Phillipa Nefri Clark
Author of The Stationmaster's Cottage
About the Author
Image credit: Phillipa Nefri Clark
Series
Works by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Lest Tides Turn 2 copies
Wishing Well 2 copies
The House at Angel's Beach: Utterly emotional and gripping women's fiction (Temple River) (2024) 2 copies
The Menu Match: Sweet Opposites Attract, Single Dad Contemporary Romance (Maple Gardens Matchmakers) 1 copy
Colony 1 copy
Daph on the Beach 1 copy
Table for Two 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Short biography
- Phillipa grew up around lonely Australian beaches with wild seas and misty cliffs. From a young age she wrote stories and dreamed of being a writer. There were many detours along the way as she trod paths as diverse as a travelling sales rep to singing and acting. Fascinated by film, Phillipa wrote five feature length screenplays, one which was optioned. Now living in regional Victoria on a small acreage close to a mountain range, she markets the family business a few days a week and writes the rest of the time. With nonfiction credits for specialist canine publications, she finally returned to stories with the release of The Stationmaster’s Cottage, a dual timeline romance, in February 2017. Her great loves, apart from writing, are her family of two young adult sons and her husband, their Labrador, music, fine wine, and friends.
Members
Reviews
The Stationmaster's Cottage: Heartwarming romantic women's fiction (Rivers End Book 1) by Phillipa Nefri Clark
A literary letdown of epic proportions: a painfully banal narrative filled with annoying characters, questionable dialogue, unending melodrama and a failed attempt at blending mystery and romance in the most abysmal way imaginable.
This was a thoroughly, abysmally and disgustingly bad book. The worst book I’ve read in a very long time. I picked it up because it was shelved as Romance and Mystery, two genres that I usually enjoy and I was intrigued how this would play out.
Little was I show more prepared for the almost unbearable banality of the "mystery" that turned out to be a silly family drama and the extreme levels of melodrama.
»“How could you have done it?” Christie cried. “I will never forgive you. Never!”«
(On a graveyard, towards a dead person, during a thunderstorm.)
Basically, in the past Martha and Thomas were engaged but due to meddling by family and friends were never married. In the present, film and TV makeup artist Christie Ryan, Martha’s great-niece, is also engaged. In her case to cliché “evil land developer” Derek who bullies her and becomes violent if he deems it necessary.
The problem is: The past engagement drama is supposed to play out in 1967/1968. Martha and Thomas, each in their early twenties at the time, seem to be stuck in an earlier era:
»"You need someone to curb your wild nature. Someone with a firm hand," he whispered.
Martha opened her eyes. “You can’t tame the wind. Or the ocean, except in your paintings.” Her expression dared him to disagree.«
Taming of the shrew? Yikes. Thomas behaves like that and Martha doesn’t run…
Christie is not much better in her interactions with her fiancé Derek.
»Christie went numb. “Why don’t you understand?”
"I do understand. That's the problem, Chris. From the day we first met, I knew you needed a man who would guide you through life. You're too trusting and generous. I mean, those are admirable qualities, but it doesn't get you anywhere, and you'll end up being badly hurt."
But you’re hurting me now! What did he want her to say? Apparently, nothing, as he was happy to continue.«
That’s pretty much the same Thomas said and Christie hardly ever ceases to find excuses for this kind of behaviour. Excuse me while I vomit.
When Christie’s grandmother, Dorothy the meddler, dies, Christie travels to River’s End to attend the funeral alone because Derek prefers to visit a luxury resort alone instead of supporting Christie.
Once there and somewhat settling in her newly-inherited cottage, the eponymous “Stationmaster’s Cottage”, Christie finds and reads a lot of unopened letters from Thomas to Martha, her grandmother’s diary and finds some revealing items and, like that, discovers what’s behind the “mystery”. Those letters which we get to read in full as well, also read like they’ve fallen out of time. They’re also just plain annoying and page-fillers.
After half of the book I strongly considered DNF’ing but just couldn’t bring myself to do it. That’s when Martin, Thomas’ grandson and Christie’s new-found love-interest comes fully into play - and things go further downhill. Martin behaves arrogantly, patronisingly and is extremely and excessively dominant towards Christie whom he’s interested in but collectively tries to punish for her major original sin:
»If only she were not Dorothy's grandchild.«
Christie feels that but nevertheless falls in love pretty much immediately and, just like that, picks up the next abusive guy:
»Martin stopped. He half-smiled at his dog and Christie, still cuddling on the sand. “We need to talk. Walk with me.”
It was a command, not an invitation. It took all of two seconds for Christie to get back to her feet and jog after him, Randall in tow.«
(Randall being the real dog here…)
I guess Christie likes him for his generosity towards her, though…
»You only ever need to tell me what you want to, Christie. Just because I ask a question, doesn't mean you have to answer."«
The moment that broke the proverbial camel’s back, though, came a bit later. Read carefully now and maybe, like me thrice, till you understand what the author of a novel published in 2017 (!) seems to find ok, if not condone:
»“I’m not coming to your rescue anymore today. What are you going to do when I leave?”
- “Lock the door.”
"Lock the door. Didn't I ask you to do that last time I left?"
Wide-eyed, Christie nodded. Martin slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close against his body, forcing her to look up at him.
- “The day for a discussion about respect, and now, about putting yourself at risk, is getting close. Before you leave this door unlocked again, think about how much you value sitting down to eat dinner.”«
I get the author probably thinks Martin is just being protective and internationally-travelled Christie, successful in her career, is a damsel in distress who needs rescuing. Excuse me, though: Threatening, even as a “joke”, physical violence? That’s just a total deal breaker and completely unacceptable. At that point, Christie should have kicked Martin’s pompous and overbearing arse out and locked him out forever.
(To boot, that happens immediately after Christie had already been threatened and physically hurt by Derek…)
Of course, everything gets resolved as if by magic and, within a few weeks, Christie moves from one abuser, Derek, to a new one, Martin, but at that point, the novel is so far beyond redemption that none of that really matters anymore.
I’m just glad to get rid of this novel. One out of five stars.
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Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam show less
This was a thoroughly, abysmally and disgustingly bad book. The worst book I’ve read in a very long time. I picked it up because it was shelved as Romance and Mystery, two genres that I usually enjoy and I was intrigued how this would play out.
Little was I show more prepared for the almost unbearable banality of the "mystery" that turned out to be a silly family drama and the extreme levels of melodrama.
»“How could you have done it?” Christie cried. “I will never forgive you. Never!”«
(On a graveyard, towards a dead person, during a thunderstorm.)
Basically, in the past Martha and Thomas were engaged but due to meddling by family and friends were never married. In the present, film and TV makeup artist Christie Ryan, Martha’s great-niece, is also engaged. In her case to cliché “evil land developer” Derek who bullies her and becomes violent if he deems it necessary.
The problem is: The past engagement drama is supposed to play out in 1967/1968. Martha and Thomas, each in their early twenties at the time, seem to be stuck in an earlier era:
»"You need someone to curb your wild nature. Someone with a firm hand," he whispered.
Martha opened her eyes. “You can’t tame the wind. Or the ocean, except in your paintings.” Her expression dared him to disagree.«
Taming of the shrew? Yikes. Thomas behaves like that and Martha doesn’t run…
Christie is not much better in her interactions with her fiancé Derek.
»Christie went numb. “Why don’t you understand?”
"I do understand. That's the problem, Chris. From the day we first met, I knew you needed a man who would guide you through life. You're too trusting and generous. I mean, those are admirable qualities, but it doesn't get you anywhere, and you'll end up being badly hurt."
But you’re hurting me now! What did he want her to say? Apparently, nothing, as he was happy to continue.«
That’s pretty much the same Thomas said and Christie hardly ever ceases to find excuses for this kind of behaviour. Excuse me while I vomit.
When Christie’s grandmother, Dorothy the meddler, dies, Christie travels to River’s End to attend the funeral alone because Derek prefers to visit a luxury resort alone instead of supporting Christie.
Once there and somewhat settling in her newly-inherited cottage, the eponymous “Stationmaster’s Cottage”, Christie finds and reads a lot of unopened letters from Thomas to Martha, her grandmother’s diary and finds some revealing items and, like that, discovers what’s behind the “mystery”. Those letters which we get to read in full as well, also read like they’ve fallen out of time. They’re also just plain annoying and page-fillers.
After half of the book I strongly considered DNF’ing but just couldn’t bring myself to do it. That’s when Martin, Thomas’ grandson and Christie’s new-found love-interest comes fully into play - and things go further downhill. Martin behaves arrogantly, patronisingly and is extremely and excessively dominant towards Christie whom he’s interested in but collectively tries to punish for her major original sin:
»If only she were not Dorothy's grandchild.«
Christie feels that but nevertheless falls in love pretty much immediately and, just like that, picks up the next abusive guy:
»Martin stopped. He half-smiled at his dog and Christie, still cuddling on the sand. “We need to talk. Walk with me.”
It was a command, not an invitation. It took all of two seconds for Christie to get back to her feet and jog after him, Randall in tow.«
(Randall being the real dog here…)
I guess Christie likes him for his generosity towards her, though…
»You only ever need to tell me what you want to, Christie. Just because I ask a question, doesn't mean you have to answer."«
The moment that broke the proverbial camel’s back, though, came a bit later. Read carefully now and maybe, like me thrice, till you understand what the author of a novel published in 2017 (!) seems to find ok, if not condone:
»“I’m not coming to your rescue anymore today. What are you going to do when I leave?”
- “Lock the door.”
"Lock the door. Didn't I ask you to do that last time I left?"
Wide-eyed, Christie nodded. Martin slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close against his body, forcing her to look up at him.
- “The day for a discussion about respect, and now, about putting yourself at risk, is getting close. Before you leave this door unlocked again, think about how much you value sitting down to eat dinner.”«
I get the author probably thinks Martin is just being protective and internationally-travelled Christie, successful in her career, is a damsel in distress who needs rescuing. Excuse me, though: Threatening, even as a “joke”, physical violence? That’s just a total deal breaker and completely unacceptable. At that point, Christie should have kicked Martin’s pompous and overbearing arse out and locked him out forever.
(To boot, that happens immediately after Christie had already been threatened and physically hurt by Derek…)
Of course, everything gets resolved as if by magic and, within a few weeks, Christie moves from one abuser, Derek, to a new one, Martin, but at that point, the novel is so far beyond redemption that none of that really matters anymore.
I’m just glad to get rid of this novel. One out of five stars.
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Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam show less
Till Daph Do Us Part: A Camper & Wedding Officiant Cozy Mystery (Daphne Jones Mysteries Book 1) by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Till Daph Do Us Part is not a long book, but it felt like it. The pacing was slow (helpful for an insomniac like me). We are given little background information on Daphne and John Jones. I wish the author had taken the time to introduce our characters. I did discover that they appeared in a different series by this author. While we are told the town, we are not told what country. I only knew because of an author’s note at the beginning. Later there is a reference to Melbourne. While Daphne show more likes to help people and sleuth, her seemingly perfect husband likes to fish. John is happy to drive the car with the caravan attached, set up the campsite (took him over an hour because he likes it just so), drop off Daphne at her events, prepare dinner, open doors, and, of course, fish. John and Daphne were high school sweethearts who married after graduation. John has retired as a realtor and Daphne has started a new career as a celebrant. She likes to brighten people’s lives. If there happens to be a mystery along the way, so much the better. Daphne does have an eye for detail. She keeps detailed notes and likes to pass along her findings to the local constables (who would prefer it if she spent her time knitting). The mystery was straightforward. There are several suspects, a couple of red herrings, and good clues. I found this mystery a cinch to solve (early in the book). I appreciated the twist at the end that might or might not surprise some readers. I liked that there were a couple of incidents along the way that added to the mystery (did not help the pacing though). John helped Daphne with the whodunit. His new hobby is genealogy, and he was able to provide some helpful information. There is a good wrap up at the end that answers all the lingering questions. Till Daph Do Us Part is okay, but it is not my type of cozy mystery. I do want to let you know that words are not spelled as they are in America (British/Australian spelling). I enjoyed the descriptions of Bluebell, Daphne and John’s renovated caravan. It sounded like a cozy caravan (aka travel trailer). Till Daph Do Us Part is an upbeat whodunit with burdensome bride, a blotto bridegroom, a murdered mate, feuding families, a cozy caravan, and a curious celebrant sleuth. show less
Two love stories generations apart.
I love time slip novels and this book did not disappoint.
If you are fans of Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley then i think you will enjoy this book.
The cover drew me immediately to this book, an old scroll, ribbon interlacing rings, a key and an old photo – were all elements that told a story of its own.
I was a little disheartened with the start of the book and struggled to get into the story but I can promise you, perseverance is vital.
And once you have show more connected with this book you will not want to put it down. The writing completely immerses you into the story and the rest of the world fades into the background and the book takes over.
Christie Ryan is a successful makeup artist whose love life is on the rocks so her fiance Derek plans a romantic getaway for them in the hopes of reconnecting them both and some well needed time together.
Unfortunately Christie’s grandmother dies unexpectedly and even though she has been estranged from her grandmother she decides to attend the funeral whilst Derek goes ahead to their holiday destination Lizard Island.
When Christie arrives in River’s End she finds that her estranged Grandmother left her a cottage, and the mystery surrounding the cottage.
She discovers an old painting and a bundle of old love letters that draw her into the heart wrenching world of Thomas and Martha in a fifty-year-old mystery. They set Christie off on a journey into the past, revealing much about her grandmother, great-aunt and a mysterious man named Thomas Blake.
She soon enlists the help of a local artist, Martin Blake, a local resident and relative of Thomas Blake. The cottage has many secrets to share but some secrets don’t want to be shared.
Tied to Christie’s story is her great-aunt Martha’s story which takes us back in time and reveals a tragic past, defined by misunderstanding and unfortunately matters left unsaid, leaving a trail of broken hearts that reverberates across the decades..
Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure this book is an emotional rollercoaster that had me in tears.
This book is simply beautiful and i can not recommend this book highly enough and it will be a book i will read again.
If you love romance books with mystery entwined you need to read this book. Breathtaking, heart wrenching, beautiful book spanning over 5 generations.
Read this book, you won’t regret it! Congratulations Phillipa Nefri Clark on this book and I can’t wait to read your next book 🙂 show less
I love time slip novels and this book did not disappoint.
If you are fans of Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley then i think you will enjoy this book.
The cover drew me immediately to this book, an old scroll, ribbon interlacing rings, a key and an old photo – were all elements that told a story of its own.
I was a little disheartened with the start of the book and struggled to get into the story but I can promise you, perseverance is vital.
And once you have show more connected with this book you will not want to put it down. The writing completely immerses you into the story and the rest of the world fades into the background and the book takes over.
Christie Ryan is a successful makeup artist whose love life is on the rocks so her fiance Derek plans a romantic getaway for them in the hopes of reconnecting them both and some well needed time together.
Unfortunately Christie’s grandmother dies unexpectedly and even though she has been estranged from her grandmother she decides to attend the funeral whilst Derek goes ahead to their holiday destination Lizard Island.
When Christie arrives in River’s End she finds that her estranged Grandmother left her a cottage, and the mystery surrounding the cottage.
She discovers an old painting and a bundle of old love letters that draw her into the heart wrenching world of Thomas and Martha in a fifty-year-old mystery. They set Christie off on a journey into the past, revealing much about her grandmother, great-aunt and a mysterious man named Thomas Blake.
She soon enlists the help of a local artist, Martin Blake, a local resident and relative of Thomas Blake. The cottage has many secrets to share but some secrets don’t want to be shared.
Tied to Christie’s story is her great-aunt Martha’s story which takes us back in time and reveals a tragic past, defined by misunderstanding and unfortunately matters left unsaid, leaving a trail of broken hearts that reverberates across the decades..
Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure this book is an emotional rollercoaster that had me in tears.
This book is simply beautiful and i can not recommend this book highly enough and it will be a book i will read again.
If you love romance books with mystery entwined you need to read this book. Breathtaking, heart wrenching, beautiful book spanning over 5 generations.
Read this book, you won’t regret it! Congratulations Phillipa Nefri Clark on this book and I can’t wait to read your next book 🙂 show less
Jasmine Sea picks up where the first book in this series, The Stationmaster’s Cottage left off. However saying that it isn’t imperative to have read book one before jumping straight into this one. There are enough details incorporated so you are not left so far in the dark that you would get lost. I absolutely loved The Stationmaster’s Cottage and would not hesitate it recommending both books! Because of reading book one first, for me it gave this book much more depth as well as a show more deeper level of understanding of the characters and location, especially the wonderful protagonist Christie Ryan.
Christie has been busy renovating the cottage that she inherited from her estranged grandmother, and with Derek out of her life, things are looking up for her, there are even wedding bells on the horizon for her and Martin, the local artist. And it is with Martin that takes their lives from the green, dragging it into the red.
He has been commissioned to paint a woman’s portrait. Harmless enough, even if the woman is wearing secrecy like a cloak. As alarm bells begin to sound in Christie’s head the town of River Run is hit with a spate of crimes. And if that wasn’t enough, her past comes barreling back forcing itself front and centre, leaving Christie nowhere to hide.
Set in a beautiful location, this book has it all. Location, characters that stand out from the crowd that give you no option but to follow. Once you begin reading you just can’t stop. As the tide comes in, take off you shoes, dip your toes into the sea and then paddle through the surf as you follow Christie as her past and present collide.
Heartwarming, heartbreaking, characters old and new, be prepared to fall in love with River Run all over again!
Jasmine Sea was published back in Nov 2017 and at the moment is available to read for free via Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited, so go ahead and be swept away, all the way to River Run.
A massive thank you to the author and NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent review. show less
Christie has been busy renovating the cottage that she inherited from her estranged grandmother, and with Derek out of her life, things are looking up for her, there are even wedding bells on the horizon for her and Martin, the local artist. And it is with Martin that takes their lives from the green, dragging it into the red.
He has been commissioned to paint a woman’s portrait. Harmless enough, even if the woman is wearing secrecy like a cloak. As alarm bells begin to sound in Christie’s head the town of River Run is hit with a spate of crimes. And if that wasn’t enough, her past comes barreling back forcing itself front and centre, leaving Christie nowhere to hide.
Set in a beautiful location, this book has it all. Location, characters that stand out from the crowd that give you no option but to follow. Once you begin reading you just can’t stop. As the tide comes in, take off you shoes, dip your toes into the sea and then paddle through the surf as you follow Christie as her past and present collide.
Heartwarming, heartbreaking, characters old and new, be prepared to fall in love with River Run all over again!
Jasmine Sea was published back in Nov 2017 and at the moment is available to read for free via Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited, so go ahead and be swept away, all the way to River Run.
A massive thank you to the author and NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent review. show less
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