Painting after a long break, Tess Matheson creates a spark with a series of nude portraits — and a fire that ignites her small country town.
On the eve of her first solo exhibition, Tess discovers her ex-boyfriend is returning home to marry — the same day as her launch.
As swirling winds brew, Tess is forced her to re-examine the past and discover exactly what family means.
The Country Wedding is about finding the courage to follow your truth, even in the face of adversity.
It’s an inspiration for anyone who’s lost their compass and needs to find their way home.
It’s been a long path to publication for Lucy, who started her novel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Whilst it seemed like every man and his dog was perfecting the art of sourdough, I started writing again,” Lucy said.
“I’ve had a few cracks at novels before, but hadn’t got anywhere.
“When you’re working full-time it’s hard to justify more time sitting at a desk, but there was something about being locked up that made me yearn for creativity.”
She was inspired to write about a wedding after flicking through a magazine for inspiration and seeing photographs of a country wedding.
The novel’s setting was inspired by the wonderful people and places of Hay, Booligal and surrounds. Lucy spent two years living in Hay during the mid-1990s, working on the local newspaper.
“I was in Year 10 when I first went up that way, travelling through some of the flattest country on Earth. It was love at first sight,” Lucy said.
“It hits hard, that landscape — big sky country where you can see for miles. No distractions, no fuss, no bullshit. It feeds my heart, soul and mind.”
The Country Wedding is available via Amazon.
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