I had a great time racing through the pages of Mandy Magro’s newest release – The Stockman’s Secret. The story follows Juliette and Joel, two childhood sweethearts whose future is ripped away from them by a nasty incident in their teenage years. Joel is determined to set things right, but dark secrets and small town dynamics conspire to keep them apart. There were characters I loved to hate, plenty of tension and of course some of the steamy scenes Mandy is renowned for. Mandy’s strong writing and particular attention to horse-related details hit all the right notes for me. The Stockman’s Secret is easy reading that will be lapped up by horse-lovers and rural romance fans across the country. Thanks to Harlequin for the review copy.
Mandy Magro lives in Far North Queensland, with country to one side and the coast on the other. Writing two rural romance books a year, Mandy describes herself as being ‘as busy as a blue arse fly at a barbecue’ and wouldn’t have it any other way. She revels in her role as home keeper and nurturer to her family, is a keen cook, loves the gym and yoga, and makes time each day for meditation. With 15 books published through Harlequin Mira and another two coming out later this year, Mandy is one of Australia’s leading rural romance authors.
Short and sweet questions
Current book on your bedside table: A pile of keto cookbooks
Where do you do most of your writing? In my office with my toy poodle laying beside me on my desk.
Favourite Australian holiday destination: Anywhere with white sandy beaches and no crocodiles!
What’s your preferred drop? Rose wine or a good margarita.
Guilty pleasure? Anything in buttery, flakey pastry.
Pet peeve: A noisy eater.
Favourite fictional couple and why? Matt and Sarah from my first novel, Rosalee Station. They were written from the depths of my heart and soul.
If you could pack two non-essential items for a deserted tropical island, what would they be? Candles and my Zen Chi Wobbler.
Established authors who inspire you? Nicholas Sparks is my hero.
Best thing about being a writer? get to work from home, out in nature, at a café or travelling around the world and I get to create beautiful love stories that touch my reader’s hearts in every single way.
Worst thing about being a writer? Structural edits are my worst nightmare, although, I have to admit the book always feels so much stronger after I’ve waded, wined and soldiered through it.
Do you prefer music, podcasts or silence when writing? I prefer silence so I can concentrate. As for music, I sway from trance to seventies to old school country.
Favourite perfume: Chloe Rose because that’s my beautiful daughter’s name.
TV/film crush: “Boxer” from the new Netflix show, White Lines. Oh my, he is divine!
The best non-writing related prize I won was…Miss Beach Girl Australia in my twenties…I won a trip overseas.
Top three tips for aspiring authors? Write from the heart, challenge yourself with an achievable daily word count, edit, edit and then edit some more.
What theme do you hope shines through in your writing? Love, hope and second chances.
Proudest author moment? Each and every time I get to sign a new contract and every time a book hits the shelves…they are all equally proud moments.
My favourite thing about writing romance is …. Creating beautiful poignant love stories that have the power to tug at people’s heartstrings.
If anything gives me flack about writing romance, I tell them… Get a life! LOL!! Seriously, I tell them that love is what makes the world go round and if they read my books they might learn something about it - especially the men, because women need romance to keep the flames burning. Fact!
Three fun facts about the author:
I love getting tattoos – I have 8 so far.
I’m addicted to Gorgonzola cheese with honey drizzled over it.
I once accidently took two sleeping pills instead of two panadol whilst wandering Hollywood Boulevard...I can laugh about it now but at the time OMG!
Follow Mandy online:
www.mandymagro.com
Purchase a copy of The Stockman's Secret here.