Dr Angela is an out of this world author

OBT Feature Client Story

Lockyer Valley GP, Psychologist and dog trainer, Dr Angela Ratcliff, has led a well-travelled life and equally interesting career and, whilst retirement marks the start of winding down for many, no such chance for Angela who will devote her full attention to her passion – writing novels. Thrillers, crime and sci-fi.

At the time of writing, Angela was about to embark on a stint as a medical locum in Far North Queensland. She is also working on her new crime series.

Becoming an author, Angela adopted the pen name A L McDonnell and has published three intergalactic novels in two years.

How she got started was out of this universe; one evening Angela spotted a UFO in Tasmania. When a local trawlerman assured her it was nothing out of the ordinary in the Bass Strait, it occurred to her that extra-terrestrial lifeforms might be watching the human race from outer space, and the idea of actually writing a book became a reality when Angela asked herself what she would do if a spaceship landed in one of her own paddocks!

Once the writing started, she couldn’t stop and Angela gave life to her heroine, Jemma Anderson.

Angela’s In Exile series features many local themes.

Angela says, “Odd experiences are often the norm in regional Australia, and I have often been fascinated by the way individuals spin yarns in pubs or around the campfire, turning ordinary events into something beyond this world and the many methods they claimed to have used to confront their bizarre encounters.”

Abandoned In Exile introduces Jemma Anderson, a Gold Coast research scientist who studies endangered animals and their environment on Springbrook Mountain. In her hide one night, an intense blue light floods the rainforest. Jemma flees and trips. Concussed, she is rescued by Sean Bellamy, but then discovers she is being stalked by her parents’ killer. Sean does his best to protect Jemma, but she is eventually abducted and, as a result, learns she is an alien refugee on Earth. In order to locate her, Sean uncovers an alien organisation that has been on Earth for centuries living within Springbrook Mountain.

In Stranded In Exile, the alien organisation known as the Inter-Planetary League moves Jemma and Sean forward in time 80 years. Earth is devasted by war and ravaged by other alien species that are up to no good. Sean is taken captive so Jemma mounts a rescue mission. They become stranded on the other side of the universe.

In Torn In Exile, Jemma and Sean have to find a way back to Earth but Jemma is accosted by people from her home planet ‘Anders Major’ who don’t want her to return because she is heiress to the planet’s ruler. There are multiple attacks back on Earth by rebels from Anders Major, so the IPL decides Jemma should return to Anders Major to solve the problem.

Whilst Angela has enjoyed a busy career in the Lockyer Valley, she has also written scientific pieces and articles for lifestyle magazines and, as a medical practitioner, has worked extensively throughout the outback which is home to some of life’s most colourful characters who have been her inspiration.

Angela’s advice is to do what you enjoy, “If you enjoy writing, do it — find a group and find other like-minded people around you.”

She came to OBT Financial Group to keep the regulatory and reporting side of her interests ticking over (BAS, tax and bookkeeping) however Angela and husband Barry have also enlisted OBT for help with business structuring and business planning.

We looked at several accountants and jelled with Brett and Rachel who share our sense of humour,” says Angela. “We’re really glad we came across OBT, especially through our difficult times.”

Readers and book groups can access Angela’s In Exile titles in print (on demand) from Amazon, Booktopia or Fishpond or as Kindle versions by searching on each title. You can also follow Angela on her Facebook author page or visit her website at https://almcdonnell.com/.

In retirement, Angela is reminded of a powerful message on a plaque in her office that says ‘You have to let go of what you plan in order to have what is meant to be’ which has become her mantra. She also recently found a diary that says ‘She believed she could, so she did’ — the very epitome of all Angela has achieved before retiring and we hope for a very long time to come!

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