Cynthia Terelst's Blog, page 2
July 13, 2023
Excerpt - Meet Cute
Take the Bull by the Horns
Available for pre-order now https://books2read.com/u/m2qq6O
The man beside her was striking. Sunlight glinted off his thick golden-brown hair like surgical blades would shine under focused lighting. He was tanned and muscular with tattoos down one arm, a mixture of black and white and colour, indistinct at this distance. Wowsers, I didn’t know farmers looked like that. I blushed. While Ann oozed warmth, he oozed stoic resignation.
Take the Bull by the Horns
Available for pre-order now https://books2read.com/u/m2qq6O
The man beside her was striking. Sunlight glinted off his thick golden-brown hair like surgical blades would shine under focused lighting. He was tanned and muscular with tattoos down one arm, a mixture of black and white and colour, indistinct at this distance. Wowsers, I didn’t know farmers looked like that. I blushed. While Ann oozed warmth, he oozed stoic resignation.
Take the Bull by the Horns
June 23, 2023
Teaser - Take the Bull by the Horns
Take the Bull by the Horns
Softness in my arms. Vanilla and coconut. Quiet breathing. These were the things I would always remember about Peyton. With those things came her fear, bravery and determination. But it was the fear that ran the deepest. The fear of being seen and the fear of being unseen.
I wasn't unhappy with my life before Peyton came into it. I fulfilled my duty every day and I was happy about that. I never thought anything was missing. I didn’t think I needed anything else. And I didn't, until Peyton had come along. Now I need it all. I need extra in my life. I need her.
She stirred against me. Her back was nestled against my chest and my arm was draped over her. I kissed the back of her head.
"Good morning, beautiful." I kissed her neck and was rewarded with a shiver.
She rolled around to face me and smiled. It was different to all her other smiles. It felt shy, yet unguarded.
I stroked her short silky hair. "I thought I had everything I wanted before I met you. But that was because I hadn't met you yet."
She brushed her lips against mine.
"Do you think it's safe to want someone so badly?" she asked, her hand resting on my arm.
"F*** no. You could come to your senses at any moment and realise that this, what I can offer you, isn't enough."
Softness in my arms. Vanilla and coconut. Quiet breathing. These were the things I would always remember about Peyton. With those things came her fear, bravery and determination. But it was the fear that ran the deepest. The fear of being seen and the fear of being unseen.
I wasn't unhappy with my life before Peyton came into it. I fulfilled my duty every day and I was happy about that. I never thought anything was missing. I didn’t think I needed anything else. And I didn't, until Peyton had come along. Now I need it all. I need extra in my life. I need her.
She stirred against me. Her back was nestled against my chest and my arm was draped over her. I kissed the back of her head.
"Good morning, beautiful." I kissed her neck and was rewarded with a shiver.
She rolled around to face me and smiled. It was different to all her other smiles. It felt shy, yet unguarded.
I stroked her short silky hair. "I thought I had everything I wanted before I met you. But that was because I hadn't met you yet."
She brushed her lips against mine.
"Do you think it's safe to want someone so badly?" she asked, her hand resting on my arm.
"F*** no. You could come to your senses at any moment and realise that this, what I can offer you, isn't enough."
May 29, 2023
Cover Reveal
The day has arrived! I finally get to share the cover for Take the Bull by the Horns with you. I hope you love it as much as I do.
The pre-order is now live on Amazon with a release date of 31 July. Check out the blurb below. I hope it conveys everything this book is—sweet, serious, funny, heart warming, and slow burn with a bit of steam.
For lovers of single dad, nanny, small town, found family, sweet kids, and fun banter … all in an Australian setting.
Pre-Order Here https://books2read.com/u/m2qq6O
The pre-order is now live on Amazon with a release date of 31 July. Check out the blurb below. I hope it conveys everything this book is—sweet, serious, funny, heart warming, and slow burn with a bit of steam.
For lovers of single dad, nanny, small town, found family, sweet kids, and fun banter … all in an Australian setting.
Pre-Order Here https://books2read.com/u/m2qq6O
December 13, 2022
December 5, 2022
Author Note - As Busy as a Bee
As Busy as a Bee
.The inkling of an idea blossomed into … As Busy as a Bee.
I work in a male dominated industry—building and refurbishing trains. Last year, we had a mental health awareness presentation. A local gym owner gave a talk about how important physical activity is and an organisation named Fraser Coast Mates spoke about raising awareness of men’s mental health.
It triggered an idea—a book where the male character has a mental illness and how that affected his relationships. Mental illness in novels is often shared from the female character’s point of view. I wanted to show how mental illness also affects our male population. Beau suffers from anxiety. We watch and learn how this has affected him growing up and how it affects his relationships.
Beau's love interest is his childhood best friend, Clare, who he left behind eight years ago. Coming home is harder than he thought it would be and Clare's stubbornness makes reuniting with her no easy task. And with Beau's anxiety at play not everything goes to plan.
One early reader stated, ‘I just wanted to say how beautiful, poignant and vital this love story is. It’s a soothing, uplifting, passionate and sweet tale, but you also manage to contrast those wonderful, butterfly-inducing moments with a good dose of startling reality. Tackling those issues of mental health with sensitivity and aplomb.’
This story is complex with layered with characters that ring true. It’s not all serious and there are some comical moments which lighten the story. But most of all, it’s about love and support.
.The inkling of an idea blossomed into … As Busy as a Bee.
I work in a male dominated industry—building and refurbishing trains. Last year, we had a mental health awareness presentation. A local gym owner gave a talk about how important physical activity is and an organisation named Fraser Coast Mates spoke about raising awareness of men’s mental health.
It triggered an idea—a book where the male character has a mental illness and how that affected his relationships. Mental illness in novels is often shared from the female character’s point of view. I wanted to show how mental illness also affects our male population. Beau suffers from anxiety. We watch and learn how this has affected him growing up and how it affects his relationships.
Beau's love interest is his childhood best friend, Clare, who he left behind eight years ago. Coming home is harder than he thought it would be and Clare's stubbornness makes reuniting with her no easy task. And with Beau's anxiety at play not everything goes to plan.
One early reader stated, ‘I just wanted to say how beautiful, poignant and vital this love story is. It’s a soothing, uplifting, passionate and sweet tale, but you also manage to contrast those wonderful, butterfly-inducing moments with a good dose of startling reality. Tackling those issues of mental health with sensitivity and aplomb.’
This story is complex with layered with characters that ring true. It’s not all serious and there are some comical moments which lighten the story. But most of all, it’s about love and support.
November 27, 2021
ARRA Review - Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
On October 6 , Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, was features on Australian Romance Readers Association blog. It received a great review which can be found here: Let Sleeping Dogs Liehttps://australianromancereaders.word...
November 22, 2021
Update 2 - A Bird in the Hand
Bird is now with the editor. It was a mad rush to get to the end but I gave it all I've got. I've made some great improvements based on beta reader feedback.
One of the things I added into the story was a reference to Kintsugi. Have you ever heard of that? It is a technique that the Japanese have used for centuries to repair pottery, using lacquer and gold. They transform broken pottery into beautiful pieces of art. The Japanese believe we should embrace the flawed or imperfect.
I am sending off the cover request this afternoon. It will take a couple of weeks to receive my first samples.
I have recently updated the blurb as well. Here it is:A Bird in the Hand
She yearns for the past. He wants a better future. Can they learn to love the present together?
When thirty-something Makayla’s long-term boyfriend breaks it off, she is left broken hearted. Her best friends seize the opportunity and book a bus tour up the west coast of Australia. They hope distance will give her perspective, but she can’t see past what she’s lost.
Tyler needs a break from work and seeks something more fulfilling, even if he has no idea what that is. When his mates plan the trip of a lifetime he decides to tag along. He’s sure it will get him out of his rut, and and in turn, help him set a course for his future.
No one is prepared for the planning mishap that finds Makayla and Tyler sharing a room. They are opposites in just about every way and are definitely not interested in each other. Add a fouled mouthed cockatoo to the equation and the perfect trip is not so perfect. Or is it?
One of the things I added into the story was a reference to Kintsugi. Have you ever heard of that? It is a technique that the Japanese have used for centuries to repair pottery, using lacquer and gold. They transform broken pottery into beautiful pieces of art. The Japanese believe we should embrace the flawed or imperfect.
I am sending off the cover request this afternoon. It will take a couple of weeks to receive my first samples.
I have recently updated the blurb as well. Here it is:A Bird in the Hand
She yearns for the past. He wants a better future. Can they learn to love the present together?
When thirty-something Makayla’s long-term boyfriend breaks it off, she is left broken hearted. Her best friends seize the opportunity and book a bus tour up the west coast of Australia. They hope distance will give her perspective, but she can’t see past what she’s lost.
Tyler needs a break from work and seeks something more fulfilling, even if he has no idea what that is. When his mates plan the trip of a lifetime he decides to tag along. He’s sure it will get him out of his rut, and and in turn, help him set a course for his future.
No one is prepared for the planning mishap that finds Makayla and Tyler sharing a room. They are opposites in just about every way and are definitely not interested in each other. Add a fouled mouthed cockatoo to the equation and the perfect trip is not so perfect. Or is it?
October 15, 2021
Update - A Bird in the Hand
My first draft of A Bird in the Hand is complete. It is opposites attract, road trip romance which explores the coast of Western Australia. It was fun to explore some places my daughter and I visited on our travels. I was excited to also learn about places I hadn't been to before.
It has gone of to my amazing beta reader for her feedback. She always provides great detail in her report which helps me develop my story further. A Bird in the Hand
It has gone of to my amazing beta reader for her feedback. She always provides great detail in her report which helps me develop my story further. A Bird in the Hand
June 5, 2021
Cover Reveal - Down The Rabbit Hole
I'm so excited to share this with you all 😃😃
It's been a fun book to write. New tropes for me - friends to lovers & small town romance. I included a horrible villain who my beta readers called colourful names. I was able to add some info about sustainable farming in. And I learnt a few things about rabbits along the way.
It is now available for preorder on Amazon
Here is what some early readers have had to say:
- A swoon worthy hero
- Very sweet and hot!
- Engaging from the first line
- There were all the feels in this book
- That scene was so raw and emotional and honest
It's been a fun book to write. New tropes for me - friends to lovers & small town romance. I included a horrible villain who my beta readers called colourful names. I was able to add some info about sustainable farming in. And I learnt a few things about rabbits along the way.
It is now available for preorder on Amazon
Here is what some early readers have had to say:
- A swoon worthy hero
- Very sweet and hot!
- Engaging from the first line
- There were all the feels in this book
- That scene was so raw and emotional and honest
