Many years ago I read best-selling European and American historical novels and wondered why such books were not set here in Australia. I loved the austere beauty of our rugged outback, and I thought that the bare red and gold landscapes would make wonderful settings for historical novels. After all, Australian history is fascinating. Australia had it all; an unknown land, the fascinating culture of the Aborigines, brave pioneers, daring bushrangers, the conflict between black and white, the heady days of the gold rushes, convicts settlements and free, the drama and danger of floods, bushfires and drought, unique flora and fauna and the coming together of a heady mixture of people and cultures.
Now I know that I was not alone in this love of the Australian outback and history. My first novel, The Wild Colonial Girl, hit Number One on the best seller list in South Australia in 1996. In 1998 I recieved a literary grant and also a contract in advance to write my next novel, Rebel Girl, for Pan Macmillan.
I have now had two novels published. Click below to see the
covers, read excerpts, discover the historical background and look at what the critics and
readers are saying.
The Wild Colonial Girl