Romance author – Small Town Fiction

We think it’s a marriage made in Heaven. Words, Wine, Romance and Western Australian writers.

Welcome! Hearts n Wined is on Facebook to promote Western Australian authors, encourage WA aspiring writers and to promote and progress all things WA based for writing workshops, events, and festivals.
If you’re a reader of fiction, of romance or fiction with romantic elements (wherever you are in the world) we’re glad you joined us and we look forward to chatting.
If you’re a Western Australian author, aspiring writer, bookshop, event, workshop or library facilitator or coordinator OR if you are an author with a story set in WA, please take a look at our Rules of Engagement and then feel free to post to introduce yourselves, tell us what you’re writing (or organising) and where we can find you.

Find us on Twitter: @heartsnwined

Who are we?

♥ Claire Boston was a voracious reader as a child, devouring anything by Enid Blyton as well as series such as Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, The Baby-sitters Club and Sweet Valley High. Then one school holidays when she’d run out of books to read, her mum handed her ‘Hot Ice’ by Nora Roberts and she instantly fell in love with romance novels.

When she’s not reading or writing she can be found in the garden attempting to grow vegetables, or racing around a vintage motocross track. If she can convince anyone to play with her, she also enjoys cards and board games. Claire was born in Western Australia, and lives just south of Perth, with her husband, who loves even her most annoying quirks, and her two grubby, but adorable Australian bulldogs. Her debut novel What Goes on Tour was published by Momentum in February 2014.

Webpage: www.claireboston.com

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/clairebostonauthor

♥ Jennie Jones is a Welsh born Australian citizen. Jennie has lived in Western Australia for over 18 years and is married to a rugby loving New Zealander, has a WA born teenage daughter, a WA born chocolate Labrador, two WA born rescue cats, a WA born rabbit, an axolotl from goodness knows where and her daughter has an American-bred but born in Australia thoroughbred horse.

Jennie’s debut novel The House on Burra Burra Lane was published by Harlequin (Australia) digital-first imprint, Escape Publishing in June 2013 and went to trade paperback with Harlequin (Australia) MIRA in January 2014. Jennie has four more novels penned in this series, two of which will release in late 2014/early 2015.

Webpage: www.jenniejonesromance.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennie-Jones-Romance-Author/290261037740578?ref=hl

♥ Juanita Kees is a South African born West Aussie, graduated from the Australian College QED, Bondi with a diploma in Proofreading, Editing and Publishing, and achieved her dream of becoming a published author in 2012 with the release of her debut romantic suspense, Fly Away Peta, the prequel in the Tag Raiders series. Book 1, Under the Hood, followed in 2013 as one of the first releases from Harlequin’s digital pioneer, Escape Publishing. Book 2, Under Cover of Dark, is due for release in 2014.

Juanita works as a freelance editor assisting authors in polishing their work for submission. She escapes the real world to write stories starring spirited heroines who give the hero a run for his money before giving in. When she’s not writing, editing or proofreading, Juanita is the cleaning fairy and mother to three boys (hubby included, his toys are just a little more expensive). Her not-so-miniature Daschund, Sam is her critique partner and keeps her company while writing. Juanita loves to hear from fans and would love for you to enjoy herwriting journey with her at:

Webpage (Author): www.juanitakees.com

Webpage (Editor): www.kees2create.com.au/

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Juanita-Kees-Author-Page/119574648138202

♥ Lily Malone juggles part-time work and family with writing, and when not writing, likes gardening, walking, wine, and walking in gardens (sometimes with wine). Lily lives in Margaret River and is the author of His Brand of Beautiful and The Goodbye Ride. Her latest release is Fairway to Heaven, about love on the golf course and lust in the sand bunkers, set in the beautiful location of West Australia’s Geographe Bay.

Webpage: http://lilymalone.wordpress.com/

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/lily.lilymalone

Twitter: www.twitter.com/lily_lilymalone

♥ ♥ ♥

A big thank you to Jennie Jones, author of House on Burra Burra Lane for inviting me to take part on this blog hop. What a great opportunity to discover new authors to read.

Jennie Jones, Romance Author writes contemporary fiction with romance and humour at heart. Her debut novel The House on Burra Burra Lane was published with Escape Publishing in June 2013 and released in paperback with Harlequin MIRA on January 1^st 2014. You can find Jennie and her book on her website: http://www.jenniejonesromance.com

And now to answer the challenge Jennie has set for me:

1) What am I working on?

My current work in progress is Under Cover of Dark, the story of handsome detective Mark Johnson, who made an appearance in Fly Away Peta and Under the Hood.

When Mark Johnson continues his investigation into the murder of Tiny Watts and the involvement of the teenage gang, the Tag Raiders, with sleazy lawyer, Gino Bennetti (Under the Hood), the last thing he expects is to be interviewing Gino’s widow. And it seems she’s in a world of trouble.

With her husband’s blood on her hands, Lily Bennetti has her son to protect and secrets that run deeper than the scars she bears. Mark Johnson is the last person she wants uncovering those secrets. Especially the truth about her son Luke’s involvement in Tiny Watts’ murder.

As the investigation continues and Lily’s scars heal, she finds the gorgeous detective easy to trust and the friendship between them blossoms into more. But the secret Lily holds is placing them in very real danger. She stands to lose her son, the man she loves, her freedom and quite possibly, her life.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?

While my stories are mostly romance, I like to draw the reader into the lives and challenges of all the characters as they face ‘real life’ situations that carry a meaningful message. In Under the Hood, technician TJ Stevens runs an apprentice rehabilitation program for juvenile offenders in the hope of keeping them off the streets away from drugs and crime.

When Scott Devin buys a struggling car dealership in a semi-rural area in Western Australia, the last person he expects to see in charge is a stilletto-wearing, mini-skirted foreperson. Exactly the distraction a struggling, male-dominated workshop doesn’t need! But there’s more to TJ Stevens than meets the eye.

TJ Stevens has two major goals in life: to preserve her grandfather’s heritage and protect the program – and she’ll go to any lengths to do it. Scott Devin’s presence is a threat to everything she’s worked hard to achieve, so keeping him at arms length shouldn’t be a problem…or would it?

3) Why do I write what I do?

What’s not to love about the mystery of romance? While the world may not always be sunshine and rainbows, who says we can’t make our own magic to escape the harsh realities of life. We can escape to a world dreams are made of, even if only for a little while. Romance writers have brought a little hope and happiness to readers for centuries, but I’m an action and adventure kind of girl too. That’s why I write action-filled suspense with a lot of romance starring feisty heroines and loveable heroes.

4) How does my writing process work?

Tough one! I write when I can, as much as I can. An idea can strike anywhere. I do my best thinking and plotting when I’m alone in my head, write it, edit it and send it to my lovely critique partners and beta readers for feedback. I’d be lost without the people whose input polishes my stories.

Well, there you have it. Now I’m passing the baton to children’s author, Teena Raffa-Mulligan who has a talent for tales that inspire and carry wonderful messages for children of all ages. My favourite was Mad Dad For Sale – pretty cool! Here’s a little more about Teena:

Teena is a reader, writer and daydream believer. She’s been a regular visitor to the world of make-believe since her primary school days and knew from an early age she wanted to be a writer. Her first published book was a stranger danger tale for young readers that was endorsed by the West Australian police and education departments of the day and used in schools around the country. Teena writes across genres and has published picture books, a junior novel and many short stories and poems for children and adults. She shares her passion for books and writing by presenting talks and workshops to encourage people of all ages to write their own stories. Her writing life has also included a long career as a journalist and editor. Teena is convinced there is magic in every day if we choose to see it. She lives near the beach south of Perth and has three children with families of their own who provide plenty of ideas for new stories.

Teena would love for you to share her writing journey with her at:

Author Site:        www.teenaraffamulligan.com

Author Site for kids: http://teenawriter.weebly.com

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

Twitter:      @TraffaM