Romancing the Genres: Queensland

My name is Susan Horsnell and I would like to thank Judith and Sarah for inviting me to provide input to their blog.

I’m an Australian who lives in the sunny state of Queensland. With a population of 300, the village I live in now is a few hours north west of Brisbane, Queensland’s capital. We are at the top of a mountain range surrounded by forest. It’s Summer all year round in my neck of the woods, but most of the rest of Australia has seasons just like many countries.

When the Northern Hemisphere is descending into Winter, Australia is awakening to Summer. While temperatures plummet below freezing, ours skyrocket to over 100. Then, six months later, the reverse takes place.

Australia does have small pockets where it snows. In the far south of New South Wales and Northern Victoria is the Snowy Mountains area. This is where Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain can be found- peak at 7,310 feet. There are also snowfalls in Tasmania on the high peaks. The season is a short one and can vary from very little snow to none at all. The majority of the continent’s Winter is cold winds, rain and icy sleet.

MOUNT KOSCIUSZKO

Here, where I live, is a different story. In the north of the continent, we have a Wet Season – December to April and a Dry Season – May to November. Our temperature rarely drops below 22 degrees Celcius-71 degrees Fahrenheit. During the wet season we often experience destructive flooding.

Being such a large continent, Australia suffers from large temperature swings and events. Flooding is a common scourge throughout the country as are bushfires and drought. Our food bowl areas really are at the mercy of Mother Nature, and rarely, if ever, experience victory. She is a strong adversary which those on the land are now learning to work with, rather than against. For decades, many have sought to bend Mother Nature to their will. The light is finally dawning that this will never happen.

Being the wife of a senior Naval Officer for 47 years, we have traveled extensively, and lived in all states of Australia as well as overseas. I grew up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney which have no equal (in my opinion). Since retiring after 37 years of Nursing, we have been pulling our RV around the country and many of the books I now write are based on our experiences of these small country towns.

The Outback Australia Series is based out of Bourke NSW and centers around a team who minister to the outback communities with the aid of the Flying Doctor Service.

DARLING RIVER, BOURKE NSW

Claiming His Charge is the story of a rock star who takes us around the country on tour. I describe the cities, as well as the country towns. This book is Male/Male Romance.

Destined to Shatter is another Male/Male set in and around Sydney.

Healing Jarrod is a man who finds love again and is based around Sydney.

Lost in Love is set in a fictional national park on the outskirts of Sydney.

Eight Letters is a tragic story set in the Darling Harbour area of Sydney.

Scarred is set in Sydney.