Author(s): Heather Heberley

NZ Non Fiction

Flood Tide, sequel to the widely read Weather Permitting, chronicles more of the Heberleys' adventures by land and sea. And there's a lot to write about as this extended family on Arapawa Island is so often in the centre of crises, big and small, with their fishing and farming and involvement in the rather many searches and rescues in the Cook Strait area. Flood Tide also traces the fascinating family history down from Worser Heberley and revelations of his diary, and throws new light on the history of the area. Hilarious yarns and pranks from the family's whaling days are balanced by the sombre recounting of tragedies over the years. Heather Heberley tells how "this island innocent" was catapulted into the turmoil of a book launch and a New Zealand-wide author-tour after her first book was published. She writes with candor about her feelings and with humour about her quite unexpected career as "the speaker" at so many gatherings.

Throughout this warmly written autobiography runs the story of a remarkable family, told with honesty, freshness and love.