Tag: Snippet Sunday

Hi everyone ♥

I’m back after spending a week with my daughters. I hope you’ll enjoy today’s snippet from my newest release WHISPERS OF HER MEMORIES. The story is set in New Zealand, South Island.

♥ ENJOY ♥

Today’s Snippet

Exhaling deeply, she stood as well, took all her belongings, and followed the crowd. Her heart raced as she moved along with all the other passengers, a grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. This was it. Her opportunity for a change, a new beginning, and she wasn’t going to let this slip through her fingers. Mallory stepped off the plane and down the stairs onto the tarmac. A crisp breeze that carried a scent of fresh mountain air combined with the sharp tang of jet fuel made her shiver. She wished she could thank her mystery grandmother for leaving her a house. Why had her mother kept her a secret? Why hadn’t she ever mentioned her? A twinge of sadness trickled through her, thinking of her mum, who had lost her life two years earlier. The loss was still raw for Mallory. One moment, her mother was full of life, laughing over breakfast, and the next — gone. An aneurysm, the doctors had said. No warning. No time to say goodbye. Barely fifty years old, and everything changed in an instant. Her throat tightened as she navigated through the queues for immigration and passport control, remembering the loneliness that had followed. It had hit her hard. Her mother had been her world, her anchor. There was no one else. She’d never known her biological father, who’d been just a fleeting moment in her mother’s life and who she had never talked of. But that never mattered. They’d been a team, always together, always enough for each other. Mallory wouldn’t complain. Her childhood had been a blur of love, laughter, and many wonderful memories. And then Jacob came into the picture. Her mother’s face would light up around him as if she’d found another piece of happiness. They still had their fun, their inside jokes, their easy bond. Mallory smiled at the memory, and a bittersweet warmth filled her chest.

Blurb

Mallory O’Neill swaps the buzz of Melbourne for the quiet shores of Anahera Bay, New Zealand, hoping for a fresh start… not secrets and surprises. But the crumbling seaside cottage left to her by Sofia—the grandmother she never knew—holds more than just dust and disrepair. It holds the key to a family history her late mother never spoke of.

As Mallory pieces together Sofia’s past, she faces the doubts of old friends and the arrival of an unexpected stranger. Along the way, she finds friendships among the locals, but she also meets resistance from the brooding handyman, Cameron Quinn, a man haunted by his own past.

When faded letters, old photographs, and buried truths come to light, Mallory and Cameron find themselves drawn together by grief, memory, and a spark neither of them expected.

Get your copy of “THEIR BOND THROUGH JADE” here ♥

Hi everyone ♥

Today’s post includes another snippet from my newest release WHISPERS OF HER MEMORIES. The story is set in New Zealand, South Island.

♥ ENJOY ♥

Today’s Snippet

Everyone moved off their chairs and reached for their luggage. It was chaotic for the next ten minutes, with most of the passengers trying to get out at the same time.

Mallory stayed in her seat. A sudden sadness and worry overwhelmed her. There was no turning back anymore. It was going to be different. Of course it would be; after all, she was moving from a metropolitan city to a small coastal town with a thousand or so people, if that. Everything familiar was back in Australia, and she needed to find her feet again in so many ways.

She held back the tears, took one of the serviettes she’d forgotten to hand over as rubbish, and cleared her nose.

Yet, the journey had only just begun, and she knew she was capable of embracing the possibilities that lay ahead in her new home despite her worries. Her mother had raised her to be independent and strong, and she’d be disappointed if she saw Mallory fail at this … as she had with so many things since her mother passed.

The old man beside her shifted in his seat, clearly struggling a little with the small overhead bag above him. Without hesitation, Mallory stood and offered, “Let me help you with that.” She carefully pulled it down and handed it to him with a warm smile.

“You have a wonderful holiday, aye,” the old man said as they disembarked.

She smiled again, touched by his kindness. “I sure will. Thank you.”

Blurb

Mallory O’Neill swaps the buzz of Melbourne for the quiet shores of Anahera Bay, New Zealand, hoping for a fresh start… not secrets and surprises. But the crumbling seaside cottage left to her by Sofia—the grandmother she never knew—holds more than just dust and disrepair. It holds the key to a family history her late mother never spoke of.

As Mallory pieces together Sofia’s past, she faces the doubts of old friends and the arrival of an unexpected stranger. Along the way, she finds friendships among the locals, but she also meets resistance from the brooding handyman, Cameron Quinn, a man haunted by his own past.

When faded letters, old photographs, and buried truths come to light, Mallory and Cameron find themselves drawn together by grief, memory, and a spark neither of them expected.

Hi everyone ♥

Today’s post includes another snippet from my newest release WHISPERS OF HER MEMORIES. The story is set in New Zealand, South Island.

♥ ENJOY ♥

Today’s Snippet

“It’s a start, Mon.” Maggie’s voice had softened. “You don’t have to run off to another country just because things aren’t happening as fast as you’d like. You can sell the house and live off that money. It would set you up nicely.”

Mallory had nodded. “Yes, I could. I might even consider that. Who knows?” She’d shrugged. “But first I want to check it out. There’s a grandmother I have never heard of who’s left me a house. I don’t know. I can’t just sell it.”

“But you can just leave everything behind for this stranger?”

They had gone back and forth, neither willing to budge, the smell of the fish and chips filling the room but neither of them touching the food. Mallory knew Maggie was just worried. But Mallory had made her choice, and she wasn’t turning back. Life had been a challenge. Maybe, just maybe, this was her chance to something better.

By the time Maggie had left, her untouched dinner was still on the table. But deep inside, Mallory squashed the doubts that had crept up at the edges of her mind. It wasn’t just the art gallery acceptance Maggie had mentioned, or her few friends Mallory was leaving behind. It was the comfort of the familiar and the safety of not taking risks.

But here she was, sitting in a plane, flying towards an unfamiliar life.

Blurb

Mallory O’Neill swaps the buzz of Melbourne for the quiet shores of Anahera Bay, New Zealand, hoping for a fresh start… not secrets and surprises. But the crumbling seaside cottage left to her by Sofia—the grandmother she never knew—holds more than just dust and disrepair. It holds the key to a family history her late mother never spoke of.

As Mallory pieces together Sofia’s past, she faces the doubts of old friends and the arrival of an unexpected stranger. Along the way, she finds friendships among the locals, but she also meets resistance from the brooding handyman, Cameron Quinn, a man haunted by his own past.

When faded letters, old photographs, and buried truths come to light, Mallory and Cameron find themselves drawn together by grief, memory, and a spark neither of them expected.

Hi everyone ♥

Today’s post includes another snippet from my newest release WHISPERS OF HER MEMORIES. The story is set in New Zealand, South Island.

♥ ENJOY ♥

Today’s Snippet

Finally, she looked up. “Come on, Mon, nobody will think less of you if you pull the plug on this crazy plan,” Maggie had urged.

Mallory had smiled, pleased Maggie still used her old nickname: Mon, short for Mallory O’Neill, a reminder of all their years together. “It’s not crazy,” she had insisted, though her voice carried a touch of uncertainty. “Well, okay, maybe it is. But it’s a great opportunity. There’s nothing keeping me here.”

Maggie had raised an eyebrow. “Nothing? You’re saying I’m nothing? John, Liz, Jane. We’re nothing?”

Mallory’s heart had ached, suddenly aware of what she’d said. “You know I didn’t mean it like that.”

“It most certainly sounded like it, though,” Maggie had countered. She let out a sigh. “You’ve just had three of your paintings accepted at the gallery down the road,” she had pointed out.

Mallory had released a long breath, crossing her arms defensively. “Really? Three paintings that may or may not sell over the next months. That’s not enough to live on.”

Blurb

Mallory O’Neill swaps the buzz of Melbourne for the quiet shores of Anahera Bay, New Zealand, hoping for a fresh start… not secrets and surprises. But the crumbling seaside cottage left to her by Sofia—the grandmother she never knew—holds more than just dust and disrepair. It holds the key to a family history her late mother never spoke of.

As Mallory pieces together Sofia’s past, she faces the doubts of old friends and the arrival of an unexpected stranger. Along the way, she finds friendships among the locals, but she also meets resistance from the brooding handyman, Cameron Quinn, a man haunted by his own past.

When faded letters, old photographs, and buried truths come to light, Mallory and Cameron find themselves drawn together by grief, memory, and a spark neither of them expected.

Hi everyone ♥

Today’s post includes another snippet from my newest release WHISPERS OF HER MEMORIES. The story is set in New Zealand, South Island.

♥ ENJOY ♥

Today’s Snippet

The man turned to get the flight attendant’s attention, and Mallory gazed back out the window, mesmerised by the view of Queenstown nestled against the shimmering lake, a gondola going up a mountain, and boats sprinkled across the water. She instinctively grabbed her phone to capture some images. The blue sky with merely a few wispy clouds allowed her a clear view extending far into the distance. Would she see alpine mountains like this where she was headed?

She tightened her grip on the armrest as the plane landed with a couple of jolts and came to a quick stop, pulling Mallory out of her thoughts.

A mix of excitement and apprehension bubbled inside her, and Mallory barely noticed that the seatbelt light turned off. Instead, she reached for her bag, sliding her phone inside just as the screen lit up from the movement. The screensaver appeared with a snapshot of her with her friend Maggie, drenched from head to toe, caught off guard by an unexpected wave during their last trip to the coast. She could almost hear their laughter echoing in her mind as she remembered the long drive home, both of them caught in the amusement all the way.

Her mind drifted back to the previous evening, when Maggie had shown up with fish and chips, calling it a proper goodbye. Fidgeting as she placed the food on the table, she scanned the room until her eyes landed on Mallory’s bags.

Blurb

Mallory O’Neill swaps the buzz of Melbourne for the quiet shores of Anahera Bay, New Zealand, hoping for a fresh start… not secrets and surprises. But the crumbling seaside cottage left to her by Sofia—the grandmother she never knew—holds more than just dust and disrepair. It holds the key to a family history her late mother never spoke of.

As Mallory pieces together Sofia’s past, she faces the doubts of old friends and the arrival of an unexpected stranger. Along the way, she finds friendships among the locals, but she also meets resistance from the brooding handyman, Cameron Quinn, a man haunted by his own past.

When faded letters, old photographs, and buried truths come to light, Mallory and Cameron find themselves drawn together by grief, memory, and a spark neither of them expected.

Hi everyone ♥

I’d like to introduce you to my newest release WHISPERS OF HER MEMORIES. The story is set in New Zealand, South Island.

♥ ENJOY ♥

Today’s Snippet

Mallory gazed out the window as the plane descended into Queenstown, New Zealand. Over two thousand kilometres separated her from the life she’d known in Melbourne, a life she’d willingly left behind, fascinated by the memories of her family’s history. Outside, the landscape unfolded like a painted masterpiece. Jagged peaks dusted with snow rose beside a vast lake shimmering under the sunlight, its royal blue depths seemingly bottomless. Winding roads traced the landscape, weaving along the water’s edge at the foot of the mountains.

Her heart raced, knowing this would soon be her new home, a place she could see herself falling in love with.

“You can see Mt Cook over there. Or Aoraki, as they call it now,” the older man beside her said, gesturing towards the mountains. “He stands tall above all the other peaks.”

Mallory glanced out. Sure enough, one peak rose higher than the rest, peeking through the clouds in the distance. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“You’re here on a holiday?” he inquired.

Mallory hesitated. Drained of all energy, she couldn’t bring herself to explain. The farewell to her friends in Melbourne, especially to Maggie, had taken its toll. “Yes,” she lied, guilt tugging at her.

“You travelling alone? Brave thing, that,” he said kindly. “But you have a good time, aye?” His words struck her more than they should have, reminding her of the truth of it. Yes, she was alone… And the reality of it was slowly sinking in.

Blurb

Mallory O’Neill swaps the buzz of Melbourne for the quiet shores of Anahera Bay, New Zealand, hoping for a fresh start… not secrets and surprises. But the crumbling seaside cottage left to her by Sofia—the grandmother she never knew—holds more than just dust and disrepair. It holds the key to a family history her late mother never spoke of.

As Mallory pieces together Sofia’s past, she faces the doubts of old friends and the arrival of an unexpected stranger. Along the way, she finds friendships among the locals, but she also meets resistance from the brooding handyman, Cameron Quinn, a man haunted by his own past.

When faded letters, old photographs, and buried truths come to light, Mallory and Cameron find themselves drawn together by grief, memory, and a spark neither of them expected.