Friday 8 July 2016

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

Thursday 30 June 2016

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

 

Monday 16 May 2016

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!




Thursday 28 April 2016

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

Monday 11 April 2016

Stuff




Hi everyone.

Life has been a bit tumultuous over the past few months. Anyway, I’m back and hopefully things will settle down and I’ll be able to get back into the swing – a la writing that is.

There’s a bit of news. The small publisher that my early medieval romances were with is closing its doors. This means that I’ll be getting the rights back. Some I will republish myself and there are a couple I want to rewrite. The Lords of Foxwoods Hall is the coupling of two novellas – Capturing Bliss and Seizing Heaven. I really loved these stories and it was always my intention to finish the series. I always thought that a magical betrothal ring which is handed down to each generation of the Reynard family was intriguing.  So I’m toying with the idea of enlarging and rewriting the first two stories and then writing the next two instalments.

So goodbye Jupiter Garden Press and I’ll always be grateful for you picking up my very first novella – The Trinket Seller’s Daughter.

In other news, Hartley’s Grange which is the second book in the Violet Falls series is doing well and become an Australian bestseller (which is absolutely wonderful and I’m so happy that people think Flynn Hartley is as yummy as I do!). So if you’re tempted to while away a few hours with a sexy grazier, I hope you’ll give Hartley’s Grange a go.

 


Thanks for stopping by.

 

Nicóle xx

Tuesday 2 February 2016

Hartley's Grange Promo Ad




Hi everyone.

I'm so excited about the promo ad for Hartley's Grange. The lovely marketing team at Allen & Unwin put it together and I think it's wonderful.

And amazingly on top of that it's being shown in rural cinemas (Vic, NSW, Qld) from the 11th Feb - the 25th Feb.

Still can't quite believe it. :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Nicole xx

Sunday 31 January 2016

Hartley's Grange



Hi everyone!


So the day has finally arrived and Hartley’s Grange has been released into the wild. Hartley’s Grange is an Australian Rural Romance (affectionately known as a Ru-Ro).

 

Hartley’s Grange is set in the fictional town of Violet Falls and centres around Flynn as he attempts to win over the heart of Lily Beckett. Up until now, Flynn has been known as a player. He’s never allowed his emotions to get tangled up with anyone else’s. But when Lily Beckett arrives back in town he finds himself in danger of falling in love for the first time.

Lily thought she had it all until the day her life crashed and burned. So she’s running back to her big sister Violet, to lick her wounds before trying to get herself back together. She’s pretty much sworn off men for good... well, at least for a while and the last thing she needs is the town’s sexy womanizer chasing after her.

Lily knows that she shouldn’t even be contemplating the idea of her and Flynn but the problem is that he can be so damn tempting. She’s been burnt by love and Flynn doesn’t do commitment – so realistically where does that leave them?

Besides can love really change a bad boy’s ways?

 

If you want a chance of winning a copy – head on over to Australian Rural Romance and say hello.


 

Hartley’s Grange is available as in paperback and ebook formats.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Nicóle xx

 

 

Monday 18 January 2016

My Missing Muse



Hi everyone!

The last couple of months have been tumultuous, topsy-turvy and more than a little challenging. Added to that my Muse decided to run off on an extended road trip with her wayward friends.

Exhibit One –

 

 

She’s been off having a marvellous time while I’ve been attempting (and not succeeding) to put some words on paper / computer screen.

 


 

 

Finally, after I was sure that she’d abandoned me for good my Muse has finally returned. Although she does look a little rough around the edges – I guess too much partying with ambrosia will do that to you.

 


 

Anyway the upside is that the words are beginning to flow again – thank goodness.  The word count for Dirt Roads (a rural romance) is beginning to creep up – Yay!

 

Hartley’s Grange is due for release on the 27th Jan – I’m so excited I can’t wait. It’s up for pre-order on Amazon already but soon you’ll be able to grab it in physical form as well. J
 
 

Hartley’s Grange – Links

 




 

Thanks for stopping by and if the Muse looks as if she’s about to do another runner – grab her for me before she gets away. ;)

 

Nicóle xx
 
 
 
Images from Fotolia
Cover – Allen & Unwin