Saving Grace

When Emily Oliphant married John Stratten, she thought it was the beginning of an exciting new adventure, imagining herself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the most eligible farmer in the district, mucking 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, her advice heeded only when it pertains to her husband’s dinner.

The last straw comes when John threatens to harm her new puppy, and Emily is forced to brave her husband’s wrath, and her mother’s glaring disapproval, and move out. With the encouragement of her new friend Barbara, Emily moves into an abandoned property, taking on the mammoth task of making the unloved house into a home. As she begins to work on the property, she discovers a new side of her father, meets some new friends and finds an inner strength she never knew she had.

Emily’s fragile confidence is soon tested, though, when the owners of the property make her a tempting offer. Will she risk everything and invest in the ramshackle house that has finally given her a sense of purpose? Or will Emily listen to the views of the community, and the voice of her mother, and go back to her sensible, but meaningless, life with John?

About the Author

Fiona McCallum spent her childhood years on the family cereal and wool farm outside a small town on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. An avid reader and writer, she decided at the age of nine that she wanted to be the next Enid Blyton! She completed her final years of schooling at a private boarding school in Adelaide.

Fiona writes "heart-warming journey of self-discovery stories". Her first novel Paycheque was released on April 1, 2011 and became an 'instant bestseller'. Her second novel Nowhere Else was an even bigger hit, outselling Paycheque by early January 2012.

Fiona's third novel, Wattle Creek, was released April 1 2012. Wattle Creek's success has seen it chosen as one of the Get Reading! "50 Books You Can't Put Down" for 2012 - announced August 26. Fiona is deeply honoured that Wattle Creek has been selected and very excited to be part of the Get Reading! program.