I have been blue, green and every colour in between watching this author’s rise and rise and rise. You see, I’d hoped we would embark on the publishing journey together and while I was thrilled when Penguin picked up Cathryn Hein’s first novel, the wait would be another year for me—fingers crossed, gloomy, and even a wee bit jealous. (Yes, I am honest, and yes it does happen in author-land. Not that many admit it.)
Cath was so encouraging throughout that very long and angst-filled year and when I did finally meet 
her in person we hit it off straight away. (We also share the same literary agent, so that’s kinda cool.) I just love this lady to bits–so genuine, so caring and sharing, and… Well, I am thrilled to call her my friend and have her on Author Harvest (as long as she has food, that is!)
So what’s on the menu, Cath?
Because you’re so lovely I’ve whipped you up a very special tart from my Two
Greedy Italians cookbook: Ariciolata di Pesche (or less sexily, Peach and
Ricotta Crumble). A silky ricotta tart with beautiful fresh peaches baked in and
a gorgeous crumble top. Seriously, folks, this cookbook is worth buying for that
recipe alone!
(And she cooks!)
Now, at home…
My mum says garden gnomes make a house a home! Are you loud and proud in your love of garden gnomes at home – or a closet gnomer?
Garden gnomes rule, especially if they’re Sydney 
Swans. Special doesn’t begin to describe my little fellow…
(He is cute and I am sooo not into football! Hmmm, was that too honest? Did our friendship just take a major nose dive?)
What vegetable (or fruit) have you always wanted to grow at home?
Cherries. Love, love, love.
(That wouldn’t be because they’re red in colour like your favourite skin-tight Swanny uniform, would it?)
If I came to your home and looked in the refrigerator, what would I find?
Milk, lots of Asian things, cheese, a cold roast, fresh dates.
If you sorted your wardrobe by colour, what colour would stand out? (Ahh, do you sort your wardrobe by colour?!)
Blue. As for sorting, you have got to be kidding!
(And a red/white scarf!)
What are you wearing now? (Be honest!)
I don’t want to be honest!
(Why not?)
The truth is too scary.
(Well, suck it up, princess. I was honest with you in the intro. Come on… Spill!)
Oh, you insist… Sigh. All right, if I MUST. I’m currently glamorously attired in a daggy pair of shorts with a bleach stain on the bum, an age-softened t-shirt, and sports socks and trainers. What can I say? I’m a comfort girl.
(Okay, maybe next time you should lie!)
Whose home would you like to housesit and why?
Inspector Davide Rivera (actor Ettore Bassi) from the current series of Rex in Rome, but only with him in it! That man gives me girly wobbles.
(Hmm, weird! For me it’s all about Rex!)
Country curiosities…
We love a sunburnt country (slip, slop, slap and all that). What’s your ideal hat? Or are you a boots person?
LOVE hats. Something elegant and feathery for the races, or a nice felt cloche for the winter.
(Okay, I want art! Show us a picture of you in a feathery race-day hat and I’ll post it!)
If you were a tree (or animal) what kind of tree (animal) would you be?
A horse, of course! Although I’d probably end up at the knackers…
(Darn it! Now I’m singing that Mr Ed song. You know the one…
A horse is a horse, of course, of course / And no one can talk to a horse of course / That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mister Ed.
Go right to the source and ask the horse / He’ll give you the answer that you’ll endorse. / He’s always on a steady course. / Talk to Mister Ed.
People yakkity-yak the street and waste your time of day / But Mr. Ed will never speak unless he has something to say.
A horse is a horse, of course, of course, / And this one’ll talk ’til his voice is hoarse. / You never heard of a talking horse?
Well listen to this: “Hello, I’m Mister Ed!”
(And now I hope you’re all singing it too!)
Now for the big question… Why did the chicken cross the road?
It was being hen-pecked.
About you…
Your turning point: when was that point in your life that you realized that being an author was no longer going to be just a dream but a reality and a career?
The day I finished my first full manuscript. There was no turning back after that. I still love that feeling. It’s incredibly satisfying.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Structural edits. They’re good for me but, oh, they hurt.
Fun stuff …
What does your protagonist think about you? Would he or she want to hang out with you, the author, his/her creator.
He would think I was one hot chickybabe. I made him. He believes everything I tell him.
(Then don’t tell him what you’re wearing right now!)
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
Dr Watson, so I could hang with Sherlock.
What food would you be?
Sticky date pudding. Luscious!
(We have so much in common.)
What was the best thing before sliced bread?
Wine. Still is, come to think of it.
(You sure we’re not related?)
Name 5 uses for a stapler that has not staple pins.
- Clumsy tongs.
- A click bug impersonator.
- An intruder thumper.
- A cockroach squasher.
- A skin fold tester. (Okay, move away from the stapler, Cath. My folds are fine! Perhaps just a tad more Peach and
Ricotta Crumble!)
How weird are you? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (not) to 10 (very).
7. Although my other half would probably rate me much higher.
Now look at this cover. So happy to see another gorgeous design for you.
This is Cathryn’s third novel – Heartland. Love the title. Now here’s the blurb…
A powerful, passionate and moving rural love story from Cathryn Hein, author of Promises and Heart of the Valley.
When Callie Reynolds arrives at Glenmore, the property she’s recently inherited, the last thing she wants is to be saddled with a warty horse, an injured neighbour and a mad goose. Haunted by her sister’s death and her fractured family, all she wants is freedom.
But Callie hasn’t counted on falling for Matt Hawkins, an ex-soldier determined to fulfil his own dream of land and family. Nor could she predict the way the land, animals and people of Glenmore will capture her heart.
Callie is faced with impossible choices. But she must find the courage to decide where her future lies, even if it costs her everything she holds dear.
Connect with Cathryn Hein… www.cathrynhein.com
Buy Cathryn Hein books…
