26 June 2016

Sunday Snips & Stuff--A sneak peek at Book 3 in my Challenge the Heart series

Kate's Dilemma is coming soon from Books We Love. 

"This is a wonderfully written love story.  This romantic situation takes place in Australia and the flavor of the dialogue is most captivating.  With each new sentence being spoken by the characters, I found myself caught in an enchanting whirlwind of hearing their charming voices.  It was an endearing quality which I enjoyed so much.  Tricia McGill has the precise recipe for romance and intrigue all within the pages of this expertly written novel."   Patti Oh  In The Library Reviews

What happens when two people who are both of the same mind—this being to steer well clear of emotional entanglements—are struck down by instant attraction.

Kate last met Liam when she was bridesmaid at her sister’s wedding. A gangly, uncertain fourteen year old, going through the painful problems associated with growing up, she took an instant dislike to Liam, who made fun of her. When her recently widowed sister talks her into reluctantly accompanying her to her brother-in-law’s home, which was built by its owner, architect Liam, Kate falls in love with the house and, unfortunately for her, finds that she soon has corresponding feelings for the man who owns it.
Meanwhile, Liam cannot believe that the tall, insecure teenager he met at his brother’s wedding years ago has blossomed into this beautiful, talented woman. His inbuilt antennae that had served him well, stood every chance of being annihilated if he didn’t watch out. 
This book was previously published as Look into Your Heart

Find out about the other books in this series here on my web page

19 June 2016

Sunday Snips & Stuff—A snip from When Fate Decides (Challenge the Heart Book 1)

When Fate Decides is currently on countdown at Amazon. It can be yours for just .99c US & UK Kindle: http://amzn.com/B01AR9FPSA

“More mature characters and a second chance at love are the themes of this book.  The age difference isn't the only obstacle Tessa and Jack will face:  Tessa--who has only been widowed for four months--has two grown children.  Not only will Tessa have to overcome her belief that no man could want her, she'll also have to deal with her son’s disapproval.  Despite the issues they'll have to deal with, the chemistry between them heats up the pages, making this a sensual yet sweet story.” Jennifer Bishop Romance Reviews Today

For too long Tessa has seen herself as plain and dowdy, just
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an ordinary suburban housewife. With her confidence eroded after being married to a bully who humiliated her at every opportunity, why wouldn’t she presume she was unattractive, and someone no man would find the least bit worth bothering with?
But now Tessa is a widow, and relishing her new state of independence. Her world is turned upside down by Jack Delaney, a man she spent hours fantasizing over when he worked for her husband. A man who gave her a deliciously secret outlet from her miserable marriage. When Jack enters her life again, professing he finds her attractive, why would she believe him? Especially as he is now wealthy, successful, still extremely handsome, and to add to that, years younger than her.
This book is dedicated to all the women out there who dream of having a man like Jack in their lives—and to those who are blessed by having one

“Mrs Browning. I don’t know if you remember me,” he said. Oh, how she remembered him, and that rich voice of his. “The name’s Jack Delaney. I did some work here a few years back for your husband.” When she continued to stare at him in shock, he added, “We built the games room and extra toilet and shower room.” He shrugged. “Another guy and me were here for a month or so? You’ve probably forgotten me.”

Forgotten him?

If there was one person Tessa would never be likely to forget, it was him. His voice sounded deeper, but still held that same undercurrent of sensuality that caused her toes to curl.

“I know it’s not exactly the done thing to turn up like this on your doorstep, but I’d like to speak to you about your late husband’s business.”

“Mr. Delaney,” Tessa managed to get out. “Of course I remember you.” Good grief, she was blushing like a schoolgirl; she just knew it. “Please come in.” She stepped aside, ushering him into the spacious hallway.

“Jack, please. I recall you called me that when we met last time.”

Tessa did her best to pull herself together as he smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. She guessed he still laughed easily. There was no guile in his expression. This part of him hadn’t changed.

“And you must call me Tessa. We don’t stand on ceremony around here.”

Not anymore. Des would have had a fit if one of his employees called her by her Christian name. But Des wasn’t here. That thought sent a dart of pleasure through her that was definitely wicked.

He wore a very conventional dark suit, and looked as if he’d just stepped out of a board meeting. Tessa recalled vividly how he looked in faded denim shorts, navy blue singlet, and work boots, which was what he’d worn when working here. She recalled too how she’d discreetly spent many hours watching him. Watched his sweat-streaked torso and arms as he toiled beneath the sun. Heat enveloped her as if she was back there, avidly spying on him from her kitchen window.

This thought sent Tessa hurtling back to days in midsummer. Thirty-five that year, and already highly disillusioned with her marriage, the entry of a good-looking young man into her boring existence added some much-needed spice to the dreary days. Jack gave her something to dream about. Heaven knows she’d needed dreams to replace the awful emptiness an unhappy marriage enveloped her in.

She was wearing an ordinary pale pink sundress of washed-out cotton on the day he turned up, looking like an Adonis, rugged and overwhelming. Her hair probably looked a sight too—pulled back in a ponytail, if she remembered correctly. He was so handsome, fit, and full of youthful vitality, that she felt flustered, self-conscious and downright awkward in his presence.

Forgotten him?

It was likely he was forever imprinted on her brain. His brown eyes haunted many of her night time dreams, and daytime fantasies. Jack Delaney, of the black curly hair, muscular body, and easy charm, with the strength and power to make her weak with wanting.

If he was good-looking ten years ago, he was superb now. His hair had been tamed—the curls not quite so unruly, although he still wore it fairly long. It reached his shoulders, whereas it used to be halfway down his back. He seemed larger, broader. Not many men towered over Tessa, but he did. Her height was the bane of her life. Des was always scathing about it, probably because he couldn’t look down his nose at her. Des liked people to feel beneath him. Had loved to talk down to people.

Eyes as dark as chocolate assessed her, and Tessa’s skin quivered beneath their warm scrutiny. He’d always possessed the power to make every nerve ending come alive, and hadn’t lost that power. It was unnerving to know he could still have this effect on her. Tessa wasn’t sure how to deal with this handsome fantasy from her past.

He held out a hand and she stared down at it, in the brief moment aware of his square-tipped fingers and clean nails. There was a dusting of black hairs on the back of his hand, and his white shirt cuff with its gold links contrasted vividly with skin darkened by long hours spent outside.

Tessa put her hand in his, every pulse going into overdrive as he gripped her fingers. It took an effort to drag her hand from his warm clasp. She was achingly aware that her skin was glowing, which had nothing to do with the heat in her house. A strange feeling she couldn’t put a name to was taking her over. No other man ever aroused such a feeling. Not since this one, ten years ago.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please take a moment to visit these blogs for more Sunday Snips & Stuff:
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12 June 2016

Sunday Snips & Stuff. A snip from Leah in Love (and trouble) This book can be yours for .99c in UK and US

Leah in Love (and trouble) Beneath Southern Skies Book 3 is on coundown for just .99 for the next few days. “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 4 HEARTS

Buy here
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.

Previously published as Shrinking Violet this book was a finalist in the Romance Writers of Australia’s Romantic Book of The Year in 2006.

“Hello,” I said, all friendly. He didn’t return my smile. Good grief, were all the men in this family serious? “Where’s your brother?” Nosy I know, but it was strange how he’d brought his car back, without Russel.

“Brother?” His look said I’d gone insane. Then it dawned on me.

“Oh, it’s you. You had your beard shaved off—but why, it suited you.” I bit my tongue. Should have done it sooner.

“I only grow it when I’m on holiday.” He shook his head and looked as if he wondered why he’d told me that.

“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? I shrugged. It was more than likely the TV I’d glimpsed through another door. But on second thoughts, it had been off. Russel must have turned it on.

Please take a moment to hop on over to these blogs for more Sunday Snips & Stuff from fantastic Books We Love authors:

http://mizging.blogspot.com (Ginger Simpson)
Amid The Stars is currently FREE at Amazon
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5 June 2016

Sunday Snips and Stuff--A brief meander through "Verses and Un-Rhyming Prose--A Motley collection by Tricia McGill".

I definitely don't consider myself a poet, but have at times in the past rambled on in an effort to come up with a few lines that sometimes rhyme, but more often than not, don't. Here are just a few:




Hope

I hope I’ll go back, I heard her say
I hope to return to my homeland one day
We all hope for things, both large and small
I hope that my kids grow up fine and tall
Gran hopes that she’ll die in her bed of old age
And I hope for peace in the world at some stage
I hope my son doesn’t get mixed up with drugs
or ever gets friendly with muggers or thugs
My daughter hopes Greg will ask for a date
and I hope he doesn’t bring her home late
I hope that my washing gets dry on the line
It will if the weather stays hot and fine
My husband hopes that the horses he backs
will race home like wildfire and eat up the tracks
We all hope to own our own house one day
and hope we won’t have a large mortgage to pay
Our aims and our dreams help keep faith alive
But hope, firm and strong, is what helps us survive.
*~~~~* 

How strange

The day I did a funny thing was on a Wednesday in spring
The sky above was dull and grey. It really was a dreary day
Men walked by and stared at me. I guess I was a sight to see
All decked out in purple clothes, 
spouting verses of unrhyming prose
A woman in a matching dress said, 
“What’s your name? No let me guess
It must be Maud or Jane or Jean. 
That’s about the oddest outfit I’ve ever seen.
Where did you get that pointed hat? 
And is that the skin of a tabby cat?”
“Oh no, it’s pure bred fox I think, or a rabbit’s pelt. 
It sure does stink!”
I’m not the type to be so seen to be bizarre, or so extreme
So perhaps it was the time of year 
that made me act so very queer.
*~~~~* 

You Came Along


My life was dull, my future stark and bare.
Days, weeks, stretched before me with nothing there.
But then you came along.
Not dashing in like some bold knight,
More like a gentle hint of summer, so good so right.
I’m glad you came along.
Dreams long buried were fulfilled by you.
You did not ask; I gave my heart, my soul too.
When you came along.
Your gentle touch, your sweet lover’s kiss,
Stole this autumn heart, taught me of bliss.
Please stay awhile.
The permanence sought by most
is something we may never know,
But my heart is yours, whichever way our paths may go.
*~~~~*
Please take a moment to pop over to these blogs for more Sunday Snips & Stuff from these fellow Books We Love Authors:

http://mizging.blogspot.com (Ginger Simpson)

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A Troubled Heart--pre-released

  Order now for January 24 release Unsure of his real past or name, Finn O’Connor thinks he was born in Ireland and taken from his mother as...