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Monique McDonell

BOOK FEATURE: “Something to Savour: A Jewel Sisters Romance”

May 16, 2019 Leave a Comment

“Something to Savour: A Jewel Sisters Romance” by Monique McDonell

Blurb:

It’s hard to avoid anyone in small town Caudal Bay, especially the off-limits love of your life but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try – at least that’s what Emme believes, it’s a pity she’s failing so miserably. 

The two things that annoy winemaker Emme Smoth most are local publican Gavin Crawley and weddings. So when the town tourism committee sends them to the city to host the local booth at a Wedding Expo it’s her worst nightmare come to life, especially when there’s a mix up and they have to share a hotel room. It’s not that she doesn’t like Gav it’s just that she has a secret that would break both their hearts.

Gavin is delighted to finally have Emme all to himself so they can finally work out what went wrong between them all those years ago. He even thinks he might be making progress until they get back to Caudal Bay she quits her job and starts making plans to move away leaving the clock ticking for him   to show her there’s something real between them.

As Emme focusses on keeping Gav at a distance while being the best reluctant bridesmaid she can for her sister’s wedding Gav races to convince her to stay.in town.

If you believe in second chances, grand crazy romantic gestures and that sometimes love can conquer all then Something to Savour is the sweet, small town romance you’ve been looking for.

The third book in the Jewel Sisters series Something worth Saving can be read as a stand alone novel but the series is best enjoyed in order.

  • Something of a Spark
  • Something to Sing About
  • Something to Savour
  • Something Worth Saving

About author, Monique McDonell:

I am an Australian author who writes contemporary women’s fiction including chick lit and romance. 

I have written all my life especially as a child when I loved to write short stories and poetry. At University I studied Creative Writing as part of my Communication degree. Afterwards I was busy working in public relations I didn’t write for pleasure for quite a few years although I wrote many media releases, brochures and newsletters. (And I still do in my day-job!)

When I began to write again, I noticed a trend – writing dark unhappy stories made me unhappy. So, I decided to write a novel with a happy ending, and I have been writing happy stories ever since. 

I am the author of over 22 books including five standalone novels and two novellas including Mr. Right and Other Mongrels Flight Bound and Hearts Afire. I have also written three series; the Upper Crust Series, the Jewel Sisters Series and the Courtside Romance series. In 2019 I will have books included in three multi author series; No Brides Club Series and the Cinnamon Bay Romance series and an as yet untitled series that takes place on a cruise. Many of my novels focus on an Australian characters meeting and visiting US characters.  In 2015 had a piece on writing chick lit featured in the successful Australian non-fiction book Copyfight.

I live on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with my husband and daughter.

To learn more about my writing, my caffeine obsession and my upcoming books please visit  www.moniquemcdonell.com.au. 

Contact Monique:

Amazon author page

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Goodreads

Filed Under: Something to Savour: A Jewel Sisters Romance Tagged With: Books, Chick-Lit, Monique McDonell, Romance, Something to Savour : A Jewel Sisters Romance, Women's Fiction

Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop

December 5, 2017 Leave a Comment


If you thought hopping was only done by bunnies at Easter, you haven’t experienced Chick Lit Chat HQ’s annual Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop! 62 bestselling and award-winning authors in the Chick Lit and Rom Com genres are participating in this year’s fun-filled event and each one is doing a fabulous giveaway. Books, swag, and assorted holiday treats are all up for grabs! In addition, you can enter to win one of three Grand Prizes ($100 Amazon gift cards) on the hop’s group page.

The celebration runs from Monday, Dec. 4th thru Friday, Dec. 15th, so strap on that mistletoe and fa-la-la-ollow along on Facebook. This hop is guaranteed to fill you with the Christmas spirit!

Join the party at the Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop Facebook group where you’ll get to interact with readers, as well as the authors themselves. You’ll find each day’s featured authors, along with the links to their pages/giveaways, in the pinned post at the top of the group. Can’t wait to see you there!


Monday, Dec. 4th

Tracie Banister https://www.facebook.com/tracie.banister

Beth Carter https://www.facebook.com/authorbethcarter

Whitney Dineen

https://www.facebook.com/Whitney-Dineen-11687019412/

Karin Gillespie https://www.facebook.com/karingillespieauthor/

Kate O’Keeffe https://www.facebook.com/kateokeeffeauthor/

 

Tuesday, Dec. 5th

Annabelle Costa

https://www.facebook.com/Annabelle-Costa-894496980704700/

Susan Hatler https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanhatler/

Kate Kisset
https://www.facebook.com/KateKisset/

Kirsty McManus https://www.facebook.com/kirstymcmanusauthor

Robyn Neeley

https://www.facebook.com/RobynNeeleyAuthor/

 

Wednesday, Dec. 6th

Sylvia Ashby https://www.facebook.com/sylviaashbywriter/

Hannah Ellis https://www.facebook.com/novelisthannahellis

Cat Lavoie https://www.facebook.com/CatLavoieBooks

Becky Monson https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeckyMonson/

Jennifer Peel https://www.facebook.com/jenniferpeelauthor/

 

Thursday, Dec. 7th

Michele Brouder https://www.facebook.com/MicheleBrouder/

Melinda Curtis
https://www.facebook.com/MelindaCurtisAuthor/

Liz Durano https://www.facebook.com/Lizduranobooks/

Diane Michaels https://www.facebook.com/dianemichaelsauthor/

Holly Tierney-Bedord https://www.facebook.com/HollyRecommends/

 

Friday, Dec. 8th

Hilary Grossman https://www.facebook.com/HilaryGrossmanAuthor/

Beth Labonte https://www.facebook.com/bethlabontebooks/

Nikki LeClair https://www.facebook.com/NikkiLeClairBooks/

Heidi Renee Mason https://www.facebook.com/HeidiReneeMason/

Susan Murphy https://www.facebook.com/susanmurphyauthor/

Natalina Reis https://www.facebook.com/authornatalinareis/

Saturday, Dec. 9th

Amy Avanzino https://www.facebook.com/AmyAvanzino/

Susannah Nix https://www.facebook.com/susannahnix

Cassandra O’Leary https://www.facebook.com/cassandraolearyauthor

Michelle Jo Quinn https://www.facebook.com/MichelleJoQuinnAuthor/

Nicole Waggoner https://www.facebook.com/NicoleWaggonerAuthorCircusofWomen/

Sunday, Dec. 10th

Mary Frame https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryFrame/

Sarah-Jane Fraser

https://www.facebook.com/sjfraserauthor/

Amy Gettinger

https://www.facebook.com/Amy-Gettinger-Author-1412625005719904/

Lizzie Lamb https://www.facebook.com/LizzieLambwriter/

Joslyn Westbrook https://www.facebook.com/JoslynWestbrookOfficial

 

Monday, Dec. 11th

Jayne Denker https://www.facebook.com/JayneDenkerAuthor/

Angie Ellington https://www.facebook.com/angienellingtonbooks

Ciara Knight https://www.facebook.com/Ciaraknightwrites/

C.L. Ogilvie https://www.facebook.com/CLOgilvie/

Meredith Schorr https://www.facebook.com/MeredithSchorrAuthor/

Stacey Wiedower https://www.facebook.com/StaceyWiedower.author/

Tuesday, Dec. 12th

Glynis Astie https://www.facebook.com/glynisastieauthor

Renee Conoulty

https://www.facebook.com/ReneeConoultyAuthor/

Jenny Gardiner https://www.facebook.com/jennygardinerbooks

Stacy Juba https://www.facebook.com/Stacy-Juba-100155471301/

Tracy Krimmer https://www.facebook.com/krimmerauthor/

 

Wednesday, Dec. 13th

Traci Andrighetti https://www.facebook.com/traciandrighettiauthor/

Kathryn Biel https://www.facebook.com/kathrynrbiel

Monique McDonell https://www.facebook.com/MoniqueMcDonellAuthor

Denise Stout https://www.facebook.com/DeniseStoutAuthor/

Melanie Summers https://www.facebook.com/MJSummersAuthorPage

 

Thursday, Dec. 14th

Anne John-Ligali https://www.facebook.com/annejohnligali/

Colette Kebell

https://www.facebook.com/ColetteKebellAuthor/

Jennie Marts https://www.facebook.com/JennieMartsBooks/

Clodagh Murphy https://www.facebook.com/clodaghmurphyauthor

Tess Thompson https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessThompson/

 

Friday, Dec. 15th

Melissa Baldwin https://www.facebook.com/authormelissabaldwin/

Aimee Brown https://www.facebook.com/authoraimeebrown

Karen M. Cox https://www.facebook.com/karenmcox1932/

Lindsay Detwiler https://www.facebook.com/lindsayanndetwiler

Barbara Valentin https://www.facebook.com/Platespinner/

Filed Under: Isabella Tagged With: Aimee Brown, Amy Avanzino, Amy Gettinger, Angie Ellington, Annabelle Costa, Anne John-Ligali, Authors, Barbara Valentin, Becky Monson, Beth Carter, Beth Labonte, Books, C.L. Ogilvie, Cassandra O’Leary, Cat Lavoie, Chick-Lit, Ciara Knight, Clodagh Murphy, Colette Kebell, Contemporary Romance, Denise Stout, Diane Michaels, Glynis Astie, Hannah Ellis, Heidi Renee Mason, Hilary Grossman, Holiday reads, Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop, Holly Tierney-Bedord, Jayne Denker, Jennie Marts, Jennifer Peel, Jenny Gardiner, Joslyn Westbrook, Karen M. Cox, Karin Gillespie, Kate Kisset, Kate O'Keefe, Kathryn Biel, Krist McManus, Lindsay Detwiler, Liz Durano, Lizzie Lamb, Mary Frame, Melanie Summers, Melinda Curtis, Melissa Baldwin, Meredith Schorr, Michele Brouder, Michelle Jo Quinn, Monique McDonell, Natalina Reis, Nicole Waggoner, Nikki LeClair, Renee Conoulty, Robyn Neeley, Sarah-Jane Fraser, Stacey Wiedower, Stacy Juba, Susan Hatler, Susan Murphy, Susannah Nix, Sylvia Ashby, Tess Thompson, Traci Andrighetti, Tracie Banister, Tracy Krimmer, Whitney Dineen, Women's Fiction

Author Interview with Monique McDonell, author of “Something of a Spark”

October 31, 2017 2 Comments

About Monique McDonell: Monique is an Australian author who writes contemporary women’s fiction including chick lit and romance.She has written all her

She has written all her life especially as a child when I loved to write short stories and poetry. At University she studied Creative Writing as part of my Communication degree. Afterwards Monique was busy working in public relations, and didn’t write for pleasure for quite a few years although she wrote many media releases, brochures and newsletters. (And still does in her day-job!)When Monique began to write again she noticed a trend – writing dark unhappy stories made her unhappy. So she made a decision to write a novel with a happy ending and have been writing happy stories ever since.

When Monique began to write again she noticed a trend – writing dark unhappy stories made her unhappy. So she made a decision to write a novel with a happy ending and have been writing happy stories ever since.

She is the author of five stand alone novels including Mr. Right and Other Mongrels and Hearts Afire and the popular Upper Crust Series. Many of her novels focus on an Australian characters meeting and visiting US characters.

Monique have been a member of the writing group The Writer’s Dozen for ten years. Our anthology Better Than Chocolate raised over $10,000 for the charity Room to Read and helped build a library in South East Asia. She is also a member of the Romance Writers of Australia. In 2015 had a piece on writing chick lit featured in the successful Australian non-fiction book Copyfight.

She lives in Sydney’s Northern Beaches with her husband and daughter.

To learn more about my writing, her caffeine obsession and her upcoming books please visit her website!

**Contact Monique: Website   Goodreads   Facebook   Twitter   Amazon Author

*****

INTERVIEW

Describe your latest novel in five sentences: Something of a Spark – small town radio DJ who has moved to the city accidentally meets the city fireman who has just moved to her town – talk about a case of bad timing. Can they make it work long-distance or will secrets, lives and sisters keep them apart. This is the first book in the Jewel Sisters romance series. If you like quirky families, sexy fireman and falling in love then this book is for you.

Hard/paperbacks or eBooks? These days I pretty much read almost exclusively on my e-reader. I’m a super fast reader and it means I can finish one book and start another one straight away. I also read a lot of indie authors or authors whose books would be hard to find in an Australian bookshop.

How do you come up with names for your character? Sometimes names are hard but not in this series – the series came about because I had the idea to name each sister after a gem or jewel – Sapphire, Ruby, Amethyst and Emerald.

Tell us about your writing/editing/publishing process: I try and write every day, though I don’t always succeed and when I have a solid first draft I go back through it a few times before it goes to my BETA readers, I’m also in a writing group who help critique along the way. I send it to my BETA readers with a whole list of questions and I really take their advice – depending on the book I have between three and six readers. Then I make the changes and off it goes to the editor, then I make her changes and it gets a proofread before I publish. It’s a process!

Do you have any writing rituals? I almost always write with coffee, and I often drink it from a mug with one of my book covers on it – I find that inspires me. I’m not going to lie, I often have a red wine if I’m writing a sex scene. Mainly, I now know my most effective writing times in the day and I try and make the most of them.

What are you reading right now? I’m reading a lot of romance series right now. I’m always looking for new ones because I tend to binge read one author and then go hunting for the next.

Where did you get the idea for “Something of a Spark”? I had the idea to write the series with each sister named after a jewel and Saffy came to me as a character who had wanted to escape her family and small town.  I wanted to write another fireman and I saw Cam (in my mind) jogging down the street and I went from there.

Facebook or Twitter? Facebook, I find it more personal and easier to manage. I miss so much on Twitter while I‘m at work I feel as if I’m always catching up.

Who or what has had the most impact on your writing career? I’m in a really great writing group and have been for over a decade. I think that keeps me going and motivated.

Salty or sweet? Do you mean books or food? (Ha! Ha!) My books are pretty sweet but I like my food salty.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given? Write every day is the best writing advice I’ve been given. Honestly as an indie author I need to publish often and the only way to do that is to have books and get them done quickly.

What are you working on right now? As I type this I’m just about to finish Something to Sing  About, Book 2 in the Jewel Sisters Romance series (which is so fun to write) and as soon as I’m done I will start on Any Way You Like It, Book 8 in the Upper Crust Series.

*****

“Something of a Spark” by Monique McDonell

Sometimes keeping a secret is more trouble than it’s worth.

Growing up as one of the Jewel Sisters of Caudal Bay has never been easy for Sapphire Smith. As far as her friend’s and family are concerned she’s now a struggling radio DJ living in Sydney and working part-time as a PA for her best friend country music star Ryan Storm.

But that’s only part of the story.

When an accident in her home town brings real-life hero and firefighter Campbell into her world their relationship starts with a smoulder and slowly begins to spark. Campbell has given up his career as a corporate lawyer for a quieter, more rewarding life. He loves his new town and the welcoming atmosphere as much as Saffy loves the anonymity of the city.

As their relationship begins to heat up one thing is clear – Cam is all about honesty while Saffy has something to hide: her work partnership with Ryan involves more than social media and if the truth comes out it could be a disaster for them both.

Will Saffy come clean before their secret gets out? Or will her desire to keep people at arm’s length see her relationship with Ryan fizzle out before it has a chance to catch fire.

**Find “Something of a Spark” now: Goodreads   Universal Buy Link

*****

Filed Under: Isabella Tagged With: Author Interview, Contemporary Romance, Monique McDonell, New Release, Romance, Something of a Spark, Women's Fiction

BOOK FEATURE: “Any Way You Fight It”

October 30, 2015 Leave a Comment

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000446_00070]

“Any Way You Fight It” by Monique McDonell

Blurb: Matchmaking came easily for Cherie . . . unless she was matching herself. A successful realtor, Cherie could sell a piece of property with ease, she could match up her friends with their perfect mates, but she couldn’t seem to find love for herself. Heck, even her seventy-five-year-old Nona was dating again! Cherie had the perfect love once, or so she had thought. But that was a long time ago, and yet, Luke was the standard by which she measured all potential mates.

After matching her two best friends and watching them live their happily ever afters, Cherie decides it’s time to make a change and get back in the game. Now all she needs to do is balance what she wants (a Luke-alike) with the demands of her crazy Italian family (a good, Catholic Italian boy).

Just when she is ready to shake off her past and move forward, her past walks through the door of her favorite local pub with her best friends. Luke is back, looks better than ever, and still has eyes for Cherie. And Cherie can’t control the heat she still has for him. But as with most long-lost loves, he has a past as well, and that past just might prevent Cherie from finding her happiness despite what her Nona’s visions predict.

Can Cherie and Luke make peace with their pasts and look forward to a new life together? Or will this be the final good-bye?

* * * * *

EXCERPT

Lucy called me the next day. I was unlocking the door to my office. I was juggling keys, a folder, a latte, and an open house sign but I still managed to take the call.

“What’s up, buttercup?” I said.

“Not much . . .” I could visualize her on the other end in kitchen whites and a hairnet trying to come up with a witty reply. “You sound perky today. Piper said you were exhausted last night.”

“I was. Still am, actually.” That wasn’t a lie. I barely slept, tossing and turning all night with sexy and angry thoughts about Luke. “Your call perked me right up. Oh yeah, and I’m about to down my third coffee.”

“Oh, I hope you’re okay.”

“I’ll be fine. What’s happening there?”

“Well, you met the hottie corporate sent to help us with branding.”

“Don’t you have a fiancé already?” I tried not to let jealousy seep in. Keep it light, Cherie.

“A girl can look. Anyway, you don’t have a fiancé . . .”

“Yeah, well, I don’t want a fiancé, and even if I did, I wouldn’t want that guy.”

“He seems pretty cool.”

“Not my type.” I needed to shut this down. “Anyway, he’s probably married. How long is your new eye candy in town anyway?”

“He’s not, married I mean. A week or two, but he’ll be back and forth.” Great. “Maybe you two could . . .”

“Thanks for pimping out your new colleague, but if I wanted a guy, I could find my own.” I tried to sound haughty. “Anyway, Lucy, I have to run. I have about a million calls to return. ”

I dropped my bundle, minus the coffee of course, on the office sofa and turned at the sound of the bell above my front door tinkling. There in resplendent glory -today in chinos and a white shirt with sleeves rolled to the elbows, offsetting a killer tan- was Luke.

“Not your type, huh?” he said, closing the space between us a little.

“First of all, don’t you know it is rude to eavesdrop and second, definitely not.”

“I used to be,” he said, one hand shoved in his pocket and the other gesticulating.

“Well, we all used to be different, didn’t we?”

“I bet we’re not all that different, you know.”

“That’s hardly a ringing endorsement for either of us.” I leaned back against the edge of my desk, using it to balance me, and took a long sip of my latte. Some days there just wasn’t enough coffee in the world.

“I don’t know, I thought we were decent kids back then . . .”

“Until at least one of us wasn’t.”

“And which one was that?” he asked as if he didn’t know. The bastard.

“What brings you here, Luke? I kind of have a lot to get done today.”

“I wanted to see you.”

“You’ve seen me.” I sounded like such a cold bitch. He would have no doubt that I had changed by the end of this conversation. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be that sweet young girl again, but he’d changed me and anyway, I was not her. I was an independent thirty-year-old woman.

“And I wanted to say obviously I had no idea you had any connection to Piper, and I’m sorry we were both blindsided that way last night.”

“It’s okay. Small world and all that.” I tried to take another sip of my coffee but, sadly, the well was dry.

“It was really nice to see you, Cherie. I’ve often wondered how you were, what you did . . .” his voice trailed away.

I wanted to say, Dude, you could have called or written or maybe not just vanished back then, but I didn’t.

“You’re obviously keeping well.”

“Can’t complain.” He shoved his second hand in his pocket. “So, do you want to still act like we don’t know each other? These are your friends; this is your life . . .”

That was nice at least. “I kind of assumed yes. Then again, I don’t like lying to them . . .”

“How about I say that I realized I recognized you from the neighborhood? Nothing more.”

“Okay, but they’re pretty nosy, so if they wise up or it feels weird for me, I’ll tell them, and I’ll let you know. Lucy and Piper can keep a secret.”

“I don’t suppose you want to have dinner or a donut for old-time’s sake?”

“You know what, I really don’t. It’s nice to see you’re happy and doing well, but . . .”

“Okay.” He turned to leave. “As you wish.”

He did not just quote the Princess Bride to me. Oh yes, he freaking did!

Any Way You Fight It – excerpt 2

“Right—I’m going to give you the abridged version.”

“I’ll take whatever you offer,” she said.

“Well, when I was eighteen I had a romance, I suppose you’d call it.”

“Yeah if this was eighteenth-century England.”

“Whatever,” I sighed. “And it was a secret. He knew, I knew, and one friend.”

“No family?”

“Nope, he wasn’t Italian, and I just didn’t want them stalking me and ruining everything.”

“Makes sense. I never had that kind of family. I could have dated an axe murderer and my mom would have been happy I had a man, but I can see your situation was different.”

“Yeah, so we had this lovely summer fling. And then he dumped me.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah, and he just left and didn’t say good-bye.”

“That’s low.”

“Yeah, it was. And it hurt and probably more so because no one knew so I had to act all normal and I couldn’t discuss it with anyone.”

“So, you’ve never talked about it?” Her eyes popped wide.

“I never have.” I took a fortifying sip of beer. “The thing is I date, I flirt, but I haven’t really met anyone who made me feel like that guy did.”

“Wow. That’s a long time between boyfriends.”

“Yeah, I went out with a couple of nice guys in college, one for almost a year, but that spark or whatever wasn’t there. And because of my parents’ whole ‘you can’t end up with someone who isn’t Italian’ attitude and because I haven’t met any Italian guys who lit that flame . . .”

“You’ve stayed single . . .”

“Exactly.” I sighed.

“But now you’re ready to move forward, why is that? I mean I know that was big for you to tell me, but you didn’t tell me anything Piper couldn’t have handled.”

“There’s more . . .”

“Oh goody!” She clapped her hands.

“Calm down, Glinda the Good Witch. This is hard for me.”

“Sorry, but what’s changed? Is it because Piper and I have found someone?”

“I think partly, but a couple other triggers have hit as well.”

“I think we need fries for this part?” she asked, waving down the waiter. “Okay continue.”

“First, although it didn’t happen first, my mother has waived the Italian rule. Apparently having a single thirty-year-old daughter who isn’t producing offspring means she has to compromise, so I’m allowed to date non-Italians now.”

“That’s pretty huge for her.”

“Yeah and for me. The thing is part of me is really resentful about it. I’m happy but I’m also thinking—now, why now? Why not ten years ago, five? All these years . . .”

“That makes sense.” The fries landed and we each took one and blew it. We had years of experience and neither of us was stupid enough to burn our tongues now. I squirted ketchup in the corner of the basket. We liked to dunk or scrape our fries through not smother them. “On the other hand, better now than never.”

“I know.”

“So that’s good news for moving forward.” She snapped her fry and popped half in her mouth. “So, what was the other thing?”

“I saw him again.”

“Him? The guy from way back when?”

I nodded. “The guy.”

“Wow. Where? When? Who?”

“Here. Last week. Luke.”

“Holy shit, Cherie. Luke?” Lucy’s eyes were bugging out of their sockets.

“Yep, holy shit.”

“You dated Luke? He dumped you and then he walked in to this very bar years later?”

“Yes.”

“And we made you guys hang?”

“Yes.”

“And how was that?”

“It was freaking weird.” That was an understatement.

“He’s very hot; I can see why you had a fling with him. You have excellent taste.”

“Thanks, I think.”

“So, did you find out why he dumped you?”

“I didn’t ask. It doesn’t matter. It’s old news. Seeing him again just proved to me it is time to get on with my life. It’s time to take a chance again, and now that I can date beyond the Italian-American community, I can find myself a Luke-alike.”

“A what?”

“A Luke-alike. A guy like Luke.”

“Why can’t you just date the real Luke?”

It did seem like an obvious solution but the real Luke was in love with his dead fiancée. I didn’t need to go into that.

“The real Luke lives in New York and is emotionally unavailable. But I will admit he is hot, and apparently that kind of hot is my kind of hot.”

“So you want my help to find you a Luke-alike?” she asked, finally putting the pieces to the puzzle together.

“Chase must know tons of blond, buff babes who could maybe like me.”

“Babe, anyone who doesn’t like you is an idiot. Have you seen yourself? You are gorgeous. And now you’re gorgeous and open to possibilities.”

“I guess.”

She clapped her hands again. “This is going to be so fun. Now I get to be the matchmaker.”

I wasn’t sure how Lucy’s matchmaking skills were to be honest, but she was all I had. It did feel better to have told someone.

**Buy “Any Way You Fight It” now: Amazon   Smashwords

* * * * *

MoniqueMcDonellPic2**About Monique McDonell: I am an Australian author who writes contemporary women’s fiction including chick lit and romance. I live on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with my husband and daughter, and despite my dog phobia, with a dog called Skip.

I have written all my life especially as a child when I loved to write short stories and poetry. At University I studied Creative Writing as part of my Communication degree. Afterwards I was busy working in public relations I didn’t write for pleasure for quite a few years although I wrote many media releases, brochures and newsletters. (And I still do in my day-job!)

When I began to write again I noticed a trend – writing dark unhappy stories made me unhappy. So I made a decision to write a novel with a happy ending and I have been writing happy stories ever since.

I have been a member of the writing group The Writer’s Dozen for eight years. Our anthology Better Than Chocolate raised over $10,000 for the charity Room to Read and helped build a library in South East Asia. I am also a member of the Romance Writers of Australia. I was also had a piece in the Australian non-fiction book Copyfight in 2015.

I have written five stand-alone romantic comedies and three books in the Upper Crust Series; “Any Way You Slice It,” “Any Way You Dream It,” and “Any Way You Fight It.”

UpperCrustSeriesBanner

* * * * *

**GIVEAWAY**

**Click HERE to enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Filed Under: Any Way You Fight It Tagged With: Any Way You Fight It, Books, Chick-Lit, Monique McDonell, Romance, Women's Fiction

Any Way You Dream It: An Upper Crust Novel

May 26, 2015 Leave a Comment

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000446_00070]

“Any Way You Dream It: An Upper Crust Novel” by Monique McDonell

Blurb: Sometimes when life throws you lemons, you create a fake fiancé. That’s exactly what Lucy does when her high school nemesis calls. She didn’t mean to lie. Really, she didn’t. But with nowhere to live and a car that has just decided to die on her, the thought of attending the reunion alone is one she can’t contemplate.

Cherie thinks arrogant, wealthy and way too handsome Chase is the answer to her friend’s dilemma and for reasons Lucy can’t fathom, Chase agrees. The man is too good to be true – he fixes her car, takes her to stay at his place – more castle than house – and seems to find her fascinating.

Life hasn’t been easy for Lucy and she has a hard time accepting anyone would believe Chase would be with her. Still, he turns out to be the perfect choice and in the month leading up to the reunion makes himself an indispensable part of her life, which may be the biggest problem of all.

Lucy knows life is not a fairy tale – she’s living above her place of work, her sister has run off leaving her with three kids and, when the weekend reunion begins, she has to go back to a town where her greatest humiliations took place.

Will her ‘romance’ with Chase be turn out to be the answer to her dreams or will the whole sham turn into just another nightmare?

EXCERPT

“All I’m saying is, I’ve got my eye on you, Lucy. You’re my next project.”

“Fine.” I unlinked my arm and faced her. “First of all, I’m not sure you possess the matchmaking gift you think you do, but if you do, please keep your evil eye off me.”

“It’s not an evil eye. It’s a cupid’s arrow.”

“Well, aim that sucker elsewhere. I’m not in any way, shape or form in the market for a boyfriend.”

“A fling?” she asked, hopefully.

“Not even a fling.”

“You do know what they say: when you’re not looking….”

“Cherie!”

It was at that moment that my phone rang. I should have checked caller I.D but I didn’t. “Hello?”

“Hello, Lucy. It’s Patty Lewis.”

Great. On the list of people I least liked in the world, Patty would be on top. Patty was my high school nemesis and now she was married to my hometown sweetheart, Jacob.

“What can I do for you? But more to the point, how did you get my number?”

“Your mom gave it to me, of course,” she said in her saccharine voice. “And I’m calling because the high school reunion is in two weeks and I haven’t got your RSVP. I assume you’re coming because your mom says you’re doing really well in Boston, and only people with something to hide stay away from reunions.”

“I don’t have anything to hide,” I snapped. Well, apart from the fact that I was living in my car, not talking to my sister, and terminally single. “I’m just not sure with my work schedule that I can make it up to New Hampshire.”

“You can bring a date if that makes it less awkward for you. Even a girlfriend.”

I read between her lines: If you’re desperate and dateless and too scared to come back to town without a friend, then bring one, chicken.

That’s when I said it. The words were out of my mouth before I even thought about what I was saying. “Can I bring my fiancé?” I didn’t add my imaginary fiancé, of course.

“Your mother didn’t say anything about you being engaged.” Her voice held a very suspicious tone. I couldn’t blame her—considering that I was lying—and my mother would not be able to keep that secret. If I had a fiancé that my mother knew about, my entire home state would know it, too.

“I haven’t told her yet. It’s a secret. Naturally, I want to tell her in person. Don’t spill the beans yet, please?” I tried to sound all perky and conspiratorial.

“Well then, you’ll absolutely have to come so you can introduce your fiancé to your mother and the whole town. I, for one, can’t wait to see you. I’ll put you down for two tickets.”

The phone went dead and I wanted to die. Cherie was eyeing me suspiciously.

“Wow. I had no idea you were engaged, Lucy. No wonder you don’t want me to set you up. Have you been holding out on me?” She knew darn well I was a big fat liar.

“Shut up. Let me get inside and get a drink, and then I’ll tell you the whole, woeful tale.”

All of a sudden, sleeping in my broken-down car wasn’t the worst part of my day.

**Additional comments by the author: This is the second book in a series. If you sign up to my newsletter this week you can download a free copy of Any Way You Slice It, Book 1 in the series.

* * * * *

MoniqueMcDonellPic2**About author, Monique McDonell:

Monique McDonell is an Australian author who writes contemporary women’s fiction, including chicklit and romance. She lives on Sydney’s northern beaches with her husband and daughter and, despite her dog phobia, with a dog called Skip. Monique is a member of the writing group The Writer’s Dozen, whose anthology Better Than Chocolate raised over $10,000 for the charity Room to Read. She is also a member of the Romance Writers of Australia. She has written five standalone romantic comedies and Any Way Dream It, is the second book in her new Upper Crust series.

**Contact Monique: Email   Website   Amazon – Author Page   Facebook   Twitter

Filed Under: Any Way You Dream It: An Upper Crust Novel Tagged With: #BooksinBloom, Any Way You Dream It: An Upper Crust Novel, Books, Chick-Lit, Monique McDonell, Women's Fiction

Book Feature: A Kind of Mad Courage

May 10, 2014 1 Comment

AKindOfMadCourageA KIND OF MAD COURAGE

Nineteen authors from around the world were given six weeks or less to produce “a story involving a mother somehow.” The result is a gorgeously eclectic collection of tales that will make you laugh, cry, and truly appreciate the “mad courage” of motherhood.

Laura Chapman, Francine LaSala, Nikki Mahood, Heather McCoubrey, and Karen E. Martin each present unique takes on impending motherhood, while Sheryn MacMunn, kc wilder, and Julie Valerie portray the end of the journey. Samantha Stroh Bailey, Louise Wise, and Maria Schulz show the pride and peril of dealing with teenage daughters, while Elke Feuer, Diana Shafter Gliedman, and Donna Valenti demonstrate that a mother’s work is never done, even under the craziest of circumstances. Regina-Cash Clark, Wendy Janes, and Monique McDonellexplore the impact on lives in which mothers go “missing,” while Carey Heywoodand Jen Tucker warm your heart and tear it out, respectively.

THE STORIES

Hide and Seek – Samantha Stroh Bailey

Claire’s teenage daughter, Emily, goes missing on a birthday cruise, and Claire can only fear the worst from the lately rebellious teen…

Autumn’s Eyes – Regina Cash-Clark

June’s abandonment of three of four of her children, told in alternating points of view between June, and her oldest daughter, Edwina.

Oh Baby – Laura Chapman

Rocker Tuck and new wife Autumn return from Chapman’s “Ten Drummers Drumming” (Merry & Bright), now with a baby on the way.

The Sacrifice – Elke Feuer

Melissa learns there isn’t anything she won’t do to protect her children from the abuse and neglect of her alcoholic husband Roger…

Love in the Time of Cannibals – Diana Shafter Gliedman

Could a zombie apocalypse finally give rudderless Jessica the direction she needs–and the connection she craves? It will if her mother has anything to say about it.

A Poem for Mommy – Carey Heywood

In helping his young daughter craft a poem for Mother’s Day, a father beautifully recounts the story of the romance with her mother that led to them becoming a family.

Verity – Wendy Janes

After an accident means she’ll no longer be able to live on her own, septuagenarian Susan may need to divulge a secret she’s been keeping from Verity all her life.

Monkey Bread – Francine LaSala

Amy and Deck (Rita Hayworth’s Shoes) learn more about having babies than they ever wanted to know at a madcap family dinner celebrating President’s Day.

Last Words – Sheryn MacMunn

The bond shared between Ruth (Finding Out) and her mother, Eliza, is revealed, from the time of Ruth’s childhood before the War to the death of Eliza.

This Year’s Love – Nikki Mahood

Fallon and Abner are married, mortgaged, and expecting a baby any minute in this fun, heartfelt mini-sequel to Fallen.

Two Thousand Steps – Karen E. Martin

With the unsolicited help of a fairy friend from their childhood, two grown sisters – one with kids, one without – each get to walk a mile in the other’s shoes…

Emily’s Promise – Heather McCoubrey

Even though pregnant Emily’s life is shattered by Jason’s infidelity the night before her wedding, she’s determined to give her baby the best life possible.

A Tale of Two Mothers – Monique McDonell

How do you deal with the mother who abandoned you when she shows up out of the blue – and what does it mean for the woman who raised you? Chloe’s about to find out.

Like a Boomerang – Maria Schulz

Tess has been stressing out her mother, Charlotte, since the day she was born. But when disaster strikes during a campus Halloween party, it could prove the worst stress yet…

Heartstrings – Jen Tucker

Young widow Vicki’s no stranger to loss–and guilt, as another mother’s loss helped her daughter live. Will meeting up help them the two mothers heal? Or make matters worse?

In the Nick of Time – Donna Valenti

Iris may be dead but her insistence on looking after her children is far from buried. Will her husband Nick get it together? Or will Iris have to move Heaven and Earth to make him?

LLL – Julie Valerie

In this hilarious yet heartwarming story, words of wisdom from the game of Scrabble unite a daughter with her aging mother, a former Scrabble champion whose mental faculties are quickly fading.

Lady in Red – k.c. wilder

Her dying “Gran” is the only mother she’s ever known. But only when Gran is gone does a woman discover the woman her grandmother really was, and the secrets she hid.

Becky’s Mum – Louise Wise

Straight-A student Becky’s being pulled off the straight-and-narrow by her derelict boyfriend Darren. Will her mother’s wisdom sink in before it’s too late?

**Click HERE to buy “A Kind of Mad Courage” on Amazon!

*All proceeds benefit The Guthy Jackson Charitable Foundation.*

Filed Under: Guests Authors Tagged With: A Kind of Mad Courage, Carey Heywood, Diana Shafter Gliedman, Donna Valenti, Elke Feuer, Francine LaSala, Heather McCoubrey, Jen Tucker, Julie Valerie, k.c. wilder, Karen E. Martin, Laura Chapman, Louise Wise, Maria Schulz, Monique McDonell, Mother's Day, Nikki Mahood, Regina Cash-Clark, Samantha Stroh Bailey, Sheryn MacMunn, Wendy Janes

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