Hello peeps,
Whether you’re in the Northern Hemisphere and spring is budding, or in the Southern Hemisphere where Autumn has arrived in a bluster, it’s the perfect time to hunker down with some romance reading!
March flew by with me barely noticing. I’m not sure what happened, except it was a crazy busy end of school term — I did a heap of writing but unfortunately all marking and reports — and there was an ARRA book-signing event in Melbourne, and I visited the Clunes book festival with a writers’ retreat thrown in with some fab writer friends, then Easter with copious guzzling of chocolate and my 91-year-old mum flying in from the UK, my brother from New Zealand and my daughters from Queensland. Phew, I’m knackered just thinking about it!
Have you ever been to a big book signing event? I attended to my first Australian Romance Readers Association (ARRA) multi-author book signing and it was a real eye-opener. Low and behold, I even sold some books! As fab as it was to get together with fellow romance writers, it was even more lovely to meet some romance readers in the flesh and talk to them about my favourite subject — my books ;) It was/is very reassuring to know that there are people at the end of the line appreciating our efforts and interested in reading our stories.
Below are some photos of myself, Heidi Catherine and Danielle Hughes, from the Clunes Book Festival and our mini writers’ retreat — mini as in time spent together, maxi as in laughs and fun had. We stayed in a gorgeous cottage on a farm, talked books, made some daft Tiktoks, and sorted our writerly shit out. My only whinge is that it was not nearly long enough. Love these women!
I was back in the area later in the month with my mother and sister, staying in Daylesford, so I got a chance to visit some of the places I’d spied, have a spa, and a good excuse for a whole lot more eating. I’ve not been on a holiday with just my sister and mother before, so it was pretty special and a hoot. No-one makes me laugh quite like my mum and sister. Can anyone tell me why that is? Shared genetic madness??
I’m going to keep this newsletter short and sweet because I’m in the midst of our family extravaganza reunion at the moment. As you can imagine, it’s loud and chaotic and doesn’t leave a lot of time for writing. But it’s also heart-warming and hug-tastic and getting together with the people I love most in the world. I’m sure there’s the kernel of a story in this somewhere too . . .
Before I forget, if you haven’t yet grabbed your copy, Alice and the Impossible Game is available as a countdown deal this weekend only! You can get it by clicking here!
Author in the Spotlight: Louisa Duval
What do you love most and like least about being an Indie author?
It's the same answer - that you are in control of the business decisions and direction of your writing.
The least likable part of indie writing is the business admin. It's the least creative aspect of what I do.
What inspired the Ballydoon series?
I mostly live in the city - Brisbane, in Queensland - but I also have a small farm in the Granite Belt region south of Stanthorpe. One day in 2018, our local rural fire brigade saved lives, homes and businesses from an out of control grassfire. If that grassfire had reached the bush beyond the vineyards beside it, the conditions could have pushed a raging bushfire towards us. I was so in awe of the volunteers in the brigade of how they got stuck in and were relentless in those 48 hours to put out the fire and to keep us safe. I decided they deserved a love letter, and what is now the Fiery Hearts of Ballydoon was born.
How do you plan a series of books? Are you a plotter? Any tips for budding authors?
I am driven by characters. I like to conjure up interesting characters and then throw them into situations to see how they react. And then I ask myself 'why did they react like that?'
I also love asking 'what if...?' and letting the possibility flow.
I plot to a certain degree and it's always about the characters - how do they feel at the beginning of the scene? how is this scene going to change how they feel?
My only tip is to be true to what feels right for you with planning and plotting. Give other authors' systems and techniques a go and hone your craft to a method that works for you.
What has been your favourite read this year and why?
I am always late to the party! I read 'When Grumpy Met Sunshine' by Charlotte Stein. Grumpy/sunshine tropes are a favourite trope to read and Charlotte's take of this dynamic was superb. If you are a fan of Ted Lasso, this book must be placed on your TBR.
What are you currently working on? What next?
I love having several projects on the go. I am editing Books three and four, Flames and Inferno, of the Fiery Hearts of Ballydoon series. Flames is almost done, just gotta add the finishing touches before I hand it over for proofreading and release. I'm working on a scene where my Flames heroine is talking to my hero from 'The Longest Speed Date' about missing her hero and it's all the feels.
I have an anthology in August coming up themed for Halloween called 'The Love Hexperts'. This anthology will officially launch my new pen name, Sabrina Duval, writing witchy cosy mysteries with steam. It's the humour and magic of Buffy, but with witches, and everyone is in their thirties. Oh, and there's were-raccoons and were-pugs.
There are also plans to keep writing in Ballydoon including a series centred around a day spa in the country, called Blissed Out in Ballydoon.
What’s your favourite romance trope and why?
I wasn't even subtle before when I said I love to read Grumpy/Sunshine. I also love to write it. My first book, Whisky and Sunshine, is a spin on this trope, and a modern take on Beauty and the Beast.
I also love enemies to lovers - adore that panic when they think the hate they feel for the other is actually the red hot flames of love!
I love small communities and country villages. I love how we look out for each other, and how we get into each other's business. I will always pause to investigate a new contemporary small town series as well. A shout out to Emma Mugglestone for Wattle Junction - love her small town world in her stories.
Biography:
Louisa Duval lives between suburban Brisbane and the Granite Belt region of Queensland where her family and their fat cattle dog-Kelpie cross love to relax on thirty-five acres of serenity. Her romance stories have won and finalled in national and international awards including best banter and best romantic comedy.
Louisa’s idea of a perfect day is in an armchair by the fire on a wintery day with a great romance read.
Latest release:
'The Longest Speed Date' is available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. It's the second book of 'The Wilde Sisters' duet and can be read standalone:
Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CQLDKT3R
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQLDKT3R
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CQLDKT3R
Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CQLDKT3R
Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0CQLDKT3R
More reading for April that’s steaming hot . . . Check out these amazing offers
https://books.bookfunnel.com/cassie1433/eey5gy4jz3
I also want to mention another awesome Aussie author friend, Leanne Lovegrove, and her recent book releases. If you’re looking for inspiration and romance, go no further! More from Leanne in my next newsletter. . .
That’s it for this month. Hope April is treating you well, wherever you are!
Love what you read and read what you love!
Anna
x
P.S. You can find me in these places: