Tricia McGill-Australian Author: Sunday Snippets--Here's another snip from Leah in Love (and trouble) Beneath Southern Skies Book 3

5 July 2015

Sunday Snippets--Here's another snip from Leah in Love (and trouble) Beneath Southern Skies Book 3

Beneath Southern Skies- Contemporary Romance set in Australia. All three books in the series are on sale all through July. Just 99c each

Violet Amelia Connor, known to all as Leah, is a landscape designer who inherited her love of gardening from the eccentric aunt she lives with. Leah is contracted to work on the garden of Private Investigator Sean Russel and unwittingly becomes embroiled in the handsome PI’s cases. A series of unpleasant experiences land her in real trouble where she is kidnapped, bashed, bound and altogether becomes a party to such mayhem she is forced to wonder how she ever got mixed up in this mess. But her indomitable spirit, obstinate nature, and incurable sense of humor enable her to override all obstacles. And of course there is her overwhelming attraction for Sean Russel that started it all.

“Oh, I see. I guess a lawyer has to look clean-shaven and spick and span.”

“Lawyer?” Now his look clearly said I’d lost my marbles. “And what in heaven’s name is spick and span?”

“Haven’t you heard that expression? It means neat and tidy. I have an English aunt who uses phrases like that all the time.” Some not as clean. Aunt Eliza knew more swear words than any laborer.

“Oh, I see.” I don’t think he did for he still looked puzzled as he turned and strode away. Nice butt. In fact there wasn’t a lot about him that wasn’t good to look at. Shame about his grouchy disposition.

I glanced towards the gate in time to see the disreputable bloke hurry away. Should I tell Russel there was a weird man loitering about? Nah, perhaps the skinny creature liked the look of me, or just had nothing better to do with his time. I came across a lot of peculiar characters in my line of work—and most were honest.

When it was time to pack up for the day I looked towards the house. I don’t usually tell my clients I’m going so don’t know why I was even contemplating telling Russel. “In you get, Josh.” I shut the truck door after him and turned about. Sean Russel didn’t answer my first ring of the bell. I was about to turn and go when he opened the door.

“Yes?” He now wore a maroon chunky sweater. He looked hunkier than ever. My mouth began to water. And I felt very untidy in my dirt-stained jeans. At least my sweater, which I’d just donned over my work shirt, was clean, if not exactly elegant.

“Can I use your bathroom, please?” What on earth possessed me to ask that? I was desperate to see inside his house and that was the only excuse that sprang to mind.

He looked disconcerted, but opened the door wider. “It’s along there.” His finger pointed to the back of the hallway, so I trotted off over the highly polished wooden floor. The walls held an array of fine watercolors and through a door that was ajar I could just see a light beige leather four-seater sofa and masses of packed bookshelves. I like to read and was rather partial to men who loved books.

While I washed my grubby hands I contemplated how I could wangle my way to see the rest of the house. This might be the only chance I got. He didn’t seem to find me as fascinating as I found him. In fact, he seemed indifferent to me so I might as well grab the bull by the horns and have a look round now rather than expect an invitation in later.

I was drying my mitts and making a face at my reflection when I heard raised voices. Then it sounded like a scuffle. Good lord, what was happening?

".... Set in the gorgeous Mornington Peninsula of Australia, this suspenseful romance has it all - kidnappings, movie stars, car chases, past crimes, murders and improbable escapes! Yet, Trish McGill's witty dialogue and writing it from Leah's viewpoint with her quick caustic remarks carries it off very well. Eleanor Roosevelt once noted that women, like tea, only become stronger when placed in hot water and that certainly is the case for Leah! So, make up a brew, sit back and enjoy the ride!” Audrey Lawrence The Romance Studio