Season of Shadow and Light

Making a fashion statement ...

Margareta-Admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 02:19:31 +0000

Making a fashion statement ...

Margareta-Admin Wed, 03/06/2015 - 12:19 pm

Welcome to Winter!

Posh New Boots!

Brrrrrr ... oh my golly gosh, hasn't it been cold! I swear, on Monday, I couldn't feel my feet ALL DAY! This necessitated a rather radical move. A supremely radical move seeing this family is a 'Redback' workboot family. I went out and bought myself a new pair of work boots! I know ... I know ... such a sacrifice seeing, for me, boots are kinda like books and chocolate - you can never have enough. (Don't tell H I said that. He still doesn't know how many books I actually OWN thanks to a revolving mobile library system that ensures a lot of my novels are out on loan to friends :)). BUT, cold feet? Not an option. Wet feet? Not an option. Uncomfortable - "I surely hope I don't have to trudge up another hill in these bloody boots" - feet. Not an option. And soooooo ... I went and had intense discussions with the lovely Sue at The Stable Door in Sale. Found the pair of boots I have been coverting for the past FIFTEEN years have gotten better and better. SO I sucked it up, and bought a pair. And OH MY LORD, are these things like walking on clouds of soft, fluffy, waterproof bits of nothing. I am in HEAVEN I tell you. Absolute boot heaven. Thank you Ariat, once again. Your Terrain boots are like salted caramel Tim Tams and a Monica McInerney book all wrapped up in a heated, fluffy towel.

Chic!

So this morning's fashion statement is brought to you by a bag of second hand clothes from a friend (flannie shirt), Mountain Design Outlet store (puffer vest and bargin rack men's shell jacket), Murray Goulburn (Farmtech Milking vest), Ariat (jeans albeit rather worn and ripped), Fever (yummy scarf), my lovely Auntie Denise (hand knitted blue beanie) and Ariat again - my NEW BOOTS! Aren't they just the trick! Only thing is, the laces are going to drive me nuts but its a small price to pay for comfort.

So whilst many other of your favourite authors may look like they've walked off the cover of the Australian Women's Weekly, Australian Country Style or even Vogue, this author isn't one of them. Just ask the locals. Although, in saying that, I did just get some rather divine author photo's taken and thanks to my goregous stylist Ms Sandra who always makes me feel a million dollars, and a very talented and delightful photographer, Angela Landua, from Danae Images in Traralgon, they didn't turn out too bad. I'll show you next week!

New Book

I started writing a new book this week. Are you excited? I'm excited. After a while of nothing talking in my head (it was truly getting rather depressing just listening to my OWN thoughts) I've now got two books on the go which isn't good for my brain as I don't know which one's talking to me at any one time. When I get 'that book look" (as my family call it) my daughter has taken to asking me, 'Which one is it, mum?' Apparently 'the look' then turns blank. I just hope I don't get my Lake Grace's and Pilbara's mixed up.

The Packing Pile

Packing

Despite spending last week thinking I was dying of the flu which necessitated a few days in bed (I know! It was that bad!), we are getting organised to leave for the Pilbara. The LandCruiser could be forgiven for thinking it's having a birthday what with new tyres, mechanical repairs and things that were falling off all secured back on. The heavy duty trailer has also got in on the act with new bearings and such. A dog box is now made and ready for the kelpie complete with roll up blinds should he get a bit hot. All very flash and fancy.

My floor is starting to disappear as I make piles of stuff on the 'must go' list. I'm getting to that point where I'm looking at it all and starting to subtract items (the "it really doesn't HAVE to go pile") because I know from past experience, it just won't fit. And it's actually quite amazing just what little 'stuff' you really need in order to live. That said, H and I have bought new sleeping bags for our swags as the old ones really were on their last legs. Busted zippers, rips and tears - I'm afraid the last trip across the Simpson Desert on the roofrack, finally did them in. My new sleeping bag is pink, which has the Princess throwing it all sorts of looks and I'm guessing if it goes missing, I'll find it in HER swag!

In cooking this week ...

You have to go to http://lilluna.com/creamy-swiss-chicken-bake/ and make this! Oh my, what a simple and absolutely delicious recipe ( and superb for this long weekend). Preparation takes about 5-10 minutes and then whack it in the oven to let the heat do the rest. Perfect if you need to go back outside to feed the animals in the evening - it cooks while you're getting everything else fed and settled for the night. The best kind of recipe, I think.

What I'm reading ...

I have just finished Robert Schofield's MARBLE BAR, a very enjoyable read, with lots of action and all set in the Pilbara where we are heading. Very timely. I'm half-way through a new book by Milly Johnson called THE TEASHOP ON THE CORNER. It's a very light read so while I was sick, just the book I needed as I couldn't concentrate on what I was saying let alone what I was reading!

I also have a treat in store for myself that I've been keeping for our trip across Australia. Tony Parson's latest book, RETURN TO MOONDILLA, came out a little while ago and it's been sitting on my bedside table waiting for a 'holiday' where I can just sit and read (a week across Australia should account for that). Touted by Tony's publisher (Allen & Unwin) as the Father of Australian rural fiction, I would have to whole-heartedly agree. I have always revered Tony after a) reading his CALL OF THE HIGH COUNTRY fiction series which was my second introduction (after Di Morrissey's 'Heart of the Dreaming') to the then embryonic genre and because b) he is a renown working dog breeder and trainer who established one of the top kelpie studs in Australia, 'Karrawarra'. In fact, he was awarded an OAM for his contribution to the propagation of the Australian kelpie. Now in his 80's Tony is still writing, and this is another action packed novel set in rural Australia that will appeal to fans of crime and romance.

The blurb:

Return to Moondilla tells the story of a former journalist, Greg Baxter, who's recently returned to the area he grew up in (Moondilla, inspired by the NSW South Coast) to finish what he hopes will be a best selling novel. Far from being able to concentrate on his novel, however, the successful , handsome writer and martial arts expert is subjected to the attention of some attractive women, including the feisty doctor he once had a crush on. He also finds himself drawn into a police investigation of a lcoal drug-dealing syndicate; After an attempt on his life, and with his trusty German Shepherd, Chief, at his side, Baxter realises his days will be numbered unless he can help the police break the drug ring open...

I spoke with Tony after the release of his new book and here's what we chatted about ...

What was the inspiration for this book:

The pointlessness of drugs and of one man's stand against their use. I had some experience with martial arts a long time ago and used this as a kind of spearpoint for the story. After all their heroics and the development of a virgin country I hate to see Australians involved in drugs. I've said this fairly forcefully in the Prologue of Moondilla.

How it's the same/different to his CALL OF THE HIGH COUNTRY series (which I ADORED by the way)?

Moondilla is quite different to the High Country books. I left Penguin because they wanted to 'box' me in to rural type books and I didn't want to be boxed in. I'd written thousands of articles and transcribed complex material to simpler language when I was with the ag/vet companies (plus written radio/TV commercials) so I was confident I could extend the scope of my writing. 'Back to the Pilliga' was a breakaway novel to a certain extent and 'Return to Moondilla' is a further departure where the bush is replaced by a river and coastal town plus, of course, the drugs. The manuscript of the next novel is with A & U and it's quite different again.

Is the move towards a suspense story something you've always longed to do?

I wouldn't say the move ... is something I've always wanted to do. I regard myself as a storyteller and I think it's important to stretch oneself into new fields. Having said that I've got enormous admiration for Agatha Christie and her crime novels. I would very much like to be able to write something as good as hers. My children's book 'The Bird Smugglers of Mountain View' is another rural suspense story. It's in most of the schools up here and John Williamson likes it a lot and says it should be in every school. He's a bird lover too.

The Lad and his "Boy"

Purely personal, do you still have a keen interest in working dogs? And why the kelpie, not the border collie?

I don't breed Kelpies now. I had 70 years with Kelpies and I think I've done enough in that field. I wrote four books on the Kelpie , The last is a 700 page book which is regarded as the best book on the breed ever written. It's $150 in the shops but it has sold well around the world. Nearly every good working Kelpie has my Karrawarra blood in it.

Why the Kelpie?

It's (with the Cattle dog) Australia's national dog. It has had a greater influence generally than Border Collies even though BCs do better in trial work.

What's next for Tony Parsons?

I would have to be excessively optimistic to look too far ahead regards future books. I'm 84 and I'm assured not many people my age are still writing novels. There's the manuscript at A & U and it's set in the Glasshouse Mountains. It's quite different but I like it a lot. It refers to the demise of the Kabi people with the onset of white civilisation. I wrote some songs for this story one of which was in collaboration with one of my lovely granddaughters. Beyond that is the biggest novel I've written which I am in the process of rewriting. It's the story of the search for a Nazi war criminal. I did a tremendous amount of research for this book and I hope I live to see it published. There's others in first draft but whether I ever get to them or would want to by then, I couldn't say. I don't have my old energy and the body isn't what it was.

Thanks Tony, and good luck with your new book!

In other rural book news ...

Helene Young is touring the east coast with her new novel, NORTHERN HEAT which is on bookshelves now.

Jenn J. McLeod (SEASON OF SHADOW & LIGHT), Tricia Stringer (HEART OF THE COUNTRY) and Karen Davis crime writer - DEADLY OBSESSION) have also been wandering around NSW for 12 days in a bus with BETTER READING, promoting their new books and having one heck of a good time.

Arriving in June is also my friend, Pamela Cook's newest rural novel, CLOSE TO HOME.

These great books just keep on coming ...

Until next week, I'll keep packing and you guys keep reading and stay warm.

Margareta x

Jenn J Mcleod on her new book Season of Shadow and Light

Margareta-Admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 05:38:41 +0000

Jenn J Mcleod on her new book Season of Shadow and Light

Margareta-Admin Thu, 16/04/2015 - 3:38 pm

Today I'd like to welcome, Jenn J McLeod to the Voice of the bush. Jenn is a friend of mine who I met through Romance Writer's of Australia. Recently she and her partner sold up their property and fulfilled a lifelong dream of buying a Winnebago and are now writing their way around Australia. I am so envious of all the pictures of the glrious beaches they visit posted on Facebook. What a way to live your life!

Jenn is also the author of three books, House for All Seasons, Simmering Season and now Season of Shadow and Light. She's here today to tell us more about her new book and to give you the opportunity to win all three!

Take it away Jenn ...

The Seriousness of a Smile

Just look at that photo of you, Margareta! You have the best smile, which is why I’m here talking smiles today. The other reason is because one of my Season of Shadow and Light characters, Paige, has a few unusual issues to overcome. Her smile is one.

While researching this story I learned a lot about our little mood metre. Did you know, for example, there is nothing straight-forward about a smile? Genuine or forced, a smile requires considerable muscle activity.

Paige learns this one day from ‘rehab guy’ while he’s manipulating her muscles (and she’s wishing she wasn’t too old—and too married—to take advantage of lovely Lance with the long fingers. Poor Paige sure could do with a lift given what I put her through in this novel.) When it seems everything she trusts is beginning to betray her, she leaves her husband at home and sets off on a road trip with six year old Matilda and Nana Alice in tow. But stranded amid rising floodwaters, on a detour to the tiny town of Coolabah Tree Gully, Paige discovers the greatest betrayal of all happened there twenty years earlier and that someone knows that truth can wash away the darkest shadows. The question is…

Are some secrets best kept for the sake of others?

With three early industry reviews already in, I am super excited about this story of secrets and love, family loyalty and trust—the kind that takes years to build but only seconds to wash away.

I reckon these reviews are better than chocolate. This one has me grinning from ear to ear.

“Jenn J McLeod delivers her best yet – a winning story of self-discovery, acceptance, renewal and coming home, in a distinctively Australian setting.” http://www.writenotereviews.com

Speaking of chocolate and grins . . . Did you know a smile will trigger your brain’s reward mechanism in a way that not even chocolate can, with some research suggesting you’ll get more pleasure from smiling than from eating 2,000 bars of chocolate. (Ahh, I truly doubt that!) But, as smiling also results in the production of endorphins, or happy hormones—just like exercise does—I’m thinking, Margareta, our smiling while writing could be considered exercise. Therefore the occasional bar of chocolate definitely won’t hurt. Right?

Children smile 400 times a day on average, so researchers suggest you will feel happier around children. (Hmm? Not sure about that one either.) But I have to admit I did enjoy creating Paige’s six-year-old daughter, Matilda. (Thanks to Author Kate Belle for lending me some of her little Miss Nine quirks and conversations to get me into a 6 y.o. frame of mind!)

The fact that happy adults smile only 40-50 times a day, but on average most of us smile only 20 times, means we could learn something from our children.

If you’re looking for ways to smile more, Margareta and I suggest a good book? You’ll always find something to giggle over in ours. With practice you’ll even notice how smiling will start to affect you and those around you in a positive way. Best of all, your smile can be detected when you write an email, or pick up the phone. People will sense that smile right away. I wrote this blog post with a smile. Can you tell?

How about one of my favourite ‘smiley’ excerpts—that also happens to involve Lovely Lance. This scene evolved after I read that a researcher in San Francisco identified 19 types of smiles and put them into two categories: polite “social” smiles which engage fewer muscles, and sincere “felt” smiles that use more muscles on both sides of the face.

Excerpt – Season of Shadow and Light

The pair walked in step and in silence, Paige wishing she had dark glasses too. Sunglasses and her big floppy hat would help hide any facial twitch that was, according to Lance—the lovely rehab guy with the lovely hands—common to every liar. He’d offered her some advice the day she’d been lamenting her new lopsided lips.

‘On the bright side,’ he’d said, ‘muscle defects like yours make it harder to detect a lie. You never know when that might come in handy.’

Paige was confused. ‘Lying?’

‘Maybe recognising a lie in others,’ he offered, a little embarrassed.

‘Oh, and how do I do that?’

‘It’s all about how these muscles under my fingers work. Consciously created smiles form differently from natural ones. You’ve got a little muscle in here—the risorius.’

Paige had wished she could feel Lance’s long fingers lazily tracing the small muscle at the corner of her lips, but that part of her face remained numb—unlike the not so numb part between her legs that at that moment was making her want to open her mouth and suck on that lovely long finger.

‘I’m probably boring you with the details, Paige,’ Lance said, though Lance didn’t speak. Lance crooned.

‘Not at all. Tell me more. I’m . . . fascinated,’ Paige returned, wondering if her mouth had twitched ‘Liar’ just then.

If it did, Lance seemed oblivious—to the twitch, the lie, and to her inappropriate carnal thoughts about those fingers of his.

‘That risorius muscle tends to pull the lip oddly. Not so much up, but sideways.’

‘Won’t this mouth of mine also mean no one will know if I’m being genuine? I’ll simply be sneering at everyone the same way those horrid, grouchy women in the supermarket express queue snarl if you have too much in your trolley. Great!’

He laughed. Lance had a lovely laugh to go with all his other lovely bits. ‘No, not what I’m saying. In fact, there’s another bright side if you consider the orbicularis oculi muscles that cause crow’s feet around the eyes when the zygomaticus major and zygomaticus minor muscles raise the lips of a real smile.’

‘Really? And what’s that?’ Paige asked, pinching back her own smile.

‘You won’t have as many crow’s feet. Well, on one side anyway.’

‘Gee, thanks, Lance, I feel so much better after that explanation.’

‘Give a guy a break. I’m trying to put a positive spin on things. I want to help you feel good.’

She’d laughed aloud suddenly, actually frightening the hunky hospital worker with the Hollywood looks, who doubled as a personal trainer on weekends.

I’ll feel good if you carry me off to bed and make mad, passionate love to me.

She’d settle for a bit more risorius muscle massaging.

Lance’s physio workouts had ended up being psychological workouts as well. While the twenty-something year old was way too young for anything other than her imagination, he’d made Paige realise what was missing from her marriage. There was no spark, no surprises, no laughter.

Paige had had few reasons to smile, until landing in Coolabah Tree Gully.

Now, write a comment while you are still smiling and you could be a winner!! J

Win - 3 x Book Pack Giveaway

For your chance to WIN all THREE Jenn J McLeod novels* simply leave a comment below. From now until the end of May Jenn drops into some of her favourite author blogs to say hello to readers old and new. She'll then collect the comment names from each author blog post, picking a lucky winner from one major draw and announcing the name end May on her blog.

If you’d like to find out more about Jenn and her contemporary women’s fiction about small towns keeping big secrets, head on over to her website or, like me, follow the Facebook and Twitter fun.

Website: http://www.jennjmcleod.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennJMcLeod.Author

Twitter: @jennjmcleod

*Book Pack: House for all Seasons (#5 Top Selling Debut novel, 2013), Simmering Season, and Season of Shadow and Light. (Australian postal address only)

Cheers. I look forward to seeing you at my place soon, Margareta, for my #WriteRoundOz Author Series. www.jennjmcleod.com

Wow, so Jenn's coming to visit us up here on our hill sometime soon. How exciting! We'll see you at the Glen, Jenn. (Oooo and it even rhymes!) Thanks for being at the Voice of bush today.

Season of Shadow and Light

Making a fashion statement ...

New Book

Packing

In cooking this week ...

What I'm reading ...

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Jenn J Mcleod on her new book Season of Shadow and Light

The Seriousness of a Smile

Excerpt – Season of Shadow and Light

Win - 3 x Book Pack Giveaway

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