Prize of the month

Set in the isolated Queensland town of Birdsville, with a population of 110 and the unbreakable spirit only a town of that size can have, Fiona McArthur’s latest novel captures the essence of life on the remote Outback and the fun of the Birdsville races.

It celebrates the resilience of Australians living in these unique conditions, particularly the dedication of those tasked with keeping the community safe.

When midwife and emergency nurse Phoebe McFadden fled her family dramas at age 16, she thought she’d left Birdsville for good.

But when her cousin Scarlet asks her to be bridesmaid in her wedding party, Phoebe knows it’s time to make her way home and face the past.

As Phoebe reluctantly settles back into town, she keeps crossing paths with Atticus Bow, the latest Birdsville cop.

He’s no longer the skinny kid she remembers but an irresistible man she does not want to be attracted to.

The last thing she needs is to become attached to this place again.

But as she starts to let Birdsville — and its people — back into her heart, she discovers secrets that have remained locked away for far too long.

Can she right the wrongs of the past before Scarlet’s special day? And can she fall back in love with the small town she left all those years ago?

Capturing all the colour and heart of the famous Birdsville races, this uniquely Australian romance celebrates women who are always there for each other, the caring side of men, and the challenges and optimism of remote families.

It paints a vivid picture of a place where community spirit thrives against all odds.

Drawing from her earlier life as a rural midwife, Fiona McArthur shares her love of working with women, families and health professionals in her books.

In her compassionate, pacey fiction, her love of the Australian landscape meshes beautifully with warm, funny, multi-generational characters as she highlights challenges for rural and remote families, and the strength shared between women.

Fiona is the author of the non-fiction book Aussie Midwives, and lives on a farm with her husband in northern NSW.

She was awarded the NSW Excellence in Midwifery Award in 2015 and the Australian Ruby Award for Contemporary Romantic Fiction in 2020, and was shortlisted for the same award in 2023.

Back To Birdsville by Fiona McArthur is published by Michael Joseph, RRP $34.99.

The Wife’s Secret by Barbara Hannay

This is a heartfelt new second-chance romance by the internationally award-winning author of The Life Swap.

Two different dreams.

Since their bitter divorce, Lisa and Rolf have forged new and separate lives.

Rolf has moved out of Beacon Bay, while Lisa has remained in the tiny tropical town, a pillar of her community.

One violent storm.

When a cyclone brings a massive tree smashing into Lisa’s roof — into the home Rolf built and where they raised their family — their son, Dave, convinces Rolf that he must do the repairs.

Tensions abound when Rolf arrives with glamorous stage star Renata, along with a pretty young publicist who stirs up complications for Dave and his new restaurant.

Is the damage beyond repair?

Their combined efforts to rebuild the community see them confronting old wounds of their own, but will Lisa be brave enough to risk her heart again, especially if that means revealing the one guilty memory that has haunted her for decades?

Set on the picturesque coastline of Queensland’s tropical far north, this is an uplifting story about resurrecting hope and unearthing love, even through the most turbulent of times.

Barbara Hannay writes women's fiction, with more than 12 million books sold worldwide.

Her novels set in Australia have been translated into 26 languages, and she has won the Romance Writers of America's RITA award and been shortlisted five times. Two of Barbara’s novels have also won the Romance Writers of Australia's Romantic Book of the Year award.

Barbara lives in Townsville with her writer husband and enjoys being close to the Coral Sea, the stunning tropical scenery and colourful characters, all of which find their way into her popular stories.

The Wife’s Secret by Barbara Hannay is published by Michael Joseph, RRP $34.99.

GIVEAWAY

We have four copies of Back To Birdsville and two copies of The Wife’s Secret to give away. The first two entries drawn will receive a copy of both books; the next two entries drawn will win a copy of Back To Birdsville only.

For a chance to win, send your name, address, daytime phone number and the answer to this question: In which Queensland town does this year’s Variety Bash finish? (Hint: See page 7). Entries close on Thursday, September 5 via post to: Country Life ‘Queensland’ Competition, PO Box 8000, Shepparton, 3632; or email to: competition@countrynews.com.au — please include the word ‘Queensland’ in the subject line.

WINNERS

The winners of The Wren in the Holly Library book giveaway are Anthony Moylan from Echuca, Barb Larcombe from Deniliquin, Pam Hauwert from Cobram and Wilma Hills from Echuca. Congratulations! You will be contacted about how to collect your prize.