Australia ~ A place you feel (says chris hemsworth)

The grapevine, looking every bit the Queen of the Garden at Crabapple House, Autumn 2019

May is my favourite month because I celebrate my birthday AND Mother’s Day… only days apart. And because these special days occur when the weather is flush with brilliant rubies and saffrons, I have grown to love autumn more than any other season.

This year, I have even more reasons to LOVE the month of May. Many of you have found this journal page, and website, and my book, Carry Me Home, thanks to this month’s Christian Historical Romance Book Bundle Giveaway. (If you haven’t checked out the 9 FREE books on offer, you have until the end of May to take your pick.)

And so a big warm WELCOME to those of you who are newly arrived to all things Ink Dots. I’m delighted you’ve downloaded Shadrach and Finella’s story. If you’ve journeyed with these characters to the end, I am most grateful! Let me know what you thought of the story in the comment section below.

Fiction set in Australia may be something you’re already fond of, or something that’s completely new to you. Either way, I wanted to share this fabulous Tourism Australia link, with voiceover by Chris Hemsworth. If you haven’t opened your copy of Carry Me Home, here’s a peek into the majestic Australian landscape my characters occupy.

 

 

Click Here for Chris Hemsworth’s Invitation to Australia

 

Ventnor Beach, Phillip Island, Australia

What did you think of that quick tour of our beautiful country? I hope it inspires you to read or perhaps even re-read Carry Me Home. Because in a few short months, Carry Me Away, book 2 in the Blue Wren Shallows series will be ready for your reading pleasure.

So what are you waiting for? Step right into yesteryear and the beauty of Australia’s beaches and windswept cliffs and the Blue Wren Shallows of Phillip Island in… Carry Me Home

Happy Reading,

Dotti

Nearly There…

In a year of brokenness, where the notes of life did not always play sweet music in my ears, I found myself drawn to unfamiliar quiet places. To the stillness and the echoing ache to keep writing in the midst of grief, even when I did not know how.

There were many who stood beside me in those shadows. They ached with me and I learned the sweetest whisper is ‘don’t give up, you’re nearly there.’

And if nearly there is the flicker before the dawn, the dawn itself, the… here we are… is starting to shine, bright as day, in my author heart.

Many of you have messaged this last year, quietly checking in on me in a year of mourning and gently asking about the next book in my Phillip Island, Blue Wren Shallows series. Well, dearest reader, Carry Me Away  (younger sister to Carry Me Home) is on her way to YOU.

Cover reveal, promo announcements, and all the fun of releasing a book are some months away, but the excitement is bubbling up in those of us who are dressing this book for publication.

I want to thank ALL OF YOU, faithful friends, for your patience and encouragement. From the first words I ever penned in this story to the very last… I have been writing for YOU. And I am grateful for your loyalty.

If you have not already subscribed to my Reader Group, please join today. It’s the shortest road between me and you. And if you join before the end of April 2019, you could win one of three Everlasting journals.

This is an international giveaway… so what are you waiting for? 
(This contest is now closed. Congratulations to winners ~ Tammy, Alina, and Ruby.)


Don’t miss out. Scroll to the bottom of this page and join today.

Blessings,

Dotti 

 


 

 

The Year Of The Jubilee

 

So my Beloved turns 50 years old today. (Happy Birthday to you, my sweet. xx)

A much longed for confetti celebration in a season of steep hills and darker valleys.

And in a few short months, I too, will turn 50. (Gasp)

Embracing Life ~ The Year of The Jubilee

Last year, when we considered how we might celebrate, we fell upon the word Jubilee ~ n. the completion of 50 years existence, activity, or its celebration.

So we dubbed 2018 our Year of The Jubilee.

We made a list of big and small ways we would celebrate with each other, with family and friends, and stretch our Jubilee the whole year long.

Go on 50 Dates, Excursions, or Adventures

Share 50 Celebration Meals, (Coffee Catch Ups, Luncheons, Dinner Parties)

Send 50 letters, postcards, packages, or notes

Watch 50 Movies

Give 50 Gifts

Plant 50 Plants

And then… just for me, I added,

Read 50 Books

Absorb 50 TED Talks

January started well. I kept happy records in my diary. We sat on the foreshore at Cowes beach, Phillip Island, with my beautiful sister-in-law and watched the fireworks scream off the jetty – the prefect date for seeing in the New Year.

Then my cousin and her family stopped into Melbourne and we shared a celebration meal together. Three book gifts were given to three excited children.

I posted two copies of Carry Me Home to a library in Sydney, which had, only that week purchased them.

Movie ~ Easy

Book ~ Even easier

TED Talk ~ Listened while I brushed my teeth.

The addition of 50 plants to the Crabapple House garden I reserved for later in the year when the cool of autumn will best suit delicate roots. But we discovered the remaining Jubilee Dates were easy and fun to add to the growing list of celebrations, already achieved.

Wedding celebrations under an elaborate ceiling adornments and windows.

A Saturday breakfast with dear friends.

An elaborate Egyptian wedding.

A Turkish birthday dinner.

The gifting of a bag of no-longer-needed school clothes I had in reserve for a family of boys who go to the same school my boys attended. Fragments of life, shared with those we love. The gathering of ordinary moments that transform into memories.

And then… one hurried afternoon in late January I picked a fragrant pink rose from my garden. A tiny love token for a woman who had slipped into a hospital bed and never returned home. My last gift to Mum. It sat in a glass of water by her bedside, right to the end.

After that, the diary screams in emptiness. No TED Talks. No adventures. Instead of giving, I am receiving. Meals. Flowers. Messages. Cards.

I collected myself to write thank you notes, and shared a sweet family dinner to celebrate Mum’s life with our extended family. I packed food into boxes and pressed them into Dad’s fridge and freezer. Even in the shadow of grief, The Year of The Jubilee, somehow found us. Crying. Remembering. Smiling. Giving.

Many days later, I picked up an unfinished book. Then my Beloved and I watched a movie. The next day, we went on an historical walking tour of Melbourne’s laneways, a Christmas gift adventure from our son.

And today… well today is the real reason I write. Our bags are packed for a trip planned and booked many, many months ago. A European adventure to celebrate the life of the man I have loved since I was a girl of 19. With my dear Dad’s blessing, my Beloved and I fly out tonight to explore and celebrate all things that have bought us to this our fiftieth year.

My last rose gift to Mum. Now on my desk beside the ink bottles. Always part of my story.

I already know jubilation comes like a gust of confetti and silken ribbons. The ribbons are all the good people who wrap themselves around us with love. The wind is what pushes us to grow, teaches the lessons we’d rather avoid, and establishes our strong roots. And everything in between, is the flying confetti that litters our world with splendour.

Like petals picked, sifted, and kept as evidence of the life we’ve lived.

And the people we’ve loved.

 

Queen Mary 2 – Author Visit

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Once in a lifetime, an author has an innocent conversation with a friend who is the Business Development Manager for the world’s best cruise ships.

This leads to all manner of dreaming and scheduling and before she knows it, she’s in the back of an UBER ride on her way to the famous CUNARD LINE Queen Mary II.

And yes… in my wildest dreams I would never have imagined this would be MY author adventure, but thanks to my fabulous friend Andrew Perry, it is.

And I am still pinching myself.

To continue the giddy-fest of drool-worthy photos of this magnificent vessel, I bring you the day Rel Mollet, (my part-time assistant, part-time photographer and full-time partner in author world adventures) and I, boarded this recently remastered flagship on its 2017 World Voyage – Melbourne visit.

What an honour to be invited to deliver copies of my debut Australian Historical Romance, Carry Me Home, for readers from all over the globe.

Here’s how we rolled…

 

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Really, truly…. our first ever UBER ride. Early morning excitement – before the wind tore up our hair.

 

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We’re official! Passed security and tagged for embarkation.

 

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Aboard the Queen Mary 2 with our escort and dear friend, Andrew Perry. I think he’s saying, ‘You should live onboard and write away each day in some sunny corner.’ And I’m saying, ‘I so should.’

 

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One copy each of Carry Me Home for the 3 Cunard Queens – The Queen Mary II, The Queen Elizabeth, and The Queen Victoria.

 

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With the QM2 Librarian, Nathan, and Sandy, QM2 Events Co-ordinator.

 

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Talking all things libraries and the habits of seafaring readers.

 

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Top shelf, centre…. goosebumps and cheesy author smiles.

 

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The Queen Mary 2 is the world’s largest floating library, with a backlit collection of over 8000 titles to cover the reading delights of its 2600 passengers and 1300 crew.

 

Queen Mary 2

After my author visit to the library, Andrew took us on a 3 hour guided tour of the QM2. Melbourne put on a glorious summer’s day and showered us in sunshine, befitting a ship so grand.

 

 

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The QM2 has 14 decks. I think we covered every one of them!

 

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Acres of fine dining.

 

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We worked up an enviable appetite and were delighted with our delicious luncheon. Thank you, Cunard!

 

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The Grand Lobby. Lives up to its name and then some.

 

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The Captain’s Table…, a little larger than the rest, to welcome special dinner guests.

 

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Part of the Royal Family photographs in the Grand Ballroom. I’m looking at an original photo of Queen Mary, after whom the ship was named. Bliss for a lover of all things historical.

 

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Aussie Pride on a cabin door.

 

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The view of Marvellous Melbourne from the top deck of the QM2.

 

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Author life. It’s a hard job. Lucky for me my assistant insists on afternoon naps. In the sun. On a luxury ocean liner. #dreaming

 

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Most passengers were exploring the sights of  Melbourne.

 

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So, take your pick of deckchairs.

 

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The spectacular Royal Court Theatre seats 1000 guests for movies and live performances to rival anything seen on Broadway or West End.

 

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Illuminations – The QM2 seriously has a planetarium! Seating almost 500 guests it also screens movies and features lecture programs.

 

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What a magnificent vessel! Why would anyone want to leave? A cruise onboard the Queen Mary 2 is now TOP of my wish list.

 

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Rel Mollet and I had to be lured into our ride home by this generous gift of CUNARD boxed chocolates. Otherwise we might have stayed forever.

 

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I’ve learned a lot in my short time as published author. Here’s what’s impressed me the most – My readers are the BEST PEOPLE around. They cheer me on, encourage my writing, and constantly surprise me with opportunities to speak and showcase my work. This time it was this guy. Thank you, Andrew, for your generous heart and invitation to come aboard. The author life is never dull and this week in particular, it was off the charts super spectacular. #literallyblownaway

 

 

 

 

Author Talk Snapshots

 

The nights have been cold and this winter has not been mild.

Nope. Melbourne continues to deliver its iciest blast.

But my readers have showered me with warmth and love.

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Rustic bookshelf, scattered sea shells…

In June, it was my privilege to speak with the wonderful women of NewHope Baptist Church, in Blackburn. These girls sure know how to manage an event. Every corner of the room was festooned with details inspired by Carry Me Home.

A million thanks, to my beautiful team…Fiona, Surette, Laura, and Robyn. 

From shells to tea cups, lanterns and candles, to olde worlde books and nostalgic touches like handmade bunting… the entire room glowed with such attention to detail, I thought I may have walked into my own story-world.

And notice the carefully chosen tablecloth, matched to Finella’s skirt! Brilliant!

Many thanks to the beautiful souls who attended this Meet The Author event, and for your wonderful support! What a treat to discover such warm hearted readers.

Meeting you girls was the highlight of my June!

 

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Old Bible

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Book display

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Beautiful Bunting

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Vintage Books

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Wonderful Readers

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More Wonderful Readers

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Stunners, each one

AND… just last week, it was a delight to chat with the good people of Phillip Island in the local library. We talked all things Carry Me Home, Displacement Fiction, and my road to publication. Many thanks to Helen and Jenny for their hospitality.

An Aussie author could easily believe the months of June and July are cold and unwelcoming. Not true. For this debut author, they’ve been a warm embrace.

Thank you, dear readers! Once again, you’ve blessed me beyond measure.

 

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Book Signing At The Phillip Island Library

 

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Meeting New Readers

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Final Instructions…. Read Carry Me Home

 

I hope you’re keeping toasty or ice cool… wherever you may be.

Happy reading,

Dotti xx

 

 

2016 Fingerless Gloves Giveaway

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In case you’re somewhere warmer, it’s the thick of winter in Melbourne. Measures need to be taken, friends. We fight the cold any way we can.

Me…? I take out my fingerless writing gloves.

Knitted with love by my beautiful mum, Sophie, I’ve grown used to wearing them at the computer when the weather turns frosty. They’re a hug from her on solitary days when I’m editing and working on Carry Me Away re-writes.

Mum hasn’t enjoyed the best of health in recent years. But even in the midst of sickness, she’s worked on a pair of these gloves for one lucky Ink Dots friend. She’s such a generous woman! I am blessed she’s my mama.

Along with the pair she’s knitted for me, (which I’m wearing while I type right now) she’s made others I’ve had the privilege to give away over the years. And it’s that time of year again when I pause my writing for a moment to share Mum’s excellent knitting with someone who loves the touch of the old worlde as much as I do.

This year, that could be YOU.  Oh, I so hope it will be YOU

All you have to do for your chance to win….is join my mailing list. (Don’t worry if you’re already signed up. You’re automatically in the running. How cool is that?)

Why sign up? So you can be one of the first to receive my author news and the latest developments on Carry Me Away. And because it’s a fun way for me to pick someone who might cherish a pair of these sweet gloves for themselves.

How? Scroll to the bottom of this page, or any page on this website, for the mailing list sign up form. You have until the end of June to sign up and the GOOD news is…  This offer is open to all Australian AND international subscribers.

Yes. I will post this prize anywhere in the world. With real Aussie stamps and postmarks. Truly!

So, stay warm, (or cool) dear friends, wherever you are.

Enjoy the passing seasons.

Read good books and enter to win the 2016 Ink Dots Fingerless Gloves Giveaway.

And let me know… if you win, do you plan on wearing them to write like me, or snuggle up in a corner to read?

Love, Dotti

 

UPDATED  – Congratulations to the winner of the 2016 Fingerless Gloves Giveaway…. Sally Bradley!