✨ MARK MUPOTOSA-RUSSELL ✨

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒’𝑠 𝑛𝑜 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑥-𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟.

Join me as I interview debut author @markwillrussell about his brilliantly dark thriller THE HITWOMAN’S GUIDE TO REDUCING HOUSEHOLD DEBT for the @readingbycandlelight podcast (as always, 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲!)

Mark and I had a fun half hour chatting about how he came up with such an original plot, how to make a contract killer seem empathetic and how he used his screenwriting experience and love of movies to create this brilliantly original story that asks us how far we would go to revenge the people we love.

I was incredibly excited (and not surprised) to learn Mark has secured a pre-emptive screen deal with a major producer 🤯 although further details are under wraps for now shhh

This book is like 𝐾𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐸𝑣𝑒 meets 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦 - in turns funny, tragic, deeply thoughtful and occasionally violent, it is also quintessentially Australian. Superstitious former contract killer Olivia believes the universe is demanding payment for her past crimes, so when a small time criminal gang brings tragedy to her family, she has to get creative while trying to mislead the police long enough to exact her revenge.

Congratulations to Mark, whose debut #thehitwomansguidetoreducinghouseholddebt is featured in the September 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙮 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝘽𝙤𝙭 & on sale from 1st September.

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

✨LISA KENWAY ✨

That interest in people, which drove me to become a doctor in the first place, also makes me interested to write about them - Lisa Kenway

Join me as I interview debut author and anaesthetist @lisakenway about her twisty thriller about memory loss & the secrets we keep for the @readingbycandlelight podcast (as always, spoiler-free!)

Congratulations to Lisa, whose debut ALL YOU TOOK FROM ME is featured in the August 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙮 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝘽𝙤𝙭 and will be published THIS Thursday on 1st August. Boxes will therefore be posted in the second week of the month.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘰 𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘥𝘦 ✨

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

✨𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗔 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡✨

Join our host Fiona Taylor as she chats with Melbourne debut author Anna Johnston, Reading By Candlelight's Book Box author for JULY 2024, about her delightful and heartwarming novel 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙁𝙞𝙛𝙚 in this spoiler-free interview.

𝐼𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠' 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑔𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑘𝑒𝑦𝑏𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑔𝑒.

We chat about Anna’s grandfather Fred, who inspired the titular character, the misrepresentation of older characters in literature, how the plot was conceived, and the book's themes of the importance of love, belonging, and family.

THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE is featured in the July 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙮 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝘽𝙤𝙭. Tissues are highly recommended! (You've been warned!)

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

✨𝙇𝙊𝙐𝙄𝙎𝙀 𝙒𝙊𝙇𝙃𝙐𝙏𝙀𝙍 ✨

Join our host Fiona Taylor as she chats with Western Australian author Louise Wolhuter, Reading By Candlelight's Book Box author for JUNE 2024, about her very twisty novel Shadows Of Winter Robins in this spoiler-free interview.

𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗦 has so many twists that it is impossible to talk about the plot without giving away spoilers so if you love ordinary people with extraordinary secrets, multiple storylines, and beautiful imagery you are going to love this gripping novel about shining a light on the dark places to see what always lived there.

Many thanks to Louise for her time and for being the 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙮 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 featured book box author for June. Each box has a signed copy of the novel, a paired beverage, an exclusive tin candle & seed bookmark, and a surprise! Available as a subscription or one-off purchase ✨

Reading By Candlelight proudly promotes new Australian authors and their stories. This interview is available wherever you love to listen. Follow us so you never miss an episode ✨

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

Join our host Fiona Taylor as she chats with Melbourne author Alexander Thorpe, Reading By Candlelight's Book Box author for MAY 2024, about his classic whodunit DEATH HOLDS THE KEY in this spoiler-free interview.

Alexander now holds the very special honour of being the 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 male author to feature in the book boxes and he certainly brought his A-game to our little spoiler-free chat! 🙌

We talked about the golden age of crime novels, how he was inspired by reading Josephine Tey and Agatha Christie, why he was deported from Russia and most importantly why his protagonist mendicant monk is nameless and the technical difficulties that present while writing.

𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗞𝗘𝗬 is a classic whodunit set in 1920s Western Australia, full of twists and turns, with a seemingly impossible murder mystery that explores all our favourite tropes - a locked door, no murder weapon and a cast of engaging characters, all who would have delighted in murdering the victim!

As always, this month’s book box is almost sold out so be quick if you want to order one. They come with a signed copy of the novel, a paired beverage, exclusive tin candle & seed bookmark and a surprise! ✨

With many thanks to Alexander for his time and support for 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙮 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 which proudly promotes new Australian authors and their stories. This interview is 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 wherever you love to listen or find the link in my bio ✨

Follow #readingbycandlelightpodcast to never miss an episode 🎙️📖❤️

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

Join our host Fiona Taylor as she chats with Melbourne author Holly Craig, Reading By Candlelight's Book Box author for APRIL 2024, about her chilling thriller THE RIP in this spoiler-free interview.

We have a fabulous spoiler-free chat about her brilliant second novel and the story behind setting it on Rottnest Island. Holly shares what inspired her characters, the themes of motherhood and friendship, and how important the setting is to her. We talk about how she got her publishing deal and how much she loves giving back through her writing community #TheWriteClub and as a writing mentor.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗣 is a slow-burn thriller about two wealthy families holidaying on Rottnest and what happens when one of their children goes missing. From that moment the story rockets along with some explosive reveals and twists until it reaches its chilling climax!

~ Reading by Candlelight Book Boxes ~
To celebrate new Australian authors and their stories, every book box is lovingly created to compliment the book's setting & characters. It is available at Molly's Cottage as a subscription or a one-off purchase.

Read by candlelight at Molly's Cottage and join a community where you can share your love of reading, candles, and supporting Australian writers and creators.

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

Join our host Fiona Taylor as she chats with Melbourne author Kerryn Mayne, Reading By Candlelight's Book Box author for MARCH 2024, about her delightfully bonkers crime thriller Joy Moody Is Out Of Time in this spoiler-free interview.

Kerryn is always a delight to interview - funny, self-deprecating, witty, and transparently honest about her writing and herself. We talk about her girl crush on @zoefosterblake, our shared love for #BoySwallowsUniverse while manifesting Kerryn’s not-so-secret desire for @trentdalton to provide a cover quote for her next book or she’ll organise his arrest (that is a JOKE people! 😂) and how if he listens to this episode we will both DIE (also a joke! 😂).

There is plenty of spoiler-free chat about her brilliant second novel#JoyMoodyIsOutOfTIme - the stories behind the story, how she wrote it in SIX MONTHS with new-born TWINS 🤯 and how both the author and the book are best summed up by the term COMPLETELY BONKERS 🤪

~ Reading by Candlelight Book Boxes ~
To celebrate new Australian authors and their stories, every book box is lovingly created to compliment the book's setting & characters and is available at Molly's Cottage as a subscription or as a one-off purchase.

Read by candlelight at Molly's Cottage and join a community where you can share your love of reading, candles, and supporting Australian writers and creators.

✨ Reading By Candlelight proudly promotes new Australian authors & their stories ✨

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

Join our host Fiona Taylor as she chats with Melbourne author Kylie Orr, Reading By Candlelight's Book Box author for FEBRUARY 2024, about her latest domestic suspense The Eleventh Floor in this spoiler-free interview.

Kylie is refreshingly honest as we discuss motherhood, sleep deprivation, why she loves to put her characters through the wringer, and what she is up to next.

~ Reading by Candlelight Book Boxes ~
To celebrate new Australian authors and their stories, every book box is lovingly created to compliment the book's setting & characters and is available at Molly's Cottage as a subscription or as a one-off purchase.

Read by candlelight at Molly's Cottage and join a community where you can share your love of reading, candles, and supporting Australian writers and creators.

✨ Reading By Candlelight proudly promotes new Australian authors & their stories ✨

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.