JennySchwartz350Today I’d like to welcome another Harlequin Escape author, Jenny Schwartz, who’s going to talk about holiday stories–more specifically her Australia Day story, Mistaken Engagement. Take it away Jenny!

Setting stories at Christmas or Valentine’s Day or even Halloween is pretty standard, but when Escape Publishing launched, I thought why not an Australia Day story from an Australian publisher?

Luckily Kate Cuthbert, Escape’s Managing Editor, agreed with me. She accepted “Mistaken Engagement”, and Nas Dean (an amazing editor, I’m so lucky to work with her) and I raced to meet the tight timeframe to have “Mistaken Engagement” available for Australia Day, January 26.

Writing a story for a non-traditional holiday has some challenges. First I had to think of the feeling of the holiday. I wanted Beachthat to be the theme of the story. Then I knew I had to capture “how” people celebrate the day.

Australia Day happens at the height of summer. It’s about fun, family, friendship and community. Like the best holidays, it’s about love—loving your country because it’s home, the place where you and those you love belong. Because it happens in summer, Australia Day celebrations include beaches and barbeques, fireworks and cricket, and lots of laughter.

In writing “Mistaken Engagement” I got to celebrate all the joys of Australia Day, and it didn’t hurt that the setting included the glorious beaches of Western Australia.

Thanks to the Divas for making me feel so welcome. Happy Australia Day!

Mistaken Engagement

Mistaken Engagement_cvrSaul knows he crossed the line when he claimed a surprise engagement with Grace. But her hysterical denial – and the way she’s avoided him ever since – has made things awkward, but it can all be worked out. The Australia Day long weekend down at her family’s beach house is the perfect time to show everyone that they’re friends, with not a broken heart between them. But can a fake engagement become life-changingly real?

Buy now from Escape, Amazon or look for it at your favorite online bookseller.

 About Jenny:

Jenny Schwartz is a West Australian author. Her high school yearbook predicted she’d be a writer – something about always having her nose in a book. When not living up to others’ expectations, she enjoys lazy days in the suburbs and is working on a collection of life-saving recipes, “Simple Meals for Forgetful Cooks”. 

You can catch up with Jenny at her website, on Twitter and Facebook .

Now for the

GIVEAWAY!!!!

Jenny is going to giveaway one copy of Mistaken Engagement to a lucky commenter (Australian winners also have the chance of winning a lovely art magnet to go with it!). So let us know what you think of the book, or tell us what’s your favorite holiday to celebrate?