Posted on 31/01/201531/01/2015 by Jenn J McLeod — 1 Comment

Out and about in Barcoola

It’s been five months since selling up and moving into Barcoola and we have experienced a few ‘events’ Barcoola style.

After our windy weeks in Corindi (we were staying close to home for Dad) turned into a few months, we finally hit the road on December 15 and headed for Casino, NSW. Both stays have been filled with fabulous characters and fun.

Melbourne Cup Day Corindi Van Park style!

Here I am with Hans and Denise and their merry band of Tallowwood Travellers. We were invited to stay on for dinner but didn’t want to leave little Daiquiri on her own any longer. She had lost her mate of 12 years the day before and the crowd knew we were all grieving.

Next thing we hear is Denise knocking on the annex door. There she was with two generous serves of her fabulous paella, with garlic bread! Exactly want we needed to cheer us up.

What wonderful people we’re meeting. You can look out for a Hans and Denise mention in book 4, April 2016! I have a feeling there will be paella!!

Christmas Casino Style

The beef capital is a great town. I am, however concerned. I don’t think the locals are used to seeing little white fluffy dogs. We all went for ‘walkies’ down the main street and people everywhere stopped on the spot and stared with comments like . . . “Oh, a little white fluffy dog!” Maybe they are not used to a dog in a backpack. Or the Blue Heeler and Kelpie are the dog of choice? (Clearly, no one has seen how a cagey, one-dyed white, fluffy dog can fool a mob of sheep!) I did like this Casino local and his mate.

Our hosts for Christmas was The Big 4 Resort, Casino

The Big 4 Resort at Casino is two things:

a caravan park ideal for the Biiiiig Riiiiig (you are supposed to draw out the words Biiiiig Riiiiig with a really deep, echoing voice)
an entire community of houses especially built for people who own and need to park a Biiiiig Riiiiig.

This place is everything we hoped for. Did I mention there’s a swap library? And guess whose book I found on the shelves?

Our first Christmas was very Casino. That means HOT! But the Christmas lights were pretty cool. The permanent resident cottages are just delightful, with small, manageable gardens (unlike our unruly, triffid-type garden on our property. We have NOT missed the gardening part—yet!) I reckon one of these will be a nice little retirement plan. With room for Barcoola (which will double as guest quarters!) when winter comes . . . .off we go, while the house stays secure in a fenced estate.

Casino Library Author Chat

I’ve done a few library chats but Casino… you have set the bar pretty high. Wow! It was a great turnout. Here I am with a few hangers oners. I was sent home with a platter of yummy, homemade country-style treats (which I was assured were not fattening!)

Australia Day

I met a Bonalbo bloke at my library chat. Lance (pictured) drove into Casino to attend my chat, so I drove out to Bonalbo for their Australia Day celebrations. They clearly knew I was there because the band played a song from my up-coming release – Season of Shadow and Light!

We’ve had a great time exploring Casino. Time to head back to Corindi for a while. I have a book to launch in May. 🙂

Play this video. Celebrate Australia and Season of Shadow and Light with me.

Posted on 30/10/201315/05/2015 by Jenn J McLeod — 28 Comments

Small towns might be able to keep big secrets but…

…I am terrible at keeping secrets and this one has been burning a hole in my draft blog file since August when the lovely Larissa Edwards (my publisher) rang, wanting me to sign on with Simon & Schuster for another two books.

That means books three and four of my plan (read: dream) to see my Seasons Collection in print will actually come to life in 2015 and 2016. (Now my Facebook friends will understand my fascination for trees (thanks Patricia Franks) and my new little logo thingy showing four seasons.)

To say I am excited is, well, a massive understatement. I am also a little daunted as my previous experience has been along the lines of: write two books, sub two books, edit two books. It wasn’t until I saw the contract front page had books three and four listed as “UNTITLED NOVEL” did the significance of this offer hit me and I decided wine was required. (Quite liked the Two Fathoms label for two books. Any excuse really!)

Sincere thanks to my followers, my friends, family and especially my readers. And to those of you who have already popped reviews on retail & review sites (Amazon, Goodreads) here is a big (((cyber hug))). Contrary to popular belief, happy reader reviews do NOT give authors massive heads. They let authors breathe and enjoy the dream.

Such a dream come true too. I’m feeling a little country magic right now and am so glad I can finally shout out my news. The wait has been killing me, but I wanted to have the contract in my hands before I told anyone and there was a delay as it had to go through the S&S USA contracts process. As a result things were a tad more ‘involved’ so I am grateful for Clare and Annabel at Curtis Brown for their expertise and guidance.

But wait! There’s more…

No, not the steak knives. It’s the B format** of House for all Seasons. (And look at this lovely praise.)

S Praise for HFAS &S are bringing it forward from March next year to Christmas – in time for Chrissie stockings, folks! (and with a snazzy teal-coloured title!)

To celebrate I will have some House for all Seasons giveaways to announce soon – I will do so here or on Facebook. So if you are not subscribed to my blog as yet (or Facebook) now might be a good time if you wnat a chance to win a copy before Christmas.

**To those readers unfamiliar with the publishing jargon, the B format is the smaller version book that generally comes out around the same time as an author’s latest release. BTW – ‘Back List’ (what the biz calls an author’s previous titles) is another word I never thought I’d associate with my name!

Posted on 10/04/201316/12/2014 by Jenn J McLeod — 1 Comment

Time to moooooove on! (Yep, all good things must come to an end.)

So on April 15, 2013, we say farewell to the Facebook promotion (www.houseforallseasons.com.au CLOSED) – and the goodies on offer there. In particular the chance to WIN $1,000 Stayz Accommodation voucher.

That means, House for all Seasons readers, that before the sun sets on the 15th, make sure you’ve put your entry in.

It’s too easy.

And if after reading House for all Seasons you feel inclined to share your thoughts with other readers, I would love, love, love a review or a rating. Direct link to: Amazon. (or Goodreads, The Reading Room.) They all help.

Country cuddles from the Bonville gang (and little Bonville magic just for you.)