• Welcome
  • My Blog
  • Purchase
  • About Me
  • Short Story
    • The Gypsy Casts a Spell
  • Romances
    • First Crush, Last Love
    • Venice in the Moonlight
    • Cera’s Place
  • Mysteries
    • The Great Jewel Robbery
    • Murder up to Bat
    • Killer Resolutions

Elizabeth McKenna

~ Author

Elizabeth McKenna

Tag Archives: Australia

Avarice & Charity – Sins of the Virtuous Book 3 by Faye Hall

21 Monday May 2018

Posted by Elizabeth McKenna - Author in Book Tour

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Australia, Historical, Romance

About the Book

Avarice & Charity – Sins of the Virtuous Book 3 by Faye Hall
Publication Date: May 21, 2018

Would you protect the one you love from relentless greed?

Avarice Licciardi worked for his father, Antonio – a greedy, loveless man who destroyed everyone in his way. When Avarice met Charity, a woman with fiery red hair and the touch of an angel, he discovered there was something he craved so much more than his father’s money. What he wanted was this woman.

When Antonio ordered his son to get the hidden papers in Charity’s estate, Avarice refused. That was until Antonio threatened to go get the papers himself. Knowing the brutality of his father, Avarice went to Charity’s estate, ready to protect her at all cost. When she invited him to stay with her, he hoped to find nights of endless passion. What he found was a hidden tunnel with incriminating mysteries far greater than hidden papers.

Charity Bohdan lived up to her name, giving her herbal medicinal treatments freely. What started off as patching up wounds soon took a very different direction when she was being called to treat young women who’d been brutally raped and left pregnant. She knew the risks involved with treating and re-homing these women, but until she could find the monster attacking them, she could see no other choice.

When Charity was called to treat a drunk’s wounded hand, she expected to find some elderly station hand. Who she met was Avarice. As she treated his wound, she couldn’t ignore just how handsome he was, or the feelings he stirred in her when their skin touched. The more time they spent together, talking of Irish legends and going on picnics, Charity could feel herself losing her heart to him.

Together Avarice and Charity are forced to uncover secrets from the past that sicken their souls as an evil, greedy man threatens to tear them apart in his search for the evidence hidden in the Bohdan estate.

About the Author

Come on a journey with me through 19th century North Queensland, Australia and explore the passions and hardships of unique characters.

There is corruption, deceit and murder as well as cattle rustlers, slave traders and hell fire clubs. Explore townships of Jarvisfield and Inkerman as well as Ravenswood and Bowen. One book even incorporates my great-grandmother’s cattle station, Inkerman Downs Station.

As well as an author, I am also the most spoilt wife in the world and a very contented mother.

Buy Links

Beachwalk Press

Amazon

iTunes

Kobo

Barnes & Noble

Social Media Links

Website: https://www.faye-hall.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faye-Hall/174774709247649

https://www.facebook.com/faye.hall.3363?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FayeHall79

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6882637.Faye_Hall

Tumblr: http://fayehallauthor.tumblr.com/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fayehall79/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fayehallauthor/

Flipagram: http://flipagram.com/fayehall79

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoS8vLrlO0XZT80xTuJnrkA/videos

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Meet Author Faye Hall

13 Saturday Jan 2018

Posted by Elizabeth McKenna - Author in Meet the Authors

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Australia, Authors, Erotica, Historical, Romance

Today I’m welcoming Faye Hall, author of steamy historical romances set in Australia. Thank you for stopping by, Faye!

All about Faye. . .

Faye Hall is a published author of Historical Erotic Romance novels and e-books.

Faye’s passion-driven, mystery-filled books are set in small townships of North Queensland, Australia during the late 1800s. Her novels bring something symbolically Australian to her readers, from Aboriginal herbal remedies, to certain gemstones naturally only found in this part of the world.

Her books tell of a passionate connection between the hero and heroine, surrounded and threatened by deceit, scandal, theft, and sometimes even murder.

These romances swerve from the traditional romances, as Faye aims to give her readers so much more intrigue, whilst also revealing the hidden histories of rural townships of North Queensland.

Faye finds her inspiration from the histories of not only the township she grew up in, but the many surrounding it. She also bases most of her characters on people she has met in her life.

Faye was able to live her own passion-driven romance, marrying the love of her life after a whirlwind romance in 2013. Together they are raising their nine children in a remote country town in northern Queensland, Australia.

How did your life as a writer begin?

I started writing at a young age, mostly just poems and short stories for my parents.  I was always telling them stories, and they encouraged me to write them down.  At high school, I began to take writing more seriously.  My senior English teacher laughed at me when I told him I wanted to be a writer.  He told me I would never be good enough.  His words stirred me so much that I just wanted to prove him wrong, and I’ve been pushing myself ever since.

How did you come with the idea for your current story? 

Indulgence & Temperance is book number 2 in the Sins of the Virtuous series.  I needed to come up with a story that represented gluttony. and I remembered watching a show once about mobsters in prohibition era of America who ran clubs that supplied laudanum.  That gave me an idea for some of the plot.  The rest came from the stories my Father told me of the old supply routes in Queensland – it made me wonder just how many people used those routes to escape the law and travel north.

Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer?

I always have a very rough outline, usually brief character descriptions and a direction I would like the story to go in.  Once I start writing, though, it is very much ‘seat of your pants’ kind of stuff.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

My favourite scene to write was when Daniel finds William changing into the priest’s clothes.  He thinks he is finally going to find where his once business partner has taken his sister.  Their confrontation is interrupted, and Daniel is taken and restrained in the hotel for attacking the priest.  Though he tries desperately to explain his actions and reveal the truth, no one believes him.  He is helpless to stop William or to go after Beth.  It’s such a heartbreaking part of the book, and it was so wonderful to write.

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?

I love gardening, and my husband and I have a beautiful pergola out the back with hanging baskets, as well as a green house and small bush house to potter in or have a glass of wine under or both.

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

I love singing songs from the 70s, usually very loud, which would be fine except I can’t sing – ha ha.  I also have a huge love for tattoos.  Last count, I have nearly 50.  I got married in a black and red velvet wedding dress.  Our photo went in the paper and there were all these beautiful white dresses, and my husband, myself and our kids all dressed in black.  It was very cool.

What do you have in store next for your readers? 

There are still more books to come in the Sins of the Virtuous series.  Hopefully 7 all up.

Indulgence and Temperance by Faye Hall

Would you abandon the woman you love for your own indulgence?

Beth Meridian has returned home, hoping to leave her sordid past behind her and settle into a quiet life. When her childhood friend, Hannah Raeburn, offers her a place to stay, Beth knows it won’t be long until she runs into Hannah’s brother, Daniel. What she doesn’t expect is for him to reignite feelings deep in her heart, reminding her of the kiss they shared before she left town.

Daniel Raeburn’s past is scandalous, his sinful indulgences allowing him more wealth than he could ever need. Still, he wants more, and his gluttonous appetite for wealth and women leads him to buy into a partnership at the local hellfire club.

When Hannah goes missing, Beth and Daniel follow her trail through the Australian outback. Witnessing the womanizer Daniel is, Beth flees on a cattle train headed north. Desperate to explain his actions, Daniel follows her.

Arriving in the small town of Jarvisfield, Daniel is shocked to learn that Beth is now the owner of the largest cattle company in the area. He’s even more shocked to discover that the preacher controlling the town, and stealing from the townspeople, is his once business partner William Maxon. He’s convinced this man is also responsible for his sister’s disappearance. When he learns William has Beth picked out as his next victim, Daniel knows he must do whatever it takes to make her listen to the truth. But she has no interest in hearing anything he has to say.

Faced with losing the two women he loves, Daniel is forced to choose between their freedom and the possessions and wealth he has hoarded over the years. But even if he gives it all up, he still might lose everything.

Content Warning: contains sex, strong language, and some violence

Genre(s): Historical Romance

Excerpt

“What would you have me do? Pretend that this man chasing my sister is genuine and not some money-grabbing monster?”

“You don’t know him,” she tried again.

“Neither does she,” he said, his voice raised. “And neither do you.”

She went to walk past him, following Hannah’s direction out the back of the house. He reached out, his hand on her forearm stopping her.

“I didn’t mean to sound so harsh, Beth,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

She nodded as if understanding. “I understand that you love your sister. So do I. I shan’t just sit back and watch her walk into a trap. Nor shall I stand by and watch as her brother robs her of a chance of what may be happiness.”

“How dare you presume to know what I want for my sister.”

She pulled away from him. “I dare because I grew up with you. Every time your sister wanted to do something you always had to interfere.”

“She is naïve,” he told her. “Had I not taken control of her life, heaven knows what would have happened to her.”

She raised her brow. “I understand you need to protect Hannah against lecherous men. That doesn’t explain why you had to be her constant chaperone when she was meeting up with me.”

He lowered his gaze. “I needed to go with her.”

“Do you think that I would also take advantage of your sister?” she asked. “That I have prolonged our friendship only so I might get my claws into her fortune?”

He shook his head, his gaze cautiously rising back to hers. “I know you would do anything for my sister, Beth.”

“Then why did you need to follow Hannah everywhere we went?”

“I did it for you,” he whispered, the words being dragged from him.

“What?” she asked.

He smiled softly. “I played chaperone for my sister so I might be able to see you,” he repeated. “In the hope that you would notice me.”

“All you ever had to do was ask,” she whispered. Approaching him, her lips gently fused to his.

His hands went to her upper arms, pushing her away. “What are you doing?” he asked. Trying desperately to grip onto what remained of his control, he reminded himself that being here with this woman so intimately was far from appropriate. No matter how much he desired her, he couldn’t afford to succumb to such passion. Not there, and certainly not now.

She shook off his hold, her fingers hesitantly going to the buttons of his shirt. Slowly, she began undoing them one by one. “Do you remember the last time we saw each other before I left town?” she asked.

His hands went to hers, stilling her movements. “The image of you that day…” His words drifted off. He didn’t understand why she was acting this way with him, but he couldn’t deny that her movements were ripping at his restraint. He had always hungered for this woman, but now that she was there with him like this, he couldn’t help but wonder why. “Why did you send for me that day?” he asked, his words strained.

“I wanted to see you before I left town,” she muttered. Shaking off his hands, she continued unbuttoning his shirt. “Do you ever wonder what would have happened had your sister not arrived?”

Connect with Faye Hall

Website https://www.faye-hall.com

Blog http://www.faye-hall.info

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faye-Hall/174774709247649

https://www.facebook.com/faye.hall.3363?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter https://twitter.com/FayeHall79

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6882637.Faye_Hall

Tumblr http://fayehallauthor.tumblr.com/

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/fayehall79/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fayehallauthor/

Flipagram http://flipagram.com/fayehall79

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoS8vLrlO0XZT80xTuJnrkA/videos

Buy Links

http://beachwalkpress.com/faye-hall/

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00DPIMSMW

https://itunes.apple.com/us/author/faye-hall/id1104960880?mt=11

https://www.kobo.com/au/en/search?query=Faye%20Hall&fcsearchfield=Author

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Faye%20Hall%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Meet Author Téa Cooper

18 Sunday Aug 2013

Posted by Elizabeth McKenna - Author in Meet the Authors

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Australia, Authors, Contemporary, Historical, Interviews, Romance

Matilda'sFreedom 300Today I’m welcoming Téa Cooper, author of Matilda’s Freedom. Thank you for stopping by, Téa!

All about Téa. . .

Téa writes contemporary and historical romantic fiction featuring strong-minded women and sexy Australian men. Love and life Down Under isn’t always easy. Her heroes and heroines have to fight long and hard for what they believe in before they reach their happy ever after.

Matilda’s Freedom is Téa’s second Australian historical romance. Her first Lily’s Leap is available now and she is currently working on her third Face of an Angel set on a schooner somewhere between Hobart and Sydney.

Téa’s three contemporary romances Tree Change, The Protea Boys and Passionfruit & Poetry are available on Amazon.

To keep up with all of Téa’s news visit her website www.teacooperauthor.com where you will find links to her blog and social media pages.

1. How did you come with the idea for your current story?

Matilda’s Freedom is my second Australian romance set in a small historic village called Wollombi, about two hours north of Sydney. That’s where I live and that’s where my muse lives too. The idea for both of my stories originated in the Museum – characters that once lived in or around Wollombi. There was Patrick Bruin the bushranger who made the mistake of bailing up the local JP – he was the starting point for Lily’s Leap and interestingly a man called John Portus was the inspiration for Matilda’s Freedom. He visited the Exhibition Universelle in Paris in 1855 and brought a lot of machinery back to the Hunter Valley – I don’t think he met Matilda though, but Mr Portus does get a passing mention in the book.

2. Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline, or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer? 1606

I started writing the same way I do everything by the seat of my pants but I rewrote that first book Tree Change so many times I promised next time I would plot. However I’m not very good at keeping promises to myself and my current WIP (Face of an Angel) is the first, I have actually plotted from beginning to end – mind you I’m about as good at sticking to an outline as I am keeping promises so I’ve come to the conclusion I’m a panster with good intentions!

3. What is your favorite scene in the book? Why? 

My favourite scene in Matilda’s Freedom is the opening chapter, I can just see them at the dinner table…there’s an excerpt further down.

4. What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Write, write lots and then find a critique partner you trust who will be brutally honest. Your CP is your first reviewer and although writing might be a solitary task, one day, hopefully, your story will face the outside world.

5. How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?

I’m spoilt – well and truly spoilt. I live in a little stone cottage slap bang in the middle of 100 acres of Australian bush. It’s still only ten minutes to Wollombi village but it is wonderfully isolated and that is my favourite spot. I spend a lot of time in the “garden”. Wandering around checking up on the local wildlife – currently there is a large wombat trying to build an apartment block around and behind my vegetable garden.

6. Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

Writing a romance novel was #1 on my bucket list and I’m happy to say I can cross it off now. So what else is in there…flying lessons, a trip to Antarctica and, still on the writing theme, a contract with one of the Big 5. Not a lot really!!

7. What do you have in store next for your readers? 

As I said I’m working on another historical romance at the moment but not set in Wollombi as my other two have been. I’m about half way through. I still have a stack of research before I can tie up the loose ends. Sadly some of that research involves a bit of sailing and hopefully a trip down the NSW coast and onto Tasmania (maybe I’ll sign up for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race) which just goes to prove I don’t spend my entire time hiding in the Australian bush!

Matilda'sFreedom 300Matilda’s Freedom

An unconventional woman turns a society family upside down in this Australia-set historical…

Matilda has lost everything, so it feels like a miracle when Christopher Matcham turns up, offering her security, a place to stay, and a position as companion to his teen-aged sisters. Though Christopher likes her fresh outlook and unusual ideas, his family view her as a threat. Christopher has responsibilities – and those include a good marriage that will improve the family’s connections and finances. After all, love is just for the lower classes.

Book Extract 

Sydney, Autumn 1856

‘Paris is a city of contradictions—rich and poor, the glamorous and the debauched—and I loved every moment of it.’

Christopher Matcham turned his head as the girl’s breath caught, although he was uncertain whether the sound was from shock or delight. In another situation, he might have interpreted it as a sign of pleasure. Rocking back in his chair, he stared across the table at the delectable Miss Matilda Sweet.

Matilda radiated vitality and vivacity. In the flickering candlelight, her skin had an almost amber hue, highlighting her honeyed hair. Her wide eyes beckoned to him, and a tiny pulse flickered along her elegant neck. She might be a currency lass and of convict stock, but her looks were far from disappointing. She was so different from the women of Sydney society—and that of Paris.

‘Kit, I think you’re getting worse with age instead of better. Remember, there are ladies present.’

The delighted grin on Emily Bainbridge’s face belied her husband’s words. ‘Richard, don’t be such a stuffed shirt. I would love to hear about Paris. We get so little news from elsewhere, and I’m sure Matilda doesn’t mind.’

The girl smiled and lowered her eyes behind lashes that would have done a courtesan proud. Her hand fluttered to the column of her throat.

‘I am totally fascinated. I cannot imagine what Paris must be like. They say half the world visited the city for the Exhibition Universelle.’

Matilda’s low contralto rippled across his skin like a warm brandy, and the temptation to lean across the table and inhale her scent was almost overpowering. Clearing his throat, Christopher dragged his eyes away from her generous mouth and made an effort to pay due attention to his host and hostess.

‘Paris is certainly a fascinating city, full of intriguing layers. The upper classes cling to the skirts of the Emperor and Empress while on the seamier side, the commoners flex their muscles and enjoy life. The cafés are open day and night, and the entertainment is outrageous. La chahut dancers have claimed the streets as their own. Their acrobatic skills are phenomenal. The dancers kick their legs so high they can remove a man’s hat and then, of course, display delightful glimpses of their under—’

Connect with Téa Cooper

Personal Links:

Website: www.teacooperauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaCooper

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeaCooper1

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/teacooperauthor

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/teacooperauthor/

Buy Links:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/tea-cooper/id585948110?mt=11

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00AG3WHRU

Escape Publishing carries links to all sites just click on the Buy Now link to check for your preferred site.  http://www.escapepublishing.com.au/product/9780857990600

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Print
  • Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow Elizabeth McKenna on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 3,674 other subscribers

Facebook

Facebook

Instagram

How is this comfortable? #dog #dogsleeping

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Recent Posts

  • Moving is Murder by Nellie H. Steele – Book Tour and Giveaway
  • Death Checked Out by Leah Dobrinska – Book Tour and Giveaway
  • Sleuthing in Stilettos by Debra Sennefelder – Book Tour and Giveaway
  • Ghost Agents: Retribution by Nita DeBorde – Book Tour and Giveaway
  • A Dress the Color of the Moon by Jennifer Irwin – Book Tour and Giveaway

Action Adult Adult Fiction Adventure Australia Authors Book Tour Carnival Chick-Lit Christmas Comedy Comtemporary Contemporary Contemporary Romance cozy mystery Crime crime fiction Dystopian Epic Erotic Erotica Family Saga Fantasy Fiction Giveaway Gothic Historical Historical Romance holiday Hot Humor India Indian inspirational Interracial Interviews Kindle London Love Mafia Magic Masks Memoir military Multicultural Murder Mystery Mystery New Adult Non-Fiction Organized Crime Paranormal Psychological Thriller Regency Reviews Romance Romantic Suspense Science Fiction Series Spiritual Sports Steamy suspense Sweet Sweet Romance Thriller Time Travel Vampires Venice Victorian war Western Women's Fiction Women Sleuths YA Young Adult

RSS Link

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments
Escape with Dollycas"

Check out Elizabeth McKenna's latest release!

When Luke is arrested for the murder of the head coach of his club softball team, Emma and Grace go up against cutthroat parents willing to kill for a chance to get their daughters onto a premier college sports team.

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Elizabeth McKenna
    • Join 476 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Elizabeth McKenna
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: