Robyn Mundy is a Tasmanian-based author of three novels whose work forms an exploration of nature in its wildest forms. Her fiction draws inspiration from her own adventures through Svalbard (a territory of Norway), Greenway, Antartica, the Norwegian Coast and Scotland. Her latest novel, "Cold Coast" (published by Ultimo Press) is a completely immersive and enthralling exploration of the majesty and brutality of nature through one woman's brave journey in a world exclusively occupied by men. The...
Dec 07, 2021•26 min
If you're listening to this podcast, I'm sure that like me, books are something that you'll definitely be popping under the tree. And one book you'll definitely want to gift this Christmas is Joanna Nell's brand new novel "The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital" (Hachette). I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to chat with Joanna before on this podcast. First, when in 2018, her debut novel "The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village" was released and then last year when her third nov...
Dec 06, 2021•29 min
"Hitler's Assassins" is the second book in Steve Matthew's Nazi trilogy (released by Big Sky Publishing). A book that takes us behind the scenes of Hitler's megalomania and paranoia during his reign as Fuhrer through the eyes of his personal staff and his closest military advisers. Listeners, this book is unlike anything I've ever read before and offers another eye-opening, chilling insight into what can only be described as a reign of absolute terror. And if you're a history buff, then this boo...
Dec 02, 2021•33 min
I met Sydney-based author Vanessa McCausland in early 2020, just after the release of her debut novel, "The Lost Summers of Driftwood". A hauntingly beautiful story that has stayed with me ever since. . . Following that meeting, Vanessa has gone on to write another two novels: "The Valley of Lost Stories" and now a brand new novel called "The Beautiful Words." Just published, "The Beautiful Words" is set between Sydney's northern beaches and a remote island off the Tasmanian coast. A book that i...
Dec 01, 2021•31 min
I first met Vanessa McCausland in early 2020 when her debut, "The Lost Summers of Driftwood" was released by Vanessa McCausland. A hauntingly beautiful story that has stayed with me ever since. . . Following that meeting, Vanessa has gone on to write another two novels: "The Valley of Lost Stories" and now a brand new novel called "The Beautiful Words." Only just released, "The Beautiful Words" is set between Sydney's northern beaches and a remote island off the Tasmanian coast. A book that is a...
Dec 01, 2021•31 min
Fleur McDonald is a bestselling Australian rural fiction writer. She's lived and worked on farms for most of her life and currently co-owns an 8000 acre property in regional WA. With 18 novels under her belt now and over 650,000 books sold, Fleur is well-recognised as a leader in this genre - having well and truly earned her title as the "Voice of the Outback". Fleur's new book "Deception Creek"was recently published by Allen & Unwin. A rich suspenseful story about a small town with many sec...
Nov 30, 2021•23 min
Having graced our television screens in popular series like Love My Way and The Slap along with roles in worldwide smash hit Game of Thrones and a host of movies, Brendan Cowell is an actor many Australians would be familiar with. He's well-known in writing circles as a novelist as well as an award-winning screenwriter and playwright. A multi-talented artist whose new novel "Plum" has just been published by HarperCollins Australia. An irresistible, eye-opening and raw novel on so many levels. A ...
Nov 29, 2021•34 min
Chris Hammer, former journalist and foreign correspondent, is a highly acclaimed, award-winning international bestselling author of the thrilling trilogy - 'Scrublands', 'Silver' and 'Trust'. This year, Chris has offered up a new stand alone novel. Called 'Treasure & Dirt' (Allen & Unwin), this novel is a sensational, suspense-filled, turbulent read that centres on a murder investigation in the fictional town of Finnegan's Gap on the NSW/Queensland border. With multiple story lines and t...
Nov 23, 2021•30 min
In his new book, "If Not Us" (Text Publishing), Mark Smith has spotlighted an important issue - not only for the characters in the story, but for society at large. Through the eyes of a young man who has experienced heart-wrenching loss, Mark has crafted a beautiful and compelling coming-of-age, David versus Goliath story which will inspire and engage young and older readers alike. A novel which is both timely and topical. I had the pleasure of chatting with Mark about his book on the podcast re...
Nov 17, 2021•26 min
Joshua Pomare, or JP Pomare as he is otherwise known, is a Melbourne-based author hailing from New Zealand who hit the literary scene in 2018 with a best-selling, award-winning debut in his psychological thriller "Call Me Evie". His success with this book was followed up with "In the Clearing" in 2019, and then "Tell Me Lies" in 2020. This year, Joshua is back with another edge-of-your-seat, spine-chilling thriller that will forever leave you nervous about renting a stay in someone else's home. ...
Nov 15, 2021•40 min
Ruth McIver is a Melbourne-based crime writer who grew up in Perth and in the US. Her first novel, "Nothing Gold", was runner up in the inaugural Banjo Prize and was selected to be pitched at the Bloody Scotland Crime Festival in 2014. Her new novel, "I Shot the Devil", published by Hachette, won the 2018 Richell Prize. And listeners, I have to tell you, I can see why. Tense and terrifying, this book uses true crime as a framework to explore a dark and explosive story that takes a look at murder...
Nov 09, 2021•35 min
Mary-Lou Stephens is a Tasmanian born author, whose divine debut novel "The Last of the Apple Blossom" (HQ Fiction) I recently had the pleasure of reading. In this book we get to re-live the highs and lows of being an apple orchardist, through the eyes of two life-long friends Catherine Turner and Annie Pearson. This was a spectacularly rich, thoroughly researched and highly emotive family drama that offers a poignant insight into the drawn out demise of this once thriving industry and the incre...
Nov 02, 2021•39 min
From award-winning bestselling author, Sarah Bailey, comes a brand new nail-biting thriller. "The Housemates", published by Allen & Unwin, is Sarah's fourth book and her first stand-alone novel. A gritty urban crime novel, "The Housemates" introduces us to Olive Groves - a Melbourne -based journalist who became obsessed by a case dubbed the "Housemate Homicide" involving three housemates: one murdered, another missing and one accused of murder. Listeners, this was one heck of a thrilling rea...
Oct 29, 2021•32 min
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of reading a new novel from Sydney-based writer, Tessa Lunney. Called "Autumn Leaves, 1922", it's the second book in Tessa's Kiki Button mysteries. A novel that does much to capture post-war sentiment in Europe at the time. Think Phrynne Fisher meets The Great Gatsby. A complex tale with a colourful and vibrant cast of characters - both real and imagined. I was thrilled to have the chance to speak with Tessa on the podcast.
Oct 28, 2021•22 min
Margaret Hickey's novel, "Cutter's End" (Penguin) is a deeply atmospheric, mesmerising crime novel that explores the chilling underbelly of the Australian outback. In a story that has echoes of Jane Harper's "The Dry" and Chris Hammer's "Scrublands" fans of outback noir are in for a treat. This was a highly entertaining, addictive page-turner that I cannot recommend highly enough. I was so delighted to have the chance to speak with Margaret on the podcast a little while ago.
Oct 19, 2021•22 min
Barbara Hannay is an international best-selling Australian author. With over 50 titles to her name and over 12 million books sold globally, Barbara is a force to be reckoned with. Her new book, "The Garden of Hopes and Dreams" (published by Penguin) was released in early August 2021. A delightfully heartwarming book about the importance of community and connection that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was delighted welcome Barbara back to the podcast a little while ago.
Oct 15, 2021•23 min
Tough times mean it's never been more important to have feel good stories we can turn to. Stories that send us on a welcome journey away from reality, if only for a little while. And that's exactly what Jodi Gibson's new book did for me. "The Five Year Plan" (Brio Books) is a super-fun story which follows the adventures of Melbourne woman, Demi Moretti, as she tries to navigate life bearing the weight of her family's expectations and tick the boxes of her five year plan. It's a story to tantalis...
Oct 06, 2021•24 min
Hannah Bent is a Sydney-based author whose debut novel 'When Things Are Alive They Hum', was recently published by one of Australia's newest publishing houses, Ultimo Press. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Hannah studied Fine Art and Film in London before deciding to pursue further studies in writing in Sydney. Completing a Masters In Creative Writing, Hannah was awarded the Ray Koppe Young Writer's Award in 2013 for her novel in progress. Listeners, this book is something to behold. Exploring the...
Oct 02, 2021•17 min
I was so thrilled to join this stellar cast of women podcasters recently to celebrate Dani Vee's 400th episode of her fabulous Words and Nerds Podcast. Not only is Dani an exceptional, authentic and inspirational human, she's a wonderful supporter of Australian writers and other podcasters. Join Dani, Pamela Cook, Alison Tait, Ashley Kalagian Blunt and I as we celebrate this incredible milestone event by chatting all things podcasting. . .the highs, the lows and everything in between. It was an ...
Sep 27, 2021•1 hr 2 min
Simon Rowell is a Victorian based author with an eclectic working background. His first novel, "The Echo of Others" was an Amazon bestseller and went on to be Longlisted for the Ned Kelly Awards - Best First Crime for 2018. This year, he returns with a brand new crime thriller. A book that is propulsive, filled with twists and turns, and a new and unforgettable crime-busting duo. Called "The Long Game" and released by Text Publishing, this book is highly recommended for crime fiction junkies. I ...
Sep 24, 2021•17 min
In mid-2020 I had the happy privilege of chatting with rural fiction author, Léonie Kelsall about her gorgeous book, "The Farm at Peppertree Crossing". With its well developed characters and strong sense of place, it was a book that offered humour and hope and a way of making sense of some of the tough issues often faced by our rural neighbours. So I guess it comes as no surprise to learn that this book went onto become a national best-seller. This year, Lee is back with her second rural fiction...
Sep 21, 2021•29 min
Francesca Haig's "The Cookbook of Common Prayer" (Allen & Unwin) is a book that will forever leave an indelible imprint on my heart. Set between Tasmania and London, this book explores themes of grief, food, mental health and hope in a thoroughly compelling and unique manner. Heartbreaking and somehow uplifting at the same time, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I was overjoyed to have the chance to speak with Francesca about her beautiful book earlier this year.
Sep 16, 2021•25 min
Paige Toon's latest book "Someone I Used To Know" (Penguin) was released here in Australia in June 2021. A tender, passionate and romantic story that was both heartbreaking and heartwarming at once. I absolutely loved it. Set in North Yorkshire, this book captured my imagination and was everything you love in a contemporary romance. I was thrilled to welcome Paige to the podcast earlier this year.
Sep 08, 2021•21 min
It's always a thrill for me to discover the work of authors I haven't read before. Especially crime writers. So, you can imagine how excited I was to find Tim Ayliffe's books. Tim is a Sydney-based author and journalist who works as the Managing Editor of Television and Video for ABC News. A few years ago, he decided to try his hand at novel writing and has now penned three novels featuring former foreign correspondent, John Bailey. In early August, his brand new novel "The Enemy Within" was rel...
Sep 04, 2021•22 min
Sandie Docker is an author whose books are now highly anticipated amongst the band of loyal readers she has amassed over the last few years - characterised as they are by their idyllic settings, relatable characters and long-held mysteries. Titles which include "The Kookaburra Creek Cafe", "The Cottage at Rosella Cove" and "The Banksia Bay Beach Shack" demonstrate Sandie's knack for writing intriguing and emotional stories that often result in tears. Her new book, "The Wattle Island Book Club" (...
Aug 30, 2021•24 min
Rob McDonald also known as RWR McDonald is the award-winning author of the 2019 novel "The Nancys". A murder-mystery featuring 11 year-old Nancy Drew fan, Tippy Chan, who teams up with her babysitter uncle and his boyfriend to form their own amateur detective club to solve a high-profile murder case. This year Rob released a follow-up called "Nancy Business" (Allen & Unwin). Tippy along with her Uncles Devon and Pike are back, reforming their detective club "The Nancys" to investigate an exp...
Aug 27, 2021•32 min
Tania Farrelly's debut novel "The Eighth Wonder" (Penguin) is one of those books I found so brilliant it left me amazed and envious in equal measures! It was inspired, nuanced, thought-provoking and intelligent - so much so, it's difficult to fathom that it's a debut. It's book that takes readers on a journey through New York in the early 20th century. A time of great contradictions and one that posed so many challenges for women. I was thrilled to have the chance to speak with Tania about this ...
Aug 25, 2021•28 min
Two years ago I had the great fortune to chat with Kaneana May on the release of her debut novel, "The One" (Harlequin, 2019). A story that took us behind the scenes of a popular reality dating show and the lengths someone will go to to find their one true love. This year Kaneana is back with another fabulous novel. A beautiful and moving story about friendship, love and loss. Something that I know many of you out there will absolutely adore. The novel is called "All We Have Is Now" (Harlequin) ...
Aug 17, 2021•23 min
"Girl, 11" is the explosive, incredible debut novel written by Melbourne-based author, Amy Suiter Clarke. For lovers of true crime and the podcasts that shine a spotlight on cold cases, this book was a nail-biting page-turner that I devoured. I had a terrific time chatting with Amy on the podcast a little while ago.
Aug 12, 2021•27 min
Rachel Givney is an international best-selling author and film-maker with a list of TV and film credits to her name. In 2020, Rachel added novel-writing to her impressive list of achievements with her runaway success break-out novel, 'Jane in Love '. A romantic comedy that fans will no doubt be delighted to learn has been optioned by Amazon Studios and Di Novi Pictures for a film adaptation. This year, Rachel released her second novel. But this time we are transported back to Poland in the lead-...
Aug 09, 2021•23 min
