Oct 29, 2014

Guest Blogger: Tina Clark



Thank you so much to The LovecatsDownunder and Rachel Bailey for having me visit, I’m so thrilled to be on this blog as a guest! Wahoo!!!

Living in Australia for 14 years, I often forget that I still have a different accent, since I have been a citizen for most of those years. And while I am Australian in many ways, some of my own mannerisms are still different to those of my adopted country. E.g. If I was to suddenly ‘dunk’ my biscuit in my hot chocolate at lunch, my friends would be horrified, and yet – in South Africa, this as a totally acceptable custom to dunk your ‘rusk’ into your beverage. I also eat biltong and love droë Wors (sort of like beef jerky, and dried sausage), South African snacks at their best…

Rusks: http://creative-cooking-with-muriel.blogspot.com.au/

2010/06/all-bran-flakes-rusks.html

A few years ago, I was with my writing friends at lunch. (Yes lunching again…) I was planning a trip home to South Africa and Zimbabwe, and I passed an innocent comment that I was thinking of ‘arming up’ so that if I came into a difficult situation, I was armed and could fight for me and my children, if I had to. I still have the horrified expression of my author friends imprinted on my mind forever with the realisation that not only was I prepared to carry a gun, and the fact that I knew how to use the weapon too.  The fact that we actually were had a shooting team, and our own range at school was a concept that to them was as foreign as snow in The Simpson desert. 

droë Wors: Photo: http://munchiesbiltong.wozaonline.co.za
Biltong: Photo: http://munchiesbiltong.wozaonline.co.za

Much of what they had simply assumed as ‘research’ in my work, was real life experience, and knowledge. I was suddenly an alien to them, because to my passive and peaceful friends, this was a part of me I had never revealed before, and by then I had known some close on ten years…without conscious effort, I had blended into the society I was in now.


But what if you can’t?
What if you have a compulsion so strong that you would say ‘damn you’ to society, and just do what you wanted... or were driven to do?

http://www.darylvisser.com

In Shooting Butterflies, two of my characters, Buffel and Shilo Jamison, are involved in horrendous war crimes against humanity. But once the war is over, they integrate into society once more. Well one of them does… and you learn that he’s a good man, a man of heart, courage and honour. But the other one, he is caught between the belief of an ancient culture and religion, and what’s acceptable to modern society. But the conviction to hunt down the butterfly is stronger than the pull of society and you travel the slippery road of PTSD with him. And along the way you meet some pretty strong other characters who will try and stop him killing the butterfly.

This is the official blurb for Shooting Butterflies

He sees ‘the butterfly’ in his dreams.
She is the key to setting a child’s soul free.
She is the perfect sacrifice.

Ex-soldier Kirkman ‘Buffel’ Potgieter lives by the motto of his former military unit: Tiri Tose, which is Shona for ‘we are together’…but also for ‘there is no escape’. So when Shilo Jamison Khumalo betrays Buffel by saving a neighbour’s child, Tara Wright, from becoming the latest addition to his sinister ‘butterfly’ collection, it sparks Buffel’s obsession with hunting them both down.

After Tara witnesses the murder of her father and uncle, she and her remaining family leave Zimbabwe for a new life in South Africa. There, a teenaged Tara meets Wayne Botha, but finds she isn’t prepared for the price she is asked to pay for falling in love. After Tara secretly flees the conservative rural community, Wayne never gives up hope of ever seeing his one true love again.

But years later, out of the blue, Tara makes contact with Wayne to reveal a secret and some potentially devastating news. In a twist of fate, Wayne and Jamison find they have far more in common than just a passion for African wildlife and join forces to protect Wayne’s new family. But the threat of Buffel is still looming and Jamison knows only too well that there will be ‘no escape’ for him and Tara, ‘The Butterfly’.


I’m writing this on a day when I am as hyped up and totally amazed that I have been nominated for the People Choice Award, in the Queensland Literary Awards. This is an amazing recognition for my previous book, My Brother-But-One and I am grateful and humbled by this, but I’m also looking at it as the ultimate in an acceptance of me, the person, as a ‘fair dinkum’ Queenslander.  So now I can finally call Australia home, despite the accent! LOL... If you are an Aussie, the public get to vote for your favourite book, would love it if you could nip over and cast your vote for me.

So its my turn to give away a book… as I have won a number from this very blog, and loved every one!  My new book Shooting Butterflies, published by Harlequin Mira will be released on 1st December 2014, if you would like to win a copy please comment below and we will draw the winner tomorrow evening. And when I get copies, I will sure be sending the winner out one...
http://www.darylvisser.com

Thanks for visiting with me and thank you again Rachel, for having me on this blog! 

Thanks for dropping by, Tina! And if anyone wants to check out Tina's new book, you can find it at Harlequin, Amazon, iTunes, Booktopia, Kobo, and, if you live Down Under, you'll find it on the shelves of Target, K-Mart, Big W and all good bookstores!  

30 comments:

  1. Hi Tina

    Congrats on the nomination for My Brother But One I loved that story it is an amazing one that had me rivited from start to finish :) and I am looking forward to the new one. Thanks for sharing a few things about your life in South Africa :)

    Have Fun
    Helen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Helen - so glad you loved My Brother-But-One. Hope Shooting Butterflies captures your heart too!

      Delete
  2. Congratulations on the nomination!! You must be thrilled :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Stefanie, thanks for stoping by - and yes, I am (although I keep checking the page to ensure it is really real....LOL)

      Delete
  3. So lovely to see you here!! Wow, that new book sound intriguing!! I'm so thrilled you've been nominated in the People's Choice Awards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Jenn, its great to be here! Glad you like the sound of the Shooting Butterflies - its a little different from the norm again... LOL . Thank - I am breathing now about it, where before I was just a wreck.. now that voting is open, its out of my hands and in the publics - I'm just really stoked I got a nomination!

      Delete
  4. Hold on…back up a minute…you know how to use a gun? AND you're prepared to use it. Holy crap! You know what, Tina? We like you too much. Stay here in Australia and make your loved ones from South Africa come visit you instead. Sounds like a much safer plan. :-)

    Super-duper congrats on your nomination for the People's Choice Award. That's huge! And well-deserved. Fingers crossed for you. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Michelle, growing up in a war zone does that to you, and having a weapons instructor as a dad - well, there are certain things you can just do. I am only glad that here, I have no need for a weapon, and my children have no use for one either. Grin!

      Thanks for the well wishes on the nomination! And keep those fingers crossed! Better still, uncross, go use them to vote - then recross!! :)

      Delete
  5. I do believe I was one of those writers at lunch with you that day and it sure as hell blew my mind!
    But dunking your bikkie? Nah..... I grew up with dunkers :-)
    Fabulous news on the nom, Tina! So excited for you xxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. I do believe you were Amy! And yeah for dunkers!!!!

    Thank you - and I wouldn't have it if it wasn't for fabulous writing friends along the way: - You, Robyn Grady, Rachel Bailey, Gayle Ash and a heap of others who have always encouraged me and kept me going! So this is for everyone who had anything to do with that book, and my very long journey in the adult publishing world!

    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cant wait to see the new book on the shelves and have a read. Story sounds very intriguing. And of course can relate to dunking, dry wors and biltong. Congrats again on the publication!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey Caren, thank you - and thanks so much for stopping by the Lovecatsdownunder blog - its a fantastic place to 'hang out!'.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So pleased for you Tina, and your 2nd books sound amazing! Hope it flies off the shelves for you :)
    And hi to all the Lovecats! *Waves*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Mel, thank you for coming over to say hi! And for the well wishes - I hope it does that too!!! Grinning!!!!

      Delete
  10. Congratulations on the nomination, Tina! I hope the voting goes your way, but if not, you're a winner to all of us.

    I can totally relate on the dunking, by the way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oww thanks Claire, and I totally an not fazed if the voting goes another way, I am just over the moon to be nominated in the first place - and I get to dress up for the ceremony - so thats always a big + in my eyes!!!

      So you dunk too, that make a few of us that at next RWA Conference will all be seen dunking our biscuits at tea time!

      Delete
  11. Thanks for visiting Tina. Sounds like a good book. I'm definitely planning to add it to me reading list.
    Dunking biscuits into your hot chocolate or tea is not a foreign concept in NZ.

    I work with quite a few South Africans so the fact that you are willing to carry a gun and also know how to use it sadly does not surprise me. The thing that has surprised me the most was that just prior to the national election last month, one of my colleagues mentioned the thing he appreciated the most was even being able to discuss politics here. Bear in mind too, that I work for a government department so we do have limitations on what we can say when it comes to politics. I just had a lot of difficulty comprehending not being able to discuss politics at all for the sake of your own personal safety and life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Lyn,

      Thanks for adding it to your TBR pile!

      So NZ ar dunkers too...mmm seems I can dunk my biscuit next lunch at the Hilton and no one will bat an eye!

      I have to admit that I am not a very loudly active political person, so have never had the conviction to stand my ground on any political issue. Apartheid was already on the way out when I got to have a say and a vote - so I have been real lucky that I haven't been caught up in the whole political turmoil.

      Having said that, I will still never attend a protest of any sort as I don't want to get caught in any unnecessary violence - sorry I just can't do it...I have seen the aftermath of the faction fights between the different political parties in South Africa and Zimbabwe, and I do believe that many people are hurt because of their political convictions - yes - no doubt on that. It is sad.

      I am fortunate enough to live here in Australia now, so hopefully I will always have my freedom of speech and choice, and I will always respect that other people might have different views, ben if they are different from my own...and I have grown very used to that freedom here...and the freedom to talk about it in my work.

      Thanks for commenting on LoveCats Downunder - so love that you stopped by!

      Delete
  12. Looking forward to reading your new book (would love to win a copy :)
    don't worry about people thinking your weird dunking your biscuits in hot chocolate - my cousins and I grew up doing the same, not only in our drink but also a sneaky dunk into my nana or pa's drink as well! Now have you ever tried a Tim Tam straw in hot chocolate? bite off opposite corners and suck your hot drink though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Bec

      I believe that Rachel Bailey can be bribed with chocolates.... LOL...

      Yeah - another dunker.

      Oh I am so Australian now - Tim Tam slams - oh yeah... the best!!!

      Delete
  13. Once again Tina, a huge congratulations for being nominated - am holding thumbs. Thanks for that post, I can so relate to it. Cannot wait for Shooting Butterflies. Love the cover by the way :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Marcia

      Thanks for the wishes - and the held thumbs - keep them there!!!

      Thanks - I love the cover too!!! Those cover fairies at Harlequin are amazing!

      Delete
  14. Welcome to the LoveCats, Tina! And huge congratulations on your nomination for the People's Choice in the Queensland Literary Awards! That's absolutely awesome!

    I whizzed over to have a look at that rusk recipe - yum! And well, you know, it could be considered to be a healthy snack, couldn't it! going to have to try a batch to try out dunking in the interests of research!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Sharon

      Thank you!

      And yeah that you are going to try making the rusks. And yes, eating nice things is always in the name of research!!!!

      Delete
  15. Tina, thanks so much for popping over to visit us!

    I love those African animal photos, which is probably one of the reasons I love your covers so much. :) You also always post such gorgeous photos on Facebook as well.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Awww thanks Rach, and thanks again for having me - loved visiting!

    And yip - always sharing the beautiful photographs from the African photographers. Sometimes I share because they just look stunning, but other times, I point out things which are in my books... I think its nice to have the visuals too...

    If you want to see - go and like my page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/TMClark-Author/130010083845439?ref=bookmarks

    Thanks again!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tina, a very belated welcome to the lovecats! Your books sound fascinating. HUGE congratulations on your award nomination. That's the most marvellous achievement! Good luck with this new one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Annie!

      And hey, I'm never on time so you are just working to my island time...lol

      Thanks for the wishes.

      Hugs!!

      Delete
  18. Tina, great to meet you and learn about your writing! Congrats on your nomination--sounds well deserved! I very much enjoyed your post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Fedora

      You are up early on a Saturday morning - wow nice to meet you too!

      Thank you - and glad you enjoyed my blog post.

      Delete