✨🎃 , free horror story inside this edition of Cynthia Terelst News! 🎃✨


Inside: freebie and hot reads!	View in browser

Spooky season is here...

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In the spirit of October and 'Spooky Season', I thought you might enjoy a free copy of my short story, Legend of the Dead. If you're familiar with my romance novels, beware—this isn't anything like those! This is a short horror story,

If you do read it, be sure to let me know your thoughts!

Enjoy!

Grab your free copy here.

I haven't really done anything interesting this fortnight—just been working and writing.

Work has been quite hectic as we are implementing a new document control system. I have been working through the set-up with the subject matter experts. It has taken hours and hours of meetings. We are close to the end.

In the meantime, I've been working with another couple of projects trying to get their documentation in order. It has been an interesting endeavor. Some days I am swearing within half an hour of arriving at the office.

My writing has been going well. I have joined an anthology for next Christmas, so that's exciting. It will be my second anthology. I will be writing a new short story for that. I might do an outback Christmas or a scorching hot beach Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas, I have booked the cats into the cattery in the hope that we can visit my daughter. It all depends on whether we can get back into our home state without having to quarantine.

Duchess is going for her final scan this week after her mysterious injury. She has been out of commission since April. Initially, the fear was that she would never be able to be ridden or compete again. She was confined for months while healing. Then she was allowed out and was able to be ridden lightly. This scan will determine whether she will get the all-clear.

Unfortunately, Blue is now lame. He has had the vet out and a therapist. Neither could determine the cause. The therapist is back this week. She will give him a round of acupuncture. If there is no improvement he may be the next one to visit the lameness clinic.

My daughter is very lucky that she lives next door to the horse capital of Australia. She has some of the best vets on her doorstep.

News

Check out my latest interview ...

Australian Romance Readers Association recently gave me a spotlight! Check it out here—we chatted about what I'm working on and how I came to love romance books!

Walk for Suicide Awareness

OCTOBER IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

1 in 5 Australians experience symptoms of mental illness every year.

I have been one of those. I know many others who have, too.

I would like those who are still experiencing it to know they are not alone. And to do that, I have chosen to walk for mental health awareness and research.

Thank you to all of those who have supported me through encouragement or donations. I am $9 away from my fundraising target.

I have walked 30km of my 100km target. I started the week off strong, walking 5km a day but by my last two days I was only walking 3km. I will work on better consistency this week.

You can support me here.

Information can be found here.

We can show them they are not alone.

I promised to share my story ... so here is a snippet

I sat in a room the other day when the subject of suicide awareness came up. A person asked what would make a young kid or teenager think that here was no point going on. I was ready to answer but the tone of the conversation changed. I didn’t feel comfortable talking about it or about myself. If you know me, even in the slightest, you would know that’s just me. We could have a whole hour-long conversation and I would come away knowing a lot about you and you would know barely anything about me.

But sometimes staying quiet is not the answer. I should have spoken up that day. I should have said these simple words—for me, it was not just one thing that led to me try to take my own life. And the day I nearly succeeded was not the first time I’d thought about it.

Growing up I didn’t have the best childhood. Was it the worst childhood you could imagine? Hell no. But it was mine to bare and I didn’t bare it well.

I was loved by many, but for me that love was exhausting. The expectations were exhausting. Life was exhausting.

So, when things compounded and I was left feeling alone and rejected, knowing happiness was out of reach, I chose to stop the pain.

Work-in-Progress

A Bird in the Hand is due to my first beta reader this week. I have finished the first draft and have done my first round of editing. I usually complete three or four rounds before it goes to this first beta, but I fear I am running out of time.

I tried to work on my humour in this novel. The easiest way for me to incorporate this into my story is through banter. We will see what my first beta thinks. She will leave a 'haha' wherever something made her laugh.

I think the new plotting system I used this time around worked well. It gave me the opportunity to think deeper and have more structure. I still can't use plotting for developing characters, though. I learn about those as I write.

Pre-order Here. Landing on eReaders 10 Feb, 2022

Hot Reads From Friends

When the new hot guy in town turns out to be the wealthy developer threatening Lauren's bakery, she declares war.

If Camden Carter thinks he can waltz into town, flash that panty-melting smile, and take my business away without a fight - well, he's sorely misjudged this southern girl. That arrogant big city boy is no match for me.

Can't he see that we're in competition? My business is personal.

The commercial construction business hasn't been all that great lately, and this new project is a chance to save my company. Besides the mysterious client who hired me for the job, the only problem is the bakery owner. But that uptight small-town Cupcake Princess should be no match for me.

She needs to lighten up. It's only business... until it turns personal.

Find it on your Favorite Retailer

Love, lust, or just another game…

Where will Sam stand when the whistle blows?

Caught between her high school crush and Mr. Broody McHotterson, Samantha Johnson’s college life is off to an eventful start. Witty and fun, she’s been stuck in the shadows of her friends’ past. Will she ever get to score?

Turner’s already committed, but not to Sam. He has dreams. His family needs him to succeed. He doesn’t have time to let anything, or anyone, interrupt his plans. Will he make a play or choose to pass?

Find it on your Favorite Retailer

An enemy he’s held captive for ages, and I managed to fall in love with him.

Sydney

I’m in love with a criminal, which shouldn’t be a problem, the only issue is he’s an enemy of my father’s club.

I was warned not to talk to him, but I couldn’t help it. Since I was a child my mother always instilled the fact there is good in everyone, even those we don’t believe have any.

Now I’m here, stuck in the middle of the road, wanting to be with the man I love and betraying those who would give their lives for me.

I have quite the battle on my hands, but I have to convince them he’s not all bad.

Buy or Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

An Enemies To Lovers Western Cowboy Romance (Arizona Passion Part One)

I felt something stir deep inside me when the handsome stranger cowboy came into view—something that I wanted to embrace, but also something that I wanted to keep at a distance. He wants work—but I want to give him more than that.

He hides a childhood secret—something that my family will find hard to accept and overcome. We are the Knights – we are a family rooted in tradition and values, but are they more important than my feelings for him?

When I uncover his secret, when my family realize, it will bring on emotions for all of us.
For me—what comes first? Loyalty or love? Can I have both?

Blood and fists, naked bodies and passion. The storm comes from everywhere and it has to be ridden out…embraced.

Can I ride this rollercoaster?
Can my family accept the man that I think I am coming to love?

Buy or Borrow with Kindle Unlimited

October Book Fairs & Giveaway

Pick out some of these reads, and you're sure to feel inspired when you read them!

🔥 These steamy small town antics bring the drama, while the main characters bring the heat!

❣️ Why not pick out some books for free? Featuring various romance sub-genres.

🤠 If you like your book boyfriends to be good with their ... uh ... hands, you've come to the right place!

🔥😂 These steamy paranormal reads will have you laughing out loud!

Binge on Love Down Under

Cynthia Terelst

Queensland
Australia

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