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Bar Yarns with Author – Kate Belle w/ giveaway

Does the name Kate Belle ring any bells? Well, she’s a fellow Simon & Schuster author and while we’ve been on this publishing journey together, we have yet to meet in person. I hope to rectify that soon.

In the meantime, Kate has dropped into the Calingarry Crossing pub for a beer and a beer nut with me and to chat about her latest women’s fiction novel Being Jade. (And it’s ringing bells with readers and reviewers everywhere and you can win a copy below.)

I have to say,“Sometimes the strongest love casts the darkest shadow” is an evocative tagline (and I am rather partial to the concept of shadows given with my next release will be titled: Season of Shadow and Light.)

So, come on in, Kate. Grab a pew. What can I get you to go with your beer nuts? (Shandy? Wine Spritzer? Pink Lemonade?)

Harvey Wallbanger? No, seriously, I’ve never had one of those. I usually down a glass of bubbles pretty quickly, but with beer nuts?? Don’t suppose you have any macadamia’s lying around?

Hey, did you hear the one about … 

I had to google one. I only know really stupid jokes that make 8 year old’s laugh. Not sure this one’s any better but here goes…

What did the snail say to his wife?

‘I’M STILL LEAVING YOU…’

I’m a beer nut nut! What bar snack would you be and why?

Do they have chocolate coated liquorice in bars? Well they should! The one’s from Aldi’s…nom nom…arethebessshhht…nom nom.

Ahh, that beer hit the spot. Let me slip a drink coaster under your glass while you tell us—on a scale of 1 to 10—as a writer are you a messy desker or tidy desker? (NB: 1 = “I am a neat nut case” and 10 = “What desk? Where? Is there a desk here somewhere?”) Are you game to post a working space picture right now?

My desk is a picture of organisation.

Oh MY GOD – No, Jenn, please don’t put that photo up – please – NO, JENN, NO!

Oh, how embarrassing.

The publican offers you free drinks all night if you will:

  • Dance to Gangnam Style
  • Sing John Denver’s ‘Take me Home Country Roads’ on the Karaoke machine
  • Spend an hour washing dishes

Which do you choose?

I’ll do anything (yes, ANYTHING), except wash god damned dishes.

(I do an impressive rendition of ‘Hey Big Spender’ on the Karaoke, by the way. Especially after 1 or 2 champagnes (bottles that is)!)

Time to liven the place up. Got a buck? We can crank up the old jukebox in the corner. You get to pick three songs.

WOOO HOOOO – Parteee time – Let’s get down!

  1. Baby I’m a Star – Prince (gets me leaping around the kitchen EVERY time)
  2. It’s a long way to the top – AC/DC (it soothes my inner bogan)
  3. It’s Raining Men by pretty much anybody – it’s more like a prayer than a song – Amen!

There’s a stapler on the bar. Tell me what it’s doing there?

Tap dancing and telling jokes. (What did you put in that champagne, Jenn?)

The pub is the heart of a small town and most locals would be lost without one. What are three things you’d be lost without?

  1. My iPad – ooops – I’ll get in trouble for putting that first – My ever lovin’ family and friends.
  2. My iPad (strokes it lovingly and glazes over)
  3. What? Three things you say? Oh, other authors – you all ROCK! x

There are a few good prizes up for grabs in the bar jackpot. Do you have a lucky number?

Always 7 – couldn’t tell you why. I fairly fancy 3 sometimes too, though. And 9 has a certain resonance to it. And I don’t mind the occasional…

Last drinks, my friend! It’s been great. But before we go, tell us how we can find out more about you and your writing/books.

It’s time to go? But the party’s just got started. Hey, bartender – order up – drinks all round. Now, where’s that jukebox? C’mon Jenn, dance with me…I promise I won’t sing in your ear this time…

ABOUT: BEING JADE

A tragic death. A family divided. One truth can set them free.

Banjo Murphy is killed on the night he finally musters the courage to walk away from his wife Jade after twenty five years of repeated infidelities. In the aftermath, Banjo is bewildered to discover he still exists, but death has placed an invisible wall between him and his beloved family. In despair he watches Jade collapse into deep depression and his daughters, Lissy and Cassandra, struggle with their unexpected loss.

Lissy is tortured by guilt and the mysteries surrounding her father’s death. What compelled Banjo to leave the night he died? Why won’t Jade speak about what happened? In spite of their volatile relationship, Lissy believes her parents’ love to be enduring, but sensible Cassandra sees things differently. When Cassy discovers a sketch book chronicling Jade’s extra-marital affairs, the truth of their parents’ relationship begins to unfold and Lissy’s loyalties are divided.

Searching for answers, Lissy contacts Jade’s ex-lovers, unaware her father’s spirit watches as they visit. Unable to let go of his one true love, he aches to know that Jade loved him above all others. Banjo is taken on a journey of discovery through Jade’s memories as the lovers unveil long hidden secrets about her affairs. But the mystery remains, frustrating Banjo and Lissy, until Lissy’s questioning leads her to an explosive truth. One that will finally set her family free.

Buy links: Simply click and smile (and you will smile because Kate’s stories are sensual, sensory and sensational.)

iTunes

Amazon 

Booktopia

Bookworld

Find out more about Kate and her books at Simon & Schuster

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED. The winners (as voted on Facebook) is ‘MUM’ and ‘COMPROMISE’. Congratulations to Gloria and Sharon:  WIN a copy of Being Jade from Simon and Schuster. Simply leave a comment. One word will do. What is the most powerful word you’ve heard describe love? (or just leave a comment. We are not fussy around here. We just like comments!!)

About Kate Belle:

Kate is a multi-published author of dark, sensual love stories that will mess with your head. Her interests include talking to strangers, collecting unread books, and ranting about the world’s many injustices. She writes regularly about women, relationships, sexuality and books on her blog, The Ecstasy Files. She is also the creator of the Eros in Action writing sex workshop.

Kate lives, writes and loves in Melbourne with her small family and very annoying pets. The Yearning was released in 2013 to rave reviews. (Mine was one of them: My review of Kate’s first book – The Yearning – or How I lost my erotic genre virginity!)

Being Jade is her second novel.
Blog/website: http://www.ecstasyfiles.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/katebelle.x

Twitter: @ecstasyfiles https://twitter.com/ecstasyfiles

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6572571.Kate_Belle

The Reading Room: http://www.thereadingroom.com/kate-belle/ap/2394119

 

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Author Bar Yarns w/ Fiona Palmer

Fiona PalmerLook who I’ve RECRUITED!

Fiona Palmer has proven she’s a most versatile author with her first young adult novel quite a change from her highly-acclaimed rural romances, but from early reviews just as fabulous.

First, Fee, here is a beer coaster! Take a minute to jot down the blurb for your new book – The Recruit.

Jasmine Thomas is your normal seventeen-year-old girl. She dislikes the rich mean kids at her school but loves her two best friends, computer savvy Anna and popular, gorgeous Taylor. Her spare time is spent at The Ring, a boxing gym where she practically grew up learning karate, boxing and street fighting. So, yeah, she can kick some major butt.

Life seems pretty normal until Ryan Fletcher enters her gym. Mysterious, hot and plenty of bad boy charm. But she is not prepared for what she finds out about him and before too long she’s drawn into his adult world of secrets and lies. Just how far is she willing to go? And could this be the life fulfilling path she’d dreamed of?

(This is the first in the MTG Agencies series.)

Okay, well, don’t hold back. Come on in. Grab a pw. What can I get you to go The Recruit by Fiona Palmerwith your beer nuts? (Shandy? Wine Spritzer? Pink Lemonade?)

A bourbon and coke would be lovely thanks Jenn. Or a Lemon, Lime and Bitters if its before midday lol.

Hey, did you hear the one about … Tell us a joke (preferably one that comes with a punch line you actually remember!)

What is the difference between snot and broccoli….kids don’t eat broccoli. And oldie, one we always told as kids.

I’m a beer nut nut! What bar snack would you be and why?

I love those BBQ noodles you get in the mix with nuts. Love the crunch.

Ahh, that beer hit the spot. Let me slip a drink coaster under your glass while you tell us—on a scale of 1 to 10—as a writer are you a messy desker or tidy desker? (NB: 1 = “I am a neat nut case” and 10 = “What desk? Where? Is there a desk here somewhere?”) 

It’s around a four to five, I reckon. While sometimes when I’m writing it can go right up to an 8.

The publican offers you free drinks all night if you will:

  • Dance to Gangnam Style
  • Sing John Denver’s ‘Take me Home Country Roads’ on the Karaoke machine
  • Spend an hour washing dishes

Which do you choose?

Dishes for sure. Something I know I can do well lol

Time to liven the place up. Got a buck? We can crank up the old jukebox in the corner. You get to pick three songs.

  1. Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen
  2. In a pub, you must have some Jimmy Barnes!
  3. And if we were going to do some dancing, a boppy Katy Perry song.

An author, an agent and a chicken walk into the bar… how do you know which one crossed the road?

This is like one of those maths questions or a really bad joke, neither which I’m good at.

There’s a stapler on the bar. Tell me what it’s doing there.

Cracking nuts. (Maybe the barman lost his nut cracker??)

The pub is the heart of a small town and most locals would be lost without one. What are three things you’d be lost without?

  1. My family!
  2. My fur family.
  3. My car.

There are a few good prizes up for grabs in the bar jackpot. Do you have a lucky number?

73. It was my granddads racing number; my dad’s and also mine. I like to think its lucky.

Then I hope we can expect 73 great stories from you! Thank you for dropping by Calingarry Crossing pub, Fiona and congratulations on your continuing success.

Connect with Fiona Palmer and check out the trailer on her website and buy her book using these links:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/the-recruit/id852047890?mt=11

http://www.booktopia.com.au/ebooks/the-recruit-fiona-palmer/prod9780857991577.html

http://www.amazon.com.au/The-Recruit-Fiona-Palmer-ebook/dp/B00JD7EYTO

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Bar Yarns with Joanne van Os

This is pretty exciting.

The bar gets some amazing authors dropping by, and today’s country pub dweller is Joanne van Os (and something tells me Joanne is quite comfy in a country pub!)

Joanne van Os is an Australian writer living in Darwin, Northern Territory. She is the author of best-selling memoir Outback Heart, the story of her life with the “Real Crocodile Dundee” Rod Ansell, their adventures living in the remote parts of the Territory, and his subsequent spiral into tragedy.

Find out more about Joanne’s amazing story and her books: www.joannevanos.com

Welcome to Calingarry Crossing, Jo. First, here is a beer coaster! Take a minute to jot down the blurb for your book – Ronan’s Echo.

“The legacy of love and war ripples across time…”

In 1916 twin brothers Denny and Connor Ronan are eager to get to the war before it’s all over; Bridie O’Malley, their childhood friend and the woman they both love, watches them leave, understanding too late that war is about more than heroes and handsome boys in uniform.

Nearly a century on from the disastrous battle of Fromelles, forensic anthropologist Kat Kelso, Bridie’s great granddaughter, is in France identifying the recovered bodies of lost Australian soldiers. The discovery of her own relative amongst the dead men begins the unravelling of a hundred years of family history, lies and secrets.

Grab a pew. What can I get you to go with your beer nuts? (Shandy? Wine Spritzer? Pink Lemonade?)

A cold pinot noir would be lovely

Hey, did you hear the one about … Tell us a joke (preferably one that comes with a punch line you actually remember!)

A man goes skydiving. After a fantastic free fall he pulls the rip-cord to open his parachute but nothing happens. He tries everything but can’t get it open.

Just then another man flies by him, going UP. The skydiver yells, “Hey, you know anything about parachutes?” The man replies, “No, you know anything about gas stoves?”

 I’m a beer nut nut! What bar snack would you be and why?

I like the idea of being a trendy tapas, but I’m probably a pretzel…

Ahh, that beer hit the spot. Let me slip a drink coaster under your glass while you tell us—on a scale of 1 to 10—as a writer are you a messy desker or tidy desker? 

My husband would say I’m an 11, but I reckon about a 7. I’m not THAT messy. Will send a photo when I find it – it’s somewhere here on the desk, I’m sure…

The publican offers you free drinks all night if you will:

  • Dance to Gangnam Style
  • Sing John Denver’s ‘Take me Home Country Roads’ on the Karaoke machine
  • Spend an hour washing dishes

Which do you choose?

Are you kidding? Point the way to the sink.

Time to liven the place up. Got a buck? We can crank up the old jukebox in the corner. You get to pick three songs.

  1. Led Zeppelin “Whole Lotta Love”
  2. Rolling Stones “Dancing in the Street”
  3. ABBA “Dancing Queen”

An author, an agent and a chicken walk into the bar… how do you know which one crossed the road?

The agent and the chicken – the author would still be wondering about motive

There’s a stapler on the bar. Tell me what it’s doing there.

Someone’s planning the perfect murder. The stapler is integral to the plot.

The pub is the heart of a small town and most locals would be lost without one. What are three things you’d be lost without?

  1. My laptop
  2. My reading glasses
  3. Good coffee

There are a few good prizes up for grabs in the bar jackpot. Do you have a lucky number?

Do I have to have one? Ok, 7

Last drinks, my friend! It’s been great having you here. But before we go, tell us how we can find out more about you and your writing/books.

Simple: www.joannevanos.com