Northern Heat

by Helene Young

  Above them, the sky drifted into navy blue and the lights of the stars intensified. Night held its breath for that instant before the sun’s rays vanished from the horizon.

  Tomorrow was a new day.

  Acknowledgements

  Thank you to everyone who read Safe Harbour and sent me messages asking for Conor’s story. He deserved to find his place in the world again and I hope you enjoy reading Northern Heat as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it.

  At the heart of Northern Heat is the issue of domestic violence. The research was harrowing and I have nothing but admiration for the women who shared their stories with me and who have survived terrible ordeals.

  For anyone in a violent domestic situation, please know that there are organisations that can help you make wise decisions and protect yourselves and your children. You are not alone, no matter how dark it must seem at times.

  To the wonderful team at Penguin Random House, thank you for continuing to believe in my stories. My publisher, Ali Watts, took the story to another level with her wonderful insightful suggestions. My editor, Jo Rosenberg, worked her magic with her trademark humour, helping to make the story sparkle. Thanks to the rest of the Penguin team, including Louise Ryan and Rhian Davies, for doing so much to make my stories accessible to readers.

  Thanks also to my agent, Clare Forster, who continues to champion my stories and provide invaluable support and advice.

  Thanks to the writers of Cooktown. Several years ago I joined them to conduct a writing workshop, and that weekend sowed the seeds of Northern Heat. While I may have used some poetic licence on the shape of the Endeavour River, I hope I’ve captured the spirit of the wonderful people who call Cooktown home, and of the natural beauty that surrounds them.

  An overdue thank you goes to Dr Liz, my unwavering accomplice in all manner of crazy adventures, who has provided medical expertise for all my stories.

  As always, a huge thank you to my sister, Bronwyn, for her support and clarity – the distance between the UK and Australia is nothing between sisters. And to Mum, who at ninety-three may not be able to read my books any more, but has gallantly hung on to see six of them published. She and Dad nurtured my love of reading and helped make me who I am today.

  Lastly, thank you to my husband, Capt. G, who has patiently listened to one-sided discussions of my characters’ lives without complaint. His culinary skills now rival his cleaning skills, but even more importantly he’s given me space and time to write in solitude – and that’s no mean feat on a 40-foot catamaran! Thank you, my love. May we have many more sailing adventures together with Zeus.

  For anyone experiencing domestic or family violence, dial

  1800 RESPECT

  Lifeline provides crisis support and is available 24 hours a day on

  131 114

  If the situation is life-threatening, please phone 000 immediately

  ALSO BY HELENE YOUNG

  Burning Lies

  Shortlisted for the RWA Romantic Book of the Year award and the ARRA Favourite Romantic Suspense award

  Kaitlyn Scott is searching for the truth about her husband’s death, even if that means revisiting the most painful day of her life. But what she uncovers is a criminal willing to stop at nothing to keep his secret.

  Ryan O’Donnell, an enigmatic undercover cop, is investigating arson attacks when he is drawn into Kaitlyn’s world. He tries to fight his attraction for her, hoping the case might put his own demons to rest, but it only threatens to push him over the edge.

  With Kaitlyn and Ryan on a collision course, the arsonist seizes the chance to settle some old scores. As the Atherton Tableland burns, the three of them are caught in a fiery dance of danger and desire, and not everyone will come out alive.

  ‘Helene Young is a very accomplished writer, building her romance and suspense with verve and skill.’ Sisters in Crime

  Half Moon Bay

  Winner of the ARRA Favourite Romantic Suspense award

  Ellie Wilding has been running from her past, but when the residents of Half Moon Bay call for help she knows it’s finally time to return home. As an international photojournalist, she’s used to violence in war zones, but she’s shocked when it erupts in the sleepy hamlet on the north coast of New South Wales, threatening all she holds dear.

  Battle-weary Nicholas Lawson walked away from his military career leaving unfinished business. In a coastal backwater, that decision returns to haunt him. He remembers all too vividly his last lethal assignment in Afghanistan when Ellie’s sister, Nina, was shot and killed. Ellie’s been in his dreams ever since, even if she doesn’t remember him . . .

  As a storm rages and floodwaters rise, Ellie struggles to save her community. But who can she trust? Nick Lawson, the dangerously attractive stranger with secrets, or an old friend who’s never let her down?

  ‘Fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat action and intrigue with some tantalising romantic encounters.’ Book Muster Down Under

  Safe Harbour

  Winner of the ARRA Favourite Romantic Suspense award

  When Darcy Fletcher drags a handsome sailor from a stricken yacht, she finds herself drawn into his mysterious world. Having saved his life, can she now rescue him from his dark past? Or will that endanger all she holds most dear?

  Noah, keeper of the peace and guardian of the Banskia Cove secrets, can’t tell Darcy the real reason this man has washed up on their shores. If she understood the links between him and her own dysfunctional family, he’d lose her love for good.

  As they take refuge in an old whaling station, only one thing is certain – by morning, no one will be the same again. Lies will surface. Hearts will break, and not all will find safe harbour.

  ‘Helene Young is showing no sign of slipping from the top of the genre – rather, she just keeps getting better.’ Write Note Reviews

  MICHAEL JOSEPH

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  Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies

  whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.

  First published by Penguin Group (Australia), 2015

  Text copyright © Helene Young 2015

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  Cover design by Adam Laszczuk © Penguin Group (Australia)

  Text design by Samantha Jayaweera © Penguin Group (Australia)

  Cover photographs: Woman – Victoria Davies/Trevillion Images,

  Beach © Maggie McCall/Trevillion Images

  penguin.com.au

  ISBN: 978-1-76014-018-2

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