Crimson Dawn
My next book, Crimson Dawn, is due out at the beginning of April next year.
It’s been a hard slog to get it done, but my ever-patient publisher now how the file in their office. (Considering my deadline was June of this year and I didn’t submit until the 24th of September, I think Allen and Unwin have been exceptionally lenient on me! And I’m particularly grateful.)
I thought I’d share some of the Crimson Dawn’s I’d seen recently…
I can tell you we are working hard on putting a two-week tour together, which will be within the first two weeks of April. I can’t wait to get out and about and catch up with you all. The tours are the fun part, the writing is the hard bit!
Having hit the ‘send button’ on Crimson Dawn and having a large gap in my life due to the passing of my Mother-in-law, I must admit to sitting down yesterday and wondering what the hell I was going to do with my time over the next week.
When I mentioned this to my husband, he made all sorts of funny facial expressions and noises and pointed towards the garden and laundry. Unfortunately I didn’t quite understand what he was meaning…
Today we had a mob of over a 1000 ewes and lambs to draft and weigh and, as we all know, it never rains but it pours, so this weekend will be spent on the hay rake and next week, we’ll be swathing our canola. (No rest for the wicked when it comes to farming!)
And as a sweetener I thought I’d share the draft blurb for Crimson Dawn – please understand it is a DRAFT one, not what you’ll see on the back cover of the book when it comes out.
Crimson Dawn:
From the 1930s to the modern day, Crimson Dawn tells the story of one family and how mistakes of the past impact on the present.
In 1937, Thomas Murphy, after one too many beatings from his father, flees the family farm, Nambina, leaving his brother Howie behind. Thomas embarks on a journey of self-discovery while working in and out of shearing sheds in the north of South Australia, but the shadows of home are never far from his mind. Thomas enlists and leaves Australian shores to help fight in World War Two. He is never heard from again.
Laura Murphy, Thomas’ great-niece, has inherited Nambina from her grandfather Howie. On the land she loves, she is running a training school designed to empower young women with the knowledge and skills required to be involved in the agricultural industry.
But this wasn’t how her life was supposed to play out.
After enduring a personal tragedy ten years ago, Laura is now travelling a lonely path, as she battles the enmity of her neighbor and once best friend, Meghan. The fact that Laura’s one-time fiancé, Josh Hunter, is Meghan’s’ brother doesn’t make things any easier.
To make things worse, someone is contesting Laura’s right to Nambina.
As the fight deepens Laura realises that she can’t go it alone and reaches out to friends, finally understanding that letting others in enriches your own life beyond measure. This awareness is as bright and clear as the new start promised by a crimson dawn.
Excitedly waiting for the next book.
After the year you have had, take some time out for yourself, forget the garden and the laundry, it will still be there waiting for you. Deepest sympathy for the passing of your mother in law
Sounds great & I’ll be waiting for it to be released.
Can’t wait until April, although really looking forward to our visit to Esperance in November!