“There are moments that mark your life—moments when you realise nothing will ever be the same, and time is divided into two before this and after this.” (Roven, Steel & Hoblit, 1998)Her life today precisely mirrors the dreams she had throughout her childhood. She is a mum and a loving wife and lives a picturesque life with the man that she had imagined would be perfect for her. But a chance meeting will soon reveal to her that what one perceives as their reality does not often resemble their truth. She will be forced to reassess her values and priorities. Will she remain true to the highest value in her her family unit? Or will she open her heart and mind and step out of her comfort zone to find fulfilment in her life? Connection, family, love, betrayal and this woman will discover it all and life will never, ever be the same.
Claudia Harrison is an Australian author with a heart for storytelling that explores identity, family, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild after loss. A mother of five and a self-described dreamer, Claudia writes deeply emotional, character-driven fiction that speaks to those who have ever felt torn between obligation and freedom, roots and reinvention.
Her latest novel, The Oldest Daughter, is a moving tale of love, grief, family secrets, and finding your way back to yourself. Set between the rolling countryside of rural New South Wales and the restless energy of Sydney, Claudia’s writing is grounded in place and rich in heart.
Claudia began writing as a form of personal rediscovery—journalling turned into fiction, and fiction turned into healing. When she’s not writing, she’s supporting her local community and finding joy in the messy, beautiful work of raising a family.
She believes stories are how we make sense of where we’ve been—and who we’re becoming.