A sweet, small-town romance about secrets and a chance to leave the past behind.
THE FINAL SIREN
by Nicki Edwards
OUT NOW
Read an excerpt, read Nicki’s answers to The 5 Big Questions and there’s also a GIVEAWAY!
*Giveaway has now ended. Congratulations to Norma!
For a chance at happiness, will they follow their hearts?
Jed Delaney left the small town of Glengarrick after he was drafted into the AFL, taking a secret with him, and breaking Georgia Purcell’s heart in the process. He’s a household name and considered to be one of the best ruckmen the game has ever seen, but a devastating career-ending injury has him returning home wondering what to do next.
Georgia tried to leave Glengarrick too, but after her father’s death and her mother’s illness, ten years later she’s still stuck, wondering what her future holds. She never expected Jed Delaney to walk back into her life like nothing has changed. Not when she’s the reason for his retirement from the game he loves.
Will the lure of a new career pathway within the AFL be too much for Jed to walk away from, or can he leave it all behind for a chance of happiness with Georgia?
Excerpt from The Final Siren by Nicki Edwards
The DJ announced he was taking requests for karaoke. Zara pushed back her chair and stood. ‘I’m going to put my name on the list. Charlie, you up for it?’
Charlie guffawed. ‘Do you remember how bad I am?’
Georgie and Jed joined in his laughter.
‘Jed?’ Zara asked. ‘What about you?’
Jed rested his hand on Georgie’s leg again, eyes full of question. This time the touch felt like an electric shock zapping her. ‘Only if Georgie joins me.’ He turned to face her. ‘What do you say?’
Zara didn’t wait to hear Georgie’s answer. She dashed off.
‘Go on,’ Charlie said, sitting back in his chair with a grin. ‘I still remember that song you two sang for Glengarrick’s Got Talent. You guys were awesome.’
Georgie groaned, even though that night had been one of the highlights of her entire life so far. In costume as Disney’s Aladdin and Jasmine, she and Jed had sung “A Whole New World” to thunderous applause and cheers from the entire town.
Thank goodness no-one had filmed it. Jed would have been so embarrassed if a video of him had surfaced with him dressed in nothing except a pair of white harem pants and a purple vest. His fans—and the commentators of the footy shows—would have had had a field day.
‘We weren’t that good. Neither of us got a tap on the shoulder and cast in the next big musical,’ she said.
‘I was good,’ Jed said earnestly, ‘but you’— he gently touched her cheek and turned her face towards him, his thumb trailing down her jaw to her chin— ‘you were remarkable.’
He dropped his hand and they stared at each other. For a moment she forgot they were in the pub surrounded by people.
The intimate pause was broken by the DJ’s voice. ‘We have a treat for you tonight. First up is AFL superstar, Jed Delaney, and our very own Georgina Purcell, singing a duet.’
The crowd roared and Georgie froze. Could she do this? She glanced at Jed, but he didn’t look at all perturbed. If anything, he looked amped.
Before she had a chance to run to the bathroom, Jed stood and grabbed her by the hand, gesturing towards the stage. ‘Come on, George, it’ll be fun. Like old times. Put a smile on and pretend you love the attention.’
She shot him a look that hopefully conveyed exactly how much “fun” she expected this to be, but all he did was laugh. Feigning reluctance, she allowed herself to be towed behind him towards the stage. Jed beamed like he was having the time of his life and it was hard not to get caught up in his enthusiasm. It was so infectious and his presence and faith in her was the boost she needed. When he leapt onto the stage and reached down to help her up, she took his outstretched hand and smiled up at him. She could do this. Besides, with everyone watching them, she’d look like a fool for turning Jed Delaney down.
‘Thanks, Georgie,’ he whispered in her ear as he handed her one of the microphones.
He was so close, his warm breath tickled her neck and caused tingles of delight to race up and down her spine.
The music started and she laughed despite how nervous she felt. She’d figured Zara would ask the DJ to play the song from Aladdin, but instead, she’d picked an 80’s classic: Human League’s synthpop song, “Don’t you want me”. She glanced at Jed and he was laughing too.
‘We got this,’ he mouthed before leaning in close and pursing his lips in a mock-seductive kiss.
Jed clutched the microphone on the stand with both hands and started singing about meeting her in a cocktail bar. When he got to the next line about picking her out, shaking her up and turning her round, he let go of the microphone and scooped her up in his arms before dropping her down again and spinning her under his arm. He mucked up the next line, but the crowd didn’t care. They went wild. Even Georgie couldn’t stop giggling.
By the time she’d sung her verse and they made it to the second chorus, the entire pub was singing along with them, begging the question: “don’t you want me, baby?”.
Jed played the part perfectly, pretending to beg Georgie to give him another chance. In return, she teased and taunted him, coming close, then backing away, singing that she didn’t need him. The crowd ate it up.
By the time they got to the final chorus, all Georgie’s nerves were gone. She didn’t even care that dozens of phones were pointed towards them, clearly videoing their performance. Even spotting Nick, the reporter from Channel Seven, didn’t throw her off.
The song ended and they stood face to face, millimetres apart, breathing heavily from the exertion of their act. For a split second, Georgie felt like she was Lady Gaga, and Jed was Bradley Cooper and they’d just performed Shallow at the Oscars.
She looked up into Jed’s eyes and couldn’t stop herself. Reaching up, she brushed his cheek with the back of her hand. Their eyes stayed locked together as everyone cheered and clamoured for them to sing another song, but Georgie barely noticed. All she saw was the man before her.
The man she’d fallen deeper in love with.
Her eyes travelled down to his lips, and her breath hitched. He leaned closer and for a moment she thought he was about to kiss her in front of everyone. A whistle from the audience snapped them both out of it and she took a step back and mentally shook her head. If she kissed Jed Delaney now, it would be all the morning talk show hosts would talk about.
Jed leaned into the microphone on the stand. ‘Sorry, folks, that’s all from us tonight. Guess you’ll have to call us one hit wonders.’
Buy The Final Siren
A sweet, small-town romance
Buy a signed paperback direct from Nicki
Nicki Edwards
Author of Heartwarming Australian Romance
Country town life. Love and medical drama.
Read more about Nicki and her books and discover where to follow her on social media
COMING SOON FROM NICKI
Should you keep score when it comes to love?
out in eBook and paperback 31 October 2020 and up for pre-order now
Pre-order from Nicki here or from your favourite online book store
Nicki Answers The 5 Big Questions
- How long did it take you to write the book?
About 4 months (part time)
- What was the most difficult or complex aspect of writing your book?
Making sure the football scenes were accurate – luckily I have a footy mad hubby who was able to steer me in the right direction. I also had some insider knowledge from a former Cats ruckman!
- What gave you the most pleasure when writing your book?
I always love starting a new book, but the best feeling is after sending it off proof reading. By then, it’s almost too late to make sweeping changes.
- Are you nervous when a new release comes out?
Terrified. The “what if it’s awful?” question cycles continuously.
- What’s the best thing a reader could do if they enjoyed your book?
Write a review or share it on social media – word of mouth really is the best form of “advertising”
GIVEAWAY
Leave a comment for Nicki and you’re in the draw to win a signed paperback copy of
THE FINAL SIREN
*Giveaway has now ended. Congratulations to Norma!
*Giveaway open to Australian postal addressees only.
*Giveaway ends midnight AEST Wednesday 16th September 2020. Winner notified by email.
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Love your books.
Looking forward to this one.
Be great to win
Thank you. Your name is in the draw 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS Norma! Your name was drawn as the winner of a paperback copy of The Final Siren. :)) Nicki will be in touch shortly. Huge thanks to everyone who enjoyed the post. Your support of authors is wonderful.
Always love your books I get them as soon as they are out
Thanks Donna. Hope you enjoy this one too. Good luck. Your name is in the draw. 🙂
Have loved all your books, can’t wait to read this one
I hope you enjoy this one too. Good luck. Your name is in the draw 🙂
Love your books, can’t wait to read this one
Thanks Jenny. Your name is in the draw. Good luck 🙂
I have not read any of your books but would like to. Looking forward to getting some
Good luck – your name is in the draw. Hope you enjoy my books 🙂
Your name is in the draw. Good luck. Hope you get to read one of my books one day 🙂
Yes please!!
I have heard a lot of things about this awesome book.
Love to read it for myself.
Thanks for the chance.
Glad you’ve heard good things about it. Good luck – your name is in the draw 🙂
Can’t wait to read this one! Love your books!
Thanks Claire. Good luck, Your name is in the draw
Yes please. Love reading. Thank you for the dedication you put into writing these book for everyone to read well done
We love writing because readers love reading. Good luck. Your name is in the draw.
Congratulations Nicki, I can imagine the huge sigh of relief each time you send your new book baby off for proof reading. I’d love to be considered in the draw, thanks so much for the opportunity.
My pleasure. Good luck. x
Love reading rural romance books but haven’t read any of these yet. Have heard a lot of good things about this book so I may have found my next collection 😁
Plenty of books to choose from my bookshelf! Good luck. Your name is in the draw. 🙂
This Book, looks like my kind of Read
Country, Romance
What more do you need
Good luck. Your name is in the draw.
Yay another book to look out for and Happy Special Birthday Nicki 🎂🎁🧡📚
Thanks Karen – it was a fabulous birthday. Good luck – your name is in the draw. x
Looks like another book to add to my collection. Sounds great!
Thanks Karen. Good luck. Your name is in the draw.
I would love to win a copy of The Final Siren. I really love rural romance books, and have read all of yours.
Thanks Penny – not much better than rural + romance is there? Good luck. Your name is in the draw.
I haven’t heard of your books before. How can this be? I would love to win The Final Siren so I can rectify this. Thank you for the chance.
I’m not sure how you haven’t heard of me!!! Good luck – your name is in the draw.
Wow.What an extract I was holding my breathe waiting for them to kiss but wait it didnt happen.I want to know more.I am loving finding out about the book,how you write and more,cant wait yo read the book.
🙂 Celina good luck. Your name is in the draw….and if you win you can find out of they kissed
Love the extract to your new book, Love the eighties music , was a teenager when Don’t you want me came out. Reading the being had me intrigued of what was to come next in the Story. Can’t wait to read it,
Good luck Stacey – your name is in the draw 🙂
Love your books. The idea of a larrikin ex footballer probably with attitude issues means an interesting read. Would love the opportunity to win and write a review
Thanks Janet – good luck – your name is in the draw. If you don’t win, and you still read the book, feel free to write that review 😉
I would love to win a copy of this book.
Ohhhhh, sounds like another great book. Can’t wait to read it!
Yay. Good luck. Your name is in the draw 🙂
Another great Australian author.
Thank you x Good luck – your name is in the draw 🙂
Sounds enthralling. Something a little different. Looking forward to adding this one to my list.
Hope you add it to your list – and good luck – your name is in the draw 🙂
Oh Nikki, it would be impossible to resist purchasing The Final Siren after reading that little ‘pocket’ of your story.I intend to buy a copy now but if I am lucky enough to win this copy I intend to give it to my youngest Daughter-in-law as she first introduced me to RachaelJohns copy of Jilted which led me to my great love of Australian Authors and my very long list of Favourite Australian Rural Authors with you Nikki being on that list.I am going now to purchase my copy. Congratulations on your new book I can’t wait to read it.🌹
Thank you Marion. Jilted was the first rural romance book I ever read and because of that, and because of Rachael Johns, I started writing. I hope you enjoy this book. Good luck – your name is in the draw.
This excerpt has everything I love – down to earth, good old fashioned fun and some sexy tension. Sounds like a blast, and I am intrigued by how Georgia may have caused Jed’s retirement. I’ll be finding this to read soon! Thanks Nikki
Good luck – your name is in the draw 🙂
You’re right – country and romance – makes a perfect book. Good luck. Your name is in the draw.
Can’t wait to read this one!
Thanks Lynn. I’ll add your name to the draw 🙂
Can’t wait to read this book. Love all your books.
Thanks Laura. Your name is in the draw. Good luck.
Great to see new books coming out from local authors!!
Thanks! Good luck. Your name is in the draw
I think all of your books are fabulous.
Aw thank you. That’s so kind.
Hve loved all you books ans nothing better than having a signed copy of a new release.
Thanks Donna. Good luck. You are in the draw.
Thanks Nicki, would love to win, and “read” my way out of isolation.
Hi Heather. If only we could read our way out of isolation – wouldn’t that be a dream? Good luck. You are in the draw.
Love all of your books so far Nicki! Have even purchased a few from you for my Mum who is now a lover of your books also!!!
Love your books, they are the best story lines, Awesome reading.