Galaxies & Oceans

  • Good Morning Monday and a Galaxies and Oceans Excerpt!!

    Apologies for missing my post last week. I was driving all day and had no way to post anything. So I’m making it up to you by posting an excerpt this week 🙂

    It’s just ONE WEEK until release day and I’m super excited! I can’t wait for you all to meet Patrick and Aubrey. They’re some special characters and their story stems from grief and learning how to live after loss. It has more angst than normal for me, but it is the story they needed told and I learned a long time ago not to argue with characters. 😉

    Okay, so I won’t keep you waiting any longer. This little excerpt is from Aubrey’s POV, and Patrick’s invited him over for dinner.

    EXCERPT 

    Aubrey POV

    Patrick had put out two bowls of minestrone-style soup and what looked like home-baked bread. “Do you make your own bread?” I asked.

    Patrick sat down quietly opposite me. “Only when I make soup.”

    “Well, this looks incredible.” It really did. Being cold and hungry, it didn’t get any better than homemade soup and bread. I tasted a small spoonful of the soup. “Okay, wow.”

    He finally smiled and relaxed. “Thanks.”

    “You’re a really good cook.”

    “Just for the homely stuff. I’m not much good at that fancy kind of cooking.”

    “This,” I gestured to the food he’d put on the table, “is better than any of that fine dining crap I’ve ever had.”

    He had some soup and a mouthful of bread and pretended like it was no big deal when he asked, “Eat a lot of fine dining food?”

    Oh crap. “Uh, yeah. A lifetime ago.”

    He nodded thoughtfully and tucked that little sliver of information away before he changed the subject. “So, about old Frank’s garden, need a hand with it tomorrow? I have a mattock you could borrow. That soil’s going to be like concrete.”

    “Nah, the soil’s okay, but I could use a hand lifting one of the old washing machines. It’s one of those real old types, and it weighs a tonne.”

    “Sure thing. After lunch okay?”

    “Perfect. I don’t know what’s wrong with it. He just said it hasn’t worked in years.”

    “Like most things there, I suppose.” He smiled. “Frank’s a funny old guy.”

    “He is. I think he pretends to be cranky so people leave him alone, but he’s not really.” I bit into the homemade bread and proceeded to moan like a bad porno. “Oh my God, this is so good.”

    Patrick stared at me with darkened eyes before he looked at his bowl and shifted in his seat. “It’s been a long time since I’ve cooked for anyone.”

    I tucked that little bit of information away, tit for tat. I could have asked why or how long, but we had some kind of agreement not to push for information. “Well, they don’t know what they’re missing out on,” I said, instead. Then, for reasons I’ll never know, I followed up with, “Because this is better than sex.”

    His gaze shot to mine, heated and all too brief. He swallowed thickly, and his tongue swept across his bottom lip. “I don’t think it’s quite that good.”

    I took another spoonful of soup, surprised my hand didn’t shake. “Well, it’s been a long time in that regard too.”

    His voice was husky and barely above a whisper. “Or maybe you just weren’t doing it right.”

    And like a bolt of lightning that earths too close to home, memories of Anton doing unwanted things to me flashed through my mind. My stomach squeezed and I swallowed down the urge to vomit. Hoping Patrick couldn’t see the change in me, I picked up the bread. “So maybe my memory’s a little fuzzy, but this bread is delicious.”

    He put his spoon down and frowned, and I knew that whatever emotions flittered across my face didn’t go unnoticed. “You don’t have to tell me anything, but I assume whatever happened to you wasn’t good.”

    I put my spoon down as quietly as I could and put my hands in my lap. I couldn’t bring myself to speak, so I gave him a small nod of my head. This game of tit for tat had swayed in his favour, I’d given him more information than I’d meant to, and I felt off-kilter because of it. There was something about Patrick that made me want to tell him everything. I wanted to crawl into his lap where he’d keep me safe, he’d rock me back and forth with my head on his chest, and I’d tell him all my secrets, then he’d say magical words that would fix the mess my life had become.

    “I don’t know what brought you to Hadley or why you chose to come here,” he said. “But I have a feeling you’ve come to the right place.” I looked into his eyes then, not sure what to say to that, and found his eyes were glassy. “The knots we get ourselves tied into,” he murmured, “seem to unravel here.”

    “Did it work for you?” I asked.

    He stared right back at me like he wasn’t sure if he should tell me the truth, if this game of tit for tat was worth the heartache. “Two weeks ago, I would’ve said no. But now, I’m not so sure.”

     

    Just a reminder that G&O will be out June 25th and will be exclusive to Amazon/KU. I’ll post links as soon as it goes live. <3


    Very brief WIP update:  Word count is now at 25K. I *think* I have a title but I’m still not sure. I’m keeping this one close at the moment because I’m nervous about it and not sure I’ll do it justice. I have a lot of research to do while writing it, but also after. Then I’ll need to send it off to people who can read/check/fix it.  I am still hopeful for a release in October.

    And speaking of October… I am attending GRL this year. I can’t remember if I’ve announced that, but yes, airfares have been booked and paid for. I’ll talk more of it as it gets closer but please know I will not be taking pre-orders for paperbacks, and I will not be able to sell them there (tax reasons).  If you want me to sign any books, please bring them!!  I will have swag and fun stuff, and I’m happy to sign anything (except blank cheques LOL) but I can’t bring or sell books there.

    I’ll be back next Monday with buy links for Galaxies and Oceans!!

    Until then…

    <3

  • Good Morning Monday ~ Galaxies and Oceans Cover and Blurb Reveal!

    So it’s that time again… One month until release day!  Yes, that’s right! Galaxies and Oceans will be out June 25th!

    So I better show you guys the cover and blurb, right? 😉

    This amazing cover was made by Lou Harper. It was a premade cover – and you all know how much I love premade covers LOL!  I saw this cover over a year ago, loved it, but didn’t buy it. Then I stumbled across it six months later and it was still there. It was like it was just waiting for me to come back for it! It was fate. LOL  And the best part for me, is then being able to write a story that’s moulded by what the cover inspires. And so, Aubrey and Patrick’s story was born…

    Blurb:

    Seizing his one chance to escape, Ethan Hosking leaves his violent ex-boyfriend, leaves his entire life, and walks into the path of a raging bushfire. Desperate to start over, a new man named Aubrey Hobbs walks out of the fire-ravaged forest, alive and alone. With no ID and no money, nothing but his grandfather’s telescope, he goes where the Southern Cross leads him.
    Patrick Carney is the resident lighthouse keeper in Hadley Cove, a small town on the remote Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. After the tragic death of his lover four years ago, he lives a solitary life; just him, a tabby cat, the Indian and Southern Oceans, and a whole lot of loneliness. He’s content with his life until a stranger shows up in town and turns Patrick’s head.
    Patrick never expected to be interested in anyone else.
    Aubrey never expected to be happy.
    Between Aubrey’s love of the stars and Patrick’s love of the ocean, these two fragile hearts must navigate new waters. If they can weather the storm of their pasts, they could very well have a love that eclipses everything.
    <3
    So write down the date! June 25th!  There won’t be pre-orders, and it will be exclusive to KU.

    WIP news

    The first draft of Private Charter is now complete!! It’s basically 65K words of sun, sailing, sand, swimming and sex. I’m not even kidding. I’m sure there’s more plot in there somewhere but for the most part, it’s all about those five S words. It’s not very often I write something that’s mostly driven by sex, but these boys weren’t having it any other way. I will make no apologies LOL


    Audio news

    Spencer Cohen Book Three is OUT NOW!!  You can find it at Audible or Amazon or Tantor!


    Translation News : Italian

    Thomas Elkin Elements of Retrofit is now in Italian! I’ve waited five years for these boys to be translated, so I’m VERY happy!

    You can find it at Amazon and at Triskell!


    Okay, so if that’s not enough for one week, I don’t know what is. LOL

    See you all next Monday!! <3

  • Good Morning Monday! How on earth is it April already??

    I hope everyone had a great Easter, if you celebrate it. If not, I hope you enjoy the discounted chocolate that’s in every store afterwards 🙂

    It was another super busy week! I got some feedback and proofing edits for Evolved, which was incredibly fast. And all my proofers have LOVED it, so that makes me feel so much better about it. It’s always daunting to get that first feedback…

    In case you missed the cover reveal last week, here it is again!

    Blurb:

    In 2068, androids are an integrated part of human life. Big Brother no longer just watches from the shadows. It’s in every household.

    Lloyd Salter has OCD issues with noise, mess, and he’s uncomfortable with human interaction. When his ex claimed the only thing perfect enough to live up to his standards was an android, Lloyd dismissed it. But two years later, after much self-assessment, he thinks he may have been right.

    SATinc is the largest manufacturer of androids in Australia, including the Fully Compatible Units known as an A-Class 10. Their latest design is the Synthetic Human Android UNit, otherwise known as SHAUN.

    Shaun is compatible to Lloyd’s every need; the perfect fit on an intellectual and physical basis. But Lloyd soon realises Shaun’s not like other A-Class androids. He learns. He adapts. Sure that SATinc is aware Shaun functions outside of his programmed parameters, Lloyd must find a way to keep Shaun safe.

    No one can know how special Shaun is. No one can know he’s evolved.

    I certainly can’t wait for the world to meet Shaun!!! <3


    I’ve also trudged through the first read-through of the first draft of Galaxies & Oceans, and have sent it off to some beta-readers. I think the timing might be a little off in the first part of the book so I’m asking for some second opinions.

    It’s currently 86K words and I’m still hoping to have it out in June! I found this pic online and I just love it – it’s kinda perfect for Patrick and Aubrey <3


    In exciting news, I’m hoping to start my newest book this week – well, notes at least. Maybe a chapter or two.  I found a cover online that sparked a rabid little plot bunny and despite not being on my writing schedule, these are the characters currently talking to me, so they get to go next 🙂

    It will be called Private Charter. I’m not expecting it to be overly long, maybe 40K? But I’ve said that before 😉  It will be hot and steamy, and I can’t wait to start it!


    Oh, and in audio news, BREAKING POINT (Book 2 in the Turning Point Series) should be out very soon!! I’ll post the buy link as soon as it hits! I’ve heard the proof and all I can say is Sean Crisden freakin’ NAILS his portrayal of Matt. Oh boy… So good!

    And SPENCER COHEN BOOK 2 is up for pre-order and will be out April 10th!!! And as always, Joel does a stellar job! His interpretation of Spencer is utter perfection!


    So, that’s it for this week!! Next week I will be in Sydney for the Sydney Author Event. I’m not an attending author, but I will be there to help the very lovely Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine <3  But I will hope to do my Monday post… it might be a little late though. There should be photos though!! I can’t wait!

    Until then! <3

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