“You brought tears to my eyes because I went to some of the exact same places as Luisa and some of those same situations happened.”

— Paula

“I went in to Yugoslavia in 1987 and the feeling you described when Luisa entered — I felt that too, you portray that beautifully.”

— Tina

“I didn’t want it to finish at the end and that’s always the sign of a good book for me.”

— Janene

“I loved the writing, how you described the New Zealand scenes. It gave me confidence that the descriptions in Yugoslavia were also authentic.”

— Sandy

“I kept on wanting to read this book, and rather than just at night time I read it during the day. I really enjoyed it and found it easy to read.”

— Mandy

“It brought back memories of my mother: “Quick there’s your father!” and we would stuff things in cupboards and Mum would put on her lipstick and greet Dad at the door.”

— Chrissy

“Pip writes descriptively and draws you into her stories with her realistic characters and intriguing storylines. Once you start, you will find it hard to put her book down. She sets a cracking pace and keeps the reader engaged until the last page.”

— Nicki Boswell

“Some of the descriptions painted such vivid pictures in my mind. I wanted to re-read them. Just beautiful.”

— Marian Hines

“It’s not my usual genre but it was a really good read. I grew up with a lot of Dally’s out west and I backpacked in Yugoslavia in 1988 - so lots of connections. A great accomplishment!”

— Phil Wiltshire

“I have just finished reading your book. I loved it — couldn’t put it down.”

— Leigh Auton

“I loved the language and imagery the words provoked and felt I was part of the landscape of both Auckland and Yugoslavia — a two for one deal! Once I started I couldn’t put The Telling Time down. I was so wrapped up in the outcomes for both Gabrijela and Luisa from Chapter One

— Siobhan Redmond

PJ McKay is a fantastic writer and a great storyteller. I had the privilege of reading an early draft and I couldn't put it down.”

— Michelle Vollemaere

“I would definitely recommend this first novel 'The Telling Time'. It is a well researched historical novel, set in multiple beautiful countries with a strong sense of place. I hope there will be a sequel.”

— Rebecca Washer