Maya Linnell’s newest book will bring back a fan-favourite character from a previous book. Photo: Supplied.
Best-selling Queensland author Maya Linnell will visit West Wyalong on Wednesday (25 June) to promote her newest rural romance, set in South Australia’s Limestone Cove where she grew up.
The main character, Maggie West, is a “very proud self-sufficient” lady from a well-established family with a teenage daughter and a young adult son. Rather than working in her family’s crayfishing business, she chose to carve her own path breeding Hereford cattle and border collies.
“Cockatoo Cove‘s got cattle farming, it’s got wine making, a whole heap of country charm and a little dollop of romance as well,” the author said.
It also marks the return of Fergus, a Scottish winemaker from one of her previous books, Kookaburra Cottage.
“Fergus was one of the main supporting characters in that and people were super keen to hear Fergus’ story,” she said.
“He’s a bit of a handyman on the side. I guess you could say they’re also thrown together for a community fundraiser as well.”
Ms Linnell says some of her childhood experiences influenced her new book.
“When I was growing up, I had a friend whose family had a crayfishing boat and were professional fishermen,” she said.
“So I went out on the boat with them one time and I thought this is fantastic, beautiful. A great place to have some scenes in a novel.
“There was a giant five kilogram crayfish caught in South Australia, which is like a record size crayfish.
“So I thought, ‘Well, there’s a beautiful little inspiration for a subplot’.
“The main character, Maggie, is chasing this massive, giant crayfish that she’s seen once, and she’s trying to catch it the whole novel.”
Ms Linnell said her parents were her biggest supporters and dedicated Cockatoo Cove to her late father, Bruce.
“My dad was a journalist, and he always encouraged me to write what you know,” she said.
“He would always hand out bookmarks and business cards to anyone he met who was remotely interested in reading or books.
“He would strike up a conversation with strangers. I’ve had people who have written to me because they met my mum and dad on a cruise and they got talking about books.
“They went and got the books after talking to my dad and really enjoyed that slice of Australia. He always really enjoyed being part of the small town that we grew up in.
“[I’m] so lucky to have parents that really value creativity and always encourage me to follow my heart.”
Aside from her parents, the enthusiasm from fans and libraries in supporting Australian authors is what keeps her going. The warm welcome she received from Bland Library staff while on a recent trip cemented her decision to include the library on her book tour.
“That’s something that, as an author, I never take it for granted,” she said.
“For that enthusiasm from librarians and from readers, you’ve certainly kept me returning to the keyboard, every day.”
Join Maya Linnell for her guest talk and high tea at Bland Shire Library from 3 pm next Wednesday (25 June). Bookings are essential, phone 6979 0272. You can keep up-to-date with Maya on Instagram and Facebook.
