Jennie JonesBestselling Australian Author
Book Blog |
Jennie JonesBestselling Australian Author
Book Blog |
GIVEAWAY NOW ENDED The winner is: Melissa Woods! We’re back with four fabulous authors over four days and a book giveaway a day! What does a house or a home mean to a character in a book? All my guest authors this week are ARRA (Australian Romance Readers Association) 2014 Award finalists for Romantic Suspense fiction - and for good reason. In today's post there's an international giveaway of an Amazon kindle copy of the featured book: UNDER COVER OF DARK plus a choice of one of any of my books (Amazon kindle) for either you or a friend. Enjoy! Today's guest is Juanita Kees, author of Romantic Suspense and also Rural Romance
The bookThe characterDetective Mark Johnson, hero. He's investigating the murder of Tag Raiders gang leader, Gino Benetti, and finds himself falling for the victim’s widow. Character bio: Detective Mark Johnson has an easy-going personality, a great sense of humour, talks to dogs and enjoys the peacefulness of the Perth hills. He is too busy solving crimes to fall in love—until he meets Lily Bennetti, the widow in his current murder case. Mark being the hero and gentleman he is, will give Lily as much space as she needs to heal, but that won’t stop him loving her or putting himself in danger to protect her and her son Luke. The houseThe newly-established Tiny Watts Teenage Rehabilitation Centre (from my novel, Under the Hood) has become a second home for Mark. He hangs out there as a mentor to the former members of the Tag Raiders gang. The property is set on a 10 acre block of land in the Perth Hills and is as close to rural/small town living as he can get without leaving the city. The idea for centre came from Australian businessman and politician JJ Simons’ Young Australia League holiday camp established in 1929 deep in the shaded Roleystone valley. Together, League members and volunteers built cottages using local timber and stone. They created pathways, roads, steps and terraces and filled the garden with native and imported plants. The Grove of the Unforgotten still remains today, built in memory of Young Australia League members killed in World War I. Now known as Araluen Botanical Park, many of the cottages have been restored, except for one that burnt down, leaving only the chimney stack standing—and that becomes a pivotal point in my story. I chose a similar setting because of the history and original purpose. How wonderful would it be if young people could return to this peaceful place while they search for themselves through the trials of growing up? What makes a house a home for Mark?A place filled with love and laughter where victims of domestic violence and crime are given the opportunity to turn their lives around, and of course, having Lily there at his side. Under Cover of Dark book blurb
Excerpt from Under Cover of Dark by Juanita KeesMark ran a hand over his face and rubbed at the day’s growth of beard. ‘It could get ugly for both of them.’ ‘I guess we need to make sure it doesn’t.’ ‘We’re going to try our damndest,’ Mark agreed. ‘Oi,’ called TJ from the veranda. Both men turned to see her with a pile of linen in her arms. She tossed it neatly into Scott’s. ‘Why don’t you boys go and make up the beds in Cabin One while we get the salads ready.’ ‘And here I thought we could sit, watch footy and drink beer while the kids did the barbeque,’ grumbled Scott. ‘Not if you want to sleep in a bed tonight.’ TJ turned and went inside. With a shrug, they set off towards the row of four cabins further up the slope behind the house. Razed during a fire six months earlier, the community had pulled together to help Scott and TJ rebuild the refuge accommodation. Now they stood guard over the garden they’d dedicated to Tiny Watts, the ruins of the chimney where he’d hidden his letter to TJ stood proudly in the middle. Scott whistled for his Rottweiler, Sarge, who followed happily behind them. ‘On guard,’ he told the dog. Sarge turned towards the view of the driveway and flopped down with his head resting on his gigantic paws. ‘I’ll leave him outside the door of the cabin tonight. He’ll keep an eye on her so she’s not alone.’ ‘Can he use a gun?’ Mark laughed. ‘No, but he’s been sharpening his teeth on Marty’s cricket stumps. Chewed the damn things in half.’ Lily watched the two men from the kitchen window and thought about Luke’s diary. She’d burn it herself if it didn’t also hold evidence that would take the drug ring down. Now Mark knew about the diary, dare they use it to cut a deal for Luke? Other books by Juanita KeesAll Juanita Kees' books can be read as stand-alone novels. Juanita also writes short, hot sexy romance under the pen name Juanita Chavez.
Home to Bindarra Creek (from the Bindarra Creek rural romance series) is releasing 22 Dec 2015 and up for pre-order very soon… Check in with Juanita on JuanitaKees.com for up to date information on when you can pre-order. Find out more about Juanita Kees and her books on her website JuanitaKees.com Say hi to Juanita on her Facebook page JuanitaKeesAuthor Huge thanks to Juanita for participating in my A house is a home when... series. I love to share great books with my readers. LEAVE A COMMENT for Juanita and you’re in the draw to WIN an Amazon kindle copy of Under Cover of Dark plus your choice of one of any of my books (Amazon kindle) for either you or a friend. Giveaways drawn Sun 22 Nov, midnight AEST. GIVEAWAY NOW ENDED Winner is: Melissa Woods! Jennie, in the company of Juanita xx Check out previous giveaways in this series of Romance! Adventure! Suspense! (still ongoing):
Lee Christine & In Safe Arms Sandy Curtis & Grievous Harm Cathryn Hein & The French Prize and her new rural romance, Summer and the Groomsman 19/11/2015 07:20:40 am
Thanks for having me, Jennie! Readers, what makes a house a home for you?
Jennie Jones
19/11/2015 07:24:24 am
I'm delighted to showcase your wonderful books, Juanita so thanks for participating! And that's a very good question: what makes a house a home for US? (Me? I like to know I'm surrounded by my little personal treasures, the odd much loved piece of furniture or a favourite chair and most of all, that I can close the door on what's going on outside. A house is a home when it's a haven for me :) 19/11/2015 09:30:07 am
Oh, I do love my personal treasures. I have a collection of porcelain dolls I inherited from my gran. They have pride of place in my showcase. 19/11/2015 07:57:02 am
I had to visit when I saw I'd get the chance to ogle Detective Mark once again! I'm bouncing like a labrador puppy at the thought of clicking your Bindarra Creek book... seriously cannot wait.
Jennie Jones
19/11/2015 09:06:28 am
I too "adore" Detective Mark Johnson, Lily. And I hope you keep that holiday feel in your new home for a long, long time. Thanks for popping over to the blog. Always a pleasure to see you here. 19/11/2015 09:32:38 am
LOL, I'm thrilled to hear you're excited. I must admit, Dan Molyneaux comes a close second to Detective Mark! What a great place your house is, and peaceful too!
Melissa Woods
19/11/2015 08:42:02 am
Ohhhhh, what a gorgeous guy on the front. And as an added plus, an extra special book inside waiting to be read.
Jennie Jones
19/11/2015 09:07:22 am
I can personally assure you that the gorgeous guy on the front is even more gorgeous on the page, Melissa. Good luck in the draw. 19/11/2015 09:34:33 am
He is, isn't he? I love this cover so much. Thank you for stopping in to comment. Good luck in the draw, Melissa!
Sharon Greaves
19/11/2015 08:55:58 am
These all look like great reads but I really want to read Home to Bindarra Creek, nothing like a good Aussie Romance, love them.
Jennie Jones
19/11/2015 09:10:11 am
Home to Bindarra Creek will be up for pre-order very very soon, Sharon. Stay tuned! (And actually, all Juanita's romantic suspense Tag Raiders series books are set in rural small towns - so there's a real rural-romance theme in them, along with the suspense!) Nice to see you here, Sharon - thanks for popping in. 19/11/2015 09:39:30 am
Hi Sharon, glad to hear you love Aussie romance. My first book, Fly Away Peta was set in the small town of Williams, Western Australia. The other two are set in the hills around Perth in a small rural community. I love Aussie small towns. They are full of wonderful, warm, rich (in personality) characters. Good luck in the draw and thanks for commenting :)
Len Klumpp
19/11/2015 04:27:49 pm
19/11/2015 04:47:40 pm
Thanks Len! Under the Hood was great fun to write :) I love feisty characters. I hope you enjoy Home to Bindarra Creek. Thanks for stopping in and saying hi. Good luck in the draw.
Jennie Jones
19/11/2015 05:56:16 pm
Nothing like a series set in the one area, or around the one topic, is there, Len? Thank you for popping in to show your appreciation. (PS, I've had the pleasure of reading Juanita's Home to Bindarra Creek and I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.) Comments are closed.
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"All of life can be experienced in a book." ~ Jennie Jones