The Pact by Lisa Darcy

No one knows you better than your sister

 

In 2000, with three children under five at home, Lisa Heidke started writing her first novel.

Fast forward to 2024 and she is now an accomplished international author with eight books to her name. Or should that be names!

Whatever name she chooses to write under, there's no question writing has always been in her blood. Having studied journalism at university, Lisa worked in publishing as an acquisitions editor before writing for Australian Consolidated Press flagship magazines, Practical Parenting and Bride to Be.

In 2007, after receiving her first contract with Australian publisher Allen & Unwin, Lisa went on to publish her first five novels with the company: Lucy Springer Gets Even (2009), What Kate Did Next (2010), Claudia's Big Break (2011), Stella Makes Good (2012), and It Started With A Kiss (2015).

In 2021, Lisa found a publishing home with Bloodhound Books UK. With new branding and pen name, Lisa Darcy was born. That same year, Lily's Little Flower Shop, a fish-out-of-water coastal romance, was published.

Lily's Little Flower Shop has since been published in several languages, including French and Italian. Bloodhound Books has also updated, relaunched and published two of Lisa's previous novels under new titles, My Big Greek Holiday, (previously Claudia's Big Break), which has been translated into Slovakian, and Should You Keep a Secret? (previously Stella Makes Good).

Whether they're navigating family dynamics, friendships, careers, or romance, ultimately the women in Lisa's books triumph over adversity and that's what resonates with her readers.

'I like writing stories that balance elements of drama and comedy - dramedy. A common thread throughout my novels is women finding the strength to move forward when faced with challenging circumstances.

These characters deal with real-life circumstances such as divorce, betrayal, heartache, and addiction, with behaviours that are unpredictable, messy, flawed, and generally lead to more chaos with a sprinkling of humour. Hopefully readers recognise a little of themselves in the way these relatable characters ultimately reinvent themselves for a more promising and fulfilling future,' Lisa said.

But despite her success in this genre, convincing publishers The Pact would also be a bestseller wasn't easy. 'This tennis idea had been swirling around my head for years…publishers would say, oh if it was cricket or swimming maybe…but not tennis.

For me it was never about writing a sports book, I wanted to write a book about sisters who had the same job! As a fiction writer when you've written
about actresses, photographers, librarians and naturopaths etc, you get to a point where you think, ok what job can I give my characters?' Lisa said.

Lisa's faith in her story never wavered and its recent success with US publisher Wings ePress has proven she was onto a winner, all along, game, set and match! 'It had been sitting in my cupboard for years, and a friend and fellow author had a contract with a US publisher… she suggested I try them, and I agreed. What have I got to lose?' Lisa said.

An occasional tennis player but by no means a tennis expert, for Lisa delving into the lives of Andre Agassi and the Williams sisters for research was the best part. The Pact goes behind the scenes of the professional tennis world, showcasing the pressure and the paparazzi that comes with competing at a global level.

It also deals with poignant themes, including the disappearance of the sisters' mother when Samantha was 13 years old, and how they each handled her absence differently.

 

The Pact Synopsis

Samantha and Annie Callahan are successful doubles champions - the toast of the Olympics, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadow.  But their partnership spirals out of control when Anni's new boyfriend announces their engagement at the Australian Open. Amidst rising anger and betrayal, Samantha does the unthinkable after a devastating Wimbledon loss.  The sisters must confront the past to take control of the present.  But can Samantha and Annie both win?

 

Lisa Darcy's book The Pact can be found here.

 

LISA DARCY

Born in Melbourne, Lisa spent her youth moving around due to her father's role in the Royal Australian Air Force, including four years living in Malaysia.
The family moved back to Brisbane, Australia, where Lisa finished high school and studied journalism at university. After completing her degree, she relocated to Sydney where she worked as an Acquisitions Editor at publishing house, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich (HBJ) and then as a journalist with
Australian Consolidated Press, writing for Practical Parenting and Bride to Be. Lisa published several novels with Allen & Unwin, Australia, and her seventh novel, Lily's Little Flower Shop was published by Bloodhound Books UK in 2021, followed by My Big Greek Holiday and Should You Keep
A Secret? in 2022. A creative writing teacher, Lisa also presents workshops, and has been on panels and facilitated workshops at RWA conferences, GenreCon, Sydney Writers' Festival, and many regional and international writers' festivals, including Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad, India. The Pact is Lisa's eighth book.

When my author asked me to change my name - Lisa Darcy