I have been blue, green and every colour in between watching this author’s rise and rise and rise. You see, I’d hoped we would embark on the publishing journey together and while I was thrilled when Penguin picked up Cathryn Hein’s first novel, the wait would be another year for me—fingers crossed, gloomy, and even a wee bit jealous. (Yes, I am honest, and yes it does happen in author-land. Not that many admit it.)
Cath was so encouraging throughout that very long and angst-filled year and when I did finally meet 
her in person we hit it off straight away. (We also share the same literary agent, so that’s kinda cool.) I just love this lady to bits–so genuine, so caring and sharing, and… Well, I am thrilled to call her my friend and have her on Author Harvest (as long as she has food, that is!)
So what’s on the menu, Cath?
Because you’re so lovely I’ve whipped you up a very special tart from my Two
Greedy Italians cookbook: Ariciolata di Pesche (or less sexily, Peach and
Ricotta Crumble). A silky ricotta tart with beautiful fresh peaches baked in and
a gorgeous crumble top. Seriously, folks, this cookbook is worth buying for that
recipe alone!
(And she cooks!)
Now, at home…
My mum says garden gnomes make a house a home! Are you loud and proud in your love of garden gnomes at home – or a closet gnomer?
Garden gnomes rule, especially if they’re Sydney 
Swans. Special doesn’t begin to describe my little fellow…
(He is cute and I am sooo not into football! Hmmm, was that too honest? Did our friendship just take a major nose dive?)
What vegetable (or fruit) have you always wanted to grow at home?
Cherries. Love, love, love.
(That wouldn’t be because they’re red in colour like your favourite skin-tight Swanny uniform, would it?)
If I came to your home and looked in the refrigerator, what would I find?
Milk, lots of Asian things, cheese, a cold roast, fresh dates.
If you sorted your wardrobe by colour, what colour would stand out? (Ahh, do you sort your wardrobe by colour?!)
Blue. As for sorting, you have got to be kidding!
(And a red/white scarf!)
What are you wearing now? (Be honest!)
I don’t want to be honest!
(Why not?)
The truth is too scary.
(Well, suck it up, princess. I was honest with you in the intro. Come on… Spill!)
Oh, you insist… Sigh. All right, if I MUST. I’m currently glamorously attired in a daggy pair of shorts with a bleach stain on the bum, an age-softened t-shirt, and sports socks and trainers. What can I say? I’m a comfort girl.
(Okay, maybe next time you should lie!)
Whose home would you like to housesit and why?
Inspector Davide Rivera (actor Ettore Bassi) from the current series of Rex in Rome, but only with him in it! That man gives me girly wobbles.
(Hmm, weird! For me it’s all about Rex!)
Country curiosities…
We love a sunburnt country (slip, slop, slap and all that). What’s your ideal hat? Or are you a boots person?
LOVE hats. Something elegant and feathery for the races, or a nice felt cloche for the winter.
(Okay, I want art! Show us a picture of you in a feathery race-day hat and I’ll post it!)
If you were a tree (or animal) what kind of tree (animal) would you be?
A horse, of course! Although I’d probably end up at the knackers…
(Darn it! Now I’m singing that Mr Ed song. You know the one…
A horse is a horse, of course, of course / And no one can talk to a horse of course / That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mister Ed.
Go right to the source and ask the horse / He’ll give you the answer that you’ll endorse. / He’s always on a steady course. / Talk to Mister Ed.
People yakkity-yak the street and waste your time of day / But Mr. Ed will never speak unless he has something to say.
A horse is a horse, of course, of course, / And this one’ll talk ’til his voice is hoarse. / You never heard of a talking horse?
Well listen to this: “Hello, I’m Mister Ed!”
(And now I hope you’re all singing it too!)
Now for the big question… Why did the chicken cross the road?
It was being hen-pecked.
About you…
Your turning point: when was that point in your life that you realized that being an author was no longer going to be just a dream but a reality and a career?
The day I finished my first full manuscript. There was no turning back after that. I still love that feeling. It’s incredibly satisfying.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Structural edits. They’re good for me but, oh, they hurt.
Fun stuff …
What does your protagonist think about you? Would he or she want to hang out with you, the author, his/her creator.
He would think I was one hot chickybabe. I made him. He believes everything I tell him.
(Then don’t tell him what you’re wearing right now!)
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
Dr Watson, so I could hang with Sherlock.
What food would you be?
Sticky date pudding. Luscious!
(We have so much in common.)
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
Wine. Still is, come to think of it.
(You sure we’re not related?)
Name 5 uses for a stapler that has not staple pins.
- Clumsy tongs.
- A click bug impersonator.
- An intruder thumper.
- A cockroach squasher.
- A skin fold tester. (Okay, move away from the stapler, Cath. My folds are fine! Perhaps just a tad more Peach and
Ricotta Crumble!)
How weird are you? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (not) to 10 (very).
7. Although my other half would probably rate me much higher.
Now look at this cover. So happy to see another gorgeous design for you.
This is Cathryn’s third novel – Heartland. Love the title. Now here’s the blurb…
A powerful, passionate and moving rural love story from Cathryn Hein, author of Promises and Heart of the Valley.
When Callie Reynolds arrives at Glenmore, the property she’s recently inherited, the last thing she wants is to be saddled with a warty horse, an injured neighbour and a mad goose. Haunted by her sister’s death and her fractured family, all she wants is freedom.
But Callie hasn’t counted on falling for Matt Hawkins, an ex-soldier determined to fulfil his own dream of land and family. Nor could she predict the way the land, animals and people of Glenmore will capture her heart.
Callie is faced with impossible choices. But she must find the courage to decide where her future lies, even if it costs her everything she holds dear.
Connect with Cathryn Hein… www.cathrynhein.com
Buy Cathryn Hein books…
Another Swans fan! Love that garden gnome – where did you get him, Cathryn? Great post, Jenn and Cathryn. Love the sound of Heartland – and that peach and ricotta tart…
Jim bought him for me from the Swans Shop. They had them for sale a few years ago but I haven’t seen any more since. He’s great, isn’t he? I love him to bits. He lives in the lounge and watches the games with us along with my knitted Swans octopus and squishy bear.
The peach and ricotta tart is amazing. I mean it when I say that Two Greedy Italians is worth buying for that recipe alone. Has lots of other interesting things too. I’m going to try Gennaro Contaldo’s Orange Rice Cake next.
Wow. What an intro. Thanks, Jenn. Am feeling a tad pink and giggly!
Well if nothing else I m honest! Yu know, someone many years ago to,d me I wasn’t honest I was stupid! yep, true story. never forgotten it. Never want to be known as dishonest or disingenuous. So sometimes it can get me into trouble, rather than put of trouble, but….*shrug*…..
Wonderful post once again Jenn! Had me laughing pretty much all the way through:) I saw Cath at the Newcastle Writers’ Festival, and thoroughly enjoyed the hour we spent chatting about her books, and meeting Courtney Collins as well.
Newcastle Writers Festival was fabulous, wasn’t it, Brenda? I had a ball. Wonderful to chat to so many enthusiastic readers and lovely authors. Courtney Collins was so interesting. I’m fascinated by her book!
I’m still laughing at the chicken answer…
I read 1 girl 2 many books’ review of Heartland, Cathryn. It sounds amazing. I love the thought of your heroes as ‘guys you could take home to mother’…
All we have to do now is educate both you, and Jenn J, on the finer points of AFL… mainly, that you’re barracking for the wrong team!
cheers
Lily M
The WRONG team, Lily? Oh no no no!!! The Sydney Swans are the most magnificent of footy teams. Magnificent!!
Jenn’s Q&A was really fun to do. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Just went and had a look at your cover for The Goodbye Ride. What a cracker!
Cath, there is a definite theme developing with our Lily and her covers!!!!!! 😉
Oh! So swans are not the bird variety then?;)
*Bangs head against wall*
He he he!
All this talk of footy – where’s the wine? I want the AFL body and on the man who drinks wine, not beer!
Lovely cover, Cathryn, and, as always, Jenn, a fun post.
I’m sure we can rattle up a bottle, Susanne. Something to toast those hot-bodded Sydney Swans perhaps? I think that’s part of the appeal of AFL. The boys are just so good to look at!
Heartland’s cover is great, isn’t it? I was over the moon when I saw it. Such gorgeous colours and the cover model makes a near-perfect Callie. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment.
Oh, I loved this post! I laughed and laughed. Thank you Jenn and Cathryn. I have such pictures in my mind! You two would be great to have around the dinner table.
Did someone say…. Dinner???????
Ooh, surely we can arrange this!
Thanks, Jennie!
Gorgeous interview, ladies! Love the writer’s uniform. I can’t get into it unless I am wearing my oldest, daggiest clothes. Total comfort rules!
I so agree, Louise. Comfort has to be a priority. Not point sitting on my bum all day feeling all squirmy and annoyed thanks to uncomfortable clothes. Yesterday. I stocked up on new trakky daks to get me through the cold months. Ugly but who cares!
Love it! But who are these swans ??? *VBG* Do they fly???
Zeus is very confused too…
Fantastic interview as alway, Jenn 🙂
I’m with Zeus, Helene. Serve those swans up on a plate with some gravy and I too might get excited. Okay, so I’m watching My Kitchen Rules with its squab and confit duck. LOL
Sigh. I don’t know. You people not understanding the glamour and glory of AFL, especially the most stunning, gorgeous team in existence, the Sydney Swans. Might I direct you both (and Zeus!) to http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/ for some education, hmm?
Okay, so I’m not going to harp on about how much of a fan I am – cos you know already 🙂 Like you Jenn, I’ve been all colours of the rainbow watching the Rise and Shine of Cathryn Hein (hee hee) but I will say I’m tickled pink with Heartland and all I’ve seen so far is the cover!!
As for AFL teams, I love them all – yep, even Richmond Tigers. What’s not to love about big men in little shorts? One of the reasons I’m a rugby fan too…
Jenn, your posts rock! They make my sometimes gloomy days so much brighter xxx
You are such a sweetie, Juanita.
At last, a woman who understands!! Juanita, you are so right. How can anyone not love a sport with super fit hunks in shorts, particularly those wearing red shorts and red and white guernseys? It’s a spectacle in every way. And most excellent research for a romance writer!
Oooh, Cathryn, I love your gnome. He’s sooo cute. And from now on, I’m calling you Mr. Ed, my favorite horse.
Great interview, Jenn and Cathryn.
Thx Suzi. nice of you to drop by.
A Swannies gnome?! Love it!!
I share your fashion sense, Cathryn 🙂
Not sure this sharing of fashion sense is a good thing, Kerrie. I have home dagginess down to a fine art and regularly scare neighbours and delivery men!
My gnome is very special, Suzi. I have been known to stroke him…
You two should take the comedy routine on the road – except then, I wouldn’t get your gorgeous books! so scrub that idea 🙂
It’s all that Jenn’s work, Jenny. She has a quip for everything.
Late to the fray(as usual) and while I’m not into footy either, I can appreciate eye candy when I see it. Although Cathryn, I think I’d draw the line at the gnome. He looks bit too much like my late grandfather! Good luck with Heartland.
Thanks Kate.
Your grandfather must have been a cutie cos by gnome sure is!
[…] Jenn J McLeod […]