Adriatic Blue
When Author Barbara Unković returned to live in Croatia the home of her ancestors, she was captivated by the timeless web of Croatian characters and the ghost of D. H. Lawrence, enabling her to pen her first collection of short fiction.
Adriatic Blue is an anthology of 30 short stories from New Zealand to Croatia with some unexpected detours along the way such as the horrifying reality of the Balkan War; the haunting tale of Nadia's life in a strange new land; Sally's problem with her pernicious bush; the wicked seductress who wanted more and Helen who contends with her husband's perverted desires.
Tales of substance and style about different people in different worlds. Funny, personal, sometimes shocking, but definitely different. "The atmosphere built up perfectly with tension and a rich choice of words. The story was fresh and came to life." Fiona Cooper, Judge, Global Short Stories.
Weeds in the Garden of Eden
In 2005 author Barbara Unković visited Croatia where members of her family had been living for the last seven generations. On the island of Korčula, the original home of her father's family, she discovered her soul and began a new life in a peaceful unspoilt paradise on the edge of the Adriatic Sea.
Weeds in the Garden of Eden, her second book, is a rich absorbing account of her purchase of a 200 year old uninhabited stone house in the timeless village of Racisce; seasonal life amongst the lush vineyards and olive groves and her encounters with the tainted Croatian bureaucratic system in a land where the volatile inhabitants have spent the last 800 years fighting to gain independence.
Overflowing with humour, passion and reality, Weeds in the Garden of Eden paints a picture as brilliant blue as the Adriatic Sea. However, things are not always as romantic as they seem in the small traditional Croatian fishing village. Interfamily feuds, superstition and long memories all create currents of unrest in this apparent paradise.
Naughty Noosa Meets the New Neighbours
When a hideously horrible pink poodle appears Naughty Noosa decides to spend more time at the new neighbour's house where the food is fresh, flavoursome and fantastic.
Meet Naughty Noosa with the glinting green eyes and the glossy fur which glistens in the sun as she delights in fast, furious, fun
Moon Walking
Often funny, sometimes tragic but always original and insightful, this new, highly entertaining collection of 37 short stories includes 9 award winning tales. Barbara’s writing is bold, clear and distinctive.
Take a trip from the former Yugoslavia to the ‘new’ Croatia and continue on to New Zealand. Feel Ivan’s fear when German soldiers invade his village in 1943; visit Goli Otok, Marshall Tito’s Private Concentration Camp where Jak spends his 22nd birthday and imagine the boy who was given shrapnel instead of sweets during the Homeland War in 1993.
A must read for the lover of short stories.
Naughty Noosa's Nautical Nightmare
When Naughty Noosa bites the Merry Man’s big toe she runs away to escape being sent back to the Gawky Girl. Wandering along the windy waterfront she is tempted by six, shiny, silver fish on a blue boat which sails swiftly out to the salty sea taking her along too.
Follow her on another adventure when she meets some curious critters as she searches for something luscious for lunch.
Due for release on 20th March 2012
