Deborah O'Brien is a teacher, visual artist and writer who was born and raised in Sydney. She came to my attention with an intriguingly titled novel, MR CHEN'S EMPORIUM, a book I absolutely adored for it's beautiful writing and delightful tale.

I first heard of Sue Williams a while back when I received her book WOMEN OF THE OUTBACK as a gift. This novel, one among many of the successful books Sue has written, was a phenomenal success.

Australian storyteller Nicole Alexander is the bestselling author of three #1 Australian Fiction novels: The Bark Cutters, A Changing Land and Absolution Creek. Nicole is a fourth generation NSW grazier and a working partner on a property that has been in her family for 120 years.

Anna Campbell would have to be one of my favourite historical romance authors. She has written seven multi award-winning historical romances for Grand Central Publishing and Avon HarperCollins and her work is published in twelve languages.

Crime/thriller author, Honey Brown's latest novel Dark Horse was released to rave reviews earlier in the year. Whilst this novel isn't a Christmas release, "she who is behind the website" advised me this book is really, really, really good. (siteadmin - it's better than good!)

Born in Australia in November 1960, Michael Robotham grew up in small country towns that had more dogs than people and more flies than dogs. He escaped in 1979 and became a cadet journalist on an afternoon newspaper in Sydney.

​The Dying Beach is the new novel by Australian author Angela Savage. Angela sets her series in Thailand, a place, people and culture that she loves and knows. Each of the books has a really strong sense of those elements interwoven with a very accessible and topical crime element, ably investigated by Private Investigator Jayne Keeney.

Hailing from the tiny rural town of Pingaring, three and half hours south-east of Perth, Fiona Palmer was one of the first modern rural authors to hit the shelves.

​Gone Fishing is the new novel by bestselling Australian author Susan Duncan. This is a heart-warming, inspirational story about taking a stand against all the odds. Gone Fishing follows the must-read novel (which I adored!) The Briny Cafe.

Christmas definitely feels special when you get a chance to spend time with some wonderful authors such as these:

Described by the Canberra Times as 'One of our best and most consistent thriller writers', Tony Parks' latest release is THE PREY, his tenth fiction novel. He has also co-authored a number of non-fiction autobiographies.

Rachael Johns' latest release is OUTBACK DREAMS, the first in a series of three. On the shelf at your local bookstore now, it's selling it's socks off. She joins me today in the Christmas is Coming Series to answer some questions.

Not only is Christmas coming, but it's my birthday and we all know that means presents (I love presents) - but this time the gifts are for you lovely readers out there.

Caroline Overington's latest book release is NO PLACE LIKE HOME and I'm absolutely delighted to have her join me in the Christmas is Coming series today. Caroline is currently the associate editor of the iconic Australian Women's Weekly. She is also a two-time winner of the Walkley award winner for investigative journalism; a winner of the Sir Ketih Murdoch prize for excellence in journalism and the Blake Dawson Prize.

My post this week isn’t a recipe as such, it’s more about the ingredients that go into my life. The people who gather around my kitchen table, at the bench (a bar with stools where mates prop and talk while I continue to cook), the pool, the outdoor tables and even the front fence if I happen to be there.

July is Romance month at Booktopia and readers have a chance to win up big!

We're still waiting to find out the results of the People's Choice Award (voting finishes on the 16th July) but the night itself was a huge success even though my sister didn't win!

It was my beloved husband's birthday this week. My present to him was my most favourite thing in the whole world besides him, my kids, the dog, my family & friends, the farm ... I got him boots. Motorbike boots though rather than the other kind I like (Ariats forever). He loves them, which ultimately equates to brownie points for me.