Burra Burra Lane Birthday Blitz Giveaway - meet guest #3

BREAKING NEWS!  Kendall Talbot is a finalist in the Romance Writers of Australia RUBY Awards!  Congrats Kendall and Lost in Kakadu!

Under the Swallow's Fall party bunting today is adventure seeking, bucket list achiever, mother, writer and hopeless romantic, Kendall Talbot.

Lost in Kakadu is up for grabs in theBurra Burra Lane Birthday Blitz Giveaway.

Kakadu? Where's that, some ask (or maybe, What's that?).  But the real question should be, 'You ate what, Kendall Talbot?'

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In researching her debut novel, Lost in Kakadu, Kendall ate witchetty grubs that she dug from her garden, made slingshots from her bras and sat for hours in the pouring rain.  

Well, I promised you an adventure seeking, bucket list achiever, didn't I? Here she is!

Let's go with six snappy questions (before she takes off on another adventure)

What is Lost in Kakadu about?

Lost in Kakadu is an action adventure novel set in Kakadu National Park where two unlikely people prove just how attractive opposites can be…

Crashing into an ancient Australian wilderness is pretentious socialite Abigail Mulholland’s worse nightmare. She survives the accident with two complete strangers, however things go from bad to downright hellish when rescuers never come. As she battles to live in an environment that’s as beautiful as it is brutal, Abigail finds herself also fighting her unlikely attraction to Mackenzie, a much younger man. A man who she’s willing to change for.

Mackenzie Steel is devastated by his partner’s death in the crash, the only person with whom he shared his painful past. Now, as he confronts his own demons he finds he has a new battle on his hands, his growing feelings for Abigail, a woman who’s as frustrating naïve as she is funny.

Fate brought them together, but they’ll need more than luck to escape Kakadu alive. Could the letters of a dead man hold the key to their survival?

Who are Abigail Mulholland and Mackenzie Steel? 

My leading lady is Abigail Mulholland.  She is introduced as a rich pretentious bitch. But learning to live in the brutal environment they crashed into takes Abigail to shattering point. As the weeks thread into months her Botox fades, her makeup runs out and the physical labour shapes her body into a lean sensual figure that she's proud of. As she gathers the pieces of her sanity she discovers a new woman within her who's not afraid to wield an axe or eat snails in order to survive. The pompous façade disappears and a strong, passionate and resourceful woman emerges with a wicked sense of humour and a fierce determination to live.

My hero is Mackenzie Steel. He’s no Crocodile Dundee, but he is handsome, sexy and can cook a mean snake kebab. He’s led a troubled life, full of tragedy and triumph and he’s no stranger to fighting to survive. His past has made him a strong, compassionate man who fights for his beliefs yet he’s not afraid to show love. Match these traits with his Adonis body, olive skin, eyes the colour of molten honey and his gift at taking random ingredients and turning them into a mouth-watering masterpieces and now you have my hunky hero – Mackenzie

What prompted you to write this story?

This story came together while I was hiking the Milford Track in New Zealand. I tried to imagine what it would be like to be lost in the jungle. Then I thought, what if I was lost in the jungle and I had absolutely no idea about anything even remotely outdoorsy. And then I thought how about lost in the jungle, with no skills whatsoever, and with complete strangers. And then I thought… anyhow that’s how it all started. 

Now is a good time to talk about witchetty grubs and Kakadu, for those who don't know.

Kakadu National Park is situated in Australia's tropical north. It covers around 20,000 square kilometres so of course, it's very possible to get lost! The link will take you to the Australian Government Department of Environment webpage.

Witchetty Grubs are the larva of a moth and apparently, have a taste similar to scrambled eggs. (Ask Kendall in the comments, she's eaten them.) The link will take you to Taste Australia website with opportunities to suss out lots of Aussie bush tucker

Come on, Kendall, share a paragraph or two from Lost in Kakadu.

Abi stripped down to her underpants and before she could change her mind, she jumped. Squealing like a child on the way down, she closed her eyes and plunged into the lagoon. The crisp water took her breath away. She pushed up to the crystal surface, swam to the edge, climbed from the water and stretched out on the giant boulder just as Mackenzie had done. The warmth of the rock on her back was as pleasant as the sun on her breasts. She closed her eyes and felt invisible as she absorbed the serenity of her surroundings.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Mackenzie’s voice startled her.

She sat up, folding her arms over her chest. “Are you spying on me?”

With his hands on his hips, he gazed at her from the other side of the lagoon. “As a matter of fact, I thought I’d be saving you. I heard you scream and thought you’d fallen in.”

“Oh.”

“Mind if I join you?”

“Um, well, um …”

“Come on. Don’t be shy.” Mackenzie whipped off his shorts and before she could say anything he dived in, glided under the water and popped up before her. Her eyes bulged as he simply climbed up on the rock beside her and stretched out completely naked.

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

I love the freedom. I can write anywhere. In bed, in the car, a coffee shop, or at my desk surrounded by my library of favourite books. And I love that my stories take me and my readers to some of my favourite places.

Kendall Talbot:

Does this face make you think of adventure, bucket lists, fun and achievement? Well of course it does ☺

What are you like in ‘real’ life, Kendall? (Be honest, we’re all friends here!)

I’m a wife of 28 years, a mother of two grown sons and a crazy dog called Josie McLuvin. I’m also a writer and a hopeless romantic. I’m a bit of a thrill seeker too and love adventures that make me scream … white water rafting, scuba diving with sharks and hang gliding are just a few of the crazy things I do. (Wow - we'd never have guessed!) I hate apathy, laziness and running out of wine. Especially running out of wine. (Oh, yes, appreciate all this!)  I always have a holiday on the horizon. So far I’ve explored 36 countries with many more still on my bucket list. I collect junky jewellery and expensive perfume and love wearing both every day

My life has been a crazy mix of work and play. And right now I mix it up as a bookkeeper by day and book writer by night. I love cooking but rarely follow a recipe. A good night out is with great friends and a fabulous bottle of wine or two and I’d rather go to the movies than watch TV.

I live by my life motto: I’m grateful that I’m mortal… it keeps me motivated.

 I'm not going to disagree with that. Thank you, so much, Kendall, for being part of my Burra Burra Lane Birthday Blitz Giveaway! You're the best. And I can promise all a very romantic read in Lost in Kakadu.

Where to find Kendall Talbot, camel-riding, witchetty grub eating, adventure addict and eternal romantic author with a big, big smile!

Webpage: http://www.kendalltalbot.com.au/
Facebook
Twitter: @kendalltalbotbooks

Loved having you here, Kendall! You took me places I've never been.

Jennie xx ♥

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