Hi everyone,
September has been an interesting month. After being in lock-down on and off for the past couple of years in Melbourne, my immune system has not coped so well with Victoria reopening and life returning back to ‘normal.’ I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this sick. Thankfully, winter is over and spring is here. Anyway, dealing with illness has been part of the reason I’ve been quiet this month. The other reason is that I’ve been busy writing.
I’m excited to announce my story was a late addition to a Christmas anthology by The Independent Romance Authors Association (TIRAA).
It Started One Christmas is the steamy novella I’ve written, and it has several of my favourite tropes, such as enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity (working and living together!), and even includes a pair of hot twin brothers! I’m so excited to have an Aussie Christmas represented in the anthology.
If you’re interested in reading it, we still need ARC readers. The deadline for signing up closes midnight 29th. Yes, that’s this evening, but don’t worry, you’ll be given plenty of time to read the stories. There’s no need to read all twelve, however you will need to commit to reading 3-4. There’s a mix of sweet and steamy novellas, and our members are from all over the world.
For more information, or to sign up, please click on the link below and fill out the form if you want to participate.
It Started One Christmas by Elle Fielding
Breanna Webber declared Lawson St. James her enemy on Christmas Day fifteen years ago. Sure, they spent one hot night together recently, but that was a mistake. Or was it? When she’s forced to work with him over the Christmas break, she’ll find they must decide whether a repeat is in order. Is there more to their antagonistic relationship than either of them has dared to admit…like, maybe love?
Excerpt
Saint grabs a set of keys from one of the hooks on the wall and tosses them to me.
I catch them one-handed just as he says, “You’re in 101.”
“Where are you staying?”
He smirks. “In 101.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Just so we’re clear, Saint, I’m not sleeping with you again.”
Not after the way he left me last time. He was gone before I woke up. No explanation. No follow-up call. Our night together meant nothing to him. The hurt I felt when I didn’t hear from him was unexpected and unwelcome.
He scoffs. “Cool your jets, Breanna. I only need to make a mistake once to learn.”
“And sleeping with me was a mistake?” I bite out, ignoring the way my heart feels as though it’s being squeezed in a vice.
I don’t even know why I’m asking. He made it clear he regrets our night, or at least doesn’t care to ever repeat it. Even if I once stupidly hoped our time together meant something to him, that it was the start of something, I won’t make that mistake again.
He cocks an eyebrow. “Wasn’t it?”
“Of course. I was drunk.”
“There you go.” He paints an imaginary cross over his heart. “Promise you I won’t touch you.”
“Good.”
“We’re booked solid—that’s the only reason we’ll be sharing Jax’s quarters. I honestly didn’t think you’d have a problem with it. Jax made it sound like you’re aware of how crazy the holiday seasons are here.”
“Of course. It’s fine.”
I walk out and try not to think about the horrible way he told me he didn’t want to sleep with me again. Sometimes, I swear the two of us interacting causes him to devolve into that twelve-year-old boy I met fifteen years ago.
Without thinking it through, I walk back into the reception office, finding him in the same spot. He quirks an eyebrow in question.
“Are we going to be able to work together?” I ask.
“Why wouldn’t we?”
I try not to laugh. “Maybe because you’ve always been a dick to me.”
“You have a high opinion of yourself, Bree. I’m a dick to everyone.” His dark eyes lock with mine. “You’re not special.”
His words make me flinch as they lash at my heart, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of seeing that. Never will I admit I have secretly wondered if there’s another reason he’s always been an arse to me. Oftentimes when boys pull pigtails, it’s their way of getting a girl’s attention. For a short time, I thought maybe Saint was mean to me because he wanted mine. But the way he’s just spoken to me reminds me that sometimes when boys pull pigtails, they’re just being arseholes.
I make a hasty exit and climb into my car.
I drive past the beach entry, the boat ramps, the bike and walking tracks, all the way to the last cabin—101—my home for the next month.
Walking through the place littered with clothes and take-away containers, the scent of Saint’s aftershave everywhere, I sigh.
One month.
Living with Saint for a month.
How hard can it be?
Wrapped in Romance
A Christmas Collection of 12 Naughty & Nice Novellas
This season, get swept up in the mistletoe magic of a holiday romance – or twelve!
Sure to warm your heart and curl your toes, this sparkling new collection features Christmas-themed love stories by a diverse and talented group of independent romance authors from Canada, the U.S., Australia, the U.K., and Sweden. Whether you swoon for second chances, ship enemies to lovers, or sigh over destined soulmates, you’ll enjoy opening these sweet, spicy, and sometimes steamy standalone shorts, each wrapped in romance and tied with a big, bright bow of guaranteed happily ever after.
Pour yourself a mug of mulled wine or hot cocoa, curl up, and fall in love with heartfelt holiday stories from around the world.
USA: Piper Lee Burns, M. K. Condry, K. L. Cottrell, Leila Love, Laura Mowery, Nicole Sharp, and Greta Rose West.
Canada: Barbara Kellyn.
UK: Lisa M. Miller and Cindi Page.
Australia: Elle Fielding.
Sweden: Lili Grouse.
The Independent Romance Authors Association (TIRAA) is a global community of independently-published romance authors where knowledge is shared and every writer’s success, big or small, is celebrated. To learn more about TIRAA, or to join this hive mind for indie romance authors, visit: independentromance.com
Sign up now for an ARC by filling out the Google form.
Hey!
So I clearly saw this a little too late.
I have filled the form today though and I get if that may not work now but worth a try.
Also, do we have to pay some amount?
PS: I have literally joined all of these Substack, vocal, Radish, Goodreads) because of you lol (it started when I found you on Wattpad), so I'd love if I get to join this!