Talking Aussie Books

Benjamin Stevenson is an award-winning stand up comedian and author whose first novel, Greenlight was shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Award in 2019.

He is one-half of a hugely popular comedy show called "The Stevenson Experience" which has had sold out appearances at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, various comedy festivals around Australia and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

His second novel, "Either Side of Midnight" was released by Penguin Random House Australia on the 1st of September and wow does he know how to pack a punch with his writing.

This novel was completely gripping, utterly thought-provoking and terrifying it is exploration of the power of influence in today's society. Intricately plotted with lots of twists and turns . . .it kept me guessing until its breathtaking conclusion.

Had so much fun chatting with Benjamin about his novel.

Amelia Mellor is a secondary high school English teacher who hails from regional Victoria. Her brilliant and magical debut novel "The Grandest Bookshop in the World" was recently published by Affirm Press. Aimed at the middle grade reader, it's a fantastical adventure set in an iconic Melbourne establishment known as the Coles Book Arcade and which was reputedly once the world's largest bookstore. Set in 1893, it gives readers a glimpse into a by-gone era and offers some insight into the history and culture of the time. A delightful read for young and old in my humble opinion.

I recently had the pleasure of welcoming Amelia to podcast. Such a fun and insightful chat!

Monique Mulligan is a Perth-based author, interviewer and founder of the Stories on Stage Program.

She is a former journalist, news-editor and publisher who combines her work at an arts-centre with freelance editing and novel writing.

Her debut novel, "Wherever You Go" was released by Pilyara Press in September 2020 and let me say listeners, it's a novel you will need to keep the tissues handy for.

Beautifully written, poignant and heart-achingly real in its portrayal of grief and guilt, this stunning novel will have you wondering how you would cope in the same situation.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with Monique on the podcast recently.

Don't miss this entertaining and inspiring interview!

**Please be Advised this Episode Contains Discussion of Mature Themes and Content and May not be Suitable for Young People**

Queensland-based Amy Andrews is an award-winning USA-Today best-selling author who has written over seventy contemporary romances and sold over 3 million books. She has written for both traditional and digital markets and her books have been translated into more than a dozen different languages.

Her stories have all the feels and range from the sassy, comical and quirky to emotionally gritty and sizzling.

I recently had the pleasure of reading "Nothing But Trouble" - book one of Amy's "Credence Colorado Series" and I loved it. A page-turning friends-to-lovers story that had me eager to find out if the heroine gets her happy ever after.

I can't believe I've never read one of Amy's books before. But I can tell you . . .it won't be the last.

Tune into the this fun and wide-ranging chat.

Belinda Alexandra is a much-loved international best-selling Australian author whose novels are steeped in history and intrigue, adventure and exotic locations - shedding light on some of our society's most difficult issues.

Her eighth novel "The Mystery Woman" was released by HarperCollins in early September this year. It's a spellbinding thriller set against the backdrop of a small coastal town in 1950s Australia. A rich story, filled with passion, intrigue, scandal and secrets. I read it in almost one sitting.

Join Belinda and I as we chat about everything from 1950s fashion, food and decor to feminism, environmentalism, speaking up for what you believe in and...of course, cats!

A wonderful and highly entertaining interview you must not miss!

Megan Mayfair is a Melbourne-based award-winning author whose books she describes as "stories with a dash of family intrigue, a sprinkling of humour and a spoonful of romance."

In 2019, Megan won Romance Writers of Australia's coveted Ruby Award in the Romantic Elements category for her novel "Tangled Vines" and earlier this year was shortlisted for a number of nominations in the Australian Romance Readers Awards.

In this fun chat, Megan and I chat about her sensational novel, "The Things We Leave Unsaid" which forms part of the aptly named "Cafe Chronicles Series". We chat about her inspiration, research and what she and her characters have or may not have in common!

Don't miss it!

In an interview that has been in the making since October 2018, I chat to international best-selling, award-winning Australian author Jane Harper on the eve of the release of her brand-new thriller, "The Survivors" (Pan Macmillan).

I can't tell you how excited and proud I am of this wonderful interview where Jane and I chat about her inspiration and research for this compelling novel, along with her thoughts on the popularity of Australian crime fiction and her role in that wave of interest as well has her cameo in the upcoming film adaptation of her debut novel, "The Dry".

A truly entertaining and enlightening chat with one of Australia's (and the world's) most loved story-tellers.

Tony Park is an Australian-born international best-selling author of 18 African thriller novels. His latest, 'Last Survivor' was released in July 2020 by Pan Macmillan Australia.

In 1995, a trip to southern Africa with his wife, Nicola, changed Tony's life. He's been back almost every year since that first trip where he spends 6 months of each year researching and writing his books.

'Last Survivor' is the first Tony Park novel I've read, but it most certainly won't be the last. Gritty, pacy and thrilling with a cast of eclectic characters and kick-arse heroines which I absolutely loved.

Join Tony and I in this fun and insightful interview where we chat about his inspiration for the book, gun-toting grannies, rare and endangered species of plants, conservation and much, much more.

Kerry McGinnis is a much-loved Australian author of nine best-selling outback suspense novels.

Her latest book, "Croc Country" (Penguin) was a gripping, atmospheric read that had me itching to learn more about Australia's Top End and in particular, the Gulf Country about which Kerry writes so beautifully.

Join Kerry and I as we chat about her early life as a drover, her inspiration for this story and the amazing experiences that led her to become one of Australia's favourite story-tellers

Kyle Perry's debut novel, "The Bluffs" (Penguin), has all the ingredients of a truly unsettling, page-turning thriller.

Astonishing in its emotional depth and complexity, this novel balances myth and reality, traversing a range of themes that include teenage cyber-crime, bullying, addiction and family trauma. It is as much about the place in which the action takes place as the characters that inhabit it. 🏔

A remarkable debut, which I highly recommend. 👌🏻