November 23, 2016

Villa Parma @ Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel, Daylesford.

November 23, 2016/ Kirsty Manning-Wilcox

Built in 1864, Villa Parma is tucked to the side of the luxurious Peppers Resort in Daylesford, about an hour from the airport in Melbourne. We've booked the place out a couple of times with friends and colleagues, as it is a fun way to have a feast with friends.

Peppers has a divine Day Spa ... the area is known for it's rejuvenitive hot springs. I love it and go give myself a soak with mates at least once a year.

But what I really love about this place is the gardens. It feels like a little piece of Tuscany, or Switzerland (the area had lots of Swiss settlers) just a 40 minute drive from my doorstep.

Kirsty Manning

Writing, Author of The Midsummer Garden, Publsihed March 29, 2017, writers on writing, how to be an author, how to get a book published, how to write a novel, book reviews, latest book releases, best selling books, Australian Books, Best Books, Best fiction, Latest fiction, Australian Crime Writers, Crime writing, how to be a writer, how to get a book published, advice from publishing professionals, Australian books Australian fiction, Freelance writing, freelance travel writing, custom publishing, how to make money from writing, find a book editor, manuscript appraisal, manuscript assessment, book festivals, good books, kirsty mannin

Pre-Order (Aus+NZ)

To order from Amazon/Kindle

To order from Booktopia

To order from iBooks

Instagram

This is my dad’s old stock saddle. He mail-ordered it over 55 years ago when he was a 19-year-old jackaroo.
It still has the old quart-pot for billy tea! He strapped his swag to the back for those nights he had to sleep under the stars when the paddocks were too far from his quarters.
A great horseman, Dad often preferred to use horses over motorbikes.
When I was not yet at school, I remember sitting on the pommel, riding with my dad when I was too young to ride myself.
As I grew up, I’d ride beside him on my own little pony. A dapple-grey Welsh beauty named Meg.
I eventually grew old enough—and strong enough—to ride the stock horses, Taxman and the aptly-named Stormy.
To this day, I’ve never seen a saddle more comfortable—or more beautifully made. It’s been passed around — gone bush with other families.
But just like a good horse given its head, this saddle has always found the way home.
I’m thinking it might be time to find myself a steady and sure-footed horse to match this saddle. I can feel some long mountain rides ahead.
#stocksaddle #stockhorse #saddlebag #saddle #horses #riding #mustering #jackaroo #bush

Current read. A novel based on true stories of stolen children in Tennessee.
Dual timeframe between present and 1939.
I’m on the opening stages and already I’m hopeful and broken all at once.
Magnificent storytelling @author_lisa_wingate 🙏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#beforewewereyours #historicalfiction #kirstymanningreads #amreading
Also, Christmas mince pie thanks to @mountmacedonkitchen @mtmacedontp

I’m blown away by this lovely review by @delbookgirl 🙏
I’ve been gearing up for US, UK and Europe release next year - so this lovely feedback means the world to me.

Repost @delbookgirl with @get_repost
・・・
🎄 December 7 - The Jade Lily by Kirsty Manning
Oh my goodness what an emotional rollercoaster! The evocative descriptions make you feel as if you are experiencing everything right beside the characters.
It is inevitable when reading a well written book set in WWII that you will encounter horrors of period. Kirsty manages to faultlessly balance these with moments of love and perseverance. This book has so much heart.
It’s a dual story timeline, half in Japanese-occupied Shanghai and half in present day Australia/Shanghai. I really want to try the food from both halves!
This is one of my favourite novels, plus there’s nothing better than reading incredible books from local authors 😊 @kirstymanningau @allenandunwin #fiction #australianfiction #bookstagram #booklover #reading #read

Who needs Paris?
Discovered a world of treats @millstonepatisserie this morning with my littlest bean. Love a rare Melbourne moment with 1 child.

Dropped my happy hiker son at Wilsons Prom for a weekend of long walks with his Venturer mates.
Such a magic part of the world ... (pic: @charlie_the_wilcox)
#theygrowupfast

Thanks to @princewinestore, #TheJadeLily now comes with a bottle of French bubbles!
Book + bubbles is $49 until Christmas. 🎄🥂
Shipping Australia-wide!
Link to order in bio 🔝🔝🔝

I’ve been in my shed most of the day writing. This is what my desk really looks like, mid-book. #book3 #totalmess #bliss #mygardenshed #nokids #amwriting #sundaywritingsession

The most dreamy door in town ❤️#flowersinavase #fridaymood

Signed copies of #thejadelily good to go @newleavesbookstore for Christmas Shopping Night.
Also #songwoman by lovely local superstar #ilkatampke ❤️🎄

Featured

Mar 22, 2018

'The Jade Lily' rights sold into North America, Germany, The Netherlands and Hebrew.

Mar 22, 2018

My favourite Chinese dish: Mapo Tofu

Recipes

Featured

Feb 1, 2017

Cooking in the Fire Pit with the Bosnian Sutch

Feb 1, 2017

We have a Bosnian Sutch that makes feeding a crowd super-easy. Throw in different cuts of meat, vegetables, tins of tomatoes, garlic, herbs from the garden and a few pinches of smoked paprika, cover with coals, and a few hours later we have a one-pot dinner.

Feb 1, 2017

Nov 23, 2016

Baked Lemon and Rosewater Cheesecake

Nov 23, 2016

No family celebration happens in our household without cheesecake (and Champagne!). It had to be baked, NY-style and quite often I make two. Here's the recipe from by book, We Love Food.

Nov 23, 2016

Other People's Gardens

Kirsty Manning

Pre-Order (Aus+NZ)

Instagram

My favourite Chinese dish: Mapo Tofu

Recipes