Getting Lost in History with Cheryl Adnams and the Eureka Rebels

I’m a contemporary romance author, but my great love as a romance reader is historical romance. I love all the periods of history – Regency England, Medieval stories, America’s Wild West, ancient Egypt and Rome, the lot! Australian historical romances, alas, have been a little harder to come by, and I’ve been hungry for more – which is why I’m thrilled that one of my favourite Aussie authors, Cheryl Adnams, is joining us at Get Lost in a Story to talk about her latest novel, The Girl From Eureka, which is set in Australia’s Gold Rush years – the 1850s – in country Victoria.

Photo credit: Nicole Weston

ABOUT CHERYL…

Cheryl Adnams lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She has published four Australian rural romance novels and a Christmas novella. Cheryl has a Diploma in Freelance Travel Writing and Photography and has lived and worked in the United States, Canada and spent two years with a tour company in Switzerland and Austria. Her passion for Italy, volcanology and cycling have made their way into her stories and her favourite writing retreats include Positano on the Amalfi Coast and Port Willunga Beach just south of Adelaide. When she’s not writing, Cheryl is still creating in her busy full time job as a trainer and learning designer.

Contact Cheryl via her website.

Cover design by Belinda Stevens

On the sun-drenched goldfields of Eureka, a wild colonial girl and an honour-bound soldier will break all the rules to claim a love worth more than gold … 

Ballarat, Australia 1854 

Gold miner Indy Wallace wants nothing more than to dig up enough gold to give her mother an easier life. Wild and reckless, and in trouble more often than not, Indy finds herself falling for handsome, chivalrous, British Army Lieutenant Will Marsh. But in the eyes of immigrant miners, soldiers are the enemy.

Will has been posted to Ballarat with a large contingent of Her Majesty’s Army to protect the Crown gold and keep the peace. But once he meets rebellious Indy, he doubt’s he’ll ever be at peace again. As Will and Indy’s attraction grows, their loyalties are tested when the unrest between miners and the military reaches breaking point.

On opposite sides of the escalating conflict, can their love survive their battle of ideals? And will any of them survive the battle of the Eureka Stockade?

READ A LITTLE…

Inside, dancers were engaged in quite a vigorous reel and the tent was beginning to steam with so many bodies in locomotion. The aroma was getting a little ripe, and lantern and cigar smoke hung thick in the air, making it hard to see, let alone breathe. But Indy’s breath was coming fast as she fought against her temper. She didn’t know who she was more furious with. Those three stuck up, ignorant men belittling her views on politics as though she were nothing but a … but a … woman! Or the Lieutenant for interfering and insisting she dance with him.

And he still had hold of her arm.

‘Stop steering me around. I’m not a bloody bullock dray.’ She wrenched her arm from his grip as he stopped on the edge of the dance floor.

‘Shall we attempt to join the revellers in this wild country dance?’

Full of venom, she spun towards him. ‘Why did you drag me away?’

He leaned in close, his dark eyes fixed on hers. ‘Take a deep breath, Miss Wallace,’ he said, his voice emanating strength, ‘and dance with me.’

Fighting her annoyance with him, Indy took his first suggestion and some of her anger leaked out with the exhalation. But she still continued to scowl, even as Will took her in his arms.

The music shifted and without missing a beat he led her into the slow waltz. After a few minutes of quiet dancing, Indy felt the rest of the tension slowly leaving her. She began to relax, allowing herself to enjoy Will’s strong hands holding her confidently as he moved about the room, using only the slightest pressure on her back to guide her.

‘Is it a requirement for soldiers to be able to dance?’ she mocked, finally breaking the silence.

‘Yes. It is included in all basic training. No man can become a soldier unless he masters at least the waltz, and the reel.’ His eyes scanned the dance floor without emotion, his tone serious. But then he looked down at her and grinned broadly.

She couldn’t help but chuckle at his attempt at humour. It felt so comfortable to move with him to the slow cadence of the orchestra’s music. His gloved hand was warm on hers, and she remembered again his teasing smile as he had noticed her dirty fingernails. She flushed again. He had been kind not mention it. That made him more of a gentleman than Mr Lawrence would ever be.

Buy the book via Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Google Play, Amazon Australia.

 

LET’S TALK…

AVRIL: Give us the background to The Girl from Eureka – where the idea came from and how it developed. 

Licence tents, Sovereign Hill (Victoria, Australia)

CHERYL: It was Clare Wright’s “Forgotten Rebels of Eureka” that first sparked the idea of Indy the female goldminer. I loved the idea of a woman in a very male dominated industry, especially in the 1850s, and it set the scene for a fiery Irish troublemaker with a heart of gold who goes out of her way to help others. And making my hero a military man to the bone allowed me to show both sides of the story of the Eureka Stockade and to create fantastic conflict between the characters. They have their own personal growth to traverse as they navigate their fraught relationship and the politics heating up around them.

AVRIL: As a writer of contemporary and historical romance, what are the particular challenges of each? 
CHERYL: While there is usually research in both genres, with contemporary stories you don’t have to stop every five minutes to check some tiny fact that may only be used in one sentence – like when did electric lighting take over from gas lighting? It has nothing to do with the story itself but you can’t get that stuff wrong. I sometimes struggle to find a new idea or storyline for contemporaries but history gives us so much to play with. I enjoy basing my historicals around true events so that hopefully my readers will learn something about a place and time that they otherwise may never have known.

AVRIL: Can you give us an idea of how you approach research? 
CHERYL: How do I approach research? Carefully. It’s such a minefield and once you go down that rabbit hole, you have to be so careful not to get lost on tangents. The internet is amazing but you do have to double check facts as not all sites are 100% correct. Then again there are some facts that will always be disputed. There aren’t that many first hand accounts of the Eureka Stockade so the actual number of the dead from the battle changes depending on where you read about it. But I really enjoy the research and have learned so much. It shocks me sometimes that I never learned some of these important moments in Australian history in school.

Gold panning, Sovereign Hill (Victoria, Australia)

AVRIL: I know you’re head-down in another historical book – can you share any details? 
CHERYL: I don’t want to share too many details at this point but I can say that it takes place during World War 2 but it’s not based in Europe or Asia. It follows two sisters living in Australia and two American brothers and their very different experiences during the war. I was just in Sydney researching the area around Elizabeth Bay and all the beautiful architecture there and soon I have another research trip booked to Darwin. So this book sweeps across Australia and beyond.

AVRIL: As a reader, what do you look for in a romance? 
CHERYL: It depends on my mood. Sometimes I love a good fun contemporary with great dialogue like that author Avril Tremayne writes (😉). Other times I get caught up in sweeping and complex plotlines. People often ask about sex scenes — you know, the old open door vs closed door, erotic fiction vs sweet etc — I’m open to any of those as long as there’s a story to go with it and it’s not all about the sex. Now there’s a line to finish on! 

Are you more of a contemporary or historical romance lover? We'd love to hear in the comments below!

Handpicking with Cheryl Adnams among the vines of South Australia

I'm squealing with excitement over the prospect of reading the final instalment in Aussie author Cheryl Adnams's trilogy set in the South Australian wine region, so of course grabbed the chance to chat with her about Handpicked, which launches today! Welcome back to Get Lost in a Story, Cheryl!

About Cheryl

Cheryl Adnams lives in Adelaide, South Australia. After discovering a love of writing in high school, she went on to complete courses in screenplay writing and a Diploma of Freelance Travel Writing and Photography.

Having travelled extensively, Cheryl lived and worked in the United States, Canada and then for a tour company in Switzerland and Austria. Back home in South Australia now, she has a deep love and pride for the Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide Hills regions – particularly the beauty of the beaches and wine region of McLaren Vale.

Cheryl has published three novels, a novella and a short story with Penguin Random House Australia. When she’s not writing, Cheryl is avidly reading as many books as she can fit in around her busy full-time job as a training facilitator.

Connect with Cheryl via her website, Facebook and Twitter. 

He who falls last, falls twice as hard.  Has the last bachelor of Muller’s Field  finally met his match?

Andrew Muller has always enjoyed the single life. But now that his older brothers have found the loves of their lives, he’s beginning to see that being a one-woman man might have some benefits after all. But has he missed his chance?

Taryn McArthur loves her independent life of travel and working on the harvest trail. Some of her most treasured memories are the years spent at Muller’s Field vineyard with her father. At eleven years of age, her young heart fluttered when Andrew stole her first kiss from her. On her return to Muller’s Field to help with handpicking the grapes, she is thrilled to discover that Andrew has grown into a very attractive man. 

Andrew is immediately entranced by her beauty and adventurous nature and while she is receptive to his advances, they both know that their romance can only be 
                                                                      a short-term thing. 

When Taryn’s secret life catches up with her Andrew must make a decision that will alter his easy-going life forever. 

The smallest things in life can often make the biggest difference.

 

Read a little, buy the book...

Andrew could feel the warmth from Taryn’s body even without touching her. His senses were in overdrive and he kept his gaze out across the vines so as not to do something stupid like try and kiss her again. She wasn’t like anyone he’d ever met before and he was unsure how to tread. He wanted her. He knew that. She was gorgeous and vivacious and that independent streak kept him on his toes just enough to make things interesting.

Taryn had kissed him in the pool after wine tasting and again last night in her drunken state. He’d kissed her early that morning after their argument. Not that he was keeping score. He’d just feel better when he had a bit more control over what was happening between them.

‘I should go,’ she said suddenly.

He sat up quickly. ‘Why?’

‘I . . . it’s late,’ she said. ‘I need a shower. God, I must stink after working all day in the fields.’

‘You smell great to me,’ he said grinning.

But the grin disappeared when she moved in and attached her lips to his. She kissed him slowly, lightly, nothing like the rough kiss he’d laid on her that morning. Her fingers feathered along his jaw, sending wonderful tingles of electricity across his skin.

A little sigh escaped her mouth as she changed the angle of the kiss. And he was lost.

‘Taryn,’ he murmured against her mouth.

‘Mmm?’

‘You make my head spin.’

She opened her eyes and sat back, her chest rising and falling beneath the thin white tank top she’d worn picking all day as she tried to catch her breath.

‘I mean literally spin,’ he added. ‘I can’t work you out.’

‘Andrew, I’m going to be honest with you,’ she started seriously. ‘I’m attracted to you.’

He smiled.

She didn’t. ‘And that confuses me a little since you’re the boy who dared me to eat caterpillars and pulled my pigtails on a daily basis.’

‘Don’t you know?’ he asked, his deep voice quiet.

‘Know what?’

‘That’s how boys show girls that we like them.’ He reached out and tugged lightly at a strand of her hair, before curling it around his finger.

Her lips twitched a little and he watched as she looked down at his big hand playing with her hair. 

‘I’m attracted to you,’ she said again. ‘But I’m here for a good time, not a long time. Do you understand me?’

He didn’t answer, just kept staring into her eyes.

‘I’m here for the harvest and then I’ll be gone, back to Queensland, and I have no choice in that.’

‘You always have a choice.’

‘In this, I don’t.’

She looked away for a moment out towards the setting sun. He wondered briefly what was so important back in Queensland. Not a man. They’d already established that. But his thoughts were interrupted when she spoke again.

‘I’m attracted to you and I think you’re attracted to me,’ she said turning her face back to his again. ‘But this can’t be anything more than a fling.’

Again he said nothing, just stared into those green sparkling eyes. He was enjoying her candour. It took guts for a woman to put her wants out there and he admired her for it. He knew a lot of men wouldn’t be so open-minded.

She stood up. ‘This was fun. I’d better go.’

He could have insisted she stay longer, but he knew he’d lost her. For now.

‘See you tomorrow then.’

She nodded and turned to walk away. She was about to step over the low wall when he called out.

‘Taryn!’

She turned back expectantly.

‘You’re here for the harvest,’ he said. ‘Two months at best.’

She nodded.

‘I dare you not to fall in love with me.’

She just shook her head and laughed. ‘You’d have more chance of getting me to eat caterpillars.’

He just chuckled, unperturbed.

‘Bye,’ she said. ‘And thanks for dinner. I enjoyed being here.’

He waved and watched her until she was out of view before he fell onto his back on the rug. He groaned, staring up as the stars began to blink into existence. They winked at him like they knew something he didn’t. Well, they probably did. Maybe they knew what made Taryn McArthur tick, because buggered if he knew.

Get it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.

Let's talk... 
Avril: Can you give us a rundown of the series as a whole and where Handpicked fits? 

Cheryl: The Mullers of McLaren Vale series began with Bet On It. I didn’t write the first book consciously thinking there would be any follow-ups, but those Muller brothers just got into my blood and demanded their own stories. Bet On It follows the story of Seth and his love interest Gabby who arrives at Muller’s Field vineyard to manage the Bed and Breakfast on the property. It begins with all three brothers vying for her attentions, but while Brian and Andrew are only half-heartedly in the competition, Seth actually falls for her. His is a long road to redemption, believe me, and Gabby is hard won. 

Chasing the Flames is eldest brother Brian’s story, and this is a second chance at love trope. Still hurting from his divorce, Brian shares a New Year's Eve kiss with his high school fling and local café owner, Trisha. This is my favourite of the three books and includes ex-wives, pesky reporters and a catastrophic bushfire – all three of which threaten Brian’s newly found relationship with Trisha.

Handpicked is the final story and it has taken me a long time to finish it. Throughout the previous stories I depicted Andrew as somewhat of an immature playboy. It was most definitely a challenge to figure out how I was going to make him grow up and become a decent man. Childhood friend, Taryn McArthur returns to Muller’s Field to help with handpicking the grapes for the harvest. She is strong and independent and teases the life out of Andrew, which sets up a few really funny scenes. She has the upper hand for a good portion of their courtship. But just when he finally begins to think he has her all figured out, her little secret is revealed and that throws him into one hell of a spin. I can’t give too much away but I love the tease in the final tagline I used: ‘The smallest things in life can often make the biggest difference.’

It’s been a three year love affair with the Muller boys and in this final story there are a few shocks, especially for those who have followed the Mullers all the way through and think of them as family, as I do. 

Silver Sands

Avril: Tell us the attraction of the South Australian wine area as a setting.

Cheryl: Oh, where do I begin? I have lived in South Australia for most of my life and the last 10 years or so I’ve lived less than an hour from this gorgeously stunning part of the world. There are hundreds of cellar doors to choose from in McLaren Vale and the green vineyards nestle in between stark, wheat coloured hills and the stunning turquoise blue of the Gulf St Vincent. It is paradise. The beaches are pristine and still quiet enough most days that you can have a long stretch of sand to yourself. I’m in love with this place and I wanted to share some of that beauty with the world through my stories.

McLaren Vale

Avril: If you had to describe your writing style, what would you say?

I don’t know how to describe my style really. I guess I like to think I have an easy flowing, fast moving style of writing with snappy dialogue. Even the historical romances I am now writing tend to have a more contemporary voice. I enjoy writing comedy and witty banter the likes of Philip Barry’s The Philadelphia Story, where characters play off each other.

Avril: Alpha or beta heroes for you?

I quite like both. I like to mix them up a bit. In the Muller’s Field books, Seth and Andrew are definitely alpha, while older brother Brian is beta. I admit I usually write more alpha heroes but just now I am writing a geeky, clumsy scientist guy. He’s a volcanologist and the story is based on the Amalfi Coast and in Sicily. But Fletch is endearing and gorgeous to look at so he gets away with the clumsiness. And of course he will be a god in bed so any nerdiness will be forgiven by readers.

Avril: What are your favourite romance tropes and why?

I admit I don’t really think about tropes. It’s not as if I think, “Hm, I might write a sexy billionaire story” (which I have) or maybe a secret romance. I just think of a situation and I guess it falls into a trope. I definitely try to have a strong heroine. Strong women can still have vulnerabilities, and the perfect example of that is in my book Common Ground. Rachel is wounded and struggling emotionally with PTSD, but she is one of the strongest characters I have ever written. I think it’s fascinating that we insist on putting labels on everything, but I guess it helps with the marketing.

Avril: I know you’re thinking about branching out into historical romance – what’s the attraction there?

It wasn’t a conscious decision. I saw something on TV about the battle at the Eureka Stockade in the 1850s in Australia. It was a defining time in our fight for independence and democracy and I realised it was something that hadn’t been written about much in recent years, particularly in fiction. As I began to research the event to see what kind of story might be interesting, I discovered Claire Wright’s Stella Award winning The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka. It is a fantastic non-fiction book that delves into the role that women had in Ballarat during that time of rebellion against the British government rule. I devoured all the fantastic stories and accounts Claire had uncovered and discovered that many women were also gold miners at the time. They held down jobs and were a key part of the resistance that led to the final battle at the Eureka Stockade. And from these stories, my main character Indy was born. Writing historical novels gives you the opportunity to research a time in history that you perhaps knew nothing about, and then allows you to impart some of that to readers through a fictional retelling. 

A question from Cheryl:

Are there any locations you, as a reader, prefer stories to be set?  Wine regions, 

exotic locations overseas, cities v. country locales?