White Gum Creek

Hi everyone!

I know it's been an age since I updated the blog -sorry and I hope that you'll all forgive me. Life certainly got in the way of things. :(

However even though last year wasn't particularly stellar but I did manage to write one book and it's just been released.

White Gum Creek is about a man who believes that he's lost everything and deserves nothing For years he's kept to himself in a self imposed captivity and that's the way he likes it. But all things change and maybe... just maybe, Nick has been given a second chance at life.

Nick Langtree first made an appearance in my last novel, Country Roads. At the time, I thought he was a good foil for one of my main characters. But the more I thought about him, the more I decided that Nick deserved his own story. So I hope that you'll come along with me to White Gum Creek and help rescue my favourite recluse.


Here's the blurb -

Nicholas Langtree has been hiding out on his farm, Winters Hill ever since the death of his wife. He keeps to himself and that’s the way he likes it. The town’s folk over the years have tried to help him but he’s pushed them all away.

Nick has seen a lot of heartache, so much that it's almost broken him but can he get past it to finally start living again?

Natasha (Tash) Duroz, the owner of the Gumnut Bakery tries to engage him into conversation each time he comes into town. There’s something about him that draws Tash in but what she has to discover is what she feels pity or something more?

Nick has been the target of minor vandalism over the years but as he begins to connect with the outside world it escalates. Is someone out to hurt him or have the years of solitude distorted his mind?

 

White Gum Creek is available in both print and e-format.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Nicole xx

 

 

 

ARRA Convention

 

 

 

On 24th–26th February 2017 the Australian Romance Readers Association (ARRA) will be hosting their 5^th convention in Melbourne.

 

The convention is an international event and will feature award-winning authors Kylie Scott, Courtney Milan and Kristen Callihan as keynote speakers. Panel members will include numerous bestselling Australian romance authors.

 

I’m very excited to be part of this and will be sitting on a panel discussing the rise of Rural Romance on the Sunday.  So if you’re in Melbourne on the 24^th – 26^th of this month why not drop in and check it out.

 

Here’s a link to more info on the Australian Romance Readers Association site.

http://australianromancereaders.com.au/convention/arrc2017/

 

Hope to see you there!

Nicóle xx

Country Roads

💗💗

Hi everyone!

 

Yes, I know it’s been absolutely ages since the last post – sorry. L

The news is that my latest rural novel, Country Roads has been released.

 

 

 

Since her father was in a terrible accident, Rebecca Duprey has been holding the family sheep station, Bluestone Ridge, together. And not only is her cheating ex hanging around, but her new neighbour keeps getting in her way. Former advertising exec and now novelist, Matt Harvey, has bought a small farm nearby hoping for time to come to terms with the death of his fiancé and work on his next book.

 

Bec isn't sure when she started feeling attracted to Matt, but she's determined not to succumb to his charms. And Matt isn't sure when Bec began invading his thoughts, but he can't get her out of his mind. Can Bec and Matt overcome their fear of loss and betrayal to find love and happiness with each other . . .?

 

This absolutely compelling novel deals with betrayal, tragedy, love - and how first impressions aren't always right.

 

Amazon Au - goo.gl/DQcv9G

 

Amazon  - goo.gl/tdwNTL

Booktopia - goo.gl/B7w98m

 

Hope you’ll drop by for a visit at White Gum Creek.

 

Nicóle xx

 

Dirt Roads

                                                             

 

 

Hi everyone!

My third rural romance, Dirt Roads is officially on the way. It’s been contracted by Allen & Unwin – YAY!!!

When driving out in the country, ever wondered where those old dirt roads might lead? They veer off into the hidden gullies, run through creeks and weave through the bush. They entice you to follow and you're never really sure where they will take you.

And for Matt Harvey, they could lead to a whole new life.

 

For my latest book, we’re moving away from Violet Falls and exploring the tiny town of White Gum Creek. The town is in the middle of the Victorian Central Highlands and nestled in old gold country.

Dirt Roads is a story about a woman who shoulders the responsibility of her family’s farm and a man who is desperate need of a fresh start.

It’ll be out next year, so stay tuned for the date. J

Here’s the blurb –                               

Dirt roads can take you off the beaten track but somehow they’ll always lead you home.

Matt Harvey wants to put tragedy behind him, and White Gum Creek looks like just the place for a fresh start. All he wants is a little peace and time to work on his next novel. Problem is he keeps getting on the wrong side of his prickly neighbour Bec Duprey.

Rebecca Duprey is trying to hold her family farm, Bluestone Ridge together. It’s been difficult since her father’s accident. The daily running of the farm falls squarely on her shoulders. She works from dawn to dusk and hasn’t got time for a life, let alone the new neighbour that keeps getting in her way.

I’m so excited to be able to share Matt and Bec’s story with you all. Hope you like it J

Thanks for stopping by,

 

Nicóle xx

Image - Fotolia

Storytelling, Reaction Videos and Game of Thrones

So like millions of people across the globe, I love Game of Thrones. I sit, waiting (not so patiently) every Monday morning for the live stream through Foxtel. Do not ring me, talk to me or knock at my door because I just won’t answer. The entire sixth season has been great from No One to the horrific brutality of the Battle of the Bastards and finally the triumph over House bloody Bolton. And I have to say that the season 6 finale was the most satisfying and uplifting one of the whole series to date.

After the finale, I couldn’t settle. Perhaps it was the knowledge that I’d have to wait until next year for Season 7. Or maybe it was I just couldn’t quite say goodbye yet. Anyway, I went around the web and checked out a few commentaries and reaction videos. I think some of the reaction videos can be quite funny but as a rule, I generally don’t watch them – yet this week I did.

I learnt several things as I watched. The first one is that I’m not the only one that makes stabby gestures and yells at the t.v. – kill him, stab him, oh, for heaven’s sake just kill him. So I suppose that’s comforting on some level.

The second point was just how important storytelling is. From time immemorial we have sat around fires as the night closed in and told each other stories of great heroes, battles and magic. The stories served to teach us about bravery in different forms, strength, honour, love, vengeance. They tell of how our world came into being and how we fit within it. They taught us how to live and what to aspire to. From Achilles on the plain of Ilium, the tricky Odysseus and the Heroic Code to the myths of Asgard, Beowulf and the Mabinogion to fairytales, 1001 Nights, medieval ballads and the Parsifal myth; they all have lessons to those willing to listen. How to be brave in the face of adversity, how to show compassion, how to use your wits and how to live with honour.

 

 

 

                                                                                                          Game of Thrones Season 6 - Battle of the Bastards (Credit: HBO)

The above image shows the lovely Jon Snow facing down the enemy supposedly single handily. It is not an original image and has been used to optimum effect in storytelling for centuries, but it still evokes a powerful response in reader/watcher/ listener. A hero or a small group of heroes confront a huge insurmountable force. His cause seems lost and yet he will still meet his enemy head on and die fighting.

 

The third thing I noticed with the reaction videos was that they were very similar. I suppose I should have expected that they would be. We all seemed to cheer, cringe and shout for joy in the same places. And in my case cue the stabby gestures and the kill him rant.

But the underlying theme for me was that the old lessons were still there. And it doesn’t matter in what format they’re presented – oral, written, drawn or on the screen. They reinforce what we have already learned when reading our very first fairytales and myths. They connect us and give a shared view of what it is to be heroic. And then with that knowledge our perception of what could be/should be is altered. How you internalise and use the information is up to you. When confronted with a situation do you react or do you draw on the knowledge learned?

And no, I don’t mean picking up a Valyrian sword and hunting down a nearest White Walker. But rather taking the higher ground, the warrior’s path and the heroic code. You’re brave, you’re clever, you endure, you know what’s right, you’re Achilles, you’re Beowulf – you’re House Stark.

And that’s the true power of storytelling.

 

Thanks for dropping by.

Nicóle  xx

 

Images

HBO – GOT

Fotolia

 

ARRA Book Signing - Adelaide 2016

Hi everyone!

Well, it's happening again - the Australian Romance Readers Association is hosting another fabulous book signing event at the annual RWA conference.

I'm very excited and I hope to see you there!

Book Birthday

Hi everyone

My first rural romance, McKellan’s Run has turned one. Yep, it’s been out in the big wide world for a year. I have no idea where that time went.

McKellan’s Run is set in the fictional town of Violet Falls. The town is in Central Victoria and in the middle of old gold country. It’s a story about learning to live with past mistakes and taking chances.

 

Years ago, Violet Beckett made the mistake of falling for the wrong MacKellan brother and both she and her younger sister, Lily, paid the price. Now eight years later, fate has brought Violet and her daughter, Holly, back to the house Violet grew up in...As soon as Violet runs into Mac MacKellan, she wonders if she should run all the way back to the city. But something about the look in his eyes makes her want to linger. Can she trust him, can she trust herself or will she be burned again?

Mac has had a soft spot for Violet Beckett for longer than he can remember. It almost killed him to watch his brother woo her, use her and finally lose her. From their very first encounter he's hooked. But how can he convince her that not all MacKellans are the same?

 

The surprise this morning was the arrival of an advance copy in the new B-format. So from June you can choose between ‘Big Mac’ or  ‘Little Mac’. I really love the smaller format book – it’s so cute. J

 

Here are the links to Amazon

US   -    http://goo.gl/XhUVXf

Australia   -   http://goo.gl/O7ohZn

 

 

Not sure how long it will last but at the time I wrote this post McKellan’s Run (ebook) was on sale through Amazon. J

 

I keep getting questions from readers wondering who the next pairing in Violet Falls should be. I’m open for suggestions and I’d love to hear from you.  I’m thinking that the town’s favourite princess, Charlotte Somerville  needs a story – what do you think?

In the meantime I’m hitting the keyboard and working on my current project about the tiny town of White Gum Creek.

Thanks for dropping by.

 

Nicóle  xx