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Maya Linnell

From country show baking to raising orphaned lambs, bestselling author Maya Linnell writes
about the life she lives and loves. A keen bookworm, former rural journalist and radio show host.


Maya is also an ambassador for the digital library app Libby OverDrive. She lives in rural Victoria
with a menagerie of animals, sweeping gardens, three bookworms and the odd tiger snake or
three. 

More about the Author

Limestone Coast horticulturalist April Lacey is determined to lead her family’s winery into the future. She dreams of opening a bed and breakfast at Lacewing Estate, but soon discovers the crumbling historic building and her father’s reluctance to join the food tourism revolution are just the beginning of her uphill
battle.

English winemaker Connor Jamison has travelled to South Australia’s iconic wine region to learn from the experts and carve a name for himself in the industry. However, it quickly becomes clear that no matter how many miles Connor puts between himself and the accident that flipped his world, the past keeps nipping at his heels.

Can April’s fresh ideas save Lacewing Estate from folding or will they be a fool’s folly? And will Connor’s fierce loyalty come back to haunt him?


United by cooking classes, music and an unexpected involvement in the Penwarra Country Show, April and Connor seem like the perfect match, but with old flames, new challenges and careers conspiring to keep them apart, can this pair forge their own path together?

Praise for Maya Linnell

Maya’s novels have consistently made:

  • The Better Reading Top 100 competition –
  • Top 10 Australian Fiction Bestseller in June 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022
  • Fifth highest-selling Australian romance author in 2022

‘When a new Maya Linnell novel lands in the office, we pretty much draw the curtains and shut up
shop until it’s reads’ Australian Country Magazine

‘I’ve always wanted to live in the country so Maya’s books are always my perfect escape’ Joanna
Nell, bestselling author

‘Full of warmth, humour and genuine heart, just like eating scones fresh from the oven’ ABC Wide
Bay

‘Tugs on the heartstrings’ New Idea Magazine

‘Linnell brings a good deal of authenticity and humour to her story … an enjoyable tale about
romance, family and dealing with change.’ Canberra Weekly Magazine

Free: Bookings essential

This event is being staged in partnership with Ballarat Libraries

Collins Booksellers, Ballart on Lydiard
will be handling book sales for the event.

This event is a BMI Community Cultural Project – Ballarat’s Oldest Cultural Institution

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Tax Deductible 

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The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May

Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm

guides dressed in period costum

Australian Heritage Festival

Minerva's Secrets

25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets. 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm

with Kylie Ladd

 Wed 25 June at 6pm

Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing