In 1976, Ian started as the first male nurse at Sutherland Hospital in a very women dominated time in Sydney. I saw this tall gorgeous man across a room at a nurse’s party, when I started my training a year later and by the way, he’s still tall and gorgeous. I used to go and watch his band play in pubs. The Highwater Band. Always did have a soft spot for drummers.

He started in the ambulance in 1980, the year we got married, think Kings Cross, and Underbelly, and ladies of the night because that was his area until we moved to the north coast in 1984. With a baby crawling around the house and another on the way we loved the country, and the people, and the fact that you could even park outside your work.

Still seven shifts in a row, and now there was ‘call’ which meant for six of those nights the phone rang constantly when he got home from work but he always understood the price. And the babies multiplied in the meantime, so he minded four and then five boys when I worked on his days off.

Ian always cared for frightened friends and relatives at a household in the night, dazed and walking wounded from an accident, an IV line inserted through a truck window, I remember seeing that rope line down a cliff face at Crescent Head on the TV and shuddering, because I knew he hated heights. Two bravery citations, like his colleagues in all of the emergency services, countless times he’s acted above an beyond duty, compassionate and calm. He’s an amazing guy, and despite the toll, always aware of the impact of tragedy on people around him.

Then there’s the impish side. Bizarre jobs that gave him such a chance for fun, and that deadpan face as he strung people along, hooked on a grain of truth before he reeled them in. People smile when they see him, they see his integrity, his sense of humour and a man who just wants to help, and did so much, as well as lighten the world.

And I’m so proud of him
xx Fi

Boarding at Venice

Home again now but couldn’t not mention our last great adventure. With compliments to the bucket list of Alison Roberts for the idea.

Bar car complete with baby grand piano and Rosie

We boarded the Venice  Simplon Orient Express on Wednesday morning, settled into our carriage with a glass of champagne and then sped through the Italian countryside and into Austria.Our first brief stop was in Innsbruck in Austria.

Time for a few deep breathes of mountain air, a walk along the platform and back, and

Fi and Wolfgang at Innsbruck

then back into the train with the assistance of Wolfgang our steward to ‘dress’ for dinner.

And we mean formally. In fitting deference to a bygone era, the

the original wood panelling and velvet furnishings, pre-dinner drinks in the bar car were served by Hugh, dressed in a white tuxedo of course.

Then it was back to the bar car before we returned to our cabin which Wolfgang had transformed into a cosy sleeping compartment. Rocking to sleep to the distant clatter of rail wheels is something I can recommend. So is lying back on the pillows at sunrise watching the world speed by as you sip your Earl Grey.

Then it was on to Calais after lunch for our bus transfer through the tunnel to England and back onto the Pullman carriages of the early 1900s to take us to Victoria station. The Simplon Venice to London Orient Express. A magic journey designed to savour the moments not rush from one to the next.

Just floating past a canal and saw this shop window

But the first morning it was cold so had to buy a warm hat. Unfortunately the Gondolier didn’t want to wear his. Quite a cute stripey number but here’s two other gondaliers with theirs on.

Then there’s the little bridges and paths and just another enticing direction to wander off to.

Have to say my favourite place was Venice, coming in at dawn seventeen stories up on a ship. So magical as the islands became more beautiful every minute. BTW my heroine is drinking Mimosa too in her scene.

But Venice was even more special because of a lovely lady we met in Matera, Marie Ohanesian Nardin and her gondalier husband, Roberto. There is something pretty special to pull in after a gonldola ride and be greeted by a handsome smiling man who knows you by name in a foreign city. I’m a sucker for it.

We had the most incredible lunch at their special restaurant and coffee later, Italian style standing in the coffee shop. Marie was a superb guide, no language problems for us with her there, and knew the city and her secrets. Then of course there were the two lovelygondoliers she’d arranged who showed us Venice from the water.

Two, because we wanted to see both the morning and the night face of this beautiful city. I didn’t know you had to be born in venice to be a gondolier. Marie has written a book about gondoliers and falling in love with Venice and I can’t wait to hear it’s been snapped up so I can read it because she has such an affinity for the place and the people. If you’d like to know more check out her blogspot at italytolosangelesandback.blogspot.com/

So thank you, Marie and Roberto.

I don’t know where to start. We sailed in just after dawn,
started with a break wall, then an island, then many islands and the magic
began.

I stood at the front of the ship, supposed to be sitting decorously
for breakfast but just couldn’t. A gorgeous waiter followed me with my coffee
and then insisted he take a picture for me.

I'll try not to cry it's so beautiful

In this photo my eyes were full of tears as Venice
overwhelmed me. Thinking of that moment the tears are there again.

More tomorrow as I go out and enjoy

Love

xxFi

Does that taste like Ouzo?

The last stop in  Greece for our visit and lovely people.

Time is flying on this research trip

So many great ideas flying around in my head. Where did I put that…?

Then off to Croatia and the beautiful port of Split.

Incredible age in this city. Incredible city.

The view from the top of the bell tower.

Now thats what I could interesting steps of the top of the tower. But the view was worth it.

We are SO good at steps now.

And today is Venice. Oh my !

xx Fi

Have tried a couple of time to put up photos but that won’t happen until tomorrow because it’s raining in Greece and the internet on the ship is rather busy. Such a great thing to do in the rain

We arrive in Corfu tomorrow, then Split in Croatia, then Venice. A whole 24 hours in Venice.

So farewell Athens, have captured the view as we steamed
away, can even see a little of the ancient temple as we go, but the internet’s a
bit slow to load photos just yet.

Arrived at Mykynos about 1am and the party animals slipped
off the ship to hit the disco. Snnzzzzzzz. Not this little black duck but was
awake this morning to see them giggle their way back on board.

A day at the beach for us today, really looking forward to
it. Lovely sunrise happening now. No doubt I’ll inflict a photo on you for that
tomorrow

Have a great day where ever you are

Xx Fi

Sunset as we sail away

So we left Santorini at sunset yesterday… after walking up more volcanoes and down amazing paths with donkeys…

and woke up in Pireaus in Greece.

Apparently most of Athens is on strike so have chosen to
stay on board and catch up on some work. Have had a lovely morning beginning to write my
first shipboard medical romance which is making me smile. For the moment, just a little
time off to show some photos from the last few days (hahahahahah- she says after two hours) but having little annoying issues as I do with updates. Moments of unusual interest of course. As a midwife I can highly recommend deep breathing for stress.

Ahhh – working again … Before Santorini came Pompeii and Mount Vesuvious. In this
piccie  you can even see a glimpse of Vesuvio in the distance. Gives you a
shiver to imagine the Pompeii inhabitants seeing that every day before the
last.

Bay of Naples from Vesuvious

Rosie and I walked to the top of Vesuvious and peered into
the crater (I think I have mentioned our calves of steel), quite a hike but so

whisps of smoke from the volcano

worth it, with the incredible view of the Bay of Naples from the top.

It’s no wonder we need a quiet day to write.

That’s all for now. Keep well and happy and I’m out of here while the internet is still talking to me

love to all

Xx Fi

We sailed through the night and woke to land outside the window .  A bit wild until morning with wind and waves but all calm when the sun came up.

Fi above the harbour in Monacco.

Don't look down -It’s been incredible. Matera and the Women’s Fiction Festival, Amalfi and Capri,now the walk along the top of the world called the ‘The Footpath Of The Gods"from Priano to above Positano. Lots of sore feet, sore knees and BIG smiles when we made it to the end. But Oh my, feeling pretty proud of ourselves and one of those moments in life when you have to sigh at the magic. Stupendous views A little interesting

Of course sometimes the path was a little hairy, but not as
hairy as a friend we found along the way.

Hairy friend

And so ends another fab day in Italy and of course there was
a sunset. How about this one from where we had pizza and Italian red wine. Must
find some more steps for tomorrow.

So it’s finally arrived. My 10k novella that introduces the “Single, Free and Fabulous” Series at the Bay Hospital. In 500 word bites. I reckon it would be good on an iphone. xx Fi

Free daily on-line serial at eharlequin.com

 http://tiny.cc/qoftf

Maybe even drop in and comment, its a hoot. xx Fi

http://tiny.cc/vrngg

There’s an excerpt over on my Womens Fiction page if you’d like a taste.

Here’s the UK cover  and we made Book Of The Month over there. How cool is that.

There’s a great discussion happening at http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/forums/book-buzz/fiona-mcarthur-writing-survival-guide-dating-your-boss-single-free-and-fabulous-syd so maybe you could drop in if you have a moment.

There’s even another happening at eharlequin.com in the US at

http://harlequinblog.com/2011/09/the-single-free-and-fabulous-life-in-coogee-beach/ but you might have to cut and paste that one.

Here’s the UK cover  and we made Book Of The Month over there. How cool is that.

There’s a great discussion happening at http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/forums/book-buzz/fiona-mcarthur-writing-survival-guide-dating-your-boss-single-free-and-fabulous-syd so maybe you could drop in if you have a moment.

There’s even another happening at eharlequin.com in the US at

http://harlequinblog.com/2011/09/the-single-free-and-fabulous-life-in-coogee-beach/ but you might have to cut and paste that one.

Sunset. Glorious Bali Island.

Harry St Clair glanced around the hotel swimming pool and grimaced. His usual calm deserted him just thinking of going back to Australia and the practice of medicine. To make it worse he was half an hour early to tell them it wasn’t happening.

The pool chairs were littered with tourists sipping cocktails while waiting for sunset and he was careful not to catch the eye of any of them, especially the women, as he scanned for the man who’d arranged to meet him. Now was not the time for dalliance.

Bonnie McKenzie watched him arrive. All the women did. When he approached the pool the ladies’ necks stretched like those of inquisitive turtles to follow his broad shoulders, and she rolled her eyes. She could hear Sacha, in the chair next to her, whisper to Jacinta, and she hoped the words didn’t carry to where he stood.

‘They call him the package. ‘Cause he looks good, talks good and I’ll bet my new black bikini he feels good. But he’s a heartbreaker. Tells all the women he’s not into relationships.’ Jacinta sighed dreamily as her friend went on. ‘He’s not staying at the hotel. I asked the waitress. He’s here to see someone.’

To Bonnie the man didn’t look like a package. He looked like an isolated lighthouse off the coast of Wales that she’d once seen on television.

Alone, surrounded by jagged rocks, immovable in any storm as he waited, protected by a wall of sceptical disinterest in everyone until an older woman in a ceremonial sarong tapped him on the arm and he smiled. Then everything changed.

Then there was something about the tilt of his head and warm greeting as he responded to the Balinese lady with such kindness, such honest charm, it called even to Bonnie—which surprised her, because since selling her engagement ring she’d vowed she’d never be that receptive to a man again.

Good genes, her gran would have said. Bonnie found herself thinking, Good jeans, and she looked away and pressed her lips together to hold the smile in. These young midwives she’d travelled with from Darwin were a bad influence.

She looked back, fairly sure he couldn’t see her under the shadow of her umbrella’d deckchair. He was talking to a man now, shaking his head at the elderly sunburnt tourist she’d seen around the hotel, but her eyes were drawn back to the younger one.

There, good lighthouse, a beam of radiance as the man beside him made him smile, and again, when he lifted one strong hand and shook the other man’s hand. So he could soften and, yes, Bonnie could see why the girls felt the need to discuss him.

Now he looked casual and relaxed, lazily footloose in his cut-off blue jeans, his long brown legs testament to some sporting pursuit that kept him fit. Being footloose and declaring it seemed imminently sensible for him, and much better than stomping on hearts to scale the heights of a profession, like some Bonnie knew.

She could see this man’s loosely buttoned sports shirt fought a losing battle if it wanted to disguise the width of his shoulders or the leanly muscular biceps that peeked out of the short sleeves. Not something that usually fascinated her, leanly muscular men, but those arms teased her now, corded with strength and generous with leashed power. She glanced down at the sudden swish of goose bumps across her own skin and lifted her face to find the breeze that caused it.

Hopefully there was a breeze…

Bonnie shifted back further under the umbrella in case her malady was too much sun. She glanced around and saw she wasn’t the only woman still sneaking a peek. So, thankfully, she wasn’t the only basket case because it seemed he called to every person with two X chromosomes.

No doubt being such a woman magnet could be a trial for him after a while and she wasn’t about to join the party.

The thought settled her. Good. At least she had her common sense back, though she had to admit there was something shadowed and intriguing in his persona that begged the question of his past. Well, there was stuff in her own past, plenty of baggage for the unwary, and he could keep his load because she had enough of her own.

Bonnie looked away to the reds and golds of the Balinese sunset leaking colour into the waves. When Sacha actually nudged her to admire him again, Bonnie shook her head and whispered, ‘Not interested in packages. I’m here to enjoy the sunset without discussing men.’

Sacha rolled her eyes. ‘As you like. You watch the pretty ball in the sky and I’ll watch my own view.’ The girl winked and Bonnie shook her head and pressed her lips together again. She had to. The incorrigible young midwives had been making her smile since she’d unexpectedly joined their holiday.

Pushed into a short vacation by her friends in Darwin, this break had been designed to put a spring back in Bonnie’s step before she started the new job at Ayers Rock, or Uluru now, she reminded herself, the ancient Aboriginal name for their sacred place. And, in fact, although her mouth still felt a bit stiff, she was finding more to smile about every day.

The last sliver of molten fire disappeared into the sea with an audible sigh, though, strictly speaking, the noise came from the collective breath of appreciation from the watchers as they turned and began to meander back to their rooms before the tropical night encroached.

‘So what are we doing for dinner?’ The girls lived for action and Bonnie searched in her head for a skerrick of enthusiasm. Nope. None there.

She’d floated quietly in the deep end of the pool last night and avoided them because she’d spent the first three days with a plastered-on smile. Now she just wanted to soak in the calmness that she had to admit had unexpectedly filtered back into her soul by Balinese osmosis.

‘Think I might curl up on one of the lounges and stare at the colours as they fade. Then maybe dinner in my room.’

‘Okay.’ The girls jumped up now. The nature show was over and youth needed diversion. ‘Maybe we’ll catch up with you later at the club.’ They grinned, waved and took off like they’d miss the chance of a lifetime if they didn’t run.

Harry St Clair watched the scantily clad nymphs hurry away but his eyes were drawn back to the quietly restful woman in the chair. He’d noticed her while he’d been talking to Bob. Allowed himself to be distracted from Bob’s attempt at persuasion, though it hadn’t been a hardship scoping her out. And here he was, still loitering when he could have gone.

He hesitated, conscious of his own aversion to disruption by people when he wished to be alone, and very aware of the ‘don’t bother me’ signals that flew above her like those Balinese kites you’d see any afternoon here—happy doing their own thing.

But she intrigued him, attracted him ridiculously with a little flick of her hair and the stretch of her fingers when she put her glass down, and suddenly he didn’t want to eat dinner in peace.

A little harmless weather conversation with an intriguing little sun-lover would chase away the demons the job offer had left him with. And he’d had a beer already so he wasn’t driving back to Ubud until tomorrow.

She looked nothing like the usual women he flirted with. She looked more like someone he’d actually converse with. Like his housekeeper’s sister, he’d just seen, or any woman safely married and motherly and therefore not interested in him as a fling, but this young woman seemed someone he could briefly connect with, which in itself was strange. Connection hadn’t been on his agenda—especially in the last two years.

Serene, that was what she was, though serenity over sadness? Maybe it was just his ego because she hadn’t looked his way at all and she obviously didn’t feel any of the vibes he was getting.

Harry gave up the struggle and crossed to her umbrella. ‘I wondered if they’d leave you alone,’ he said, and as an opening remark it was pretty lame, but she looked even better up close. He was right. Her eyes did hold a background of darkness, or maybe green-toned memories that made him want to ask why. Maybe that was why he’d felt drawn to her.

She wore a cheap silk dress that looked incredibly cute on her, unlike the flaunting swimwear the others had worn, as if she wasn’t confident displaying her body.

Shame, that.

The concept of conversation grew even more attractive. If he could convince her, that was, because she looked like he was the last person she needed to see, and usually that was enough deterrent when he just didn’t care enough.

She took her time to tilt her firm little chin to a ridiculous angle so she could look up at his face. ‘Actually, they’re my friends.’

‘Sorry. Didn’t mean to be rude.’

Bonnie was in a dilemma. The palpitations had come from nowhere and his proximity was making it hard not to blush. The lighthouse offered her the five-star smile free of charge. Dazzling sweep of light. Then his words sank in. And even an apology. Not something Bonnie was used to getting from men. Nice of him, Bonnie thought, but she wished he hadn’t because she didn’t need more reasons to be attracted.

‘I’m not judging,’ he said. ‘I remember being young.’

In years he was nowhere near old but there was a wealth of experience, possibly not all good, behind those dazzling eyes of his. Some days she felt decrepit too but didn’t know this guy well enough to agree.

‘Poor you.’ Though he didn’t look poor in any sense of the word. She wondered what had happened to make him feel aged but that was probably all part of his pickup plan. He had to be somewhere between thirty and thirty-five, which put him five years older than her at least.

Up close he was even more impressive in a gut-wrenching, tear-the-breath-from-your-throat kind of way she didn’t like to admit, but thankfully she could now call on months of training in unattainability. ‘Do I know you?’

More smile and the look he was giving suggested he’d like to move that way. She ignored the little buzz that grew with the idea. ‘I don’t know. Do you?’ He held out one tanned hand and she looked at it. ‘Harry St Clair,’ she heard him say.

Such beautiful hands. Long fingers, square-clipped nails, fine hairs across a strong back—and a wedding band. She hadn’t noticed that before and she didn’t know why she’d be shocked. Maybe because the way he was smiling at her had nothing to do with fidelity. It was a strange old world when people could act like this.

Bonnie uncurled herself from the chair and stood up next to him. She was tall but he was taller by a fair margin and that only made her more annoyed. She couldn’t hide the contempt in her eyes but then, that was what happened when you smelled a rat when you expected aftershave.

She raised her eyebrows and then her chin. ‘I don’t know you.’ She shook her head. ‘Do I know your wife?’

His hand dropped and his other came over the ring and hid it from view. ‘I doubt that. She’s been gone for more than two years.’

Bonnie closed her eyes. He was a widower? Hell. ‘I’m sorry.’ But it was too late now. She’d jumped to the conclusion he was just like Jeremy, Dr Sleaze, with the harem of women in the wings and their joint bank account he’d emptied.

Infidelity brought back the memories she’d thought she’d zippered away in a sealed compartment, like she’d packed her suitcase to fly into Denpasar. But that was no excuse for accusing him.

She could feel her fingers against her side, twitching a little as if hoping he’d put his hand out again and give her another shot. But her hand wouldn’t make the journey by itself. Her barriers were secure. That was a good thing. ‘I’m sorry. I have to go.’

Harry wasn’t ready for that. Hadn’t expected it because it didn’t happen to him often. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been given the flick so smoothly. He followed her. ‘I didn’t catch your name.’

She kept walking and obviously she didn’t care if he heard her or not. ‘I didn’t throw it,’ she muttered.

So this was how it felt, Harry reminded himself. Unpleasant, but more interesting. Maybe he was a masochist? The wall around her was higher than the one around the Royal Palace in Ubud and twice as fascinating. He knew all about walls to keep people out. Suddenly it became imperative he have more than a brief chat with her about the weather.

He took two big steps and caught up with her. ‘But you threw an insult. I’m only looking for a nice platonic dinner partner to share Jimbaran Bay with. Maybe we could talk about that?’

At least she’d stopped. Turned to look at him. But she wasn’t saying anything. He could feel those liquid eyes assessing him, and he felt as if he were posing, like in a passport photograph, with that frozen, trying-not-to-look-like-a-psychopath expression on his face.

It was as if she didn’t know what to say so she didn’t say anything at all. More people should try that. It was attractive. And at least it wasn’t no.

He went on because he knew he had seconds before she disappeared. Make it count, old boy. ‘I really am Harry St Clair. They know me here. I’m reluctant to ask someone else.’ He glanced around as if there were loads of women he could ask. ‘All those candles and tables in the sand at Jimbaran are just too romantic.’ He shrugged. ‘I can tell you loathe me. I’d feel safe with you.’

He felt like groaning. What the heck was falling out of his mouth? He was an idiot and he wouldn’t blame her if she ran away. Where had that come from?

‘I think you’ve tickets on yourself,’ she said, and her eyes suddenly looked as lush as the local jungle and just as dangerous. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea because this woman had weapons he wasn’t that sure he could hold out against if she used them all.

‘I apologise. I was insensitive about your wife.’ She looked away and he thought he heard her sigh. ‘I don’t know you enough to loathe you but I guess I could think about trying.’

Bonnie glanced over her shoulder at the pinking horizon. Was she mad? Was it too late to squirm out? ‘The sun’s gone. Why go to Jimbaran now?’ She’d heard of the bay past the airport. ‘Everything I’ve heard’s about the sunset.’

He slanted a quick look at her as he followed her towards the main building of the resort. ‘I enjoy eating seafood on the beach. But not alone. My treat?’

‘Wow. A big spender. I might choose lobster.’ Even to her it sounded like a yes. She didn’t know the man. But then, the girls had implied he wasn’t a serial killer. Most men who looked like him usually weren’t. No doubt some women would do their own dying to attract his attention….

I enjoyed my presentation on birth emergencies to regional ambulance officers in Port Macquarie. Such a great group of people, ambos, and I so admire their dedication and skill, and of course I love talking about birth – you might have guessed.

Interestingly, then had a couple of days unable to get home from the local floods because our highway was blocked for 6 days, so marooned in Port Macquarie. While away my husband had to let the cattle up to the house yard because the rest of the farm went under, really easy to kayak over the fences again, and the cows loved my garden!

The silver lining there I caught up with an old friend I’ve really missed, and another friend gave me her ‘Breast Wishes’ tickets, a witty and wise live show obviously suited to people like midwives who are ‘breast orientated’ but with an important message of self care for women. Had wanted to see a show at the Glasshouse for ages so how cool was that.

Must be the month for delays because the ash clouds shaved 4 days of my 7 day trip to Christchurch  trip to follow my son’s school rugby trip, but still amazed by the beauty of the South Island of New Zealand.

I stayed with medical author Alison Roberts

and Mollie, and we saw whales,

rugby, and lots of snow covered mountains.

And that’s about it for this time, take care, hope the world smiles for you, and happy reading

xx Fi

I can’t believe it was a year ago this month I left for Bali so it seemed a good time to revisit. Actually this blog is so I don’t get guilty I spent so much time flicking through photos. Actually as I browse and reminisce I wonder what stands out the most. You know, I think it’s the smiles of the Balinese people. But then there’s the smells of the coriander in the cooking and the lushness of the

jungle and rice paddys that make me sit back and sigh.

Maybe it’s seeing volcanoes and villages clinging to cliffs. Then again, could be the never ending and tooting traffic that’s so fluid and polite and crazy with the motor bikes carrying huge bags, or tables, or pigs or even a whole family including the baby.

We saw cheeky monkeys my girlfriend that terrified her, and cooking class that terrified me, bike rides and bargaining, it’s all there along with markets and colourful clothes and sunlight on waves and tables on beaches to watch stunning sunsets as you eat.

Ohhh. I just remembered my fake tattoo of the gecko on my shoulder.

It’s really no wonder I wanted to set a book there. Next month (or now in some places) my book Harry St Claire; Doctor or Rogue comes out. If you want to read more about Bali it’s in there – And you can tell I loved it.

So this is my Bali book. And my Uluru (Ayers Rock) book.

I found both destinations amazing and wonderful, and places I could revisit time and time again but I especially hope I’ve conveyed the strong sense of family, serenity and heritage I saw in the beautiful people of Bali.

Then again I love Uluru too but I might revsit that later too, except what I most remember is I did not expect the power of the place yet some of that magic went into the book because the story of Harry and Bonnie just happened. (And how cool is it my new grandson is Harry too.) I really enjoyed reading the real book when it arrived.

For those who’re wondering about the story line, Harry’s a gorgeous but footloose rogue in Bali, and Bonnie McKenzie is a very sensible, motivated midwife who doesn’t want a holiday fling. That’s why our wounded Harry doesn’t know if he ‘s coming or going but he does know that clarity may return if he follows Bonnie to the last place he wants to be – central Australia – the place his wife and child died – and maybe the healing power of the majestic and mighty Rock along with love of a strong woman will be his salvation.

As I said in the Dear Reader letter, I dedicated this to the three different girlfriends I travelled to Bali with over the years and my son, Andrew, who shared the rock experience with me and allowed me to write while he changed that flat tyre in the red desert. And of course, my own rock, my dearest Ian.

That’s all from me, but thanks for letting me ramble on about it all. And if you pick up the book, I sincerely hope you enjoy Bonnie and Harry’s journey as much as I enjoyed visiting those fabulous places. Perhaps I can inspire you to visit or revisit Bali and Uluru one day.

But, for the moment, I’m wondering where’s the last place you visited? And did it make you vow to return.

Keep well and happy ’till next month

xx Fi

So this is my Bali book. And my Uluru (Ayers Rock) book. Both destinations are amazing and wonderful, and places I could revisit time and time again.

I especially hope I’ve conveyed the strong sense of family, serenity and heritage I saw in the beautiful people of Bali.

Of course I had to set a story there and so much of my trip is between the pages.

I love this book.

Then again I love Uluru too. I did not expect the power of the place to affect me as much as it did and some of that magic went into the book because the story of Harry and Bonnie just happened. (And how cool is it my new grandson is Harry too.)

Back to the book. This Harry’s a gorgeous but footloose rogue in Bali, and Bonnie McKenzie is a very sensible, motivated midwife who doesn’t want a holiday fling. That’s why our wounded Harry doesn’t know if he ‘s coming or going but he does know that clarity may return if he follows Bonnie to the last place he wants to be – central Australia – the place his wife and child died – and maybe the healing power of the majestic and mighty Rock  along with love of a strong woman will be his salvation.

As I said in the Dear Reader letter, I dedicated this to the three different girlfriends I travelled to Bali with over the years and my son, Andrew, who shared the rock experience with me and allowed me to write while he changed that flat tyre in the red desert. And of course, my own rock, my dearest Ian.

To my readers, I sincerely hope you enjoy Bonnie and Harry’s journey as much as I enjoyed visiting those fabulous places.

Perhaps I can inspire you to visit or revisit Bali and Uluru one day.

Nana with Harry

So it’s all pretty exciting to have a new baby in the family. Rohan and Jodie are fabulous parents to little Harry, and he’s such a delight.  I was even at work when they had him (though looking after the mum next door and as you can imagine had lots of cuddles that night and the next day. Big bonus to being a midwife.

Then the very next day I discovered the title of my new book to come

out next month …

HARRY ST CLAIRE: ROGUE OR DOCTOR?

which I though serendipitous as I’d no idea my new grandson’s name was going to be Harrison. How cool is that!

This book was such fun to write

and has so many wonderful memories because

it’s set in two places very dear to my heart -

BEAUTIFUL BALI and the MAGNIFICENT ULURU – or AYERS ROCK in central Australia.

I really hope you enjoy Harry and Bonnie’s long distance journey to happiness.

Further to  my ‘THE DON”T PANIC GUIDE TO BIRTH’ by Penguin Australia, apart from buying the print book from

http://www.booktopia.com.au/the-don-t-panic-guide-to-birth/prod9780143204527.html

It’s now out in ebook.

http://kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Dont-Panic-Guide-To/book-TDrsl6JpIEa59Hx21X1wsA/page1.html

I had a beautiful letter from one of our hospital emergency doctors who has left while his wife has their baby. I’d love to share it with you…

To Fiona

Thank you very much for the Don’t Panic Guide To Birth. It’s great!

I’d like to say I read it without putting it down, but I didn’t. The passages on the newborn girl nuzzling her mother got me quite misty eyed: must be the air conditioning here.

It’s so lovely to read of the joy of childbirth, and for a normal part of life to be presented so positively. I will heartily recommend your fabulous book.

Sandra loves your book, and found it a welcome breath of fresh air after struggling through the usual ‘big fat’ pregnancy books.

Thank you

Dean

………………………………………………….

How lovely is that! And to go to the effort of mailing it – I really appreciated the effort and can’t wait to see how their baby’s first day went.

That’s all for now

with warmest wishes to all

xx Fi

It has been the busiest couple of weeks since
last I blogged.

Where do I start? Well I managed to go to my first
Opera, CARMEN, at the Sydney Opera House, with my dear friend Bronwyn Jameson, and
absolutely loved it.  Anyone  an opera lover? What’s your favourite because
I want to see more and even thinking of going when Alison Roberts and I hit
Rome in October.

I attended a fab weekend workshop with American
Screenwriting Guru Michael Haugh in March. My aim is to write one script this
year.

Then Sydney and attended the Romance Readers
Association of Australia Conference in Bondi. Wow. Talk about well organised. I
 met the happiest and kindest bunch of
ladies with no agenda except to shout to the rooftops they love reading romance.
Such a fun weekend with people who know how to party. If anyone is coming over
to Oz from the states, have look at ARRA and see if they have any conferences
on. Brilliant. It was lovely to meet the awesome Cindy Gerard as plenary
speaker, too.

ARRA was followed by five days writing and retreating
with dear  friends in Coogee, the setting
for our Young Nurses Series which starts in September.

Then a weekend at Bellingen Writers Conference with
my 4POINTS writing buddies and my husband is starting to look a little forlorn.
So he came to the ALSO obstetric conference that was on the Gold Coast the
following weekend.

But the best, most awesome,  fabulous personal news is the safe and serene
arrival of my first grandson, Harrison Bailey Ian, 8lb 7oz on the 14th April.
When my webpage will let me post piccies..!!!  I will. We do have some GORGEOUS ones. Thankfully
I was home long enough to greet him.

Huge
congrats to Jodie and Rohan who knew how to have the best shot at the kind of
labour they wanted. Can I tell you about it? You know how I love a good birth
story.

They
 did five, two and half hour lessons with
my dear friend Vicki who is a Calmbirth® instructor,  after
work (they both worked full time until 3 weeks before) and attended the six
evening sessions at my hospital antenatal classes and… not sure if they felt
obliged to or they wanted it – cause then they both read my Don’t Panic Guide
To Birth.

I do believe I was feeling more pressure than them
that everything was going to work out well.

But it was a dream labour. First baby, and Jodie
stated contractions at five in the 
morning, didn’t stress, just squeezed her little stress ball all the way
till 1pm at home, walking and resting, then they came into the hospital. They
went straight to the bathroom where they stayed together with very little
interference until they buzzed,  and
Harry was born in the shower at 4:48 that evening. How cool is that.

I even got to be there at the last minute, as the
other midwife on, through the good graces of the lady I was looking after next
door who luckily waited to have her baby a cool half hour later. What a fabulous
shift.

Then my editor phoned to say the title of my next
book was “Harry St Clair: Rogue or Doctor?” How cool is that.  The book opens in beautiful Bali and closes at
the magnificent Uluru (or Ayers Rock) in central Australia and Harry really is
a menace. I had such fun researching this book. Shame it’s too late to dedicate
to my new little man in my life but hey, there’s always the next one.

So are you tired. Too much and too many places to
think about? My husband feels like that. I feel a little like that sometimes
but the rest of the time I’m grinning ‘cause it’s a beautiful day, I’ve
had  a great morning getting words down,
it’s Good Friday tomorrow and I’m working so may even get to catch an Easter
baby. I’m staying home this month. Really I am

Hugs xx Fi