Brothers of the Vine
Forever Evermore
Women of W.A.R.
To celebrate the release of her book, The Lawson Sisters, Janet Gover counts down her top 10 reasons to binge-watch Australian classic McLeod’s Daughters
I missed the first release of McLeod’s Daughters. I was living in England at the time. Imagine my joy when I finally found all eight seasons online, just waiting for me. In the middle of a chilly English winter, I wrapped up, made some hot chocolate, and watched it; episode after warm wonderful episode.
It’s a bit dated now. It’s been almost twenty years since Tess turned up back at Drovers Run. The technical quality of the early episodes is poor by today’s standards, but … well, let’s make that the first of my ten reasons.
10. No TV Tricks
It doesn’t need special effects, CGI and huge explosions. We come back again and again to see our friends.
9. Girl Power
The women of Drover’s Run don’t wait for a man to rush to their rescue. They can rescue themselves, thanks very much. And, if it comes right down to it, they can rescue the men along the way.
8. Sisters
I didn’t have a big sister, and always wanted one. I imagined she would like all the same things I liked and we would talk about books and horses and boys all the time. Sisters aren’t like that of course; they’re even better than that.
7. The mud on their faces
The women of Drover’s Run got mud (and worse) on their faces and clothes. In a world increasingly concerned with celebrity and appearances, it’s great to visit a place where what you are inside matters most.
6. Those boys next door
Alex and Nick – the kind of neighbours every girl wants.
5. Falling in Love
It can be heartbreaking and frustrating and wonderful. Life would be pretty dull without falling in love.
4. Horses
Get those Silver Brumby books down from the shelf too. The love of horses never leaves us.
3. Drovers Run.
At a time when we are suffering such terrible bushfires, and such a devastating drought, the green paddocks of Drovers are a reminder of the good years that hopefully will come again soon.
2. Reach for the tissues.
We all need a good cry now and then. Keep the tissues handy and reach for them without feeling embarrassed. Crying shows we care.
1..Live life to the fullest.
Love with all your heart, work hard, laugh hard, live hard. Tess and Claire and the others did. I think this is the real joy of McLeods Daughters – it’s life-affirming. Go back to Drovers Run like I did. All your old friends are waiting for you there.
Janet Gover
Janet Gover grew up in outback Australia, surrounded by wide open spaces, horses … and many, many books.
She is a self-confessed ‘bit of a geek girl’. When not writing novels she works in IT—in really dull places like Pinewood Movie Studios, Puerto Rico and Iraq.
When her cat lets her actually sit in her chair, she writes stories of strong women, rural communities and falling in love. Her novel Little Girl Lost won the Epic Romantic Novel of the Year Award presented by the Romantic Novelists’ Association in the UK, and she has won or been shortlisted for awards in Australia and the USA.
As Juliet Bell, in collaboration with Alison May, she rewrites misunderstood classic fiction, with an emphasis on heroes who are not so heroic.
Her favourite food is tomato. She spends too much time playing silly computer games, and is an enthusiastic, if not always successful, cook.
The Lawson Sisters
A heartfelt and compelling story of family, secrets and second chances, set in the heart of the beautiful Hunter Valley of NSW, from an award-winning new voice in Australian fiction.
Family, fortune and holding on to what counts…
For many years Elizabeth Lawson has battled single-handedly to run the family’s historic horse stud in memory of her beloved father. But a devastating loss puts her dreams at risk. With no options left, Liz is forced to turn to her estranged sister Kayla for help.
Kayla has built a new life in the city as a wedding planner, far removed from the stableyard sweat and dust of her rural upbringing. She never thought she’d go back. But when Liz calls out of the blue, Kayla forms a plan that could save their childhood home.
Kayla’s return forces Liz to confront her past … and her future, in the shape of Mitch, her first and only love, who still watches over her from the other side of the creek.
But Liz still hides a terrible secret. When Kayla learns the truth, will the Lawson sisters find common ground or will their conflict splinter the family once again?
‘With the scent of eucalyptus on the air, estranged sisters and a homestead echoing past regrets and missed chances, The Lawson Sisters has everything you want in an Aussie romance.’ – Fiona Lowe, bestselling Australian author