Break out the special fizz, my lovelies, because it’s Serenity’s Song release day. Wheeeee!

This sequel to my first Outback Brides story, Elsa’s Stand, took a little longer to create than I planned, but it’s here now and I know you’re going to adore this dramatic and emotional enemies-to-lovers story.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who pre-ordered a copy. Depending on where you are in the world, Serenity’s Song will have landed or will be landing onto your e-reader veeeery soon. To those who ordered personally signed print copies, you have given me such pleasure. I hope Serenity’s Song returns that pleasure a hundredfold.

If you’re one of those people who prefer to one-click on release day, here are your buttons.

Amazon US | Amazon AU | Amazon UK | Kobo | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Google Play

Bookdepository | Booktopia | Angus & Robertson

Or order a personally signed paperback from my online bookstore.

As always on release day, it’s time to share secret things about Serenity’s Song.

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Five Secret Things About Serenity’s Song

1/. The doe’s party…

That Serenity organises for Elsa is based on a real celebration a relative of mine was lucky enough to experience. I’m still jealous of her. I’ve wanted to that very thing for years. Clearly, I have not been nagging Jim enough.

What was the celebration? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

2/. The meet-cute took a lot…

Of brainstorming. Some of the ideas included having a bird poop on one of the character’s heads just as they meet, Serenity getting caught by Jesse doing an embarrassing silly dance, and one of them stepping in doggy-do in front of the other. None of these ideas worked.

Frustrated, I turned to author buddies and my writing groups for help before settling on the final set-up. Even then it took several rewrites to get it right.

3/. The ending outlined…

In the original synopsis for Serenity’s Song that I sent the publisher bears little resemblance to that of the final story, but I like to think the final one is MUCH better.

4/. I spent an uncomfortable amount of time…

Googling about drugs, their effects and nicknames, how they’re made and sold, so I could understand Jesse’s backstory. Not the sort of history I want kept on my browser!

5/. The theme song for Serenity’s Song is…

“You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon, the reason for which will become obvious when you read the book.

But the song I played the most while writing, and which I felt reflected Jesse the most, was the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest Winner “Arcade” by Duncan Lawrence.

Lots of songs are mentioned in the book but didn’t feature at all on my writing playlist. The playlist included:

Trust by Pete Murray

Arcade by Duncan Lawrence (From Eurovision 2019)

Castles by Freya Ridings

The Globalist by Muse

Explain by Sarah Blasko

Give Me Tonight by Brad Cox

Arms by Christina Perri

Life Sentence by Epicure

Say Something by A Great Big World

Lost by Cold Chisel

You Say by Lauren Daigle

Lucky Star by Alex Lloyd

Heart of Glass by Blondie

You can listen to the entire playlist on YouTube Music here.

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The songs actually mentioned in Serenity’s Song are:

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python

Get a Haircut by George Thorogood

Devil’s Haircut by Beck

Loser by Beck

I Can See Clearly Now by Hothouse Flowers

I Can’t Stand the Rain by Tina Turner

Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Set Fire to the Rain by Adele

Walk Away by Christina Aguilera

Fuck You by Lily Allen

I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner

Can You Feel The Love Tonight by Elton John

When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge

Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

Lose Yourself by Eminem

Single Ladies by Beyoncé

Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet

Happy by Pharrell Williams

God Only Knows by The Beach Boys

You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

Like a Virgin by Madonna

I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas

All You Need is Love by The Beatles

How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding

Play the music as you read along by tuning into the playlist on YouTube Music here.

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Thank you to everyone who helped with the journey of getting Serenity’s Song from my head into your reading hands. I’d especially like to thank the Tule Publishing team, who are an absolute joy to work with. Also, my writing buddies, in particular my breakfast/lunch/drinkies ladies (you know who you are). I can’t express how valuable your friendship and encouragement has been to me. And last but never least, my Jim. God knows how that man puts up with me, but he does. Lucky, lucky me.

Happy reading, my lovelies!

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