Tag: Their Bond Through Jade

This week’s Hook …

Tiffany walked down the floating wooden staircase, which reached up to her half-floor loft bedroom, and into the kitchen for a drink. Water gushed from the faucet as she filled the kettle and then switched it on.

Her mind returned to the conversation with Steve’s friend, Mat. She’d enjoyed the brief, although bizarre, conversation. His voice had been so happy and full of energy it had taken her mind off her problem within only a few minutes. Something she hadn’t been able to achieve with the bath she had taken later that morning. The whole hysteria from the previous year had crept up, leaving her anxious, tense, and with a headache. A nice cup of tea would hopefully do the trick. She thought of Mat’s laugh and her mouth curled in response. It was deep and hearty. One of those laughs that could be contagious to anyone who heard it. Just thinking about it brought a smile to her lips. Closing her eyes, she tried to remember whether Steve had ever mentioned Mat’s name, but as much as she tried, she wasn’t able to recall ever hearing about a friend from New Zealand.

Review

Mat is a sexy, tattooed New Zealander with a strong sense of family and duty and Tiffany is a woman with a past that continues to haunt her. Can Mat help her overcome her demons and move on with the next phase of her life? Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. (5 star review)

Blurb

Pikorua, the Maori name for the symbol, is a twist that is said to symbolise the strength of the bond between two people. Mat is certain there is something between Tiffany and him.

When Tiffany Cahill opens the door to the police, memories flood her mind of the previous year and a relationship gone bad. Frightened, she calls her friend, Steve, for help, but instead a stranger answers the phone. Little does Tiffany know how much this New Zealander is going to impact her life, especially after she is assaulted only a few hours later.

Mat Apanui, the owner of a helicopter tour company in New Zealand, can’t ignore the worry in Tiffany’s voice when he answers Steve’s phone. Before he knows it, he is spending most of his business trip to Melbourne with her. Desperate to keep her safe after an attack, he invites her to stay with him in Queenstown, NZ.

With her safety at risk, how will Tiffany overcome her reservations and trust the sexy stranger enough to fly across the Tasman Sea?

This week’s Hook …

“I can see why,” she replied with a smile. “Okay then.”

He gave a slow nod. “Okay. Let’s talk figures.”

Mat’s knowledge about figures was basic and something he’d learnt over the last few years since he’d started the business with Adam. They hadn’t been able to afford someone to look after their books, so they’d handled the task themselves. Yet, he knew what he wanted, and after two hours of discussing, arguing, and checking numbers, he’d finally come to an agreement with Karen on their first draft. It was now up to their lawyers to settle on the details.

Before he left, though, they spent another few minutes talking about New Zealand, travelling, and how he’d come to be a helicopter pilot. He liked Karen, and she promised she’d be one of the first to fly with him once he’d moved.

Mat walked back to his car, tired and worn out. Too much talking. When it came to the business side of things, his heart wasn’t as invested. He loved flying, loved being up in the air, the sensation of no ties, and gazing at the wonders Mother Nature had to offer.

Review

Mat is a sexy, tattooed New Zealander with a strong sense of family and duty and Tiffany is a woman with a past that continues to haunt her. Can Mat help her overcome her demons and move on with the next phase of her life? Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. (5 star review)

Blurb

Pikorua, the Maori name for the symbol, is a twist that is said to symbolise the strength of the bond between two people. Mat is certain there is something between Tiffany and him.

When Tiffany Cahill opens the door to the police, memories flood her mind of the previous year and a relationship gone bad. Frightened, she calls her friend, Steve, for help, but instead a stranger answers the phone. Little does Tiffany know how much this New Zealander is going to impact her life, especially after she is assaulted only a few hours later.

Mat Apanui, the owner of a helicopter tour company in New Zealand, can’t ignore the worry in Tiffany’s voice when he answers Steve’s phone. Before he knows it, he is spending most of his business trip to Melbourne with her. Desperate to keep her safe after an attack, he invites her to stay with him in Queenstown, NZ.

With her safety at risk, how will Tiffany overcome her reservations and trust the sexy stranger enough to fly across the Tasman Sea?

This week’s Hook …

Most of the places he knew, although he’d never been there, and he wondered whether Karen had.

“Nice meeting you, Mat.”

He shook Karen’s hand and was surprised by her firm grip. “Likewise.”

As they sat, he studied her small frame, her short wavy grey hair, and soft blue eyes. He assumed her to be in her mid to late fifties. Her complexion was honey brown with not even a small blemish on her skin, but a few lines around her eyes.

Her assistant brought some coffee and biscuits.

“You’ve brought the cold weather to Melbourne,” Karen said, as she poured herself some coffee. Pointing to his take-a-way coffee cup, she asked, “Would you like a fill-up?”

“I’m right, thanks,” he replied, ignoring her swipe at the weather. Mat emptied his cup of coffee with one long sip before he placed it on the table. “Are you still going ahead with the contract?”

He was referring to the nasty incident a week earlier with a helicopter crash in the mountains. It’d been a big blow for the small communities of Fox and Franz Josef Glacier.

Review

Mat is a sexy, tattooed New Zealander with a strong sense of family and duty and Tiffany is a woman with a past that continues to haunt her. Can Mat help her overcome her demons and move on with the next phase of her life? Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. (5 star review)

Blurb

Pikorua, the Maori name for the symbol, is a twist that is said to symbolise the strength of the bond between two people. Mat is certain there is something between Tiffany and him.

When Tiffany Cahill opens the door to the police, memories flood her mind of the previous year and a relationship gone bad. Frightened, she calls her friend, Steve, for help, but instead a stranger answers the phone. Little does Tiffany know how much this New Zealander is going to impact her life, especially after she is assaulted only a few hours later.

Mat Apanui, the owner of a helicopter tour company in New Zealand, can’t ignore the worry in Tiffany’s voice when he answers Steve’s phone. Before he knows it, he is spending most of his business trip to Melbourne with her. Desperate to keep her safe after an attack, he invites her to stay with him in Queenstown, NZ.

With her safety at risk, how will Tiffany overcome her reservations and trust the sexy stranger enough to fly across the Tasman Sea?

This week’s Hook …

Exhaling a long breath, Mat focussed back to the problem at hand, got into the car, and listened to the GPS directions — as well as following them. Thankfully, within half an hour he found himself in an office opposite Karen Young, the representative of an Australian travel agency.

A few months earlier, Mat had lost the coin toss between him and his partner Adam, and it was now he who was in Melbourne trying to negotiate a deal with Karen. Mat was interested in including his helicopter flights as part of a travel package for tourists in Queenstown, his hometown. He stepped into her small office, instantly overcome by some mild claustrophobia when he saw a small window with no view, but showing the walls of the building next door. Inhaling a breath, he forced himself to take in the rest of the well-decorated office, with framed photos from all over the world.

Including his beloved Queenstown.

Review

Mat is a sexy, tattooed New Zealander with a strong sense of family and duty and Tiffany is a woman with a past that continues to haunt her. Can Mat help her overcome her demons and move on with the next phase of her life? Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. (5 star review)

Blurb

Pikorua, the Maori name for the symbol, is a twist that is said to symbolise the strength of the bond between two people. Mat is certain there is something between Tiffany and him.

When Tiffany Cahill opens the door to the police, memories flood her mind of the previous year and a relationship gone bad. Frightened, she calls her friend, Steve, for help, but instead a stranger answers the phone. Little does Tiffany know how much this New Zealander is going to impact her life, especially after she is assaulted only a few hours later.

Mat Apanui, the owner of a helicopter tour company in New Zealand, can’t ignore the worry in Tiffany’s voice when he answers Steve’s phone. Before he knows it, he is spending most of his business trip to Melbourne with her. Desperate to keep her safe after an attack, he invites her to stay with him in Queenstown, NZ.

With her safety at risk, how will Tiffany overcome her reservations and trust the sexy stranger enough to fly across the Tasman Sea?

This week’s Hook …

Mat disconnected the call, placed the cup of coffee on the top of the car, and tried to re-program the direction to his meeting place in his phone. How he missed Queenstown at that moment. With probably a mere tenth of Melbourne’s population, navigation was easy, only hampered sometimes by tourists who drove on the wrong side of the road or who were simply lost.

He thought of Steve’s comment about Tiffany’s rough year. Worry shot through him, and he wished he’d copied her number to his phone.

The sound of her voice still played in his head. A tone that stoked angst and concern.

Review

Mat is a sexy, tattooed New Zealander with a strong sense of family and duty and Tiffany is a woman with a past that continues to haunt her. Can Mat help her overcome her demons and move on with the next phase of her life? Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. (5 star review)

Blurb

Pikorua, the Maori name for the symbol, is a twist that is said to symbolise the strength of the bond between two people. Mat is certain there is something between Tiffany and him.

When Tiffany Cahill opens the door to the police, memories flood her mind of the previous year and a relationship gone bad. Frightened, she calls her friend, Steve, for help, but instead a stranger answers the phone. Little does Tiffany know how much this New Zealander is going to impact her life, especially after she is assaulted only a few hours later.

Mat Apanui, the owner of a helicopter tour company in New Zealand, can’t ignore the worry in Tiffany’s voice when he answers Steve’s phone. Before he knows it, he is spending most of his business trip to Melbourne with her. Desperate to keep her safe after an attack, he invites her to stay with him in Queenstown, NZ.

With her safety at risk, how will Tiffany overcome her reservations and trust the sexy stranger enough to fly across the Tasman Sea?

This week’s Hook …

“Mat, you’re pissing me off here. Will you focus on this conversation?”

“Geez, Steve. When did you get so touchy?”

There was a sharp intake of breath and an exhale on the other end of the line. “Tiff had a rough twelve months and a shitty morning. I’m simply concerned.”

Mat froze mid-stride. Damn! He’d assumed something was wrong, but now he was curious about the history of it all. “What happened?”

“What the hell did you talk to her about, Matiu?” His friend’s voice was now loud and his tone impatient.

Mat leaned against the car with one hand in his pocket and watched the heavy traffic, recalling his conversation with Tiffany earlier that day. “Well,” he began. “I answered your phone, and she hung up but rang again. I told her you weren’t home, and she asked me to leave a message and hung up. I returned the call, and we had a bit of a chit chat. You seem very overprotective.”

There was a pause before Steve spoke. “Yeah, she’s a great friend who’s been through a rough patch.”

“How come you’ve never talked about her?”

“I probably have mentioned her, but nothing worth you remembering.”

“Should’ve though, I guess.” Mat thought about it for a moment. “Anyway, glad you talked to her. The panic in her voice had me worried. You’ll have to tell me more about your girl tonight. I’ve got to go,” he said eventually with a grin.

“She’s not my girl,” his friend replied through gritted teeth. “And good luck with your meeting.”

Review

Mat is a sexy, tattooed New Zealander with a strong sense of family and duty and Tiffany is a woman with a past that continues to haunt her. Can Mat help her overcome her demons and move on with the next phase of her life? Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. (5 star review)

Blurb

Pikorua, the Maori name for the symbol, is a twist that is said to symbolise the strength of the bond between two people. Mat is certain there is something between Tiffany and him.

When Tiffany Cahill opens the door to the police, memories flood her mind of the previous year and a relationship gone bad. Frightened, she calls her friend, Steve, for help, but instead a stranger answers the phone. Little does Tiffany know how much this New Zealander is going to impact her life, especially after she is assaulted only a few hours later.

Mat Apanui, the owner of a helicopter tour company in New Zealand, can’t ignore the worry in Tiffany’s voice when he answers Steve’s phone. Before he knows it, he is spending most of his business trip to Melbourne with her. Desperate to keep her safe after an attack, he invites her to stay with him in Queenstown, NZ.

With her safety at risk, how will Tiffany overcome her reservations and trust the sexy stranger enough to fly across the Tasman Sea?

This week’s Hook …

Mat’s laughter echoed in the small car as he turned off the engine and got out. With a few long strides, he headed towards the café. “I thought Jess is more than your girlfriend. I’m talking about Tiffany.”

There was a groan on the other end of the line. “I heard about your phone call. You must’ve left some impression, but if you start any rumours by calling her my girlfriend I will kill you.”

As he stepped inside the cafe, Mat asked, “You heard?”

“I’ve already spoken to her, but I don’t—”

“I’m glad you did. Tiffany was desperate to talk to you. I hope you were able to help her.”

Mat held his phone away for a moment, smiled at the young woman behind the counter, and ordered his coffee.

‘‘You’re still there?” Steve asked with a loud voice.

Mat shook his head with a smile and explained, “Yes, mate, just ordering a much-needed coffee.” His friend’s resigned sigh gave him another chuckle. “If you’ve already talked to her, we’re all good, ay.”

“We’re all good. Thanks for calling anyway and good luck finding your way. But, by the way, what the hell did you two talk about?”

Mat took a sip of the coffee and was impressed by the flavour considering it cost him only a few bucks.

“Mat, you’re pissing me off here. Will you focus on this conversation?”

Review

Mat is a sexy, tattooed New Zealander with a strong sense of family and duty and Tiffany is a woman with a past that continues to haunt her. Can Mat help her overcome her demons and move on with the next phase of her life? Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. (5 star review)

Blurb

Pikorua, the Maori name for the symbol, is a twist that is said to symbolise the strength of the bond between two people. Mat is certain there is something between Tiffany and him.

When Tiffany Cahill opens the door to the police, memories flood her mind of the previous year and a relationship gone bad. Frightened, she calls her friend, Steve, for help, but instead a stranger answers the phone. Little does Tiffany know how much this New Zealander is going to impact her life, especially after she is assaulted only a few hours later.

Mat Apanui, the owner of a helicopter tour company in New Zealand, can’t ignore the worry in Tiffany’s voice when he answers Steve’s phone. Before he knows it, he is spending most of his business trip to Melbourne with her. Desperate to keep her safe after an attack, he invites her to stay with him in Queenstown, NZ.

With her safety at risk, how will Tiffany overcome her reservations and trust the sexy stranger enough to fly across the Tasman Sea?

This week’s Hook …

The GPS voice in Matiu Apanui’s car had as little of a clue as he did about the directions to get to his meeting place, and after half an hour, he was still on the western side of Melbourne instead of in the city. The reason for it was Tiffany, who was on the threshold of his thoughts. He replayed the phone conversation over and over in his head. It was clear something must’ve upset her. Even though she’d relaxed during their short conversation, he’d been able to sense her tension.

“Shit,” he shouted as he pressed the speed dial button on his phone, remembering he’d never left a note for his friend.

“Mate, where are you?” Steve asked, by way of answering.

“I have no idea. Near a big park. Looks pretty with the trees alongside the walking tracks. Had no idea Melbourne had all these deciduous trees—”

“Mat!”

“The lovely GPS lady took me on a sightseeing tour first it seems. I’m considering stopping for a coffee and to reboot her at the same time.”

“And you called me to tell me that?”

Mat noticed the frustration in his friend’s voice and asked bluntly, “Tell me about your girlfriend.”

There was a brief silence, before Steve asked, “You want to talk about Jess?”

Review

Mat is a sexy, tattooed New Zealander with a strong sense of family and duty and Tiffany is a woman with a past that continues to haunt her. Can Mat help her overcome her demons and move on with the next phase of her life? Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. (5 star review)

Blurb

Pikorua, the Maori name for the symbol, is a twist that is said to symbolise the strength of the bond between two people. Mat is certain there is something between Tiffany and him.

When Tiffany Cahill opens the door to the police, memories flood her mind of the previous year and a relationship gone bad. Frightened, she calls her friend, Steve, for help, but instead a stranger answers the phone. Little does Tiffany know how much this New Zealander is going to impact her life, especially after she is assaulted only a few hours later.

Mat Apanui, the owner of a helicopter tour company in New Zealand, can’t ignore the worry in Tiffany’s voice when he answers Steve’s phone. Before he knows it, he is spending most of his business trip to Melbourne with her. Desperate to keep her safe after an attack, he invites her to stay with him in Queenstown, NZ.

With her safety at risk, how will Tiffany overcome her reservations and trust the sexy stranger enough to fly across the Tasman Sea?

This week’s Hook …

There was no malice in his voice. She sat on one of the chairs, her body relaxing bit by bit. “Steve never mentioned someone called Mat.”

He laughed. “You know all his secrets?”

“No. But, considering I’m his best friend, I believe, he would have mentioned a friend staying with him.”

“Let me think, I can’t recall him mentioning your name, either.”

His voice had a teasing tone, and Tiffany was starting to like him. It was exactly what she needed after opening the door to the police.

“After his girlfriend, I’m the next most important person in Steve’s life,” she said, trying hard to match his humour. “And there’s never been a mention of a person named Mat. I’m pretty certain of that.”

“Damn that little bugger. Here I thought we were best buddies.” He paused for a second then added, “Tell me, Tiffany, why were you so upset?”

“You tell me first how Steve knows someone from New Zealand.”

He laughed again, and it was one of those contagious laughs, which told everyone of his love for it: deep, heartfelt, and infectious. She liked him already for his laugh alone.

“You picked up on that, ay?”

“Educated guess.”

There was silence before he explained. “Steve and I went to school together in Sydney, and we’ve stayed in contact.”

She remembered Steve had grown up in Sydney but then moved to Melbourne in his early teens because of his father’s job. Mat’s voice brought her back from her thoughts, before she was able to reply.

“Darling, I love talking to you, but I’ve got to be somewhere in an hour. Can you promise me you’ll be okay?”

“Thanks, Mat. Yes, I’ll be fine.” It wasn’t a big lie, because at that moment she was feeling better.

She hung up and noticed a smile on her face. And instead of a churning stomach, butterflies had made themselves comfortable. She thought of how easy the conversation had flowed and how attentive he’d been. And his voice. She liked his voice. It was deep and calm, smooth and articulate. She closed her eyes and lost herself in his accent. It hadn’t been strong, but still obvious to her.

And then there’d been his laugh. God, his laugh. It had turned her inside out.

With a big exhale, she covered her face with her hands, surprised that on a day she had to face the police, she was drooling over a man she’d never met, but only talked to.

For a mere few minutes, at that.

The police. A ripple of worry went through her, and she stood to search for her phone to give Steve another call. This time on his mobile.

Review

Mat is a sexy, tattooed New Zealander with a strong sense of family and duty and Tiffany is a woman with a past that continues to haunt her. Can Mat help her overcome her demons and move on with the next phase of her life? Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. (5 star review)

Blurb

Pikorua, the Maori name for the symbol, is a twist that is said to symbolise the strength of the bond between two people. Mat is certain there is something between Tiffany and him.

When Tiffany Cahill opens the door to the police, memories flood her mind of the previous year and a relationship gone bad. Frightened, she calls her friend, Steve, for help, but instead a stranger answers the phone. Little does Tiffany know how much this New Zealander is going to impact her life, especially after she is assaulted only a few hours later.

Mat Apanui, the owner of a helicopter tour company in New Zealand, can’t ignore the worry in Tiffany’s voice when he answers Steve’s phone. Before he knows it, he is spending most of his business trip to Melbourne with her. Desperate to keep her safe after an attack, he invites her to stay with him in Queenstown, NZ.

With her safety at risk, how will Tiffany overcome her reservations and trust the sexy stranger enough to fly across the Tasman Sea?