Book excerpt: Based on the author's life, entwined with fictional elements, Kellie's Curse: Sometimes the Safest Place Is Inside a Shell introduces us to Crystal Collie as she struggles with her father's paranoid schizophrenia and her erratic mother's depression. This compelling story is set in Port Melbourne during the 1960s, where the sensitive, creative Crystal tries to come to terms with her bewildering world. Eventually, Crystal uses her wiles and artistic talents to overcome her taunting demons - the painful memories of anorexia, rape, domestic violence, losing her soul-mate in horrific circumstances, and helplessly witnessing her father's suicide attempts. Just when she thought she could cope, a dramatic occurrence leaves Crystal fighting for her life. Will she survive? Will she discover the answers to the dark family mysteries that haunt her? Follow the gripping action and heartfelt drama in Kellie's Curse: Sometimes the Safest Place Is Inside a Shell.