Southern Speak and the release of Jardine by Leesa Bow

Today we are so lucky to be featuring the new adult release of Jardine by Leesa Bow. The cover is gorgeous and Jardine just draws you in with his eyes. To discover a bit more about this young man, read the character interview she did with him for us.

JARDINE:

1.      Do you believe in luck?

I believe the only way to get anywhere in life is through hard work, perseverance, and commitment. Some people are lucky, but when it comes to the crunch, especially in sport, you need more than luck to be on top of your game.

2.      What makes you really angry?

Two things really. When my girlfriend, Ava, has moments of self doubt and talks herself into a panic attack. She is one of the most intelligent and level headed chicks around, and it frustrates me that she doesn’t see it. But I don’t let her see my frustration. I only offer her the support she deserves.

The second is the hold my father has over me. At times I want to live my life the way I want but then he reminds me of the Hindu way and what is expected of me as a man.

3.      Where do you call home?

I was born in Sydney then moved to Adelaide for my father’s work as an orthopaedic surgeon. My family are talking about relocating back to Sydney. If Ava remains in Adelaide so will I, as nothing will tear me away from that girl.

If I make the Australian cricket team, then we’ll find a way to make it work since I’ll be spending many months of the year touring overseas.

4.      What one thing from your childhood has had the biggest effect upon you as an adult?

My grandfather Sanjay Kumble was a famous spin bowler for India. He moved to Australia after meeting the Aussie girl of his dreams. As a young boy he used to teach me all his tricks about cricket, and having the eye of the tiger when bowling to intimidate the batsman. He would take me to the cricket nets on ovals after school, and teach me what to do—and what not to do—little secrets other coaches are unaware of. As it turned out I was more like him than my father, except I became a fast bowler.

Jardine released as part of a new adult anthology, Love Addiction on the 15^th December 2014.

Love Addiction Buy Links: 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1uAlYW8

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1A49tqk

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1smVsFA

Website: www.leesabow.com

Blurb for Jardine:

At eighteen, Ava is sure she has found her soul mate in Jardine. Convincing their friends and family that what they have is more than just a crush, however, is an entirely different story. Jardine's parents have his life mapped out with plans that don't include Ava. 

Their plans to get into med school and start their future together crumble when cricket sensation Jardine is selected to play for the Australian team and expected to spend most of the year touring internationally. Ava knows since they agreed to follow their dreams, no matter the cost, she has to let Jardine go.

Ava also discovers a new inspiration to move on with her life. But can she keep it a secret from Jardine? If he discovers the truth, everything between them could be destroyed

Thanks for giving us an incite into Jardine's world. This collection looks great.

SARA News ~ A lighter edition

Hi y'all. Welcome to the latest edition of SARA News! It may be a little light on the amount of news compared to our last edition but it still packs punch. 

First cab off the rank today is NA author Leesa Bow.

A charming release

Leesa's latest release was in September with Charming the Outback - the second NA story in the series that begins with Winning the Player. Although there is a mild sport theme the main theme is rural theme combined with the emotion of NA. Like WTP its a story about second chance love.


Blurb time:
When jaded city girl Maddy McIntyre packs up and leaves Adelaide for a new job in the country, it’s not only a chance at a fresh start. Six months ago, the first guy she’d ever loved shattered her heart before moving home to Broken Hill. Deep down inside, Maddy is hoping that living in the same town will give her an opportunity to prove to Luke that she’s one temptation he can’t resist.

But when she arrives in Broken Hill, Luke White is not the same guy she knew in the city. And it soon seems very clear that he doesn’t want her there. Although Maddy settles in quickly, excelling at work and partying with her new friends, she can’t understand why Luke is remaining so distant. Particularly when all her instincts are telling her that they’re meant to be together – and that he feels the same burning attraction.

As Maddy learns more about Luke’s family and background, she begins to understand that his mixed messages are caused by balancing what’s expected of him with what he really wants. Maddy gave Luke her heart long ago and, despite their differences, she knows she’ll only ever be happy with her hot country boy. But how can she convince him that she’s the risk he needs to take?

Don't forget to your copy at:

| Destiny Romance | Amazon | Amazon AUS | iTunes | Google Play | Kobo

Bundle me baby

But that's not all, Leesa also has a book releasing a NA bundle with seven (count them, 7) other NA authors! And it's Leesa first indie published work. 

Jardine will be released 15th December and has a cricket theme (how's that! :) )  It's the first book in a two book series. Boot two, Caught Out, is expected to be out in early 2015.

At eighteen, Ava is sure she has found her soul mate in Jardine. Convincing their friends and family that what they have is more than just a crush, however, is an entirely different story. Jardine’s parents have his life mapped out with plans that don’t include Ava.

Their plans to get into med school and start their future together crumble when cricket sensation Jardine is selected to play for the Australian team and expected to spend most of the year touring internationally. Ava knows since they agreed to follow their dreams, no matter the cost, she has to let Jardine go.

Ava also discovers a new inspiration to move on with her life. But can she keep it a secret from Jardine? If he discovers the truth, everything between them could be destroyed.

Busy busy busy for Khloe Wren

More this time around from the woman with multiple releases.

Novella accepted

Khloe was offered a contract on a new stand alone novella Tigers Are Forever, which is due for release in December this year.

Another hot release!

Tourmaline Truth: Gemstone Vampires Book 2 was released on the spooky date of 31st October!

Vampires are real... as is the fact they will only ever take one woman, their Eternal Bride. When Barret sees Sharon, he’s excited to have finally found his Bride, until they meet and he learns Sharon knows nothing of Vampires and is scared of him. Once he seduces her into accepting his claim on her, Barret falls asleep…only to wake to find her gone. Sharon had snuck out while he slept and ends up in the hands of the enemy. His rescue attempt ends badly and they are both caught by the evil Nobles. Twenty-seven years later they find themselves finally free. As they both struggle to adjust to the outside world, Sharon is on a mission to rescue the sons she birthed in captivity. Barret wakes to find Sharon has, once again, slipped away while he slept. Will history repeat itself?

Get your copy now at Amazon and All Romance Ebooks

Let your heart soar…

Virginia Taylor's upcoming release, Starling, has a new cover. It's the first in The Southlanders Series and will be released in April 2015 from Kensington's Lyrical. 

Let your heart soar…

An aspiring dressmaker, orphaned Starling Smith is accustomed to fighting for her own survival. But when she’s offered a year’s wages to temporarily pose as a wealthy man’s bride, she suspects ulterior motives. She can’t lose the chance to open her own shop, but she won’t be any man’s lover, not even handsome, infuriating Alisdair Seymour’s…

To prevent his visiting sister from parading potential brides in front of him, Alisdair has decided to present a fake wife. He lost his heart once, and had it broken—he doesn’t intend to do it again. But stubborn, spirited Starling is more alluring than he bargained for, and Alisdair will risk everything he has to prove his love is true…



Set against the sweeping backdrop of 1866 South Australia, Starling is a novel of cherished dreams and powerful desires, and the young woman bold enough to claim them both…

Check details now at Kensington Books

More to add to the 'To Get' pile..

Virginia also has two more in the series (Ella and Charlotte) expected in 2015 and 2016! 

And now for something a little different - cover design

HelzKat Designs (aka Eleni Konstantine) has been busy with her latest design for horror author, J.M. Thorne.

Scary huh?

That's it for us this time around. Until next time, happy reading!!

SARA News ~ World Changing All My Love On Location while Winning the Player and not Losing Patients

You may have noticed I'm late with this post by a week but with two long weekends in a row here in Australia, well, guess what was left behind?

But that's okay, because there's more SASS happening...

The World is a Changing...

Maggie Mundy's World Change (the first book in the Earthbound Series) is out now with Rogue Phoenix Press.

Clare gets transported from present day Florence to an alternate world, one that looks like fourteenth century Italy. The only way back is through a portal half a world away, plus the local High priestess wants her dead, and the only one she can trust is a vampire called Trevi. He is the only one who exits in this world, and she knows more about what he is than he does. He is hard to resist, especially when he saves her life. Trevi can take her home but he is keeping one big secret. She will have to be like him to survive the journey through the portal back to her world making a myth a reality.


Buy links:  Amazon  | Rogue Phoenix Press

Debut release now out!

Leesa Bow has her debut release, Winning the Player is now out from Destiny Romance.

An exciting New Adult romance about love catching up to you no matter how far you run… 

When injury destroyed her dream of playing college basketball, Aubree Taylor fled overseas. Now she's finally home again and ready to move on with her life. Until she runs into Hunter Stone on her first night out, the only guy who's ever meant anything to her – and the last person she wants to see.

Since she ran out on him two years ago, Hunter hasn't been able to get Aubree off his mind. The sexy football star has had girls all over him for years, but Aubree is the only one to have ever seen behind the cocky persona he puts on for the crowd.

Despite her attempts to keep her distance, Aubree is unable to resist the strong attraction between them and it isn't long before they fall into a passionate relationship. She has never been afraid of a challenge, but Hunter's arrogance and inablity to trust are testing her to her limits. Aubree must decide whether to follow her heart and lower her guard…or risk losing the best thing that's ever happened to her.

Order from Amazon | Apple | Google Play | Kobo

May reads!

Claire Baxter's  Love On Location will me released on May 1st with Random Romance.

A deliciously fun rom com about a girl who has big dreams and just can't stop herself from falling in love.Shayna is this close to getting her dream job as a location manager for a new TV soap, she just needs to find the right house to film it in, and the job is hers.Luckily, she's found the perfect place. Unluckily, the owner - who is tall, blond and more handsome than is fair - is stubbornly refusing to let her use it unless she goes to dinner with him. No harm in that, right?Lachlan swore he'd never go back into show business - not after his heart was broken - and the last thing he wants is a film crew traipsing through his house, but there's something about Shayna that's making it hard to say no . . .He won't let anyone near his heart, and she's not looking for love - what could possibly go wrong?

Buy links: Amazon | Random Romance 

All My Love is a print collection featuring novellas by both Claire Baxter and Virginia Taylor  from Random Romance.  It will be released on May 1st. Other authros included are Loretta Hill, Rachael Herron, Nicola Moriarty.

Dr No Commitment by Virginia Taylor
Ally was warned about Rohan Sinclair – and she is determined she won't let this gorgeous, model-dating doctor distract her. After all it's a terrible idea to fall for a man who will never commit, but what if in every other way he's her perfect guy?
A mischievous romance about a man who's always run from love and the girl who just might catch him.

Anybody But Him by Claire Baxter
After twelve years away Nicola Doyle returns home to Redgum Valley - and immediately comes face to face with the very reason she left: Blair Morrissey. He's charming, infuriatingly helpful and extremely attractive. If only Nicola could forgive and forget . . .
What happens when you fall in love with the man you hate? 

Buy Link: Random Romance

Meet the Authors & get your copy of All My Love!!

Just in time for Mother's Day- Virginia Taylor and Claire Baxter will be signing copies of All My Love on May 9^th (1pm) at Collins Booksellers Edwardstown, Castle Plaza Shopping Centre, South Road. 

Come along and say hi!

Cover love!!

Virginia Taylor shares us a sneak preview of her lovely cover for Losing Patients. It's scheduled for release in June 2014.

~See you in a couple of weeks with  more sassy news~

UP-CLOSE with Destiny Romance 'new adult' author Leesa Bow!

Tell us about your writing journey. How many manuscripts and years before publication? And what book number are you up to now?

My writing journey started late in 2009 when my daughter was diagnosed with cancer. Writing proved therapeutic in coping with stress and my first book, an NA fantasy, helped me to escape reality.

In early 2013, and with my daughter in remission, I started writing my second novel, and first-to-be published eBook, Winning the Player. I have since completed a NA rural romance and I am currently writing my fourth NA book, another football romance.

Can you tell us a little about your past – growing up in Broken Hill and the different occupations you’ve had!

Growing up in a country town was free, fun and safe and like being part of a huge extended family. You leave but your heart remains because the people are warm and friendly.

After leaving school I worked as a nurse at the local hospital and nursing homes until my early twenties when I moved to Adelaide.

Your debut novel with Destiny Romance, Winning the Player, is based around football, you married a football player, and footy season has just started! So… which team do you barrack for? And how much truth is there in your fiction work surrounding the footy world?

My husband was 17 when we started dating and he was a diehard Hawthorn supporter. Back then I didn’t follow football so I also supported Hawthorn. When the Crows joined the AFL, I supported SA’s only team.

Like many fiction novels, there is an element of truth for inspiration, however, it is twisted and exaggerated to create a story. The characters and storyline of my book are complete fiction.

What’s it like being a mum to four daughters? What can a typical day be like for you?
My girls are athletic, confident, strong-minded young ladies and I’m extremely proud of them. Dinner can be challenging and one might be mistaken for being at a verbal tennis match!

My weeknights and weekends were busy transporting them to sport trainings/games [when they were younger]. Thankfully my parents helped as it was impossible to get all four to their different trainings in one night. Dinner could be a Subway in the car travelling from one venue to another.

Describe how you came to meet Hollywood star Natalie Portman, and what she was like?

Natalie is the most beautiful and kindest lady I’ve ever met. My daughter was granted a ‘Make A Wish’ and we met her in 2012 in LA. From the very first minute we were taken in with her charm. She is just as beautiful off the screen without makeup on.

Finally, why did you choose New Adult as a genre, what is it, and what authors would you suggest people read if they want to learn more about the genre?

I think New Adult encompasses stories about people who are leaving high school through their mid-twenties and the unique set of problems, issues, and relationships that they encounter during that time period. It is becoming a category on its own with subgenres of contemporary romance, fantasy, and paranormal just to name a few.

My favourite NA authors are J. Lynn, Cora Carmack, Tammara Webber, Allison Parr, and Chanel Cleeton.

For more on the lovely Leesa, click here. And for Winning the Player, head on over here.

SARA News ~ a whollota sass going on

SARA News will now be fortnightly to keep up with a busy schedule - unless of course I find a time-stopper and be able to keep up.

In the meantime, hold onto your hats, this issue has a lotta Sass going on....

STOP Press - Book Signing!!!

Carla Caruso will be at  Collins Booksellers Edwardstown, Castle Plaza Shopping Centre (992 South Rd), on Thursday (tomorrow!!), April 10, at 1pm for her book, Catch of the Day.

Debut release!!!

Emily Hussey has her debut release, The Red Heart from Steam eReads.

Arriving in Alice Springs was the start of a dream job for Kathy. As a newly qualified pilot, she was anxious to prove her abilities not just to her new boss and colleagues, but also to the characters that she met on her daily flight runs.

She was delighted to find out just how friendly the locals could be – well most of them. Brandon Woodleigh, a local station hand was contemptuous of the young city woman who was clearly out of her depth in the alien and harsh environment. Kathy vowed to keep out of his way and with a bit of luck, after her early encounters, she wouldn’t see him again.

Except she did – and he wasn’t who she thought he was. But that didn’t make him any less unpleasant. He had a knack of turning up wherever she was whether in town or out bush and each encounter left her feeling scorched in more ways than one.

Buy link: Steam eReads

Find Emily on Twitter

Busy busy Khloe

Khloe Wren's latest series is released! Sapphire Angel is Book 1 of the Gemstone Vampires Trilogy by Rogue Phoenix Press.

Vampires are real...as is the fact they will only ever take one women. Their Eternal Bride.

When Angelo sees Darcy, he knows she is his Bride. Her sapphire blue eyes match his exactly. But he must wait to claim her. He fears he has lost her forever when she disappears.

Five years pass before he finds her again. Just when things start heating up between them, Darcy is taken by their enemies. Angelo must fight to free his one true love. Will he be in time? 

Buy Link - Amazon

Check out the spiffy trailer for it.

Found at Youtube

And she's busy with a blog hop, which started on April 7th.  Why not follow her around?

April 7: Reviews by Crystal

April 7: Long and Short Reviews

April 8: fuonlyknew ~ Laura's Ramblins and Reviews

April 9: Booklover Sue

April 10: Musings and Ramblings

April 11: Room With Books

For a limited time only at .99c

Trish Morey has a new release, Second Chance Bride as part of the Montana Born Brides series by new publisher, Tule Publishing Group.

Scarlett Buck has always been flaky in comparison to her sensible twin sister Tara, so nobody is really surprised when Scarlett spends all her money on a one way ticket to Australia to be with the man she’s met on the Net. But she hasn’t reckoned on the guy already being married, or her mom getting sick, and now she needs money for a flight home to Marietta, MT—quick. Signing on with Bella's Belles in Kalgoorlie isn't be the proudest moment in her life but it will get her home fast. After all, it's just sex.

Or is it?

Mitch Bannister's ex is about to marry his best friend, and he could really do with a cold beer and a hot woman. But the cowgirl he takes a shine to at Bella's is surprisingly skittish, and in the end he leaves without hooking up.

Later, when Mitch spies the cowgirl in the local pub begging for a job, he shrinks into the shadows--he's not looking for complications, and something tells him that Scarlett Buck is a whole handful of them. But soon it's clear she's not just trouble, she's in trouble, and like it or not, he's not about to turn his back on this stray from the States. Especially if she can do him a favor in return. After all, it's just a helping hand.

Or is it?

Hurry now to buy from Amazon before the price goes up!

Manga'd!!

Trish has more great news with her two Japanese Manga releases AND an English release from Harlequin Comics...

Buy link for The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess 

(limited to certain devices) - 

Amazon

Debut release next week!

Leesa Bow has her debut release, Winning the Player out next week on the 14th from Destiny Romance!

An exciting New Adult romance about love catching up to you no matter how far you run… 

When injury destroyed her dream of playing college basketball, Aubree Taylor fled overseas. Now she's finally home again and ready to move on with her life. Until she runs into Hunter Stone on her first night out, the only guy who's ever meant anything to her – and the last person she wants to see.

Since she ran out on him two years ago, Hunter hasn't been able to get Aubree off his mind. The sexy football star has had girls all over him for years, but Aubree is the only one to have ever seen behind the cocky persona he puts on for the crowd.

Despite her attempts to keep her distance, Aubree is unable to resist the strong attraction between them and it isn't long before they fall into a passionate relationship. She has never been afraid of a challenge, but Hunter's arrogance and inablity to trust are testing her to her limits. Aubree must decide whether to follow her heart and lower her guard…or risk losing the best thing that's ever happened to her.

Pre order at Amazon

Check out Leesa's new website at leesabow.com

Want your funny bone tickled? Rom Com on the way....

Claire Baxter's next novella Love On Location will be released on 1st May. Here is the lovely cover....

 You can pre-order from  Amazon | iBooks

For A Good Cause

Claire's upcoming June release, a romantic suspense called Down Among the Dead Men is included in an offering in the Brenda Novak Juvenile Diabetes auction. It’s a Kindle Fire loaded with Entangled Ignite books. 

The auction begins in May but you can have a look at this prize here. 

Short story love...

Suzie Hindmarsh-Knights' short story Run From the Sun will be included in the Alfie Dog Fiction hardback romance collection called By My Side.  

More details when it comes to hand.

Pitch success....

Bronwyn Stuart sold her Regency with a dash of pirates to Harlequin Australia after pitching the story at RWA's 2013 conference!!

The Road to Ruin will be released in trade paperback in Australia and New Zealand as a MIRA in all good book and department stores and online.

Roadshow coming -

Weekend Romance: 

A Fair to Remember!!

A weekend for writers and lovers of romantic fiction.

Stop penning those love letters, put down the Mills & Boon, and forget those roses – it's time for our inaugural genre fair – and it’s romance! RWA and SAWC have come together to bring you two days of whirling workshops, panel sessions, masterclasses, industry advice, meet the authors sessions, book signings, and more. And on the Saturday night it’s the fundraising event of the year: our romance-themed lit quiz night. An irresistible festi-fool to fall in love with!

Full program and speakers announced in later this month...

We'll keep you posted!

Until next issue...stay sassy

SARA News

I've been on a little bit of merry-go-round this month and so the SARA News suffered, but we are back with a whole lotta SASS.

Khloe Wren
Good reviews are coming in for Cinderella's Guardian

Cara from Smile Somebody Loves You

"I do think you’ll enjoy this book, a remaking of the classic Cinderella story. I also look forward to reading the future books in this series."

See full review


Kristin on Amazon:

"Wow! This book starts off with a bang and totally keeps going right until the end! This is the first book by the author that I've read and it certainly won't be the last."

See full review



Anne Oliver

Anne 16th book (!!)  has been accepted by M&B. Titled The Party Dare, it will be released in September, 2014.

Fantastic job, Anne!! 

Leesa Bow

Exciting news for Leesa as her debut book, a New Adult novel called Winning the Player’ is due for release Monday 14th April!!

We also have the lovely cover reveal today as well.... drum roll please....

and last but in no way, the least...

Lilliana Rose

Lilliana was the the featured writer at Little Raven Press blog back in late February. There's a Q&A up on their site with her about writing erotic poetry.

~ Until next, time, happy Reading and Writing!

SARA News ~ Rose petals, Destiny, In the Wild

Welcome to another week of our SASSY news...

More Rose petals for Lilliana

Our resident poet, Lilliana Rose's has had her poem, First Line of Defence has been accepted for publication by Every Day Poet.

It's Destiny

Leesa Bow has contracted her New Adult manuscript, Winning the Player, to Destiny Romance (Penguin Australia). 

This is Leesa's FIRST sale! Way to go!!!

 SARAs are doing the Snoopy dance.  

If you have never seen the dance, first of all that's very sad. Secondly you can follow this link here. 

Spotted in the Wild

Spotted in Big W a few days before it's 1st February release is Victoria Purman's  Someone Like You (by Harlequin Australia).  

Below is the fanning that occurs *mysteriously* after fans or other authors depart the scene. :)

In Other News

The 2014 meeting schedule for the SARA meetings is now up on the website. Maggie Mundy will facilitate the February with a look at the synopsis and outlines. 

Until next time...