Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, where I share snippets from new and past releases and works-in-progress, and love to tempt author buddies into doing the same.

Well, a brilliant time was had by all at last Sunday’s Australian Romance Reader Association booksigning in Sydney. There were lots of new reader faces and plenty of familiar ones, as well as author friends new and old. I had so much fun. My voice is a bit hoarse from all the chatting though. If I get the chance, I’ll make up a blog post of the photos to give you a bit of insight into the event.

On to what we’re here for: some teasing!

This week I’m delighted to host another author for you. She’s a Hunter Valley local too, which means she’s extra special. We don’t just produce beautiful wines in the region, we nurture wonderful writers too.

Ann B Harrison writes Aussie rural and USA-set cowboy romances. Make that LOTS of cowboy romances. You’ll be hard-pressed to run out of backlist to read with this lovely lady. Her heroines are strong, her heroes sexy, and you know you’re in for a punchy, emotional read when you pick up one of Ann’s books.

Ann’s latest release is The Convenient Cowboy. Here she is to tell you a little about it and share a tasty teaser.

 

Nate Hansen desperately needs a reboot to his playboy image that doesn’t involve women, drinking and fighting. Rehabilitation and building a solid future proves elusive as he can’t land a permanent job until someone mentions local widow Joy Mitchell who’s advertising a full-time ranch job. Perfect.

Joy Mitchell is desperate for a ranch hand to help keep her dead husband’s legacy alive out of the greedy grasp of her manipulative father-in-law. Nate’s reputation precedes him, none of it good, but the ranch is running on empty, and Joy make the hard choice. Problem is the job she’s offering isn’t exactly what Nate had planned. 

Nate knows what it’s like to lose everything, but seriously, become a mail-order groom? But Joy won’t or can’t compromise.

 

“Mrs. Mitchell? I’ve come about the job.”

Joy stared at the man on her doorstep. Someone had to be playing a joke on her. This cowboy was nothing like the other applicants. He looked familiar but her frazzled and over tired mind couldn’t put a  name to his face. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“Someone told me you had a job going. I’m in need of employment. I’d prefer permanent but if you only have casual work, I’ll take that too.” He looked down at Toby clinging to her leg and smiled. “Cute, aint he? Anyways, as I was saying – I’m looking for work and I’m pretty sure that Kurt Whistler will give me a reference. Been filling in there for one of his men.”

“Did Kurt tell you what the job was?” Joy swallowed. Nobody had applied in person before and she had to hold down the wave of doubt and embarrassment that had pushed her to this point.

“No, ma’am, but I’m sure I’m up to the task.”

Oh, he so was. Tall dark and handsome didn’t quite sound good enough for the cowboy that stood at her door. He had nervous energy running through him that would worry most people, almost like a caged mountain lion who’d had a bad week hunting.

She was too desperate to be picky and the two others that had applied already for the job didn’t have the least bit of appeal to them. Not that she’d seen them face to face, nor did she want to. They’d applied by mail via the newspaper office where she’d placed the advertisement. The first applicant was too old to even consider. She’d be the one looking after him if his age was anything to go by. The other gentleman was looking for his fifth wife and Joy didn’t intend that to be her. Last thing she wanted was a fortune hunter and that greasy suck up letter had oozed its writers character from the smell of cheap aftershave he’d drenched the envelope in to the flowery words he’d used.

She needed a hardworking cowboy that would take care of her and her son. Not someone who’d get a ring on her finger, a foot in the door and an attitude that screamed ‘takeover in progress.’ The man standing before her was used to working. His hands were calloused, his jeans worn and his boots dusty and in need of re-heeling. Even his hat had a work worn battered image to it.

“What’s your name, cowboy?” Toby put his arms around her leg, leaving jelly marks from his sticky fingers on the worn denim. Some clean up job that’d been.

“Nate Hansen.”

Oh heck! No wonder she thought she recognized him. Big sister Cassie had fallen for the love ‘em and leave ‘em man last fall and she’d pointed him out in the street once. He’d broken her heart and she still bemoaned how he was perfect for her. Seemed he didn’t agree as they never got past the third date.

“Seems your reputation precedes you. Not sure I’m willing to employ someone who cares more about drinking, fighting and flirting with every lady in town. I need someone who’s prepared to work an honest day’s work, not play.”

He looked down at his feet and sighed before meeting her gaze. “Mrs. Mitchell, give me a chance. I’ve been doing my best to mend my ways, to make a go of it ever since my grandpa died. I know my reputation and I’m doing everything I can to move on from that, I promise. My brother Jethro is running the ranch and there ain’t enough work for all of us. But if you want references, I know there’re people who’ll give you one, tell you how hard I work.”

“But what have you done long term, other than drink and fight?” And break girls hearts.

“Guess you got me there. Only work around has been short term, you  know. That’s why I’m keen to take on something I can sink my teeth into, something permanent where I can make my mark. If you’ll give me a chance, I’ll prove to you that I’m a good risk. I’ve changed. Ask my brother or his lawyer if you like. I know she’ll vouch for me too.”

“Who’s his lawyer?” It was so tempting to take him on but something still niggled in the back of her mind. Could she trust him after what he did to her sister?

“Sadie St. Martin and Layla Watson.”

Joy swallowed  back her relief. Her lawyer and the lady who wrote up Bradley’s will when he found out he was going to die. “I know them.”

“Great, so you’ll call and at least get a character reference then?”

Joy gripped her son’s hand and lifted him up onto her hip, ignoring the sticky jelly fingers as he clutched her shirt. Toby tucked his head into her neck and watched the stranger at the door. “I guess I can do that.”

“So, what’s the job then?”

“I need a husband, Mr. Hansen. And I don’t have much time left to choose one.”

 

Wowsers!! Now how was that for a hook-me ending to Ann’s teaser?

You want this book, oh yes you do! Find out what happens between Nate and Joy by grabbing a copy of The Convenient Cowboy right now from these stores:

 

Amazon.com | Amazon.au | Amazon.uk

iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Barnes & Noble

If you’d like to learn more about Ann and her books, please visit her website. You can also connect via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using @AnnBHarrison. And don’t forget to follow her on Bookbub to get notifications of more deals and news.

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, where I share snippets from new and past releases and works-in-progress, and sometimes con author buddies into doing the same.

Well, so much for Teaser Tuesday being occasional! This year, to make more room for writing, I’d planned to maybe post once or twice a month, yet here we are again with another fab, fun post from a lovely author friend. I’m not complaining, and I’m sure you’re not either because we’ve be treated to some wonderful teasers and some exciting giveaways, and we’ve loved how you’ve joined in. It’s very cheering.

God knows I’ve needed a bit of cheering up. I had a small biopsy operation last week that was supposed to be all very easy and painless, leaving me with a teensy-tiny snick in my throat where they entered for a dig-around. Yes, well, it was neither snick-like nor painless. Instead I ended up with a 4cm cut tied up with stitches that pulled every time I moved my neck, made sleeping more than a little difficult and left me feeling a tad sorry for myself.

Urk. Enough of that. I’m recovering nicely and it’s time for happy things, like this week’s guest!

I’m delighted to host Juanita Kees on the blog again. Many of you will know Juanita from her Wongan Creek books, a hugely successful rural suspense series, as well as her small-town USA stories featuring the Calhoun Customs Garage.

Juanita is here to tell you about the newest in the Wongan Creek series – Shadows Over Wongan Creek. I know you’re going to love this one, so read on. Oh, and make sure you pay attention because there could be another GIVEAWAY!

A big thank you to Cathryn for hosting me today. I hope you’ll enjoy this little teaser from Shadows Over Wongan Creek. Released earlier this month, book 3 in the Wongan Creek series reunites old friends, Kieran and Fenella. Like most small towns, everyone knows each other, so if you’ve read books 1 and 2, you’ll run into some of the usual loveable locals, like dear old Harry, Travis Bailey and Mrs Turner. What I’d love to know from you at the end of this post, is what is your choice in wine and where is your favourite wine region? Mine is the beautiful Southwest region in and around Margaret River in Western Australia. Now to the teaser:

Kieran arrives back in town looking for a fresh start for himself and his young son, Liam, but what he finds is Fen in a world of trouble with danger dogging her every step.

In this scene, Fen is hosting a wedding at The Cranky Lizard winery when her past rises to threaten everything she holds dear. Shaken, she tries to keep the truth from Kieran, but one touch has her reaching for him instead.

‘Fen.’ His voice was quiet in the room. ‘Look at me.’

She shook her head, not trusting her voice because the tightness in her throat would have her choking on her words. Gentle hands settled on her shoulders and turned her around. She kept her gaze on the floor. How much longer could she keep fighting the demons, real and emotional, so determined to consume her?

He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her, holding her against the unsteady beat of his heart. She put her hands to his chest, meant them to be a barrier, but no real barrier at all, because the feel of Kieran under her hands made her want to finish what she’d started right here in this poorly lit room all those years ago. To sink into his kiss, his body and everything he personified and push away the real world that snapped at her heels.

He tipped up her chin, his gaze holding hers in the dim light of the storeroom. A flicker of something she couldn’t read in the shadows cast by that light, and then his head blocked out what was left of it, and she met him half way.

The minute his lips touched hers, she was lost in his taste, a flavour she remembered every time she thought of him, but different. Newer, fresher, better. Too good. His hands cupped her face, the thumbs — rough from hard work — rubbing against her jaw, creating a hunger far more desperate than she remembered.

Kieran explored at his own pace and created a fire in her that would take more than a cold shower to cool it. She returned each nip and tease, her hands slipping from his chest and tracing a path to his hips, his body hard, muscled and toned under her palms.

His hands tangled in her hair and drew her closer, deepening the kiss until she melted against him, into him, forgetting all the reasons she shouldn’t. He whispered her name against her lips, before releasing her mouth and holding her head against his chest, their hearts beating erratically out of rhythm with each other, bodies radiating warmth off one another, the world outside the storeroom forgotten.

She should stop this before she lost herself in him again, make him go. Make him take Liam far away from the shitstorm to come, from the danger Luke and his damned brotherhood presented. From the mess she’d made of her life and the nightmares she couldn’t escape.

Oooh! There’s nothing like a kiss to ratchet up the drama, and it sounds like Wongan Creek is in for a lot of it. Find out what happens with your very own copy of Shadows Over Wongan Creek. Grab yours today from these stores:

Amazon.com | Amazon.au | Amazon.uk

Kobo | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Google Play

Prefer to read a series in order? You’re in luck because the first two books in the Wongan Creek series are on sale from March 15^th until April 15^th for only 99c. What a bargain!

Grab your copies here:

Secrets at Wongan Creek

Amazon.com | Amazon.au | Amazon.uk | Kobo | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Google Play

Whispers at Wongan Creek

Amazon.com | Amazon.au | Amazon.uk | Kobo | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Google Play

Now, as we hinted at in the intro, there’s a…

GIVEAWAY!

Simply share your favourite wine or wine region in the comments and we’ll pop you into the draw to win an ebook copy of Shadows Over Wongan Creek, thanks to Escape Publishing.

Being from south-east South Australia, I’m always going to be partial to wines from Coonawarra, Wrattonbully and Padthaway, but I’ve also been hugely impressed by some of the wines being produced around my home town of Mount Gambier, especially the Kongorong area to the south. I’ve had some REALLY good rieslings from there and a tasty chardonnay. Must try some reds next time I’m home.

What about you? What’s your favourite wine or wine region? Share and we’ll pop you into the draw.

Please note: Giveaway closes midnight, Australian Eastern Daylight Time, Sunday 24^th March 2019. Open worldwide.

Juanita loves to hear from readers! Get in contact via her website, Facebook or Twitter, and make sure you follow her on Bookbub so you don’t miss out on any deals.

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, where I share snippets from new and past releases and works-in-progress, and occasionally twist the arms of author buddies to do the same.

Did you enjoy last week’s visit from Jennie Jones? That was fun, and we loved your wonderful airport stories. I hope you’re in another sharing mood this week because, my little darlings, we have another guest and another giveaway. Whoop!

But first, news from the Hein house.

After much tweaking and several moments of brain hurtiness caused by maths calculations (you’ll understand when you read it), I finished the second draft of Eddie and the Show Queen. Now it’s time to move on to stage three of my process: the full read-through. This is kind of scary because it’s looking at the big stuff. Things like characterisation and story flow that can lead to whole lot of rewriting or just more tweaks. As you can imagine, I’m hoping for the latter.

Enough of scary things, let’s get onto the fun stuff.

Today’s guest is a blog regular and an author I know you all adore. Fiona McArthur writes gorgeous rural romances, medical dramas and women’s fiction. You’ll also know her from Holly’s Heart which was book 4 in our hugely successful Outback Brides series (my Elsa’s Stand was book 3) and a beautiful story that really tugged those heartstrings.

Well, our brides are going from strength to strength and this month sees the launch of a second series – Outback Brides of Wirralong – and this time Fiona’s in the lead with her new release Lacey.

Here’s Fiona to tell you a little about Lacey and to share a snippet. Make sure you read until the end. We wouldn’t want you to miss out on your giveaway chance!

blamk

Thanks so much for having me, Cathryn, and it’s such a fun thing to be introducing “Series 2 of The Outback Brides Of Wirralong,” tada!! Especially after all the crazy reader love of the first series. We were all so excited that Wirralong proved to be a fun place for readers.

Last series started with Maggie, Belle, and right after your gorgeous ELSA, finished with Holly. It was at Holly’s wedding that my new book starts. LACEY and Cameron have been on opposite paths but still magnetically attracted. And fighting it.

Lacey was celebrating her freedom finally from a disastrous secret marriage and Cameron just couldn’t seem to look anywhere else than at Lacey. She seemed so different tonight…

Ahem. And that was that.

Blank

It was just because he’d had fantasies. About her. For what felt like a year, but it had only been months.

Why was she so different to any other lovely lady he’d danced with? His hand drifted down the shimmery fabric on her back. ‘I love your dress,’ Cam murmured.

She twirled in his arms and laughed up at him. Her eyes dark pools of promise? ‘A present to myself to celebrate. Wicked, eh?’

‘As sin,’ he said huskily and pulled her closer into his arms, still grappling with this new Lacey, and wondered what she was celebrating. Wondered more if he could join the celebrations.

She filled his senses like a potent wine and, while there was so much about her behaviour that baffled him, he wanted to protect this fragile bubble of make-believe because he knew she would slip through his fingers and disappear tomorrow like Cinderella.

When the wedding party left and the guests drifted toward the gate, he looked at the clock with indecision. He felt like a randy sixteen-year-old and just as unsure of himself. Not the usual Cameron. He couldn’t let her go yet.

‘I’d rather this evening didn’t end, Lacey. Will you come home with me and stay the night?’ He gazed down at her and her eyes were like blazing jewels in her face, glittering as she stared up at him.

***

Lacey looked at the ridiculously sexy man standing there with that wicked promise in his eyes, asking her home after chatting her up all night.

Long-suppressed excitement fizzed and popped in her belly and her skin felt warm and wanton with the need for a good man’s touch. No strings. They both knew it was only one night.

She glanced at the strong masculine fingers reaching out to her. The small dark mole on Cameron’s wrist looked almost like a heart. She did have it bad if she was seeing cosmic signs.

Well, hadn’t this been a night of unexpected performances.

First the breaking of the obscurity she’d hidden behind, by standing up and playing her saxophone at a wedding—and yes, it had been confronting when she’d opened her eyes, but she still buzzed from the incredible joy of revelling in her music and seeing those who watched lost in it too. Seeing Cameron James drinking in the music like an addict.

And now, flirting with the bad-boy lawman who all the girls gossiped about. Was this some sort of post-divorce rebirth strategy? Maggie had said auspicious.

Step one. Play in public.

Step two. Get back in charge of her own sexuality with a man she’d fancied and banned herself from as a married woman.

Hell.

She was divorced.

BLANK

Ooh, now this sounds sex-citing! I bet you’re now as hungry as I am to read the full story. Satisfy that hunger immediately with an ebook download from these stores:

blank

Amazon.com | Amazon.au | Amazon.uk

Kobo | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Google Play

blank

As we teased earlier, here’s the…

GIVEAWAY!

Here’s Fiona again to tell you about it.

I love that Lacey makes Cameron totally unsure of himself – not like the confident swooner that he normally portrays. I hope you enjoy ‘Lacey and Cameron’s story’ and I’d love to offer an ebook version (or print book for Oz readers if they prefer) for your thoughts on secret baby books. Not what Cameron and Lacey expected.

Warmest regards xx Fi

blank

So, my lovelies, we’re talking secret babies. Have you come across this trope before? What did you think? Can you recommend some secret baby titles for those who haven’t tried it or are looking for more?

Share your thoughts and we’ll pop you into the draw for an ebook download of Outback Brides of Wirralong: Lacey. Or, if you’re an Australian reader, you have the choice of ebook or print.

Please note: Giveaway closes midnight Sunday 17th March 2019, Australian Eastern Daylight Time. Ebook giveaway open worldwide. Choice of paperback giveaway available for Australian postal addresses only.

If you’d like to learn more about Fiona and her books, please visit her website. You can also connect via Facebook.

Blank

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the series where I share snippets from new and past releases, and works-in-progress and occasionally twist the arms of author buddies to do the same.

I hope you’re excited, my lovelies, because today we have a guest author and she’s offering a GIVEAWAY.

But first, news from the Hein house. I’ve finished the first draft of Eddie and the Show Queen. RAH! Still a long way to go but the hard work of getting the story down is finally done. My next task is to consult my list of ‘things to fix’ and set about fixing them. It’s quite long and will likely take a while, and thanks to my ongoing health dramas I’m still not confident of setting a release date yet. We’re getting closer to one though, so stay tuned!

Speaking of staying tuned, you’ll want to sit up now because it’s time to welcome our guest Jennie Jones.

I’m sure you all know Jennie from her previous visits to Teaser Tuesday and general best-seller stardom, just as I’m sure you gobble up her small-town and rural romances because they’re FABULOUS. Jennie’s books are full of what we adore – love, laughter and life. Settling down with one is like settling down with a good friend.

Jennie has a new book out this month: Lone Star Protector, book two in the fun and romantic Calamity Valley series. She’s here today to tell you a little about it and to tease you with a snippet. Think larger than life characters, humour and a gorgeous happy ever after. Plus, for the eagle-eyed, there’s a chance to win a paperback copy of Lone Star Protector.

Read on!

It’s always a pleasure to be on Teaser Tuesday with Cathryn! I’d like to introduce my latest Texas-set romance Lone Star Protector (just released) which is book #2 in the Calamity Valley series – fun and romantic tales of three cousins returning home to their country towns in order to find some solace and each getting more than they bargained for.

In this little excerpt, Mark and Lauren have just met for the first time at LAX airport where they’ve been delayed. Lauren is keeping her identity secret and intends to remain incognito, but Mark knows who she is and since he’s being blackmailed into keeping an eye on her, is not about to tell her who he is! So, for different reasons, they enter into what they both think is a playful, flirtatious banter – pretending to be someone else until their grounded flights take off. But when the sun rises on the next day they’ll meet again, under very different circumstances…

blank

Mark turned on his seat. “Since we’ve got so much time on our hands, why don’t we pretend we’re heading somewhere else? Where would you like to go, Miss—” He let the question hang in the air.

“Scarlet Juliette Barrett-Bernard.”

He managed to hold on to his laugh. “How do you do, Miss Barrett-Bernard? Pleasure to meet you. Danton Alexandre Dubois.”

“French?” she asked, eyes wide.

“On my grandmother’s side.” Not strictly true, but close enough for his use. Granny Dubois had been an Idaho backcountry logger. Came from Quebec pioneer stock and followed in her granddaddy Dubois’s footsteps, running the family firm until she was forced to retire at the age of eighty-three due to arthritis and an inability to swing the axe or type out an invoice. And he wasn’t making that up. He had fond memories of visiting her as a kid.

“You’re not nobility in disguise, are you?” Lauren—Scarlet—asked, with a wry lift of her eyebrow.

Her eyes were mesmerizing. Moss green; dark and inviting. She made him feel like he was sitting in the lobby of some grand old hotel, surrounded by the peace and coolness of potted palms and the water music of a courtyard fountain.

She wasn’t his type at all. He loathed potted palms and teacups with dainty handles a guy couldn’t get his thumb around.

“Shall we pretend we are chic aristocrats from Europe?” he suggested. She’d find out soon enough that he wasn’t Danton Alexandre Dubois.

She gave a little shrug. “Why not.”

He could use this opportunity and gain more intel on what the Mackillop women had in mind to deter Donaldson’s salesmen who wanted to buy the valley land. As soon as he had that information, this whole business would be finished and he could get back to doing what he did best—living life his way. The casual, take-it-as-it-happens way instead of the constant looking-over-his-shoulder-due-to-being-blackmailed-by-Donaldson way.

“Nice to meet you.” He swiveled on the chair and held out his hand.

As she slid hers into his, her skin soft and cool, something fizzed, deep in his gut. 

“Let’s pretend we’re off to Paris,” he said, needing to keep the camaraderie going. “What’s the first thing you want to do when you get there?”

“Stroll down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.” There was a wave of warmth in her voice and she’d answered without hesitation.

“Sounds good.” He settled further into the hard seat. “Can I join you? I’ll buy the coffee when we get to the Arc de Triomphe.” It earned him a glance, and a smile, and small though it was, he was rewarded by its value. He had a feeling she hadn’t cracked a grin in a long time, and her response pierced him in his most vulnerable part—the heart.

“Want to go someplace more comfortable?” he said. “One of the lounges?”

“They’re VIP.”

“I pre-purchased a priority pass. I’m pretty sure I can take a guest, or persuade them…”

 “Thank you, Mr. Dubois. A decent place to sit and relax would be welcome.”

He smiled, and stood. “It’s Danton. Let’s go, Scarlet. We’ve got memories to share from our trip to Paris and only three hours in which to make them.”

blank

Ooh, I’m intrigued, and I bet you are too, but we’ll have to grab the book if we want to know how these two fare the morning after, and you can do that right here:

blank

Amazon.com | Amazon.au | Amazon.uk

Kobo | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Google Play

blank

Now, as mentioned, there just happens to be a…

GIVEAWAY!

As usual, we’re going to make you work for your chance. To be in the draw to win a paperback copy of Lone Star Protector simply share in the comments your favourite airport. It doesn’t have to be one you’ve visited – not everyone’s a frequent flyer or even a flyer at all. It could be the one you’d most love to land at or transit through.

Airports aren’t usually favourite places, are they? Mostly they’re messy, noisy and full of overpriced shops and food stalls. So I’m going to choose Newcastle Airport as my favourite, because it’s clean and quiet, and being there means I’m either off on an adventure or I’m coming home. Both nice things.

So cough up. What’s your favourite? Share and we’ll pop you into the draw for a paperback copy of Lone Star Protector.

Please note: Giveaway closes midnight Sunday 10^th March 2019, Australian Eastern Daylight Time. Australian postal addresses only.

If you’d like to learn more about Jennie and her books, please visit her website. You can also connect via Facebook and Twitter using @JennieJRomance.

blank