Talking Aussie Books

In the very first episode of Talking Aussie Books for 2020, I chat to Kelly Rimmer - a USA Today best-selling author of seven contemporary fiction titles. Kelly has sold over a million books which have been translated into more than 20 language, her titles include "Me Without You", "Before I Let You Go" and "The Things We Cannot Say".

Kelly's books explore themes and dilemmas that test the strength of human relationships with compassion and insight. And her latest, "Truths I Never Told You" (Hachette Australia) is no exception.

Tune in now!

Episode 44: In 2018, former journalist Chris Hammer shot up the literary charts with his debut international best-selling, award-winning crime novel, 'Scrublands' (Allen & Unwin). An instant hit in a genre that has now been dubbed "Antipodean Noir'.

In 'Scrublands' we meet traumatised journalist Martin Scarsden when he's sent to an isolated Riverina country town to write a story about a young priest who opens fire on a seemingly peaceful gathering of his congregation - killing five before being shot and killed himself. You're already interested, right?

Earlier this year Chris followed up the phenomenal success of his debut Martin Scarsden novel with 'Silver' which picks up where 'Scrublands' left off in another page-turning read.

Join me as Chris and I chat about the phenomenal success of these novels, his inspiration, meeting Val McDermid and what he's planning next in this highly entertaining and informative interview.

Episode 43: Nadia Worland is the co-author of the POWman book series. The first instalment, POWman: Unleash the Hero Within (Harbour Publishing House) released in 2018 was a runaway success.

Created by Nadia and Dave "Powman" Tabain, the book was written to help start difficult conversations around the insidious issue of bullying and to help kids turn negative experiences into positive ones.

A year on, Nadia and Dave have added another instalment to the series - POWman: Discover the Strength Within (New Holland) - a story about karate-fanatic, Frankie Tabain, and the way she deals with the bullies in her new school.

Beautifully illustrated by Shane Ogilvie, these books are proving to be powerful tools that parents, teachers and kids can all use to help them deal with this widespread issue.

Join Nadia and I as we chat about her inspiration, experiences and future books in the POWman series.

A highly relevant and informative interview for anyone who has been affected by bullying. . .

Episode 42: Nathan Besser's latest book, "Wild" (Viking an imprint of Penguin, 2019) is based on the extraordinary story of how the lives of Daniel Defoe (of Robinson Crusoe fame), notorious crime figure Jonathan Wild and petty criminal Jack Sheppard became intertwined in the turbulent underbelly of London in the early 18th century.

A witty, highly entertaining but fictionalised account of the intersection of these historical personalities, "Wild" casts a contemporary spotlight on an era which arguable spawned the modern phenomena of crime writing and tabloid journalism.

Tune in to this informative interview as Nathan and I chat about the London that these men lived in, what they were really like and how Nathan balances a writing career with family and business.

Episode 41: Sara Foster is the best-selling author of six psychological suspense thrillers. Her latest "You Don't Know Me" (Simon & Schuster) is a stunning example of why Sara is fast becoming an international sensation.

A darkly compelling tale that is part murder mystery and part family drama, set in Sydney and Thailand, "You Don't Know Me" will keep you on the edge of your seat until its mind-blowing conclusion.

Join Sara and I as we chat about her inspiration, life as a mother, full-time writer, PhD candidate and much more.

Episode 40: Rachael Johns is one of Australia's best-loved authors. Her novels are international best sellers that include the 2016 ABIA award-winning "Patterson Girls" a host of rural romances and more recently books that she terms "life lit". In her words, the stories she writes are "about normal people creating pretty amazing happy every afters." They are about characters you can relate to and whom you come to care about. Her books keep you glued to your seat, becoming lost in the world that exists within their pages.

Her latest release "Just One Wish" (released by HQ Fiction) has been on the shelves for just over a month and. . .it's a cracker of a story. I loved it.

Join Rachael and I as we chat about her latest book baby, what inspired her to write it, Mars, boys and so much more.

Don't miss this highly entertaining and informative interview!

Sara Foster is the best-selling author of six psychological suspense thrillers. Her latest “You Don’t Know Me” (Simon & Schuster) is a stunning example of why Sara is fast becoming an international sensation.

A darkly compelling tale that is part murder mystery and part family drama, set in Sydney and Thailand, “You Don’t Know Me” will keep you on the edge of your seat until its mind-blowing conclusion.

Join Sara and I as we chat about her inspiration, life as a mother, full-time writer, PhD candidate and much more.

Rachael Johns is one of Australia’s best-loved authors. Her novels are international best sellers that include the 2016 ABIA award-winning “Patterson Girls” a host of rural romances and more recently books that she terms “life lit”. In her words, the stories she writes are “about normal people creating pretty amazing happy every afters.” They are about characters you can relate to and whom you come to care about. Her books keep you glued to your seat, becoming lost in the world that exists within their pages.

Her latest release “Just One Wish” (released by HQ Fiction) has been on the shelves for just over a month and. . .it’s a cracker of a story. I loved it.

Join Rachael and I as we chat about her latest book baby, what inspired her to write it, Mars, boys and so much more.

Don't miss this highly entertaining and informative interview!

Jenn J McLeod writes stories about small towns with big hearts, loveable characters and embracing second chances. A former city girl and corporate high-flyer, Jenn is now a nomadic novelists who travels across this wide country of ours in a fifth wheeler caravan she calls Myrtle the Turtle. Jenn's 6th novel, 'House of Wishes' is about to be released into the world. It's the third of her books set in the fictional town of Calingarry Crossing and centres on three women and a forty-year-old secret pact made between two teenage girls. Join Jenn and I as we chat about this beautifully moving story, Jenn's inspiration and what it's like to roam the country connecting with her readers.

In addition to being an internationally-exhibited painter, Melbourne-based author Kate Murdoch has written two historical fiction titles and a host of short stories. Her latest novel, 'The Orange Grove' (Regal House Publishing), set in 18th century France is a remarkable study of domestic politics within the French aristocracy. Full of intrigue and heart-stopping tension, this beautifully written book offers a glimpse at what life might have been like for women of the time. Join me as Kate and I chat about her inspiration for this book, her research, writing, painting and much more.