Kindle Edition Amazon Tricia McGill Australian Author Tricia McGill on Books We Love Tricia McGill Web page Category:  Romance Publisher: Books We Love Ltd. Type: Fiction Pages: 200 Copyright: June 17, 2015 ISBN-13: 9781771454339 Price: $2.99 (eBook) Leah is a landscape designer who inherited her love of gardening from her eccentric aunt. Contracted to work on the garden of Private Investigator Sean Russel, she unwittingly becomes embroiled in the handsome PI’s cases. She becomes a party to such mayhem she is forced to wonder how she ever got mixed up in this mess. But her indomitable spirit, and incurable sense of humor enable her to override all obstacles. And there is her overwhelming attraction for Sean Russel that started it all. As Shrinking Violet this book was a finalist in RWAustralia’s Romantic Book of The Year 2006. Violet Amelia Connor, known to all as Leah, is a landscape designer who inherited her love of gardening from the eccentric aunt she lives with. Leah is contracted to work on the garden of Private Investigator Sean Russel and unwittingly becomes embroiled in the handsome PI’s cases. A series of unpleasant experiences land her in real trouble where she is kidnapped, bashed, bound and altogether becomes a party to such mayhem she is forced to wonder how she ever got mixed up in this mess. But her indomitable spirit, obstinate nature, and incurable sense of humor enable her to override all obstacles. And of course there is her overwhelming attraction for Sean Russel that started it all. Previously published as Shrinking Violet this book was a finalist in the Romance Writers of Australia’s Romantic Book of The Year in 2006. Excerpt I stuck my spade in the soil with a decisive thunk, and sauntered to my truck, sighing loudly to let him know I was annoyed. I took the clipboard from the front seat, patted Josh, my golden setter’s, head and read out, real precisely, “99 Hallelujah Drive West—property of Mister Sean Russel, with one L.” “Look, that’s me…” “Pleased to meet you.” He ignored my outstretched hand and looked very harried. Surely this wasn’t that hard to take in? “But I did not order work on my garden.” I looked down at my work sheet. “That’s right, a Mrs. Weston did the ordering.” I saw him curse, although he kept it as quiet as he could. “My dear sister had no right to do this to me!” With that, he stalked towards his house, a lovely red brick place with a verandah around its sides, windows beneath its eaves, and a fantastic set of double doors with lead light glass insets. I’d fallen in love with it the moment I set eyes on it. That was when Mrs. Weston, obviously Sean Russel’s sister, asked me to call round to give her a quote on some landscaping for the garden I’d presumed was hers. So now it turned out it was this guy’s. My business thrived on work in this leafy suburb. I’d been born not far from here, in Mornington, and spent my childhood on a farm in the center of the Mornington Peninsula. I went to high school near Melbourne, when my mother’s sister came to Australia from England to care for me after my parent’s untimely death when I was eight. Good old Aunt Eliza, she taught me everything I know about botany, gardens, and the pleasures to be gained by creating them. Now what do I do? If the house belonged to him I couldn’t go ahead and start digging without his consent, even if his sister had already paid me. Now there was a snag! I didn’t fancy giving the loot back, and anyway she’d signed the contract. Another thing Aunt Eliza taught me was to always make sure a contract was signed before I so much as put my spade in the ground on anyone’s property. I sauntered up to the front door, which he’d left open. It was a lovely June day, sunny, with a warm breeze blowing. Unusually warm for this time of year in southern Victoria. I’d been looking forward to transforming this unkempt block of land. Fabulous the house might be, but Sean Russel’s sister was right—the garden needed a lot of work. “What bloody game do you think you’re playing at now?” He stood just inside the hallway, blaring down the receiver of the phone that was clenched in his fist. His hair was taking a real bashing from the other hand. Ugh, oh, I guessed he was blasting his poor sister. I did not wish to be a part of a family squabble. I turned about, ready to go back to my truck. “Wait!” I stopped. Presumably he was roaring at me. I put a hand to my chest and raised my eyebrows as I faced him again. He was right in front of me—his height slightly intimidating. That is if you were inclined to be intimidated by large men—which I wasn’t. Well, not usually. Those lovely chocolate colored eyes were flashing sparks at me and the very sensuous mouth was held in a grim straight line. He rubbed his forehead as if he had a pain there. “Forgive me, but my sister had no right to order work done on my property.” The hands were now on his hips. “I’ll have to ask you to leave.” “Sorry, can’t do that.” I shook my head and my ponytail bounced from side to side. I waved the clipboard at him. “I have a contract here, all signed and sealed. And I’ve been paid to do this job.” His big sigh was heartfelt. “I don’t care a fig. I do not want a female digging up my garden.” “What have you got against female gardeners?” Now I was getting annoyed. “I have nothing against females doing any job. That is not the point here. This work was ordered without my knowledge or consent, and anyway what’s wrong with the garden as it is?” He waggled his fingers as he looked over my shoulder, which wasn’t hard for him to do seeing as I barely reached his chin. “Pardon me, but if you think your garden doesn’t need work then you must be half blind.” That was rude, I know, but this guy was beginning to rattle me. Why the hell didn’t he just let me get on with the job I’d been paid to do? “There is nothing wrong with my eyes.” He cast a glance up and down me, making me feel like I did when Patrick, my live-in lover of three years, walked out on me two years ago—on my 33rd birthday. The rat went off to live with a mouse of a woman who had no spunk, no energy, and no boobs. Stupid prat! They made a good pair, a rat and a mouse. Last I heard she was pregnant—perhaps she’d give birth to a chipmunk. “Look, seeing as I’ve already been paid by your sister, why can’t I just finish this and then I’ll be on my way, out of your beard.” I gave the whiskery chin a sneer. “And you can have it out with Mrs. Weston. This is your problem, not mine.” The beard got a rub or two. The look in his eye said he was tiring of the whole business. “How much did she pay you for God’s sake? My sister is not a sane woman.” “She paid me the going rate. And I think she’s a very sensible person. At least she appreciates the importance of a neat garden.” I glared at him. His snort said a thousand words. He now rubbed his nape. He was doing an awful lot of rubbing, drawing my attention to his hands. They were strong, tanned, the fingers long and the nails clean. Obviously hands that weren’t used to hard work. I put my work-soiled mitts behind my back. I really should wear gloves more often to do the hard stuff. “What’s it to be?” I hoped I sounded as fed up with the whole business as he appeared to be. “I have a signed contract, but it’s against all my principles to leave a job unfinished. My reputation would be at stake.” He sighed as if he held the worries of the world on his wide shoulders. “How hard can it be to decide to let me finish what’s started? Your garden looks like a wilderness now, and will look like a showplace when I’ve finished with it.” I hope. Well, I was sure actually. I’d never had a complaint—yet. Those beautiful eyes assessed me for a long moment. I shifted uneasily. I didn’t like being assessed. When they settled on my breasts I folded my arms so the clipboard was held across my front like a shield, and gave him another glare meant to intimidate him.

Audrey Lawrence The Romance Studio 4 HEARTS
“Tricia McGill has developed a winner of a character with Leah. With well-rounded characters, a well-crafted plot and superb, witty dialogue, she pens a book that screams read me. She gives Leah character, a strong personality and the wisdom to not be anyone’s punching bag. I love how she stands up to Sean, and when face-to-face, they really give credibility to this action-packed, engaging read that left this reader breathless. I clapped, I cheered, and I fell in love with the characters, and this remarkable book."
5 angels from Linda L at fallen angel reviews
“Short and sassy Leah is anything but a shrinking violet despite the primness of her name "Miss Violet Amelia Connor" as proudly written on her truck. With the knowledge and love of plants she gained from her sexy and eccentric Aunt Eliza who raised her and her brother since childhood, the 35 year old fearless Leah has steadily developed an excellent reputation not only for her flare in the male dominated landscaping design business, but also for her inability to mind her own business or to stop from giving a quick retort.
Set in the gorgeous Mornington Peninsula of Australia, this suspenseful romance has it all - kidnappings, movie stars, car chases, past crimes, murders and improbable escapes! Yet, Trish McGill's witty dialogue and writing it from Leah's viewpoint with her quick caustic remarks carries it off very well.
Eleanor Roosevelt once noted that women, like tea, only become stronger when placed in hot water and that certainly is the case for Leah! So, make up a brew, sit back and enjoy the ride!”


Michelle Fallen Angel Reviews
“Miss Violet Amelia Conner, called Leah, is a little spitfire trying to make her living as a gardener, and a darn good one, if you ask her. While she might not have the physique for the job, she more than makes up for her lack of stature with her willingness to get the job done. Private investigator Sean Russel is having a very bad day; his meddling sister hired someone to mess with his yard, and he is on the receiving end of a beating by a couple of lowlifes. Life is pretty complicated.
As Leah gets more involved with Sean and the case, they take a wild ride chasing the stalker. With every moment, Leah and Sean are drawn more closely together. When the case is over, will they have a relationship or just the memories of some really incredible times between the sheets?”


Leah © Love Romances
“This is the intriguing tale of Leah Connor and Sean Russel, told in first person by Leah and set in Australia. Leah, a landscape designer, was hired by Sean’s sister to transform his garden, while hopefully transforming his heart as well. Sean, a private investigator, unwittingly involves Leah in his work when she witnesses him being beaten by a pair of thugs, who subsequently kidnap him. This tale continues on through many twists and turns. Ms. McGill also did an excellent job with portraying Sean as the strong, yet gentle male who could engender trust from any female. The love scenes are well written as well, with enough details to fuel the imagination without being overly explicit. This reviewer found the descriptions of the fauna and flora of Australia to be enchanting and was amused by the adventures of Leah and Sean. Any reader who enjoys stories set in another country, strong heroines and mild suspense would enjoy this book.”