Novel Noel for December

Paula Xiberras

Karly Lane’s early background was in the health industry, working in pathology and as a stay at home mum. Karly may have continued on to become a paramedic but instead of healing physical bodies she saw her future in healing emotionally, the hearts of her characters in her popular rural romances.

When I last caught up with Karly we chatted about her most recent novel “Third Time Lucky”. Karly told me this most recent romantic suspense started life as a novella with a much more Christmassy theme than the more toned down Christmas element in the finished novel.

The story centres on the appropriately December, a name that relates both to the end of the year and to a celebration of new beginnings. So, it is in ‘Third Time Lucky’ that December’s lost love Seth returns for a new beginning in the small town he grew up but had to end his association with when he was accused of a crime. Seth has made a success of his life and returns as a millionaire to set up his business in his hometown and keen to rekindle his relationship with December. Much to the chagrin of her family, Seth recruits December to work for him. Karly says it was a bit of a challenge writing the character of a millionaire when she was more familiar writing the more down to earth lifestyle of a rural romantic hero.

Refreshingly December is a very real protagonist who struggles with re-establishing her feelings for Seth and learning how to adapt to working in an office environment including how to operate the office photocopier!

Karly says she is often surprised which of her novels resonate with readers telling me that her last novel ‘Second Chance Town’ has struck a chord with readers. Like most of Karly’s novels it features the signature optimism of her characters, ready to take a second or even a third chance at love

Karly loves visiting libraries to discuss her books and also attending writing festivals and would love to do so in Tasmania

“Third Time Lucky’ is out now published by Allen and Unwin.