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#librarylove #freeandfair

Library Lovers 2016I’m a library lover. Are you?

Libraries are a place to connect. A place to feel connected.

Libraries are community and compassion – always with an ear to listen and a hand to hold.

Libraries don’t discriminate. They welcome diversity and discussion. If you walk into a library and you can’t read they’ll embrace you and admire you for your courage.

Libraries are free books – legally and morally speaking! Did you know an author receives a small payment every time someone borrows their book from a library? Borrowing a book from the library says thank you to the creator who spent 12 months writing those characters and making that book come to life. It’s free and it’s fair. #freeandfair

With council areas in some states amalgamating, and governments always looking to save money, your local library might be one of the first things to go. The way to save your local library is by frequenting it often. In doing so you’ll make your library an essential part of your community and you’ll be saying ‘thank you’ to an author and loving your local librarian.

This Saturday, February 14 is Library Lovers’ Day in Australia. Share the love.

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Jenn’s book are at libraries everywhere. Reserve one today. Or you can request your library stock Jenn J McLeod.

Check out my book room for titles and blurbs.

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#WriteRoundOz w/ Alli Sinclair

UTSS Feb 2016 Harlequinblack and white photo AlliAn intriguing book title for an author dancing her way to the top. Yes, I am at home with… Alli Sinclair from Victoria

Thank you for letting my park my rig on your….

Veggie patch.  (Oops!)

What’s that I see written on your ‘welcome mat’?

“The writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Downsizing my life into a 24 ft caravan meant leaving lots of things behind in boxes. What (or who!!) would you have trouble leaving behind if you took off in a caravan?

I would have major trouble leaving my kids and partner behind (most days …), as well as my trusty laptop and iPad. And I’d definitely make sure the iPad contained all my favourite photos, movies, and books. I can’t do without those!

Whose home would you like to visit in your caravan and why?

I would love to visit my friend Daniel in London. We met in South America twenty years ago (!!) and travelled some extremely remote areas and shared lots of adventures and laughs. I haven’t seen him for ten years and I would love to meet his wife and kids.

Do you REALLY have room at your house to park a fifth wheeler caravan and do you mind visitors? Oh, sorry, you don’t have to answer that one!! 

Ha! You know the offer is always there …

(You might be sooooooooory!)

Country curiosities…

My latest novel, Season of Shadow and Light, has a strong horse theme. (I love what horses can teach us). If you were an animal what would you be?

Without a doubt a llama! I love the way they look down their noses at you and if they’re not impressed, they spit (gross, I know, but we’re talking llamas here!). The fact they have three stomach compartments is weird, and I’m a sucker for weird. Plus they come from South America, the continent of my heart.

You’re cooking and your food going up against the best cooks from the CWA (Country Women’s Association). What would be your winning dish?

Oooh, my quiche! It’s one of those “throw what you have in the house” recipes and it never fails!

(And what do you know? I love quiche.)

About you…

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

First drafts! I detest them more than anything! I’d rather stick hot pokers in my eyes … A tad dramatic? Maybe. But boy, first drafts are painful! I’d rather edit any day, thanks!

If someone was to write your biography, what do you think the title should be?

Alli Sinclair – The Unstoppable Adventurer

You’re a fiction writer. Tell us a secret (any secret – about you, your books, etc) and we’ll guess if it’s true or not.

I once visited a prison in La Paz, Bolivia.

(Okay readers. Give it your best shot. Fact or fiction?)

Favourite four…

Favourite place in Australia – The Great Ocean Road

Favourite holiday destination – Montañita, Ecuador

Favourite movie – Gah! That’s a tough one as it changes depending on my mood. Today it’s Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (never strays far from number one on my list)

Favourite quote – T.S. Eliot “Little Gidding”

“We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.”

If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?

(Need I ask? Really? I think I know.)

I’d break out into song and dance ala Gene Kelly, but if you threw things at me then I would revert to some seriously impressive break-dancing moves (although my back may not hold up!).

 

IMG_5332 copyGIVEAWAY CLOSED – winner, Mary, advised.

To celebrate the release of Alli’s new book, Under the Spanish Stars, Alli has a beautiful Spanish fan up for grabs. All you need to do is leave a comment for your chance to win! (So… Fact or fiction?)

BUY LINKS

Published by Harlequin MIRA (Australia) http://www.harlequinbooks.com.au/product/9781760374181

Under the Spanish Stars is available in print and e-book.

PRINT:  Booktopia   Bookworld   Dymocks   Boomerang books   Fishpond    The Nile

EBOOK: iBOOKS   Amazon    Booktopia   Kobo   Bookworld

 

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#WriteRoundOz w/ Rachael Johns w/ giveaway

The-Patterson-Girls-final copyrachael-photo
Have you heard?

Rachael Johns has a new book out. So I am dropping by to say ‘Hi’!

Rach! Thank you for letting me park my rig on your…. new half-finished driveway. Mind the steep hill, Jenn. On second thoughts maybe you’d better park in the bay across the road, near the entrance to one of the many bushwalk trails around here.

What’s that I see written on your ‘welcome mat’?

The neighbours have better stuff!

Downsizing my life into a 24 ft caravan meant leaving lots of things behind in boxes. What (or who!!) would you have trouble leaving behind if you took off in a caravan?

I could NOT leave my pets behind – our huge, very naughty (Maremma) dog, Rose and our old, extremely affectionate tabby cat, Simba. I’d also need my electric blanket!

Whose home would you like to visit in your caravan and why?

I’d like to do a road trip right round Oz, a bit like you’re doing Jenn, and stop in and visit all my writing friends. They live in some very interesting places from the very bottom of Australia to the very top. We have such a big beautiful country and I reckon visiting all them would have me seeing a diverse slice of it. 🙂

(Oh, do it, Rach! We can have ourselves an author convoy and talk books all night long!!)

Do you REALLY have room at your house to park a fifth wheeler caravan and do you mind visitors? Oh, sorry, you don’t have to answer that one!!

See above re the caravan but yeah, happy to have visitors, as long as they don’t stay TOO long and disrupt my writing time. Us authors have to protect this time!

 Country curiosities…

My latest novel, Season of Shadow and Light, has a strong horse theme. (I love what horses can teach us). If you were an animal what would you be?

Definitely a cat. I’m a huge cat lover. But can I specify that I live with a very good family who feeds me only the best tuna and lets me lounge on their beds all day?

You’re cooking and your food going up against the best cooks from the CWA (Country Women’s Association). What would be your winning dish?

Scones – proper ones, not the three ingredient easy variety. I’m a pretty much hopeless cook these days but for some reason I’ve always made perfect scones. And really, who can resist a warm scone fresh from the oven with a dollop of jam and cream?

About you…

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Coming up with the initial idea and then pushing on through the doubt while I try to get the words down. The doubt seems to be arriving earlier and earlier in each book now and I always think I’ve finally lost the ability to craft a good story.

If someone was to write your biography, what do you think the title should be?

A Little Bit Crazy

Rach, you’re a fiction writer. Tell us a secret (any secret – about you, your books, etc) and we’ll guess if it’s fiction or furphy. 🙂

I write crime novels under a pseudonym.

Favourite four…

Favourite place in Australia – by the pool at my house in the hills.

Favourite holiday destination – French Quarter of New Orleans (I even set a book there)

Favourite movie – Father Of The Bride

Favourite quote – Don’t regret the things you do, regret the things you don’t do. 

If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?

Hand you over to my children – three boisterous boys can be VERY entertaining!

Find out more about Rachael Johns and her books…

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Website – www.rachaeljohns.com

Publisher – www.harlequinbooks.com.au

Latest book – http://www.booktopia.com.au/the-patterson-girls-rachael-johns/prod9781743693070.html and

 

THE PATTERSON GIRLS

How can four sisters build the futures they so desperately want, when the past is reaching out to claim them?

When the Patterson daughters return home to Meadow Brook to be with their father after their mother’s death, they bring with them a world of complication and trouble.

The eldest sister, obstetrician Madeleine, would rather be anywhere but her hometown, violinist Abigail has fled from her stellar career, while teacher Lucinda is struggling to have the children she and her husband so desperately want. The black sheep of the family, Charlie, feels her life as a barista and exercise instructor doesn’t measure up to that of her gifted and successful sisters.

Dealing with their bereft father who is determined to sell the family motel, their loves old and new and a series of troublesome decisions doesn’t make life any easier, but when they go through their mother’s possessions and uncover the shocking secret of an old family curse, they begin to question everything they thought they knew.

A warm and wise novel about secrets revealed, finding your soul mate and the unique bond between sisters. 

Want to WIN a signed copy of THE PATTERSON GIRLS (Australian postal address only.) CLOSED: Congrats Dale. Your book will be on it’s way soon.      

Leave a comment below.

Take a stab at the FACT or FICTION. (Does Rach write crime novels under a pseudonym??)

If you like the sound of The Patterson Girls, check out my 2013 release, House for all Seasons, about four women finding their way back home to the country over four seasons.

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#5 Best selling debut novel – 2103