Synopsis

Inkerman, Queensland, Australia

Fall 1889

Jennie Stewart, an unemployed governess, is looking to escape the rule-abiding town of Inkerman.  After the death of her childhood friend, Grace, Jennie takes refuge with several other friends at a beach house, needing to embrace the freedom she so craved…and hopefully find a clue that might lead her to discover who killed her friend and why.

John Atheling, an estate steward, made many personal sacrifices to get to his position, including distancing himself from the fairer sex and their manipulative ways.  His ordered life turns to chaos when he finds the nanny, Grace, dead.

Being given leave from his job, John accepts an invitation from his childhood friend to join him and several others on a retreat to the beach.  He reluctantly accepts after discovering one of the men joining them is suspected of knowing the truth about Grace’s death.

Arriving at the beach, John discovers who the rest of his companions would be over the coming days, including Jennie, a woman who ignites a longing in him that both thrills and scares him.  He hadn’t come to the beach to be lured into the seductive web of a woman, but nor could he deny the instant attraction he has to her.

Jennie should have treated John as the stranger he was, but she was drawn to him, desires burning in her that she couldn’t – and didn’t want to – ignore.  Struggling to remember why she’d come to the beach, she fought against the lure of love and passion, reminding herself that love at first sight was nothing more than a fairytale.

Will John and Jennie surrender to their heart’s desire, or will they fall victim to the murderer they’re chasing before they discover if love at first sight really exists?

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Excerpt

“You truly have no care for society’s rules, do you?”

“I do what I have to when I’m in town, but down here…”  She twirled around, rejoicing in the warmth of the morning sun touching her skin.  “Look where we are, John.  There’s no one for miles.  We’re free to live however we wish.”

His gaze narrowed.  “But at the end of the week we must return to reality.”

She stopped spinning, stepping back beside him and gazing up into his constant dark stare.  “I know, but then we can come back here so we can remember how to live.”  He stayed silent and continued to study her. Her heart sank.  “You look as if you don’t approve.”

He reached out to her, his fingers brushing her hair from her face.  “It’s not that.  It’s just listening to you talk of the way you want to live, and the dreams you have, it just reminds me how long I’ve spent bow-toeing to the rules of society and the men who make them.  For nearly ten years, I’ve conformed in every way I’ve been ordered to, sacrificing everything I once dreamed of.  After so long, I fear I’ve forgotten what it feels like to just live.”

Her hand went to his chest, stroking him through his shirt, the warmth of his skin caressing her fingertips.  How could this man claim to have forgotten how to live?  Even just the sound of his voice made her feel so alive.  She ached for him to know what he was making her feel, the haunting emotions that plagued her during the night.  She couldn’t tell him though, not without fearing he would think her a fool.  After all, making claims of tender emotions when they only met yesterday — it was beyond ridiculous.  Even as she thought this, she was reminded of her last conversation with Grace concerning love.  Her friend asked her then if she believed in love at first sight.  Her emotions in turmoil, and her body aching to be closer still to this man, Jennie began to wonder if she was right to fob off the suggestion.  She wasn’t claiming what she was feeling was akin to love, but she couldn’t think of any other emotion strong enough to describe what was cascading through her body.

Deciding to take a chance that he may feel something similar to what she did, she let out a shaky sigh.  “I’d be more than happy to remind you what it feels like to be alive.”

No sooner had she spoken, he took a sharp intake of breath, and she feared she’d been too bold.  She went to pull her hand away from him, but his own laid on top of hers, pressing her palm against his skin.

“Jennie, I —”

About the Author

Faye Hall spent her early years listening to stories about the families – including her own – who settled townships in and around her hometown in North Queensland, Australia.  The local townspeople, including her own parents, told her stories of corruption and slavery, along with family secrets and forbidden love.

Faye’s passionate stories combine controversial subjects, and provocative encounters as her characters struggle to survive the lifestyle in early rural townships throughout Australia.

When she’s not writing, Faye enjoys sharing a bottle of wine with her husband and encouraging the varied interests of their larger than average family.

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