Alissa Callen with a Giveaway!

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…

 


 


 


 

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?

18 comments:

  1. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I 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!
    As 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 ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Iris, I love Tassie too:) It is such a magical and beautiful place! Thanks so much for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Alissa,

    I 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

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a lovely setting, and that you grew up in it makes it all the better. Visiting the Australian Outback is on my bucket list.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Shelly, thanks so much for stopping by and all the very best making things on your bucket list come true:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Alissa, 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.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you love Tait's name:) Had so much fun choosing it!

      Delete
  10. Oooo, a rural Australian romance sounds good to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All the very best in the giveaway Ruth:)

      Delete
  11. Hi Theresa, yes there's nothing better than when a setting comes alive - especially one you're not familiar with:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. You are so right Alissa... outback settings can be just right for romance. At least, I thought so growing up in Queensland :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Paige sounds like a most resourceful woman to break Tait's big secret and in a most amazing setting too! Yay! Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  14. I really want to visit the Outback one day. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Give me the Outback any day.

    I 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. ;)

    ReplyDelete

You can discuss your romance novel addiction too!