Fur and Farm and Cheeky Country Charm
Looking for a Rural Getaway you can have today?
“A tender heartfelt story where grief transforms into hope through the quiet strength of small-town friendships and unexpected love.”
Annie Seaton ~ Award Winning Author
For readers who love Alissa Callen, Stella Quinn and Tricia Stringer
Sheep Gully Road is a memorable Rural Fiction / Romance story you can sink your heart into. It is available on several platforms in both E-book (pre-orders are open now) and Print (pre-orders to come soon).
Blurb:
Former fireman Gus Stevens is haunted by the one rescue he couldn't make; he wants nothing more than to disappear into his quiet farm on the outskirts of Forest Gully. The last thing he needs is his new neighbour, Kate Harris, with her happy smile and relentless community spirit, trying to drag him back into a world he’s sworn to leave behind. Kate has enough on her plate to raise her nephew Riley and prove to herself—and her parents—that she’s capable of being the guardian he needs. But something about her brooding neighbour calls to her, and she recognises the same lost look in his eyes that she sees in Riley’s. When a devastating storm threatens Riley’s life, Gus must face an impossible choice: confront the demons of his past or watch history repeat itself. In a small town where secrets don’t stay buried and healing comes in unexpected ways, Gus and Kate must decide if letting down their guards is worth risking their hearts. But with Kate’s deadline looming and Gus’s demons rising, time isn't on their side.
The Inspiration Behind The Story:
Much of my growing up life was spent down at the beach, in places such as Apollo Bay and Torquay. So I have always had a deep love for the smell of the ocean, icy swims on hot days and long early morning walks along the beach. I’ve foraged for seashells and giggled when stand-up paddlers have lost their balance and fallen into the drink, mostly because I know I’d be one of them doing the same thing!
So the idea sparked when I drove to Jan Juc one day and watched sheep grazing near the crazily steep cliffs with fifty-metre drops to the sand below. From there I found Gus, a lonely soul searching for happiness in all the wrong ways. And Kate, the ultimate community cheerleader who of course had to both drive Gus mad and enchant him. And Riley, Kate’s sweet nephew who had so much more in common with Gus than he was ready for. I hope you love the story as much as I loved writing it.
For readers of Karly Lane and Rachael Johns:
On 1st June 2022, Harper/Collins Harlequin released a compelling Rural Romance novel through Escape Publishing … a story that proves forgiveness is possible and fighting for love is worth the heartache.
I’ve loved partnering with Escape Publishing to release my first novel, The Lonely Paddock. Escape Publishing is the digital arm of Harlequin where you can buy my book on four different platforms. And I couldn’t be happier with my front cover. They have captured the essence of Ross and his connection with his horse perfectly.
Blurb:
Country vet Ross Harrington would rather throw himself into his work than face the memories of a tragic childhood accident. But the protective animal-lover cannot forgive himself, tied by the belief he is unworthy of love. So, when the adorable Flick Parker bounds into his clinic with her unruly dog and a smile that threatens to dissolve his protective walls, he’s torn between his fascination with her zest for life and the overwhelming desire to tail-turn for the hills.
Meanwhile, Flick is falling for the handsome vet but doesn’t know if her heartfelt desire to care for terminally ill children can be in her future or if it’s the very thing that will keep her and Ross apart. Finding the balance between offering too much heart or guarding it like an open wound feels like an impossible task unless Ross can open himself to forgiveness and Flick can show him it’s worth taking the risk.
The Inspiration Behind The Story:
Animals have always been a huge part of my life, so when the idea of The Lonely Paddock began to sprout, I wanted to explore the idea of a character who was a vet (I’ve had many visits to vets over the years so I felt somewhat familiar with their roles) who wanted to hide his pain behind his work. Ross was perfect because I think we can all be guilty at times of saying everything is okay when perhaps it’s not. The ‘Are You Okay’ campaign that promoted talking about things openly gave me the idea of the premise. And the country men I know and work with have a high tendency to clam up and hide their thoughts and feelings which results in them not always coping, especially with past hurts, often many years later.
Matched with this, I needed a love interest that challenged Ross to the highest level. Flick was the absolute opposite to him on every level, her huge heart fully open regardless of the pain she had to go through and her smile wider than the sun.
I think many of us soldier on, unwilling to admit when we’re finding things hard. I know I can so this story was a way for me to convey the importance of opening up and risking vulnerability regardless of the outcomes. We all need trusted friends to listen. Thankfully for Ross and Flick, it paid off.
