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#WriteRoundOz w/ Anne Gracie (WIN!)

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).

Anne Gracie coverAnne Gracie

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.Anne Gracie 3

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

Buy links – The Spring Bride:

Amazon

Booktopia

And if you want the chance to win another great book: #WriteRoundOz w/ Sandi Wallace – WIN!

Posted on

WIN Simmering Season on Goodreads!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

3 copies up for grabs from Simon & Schuster

Simmering Season by Jenn J. McLeod

Simmering Season

by Jenn J. McLeod

Giveaway ends March 23, 2014.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

Posted on 7 Comments

Subscribers? This is all about YOU.

Have you ever seen an announcement like this on a blog you follow:

“Come on over and subscribe to my blog to win….” to which you have grumbled (as I have): “But what about me? I’m already subscribed to your blog and a Facebook fan. Have been for ages. What do I win?”

Well, in recognition and to say thank you to my loyal subscribers and Facebook Author Page Likers (many of you have been with me from the early days of this wild ride) I have this special treat.

Yes, there is a catch, although I am hoping the prize is worthy.

YOU can have YOUR NAME entered into a draw to win a pre-release copy of Simmering Season just by sending a friend along to sign up.

That’s right! YOU WIN! The minute I get my hands on copies next year (mid-March maybe) the book could be in the mail to YOU!

How?

Simply ask any fiction-loving friend(s) to come home to the country right now and subscribe to (using the email capture thingy – top right of screen). YOUR FRIEND will go into a draw to win a copy of House for all Seasons and YOU will be eligible for the Simmering Season prize.

How do I know you referred someone so I can add your name?

New subscribers need to get YOUR NAME into the Simmering Season barrel by leaving the following comment:

“Knock, knock, [insert your name here] sent me.”

(But wait … Send more friends and get more Simmering Season entries.)

So this giveaway really is all about YOU, lovely subscribers. One of you will get a book and so will a friend, simply by subscribing.

Yes, I am hoping to bring the odd (take that any way you like) newsletter to readers in the coming months and that, too, will have treats, sneak peeks, and the ‘odd’ exclusive for subscribers, so perhaps it’s not a bad idea to stay subscribed.

Open to Aust/NZ subscribers (current as at: 12 December 2013). Draw to take place under strict guidelines (ie before I start drinking) on 18 December, 2013. Announced here by way of ‘subscription post!’ Posted in the mail on the 19th.

Okay, so, Due to circumstances beyond my control, Christmas arrived! So, it will be a new year pressie instead.  

UPDATE: Two cortisone injections later I can sort of type again without pain, but briefly, and long enough to jump on, thank you for your patience and understanding, and announce the winners. With so many knock knocks in the comments, there was no surprise when i pulled out the winning name: Shannon Garner (who wins the pre-releae copy of Simmering Season.) From her referrals, the winning knock, knock is…. STACY! I’ll be in touch, ladies, and arrange delivery of your books.

Just because, Gailene and Anne, your names will automatically go into the next giveaway I do! Thank you for your continued support.