Mountain Ash

Winter is Nearly Behind Us

Margareta-Admin — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 11:06:09 +0000

Winter is Nearly Behind Us

Margareta-Admin Wed, 24/08/2016 - 9:06 pm

All I can say is thank goodness, winter is nearly behind us. After the warmth of the Pilbara, this time last year, I can categorically say, ‘I loath and detest the southern winter.’ I am currently dreaming of sun and nice days. Thankfully I have been noticing the wattle is going mad, blazing a brilliant gold in both our paddocks and along the sides of the roads. This usually hails the impending arrival of Spring but I will be having some strong words with the weather if it doesn’t come true with that promise. I NEED SOME WARMTH UP HERE ON MY HILL!

The children have had me running ragged with sporting and school commitments, traveling up to a 1000km per week. My poor little car is nearly past its use by date, but it keeps on chugging, like ‘the little red engine that could.’ A zippy little diesel Peugeot known as ‘The Pug’, my car sometimes doubles as a ute. It has certain idiosyncrasies. On any day, only IT decides whether the boot will open. Or not. Whether the side windows go up, down. Or not. It hates frost and threatens to leave me at home if the ice is too thick. It has distinct ideas on whether it will allow me to drive over check-banks and to check hay-rings. Some days it wants to, other days no siree. There’s no rhyme nor reason and just quietly, 'The Pug' drives me nuts. I'm sure it's fickleness is to get back at me for taking it's classy, little European soul off the tar and along beaten bush tracks, down rocky hills and up grassy, cow poop covered slopes. But that's beside the point .... Deep down, I do love my little car - plus the fuel it saves on the long drives is amazing.

Lilac Planting in very deep holes!

I’ve been madly planting deciduous trees, camillas and roses this year. A gorgeous deep pink flowered Magnolia, is a highlight (please grow!) as is the potential of a light mauve lilac, similar to one my Grandmother used to have in her garden at the family homestead. I was cursing the lilac though. I swear I must have been close to China, I had to dig down so far to get the graft under the soil. A very strict nurseryman instructed me that was what I had to do, so after digging through a half foot of topsoil, followed by a half foot of stone, and then a foot of clay, I finally got deep enough. And that was after I’d rescued my wandering sheep from the grips of a buckled fence that decided enough was enough.

It was ‘a cup of tea to recover’ kind of morning, I can tell you

Hand Crafted Cattle Yard Panels!

Out in the shed, the boys are building panels for our new cattle yards. H never ceases to amaze me at his ability to build just about ANYTHING and the Farm Boy is following in Dad's footsteps very rapidly. They've made a jig to make the construction of the panels easier and soon we will move the whole operation up to the yard site. We've finalised the design and I can tell you, my little farming heart is fluttering with SO MUCH EXCITEMENT! (#onlyinthecountry ... )

In the office, the edits on LAKE HILL are coming along, and whilst I’m outside working in the garden or spraying weeds on the farm (which are popping up EVERYWHERE – maybe Spring and it’s warmth wasn’t such a good idea after-all …) ideas for the next two books are flying around in my mind. Well, except when I'm tackling boxthorn. All thoughts then have to be on the sharp barbs which persist in trying to tear me to shreds. As always, it’s a busy place both internally and externally around here!

Last week, I headed to a local primary school for the afternoon to chat with some children on the importance of reading, writing and editing. They were a great bunch of budding authors and had some awesome questions for me to answer!

Recently I was also involved in two book talks. One, a discussion alongside the gorgeous and very talented thriller author, Honey Brown, at the beautiful Readers Emporium Bookstore in Traralgon on the importance of our local bookstores, and the other, a talk to a large group of women involved with the Sale Probus Club. We chatted about the publishing process and the effort it takes from a vast variety of people to get novels onto the bookshelves.

Speaking of bookshelves, Better Reading would love you to nominate your all-time favourite book – and by voting, you could WIN the entire final list! That’s 100 BOOKS for your bookshelf. (Swoon … Don’t you adore a good book competition? I do!)

I’d love it if you felt like considering any of my books (Bella’s Run, Hope’s Road, Mountain Ash, or Rose River) for the list. But, if there is another novel you love above all others, please, by all means, vote away. ONE HUNDRED BOOKS … wouldn’t it be amazing if one of us won?!

Voting closes 31st of August 2016 at 5pm, and winners will be announced on the 9th of September 2016.

Voting is easy. Just click here: http://www.betterreading.com.au/top-100/

And speaking of winning books. A while back, before I went into winter hibernation for family reasons, we mentioned we had a beautiful and fascinating book to give away! It’s been sitting here patiently on my bookshelf, waiting for its new owner.

I’m absolutely delighted to let you all know that Freda Marnie Nicholl’s latest book, THE AMAZING MRS LIVESEY, has been won by DENISE GARTLAND. If you’d like to contact me via this link within the next 48 hours, with a delivery address, I’ll post your new book out.

Until next time,

Margareta

Tags

Winter

Lilac

Bella's Run

Hope's Road

We Have a Winner & Book Week

Margareta-Admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 23:19:18 +0000

We Have a Winner & Book Week

Margareta-Admin Fri, 05/09/2014 - 9:19 am

ROSE RIVER UPDATE

There was great excitement here on the Hill on Friday night! I finally heard back from my publisher to say she, LOVES my new book ROSE RIVER!!! The comments went like this, 'I love it! It's like Bridget Jones in the Bush! It's funny, charming and still maintains that obvious love for the country and country characters.'

WHOO HOO! I'm a happy, happy girl!

TULE PUBLISHING

This week I started a new novella which will be released in January by US Publisher Tule. I'm really excited about this project as it will be my first foray into the US. Aussie readers will be able to buy it too, so stay tuned for more information!

BOOK WEEK

Last week was that time of year which sometimes makes even the most creative mum squirm. Book Week. Two words, two syllables, enough to incite fear into every home (well, other than the word 'move' but that's another story entirely). You'd think being an author I'd get all excited, that my creative "genius" (Ha!) muse would go into overdrive. It doesn't. I put my head in my hands and wail, 'Why me?! Surely we're past all that now?' The children assure me we aren't finished until after Grade 6, which gives me another two years of 'what are we going to dress-up as, mum?' angst. Sheesh.

Thankfully this year The Farm Boy wanted to go as just that.

Thankfully this year The Farm Boy wanted to go as just that. A farmer with his working dog from the book he is currently reading WORKING DOG STORIES by Angela Goode and Mike Hayes. The lad pressure washed his old pedal John Deere tractor, removed the home made forks, clamped on the home-made bull bar, stuck his border collie puppet on the exhaust pipe, pulled on his ordinary farm clothes, slapped on his matching JD cap and he was set to go. Tick.

The Princess on the other hand, dithered between Dorothy from Oz (last years costume) and Milly from my book MOUNTAIN ASH. As we had a big MOVE (that other word which, if mentioned, is enough to have me cowering under the table) earlier in the year, the Dorothy costume could not be found anywhere in a shed still piled high with boxes and bags. Sigh. Milly it was. A flying trip to town unearthed an irridescent frog to take on the role of Ribbit (Milly's amphibious pet), which we sewed to an old shirt. A soft dog toy called Spot played Milly's dog 'Floss'. The lass donned her farm clothes, hauled on her new Ariat boots (anything to get them an outing {smiley} slapped on her Akubra and we were set to go. Tick

The Princess on the other hand, dithered between Dorothy from Oz (last years costume) and Milly from my book MOUNTAIN ASH.

Two words. Two ticks. And only two years to go ... YAY!

INJURIES

I managed to fall flat on my face and do a little bit of damage to my knee. Fortunately I was able to drive home although H and the eldest lad had to help me out of the LandCruiser and inside. Then they proceeded to slap a bag of Potato Gems on my poor, swollen leg saying, 'Well, Mum/Hon at least you won't go hungry.'

I managed to fall flat on my face and do a little bit of damage to my knee

MANSFIELD BOOK TALK

I also had a flying trip to Mansfield for a book talk at the local library with three of my writing buddies, Kate Belle, Jennifer Scoullar and Kathryn Ledson. Librarian Justine and her wonderful helpers made us feel so welcome!

Mansfield Panel

FARMING UP ON THE HILL

The chickens have arrived! We are the proud step-parents of 4 little yellow fluff balls! The kids are SO excited. Mother chook, not so much. She's still trying to work out why the other 6 eggs weren't going to hatch. Unfortunately they were infertile so they have now been taken away

(siteadmin / chook breeder - referred to in these parts as bomb disposal duty ... handle with care!) ... but at least we have four cheeping little chicks!

(siteadmin / chook breeder - utterly gorgeous Margareta - can't wait to see what they look like when they grow up!)

FATHER'S DAY

We spent the day with as much of my family that could make it (football grand finals notwithstanding - which, by the way, they WON! Go Will Osborn & mates!) at the family beach house. It was great fun and meant some time dangling some body parts in the freezing cold water. Me? My little finger. My daughter? Her whole self. Brrrrrr ...

WHAT I'M READING

The new Jack Reacher novel, PERSONAL, finally hit its straps about a third of the way in and I really enjoyed the rest of the book. I have now handed it onto H, who will read it once he's finished reading the manuscript of ROSE RIVER! (He's such a good husband {wink|} )

After dithering over which to read next, EVERGREEN FALLS by Kimberley Freeman or BIG LITTLE LIES by Liane Moriarty (I forgot I had that one!) I went with Liane's first. The reason? I met Liane's sister, Nicola Moriarty, also an author with Random House, in Sydney recently and we were discussing this book which Nicole Kidman has optioned for a movie. I had to read it.

And speaking of books to read, are you the winner of Kylie Ladd's new novel MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS?

I'd like to congratulate LAUREN McPHEE. Contact me ~here~ and I'll send your book out to you!

Until next time,

I'd just like to say Happy Father's Day to my Dad, because without him, I couldn't say this ...

Margareta x

Tags

Mothers and Daughters

Kylie Ladd

Mothers Day Present Dilemmas

Margareta — Tue, 06 May 2014 02:32:45 +0000

Mothers Day Present Dilemmas

Margareta Tue, 06/05/2014 - 12:32 pm

Mother's Day is fast coming upon us and I have been watching a couple of interesting conversations taking place on social media, concerning presents. Some mothers appear to want to be asked, 'What would you like for Mother's Day?' Others think the family should be able to come up with the answer to that question all on their own. Then you have the camp that have specific needs and wants and in all likelihood will secretly take back whatever they're given if it's the wrong item. And then there are those who count themselves lucky and shower blessings on children/husband's who may/or may not remember and acknowledge the event at al!

Which are you?Which is your mum/ mother-in-law/step-mother/grandmother (because sometimes they're sole mothers to their grandkids too)?Personally speaking I vary between numbers, 1, 2 and 4.

I have to say, regardless of what occasion it is, I MARGARETA OSBORN un-ashamably LOVE presents. I don't mind if I'm giving them or if I'm receiving them, but I just LOVE the whole present exchange thing and the pleasure that comes with giving/receiving a gift. I don't care whether it's handmade (in fact that makes it all the more special), bought or even borrowed (the 'big-arse tractor' for a days heavy-duty gardening comes to mind here), it's all in the fun of the gift.

This Mother's Day, I know I'm getting some chooks because I've organised that myself. Three actually. Plymouth Rock's. I'll post a photo when they arrive because I am SOOOO excited. I'm also rather desperately hoping the school my children attend has done their usual yearly creative present making exercise, because I adore anything made with love by my kids. (Yes, even those droopy clay creations that sometimes look like a mug.) I've also dropped a hint (or two or three ... ahem ...) to H that I'm hoping for a book, time curled up at my massive picture window overlooking the hills to read it, and if I'm really, reallly lucky, maybe a few secondhand parts (read windows/walls/doors/anything will do) for the building collection that's going to turn my writers shack into a reality. I'm 'fairly' confident of the book, but not so sure about the bibs and bobs though. He's a tad focused on building his 'big-arse machinery shed' at the moment. #writersshackunlikelyinnexttenyears

Anyway, at your house, if a present is the order of the day AND you're like me and would love a book. Do you want/need a suggestion of which one?

As I did at Easter, I thought I'd give you the heads up on a few friends of mine who have a rural book out on the shelves at the moment.

But ...

First, (she blushes here ...) you could consider giving my book MOUNTAIN ASH to someone you love? Here's the blurb in case you've forgotten ...

In matters of the heart she's playing with fire …

After years of struggling as a single mother, Jodie Ashton has given up on love and passion. What she craves now is security for herself and her beloved daughter Milly. And marriage to widower Alex McGregor, the owner of the prosperous Glenevelyn cattle station in the East Gippsland mountains, will certainly offer that. If only he wasn’t so much older and so controlling.

Needing space to decide her future, Jodie reluctantly agrees to a girls-only weekend at the Riverton rodeo . . .

Meanwhile, stockman Nate McGregor vows off women, after his latest one-night stand costs him his job in the Northern Territory. Perhaps it’s time to head back to his family home, Glenevelyn, to check out for himself the ‘gold-digger’ his father seems determined to marry.

But first, on his way through Riverton, he plans to stop off at a rodeo.

Two lives are about to collide in one passionate moment – with devastating results . . .

Alternatively we have Cathryn Hein with ROCKING HORSE HILL

Who do you trust when a stranger threatens to tear your family apart?

Ever since she was a little girl, Emily Wallace-Jones has loved Rocking Horse Hill. The beautiful family property is steeped in history. Everything important in Em's life has happened there. And even though Em's brother Digby has inherited the property, he has promised Em it will be her home for as long as she wishes.

When Digby falls in love with sweet Felicity Townsend, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, Em worries about the future. But she is determined not to treat Felicity with the same teenage snobbery that tore apart her relationship with her first love, Josh Sinclair. A man who has now sauntered sexily back into Em's life and given her a chance for redemption.

But as Felicity settles in, the once tightly knitted Wallace-Jones family begins to fray. Suspicions are raised, Josh voices his distrust, and even Em's closest friends question where Felicity's motives lie. Conflicted but determined to make up for the damage caused by her past prejudices, Em sides with her brother and his fiancée until a near tragedy sets in motion a chain of events that will change the family forever.

Or Rachael Johns' OUTBACK BLAZE

Ruby wasn't looking for love, Drew wasn't looking to stay...until they found each other. Can their fling survive the darkness of Ruby's past and Drew's desire to move on?

Ruby Jones was always an optimist, but the trauma of her past had made her wary. So when she flees to the small rural community of Bunyip Bay to start afresh, she has her sights firmly set on establishing her horse-riding business and rebuilding her life. The last thing Ruby wants is a romance. In fact, after all she has been through, she can't imagine she will ever believe in love again.

Police officer Drew Noble has no intention of staying in Bunyip Bay - he is just an outsider seeking temporary refuge. But as the charm of the town sways him, Drew finds himself increasingly drawn to the community and its inhabitants, as well as another newcomer, the lovely Ruby Jones.

When Drew investigates a suspicious fire at Ruby's parents' business, he finds himself feeling strangely protective of the girl with the flowers in her hair. As the details of Ruby's past emerge and she comes once more under threat, Drew realises he will do all in his power to save her.

Soon these outsiders discover they have both lost their hearts - not only to the town but to each other.

And Alissa Callen with BENEATH OUTBACK SKIES

A captivating rural romance featuring an indomitable young woman determined to save her family farm, and the city-boy who is not all he seems...

Paige Quinn will let nothing and no one distract her from caring for her wheelchair-bound father, Connor, and fighting for her remote, drought-stricken property, Banora Downs. Least of all a surprise farm-stay guest named Tait Cavanaugh, whose smooth words are as lethal as his movie-star smile.

Except Paige can't help noticing that, for a city-boy, Tait seems unexpectedly at home on the land. And he does ask a lot of questions…

It doesn't matter how much he helps out or how much laughter he brings into her life, she soon suspects he is harbouring a big secret – the real reason he has come to Banora Downs…

All these rural books, receiving fabulous reviews, are hitting the shelves in time for Mother's Day.

Fiona Palmer also has a new release, a young adult novel called THE RECRUIT (available as an eBook only). You could gift a voucher?

From one of Australia’s Queens of Romance comes the debut in a brand new YA series about secrets, strengths, and what lies beneath the surface.

Jasmine Thomas may not be completely normal, but she’s a pretty typical seventeen-year-old girl. She hates the rich mean kids, loves her best friends, and can’t wait to get out of school each day. Her spare time is spent at The Ring — a boxing gym where she practically grew up — learning karate, boxing and street fighting. So, yeah, Jaz can kick some major butt.

Life seems pretty normal until the day Ryan Fletcher enters her gym…mysterious and hot with heaps of bad boy charm. Sure, she checks him out. Who wouldn’t? But what doesn’t show on his gorgeous abs are secrets and lies that dominate his very grown-up world. Now Jaz has to figure out just how far she is willing to go to know more. Could Ryan really be offering the life-fulfilling life path she’s always dreamed of?

The first in the MTG Agencies series.

I asked these lovely girls what they'd like, or like to give, for Mother's Day.

Cathryn Hein responded with, 'My mum has Alzheimer's and lives interstate, which makes Mother's Day hard. The phone is difficult because it is so easy for her to forget who she's talking to. The trick I've learned is to say 'Mum' as much as I can. So that will be my Mother's Day gift to mum. The reminder that she has a daughter she loves and who loves her.'

How beautiful is that?

Rachael Johns, a mother to three 'hero's in training' had this to say, ' I'd like to spend Mother's Day with my boys but I'm going to be in America this Mother's Day and we're all a bit sad about this. What I might give my mother (I hope she doesn't read this Rach!) is one of those electric blanket throw rugs as I adore my electric blanket and her house is VERY cold in Winter.'

Nice.

Fiona Palmer would 'like a good book and time to read it!'

A girl after my own heart.

While Alissa Callen told me, 'I'd love my older kids to be home from boarding school and to have a special family dinner that I didn't have to cook. I'd also love plenty of chocolate, my weekend washing to do itself and a quiet hour to curl up with a book.'

Ahhh... it all sounds divine, doesn't it.

Flipping sideways for a minute now ... (if you know me well enough, you'll know my brain is not geared for straight line thinking ...)

Another heart warming read to consider for Mother's Day is a delightful new release from Deborah O'Brien (who brought us, MR CHEN'S EMPORIUM). Although not specifically 'chook lit' (good Lord, did I just use that term?), this one could easily jostle for space on your rural shelf. (Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know you guys all have a rural shelf that's as jam packed as mine {smiley}).

A PLACE OF HER OWN has the most gorgeous cover. (I am having a serious case of 'jealous cover love' over this one. I have no particular idea why, it just warms my soul.)

A compelling novel of starting over from the author of Mr Chen's Emporium. Eighteen months ago Angie Wallace thought her world had ended. Now she's fighting off suitors – and facing a crisis she never saw coming . . .

‘Unrequited love hurt like hell – whether you were fifteen or fifty-something.'

Following the death of her beloved husband Phil, Angie has made a new life for herself in the enchanting gold rush town of Millbrooke. The proud proprietor of the Old Manse B&B and a fierce protector of local history, her transition from ‘blow-in' to bona fide Millbrooker is complete.
She's even fallen for the erudite but scruffy Richard Scott, owner of Millerbrooke House.

But just as the relationship between Angie and Richard seems to be blossoming, a woman from his past arrives back in town – and turns their world upside down.

Because Diana Goodmann isn't all she seems, and when Angie vows to unearth the truth about her rival she finds herself a long way from home - and in very grave danger.

Regardless if you manage to get over the line presentwise or not, from me to you, I sincerely hope you have a beautiful and happy Mother's Day surrounded by all those you love.

With love

M xo

Tags

Beneath Outback Skies

Farm World 2014 Wrap Up

Margareta-Admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 02:06:35 +0000

Farm World 2014 Wrap Up

Margareta-Admin Fri, 04/04/2014 - 1:06 pm

Farm World at Lardner Park Warragul, one of the biggest farm field days in the country, is over for another year and this little black duck has taken a week to get over it!

You would have read my earlier post about getting the stall set up, and what with all those reversing van problems I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the stall itself until day 1 …

Everything nicely filled up our fabulous corner site of 3m X 3m. Which I guess kind of meant you couldn't really miss us, and it was fabulous to catch up with so many wonderful readers of books (whoever said reading is dead!).

Maybe it was the proximity of all those wonderful tractors (I'm easily distracted by tractors), but to be honest I felt really lucky to be signing what felt like tractor loads of books.

By the end of the event it kind of felt like I might need a bigger tractor (or at least that was my excuse for the fond gazing and sighing that was going on beside this beauty!).

Sigh. Sorry... where was I - oh that's right Farm World - stall. Books.

The very best part of the entire field days was the number of lovely people that dropped in to say hello and agreed to be photographed with me and their copy of Mountain Ash.

But I love signing novels and talking about books, and farming, and country life in general, and I signed and signed, until all my special signing pens were out of ink ...

And I nearly (okay, well only nearly) ran out of puff with talking ... stop laughing. I do stop talking sometimes.

Anyway ... thank heavens my father (who, after trying every pen he could in Officeworks, found me the most awesome, free flowing scribing apparatus an author could wish for) stocked me up with refills (he’s such a good Dad).

It was so humbling to listen to all the enthusiasm from readers for Australian rural books.

Hearing people enthuse over the fact these are stories they can relate to, and then, when they add they also love a book with an infusion of ‘delicious romance’. (I think one fellow - a repeat buyer - described them as delightfully saucy!), well I had to go and have an ice-cream after that conversation.

Which of course led to tractors, although these were tiny model ones for my son (who takes after his father in the ‘I love tractors’ department) Isn’t this old truck totally cool?!

Oops … distractions again …

Which speaking of distractions, each year I have an Alpaca come to visit me. Eli started out coming to my stall as a baby (bottle fed by his owner, Jenny, from the age of 3 days, so he thinks Jenny is his mother). He came back last year just after I’d been drenched by a downpour of rain (note the ‘hat hair’) …

And he was back again this year to buy his book and trying very unsuccessfully to hide his grown-up body behind Jenny, but I was so excited about patting him and saying hello I forgot to take a photo! (massive head slap!)

We were also extremely fortunate, again, to have the Gippsland Country Life Magazine supporting a fabulous competition for those who bought MOUNTAIN ASH at the field days.

So without further ado and if you'd just sound a bit of a drumroll in your heads the winners of the five 12 month subscriptions to the absolutely gorgeous Gippsland Country Life magazine were:

Rosie Harris, Ballangeich
Kim Berklemans, Toongabbie
Brenda Nicholls, Bairnsdale
Kate Reedy, Cranbourne South
Evelyn Hogg, Leongatha

The winners have been contacted and can expect to receive their first Gippsland Country Life magazine in time for winter.

Many thanks to all who entered the competition and massive congratulations to the winners, you will adore this stunning ‘home-grown’ coffee table magazine.

~~~~

It's been a busy year so far, what with manuscript timeframes, buying and moving properties and releasing MOUNTAIN ASH, but events like Farm World remind me of your eagerness to read ‘my kind’ of books which just refuels my zest for writing.

And so it was with an exhausted but very light heart that I called into the very cute Cowwarr store on the way home for a ‘lolly stop’…

My little bag of jubes were a celebration of sorts to say ‘here’s cheers’ to the next book and another Farm World to look forward to next year.

A massive thank you goes to the wonderful people of Gippsland for their incredible support of a locally born and bred author. Your generous and enthusiastic support for me and my books never fails to move me.

I sincerely want to thank you all.

Tags

Farm World

2014

Mountain Ash

Mountain Ash Book Tour

Farm World 2014

Margareta-Admin — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 02:18:52 +0000

Farm World 2014

Margareta-Admin Thu, 27/03/2014 - 1:18 pm

It’s Farm World at Lardner Park time, one of the biggest farm field days in the country, which, for me, means four days of fabulous fun talking to readers of my books.

But to do this we have to set up our site first.

First on the list of things to do was to borrow ‘The Van’.

‘The Van’ is a Mercedes Vito and it belongs to our eldest son. It’s the modern day version of the old ‘sin-bin’ and usually holds a motorbike, surfboard, water ski, snow board and his lovely girlfriend – sometimes all at the same time {smiley}

So, after he emptied out his gear, we loaded ours into the back of the van. This means all the ‘props’ for the stall including two of my horse’s bales of hay plus bridle, my driza-bone, my stock-whip, my Akubra (and my Dad then quipped, ‘and you.’ He’s such a smarty-pants.) Add to the props boxes and boxes of books …

… giveaways, the beautiful table and chairs that H made for the last Farm World site, and all sorts of stuff to make the next four days enjoyable (tea, bickies, chocolate...) and that van was FULL.

So we set off, H and I, on our trip down to Warragul with H bemoaning the fact he couldn’t find reverse on the van. ‘I’ve tried to throw the gearstick hard left, hard right and I just can’t find it!’ (And this is coming from a man who’s a wizard with anything mechanical.)

I say, in response, ‘Well, I’m sure if you come across to the left, push down hard and jiggle it a bit, you'll find reverse. Or maybe it’s to the right? I’m not exactly positive which way it goes but that’s how you do it.’ (And this is coming from a woman whose brain goes straight to white noise the minute anyone says the word ‘mechanical’ or ‘pump’.)

So we arrive at the field days site, which I might add is MASSIVE. Acres and acres of tractors, motorbikes, machinery, cattle-yards, cattle, sheep, alpacas – you name it in farming, and I reckon you’ll find an example at Farm World.

We drive into the big shed where our site is, to unload. H says to me, ‘We’ll have to find a way out forwards. You know, the backing thing …’ I say, ‘Why don’t you just try my suggestion?’ He says, ‘I tried it all at home.’ So we unload and set up the stand, battling with winds coming through the shed doors and threatening to blow our gear all the way to heaven. (I can just see Saint Peter sitting up there at the Pearly Gates reading MOUNTAIN ASH. Not.)

It comes time to leave. We can’t go forwards because there is another van in the way. The only way out of the joint is backwards.

‘Okay you get in and try backing it,’ says H with a grin obviously fully expecting me to fail with a capital F.

So I got in, closed my eyes a second and just trusted my instincts. Let my hands do the talking without me instructing my brain to do anything. Pushed that gear stick hard to the left, down and jiggled it a bit …

Lo and behold, we went straight into reverse.

The look on H’s face was priceless! The grin on my face was the result of utter delight. Soooo … he then made me back all the way out of the shed, (with a crowd of people watching – meany!) and manoeuvre around numerous other vans and cars all within spitting distance (just a little spit too!), just to see how smart I really was.

I’m proud to say I did it. And H had to buy me a quick lunch at the pub on the way home as a result. It’s not too often I get one up on my beloved husband and I was going to work it for all it was worth! {wink}

So now, at Site No. 17 in the General Interest Pavilion, we are selling books, signing books, chatting about books … along with farming and kids and dogs and horses and lack of rain and everything else we all talk about on these four days. (We need some new cattle yards and as you can almost do a degree in cattle yard design, if you’re into yards please come talk to me about that too {cool})

Hope I see you here!

Tags

Farm World

2014

Mountain Ash

Mountain Ash Book Tour

Mountain Ash Book Tour in Queensland 2014

Margareta-Admin — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 04:48:33 +0000

Mountain Ash Book Tour in Queensland 2014

Margareta-Admin Tue, 18/03/2014 - 3:48 pm

Dusk over Lake Glenmaggie last Sunday night, and I was busily packing for my Mountain Ash book tour to southern Queensland.

Kids school uniforms laid out for the week, cakes for five days to satisfy the men at smoko, enough dog & cat food to satisfy those with four legs, the list was endless.

At the airport the following afternoon, I managed to find my book. You cannot imagine how exciting it is to see it up on the shelf. Gets me everytime.

I landed in Brisbane just in time to see what Melbourne really wished they had … and I know they’re trying but I think Brissie has it covered 150%.

My publicist then introduced me to the new Margareta phenomena, ‘Grills’. Oh. My. God. Have you tasted their chips? Seriously to die for. You must cuddle them to you and emphatically say 'Mine, mine, mine!'

After a lovely sleep in the hugest bed I have ever seen, it was off to Redlands Library at Victoria Point. The library staff put a huge amount of effort into promoting my visit.

A whole bunch of delightful people came to hear me talk.

Then it was time to visit beautiful Wynnum where they count their steps all over town. What a great idea!

Hervey Bay was our next stop and as we arrived in the dark, imagine my cry of surprise when the next morning I opened my curtains to see …

Spectacular, hey?!

If I ever take the family back we are getting one of these rooms. The kids would be in seventh heaven!

The delightful ladies from Mary Ryan’s bookstore along with the accommodating and lovely people from the Hervey Library hosted my talk …

And again I was privileged to speak with some devout fans of Australian fiction.

Time to hit the road again and point the bonnet towards Bundaberg. BUT … my publicist (who was driving) revealed a secret. Just out of Childers there is this intriguing sign.

‘No, Jess! No way am I voluntarily going anywhere near snakes!’ says the tough bushie to the more refined city slicker.

Jess (aka the city slicker) ignored me and turned anyway.

‘ARGH! Don’t do it to me!’

Drove right past …

And turned into …

And. OH. MY. GOD. There is something better than Grills chips. It’s Mammino Gourmet Ice-Cream! It is so divine it’s sinful. And look at all the flavours. So hard to choose …

ade on site with the owners own sugar cane and yummy macadamias. (The 'Red Dirt' - Jaffa Macadamia was mine.)

Ahem. But moving right along (lest you think all I think about is my taste buds …)

And we hit Bundaberg. And yes, the brewery was the first stop. C’mon. My husband LOVES his rum and he deserved a present. What could I do? What could I say? Really?

Bundaberg was where I met some lovely Facebook friends and more avid readers of rural fiction. Sue Stirrat and Vanessa Hair, it was wonderful to meet you.

And I was also lucky enough to chat with a delightful young lady whose dream it is to become a published author. Sent me back a year or two or three.

The next morning we headed back towards Childers where the redness of their volcanic soil once again blew my breath away. Blue sky, green sugar cane and rich rust-claret coloured soil. Simply stunning. And of course, as we passed through this quaint old town we saw another Mammino Ice-cream store.

And just had to stop. The sorbet, I can assure you, is amazing.

As were the gorgeous ladies of Childers. Despite juggling media interviews, I got to sign lots of books.

And chat about the conditions these stoic farmers are going through. It’s one thing to read about the heart breaking drought which has left 79% of Queensland drought declared, but it is another to see the conditions they are experiencing with your own eyes. I have never felt undergrowth so crunchy underfoot, nor seen such bared out paddocks and dry dams in a long, long time.

Onto the last stop of our whirlwind Qld tour – Kingaroy – where the crowd were warm, welcoming and so responsive. Voiced by a delightful lady at the Kingaroy library, was the question which was apparently on everyone’s minds, ‘Where did you get your jeans?’

I think I’m going to live in Kingaroy in my next life. They appreciate a nice pair of Ariats as much as we East Gippslanders. (Turquoise Rosario – lurex embroidery on front and back pockets with rhinestone embellishes – they’re fabulously blingy {cool})

Despite the dreadful conditions they are experiencing in this part of Australia, I found the people who came to my talks warm, friendly and utterly absorbed in the half hour talks I gave. The tone and emphasis of our discussions shifted from place to place but the topics which remained constant over the days of the tour were, ‘Where did you get your inspiration for MOUNTAIN ASH? How do you write? Why do you write? And most of all, we love reading Australian fiction. Please keep on writing.’

After once again experiencing such enthusiasm for my kind of books, I certainly intend to. Thank you Queensland for having me. I had the best time.

And being rather good...

You also gave me the bet piece of advice I could pass onto my 20-year-old son.

Love it.

M x

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Mountain Ash Book Tour

Queensland

Collins Booksellers - Mountain Ash is No 3!

Margareta-Admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:37:42 +0000

Collins Booksellers - Mountain Ash is No 3!

Margareta-Admin Tue, 11/03/2014 - 10:37 am

Mountain Ash is Number 3 on Collins Booksellers Australia and I couldn't be more chuffed, thrilled, teary, touched and excited.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all my lovely lovely readers and to all those wonderful Collins Booksellers! http://www.collinsbooks.com.au/

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Collins Booksellers

Mountain Ash Launch Night

Margareta-Admin — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 00:45:58 +0000

Mountain Ash Launch Night

Margareta-Admin Fri, 28/02/2014 - 11:45 am

MOUNTAIN ASH is officially launched! Ya HOO! Over 100 people joined me last night at Duart Homestead, Maffra to celebrate the release of my third print novel. And what an evening it was too!

First up I had to get my hair done, which is always a laugh as one of my best mates (Sandra) is the woman in charge of making me presentable on such occasions. As it is a well-known fact amongst my friends, I am absolutely hopeless with hair, it was quite hilarious Sandra let me loose with a curling gadget to curl her hair for the evening to come.

All coiffured and hair-sprayed to within an inch of my life, it was homeward bound to dress for the big night. Add makeup, jewellery, painted toes …

... and we were ready to go!

Our daughter was excited.

There were over 100 people packed into the homestead’s reception room.

The food was absolutely delicious.

The guests were out to have a great time.

Meanwhile in Singapore, our friends were having a party of their own on my behalf.

A beautiful cake …

Back in Australia …

Celine Foenander from ABC Gippsland and I perched up on a pair of bar stools, and proceeded to have an even better time!

We spoke ‘in conversation’ about MOUNTAIN ASH, and it was enough to tease yet not give all the twists and turns away. Some of the topics we covered included the characters, inspirations for the story, how I researched different aspects of the novel. Celine was just fantastic and really knew the story having read the book and ‘loved it!’ (She said that. True!)

Sometimes I let my hands do the talking.

Sometimes I forgot I was sitting in front of so many people. (Phew! We got through that bit without mentioning the sex scenes.)

And sometimes I was trying to be serious … but obviously it wasn’t working.

Two happy ladies after the event, delighted the ‘in conversation’ had been received so well. Can I say again just how fabulous Celine was?

Signing, signing, signing up to twelve books for the same customer! My fellow Gippslanders really support their home-grown authors!

Me with MOUNTAIN ASH along with my stunning new banner courtesy of my very talented graphic designer, Cathy along with Dee at James Yeates Printers.

And here I am with the wonderful and supportive owners and staff of Collins Booksellers, Sale who organised the night – Trevor & Liz Watt along with Jayne Weatherley and Tanya Lawrence. Thank you so much!

The stunning bouquet of flowers my gorgeous friend Andrea gave me to celebrate the arrival of my third novel, MOUNTAIN ASH into the world.

The night of MOUNTAIN ASH’s release was truly one of my life’s most memorable occasions.

Thank you to all who attended, laughed and celebrated with me. Thank you to all who commented and sent their best wishes. Thank you to Celine Foenander who was one of the best interviewers I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Thank you to my gorgeous husband and children who support me in this crazy life.

Thank you to one and all.

I sincerely hope you love my new novel, MOUNTAIN ASH.

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Launch

Signed Mountain Ash Giveaway Winner

Margareta — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 00:19:40 +0000

Signed Mountain Ash Giveaway Winner

Margareta Fri, 28/02/2014 - 11:19 am

Thank you so much for all your enthusiasm for the launch of MA. We had a fabulous night. There's a blog post to follow with pics so if you're interested keep an eye out for that or come back to my site later today (it takes a while to load the pictures!)

In the meantime, we'd like to announce the winner of the signed copy of MOUNTAIN ASH is Lyn Heffernan. Congratulations Lyn! Contact us here, and we'll have your signed copy in the post for you.

MOUNTAIN ASH has hit iBooks if you're looking to download to your kindle/iPad/iPhone/Kobo etc - here's some links to get you there:

Kindle

iTunes

Kobo

For all the print book lovers (like me!), it should be available at a good bookstore near you during the next few days. It's already in Gippsland (and I hope Allie doesn't mind - I've "borrowed" her picture of the first copy of Mountain Ash sold in Bairnsdale!) and W.A. from accounts.

Where are you going to find your copy? If you'd like to, send us a pic of you and your book, MOUNTAIN ASH, and we'll post it.

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Giveaway

Where Do You Write?

Margareta-Admin — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:58:55 +0000

Where Do You Write?

Margareta-Admin Thu, 14/02/2013 - 11:58 am

Nothing like the old country footy oval, and a spot under the trees whilst my son's at Training!

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Writing

Where Do You Write

Mountain Ash

Winter is Nearly Behind Us

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We Have a Winner & Book Week

ROSE RIVER UPDATE

TULE PUBLISHING

BOOK WEEK

INJURIES

MANSFIELD BOOK TALK

FARMING UP ON THE HILL

FATHER'S DAY

WHAT I'M READING

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Mothers Day Present Dilemmas

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Farm World 2014 Wrap Up

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Farm World 2014

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Mountain Ash Book Tour in Queensland 2014

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Collins Booksellers - Mountain Ash is No 3!

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Mountain Ash Launch Night

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Signed Mountain Ash Giveaway Winner

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Where Do You Write?

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