Isabelle Rowan writes with a darkly humorous and captivating style, drawing readers into worlds where the ordinary often collides with the extraordinary. Her narratives explore themes of identity and belonging, often infused with a unique blend of the mundane and the magical. Rowan crafts compelling characters whose journeys resonate with a profound sense of wonder and self-discovery. Her prose is both sharp and evocative, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Exploring the theme of escape, this narrative delves into the various methods people use to flee from their realities. Through the experiences of different characters, it examines the contrast between solitude and the pursuit of intimacy as coping mechanisms. The story invites readers to reflect on the reasons behind these choices and the emotional journeys that accompany them.
Set against the backdrop of modern Melbourne, a centuries-old Roman centurion, now a vampire, grapples with his immortality and newfound obsession. Captivated by the vibrant life of tattoo artist Michael Chapman, Dominic is drawn into the world of the living, despite knowing his feelings are fleeting. His desire to connect with Michael leads him to a tattoo that symbolizes both his longing and the impermanence of life, highlighting themes of love, mortality, and the struggle between past and present.
John McCann, a man who judges life by the tally of an accounts ledger, has a supreme goal in life: To achieve, live, and enjoy the rarified executive lifestyle. But he's encountered one problem: The migraines are going to continue to get worse unless you make some major changes in your lifestyle. What you need is a 'sea change'… Perhaps buy a nice little business in the country, settle down, something easier to occupy your time… While John knows the doctor is right, he just can't resign from the job he's fought so hard for. He decides the sacrifice of taking a year's leave of absence won't interfere too much with his plans, and so he finds himself running Margins, a cozy little bookstore, with the help of the former owner's son, Jamie. John expects to put in his year, get his stress under control, and then get back to business. What John doesn't expect is how Margins and its denizens draw him in, particularly the quiet, disheveled man who takes refuge in the old leather chair in the second-hand book section. John's plans for an unattached year of simple business crumble when he meets David and is forced to reevaluate life, love and what he really wants from both. John and David are forced to come to terms with their pasts as they struggle to determine what possible future they might build together.