Need to drop a BIG hint this Mother’s Day?
Forward this or just right-mouse click to print, add wishes, and (like my mum always did) leave your hints somewhere REALLY obvious so the family finds it!
And whether your ‘mum hugs’ are real, long-distance, or etched in your memory…
May your wishes come true.
I feel privileged to have my third novel on the shelf alongside so many wonderful Australian fiction books. Thank you for buying Australian.
But I have a confession…Hang on a minute! In saying that, House for all Seasons was my first, and firsts are special – right? (That’s what my big sister told me while growing up!) And Simmering Season was the book that will forever remind me of Mum (the nursing home scenes in particular). So how can I not love that one?
But Season of Shadow and Light is special for different reasons, and even a little personal. Following on with the family theme of this post, it is the third book published and I was the third child!
More importantly this novel is also a story about love…
Different kinds of love. And as I always say:
“People are people, parents are parents, family is family, love is love.”
And this fictional family needs saving in more ways than one, so I hope you enjoy Paige’s journey, as well as Alice’s very special love story, some thirty years earlier.
Will this story raise a few eyebrows? I thought it might. But the positive reviews keep coming and, hopefully, and I’m hopeful Shelleyrae, at Book’d Out, is on the mark with this gem:
“Jenn J McLeod is an author for all seasons and all readers.”
I truly believe the pen is mightier than the sword and fiction is a powerful way to start a conversation. Acceptance often comes from understanding so it can be that through our stories, authors can provide readers with a safe place to explore and appreciate social differences. I hope Alice’s story achieves that in some small way.
Another thing I enjoy about writing is the camaraderie of the Australian author network. If you enjoy my small town stories, why not make it a point to read more Aussie authors? I support the Australian Women Writers Challenge.
In my ‘thank you’ at the back of this book, you’ll find some author names — my network of writer friends keep me in check, let me try out ideas, and inspire me. Whatever the contribution (large or small), my thanks go to them all, especially Nicole Alexander, Fiona Gregory (Green), Shannon Garner, and my Simon and Schuster Musketeers—Karen M. Davis and Anna Romer. A shout-out, too, to Kate Belle’s daughter (who comes up with some amazing Little Miss conversations), and Helen Lacey for sharing Santo, the wall-eyed Pinto.
You will have noticed that my novels sometimes draw on the works and sayings of the wise and wonderful, quoting some while being inspired by others. In Season of shadow and Light I acknowledge the works of A.B. (Banjo) Patterson, Elyne Mitchell (The Silver Brumby) and Anna Sewell (Black Beauty). Also to Vivienne Green, thank you for your saying, which I do try to live by:
‘Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.’
And to L. Frank Baum for lending me Toto, the little white dog. And to United Productions of America, the creators of the Mr Magoo cartoon character—although my Banjo is a complete opposite to the near-sighted, bumbling retiree, it was fun reliving my child-hood while reimagining a real life Mr Magoo.
Early reviews, like this one, have thrilled me:
“ . . . an intensely powerful read, exploring the topics of love and trust whilst simultaneously exposing the effects and depths of deception and betrayal within families and communities. Not one to mince her words, McLeod tells this story in a no-holds-barred manner that leaves the reader with absolutely no doubt as to the importance of the story, it’s characters, and the lessons we can all learn from having read it. Five stars and marking this one as a Must Read!” J’aimee Brooker (AusRom Today)
These early weeks are a nerve-wracking time for any author. So, dear reader, your support and feedback is vital. Please, don’t be shy about contacting an author to let them know you enjoyed their stories.
YOU matter to us.
YOU matter to me.
And you can let me know what you thought any time:
Email: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennJMcLeod.Author
Twitter: @jennjmcleod
The really important message that I hope comes through this story …Please donate life. Consider organ donation and discuss with loved ones your wishes. Maybe do it now: www.donatelife.gov.au.
For your chance to WIN all THREE Jenn J McLeod novels* simply leave a comment below. From now until the end of May Jenn drops into some of her favourite author blogs to say hello to readers old and new. She’ll then collect the comment names from each author blog post, picking a lucky winner from one major draw and announcing the name end May on her blog. www.jennjmcleod.com
*Book Pack: House for all Seasons (#5 Top Selling Debut novel, 2013), Simmering Season, and Season of Shadow and Light. (Australian postal address only)
Winner announced here, end May.
The sign says it all.2NVR – Nambucca Community Radio – is an impressive facility tucked away in an old school house in Bowraville, NSW. (Some of you might know that my fictional Calingarry Crossing was inspired by four small towns: Sawtell, Ulmarra, Bellingen and Bowraville.)
So, what a thrill it was to be asked to spend an hour talking books and writing, songs and the seasons on Elizabeth’s Turning Pages program. (And what tremendous role community radio people play in regional Australia.)
A few days ago Elizabeth asked me to provide her with a list of my favourite songs — of course they were all season related: Summertime, Blue Skies, Stormy Weather, Summer Holiday — to be slotted into the hour-long chat, along with the news and the all-important sponsor messages. (Did I mention how amazing community radio is, yet?).
We discussed my writing process and how much I am enjoying mentoring a local writer. For aspiring
writers I sung the praises of RWA. I got to share bits about book 3 – Season of Shadow and Light – but forgot to mention book 4 has a very Nambucca theme!!
We laughed a lot, talked about my impending adventures in a fifth wheeler and my writing of the song for Simmering Season. We also gulped in unison over a technical glitch, which Elizabeth resolved like the professional she is. (Did I mention how wonderful community radio folk are, yet?)
Sadly, we were unable to play my song, so here it is – below.
I did manage to leave books with Elizabeth and over the next week or two she will be telling listeners how they can win the signed copies.
So locals, do tune in to the ‘best little station in the nation’ – 105.9 FM – each Friday from 11:00 am and don’t forget to support those all-impotant sponsors. If you Facebook, head over the Elizabeth’s Turning Pages.
**READER SPOILER ALERT**
AMBER LEAVES
Music and lyrics by Jenn J McLeod.
Arranged and performed by John Watson.
Produced by Clive Lendich.
______________________