Nicole Alexander

Loving a book for Mother's Day ...

Margareta-Admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 07:28:28 +0000

Loving a book for Mother's Day ...

Margareta-Admin Wed, 29/04/2020 - 5:28 pm

Hi there!

How are we all going with this new crazy, weird world we've found ourselves inhabiting for the last little while? Up here on the hill, the teenagers are home doing their remote learning with all of us biting our nails as to whether the monthly satellite internet allocation is going to last. Our once a week Netflix movie Friday "Takeaway-at-home" night has had to come to a pause, while we figure out how much schooling via the internet is going to eat up the 60GB + 10GB of peak-time data we have for the month. Of course, the swimming has also stopped along with the hill climbs and cattle camps and a myriad of other extracurricular activities. The children are very sad, and I am too, because I love being involved in all their activities and we do have a lot of fun. That said, it's lovely not to be on the road in the wee hours of morning and we are getting so much done here at home. Katie and I have been busy breaking in our BEAUTIFUL Speckle Park heifer calves. I know, to be taken seriously as a cattle breeder, I shouldn't say they're 'cute'. So don't tell anyone, but THEY ARE SO FREAKIN' CUTE, IT'S RIDICULOUS!

"Ruger" - He's like a panda bear!

I love the Speckle Parks. They perform so well, stand up to the tough seasons, and produce fabulous calves with great carcase characteristics. And yep, THEY'RE SO FLAMIN' CUTE! (Shhhhhh ... )They're also very quiet which is a big plus for us. I hold temperament as one of my five top cattle selection attributes. We now have another seven cows left to calve to a top PB Canadian Speckle Park bull, with our one stud Hereford (Katie's Bella) due as well. This calf will be the fifth Hereford for Katie's Karinya Hereford Stud and she is seriously hoping for another heifer. I just want to see all the new arrivals safely on the ground with happy healthy mums!

We've also had a wonderful 36mm of rain up to Thursday morning, which is making me ever so happy as it was starting to get very dry again.

Anyway, enough farming talk! I've also managed to read a couple of books! Which leads me to my topic of choice today. Mother's Day. Did you see the meme doing the round on on social media that Dad's can't rely on schools to come up with a Mother's Day creation this year? So, I'm here to save them. Perhaps they'd like to get really excited and buy you at least three, maybe four books for delivery into your hands on Mother's Day morn. I mean, we mums have all been juggling a lot of hats lately. I don't know about you, but with three older kids at home, and the supermarket shopping restrictions in place, trying to keep the pantry stocked has been a challenge! My oven seems to have been going for at least four hours a day ... or maybe it just seems like that?

Mother's Day! Focus woman!

Okay. So I've done a little research and come up with quite a few options for all you rural fiction lovers, women's fiction readers, plus a few more I have to mention because I'm putting them on my own list to fling around in front of the fam-bam and hope they take notice!

For the rural fiction lovers;

Quite a few of your fav rural authors (also lovely friends of mine), have books out now or in the next few months ...

Karly Lane, known as "Rural Fiction's Favourite Daughter", has another new book out this week called 'Fool Me Once'. Karly's story output has me completely in awe.

Fool Me Once, Karly Lane

Fleur McDonald, our rural crime/mystery author, has released the third book in her Dave Burrows series, 'Red Dirt Country'. Fleur assures me you can still read this one even if you haven't read the previous two.

Red Dirt Country, Fleur McDonald

Rachael Johns, also a prolific writer, has just released 'Something to Talk About', in a return to the rural romance genre which should cause great excitement amongst her fans.

Something to Talk About, Rachael Johns

Nicole Alexander released 'The Cedar Tree' in March. H absolutely loves Nicole's books! They're always merticulously researched and very well written.

The Cedar Tree, Nicole Alexander

Alissa Callen's, 'The Boundary Fence' came out in January. Alissa lives on a farm in Central NSW and is a lovely person and writer, if you haven't come across her books before.

The Boundary Fence, Alissa Callen

Other books that have caught my eye;

'The Beautiful Mother' by Katherine Scholes. If you love books set in Africa, this one's for you. Words like 'powerful', 'beautiful' and 'fulfilling,' are being used to describe this novel set in Tanzania.

The Beautiful Mother, Katherine Scholes

'The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan' by Lisa Ireland, is getting some very good reviews. It's also a book brought to your bookshelf by my own publisher, the wonderful, Beverly Cousins, so I'm a little biased. I've definitely put this one on my Mother's Day list!

'The Giver of Stars' by JoJo Moyes. I'm LOVING my current read and dragging it out bites at a time like a delicious box of chocolates, savouring this story based on the horse-back librarians of the mountains of Kentucky. LATE NOTE: I finished it this morning and I ADORED IT!!! A FIVE STAR READ.

The Giver of Stars, Jojo Moyes

'Gulliver's Wife' by Lauren Chater. The cover of this one is divine. "One woman's journey to the edge of love and loyalty" (Booktopia), this book is getting rave reviews.

Gulliver's Wife, Lauren Chater

Isn't this cover beautiful?!

'The Dictionary of Lost Words' by Pip Williams. Touted by 'Better Reading' as "... one of the most remarkable debuts you'll ever read", I've jumped the gun and already bought this one as I loved the sample on iBooks.

The Dictionary of Lost Words, Pip Williams

'Who We Were' by B.M. Carroll, is also in all good bookstores. Liane Moriaty, author of the international bestseller, 'Little White Lies', says Ber's books are "addictive". I'm really looking forward to reading this mystery/thriller.

Who We Were, B.M. Carroll

'Maggie's Going Nowhere' by Rose Hartley, was also a good read. Different and quirky, the caravan clad cover really caught my eye and I'm glad I gave into the impluse to buy.

'The Paris Secret' by Natasha Lester. A stunning cover on this one as well. They do say around 90% of choices are made on the cover appeal! An excellent author, Natasha's books would appeal to the historical fiction lovers too.

For the Dervla McTiernan book lovers, 'The Good Turn' has been released and I'm told it's a better reading experience if you've read 'The Ruin' and 'The Scholar' first.

Fiona Lowe, a former Mills & Boon author, has jumped into women's fiction with another release, 'Just An Ordinary Family', earlier this year. I haven't read it yet, but a visitor to Gippsland, Fiona has set this book around the Gippsland Lakes.

Some Favourite Authors with releases coming soon;

Mandy Magro's, 'The Stockman's Secret' is out on May 18.

Maya Linnell, (a new voice in rural romance) has released the smaller version of her debut novel 'Wildflower Ridge', in preparation for the release of her second book 'Bottlebrush Creek'; out on June 2

And Fiona Palmer has a new novel, 'Tiny White Lies' arriving on the shelf on August 25. Can't wait for this one!

Tiny White Lies, Fiona Palmer

Fiona's new book out on August 25

... and the delightful MONICA McINERNEY!!! has a newbie coming. I love Monica's books and will be waiting for 'The Godmothers' due out on September 29, 2020, with great anticipation. It's published just in time for my birthday. WINNING!

For those who love biographies;

'Becoming' by Michelle Obama, I'm told, is a wonderful read

Self Help, anyone?

'You've Got This' - The life changing power of trusting yourself by Margie Warrell, is acutally, ... life changing. I love Margie's books, and the fact she grew up on a dairy farm at Nungurner and then went onto conquer the world, is testament to her wonderful and encouraging words.

Any Regenerative Farmers out there?

Nicole Masters' book 'For Love of Soil'. After doing a Zoom Webinar with Nicole recently, I've ordered this book. It sounds like a fabulous, informative read and resource for the agriculturalist. A book reviewer and farming friend, Phillip Boote, who is a great lover of rural fiction, also recommended Nicole's book to me. Seeing I need to know more about our soil, to grow the grass to feed our cattle, I was in!

SO, that's a few ideas for the family of a book lover, like you and me, to ponder over ...

As to actually getting your books, seeing not many of us are leaving home, I'm positive if you ring your local bookstore they will post the book/s out. If you're in Gippsland, give the likes of Collins Booksellers Sale (51446262), Just Books in Bairnsdale (51525181) and Lakes Entrance (51552618) or the Reader's Emporium in Traralgon (51764620) a call. I'll bet they can help deliver to your door, or post box, or even your re-purposed roadside 20 litre drench drum.

Happy 'flinging your list around'!

Love

Margareta xo

Tags

Speckle Cattle

For Love of Soil

Nicole Masters

You've Got This

The Dictionary of Lost Words

The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan

Something to Talk About

Maggie's Going Nowhere

Just An Ordinary Family

The Stockman's Secret

I am SOOO excited!

Margareta-Admin — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 03:33:43 +0000

I am SOOO excited!

Margareta-Admin Wed, 05/10/2016 - 2:33 pm

Can you guess why?

‘School holidays are over …?’

Nope. (Although the silence is rather sweet …)

‘Your book edits are finished …?’

Nope. (I’m getting there though …)

‘You’ve lost 5 kg in the last week …?’

Nope. (I wish…)

Want me to tell you?

Of course you do …

Taa DAAA … I started a new diary/planner this week! Yes! All those crispy, smooth, beautiful, clean pages waiting for me to fill in with all manner of things. Excitement overload, I tell you!

Tragic, isn’t it. Being a self confessed bookaphile I am also a ‘stationary-holic’ and thus, simply ADORE anything that looks like a journal, diary, calendar, notebook, blingy pen …

I remember before Bella’s Run hit the shelves, my wonderful father, (also a bookaphile and I suspect a closet stationary-holic) took himself an hour down the highway to the nearest Officeworks store and spent at least that time again trying every pen he could get his hands on, so he could find me the ‘perfect signing pen’. He did it and to this day I buy the “Uniball Gel Impact” pen by the truckload. My Dad is a legend. It’s a shame they don’t make the Uniball Gel Impact in a glittering bling-like model or bright pink. Otherwise I’d be buying a road-train full of them.

Anyway, back to my love affair with diaries and planners. I’ve tried all of them. Big ones, little ones, financial ones, bound leather all-in-one packages. And I usually forget to fill the darn things in, always returning time and time again around March (when the novelty has worn off) to my trusty ELDERS calendar. You know the one from your local Elder’s Store in the big white envelope; gorgeous rural pictures to each month, lovely BIG squares for each day to fill in the family’s whereabouts/happenings. Once the year finishes there a tiny space up the back to scribble down those pesky appointments in the New Year because you don’t want to hang up that new calendar too early or it’s bad luck. (Although maybe that’s just the Irish in me...)

Two years ago I was given one of those fancy ‘family planner’ calendars, which were all the rage. Each kid gets a single line and you fill it in and are supposed to feel organised. My problem with this particular outfit was the spaces were too small for all that was going on, there was no place for events that affected the whole family and where were the general reminders like worming the dogs supposed to go? In with the kids if they had nothing on that day/night? (They do say, if you worm one lot you should worm the other ...)

Soooo … of course, back I went to my Elder’s calendar and my very vacant looking diary, which I still had forgotten to fill in after March despite my best intentions. I think that particular poor, forgotten diary was a Moleskine one in a very pretty red – which really was such a shame.

ENTER Facebook. Yes, I know. I too vacillate between thinking it’s the scourge of the earth to it being the best thing since the creation of those apple peeling twirly gadgets. (Yes, I’m sure that really is its name … ;))

My Master Planner

Facebook told me one day, thanks to one of my commenting rural friends, there was this family planner cum diary created by Milestone Press in QLD. Now, I will be the first to admit it was my love of fuchsia pink that made me buy it in the first place. BUT I AM SO GLAD I DID. This planner is the bee’s knee’s (do bee’s have knees? I’m glad I didn’t say the duck’s nuts ;)). I cannot tell you how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE this planner. The Elder’s calendar has been relegated to the loo and now, pride of place on the bench is my MASTER PLANNER. There is a week to each double page, HEAPS of space at the top of each day for general stuff (like worming the dogs), a birthday’s/anniversary’s line, and then more space FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER’s activities. There is even a spot to put in dinner, which is getting ultra organised, I know, but by goodness, do you feel good when that’s filled in. No umminng and arrring at 5pm over what the hell you are having for tea. You can get stuff out of the freezer a day or so ahead because your planner tells you to do it!

Kicking goals people, kicking massive goals up here on the hill.

Whatsmore, YOU START YOUR NEW PLANNER IN OCTOBER! Yes! And for some reason my brain can get over the ‘bad luck’ thing because ‘hey, it’s just a diary’, not a calendar. And in goes all the end of year activities PLUS the new year’s uniform days, school stationary pick-up days, back-to-school haircuts/dentist etc. etc.

Oh my goodness, you have no idea how organised I feel.

Ready to be filled in!

This year my new MASTER PLANNER is a beautiful shade of purple/violet and it also has a double page for each month, so, at a glance I can see the stuff I need to plan ahead. Like holidays and girl’s nights out. Really important stuff …

Find out more at …

http://milestonepress.com.au/

If the Master Plan diary doesn’t float your boat, when I was in Melbourne last week I saw these BEW-DIFUL ‘Sweet’ diaries at Kikki K. Oh my goodness, as you can imagine, I just wanted to INHALE the whole range. I have restricted myself to one in particular which I will use as a work ‘To do’ style diary on my writing desk. (I am a HUGE fan of the ‘tick off the to-do list’, having been known to put something I've ALREADY done on it so I can feel good about a tick - told you I was tragic.) Here it is …

http://www.kikki-k.com/2017-a5-weekly-diary-sweet

And then yesterday, I was catching up on a few blogs and over at Dolly Henry Design, Megan was getting organised with this amazing, beautiful planner from NoteMaker. Yes, I know it’s a little on the expensive side, but readers of Dolly Henry Design can get an exclusive 10% off Rifle Paper Co. products from NoteMaker, if you get in before December 31, 2016. Just imagine that stylish compendium sitting there your desk/counterpane; so pretty with it's botanical accents, stylish, crisp and smelling like new.

I can see I might need a third diary for some reason or other … Maybe the farm? Can you just see this one bouncing around in the ute?

If you want to find out more go to …

http://www.dollyhenry.com.au/

BOOKS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS …

The Good People, Hannah Kent

We’re getting to that time of the year when all the fabulous pre-Christmas books hit the shelves. I have been waiting very impatiently for Hannah Kent’s (a la Burial Rites) newbie, THE GOOD PEOPLE. I now have it in my hot little hands so I’m chuffed.

A Distant Journey, Di Morrissey

Another fav author of both H and mine, Lee Child has a new Jakc Reacher book coming in November (how can Tom Cruise even THINK he measures up?). Aussie mega-author, Matthew Reilly has a new blockbuster out mid October and Di Morrissy fan’s will be ecstatic to see A DISTANT JOURNEY arrive in stores after October 25.

This month there are also some new releases coming to those who adore reading rural fiction. My great mate, and all round gorgeous girl, Fiona Palmer has just released THE FAMILY SECRET, which I am sure will not disappoint. I love Fiona’s books and can’t wait to get my hands on this one.

The Family Secret, Fiona Palmer

If you missed the news last week, my stable mate at Random House, the lovely Nicole Alexander, has also just released her newest epic, RIVER RUN. I simply love that cover and the storyline sounds intriguing. I haven’t been able to wrest it off my husband yet, but I’m holding out hope he’ll hand the book over sooner rather than later.

River Run, Nicole Alexander

My other beautiful friend and writing group buddy, Jennifer Scoullar also recently released her latest environmental fiction novel, JOURNEY'S END. Jennifer is an incredibly talented author, who has taken rural fiction into another realm.

Journey's End, Jennifer Scoullar

So, tell me, what’s your favourite planner/diary/calendar?

Who/ what are you reading this week?

P.S. I should note here that I am not paid to promote these products. They are simply ones I use and like.

Until next time,

Margareta x

Tags

September School Holidays Start Now

Margareta-Admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 04:03:08 +0000

September School Holidays Start Now

Margareta-Admin Fri, 16/09/2016 - 2:03 pm

Today hails the start of the September school holidays. For those of you past having kids of school age, this won’t necessarily cause a bump on your road. Except, perhaps, if you’re a grey nomad travelling around and all of the sudden everywhere you want to go is booked out, jam packed with screaming kids or even – woe forbid – the local Dan Murphy’s or IGA has sold of out of your favourite wine (#mumsinneedofliquidtheraphy).

In my house it means I have to come up with ‘The Project’. Yes, living three hours from Melbourne means those dinky little lists in daily newspapers entitled ‘20 things to do with the kids on school holidays’, will not work out here. We don’t have a zoo (well, maybe an ‘onfarm’ native fauna one …), nor a fun park to turn to when things get tough. And I might add, that awful word BORING is not allowed to be mentioned or even breathed up here on the hill. (admin - when I was a kid say BORING and you'd be cleaning venetian blinds quicker than you could think "whoops I shouldn't have said that!")

Despite the fact, in most cases, the kids find heaps to do around the farm, it usually involves that torrid thing called, ‘Work’. Hence, The Project’. I figure if I call it ‘The Project’ maybe they won’t twig what it really is!

For example, these holidays, H has time off from his ‘other job’ and we will be building those ongoing cattle yards that I keep banging on about. (Maybe we might get them finished?) The Farm Boy is excited because he gets to drive the tractor, use the post hole borer, learn how to weld, and so long as we don’t mention the word ‘work’, he’s as happy as a boy let loose in his Dad’s machinery shed.

The reverse of this colour scheme .. sort of ... because I love pink.

The Princess on the other hand is a little trickier and this is why I have another ‘Project’, just for her. And that is … (Ta Dahhhhhh …) painting the mailbox. Yes, I know. Sounds boring already, BUT we have decided to turn our very mundane ‘cream with a brown roof’ roadside mailbox into a bathing box. Are you excited? I’m excited. (Can you hear my joy resonating through these words?) We have chosen the colours; bright pink walls (LOVE pink), turquoise roof, yellow trim and have even been on the hunt for one of those little round vent things that usually sit above the door. (I have no idea what they’re called.) Unfortunately we can’t find one, so I think H has been co-opted by the Princess to make one instead.

Love a good campfire we do!

After they have exhausted themselves from all this work activity, we might take a day or two to find other things to do like a trip to town to the movies, or the pool. They’re always good standbys. And then there’s the bonfire or camp-out night where they have mates over, cook and then eat half-raw sausages and try to toast a decent marshmallow. (The dog usually gets quite overloaded with charcoal and sugar at this point.)

"We will get through" is my mantra.

Whilst I DO love having the cherubs home, I will have to admit, my dear readers, that I am the mother who, on the first day back at school, will wander around the house and garden in a dazed state just picking at weeds and playing with my dogs, wondering at the peace and quiet that has FINALLY returned to my world. For at least five days of the week, anyway, and until mid October when the world starts to go mad with the ‘End of the Year’. (I sighted Christmas decorations last week in Spotlight! In September!! True Fact!!!)

A couple of great links I came across this week.

Over at Dolly Henry, Megan is having a wonderful chat about ‘Why being “too busy” to reply is damaging your small business”. This was a wonderful, thought provoking post particularly relevant to this day and age of constant availability. Emails, texts, messenger. Everyone is available in the here and now. A lot of people manage it well; they LOVE having all this technology at their fingertips and prefer an email to a phone call. Me? Well, I’m of the old school. And sometimes, I get overwhelmed. This post was a little reminder, that despite how I’m programmed, I need to move with the times and this is an excellent post on etiquette in dealing with modern communication.

Across at Best Recipes, they had these ‘Muffins that taste like donuts’ and O.M.G. are they going to shoot my no sugar diet to hell. Take a look and if you make them let us know how it goes. (Repeat after me: I AM NOT MAKING THEM. I AM NOT MAKING THEM.)

Rural and women’s fiction author, Rachael Johns, has also been twittering and facebooking that there are now MINT MALTEASERS available in the supermarket. If my diet didn’t go down the gurgler with the muffins, it sure will now. I will have to be physically restrained from picking up a box next time I’m in IGA. Only thing for that will be avoiding the lolly isle completely and that’s going to be difficult seeing it’s school holidays (#mumsinneedofsugartheraphy)

On the book front, I have just finished reading a FABULOUS book by Jane Harper called ‘THE DRY’. Set in northern Victoria it’s a crime/thriller novel that started a publisher bidding war, the likes of which is unusual in Australia to say the least. It’s a brilliantly executed novel where the joy in reading lay in the minute details of country life. Harper pegged this small country community under the stress of drought and other more sinister things (cue spooky music) perfectly.

On the rural romance front, Nicole Alexander’s latest novel RIVER RUN, has hit the shelves. I bought this for H for Father’s Day as he loves Nic’s books and am now waiting VERY impatiently for him to finish. It sounds like another fabulous read from an author who is at the Heart of Australian Storytelling.

I also have the spectacular Liane Moriaty’s TRULY, MADLY, GUILTY on the go, along with HOW TO FIND LOVE IN A BOOK SHOP by Veronica Henry which I was drawn to by its gorgeous cover. I haven’t been able to get into it yet, so no comments until I find a nice slice of time to devote entirely to the book.

Barbara Hannay’s latest, THE GRAZIER’S WIFE, has also made it to my TBR pile. Barbara’s sweeping historical and contemporary dual narrative saga’s rarely disappoint, so I’m looking forward to dipping into that one. At the moment though it is with my Great Aunt, who LOVES reading these kind of books. It also serves the purpose of H not seeing just how many books are sitting on that TBR shelf :)

Podcasts have also become a recent addiction. After putting the kids on the bus, the dogs and I tramp up and down hills (my ‘lets check fences/weeds/cattle and get fit at the same time’ routine) and I have taken to listening to all kinds of brilliant interviews. Unfortunately yesterday while getting particularly immersed in one such podcast, I lost one dog - the Kelpie, Ange. After retracing my steps, in the pouring rain (down the hill which meant I had to go back UP the hill AGAIN) I found her. Off home we went, where I found I had now lost the OTHER dog - Lucy, the pint sized Jack Russell X. Back I go again (still raining) cursing. I found her sitting under a large tree obviously taking refuge from the deluge. Not happy Jan (or Lucy, as the case may be). Off I trudged again with BOTH dogs and I made it home albeit soaked but having finished the podcast AND with TWO dogs (or the real working dog and the one who just thinks she is). So be warned. Podcasts can be addictive and all-consuming. And cause you to lose your canine mates. Let’s hope that doesn’t translate to misplacing my kids over the next two weeks!

Until next time.

Margareta

Tags

#mumsinneedofliquidtheraphy

School Holidays

#mumsinneedofsugartheraphy

How to Find Love in a Book Shop

2015 Christmas Book Suggestions & Ice Cream Cake Recipe!

Margareta-Admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 00:39:29 +0000

2015 Christmas Book Suggestions & Ice Cream Cake Recipe!

Margareta-Admin Tue, 22/12/2015 - 11:39 am

Amid 40 degree heat (with NO air conditioning I might add) we partied our way through the first family Christmas celebration yesterday. It was so much fun, with lots of laughter and jokes being shared around the Christmas tree and dinner tables.

That was AFTER they’d all managed to slog their way down the drive and negotiate the electrified bungy cord gateway keeping the cattle from entering the house yard. My brother-in-law from Brisbane (all 6’2” of him) was the only one who rang me from 100 metres away. ‘Ummm … this gateway? How do I open it?’

‘There’s a plastic handle. Grab hold of it and then drop the cord.’

‘Handle? Ummm … I don’t want it to bite me.’

‘You need me to come and save you?’

‘Yep.’

City slickers, I don’t know …

Christmas Book List

Last week I mentioned I’d give you a few book ideas to consider for your Christmas present list. I’ve let the side down this year a bit. Being away doing the mustering season in north western Australia from June to October, cut into my reading time in a large way.

BUT, I can give you a few recommendations based on the reading diet of both myself and a few others close to me whose reading tastes I admire.

Wild Lands, Nicole Alexander

My husband loves Nicole’s books and Wild Lands, her 2015 release, was no exception. For the lover of sweeping Australian saga novels with historical overtones.

The Secret Years, Barbara Hannay

My Great-Aunt adored The Secret Years. This contemporary and historical dual narrative moves from outback Australia to Cornwall, London to war torn Papua New Guinea in a story based on family, heroism and love.

The Saddler Boys, Fiona Palmer

My go-to girl of rural fiction, Fiona Palmer, has once again delivered the goods with this well-rounded lovely rural love story which packs a punch.

Close Your Eyes, Michael Robotham

It’s no secret that thanks to my amazing webmistress/assistant, Karen, I am a HUGE Michael Robotham fan. A man who beat Stephen King to the prestigious CWA Gold Dagger Award in 2015 for his standalone novel Life or Death. Close Your Eyes is another masterpiece. If you love, or have someone in your family who loves crime fiction, this incredibly talented Australian author is your man and this is your book.

(Karen - If you've not read Shatter (from earlier in this series) you might want to start there - which will be no trial!)

The Cuckoo's Calling, Robert Gailbraith

Aka J K Rowling, Robert Galbraith is my new literary love. I couldn’t put these books down. Cormoran Strike is my new Jack Reacher. Sigh. (Lee Child novels) These two books are from previous years but I suggest you start with The Cuckoo’s Calling so you can enjoy the series to the max.

The Silkworm, Robert Galbraith

What I want to read over Christmas …

I really want to read this book. The reviews have been fabulous and I have enjoyed Tricia’s other rural novels.

Between the Vines, Tricia Stringer

Set in and around the world famous Ghan train, deep in the Australian outback, Judy Nunn always delivers well researched, captivating Australian sagas.

Spirits of the Ghan, Judy Nunn

A master at work – the blurb of Kate Morton’s new release has me intrigued and I ADORE the cover.

The Lake House, Kate Morton

As you can probably tell from my comments as well, my webmistress is quite a fan of Crime Fiction. She's added a couple of recommendations that might work for fans of my books as well.

Historical Crime fiction set in England around the Suffragette Movement, Dody McCleland is a qualified doctor working as an autopsy specialist in a time of massive change for women. Beautifully researched and elegantly written, this is a great series from WA based Felicity Young.

A Dissection of Murder, Felicity Young

A Few Right Thinking Men, Sulari Gentill

Another Australian historical crime series, written by ex-lawyer and Truffle Farmer Sulari Gentill who lives in the stunning Snowy Mountains, these books are written with great historical authenticity and a beautifully pitched touch given that they sometimes cover very tricky subject matter.

And it wouldn't be a newsletter from me without a recipe!

Margareta's Ice Cream Cake

Ingredients:

4 litres of vanilla ice-cream

400 g of chocolate honey-comb pieces, chopped into chunks

or 200gms chocolate honey-comb pieces (chopped) and a bag of maltesers

220g bottle of chocolate Ice-Magic

Fresh berries & icing sugar

Put 4 litres of ice-cream into 2 big bowls (Half ice-cream between the two). Leave to soften for 10 minutes (don’t let it melt).

Gently fold in the chopped honeycomb (&/or maltesers). Grease a 26cm spring-form tin. Line base and sides with 2 layers of baking paper. I suggest you go 2-3cm above the edge of the pan with the paper, creating ‘hungry-boards’, so you can get all that yummy ice-cream into the tin.

Spoon ice-cream mixture into the tin and level with a knife or spatula. Freeze overnight.

Just before serving tip ice-cream cake from tin (I removed sides of tin along with the paper, laid a plate on the ‘top’ and tipped the cake upside down so the bottom became the top.) Drizzle immediately with Ice Magic, allow a minute or so to harden then top with fresh fruit. Sift icing sugar over the fruit to finish.

This cake goes ultra well with plum pudding but it would be terrific with any other desert or just by itself.

Note: You can replace the honey-comb/maltesers with other lollies or chocolate bar treats. Let your imagination run wild!

Need Help With Your Christmas Shopping List?

Margareta-Admin — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 10:16:17 +0000

Need Help With Your Christmas Shopping List?

Margareta-Admin Wed, 03/12/2014 - 9:16 pm

The first week of December - my official crank up week for Christmas. Unfortunately, as I have edits due at two publishing houses for both ROSE RIVER and my new US novella, I haven't gotten into festive mode yet. Although I'd better hurry, the kids are currently counting down the days until end of school and I haven't even STARTED Christmas shopping yet!

(Breathe Margareta, breathe.)

This led me to thinking about my Christmas list. What should I buy those nearest and dearest to me this year? Which then led me to thinking about YOUR Christmas list. What are YOU going to buy your nearest and dearest with regards to reading material this year?

Need a hand? (You also might like to join me in those breathing exercises?)

There have been many, many books on my TBR (To Be Read) pile this year and whilst I'd LOVE to mention a whole swag of them, that's only going to confuse both of us, and my brain is addled enough. Instead I focused on the books I simply could not put down. The ones that came with me to the bus stop, to the kids swimming and running training, netball and even to the shed when I thought H wasn't looking. These were the novels I had to have with me just in case I got the slightest excuse to stop and read.

AND I only gave myself five choices. Gulp. Do you know how hard that was?!

After much debate, here they are, in no particular order accompanied by a suggestion as to who they might be a good present for. Although (disclaimer following), I might get it wrong, so don't blame me if your mother-in-law/father-in-law won't speak to you for weeks, okay?!

Big Little Lies - Liane Moriarty

A no brainer choice. I simply could NOT put this book down even going so far as to read it while having cups of tea, eating breakfast & lunch. Dinner was out of bounds but I can tell you I was wishing the family would eat up fast and then do the dishes for me so I could get back to reading!

Here's the blurb:

I guess it started with the mothers.' 'It was all just a terrible misunderstanding.' 'I'll tell you exactly why it happened.' Pirriwee Public's annual school Trivia Night has ended in a shocking riot. A parent is dead. Liane Moriarty's new novel is funny and heartbreaking, challenging and compassionate. The No. 1 New York Times bestselling author turns her unique gaze on parenting and playground politics, showing us what really goes on behind closed suburban doors. 'Let me be clear. This is not a circus. This is a murder investigation.'

BIG LITTLE LIES is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, school-yard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.

For the mother/grandmother/aunt/daughter who has attended play groups, parents and friend groups, in fact been involved with committees of any sort - and made it out the other side in one piece. Or not.

Hello From the Gillespies - Monica McInerney

I'll admit it. I'm a HUGE fan of Monica's work and she'd have to do many things wrong for me to hate one of her books, but I honestly did love this one. At the time I needed 'a chocolate' (sweet and engaging) read and Monica delivered ... and then some.

Here's the blurb:

For more than thirty years, Angela Gillespie has sent friends and family around the world an end-of-the-year letter titled ‘Hello from the Gillespies’. It’s always been cheery and full of good news. This year, Angela surprises herself – she tells the truth . . .

The Gillespies are far from the perfect family that Angela has made them out to be. Her husband is coping poorly with retirement. Her 32-year-old twins are having career meltdowns. Her third daughter, badly in debt, can’t stop crying. And her ten-year-old son spends more time talking to his imaginary friend than to real ones.

Without Angela, the family would fall apart. But when Angela is taken from them in a most unexpected manner, the Gillespies pull together – and pull themselves together – in wonderfully surprising ways . . .

For the mother/grandmother/aunt/danughter/friend who loves an easy, warm and engaging story. There will be laughter, there will be tears, but once you turn the final page you will be more than satisfied. (Hint: Wrap it up with a box of tissues.)

Evergreen Falls - Kimberley Freeman

Inspired by elements of her own grandmother's life, this gem by Kimberley Freeman has a dual narrative. A master of the historical, I loved the way Kim brought the 1926 Evergreen Spa Hotel alive in my mind, with all it's grace and rich extravagance. She then effortlessly flips to modern day and a romantic love affair that will change one young woman's life.

Passion, romance and intrigue thread this novel together using both historical and modern day storylines.

The blurb:

1926: Violet Armstrong is one of the few remaining members of staff working at the grand Evergreen Spa Hotel as it closes down over winter. Only a handful of guests are left, including the heir to a rich grazing family, his sister and her suave suitor. When a snowstorm moves in, the hotel is cut off and they are all trapped. No one could have predicted what would unfold.

2014: After years of putting her sick brother's needs before her own, Lauren Beck leaves her home and takes a job at a Blue Mountains cafe, the first stage of the Evergreen Spa Hotel's renovations. There she meets Tomas, the Danish architect who is overseeing the project, and an attraction begins to grow. In a wing of the old hotel, Lauren finds a series of passionate love letters dated back to 1926, alluding to an affair - and a shocking secret. If she can unravel this long-ago mystery, will it make Lauren brave enough to take a risk and change everything in her own life?

Inspired by elements of her grandmother's life, a rich and satisfying tale of intrigue, heartbreak and love from the author of the bestselling Lighthouse Bay and Wildflower Hill.

For the great-aunt, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother in your life who loves a rich tale of bygone days spliced with modern-day life and love.

Life or Death - Michael Robotham

Simply incredible. I don't normally read thrillers but my lovely website manager (told you so ... told you so ... told you so!) talked me into reading this one and I was gobsmacked. The writing is superb, the storyline intense and intricate, the situation entirely plausible. I gave it to my husband after I'd finished and he read it in a matter of days as well. One hell of a read.

Why would a man escape from prison the day before he's due to be released?

Audie Palmer has spent a decade in prison for an armed robbery in which four people died, including two of his gang. Five million dollars has never been recovered and everybody believes that Audie knows where the money is.

For ten years he has been beaten, stabbed, throttled and threatened almost daily by fellow inmates and prison guards, who all want to answer this same question, but suddenly Audie vanishes, the day before he's due to be released.

Everybody wants to find Audie, but he's not running. Instead he's trying to save a life . . . and not just his own.

A great one for the male (or female) reader in your family (and then you can pinch it back from him to read first ... or second depending on who wins the stoush :)

The Sunnyvale Girls - Fiona Palmer

Fiona Palmer has become the author of my first personal choice when it comes to rural fiction. I can see, feel and breathe her stories, which seem to roll effortlessly from a very able pen. With the added Italian POW aspect embedded into this particular story, The Sunnyvale Girls, is a polished and well rounded tale that gives you plenty to think about.

Three generations of Stewart women share a deep connection to their family farm, but a secret from the past threatens to tear them apart.

Widowed matriarch Maggie remembers a time when the Italian prisoners of war came to work on their land, changing her heart and her home forever. Single mum Toni has been tied to the place for as long as she can recall, although farming was never her dream. And Flick is as passionate about the farm as a young girl could be, despite the limited opportunities for love.

When a letter from 1946 is unearthed in an old cottage on the property, the Sunnyvale girls find themselves on a journey deep into their own hearts and all the way across the world to Italy. Their quest to solve a mystery leads to incredible discoveries about each other, and about themselves.

For anyone who loves a rich, well-told yarn.

There you have it. My personal picks for 2014. Of course, there are a plethora of fabulous books to pick from this year so, whatever you choose, happy reading ... oh, I mean shopping! {blush}

RURAL BOOKS CURRENTLY HITTING THE SHELF

If you love your rural books, there are a few rural authors who have novels out in time for Christmas. (Just in case you want to put them on your own Santa list! ) These include THE GREAT PLAINS by Nicole Alexander, GEMMA'S BLUFF by Karly Lane, OUTBACK GHOST by Rachael Johns, RIVERBOAT POINT by Tricia Stringer and the list goes on. Check out http://www.australianruralromance.com for more rural books available in the festive season.

CHRISTMAS BARGAINS

If you're into romance eBooks along the lines of Nora Roberts, Linda Lael Miller and Diana Palmer, over at Tule there's a great lineup of Christmas eBook novellas, with some going really cheap at the moment. Our own Alissa Callen has one called HER MISTLETOE COWBOY available for approx. $3.39. There's also a few on sale for a limited time at 0.99c (titled Christmas at Waratah Bay; Just in time for Christmas; No Rest for the Wicked).

Oh and if that's not enough for you - some special offers on Amazon for Rural Romance (both Aussie & US based) The House at the Bottom of the Hill by Jennie Jones, Promise Me, Cowboy by CJ Carmichael and Marry Me, Cowboy by Lilian Darcy.

Should be something there to keep us all occupied in that post Christmas lull!

Tags

Big Little Lies

Liane Moriarty

Christmas

Hello From the Gillespies

The House at the Bottom of the Hill

Christmas is Coming - Nicole Alexander

Margareta-Admin — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 04:22:15 +0000

Christmas is Coming - Nicole Alexander

Margareta-Admin Thu, 21/11/2013 - 3:22 pm

Australian storyteller Nicole Alexander is the bestselling author of three #1 Australian Fiction novels: The Bark Cutters, A Changing Land and Absolution Creek. Nicole is a fourth generation NSW grazier and a working partner on a property that has been in her family for 120 years.

A passionate writer with over twenty years experience, her novels, poetry, travel, creative writing and genealogy articles have been published in Australia, America, Singapore, New Zealand, Germany and Canada.

Nicole's novels have been praised for their authenticity and rich historical detail, much of which is drawn from primary source material in the form of family archives dating back 140 years. Her highly anticipated fourth novel is SUNSET RIDGE. Nicole joins me now in the Christmas is Coming series...

Nicole Alexander

REMINDER:

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Remember to share, tweet, retweet, mention any of these posts on Facebook and Twitter using the tag #bushchristmas and you'll go into the draw for a $75.00 Booktopia voucher.

Leave a comment here for your chance to get a Christmas Card direct from Nicole, or maybe a free book from the giveaway pile.

My Latest Release - Sunset Ridge, Nicole Alexander

In your own words tell us a little about your new release …

My fourth novel, Sunset Ridge has just been released. Sunset Ridge has an interweaving narrative with the story set in both France and outback Australia. The historical segments – 1916 to 1918 unfold when over eighty years later, Madeleine Harrow the grand-daughter of artist David Harrow tries to unravel her grandfather’s remarkable life. Although Madeleine has grown up in the shadow of the renowned artist she knows little about him. David died long before she was born and his paintings were sold off to save the family property, Sunset Ridge. Decades on, with the possibility of a retrospective of David’s work, Madeleine tries to unravel the life of her grandfather, a veteran of the Great War, unaware that his legacy extends far beyond the boundaries of the family property. Sunset Ridge examines the effects of the Great War on both Australian and French soldiers as well as the families left behind. Bravery, misadventure, intolerance and friendship are set against the healing power of love.

What was the idea/the revelation/the ‘kicking off point’/the impetus for writing this particular novel?

The idea for Sunset Ridge came from my paternal grandfather’s experiences during the First World War. A veteran of the western front he was awarded the military medal for gallantry and although seriously wounded the following day he did eventually recover and returned to our family property to resume the management of it. I never knew my paternal grandfather and it was his experiences during the Great War that first led me to consider writing on the subject. I’m fortunate, in that my family have archives dating back 140 years and I invariably draw on them for some aspect of my novel writing. For Sunset Ridge I had access to some wonderful documents including the diary my grandfather wrote in on the Salisbury Plain in England while training to become a Lewis Gunner in 1916 as well as many of the letters he wrote home.

What is your funniest ‘real life’ Christmas story?

Playing cricket in the garden at the station homestead with my siblings and father. The ball got stuck in a gum tree and after numerous attempts to dislodge it by throwing things at it my father took off his riding boot, carefully aimed and threw it at the cricket ball. His boot got stuck in the tree as well. We ended up getting a step-ladder.

Best Christmas present you’ve ever received?

A bracelet my father gave me to celebrate the millennium in 2000.

(Margareta: Love receiving jewellery. Brings out the emotional girly girl in all of us )

Worst Christmas present you’ve ever received?

A socket set to add the tools in the back of the landcruiser that I use for work…

(Margareta: I can relate to this. I once got a tyre changing kit. Handy - but seriously, for Christmas?!)

Best Christmas present you’ve ever bought for someone else?

Tickets to the theatre

This Christmas, who would be the best person to buy your novel for?

Readers who love engaging, fast paced stories with strong, flawed characters set against a momentous period in history.

Being a fifth generation farmer myself with deep-rooted historical property ties, I can relate whole-heartedly to Nicole's depth of passion for the rural life she lives. It is a passion which is inherently driven deep into her novels and her stories are made all the richer for it. If you have a great love for sweeping historical Australia saga's, Nicole is your writer.

We have one copy of SUNSET RIDGE (unsigned) to giveaway. Make a comment below and you could win Nicole's latest novel or a personal Christmas card from this simply amazing author.

Tags

Christmas is Coming

Bush Christmas

Nicole Alexander

Nicole Alexander

Loving a book for Mother's Day ...

For the rural fiction lovers;

Other books that have caught my eye;

Some Favourite Authors with releases coming soon;

For those who love biographies;

Self Help, anyone?

Any Regenerative Farmers out there?

SO, that's a few ideas for the family of a book lover, like you and me, to ponder over ...

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I am SOOO excited!

BOOKS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS …

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September School Holidays Start Now

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2015 Christmas Book Suggestions & Ice Cream Cake Recipe!

Christmas Book List

What I want to read over Christmas …

Margareta's Ice Cream Cake

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Need Help With Your Christmas Shopping List?

Big Little Lies - Liane Moriarty

Hello From the Gillespies - Monica McInerney

Evergreen Falls - Kimberley Freeman

Life or Death - Michael Robotham

The Sunnyvale Girls - Fiona Palmer

RURAL BOOKS CURRENTLY HITTING THE SHELF

CHRISTMAS BARGAINS

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Christmas is Coming - Nicole Alexander

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