Feed Your Reader: A vineyard, three brothers, and the magic of cupcakes.

A vineyard, a family in pain, and the healing magic of cupcakes…

Amy Jenkins, a talented and ambitious chef, is left humiliated and debt-ridden, after her city restaurant fails. When her best friend calls asking for help in her small town cupcake shop, Amy jumps at the chance to hide out in the small town of Alpine Ridge while her shattered ego mends.

The youngest Mathews brother, Tom feels over-looked and under-appreciated. His brothers remember every mistake, but never give him the responsibility or opportunity to take his place in the family business. So, he spends three weeks out of every month working at a mine in the back-end of nowhere. But then Amy moves to town to help run his pregnant sister-in-law’s bakery, and suddenly home seems to be where his heart is.

Amy’s move was only ever meant to be temporary, but when tragedy strikes the Mathews family, Amy finds herself unable to move on. As she and Tom get closer, Amy finds every excuse to stay: first, she claims it’s for the family, then she claims it’s for the shop. But maybe, it’s for her own heart…

” I loved the way the story was woven and all its twists and turns. A box of tissues is a must!”  – Jeanne, NetGalley

“a lovely story of love, healing, and new beginnings.” – NetGalley Reviewer

“just gives you a huge happy sigh” – Becky, NetGalley

iBooks, Booktopia, Nook, Kobo, Google, Amazon AU, Amazon US, Amazon UK

Inspiration Behind the Story: Jane O’Reilly

It might seem a little odd given that I write romance, but I have my husband’s love of the Discovery Channel to thank for a lot of my inspiration and The Holiday Survival Guide is no exception.

The hero in this novella is a survival expert who used to have his own TV show (ringing any bells yet?) and anyone who has spent any time watching the Discovery Channel will have stumbled across Bear Grylls. There is something innately sexy about a man who is not only physically tough enough to withstand extreme conditions, but also mentally strong enough to keep going when those conditions threaten to be too much. Add to that sharp intelligence and a complete lack of shame when it comes to nudity, and suddenly things become very interesting indeed.

This is the man you’d want on board when your plane went down and you were stranded in the middle of the desert. Someone who knows so much about wildly different environments and is able to conquer their fear and do things that I know I personally would never be able to do, like jumping out of an plane, climbing a sheer rock face, or eating things that really shouldn’t be eaten.

We’re so often surrounded now by waxed, preened, pretty men with gym honed bodies designed purely for show, and to me there’s nothing sexy about a man who spends most of his time worrying about his hair. Give me a man who can build a shelter and start a fire any day.

If the zombie apocalypse ever happens – I know who I’ll be calling 🙂

Jane O’Reilly started writing as an antidote to kids’ TV when her youngest child was a baby. Her first novel was set in her old school and involved a ghost and lots of death. It’s unpublished, which is probably for the best. Then she discovered contemporary romance, and that, as they say, was that. She lives near London with her husband and two children.  Her next title with Escape, Perfect Timing, is available for pre-order now.

A Love Story is called…

With all the votes collated we have a winning title for our Love Story….

It Started With A Key …which we think is most appropriate!

Relive the story all over again!

Escape Publishing has launched!

It’s here, it’s here, it’s finally here!

I know we’ve been talking up Escape Publishing for what seems like months (okay, it has been months), but for all the time that you’ve been waiting, we’ve been waiting longer. So I can’t begin to tell you the (admittedly, somewhat stress-driven) happy dance that we’re all doing now that launch day has finally arrived.

November 14th:

• the BBC starts broadcasting in the UK (1922)
• Theodore Maiman invents the first laser (1967)
• Condoleeza Rice is born (1954)
• Booker T Washington dies (1915)
• I finally get to tell you about Escape’s fabulous launch titles (2012)

You can find blurbs about all of the different books on our website, but I thought I might tell you a little bit about why I chose each of these titles to help launch Escape Publishing!

Chains of Revenge by Keziah Hill

Chains of Revenge – Keziah Hill

One of the things romance writers have to be very careful to resolve is any power vacuum between their characters – even if outwardly one of the characters occupies a more powerful position, it must be clear to the reader that, within the relationship at least, the characters meet as equals. What I loved about Keziah’s erotic novella is how she played with this – at different times in the story, both characters occupy a position of complete authority, but their emotions and reactions to each other always, always make them equal, proving that the power of love is stronger than chains.

Also? This story is hot.

Chaos Born by Rebekah Turner

Chaos Born by Rebekah Turner

So in my past life as a reviewer, I was given a lot of urban fantasy, which makes sense, ’cause urban fantasy sells, especially if the author has managed to ride the crest of whichever monster is trending at the moment. But I gotta admit, after a while, it seemed much of a muchness to me.

Then, in breezes Rebekah Turner, with her complex world, her shades-of-grey characters, her loveable-but-would-hate-to-be-called-that heroine, and I was stuck. What I really love best about Rebekah’s book is that she ignores the whole ‘hero must stand apart from his/her community’ thing, and makes Lora have to deal with, negotiate and navigate the world she lives in. Sure, she breaks rules occasionally – well, okay, a lot – but there are consequences. Lora lives in her world, and thus the world cannot be ignored. I also thought the ‘villains’ (but are they?) – the militant religious order that keeps peace (and control) on the streets were fascinating.

Christmas Wishes by Rhian Cahill

Christmas Wishes by Rhian Cahill

I admit, I am a total sucker for friends to lovers stories, especially when its best friends, and there’s that whole emotional gamut of ‘what if we ruin what we have?’ risk, while still yearning desperately for something more. What really caught me about Rhian’s story, however, is the playfulness. Sure the characters angst a bit, but their relationship is so warm, so friendly, so teasing, that I found myself smiling all the way through – and then giving a big ol’ sigh at the end.

 

 

Grease Monkey Jive
by Ainslie Paton

Grease Monkey Jive by Ainslie Paton

I love big stories. Love them. Give me a long arc, multiple secondary characters, and slow builds any day. So I just fell all over myself when I read this novel from debut author Ainslie, with its long timeline, its space to breathe, its host of fantastic supporting characters, its community and its family. Plus, Pimp My Ride meets Strictly Ballroom! This one reminded me strongly of early Susan Elizabeth Phillips, but without the 80s fashion. Grease Monkey Jive is all about relationships that don’t happen in a vacuum, and reminding us that best friends will have a lot to say.

 

 

In Safe Hands
by Lee Christine

In Safe Hands by Lee Christine

What I liked best about Lee’s very polished romantic suspense story was how very contemporary it felt – like it was something that could happen to any one of us at any time, thanks to the pervasiveness of technology. It made the whole scenario so much more suspenseful, and really brings the reader alongside Allegra – the heroine – immediately. Plus, ex-SAS hero? Yes, please!

There are a number of ways for you to check out our launch titles, and now’s the time to do it – we’ve got special launch pricing at the moment, and all stories are available for $0.99!

These prices aren’t going to last long, though, so get in quick – and please, tell me what you think! I’d love to know what you felt, how you went, and if you agree with my assessments. We’ve been working towards this launch for months, and I can’t express how excited we are to finally get to set Escape Publishing loose in the world!

Xx

Kate