Guest blogger: Jenny Schwartz
Jenny Schwartz, proud Aussie
What was the very best thing about writing Angel Thief, apart from the sexy djinn and high stakes plot?
The chance to share the romance of the Australian outback with international readers. I don’t drive around with flags on my car — nope, not even on Australia Day — but I think Australia is a gorgeous country and I love to share that gorgeousness.
I’m blogging over at Carina Press on Wednesday (well, Australia’s Thursday – don’t you love timezone conversion calculations?) about my excitement that Oprah’s coming to Australia. Through her, the world will see how amazing our country is.
But Angel Thief is more than a travel story. It’s about passion, redemption and magic.
Filip is a djinni, bound to the service of humanity. He arrived in Australia with the Afghan cameleers who helped establish the Overland Telegraph. He stayed, survived and became Australianised (an Australian djinni was fun to write). Whoever owns his bottle can claim three wishes.
Magic. It always gets us into trouble. But it’s irresistible – like Filip 
If you could change reality, what would you change?
Confession: I’d probably waste a wish on removing calories from chocolate. But I’m sure someone else will wish for “world peace” (channelling the Sandra Bullock movie, Miss Congeniality).
I have a digital copy of Angel Thief to give away to a randomly selected visitor. So please, leave your wish in the comments section or add a comment on Oprah madness, sexy djinn or anything else that takes your fancy.
The giveaway competition is now closed. Congratulations to Chris.
She’s breaking the rules. Again.
An archivist in the heavenly library, Sara must follow protocol when it comes to curating the knowledge of the universe. But “liberating” an ancient text from the collection of a human—an Australian drug lord—could save a boy’s life. Sara has no way of knowing that one of the man’s other treasures is a sexy-as-sin djinni, bound by a wish to guard the estate.
He’s only following orders.
Filip is compelled to turn over intruders, even celestial ones, to his master. When he catches Sara in the library, he isn’t above indulging in some sensual kisses with her, or using her to trick the mobster into wasting a wish. It’s what he must do to preserve his facade of freedom and protect his heart.
But the kidnapping of the drug lord’s daughter forces Sara and Filip to work together—bringing out the hero that lurks within the soul of the djinni, and the passion within the angel.
You can find me at my website , blogging, or on Twitter @Jenny_Schwartz .
Jenny
This book sounds really good and I agree Australia is a great place to live although I haven’t travelled much at all LOL.
I do love reading stories set in Australia I will be checking it out
Have Fun
Helen
The book sounds great and I love the Australian outback as a setting. I haven’t read many stories set in Australia so this would be a first for me.
Hi Jenny,
I enjoyed the excerpt too. As for changing reality, wouldn’t it be fun, if the longer you spent on the computer, the more weight you lost?
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Hi Jenny,
Angel Thief looks like a great read. I think Australia is the best country in the world, wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
As for my wish? Well it should be something meaningful like world peace, but it’d probably be something shallow like a neverending supply of money or being able to eat anything without putting on excess weight!
Cheers
Christine
I haven’t read your first book, it’s still in my TBR pile but I do enjoy reading books set in Australia and djinn are fascinating to read about.
As for what I’d change, I’d be utterly selfish and wish for completely perfect health. I’ve never had it, always wanted it. It can’t be bought, shared or exchanged. It utterly changes your life.
Oh, umm, I seem to be standing on a soap box, **steps down, carefully**
Right, back on topic. I wish for perfect health, calorie-free yet yummy chocolate, and unlimited, easy access to all of the books I want, whenever I want. There, I chose 3 wishes.
Cathy — I could so wish for that computer induced magic weight loss! But Christine’s wish seems particularly useful as Christmas approaches — both the money and the eat everything! (on re-reading, Christine wasn’t so greedy as me. She said “anything” not “everything” LOL).
Helen, I love Australian stories, too. It’s one of the things I envy people who live in London, New York, places like that. They can “see” their home town in so many books.
Daz, hopefully you become another Aussie-themed addict
And can I say how much I appreciate everyone’s supportive comments. Release day is exciting, but stressful — and it’s tomorrow!
Bea — do you know how thrilled I am to be part of someone’s TBR pile? Totally! On a serious note, if I could, I’d make that “perfect health” wish come true for you and for everyone. Not soapboxy at all. Good health is like a miracle after you’ve been sick. But back to frivolity — I love your third wish. All the books you ever want, immediately! Heaven
Snort, I’m sorry but I’m totally selfish and because I’m also lazy I’d like my too large arse to become a super skinny one hahaha no exercise for me, no siree, just click you fingers you hunky djinni and wish me thin!!!!!!!!!
Oooh looky here! I’ve discovered the “reply” button. *sigh* My tech skills are abysmal.
Cath — your comment made me think of hauling out an old pair of jeans and saying to the djinni. “See these, I want to fit into them again!” A nice dream. Meantime it’s Sunday, hot and I’m buying a tub of ice cream — because I can!
Best wishes for a fabulous release day, Jenny! I love your cover; it’s very attractive and the story sounds like a lot of fun!
I love the emergence of more and more Aussie romance writers setting their stories here in Oz.
I would just wish for more time to write, although I’d definitely go for the one where you lose weight while on the computer!
Thanks for the good wishes, Annabeth
There are so many great Aussie writers and like you I’m really pleased when they set stories here. I joined Romance Writers of Australia this year and what blew me away was not only how many of us there are, but how welcoming, supportive and downright amazing they are. Readers and writers form the warmest, wittiest communities. Actually, we could use ARRA as proof!
To Annabeth Carew,
We received a parcel (books) from U.S.A today, it address to “Annabeth Carew”. Please contact us if you think this is yours.
Best Regards,
gpclarke@gmail.com
Hi Jenny,
Your book looks like it is a lot of fun, and the story is interesting.
I enjoy books written in Australia as it is the best place in the world to live (I’m biased!!!). I’ve been lucky to be able to travel a lot, so can speak from experience! Best of luck with your book.
Nothing wrong with bias — especially when it’s one I share! I love Aus, can’t imagine living anywhere else. Writing about it is sheer joy
Hi Jenny
Your book sounds good ….I have never read a book about djinni’s and to be set in Aus is is even better…. I think Australia is a great country and I can say that as I emigrated here from the UK and I love living here … the life style is so good….
Barbara
Barbara, I look at the current snow reports in Britain and am thankful all over again that I live in Aus. A white Christmas? So what. We have seafood, salads, sun, surf and Santa-in-shorts!
Christine, just wanted to say congrats on winning a copy of “Angel Thief”. I hope you enjoy the read