On the first day of Christmas...

Out Tomorrow!

pre-order now!

Exclusive to Amazon...

Not Long Now...

I could hear someone singing softly on the next aisle from where I was stood. He seemed to only be singing the verses to the song – as if he wanted someone to chime in with the chorus... well, I was happy to oblige. I waited until he came to the end of the next line and then I started to softly sing the chorus. I stopped and waited to see if he’d continue the song.
He did. This was kind of fun. I pulled out a book and peered through the bookshelf. My eyes almost popped out of my head when I found myself eye-to-eye with Jules....
Mum always reckoned that if she could stop singing and someone carried on the song – they were totally in tune with you – like you had a connection... and I was pretty damned sure I had a connection with Jules...
Making him see that while he was still nursing a broken heart was gonna be a challenge... I could see that but I was also willing to give it a go...
I still wasn’t sure if I was in love with Jules – or in love with the idea of being in love with Jules – and I guess I was never gonna find out unless I took the bull by the horns and asked him out.
“Hi,” I said, “What are you doing in here?”
He raised an eyebrow, “Why shouldn’t I be in here?’ he asked, “I like poetry.”
It was my turn to raise an eyebrow, “Poetry?”
He nodded, “Why, what’s on your side?”
I looked at the shelves. I hadn’t really been taking much notice – I’d followed the sound of his beautiful voice if I was gonna be completely honest. “Motorcross and uh, BMXing.”
He nodded, “Wow.” He said, “You’re into that?”I swallowed hard and shook my head, “Not really.” I admitted with my heart slamming against my ribs painfully, “But I’m into you.”

Did you know...?

 That my Riverside Series, Boy Next Door Series and Studs and Steel Series were all related?
Sam Fletcher (Formerly Grundy) knew Peyton when they were only sixteen and nineteen, and Peyton makes his first appearance in Sam Distracted...




The nightclub, Studs and Steel also makes an appearance in my Boy Next Door Series, Racing Hearts... it's where Leo works as a waiter/bar tender and jumps on River's podium to attract the attention of a his old friend, Micha...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

So curl up with a nice Christmassy book... here's a couple of mine that are set around the festive period...

Dylan let the one person he'd ever really loved slip through his fingers six years ago. Now, while he's having a quiet drink with his friends, Skye is stood a few feet away from him and he has two choices - he can do something stupid and tell him how he felt all those years ago and that he still feels the same way, or to let bygones be bygones... but it's Christmas and his miracle might happen...

“Oh, lucky old you – looks like you’re in class with our old friend Travis Winters.” Davie-Lee chuckled. 
I looked at him, “I’m sorry don’t have the faintest idea who Travis Winters is – who are you talking about and why is that funny?” 
Davie-Lee nodded across the gardens to where I could just make out a guy leaning up against the wall of the student union bar, his glasses swinging from his hand carelessly and his face turned up to the late September sun. His hair was all over the place, but it looked clean. He was wearing a pair of faded denim skinny jeans, a black tee shirt with some sort of logo on it that I couldn’t read from where I was standing. He had his eyes closed but all in all, he looked kind of cool. I really didn’t get what Davie-Lee was getting at. 
“Don’t you remember Travis from juniors?” he asked incredulously. 
I frowned and shook my head but then it dawned on me that I hadn’t been to the same junior school as Davie-Lee – and this Travis kid. “I went to a different juniors to you – I’ve only known you since we started at Gregory Street Academy – so, go on then – what’s his story?” I asked – not that I was in the slightest bit interested – as unquestionably cute as he was, I couldn’t possibly love anyone again after Sam – life was a lonely path for me now… I’d come to terms with that, finally. 
Davie-Lee shrugged, “Um, not sure – I remember him leaving in our final term. His Mum dropped him off one morning and then he went to live with his great uncle or someone. She died on the way back home somehow. He was about ten or eleven I think.” 
My heart went out to him. “Oh, God,” I looked back across at him, “– that’s terrible.” 
Davie-Lee nodded, “Yeah, it was awful for him – not least because he was already really weird – he only had one friend and she was a total fruitcake too; he was freakily good at maths – and that’s about as much as I remember about him – oh, and be warned. Never mention Friday the 13th to him – he was absolutely nuts about that…” 
I frowned. Jeez, the guy sounded even crazier than I was… I couldn’t help looking over at him again. He had longer than average, brown hair that was currently hanging loosely and brushing against his collar. He’d put his glasses back on and somehow that gave him a slightly superior look as he ferreted through his bag looking for something with a look of mild panic on his face. He was, without question, really kind of cute... 

I didn’t blame my parents’ death for my bad behaviour. Oh, I’m sure some do-gooding psychiatrist would be able to lay the blame at someone else’s door – but the truth was – I just enjoyed being bad. It made me feel better for a while. It was just when Will looked at me with disappointment in his eyes and almost a look of disgust that I felt bad about myself. That hurt…

I could hear someone singing softly on the next aisle from where I was stood. He seemed to only be singing the verses to the song – as if he wanted someone to chime in with the chorus... well, I was happy to oblige. I waited until he came to the end of the next line and then I started to softly sing the chorus. I stopped and waited to see if he’d continue the song.
He did. This was kind of fun. I pulled out a book and peered through the bookshelf. My eyes almost popped out of my head when I found myself eye-to-eye with Jules....
Mum always reckoned that if she could stop singing and someone carried on the song – they were totally in tune with you – like you had a connection... and I was pretty damned sure I had a connection with Jules...
Making him see that while he was still nursing a broken heart was gonna be a challenge... I could see that but I was also willing to give it a go...
I still wasn’t sure if I was in love with Jules – or in love with the idea of being in love with Jules – and I guess I was never gonna find out unless I took the bull by the horns and asked him out.
“Hi,” I said, “What are you doing in here?”
He raised an eyebrow, “Why shouldn’t I be in here?’ he asked, “I like poetry.”
It was my turn to raise an eyebrow, “Poetry?”
He nodded, “Why, what’s on your side?”
I looked at the shelves. I hadn’t really been taking much notice – I’d followed the sound of his beautiful voice if I was gonna be completely honest. “Motorcross and uh, BMXing.”
He nodded, “Wow.” He said, “You’re into that?”I swallowed hard and shook my head, “Not really.” I admitted with my heart slamming against my ribs painfully, “But I’m into you.”

Pre- Order Alfie Now! Release date 31st January 2017...

I came out to my parents when I was fourteen years old. I’d known since I was small that I liked boys more than girls – not that I didn’t like girls – some of my sisters friends were really lovely and were my friends too. I found it difficult to be mates with guys – the fancying them bit always got in the way and I found that I was either annoying them – or flirting with them and that definitely interfered with being able to make proper friends. In fact I’d only really started making friends when I discovered the gay clubs and found guys there that I liked but didn’t fancy. I was rather proud of myself that I could now count Simon, Buzz and River as proper ‘mates’.

I had my first serious crush at twelve – on my brother George’s best friend – much to his horror – and his best friend’s utter bemusement – he really didn’t see how he could be attractive to another guy when he was straight... I know. “But I don’t understand, George – what the hell does he see in me? I’m straight...?” It clearly didn’t occur to him that as a gay boy, I fancied men whether they were gay or straight – it was just disappointing when they weren’t gay too...

When I finally plucked up the courage – after practicing in front of my mirror for days as to the best way to break the news – to tell my parents, it was kind of an anti-climax when they both looked at me, totally non-plussed.

“We know, son.” Dad said gently, “It’s been obvious since you were about five or six and always stripped your Action Men and put them in bed together...”

Mum took it upon herself to join a support group for parents with gay children – I didn’t even know such groups existed until she became the president of hers and decided to make it her mission to find out who every gay guy was in the area for me to consider dating. No, really... I kid you not.

Alfie... Pre-order now... Release date 31st January 2017...

Busy editing...

November newsletter... A great big thank you!

You've no doubt noticed that my Studs and Steel series has launched and that I currently have no book cover for Simon... Spellbound, which is number five in the series... and that's because I've not found the perfect cover for it yet! I'm working on it though... Alfie is number three in the series and I'm currently working on it with Buzz Bedazzled at number four.  and I'm planning at least another one after Stake Out... (number six) Number seven is called Seth... Saved but I have no idea what I'd call number eight  in the series or who it would be about. Possibly Jake (Jodie's ex) or Thai.... that's as far as I've got... I will of course keep you posted.
May I just take this opportunity to thank everyone who have bought record numbers of my Boy Next Door series - and even more exciting - Peyton Protected, the first in this new series - I'm absolutely bowled over! Thank you all so much!

And finally.... Just a quick reminder that my latest book in the Boys Next Door series is currently available for pre-ordering and is released on 1st December and River... Redeemed (Studs & Steel #2) is available for pre-ordering and released on 24th December...

Coming Soon... River... Redeemed Studs & Steel #2

I was bouncing out of my own skin with excitement at seeing Jake again. We chatted on the phone a couple of times a month – but Skype wasn’t really my thing and I wasn’t desperate to look at him – just knowing he was out there and happy to talk to me was enough – but when he walked in I could have shouted with joy. He was finally here! 

“Jake!” I shouted, “Just in time, dude – my dancing slot’s been changed – well, extended,” I rolled my eyes, “Justin’s called in sick – some bug or other he picked up from his little sister.” I glanced around him, “So – where’s the boyfriend?”

He smiled, “He just needed to take a leak – he’ll be right back.”

I hugged him, “He’d better be quick – I’m on in like, two minutes.”

I leaned up and kissed his cheek, “See you later  – let me know what you think of my new moves.”

He chuckled as I made my way to my podium. It was Thursday night and that meant I was wearing a little more clothing than I did on the weekends. I had on my ripped skinny jeans that showed off my muscled thighs beautifully, teamed up with a sleeveless tee shirt that was also artfully ripped. I had my good old red Converses on and I felt a million dollars.

The music changed to indicate that the dancers were about to start off their numbers and I glanced to my left and then my right to Simon and Chase. They were my co-dancers for the night and we all had moves that gave the crowd instant wood.

I closed my eyes, a smile on my face. I was as close to being in heaven tonight as I’d ever been.

I opened my eyes again, my body knew exactly what it was doing to the music and I could scan the crowd to see if I could get eye contact with Jake. Even as I was planning on getting off as early as possible I found myself staring into the most startling pair of bright, sparkly eyes and they were staring back at me with as much interest as I was feeling for him. I’d never felt such an immediate attraction to anyone else, ever before in my life – it was almost like we had a connection. It was so intense I almost lost the beat of the music. Wow. He was seriously attractive. Maybe I’d have to blow Jake and his boyfriend off in favour of this seriously hot twink… Oh… maybe not. He’d turned to the guy stood with his back to me. Damn. It looked like he was with him… I was wasting my time then – but I still couldn’t tear my eyes away. The guy with his back to me turned to the side to hear what Gorgeous was saying to him... Holy shit – the beautiful guy was with someone, alright – and that guy was Jake...

Pre-order now exclusively from Amazon. Release date 24th December 2016... 

Countdown to Christmas...

“Was that Skye Francis?” Biff looked up at me as I finally returned with three pints – a pint of beer each for Biff and Conner and my pint of lemonade.

I nodded shortly, “Yup,” I didn’t look him in the eye; instead I glanced at Conner. I’d told him that if I ever saw him again I would do something really stupid like tell him that Marcus was no friend and that he’d been trying to get in my pants at the party from hell. To begin with Conner warned me never to get in the way of someone’s friendship with his best mate – that no good would ever come of doing something stupid like that – but as the years passed, he’d changed his mind and had actively encouraged me to tell him – if we ever crossed paths again, of course…

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. I nodded, “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, defeated, “He reckoned that he looked for me to tell me he’d made a mistake but…” I trailed off. There was just no way – he was just being nice – letting me down gently…

Conner frowned and looked across at Biff guiltily, “Well, there was that day when we went for our results…”

I nodded. They’d told me that he was there asking about me, but I was too hurt and too stupid and I thought he should have come to tell me himself. What a prick. I should have gone and sorted it out with him – I only had to see it from his point of view… I should have known Marcus would lie… And it was far too late now. Six years too late…

Conner sniffed nervously. He always did that before he was about to impart words of wisdom. I looked at him. “What?”

“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 – but it’s Christmas, dude. And you know – things are different at this time of year – everything gets sprinkled with a bit of magic.” I looked at him with a smile. Sometimes he was really sweet… “Just get laid already,” he added making me realise that actually he was exactly the same as he’d always been. Biff had such a nice turn of phrase…

“What was my other present?” I asked Will. I’d seen a box in the corner and I swear it had moved a couple of times since he’d sneaked out this morning really early. He thought I was asleep but he really should know better – I’ve been getting up to feed the animals before work – and school before that – for years. I’m used to getting up at four or five in the morning. Still – the fact that he’d tried to sneak out to surprise me was what it was all about – he was by far more romantic than I could ever imagine being.

I had an idea of what he might have got for me, but I didn’t like to assume – even though I’d heard a couple of whimpers coming from the corner too.

He grinned, “Close your eyes.”

I chuckled as Trey and Toby exchanged a roll of their eyes to each other but I still closed my eyes.

“Hold your hands out.” Will said gleefully, “I promise you’re gonna love this.”

I nodded and held my arms out.

“Here,” he murmured and leaned forward as he placed the box on my knee, brushing a light kiss over my forehead, “All yours.”

I opened my eyes. He’d put the box on my knee. I looked up at him questioningly. He just grinned back at me along with Trey and Toby.

“Open it.” Trey urged.

Toby nodded. Will just stood there chewing his lip nervously. I really wished he’d stop – it was terribly distracting. All I wanted to do was stop him so I could chew on it instead…

I concentrated on my gift. It had gone alarmingly quiet.

I ripped the paper off and lifted the lid. Inside, all curled up and fast asleep was a puppy. I damned well knew that was what he’d got me – I’d been banging on about having a sheep dog if we were to expand the farm and Will being Will had gone and done his research.

“She’s from a great pedigree,” he started.

I held my hand up, “She’s perfect.” I said, “I couldn’t give a shit about her pedigree – I just love her.”

She yawned and opened one eye, “Hello, little cutie.” I held her up and kissed her on the end of her nose, “Aren’t you beautiful?”

Trey nudged Toby, “We’d better get out of here, dude,” he joked, “Will’s gonna be getting all jealous in a minute! Tom’s got himself another new woman.”

They both burst into a fit of giggles. I rolled my eyes, “Get lost guys.” I laughed, “I’m a reformed character. I’m a one man man now.”

Will chuckled too, “I wouldn’t have got him a bitch if I thought he’d fall out of love with me.” He said coming up and putting his arms around me, “Do you like her?” he asked, “Is she okay?”

I turned around and kissed him firmly on his mouth, “She’s perfect.” I said, “What are we gonna call her?”

“Meg.” He said.

Toby snorted behind me and I closed my eyes. I could have predicted almost word for word what he was whispering to Trey. Seriously – I think I’ve totally tuned into their telepathy with all the time I’ve spent with them over the years.

“What?” I snarled at him. I could always pull rank on the boys – they totally crumbled.

“Nothing.” They said in unison, their eyes wide.

“Tell me?” I warned.

“He said she should be called Smeg,” Trey blurted out.

I threw the wrapping paper at him, “You dirty little bastard,” I said, but we were all laughing.

I was really excited to see Chas. I’d got his present tucked inside my coat and I could hardly keep the grin off my face as I thought about our time together the day before. It was Christmas Eve now and I planned to wake up with his face next to mine on Christmas Day...

I pushed the door of the pub open, eager to see his smiling face. There was laughing and chattering going on all around us but as soon as I saw his expression as he was stood behind the bar, I knew something was off.

He looked pissed off. I frowned as I approached the bar, “What’s up?” I asked.

He nodded to the far end of the bar, “You’ve got company.” He muttered, “Your fancy boyfriend is back looking for a reconciliation. Says he’s seen the light or some such shit.”

I blinked, “My fancy boyfriend...?” Holy shit. No way....

I turned around and looked to the end of the bar. There was Kai. He smiled and stood up. Chas huffed and disappeared inside the door marked, “Staff Only”.

I swallowed and tried to gather my wits. I’d never expected to see him again. I didn’t know what he was here for – and I wasn’t sure how to handle it...

“It’s so good to see you, Jules.” He gushed, sliding his hand over mine.

I really couldn’t say the same for him so I didn’t reply. I pulled my hand away from his touch and looked at him, “Uh-huh.” Was all I managed.

His smiled widened, “I uh, I came to see if we could, you know – talk.”

Talk? What the hell did he want to talk about? I shrugged, “Sure.” I said, jamming my hands in my pockets and rocking on my heels, “What do you want to talk about.”

“Us.” He said, reaching for my hand again.

I frowned as I took in his hopeful expression and backed away from him, “There is no us, remember – you found someone better.”

He shook his head, “I just needed a little time to get my head in the ‘couple’ game. I’m so sorry to have messed you about, Jules – I was such a fool.”