Need to drop a BIG hint this Mother’s Day?
Forward this or just right-mouse click to print, add wishes, and (like my mum always did) leave your hints somewhere REALLY obvious so the family finds it!
And whether your ‘mum hugs’ are real, long-distance, or etched in your memory…
May your wishes come true.
I feel privileged to have my third novel on the shelf alongside so many wonderful Australian fiction books. Thank you for buying Australian.
But I have a confession…Hang on a minute! In saying that, House for all Seasons was my first, and firsts are special – right? (That’s what my big sister told me while growing up!) And Simmering Season was the book that will forever remind me of Mum (the nursing home scenes in particular). So how can I not love that one?
But Season of Shadow and Light is special for different reasons, and even a little personal. Following on with the family theme of this post, it is the third book published and I was the third child!
More importantly this novel is also a story about love…
Different kinds of love. And as I always say:
“People are people, parents are parents, family is family, love is love.”
And this fictional family needs saving in more ways than one, so I hope you enjoy Paige’s journey, as well as Alice’s very special love story, some thirty years earlier.
Will this story raise a few eyebrows? I thought it might. But the positive reviews keep coming and, hopefully, and I’m hopeful Shelleyrae, at Book’d Out, is on the mark with this gem:
“Jenn J McLeod is an author for all seasons and all readers.”
I truly believe the pen is mightier than the sword and fiction is a powerful way to start a conversation. Acceptance often comes from understanding so it can be that through our stories, authors can provide readers with a safe place to explore and appreciate social differences. I hope Alice’s story achieves that in some small way.
Another thing I enjoy about writing is the camaraderie of the Australian author network. If you enjoy my small town stories, why not make it a point to read more Aussie authors? I support the Australian Women Writers Challenge.
In my ‘thank you’ at the back of this book, you’ll find some author names — my network of writer friends keep me in check, let me try out ideas, and inspire me. Whatever the contribution (large or small), my thanks go to them all, especially Nicole Alexander, Fiona Gregory (Green), Shannon Garner, and my Simon and Schuster Musketeers—Karen M. Davis and Anna Romer. A shout-out, too, to Kate Belle’s daughter (who comes up with some amazing Little Miss conversations), and Helen Lacey for sharing Santo, the wall-eyed Pinto.
You will have noticed that my novels sometimes draw on the works and sayings of the wise and wonderful, quoting some while being inspired by others. In Season of shadow and Light I acknowledge the works of A.B. (Banjo) Patterson, Elyne Mitchell (The Silver Brumby) and Anna Sewell (Black Beauty). Also to Vivienne Green, thank you for your saying, which I do try to live by:
‘Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.’
And to L. Frank Baum for lending me Toto, the little white dog. And to United Productions of America, the creators of the Mr Magoo cartoon character—although my Banjo is a complete opposite to the near-sighted, bumbling retiree, it was fun reliving my child-hood while reimagining a real life Mr Magoo.
Early reviews, like this one, have thrilled me:
“ . . . an intensely powerful read, exploring the topics of love and trust whilst simultaneously exposing the effects and depths of deception and betrayal within families and communities. Not one to mince her words, McLeod tells this story in a no-holds-barred manner that leaves the reader with absolutely no doubt as to the importance of the story, it’s characters, and the lessons we can all learn from having read it. Five stars and marking this one as a Must Read!” J’aimee Brooker (AusRom Today)
These early weeks are a nerve-wracking time for any author. So, dear reader, your support and feedback is vital. Please, don’t be shy about contacting an author to let them know you enjoyed their stories.
YOU matter to us.
YOU matter to me.
And you can let me know what you thought any time:
Email: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennJMcLeod.Author
Twitter: @jennjmcleod
The really important message that I hope comes through this story …Please donate life. Consider organ donation and discuss with loved ones your wishes. Maybe do it now: www.donatelife.gov.au.
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. www.jennjmcleod.com
*Book Pack: House for all Seasons (#5 Top Selling Debut novel, 2013), Simmering Season, and Season of Shadow and Light. (Australian postal address only)
Winner announced here, end May.
At home with the funniest lady I know…Thank you for letting my park my rig on your…
… Agapanthus and Azaleas. ‘Not a problem. Pity your rig rolled on to my dog. Daisy was fond of her tail.’
Ooops, sorry! What’s that I see written on your ‘welcome mat’?
‘Stay as long as you want but please don’t ask me to cook.’
I miss my HUGE refrigerator. If I looked in your refrigerator right now, Lisa, what would I find?
‘Olives, lots of different cheeses, tomatoes, pasta, wine, champagne, fresh fruit, wilted vegetables…oh and every variety of Tim Tams there is. (I wonder what Michelle Bridges would think of that? And Pete Evans, come to think of it!)’
(Who cares. Don’t mind if I do… Thx, and maybe a cuppa to wash the biccies down?)
Downsizing my life into a 24 ft caravan meant leaving lots of things behind in boxes. What (or who!!) would you have trouble leaving behind if you took off in a caravan?
‘I would miss Zac, my cat. Oh and I guess my computer and iPhone. The rest I could live without for a while.’
Do you REALLY have room at your house to park a fifth wheeler caravan and do you mind visitors? Oh, sorry, you don’t have to answer that one!!
‘Absolutely I have room and don’t mind visitors. Bookings essential.’
My latest novel, Season of Shadow and Light, has a strong horse theme. (I love what horses can teach us). If you were an animal what would you be?
‘Rabbit. Why? I like hopping around and I also happen to think bunnies are adorable. That or a meerkat…so cute.’
You’re cooking and your food is going up against the best cooks from the CWA (Country Women’s Association). What would be your winning dish?
‘Did you not read the sign on my welcome mat?’
(Oh, yeah, sorry. Another Tim Tam?)
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
‘Starting… I am a dreadful procrastinator and I also have incredible self-doubt which can be quite debilitating at times.’
If someone was to write your biography, what do you think the title should be?
‘Tits’
‘Oh, I don’t know, Jenn! Probably ‘Buy This F#$king Book!’ Maybe I’d add a ‘please’ as well, depending on publisher sales and marketing feedback.’
What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
“Is it true you go out with the fabulously gorgeous and talented composer, Chris Harriott, from McLeod’s Daughters and Hi-5 fame?”*
“Why, yes! Yes it is true. I am very fortunate, lucky, happy…blah, blah, blah.”**
*He made me say that.
**He made me say that, too. (Not the blah, blah, blah bit.)
(LOL and you’ve been keeping that all to yourself! Hi 5, gorgeous.)
Favourite four: champagne, cats, sunshine, family (not in any particular order, of course!)
Favourite place in Australia: Gerroa, NSW South Coast
Favourite holiday destination: London
Favourite movie: That’s a tough one but I’ll go with ‘Love Actually’
Favourite quote: “The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon.” Robert Cormier.
If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?
‘Play with my breasts… Oh, entertain you? Probably do my famous impersonations, including but not limited to my horse, lizard and granny faces.’
(Such hospitality!)
Leave a comment and win a copy of Lisa’s book – It Started With A Kiss.
What was you best kiss? What makes a great kiss? Any comment about kisses!
Winner announced here in a couple of weeks. (*Sorry, Aust postal addresses only.)
Website: www.blog.lisaheidke.com
Twitter: @lisaheidke
Facebook: www.facebook.lisaheidke-author
Publisher: www.allenandunwin.com
Booktopia: http://www.booktopia.com.au/it-started-with-a-kiss-lisa-heidke/prod9781743319758.html