Talking Aussie Books

'Maternal Instinct' by Rebecca Bowyers is a book that reconstructs our world, reimagines it as a place in which the welfare of children in a paramount consideration. Set in 2040, the world within the pages of Rebecca's novel is one where child-bearing and child-rearing is a state-sanctioned event. Where women give birth to babies and then hand them over to professional carers - the Maters and Paters - after six months - as the law forbids biological parents to raise their own children. Although children are guaranteed a life free from poverty, are raised in stable, loving homes, what might you ask, is the cost of such utopia? Listen in to this fascinating chat with the creator of such a world in this week's podcast episode. Find out what inspired her to write it, what it says about modern child-rearing, society and much more.

Luke Devenish is an internationally acclaimed Australian author with a long list of stage and screen credits to his name. He wrote scripts for long-running Australian TV dramas Neighbours and Home and Away before making the leap to novel writing. His latest book, 'The Heart of the Ritz' released by Simon & Schuster earlier this year is a beautifully evocative, witty exploration of Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. One that will no doubt illuminate readers about the extent of the Resistance movement in war-torn France. Tune in to our entertaining chat about the book, his research, inspiration, writing life and much more. Happy listening!

Fiona Palmer is a best-selling rural fiction author, farmer and speedway racer who's brand new novel 'Matters of the Heart' (published by Hachette) reimagines Jane Austen's classic novel, 'Pride and Prejudice' - transporting us from rural 19th century England to a remote farming property in 21st century Australia. 'Matters of the Heart' is a rich, heart-warming tale about family, finding love and female empowerment in an era when first impressions can be skewed by social media and getting to know someone means letting your guard down. If you loved 'Pride and Prejudice' as much as I did, I know you're going to enjoy Fiona's modern adaption. Listen in to this week's Episode of Talking Aussie Books as Fiona and I chat about her inspiration for reviving this classic tale, the parallels between Jane Austen's world and ours, Fiona's life on the farm and much, much more.

Pamela Cook is the author of 4 rural fiction titles published by Hachette Australia between 2012 and 2016. Titles which Pamela herself describes as fiction about 'feisty women, tangled family relationships and a healthy dose of romance'. Three years after her last book, Pamela is releasing her fifth novel. Only this time, she's going it alone, plunging headfirst into the world of self-publishing. Join me as I chat to the talented and wonderfully insightful Pamela Cook about her beautiful new novel 'Cross My Heart', about writing, the people who inspire her and find out how she's fared on the self-publishing path.

Barbara Hannay is the multi-award winning author of more than 50 novels. Barbara had always enjoyed writing and discovered romance novels whilst teaching high school English deciding then to pursue her dream of becoming a published writer. Her brand new novel, "Meet Me in Venice" (Penguin) a beautifully written, compelling Australian drama that shows why Barbara is one of Australia's most popular writers. Join me as we chat about her inspiration for this novel, romance novels, the craft of writing and much more.

Kate Forsyth is one of Australia's most loved and prolific authors. Hailing from a long line of literary ancestry, Kate has published more than forty novels and sold over a million books world wide. Her new novel, 'The Blue Rose' was released by Penguin Random House in July 2019 and was inspired by the parallel events of revolutionary France and Imperial China in the 18th century. A fascinating insight into a bygone era, 'The Blue Rose' is a gloriously rich tale of enduring love, cultural difference and of heeding lessons from our past. I was thoroughly captivated by this gorgeous book. If you love learning about historical events through fiction, this book is for you.

Sophie Green is a Sydney-based author with a number of fiction and non-fiction titles to her credit. Her second novel, 'The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle' was released by Hachette Australia in July and is a gorgeous, uplifting tale of friendship, love and belonging that I fell in love with. Sophie is inspired to write by places and this novel is an ode to Australian coastal living. Tune in as I chat to Sophie about her inspiration, her interests and writing in this informative and very entertaining interview.

Fiona McArthur is one of Australia's best-selling novelists, drawing on her lifetime experiences as a nurse and midwife in rural and remote communities to bring her readers heartfelt stories of love and family in authentically Australian settings. Her latest novel, "The Desert Midwife" is set in Australia's red centre and is a testament to the courage and stoicism of the people that live and work in these remote places. Tune in to my fabulous (and at times hilarious) chat with the charming Fiona and find out why her books are sold in the millions across the world.

Michael Robotham is one of Australia's leading and best-selling crime writers. With 14 novels under his belt now, a swag of awards and a host of TV and film adaptations of his work made or in the pipeline, this writer is scaling the dizzy heights of success and deservedly so. Join me as I chat to this prolific, entertaining writer about his new novel, "Good Girl, Bad Girl" (Hachette), his inspiration and much more.

On this week's episode, I chat to Sydney-based author Suzanne Daniel. A journalist and communications consultant, Suzanne's debut novel, "Allegra in Three Parts" (Pan Macmillan Australia) is one of the most heart-warming, perceptive coming of age stories I've read in a long time. Set in 1970s Sydney, Suzanne takes readers on a nostalgic trip down memory lane as we follow 11-year-old Allegra through her final year of primary school and into high school while she navigates the trinity of adults who are raising her. A beautiful story you'll be glad to dive into.