#NewRelease: A BIRD IN THE HAND by Cynthia Terelst

 Australian author Cynthia Terelst's new contemporary romance novel releases today! A BIRD IN THE HAND is an opposites-attract, road trip romance that takes us down the west coast of Australia. And since it's the middle of winter here in Canada, a road trip down the west coast of Australia sounds really good! Welcome Cynthia!

Blurb:

She yearns for the past. He wants a better future. Can they learn to love the present together?

When thirty-something Makayla’s long-term boyfriend breaks it off, she is left broken hearted. Her best friends seize the opportunity and book a bus tour up the west coast of Australia. They hope distance will give her perspective, but she can’t see past what she’s lost.

Tyler needs a break from work and seeks something more fulfilling, even if he has no idea what that is. When his mates plan the trip of a lifetime he decides to tag along. He’s sure it will get him out of his rut, and in turn, help him set a course for his future.

No one is prepared for the planning mishap that finds Makayla and Tyler sharing a room. They are opposites in just about every way and are definitely not interested in each other. Add a fouled mouthed cockatoo to the equation and the perfect trip is not so perfect. Or is it?

**This is a standalone romance with medium heat**

Message from the Author:

A Bird in the Hand was a fun book to write. Along with my characters, I visited parts of Western Australia I have never been to and others I have explored before. Even though I visited them nearly twenty years ago, they still hold a place in my heart.  

From the start, we could see the differences between Makayla and Tyler, even if they were subtle. I enjoyed watching them change over time, where their attitude changed from ‘no way’ to ‘this could be a thing’. It was their bravery and their patience with each other that allowed that to happen. 

The cockatoo in the story, with a most unfortunate name, was based on a pet cockatoo when I was a child, Old Bugger. I also asked people to share their cockatoo stories with me and formed this foul-mouthed character. Cockatoos are very smart and CM’s colourful vocabulary certainly showed that. 

I like to bring awareness to social issues in my novels. This time, I chose inequality and diversity. I only touch on these in the novel, but I hope it opens minds of readers and perhaps begins important conversations. 

Excerpt:

I looked up as Makayla came traipsing through the campsite, her clothing wet. “What on earth?”

I got up and followed her into the tent.

“Are you OK?”

“Fine.”

“Do you need some help?”

“I said I’m fine.”

I took a step back, holding up my hands.

She turned on me as fast as a competitor in a takeover negotiation. “Why do you always have to be so nice?”

Being nice was a bad thing? I tilted my head. “You don’t want me to be nice?”

“No.”

I’d never heard of someone not wanting people to be nice. “What would you rather me be?”

“Not nice. Unlikeable.”

My body felt light. “You like me?”

“No. I don’t like you.”

“But you said I was likable.”

She stamped her foot and stared at me, her jaw set. “It doesn’t mean I like you.”

“So, I’m likable, but you don’t like me?” I tried to hold my smile in. 

She took two quick steps and was right up in my body space. “I don’t like you. I’m not interested in you.”

Her arms wrapped around my neck and her mouth crashed with mine. As quick as the kiss started, it finished.

Her wide eyes stared at me. She smoothed her top down which just made it cling to her body more. “Right. OK. Yep.”

I opened my mouth but before I could say a word she whipped around and escaped from the tent. What had just happened? I stared after her as she walked to the edge of the campsite and paused. What an idiot. I should have kissed her back. 

She spun around and marched back to the tent. When she stepped inside, she smoothed her top down again. The wetness exposed the top of her breasts. I’d be jerking off to that sight for a very long time. 

“Sorry about that.” She looked up at me and gave me a small smile. 

“I’m not.”

Slight movement caught my attention, she was flexing her fingers.

I pulled her towards me. As my lips met hers, she sighed. My dick went hard as her lips opened to mine. Her warm mouth invited me in as if it was a haven and I was lost at sea. She pressed against my body and I held her there savouring every morsel of her sweet taste.

Her hands pushed against my chest. Our bodies separated and then our lips. I breathed heavy as I stared down at her.

“I like it when you express yourself,” I said, smiling.

She took a step back. My stomach dropped. Had I said the wrong thing?

Buy Link:

https://books2read.com/u/bWG2XG

Author Bio:

Cynthia Terelst is a project officer by day and a writer by night. She is a contemporary romance writer who likes to share a little bit of history, some Australian scenery and a whole lotta love. Cynthia does not shy away from difficult topics, as she feels that they should not be ignored.

She lives in Queensland, Australia, where the sun shines at least 283 days a year.

 

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New Short Story from Cynthia Terelst: IN THE DOGHOUSE

 Cynthia Terelst joins me today for a look at her new short story, IN THE DOGHOUSE, which is an introduction to her Love Down Under series. Welcome Cynthia!

Could you survive 10 days in a car with the person who destroyed your faith in love?

Chloe has nothing good to say about Alex. Not since the day he deserted her, leaving their future in tatters.

Alex’s heart has remained true to Chloe during their five years apart. All he needs to do is convince her to give him a second chance.

Much to Chloe’s dismay, a simple promise finds her driving Alex across the outback to his sister’s wedding. Will they make it to the end together or will their fractured past destroy their chance at love?

In The Doghouse is an introduction to the Love Down Under series. This short story was previously published as Back To You in the Steamy anthology. It is a stand alone romance with medium heat.

Excerpt:

Chloe

“I’m nearly there,” I said to Sam as I turned onto her street. The leafy trees arched across the road. Dappled light filtered through the thick canopy.

She laughed. “Late as usual.”

“I’ll be pulling into the driveway any second now.” I imagined her rolling her eyes.

“I’ve packed everything you and Rex will need: water and food bowl, food and his bed.”

I turned into the windy driveway and made my way to the house.

“Thanks for bringing Rex. I can’t imagine getting married without my second-best friend.”

“Lucky you said second. Because only your best friend would drive your scared-of-flying dog over 3000km for your wedding.”

She laughed. “Trust me, it was easier to get him up here than get all of Rob’s family down there.”

“Corey knows we’re not driving straight there? That I want to stop and do things along the way?”

Silence. Unusual from my best friend.

One last bend and the brick house came into sight. What the fuck? The man standing next to Rex on the porch was not Corey. He began to raise his hand in greeting. I slammed on the brakes. His hand stopped.

“Sam?” My voice shook.

“Yes?”

I needed to get out of there.

Without thinking, I put the car in reverse. What was I doing? I couldn’t just leave. I needed to pick up Rex.

I stared at the man and golden retriever. They stared right back.

“Chloe?” Sam’s cautious voice asked.

“Why is Alex here?” My heart beat fast.

“So you can give him a lift. Remember, I said the flights were booked out?”

I clenched my teeth and took a deep breath. I remembered the conversation word for word. She asked if I could take her brother with me. She never said which brother.

“You led me to believe I’d be taking Corey.” I tried to keep my voice calm but it had a distinct edge.

“No, I didn’t. You believed that.”

“You never corrected me.”

“Semantics.”

“Don’t fucking semantics me.”

Alex was talking to Rex, scratching his favourite spot behind his ears. I tried to drag my eyes away from Alex. I tried not to notice how good he looked. How his jeans hugged his thighs and his t-shirt stretched across his chest. I imagined the sight if he turned around. The way his jeans would—

I directed my attention to Rex, who was waiting patiently, his bum parked firmly, looking between Alex and the car. Alex produced his phone and his fingers moved across the screen.

I couldn’t believe my best friend would do this to me. She knew how I felt about her older brother.

“Alex wants to know if you’re actually going to drive the rest of the way to the house.”

I gave him the finger. I regretted that she couldn’t see it as well.

Sam tapped on her phone screen, her nails making rapping sounds like machine gun fire. Was she texting him?

“Five years, and that’s how you greet me?” Alex’s voice came through my speaker.

She freaking added him to our call.

“Yeah, well, it was better than running you over.”

“Come on, Chlo.”

His deep voice still had the same effect after all these years. My stomach leapt like a surfer’s did when catching a big wave. First, my best friend lied to me. Then, my body betrayed me.

Stuff it. We were all adults here. I put the car in drive and drove the last ten metres.

“I’ll see you in ten days. I can’t guarantee Alex will survive the trip.” I disconnected the call.

Buy Link:

https://books2read.com/u/38QOKr

Reach Cynthia at her website at www.cynthiaterelst.com