The Homestead in the Eucalypts

An entrancing new rural romance from the bestselling author of The Blue Gum Camp.

’Leonie Kelsall is becoming the voice of the South Australian rural outback.’ Beauty and Lace on The Blue Gum Camp

Focused on pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor in suburban Sydney, Taylor doesn’t have time for love-yet it seems life has other plans when she catches the eye of charismatic Zac. However, betrayal and the financial implications of her parents’ impending divorce could destroy both her plans and her passion. Escorting her distraught mother to the far side of the country, she is forced to embrace a new life in the stark South Australian countryside. Stressed and disheartened, Taylor starts to experience disturbing dreams.

In 1877, Anna rises before the sun to milk the cow, fetch water from the almost-dry creek, and stoke the oven. If her parents had remained in Europe, instead of settling in the drought-ridden wilderness of South Australia, her life would be different-civilised, perhaps, as Mother loves to say. In Europe, she would have avoided the raging bushfire that leaves her reputation as blackened as the burnt-out scrub. But then, she would not have met handsome fellow settler, Luke Hartmann.

In her dreams, Taylor shadows Anna, finding joy in the simplicity of the other girl’s life. But as she escapes her stress by venturing deeper into Anna’s world, the borders between reality and dreams become increasingly blurred. When tragedy tears Anna’s family apart, Taylor must discover whether her dreams are pure fantasy-or if they recount a story more familiar than she could ever imagine.

Either way, it seems she’ll end up with a broken mind or a broken heart.

Praise for Leonie Kelsall:

’With complex and endearing characters who will steal your heart away, these unputdownable books will have you turning the pages long into the night.’ Karly Lane, bestselling author of For Once In My Life

’Leonie Kelsall is my go-to when I want a gutsy rural fiction read.’ Darry Fraser, author of The Milliner of Bendigo

’Warm, witty and brimming with big-hearted country characters, renovations and romance. A fabulous, feel-good rural read!’ Maya Linnell, bestselling author of Kookaburra Cottage

’A welcome return that offers plenty of happiness, fun and heartbreak...with a wonderful message about letting go, seizing the day and embracing all experiences on offer...I highly recommend.’ Mrs B’s Book Reviews

’Written with warmth, humour and sincerity, offering appealing characters and an engaging story...a lovely read, sure to satisfy.’ Book’d Out

Raised initially in a tiny, no-horse town on South Australia’s Fleurieu coast, then in the slightly more populated wheat and sheep farming land at Pallamana, Léonie is a country girl through and through. Growing up without a television, she developed a love of reading before she reached primary school, swiftly followed by a desire to write. Pity the poor teachers who received chapters of creative writing instead of a single page!

Léonie entertained a brief fantasy of moving to the big city (well, Adelaide), but within months the lure of the open spaces and big sky country summoned her home. A registered wildlife rescuer and carer, she now divides her time between the lush Adelaide Hills, the location of her professional counselling practice, and the stark, arid beauty of the family farm at Pallamana, which provides both the setting for many of her stories and a refuge for the rescues that can’t be released. Follow her social media for an overload of the fluffy, fleecy, furred and feathered inhabitants of her home and heart.

Leonie is the bestselling author of The Farm at Peppertree Crossing, The Wattle Seed Inn, The River Gum Cottage, The Willow Tree Wharf and The Blue Gum Camp.