HAWKESBURY DISTRICT INDEPENDENT NEWS | www.hdinews.com.au ISSUE 31 | DECEMBER 2012 9Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

144 Blacktown Rd, Freemans Reach

Ph 4579 6833

GospersGarages

& Roofing

• Full Building Services• Stenciled Concrete Available • Bricklaying

• Gyprocking • Electrical • Fully Licenced Builders

Piece of mind when buying from Gospers and the big Australian!

www.gospers.com.au

The UniqUe GifT BarnFabulous Gifts,

Furniture, Wall Art & More!

Situtated in historic Pitt Town’sheritage barn circa 1870

Woodstock Wind Chimes

Wrought Iron Furniture

Wall Art

Mirrors

Weatherproof Clocks

Water Features

Ornaments, Scarves, Gift Boxed Mugs

and much more...

& GiftsBuilt 1870

85 Bathurst Street, Pitt Town • p 4572 3081Open 7 DAyS

Monday - Friday : 7.30am - 6pm • Saturday : 7.30am - 5pmSunday & Public Hols : 9am - 4pm

Authors, Catherine (A) Wilson and Catherine (T) Wilson at their book launch with MC Gary Schweikert from Big Hat Pictures, and Richard Halcomb, a medieval educator and historian.

Two worlds collided in more ways than one when historical romance authors, Catherine

Wilson and Catherine Wilson teamed up to write the first book in a medieval adventure and romance series called Lions and Lilies.

And, no, it isn’t a typo! They have exactly the same names and are both authors in the same genre. One big difference is where they live.

Catherine A Wilson lives in Bilpin while her co-writer is thousands of kilometres north in Toowoomba.

In another unique twist, the two Catherines had never even met when they decided to put pen to paper after connecting online through Romance Writers of Australia.

“We began to email each other and discovered how many similarities we had and how many things we share in common and from that point on our friendship grew,” Hawkesbury resident, Catherine explained.

The authors’ friendship grew as they exchanged emails and letters becoming the catalyst for the idea behind the Lions and Lilies series of books. It was Cathy in Toowoomba that had the light bulb moment, sharing it immediately with her namesake in Bilpin.

“She sent me an email that said why don’t we write a book along the same lines as the way our friendship has grown,” Catherine explained.

The idea was born. A book about two women in historical times who like to write to each other was created. The Lions and Lilies series of books was spawned.

The authors met for the first time after the completion of the second novel in the series, a meeting that was captured for posterity by independent film company, Big Hat Pictures, after they heard of the unusual story.

In November this year, Catherine and Catherine met again at a book launch and signing held at Tiningi Community Hall in Bligh Park.

Gary Schweikert of Big Hat Pictures presented the Lions and Lilies DVD the film company created about the authors’ unique story. Richard Halcomb gave an interactive talk on medieval weapons and armour, bringing the pages of the books to life.

The relationship continues to flourish, as writers, collaborators and friends.

“The brilliance behind the idea that Cathy had has in many ways mirrored our relationship,” Catherine said.

“The characters relationship and our relationship is a mirror image in many respects. All four of us were strangers many years ago.”

“Now we’re not.”

To purchase books from the Lion and Lilies series and to view the story of the author’s meeting, go to www.lionsandlilies.com

It’s a story of serendipity by Penny Webb