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. She has done it again with her second book THE JADE WIDOW . 

REMINDER:

Remember to share, tweet, retweet, mention any of these posts on Facebook and Twitter using the tag #bushchristmas and you'll go into the draw for a $75.00 Booktopia voucher.

Leave a comment here for your chance to get a Christmas Card direct from Deborah, or maybe a free book from the giveaway pile.

 Thanks, Margareta, for inviting me to take part in your Christmas Blog series. (Margareta: It's wonderful to have you here Deborah.)

In your own words tell us a little about your new release.

THE JADE WIDOW is a sequel to MR CHEN’S EMPORIUM and also a stand-alone novel, which picks up the story of Amy Chen and Eliza Miller in 1885.

Once a vivacious and rebellious teenager, Amy has now become a serious young woman, who models herself on the widowed Queen Victoria and has no intention of ever falling in love again. Instead, she intends to build a grand country hotel in Millbrooke, a little town that has prospered in the wake of the Gold Rush.

Eliza remains the forthright person whom readers got to know in MR CHEN’S EMPORIUM. She is studying to be a doctor, a notion which is widely considered perverse and unladylike. When she returns to Millbrooke from her studies at the Sorbonne, she discovers the job she thought would be hers, has been taken by a man. And she doesn’t hesitate to show her distaste for the newcomer.

Along with many of the characters from MR CHEN’S EMPORIUM, we also meet historical figures such as the ‘Father of Federation’, Sir Henry Parkes, the influential Chinese merchant, Quong Tart, up-and-coming painters Charles Conder and Tom Roberts, and one of Sydney’s early suffragettes, the persuasive and beautiful Rose Scott.

You can see a slideshow trailer at: http://www.deborahobrien.com.au/index.php/the-jade-widow

What was the idea/the revelation/the ‘kicking off point’/the impetus for writing this particular novel?

I wanted to write a book about women seeking an identity of their own in Victorian-era Australia. The title comes from a jade statue given to me by my mother-in-law. In MR CHEN’S EMPORIUM Amy fantasises about being a jade figurine in Charles Chen’s storehouse of possibilities, and in the JADE WIDOW we see what has become of the fantasy.

What is your funniest ‘real life’ Christmas story?

It would have to be the year that Santa turned up in an inflatable suit, which made him look like a red version of the Michelin Man. I was certain he was going to burst. At one point he got wedged on the sofa like a beached whale and everyone had to help him stand up.

Best Christmas present you’ve ever received?

When I was six, I was confined to bed with ‘double’ pneumonia for what seemed like weeks. As a result, I wasn’t well enough to visit Santa at Christmastime, but someone must have told him I wanted a dolls’ house. On Christmas morning I woke to find a miniature mansion, filled with exquisite furniture and fittings, sitting on a table beside my bed. My grandfather, who was a carpenter, built the house and furniture for me. All these years later, I still treasure that dolls’ house.

Worst Christmas present you’ve ever received?

I hope my husband doesn’t read this because the worst present I’ve ever received was the one he gave me for our first Christmas together. Being a very practical person, he bought me a filing cabinet. Hardly the romantic gift I’d been anticipating. Then again, the following year he gave me hiking boots!

Best Christmas present you’ve ever bought for someone else?

It was Christmas Eve 1997. We took our son for a surprise trip to the RSPCA and came home with an adorable tabby kitten, whom we called Tinker Bell after J.M. Barrie’s fairy character. Thankfully Tink is still with us and she has even learned to cope with our newest pet, a very lively kelpie puppy by the name of Angel.

This Christmas, who would be the best person to buy your novel for?

Your mum, gran, sister, aunt or best friend.

Actually, my mother has just bought a pile of Jade Widows to give to her friends for Christmas. Thanks, Mum!

Happy Christmas, Margareta, and wishing all your readers a joyful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

(Margareta: And Happy Christmas to you too, Deborah! )

If you've been visiting my blog or Facebook page for a while, you will know just how much I ADORE Deborah's books. MR CHEN'S EMPORIUM was one of my top reading picks for last year, a novel which is a perfect gift for that special female in your family. THE JADE WIDOW was a perfect accompaniment to MR CHEN'S - I enjoyed it just as much - and I now can't wait for Deborah's next venture. 

Deborah has kindly donated one set of both books - MR CHEN'S EMPORIUM and THE JADE WIDOW - to be given away to some very lucky reader. Make a comment below and go in the draw to win not, one, but two books! I assure you they are as beautiful to look at as well as read!