Jordyn Fairweather has worked hard to reach the top of the magazine world, but now she’s in trouble.
Younger stars are scrambling to steal her crown, and media companies are collapsing around her in the face of a new threat – the internet.
She’s come a long way from small town Beddo, where she obsessed over teen glossies until pushing her way into an internship with Sixteen magazine. But if Jordyn’s empire is going to survive, she needs to move fast and keep reinventing herself.
Spanning the late 90s and 2000s, Media Queen is a compulsive read with an outrageous main character. It comes with the essential ingredient that Jordyn demands of all her stories: juice!
Book No 2 in the #HollyAnna series – following Goodbye Newsroom – Media Queen can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Jordyn Fairweather knew one thing for sure. She never wanted to clean another toilet in her life.
She shouldered open the door to the stall and dumped the tin pail onto the floor. Warm air rushed in from the toilet block windows above, really just rectangular gaps in the red brick building. She could hear girls calling out goodbyes to each other, and car doors slamming. The tennis squad was going home after practice. Jordyn wished she could go home, too.
‘Still here?’ a voice sang out, followed by a giggle.
Jordyn didn’t respond. She didn’t even bother looking around. She knew who her interrogator was. She wiped the toilet cistern with an old blue cloth, secretly wishing she could shove it down someone’s throat.
Tina appeared in the doorway behind her.
‘I don’t know how you do this job,’ she said.
Jordyn splashed detergent into the bowl, flushed, and backed out of the stall, hoping to crash into Tina and slop bucket water over her.
No such luck. Her tormentor moved away to lean against the row of sinks.
Tina Goodman was a head taller than Jordyn, even though she was a grade lower in high school. Her dark hair was tied in a high ponytail and her short skirt barely covered her golden legs. She was a gladiator and this toilet was one of her many arenas.
‘Goody wants to know if you want a lift home,’ Tina said.
Jordyn scowled. ‘I’m getting a lift home with my mum – he should know that.’
Tina shrugged slowly, as if wearing a heavy fur coat. ‘That’s what I told him, but he wanted to check.’
Jordyn watched Tina appraise herself in the mirrors – her tanned face free of any teen blemishes. Her vicious, vacant eyes.
‘If you’re hangin’ around, it must mean you wanna take over the cleaning …’ Jordyn said.
Tina tipped her head back to laugh. ‘No way! I’m never gonna clean a toilet.’
With a speed propelled by fury, Jordyn grabbed the mop propped in a corner and thrust its handle beneath Tina’s chin. The girl froze, her eyes round.
‘Are you crazy?’ Tina croaked. ‘We’re not in prison!’
‘Start mopping,’ Jordyn hissed.
Tina shoved her and used the newfound space to wriggle away and flee through the toilet block door.
‘Cow!’ she shouted.
Jordyn laughed, clutching the mop like an old friend. She wished Tina had struggled for a little longer; she was in the mood for a fight. She often felt like that these days.
About the Author
Michelle Prak is an indie author and university teacher who runs her own PR agency. She loves creating energetic and ambitious characters who will make you laugh and inspire you at the same time.
Jill Conroy is tricked by her sister into becoming the housekeeper and cook for the summer at Seashell Cottage where Greg Campbell and his nephew, Brody, have been hired to do maintenance projects on the house. Annoyed at first, Jill soon realizes how wonderful it is to be away from her home in New York and the memories of her deceased, emotionally abusive husband.
Soon the magic of the beach heals Jill enough for her to decide to move to Florida permanently to make a new life for herself. Her part-time work at a summer camp and the promise of a new job as a third-grade teacher in the fall make it seem as if her future is set. But a visit from her sister, followed by her mother, reveals secrets that surprise them all. Jill learns to accept the idea of love not only from Brody but from his daughter, Kacy, as the summer brings even more surprises.
Other Books in the Seashell Cottage Series:
A Christmas Star
A Seashell Cottage Book
Publisher: Wild Quail Publsihing
Published: November 2018
Two years ago, Noelle North’s then-fiancé left her waiting at the church on Christmas—her wedding day and birthday. Now, she knows she cannot endure another holiday season at home in Boston. At the urging of four women at the assisted-living community where she serves as health director, Noelle decides to rent Seashell Cottage on the Gulf Coast of Florida for the holidays. She meets Silas Bellingham, the cutest seven-year-old boy she’s ever seen, and his great-grandmother, Althea. Noelle discovers Althea’s caretaker has been abusing her and goes into action, ending up with the temporary care of both Althea and Silas. Becoming part of the Bellingham household has an entirely different series of challenges when it comes to Althea’s grandsons, Jake and Brett, who are having problems of their own with hotels to run and their parents missing in a plane crash. But after sparring with her, Silas’ father, Jake, realizes Noelle is just what he and his family need, and when she finds the perfect Christmas star for Silas, they both know he’s right.
Emerson “Em” Jordan always wanted a Valentine’s Day wedding. But after being dumped by her boyfriend, she spends the holiday at Seashell Cottage on the Gulf Coast of Florida with Devin Gerard, a family friend who has no interest in her or any other woman and is instead concentrating on his pediatric medical practice and continuing medical missions in Costa Rica.
Em, who’s always wanted a large family, doesn’t mind his disinterest. At thirty-two, she’s decided she doesn’t need a husband to have a child or to adopt one. First, she’s going to fulfill her dream of setting up her own landscape design business in upstate New York and has promised to continue to help run her grandmother’s flower shop.
It isn’t until Em and Devin become friends that Em realizes she might want more than friendship from him. But with his work in Miami and Costa Rica and her busy life in New York, it’s out of the question until something happens that changes everything, even a couple of hearts.
Jillian Conroy listened to her sister, Cristal’s, voice on her cellphone and took a deep breath. A call from her sister was always a surprise.
“So, start all over again, Cristal, and tell me exactly what it is you want me to do.”
“It’s easy, Jill. My friend, Hope Thomason, now owns the Seashell Cottage on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and she just needs someone to live at the cottage for the summer while we do our European tour, the one we’ve been talking about for years.”
“That’s it?” It didn’t sound like something difficult. In fact, it sounded like a great way to escape the memories of the past, thought Jill. School would be out in another week, and she didn’t have any exciting plans for her summer break from teaching. Maybe some extended time on the Gulf Coast would do her good. But every time she tried to do something for her sister, it cost her emotionally, and often, financially. A requested lunch date would end up with Jill paying for it. What was supposed to be a fun event of shopping turned into a nightmare when Cristal pouted that the dress Jill bought was the one she wanted. Their relationship had always bordered on the toxic.
“There’s one more thing. A friend of Hope’s family, Greg Campbell, is an older man who’s agreed to do some work on the cottage. He’s staying in one of the guest rooms for a few weeks until the work is done.”
“An older man, you say?”
“Yes. He and Hope’s father are friends. They’re the same age.”
Jill let out a sigh of relief. Too many friends had been pushing her to start dating again. She had no interest in doing so. Not after Jay’s death two years ago.
“Think about it. I’ll call you tonight for your answer.” Cristal cut off the call before Jill could ask any more questions.
Jill sat in a chair and stared out the window of the kitchen inside the small bungalow she called home in Ellenton, a small town in upstate New York. She should’ve sold it months ago. The memories she held of her life in the house weren’t pleasant. She’d thought by clearing Jay’s things out of the house following his automobile accident, she’d be able to chase away the unhappiness she’d known with him. But now the space just seemed empty. And lonely.
Her thoughts settled on her sister. Three years older than she, Cristal was the beauty of the family. Their mother had declared to anyone who would listen that Cristal got her beautiful features, naturally blonde hair, and bright blue eyes from a relative of hers, while Jillian looked like the Davis side of the family. The comparison was painful. Without the highlights she had to add every few months, Jillian’s hair was a dishwater tan. Her hazel eyes held no trace of blue. Worst of all, Cristal’s tall, willowy figure seemed to taunt Jill’s shorter, curvy shape. It was a bad match-up all around. If it weren’t so much like a well-known storybook scenario, it would be almost comical.
Restless, Jill got up and paced the kitchen. It wasn’t their different looks that had made her relationship with Cristal so difficult. It was Cristal’s tendency to manipulate others in order to get her own way. Jill knew how foolish it was to keep old wounds stored inside, but every once in a while, one poked through the shell she kept around herself. How could she forget that Cristal stole her date in college, the one guy she’d dreamed would be hers forever? It was just one of the ways Cristal had hurt her through the years. A snort of disgust left Jill’s mouth. She might not have even paid attention to Jay except Cristal thought he was a hottie. How was that for stupid rivalry?
Before she could go any deeper with that thought, the phone rang. Jill knew who it was before she even checked Caller ID. Her mother, Valerie Davis, had a nose for trouble. No doubt Cristal had phoned her for support.
“Hello, Mom,” Jill said without enthusiasm.
“Hi, honey. Cristal called to tell me that she’s arranged for you to have a very nice summer break. She’s so thoughtful that way.”
“She asked me to do her a favor so she and her friend can travel to Europe,” Jill said calmly, still uncertain as to whether she should go ahead with the idea or even what it entailed.
“Well, if you don’t do it, I’m sure they can find someone else to stay at the cottage. It sounds lovely. You should be grateful to Cristal for thinking of you,” chided her mother. “A whole summer to relax.”
It would be useless to argue. “Maybe you’re right,” said Jill. “I could use the break to get away.” The idea suddenly appealed to her. This change in her normal routine might give her the opportunity to think things through, make some major decisions about her life, give her a fresh start. God knew she’d been in an emotional rut even before Jay had been killed.
“Splendid,” her mother said with satisfaction. “I’m glad you’ll help your sister out. It would mean so much to her. She and Hope have been planning this summer tour for a long time, and poor Cristal has been working very hard.”
“You mean as a hostess at the club in Miami?”
“Now, Jillian, she does the best she can, and with her looks, she doesn’t need to spend her time teaching school.”
“Oh? Because I teach school …” Jill stopped herself. She didn’t like the person she became when dealing with her family. Only her father had accepted her for who she was, and he’d died several years ago.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, Jillian,” her mother said with a note of apology.
“Look, I have to go,” Jill said. “I’ll let you know what I decide.”
“Please do. I care about both of you and hope that someday you girls will get along.”
Jill sighed. “Goodbye, Mom.” Though the day was ruined by the familiar routine with her mother, the idea of escaping to a place far away became tantalizing.
Later, while looking up information online about the Seashell Cottage, Jill filled with excitement. The pictures of it were lovely. It was not simply a cottage; it was a beautiful, three-bedroom, three-bath house that sat overlooking a wide, sandy beach. The house even had a screened-in pool.
Before she could change her mind or overwork the thought that something must be wrong if her sister was involved, Jill punched in Cristal’s cell number and, when prompted, left a message.
“Hi, Cristal. Jill here. I’ve decided to stay at Seashell Cottage for the summer so you and Hope can travel. At the end of next week, when school is out, I’ll drive down to Florida. I should be there by June 8th and can stay until late August. Let me know if those dates work with you and Hope.” Hating confrontation, she paused and took a deep breath. “And, Cristal, thanks for thinking of me.”
That evening Cristal called. The noise of music and partying in the background made it difficult to hear, but the message did get through that Cristal was thrilled Jill would stay at the cottage. “You’ll see. This summer is going to be good for you, Jilly. For both of us, really.”
“I hope so,” said Jill honestly. She was more than ready for a change.
About the Author
Judith Keim enjoyed her childhood and young-adult years in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their two dachshunds, Winston and Wally, and other members of her family.
While growing up, she was drawn to the idea of writing stories from a young age. Books were always present, being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. All in her family shared information from the books in general conversation, giving them a wealth of knowledge and vivid imaginations.
A hybrid author who both has a publisher and self-publishes, Ms. Keim writes heart-warming novels about women who face unexpected challenges, meet them with strength, and find love and happiness along the way. Her best-selling books are based, in part, on many of the places she’s lived or visited and on the interesting people she’s met, creating believable characters and realistic settings her many loyal readers love. Ms. Keim loves to hear from her readers and appreciates their enthusiasm for her stories.
SOMETIMES THE PAIN OF LIFE BRINGS A NEW BEGINNING…
Widower Dominic Dunn isn’t sure what to think of his wife’s pre-planned trip for him a year after her death. It’s her effort to force him from his work desk to the coast and the peacefulness she’d found at the Carolina Cove Inn.
Innkeeper Ireland Cohen is a single mom with an impressionable son, and after the kid gets himself into trouble, Dominic offers to lend a hand. It’s the least he can do when Ireland was such a good friend to his wife after her diagnosis.
As the hot summer days at the beach turn into breezy evenings, Ireland and Dominic find their shared memories and friendship turning into more. They’re drawn to each other, fighting an attraction neither of them want because of their pasts.
He’s only visiting, and Ireland has a strict rule about dating tourists. But as his trip draws to a close, they both wonder—is this their last goodbye?
The Last Goodbye is the first book in a five book series set along North Carolina’s beautiful Wilmington coast.
About the Author
Kay Lyons always wanted to be a writer, ever since the age of seven or eight when she copied the pictures out of a Charlie Brown book and rewrote the story because she didn’t like the plot. Through the years her stories have changed but one characteristic stayed true— they were all romances.
Published in 2005 with Harlequin Enterprises, Kay’s first release was a national bestseller. Kay has also been a HOLT Medallion, Book Buyers Best and RITA Award nominee. Kay’s current Seaside Sisters Series is set in and around Wilmington, NC, and is available from Kindred Spirits Publishing.
Emerson “Em” Jordan always wanted a Valentine’s Day wedding. But after being dumped by her boyfriend, she spends the holiday at Seashell Cottage on the Gulf Coast of Florida with Devin Gerard, a family friend who has no interest in her or any other woman and is instead concentrating on his pediatric medical practice and continuing medical missions in Costa Rica.
Em, who’s always wanted a large family, doesn’t mind his disinterest. At thirty-two, she’s decided she doesn’t need a husband to have a child or to adopt one. First, she’s going to fulfill her dream of setting up her own landscape design business in upstate New York and has promised to continue to help run her grandmother’s flower shop.
It isn’t until Em and Devin become friends that Em realizes she might want more than friendship from him. But with his work in Miami and Costa Rica and her busy life in New York, it’s out of the question until something happens that changes everything, even a couple of hearts.
Reader Reviews
“I love how so many of Judith’s books are set at the seaside, as it always gives me a holiday feel about them. Its time to return to the Seashell Cottage for another wonderful and emotional story of love and happiness. This is a very sweet and moving story of broken dreams, friendship, family, dreams, inspiration, determination and most of all love. I enjoyed the book but did feel that the story was a little bit slow in the middle and some paragraphs were filled up with un-necessary topics to lengthen the time frame during the book. But in saying all that I did like the fact that the relationship between the two main characters was a natural one that formed over a longer time frame than most books gives us. There were so many other great and wonderful characters in this book from Em Grandmother to the gardener at Seashell Cottage that all had in some way helped in their own way to give the need help and advice to Em.“ – ReadingfortheLoveofBooks
Buy Links:
About the Author:
Growing up, books were always present being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. Information from the books was shared in general conversation, giving all of us in the family a wealth of knowledge and a lot of imagination. Perhaps that is why I was drawn to the idea of writing stories early on. I particularly love to write novels about women who face unexpected challenges and meet them with strength.
A hybrid author who both has a publisher and who self-publishes, Ms. Keim writes heart-warming stories of strong women who face challenges and find love and happiness along the way. Her books are based, in part, on many of the places she’s lived or visited and on the interesting people she’s met, creating believable characters and realistic settings her many, loyal readers love.
They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it’s true. The man who comes to me in my dreams also haunts me in my nightmares. He is a brilliant lawyer. A skilled criminal. A beautiful liar. A bully and a savior, a monster and a lover. Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now, he came for me in New York, and he isn’t leaving until he takes me with him.
Vicious
She is a starving artist. Pretty and evasive like cherry blossom. Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down. She paid the price. Emilia LeBlanc is completely off-limits, my best friend’s ex-girlfriend. The woman who knows my darkest secret, and the daughter of the cheap Help we hired to take care of our estate. That should deter me from chasing her, but it doesn’t. So she hates me. Big fucking deal. She better get used to me.
Vicious a complete standalone and a part of the Sinners of Saint series
Reader Reviews
An epic deliciously wicked must read that will blow your mind and leave you with a massive book hangover.- Books and Boys BookBlog.
This book totally lived up tothe hype and so much more. It’s one of those books that as soon as you’ve finished you want to start it again. It’s that good. – Kristina, For The Love of Books.
WhatTheFuckityFuck this book was absolutely Alphatastic!!! Five stars really isn’t enough for this one. L.J. Shen blew me away with this one. –Book Smacked.
LJ Shen has done it again.Taken an absolutely HORRIBLE character and made him into a swoony motherfucker. Still a complete asshole, but a swoony one. – Mel’s View.
I absolutely have no idea where to start. This is probably the first book I’ve ever read that has left me speechless. And I’m not even lying. Literally no words are being formed in my head to describe how much I love this book. – Togan Book Lover.
It was amazing and thought provoking, staying with me long after the last word was read.- Rosa Sharon,iScream Books.
Eeek, I can’t believe it! One of the most anticipated books of the year – heck, ever – and I totally devoured it in one sitting. What is it if not love at first read? Jesus, what will I do afterthat? I just simply can’t get over this mind-blowing story. – Rebecca, Little Red Reading Hood.
This book right here blew my FUCKING MIND!! Just wow. I loved Sparrow, Tyed, and Blood to Dust, but Vicious……. he became my one and only! – Julia, The Romance Rebels.
He’s a Bona-fide, “take your heart and crush it under his foot”,”Ruin your life” badass. He puts all the other Bad Boys to shame.- Shabby Arora, BookBistro Blog.
It’s official. L.J. Shen is a witch. How else could the woman possibly crawl inside my mind and create a story that seriously felt custom written for me? -Lana, Dirty Girl Romance.
I couldn’t have wished to have had a better initiation into Ms Shen’s storytelling, too. The editing and proofreading which I give a lot of importance to was faultless. Bravo ma’am – Sharon, KKF Forever.
LJ Shen has created an addictive story line with characters that will frustrate you to no end. – Lina’s Reviews Book Blog.
L.J. Shen pulled off a fucktastic slow burning story of alpha dominance and pain! Which can only describe Vicious! – Heather, QueenZany.
Vicious is everything. Cover, story, sexiness, characters, heat level. Everything was just perfection. – The Romantic Book Angel.
Enemies to lovers at it’s very best it’s also a second chance with a twist. – Lisa’s Bookluscious Blog.
I was completely bowled over by this book, the story flowed really well and the writing was as close to flawless as it could be. – Confessions of a Book Geek.
L.J. Shen is an International #1 best-selling author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She lives in Northern California with her husband, young son and chubby cat.
Before she’d settled down, L.J. (who thinks referring to herself in the third person is really silly, by the way) traveled the world, and collected friends from all across the globe. Friends who’d be happy to report that she is a rubbish companion, always forgets peoples’ birthdays and never sends Christmas cards.
She enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with her family and friends, reading, HBO, Netflix and internet-stalking Stephen James. She reads between three to five books a week and firmly believes Crocs shoes and mullets should be outlawed.
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