Today’s Q&A post features author author Sasha Wasley! Ms Wasley discusses her latest novel True Blue. True Blood is published by Penguin Random House, RRP $32.99.
In your words can you tell us a bit about your new book .
Freya (known as Free) is the youngest Paterson woman, born and raised on her family’s Kimberley cattle station. She is known as the family’s idealistic daydreamer – and she’s also known as a runner, taking off overseas whenever things get too complicated. She’s 27 now and is proud to have won a contract to help local high school students create a public artwork. For Free, this artwork is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of her hometown and show the world how important it is to protect the culture and environment of her magical Kimberley region.
Free settles into what is turning out to be her dream job, simultaneously meeting someone who seems to be her dream guy. The new constable in town is both handsome and incredibly sweet. But Finn holds her at arm’s length and Free can’t work out why. His honest face shows exactly how he feels about her – so why won’t he respond to any of her moves?
Her passion for saving the local watercourse – the Herne River – from a new dam lands her in trouble more than once, especially with a colleague whose values are as unpleasant to Free as his advances are. But Free is all about integrity and being true to herself, and she’s not compromising her beliefs for anyone. Repeatedly thrown into Finn’s path, Free has to face the very real complications that come from caring deeply about someone when you’re unsure of what’s in their heart.
And this time, she can’t run away.
What was your inspiration for writing this book?
I love Free’s character in Book 1, Dear Banjo. She makes me laugh and a lot of other people said they loved her too, so that was inspiration enough! I also loved the idea of an artist working with students to create a public artwork – this was something that popped up in Book 1 and it gave me the perfect premise for Free to think about settling down in one place after years of wandering the world. Lastly, I’m passionate about acceptance and multiculturalism so bringing in that theme gave the story extra meaning for me.
Which of your characters in the story was the most difficult to write?
Although I love Free, she was incredibly difficult to write. Her personality is not at all like mine. She has a lot of passion and integrity (that’s something I do have in common with her) but she’s extroverted, trusting and wonderfully sure that everyone is as goodhearted as her. I’m not like that. I’m a bit of an introvert and quite cynical! As a result, I struggled at times to work out what Free would do when faced with certain situations. I had to do a bit of rewriting to build in more intrigue because Free’s such an open book that it was hard to imagine her having any patience with duplicity. But she’s so lovable that I forgave her for giving me a hard time!
What inspired you to become an author?
My love of storytelling! I have always loved writing and building stories. I adore reading and writing both mystery and romance so all of my books have a bit of both. Getting a contract with Penguin was a dream come true and I’m so grateful that I can do something I love every day.
What projects are you currently working on?
I have written Book 3 in the Paterson sisters series but it needs some extra research so I’m trying to organise a trip north. I’ve just finished writing another book set in a small town about an actress whose career goes spectacularly wrong. I’m excited about that but I’m holding it close for further editing at the moment. My current work in progress is a mystery with an amateur detective. She’s an archaeologist who specialises in rather odd artefacts!
Thank you for having me on the wonderful Talking Books Blog!
About True Blue by Sasha Wasley
Love is random. Accidental. You just live your life and then one day it’ll hit you with the right person.
Wandering soul Freya ‘Free’ Paterson has finally come back home. Idealistic and trusting, she’s landed the job of her dreams working on an art project with the local school, but she hadn’t planned on meeting the man of her dreams as well.
With his irresistible Irish accent, Constable Finn Kelly is everything Free wants – genuine, kind . . . and handsome as hell. He’s also everything Free isn’t – stable and dependable. Yet despite the passion simmering between them, he just wants to be friends. What is he trying to hide?
As Free throws herself into the challenges of her new job, fending off the unwelcome advances of a colleague and helping to save her beloved Herne River, Finn won’t stay out of her way, or out of her heart.
But just when she needs him the most, will Finn reveal his true colours?
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