Category: MY BOOKS

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What a year! The good and the bad of 2019.

From my house to yours…

I hope you are enjoying the festive season.

For me, 2019 has been a year of  ticking off big bucket list items, including swinging through the Daintree Rainforest dressed as Lara Croft (says so on my helmet!) and swimming on the Great Barrier Reef with sharks and sea turtles. For someone who has never been a water person, or liked heights, I did pretty good.

Two weeks later, of course, there was a fatal jungle surfing incident. A couple swinging through the trees on the very same cables, enjoying the same exhilarating experience, fell when those cables allegedly snapped. The incident is still under investigation, but I struggle to understand how this could have happened. The popular tourist attraction is extremely well managed and I had felt perfectly safe with very competent and attentive guides.

I WAS safe. I WAS Lara Croft!

If only super heroes were real. They could swoop in and lead us all into a safe and secure 2020.

Sadly, there would be no undoing the catastrophic bush fires, or New Zealand’s White Island eruption, but imagine how a super hero might give us hope for a brighter, safer decade–because I’m not seeing much hope in our politicians’ actions. (Politicians who think Australia’s unique and precious arts and culture will prosper and grow under the Dept. of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications!!! (We don’t even get a mention in that portfolio title. Out of sight, out of mind is what comes to MY mind!) You can read about this here.

2019 is ending with way too much bad news and some terrible tragedies, and while I’m no Lara Croft and able to save the day, I can continue to write my Australian stories so readers can escape the bad and the sad things in life, if only briefly.

I’m not a huge fan of New Years Eve. I’m one of those grinches who worries about the impact fireworks have on both our environment and our wildlife (and terrified domestic animals). But I do raise a glass to the people I love (past and present) and, as we welcome a new decade, I will be counting my blessings, praying for rain, hoping for sanity, wishing for peace, and, most importantly, donating money, goods, time and/or food to those less fortunate or in need.

We can be super heroes to those in the country struggling through drought. Rural Aid’s Buy A Bale drive is back, so consider doing your bit, even if it means buying one less book. Donate now.

Something else we CAN all do (and it costs nothing) is consider the wildlife (the cute and furry, the feathered, and the scaley) that all need to drink. No matter where you live – country or city – there will be a thirsty critter, so keep those containers topped up. (Don’t believe me? Check out these unexpected visitors dropping by for a drink.)

Most important of all…

Take care of yourself and make the most of each day. While we have it in us to get up and achieve something (or try) we must try. We can’t NOT do things because we are afraid. (Sorry about the double negative!)

I have no idea what the new decade will bring, but I know this….

And this was VERY good news and another bucket list item in 2019.

I self-published for the first time and House of Wishes is exceeding my expectations. Thank you to all who have bought, borrowed read or reviewed. My baby is doing so well (checkout the lovely reviews on Goodreads) that I am energised and madly writing book #7 for 2020. So stay tuned!

Now you’re done decking the halls, it’s time to bedazzle your bookshelf with Australian stories in 2020.

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My Weird and Wonderful Book Launch 2019

It’s here!

Rather than the clink of champagne glasses and the chirp of book-loving friends and family all talking at once, there is a country hush today, with bird chatter and the odd crow cawing  the only sounds as I celebrate the release of my sixth novel – House of Wishes.

There are a few reasons why it will be a quiet one for me this year. This image from the Fires Near Me App might say more than words. (I’m at the big red arrow)

As I sit, staring out the window at the thickening smoke and ever-diminishing mountain range, I’m silently wishing for rain, or a reprieve of some kind for those closer to the bushfires.

Right now I’m looking after a house in northern NSW (caring for a couple of pregnant cows, a deaf cat and several chooks). I arrived three days ago, and with all the fire activity and handover information about evacuation plans, only to day (release day) did I make myself sit down at the computer.

And as I looked around the place, I realised something amazing…

Ever since 2013 (after releasing House for all Seasons) I’ve looked everywhere for a house that I could photograph that might resemble (in some small way) Dandelion House, which features in the novel. I was never going to find a house built on an island in the middle of the Calingarry Crossing river, but…

As I sat down today, and began some promotional posts on Facebook, I saw the house I’m looking after for the first time. And what did I see?

I saw my fictional Dandelion House with its homestead facade and French windows opening up onto a wrap around veranda. Not only that, this house I’ve found myself caring for has a history. In fact, it was build in the late 1800’s – the same as my Dandelion House.

 

Built my the Mackerell Family

 

This gets even crazier…

Look at the decorator cushion!!! Ladybugs are a motif that runs through House of Wishes.

Yes, the fire situation in NSW has made my new release one to remember, but I’m going to find the joy in how life sometimes imitates art (or is it the other way around?)

There’s a new noise outside now… In the sky… Helicopters are circling.

I’ll go for now, but I will find a moment to enjoy this country celebration – just Jeannette and I. Yes, there will be champagne later today.

Calingarry Crossing Novels are standalone reads. Special two-book price on my web shop for the first two.

Whether you’ve read House for all Seasons and Simmering Season, or you choose to come home to Calingarry Crossing for the first time by reading my new, standalone Calingarry Crossing novel – House of Wishes – you want this good news!!

The good news…

I am extending my ‘new release free postage offer’ on print copies until Nov 30. (Details on my web shop –  www.jennjmcleod,com). Ebooks are also a special price.

The giveaway…

I am also giving away a Kindle version to one lucky person. 

All you have to do to go into the draw is add add House of Wishes as a Want To Read before December 24.  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48269663-house-of-wishes  (Winner drawn Dec 25!)

Come back to the small town with big secrets where Dandelion House has one more secret to reveal. (And you may catch up with a few cameo characters.)

I’m off now to check the RFS Fires Near Me App and make a few wishes.

Cheers!

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Look who’s reading my novel!

It’s Sally from McLeod’s daughters.

I know I should be acting professional and super cool as if having your novel turned into an audiobook is as natural as breathing. But it’s not. It’s just not. It’s an amazing feeling to hear your work read back with such passion and emotion. Hearing a narrator of Kathryn’s calibre, and the amazing job she does bringing each character to life makes me the happiest writer on the planet.

Boxed CDS of Mp3
Kathryn Hartman

As I listen to Ava and John’s story, I’m not sure which is stronger: my joy, my immense pride, or the childish buzz making me giggle and hit replay at all my favourite bits. (And there are a lot of them!)

I thought writing multiple points of view in a story over 140,000 words was a tough gig. I never thought about the narrator’s task.

As a character, Ava is complex and even though her story spans thirty years, Kathryn portrays her brilliantly and with heart. Nina is sassy and smart and makes me laugh, while John…? Oh John, John, I love him so. But bring in Blair…! What a gem! I laughed and laughed and loved every scene with Nina.

With all those characters, plus Ava’s Italian dad, Marco, was not difficult enough for the narrator, I had to throw in a wise, old Italian woman. Dear Sonya comes across so perfectly; I may have to write more books featuring Italian mamas.

Kathryn told me, when it comes to narrating, she always feels equal parts privilege and fear, just hoping she tells the story as the author intended.

Having recorded the work of many talented writers, including Nicole Alexander, Karly Lane and Sandie Docker, Kathryn said she also feels very fortunate. “What an amazing, gifted group of friends you are!”

But my favourite feedback was this: “Jenn, you should be so proud of ‘A Place to Remember’. You have written a beautifully unique story of love, with wonderfully developed characters and heart touching emotional insight. There were many places that both myself and the engineer had to stop recording just to catch our breath.”

That is music to any author’s ears.

Now… Are you ready to relax and listen? Enjoy 14 hours and 9 minutes of fabulous storytelling? Narrated by Kathryn Hartman (words by yours truly).
Listen On iTunes
Listen On Google Play 
Listen On Audible (Amazon) – Hear an extract for free!

Buy the CDs at Booktopia and NookAudio

Library lovers – you’d be doing me a great favour by requesting your local library make either the CD of the Mp3 version available to borrowers. (Available through Wavesound Audio)

Do you remember Sally Clements, in McLeod’s Daughters? Wife to Nick (Myles Pollard).

NOW do you understand my excitement?  I’m slowly ticking McLeod characters off my bucketlist, too.

I am, after all, The Lost McLeod’s Daughter. But you all know that already, right? Here I am sharing Christmas with the gang, and yes, look closely and you’ll see I am legless – literally! *wink*

BTW –  I announced this in my newsletter, but if you’re not signed up you will have missed out on lots more news, including the first big book giveaway — a giant 100 book raffle to be drawn in March. 

It’s not too late. Sign up at the top of this page (on the right) and I’ll add you to the list.

I’m going back to listen to my book!