Book Tour News - Queensland and NSW: The Great Plains, Nicole Alexander

I was absolutely thrilled over the weekend to learn that Nicole Alexander would be coming to my neck of the woods to take part in a book tour of her latest novel, The Great Plains.

The Toowoomba City Library hosted a lovely event, with their friendly staff going out of their way to make everyone feel welcome. Considering that this is a first for me, I was really impressed. But, I digress.

Nicole gave a great talk, going into some detail with regard to her research (which included a two week trip to Oklahoma City in July last year with her number one fan and critic, her Mum - who was also present at this event) showing us photographs as well as giving us a more in-depth view as to what we can expect from this latest novel.

Whilst it is totally fictional, the novel includes some great historical information on both Oklahoma as well as what life would have been like for the American immigrants who came to live on an outback station in Queensland during the late 1880s, including their feelings of displacement. It also explores traditional themes of our own Australian Indigenous people and the Apache Indians, including appearances by Geronimo, the legendary leader of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. Ultimately though, this is Philomena's story.

Nicole speaks with authority and such passion about what she does and I'm therefore not surprised that her love of this wide brown land as well as its traditions shows in her writing.

The tour started today in Goondiwindi and will continue until the 5th November with venues at the Sunshine Coast, North Lakes, Carindale, Helensvale, Warwick and Inverell already named.

For further information about an appearance in your area, please visit Random House's website here.

Tomorrow's venues are:

11:30 am at the Kingaroy Library, (TJ O”Neill Memorial Library), Civic Centre, Glendon Street KINGAROY Qld

3:30 pm at the Gympie Regional Library, 8 -14 Mellor Street, Gympie Qld