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A Farm in Golden Clouds
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26A heartwarming new rural romance from a rising star, perfect for fans of Karly Lane, Maya Linnell and Rachael Johns.
What if you found the love of your life ... and then lost them?
Widow, struggling farmer and self-help author Indi Carmichael finds herself staring down the barrel of her spiralling debt. With her son acting stranger than usual and a best friend hellbent on getting her back in the dating saddle, Indi doesn't have the time or money to fix the endless problems facing Manna Gum Farm, let alone for romance.
Washed up actor Ben Whittam worries about everything. Controlling his life means he can control his grief, and he doesn't have to worry about any unscripted surprises. But with his anxious son's nightmares getting worse and producers breathing down his neck, Ben's summer filming on location in the small town of Kestrel Creek isn't going to plan.
With Indi's future on the farm hanging by a thread and Ben's career on the line, is falling in love while their lives are falling apart really the best idea?
What if you found the love of your life ... and then lost them?
Widow, struggling farmer and self-help author Indi Carmichael finds herself staring down the barrel of her spiralling debt. With her son acting stranger than usual and a best friend hellbent on getting her back in the dating saddle, Indi doesn't have the time or money to fix the endless problems facing Manna Gum Farm, let alone for romance.
Washed up actor Ben Whittam worries about everything. Controlling his life means he can control his grief, and he doesn't have to worry about any unscripted surprises. But with his anxious son's nightmares getting worse and producers breathing down his neck, Ben's summer filming on location in the small town of Kestrel Creek isn't going to plan.
With Indi's future on the farm hanging by a thread and Ben's career on the line, is falling in love while their lives are falling apart really the best idea?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 31, 2026
1 person is currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Leearna Shaw
1 book4 followersLeearna Shaw is a contemporary rural romance author inspired by the chaos of living on a small farm in north-east Victoria with her husband and two boys. She has a Diploma in Professional Writing & Editing and a Certificate in Professional Proofreading.
Away from her writing desk, Leearna is as competitive with her reading habits as she is on the basketball court. When she's not tending to her unhealthy obsession with indoor plants, Leearna can be found either on the yoga mat or chasing runaway lambs and her wayward boys on their property.
Leearna's first two rural romance novels will be published by Allen & Unwin in 2026 and 2027.
Away from her writing desk, Leearna is as competitive with her reading habits as she is on the basketball court. When she's not tending to her unhealthy obsession with indoor plants, Leearna can be found either on the yoga mat or chasing runaway lambs and her wayward boys on their property.
Leearna's first two rural romance novels will be published by Allen & Unwin in 2026 and 2027.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Victoria, Kestrel Creek. Indi Carmichael is a widow, she has two children and runs a sustainable farm called Manna Gum and ethically raised cattle. Just prior to his death, her husband made an error of judgment and a financial one and a consequence of this is she’s up to her eyeballs in debt.
Her son Noah is a teenager but he’s carrying the weight of the world on his young shoulders, her daughter Ollie is a handful and her best friend Carlene calls her and pops in with a bottle of wine. Indi wrote down her feelings when she was first widowed, it has published into a book and she has to sign copies and do a mini tour of the area and she’s terrified.
Ben Whittam is a widower and dad to Will, after his wife passed away, he threw himself into making an action movie and his character is called Rogue Barkley. The producers want to make a sequel, but he’s struggling and so is Will. His son is plagued by nightmares, he’s extremely anxious and scared of everything.
Indi and Ben meet, with her farm is on the brink of financial ruin and his acting career on the ropes and he feels no chemistry towards his leading lady, and the only woman who makes his heart race is Indi and talk about great timing!
I received a copy of A Farm in Golden Clouds from NetGalley and Allen & Unwin in exchange for an unbiased review. Leearna Shaw has been mentored by members of the Romance Writers of Australia and won an Emerald Award in 2024 and I can understand why.
Via her main characters Indi and Ben, the reader is made to consider what you would do and cope if you lost the love of your life at a young age, the stages of grief and when is it too soon to move on and the guilty feelings associated with doing this.
That's why I like to read, stories take me to another place, contemplate situations and from other people's perspectives, this one most certainly did and I really love cows as well.
Ms Shaw is a rising star of rural Australian fiction, I look forward to reading what she comes up with next, five stars from me and I highly recommend her debut novel.
Her son Noah is a teenager but he’s carrying the weight of the world on his young shoulders, her daughter Ollie is a handful and her best friend Carlene calls her and pops in with a bottle of wine. Indi wrote down her feelings when she was first widowed, it has published into a book and she has to sign copies and do a mini tour of the area and she’s terrified.
Ben Whittam is a widower and dad to Will, after his wife passed away, he threw himself into making an action movie and his character is called Rogue Barkley. The producers want to make a sequel, but he’s struggling and so is Will. His son is plagued by nightmares, he’s extremely anxious and scared of everything.
Indi and Ben meet, with her farm is on the brink of financial ruin and his acting career on the ropes and he feels no chemistry towards his leading lady, and the only woman who makes his heart race is Indi and talk about great timing!
I received a copy of A Farm in Golden Clouds from NetGalley and Allen & Unwin in exchange for an unbiased review. Leearna Shaw has been mentored by members of the Romance Writers of Australia and won an Emerald Award in 2024 and I can understand why.
Via her main characters Indi and Ben, the reader is made to consider what you would do and cope if you lost the love of your life at a young age, the stages of grief and when is it too soon to move on and the guilty feelings associated with doing this.
That's why I like to read, stories take me to another place, contemplate situations and from other people's perspectives, this one most certainly did and I really love cows as well.
Ms Shaw is a rising star of rural Australian fiction, I look forward to reading what she comes up with next, five stars from me and I highly recommend her debut novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book made me laugh and cry (although that might just have been the author's dedication). I loved everything about this book, from the stunning rural setting which Leearna really brought to life, to the beautiful characters. Indi and Ben felt so real as they both struggled to deal with the loss of their partners and the challenges of being parents. This was such a beautiful story that I found impossible to put down. I can't wait to see what Leearna writes next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A beautiful and emotional journey through grief, and surviving through loss.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews