First welcome to JBR!
We are so happy to be visiting with you today.
We are so happy to be visiting with you today.
We are having a give away going on for Sept. What item are you giving away? (Anyone can win the item by going to the rafflecopter on the right hand side of the pg.)
ebook copy of 'Outback Gold'
First why don't you tell us a little about yourself?
I live in the beautiful Hunter Valley in Australia where they make some of Australia's best wines.
Newest release?
Outback Gold
What can we expect from your stories, action, drama, romance, sex, blood and guts?
I try to avoid blood and guts. Some drama, depending on whether or not my heroine is in a good mood or having a tantrum which doesn't happen that often. Sometimes I make the drama for them and put them in situations they hate. I write stories about life in the outback and all of the trials and challenges that face our country couples.
Do you have a favorite character in your stories? Who? and Why?
I tend to go for my heroines. I like them feisty, cheeky, sexy and hard working all rolled into one. It can be a challenge some days. In Outback Gold Stacey Peters has the job of running the family pub while her grandfather is recovering from illnes. She doesn't want to be there but at the same time, doesn't want to be
back home in Sydney either after the breakup of her relationship.
How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
In this book it would Morgan Taylor, the owner of the mining company that could ruin the small town. I don't like people who lie by omission and this is what he does. But I had to let him redeem himself by the end of the book though because deep down, he has a heart of gold.
Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:
All of my books are set in the outback of Australia. People don't often realize just how hard it is to make a living in some of these small country towns. You can go for weeks without seeing your neighbors or going into the closest town. You have to be incredibly self sufficient to live in the outback.
What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
Tell their friends and if they have time, do a review on Amazon and Goodreads. I love to hear what my readers think of my books.
Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?
Yes, don't give up ever if it means that much to you.
Do you have a favorite author? If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?
I have so many I can't go past but this year I'm loving Abbi Glines.
Can you remember one of the first things you wrote? What makes it memorable?
Probably my YA book Witchling (which I write as Ari Harper) It was the first thing I wrote seriously and it
was a true labor of love.
Where do you gather most of the inspiration for your works?
Walking with one of my dogs. I need to get out of the house and let my brain wander.
Do you have any other interesting hobbies, pets or stories you would like to share?
Hugo, my big black labrador is a failed guide dog. Poor boy was too friendly and didn't make the grade so I got him. He stars as himself in Witchling as Nera's shadow.
Favorite places to travel or visit?
I love to go camping somewhere quiet.
And now, before you go, how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us:( Include links to where we can find your work)
***
Morgan knew Stacey was watching him and he hid a smile. He wasn't sure if it was tiredness or lust that put that faraway look in her eyes and the lips that slowly parted showing the pink tip of her tongue. Whatever it was, it sent jolts of energy to his cock. Pushing away the thought of her underneath him, he put his empty plate on the counter, pulled out a chair tucked away in a corner and sat facing her.
"So, he was one of the founding fathers you might say?"
"Uh, sorry? I was daydreaming. I'm pretty buggered and need some sleep." She gulped down the rest of her coffee and slammed the cup on the bench. "Yes, he was. He loves this place and refused to sell when he got sick. Calls it his life's blood and won't part with it. I can understand that too. It was easy for me to come and take over anyway. I needed a change."
"Man or job problems send you out here?"
"A bit of both I suppose you could say. Although I can't see why it would interest you and I don't want to bore you with my problems. Anyway, here I am and here I will stay until the town goes under."
"Why would it go under? I thought the mine would give you plenty of business." He leaned back in his chair and watched her drinking a cup of coffee.
"Not enough to keep the town afloat. Sneaky bastards get all their food for the work camp brought in from Sydney. When they submitted plans to the council for the Fly-in-Fly-Out accommodation, they said 'they would buy locally where ever possible'." She laughed and the bitterness was obvious. "The only thing we get money for is what I sell in the pub and the occasional purchase from the corner store. Very rarely do they do any business in town. Most of the landholders around are looking at selling up if they can get a buyer. It's a real shame because we have some of the nicest land around. If I had the money I’d develop it into a tourist destination."
"What makes you think people would come here?"
"It's on the way to Darwin. Everyone has to go through here to go just about anywhere else. The Top End, Kakadu, you name it, we are on the way to it. Smack bang in the middle of the damned highway north. The problem is we are too small. Take a look at Mount Isa for example. One hundred and twenty miles from here. They have more infrastructure and the tourists go that little bit further and camp there the night instead of staying here. If the town was developed, we could draw more people to stay for a while, spending the money needed to keep the town afloat."
"Hmm, I hadn't thought about that. Look, thanks for the sandwich and the room. I might see you in the morning." He stood and put his plate in the sink.
"Sure, breakfast is from six until eight. Then I clean the rooms before the bar opens."
"Don't you have any help at all?"
"Nope, can't afford it. It's all me. Lucky, hey?"
She jumped down off the bench and flicked the light switch off by the door. He walked out and headed for the stairs. Stacey walked alongside him checking the lights and doors as she went.
They walked up the beautiful old staircase together, Stacey held onto the hand beaten wrought iron railing, dragging herself up. At the top of the stairs she turned to him switching off the rest of the downstairs lights.
"You go that way, I'm down here. Night."
Thanks for visiting us here on JBR!
We wish you great success!
Julie Ramsey ADM JBR
We wish you great success!
Julie Ramsey ADM JBR
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