer's Bill Board Flash Fiction | Jan 2011 |
| The Blink of an Eye | Winner Writer's Bill Board Flash Fiction | Dec 2010 |
| Adriatic Sun | Short Listed for the Autumn Competition at Meridian Writing UK | Oct 2010 |
| Formidable Fred | Winner of the Flash Fiction Writers Billboard Competition | Sept 2010 |
| The Bookworm | Winner of the Writers Billboard Flash Fiction Competition UK | August 2010 |
| English Rose | Short Listed Meridian Competition UK | July 2010 |
| Nadia | Winner of the Writers Billboard Short Fiction Competition | May 2010 |
| The Flourish | Winner of the Flash Fiction competition Writer's Billboard | March 2010 |
| The Voice | Winner of the Flash Fiction competition Writer's Billboard | Feb 2010 |
| Psycho | Highly commended Global Short Story Competition | Jan 2010 |
Reviews for 'Adriatic Blue'
Beakman, a reader said:
A book inspired by the beautiful yet backward country of Croatia and New Zealand - the land of the Long White Cloud
Before even reading the book I was spellbound by the cover depicting beautiful imagery of a cyrus tree, bright blue sea and the crusty Croatian mountains, airbrushed by New Zealand artist Colin Unkovic and described perfectly by the author in 'Adriatic Blue'.
A collection of stories so vastly different yet all entertaining in their own unique ways. Tales such as 'The Bum' and 'A Horse of Course' will have you laughing out loud while the 'Uninvited Passenger' will have you on the edge of your seat. 'Nadia' and 'The Life of Brian' will touch you deeply while 'Dick and Larry' will shock you.
Each story is an adventure of its own. Each character so real. The author writes with such passion and imagination that it compells you to keep on reading, wondering what the next tale will have in store.
An excellent collection of short stories guaranteed to entertain all who read it. Anyone who has visited Croatia, Paris or New Zealand will particularly enjoy the author's descriptions of all these beautiful places. Highly recommeded reading from an up and coming author.
Frenchie, a reader from the UK said:
Couldn't put it down...
Thoroughly enjoyed reading Adriatic Blue. The stories keep you guessing and wanting more which inturn mean't that I couldn't put the book down. Stan and a Fool in africa are a few of my favourite stories. Adriatic Blue is a collection of beautifully written short stories that gave me hours of entertainment and light relief. Thank you and well done.
Reviews for 'Weeds in the Garden of Eden'
UK reader Carol Askew said:
Weeds in the Garden of Eden - A Real Gem!
Although I have never actually lived in Korcula I have visited many, many times and love the place with a passion.
Over 30 years I have friends there who are like family and Barbara's book is an absolutely splendid representation of life there. Even though. of course,I don't know the characters in the book I almost feel that I do........
Her descriptions are so detailed and evocative, the reader not only can imagine the sights and sounds there, they can almost taste and smell the island too!
For me, it was like actually looking at some of my own photographs of my times there,a really great little gem, thoroughly reccommended!!
John Dean, well-known UK crime author said:
An evocative read.
I love this book. The key to writing of this type is to bring a place to life, through the landscape and the characters, and Weeds in the Garden of Eden certainly does that. It is a fascinating story, embracing not just Barbara's life but also the difficult times experienced by the area in which she lived. Humour mixes with sadness, you laugh and you cry.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and would happily recommend it to anyone.
Reviews for 'Naughty Noosa Meets the New Neighbours'
A Waterstone's reader from the UK said:
A Tasty Temptation.
My grandchildren love this book and so do I! The story is cute and the illustrations are great. The coloured cats make us all laugh and my grandchildren just love the big cat lying on the bed...and then it's always a race as to who can spot the mouse hiding on each page. We're all impatient for the next in the series to be published.
A fantastic little book to share with small children.