BENT LILIES Reveals Life of Women in 1950s Australia

Margaret McGuigan debuts in the literary world with a story of women and Australian history cleverly combined. Her novel, "Bent Lilies" (published by Xlibris AU) follows two women whose lives are back-dropped in 1950s Australia.

Sisters Jean and Dolly run a cafe in inner city Melbourne in the 1950's where they buy and sell stolen jewellery, run a SP book and sell sly grog - mostly to the police from the police station across the road. While they agree wholeheartedly on their criminal activities, they are at opposite ends in matters of the heart. Dolly is a compulsive flirt who drifts into a relationship with Carlos, who also operates on the fringe of honesty. While on a holiday in 1953 Jean falls in love, but the outcome means keeping a lifelong secret.

When their sister Heather visits she brings trouble and things change. The café becomes a burden. Arson is the only answer and it means a shared secret for Dolly and Jean. They leave Melbourne and start a new life in Brisbane. Jean is plagued by both secrets. Then there is a visit from the past and a terrible accident, and that is when their working relationship starts to disintegrate. But does this mean they each finally get what they have always wanted?

In a cleverly penned story, readers will follow two sisters who have different inner wishes in life. Although they share the same intention on criminal activities for a living, their wishes vary. At the end of their tale, readers will find out if those inner dreams will be achieved by both, or if only one can have her wish granted. "Bent Lilies" is a compelling tale of history showing how Australian women of the 1950s dealt with problems such as Dolly and Jean have - of surviving, keeping secrets and finding love.

"Bent Lilies"
By Margaret McGuigan
Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 328 pages | ISBN 9781503505582
Softcover | 6 x 9in | 328 pages | ISBN 9781503505575
E-Book | 328 pages | ISBN 9781503505568
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
Margaret McGuigan was a primary school teacher which means she can talk in front of a crowd and manage mob control with flair. She began writing seriously in 2006 and is an active member of the Queensland Writers Centre. In between writing and working she has travelled and lived overseas, particularly in Ireland. In 2010 she graduated from James Cook University in Townsville with a Masters in writing. The next year she moved to Brisbane. "Bent Lilies" is her first adult novel.

Xlibris Publishing Australia, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider dedicated to serving Australian authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles.For more information, visit xlibrispublishing.com.au or call 1800 455 039 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisAus on Twitter for the latest news.

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