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We are all wonder women

It was International Women’s Day the other day so, naturally, Facebook was filled with images and quotations to inspire and celebrate the female in all her glorious (often mysterious) forms.

Anita Heiss shared this image on Facebook (thanks Anita) and I would love to give credit to the two people responsible (whose names are indecipherable at the bottom of the picture) because it is a wonderful message for all.

The whole “modern day Wonder Woman thing” with women trying to do it all reminds me of my Maggie in Simmering Season. Nicknamed Magpie at school because she was always protecting others in the playground, as a grown up she is trying to do it all and juggling way too many things at once (like most mothers).

I’m afraid I don’t go too gentle on her either by sending a perfect storm her way in the form of an old school girl crush and an unexpected guest for the summer. Maggie already has a restless 17 year old son, a father with dementia, an absent husband and a country pub that just won’t sell.

Simmering Season and Maggie’s perfect storm is coming…

Not long to wait now. Poster are already in my local bookshop. Here’s Aleesha from The Book Warehouse, Tooormina.

Simmering Season is released officially on April 1 and will be in bookshops a few days before, probably. Anyone in Coffs regions pls email me and let me know and I will send you an official launch invitation.

Those who prefer shopping for their books online (print or ebook) you can now pre-order. Your favourite e-tailer will have it. Just search Simmering Season of check out the links on the Simon and Schuster page (print and ebook) where you can also become a fan and sign up for newsletters that often have freebies.

So here’s to women everywhere – especially women writers and readers.

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The Lucky Seven – Jenn J McLeod

There’s this ‘thing’ going around. It’s called “The Lucky Seven” and the clever Juliet Madison has tagged me.

The challenge: Post seven lines from an unpublished work of fiction.

I have chosen lines from my debut novel House For All Seasons (release date May 2013) a story about four women reconnecting with their country roots.

The Golden Rules of this challenge:

  • Go to page 7 or 77 in your current manuscript
  • Go to line 7
  • Post on your blog or Facebook page the next 7 lines, or sentences, as they are – no cheating
  • Tag 7 other authors to do the same

So here goes: House For All Seasons, Page 77, line 7:

‘As for me,’ he said, taking Sara’s hand. ‘I prefer a more traditional hello. Welcome to my home.’ He tugged her arm, pulling her down until he could kiss her on both cheeks, lingering a little longer than tradition, in Sara’s estimation. ‘Come on in.’

The affectionate welcome had set a kookaburra amongst the butterflies in her stomach. Will was fast becoming Sara’s constant companion, if not in person by day, then in her mind each night in bed when she closed her eyes and imagined she was sixteen again, and brave.


Well, there it is. Now it’s back to Facebook to tag some 7 writer friends to do the same. Seven very different but wonderful authors.

Bronwyn Parry, Helene Young, Lisa Heidke, Anita Heiss, Jaye Ford, Christine Stinson, Dianne Blacklock