Join us at Books@Stones on Monday 10 November for a special evening of rural romance with authors Fiona McArthur and Sarah Todman to celebrate Fiona's latest novel, The Lightning Ridge Ladies.

The heart-warming new rural romance from the bestselling author of Back to Birdsville.

Still heartbroken after the death of her twin brother, Dr Bella Grey moves to Lightning Ridge for a fresh start managing the outback town’s general practice. It’s a far cry from her city roots, but she quickly bonds with the charming locals and the Lightning Ridge Ladies.

At one of their weekly gatherings, Bella meets the vivacious opal jeweller Meesha, who might just be the fast friend she has been hoping to find. Bella is also hiding a secret: she’s desperate to uncover the truth about what happened to her twin, William, and moving to the town where he took his life – where his body was never found – seemed like the best place to start. When she learns that TJ, Meesha’s opal supplier, knew William before he died, she’s convinced he can help. But the irresistibly handsome miner has wrapped himself in so many secrets, it seems impossible to unravel them.

Set in the heart of Australia’s opal-mining district and imbued with the harsh beauty of that unique setting, The Lightning Ridge Ladies is a gorgeous tale of outback community and female friendship.

About the authors

Drawing from her earlier life as a rural midwife, Fiona McArthur shares her love of working with women, families and health professionals in her books. In her compassionate, pacey fiction, her love of the Australian landscape meshes beautifully with warm, funny, multigenerational characters as she highlights challenges for rural and remote families, and the strength shared between women. Happy endings are a must. Fiona is the author of the non-fiction book Aussie Midwives, and lives on a farm with her husband in northern New South Wales. She was awarded the NSW Excellence in Midwifery Award in 2015 and the Australian Ruby Award for Contemporary Romantic Fiction in 2020, and was shortlisted for the same award in 2023. Find her at FionaMcArthurAuthor.com

Sarah Todman grew up in an outback Queensland pub surrounded by seven siblings and an ever-changing cast of colourful pub characters. It was an extraordinary childhood that gave her a love of people and their stories, as well as the ability to pour a perfect beer. She studied journalism at university, and in a writing career that now spans more than two decades she has been a tabloid journalist, magazine editor, communications consultant, content writer, and creative entrepreneur. Sarah loves Earl Grey tea, books that make her cry, and music that makes her sing (even though she can’t). She lives in Brisbane with her husband and four children (because eight seemed like too much hard work). New Year’s Eve is her first novel.

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All our events are free to attend, but bookings are required as seats are limited.