An Australian author is continuing her rural romance novel series based in Julia Creek, with her latest book to be released on November 27.
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'Christmas at Brigadier Station' by Sarah Williams continues the romance journey of a family at a fictional Julia Creek station.
The Brigadier Station series started in 2017 when Ms Williams launched her first book, 'The Brothers of Brigadier Station'.
The story is about a Townsville girl who moved to Julia Creek to be with her boyfriend, but ends up falling in love with his brother. The series continued with a story for each of the three brothers, but the latest novel 'Christmas at Brigadier Station' is a love story about the brothers' mother.
While living in Townsville, Ms Williams realised there were few authors setting their novels in outback Queensland, which gave her the inspiration for her novels.
"I thought I would like to write about what I know. So a friend of mine lived at Julia Creek and I messaged her to ask for some research and that's how it came to be based there," she said.
"I then went out and visited Julia Creek and I fell in love with the town. It was the perfect setting for what I wanted to do.
"I met the people and got a real sense for the issues surrounding these remote communities, like the drought, the floods from earlier this year, rural suicide and helicopter mustering accidents. I tried to put those issues into the books too, so it's not your average romance novel, it has more depth.
"I love being able to showcase the state and what the agriculture industry is like."
Ms Williams said she built her characters tough, just like they were in the outback.
"I know people in outback Queensland are extremely resilient and strong, and I have built my characters just the same," she said.
"I'm probably not strong enough to live in the Outback and go through what I make my characters go through. I have so much respect and admiration for anyone who can live that remote and through those challenges, it's just incredible."
Despite the books being fictional, Ms Williams didn't want them set in fictional locations.
"The stuff that does happen in small towns happens in towns like Julia Creek," she said.
"Other outback communities have also featured in the series with Mount Isa featuring in my book 'Outback Governess'.
"I have a FIFO worker who flies in and out of Mount Isa. I do talk about Mount Isa a fair bit in that story."
Ms Williams said the feedback so far from her series was overwhelming.
"Everyone loves it and it has been amazing to hear some positive feedback, especially from men who read it and thank me for shedding light on a particular issue or what station life is like," she said.
"Australians love escapism and there is so much crap going on around the world, so for a few hours it allows readers to escape into the outback and fall in love with these characters. The books are easy and light reading and can read them in four to five hours."
So where exactly is Brigadier Station, we asked.
"People have commented about going out to visit Brigadier Station, but I have had to explain it isn't real," she said.
"But Julia Creek is real, so go out and explore outback Queensland."
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
