Showing results by author "Fiona McCallum" in All Categories

Howard and Elsie Manning were born on the same day, met at kindergarten, and have been married for 59 years. They have lived sensible, productive lives, and raised two self-sufficient daughters. Now, at 78, they are bored with the predictability of life, fed up with contemporary society, have aching joints and dwindling finances, and—funeral by funeral—their circle of friends is shrinking. Worst of all, they are grieving for their beloved, recently deceased dog Maisie.

Kind-hearted and practical psychologist Colin Palmer has spent decades helping his clients. Now he's under pressure to retire and hit the road in a new caravan with his wife Joyce. However, when Joyce abruptly heads off on her own adventure, Colin's perfectly ordered world is flipped upside down. He's left grappling to make sense of their marriage, who he is and what he wants. Enter no-nonsense, blunt, firecracker ex-nurse Shirley Royal! Recently widowed, Shirley is also searching for meaning after losing the bedrock of her existence. She's ripe for a new project and Colin might just be it!

Alice Hamilton is enjoying her new life in Ballarat. She's learnt the hard way that knowledge is power and is looking forward to her legal studies, then making a difference as a lawyer with heart. But while Alice's life is looking up, back in Hope Springs the world of her former husband, Rick Peterson, is unravelling. After a chance meeting a few months earlier, Rick and Alice have reconnected. And it's fortunate they have, because Rick is about to need Alice's friendship like he's never needed it before.

From Australia's master storyteller comes an uplifting story of new and old friendships, letting go of the past and looking to the future.... Does one simple act of kindness have the power to completely turn someone's life around? It's been a year since Hannah Ainsley lost her husband and parents - her whole family - in a car crash on Christmas morning. Despite her overwhelming loss, she's worked hard to pull the pieces of her life together with the help of a group of dear, loyal friends.

Jessica Harrington is a promising horserider who dreams of representing her country. But the recent death of her father - her coach and mentor - has left her doubting her ability to continue in the sport. When she fails at the Adelaide International Horse Trials her fears are confirmed - and her world begins to fall apart. Unable to bear seeing her well-bred, highly trained horses languishing in the paddock, she makes the snap decision to sell.

The inspiring conclusion to Emily's journey, from the best-selling author of Saving Grace and Time Will Tell. Emily Oliphant's life finally seems to be settling down. Her new boyfriend Jake has joined her on the farm, they are looking forward to starting their life together, and her financial security seems safe and sound. They both love the peace and tranquillity of the setting of Emily's beloved old cottage, which had been reduced to rubble by her deceased husband.

Emily Oliphant has made some drastic changes in her life. She's ditched her abusive husband and embarked on her own adventure, renovating a dilapidated property and starting up her own business. Against all odds, she's found a sense of place and purpose, but is still too scarred by her past to form any romantic attachments, regardless of who's vying for her attention. Now she's received an offer from the elderly owners of her beloved rented home to buy the property, land and all.

Damien McAllister is a man on the brink. Spending long, hard days on a farm he has no affection for, and nights ignoring the criticisms of his mother, Damien can no longer remember what he's living for. But in a small town like Wattle Creek, there are few people to turn to and Damien learned long ago to keep his problems to himself. Until Jacqueline Havelock, a young psychologist escaping her own issues, arrives fresh from the city and makes Damien question everything he has known about himself, also igniting a spark in his lonely heart. Soon Damien is daring to ask for more than an ordinary life, and can glimpse the possibility of happiness.

When current affairs reporter Nicola Harvey arrives in the little town of Nowhere Else on an extended assignment to investigate the effects of a long-term drought, nothing is as she expected: there's no spa in town, the locals are tight-lipped, and she senses it's not just the drought that is making the town nervous. So why has her boss sent her out here? The deeper Nicola digs into the town's history, the more she realises coming to Nowhere Else wasn't a mistake after all. In fact, it may just unlock the mystery of her own past - and hold the key to her future happiness.

Claire McIntyre has it all: an adoring husband, a bubbly best friend, a chic townhouse and a high-flying corporate career in the city. But somehow she's forgotten what really makes her happy. After receiving tragic news, closely followed by the loss of her job, Claire's world is thrown into turmoil. She is then forced to reconsider everything that matters to her. Claire soon finds herself back at the very place she's been running from - the family property.

The sequel to the much-loved Wattle Creek. Former city girl Jacqueline Havelock, Wattle Creek's newly arrived psychologist, has settled in to country life and is slowly coming to terms with the town's quirky ways. Farmer Damien McAllister's plans with his animal welfare venture are falling into place nicely and it finally feels like he has a future to look forward to. But everything can change as quickly as the fickle weather - and it does.

When Emily Oliphant married John Stratten, she thought it was the beginning of an exciting new adventure - standing shoulder to shoulder with the most eligible farmer in the district and pitching in to build a thriving agricultural business. Three years later, however, Emily sees her marriage for what it is - a loveless tie to a callous man. When John's cruelty reaches new heights, Emily is forced to move out, braving both her husband's wrath and her mother's glaring disapproval.

A tender story of one woman's journey through grief and learning to live life again. Hannah Ainsley has the perfect life - an adoring husband, a close relationship with her parents, a wonderful job and amazing friends. Best of all, it's Christmas - her favourite day of the whole year! It's a time to share with her family and friends and enjoy the festivities. But this year will be like no other. Tragedy strikes, and Hannah's world is shattered. If she's going to cope, she's going to need all the support she can gather.

Alice Hamilton loved being a mature-age student, but now she's finished her university degree she needs to find herself a career. But the job market is tough, and it doesn't help that her partner, David, keeps reminding her about their sizable mortgage. When she's offered a role in a major real estate agency, she jumps at the opportunity. David is excited by her prospects in the thriving Melbourne housing market, and Alice is pleased that she'll be utilising her exceptional people skills. But Alice quickly realises all is not as it seems.

While very pretty, the tiny town of Melrose isn't where Erica thought she'd be at almost fifty. And working in a funeral home and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, while navigating her grief as a recent widow, is not how she thought her life would look either. But she's committed to her lovely new boss, Walter, who gave her a chance when she so desperately needed it.

Erica, newly widowed, is devastated to discover her venture-capitalist husband left their finances in ruins. Determined to save her home while protecting her teenage daughters, she vows to get back on her feet without letting them, or anyone else, know the truth. When her girls head off on a long-planned overseas adventure, Erica focuses on her much-loved job behind a makeup counter to keep her emotionally and financially afloat - although she is troubled by a peculiar encounter at work.

On the surface Natasha and Mitchell live an idyllic life in the Adelaide Hills with their two daughters and kelpie cross. While both have busy careers, they ensure time is spent with family and friends. Natasha, an aspiring interior designer, has started her own homewares shop and is excited to develop her business further. Mitchell, on the other hand, is becoming more withdrawn. Is he pressured by work, having a mid-life crisis or hiding something from his family?