A Werribee author is pinching herself after publishing her third book in two years.
Retired police officer Pauline Toohey is thrilled with the release of her new book, Melting of the Mettle, a sequel to her debut novel, Pull of the Yew Tree.
The historical novel is based loosely on the lives of the Fitzgerald family, who were the most powerful family in Ireland in the 15th century.
“I’ve melded facts with some fictional characters, and there’s a bit of a laugh, there’s war, drama, romance, sex – it’s a bit of an epic covering a number of generations in one family,” Ms Toohey said.
“I didn’t come to writing until later in life; I was in my early 40s and because I loved reading historical fiction it made sense to start with that.
“Rather than repeat what I had already read, I went across to Ireland and wrote about their families. My research so far shows my writing is the first to put the Fitzgerald generation into fiction.”
The 51-year-old, who cites the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen and Rosalie Ham among her favourite authors, says the twin books may become a trilogy.
She has also published a crime novel, My Rickety Metronome, inspired by her 25-year career with Victoria Police.
Ms Toohey says the release of a new book brings on feelings of both elation and trepidation.
“You’re putting your art out there to be critiqued, and most readers aren’t short on coming forward with their opinions,” she says.
“You have to hope you’ll find people who will love what you’ve written, and you have got to take the knocks with a smile on your face.”
