Chemiluminescence

Chemiluminescence is centred around two groups of women. Helen and Anna, who are both facing the diagnosis of a terminal illness while Dianne and Tracette are learning to navigate their way through the trials of adolescence as they try to break free from family and social constraints to forge their own identities. Can there be any survivors in this game of winners and losers?

Anna and Helen have bonded over their shared diagnosis of terminal illness, but while Helen has decided to forgo further treatment, Anna is determined to do anything and everything to beat the disease - at any cost. As their friendship deeps, Anna begins to secretly hope Helen's refusal to have treatment will increase her own odds while Helen begins to believe Anna is her talisman and bearing witness to her will guarantee her own recovery. Who will be the victor and, at what cost? Dianne and Tracette, two teen girls are learning to deal with the pressures of adolescence. When their already fragile friendship is upended by a shocking betrayal Dianne is left to carry on as she is thrust into a world she barely understands. Chemiluminescence means "the emission of light during a chemical reaction." For the people who populate the book this means living with their eyes wide open to the dark corners of their own failures, misgivings, self-deceit, where their flaws are forever illuminated and forgiveness is just another word.

I have worked as a journalist in Sydney Australia, as a secretary in Manhattan, have lived in London and have travelled widely from Africa to South America. Writing, reading and travel are my passions as it is through these endeavours I can further explore the motivations of what drives us in our quest to answer the question of what our humanity means to each of us.