Meet the Author at Dungog Library—Paula J. Beavan

Paula J. Beavan has lived on the banks of the Hunter River where her love of a reading and a good yarn inspired a desire to write. On discovering a family connection to one of the Hunter Valley first settlers she turned her hand to historical fiction.

Her love of history together with a curiosity about the challenges faced by the pioneering women of the region led her to seek out stories of the area's founding settlers. Serendipitously she discovered a family connection to William Harpur, local landowner and one of Australia's early surveyors. Inspired by this connection she delved deeper–Harpur lost his sight, and his wife Catherine was one of the women who managed their property–a perfect illustration of the women she writes about.

Paula will talk about her latest book, Rebel Spirits. Set against the rugged bush of the 1850s, Rebel Spirits is a story of resilience, loyalty and the cost of choosing love when survival is on the line.

Australian Romance Readers Association Award winner for Favourite Debut Romance Author 2021 for Daughter of the Hunter Valley. She is also the author of Among the Gum Trees.

Free event. Light refreshments will be available.