The first answer is beautiful BALI. I flew out with another midwife, my friend Vicki, at the end of May and came back in the first week of June. This is a photo of me outside the Bumi Sehat, at Ubud, Bali, of course we couldn’t miss out on a visit to a birth centre for mostly Balinese women. This centre is funded by donations and staffed by inspiring women. This was my second visit to Bumi Sehat and again I was fortunate to talk to the Australian midwife working there and also to Robyn Lim, a dynamic American lady who founded the centre. Can you see the sculpture of a woman birthing behind me at the front gate.  It gets the midwife in me everytime. (And that’s why its a large pic because I wanted you to be able to see  the detail :)

This trip we did so much more exploring and connecting with the essence of Bali. Pushbike rides, Balinese Cooking Classes, volcanoes and even stayed with a wonderful Balinese family. Fabulous, fabulous people and time and the setting for my current book. Now why aren’t you surprised.

Then I was home for two weeks, before I waved goodbye to my long-suffering husband, and flew into Melbourne to talk about the publicity for launch of The Don’t Panic Guide To Birth in September.

Watch out for me in print, maybe weekend papers, health and women’s mags, some radio gigs and maybe even a few minutes on breakfast TV. It’s very exciting to me that Penguin Australia are so behind the concept of the Don’t Panic Guide To Birth.  All good reasons to decline that cream bun just in case. Sigh.

Then it was on for a Screenwriting weekend with some writing friends to enjoy two fabulous Hollywood screenwriting gurus, Michael Hauge and Steve Kaplan before I flew home. What a fabulous weekend that was.

Then there was a heap of work, some gorgeous births I was priviliged to share, and now I’m off to the Hunter Valley for another fab Advance Life Support Obstetrics weekend with midwives and doctors from all over. Though I doubt there’ll be much time for tasting the glorious wines of the Hunter. My husband and I keep promising we’re going to go for a lazy weekend and enjoy what the Hunter has to offer. 

But then I’m home for a whole four weeks, and there’s this little matter of a book to finish,  before it’s ROMANCE WRITERS OF AUSTRALIA conference time at the beautiful Coogee Beach.  http://www.romanceaustralia.com/conference_sydney.html

I really hope to see you there.

warmest wishes for a fabulous July and I really must remember to feel my feet on the ground

xxFiona

When the opportunity came to try something to slow me down, typically,  I rushed into it, and luckily it was great. I’d like to share my experience of last weekend. At a women’s retreat.  My first ever SILENT retreat!!!! Just got home!

Goodness. Well, not talking took a little getting used to, but actually it was pretty cool to just smile and nod and go about your thoughts for a couple of days.  But you know, writers have the bonus on non writers because I just talked to my notebook.

 No computers, mobile phones, or outside contact. Verbally, I only whispered a couple of times and therefore all the comments, utterances, mental discussions I had, were with myself. It’s all there in blue ink. Written gabbling. The descriptions I will share in my next seaside book. And the poems just fell out.

For the retreat, the meals were catered, superbly I might add, but vegetarian and I’m not a vegie lover, more of a meatatarian, carnivore if truth be known, but there too, was growth.

 We stayed in bunkhouses, basic and seven women to a bunkhouse, some woke early and wanted to shower (that would be me), some giggled, and some weren’t sure what the rest of us were on. But even that unaccustomed community was a gem I wouldn’t have missed.  And I learnt to be kind to myself. To soften.  To realise the harshness we sometimes judge ourselves with is not in fact necessary or even real. So that was cool. And a relief.  And I’ve started to learn to remember to feel the earth beneath my feet. Not just get somewhere and wonder how it happened. To be present in the moment.

Like the beach at sunrise.  I saw dolphins surfing in the waves, and stretching away sand when I was the only person in sight, I sat at night on the beach in the dark by myself (after threading my way through the silent woods with my penlight torch)  and gazed at the amazing stars with the thunder of the surf in my ears, and still felt safe.

Then there was the rainforest. Huge and beside the sea. It  had a boardwalk which was at least 500 yards long I’d think, half a kilometre of boards,  and wound under palms and strangler figs and the place where lithe lianas coil (for the Australian’s) – it’s from a poem by Dorothea McKellar that we learnt at school. http://www.abpa.org.au/Bush_Poetry/Traditional_Poetry/my_country.html

And this morning I took a three-legged stool, alone except for the forest and the forest dwellers,  and sat between three ancient figs and later, I stood and swung like the drum in Karate Kid because I’d seen someone else do it at the beach, and suddenly the tears were running down my face. I wanted to hug a tree.

We had Dharma talks with the most amazing woman teacher, Radha Nicholson from Byron Bay, you could google her, and meditation, and women’s stories and at the last we sat in a circle and spoke of what stood out for us over the last 3 days. In the end, the fact that women, through thick and thin, through unimaginable hardships and great joy, have such strength and wisdom and compassion that I felt so blessed to have been in that place. And blessed to go home to my husband who loved me. But I’ll be back next year and if anyone wants to come with me send me a mail and I’ll tell you more.

Big hugs

Fi

I’ve had such amazing support from friends and colleagues in the birthing profession, midwives, doctors,  new and experienced mums as well as my writing mates with input, suggestions, and read throughs. So this baby has lots of input from aunts and uncles who care about birthing women. 

So now I’m on the Penguin Page, see link below, and have smiled over the ‘almost ready’ cover which I love and will share with you as soon as it’s set. Penguin have made the birth guide small enough to fit in your handbag, or maybe even a very generous jean pocket (maybe not but we’ll see), and I think the format is great. It’s retailing at $14.95, so it’s very affordable, a big thing we all worked towards, and makes it great for giving as a last minute hug to that nervous pregnant friend or relative. 

So watch this space, I’ll post my new cover as soon as it’s available.

warmest wishes

Fiona

I’m off to the middle of Australia on Friday. Alice Springs here I come andI can’t wait.

It’s ALSO time again, that’s Advanced Life Support Obstetrics, and I’ll be attending conference with other midwives and doctors for the weekend in Alice. ALSO is a great initiative for health care workers associated with birthing women to update skills and share validated responses if an obstetric emergency happens. Everyone sits the same exams and we all go home inspired and invigorated by meeting knew people and stretching our brains. I feel very privileged to be a small part of such a wonderful team.

After ALSO, I’m off for a week of sightseeing around central Australia, both camping off-road through Kings Canyon, Glen Helen, and a little more luxuriously, in a resort at Uluru (Ayers Rock). Then there’s the Olgas and the deserts, the night sky and stars that stretch forever. There’s been a good downfall of rain as well so we’ll be extra lucky to see the lushness that’s rare in the red centre. Can’t wait.

So watch out for my photos next month and for a book or two set in Central Australia next year. What a job.

Saffron W. has won my webpage celebration book prize. I’ll post Midwife In A Million and The Midwife’s New-Found Family out to you, Saffron.

xx Fi

I have a thing for views. Three nights in a Lighthouse keeper’s cottage with two like-minded souls at Smoky Cape passed in a blur of writing, beams of light, and perhaps a few glasses of wine. But what about the view?

There with my writing friends, from rt. Amy Andrews, HMB Medicals Romance; Kelly Hunter, Harlequin Modern Extra; and me. You can just see Hat Head in the distance but what a beach. Can you see the chair to the left? Think sunset and a glass of bubbles.

The most amazing thing was at night we sat directly under the lighthouse above the sea and the beams swung out over the waves. When you leaned back and looked up, the lighthouse roof looked like a space ship with rotating beams, three beams, 3 seconds, three beams, 3 seconds, you get the picture.

We’re all dressed up here because my husband has dropped in to take us out to dinner at Geppy’s, an Italian restaurant that overlooks the beach and boulders at South West Rocks. A fabulous evening with fabulous food. Then he dropped us home again and left us to it. What a hero!

The B&B is decked out with beautiful four poster beds and authentic furnishings as well as lots of lighthouse memorabillia. And the home cooked breakfast, with tropical fruit and yoghurt is to die for. Sound like an advertisement. I can’t help myself. They have about forty weddings a year here and I can see why. It’s already in one book but I can see more lighthouses to come.

And to finish off I’ve added a piccie from Valentine’s Day at Port Macquarie. This photo taken my my husband, Ian, from the balcony of our room. It was such a romantic place to be on Valentine’s. We made up a lovely platter of cold meat and cheese and lots of fresh fruit and just enjoyed it from our room.

That’s all for this week. It’s turned chilly today, the second day of autumn down-under, and I’ve the first cardigan of the year on. So keep warm, keep dry and if in doubt snuggle up with a book. By the way, MIDWIFE IN A  MILLION, is out now. The first of my Kimberleys of Western Australia, books, and I can’t wait to hear what you think. Warmest regards and happy reading

xx Fi

I received a lovely early Valentines Day pressy this morning, and it’s even red. My first lovely cataromance reviewers Award for The Midwife’s New-Found Family. The award goes to Misty and Ben’s story from my Lyrebird Lake series of books. Thank you so much to Cataromance for the honour.

And tomorrow my handsome Valentine and I are going to stay in a swish hotel, overlooking the river, with bubbles and chocolates to celebrate. Considering its been a hectic week at work with the joy of catching three babies in the last week as well as some classic moments of unusual interest, the late checkout is appreciated. We don’t give gifts for valentine’s but I have written him a love poem. What are you doing for Valentine’s Day? Whatever you do, smile, and the world smiles with you. I wish you much fun and frivolity and a lotta love. Watch this space because my new webpage is coming (excuse the teething but it will be worth it) and there’ll be plenty to celebrate.

Warm and fuzzies and Happy Valentines from me

xx Fiona

This is my first Western Australia Book set in the Kimberley Ranges and holds a special place for me.

I had the best fun exploring the Kimberleys for research. My eldest and middle sons and I hired a four wheel drive vehicle and covered some dusty and spectacular miles. Just like Kate and Rory did when they raced their patient to help in Midwife In  A Million. North Western Australia is certainly an inspiring place. I’d love to hear any thoughts you have when you read it.

Happy New Year and Happy New Decade but lets talk about the old for a moment.

What an amazing last ten years it’s been. Full of tragedies and triumphs in the world and we’ve all been impacted like never before by distant events to our own tiny circles thanks to digital technology. The fact that it was a new decade escaped me until the last moment and suddenly I was looking back. What about you? Did you look back at the last ten years and say, ‘WOW! Where did that go?’

On a personal level, ten years ago I had a five year old son and four young teenage boys, we hadn’t even started the learner driver scene. And both my parents were there to hug. My husband and I were consolidating, working hard, juggling the boy’s school and sport on each other’s days off,  like millions of people do every day as they bring up their kids. Just goes to show you have to be thankful and enjoy every minute ’cause those memories are digital now, too.

In 2000 I sold my first book after a previous decade of never finishing one, and since then have written twenty medical romance novels for Harlequin Mills and Boon and even had my first Romantic Book Of  The Year nomination from RWAus. Juggling harder, my life took off in a whole other world of  writing, conferences, and travel that I’d only dreamed was possible, but the most amazing and fabulous thing about this journey is the friendships formed along the way.

Generous advice and support from other writers, wonderful feedback from readers, editorial guidance, unexpected bookstore friendships and support from librarians (Hi Lynne from Wellington, Ohio, and the amazing contact with people I’ve met at conferences and on loops and chats. Technology is certainly amazing and while I’m no whizz I do love the ease of contact in this decade and can’t wait to see what’s next.

One of life's precious moments.

With the older boys gone onto their own lives, this decade I get to savour my time with the youngest, revel in my two granddaughters like I was blessed to on Christmas Eve, and enjoy the fact I don’t have to rise at 5am to get my words down. Darn shame I keep waking up early, though.

But somethings haven’t changed. The warmth from holding hands and sharing a sunset with the man you love, the delight as you see your new book for the first time in real life, the deep inhalation of a fragrant rose or the feel of a friend’s incredible quilt she’s fashioned from tiny threads. Or from my other life as a midwife the joy of sharing birth with a woman and her family, we had a ten pound five boy the other night near midnight, did I mention I think women are awesome?  In fact LIFE is amazing. And I’m thankful.

So I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all the pleasures and the joy and lots of love in 2010 and the future.

xx Fiona

I love the smiles of Christmas

On the Christmas Theme because I love it.

Have just sent off my twentieth book to my editor, and a big sigh as I drop my shoulders. The house is a mess, the Christmas shopping is looking pretty thin, and the wasps have built a heap of nests I’d love to shift before Christmas. But the granddaughters have put up the decorations, crooked and clumpy, and I love it.

I’m on holidays and I’ve just finished my first Italian hero so that’s a fab thing.  Gianni’s  a fish out of water in Lyrebird Lake and it’s been fun. And I’m learning Italian which I’m absolutely loving. I play the audio tapes from the library in my car on the way to work every morning and despite my atrocious accent I can understand enough to be able to add, subtract, and ask your name – all in Italian. What a great language. When I get really good I’m going to try and read one of my own copies in the Italian translation (‘cause at least I can guess a bit) and then I’ll be hunting down my friends books. Can anyone read Italian? I’m giving away an Italian copy of one of my books as well as the competition.  Just send a contact Fiona form from my webpage and mention this blog at fionamcarthur.com

Tomorrow I’m off to Brisbane (485 kms Google maps tells me) early tomorrow morning to see the gorgeous KEITH URBAN in concert with my youngest son tomorrow night. I’m so excited. Has anybody seen him in concert?

Then picking up my lovely mother-in-law the next day to come home. May turned eighty-five and just laughs at the mess in my house and the troops that pass through it. After Christmas I’m camping with my fifteen-year old and my two little granddaughters so that will be fun. If 2010 turns out to be half as good as 2009 for me then I can’t wait.

My other good news is I’ve sold my first non-fiction Last Minute Little Birth Book to Penguin Australia. To come out late next year it’s a very simple, very quick guide for those who left it too late for heavy study before labour and my friends tell me it sounds just like me talking to my young mums in antenatal classes. I absolutely LOVED writing it so wish me luck for that one. I’m very excited about it.

That’s it from me, have to rush off like a chook with my head cut off, and try and make order out of chaos. Excuse the copy of this on eharl as haven’t time for webpage fixing. Keep well, keep reading and most of all keep happy for Christmas and 2010

Best wishes for the festive season to all

Love Fi

There’s a cute real event behind this story – I met a lovely mum in maternity one night who’s 4 year old son tripped around two streets home from his aunty’s  in the middle of the night. His mum was booked to have her labour induced early the next morning but hadn’t left for the hospital when she heard the gate open. Can’t imagine how scared the little boy was.

For those readers I’ve re-posted the info on how to find the free downloads if you scroll to the bottom of the page.

MIDWIFE IN A MILLION, my first outback Australia book set in the KIMBERLEY’S of Western Australia hits the shelves in the UK on the 5th February and Australia and North America in March. I’m so excited about this book, the first of my two Kimberley books because the landscape and the people grabbed my heart when I visited in May this year.

Well, my husband and I went to ther MELBOURNE CUP horse race this year.

Dressed for the Cup. Check out the Fascinator!

This is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time and finally made it. Of course the incentive was our anniversary and a BIG birthday for me this month.

The seats at the racecourse were up in the sky but WHAT A VIEW!

To make it all even more exciting we actually travelled to Melbourne on a 6 night cruise. Here’s the view as we left Sydney.

Pretty Cool, I thought. Actually it became a tad chilly but Oh so worth standing on the bow of Pacific Dawn to watch the harbour glide by. I forgot to do the TITANIC pose that Carol Marinelli asked for.

CONGRATULATIONS to CATHY B. who won the first three Lyrebird Lake books in our HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY draw.

It’s been fun but that’s all for this month. I’m hard at it finishing Emma’s Story in Lyrebird Lake. I’m afraid Emma’s found a man who certainly needs some healing by the mystical Lyrebird. And its’ back to work tomorrow night. Hoping for lots of lovely babies to come in for me to catch. Follow me at FiCatchesBabies on Twitter.

Happy reading and have a great month

love Fiona

Great news. Download my free eBook today, The Midwife’s Little Miracle. I love this book. There’s another nine books from other authors to download if you have fun. And it’s all free for a year.

Mills and Boon’s eBook sales arm in the UK are celebrating their first birthday of eBooks. While for some they’ll never replace the feel of a book in your hand, the idea of a backlit small screen where I can choose the size of the font, have no light needed to annoy my husband, and holds a big fistful of novels in my bed – isn’t too scary.

To try the feel of an eBook (excuse the pun), you can easily download to your computer.

To read eBooks on your computer you need a program like:

• Adobe – Digital Editions (Runs on Windows and Mac OSX, and can open .epub files)
  OR
• Calibre eBook Management (Runs on Windows, Mac OSX and Linux and can open .epub and .mobi files)

The Midwife’s Little Miracle.epub (you will need Adobe Digital Editions or Calibre eBook Management or a similar program that can read .epub eBook files)

The Midwife’s Little Miracle.mobi (you will need Calibre eBook Management or a similar program that can read .mobi eBook files)

The eBook is on a special site set up by Mills and Boon for the ten books they are offering. One from each line of romance and of course mine is from the Medical Romance Line. So enjoy.

everyonesreading.com

There’s an interesting discussion on ebooks and e-readers at http://community.eharlequin.com/content/medical-authors-group-blog – look for the photo of my colourful scarf in New Zealand

Mills and Boon’s eBook sales arm in the UK are celebrating their first birthday of eBooks. While for some they’ll never replace the feel of a book in your hand, the idea of a backlit small screen where I can choose the size of the font, have no light needed to annoy my husband, and holds a big fistful of novels in my bed – isn’t too scary.

To try the feel of an eBook (excuse the pun), you can easily download to your computer.

To read eBooks on your computer you need a program like:

• Adobe – Digital Editions (Runs on Windows and Mac OSX, and can open .epub files)
  OR
• Calibre eBook Management (Runs on Windows, Mac OSX and Linux and can open .epub and .mobi files)

The Midwife’s Little Miracle.epub (you will need Adobe Digital Editions or Calibre eBook Management or a similar program that can read .epub eBook files)

The Midwife’s Little Miracle.mobi (you will need Calibre eBook Management or a similar program that can read .mobi eBook files)

The eBook is on a special site set up by Mills and Boon for the ten books they are offering. One from each line of romance and of course mine is from the Medical Romance Line. So enjoy.

everyonesreading.com

There’s an interesting discussion on ebooks and e-readers at http://community.eharlequin.com/content/medical-authors-group-blog – look for the photo of my colourful scarf in New Zealand

Fellow Medical author Alison Roberts

(Hot shot Surgeon, Cinderella Bride, HMB Medical Aug 09) home country of New Zealand. Such a heartwrenchingly beautiful country – no wonder she writes such gorgeous books.

We drove down to Akaroa Harbour and I loved the little waterside township of Akaroa with all its French influences and scenery.

On the road scenery

Tiny bays, larger bays, and always soaring peaks and rocky outcrops. And sheep.

Alison’s dog, Molly, loves riding in the car. She’s a wind-in-her-hair kinda girl.  We drove west over gorgeous farm land and back over the mountains  to the spectacular view over Christchurch. As a person who lives in a very temperate zone, 15 -25 degrees celsius most of the time, it was very exciting to see snow on the far Alps.  Short trips are great,  and then again it was lovely to be back with my DH in my own bed and back into my writing. But now I have to slip off to work, Well Women’s Clinic today, so take care, keep well

and look after you

 warmest wishes

Fi

Now, this morning, under a deepening blue sky I can see a fluffyblack baby water turkey hop across the tops of waterlillies to follow his mum and dad. Babies everywhere. And you all know how much I love babies.

Yep. Love Spring. New beginnings, new life, new people to meet, friendships to make, and for me a new book to start. Emma’s Story. For those who’ve read any of my Lyrebird Lake maternity books – there’s one out this month, Pregnant Midwife Father Needed- fabulous little Emma has been in them all.

It’s Emma’s time to shine and show us the amazing woman I know she is. And she’s got a lot on her plate. Her mum’s disease is progressing, and she’s returned home to Lyrebird Lake. Now her daughter is asking why can’t she have a dad like all the kids at school as Emma carries the secret she believes no man can love.  But I need to get to page one, chapter one and start listening to what she has to say. But before I go…

Congratulations to Margaret Lawson of Canada who’s won a copy of  Pregnant Midwife Father Needed. I really hope you enjoy Mia’s story, Margaret.

In celebration of spring, I have a new competition starting today that will run until the 25th October. That’s my wedding anniversay and the prize is all three of my published Lyrebird Lake books in a romance pack to mark that important day in my life.

My hero and I have been married for 29 years this year and he still makes my heart skip a beat and feel warm inside when I catch sight of him unexpectedly. Like magic. Can you tell I watched Sleepless In Seattle with him last night?

Wishing a wonderful spring to all the lovers and the lovers of romance out there at this beautiful time of the year.

warmest wishes

Fiona

RWA conference has been and gone but  it lived up to all expectations. Huge kudos have to go to the fab Amy Andrews and her hardworking team. Caught up with old friends and new and learnt new and fabulous tips for writing and publishing. This is my favourite time of the year.

I LOVE Brisbane, and the fabulous staff at the Sebel King George Square Hotel. It’s so easy to drive, park, find things and such a laidback capital with everything a major city needs without the hassle. And then there’s the conference; a smorgasboard of fab authors, agents, editors, readers and writers of romance and women’s fiction. And my friends. Blissful sigh. Will post pics of the fab Arabian Nights Cocktail party soon. And of course there’s the R*BY Awards where the fabulous Anne Gracie (Historical) and Trish Morey (Short Sexy) also won their categories to huge applause.

 THE MIDWIFE’S LITTLE MIRACLE free eBook download is still coming. I’ve spoken to my editor and I hear the new site, filled with goodies will be up soon. Will let you know as soon as I hear. My book will also be available for download from my webpage once its up. So watch for that.

I’m really thrilled because THE MIDWIFES LITTLE MIRACLE  is the first of my Lyrebird Lake Series and those who missed out can catch up with Montana’s story. Montana is one of my very favourite heroines and it’s lovely to see her getting out more. <G>.

The new competition is still running  ’till first day of September. See the competitions page for details.

 My next book out is PREGNANT MIDWIFE-FATHER NEEDED,   in September in the UKand North America. I see there are still copies in the backlist on eharlequin.com for the first two books of the linked Lyrebird Lake Series.

While all the books are stand alone, the linking makes it possible to see what’s happening in the lives of previous characters, something I know I always enjoy, but you don’t have to read the others to enjoy the last.

And further to Lyrebird LakeI’m just about to start on Emma’s book which is calling so strongly I’ll have to let her speak. She’s had to wait for my two Western Australian Kimberley books. But now, the second book set in the rugged Kimberleys of  Western Australia has gone, and I have had such fun with those two books and so look forward to sharing them with you next year.

It’s time for Emma.

And time for me to write

keep well and happy

with love

Fiona

I’m really thrilled because THE MIDWIFES LITTLE MIRACLE  is the first of my Lyrebird Lake Series and those who missed out can catch up with Montana’s story. Montana is one of my very favourite heroines and it’s lovely to see her getting out more. <G>.

I’ll let you know when and where as soon as it comes up. Should be sometime this month.

New competition starts today ’till first day of September. See the competitions page for details.

Five weeks  ’till RWAus Conference

I’m so looking forward to the Brisbane conference of Romance Writers of Australia (romanceaustralia.com) on the 14th, 15th and 16th August. I LOVE Brisbane, so easy to drive, park, find things and such a laidback capital with everything a major city needs without the hassle. And then there’s the conference; a smorgasboard of fab authors, agents, editors, readers and writers of romance and women’s fiction. And my friends. Blissful sigh.

Then there’s the idea of actually taking home new tricks and strategies, insight and enthusiam that conference always leaves me with. And to top it off, there’s the excitment of being a finalist in my first  R*BY nomination for THE MIDWIFE’S BABY. 

I’ve just been away at  an ALSO conference and would love to say ‘Hi’ to all the wonderful people I met for the first time as well as fellow instructors from previous courses. ALSO is always such a positive experience.

What is ALSO in Australia? (also.net.au)

Advanced Life Support Obstetrics. ALSO in Oz is a far flung group of doctors and midwives who believe teamwork increases safety for women in maternity care. ALSO brings midwives, general practitioners who practice obstetrics, obstetricians, and the obstetricians of the future all together over a weekend of intense workstations in management of unexpected crisis surrounding birth. Born in the United States, and now worldwide, ALSO’s teaching model is facilitated by volunteer instructors who believe passionately in keeping birthing women safe.

 I’m proud to be a tiny part of the concept and be privileged to spent a wonderful weekend in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales sharing knowledge with like-minded souls. Shame there wasn’t much time to sample the wineries but maybe next time…

What I did get to sample was the amazing lives of these real heroes and heroines of medicine and their knowledge and empathy with the families they care for. All fabulous inspiration for my novels.

My next book out is PREGNANT MIDWIFE-FATHER NEEDED,  out in September in the UKand North America. I see there are still copies in the backlist on eharlequin.com for the first two books of the linked Lyrebird Lake Series. While all the books are stand alone, the linking makesit possible to see what’s happening in the lives of previous characters, something I know I always enjoy.

I’ve almost finished the second book set in the rugged KImberleys of  Western Australia. I have had such fun with those two books and look forward to sharing them with you next year.

That’s all for now.

keep well and happy

with love

Fiona

I’m absolutely thrilled! THE MIDWIFE’S BABY has finalled in the Short Sweet category of the prestigious Romantic Book Of The Year,  R*BY, awards held at the Romance Writers of Australia Conference in Brisbane in August. This book  came out last year in Australia and was a lot of fun to write. I’ve been attending RWAustralia conferences since they were first  held eighteen years ago (that would be why a big birthday is coming up  for me) and have watched with awe as finalists each year have produced such wonderful books.

To think that the reader judges have included me in this elite makes me  very grateful for all the help and support I’ve received from Romance Writers of Australia over the years.

I can’t recommend joining the organisation  more highly if you are an aspiring or published author.

Congratulations to the other finalists and I look forward to a fabulous night with my writer friends and my family around me.

As promised, I’ve included an extra Kimberley photo and the first of my two Kimberley books now has a title, MIDWIFE IN A MILLION and is due for release early 2010.

I’m deep into the next book  set in the Kimberley region, and I’m loving this book. In the  north of Western Australia, helicopter crashed, a midwife walking away from a pregnant woman, hoping she doesn’t birth before she can get to help… and the hero to die for

sigh

its a hard life living these dreams. I don’t think so.

xx Fi

PS I’m off to see Simon and Garfunkle in Brisbane with a dear friend on Thursday. More on that later

keep well and happy

warmest regards

xx Fiona

I’ve been awarded my first five star review from Sheryl at Cataromance, for my new Lyrebird Lake book, The Midwife’s New-Found Family which I have to quote here, <G> but I will give you the link. http://cataromance.com/?p=1983

A powerfully moving tale of human fallacy.

The Midwife’s New-Found Family by Fiona McArthur is a fascinating contemporary that draws the reader in and then delivers a powerfully moving tale of human fallacy. I enjoyed perusing this book because it had a feel-good attitude to it and I thoroughly loved reading about all of the characters in it. Ms. McArthur is a fairly new author for me and she has also become one of my favorites. Her characters are determined to succeed in their chosen fields but they also have a frailty to them that makes them appear human and down-to-earth while also struggling to fix problems and discover what destiny has in store for them. This book should definitely be on anyone’s list as a story to read.

Such a lovely surprise when I made it back to computer access after my fab time in the Kimberleys of Western Australia, home of Baz Luhrmann’s movie, AUSTRALIA. The sky, the sunsets, the walls of the canyons. Darn shame the rivers have crocodiles but oh so beautiful.

But floating around in hot rainforest springs wasn’t all I was there for. Have just finished the proofs for my first Kimberley book or two, A MIDWIFE IN A MILLION which is set along the Gibb River Road, and have a heap of new ideas for the second. I even took a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles for a scene I can’t wait to write. I needed to talk to that helicopter pilot. More on that as the photos appear over the next few weeks.

Keep well, keep happy, and never lose sight of your dreams.

warm regards

Fiona

And this month Lyrebird Lake’s new midwife can be found in THE MIDWIFE’S NEW-FOUND FAMILY, out in the UK, and to be quickly followed in May in North America so readers can link the books . Misty and Ben’s story was something different. Misty is quite a ‘mystical’ person and one of my favourite heroines and revisiting Lyrebird Lake gives the reader a chance to see how Montana and Andy are going .

At home, the floods of last month are drying up but we’re still seeing a lot of water on the paddocks and even  Sydney spent mornings rainwashed when I was down there.

Have had the busiest, but amazing March, hence the late web update. I had a fabulous visit from medical author Alison Roberts. I dragged her all over the North Coast in my friend Carolyn’s snazzy red sports car showing off the beautiful Macleay Valley and Dorrigo. Here’s a photo of us at South West Rocks.

Alison Roberts and Fi

Then spent some time in beautiful Coogee with a group of wonderful friends and I think myself very fortunate. What do you think? The company, the view, the warmth of a wonderful friends.  The picture tells it all.

To make it even more special while  I was there I finished my Kimberley book on a high and loved it so much I’m off to visit the area in a couple of weeks in preparation for my next book which will be linked.

I can’t wait to share some of the spectacular scenery of the Kimberley region of Australia with you when I get back.

I could become addicted to linked books. It’s so wonderful to revisit old friends in a new setting and from a different view point. What do you think?

My midwifery has been busy with lots of beautiful babies born and my own grandbabies have birthdays at this time of the year. Sophie, who’s six, early this month and Simone, our premmie will be four, early next month. It doesn’t seem so long ago that I was posting their photos every month.  I’llslip one in for this month for the birthday girls.

Birthday Girls

That’s all for now. Wishing everyone a happy and safe Easter, and happy holidays. If you’d like to see last months news just click on blog in the side bar.

warmest regards

Fiona

Amongst the grief and tragedy, such tales of heroism, mateship, and the helping hands of millions of people have highlighted the amazing resilence and warmth of the good side of human nature.

In Romance Writers of Australia, the committee and members have rallied to send their own books, new books and children’s books,  to the fire affected victims in Victoria who lost their homes, their schools and their libraries. Hundreds of books are pouring into one heroic person’s house, (go – secret heroine doing all the work!!) lounge room, bedrooms, bathroom, you name it, she has books. Send her more!

The books will be sorted and packaged for distribution to communities affected as a small reassurance that they are in our thoughts and we’d love to do something to even briefly lighten the load. For a reader, imagine not being able to lay your hand on one uplifting book or a story to read to your children that would allow you to escape for just a short time from the reality of starting again.

If you would like to send a book token to the Romance Writers of Australia Book Appeal send them to RWA Bushfire Book Appeal

c/ – 89 Rennie Street, Thornbury, Victoria 3071 – Our book collector says “Feel free to pop a note inside or if an author, to sign it.”

Speaking of books, thank you to all the people who have contacted me about my first Lyrebird Lake book, The Midwife’s Little Miracle, still to come out in North America in April. I’ve never had as much wonderful feedback as I’ve had for this book. You’re fabulous. Thank you.

I’ve just recieved the cover for Book two of the series, isn’t beautiful, which will be out in the UK and North America in May, and Australia/New Zealand in June.

The Midwife’s New Found Family is Misty and Ben’s Story as they both find the magic of Lyrebird Lake. More on them and a new competition next month.

And to close I’d like to share some of my own flood photos, (thank you to Suz and the RWAus group who were worried about how much water I was sitting in <G>).

We live on the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane and the land at the front of our house runs out to the hills. You can see how different it looks when it’s all under water. We were high and dry so could only enjoy our special water views. It took only four days of rain to lift the flood level up about seven feet and I could still kayak around nearly two weeks later.

I’m still having a fabulous time researching the far north Western Australian Kimberley area for my new book. What a road trip my midwife heroine, Kate, and the dashing paramendic, Rory, are having. More on them later.

Keep well, keep safe and happy reading

with  warmest regards

Fi

w/a Fiona McArthur

Cool Lyrebird Lake banner Sally put on eharlequin.com.au

There’s a lot to look forward to this year.

Two more Lyrebird Lake books to come out after this one,  four days kayaking up the mighty Macleay River in March, five days in Coogee with writing friends in April, Romance Writers Australia conference in Brisbane in August, Melbourne Cup cruise in November to celebrate milestone birthday (just like Barbie), and probably a few midwifery conferences in between.  Woohoo. You may ask, ‘When am I going to write?’ Little and often, at the very least, ’cause I’m planning on three more books this year.

Plus I’m researching my latest book set in the Kimberley’s, far north Western Australia. If I was a good penny saver I’d fly up there and see what I’m researching because it looks and sounds absolutely stunning. If you’ve been along the Gibbs River Road to Derby  then drop me an email, please. I’d love to hear of your experiences. The best fact or anecdote wins a book.

So to Valentine’s Day. It’s coming around to one of the most romantic times of the year, when you take time to show and tell your special someone, again, that you love them.  Romance is good, it’s wonderful, and so much more fun than being sad. Make sure you make someone smile on February 14th because the world will smile with them.

It was Valentine’s Day eight years ago since my first book was on the shelves and ten since I was first accepted by HM&B. So Valentine’s Day is special for me in many ways.

Be with someone you love on Valentine's Day 2009

Apart from celebrating with my darling husband, the most romantic man I know, another thrill this year is the first of my Lyrebird Lake Maternity books hits the shelves in Australia this month. Check out the full description in my 25th November Blog.

Lastly, the winner of last month’s copy of  The Midwife’s Little Miracle, goes to Debra Guyette. Send me another mail, Deb, as I need your postal address.

Wishing Love and Romance to all in February 2009

Fiona McArthur

To celebrate my next book arriving in my hands, I’d like to give one reader the chance to read my second Kimberley book before it hits the shelves.

So if you enjoyed MIDWIFE IN A MILLION, and would like to read more about the Kimberleys of Western Australia, then let me know via my contact form.

Good luck and warmest wishes for January

xxFiona

Last months competiton was won by Ellen Dellaqua from Queenstown in New Zealand as I couldn’t contact my other winner.

12th NOVEMBER 2009

New competition starts today and closes 20th December 2009.

To celebrate CHRISTMAS I’d like to give away a copy of my BRAND NEW  – don’t even have it in my hot little hands yet – MIDWIFE IN A MILLION. The first of my Kimberley books.

So let me know your favourite vacation spot.

warm and fuzzies and good luck in the draw

love Fiona

Congratulations to Cathy B> who won the three published Lyrebird Lake books and an added romance prize to celebarte our Wedding Anniversary.

happy Spring

warmest wishes

Fiona

The last competition won by Margaret Lawson of Canada. Congratulations, Margaret.

JULY 18th 2009

New competition STARTS TODAY.  Closes on the first day of September 09.

 TO WIN A COPY OF MY NEW BOOK coming out in September in UK and NA and October in Aus.

To win your copy of PREGNANT MIDWIFE FATHER NEEDED send your best ‘brush with nature’. I’m writing about crocodiles at the moment. GOOD LUCK.

July’s winner was Elaine Seymour whose best concert was back in 1980 with the Beach Boys playing at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Now that would be a cool concert. I hope you enjoy Misty’s story, Elaine, because I enjoyed your concert memories. 

On concerts  – my next concert is Keith Urban in Brisbane in December. I can’t wait. Who’s seen Keith live? The clips are amazing and I can’t wait.  Just contact me using the contact form.

If you’d like to win a copy of my latest book , THE MIDWIFE’S NEWFOUND FAMILY. then drop me a mail about THE BEST CONCERT YOU’VE BEEN TOO. The next competition will be drawn on the 16TH JULY and the winner will be announced on the website. All you need to do is contact me using my contact form

Congratulations to Reece Waters, April’s  winner.

Good luck and happy reading:)
Fiona