We invited author Alissa Callen and she's here with a giveaway for one commenter!
My rural novel Beneath Outback Skies is set in the red earth country of western
NSW, Australia. My childhood was spent chasing sheep on the family farm and
now, when not writing, I play traffic controller to four children, three dogs,
two horses and one renegade cow who really does believe the grass is greener on
the other side of the fence. So it is only natural my stories are set in the
rural and remote areas that I love. And luckily, the outback is a perfect
setting for a romance novel …
1.
The Aussie outback is
spectacular – from ochre red dust to brilliant blue skies, to cream-trunked gum
trees, to bleached grasses, the colour palette provided by rural Australia is both
inspiring as well as breathtaking.
2.
Just like in the American Old
West, the outback fosters a special type of community spirit as people band
together to survive no matter what Mother Nature might throw at them, whether
it is fires, floods or droughts.
3.
There are cowboys (and
cowgirls). Need I say any moreJ
4.
Stories set in the outback may
also contain animals, whether they are horses, mischievous puppies or even in
my current WIP a goat called Fudge who believes she is a dog.
5.
The outback with its endless
horizons, starlit night skies and sense of space is a place where past hurts
can heal, new beginnings made and where dreams can come true.
Beneath Outback Skies
Book
blurb: Paige Quinn will let nothing and no one distract her from
caring for her wheelchair-bound father, Connor, and fighting for her remote,
drought-stricken property, Banora Downs. Least of all a surprise farm-stay
guest named Tait Cavanaugh, whose smooth words are as lethal as his movie-star
smile. Except Paige can’t help noticing that, for a city-boy, Tait seems
unexpectedly at home on the land. And he does ask a lot of questions…It doesn’t
matter how much he helps out or how much laughter he brings into her life, she
soon suspects he is harbouring a big secret – the real reason he has come to
Banora Downs…
Book/buy
link: http://www.randomhouse.com.au/books/alissa-callen/beneath-outback-skies-9780857980397.aspx
Website: www.alissacallen.com
Giveaway:
One kindle eBook copy of What Love Sounds Like, my shorter length outback story published by
Escape Publishing.
Giveaway
question: What is your favourite book setting?
There is something about rural romances that call to the primitive in all of us. For me the appeal of rural settings is that they fulfil the eternal hankering for a time when the pace of life was slower, where people valued each other but above all there is a great sense of community. This is what sets country life apart from life in the city.
ReplyDeleteVery well said Shirley:):)
DeleteI can remember when I went to the Outback for the first time. At that time I still lived in Germany and was on holidays in Australia. The sheer vastness of what was in front of me was completely overwhelming and I just stared for a long time ... I absolutely loved it!
ReplyDeleteAs for my favourite book setting ... without a doubt ... Tasmania.
Love the blurb of Beneath Outback Skies. The book is slowly making its way to the top of my TBR list ;-)
Hi Iris, I love Tassie too:) It is such a magical and beautiful place! Thanks so much for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteHi Alissa,
ReplyDeleteI love your gorgeous descriptions of the Outback and loved reading both What Love Sounds Like and Beneath Outback Skies:)
My favourite book setting is Scotland. No surprises for anyone who knows me;) The history, amazing scenery and men in kilts:) But I do enjoy Rural Romances, too. There's something 'earthy' and 'real' about them. I can't wait to read your next book:)
Best wishes,
Allison
Hi Alli, so lovely to see you here! Lol at Scotland being your favourite setting - must confess that after reading your wonderful books it is one of mine too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely setting, and that you grew up in it makes it all the better. Visiting the Australian Outback is on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteHi Shelly, thanks so much for stopping by and all the very best making things on your bucket list come true:)
ReplyDeleteAlissa, I like the idea of having your books set in the outback because I've always been interested in seeing it. No particular setting makes me pick up a book, but I appreciate it when an author makes a place come alive.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Sydney for a couple of years, and I kick myself for not making it to the Outback. And Tait Cavanaugh is such a sexy name.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you love Tait's name:) Had so much fun choosing it!
DeleteOooo, a rural Australian romance sounds good to me!
ReplyDeleteAll the very best in the giveaway Ruth:)
DeleteHi Theresa, yes there's nothing better than when a setting comes alive - especially one you're not familiar with:)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Alissa... outback settings can be just right for romance. At least, I thought so growing up in Queensland :-)
ReplyDeletePaige sounds like a most resourceful woman to break Tait's big secret and in a most amazing setting too! Yay! Take care
ReplyDeletex
I really want to visit the Outback one day. :-)
ReplyDeleteGive me the Outback any day.
ReplyDeleteI was born into this beautiful country of ours and have lived here for 48 years, and I've never been to the Outback - even though I am a country girl at heart.
Until I can get there, bring on the Outback settings. At least that way I can feel the place through the writer and characters...And checkout those cowboys without anyone knowing. ;)