Bookish moments (with Nicole Flockton)

Today I want to introduce you to an Aussie author who is currently living in Texas (I'm so jealous... ツ)
Please welcome bestselling author Nicole Flockton.

"On my very first school report my teacher said ‘Nicole likes to tell her own stories’.It wasn’t until after the birth of my daughter and after having fun on the community board of eharlequin.com that I finally decided to take the plunge and write a book.
I write sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. I enjoy taking two characters and creating unique situations for them.
Apart from writing I’m busy looking after my very own hero – my wonderfully supportive husband, and my two fabulous kids. I also enjoying watching sports and, of course, reading."

Nicole writes books that 'seduce us one kiss at a time' and is the author of many books including her Sweet Texas Secrets series which are small-town romance.
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But she hasn't forgotten her roots in Australia! So I asked Nicole if she'd share an excerpt from Tangled Vines - her rural romance set in Margaret River in Western Australia.

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Over to Nicole…
 
Tangled Vines is a story about taking a leap of faith when you’ve been scarred by a tragedy. It’s also a story about trusting your instincts enough to open yourself to another person even though you’ve been betrayed by a person you thought you loved. Jordan and Kyle are in a for a ride of a lifetime after they first meet in the bathroom.  Both of them are stubborn and have a clear idea of what they want from their lives. Of course, that means sparks fly between the two of them as they learn that maybe, just maybe, they’re better off together than apart. There’s also a touch of real life experience in this book...

​The vineyard property that I based Kyle’s on was actually the property owned by a former boss of mine. I spent one day helping him with a harvest and when it came to writing this story and I knew I was going to set it down in the wine region of Margaret River, I knew the story would have to revolve around this property. When it came to find out if I could have a valid reason for Jordan hanging around the vineyard over Christmas I emailed my former boss’s son and he was more than happy to answer my questions. 
 
I hope you enjoy Jordan and Kyle’s story.

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This charming Australian rural romance will remind you of the true meaning of the holiday spirit and the power of love.

Kyle Davis doesn't do Christmas since he lost his whole family in the Boxing Day tsunami last decade. His idea of celebrating is going to his Margaret River property and cuddling up with his liquor cabinet. So finding Jordan Hastings in his shower is unacceptable - no matter how his body responds to her, a relationship is not on his holiday wish list.

After being betrayed by the man she thought loved her, winemaker Jordan has taken over her father's caretaker position - and a little bit more - at the rural vineyard. She's trying to get her career on track by bringing the neglected grapes on the property back to life. Handsome Kyle is hard to resist, especially after they grow closer and she learns of his tragic past. But falling for a man who controls her employment is not on the table.
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Yet the more time they spend together, the more it appears that taking another risk on living and loving could be the best Christmas gift after all.

Excerpt from Tangled Vines by Nicole Flockton

Jordan Hastings washed the shampoo out of her hair while listing all the things she needed to do that day. There was nothing more invigorating than getting up as the sun rose out of the sky to begin a brand new day.

She needed to check and make sure the new shoots were growing straight, obtaining maximum sunshine on the budding fruit stock. She also needed to make sure there was no sign of mildew on the vines. After being neglected for so long, she wasn’t expecting much from this year’s harvest. With the grapes she did manage to grow and harvest, she hoped to experiment and come up with new blends, new flavors infused into the wines.

Jordan couldn’t wait for her dad to recover from his broken leg so he could help her when it came to harvesting the grapes. Good thing she happened to be visiting him when he had his accident. She tried not to think his fall was caused by hearing about her broken engagement. Or how her former fiancé had won the Golden Wine award for “Most Innovative Wine” for the wine she’d created. She tried to convince herself none of those things was the reason her father lost his balance on the ladder, fell and broke his leg. But she couldn’t help but feel responsible.

Jordan forcefully shut off the water. She wasn’t going to think about her loser ex. The only important male person in her life was her father, and she planned to keep it that way for a long time. She wasn’t going to be fooled by a handsome face again.

She shoved the shower curtain aside and screamed.

“Who the hell are you and what the hell are you doing in my house?”


“Who are you?” Jordan screeched back as she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself. But she didn’t need to ask the question. She knew the bare-chested man standing in front of her.
Kyle Davis in the flesh.

She never expected the first time she met him she would be standing naked in the shower. She hated surprises and her temporary boss standing in the bathroom was one hell of a surprise.

“I asked you first.” He crossed his arms over his impressively muscled chest and widened his stance.
Jordan bristled at his aggressiveness. It was either that or step forward and lay her head on his chest.

Stop it.

Could she be any more hormonal? He’d scared the crap out of her and she wanted to feel his arms around her? Was she asking for trouble? His good looks weren’t going to keep her from doing what she wanted. No man was going to stop her from pursuing her dreams anymore.

His annoyance she could deal with. If she was truthful, she supposed he had a reason for it. It was his house after all. But it wasn’t like she was trespassing. She’d cleared it with Shey to stay in the main house instead of her dad’s apartment for the time being. However, having a conversation while wearing a towel, with him looking like he wanted to explode wasn’t a priority on her current to-do list.

“What is this? High school?” she fired back, cringing at how juvenile she sounded. She couldn’t help it. The whole situation was making her uncomfortable.

He took a couple of steps toward her, blocking her exit route out of the bathroom.

“No, this is my house and instead of finding it empty, I find you.” Kyle leaned forward fractionally. Her hand reached behind her for the tiled wall to steady herself against the fire sparking out from his eyes. “So I ask again. Who are you? And what are you doing in my house?”

At least this time he asked his questions a bit more politely.

“Do you think we can have this conversation when I’m dressed?”

A small smile broke out on Kyle’s face as his eyes lazily roamed over her towel- clad form. “Now why would I do that? Seems to me this is the perfect time for a chat.”
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Great, just remind the sexiest guy you’ve seen in a long time you’re naked. Way to go, Jordan. 

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Thank you Nicole, it's lovely to have you back in Australia, albeit online.
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If you enjoy rural romance (and I'm guessing that you do, since you're reading my blog ) why not try Tangled Vines from an Aussie author who I know misses Australia so much!
But we're still jealous of her living in Texas ツ

Tangled Vines has spent a long time in the Amazon Australia Top 100 charts.
Why not give it a try?

Purchase now from:
Amazon.au
Amazon.com
Nook
iBooks

If you'd like to learn more about Nicole and her books, and maybe check out that small-town Sweet Texas Secrets series, visit Nicole on her website, find Nicole on Facebook and also on Twitter @NicoleFlockton

Please pop in tomorrow because I've got one more bookish moment for you.
An Australian rural romance by an author whose heroes and heroines are strong, sassy and ready to rise to their challenges, and learn a little bit about themselves along the way.

Jennie x 

“Reading is dreaming with your eyes open.” ~ Anonymous