Award winning author returns to region

Multimillion-copy bestselling author Heather Morris is returning to Mount Gambier for the release of Sisters Under the Rising Sun on Monday, May 27, at City Hall from 7pm.

Sisters Under the Rising Sun is a captivating novel that transports readers to the heart of World War II in Japan, delving into the compelling stories of courage, resilience, and the enduring bond of sisterhood.

Drawing from meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling, Heather intricately weaves together the lives of her characters against the tumultuous canvas of war, offering readers a poignant exploration of love and survival in the face of adversity.

Acting manager library and community development Sally Mann said Heather was a great storyteller and speaker.

“We are so fortunate for her to return to Mount Gambier and speak on Sisters Under the Rising Sun,” Ms Mann said. “In Heather’s books you can always see the passion she protrudes and the well sought research into the characters that she tells the stories of. Heather is captivating to listen to and the previous events we have hosted have been a major hit with the community.”

In the midst of World War II an English musician, Norah Chambers, places her eight-year-old daughter Sally on a ship leaving Singapore desperate to keep her safe as the island falls to the Japanese Army.

Australian nurse Nesta James has enlisted to tend to allied troops. But as Japanese troops overrun the island she joins the terrified cargo of people, including the heartbroken Norah, crammed aboard the Vyner Brooke merchant ship. Just two days later, they are bombarded from the air off the coast of Indonesia and in a matter of hours the Vyner Brooke has sunk.

After surviving 24 hours in the sea, Nesta and Norah reach the beaches of a remote island, only to be captured and held in one of the notorious Japanese POW camps. Sisters in arms, Norah and Nesta devote themselves to the women’s survival while discovering their own extraordinary reserves of courage, love and strength.

Born in New Zealand, Heather is an international number one bestselling author who is passionate about stories of survival, resilience and hope.

Heather’s debut novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz has recently been turned into a six-part mini-series and she will discuss her involvement with this project as part of Monday’s event.

Heather has won more than 10 awards for her works including the Goodreads Choice Award for historical fiction in 2019 and the Audie Award for Fiction.

This is a free event with supper supplied and books available for sale and signing on the night. Bookings are required. Contact Mount Gambier Library on (08)8721 2540 or book online at www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/library under ‘Programs and Events’.