Strictly Confidential, by Roxy Jacenko

Jasmine Lewis – Jazzy Lou to her friends – is working her backside off trying to make her way up in the world of PR. No matter what time of the day – or night – her boss Diane summons her, Jazzy is there, doing Diane’s bidding

Perhaps if my life as a publicist had begun in Milan, I’d be lounging in my La Perla finest, all frastaglio embroidery and mixing it with Italy’s beautiful people. Hell , I’d probably have found myself at one of Berlusconi’s bunga-bunga parties in the name of product placement where I’d thank God that, in my twenties, I was far too old to be his type.
Instead it all began with a red Vixenary g-string in the back-streets of Sydney’s Darlinghurst.

Jasmine Lewis – Jazzy Lou to her friends – is working her backside off trying to make her way up in the world of PR. No matter what time of the day – or night – her boss Diane summons her, Jazzy is there, doing Diane’s bidding. She’s done coffee runs, she’s handled laundry, she’s even got out of bed at 3am to rescue a client from the paparazzi. But no matter what she does, it seems Diane is never happy – so when Jazzy Lou is summonsed to Diane’s office she knows it isn’t for a pat on the back. But some clouds really do have silver linings, and soon Jasmine is founding her own PR company – Queen Bee – and doing things her way. It should be all positive from here. Right?

Strictly Confidential introduces the chaotic, but fun, character of Jazzy Lou and provides an insider’s look at the world of PR. Author Roxy Jacenko is herself a PR powerhouse, having started her own PR firm when she was just 24. the novel is populated by a colourful cast of characters, including (of course) Jazzy, as well as her best friend Luke, a gossip columnist, cricket players, actresses, pop starlets and more. Whilst at times it is a little difficult to remember who is who in this cast, that serves to accentuate the craziness of the world Jazzy Loud occupies.

An absorbing, fast paced novel.

Strictly Confidential: A Jazzy Lou Novel

Strictly Confidential: A Jazzy Lou Novel, by Roxy Jacenko
Allen & Unwin, 2012
ISBN 978174237757

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Fergus at the Fireworks, by JW Noble

It’s New Year’s Eve, the year’s last day
Time for the annual fireworks display.

Fergus the Ferry, with a load of passengers is watching the fireworks. He sees Fireboat George start the display with a big swoosh, and wishes he too could do something to make everyone cheer.
When the fireworks end, other boats send up distress flares. George realises they are doing this for fun, and so does not respond. But, when a flare hits a boat’s sail, fire breaks out and the people on board need help. Quick thinking Fergus and his Captain, Joe, rescue the trapped sailors and Fergus is rewarded by the cheers of the watching crowd.

Fergus and the Fireworks is a cute story in rhyme, likeley to appeal to preschoolers. The Sydney Harbour setting and the bright illustrations by Peter Townsend will appeal to Australian youngsters, whilst the message about responsible use of flares and being wary of crying wolf may appeal to parents.

Cute.

Fergus at the Fireworks, by JW Noble, illustrated by Peter Townsend
Scolastic, 2003