Boardrooms & a Billionaire Heir by Paula Roe
SYDNEY’S SCENE
Scandals and secrets have racked the Blackstone dynasty for decades, starting with their longtime feud with the Hammonds, and continuing with the oft- times off-colour shenanigans of the Blackstone brood. But nothing the privileged clan has done rivals the latest news from the Australian “royal family.” None other than shark-like corporate raider Jake Vance has been seen taking up space in the company’s Pitt Street offices. What’s a street-smart, self-made billionaire doing among the hallowed halls of old money?
Takeover rumours are not the only ones on the street. Australia’s hottest “bad boy” has been seen over the years with gorgeous models and millionaire heiresses. But now he’s been spotted with his secretary, a small- town innocent named Holly McLeod. Someone ought to tell Ms McLeod – and the Blackstones, for that matter – what many a woman already knows: Jake Vance may kiss like an angel, but getting involved with him is like making a deal with the devil. Then again, no devil has ever looked as good as Jake Vance…
Jealousy & a Jewelled Proposition by Yvonne Lindsay
SYDNEY SCENE
To the Blackstones and Hammonds, secrets are a part of life. But none as profound as the one that rocked Australia when the firstborn Blackstone, kidnapped three decades ago and assumed dead, was resurrected and assumed the throne of the Blackstone diamond empire. Rival family leader Matt Hammond was apparently none too pleased at the gala reception, and vowed revenge.
Mysterious stock trading and clandestine deals have led the Pitt Street moguls to declare Blackstone’s ripe for takeover. All eyes are on Matt Hammond. New Zealand paparazzi have caught the Hammond billionaire wheeling and dealing – and romancing none other than his son’s sweet-as-spun-sugar nanny, identified as Rachel Kincaid. Looks like the caregiver is giving Hammond more than some child-rearing advice in the back of that limo!
Despite whatever’s going on in the Hammond household, those in the know are predicting a blowup to the decades-old feud between the Hammonds and the Blackstones. When it does combust, there’s no telling who’ll remain standing as the first family of fine jewels.
Boardrooms & a Billionaire Heir
PAULA ROE
Jealousy & a Jewelled Proposition
YVONNE LINDSAY
BOARDROOMS & A BILLIONAIRE HEIR
by
Paula Roe
PAULA ROE
Despite wanting to be a vet, choreographer, hairdresser, card shark and an interior designer (though not all at once!) Paula ended up as a personal assistant, office manager, aerobics instructor and software trainer for thirteen years (which also funded her extensive travel through the US and Europe). Today she still retains a deep love of filing systems, stationery and travelling, although the latter is only in her dreams these days.
Paula lives near western Sydney’s glorious Blue Mountains with her family, an ancient black cat and a garden full of rainbow lorikeets and magpies. You can visit her at www.paularoe.com.
Dear Reader,
I’m very excited about this, my second book. It germinated back in 2006 while I was still floating on my first sale high. My favourite kiwi, Yvonne Lindsay, e-mailed me to ask if I’d like to join an author-led Down Under continuity. “You can say no if you want to,” she added. Of course, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with a bunch of my favourite writers! Since then we’ve burned up the internet waves, with e-mails flying back and forth over the Pacific, brainstorming, plot-storming, character-storming, making sure our themes didn’t clash, ensuring the timelines and backstory meshed. What a job!
I was particularly thrilled everyone loved my idea for the missing heir, and the mystery of the missing Blackstone baby is accompanied by a favourite theme of mine – office romance. There’s something extremely forbidden about the whole scenario, don’t you think? Throw into that the politics, sexual tension and inevitable gossip, and you have the makings of a potential disaster.
Again, I’ve set the story in a place familiar to me, the heart of Sydney’s central business district, where I worked for many years. You may even recognise some places! The one artistic licence I did take was removing the Sydney Hilton on George Street to make way for the Blackstone’s Head Office. Ahh, the things we can do with fiction! If you want to read more about this book and the DIAMONDS DOWN UNDER series, go to www.diamonds-downunder.com. And as always, I’d love to hear from you at www. paularoe.com.
Love, Paula
A big hug and smoochy kiss to the Down Under Desireables for your support, hand-holding and encouragement: Bron, Tessa, Maxine, Yvonne and Jan. To Linley, my personal GMC wizard and finder-of-weak-spots. To MJ, who gave me such insightful suggestions and made my writing that much better. And my deep thanks to Andrew Burden of Canberra’s Aviation Search and Rescue Centre who let me pick his brains about plane crashes and rescues in order to get everything just right.
One
Wealth and power hung in the expansive boardroom, permeating every cherrywood panel, every thread of the tightly woven carpet underfoot.
The huge panoramic windows played right into that powerful aura, offering an unobstructed view of Sydney’s CBD to the right, the curved dome of the historical Queen Victoria Building to the left. Subtle track lights highlighted the boardroom table where one woman and three men were rising to their feet. Jake Vance recognised each in turn: Kimberley Perrini; her husband, Ric, and current CEO of Blackstone Diamonds; Ryan Blackstone, Chief Financial Officer; and Garth Buick, the company secretary.
Jake had stood in the same spot days ago.
At that time, the room had been tense with stunned denial after his little bombshell. Despite that, it was too good a coincidence for Kimberley to pass up; he’d seen the burning curiosity in her shaken expression. Now, judging by the shell-shocked looks, they obviously had their proof.
Finding out your previously dead brother was very much alive was a life-changing event, even if that bit of gossip had been press fodder for months. But when that brother stood to gain a substantial chunk of the Blackstone fortune…
He swallowed bitterly. This wasn’t in his ten-year plan. Making his first million, breaking into the U.S. market, giving back to his mother’s favourite causes, yes. Even, eventually, a wife and kids. But not this. Not becoming Australia’s walking, talking answer to the freakin’ Lindbergh baby.
“James…Jake?” Kimberley Perrini said tentatively, obviously confused about how to proceed. He gave a curt nod and remained silent as she settled for sitting at the table. He noticed her crisp business suit, the efficient pulled-back hair, the air of sophistication and privilege radiating out as if she’d been born into it.
He shoved the uncharacteristic bitterness away and instead focused on his game plan—detecting weakness.
It was awkward, this first face-to-face meeting with his sister. His sister, for God’s sake. He ignored the deeper implication and completed his study. The similarities between Kimberley