Happy New Year!

More of the Riverside Series Coming In 2016...

I got in my battered old VW Golf. I loved this old car and I missed it when I was away on an operation. I sat in the seat, my mind going at a million miles an hour. I could hear my dad’s voice in my head, “Now then, Tate – you might be seventeen and think that you’re king of the road – but you’ve got to consider other drivers too you know – you’re not the best driver the world has ever seen, no matter how much you think you are.”
I couldn’t help myself smiling at the memory but my eyes had filled with tears at the same time. Dad had always been really careful and considerate – so how the hell had they managed to end up killed in a road traffic accident? I sighed miserably. No doubt True would fill me in on all the details when I got home...

Okay – so my family isn’t perfect – but then, whose is? And besides, it’s a loving and wonderful family and I love every one of my brothers – I have three of them; my sister and my brothers in law – and yes. I did say brothers in law – Tomas and Will are married now too.
I’m aware that we might appear dysfunctional. I’m aware that my relationship with my twin brother seems weird to some – but it’s what we are and they’ll just have to deal with it.
Oh, and to top off all of the madness – I’m in love with an actress – and of course she’s never going to want me – but there it is – ever since I saw the movie ‘Captivated’ – I have been…

I was totally used to calling the shots. Women kind of fell at my feet – not the other way around. I didn’t like to brag, but all of us were really good-looking and none of us had any issues with attracting the opposite sex (Even Tom who didn’t actually want them since he was married to a guy…) and I could, if I chose, have a different girl on my arm – every night of the week. And I did date girls – quite a lot. I didn’t fall in love with any of them though. If I’m honest, the thought of actually being in a relationship with any of them was quite horrifying. I wasn’t into that sort of nonsense. Relationships were for other people – grown ups – not me… I wasn’t like everyone else. I didn’t think I was really capable of it. Toby was the lovable one – I wasn’t. I’d felt this way since… well, since forever really – but definitely since Mum died. Mum had loved me unconditionally. She saw past all the flaws in all of her children – even me.

 I couldn’t wait to marry Will. Seriously, I could not wait. He was the love of my whole life and I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else – ever.
We had a really great relationship but there was one thing I regretted not telling him when we first got together – and that was the small fact that I was named on my best friend’s daughter’s birth certificate… I know, right…  

 I stared at True. “A letter from my mother?” My insides felt all wobbly and I was starting to lose feeling in my legs. I pulled out a chair and flopped down. Nausea threatened to have me running for the sink but I tried my best to stay calm.
She nodded, biting her lip. “I didn’t know whether to tell you or not…”
I swallowed. “It’s fine,” I lied, “I can handle it – give it here.”
She passed me the envelope and I took it with slightly shaky fingers. This was surreal. She’d never been able to write in all the time I’d known her – she lived only for the skunk and the sex… I shivered. She’d sold me to anyone for her next fix – and had enjoyed the whole sordid show too – I guess she could argue that she wasn’t fully aware but I’m not sure I would agree. In my opinion she just wasn’t quite right in the head…
“What does it say?” True asked quietly.
I shook my head, “Nothing much – just that she reckons she’s clean now and wants me to meet her and that she has a wonderful new boyfriend – how has she got a new boyfriend when she’s spent the last two years inside?”
True sighed and shook her head, “I have no idea – he must be one of those weird people that writes to the inmates.”
“Freak,” I muttered.
“Freak’s right.” She agreed, “Are you okay?”I looked up into her beautiful face, all concerned for me and not in any way other than that of a sister who cared about me. This was my family – the Fletchers. They were the ones who had given me their surname to give me a new start in life and to make me less easy to find. Mum’s letter had come to me via the prison service. She didn’t know where to find me. I could just ignore this letter and never see her again…

Nothing mattered to me more than attaining my Michelin star and putting the Riverside pub on the map. I wasn't looking for a relationship. I wasn't going to be distracted by anything as reckless as a woman... A relationship? Kids? Give me a break - I was going place!
But then Josie was hired. I'd never seen anything so utterly beautiful in all my life - and damn it she was feisty and sassy and I instantly fell for her.
She wasn't interested in my chat up lines. She wasn't looking for a guy - said she'd given up on men altogether - thought we were collectively a bunch of wasters.
She'd been hurt - that much was obvious. I wanted to help her. I wanted to know her. I wanted to be with her. Suddenly a relationship and kids didn't seem such a bad idea...

He's on his way...

Available 1st January 2016

Introducing Kody....

Introducing Kody...
It was never my intention to babysit some bent git that was covering his past by going straight – but Tate was a guy that I found it hard to say no to and he swore blind that the guy was actually pretty decent, and from a good family, so I found myself agreeing to being his bodyguard without even meeting him – something I was bound to regret along the way somewhere…“So – what’s his story?” I grunted when Tate came to find me.He shrugged, “Not too sure if I’m honest – he’s definitely bi-curious so no funny business.” He gave me the evil eye, which would have lesser mortals shaking in their shoes – but not me. We’d known each other too long. I knew that at least one of his brothers was gay – and somehow or other married with a kid already. I swear he’d also adopted some kid at sometime – it was a freaking weird set-up but it seemed to work for them… “Like I’d be interested.” I snorted.He raised an eyebrow, “He’s blond and tall – off the record he’s freaking gorgeous and right up your street.”It was my turn to raise an eyebrow, “Are you dipping a toe in our pond dude?” I asked with a wry smile.He grinned, “Nah,” he said, “But I’m beginning to understand what turns you guys on – I have two gay brothers now, you know.”I sighed and shook my head, “I don’t need any complications in my life. I’m cool on my own.”He frowned at me and I got the feeling I was about to be counselled whether I wanted to be or not – and I wasn’t wrong… “You’re allowed to move on,” he said gently, “You don’t have to mourn forever, you know.”I swallowed and tried my best to keep my stiff upper lip... I’d been in love once. His name was Peter and he was an agent just like me. He was a glory seeker and a bit of a show off, I guess – something I’d really adored about him – something I never thought I’d hate about him… until he was reckless and killed in a hail of bullets leaving his wife, his three children – and his biggest secret – me… “Yeah.” I agreed, “I know that – I’m just not ready.”He nodded, “Probably best that you’re not,” he shot me a wicked grin. I stuck my tongue out at him, “– but I can count on you to protect him?”I nodded, “I’ll protect him with my life – you have my word.” Nothing mattered anymore now that Peter was gone. If I died in the line of duty I’d have done my job. I wasn’t suicidal or anything – but I wasn’t afraid to lay down my life either. After all – what did I have to live for anymore, anyway?
Kody... Protecting Peyton Studs and Steel #1... Coming Autumn 2016
‪#‎HappyHeatherAfters‬

Introducing Studs and Steel...

Introducing the cast of Studs and Steel... Meet Peyton McKenzie...

I blinked. Looking around I brought the room into focus. Holy hell. What the hell had happened to me this time? And how many times was I going to actually wake up after an incident before I stopped waking up?
“Peyton?”
I turned by head and squinted at the unfamiliar voice, “Who are you?” I croaked.
“I’m DC Fletcher – Tatum Fletcher – and I’ve been assigned to your case – I’m here to help you – not to judge you, so please – speak to me freely and I’ll do what I can to protect you while you’re in my custody.”
I frowned at him, “Seriously?” I asked, “You’re here to protect me?”
He nodded, “Of course.” He said, “It’s kind of my job.”
I raised an eyebrow, “Kind of?”
He shrugged, “I may have a personal interest in your case – since I believe my brother used to know you.”I blinked. Fear clenched in my stomach. Holy hell – was he going to wreak revenge on me from the inside so to speak? Had they actually infiltrated the justice system somehow? “I’m quite sure I have no idea what you are talking about.”
He smirked, “No – you wouldn’t – sorry – I’ll explain. We kind of adopted him – Sam Grundy.”
My jaw dropped, my heart started slamming painfully against my already battered and bruised ribs. “Sam?” I whispered, “My Sam?” I’d finally found him?
He gave me a hard stare, making me wonder if he knew about Sam and me. “I doubt it.” He said, “But that’s not my decision to make – I’ve told him you’re here – what happens between you two is your business – but I can promise you here and now – you mess with his head and his happiness, you’re dead meat – you get me?”
I had absolutely no doubt that he meant every word. I nodded, “I get you.” I said.

Peyton McKenzie... Peyton... Protected, Studs and Steel #1 Coming Autumn 2016
‪#‎HappyHeatherAfters‬

They're on their way.... release date 13th December 2015...

Conner raised an eyebrow. “Did you do something stupid?” he asked with the ghost of a smile.
I nodded maintaining my no-eye-contact façade, “Yup,” I sighed.
He brightened and sat forward in his seat, “What? You mean… did you actually tell him?” he sounded pleased and incredulous all at the same time.
I rubbed my eyes and looked up at him sheepishly; I was never any good at the whole no-eye-contact thing anyway, “Yup,”
He looked hopefully at me, “And?” he asked with a hint of a smile.
I looked at the two eager faces before me. There wasn’t a trace of gleeful mickey taking in either of them. They both knew the way I’d felt about Skye back in school and sixth form – hell, sad git that I am, they knew that I’d never felt that way about anyone since too.
I shrugged, “He already knew,” I said. “He reckoned he looked for me to tell me he’d made a mistake but…” I trailed off.
“Well, why don’t you go over there and ask him to go out for a drink with you one night, then?” he nodded in the general direction of where I’d been stood talking to him.
I scratched my neck nervously, “I can’t do that – I’ll look all pathetic and needy.”
“I don’t want to knock your confidence, mate – but you are all pathetic and needy,” Biff leaned forward and patted me on the shoulder, “– we’ve been propping you up for years mate – It's Christmas, just get laid already.” Biff had such a nice turn of phrase.

Zac looked up at the rather imposing building and did his best to swallow down the nerves that threatened to overwhelm him and have him running for the exit again and just spending the day down on the wreck with his skateboard… Okay, dude – no one knows you here. No one’s judging you. You’ve got a whole new start… 
After his twin brother died and he was shipped off to his rather austere grandparents while his parents recuperated, Zac just wanted to get through his A Levels and to finish school altogether; to move on with his life and try to get over his loss in his own way. It never occurred to him that he might meet someone who was going to mean more to him than anything had ever meant before... Things sometimes have a funny way of working out. Maybe just maybe he could finally find his happy ever after with Shay, or maybe he was just doomed where relationships were concerned and it was never gonna happen...

On the first day of Christmas...

True Love was released.... #HappyHeatherAfters

http://www.amazon.co.uk/True-Love-Riverside-Book-2-ebook/dp/B0172009UQ/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Are you ready for a True... Love story?

“I’m so sorry Sebastyén… I don’t really know how to tell you…” My girlfriend, Nancy – the one person in my life that I absolutely adored – took a deep shuddery breath and then proceeded to destroy my whole world, “but I love someone else…”

I’d just got home after a really tough day and I’d been so looking forward to telling her the good news. We’d been saving like crazy for a better flat than the grubby one we currently shared with my friend, Dániel, and I’d just seen the perfect one. It was the right price too. I’d run all the way home from the estate agents.

I stared at her, hearing the words but processing nothing… How could she mean that? She was everything to me… everything. I shook my head, “Y-You cannot mean that.” I stuttered.

She nodded sadly, “I’m so sorry – we never meant to hurt you…”

I frowned. We? That made it sound like I knew the other party involved in the total destruction of my life… Who was she talking about? Feeling my heart sinking, because there was really only one person she could be talking about, I still felt the need to ask the question anyway because surely Dániel would never do that to me? No – we were as close as brothers… “Who is it?”

She looked at me with surprise in her eyes; surprised, no doubt, that I hadn’t already worked it out – but, quite honestly, I had absolutely no idea. I was happily clueless… “Well, Dan of course…”

I almost choked. Dániel  – the person I would trust with my life; my best friend… “Of course.” I muttered as things all started to drop into place.

Sebastyén... True...Love, Riverside #2 

Out 1st December 2015

Are you ready for something stupid...?

A Christmas Party.... A blast from the past... A second chance....

#HappyHeatherAfters

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

So have yourself a little Summer Break...

Sam... Distracted....Coming soon

I jumped as Luca stomped into the kitchen and snatched his apron down from the hook.

Frowning at his obvious distress I had to ask, “Are you okay?”

He turned to me and I was startled to see that he’d been crying, “I’ve had better days.” He snarled.

I was a little taken aback. Luca never spoke to me like that. “Okay.” I said quietly, “I’m sorry I asked.”

He sighed and turned back to me, an apologetic expression on his face, “Enid and I broke up, okay?”

I can’t deny that my heart leapt at his admission but I tried my best to maintain my poker face, “Oh, I’m really sorry man.” I said as sincerely as I could muster when inside my head I was high-fiving myself.

He shook his head, “No, that bit’s fine – well it’s not really…” He sighed and sniffed, “But you know, she was right – I have been distant. My head had definitely not been in the game – I hadn’t even been thinking about her… I just broke her heart and it nearly killed me.”

He wasn’t making any sense but I found myself nodding along. “Well, maybe you can make things up again, maybe you just need a break or something…” Or maybe you just need me. Come on man, take a chance...

He stared at me, looking even more distressed than he had to begin with, “Oh, hell – are you serious man?” he said, “Do you really think all I need is a break? Have I just been imagining everything that’s been happening between us then?”

I stared back at him in total confusion, “Uh?” I know – pathetic aren’t I?

He took a tentative step closer, “Don’t freak out, okay?” he asked.

I nodded. He was getting damned close and I’ve got to admit, I was beginning to freak out a bit – but in a good way, I think… This could not be happening. Things this good just didn’t happen to me – ever…

Luca was stood right in front of me. We were pretty much the same height and were kind of nose-to-nose.

Suddenly there was the loudest crash from the storeroom, “Shit!” I shouted and turning on my heel I shot back into the stores. What the hell was going on? Were we being robbed? I snapped the light on and it became immediately obvious that we weren’t being robbed at all, “It’s just the veg rack,” I called back to the kitchen. The rack of vegetables that had been slightly precariously balanced had fallen over. “Shit,” I muttered as I started to rebuild it. Luca hadn’t followed me and I was guessing that, like me, he was trying to make sense of what had just almost happened between us. My heart rate was just starting to get back to normal when I heard slightly raised voices. I stopped what I was doing and edged closer to the door to the kitchen.

Tate clearly had no idea that I was in the stores. “I need a word with you, Gianluca.” He growled. My heart spiked with fear, I swear if someone that big had growled at me like that, I’d have thrown myself in the waste disposal…

But Luca stood his ground like the man I knew he was, and loved more than anything else in the world... “Morning, Tate.” He said cheerfully, “What’s up?”

“What’s going on between you and my brother?” Shit. I could just imagine his scowl and my legs started to shake.

“Sam?” Luca sounded surprised. I imagined him blinking those big brown eyes in confusion… He’d be wondering how the hell Tate knew…

“Sam.” Tate agreed in a surly tone that made me cringe.

“We’re friends.” Luca said innocently. And he wasn’t wrong either – we were friends and I’d explained that to Tate – that kiss we’d shared at the party playing spin the bottle was (sadly) the one and only time – it might not have been had the vegetable rack not fallen over when it did but still… right now we were as innocent as could be.

I heard the hissing sigh leaving Tate and I could picture him in my head. Actually what I pictured in my head was the way he looked when I first knew him, all dreads and piercings and looking just about as scary as anyone could. I shook my head and tried to think of nice things… “And you’d better make sure it stays that way, my friend – or you could find yourself out on your ear.”

I frowned… Now just wait a minute – I could choose my own boyfriend, no, friend, friend, thanks very much… and I wasn’t having Tate threatening him like that. I shot out of the stores and stood in front of Tate – we were of a similar height but he was absolutely massive with muscles on muscles, whereas I was so skinny I’d blow over in a big gust of wind… Still, I wasn’t gonna stand by and allow him to tear a strip off Luca like that. “Hey, man,” I said angrily, “– back off.” I shoved his shoulder – guess I was more annoyed than I thought. Realising what I’d just done, I instinctively took a step back with a muttered apology.

Tate glared at me, “I beg your pardon?” he asked.

Taking a deep breath I looked him in the eye, “I said back off – I heard what you just said – and I can choose whom to love – just like you can.”

Both Tate and Luca turned around with the same expression. “Love?” they both asked with equal incredulity.

I shrugged and nodded, feeling my face heating up, “Yeah – so what?” I asked, trying to play it off as if I meant as a friend. I was beginning to regret my rash decision to come defending Luca – hell, he was twice the size of me too – he could totally look after himself!

Tate’s scowl was impressive but I wasn’t looking at him – I was looking at the delighted look on Luca’s face, “You just said you loved me?” he asked, his face full of something that could have passed for love for me too.

I nodded, “Yeah.” I said, “You know I do – we’re best mates, aren’t we?”

Tate cleared his throat and rolled his eyes, “Well, I feel ten kinds of stupid for getting the wrong end of the stick now.” He shot me a little grin. Turning back to Luca, with a slightly less impressive scowl he added, “Whatever’s going on between you two I want you to make sure you look after him – you should worship the ground he walks on because this kid is solid gold.”

Luca nodded, “I do,” he said with a grin, “and I know a good thing when I see it, dude.” He added, “I’ll never let him down – you can count on it.”

Tate grunted and made for the door. I stood looking at the floor, unsure as to what to say.

Luca came and stood right in front of me again, “Where were we?” he asked as he leaned in and cocked his head slightly. Closing his eyes he brushed his mouth against mine. It was every bit as sweet as the first time he kissed me. But that had only been for a bet – this was kind of real – and therefore kind of incredible and frightening and wonderful…

Sam Fletcher... Riverside #7... #2016 #HappyHeatherAfters

Coming Soon... Kiss The Boy...

It took me a while to come up with my diabolical plan – and to be fair it wasn’t even really my idea – the diabolical planner was actually my roommate at college, Iain.

Iain was a great guy. He was on the rugby team and was totally buff. He was also straight, which I thought was a total waste of a great guy... His many girlfriends didn’t agree though – they were quite happy to have all of that wonderful male flesh covering theirs and I really couldn’t blame them!

I’d confessed to Iain all about my terrible treatment of my best friend the very first day we met…

“Hey, roomie.”

I looked up nervously. The idea of sharing a room with anyone was a worry – I wasn’t great at sharing my space with anyone if I was going to be honest, but with a straight guy twice the size of me was nothing short of terrifying. “Hi,” I managed to squeak, “I’m Paris.”

He laughed, “You have got to be kidding me?” he said.

I shook my head. No one ever believed me when I first told them my name. “No – Mum thought it would be a good idea to name me after the city I was conceived in.”

He chuckled. “Okay, then Gay Paris,” he said with a mock French accent, “My name’s Iain – and I’m dead straight so don’t get any ideas.”

I smiled, “Dude,” I said, “Just because I’m gay doesn’t make you my type.”

He went a little pink, “Right – sorry.”

And that was it – we were mates. I felt it was a bit of a shame that he was straight – and he felt it was a bit of shame that I was gay – but regardless, we got on like a house on fire.

“So – do you have a steady girlfriend?”

He shook his head, “Nah,” he said, “I’m not averse to having a girlfriend – but there’s no one special at the moment – what about you? Boyfriend?”

I shook my head. A pang of regret went through me about Liam and I guess it must have shown up on my face. I sighed, “No.” I said, “There’s no one special…”

Iain frowned, tuning in to my melancholy, “But there was someone – wasn’t there?” he asked, “Did you leave him behind or something?”

I nodded, “Yeah, there was someone totally special – until I totally blew it completely.” I admitted.

He gave me a sympathetic look, “What happened?” he asked.

I explained everything as we unpacked our stuff and headed down to the Student Union bar for a pint.

He shook his head when I got to the bit where I realised that I’d really screwed everything up. “Dude,” he said, “You really need to wake up and smell the coffee.”

I nodded, “I know – but he’ll never want me back now.”

Iain smiled, “Where did he go to uni?”

I swallowed hard. We’d always planned to go to the same one and even though we hadn’t actually discussed anything since that disastrous night at the party – he didn’t show up at school to get our A Level results – in fact Mike and Ross picked up his results for him…

“Where’s Liam?” I asked. I was desperate to put things right between us. Desperate to tell him that I was sorry about kissing Conner and desperate to throw myself at his feet and beg forgiveness…

Ross and Mike exchanged a concerned glance. Ross cleared his throat, “He’s, uh, not coming today – I don’t think he wanted to see you.”

My heart sank. As much as I kind of knew it, it still hurt to be told that he didn’t want to see me. I nodded, “Well, uh, tell him I said hi.”

Ross nodded, “I will – I promise.”

Whether he did or not, I don’t know – Liam never called or texted or anything so maybe he didn’t. Or maybe Liam was just past caring… I was pretty sure he’d either have chosen Liverpool or Leeds. I was at Liverpool and living in constant hope of running into him. “He’s either here or he’s at Leeds.” I muttered.

Iain choked back a laugh, “You mean he could actually be here? Right now?” he asked, “Well – now’s your perfect chance, mate – we’ll have you back together in no time.”

“Oh, yeah?” I asked, looking at him incredulously, “And how do you think I’m gonna manage to pull that off?”

Iain smiled, showing off perfect white teeth and making my knees feel a little weak – don’t judge me – he was gorgeous. “Well, what about a little white lie and a whole lot of fun?”

I frowned, “I’m listening…”

Paris... Kiss The Boy... Available for pre-ordering now; release date 1st February 2016