Hand out the silly hats! Sweet Wattle Creek is out tomorrow and you are invited to my virtual book launch 1930s High Tea.
Kaye.
Wednesday Wanderings with ARR authors.
Today, Kaye Dobbie – and her new release Sweet Wattle Creek.
(Giveaway now ended.)
I thought a High Tea was a good idea, because it’s the sort of thing that Belle, one of the main characters in my book, would love to organise. She comes from a rather posh background in Melbourne, but unknown to her the couple she always believed to be her parents aren’t. It’s 1931 and, arriving by train in the small town of Sweet Wattle Creek, she finds herself the owner of a old rundown hotel called The Grand, and a lot of unanswered questions.
For her High Tea Belle would be sure to get plenty of help from the other characters in the book, like Tilly and Gwen, two girls who have had it tough during the Depression. Tilly is the serious one, so she’d be handing out plates of cakes and finger sandwiches, while her sister Gwen would probably sneak a bit of sponge on the side, or dip her finger in the cream filling. And when Tilly scolds her, well Gwen will simply widen her eyes and swear she was innocent, just as she always does.
If they can afford it, Belle would prefer Earl Grey tea, to remind her of St Kilda. But these are Depression times, so she may just have to make do with the sweepings. Violet will be able to supply eggs and milk and butter, from her farm, although her husband Stan won’t be able to come. He was in the First World War and still suffers from the effects of mustard gas.
Michael can entertain the guests with stories of Charles Kingsford Smith, and his own adventures as a pilot. He might talk about how he wants an aeroplane of his own one day, so that he can fly above the clouds. Eadie and Mo will be seated together in the corner, on their best behaviour, with their little dog, Bucket, in their arms. Bucket will have a wistful look and Gwen might slip him a crumb or two.
Frank will send his apologies because he doesn’t like Michael, and although Jo would love to come, she’s not sure if she should because Frank wouldn’t want her too. And Aneas and Lyn might drop in, but only for a moment. Some of the guests will talk about Martha, and what it was like when she ran the Grand Hotel, but others will prefer to keep quiet.
Because there are secrets in Sweet Wattle Creek, and they’re buried deep, and everyone knows that Belle is here to dig them up. And not everybody is happy about that.
So thank you for coming to my virtual High Tea, all of you, but perhaps I should stop now and let you read the book! Giveaway details below…
Kaye.
A vintage wedding dress reveals family secrets she never knew…
The chance discovery of a vintage wedding dress weaves together the fascinating stories of three women from different eras: Sophie, in hiding from a troubled past; Belle, who must lose everything to learn what really matters; and Martha, forced to give up those she loves in order to avoid exposure.
It’s 1930 and Belle Bartholomew has arrived in rural Sweet Wattle Creek to claim her inheritance – a run-down grand hotel formerly owned by Martha Ambrose. Determined to solve the mystery of her birth and the reason why she was bequeathed the hotel Belle runs into difficulties with the townsfolk and their desire to keep their secrets safe.
Sixty years later Sophie Matheson is on a quest to find Belle and her family after discovering the wedding dress. The Sweet Wattle Creek Centenary brings more challenges when her past catches up and she must fight for all that matters to her. Who were Belle and Martha and what links their lives together?
Sweet Wattle Creek is available now in eBook and paperback and will be officially released tomorrow - 17th September.
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Find out more about Kaye and her books on MEET KAYE DOBBIE
For a chance to WIN a signed paperback copy of Sweet Wattle Creek,
leave a comment here for Kaye!
(Open to Australian postal addressees. Winner drawn and notified Monday 21 September.)
Giveaway now ended. And the winner is: Jessy!
Photo credits: pixabay.com
good luck with the launch, looking forward to reading it 🙂
Thank you Maria, an exciting time for me 🙂
Thanks for the invitation, Kaye! What a very clever post. 🙂 And a fascinating tale. Congratulations. With that cover it will fly off the shelves.
Thanks Jenn! Looking forward to lurking in bookstores tomorrow 🙂
This sounds fabulous, Kaye! I’m so looking forward to reading it! Congratulations, and good luck with the launch.
Thank you Trish! Appreciate your good wishes!!
I little bit intriguing! Would love to be a fly on the wall at the high tea.
Thank you Wendy!
Thanks for the invite! I look forward to reading. will have to add it to my reading list 🙂
Thanks Courtney!
Oooohhhh, an old fashioned High Tea sounds so lovely. It would be a pleasure to share it with you. Good luck on the book.
Thank you Melissa! Nothing like High Tea 🙂
Thanks for the invite Kaye, it sounds like a very interesting afternoon of stories and characters. Good luck with your new book, it sounds great! I’ll have to make room on my bookshelf for it.
Thank you Aileen, doesn’t matter how many books you publish they are all special 🙂
Congratulations on your latest release Kaye! I have had it on my TBR since I found out about it 🙂 Good luck!
Wow Brenda, thank you so much! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Congratulations Kaye,it sounds really intriguing and can’t wait to read it with a cup of Early Gray and a petit four.
Thank you Dee!
While sitting here sipping my tea and eating a delicious cream cake (less fattening when it’s virtual) I wish you congratulations on your book and good luck with its launch. Your book sounds amazing.
Thanks Annie, virtual cream cakes, yum!
Congratulations ! on the latest release. I loved your book Colors of Gold .Loved the way you incorporated the past and present simultaneously. I’m looking forward to read Sophie’s, belle’s and Martha’s story. Sounds like an interesting read with lots of secrets and mystery to be solved.
I hope you like this one just as much Jessy!
Hi Jessy! And CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING THE WINNER OF THIS GIVEAWAY. Kaye will contact you 🙂
I have never been to a high tea, so thank you for the invite. SWEET WATTLE CREEK sounds marvellous.
Thank you Mary!
What a wonderful High Tea - thank you so much for the invitation, Kaye.
Love the sound of Sweet Wattle Creek - look forward to reading it.
All the very best for the release.
I hope you enjoy it, Karen, the book I mean 🙂 And the High Tea, of course.
Thank you for inviting me to your High Tea.
I bought this book on my kindle first thing this morning as I could not wait to read it!
All the best with your launch!
Amanda, thank you so much, and I hope you love reading Sweet Wattle Creek!