Catherine Evans

Sometimes, love is inescapableSnuggle up, relax, and prepare to fall in love as you journey through three of the most romantic tales you might ever experience!Untamed Destinies is the brand-new romance anthology from bestselling authors, Beth Prentice, Kim Petersen and Catherine Evans.

Neveah is fifteen, a schoolgirl who is neglected in different ways by both her parents. She lives with her mum, Marie, who works nights and isn't too bothered what Neveah gets up to, as long as it doesn't affect her. Neveah's dad is the lead singer of a band and is often on the road, maintaining sporadic contact with his daughter. Neveah is a good student and is ambitious for herself. She also has a secret life. She’s earning good money by moonlighting as a digital freelancer. Neveah is also having an affair with her biggest client, Giles, who is married with a troubled home life. Neveah lies to him about her age, telling him she's twenty-two and he believes her. Neveah will do just about anything to stop him from finding out her true age. Not only does she need the money, but she has developed strong feelings for Giles. But a secret this big can't stay under wraps forever. When it all comes out, the consequences are devastating. Not only for Neveah and Giles, but for Giles's family. The novel examines toxic masculinity and the early sexualisation of young girls and society's collective collusion in this process, including by the girls themselves. Why do some young girls become sexually active way sooner than is good for them, and if a man has sex with a girl who lies about her age, is he still culpable? Welcome to the murky world of contemporary sex, where everyone has something to hide.

Meet the Newells, a big family of good lookers and hard grafters. From their sleepy working class backwater, the siblings break into Oxford academia, London's high life, the glossy world of magazine publishing and the stratospheric riches of New York's hedge funds. Then there's Paddy, the wrong'un in their midst, who prefers life's underbelly. As things fall apart around his sister Bea, is Paddy behind it all? And why does matriarch Edie turn a blind eye to her son's malevolence? Will she stand by and watch while he wrecks the lives of her other children? Just how much is she willing to sacrifice to protect her son? The book opens with Edie, now in her seventies, who looks back on her early married life with her husband, George, and their ever-growing brood. She loved having babies, but resented their growth and increasing independence. She recalls the horror and confusion surrounding the death of her toddler son, Timmy. Even though it happened forty years ago, she still blames her brother, his uncle, for falling asleep while he was supposed to be looking after the children. Now, her favourite son, Paddy, has just been released from prison for dangerous driving. She is good at making excuses for him. All her other children are successful, and have done extremely well in their chosen careers, but it becomes apparent that she begrudges her only daughter's success. Why does she resent her daughter so much? Paddy is malevolent, violent, bullying, cruel... Edie has never forgiven herself for giving him up to the care system before she married George. He has never fitted in with his siblings, and is the bad apple that can ruin the whole batch. The only person he has ever cared about is his stepfather, George, who saw only too clearly what Edie has always been blind to. Bea, the only daughter in the family, has grown up knowing her mother doesn't love her. She is a successful journalist, and adores her husband, David, and her stepchildren, but longs for a baby of her own. Then suddenly David dies. In the midst of her grief, her glamorous cleaning lady, Lorena, flaunts her pregnancy. She insists that the baby is David's, and is willing to take a DNA test to prove it. Welcome to the world of the Newells, where nothing is as it seems.

This is a collection of 8 romantic short stories, all mentioning gemstones. They were written for the Romance Writers of Australia's annual short story contest between 2008 and 2014. Each story is a tiny pebble--less than 3000 words. There are no connections between the stories, except for a touch of romance. You may find birds and vampires, cops and crashes, married couples and young love. Some are serious, some amusing, some crazy madness. I hope you may find a story that suits you. Watery Liaisons: Life-long friends, Eloise and Daniel, have recently become lovers with accidental consequences. Will this ruin their connection? An Old-Fashioned Courtship: A colourful love story with a difference. From Disaster Comes Love: Samantha sits on the train next to the man who's held her attention for weeks. When the train crashes, will they lose each other? 'Twas the Night before Conference: Unpublished paranormal romance writer, Juliette, sees a gorgeous man when others see thin air. Eris is an emotional vampire. Is she his human mate, or victim? Last Hope Safari: Married couple, Matilda and Jake, want a child but years of failing has fractured them. Jake hopes for natural healing, but is it too late? Diamond Shield: Policewoman, Kendra, goes undercover at a speed dating night. After the operation is successful, she meets Mitch; not the gorgeous, witty date but part of the job. Will they mix business and pleasure? Farewell Sapphire: Two years ago, Darren promised to come back for Sapphire. Today's her eighteenth birthday, dare she hope he keeps the promise? Moonstone Madness: Kat wins a race horse at the picnic races, but she'd prefer to win the heart of the horse trainer, Josh. Can she be that lucky?

Meet the Newells, a big family of good lookers and hard grafters. From their sleepy working class backwater, the siblings break into Oxford academia, London’s high life, the glossy world of magazine publishing and the stratospheric riches of New York’s hedge funds. Then there’s Paddy, the wrong’un in their midst, who prefers life’s dark underbelly. As things fall apart around his sister Bea, is Paddy behind it all? And why does matriarch Edie turn a blind eye to her son’s malevolence? Will she stand by and watch while he wrecks the lives of her other children? Just how much is she willing to sacrifice to protect her son?

This book is a guide to help parents-to-be and new parents gain the most enjoyment from those first precious days with their baby. There are lots of useful hints and tips to help you in the everyday issues that arise when you've just had a baby and are wondering how you'll ever get through it all. You're not alone and you're not the first to feel like this and this handy guide is there to help you through all your questions from feeding to sleeping, cuddling to choosing a name. There's even a section to help alleviate your concerns about going to the loo!