Amy had arrived from the Sunshine Coast to the small rural town of Matfield in Western Queensland to begin her new teaching career. But the principal Amy had arrived from the Sunshine Coast to the small rural town of Matfield in Western Queensland to begin her new teaching career. But the principal was a bully, determined the "new teacher" toe the line. When Amy needed to go to a funeral, inland from the town, to direct her school choir, the principal pointed her to a rarely used track and when she broke down with a flat tyre, she was desperate for someone to come along. Luckily for her, Angus and his Nana pulled up beside her, only having gone that way for Nana and Grandpa to reminisce.
As time moved forward, Amy decided teaching wasn't for her. Although the other teachers were kind, and the pupils mostly good, the gut-churning nausea she felt every day as she prepared for work told Amy she couldn't continue. Amy had built and continued her friendship with Angus, and when he asked her to join him in his journey around Australia, purely as mates, and in the VW Combi van he'd been preparing for his trip, it didn't take much for her decision to be made. But was it the answer? As they reached the crossroad, together they said "turn left"... and so they did...
Turn Left is the 3rd in the Outback Queensland Romance series by Aussie author Rhonda Forrest and is loosely connected to Two Heartbeats and Time Will Tell but can easily be read as a standalone. I really enjoy the author's writing, and this one is no exception. Amy and Angus are great characters, with their friendship becoming strong, and I enjoyed Angus' Nana's character as well as Amy's parents. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my uncorrected proof copy to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Photographer Rachel Quinn's Humvee was kitted out to be her home, with everything she needed when camping out, enabling her to get the photos she put Photographer Rachel Quinn's Humvee was kitted out to be her home, with everything she needed when camping out, enabling her to get the photos she put so much into. Her love of the outdoors and the bush saw her arrive at Coorah Creek where she booked into the pub for a few nights. Heading out to the National Park one morning she came across a man with a rifle up to his eye. When Quinn saw what he was about to do, she raced toward him, then down to the billabong, making as much noise as she could.
Ex-Iraqi war veteran, now Park Ranger, Dan Mitchell had left the army under a medical discharge, but the memories of what had happened out there wouldn't leave him. His continual nightmares made him glad he was alone in the wilderness that was the National Park, so it was a shock when the young woman appeared before him. At first he was angry with her, but soon it seemed they might be able to work together. And when horse breeder Justin Fraser and Carrie Bryant - ex jockey - joined Dan and Quinn in the plan, they wondered, was it possible there could be a good result?
The Wild One is the 2nd in the Coorah Creek series by Aussie author Janet Gover and once again I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Set in outback Australia where the countryside is vast and distances between neighbours, hours apart. Catching up with Adam and Jess from book #1 was great, but it was the friendliness of the townsfolk at the pub, and their willingness to help whenever needed, that felt so good. A heartwarming story, The Wild One is one I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Polly Martin had grown up without a mum, with only her dad to care for her. And she'd been happy, very happy, until her dad had remarried. Then he'd pPolly Martin had grown up without a mum, with only her dad to care for her. And she'd been happy, very happy, until her dad had remarried. Then he'd passed away, and his new wife wanted nothing to do with Polly. Polly worked in IT, able to work from her home in Melbourne, and when she decided she wanted to be a mum, she returned to country Wirralong where she'd grown up, to her best friend, Seth Ramsay, asking him to donate for the IVF procedure. Seth was shocked and angry. Polly returned to Melbourne, knowing she'd done the wrong thing.
One year after that fateful dinner, Seth went to Melbourne to find Polly. He was worried about her, wondered if she was happy. But when he discovered the business had folded and Polly lived in a rental - not a nice one - plus she was hugely pregnant, he instinctively invited Polly to Wirralong for the weekend, to get away from all the things that had gone wrong for her. Polly was excited about the invitation and happily joined Seth in the two hour trip into country Victoria. Neither Seth nor Polly had any idea that their lives and their futures were about to change dramatically...
His Best Friend's Baby is the 1st in the Outback Babies series by Aussie author Barbara Hannay and I enjoyed it very much. The author writes great characters, which is why Polly and Seth - best friends since school days - were perfect. The series is written by different authors and I've already read #3 by Fiona McArthur so need to get on to the others :) Recommended....more
Adelaide Brand and her husband Tyler were both retired and had settled into a rut. Adelaide decided to head to Lightning Ridge to investigate opal minAdelaide Brand and her husband Tyler were both retired and had settled into a rut. Adelaide decided to head to Lightning Ridge to investigate opal mining, sure she would love it, the challenge of it, and the ruggedness of the outback. Tyler was happy at home in Sydney and they stayed in contact. Riley, Adelaide and Tyler's daughter, had just given boyfriend Josh the break-up news and while he wasn't happy, Riley was. She took four weeks leave from her position as obstetrician and pediatrician, accepting a locum job in Lightning Ridge, where she hoped to find her mother and convince her to return to her dad.
The nine hour drive was a long one and Riley was tired when she arrived. But it wasn't long before she met the resident doctor, Dr Konrad Grey, and his receptionist Melinda. She also met one of the town's best characters - Desiree - and found where her mother was living. What followed in the four weeks was wonder, excitement, hope for patients who'd long given it up, the birth of a baby, and new and possible choices. The people of Lightning Ridge loved Riley and she found friendships she didn't expect to find.
The Opal Miner's Daughter is the latest offering by Aussie author Fiona McArthur and I loved it! Lightning Ridge is somewhere I've never been, but would love to go and the descriptions of the area was vivid and easy to envision. The notes at the end told how the author had been there, and it shone through. The characters were special, gentle and unsure Toby, damaged Melinda and the courage she gained. And of course Riley, Konrad and Adelaide. Plus the townsfolk - Desiree, Greta and many others. The Opal Miner's Daughter was a great read and one I recommend highly.
With thanks to Penguin Random House AU and the author for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
When Callie Young was humiliated on national television, although she was cheered for her actions, she quit her job and applied for a job as a nanny fWhen Callie Young was humiliated on national television, although she was cheered for her actions, she quit her job and applied for a job as a nanny far from Brisbane in the outback town of Augathella. Kilcoy Station was different from everything Callie had previously known – she was a complete city girl and wasn’t sure if she’d done the right thing. Meeting Braden and his three young sons, Rory, Nigel and Petie, she felt the three years she’d been working for the network fade away, and the teaching that was in her blood, return. Callie loved kids and these boys wouldn’t take long to take over her heart.
As the days turned into weeks, Braden and Callie rubbed along well, but the boys were her focus. When she and Braden sorted out the terms of her position, he also filled her in on the past. But Callie wasn’t sure if she could trust any man after what Greg had done to her…
Outback Roads: The Nanny is the 1st in The Augathella Girls series by Aussie author Annie Seaton and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Filled with excellent characters, the boys were adorable, the puppies and baby calf cute, and Callie’s naivety about the outback – while understandable – shook her. I’m looking forward to book 2 in the not-too-distant future. Highly recommended....more
After American tourist, Alice Trembath woke from the assault and mugging she’d received out in the Australian bush, she knew that without her phone – After American tourist, Alice Trembath woke from the assault and mugging she’d received out in the Australian bush, she knew that without her phone – or anything else for that matter – she needed to walk to the nearest town. But she wasn’t sure how far that was. She’d only been walking a short while in the hot sun when she heard a vehicle behind her. She was nervous about a repeat performance but the man with two small children was reassuring. It wasn’t long before Alice had accepted the position of Nanny to the two children in Tom Braydon’s care – his nieces.
Alice knew she wouldn’t be staying long on the cattle station and had told Tom from the start. It was a temporary measure until she had everything sorted after the mugging. It wasn’t long though before the sweet little girls had crept into her heart. Would Alice continue her travels around Australia seeing all the things she’d envisioned before she left her home in New York? Or would her heart decide for her?
A Nanny Called Alice is the 4th in the Outback Brides Return to Wirralong series by Aussie author Barbara Hannay and I quite enjoyed it. Sweet and heartwarming, it was a delightful way to pass a couple of hours. This series is written by a group of different authors and each can be read as a standalone. Recommended....more
Enticed by her good friend Lacey, Maeve McGill left Perth for Wirralong in NSW. With the position of midwife being available in the small clinic,4.5★s
Enticed by her good friend Lacey, Maeve McGill left Perth for Wirralong in NSW. With the position of midwife being available in the small clinic, and the farm she’d already put a deposit on, Maeve was ready for a new life with new friends. The first day of her new job saw her meet the new doctor who was filling in for a few months while the regular doctor took leave while his wife had their baby. Dr Jace Bronson was a kind and caring professional and his three-year-old daughter Jemima was a delight.
Jace and Maeve became friends but Jace had a tragedy in his past; one he had trouble letting go of. And Maeve – well she was determined her past would remain in the past. She didn’t want to fall for Jace, and he didn’t want to fall for Maeve. As time moved forward, patients were attended, pregnant mothers checked, babies born – life was good in Wirralong. But would it remain that way?
Maeve’s Baby is the 2nd in the Outback Brides Return to Wirralong series by Aussie author Fiona McArthur and it was a quick read which I found light, entertaining and very enjoyable. I’ve read a lot of Ms McArthur’s work and she never puts a foot wrong. Each of these stories can be read as standalones – this is my first in this part of the series. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author and Tule Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Jack Hargreaves had been mining opals at Lightning Ridge for years, not going home to the farm and his mother in Wirralong very often. The estrangemenJack Hargreaves had been mining opals at Lightning Ridge for years, not going home to the farm and his mother in Wirralong very often. The estrangement from his father and brother had been a long and intense one, but he was very close to his mum, ringing her when he had service. The day Jack drove into town to pick up supplies - when his phone pinged to let him know he had messages – was the day his heart shattered into pieces.
Driving to the small Victorian town that had once been home would take hours, but he wanted to be there; had to be there, for his mum’s funeral. But would he see his brother Jessy, or his father? He only knew he wanted to sort everything out as quickly as possible and head back to Lightning Ridge with his beloved dog Daisy.
Elsa O’Donoghue was Wirralong’s hair dresser. Her salon, Hair Affair was in the main street, and the red-haired beauty was a favourite with the locals. When Jack walked in, needing a haircut and shave before the funeral, Elsa couldn’t believe what she was seeing. A giant of a man, covered in hair. She liked the look of him. But with Jack’s past getting in the way, Jack knew he had to leave town as soon as he could…
Elsa’s Stand by Aussie author Cathryn Hein is the third in the Outback Brides series, all written by different authors. This is the only one I have read, so it’s fine as a standalone. Elsa is a perfect character, vibrant and bubbly, with great strength and determination while Jack has a massive chip on his shoulder. And I loved Daisy! I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful, feel good story which has sadness, humour and love blended throughout. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my copy to read and review. ...more
Olivia Murphy was heading over to a house in her suburb of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills, with the deposit she had saved to buy the classic Ducati moOlivia Murphy was heading over to a house in her suburb of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills, with the deposit she had saved to buy the classic Ducati motorbike which had once belonged to her brother, Luke. She was given first option on it when it went up for sale, and she was determined to have it. But as she was arriving at the house, a hot ute with an even hotter driver was also pulling up…in her haste to get there first, she fell, ending up on her backside with the contents of her handbag strewn around her, including the money in its plastic bag.
Owen Carson helped Liv to her feet, and even though his touch sent shivers through her (it was winter after all!) she shrugged him off, and headed up the path to the front door, money in hand. But when Owen was more than happy to pay the asking price, more than Liv could manage, she found herself without the papers saying she was the new owner. She was devastated, and rushed off, not wanted the two men to see her tears.
Liv’s Mum and Dad had gone away for this four day long weekend in June, and she was going to enjoy the house, empty, quiet and peaceful, without her mum’s pedantic presence and her dad’s bitterness. The past had been hard on the family, and this weekend Liv and Ben had wanted to ride their motorbikes to Mannum, for their goodbye ride to Liv’s beloved brother Luke.
With Liv’s dreams shattered, and her thoughts in turmoil over the deliciously handsome Owen, she was tentatively optimistic when he asked to see her that night. Would Liv be able to fulfil her promise to herself and go on the goodbye ride? And would Owen leave town in a matter of days?
I really enjoyed this novella by WA writer Lily Malone. The characters were warm and endearing, and I loved Liv. She had such strength of character and was determined to turn her life around; get rid of the baggage once and for all. Some of the areas mentioned; Hahndorf, Adelaide, Mannum and Mount Gambier, are all places I know, so I travelled with the characters all the way through the story. Highly recommended. ...more
The marriage of Emily Oliphant to John Stratten was known as a wonderful match. The Stratten name was synonymous with farming in the area, and John waThe marriage of Emily Oliphant to John Stratten was known as a wonderful match. The Stratten name was synonymous with farming in the area, and John was a very eligible bachelor. Emily was thrilled John had chosen her to be his bride. But within hours of leaving the reception, she realized she had made a terrible mistake!
Three years later, Emily’s beloved Gran died, leaving her grief stricken. The day before she died, she gave Emily a large jar filled with buttons. It was a treasured memento from her Gran’s younger days. When John decided to demolish the nearby cottage on their property just so Emily couldn’t turn it into a B&B, which had been her dream for some time, and then shot at her new companion, puppy Grace, just to scare her, she knew it was time to take a stand. Her ties to a man who was cruel, and showed no love whatsoever, just needing her there to serve him meals, which made her realize she was a glorified maid, were over! She needed the courage to walk away, and her new friend Barbara was her major support. Her bitter and disapproving mother, Enid, was only concerned about her own good name, so Emily had no support from her.
After staying with Barbara and her husband David for a few days, Emily was encouraged to move into an old, abandoned farmhouse. The owners, two elderly brothers, were happy for her to live there, and do it up, so with help from her dad Des, Barbara and David, she began turning the house into her home. Discovering much about her father she didn’t know, realizing he was not the brow-beaten man she had previously thought him to be, was a soothing side effect of all their hard work. Emily’s confidence had taken a beating, and puppy Grace was a loving friend who adored her mistress.
But Emily was feeling the effects of what she had done, and though she had done nothing wrong, those friends she thought she had, turned from her, humiliated her and made her doubt her decisions…..
I really enjoyed this book, the interaction between the characters, the love of the Australian bush, which I could ‘see’ in my mind’s eye, and throughout the story, I could feel Emily getting stronger, finding her independence and courage to keep going. I was stunned when the book finished, as it WASN’T finished!! It was then I remembered reading at the beginning of the book that this one is the first in ‘The Button Jar series’…..I can’t wait to read the next episode!
With thanks to NetGalley for this copy to read and review. ...more
When Tait Cavanaugh arrived on Banora Downs, Paige was at first astounded, then angry! She was trying to keep their drought ridden property on its feeWhen Tait Cavanaugh arrived on Banora Downs, Paige was at first astounded, then angry! She was trying to keep their drought ridden property on its feet, and she didn’t have time to babysit some city-boy who had come for a weekend of fun! She didn’t have the money or resources to let him have three showers a day either! And when Paige’s wheelchair bound father, Connor, said he’d agreed to Tait coming on a Bed & Breakfast arrangement, with Tait paying his way, she immediately told Tait that whatever price he had agreed to with her father, he could double it! He agreed immediately, much to Paige’s surprise.
Paige had major problems with trust, and with her having been hurt in the past by another city-boy, she decided she would just keep out of Tait's way for the two days of the weekend that he would be staying. But imagine her shock when he informed her he was not staying for two days, but two weeks! Tait had secrets he couldn’t tell Paige, and Connor also had a secret, which was causing him to feel a lot of guilt. Connor’s wife, Molly, had passed away a few years ago, and Connor was trying to do his best for Paige, but at what cost?
The electricity between Tait and Paige was immediate, but both of them, for reasons of their own, fought against it. Tait helped Paige around the property, as much as she would let him! And the whole while they were together, Tait was asking her questions… why was he so curious? Or was there more to him than met the eye? Was there a deeper, darker reason for his visit to Banora Downs? Paige couldn’t work him out!
This Australian rural romance was a light and entertaining read. I felt the storyline was similar to others I have read, but there was an element of mystery to it, and I definitely enjoyed it.
I received this ARC copy of Beneath Outback Skies from Random House Australia via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is 1st February 2013. ...more
The morning of disasters wasn’t over for Mia Windsor! Her air conditioning had died, her internet was no longer working, and her glass of water was ovThe morning of disasters wasn’t over for Mia Windsor! Her air conditioning had died, her internet was no longer working, and her glass of water was over herself and the paperwork on her desk! Then in walked stiff, uptight and arrogant Kade Reid, with little Tilly, shy, quiet and scared, and as a consequence of everything, Mia was totally unprepared for Kade’s announcement.
Mia was a speech pathologist working in the outback of Australia, and in mid-summer the heat was unbearable. So when she discovered her mentor in Sydney had told Kade she would be able to live on his family property, Berrilea, for two weeks to work with newly orphaned Tilly, she was horrified. But she was determined to do everything in her power to overcome her dislike of the officious Kade to help his delightful niece.
Tilly’s uncle appeared to be terrified of her, he seemed unable to show affection and when Tilly went to hug him, he stiffened uncomfortably. Mia could see she would need to work on Kade as well as Tilly, and force her way through his armour, and his mantra that money and work were everything in life.
Watching Mia working with Tilly through play, and slowly but surely having success was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was beautifully told, the characters were extremely likeable, (even Kade) and the outcome delightful.
This is the second book I have read by Aussie author Alissa Callen, and I highly recommend her as an author to follow. ...more