Why are romance and the Outback so entwined?

It is a good question as to why the Outback of Australia and the rugged areas of other places seem to draw themselves to romance.

Maybe it is the contrasts of harshness and soft love, opposites attract and soft love is not really a trait of nature when she hands out her lessons on life in the wide brown land.

I love a sunburned country
A land of sweeping plains
Of ragged mountain ranges
Of droughts and flooding rains
I love her far horizons
I love her Jewel-sea
Her beauty and her terror-
The wide brown land for me.

Dorothea  Mackella, in this second verse of her great Australian poem epitomised the love that one can feel for the Outback. It shows that the spirit of the land is not  only in the animals and the long born indigenous people, but can raise in the hearts of the settlers, the graziers, bushmen of all working codes, and it is soon felt in the hearts of the traveller if they let themselves be adopted by the Outback Mother, Nature herself.

In my own heart comes the feeling of wonder at nature's hand; how a land like ours can supply all that the rest of the world holds, and yet retain its own individuality.

I know that there is always the thought, when nature is good to you, that you could hug her, you could love her for her kindness, and that is how we develop true love for the women that gave us the opportunity to feel true love as was meant for man and woman.

I have been subject to some terror, things that I thought I would not come out of, and in the end, all the terror and fear had been washed away by a sweet girl, cotton wool soft, hair of golden strands and eyes so blue that I had ridden over my fears to accept the love, the surrounding place and the situation.

Having passed that test of returning from disaster, and being blessed with that beautiful angel, a bush girl, an Outback classy lass, I know why the Outback is an ideal platform for fair-dinkum, joyous love stories.

From photographer Tony Feder

I challenge you to seek the Outback , to sit at Emily's Gap, at the Alice, see the colours change against the rocks as nature practices her painting technique.  To fathom the Katherine Gorge. To stand on the Black Soil Plains and see an unbroken horizon in the full circle of land as though you are standing on a plate that could easily flip you off into the cathedral sky of the night. I challenge you to see these things and not feel a greater love for the person of your desire.

Believe, the Outback begs for love stories.

[Peter Rakes Romance Adventure novel, The Outback Story - The Loves and Adventures of 'Tiger' Williams, is available now on Amazon]

Freda, an exceptional dog

An excerpt from Peter Rake's debut novel, 'The Outback Story - The Loves and Adventures of 'Tiger' Williams' ...

The three were still sitting in the vehicle as Brady strolled over towards them.
"I've got a dog," Steve said, hastily adding, "She can stay in the vehicle if you want, but she doesn't run about - won't get into any mischief."
"She's alright. Baker told me about her. Reckons she is something special, not like an ordinary dog, he said."
Steve looked at Lindy who was just a curious at the thought that her father would bother to explain a working dog to anyone when he had rang Brady Sands to guarantee the purchase if it transpired. Neither had realised that Mr Baker had been watching Freda very closely, and had made up his mind that she was no ordinary dog.
"I believe that she's a bit of a hero, and you too, young fella, but I'd like to hear the true story if you feel like it."
Lindy went around the ute and stood with Steve as he did a proper introduction, and Freda 'asked' if she could get out as well.
"Yeah she's alright, let her out," Brady offered affably.
Freda jumped from the seat, went to the front of the ute and relieved herself, out of sight of the humans and came around to sit at Steve's feet.
"Do you want to go over to the house with my missus, Lindy?” Brady asked.
"I'd rather see the horses, if I may," Lindy replied.
"Yeah that's alright with me. Come over to the stable."
As they headed off towards the horses, Brady made a comment.
"The dog looks well trained Steve. You haven't said a word to her and she is behaving as though she is on lead."
"Her name's Freda. Freda knows what to do. She learnt her lessons from Ian McLennan's dog, over on Isis. But I reckon that she knew what was what before she could run, just needed a bit of explaining from another working dog, that's all," Steve said. He did not feel that he was boasting, just stating facts.

Have you ever had a dog, or another animal, in your life who is smarter than people expect?

And he named it THE Outback Story ...

Ok, finally, it's time to make a hoohaa and a song and dance because Peter Rake's debut novel is now fully listed on Amazon as being available as an eBook and in paperback. What delight, what joy, for a newly published author to hold a physical copy their novel in their own hands. Even though in reality it will sell more in eBook format, I know that Old Pete, as he quite likes to be called, is in love with the idea of seeing his novel in print ... with ink on paper.

Well, you've done it. It's out. Congratulations. And guess what everyone? While I was busy editing and formatting and publishing 'The Outback Story - The Loves and Adventures of 'Tiger' Williams', Pete has written about one and a half other novels!

Grab a copy now of this wonderful Australian tale. There's nothing like it on Amazon. This is romance, adventure, grit, wit and a unique Australian voice that derives the detail from first hand experience and the plot from a vibrant imagination. Enjoy ...

Fiona Gatt, Pete's editor/published (www.metaplume.com)