Autumn Fire ISBN 978-1-59088-819-3
Reviews:
"More mature characters and a second chance at love are the themes of AUTUMN FIRE. Tess is a woman of forty-five whose self-esteem has been stripped away from her by a domineering husband. As Jack is fifteen-years her junior, she finds it impossible to believe that he could ever love her long-term. The age difference isn't the only obstacle Tess and Jack will face. Tess--who has only been widowed for four months--has two grown children. Despite the issues they'll have to deal with, the chemistry between them heats up the pages, making AUTUMN FIRE a sensual yet sweet story."
Jennifer Bishop Romance Reviews Today
“Autumn Fire starts as Tess Barrett is adjusting to a new freedom after the death of her tyrannical husband. Jack Donovan had worked for her husband. She could never forget his kindness or his devastating good looks . . . As a romance hero, he is one of the best!
…expect to spend a few sleepless nights reading this page–turner and enjoying the scorching love scenes between Tess and Jack! Once started, Autumn Fire is impossible to put down. Ms. McGill has conjured up a cast of characters that will stay in your mind and a story that will warm your heart.”
Jennifer Macaire A Romance Review www.aromancereview.com
"Tricia McGill weaves a story of emotions, of facing your fears and stepping out. Of not being afraid to love, and acceptance of who you are. This book is very thought-provoking, but most especially, it highlights the importance of knowing that we are all worthy of love – and love can beat all odds.
I thoroughly enjoyed Autumn Fire, and highly recommend it. It’s truly a keeper for the library." Angela Verdenius Heart of an Outlaw Wings ePress.
"At forty-five, Tess is trying to cope with mid-life disappointments. Her hair is graying, her body is beginning to change. She cannot accept that a handsome, younger man, Jack Donavan, would find her attractive and easy to love. The book is filled with romance, laughter, and most of all, feelings that a woman who considers herself over-the-hill will personally identify. Each of us need a Jack Donavan in our life. Someone to continually remind us we are sexy, beautiful and most of all, still desirable. Tricia McGill’s unique writing style draws you into the characters. I urge you to read Autumn Fire. It will bring back to life the dreams you have suppressed and warm you through-and-through."
Ginger Simpson Prairie Peace Wings ePress
"Autumn Fire is a beautiful story about Tess Barrett, a 45-year-old woman who is drawn to Jack Donovan, a man 15-years her junior. Tricia McGill does an excellent job of portraying the emotional turmoil these two characters have to face. Autumn Fire is a wonderfully told story, with many twists and turns. It will keep you guessing until the very satisfying end."
Susan R. Sweet, A Deadly Agent Wings ePress
"Author Tricia McGill has written another charming tale about people so delightfully real, you want to invite them for coffee. Tess displays a believable vulnerability, wondering why a hunk 15 years her junior would be interested in her. Jack is bluntly honest about his intentions as he wears down her resistance and opens her eyes to possibilities. Autumn Fire is a romance to sigh over as it demonstrates the power of love to conquer all."
Christine Janssen www.christinejanssen.net
“Sensual and sizzling, the story of Tess Barrett and Jack Donovan jumps off the page and into your heart . . . when Jack Donovan--a man she hasn't seen in over ten years--walks back into her life, she's not prepared to believe him when he says he's attracted to her. But who could blame her? Jack is fifteen years her junior...and heart-stopping handsome. Jack's tenderness makes us long for such a hero to sweep us off our feet. Autumn Fire leaves the reader glowing with warmth long after the last page. Definitely a book you don't want to put down.” Sandra J. Dugas, www.sandradugas.com GOLDEN WINGS AWARD Winner
"After a long unhappy marriage, Tess is widowed at forty-five. She's certain her lovelife is over, but Jack Donovan pushes his way into her heart, eager to prove that she's beautiful and vital - and perfect for him. Tess can't resist Jack, but should she have an affair with a man 15 years her junior? How could it ever work? Tricia Mcgill's Autumn Fire is a tender, steamy love story. Tess is every woman who's ever had doubts about her desirability. Jack is the dashing hero, strong, reliable and romantic."
Belinda Palmer author
Excerpt
"It’s a fact, sweetheart." He looked up and when she shook her head he clicked his fingers. "Damn. Said I wouldn’t call you that, didn’t I? Can’t help it, I think of you as my sweetheart and it sort of slips out."
"Jack Donovan, you’re a tease," Tess scolded, smiling at his look of false chagrin.He grinned wickedly. "Not me." He settled back but still held her hand. "Tell me about yourself."Tess shrugged. "There’s not a lot to tell. I’m very ordinary, and lead a very boring life." He shook his head. "Yes, I am." Far too mundane for him."You’re far from ordinary, lady." With a gentle squeeze of her fingers, he managed to send her pulses into overdrive. Now, if anyone was extraordinary, it was him."When you get to know me better, you’ll see that I’m the most dull and uninteresting person you’re ever likely to meet.""I like the sound of that." With a sigh he brought his face near hers."What? That I’m nothing to write home about?" She gave a soft snort and her eyes became unfocused as she gazed at his sensuous mouth, so near hers."No, lady, you are definitely something I would take the trouble to write about. What I meant is I like the fact that you are going to give me the chance to get to know you better." That sexy mouth of his planted a soft kiss on her knuckle and sent heat to all her extremities.Tess swallowed. She didn’t know what to say. He was the only man who had ever sent her into a tongue-tied state with a word or a touch. She certainly hoped she would get the chance to know everything about him.He gave her a searching look. "Come on, tell me what you dream about? What would you like to try?"Tess thought a moment. There were plenty of dreams she could tell him she’d had--involving him. Or endless things she would like to try with him, but instead she opted for the sensible approach. "I’d really like to have a go at sky-diving someday. Have you ever jumped out of a plane?"He looked taken aback as he chuckled. "No, and I’m not likely to. I’ll come and watch when you do it." With a finger he tapped her chin gently. "And you’ve just contradicted yourself, lady. Boring ordinary people do not crave a pastime as exciting as sky-diving.""Ah, yes, but people like me only think about it--we never actually do it." She sipped her wine to cool the fever of heat he brought about."Right. I’m going to make sure you fulfill that one ambition at least." He took a mouthful of his own drink. "Tell me about your dreams? Perhaps I can make one or two of them come true."Tess looked away, almost choking on her wine. What if she told him how he’d featured in many of her dreams ten years ago? And just to be sitting here with him like this was more than she’d ever anticipated. She shrugged, trying for a nonchalance she was far from feeling. "I suspect my dreams are on a par with what most women dream about. I want my children to be happy of course."He shook his head. "That’s not a dream, that’s a hope. There’s a big difference. Tell me what you want more than anything else--for Tess Barrett--and no one else."Wrinkling her nose she pretended to ponder. There was no way in the world she could ever disclose her dreams and desires to him. Certainly not the ones where he was the star feature. "I would really like my soufflés to rise. Oh, and I’d love to have feet two sizes smaller." She glanced downwards to where her feet actually looked small beside his.The rough sound he made showed his disgust at her flippant answers. "Okay, so you aren’t about to tell me your dreams. In that case I’ll tell you mine.""Good idea." Tess nodded. This was something that interested her immensely."More than anything I want the love of a good woman. One who shares my hopes and aspirations." Tess was astounded by his words. She had expected a matching flippancy.Not knowing what to say, and sure he was jesting, Tess kept mute.He made a brief pause. "I want a good old fashioned kind of relationship.""In that case you are a very unusual man." She spoke quietly. "Most young men these days are not in it for the long haul.""That’s a tad cynical, Tess. I’ll bet that if you were to question some men in my age group, you would be surprised. Most would probably like the kind of relationship I crave. One where it would be the done thing to disclose innermost fears and dreams, without being ridiculed. I’d like nothing better than to have the woman I love respond by sharing her thoughts."Tess swallowed a sigh. What she’d give for a relationship like that. "You’re probably right. Most women don’t take the trouble to try to understand how a man’s mind works. And most men couldn’t begin to know how a woman thinks."She couldn’t recall ever telling Des what she thought about any single thing. He’d never asked for her opinion. No, Des had simply told her what he wanted done and expected his order to be carried through. Perhaps she had tried to voice an opinion in the early days of their marriage, but his derision had soon stifled any urge to confide her thoughts."You are definitely unusual. It’s a well known fact that most men don’t like discussing personal feelings like that."With a grin he tapped her lightly on the hand. "I’m a regular Sensitive New Age Guy. You’re about right, you know. Most of us males would love for a woman to try and understand us. In your case you spent so many years living with a man who was arrogant and insensitive that you’ve lost track of how most of us think and feel."That was one surety she couldn’t dispute.Finishing his drink he nodded to her empty glass. "Want another? Or shall we go?"Tess shook her head. "Yes, we’ll go."He offered a hand and she put hers in his warm clasp. Tess felt cherished--which was fanciful--she didn’t really know this man well enough to feel anything like that emotion. But the fact was he made her feel so many things she’d never felt before. It was intoxicating. She would enjoy it while she could.
