Down Under

Red Dirt Duchess by Louise Reynolds

“When English society playboy Jonathan Hartley-Huntley is sent to outback Australia after a disastrous affair with his editor, all he wants is to take a few pictures, do a quick interview and get back to his usual life of luxury as soon as possible. Until he meets his host, the irresistible Charlie Hughes, and suddenly the back of beyond is a lot more appealing.

Running the pub is a labour of love for Charlie and she has no desire to ever leave the tiny town of Bindundilly. That is, until Jon discovers an old painting that raises questions about both their lives. Charlie impulsively decides to follow him to London, and as the feelings between them begin to deepen, she starts to wonder if there’s more to life than the pub. But at Jon’s family home, the magnificent Hartley Hall, they become acutely aware of the differences between them, and it soon seems clear they have no future together – especially if Jon’s mother has her way.

Family and tradition threaten the course of true love in this warm and witty novel from the author of Outback Bride and Her Italian Aristocrat.”

Red dirt duchess is a contemporary heart warming tale set in the outback town of Bindundilly and London. This is an exciting tale full of family mystery and romance.

Louise Reynolds’ gorgeous writing brings the outback to life in stunning colours. She also highlighted country life and the daily running of an Australian pub, which I found fascinating.

Charlie  follows Jon back to London and well no spoilers….

I simply adored “Red dirt duchess” and I will be reading more from Louise Reynolds.

Breaking the Drought by Lisa Ireland

“When a smooth-talking, sophisticated city girl comes striding into town on her stiletto heels, he’s the last person who wants to notice…

When Jenna McLean gets roped into attending a matchmaking ball in a small country town, she holds no illusions of meeting the man of her dreams.  A no-nonsense magazine editor, Jenna doesn’t believe in leaving love to chance, which is why she’s developed Marriage Material – a fool-proof framework for husband hunting. Shearers and farmhands need not apply.

Sheep grazier Luke Tanner has met women like Jenna before, and knows not to waste his time. With the drought dragging on and bushfire season around the corner, the last thing he needs is a spoiled city girl like Jenna adding to his problems. He’ll help out with the ball because it’s good for the community, but he won’t dance, he won’t flirt, and he definitely won’t be matched.

It’s been a long dry season, but everyone knows when it rains, it pours.”

“Breaking the drought” is such a lovely read. It makes true the saying “opposites attract”. Jenna is the typical city girl and Luke is the country boy; and they sure do clash.

While researching “marriage material” Jenna goes to a country match making dance to see if there is some sort of formula to the matches.

At the start, Luke and Jenna have a love/hate thing going on but the hot Australian sun soon heats things up.

Luke is a troubled character, and Lisa Ireland portrays him with such warmth and soul – making him truly irresistible.

Breaking the drought is a wonderful heart warming romance that will leave you with a warm feeling and a smile on your face.

 

Prime Deception by Carys Jones

“John Quinn, an investigative journalist on England’s biggest-selling and most notorious tabloid newspaper, is about to write the story of his life – a kiss-and-tell with one of the country’s most powerful men at its heart. But the story dies when Lorna Thomas, the kiss in his kiss-and-tell, kills herself on a quiet country road.

Unable to accept her twin’s suicide, Laurie Thomas follows in her sister’s footsteps to London and to the heart of government. And as she becomes more involved in Lorna’s world, she grows more convinced than ever that Lorna did not take her own life. But if Lorna didn’t kill herself, who did?”

“Prime deception” is an enthralling fast paced read that is impossible to put down.

This thriller is beautiful written with some of the best fleshed out characters I have ever read.

Prime deception has so much emotional depth, that the story is layered with Laura’s grief, loss and her inability to believe her twin committed suicide. Firmly believing that Lorna was murdered, Laura sets out on mysterious road to find the answers.

“Prime deception” is a great unforgettable read. I highly recommend.

 

What love sounds like by Alissa Callen

“Outback speech pathologist, Mia Windsor, believes her morning from hell is over. Then suited-up, city-boy Kade Reid strides into her office and announces he and his wide-eyed niece are the clients that she will be living with for the fortnight.

Kade Reid adheres to a single edict — money is as important as breathing. But when he becomes an instant father to four-year-old Tilly, he escapes to the only place he was allowed to be a child…the family property of Berrilea.

As Mia and Kade work together to help Tilly overcome her speech delay, can they face their fears in order to give Tilly the family she so desperately needs?”

“What love sounds like” is such a heart warming read; Super charged with emotion. I was instantly charmed by Kade, Mia and Tilly, but most of all with Berrilea.

Alissa Callen brings the outback to life with her gorgeous descriptions of country life. As, well as stunning locations – Alissa Callen brings an unusual story to life with such love and tenderness.

“What sounds like love is a beautiful refreshing read that I highly recommend.

Tracks of the heart by Heather Garside

Three short stories of rural romance that will take you on journeys of heartbreak, terror and a woman’s tentative struggles to reclaim her identity.

Playing With Fire
Lisa is forced to revisit a tortured love affair when she recognises her companions on an outback train journey – an ill-fated family from her past.

Bushwhacked
Brittany’s quest for adventure on an isolated cattle station goes horribly wrong when she and Scott, the head stockman, are abducted on a lonely county road.

Coming Home
Kirsty leaves a destructive marriage to return to her parent’s cattle station, but has to contend with her father’s new manager – the boyfriend she deserted years before in favour of the city.

Tracks of the heart is three splendid outback stories packed into one small package.

Although the book only runs to forty-four approximate pages- it sure does pack a punch.

Lost love, abduction and facing the past are some of the themes of the stories and each one is emotionally charged.

Tracks of the heart is the perfect coffee break read and it will not disappoint.

 

Down Under Resources:

NEW- EPISODE 9

What’s hot on Steamy puddings this week: Book Review: How not caring got me a book deal – by Lisa Joy

The Naughty Ninjas: August 8 is… International Orgasm Day

Hearts ‘N Wined: It’s not really a blog, it’s a Facebook page but I absolutely love this page devoted to Western Australian writers. It’s a showcase of the best romance, erotica and chick lit writers in WA and there’s a whole lot of wonderful photographs and competitions.

Here is a video from Destiny Romance featuring the very talented Sasha Cottman

Hidden Gem Author Spotlight: Darry Frazer

Anything for love by Darry Fraser

“Tilla is the managing director of a temping staff agency who finds herself enmeshed in Kent Taylor’s business world, which includes an IT takeover. When she decides to work in his office as one of his temporary staff members they clash, so she keeps her identity to herself. When they both decide to take a break from their crazy business lives, they have no clue it’s at the same place, in the same house and at the same time, on the isolated north west coast of rugged Australis Island

She tells herself she can’t bear to be near him one moment longer … until they find a way to be together. But when he has to suddenly leave their hideaway and doesn’t give her a backward glance, she realises she shouldn’t have done just anything for love.”

Tilla and Kent almost seem destined to be together, fate continuously throws them together at the most unusual times. There is a lot of sexual tension, as they continue to outwardly deny their feelings for each other.

“Anything for love” is a steamy seductive romance that will make you swoon. Set in some of the most gorgeous locations, it is almost like a holiday in written form. Just the perfect book to warm you up on a cold night.

 

This forever game by Darry Fraser
“Meg Donovan, your life has passed you by… Then Jarrad Scott bursts on to the scene with a fire in his belly and a big love in his heart, and he just won’t go away. No big deal that you’re older – that’s not gonna stop him – but he’s got no kids … so what do you do if the clock’s ticking and it’s not your clock?

“This forever game” is an enchanting story with an age difference. So often it is the woman who is in her youth,  but this time it is Danny who the younger man.

This beautifully written novel explores the feminine side of love with all the emotions and apprehensions felt in a new relationship.

Meg’s passions were describes just as it would be in real life. I myself am in a relationship with a younger man and I recognize all the roller coaster of emotions. This book really touched a nerve and kudos to Danny Fraser for writing such a poignant novel.

This book should be dedicated to all those nay-sayers who use words like “cougar” and “toy boy”. “This forever game” is about true love that transcends age or expectation.  Bravo to Darry Fraser for writing such a wonderful sensual quick read.

 

 

 

 

Hidden Mortality by Maggie Munday

“In Bath in 1850 a witch is murdered in a ritual granting longevity to four men. What they are not aware of is that she has bestowed the same power to another called Seth to avenge her death.

Cara is a descendant of the witch and fills her days with food with her Irish-themed catering business. Her nights are another matter; they are full of erotic dreams of a mysterious lover, or nightmares with mutilated bodies. So this wasn’t the best time for her Nana to tell her she is coming into her power.

Of the original four immortals, Vincent is the only one left and to stop his own long life from fading he needs another witch to kill. Seth was meant to protect the witch’s descendants from a distance, but with Cara he can’t stay away. He has to make a choice to love Cara, or avenge the original death and possibly die himself. Cara has the fight of her life on when one man comes to kill her, and another to love her. ”

As I read this superb Urban Fantasy – I kept saying to myself, “Why haven’t I heard of this book before?” I have no idea because it was fantastic!

The premise of the book: “A witch being hunted by a serial killer that has plagued her family for hundreds of years”

“Hidden Mortality” is so original, it breathes new life into the genre. As well as witches, ghosts and immortals- there is mystery and romance.

This is a must read for any urban fantasy, supernatural/paranormal fan.