Noted rural romance writer Maya Linnell will return to her home district on May 31 when she speaks at the Millicent Library and Gallery.


The graduate of Tantanoola Primary School and Millicent High School will be promoting her sixth book called Wallaby Lane.


Nowadays living near Portland, Ms Linnell has many family ties to this region.


Her early working life was spent as a nanny, in journalism and in corporate communications.


Wallaby Lane is set in the fictitious town of Penwarra with obvious references to the real-life Coonawarra and Penola areas.


Some of the characters in the latest novel have already been introduced to readers while the following précis is certain to tempt them to read Wallaby Lane.


“From interviewing local flower growers to receiving blue ribbons for her baking at the Show, Lauren Bickford knows her genuine love for her small town community is a big advantage in her ambition to become the presenter at the local Penwarra radio station,” states the précis.


“But is it enough to outweigh the series of on-air stuff ups that have plagued her career?


“No stranger to this small winegrowing region in South Australia’s Limestone Coast, Jack Crossley is the new cop in town.


“He’s traded his city beat for a slower pace, and as a former local, knows only too well that mischief can lurk around every quiet corner.


“For Jack and Lauren, the course of true love is not running smoothly.


“Can he restore order in the town before the neighbourhood watch vigilantes take justice into their own hands?


“Or are Jack’s biggest worries much closer to home?


“Can Lauren’s reporting remain impartial as her attraction to Jack grows?


“Or will her family’s advice lead her completely astray?”


Her five previous rural romance novels have been met with both commercial success and critical acclaim.