AustLit

'A man on the run from his past…

'After serving three tours in Afghanistan, ex-army captain Lincoln Barrington is a broken man.

'After witnessing too many times the atrocities of war, the needless death of innocent people and the fact two decades of fighting has amounted to nothing with the enemy now back in charge, Lincoln is battle worn, bitter and angry at the world. Plagued by soul-destroying nightmares and painful flashbacks, every day is a struggle. He can’t see his way out of the blackness that is slowly consuming him…

'Escaping to a remote farmhouse in the country is his only hope. There he yearns to give his mind and body the chance to rest, rejuvenate and heal from the wounds inflicted by Afghanistan.

'Doctor Zoe Parker is a child psychologist. Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of needy children finding their way to her door, she takes a break from her private practice in Sydney in search of the peace and tranquillity offered by a stay in the country. When her car breaks down a mile from where Lincoln is holed up, he grudgingly offers her a bed for the night.

'Zoe is immediately attracted to the mesmerizing stranger, but she’s also concerned for Lincoln’s mental well-being. It is obvious the man is suffering, but every attempt she makes to reach out and connect with him is rudely rebuffed. Determined not to give up, Zoe uses all the tools at her disposal to help him through the darkest time of his life.

'What follows is a remarkable love story of two people. One battered and bruised by war and the other from the challenges of modern society.

'Can love and patience and understanding make two broken people become whole…?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A race against time…

'Detective Trace Barrington enjoys his quiet life as a detective in the small country town of Broken where he grew up. Crime is generally limited to break and enters, domestic disputes, and the occasional drug bust. But when fourteen-year-old autistic boy Oscar Webster goes missing, all of Trace’s detective skills are put to work.

'Cassie Wester is Oscar’s sister. She’s taken care of him most of her life. Now he’s gone missing after a nasty argument with their stepfather and no one knows where he is. Oscar has run away before, but not for this long and never overnight. He’s terrified of the dark.

'Now Trace is responsible for finding him. As each day passes, the likelihood of finding the young boy alive decreases.

'Will Trace find Oscar before it’s too late…?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Torn between her career and a man who sets her heart on fire…

'When homicide detective Charlotte Barrington is dragged from her lover’s bed to attend the scene of a murder, she has no idea the man she spent the night with is the prime suspect. To make matters worse, she fears she might very well be his alibi.

'A young and successful lawyer, Grayson Thorpe’s life is turned upside down when he arrives home after a night of passion with a beautiful stranger and discovers his wife’s lifeless body. He’s just come from the bed of a woman who has rocked his world and now he’s being interrogated by the police. Even more confronting, the woman he spent the night with is no other than one of the detectives now regarding him with suspicion and distrust.

'Grayson knows he is innocent, but how will he convince the police of this? More importantly, will the beautiful detective believe he’s telling the truth when all evidence points to his guilt?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The path to redemption is never easy...

'Good-looking, charismatic and heir to a billion-dollar mining fortune, Christopher Barrington has a lot going for him. Unfortunately, he’s allowed a bitter feud with his biological father to cloud his judgement. For years he’s lived his life filled with anger and bitterness and has been determined to hurt those around him, including those closest to him.

'But a brush with death has motivated him into leaving his wicked ways behind him. He wants to turn his life around, but after wallowing in self-pity for so long he’s not sure how to go about it. A chance encounter with the beautiful Lexi Greenaway might be just what he needs to set him on the right path to becoming a better person.

'Lexi is a foster mother and has cared for twenty-seven foster kids and still counting. Her bottomless well of compassion and kindness demonstrates to Christopher how far he’s allowed himself to fall. For so long he’s been the epitome of selfishness, taking pleasure from other people’s pain. Now he wants to put all that behind him. More than that, he wants to prove he’s worthy of Lexi’s attentions.

'He’s falling for the beautiful widow. All he can hope is that he’s done enough to convince her he’s now worthy of her love…

'Will Christopher set aside his past hurt and bitterness and find redemption? Most of all, will he and Lexi find true love?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Meet Isabella…the keeper of family secrets…

'Renowned surgeon by day and escort by night, Isabella Craigdon has grown up in the shadow of her formidable father. From a young age, she knew her parents’ marriage was a sham. Though they both maintained appearances for the sake of their children, it was no secret to Isabella their father had a total disregard for his wedding vows.

'Now twenty-six, Isabella still burns with anger at the callous way her father treated her mother…and her mother’s passive acceptance of it. Isabella has vowed no man will control her, or make a fool of her like her father did to her mother.

'When Isabella meets Raine Fairfax in the guise of his escort, sparks immediately fly. He’s sinfully good-looking, smart and knows his way around a woman’s body. But Raine grew up in a loving family and when he wants more from Isabella than she’s prepared to give, she feels nothing but panic.

'Can Isabella set aside the pain and anger and disappointment that has followed her since her childhood or will she say goodbye to Raine forever…?

'The Craigdon Family Dynasty series follows the lives and loves of the Craigdon Family and the fallout they all experience when the patriarch of the family dies. Henry Craigdon was worth billions. He was also a man with many secrets. He’s divided up his estate between his wife and six children, but not all of them have been treated fairly…

'Come on an adventure filled with drama and intrigue with USA Today bestselling author Chris Taylor and ride the highs and lows of a family in turmoil, the secrets, the deception, the lies…and the inevitable ties of love and loyalty that bind this family together, no matter what.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Meet Joel Craigdon…

'Tall dark and handsome, Detective Joel Craigdon has a lot going for him. Even better, he has just inherited ten million dollars from his father. Upon his return from a trip to Europe, Joel is thrown head-first into a fraud investigation. Someone inside McClintock Properties has been transferring large sums of money to an offshore account and none of it has been reported to the proper authorities. Joel’s determined to find out who’s behind it…

'They were never supposed to see each other again…

'Sheridan McClintock’s world is thrown into a tailspin when she discovers the man she went home with for a one night stand is no other than the detective now investigating her brother’s company for fraud. Determined to forget about their night of passion, she refuses to cooperate with his investigation. There’s no way anyone at McClintock could be capable of illegal activity, no matter what Joel says.

'When the evidence points directly at Sheridan as the culprit, both she and Joel are shocked. Sheridan knows darn well she’s innocent, but how is she going to prove it to one very determined cop?

'The Craigdon Family Dynasty series follows the lives and loves of the Craigdon Family and the fallout they all experience when the patriarch of the family dies. Henry Craigdon was worth billions. He was also a man with many secrets. He’s divided up his estate between his wife and six children, but not all of them have been treated fairly…

'Come on an adventure filled with drama and intrigue with USA Today bestselling author Chris Taylor and ride the highs and lows of a family in turmoil, the secrets, the deception, the lies…and the inevitable ties of love and loyalty that bind this family together, no matter what.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Callum Craigdon isn’t your typical alpha male. Sure, he’s good looking, charming and sexy as hell, but until recently, he was in training to be a Catholic priest. Now his billionaire father has died and left him ten million dollars. The only problem is, he’s about to take a vow of poverty.

'All his life, Callum thought he’d be a priest. What was once certain has now been thrown into total confusion. To make matters even more complicated, he’s met a beautiful woman who fills his head with images no self-respecting priest-in-training should have…and he doesn’t have a clue what to do about it.

'Three years earlier, Grace Gunning’s life fell apart when her husband was killed in a tragic accident. His parents still hold her responsible. Turning to alcohol to ease the pain, she’s now lost custody of her kids. Still haunted by her past, but determined to get her life back on track, she turns to Callum for help. Can she find the strength and courage to do what she needs to regain custody of her children? And where does the gorgeous priest-in-training fit in? Is he a second chance at love sent from heaven, or is that only wishful thinking?

'The Craigdon Family Dynasty series follows the lives and loves of the Craigdon Family and the fallout they all experience when the patriarch of the family dies. Henry Craigdon was worth billions. He was also a man with many secrets. He’s divided up his estate between his wife and six children, but not all of them have been treated fairly…

'Come on an adventure filled with drama and intrigue with USA Today bestselling author Chris Taylor and ride the highs and lows of a family in turmoil, the secrets, the deception, the lies…and the inevitable ties of love and loyalty that bind this family together, no matter what.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'On the surface, fourteen-year-old Veronica Blackwood has it all. She’s the only child of Wheeler’s glamor couple. Her mother comes from old money. Her father is a hotshot lawyer. He’s also the mayor of Wheeler.

'Smart, slim and beautiful, Veronica is the most popular girl at Wheeler High. All the other girls wish they could be her. They line up to be her friend. The boys look at her with longing. She loves every second of the attention. In fact, she craves it. Somehow it helps to replace the lack of attention she receives at home…

'And so what if she amuses herself at the expense of others? The occasional mean comment to a loser doesn’t make her a bully. Jessie Angel is weak. She ought to toughen up. It’s her own fault she’s become a frequent target.

'Then Jessie Angel kills herself and Veronica’s world is turned upside down. Not because she’s shocked by what Jessie has done, or even mourns the girl’s demise. No, it’s because all of a sudden the kids at Wheeler High are looking at her differently…many with accusation in their eyes.

'It’s not her fault Jessie Angel shot herself in the head! It’s not fair to be blamed for the stupid girl’s death. Veronica might have teased and tormented Jessie every now and then, but that was just a bit of fun. How was she to know Jessie Angel had taken it all so seriously?

'Honestly, the kids at Wheeler High need to wake up to themselves and lay the blame for Jessie’s death where it really lies… At Jessie Angel’s feet. As far as Veronica’s concerned, if Jessie was that weak, good riddance. Surely it’s only a matter of time before the rest of Wheeler High see that? Isn’t it...?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When fourteen-year-old Sarah Simmons found out her best friend had committed suicide her world was turned upside down. All year, she’d been aware Jessie Angel was being bullied by Veronica Blackwood and all year Sarah had tried to help. But it hadn’t been enough. Jessie had taken her father’s service revolver and shot herself in the head.

'Sarah should have tried harder, done more, told her mother sooner…

'Devastated by Jessie’s death and plagued with overwhelming guilt, Sarah tries to take her own life. When that fails, she is thrown even deeper into despair. She starts cutting school, lying to her mom, taking drugs, hanging out with an undesirable crowd. Anything to numb the pain of Jessie’s death and Sarah’s failure to save her.

'Meanwhile her mom, Holly Walsh, child psychologist extraordinaire, does her best to get Sarah to talk. Talk. As if that’s going to change anything. What good is talk? It’s never going to bring Jessie back or dissolve the mountain of pain and guilt that continues to consume her.

'And then there’s Veronica Blackwood…the girl who made Jessie’s life a living hell. The girl who bullied Sarah’s best friend to death. Somehow, Sarah must make Veronica pay…or die trying.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Child psychologist Holly Walsh is living a nightmare…again. Jessie Angel is the second teenager to take their life while under Holly’s care. The shocking tragedy hits her hard and takes her back to a time more than a year earlier when another young teen chose suicide as a way to bring an end to their pain.

'The realization that she’s utterly failed a young client for a second time emotionally paralyzes her. Consumed with guilt and struggling to keep up appearances, she fails to see the battles her own daughter, and Jessie’s friend Sarah Simmons, is fighting.

'And then there is Jessie’s father. Police Sergeant Ryan Angel is furious at Holly for failing his daughter. Holly was meant to help Jessie feel better. Now she’s lying in the cemetery.

'As Holly watches Ryan’s life spiral out of control, she manages to convince him to attend her group therapy sessions specially designed for the families of suicide victims. Ryan isn’t one for talking about his problems, but he surprises Holly by turning up and staying for a session.

'But the more she tries to pretend she’s coping, the more her life unravels. Jessie Angel came to her for help. Now the teen is dead. Sarah blames her for Jessie’s suicide. Even worse, Holly blames herself.

'Will she learn to forgive herself for her part in Jessie’s death? Even more importantly, will Ryan and Sarah forgive her?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Police Sergeant Ryan Angel’s life has been devastated. His only child has taken her life…using his service revolver. How could he have been so stupid as to leave the gun unattended?

'He’d known his daughter was struggling. Jessie had come to him more than once about problems she was having at school. Veronica Blackwood, the mayor’s daughter, was making Jessie’s life hell. Ryan did what any loving, protective parent would do. He’d confronted the mayor and demanded the man pull his daughter into line.

'He‘d also arranged for Jessie to attend a child psychologist. Holly Walsh was new in town. They’d met through her work with troubled juveniles who found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Ryan liked what he saw in Holly and was relieved when his daughter had agreed to therapy.

'But now he’s staring at his daughter’s coffin and he’s overwhelmed with guilt. He’s also furious at the people who were meant to be helping his little girl. Namely, Holly Walsh. She was meant to make his daughter feel better, not bring her to the point where she chose to end her life.

'Will Ryan find it in his heart to forgive Holly for letting Jessie down? More importantly, will he forgive himself?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Fourteen-year-old Jessie Angel’s life has turned into a nightmare. For reasons she’s unable to fathom, she’s become the target of a ruthless bully. Veronica Blackwood, the most popular girl at Wheeler High, has made it her mission to destroy Jessie. And she takes every chance she gets. At school, on social media, even texts to Jessie’s phone… There’s no escape from Veronica’s maliciousness and there’s no one Jessie can turn to.

'Her mother, Belinda, is a recovering alcoholic. Though she loves Jessie, she has her own battles to fight.

'Her father, Ryan, is the local police sergeant. He’s kind and loves Jessie, but as the only cop in Wheeler, he’s busy and distracted with this work.

'Her best friend, Sarah Simmons, knows a bit about what’s going on and tries to help, but Jessie’s too ashamed to let even her best friend in on the full extent of what is going on.

'Then there’s child psychologist, Holly Walsh. Getting therapy was Jessie’s Dad’s idea and sometimes talking to Holly makes Jessie feel better, but not even to Holly can she tell the whole truth.

'There is no one who knows the true extent of her pain and suffering…or the darkness that beckons...

'Who will save her from Veronica Blackwood?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Successful family law attorney Mallory Patterson was ten years old when she was abandoned by her mother. Forced to grow up quickly, Mallory’s managed to push the hurt away and make something of her life. She’s proud of what she’s achieved. Even better, she gets to work in the same firm as her beloved father. Then a body is discovered buried inside a cave and Mallory’s hard-fought stability is turned on its end.

'Detective Sergeant Rafe Connelly has his own demons to battle. As a child, he was a victim of domestic abuse. He hasn’t spoken to his father for fifteen years and that’s just how he likes it.

'When he’s put in charge of identifying the body found buried in a cave, he has no idea the chain of events he’s about to trigger. Shock, devastation, fury, disbelief… And that’s just the beginning…'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'As a junior lawyer at the prestigious Sydney Legal, Meghan Chifley knows that if she works hard enough, one day she’ll reap the rewards. In the meantime, she prays her family doesn’t self-destruct. Always the peacemaker, lately it’s become a fulltime job refereeing the battles between her father and her brother. To make things worse, her half-sister also has plenty to say and not all of it is nice. Meghan despairs her family will survive the pain they seem determined to inflict upon each other. Then her father is brutally murdered. Her world is turned upside down when she’s forced to acknowledge his killer might very well be one of her siblings.

'Detective Sergeant Zane Sullivan doesn’t know what it’s like to have a family. Put up for adoption within hours of his birth, he spent his childhood being passed from one uncaring foster home to another. He knows firsthand how badly family can treat each other and he’s not at all surprised when the evidence points toward a family member being responsible for Grant Chifley’s murder. The only question is, which one?

'Steeling himself against the sad vulnerability and kindness he sees in Meghan Chifley’s beautiful eyes, he holds himself at a distance. Hiding behind that appealing façade could very well be a cold-blooded killer. A man has been brutally murdered and Zane’s determined to find the person responsible.

'Is Meghan hiding a deadly secret, or is it someone else she’s protecting? The answer will leave everyone gasping…'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Jessica Wolfe’s career as a lawyer at the prestigious Sydney Legal was going from strength to strength until her brother, Alistair Wolfe, decided to get involved in human tissue trafficking. Alistair’s subsequent arrest and conviction brought with it a mountain of negative publicity and has damaged Jessica’s prospects of a partnership at the law firm. Jessica is determined to prove her worth despite her brother’s criminality.

'Then she receives a phone call from an old high school flame that will change her life forever…

'Mackenzie Calloway is a successful property developer. A former high school football jock, he’s defied everyone’s expectations by scraping his way through college and graduating with a business degree. Sheer hard work, a whole lot of charm and a fair amount of luck has enabled him to accumulate wealth like he’d never dreamed possible. Then his ex-girlfriend’s body is found washed up along the shores of Sydney Harbour and all hell break’s loose.

'Mackenzie is charged with her murder and his perfect life begins to spiral out of control. His only hope is the girl he’s known since high school who just happens to be a damned fine criminal defense lawyer.

'Can Jessica and Mackenzie ignore the spark of attraction between them in order to save Mackenzie from being convicted for a crime he didn’t commit…?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Trey Walker is living the high life. A successful advertising executive at the impressive Baker & Saddler advertising firm, he’s dangerously good looking, drives a vintage red Mustang and has his pick of women. Life couldn’t get any sweeter. Then Trey receives an urgent call from his identical twin brother and in an instant, his life changes…

'Wade Walker’s life has never been easy. He might have been born with looks to die for, but so far things haven’t worked out. In and out of dead end jobs, Wade is resentful of his brother’s success. Even so, he’s always been able to rely on Trey and the night of Saturday, September fifth is no different. Only this time, things don’t quite go as planned. A woman has been raped and the police are asking a whole bunch of difficult questions. Trey is taken away in handcuffs…

'When a nine-year-old girl fails to arrive home from school after climbing off the school bus, a community is galvanized into action. Daisy Green, a lawyer at Sydney Legal, has a daughter, Emma, who travels on the same bus. She’s beyond grateful her daughter is safe, but feels for the mother of the girl who has disappeared.

'Christian Grayson is also a lawyer at Sydney Legal and he’s closer to the awful incident than anyone might think. His uncle is the bus driver and Christian is currently staying in his uncle’s house. Christian and Daisy bond over their combined efforts to find the missing girl.