Alissa Callen's Blog, page 5
February 28, 2013
Farm Day Friday
Friday is the perfect day to showcase a snapshot of the small corner of rural Australia in which
I’m lucky enough to live. But for this Farm Day Friday post a more apt title is Fire Day Friday.
This summer has been a scorching one with a tide of heat waves rolling over Australia. Add lack
of rain to intense heat and the result has been a sky-high fire risk. Unfortunately many fires have been caused by dry lightning strikes, car/motor bike exhausts as people pull over in long grass
or deliberately lit. And no-one has been immune. Even us.
Dinner one night was interrupted by a neighbour speeding up our driveway to tell us our front
paddock was on fire. Cue a frenzy of activity. Horses were yarded, cattle moved, dogs tied in the back of ute. But thanks to the rural fire brigade, twelve fire trucks, two helicopter water
bombers and one aeroplane dropping water the fire was contained and stock and dwellings saved. Once the initial threat had passed, a slow-moving storm rolled in giving TV crews and amateur
photographers a stunning backdrop to the smouldering paddocks.
February 9, 2013
Pass the Parcel meets Chinese Whispers meets Build a Bear
The Escape Artists present
A Love Story....
February 14 – March 15
One romance – 30 authors – 200 words a day – A world first
What happens when 30 Escape authors decided to collaborate to write one short story?
We’re not sure, but we think it will be amazing.
Every day from Valentine’s Day February 14 – March 15, 2013 an Escape Artist will post up to 200 words on the Escapade blog.
There’s no master plan, no one knows where this is going until it’s written.
It’s Pass the Parcel meets Chinese Whispers meets Build a Bear.
It’s one girl and one boy in a contemporary romance that’s guaranteed to surprise.
So come on an Escapade with us by visiting the Escapade blog daily over the next month and prepare to be delighted.
January 29, 2013
Australia Day Blog Hop Giveaway Winner
Thanks to Random.org the winner of the What Love Sounds Like giveaway is comment #24 Ella.
Thanks again to everyone who dropped by over the long weekend and to Book'd Out and Confessions from Romaholics for hosting such a fun and fabulous blog hop.
January 25, 2013
Australia Day interview with Paige Quinn, character from Beneath Outback Skies.
Welcome Paige to the Australia Day Book hop. We're so pleased to have caught you before you
headed out into the paddocks again. How about we sit at the kitchen table under the air-conditioner? It must be at least 44C outside even in the shade of the old rainwater tank.
What will you do to celebrate January 26th?
Just like in past years Australia Day will be a non-event. It still hasn’t rained and I
still have cattle to feed. Dad will throw a few sausages on the barbeque and as we have pretty city-boy, Tait Cavanaugh, staying I’m sure Dad will whip up one of his famous pavlovas. If I’m lucky
there’ll be a piece left when I get in late.
What do you love about living in Australia?
The scent of eucalyptus after rain. The flash of pink and grey as galah's fly over head.
The peace of living in the bush. Well, the peace I used to have before Tait attached himself to my side like a burr to a saddle blanket. For a man who came out here for solitude he sure goes out
of his way to seek my company. I'd bet my last row of emergency chocolate there is another reason why Tait has come to the outback.
What do you think of as iconic and uniquely Australian?
My blue-heeler puppy called Bundy who is forever chewing all things, least of all Tait's
shiny new boots. The Australian Cattle Dog was bred for their toughness, loyalty and herding instincts but at the moment little Bundy is too cute to round anything up.
Thanks so much Paige, I can see you're eager to head back out in the ute. Is that Tait I hear coming in from your father's shed?
Beneath Outback Skies will be released by Random House Jan 30 as a launch
title for the Random Romance list.
For a chance to win a kindle ebook copy of my new Escape Publishing release, What
Love Sounds Like, please leave a general blog comment. This giveaway is for both Australian and International residents. The giveaway closes Jan 28 midnight and the winner drawn Jan 29 via
Random.org. Winner will be emailed Jan 29.
Outback speech pathologist, Mia Windsor, believes her morning from hell is over. Then suited-up, city-boy Kade Reid strides into her office and announces he and his wide-eyed niece are the
clients that she will be living with for the fortnight.
Kade Reid adheres to a single edict — money is as important as breathing. But when he becomes an instant father to four-year-old Tilly, he escapes to the only place he was allowed to be a
child...the family property of Berrilea.
As Mia and Kade work together to help Tilly overcome her speech delay, can they face their fears in order to give Tilly the family she so desperately needs?
To read more Australia Day blogs and to participate in the giveaways please visit the Blog Hop's fabulous hosts at:
http://bookdout.wordpress.com/
http://confessionsfromromaholics.com/
Good luck and happy Australia Day blog hopping.
January 13, 2013
A big rural welcome to ... red dust to big smoke author Rachael Johns
Welcome Rachael! Thanks so much for dropping by and answering my ten teaser questionsJ
Night-owl or early-bird?
Definitely night-owl, although my kids don’t like this habit and so it’s slowly changing. Most
of the time I’m awake well before six but I’m not happy about the fact!
Death by chocolate or diet coke?
HOW can you make me choose Alissa?! You know I like both. Seriously, I don’t know if I could
choose between them!!
One food you would never eat?
This is an easier question, I’m quite fussy so could probably provide you with quite a long
list but I’ll go with SNAILS! Eugh L
What you wish your mother had told you?
Hmm… I’m coming up blank. My mother was always pretty open with me. There’s a lot of things
she could have kept from me (but that’s a whole other blog post) but she didn’t.
One book everyone should read?
Bridget Jones’ Diary – I have to say this because this is the book that brought me back to
reading after a hiatus in high school!
Your ultimate hero (fictional or not)?
I’m not going to name anyone in particular – but I like a man who is kind-hearted,
hardworking, loves being outdoors, rides a motorbike but doesn’t have tattoos and if he’s good-looking, that’s an added bonus.
Your ultimate heroine (fictional or not)?
Bridget Jones – see above. How can anyone not feel for Bridget?!
A hobby/bad habit that you spend way too much time on?
I’m not going to say the first thing that came into my mind – you guys would never look at me
the same again J Probably surfing the Internet checking out my Amazon ranking – totally futile since there’s nothing I can
do about it, and it would be much better to write the next book.
Favourite line of dialogue from your recent release or WIP?
“Just so you know, I never sleep with a woman on the first date.”
“Those questions? I was merely
being polite.” She raised her chin a little and looked him dead in the eye. “And just so you know, I never sleep with charmers, so it looks like we’re both safe.”
*This is from THE KISSING SEASON my recently completed novella.
Three lines from page 13, 113 or page 133 of your recent release or WIP?
Imogen tried to concentrate as a warm hand landed on her back, helping to guide her through the crowd towards
the bar. Her spine fizzed with the sensation – a feeling she’d never expected to experience again. Without a doubt, the hand was Gibson’s. (From MAN DROUGHT)
And now for the biggest teasers of all, blurbs from Rachael's latest TWO new releases.
Blog – www.rachaeljohns.wordpress.com
Website – www.rachaeljohns.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RachaelJohns
Man Drought – January 1st 2013, Harlequin Australia (currently only available in Aus/NZ
territories)
Imogen Bates moved to the small rural town of Gibson’s Find to start a new life for herself
after the death of her husband. Tired of being haunted by the painful memories of her old life, Imogen set her last remaining hopes on the little town and, in particular, pouring her heart and
savings into restoring The Majestic Hotel to its former glory. But while the female-starved town might be glad to see a young woman move in, not everyone is happy about Imogen’s arrival.
Sheep and crop farmer Gibson Black once dreamed of having the kind of family his grandfather
reminisces about, but he’s learnt not to dream anymore. Living in the mostly male town suits Gibson down to the ground...and he won’t have anyone — least of all a hot redhead from the city —
change a thing.
Imogen has never been one to back down from a challenge, especially when it concerns her last
chance at happiness. She’s determined to rebuild the pub and create a future for the little town. But can she create a future for Gibson and herself, too?
To buy links:
Harlequin Australia: http://www.harlequinbooks.com.au/product/9781460892978
STAND IN STAR – January 7thst 2013, Carina Press
As an anthropologist, Holly McCartney is more comfortable in a museum than shopping on Rodeo Drive. She isn’t
prepared for the media frenzy on her arrival in L.A. to accept a posthumous acting award for her late sister….or for her sister’s gorgeous friend Nate Devlin to come to her rescue. Though he
resents her for some reason, she can’t fight their irresistible chemistry—especially when the paparazzi force her to stay at his mansion.
Photographer Nate only agrees to help Holly survive Hollywood for her sister’s sake, but she soon gets under
his skin in a way no other woman has. The more time he spends with her, the more his attraction grows and he finds himself opening up to her in ways he never expected. But will ghosts of the past
stand in the way of their perfect Hollywood ending?
To-buy links:
Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stand-in-star-rachael-johns/1113832187?ean=9781426894909
Carina Press – http://ebooks.carinapress.com/AE8854D0-A46D-4313-926A-F5A35553A6F9/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=1CF30CE0-647B-44D8-8A96-5EEF7044BB18
January 10, 2013
A big rural welcome to ... humorous and heartwarming author Juliet Madison.
Thanks, Alissa, for inviting me to your blog today to talk about my soon-to-be-released novel FAST FORWARD. I’m super-excited and also glad that
you and I are fellow Escape Artists! For those thinking, “Huh?”, don’t worry, I’m not talking about straightjackets or daring feats of underwater lock-picking, Escape Artists is the name
given to authors published with Escape Publishing, the digital-first imprint of Harlequin Australia.
And I love that name, because I love writing (and reading) books that you can escape into; forget about the problems of the world for a while and
get caught up in a new world with great characters and exciting possibilities.
So, down to business... On January 1st 2012 when I should have been taking it easy after New Year’s Eve, my muse had other ideas. I
was ‘between books’ and thinking about which story idea I’d like to explore next. One idea had the title of ‘Fast Forward’, and just when I was pondering what to write while flipping through a
magazine, I came across an article called ‘Fast Forward’.
And there was my answer.
So I opened my laptop and out poured the first couple of chapters. By June that year I’d finished the first draft. It was the first story I’d
written in first person (being used to third person) but I found it a fun way to write. And just over three months later I was thrilled to receive an offer of publication from Escape.
FAST FORWARD is a story about ageing un-gracefully. I wanted to explore what would happen if a beautiful young woman (in this case, a
model), suddenly woke up to find she’d aged twenty-five years overnight. It would be like her worst nightmare! So with an evil chuckle I created some horrifying and embarrassing circumstances to
put my character into. All in the name of entertainment of course. I’m sure if she was real she’d forgive me. At least after exacting revenge by making me wear a hideous outfit and throwing me
off a cliff. ;)
Here is the blurb:
Aspiring supermodel Kelli Crawford seems destined to marry her hotshot boyfriend, but on her 25th birthday she wakes in the future
as a fifty-year-old suburban housewife married to the now middle-aged high school nerd.
Trapped in the opposite life of the one she wanted, Kelli is forced to re-evaluate her life and discover what is really important to her.
Will she overcome the hilarious and heartbreaking challenges presented to her and get back to the
body of her younger self? Or will she be stuck in the nightmare of hot flushes, demanding children, raunchy advances from her husband, and hideous support underwear
forever?
I had a ball writing this book and I hope readers enjoy reading it. Here’s a little excerpt to give you a taste of
FAST FORWARD…
“Time for the special YouthMagic regenerating mask,” Barb said. “This will penetrate deep to target wrinkles at their core, and work with the
skin's own healing system to encourage collagen formation. In other words; reducing fine lines and adding firmness and radiance.”
“Do you think you could put that on my whole body?” I asked.
Barb laughed. “We do have a YouthMagic body wrap, but that will have to be for another day,” she said.
It didn't matter, I swear I could feel myself getting younger with each stroke of her hands, like she was wiping away the old and revealing the
young me. Warm blood circulated through my skin as though I was lying on a Caribbean island soaking up the sun. Whatever was in this mask must be doing the trick. In fact, it seemed to be
spreading throughout my whole body. My gown suddenly seemed too hot, like I'd been lying in the sun a bit too long. Maybe that was how this mask worked, giving the skin a rush of heat to
eliminate the evidence of age. Only now I felt like I was lying in the sun and someone had rubbed chilli on my face. And then put me into an oven.
My heart raced and I squirmed on the bed. “What's in this stuff? I'm on fire!”
“Kelli, are you alright?” Barb removed her hands from my face and I sat upright, fanning my face with my hands, but they too were hot.
“What's happening to me?” My breathing quickened, and Elaine sat up too. Diora stirred slightly then released another snore. “Arghh! I need
water, or a fan, or ice - something cold, quick!” I stood and turned this way and that while Barb urged me to sit down and take a deep breath.
I didn't listen, but went to the sink and splashed water on my face, undoing Barb's handiwork. I continued until all the mask was off, my face a
dripping mess but still burning.
“Kel, calm down. You're probably just having a hot flush,” Elaine said stiffly through a masked face, trying not to move her mouth.
“A what?” I kept fanning my face and Barb handed me a glass of water which I sculled instantly.
“Hot flush. You've been having them for a while now, since you started going through menopause.”
Oh no, it can't be true. I'm fifty, a mother, a grandmother-to-be, and now I'm menopausal. I must have been a terrorist in a past life to deserve
this. Why, oh why was this happening?
“Breathe slowly, Kelli, in and out,” Barb instructed, as she massaged something cool onto my temples and then onto my wrists.
“Don't worry,” Elaine said. “They'll gradually reduce in frequency and severity. Mine only lasted a couple of years then went away, about the
same time as Peter left me. Funny that.”
That's it.
If I could wish for anything right now, I'd wish to be a man. They have it so easy, they don't even realise how good they've got it.
Bastards.
FAST FORWARD will be released worldwide as an ebook on February 1st 2013. To stay updated
you can subscribe to Juliet’s ‘Loving Life’ newsletter at http://www.julietmadison.com or connect with her online at
her blog, facebook, and twitter pages.
Thanks again Alissa, I enjoyed visiting your blog! And congratulations on the release of WHAT LOVE SOUNDS
LIKE J
Thanks so much for visiting!!
Juliet at home
January 2, 2013
Books for Country Girls and Guys
Books for Country Girls and Guys is a face book page for readers, bloggers and
authors to recommend books, ask questions and chat about all things rural fiction and non-fiction related. It also is a place to celebrate and promote country life, whatever hemisphere you may
live in. Would love to see you there! Suggestions for content or rural photographs are also very welcome.
December 16, 2012
Trouble with a capital C ...
Trouble has a colour. Black. And a face.
6am phone call today from our neighbour to say the paddock known as 'the fortress' has had its perimeter breached. I have no idea what havoc this cow caused on the farm before ours but,
like a Pied Piper, she has a loyal following of young fans and so the fun has only just begun.
Fan Club Members
It doesn’t matter if it is the vegetable garden or the orchard fence, or the pony paddock, if there is a fence it must be conquered. She isn’t hungry (check out neck rolls) or trying to find a
bull she is just a free and very determined spirit. But as much trouble as she causes, Little Farmer ( also known to scale a fence or two in his time) still calls her his favourite cow.
Number One Fan
December 8, 2012
Snowy Reading Blog Hop
Thanks so much for calling in on the Snowy Reading Blog Hop hosted by Authors Promoting Authors where a main
book character answers a few fun questions.
Hi Paige Quinn and welcome to the Snowy Reading Blog hop. We're so excited to have you here today.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a country girl who ATM is trying to save my family farm. We haven’t had a crop for five years, have few cattle left to sell and only a trickle of a cash flow. I promised my mother I’d take
care of my crippled father, Connor, and keep the farm going whatever it takes.
Do you enjoy or dislike winter? Tell us why.
I usually love winter because the outback heat doesn’t fry everything sunny-side up, but the cooler temperatures aren’t bringing any respite from the drought.
What would you do on a date (or with close friends) on a snowy evening?
I’d love to take an old tractor tyre, slide down a hill and spin out onto a frozen lake.
When it's cold and dreary outside, what makes you laugh out loud?
My blue-heeler puppy called Bundy who is forever chewing things, least of all the boots of my unexpected farm-stay guest, Tait.
If you were sitting around a fire, playing truth or dare, what would you choose and why?
I’d play truth and challenge Tait to reveal why he has really come to my home, Banora Downs. Even for a pretty city-boy he asks a lot of questions.
Tell us about a winter memory from your childhood?
When my mother was alive, we’d collect golden reindeers and every Christmas we’d arrange them around the house. Just as well I haven’t put any out this year, Bundy would eat them!
What is the most creative gift you would put under the tree?
Sorry don’t do creative or cooking – am too busy out in the paddocks.
Would you start a snowball fight?
You bet – and the first person I’d line up would be Tait.
Tell us about your favourite winter movie or book?
Maybe when the drought breaks I’ll catch up on movies and books. Until then I don’t have time to sit around or do what Tait says and go and have some fun.
How do you celebrate the holidays? Be it Christmas or Hannaukah or the Winter Solstice.
Just like in past years Christmas will be a non-event. Dad will cook a special meal but I’ll still have cattle to feed. Surely by Christmas it will have rained and Tait would have left in his
fancy car and finally I would have gotten my old, uncomplicated and solitary life back.
January 2013 - What Love Sounds Like out with Escape Publishing
1 February 2013 - read all about Paige and the pretty city-boy Tait who isn't all he seems in Beneath Outback Skies out with Random Romance at Random House.
December 6, 2012
My road to publication ...
My road to publication has had many speed bumps, falling gates and hairpin bends but thanks to RWA have finally reached my destinationJ Without RWA I’d still be an isolated writer and without attending the 2012 RWA conference wouldn’t have been at the right place at the right time.
Not only did Harlequin announce the new digital-first Escape but on a panel the very lovely Beverly Cousins (Random House) offered to look at unsolicited manuscripts from RWA members.
So post-conference sent submissions out like they were Christmas cards and settled down for the long wait. Then in a matter of weeks Kate Cuthbert from Escape emailed with an offer on a category
outback story. Speechless. This story had been revised countless times for London Harlequin only to then be rejected and I thought it’d taken up permanent residence on my hard drive. And then
Beverley Cousins offered on my drought-story single title. Gobsmacked. So here I am still pinching myself and so very thankful to RWA and all the fabulous people that make it the special place
that it is.
What Love Sounds Like will be out in January with Escape Publishing and then in February Beneath Outback Skies will be a launch title for the new digital-first Random Romance
list of Random House. And no matter how many times I write this, it still doesn’t seem realJ
