In episode 8 of Shelf-Employed, Lee and Cody speak to Andre and Melissa Hattingh, the creative duo behind Love andShadows and Shadow of Ruin, the first two books in The Donare Series.

Their journey as storytellers is shaped by rich life experiences—Melissa’s childhood in South Africa, where she crafted stories inspired by nature, and Andre’s adventures as a pilot. Their paths merged, leading them to Australia, where their love for the art of storytelling flourished. Together, they weave tales of romance, fantasy, and mystery, drawing from their personal experiences to create narratives that resonate deeply with readers.'

#romance #authors

Judy Gillett-Ferguson published her first novel, The German Teacher, in her early 80's - proof you're never too old to publish a book.

The German Teacher is set in a fictional town near Angaston in the Barossa Valley.

Into a valley deeply divided by war, prejudice and loyalties, arrives Audrey Douglas, a young teacher.

It's January 1917, and this is her first appointment, to replace all vestiges of German language and culture from the former one-teacher school in the Barossa Valley township of Langestal.

She learns the body of her predecessor, Helmut Heinrich, was found in a local vineyard the day before her arrival, two months after he had retired and was supposed to have returned to Adelaide.

Most of the menfolk of Langestal have been interned, and the resultant hostility and mistrust between their families and the rest of the community is palpable.

So...was the old teacher murdered?

Purchase your copy here: https://www.amazon.com.au/German-Teacher-Judy-Gillett-Ferguson/dp/1922527092

Eliza is a South Australian Children's Author who works as anurse and is a mum. Her interests are cooking, painting and music. She loves spending time with family and friends, and in her spare time, she loves to write stories and be in nature.

Socials:

Eliza's website: https://elizahutchinson.ampbk.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ELIZA-H-Author/100063985422751/

Links:

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/Eliza-Hutchinson/author/B0D8TCZJBM

Dymocks: https://www.dymocks.com.au/the-moonlight-fairies-by-eliza-hutchinson-9780646734705

Austin Macauley Publishers https://www.austinmacauley.com/author/hutchinsoneliza