It was while working at Macraes Mine in Dunedin in 2011 that Australian woman Julie Fawcett fell in love with the city and decided to make it her home, purchasing a house in Roseneath in 2013.
''Otago is paradise. The natural beauty, fresh air and amazing people made me want to sell my home in Australia and move here permanently,’’ Julie said.
On her relocation to New Zealand, Julie, who has enjoyed a long and varied career, including working in the mining, oil, construction and aviation industries, is also a qualified librarian. She had planned on retiring, however, inspired by her love of literature and her late Samoyed, Angel-Louise, Julie decided to pursue a career as a children’s author.
Julie’s first (self-published) book, My First Christmas, was released in 2014, followed by her second book, Merlin’s Magical Door to Nowhere, in September 2015. Her third book,Train Trip Across the Mountains, will be released in August 2017, with a book launch at Sawyers Bay School.
All Julie’s book are based around Angel-Louise and her adventures with her friends, both fictional and real, including Harry the Hedgehog, Tabatha the Little Brown Mouse, Sammie the Seagull, Bertie the Albatross, Merlin the Ginger Cat, and many more.
Through each story Julie seeks to highlight the importance of old-fashioned values such as love, kindness, politeness, honesty, integrity, loyalty and respect, as well as personal safety, and accepting and understanding people’s differences.
To accompany the Angel-Louise series of books, Julie also has gift cards, limited-edition prints and mugs. She also regularly visits schools, retirement homes, and childcare centres, and upon request will attend birthday parties for a small fee. Julie can also be found at the Blueskin, South Dunedin and Port Chalmers markets with her new Samoyed, Autumn.
Angel-Louise and Julie are readily available to connect with through their Facebook page, which is regularly updated, and they welcome any questions. They always respond! They’re currently having an Easter giveaway, so be sure to like their page to be in to win.
Email them at friends@angellouise.net.nz or via Julie at fawcett74@hotmail.com. Visit their facebook page, TheAdventuresOfAngelLouise, or their website: www.angellouise.net.nz
