Open Writing

...I used to think the world of Alice, but lately, I’ve come to see that she’s an interfering autocrat, a control freak. She dresses up like the Queen, summons me to meetings in her office, and implies that if I disobey her wishes, I will no longer be considered worthy of the family name...

Ingrid reveals her true opinion if her mother-in-law.

Leanne Hunt continues her story of a woman whoise life is at a cross-roads. The novel is set in fast-changing present-day South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 33: The Peace Rose" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 08:30 AM | Permalink

...It was a hard email to write, and Ingrid had to delete what she had said many times over. While she wanted to make a strong case for leaving behind outdated ways of behaving, she didn’t want to alienate Rosalie by sounding too radical. Unfortunately, as it turned out, even the little that she did say was too much for her friend to accept...

Ingrid, the central character in Leanne Hunt's novel set in a rapidly-changing South Africa, realises she is on a rocky road.

Continue reading "Chapter 32: Invitation to Bloom" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 08:30 AM | Permalink

...Christmas Day was unexpectedly festive at Steelesbury. It began with coffee, rusks and presents under the Christmas tree. Luke was the focus of all the attention, and Vernon buzzed around, taking photographs with his digital camera...

Leanne Hunt continues her novel about a woman facing big changes in her life at a time when her native South Africa is also changing dramatically.

Continue reading "Chapter 31: A Seasonal Garland" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 08:30 AM | Permalink

Ingrid attends a nativity play then wintnesses a scene that persuades her she is in a season of wonder.

Leanne Hunt continues her story concerning a woman whose domestic affairs are in turmoil.

Continue reading "Chapter 30: Roses Amongst Thorns" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 10:02 AM | Permalink

Ingrid and her mother-in-law discuss a family secret.

Leane Hunt continues her intriguing novel about a woman at a crisis point in her life. The story is set in today's rapidly changing South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 29: Vain Adornment" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 08:02 AM | Permalink

Ingrid has a confrontational encounter with her mother-in-law.

Leanne Hunt continues her story of a woman in turmoil, set in today's changing South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 28: Peace Posy" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 10:02 AM | Permalink

...Tracey turned away, calling Ingrid a filthy name. Ingrid threw her oven glove at the back of her head. After that, what had begun as an argument degenerated into a screaming match. Tracey and Ingrid traded high-pitched insults...

Ingrid becomes aware of the discordance between her feelings and her rational mind.

Leanne Hunt continues her story of a woman at a crisis point in her life.

Continue reading "Chapter 27: Shredded Blossoms" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:02 AM | Permalink

..."My dear Ingrid, I mean just what I say. Your mother-in-law wanted to check that baby out before she would accept it as a Steele at Steelesbury. She wanted to be absolutely sure it didn’t come out with any suspect features; dark skin, crinkly hair, full lips, or anything else that would compromise the family’s good name. And you needn’t look so shocked, either. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I suggest you ask Alice. That’s all I’m going to say.”...

Ingrid is deeply shocked to hear another family secret.

Leanne Hunt continues her novel set in a rapidly-changing South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 26: Stripped Twigs" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:02 AM | Permalink

...Olivia pouted. “Really, Ingrid, you should hear yourself. You probably go into that shop at least three times a week – am I right – and you don’t even notice who’s serving you?”...

Ingrid is chided when she takes her dog to the vet's surgery.

Leanne Hunt continues her true-to-life tale of a woman facing major decisions in the course of her life.

Continue reading "Chapter 25: Pretty As A Picture" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 10:02 AM | Permalink

...She dreamt that Warren was ordering her to climb down into a cleft in the ground. The cleft had been caused by an earthquake, and Ingrid knew, in the dream, that there could easily be another tremor which would cause the rift to close. She screamed at him to stop it, but he kept saying, “relax, relax”...

Ingrid wrestles with her consience.

Leanne Hunt continues her story of a woman who has arrived at a crossoads in her life.

Continue reading "Chapter 24: Heart Of The Rose" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:02 AM | Permalink

...Dr Rawlings was careful to inform her that it was likely to be a long, slow process of recovery. However, he added at the end of their conversation, “With your co-operation, I think we can help Warren, I really do.”...

Ingrid has a conversation with the psychiatrist treating her husband which leaves her wondering about her future.

Leanne Hunt continues her novel about a woman in crisis.

Continue reading "Chapter 23: Wayward Branches" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:02 AM | Permalink

...Warren shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about Benson either. Stop talking about the staff! I don’t want to talk about the staff, do you hear?”

The sharpness of his voice startled Ingrid. She could see no reason for this sudden streak of anger...

Ingrid goes to visit her husband in hospital.

Leanne Hunt continues her story about an attractive woman faced with life-changing decisions.

Continue reading "Chapter 22: Slow Cultivation" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 10:02 AM | Permalink

“Okay, okay, I’ve never been there,” Carl grinned. “Your eyes go green when you’re angry, do you know that?” When she glared at him, he reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Now I’ve made you all hot and bothered. Shall we go back to my car?”

Ingrid goes on a flight of passion.

Leanne Hunt continues her novel about a woman engulfed by changing circumstances and times.

Continue reading "Chapter 21: Pure Passion" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 10:02 AM | Permalink

...Ingrid stood up. Carl slipped his arm around her waist and led her to the car. It was a low slung white Porsche with an open top. As they drove out of the nursery gates into the busy street beyond, she had time to wonder what Beth would say if she could see her now. Would she be shocked? Probably. Would she be impressed? Undoubtedly!...

At last Carl takes Ingrid to lunch!

Leanne Hunt continues her engaging novel set in South Africa and featuring a woman at a crisis point in her life.

Continue reading "Chapter 20: Queen Elizabeth" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:02 AM | Permalink

...From behind, a pair of hands gripped her waist. A husky voice said in her ear, “Hi there, gorgeous!”

Ingrid swung around. Carl’s angular face smiled down at her...

Ingrid has been anticipating this meeting which could dramatically change her life.

Leanne Hunt continues her novel set in modern-day South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 19: Setting Out" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:42 AM | Permalink

...Rosalie didn't need to know the truth. Nobody needed to know the truth. This was something she had to do for herself … for her own self-respect as a woman...

Ingrid, a lady facing important decisions, is about to make what could be a life-changing visit.

Leanne Hunt continues her novel set in an evolving South Africa, the central character of which is a woman whose life has reached a crossroads.

Continue reading "Chapter 18: The Climber" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 09:02 AM | Permalink

...The doctor's face took on a thoughtful look. “Dank die Here. Sometimes these things don’t work out.”...

Ingrid, a woman facing troubling decisions, is puzzled by Dr Pienaar's comment relating to a new baby.

Leanne Hunt continues her revalatory novel set in a South Africa undergoing dramatic social change.

Continue reading "Chapter 17: Swollen and Bruised" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 09:02 AM | Permalink

..."Madam! Madam!" From behind the Monkey berry hedge, a voice was calling urgently. Ingrid hurried to the gate and almost collided with Bongi, who was galloping through it with her skirts held above her knees. "Madam! Madam!"

"What is it, Bongi?" Ingrid cried in alarm. "Is Luke hurt?"

"No, Madam!" Bongi came to a skidding halt, holding the mobile phone out in front of her...

Ingrid's day is interrupted by news of an accident.

Leanne Hunt continues her novel, set in a changing South Africa, concerning a woman at a crisis point in her life.

Continue reading "Chapter 16: Jagged Edges" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 12:22 PM | Permalink

...A truck roared past beyond the row of cars parked along the pavement, its load of barrels clattering as it bounced over potholes in the tar. Bending away from the sound, Ingrid strained to catch her mother-in-law's words. The mere mention of Carl Meier's name had set her heart hammering in her chest...

Ingrid, a woman at a crisis point in her life, antocopates a meeting with a man who has seized her attention.

Leanne Hunt continues her novel, set in a rapidly-changing South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 15: Scent Of Hope" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 09:02 AM | Permalink

...That was when I saw Brian looking at me with this funny expression on his face."

"Really?" asked Ingrid, dipping her spoon into the froth on top of her iced coffee and sipping thoughtfully. "Did he say anything?"

"He said," replied beth, pausing for effect, "that he had a book which I might like to see … and then he suggested that I go round to his surgery to collect it."...

Ingrid and her friend Beth exchange confidences in a coffee shop.

Leanne Hunt continues her novel about a woman forced to contemplate a major change in her life.

Continue reading "Chapter 14: Budding Interest" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 10:02 AM | Permalink

...She may be jealous of her pretty friend for having a kind and responsible man in her life, but it didn't mean she had to shut her ears to stories relating to their romance...

Ingrid and Beth meet for an intimate girls' chat.

Leanne Hunt continues her story of a woman compelled to take a new course in life.

Continue reading "Chapter 13: Tip of the Iceberg" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:02 AM | Permalink

...His name is Carl Meier. I know he's got a big enough house because I've seen it at the back of the property. Also, he's generous. His wife left him a few months ago and he keeps asking me to go out to lunch with him when I'm there on business."...

Ingrid, at a crossroads in her life, contemplates an extra-marital fling.

Leanne Hunt continues her novel set in a rapdily-changing South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 12: Leaning Towards The Sun" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 08:02 AM | Permalink

"Thank you." Casting another look at Warren, she saw that he'd fallen asleep. Beside her, the psychiatrist waited quietly. His manner was so different from that of Dr Connelly that it took Ingrid several moments to realise that she had the liberty to ask questions. Eventually, she inquired hesitantly, "is this a setback, Dr Rawlings? Is Warren's condition deteriorating?"

Leanne Hunt continues her novel, set in a fast-changing South Africa, concerning a woman who is coming to terms with seeing herself in a different light.

Continue reading "Chapter 11: An Untimely Prick" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 10:44 AM | Permalink

...Crossing the lobby, which smelled of disinfectant and orange air freshener, they waited while a guard unlocked the glass doors leading into the hospital wing. Ingrid forced herself to walk erect, even though the atmosphere of the place made her feel claustrophobic and depressed. Upstairs, a young Indian nurse was tapping on a computer keyboard. She looked up as they approached and smiled...

Ingrid and members of her family pay a difficult hospital visit.

Leanne Hunt continues her novel concerning a woman's struggle to come to terms with her real identity, set in a South Africa undertgoing dramatic social change.

Continue reading "Chapter 10: Dormancy" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 09:02 AM | Permalink

...How could her husband have treated her so abominably? While he was resting at the sanatorium, here she was, trying to hold together her sanity!..

Ingrid is still struggling to come to terms with her husband;'s deception.

Leanne Hunt continues her story of a deep domestic crisis which is set in a dramatically-changing South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 9: Brutal Barbs" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 09:02 AM | Permalink

...How could her husband have treated her so abominably? While he was resting at the sanatorium, here she was, trying to hold together her sanity!..

Ingrid is still struggling to come to terms with her husband;'s deception.

Leanne Hunt continues her story of a deep domestic crisis which is set in a dramatically-changing South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 9: Brutal Barbs" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 09:02 AM | Permalink

"After lunch, once Alice and Vernon had left and Tracey had taken the girls to play with Luke, Ingrid and Beth cleared the dishes and poured themselves a quiet cup of tea. Without preamble, Beth said, "I don't know what to do, Ingrid. I think I'm falling in love."

Leanne Hunt continues her novel set in a dramatically changing South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 8: Full-blown Beauty" »

Written by Leanna Hunt - Published at 11:02 AM | Permalink

..."Go ahead," Ingrid told her. She was happy to be left alone. The discovery that Alice wasn't Tracey's real mother had made her edgy around the girl. Besides, going through the familiar motions of chopping, peeling , mixing and spreading gave her subconscious mind a chance to process her conflicting feelings about her husband's betrayal...

Novelist and columnist Leanne Hunt continues her story, set in a time of social change in South Africa, concerning a woman whose security is challenged when she finds a significant birth certificate.

Continue reading "Chapter 7: Marred Perfection" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:22 AM | Permalink

"The baby's doing well," she managed to say at last. "I gather the specialist obstetrician did an outstanding job because Mum gives a happy little sigh every time she tells the story of how he laid the little fellow in her arms just after they cut the cord."

Novelist Leanne Hunt continues her story, set in a South Africa undergoing dramatic social changes, who is compelled to chart a new course in life.

Continue reading "Chapter 6: The Ever-popular Antique" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:02 AM | Permalink

...At the florist shop, Margie Thomas was eager to talk. "How's Warren? Are they treating him decently at the psychiatric hospital? Does he do funny things … like try to escape over the walls? When's he coming home, do you think?" It was hard not to become impatient with her curiosity. Ingrid was as new at this as everyone else...

Novelist and columnist Leanne Hunt continues her story, set in a time of social change in South Africa, about a woman whose life changes after finding a significant birth certificate.

Continue reading "Chapter 5: The Rambler" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:12 AM | Permalink

...Plain, ordinary, like-any-other Thursday. The world was still rotating on its axis. The town still observed its unchanging routine. Even Steelesbury was still intact, despite the family being perched unknowingly on a knife-edge and about to crash and burn...

Leanne Hunt's novel explores the enforced changes in a woman's life, set in the dramatically changing society of modern South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 4: The Standard Variety" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:02 AM | Permalink

...Trembling with shock, Ingrid held the birth certificate in front of her, certain that someone must be playing a joke....

Leanne Hunt brings us the third chapter of the story about a woman whose life changes dramatically after discovering a shocking family secret.

Leanne's novel is set against the changing face of South Africa.

Continue reading "Chapter 3 - Rootbound" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 12:02 PM | Permalink

...It was as she was preparing to lower the lid of the safety deposit box that Ingrid recognized the tune she was humming. Her memory willingly offered up one of the lines, causing her to frown. What was the song's theme again? Something about discovering a lover’s secret, she recalled. Then the rest of the words came to her in a rush, filling her with dread...

Leanne Hunt continues the story of a woman who, after discovering a family secret, is forced to reach out in various directions for help and eventually chart a new course into the future. The novel is an exploration of change set against the changing face of South Africa with a heart-warming romance at its centre.

Continue reading "Chapter 2: The Silver Thorn" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 11:44 AM | Permalink

Today we begin the serialisation of a novel by our regular columnist Leanne Hunt.

Leanne's story is about a woman who, after discovering a family secret, is forced to reach out in various directions for help and eventually chart a new course into the future. It is an exploration of change set against the changing face of South Africa with a heart-warming romance at its centre.

If you enjoy domestic drama and want to populate your life with a few new friends, Leanne invites you to follow her saga.

Continue reading "Chapter 1-Falling Petals" »

Written by Leanne Hunt - Published at 12:12 PM | Permalink