Striking Out is an adult Australian contemporary. The dialogue and and characterizations are distinctly Australian. Check out the tour page for more information.
About the Book:
Sparkling with distinctive Australian humour, this action-packed novel follows one small-town girl’s fight to reach the top.
Sharon Jackson is a small-town girl with big-city dreams. Forced out of her home in regional Western Australia with her singing career in ruins, she hits the big smoke in search of stardom. After signing with a sleazy agent who wants more than a ten percent cut of her earnings, she struggles to earn a place in the macho world of rock-‘n-roll, encountering a series of colourful characters along the way – like Todd, the sexy, brooding muso with a dragon tattoo and Kevin, the whip-smart fighter with some hidden demons of his own.But when her troubled past follows her to the city, Shazza’s dreams begin to unravel. With no home to go back to and a past that won’t stay buried, everything she has worked for is on the line. Shazza must make a decision that will define the course of her future, and time is running out.
About the Author:Scarlet Bennett spent her formative years in regional Western Australia, and it shows. Years of city living have softened her broad accent, but the slang she’s stuck with. After earning a Masters degree in Psychology, the colourful characters of her childhood – and that irrepressible Aussie spirit – found their way onto the page. She is a graduate of Allaboutwriting’s mentoring program, and lives in Canberra with her husband, kids, and far more animals than can reasonably fit on a suburban plot.
GIVEAWAY:
10 sets of earrings handmade by the author (INT)
Ends September 2nd
Prizing provided by the author, hosts are in no way responsible.
All earrings are made with sterling silver and semi-precious gemstones. The gemstones included are turquoise, rose quartz, red agate, freshwater pearls and amethyst.
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.
Des rang fairly early on Monday morning when I was out on my balcony drinking tea with my parrot friends.
‘Good news, Shazza.’
‘Morning, Des.’
He barely paused to draw breath. ‘I’ve just been talking to Graham Turner. Man has he got a serious hard on for you.’
It was far, far too early in the morning to be thinking about Graham Turner’s hard on. ‘Does a conversation about a sleaze in an expensive suit ring any bells?’
‘He wants a twelve month contract with you. Exclusive! You sing for him and only him on Friday and Saturday nights for the next year. How about that, eh? I’ll bet you didn’t think ole Des could stitch up a deal like that at this early stage!’
‘There’s no doubt about it, Des. You’re special.’ I tried to hide the undertone in my voice and he obviously didn’t hear it because he grunted his agreement. ‘What about my Arms gig, though?’
‘Well, you’ll have to dump that, obviously. We’ve got bigger fish to fry now.’
I paused again. ‘I can’t do it, Des, not by screwing Gary.’
‘What?’ he snapped. ‘Please, God, tell me I’m not hearing this!’
I rushed to explain. ‘Gary gave me a gig when no one else would. I’m not just going to dump him now that things are going better for me.’
‘Look, I admire your loyalty and all, but this is business.’
I thought for a moment. ‘How about we play a bit hard to get with Graham? You and I know I’ve been doing it a bit tough, but he doesn’t. If we just give him what he wants, won’t it make us seem a bit…I don’t know…weak?’
There was a long silence. ‘Maybe you’ve got some aptitude for business after all, Shazza. That’s not a bad point. What do you have in mind?’
‘Six months maximum. Saturday nights only.’
‘That’s exactly what I was thinking.’ I shook my head. He hadn’t been thinking that at all, but there was no point arguing. ‘It’s good to hear we’re on the same page with this, Shazza. I’ll be in touch.’ And he slammed down the phone.
He rang back an hour later to confirm. ‘He wasn’t happy, but he’s gone with it. I’ve always been a good negotiator.’
‘Good on you, Des.’
‘Yes, well, it’s good to keep him on the back foot. I told him you were in hot demand and he was lucky to get a six month Saturday exclusive out of you.’
‘Let’s hope it turns out to be true then.’
‘What?’
‘The hot demand bit.’
‘With that bluesy repertoire and your looks, they’re gonna be champing at the bit to book you, love.’ I could hear another phone ringing in his office. ‘Buy a shorter dress,’ he said as he hung up.
‘No,’ I said, but he was gone before the word came out.
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