Breaking the Drought with Lisa Ireland

A flood, a bushfire and countless snakes taught Lisa Ireland that there was more to life on the land than fluffy sheep and home baked scones.

Let's find out who Lisa is and what Breaking the Drought is all about.

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Lisa, who are the main characters in Breaking the Drought?

When a smooth-talking, sophisticated city girl comes striding into town on her stiletto heels, he's the last person who wants to notice...

My heroine, Jenna McLean, is a city girl through and through. The only time she ventures out of Melbourne’s inner city is to attend luxury spa weekends with her girlfriends, or when she’s flying off to an exotic overseas location. Rural life is simply not for her.

The hero, Luke Tanner, is a man on a mission. He has no time for frivolous party girls like Jenna. He’s desperately trying to keep the family farm afloat to support his brother’s pregnant widow, Maggie.

I have to admit I love an ensemble cast, so I’ve developed quite a few of the secondary characters in this novel, including Maggie (Luke’s sister-in-law), Brooke (Jenna’s best friend) and Charlotte (a local newspaper reporter.)

What is the story about?

Very simply it’s about a city girl, Jenna, who falls in love with a farmer, Luke.

The problem for Jenna is that Luke doesn’t meet any of her “Marriage Material” criteria and because of her dysfunctional childhood she can’t let herself believe in love.

The problem for Luke is that because of a tragic incident in his past, he doesn’t believe he is worthy of love.

Will you share a paragraph or two with us?

Jenna held her breath as Mal examined the fleece.

‘Ladies,’ he shouted above the noise. ‘We have our winner!’

Matt and Cameron were both now finished. The shearers released their sheep into a small pen while the young rouseabout took their fleeces. The losing competitors were quick to shake Luke’s hand and slap him on the back.

‘Luke, time to get your prize. Which of these lovely ladies will you choose to get a kiss from?’

Luke laughed and shook his head. ‘It’s too hard to choose, Mal.’

‘A deal’s a deal, son. Let’s not disappoint the ladies now.’

Luke nodded as his eyes scanned the crowd. ‘Alright then.’ He stood still for a moment, seeming to consider his options as the girls all called out to him, hoping to sway him their way.

Butterflies of nervous anticipation swirled in Jenna’s stomach, which was ridiculous. As if he would pick her. Luke Tanner had made it quite clear he thought she was a pain in the butt so she was probably last on his list. Nevertheless, he was striding towards her purposefully it seemed. His gaze was fixed on her, and with each step it seemed more and more likely that she was his chosen target. Her pulse thudded in her ears as Luke came to a halt almost directly in front of her.

‘Made your choice have you, Luke?’

Jenna held her breath as he answered.

What do you most like about the writer's life?

All of it! I’m lucky enough to be able to write full time so I have a lot of control over how I spend my days. That means I get to do things like attend school sports days and assemblies and have the occasional long lunch with a writing buddy. I love that I can work from home if I choose to. Sometimes I’ll spend the day working in my favourite café, but in winter you can often find me curled up on the couch with my laptop, wearing my sparkly writing slippers.

So, given the sparkly slippers - what are you like in 'real' life?

Unlike many writers I know I’m an extrovert. I love spending time with others and I’m a shocking chatterbox. I have a genuine curiosity about the lives of others and I love being a writer because it gives me an excuse to be a sticky beak!

Outside of writing and reading I spend my time making plans to exercise (but not actually doing any) watching AFL football (Go Cats!) and participating in family life. My husband, my three gorgeous boys, and especially my zany Labrador, Millie, take up a lot of my time and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lisa Ireland, author of Breaking the Drought

Thanks for your company, Lisa!

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Thank you for coming over to my country manor blog, Lisa, it was fantastic to discover more about you and your debut novel.

And thank you, readers, for popping in. Until next time!

Jennie