Adult Fiction

Changing Channels

Ever had that romantic thought that life on the farm is carefree sunny days and starlit balmy nights surrounded by waving green pastures and delightful animals?

Self-reliant Sydney girl, Paula, is looking for a sea change when she marries South Australian farmer, Dan Woodcroft. She thinks life will be different but she hasn't bargained for just how different. While Dan spends long hours on the tractor, Paula faces a mouse invasion, cooking fiascos, the formidable Aunt Rowena and the interfering two way radio.

Then there's the secret. Dan has something in his past, which he desperately tries to keep from Paula, and this, together with a series of startling events proves the old adage that life on the land is never predictable. Changing Channels is a warm and sometimes funny novel about love, communication and the invisible network of threads that are woven through rural communities.

Equilibrium Books 2004

Tricia captures that enigma - the public and the private rural male! Above all she highlights 'THE RAIN'! Rural life is completely dictated by 'THE RAIN'!
Leonie - The Egg Lady - Port Pirie
You captured very well the loneliness, dislocation and difficulties in general faced by a city girl marrying into the country. Well done indeed.
Angela Goode - Advertiser columnist & writer - Naracoorte
Congratulations and thanks on a delightful story. You included enough reality to bring back many memories and enough mystery to keep one interested.
Lois Paterson - Teacher – Bute

River Magic

Welcome to Perth, one of the world's most unique and remote capital cities; the perfect place for young teacher, Keely Mitchell, to escape and begin her trek north along the Western Australian coast.

But, within twenty-four hours her wallet is stolen, she's admitted to hospital and she's alone, needing time to convalesce and organise her finances. After a chance encounter with winemaker, Euan Levallier, Keely heads south to recuperate at his vineyard, where she becomes trapped in an emotional tussle between the charming Euan and his aloof son, Flynn.

Against the backdrop of the magical Margaret River and living amongst the vignerons who are passionate about their wine, Keely must confront her own demons and discover where her future lies.

Finding herself drawn into the fascinating and at times, bohemian wine industry, the promise of romance is never far away, but not before Keely discovers first hand that life on a vineyard isn't always wine and roses!

River Magic is a story of friendship and love, of allowing your talents to blossom and of discovering that facing what you fear may not be as terrible as you imagine.

Equilibrium Books 2006

Fresh and appealing, this romantic novel is captivating from the very beginning as you enter into the world of a typical young traveller feigning bravado in an unknown town. Set in Western Australia, the author's written portrait of the Margaret River area compels you to return there - for just one more dose of that ‘magic'.
Heather Travers, Perth
I felt the unique nostalgia of Margaret River which you captured beautifully. I particularly enjoyed your wine analogies through the eyes of an inexperienced wine drinker.
John O'Connor - Wine for Dudes, Margaret River, WA
River Magic was great! I really felt like I was visiting Margs for the first time.
Di Edmonds – Margaret River resident

Due Date

What would you do if you discovered your unborn child held the fate of the future ownership of your family property?

Recently married Paula Woodcroft has no idea that such a question exists, but her husband Dan realises that his father's last will and testament could see the family property bequeathed to a distant cousin. After a rocky start to their marriage, Dan promised Paula they would have no more secrets, but wanting to protect her from this unexpected burden, he once again hides the truth

Tackling the highs and lows of harvest season, a love-sick working man and a city girl learning everything from truck driving to unblocking drains, Due Date explores the often taboo subject of succession planning

Those who enjoyed Changing Channels will find the same warmth and humour in this much-anticipated sequel.

Equilibrium Books 2008

The difficult issues in the novel are not far-fetched.
Tracey Dagnall, Drought Initiative Community Support Worker
Tricia really catches the essence of farming family life
Meredith Schulz, Farmer, Maitland SA
Due Date explores family tensions, and archaic wills, and normal day to day situations – with a little bit of romance thrown in.
Susan Barlow, Adelaide