Cirrus@Austlit

'I was the juvenile delinquent now in her late-twenties and with very little hope in sight. But I got along okay. I had a good group of friends, some delicious eye-candy, and my business was growing in leaps and bounds. Going out for a few benders with the girls of a Saturday night was what being in your twenties was all about. Right? Who needed to settle down?

'My life is mess and disorder, but maybe there's one man who'll make me want to straighten it out.

'Gavin

'When I was younger, they called me the gentle giant. I was actually one of the most picked on kids at school because I refused to return a punch. It wasn't just that I knew, as the biggest kid, I'd get into the biggest trouble. I just didn't like trouble. Odd then that I ended up in the Navy and turning a blind eye to the antics of the Grace Grayson boys.

'My life is ordered and stable, but maybe there's one rebel who'll make me want to shake it up.'(Publication summary)

'A special edition hard cover, full colour collection and chronicle of my writing journey. It’s by no means exhaustive, there are plenty more fragments floating about. But maybe I’ll save that for 50 Years of Writing?

'You’ll find short stories, poetry, song lyrics, the beginnings of novels I’ve always intended to finish, and even some random school/uni assignments, plus bonus behind the scenes info on all my published books, as well as a sneak peak into some of my forthcoming releases.' (Publication summary)

'ASHTON
'I’d lived my new life for six years, part of this whole family thing. And I supposed it wasn’t so bad. But with a legacy of sweeping love stories to live up to, my aunt and uncles are a total pain in the arse about me finding my true love. My solution? Get me a fake girlfriend.
I wasn’t the hero sort, but Lexi makes me want to be better. She makes the idea of living up to my aunts’ and uncles’ expectations far sweeter.
It doesn’t have to be pretend.

'LEXI
'My life had changed eight years ago when my family had fallen apart. But I supposed it wasn’t so bad. My brother and I survived. I was his legal guardian now and had no time for romance. But being a hot guy’s fake girlfriend for a while could be a good distraction.
I never wanted a hero – I was more than prepared to take care of myself – but he’s got the makings of the sort of partner I wouldn’t mind keeping around.
Too bad it’s all just pretend.'  (Publication summary)

'Sometimes, you've got to let go of all you've held on to.

'I feel like I've been given a place in life – expectations of me – that it's useless fighting. So I don't bother. I'm the guy they all think I am; fighting, smoking, drinking. Because what else is Roman Lombardi but a troubled teen?

'No one's convinced I've got anything going for me. I take what – and who – I want when I want it, and never think about anything more than a couple of hours in the future.

'One holidays, I find myself hanging out with the resident Miss Popular, and she surprises me. With Piper, I can be whatever me I am. I can be the surly, troubled teen and…it's enough. I'm enough. Feeling shit together makes things just a little less shit. Until it becomes more.

'But, I don't do more. Do I?

'What do you do when you find perfection by accident, in the least likely of places?

'Maybe you can't believe you're finally worth it.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When I find a half-naked guy standing in my dormitory at my new boarding school, I assume he's my roommate's boyfriend.

'He introduces himself as Alex and I introduce myself as Lottie.

'When he tells me he's Sasha and was expecting Elliott, I see what happened.

'Someone knew I was a girl or he was a guy, and made some glaringly incorrect assumptions about the other one, meaning we were assigned as roommates.

'The new dorm mistress tells us we're stuck with each other, at least for the short-term. What starts out as playful ribbing between my studious self and the ripped jock becomes something a little more friendly as his friends take me in as one of their own.

'Soon, I'm their ticket to the ways of the female heart. But not my heart. Because, I mean, no one falls in love just because of a roommate mistake.' (Publication summary)

'Breaking up is hard to do. Whether you're breaking up with a bad habit, a life you know, or your first boyfriend. But we all have to do it. It's just one of the many sucky things about growing up. Some of us do it better than others. I do it badly.

'Wade Phillips shattered Lisa McGinty's heart in Year 10 for no known reason. One minute he was the perfect boy-next-door boyfriend, star goalie on the soccer team, and future head prefect. The next he was like a different person altogether, dumping Lisa and systematically making his way through every girl in our year.' (Publication summary)

'It's one thing to command a fiann...

'Eamon mac Aeveen is the youngest child of the king of the fey. With twenty-nine older siblings, Eamon's always allowed himself to indulge to excess even by fey standards. His father feels taking command of a fiann will be the cure to his youngest child's restlessness.

'...it's another to belong to one.

'But it takes more than Eamon's easy charm and royal birth to win over his fighters. Only by letting them in can he hope to have them let him in. Little by little, he must earn his place as their leader.

'In faery, nothing comes for free.

'Complications arise when his father gives the fiann to a post in the Borderlands. His price? The fae are going to try a schooling method of soldier training, and Gryffynhall will be their practice run.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Nora

'As the female bassist in an otherwise all-male rockband, I had an image to maintain – relaxed, laidback, available. One-Night Nora was what the headlines called me and I relished it. My freedom meant everything to me and that freedom had become my brand. Until I get a stalker and our manager hires a dude from Grace Grayson.

'I've heard they're the most satisfying firm in the country and I'm more than happy to give their reputation a try. Except, when it comes down to it, I can't follow through. Ryder is funny, gorgeous, kind, and sweet in his own way. I don't want our time together to come to an end, so I'm adamant I won't sleep with him.

'But my restraint only goes so far and I'm all too aware that all good things must come to an end sometime. Still, it's only one night. Or so I tell myself until our easy banter disappears under the deafening unspoken knowledge that we both want more.

'He's the sort of guy who can rock my whole world, if I could just roll with it. And he's making it harder and harder to pretend it means nothing. After all, rock and roll just go together.

'Ryder

'It took some serious convincing on my part, but eventually the boss man let me have the VIP. And what a VIP she turned out to be. But some one-night rocker she turns out to be. The woman isn't falling for any of my numerous charms, no matter how close I seem to get. But the more time I spend with her, the more I don't mind. This is one good thing I never want to end.

'With a voice like a fallen angel and a personality that would make Lucifer himself blush, Nora's the kind of person I don't mind being around. The fact all that comes in a female form that does strange, exciting things to me is just icing. Being with her is like being with a friend you want to bone, only I'm beginning to think maybe I'm interested in more than just the benefits.

'Despite watching three of my best mates settle down, I never thought I'd follow suit. But, this chick has me wondering if it would be so bad after all. It's as terrifying as it is motivating to think I could fall in love. I'm sure I could so long as I don't focus too hard on the terrifying bit.

'She's the sort of woman to rock my whole world, if only she'd just roll with it. I'll have to pull out all the stops, but I'll do it to prove it to her. After all, rock and roll just go together.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Raegan

'I was used to being the smartest person in a room, the nerd queen my boss looked to when things went wrong. And boy, did they go wrong. Super wrong. Enter Nico Daniels. Ex-military. Tall, built, smoking hot. He wears suits like they were poured onto his body. He has a mouth that would make Satan blush. And I thought my Nan was bossy? Nico makes her look tame.

'Girls like me want a guy as nerdy as them. Girls like me need a nerd on the streets and a beast in the sheets, but guys like that are practically impossible to find. They're rarer than the mythical unicorn, the legendary eight hours of sleep a night, or the fabled second orgasm. But a highly frustrated girl's only got so much restraint. So, maybe one night won't hurt? Or two.

'Nico and I are all sorts of wrong for each other. Sure, the guy makes me scream his name in absolute ecstasy. But the rest of the time I want to smash my keyboard over his cocky head. And that's really not conducive to a healthy relationship.

'If only the man who was a beast in the sheets was a nerd on the streets. If only we had something in common. I need a little nerd in my man and Nico Daniels is anything but nerd. Isn't he?

'Nico

'I hated roleplay. I was bad at it. So, what's my new job? Play the jarhead security guard to some pixie who's got herself into a world of trouble with some shady online shit. The big boss likes his security to look the part. My boss likes to keep him happy. So, it's Converse and nerdy t-shirts off, and tailored suits on and contacts in. Because the tech guy isn't quite so scary.

'Raegan Lane wasn't just in a world of trouble, she was in danger of troubling my strict, orderly world. The guy who's lived behind computers hasn't needed game in a long time, but this little nerd makes me want more than just a couple of games nights. She makes me want everything. But I've hidden from the world for so long, I've forgotten how to human.

'Every time I think I've worked out how to open up to her, all my walls slam back into place. My nerd side has never been what's got ladies into bed – I've picked up a thing or two from my team mates. But that's the side this nerd queen would love, if only I'd let her know it.

'She's the code that could crack all my firewalls, but I'm not sure I know how to be the real me and be a guy someone could love. To keep her, I'm gonna need to let my nerd light shine bright.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Girl + guy + three days = greatest love story ever.

'Yeah, right.

'Jess Clayton had no interest in romance. The teen cynic was convinced it was all a ruse made up to lure you into stupidity and part you from your hard-earned pennies. No matter how many people asked her out – not that there was a line or anything – she refused to date.

'When it came to romance, Ryan Miller had been there and done that. The re-reformed bad boy had already done his redemption romance story only to have his supposed one true love go and break his heart. He really wasn’t interested in going through all that mess again.

'So, when the two come together for a Year 12 English camp with the express purpose of testing the legend of Romeo and Juliet falling in love in three days, nothing could possibly go wrong. After all, it was impossible to fall in love with someone in three days. Wasn’t it?

'Wilderness + teenagers + camping = true love?

'Over our dead bodies.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Leah

'I didn't belong in their world, but I made a good show of pretending I did. Mother and Father expected it. All I wanted to do was get a cosy cottage in the suburbs and live with my million cats. What I got instead was suitor after suitor paraded in front of me and the threat of a looming engagement. So, what else was a girl to do?

'After bumping into Mrs Fortescue's 'companion' one too many times, I decided he'd do. Mother and Father wanted an engagement? They'd get one. Except I'd be the one having the last laugh because Patrick is the total opposite of what my parents want in a son-in-law – his nickname is Hawk for goodness' sake – and I have no obligations to him in any department.

'But of course, the best laid plans make fools of us all and it's not long before I want him to hold me accountable only to him in EVERY department. There's just the small problem of him being completely unsuitable and without any inclination to settle down.

'If there's one thing I know about men, it's that it takes a remarkable woman to tame them. I know I'm a remarkable woman. I only hope it's not too late for this lady to tame her hawk.

'Patrick

'If there's one thing that makes a guy reconsider his womanising ways, it's seeing his best mate and his little sister settle down. If there's another, it's a gorgeous woman in a stunning red dress. But she's a part of a world I can only pretend to fit into and she's a damned lady – elegant and sophisticated – and she's totally off-limits to a grunt like me.

'Every time we meet, there's a look in her eyes that suggests she's far less sophisticated than she'd have me believe. And it's not long before this hawk is close to begging to relinquish his freedom, even just for one night. So, how could I say no when she needed my help? I was expertly qualified to serve, and if I got to be myself for once that was just icing.

'But the more time I spend with her, the more I want to be around her. The more it feels less like a job and more like something real. There's just the small problem of her being an heiress with obligations that don't include me and the job will only last so long.

'I don't know a lot about ladies, despite my remarkable ability to play a part. All I know is there's always more underneath the mask, and there's only one lady who can tame this hawk.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Amber

'How do you politely refuse when the only guy to star in any of your dirty fantasies has just offered to put you up for the foreseeable future and your brother's just accepted like you were in fact still thirteen and couldn't make decisions for yourself? You don't. And, you end up with a roommate who wears a very good elegant mask over the rough and tumble, bad boy core I remember far too well.

'Only, it's ten years later and I'm even nerdier than I used to be. It's ten years later and I couldn't look worse. It's ten years later and I can't keep one guy. It's ten years later and my brother still teases me mercilessly in front of him. It's ten years later and Kit somehow looks even better than the guy I spent my formative years crushing on.

'So, there's not only the issue that he's my older brother's best friend, but also a sex-god this virgin can barely talk to. But that certainly never stopped me from drooling over him and it wouldn't stop me now. He's so far out of my league, I wouldn't even clean in his league.

'Except, there might just be a smouldering heat in Kit's eyes that suggests he's not quite as out of my league as I thought. Just maybe, this geek is about to get a whole lot of chaos.

'Kit

'When I find out about my best mate's little sister's situation, the offer is out of my mouth before I can stop it; Hawk's like a brother to me even if Amber's never looked twice at me. I could never tell if she was scared of me or hated me. But the deal is done. She's going to bring her bedraggled self upstairs to my penthouse and live with me for as long as she needs.

'I see the pain she hides away, I see the lack of confidence despite how smart she is, how good. If there's something I've learned, it's that confidence makes all the difference. So, it becomes my mission to help Amber find her confidence. But I find more than confidence in her and suddenly I'm seeing my best mate's little sister completely differently.

'I've never known what to say to her. She's always been good and studious and sweet. She's always been so far out of my league I wouldn't even carry bags in that league. Her face is a mask that tells me nothing in between the sparse words that come out of her mouth.

'Except, there might be something in the way she smiles at me that gives me hope I'm not as far out of her league as I thought. It might just be time that this chaos gets a little geek.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Valerie doesn’t want to be a lady’s maid, she doesn’t want to be a Lady, and she doesn’t want to be a princess. She just wants to be the first successful woman in Mor’s army. And, a country coming back from war and sorrow should be pleased with any decent solider they can get. Right?

'Wrong. The High Council won’t have it. According to them, Valerie must be a proper princess; no graduating to the Senior Corp with the rest of the trainee soldiers. And, with the future of the country uncertain, her father complies. Valerie knows there’s only one thing that will change their minds.

'The wizard is known to bestow a quest upon any knight in order that he may prove his worth. So, Valerie is going to find the wizard and get him to give her a quest. Then, she’ll finally show the High Council she can be a knight AND a princess.

'But, even all of Valerie’s tutoring could not have prepared her for the real world and the dangers it holds. Thankfully, her best friend finds her and helps her on her way. And, for a minstrel, Jonathan sure has some handy hidden talents.

'The road to the wizard is long and arduous, and there are many lessons to be learnt along the way. But, will he grant her wish? Or, will she have to go home and be just a princess after all?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'He’s a semi-famous rockstar

'I’m Nerdy McNerdleton

'Elijah Sweet: born rock god, gorgeous, sinful
Ella Cowan: beautiful, confidant, popular
Chloe Cowan: wait…who?

'Born for the express purpose of being the understudy for my older sister, I’ve learnt that life goes faster if I just go along with the madness.

'Until the madness involves me, the School Formal, my sister’s hair-brained scheme to win over the hottest boy in school, and a misunderstanding that I’m the one interested in him.

'Suddenly, my quiet existence isn’t so quiet anymore and the bright neon light that heralds my eighteenth birthday and freedom is overshadowed by one that follows a boy who’s going to be the next big thing.

'But I am so not interested… Am I?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.