Dear readers, you know how much I LOVE the seasons, so when an advance reader copy of Anne Gracie’s, The Spring Bride, landed in my mail box, and having seen the rave reviews for The Autumn Bride, well, I had a little ‘spring’ in my step. (Thank you Maria from Penguin.)
Now YOU can win a copy of the book (see below).
But first, here I am at home with Anne Gracie from cool (in various senses) Melbourne
Thank you, Anne, for letting my park my rig on your… nature-strip!
What’s that I see written on your ‘welcome mat’?
Beware of the dog (she’ll lick you to death)
I miss my HUGE refrigerator. If I looked in your refrigerator right now, what would I find?
Not a lot — a few wilted vegies. I need to go shopping.
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?
My books. I have too many of them to fit in my small house, so a caravan would be tricky.
Whose home would you like to visit in your van and why?
I’d head up to Far North Queensland to visit Barbara Hannay, dropping in on the way on Kelly Hunter. They’re my good buddies, and they write fabulous books and we always have fun, eating, drinking, talking books, and brainstorming together.
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?
Probably a sea otter. They’re gorgeous animals, funny, playful and inventive. Though the life would probably be hard. It would be more sensible to be a pampered cat or dog. My dog has a pretty good life.
You’re cooking and your food is going up against the best cooks from the CWA (Country Women’s Association). What would be your winning dish?
My cheese and leek pie, made with phillo pastry.
About you…
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Starting every morning. Once I start I dive into the story and don’t want to leave, but I always put off starting.
If someone was to write your biography, what do you think the title should be?
Buried in Books
What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
‘Would you like to eat this delicious chocolate brownie?’
My answer would be “yes please.”
Favourites…
Favourite place in Australia: I can never pick — this land of ours is so beautiful and I always want to explore more of it. One day I want to travel slowly right around it, travelling by day, writing in the evenings.
Favourite holiday destination: Venice. I went there many years ago and loved it to bits. Now I’d like to go and explore further afield, and stay there longer and maybe set a series there.
If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?
I’d do the dishes and let you wipe.
Okay, readers, now you can WIN The Spring Bride, but first here’s the blurb…
Haunted by a childhood riddled with poverty and hardship, Jane Chance is determined her own children will never suffer the same; she intends to make a good, safe, sensible marriage. All goes according to plan until a dark, dangerous vagabond helps her rescue a dog.
Zachary Black is all kinds of unsuitable—a former spy, now in disguise, he’s wanted for murder. His instructions: to lie low until his name is cleared. But Zach has never followed the rules, and he wants Jane Chance for his own.
To WIN!
Tell us: What kind of Seasonal Bride would you be? (Hint: riff creatively off the word “seasonal.”)
(Open to all: If the winner is in Australia, Anne will send a signed book. Otherwise the book will arrive via The Book Depository.)
For more information or to connect with Anne:
Author website: http://www.annegracie.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnneGracieAuthor
or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1AnneGracie
At home in Sydney, NSW, with… Georgia Madden – first-time author, journalist and frazzled mum-of-two.
