Showing posts with label hot christmas nights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hot christmas nights. Show all posts

Dec 23, 2015

A peaceful Christmas to all

Happy Christmas to all the LoveCat readers and the LoveCats themselves. This is my first Christmas as a LoveCat and I'm both honoured and delighted to be part of this wonderful blog.

This year is a very quiet Christmas for me and my husband. Our daughter, our only child, is away from us for the first time in her twenty-two years. She's staying with friends in California, a long way from Sydney. They are the nicest possible people so she is in very good hands. But we miss her... 

Her cat Tabitha howled and cried outside her closed bedroom door last night. When I let her in she saw daughter wasn't there, cried some more and slunk out in misery. Of course I consoled her and she slept happily on my pillow. That I didn't have a very good sleep is beside the point, isn't it!

Fortunately we will have the company of two nieces and three great nieces on the actual day. It will be the first time for years we haven't cooked Christmas dinner, as the younger generation is taking over this year.

I'm sharing my all-time favourite Christmas photo. Three years ago my darling old cat Albert found my sweet great niece, then two, admiring our Christmas tree. He ambled over to keep her company and I quickly got this shot. It was his last Christmas, he crossed the rainbow bridge six months later aged twenty-two.
I'm spending Christmas Day with this same  lovely niece - and her hamsters!

Christmas is usually huge for us in terms of entertaining. For years we held a party on Christmas Eve and then woke up and did it all again the next day. It's quite nice to be quiet. But perversely I feel a little let down that I'm not stressing out with all that's to be done!

All over the break, I'll be working on a book due early in the new year for Harlequin Romance so won't have time to miss daughter (lie, I miss her already and she's only been gone two days!)




As a writer, Christmas is lovely for me this year with two new Christmas stories out. My novella Millionaire Under the Mistletoe is part of the wonderful LoveCats boxed set Hot Christmas Nights, seven brand-new holiday-themed romances. Also from me is my Harlequin Romance Gift-Wrapped In Her Wedding Dress which is heavily Christmas themed.



What about you? Are you celebrating your usual Christmas or doing something different this year? I'd love to read your comment! I'm giving away a free download of Hot Christmas Nights to one commentator.






Dec 14, 2015

Pop Stars and Small Towns

When writing a novel, I often find some of my own experiences or loves sneak into the books. In my latest release – Her Small Town Christmas Wish – which is part of the Lovecats Boxset, two of my favourite things have made it into the story.

I love pop and disco music. Love to listen to it and love to dance to it.  When I need a pick me up, I play Earth Wind and Fire’s September. You can’t help but feel good after hearing that tune. 

Taylor Swift concert in Brisbane
Much to my friends’ amusement, I’ve followed Kylie Minogue’s career. She’s about the same age as me and I loved bopping around to her songs when I was younger. My daughter loves Delta Goodrem and Taylor Swift (went to Taylor’s amazing Brisbane concert last week – wow!), so I have lots of their music in the car too. So, as a tribute to young pop stars, my heroine is an Aussie who moved to London and made it big in the pop world.

Byron Bay
The other love that crept it into the story is Byron Bay. My fictional town of Turtle Beach is reminiscent of the town I live in. Coastal, lush and surrounded by sugarcane fields and acres of coffee and macadamia plantations. Place is always very important in my stories.

So, if you are looking for a fun and passionate Christmas read, pick up a copy of Hot Christmas Nights and read fantastic stories by my fellow Lovecats including Rachel Bailey, Michelle Douglas, Louisa George, Helen Lacey, Stefanie London and Kandy Shepherd.

We have the Boxset on sale at the moment for just 99 cents. To get you in the mood, here’s the blurb for Her Small Town Christmas Wish:

When superstar songbird Giselle Harrington is forced to return to her hometown, she’s faced with a house full of terrifying childhood memories. Jake Carlton has never forgotten his teenage sweetheart and now that she’s back, he’s determined to have a second chance to convince her to stay.


Wishing you all a fabulous holiday season.

Dec 4, 2015

It's bloomin' springtime!

I never understood the joy people seemed to get from their gardens. When I was younger I didn't appreciate the time and effort it takes to create a space that you and your family can relax in.

We've been in our current place for more than 10 years now and although we've put a lot of time into renovations inside lately, our outside has been giving us so much pleasure this spring. It's particularly dry in this part of the world for this time of year so I'm having to keep up the watering but it's paying off with lots of colour and lush growth. I know a lot of you are heading into winter so I thought a few pics of my garden might help you to look forward to your next spring. Happy holidays to those who are celebrating at the moment and happy gardening to those of us downunder.
Flowering cherries are one of my favourite trees. I have a few dotted around our half acre.
When we first moved here with four preschoolers I thought I'd pull out some of the seventy five rose bushes. My lovely father-in-law convinced me not to and said he'd help with the upkeep. I'm so glad we still have them!

I planted five new roses this year and this was one of them -"Integrity". 

I love having flowers inside.
I also love my veges. That's my worm farm in the black bucket!
The bees and I love the wisteria. I think I might grab a chair and my Lovecats  Downunder "Hot Christmas Nights" set and get reading under here.

What's hapening in your garden at the moment?








Nov 29, 2015

Sunday Smooch with Louisa George



Today we have a smooch from  Louisa George but first 


... the winner of last week's Sunday Smooch Giveaway is  

Lynlinwill Williams!


Can you please contact  yvonne (at) yvonnelindsey (dot) com  to receive your copy of LONE STAR HOLIDAY PROPOSAL.

And now for today's Sunday Smooch from Louisa George! (Available for pre-order from Amazon)


BABY IT'S HOT OUTSIDE

When rugged cop Daniel Wade agrees to help organize his friend's Christmas wedding it brings him face-to-face with the bridesmaid, his estranged wife. Emma is determined that divorce is on the cards, but sometimes all it takes is another chance to get things right..

Kiss scene: Set up: After a very frosty start to their awkward reunion Daniel and Emma are leading a pre-wedding kayak trip for the wedding guests. An argument has led to Emma pushing Daniel into the sea...


Emma quickly steered into a deserted sheltered bay, jumped out of the kayak and dragged it up the shore, over tiny pebbles and shells that stung her feet. Then she took shelter in the far corner of the bay underneath an ancient gnarled pohutukawa tree -their tree- and stood on a carpet of tiny fallen crimson stamens. Shivering. Panicking. 
            But it was a delicious panic bubbling in her stomach, something she hadn't felt in a long time. She hadn't expected that. Or simple fun, straight after an argument. Just like the good old days; forgiving and forgetting; erasing the bad times with a laugh. And a kiss.
            Danny wasn't far behind, ripping up the waves, then standing shoulder deep, striding out of the sea like Poseidon, with a smile on his lips, a curse in his mouth. He had menace in his eyes.
            And sex was glittering there too.
            The air around her seemed to electrify at the thought. For them the sex had never been the problem. It was everything else.
            "Danny! Finally! Guess you worked it out, then?" Breathless. Bracing herself for his words. Shaking as the water dried on her skin leaving her cold on the outside. Inside, she was burning a fever.  "Good to see all that training put to some use."
            But he said nothing, only fixed her in his sights and strode towards her. Each step making her heart thunder in her chest. As he closed in he unzipped his lifejacket, flung it to the sand leaving his chest bare, his exquisite body rock hard and slick with water. His shorts sticking to his thighs, outlining the strength of his legs. And more.
            She remembered the countless times they'd paddled here at dusk and made love by the light of a campfire. How she'd clung to him and believed that what they had could never be broken, that it would last forever. She remembered the way they'd laugh at something, at everything, that goofing around had been their default. That serious was something they'd tried to hold back because being a doctor and a cop had enough serious without putting it between them. 
She remembered that they would kiss away each other's fears. That she couldn't imagine being anywhere else other than in his arms, held tight and safe and warm. A lifeline from the thrashing sea of life.
            And she wondered how that anchor had slipped so far away from their grasp and whether it was still there, bobbing just out of reach. Maybe some effort. A stretch. A leap of faith?
            When he reached her he was breathing hard and fast, his arm muscles pumped, water dripping from his eyelashes like diamonds. He stopped in front of her. Close. Close enough to touch. Which he did, reaching out a hand to her cheek. His thumb made slow strokes over her skin, stoking an unbearable heat in her gut.
            His gaze locked on to hers as he wiped the droplets from her face, ran a trail to her lip with his fingertips. In his dark mocha eyes a fire burnt, hot and hungry. And she didn't know whether to run or stay. 
            When she bit down on his thumb pad he leaned in and groaned in her ear, "Do that again and you'll be in big trouble, lady."
            "Promise or threat?" Another game they'd played so many, many times.
            But she didn't have time to find out his answer because his mouth slammed over hers, all promise, all threat. The taste of salt and elemental man swamped her. She wanted him. Had never stopped wanting him. Would never, ever stop wanting him.
            She wound her hands around his neck, angling her mouth against his, pulling him tight against her. His skin was cold as she moved her fingers over his shoulders, down his back- his muscles tightening in response. Slowly, she relearnt the feel of him, the taste. The empty, frigid two year gap bridged by sensation and searing heat, by need and touch.
            His hands cupped her cheeks, fingers spiking her hair, innocent almost. A new beginning, belied by his erection pressing hard against her. But when he groaned her name there was nothing innocent about the raw need winding through her, blurring her edges. Her breath stuttered, the ache in her core flared to life. So good to know how much she could still turn him on.
            "God, I've missed you," she managed between kisses, surprised at how much she meant it. But she had missed him. Missed this. Missed this Danny. She knew the other paddlers would be here soon and she didn't rightly care. Couldn't think about anything other than melting into him again. She pulled him to the ground, out of view from the shore, her hand sweeping across his sculpted chest. Beneath her fingers was the steady heartbeat of a man she'd known soul deep. A man she'd loved with every fibre of her being. 
            Her body was on fire anticipating his touch, heat swirled in her tummy, lower. Her nipples peaked as he crushed her ever tighter, deepening the kiss. His heat and his scent familiar, yet new. Powerful and strong, yielding and giving. And she responded the only way she knew how- by giving herself back to him. 
Baby, It's Hot Outside is one of the novellas from the Love Cats Boxset, Hot Christmas Nights available from 1st December or on pre-order NOW from Amazon

Come back next Sunday, when the winner of today's giveaway will be announced - and more smooches from the boxset will be posted!

Louisa is giving away an e-book copy of her book to one lucky commenter!  So her question to you is:

Who would you like to be stranded on a desert island with, and why?




            

Nov 25, 2015

Welcome to my rose garden

Welcome to my rose garden

November is my favourite time in my farm garden because it’s when the roses are at their blooming brilliant best. Right now we have hundreds of glorious roses wherever we look. The scent wafts all around the garden and into the house. I thought I’d share a few photos with you.

This gorgeous David Austin rose is a favourite.

 The climate in our part of the Blue Mountains is very favourable to roses—lots of sun, not too humid, cold winter (cold by Australian standards, that is!)
Most of the roses were already in place when we bought the place, planted by the lovely previous owner, but we’ve added some favourites as well.

This is Zepherine Drouan and it has the most glorious scent

 When we moved in more than eleven years ago, my darling husband wasn’t all that interested in gardening. But he really fell for the roses. He does most of the work these days, pruning, weeding, feeding.  Roses are known as “gross feeders”, needing lots of fertilizer. That’s where our horses and little bulls contribute! I just pick the flowers and put them in the vase—lucky me! 

Pink roses are probably my favourite


My August release from Harlequin Romance, Hired by the Brooding Billionaire was set in a beautiful, neglected garden. It was one of my favourite books to write! 

My other favourite story (because it has a cat in it!) is my contribution, Millionaire Under the Mistletoe, to the LoveCats fabulous boxed set Hot Christmas Nights to be released on December 1. These stories are fabulous—each so different I couldn't pick a favourite. There's a lot of romantic Christmas reading there for just $0.99. It's up on Amazon for pre-order now!

All ready to take inside!


Are you a rose lover? Do you have a favourite flower? A green thumb or one that’s a tad brown around the edges?




Sep 25, 2015

Coming soon....

We have some very exciting news here on Lovecats Downunder!

A bunch of us have got together to bring you some new and never-before released novellas just in time for Christmas- and we wanted you to be the first to hear about them!

We've covered many of our favourite tropes and have wonderful hot and steamy settings across Australia and New Zealand. Because no-one does a hot and sexy Christmas box set better than us downunder!

Here are a few teasers...

Michelle Douglas
Christmas Wishes, New Year Kisses
When Josh Halliday drags his best friend and business partner Erin Timms to a tropical beach in Far North Queensland for some much needed R & R, he finds things heating up in a totally unexpected way. Fantasizing about his best friend is one thing. Falling in love with her is quite another.

Louisa George
Baby, It's Hot Outside
Daniel Wade is allergic to festive fuss, so being best man at a Christmas wedding is proving to be a double whammy of a challenge- especially as it means his estranged wife will be back on Waiheke Island for the celebrations.
Emma Neale is returning to Waiheke- and her husband- after 2 years and a lot of heart searching. She has divorce papers in her luggage and a job in Brisbane waiting for her. But seeing Danny again and sharing a kiss under the mistletoe has her questioning her decisions. Is it time to let him go, or is he the christmas gift she's been waiting for?


Helen Lacey
Her Christmas Cowboy
When her 18 year old sister rocks up on her doorstep with a baby on her hip four days out from Christmas, Sydney lawyer Elyse Prescott is forced to take her back home - to the tiny town of Denary, Queensland. But going back to Denary means facing every reason why she left - including Brett McCrane. Ten years ago the sexy cowboy had broken her heart and she'd never quite forgiven him. Now, with her wayward sister, her forgetful father, an adorable baby and a farm on the brink of foreclosure, all she wants to do is hightail it back to the city. Only...it's Christmas...and her family need her. And since Brett's eyes are still as blue and the chemistry between them is as combustable as ever, Elyse has to make a choice - to go back to the city and her old life...or take a chance on love...

Stefanie London
Sleigh Bells In The Sand
After spending a year chasing information about the mother who abandoned her, Neve Ritter has done the unthinkable. Instead of going home for Christmas, she’s agreed to house sit a beach cottage in Sorrento. But her idea of a reflective holiday is rudely interrupted when she realizes she not alone in the house. 
Damien Alessio is a passionate class action lawyer, best known for taking on greedy corporate giants. Only Damian is burned out and an embarrassing mistake has caused him the biggest loss of his career. When a severe hail storm strands them together, leaving them without power or phones, they find comfort - and a little Christmas magic - in each other's arms.

Make sure you pop back regularly and we'll give you more teasers from our other box set authors, Rachel Bailey, Jennifer St George and Kandy Shepherd

Release date is 1st December- so set the date in your diary! We will post more information as we get it.