Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

Ballarat Film Society - Brooklyn
2023-03-09 19:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350
In Conversation with Léonie Kelsall

July 12

@

6:00 pm

-

8:00 pm

$10

The Homestead in the Eucalypts

Léonie Kelsall.

Sometimes finding the way forward means retracing your past.

When student doctor Taylor Lawrence’s city life is turned upside down, she seeks sanctuary on her grandparents’ farm in the South Australian countryside. During the lonely nights, she fantasises of a time long-gone; of Anna, who, rising at dawn to milk the cows and fetch water from the well, is caught in a bushfire that threatens to leave her reputation as blackened as the surrounding bushland. And of Anna’s rescuer, fellow settler, Luke Hartmann. Reality blurs as Taylor repeatedly escapes into Anna’s world, and she realises she must discover whether her dreams are pure fantasy—or if they recount a story more familiar than she could ever imagine. Either way, it seems she’ll end up with a broken mind or a broken heart. The problem is, Taylor is no longer sure which she would prefer. An entrancing new rural romance from the bestselling author of The Blue Gum Camp. ‘Léonie Kelsall is becoming the voice of the South Australian rural outback.’ Beauty and Lace on The Blue Gum Camp.Praise for Léonie Kelsall:‘A great summer read—romance, drama and laughs . . . from one of Australia’s best rural romance writers.’ Woman’s Day on The Blue Gum Camp ‘With complex and endearing characters who will steal your heart away, these unputdownable books will have you turning the pages long into the night.’ Karly Lane, bestselling author of For Once In My Life ‘Léonie Kelsall is my go-to when I want a gutsy rural fiction read.’ Darry Fraser, author of The Milliner of Bendigo ‘Warm, witty and brimming with big-hearted country characters, renovations and romance. A fabulous, feel-good rural read!’ Maya Linnell, bestselling author of Kookaburra Cottage ‘A welcome return that offers plenty of happiness, fun and heartbreak…with a wonderful message about letting go, seizing the day and embracing all experiences on offer…I highly recommend.’ Mrs B’s Book Reviews ‘Written with warmth, humour and sincerity, offering appealing characters and an engaging story…a lovely read, sure to satisfy.’ Book’d Out

About the Author

Raised initially in a tiny, no-horse town on South Australia’s Fleurieu coast, then in the slightly more populated wheat and sheep farming land at Pallamana, Léonie is a country girl through and through. Growing up without a television, she developed a love of reading before she reached primary school, swiftly followed by a desire to write. Pity the poor teachers who received chapters of creative writing instead of a single page! Léonie entertained a brief fantasy of moving to the big city (well, Adelaide), but within months the lure of the open spaces and big sky country summoned her home. A registered wildlife rescuer and carer, she now divides her time between the lush Adelaide Hills, the location of her professional counselling practice, and the stark, arid beauty of the family farm at Pallamana, which provides both the setting for many of her stories and a refuge for the rescues that can’t be released. Follow her social media for an overload of the fluffy, fleecy, furred and feathered inhabitants of her home and heart.Léonie is the bestselling author of The Farm at Peppertree Crossing, The Wattle Seed Inn, The River Gum Cottage, The Willow Tree Wharf and The Blue Gum Camp.

Enquiries: Any event specific enquires should be direct to library@ballaratmi.org.au

$10 per person plus booking fee & gst includes light refreshment. All proceeds go to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute. Book on-line or contact Rosemary at the Libary via email library@ballaratmi.org.au or phone (03) 5331 3042

Book here

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

Why Not become a member

This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work, learn and create. Always Was, Always Will Be, Aboriginal Land.

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