Cassie Hamer is a best-selling Australian author who has recently released her second book into the world. "The End of Cuthbert Close" is a fabulous, fun and insightful novel about friendships and romance with a dash of intrigue thrown in for good measure. If you like Liane Moriarty's books, you will love "The End of Cuthbert Close" as well as Cassie's debut title "After the Party". Join Cassie and I as we chat about mother's guilt, good/ bad neighbours and looking good naked! An unforgettable p...
Apr 15, 2020•25 min
Vanessa McCausland's debut novel "The Lost Summers of Driftwood" is another shining example of the quality of Australian fiction on offer at the moment. A novel redolent of long, lazy summers and days gone-by, this novel made me nostalgic for my own childhood. Of days before smart phones and the internet. . .when being bored meant heading outside to play instead of being glued to a device. Tune in to my chat with the lovely Vanessa and then. . .get this book. You won't be sorry. I LOVED it.
Apr 07, 2020•25 min
Candice Fox is the international best-selling crime writer with a swag of title and awards to her name. Her new book, "Gathering Dark" (Penguin) is a gritty, clever and compulsive tale about an unlikely group of women who band together to find a missing girl. The result is a thrilling read which made me wonder anew at the inner machinations of a crime writer and what inspires them to write such tales. Join me for this insightful and highly entertaining chat.
Mar 27, 2020•38 min
Sandie Docker is the best-selling author of "The Kookaburra Creek Café" and "The Cottage at Rosella Cove". A novelist whose star is definitely on a stratospheric rise. Her new novel, "The Banksia Bay Beach Shack" has just been released. And she returns to the podcast today to chat to me about first loves, last chances and secrets that rocked a small Australian seaside town in the 1960s. Tune in to my fun and wide-ranging chat with the inimitable Sandie. Hope you love this book as much as I did....
Mar 20, 2020•22 min
Anna Romer is the author of four books published by Simon & Schuster and writes stories that evoke our unique Australian landscape. Stories that uncover dark family secrets, old rambling houses and characters who are haunted by their past. Her latest book, 'Under the Midnight Sky' (2019) had a generous dash of all these elements. A beautiful tale that explores the underbelly of trauma and grief in an evocative tale that will keep you turning pages until its thrilling conclusion. If you haven...
Mar 13, 2020•30 min
Kerri Turner is a Sydney-based author of two historical fiction titles. Her latest, "The Daughter of Victory Lights" (HQ Fiction) is a meticulously researched exploration of the difficulties faced by women after the end of the second World War, about wartime sacrifice and of its lasting impacts on those who survived and those who came after them. An illuminating, compelling read to say the least. Join me as I chat to Kerri about her background, her inspiration and much, much more.
Mar 04, 2020•30 min
In the very first episode of Talking Aussie Books for 2020, I chat to Kelly Rimmer - a USA Today best-selling author of seven contemporary fiction titles. Kelly has sold over a million books which have been translated into more than 20 language, her titles include "Me Without You", "Before I Let You Go" and "The Things We Cannot Say". Kelly's books explore themes and dilemmas that test the strength of human relationships with compassion and insight. And her latest, "Truths I Never Told You" (Hac...
Feb 25, 2020•25 min
Episode 44: In 2018, former journalist Chris Hammer shot up the literary charts with his debut international best-selling, award-winning crime novel, 'Scrublands' (Allen & Unwin). An instant hit in a genre that has now been dubbed "Antipodean Noir'. In 'Scrublands' we meet traumatised journalist Martin Scarsden when he's sent to an isolated Riverina country town to write a story about a young priest who opens fire on a seemingly peaceful gathering of his congregation - killing five before be...
Dec 31, 2019•35 min
Episode 43: Nadia Worland is the co-author of the POWman book series. The first instalment, POWman: Unleash the Hero Within (Harbour Publishing House) released in 2018 was a runaway success. Created by Nadia and Dave "Powman" Tabain, the book was written to help start difficult conversations around the insidious issue of bullying and to help kids turn negative experiences into positive ones. A year on, Nadia and Dave have added another instalment to the series - POWman: Discover the Strength Wit...
Dec 21, 2019•18 min
Episode 42: Nathan Besser's latest book, "Wild" (Viking an imprint of Penguin, 2019) is based on the extraordinary story of how the lives of Daniel Defoe (of Robinson Crusoe fame), notorious crime figure Jonathan Wild and petty criminal Jack Sheppard became intertwined in the turbulent underbelly of London in the early 18th century. A witty, highly entertaining but fictionalised account of the intersection of these historical personalities, "Wild" casts a contemporary spotlight on an era which a...
Dec 13, 2019•24 min
Episode 41: Sara Foster is the best-selling author of six psychological suspense thrillers. Her latest "You Don't Know Me" (Simon & Schuster) is a stunning example of why Sara is fast becoming an international sensation. A darkly compelling tale that is part murder mystery and part family drama, set in Sydney and Thailand, "You Don't Know Me" will keep you on the edge of your seat until its mind-blowing conclusion. Join Sara and I as we chat about her inspiration, life as a mother, full-time...
Dec 11, 2019•38 min
Episode 40: Rachael Johns is one of Australia's best-loved authors. Her novels are international best sellers that include the 2016 ABIA award-winning "Patterson Girls" a host of rural romances and more recently books that she terms "life lit". In her words, the stories she writes are "about normal people creating pretty amazing happy every afters." They are about characters you can relate to and whom you come to care about. Her books keep you glued to your seat, becoming lost in the world that ...
Dec 11, 2019•38 min
Jenn J McLeod writes stories about small towns with big hearts, loveable characters and embracing second chances. A former city girl and corporate high-flyer, Jenn is now a nomadic novelists who travels across this wide country of ours in a fifth wheeler caravan she calls Myrtle the Turtle. Jenn's 6th novel, 'House of Wishes' is about to be released into the world. It's the third of her books set in the fictional town of Calingarry Crossing and centres on three women and a forty-year-old secret ...
Nov 17, 2019•29 min
In addition to being an internationally-exhibited painter, Melbourne-based author Kate Murdoch has written two historical fiction titles and a host of short stories. Her latest novel, 'The Orange Grove' (Regal House Publishing), set in 18th century France is a remarkable study of domestic politics within the French aristocracy. Full of intrigue and heart-stopping tension, this beautifully written book offers a glimpse at what life might have been like for women of the time. Join me as Kate and I...
Nov 07, 2019•27 min
'Maternal Instinct' by Rebecca Bowyers is a book that reconstructs our world, reimagines it as a place in which the welfare of children in a paramount consideration. Set in 2040, the world within the pages of Rebecca's novel is one where child-bearing and child-rearing is a state-sanctioned event. Where women give birth to babies and then hand them over to professional carers - the Maters and Paters - after six months - as the law forbids biological parents to raise their own children. Although ...
Nov 01, 2019•30 min
Luke Devenish is an internationally acclaimed Australian author with a long list of stage and screen credits to his name. He wrote scripts for long-running Australian TV dramas Neighbours and Home and Away before making the leap to novel writing. His latest book, 'The Heart of the Ritz' released by Simon & Schuster earlier this year is a beautifully evocative, witty exploration of Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. One that will no doubt illuminate readers about the extent of the Resis...
Oct 22, 2019•38 min
Fiona Palmer is a best-selling rural fiction author, farmer and speedway racer who's brand new novel 'Matters of the Heart' (published by Hachette) reimagines Jane Austen's classic novel, 'Pride and Prejudice' - transporting us from rural 19th century England to a remote farming property in 21st century Australia. 'Matters of the Heart' is a rich, heart-warming tale about family, finding love and female empowerment in an era when first impressions can be skewed by social media and getting to kno...
Oct 11, 2019•28 min
Pamela Cook is the author of 4 rural fiction titles published by Hachette Australia between 2012 and 2016. Titles which Pamela herself describes as fiction about 'feisty women, tangled family relationships and a healthy dose of romance'. Three years after her last book, Pamela is releasing her fifth novel. Only this time, she's going it alone, plunging headfirst into the world of self-publishing. Join me as I chat to the talented and wonderfully insightful Pamela Cook about her beautiful new nov...
Sep 24, 2019•38 min
Barbara Hannay is the multi-award winning author of more than 50 novels. Barbara had always enjoyed writing and discovered romance novels whilst teaching high school English deciding then to pursue her dream of becoming a published writer. Her brand new novel, "Meet Me in Venice" (Penguin) a beautifully written, compelling Australian drama that shows why Barbara is one of Australia's most popular writers. Join me as we chat about her inspiration for this novel, romance novels, the craft of writi...
Sep 13, 2019•24 min
Kate Forsyth is one of Australia's most loved and prolific authors. Hailing from a long line of literary ancestry, Kate has published more than forty novels and sold over a million books world wide. Her new novel, 'The Blue Rose' was released by Penguin Random House in July 2019 and was inspired by the parallel events of revolutionary France and Imperial China in the 18th century. A fascinating insight into a bygone era, 'The Blue Rose' is a gloriously rich tale of enduring love, cultural differ...
Aug 27, 2019•37 min
Sophie Green is a Sydney-based author with a number of fiction and non-fiction titles to her credit. Her second novel, 'The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle' was released by Hachette Australia in July and is a gorgeous, uplifting tale of friendship, love and belonging that I fell in love with. Sophie is inspired to write by places and this novel is an ode to Australian coastal living. Tune in as I chat to Sophie about her inspiration, her interests and writing in this informative and very enter...
Aug 14, 2019•35 min
Fiona McArthur is one of Australia's best-selling novelists, drawing on her lifetime experiences as a nurse and midwife in rural and remote communities to bring her readers heartfelt stories of love and family in authentically Australian settings. Her latest novel, "The Desert Midwife" is set in Australia's red centre and is a testament to the courage and stoicism of the people that live and work in these remote places. Tune in to my fabulous (and at times hilarious) chat with the charming Fiona...
Aug 02, 2019•26 min
Michael Robotham is one of Australia's leading and best-selling crime writers. With 14 novels under his belt now, a swag of awards and a host of TV and film adaptations of his work made or in the pipeline, this writer is scaling the dizzy heights of success and deservedly so. Join me as I chat to this prolific, entertaining writer about his new novel, "Good Girl, Bad Girl" (Hachette), his inspiration and much more.
Jul 23, 2019•41 min
On this week's episode, I chat to Sydney-based author Suzanne Daniel. A journalist and communications consultant, Suzanne's debut novel, "Allegra in Three Parts" (Pan Macmillan Australia) is one of the most heart-warming, perceptive coming of age stories I've read in a long time. Set in 1970s Sydney, Suzanne takes readers on a nostalgic trip down memory lane as we follow 11-year-old Allegra through her final year of primary school and into high school while she navigates the trinity of adults wh...
Jul 11, 2019•34 min
A former script-writer for 'Home and Away', a long-running popular Australian TV drama, Kaneana May has now cracked the literary market with her intriguing exploration of a reality dating show in her debut novel, 'The One'. It follows the lives of three women - each of whom must decide how far they will go to find the one. . . Join me for this fascinating chat with an exciting new voice in Australian fiction writing.
Jul 02, 2019•22 min
It's been just over a week since Tess Woods' latest novel, "Love and Other Battles" (HarperCollins Australia) hit Australian bookshelves and it seems the reading public can't wait to get stuck into this heartwarming story. A multi-generational story that delves into the lives of three women - each a product of their own time - it offers both an insight into our past and a glimpse of challenges we face as a society now and into the future. Join me as I chat to this passionate, Aussie story-teller...
Jun 24, 2019•31 min
This week I chat to Maya Linnell, another fabulous debut Aussie author. Her book "Wildflower Ridge" (Allen & Unwin) was a delightful read that had me yearning to travel in the protagonist's footsteps through country Victoria and into the Grampian ranges. A heartwarming family saga that will leave you breathless and wanting more. Loved it!
Jun 14, 2019•22 min
In this Episode, I chat to Tabitha Bird about her remarkable debut novel, 'A Lifetime of Impossible Days' (Viking, Penguin Random House 2019). It's a magical story that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. It will make you laugh and cry and no doubt will leave a lasting impression long after you've turned the final page. I was enchanted by the Willas' story and I know you will be too.
Jun 04, 2019•32 min
Ashley Kalagian Blunt is a Sydney-based writer whose debut book "My Name is Revenge" is a fictional exploration of a significant historical event and its continued effect on the geopolitics of the modern era along with impact of violence as a way of resolving violence. A thought-provoking and informative book and interview.
May 27, 2019•30 min
Christian White's debut novel "The Nowhere Child" has catapulted him to overnight international success. Winner of the 2017 Victorian Premier's Literary Award and shortlisted for the 2019 ABIA's, "The Nowhere Child" is a gripping story of secrets, cults and memories taking readers on a journey full of twists and turns, through the past and present to find out: who took Sammy Went. Join me as Christian and I chat about his inspiration for the book, his research and writing practices in what is on...
May 14, 2019•30 min
