Return to Warrapinya

 Return to Warrapinya

Heads or Hearts #2

Barbara Hannay



Reviewed by Helen


This is such a beautiful romance written in true Barbara Hannay style, filled with emotion and so much love, they were bought together by destiny when they first met in Times Square New York, a whirlwind romance, a marriage and a move across the world to the Australian outback but life changed and Cara left Luke taking their son with her.

Now five years later Cara and six year old Joey have returned to Australia so as Joey can spend two months with his father getting to know him while she has a holiday, Cara is shocked that the spark that ran through her all those years ago is still there, Luke is still as handsome as ever and there are so many memories running through her, how on earth will this all pan out she is sure to find out soon when she rushes to Warrapinya.

Lots of things have changed for Luke in these years and he is thrilled to be getting to know his son and take him the Warrapinya and Joey is loving being here, when Cara arrives the tension is there but he still feels the same as he did all of those years ago, is there any chance that they can make a go of it a second time?

Can the city girl let go of Manhattan, can they both make compromises so as they can be together, so much has changed in five years and Joey plays a big part in that but neither can deny what they feel for each other for long. This really is a wonderful story, I loved it and it is one that I would highly recommend to any romance reader, it is sure to leave you smiling.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars
April 2, 2024 by BHA

Second Chance at the Crossing

 Second Chance at the Crossing

With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing #9

Fiona M. Marsden



Reviewed by Helen


Another trip to Kurrajong Crossing and another fabulous story, this one filled with emotional bumps, there were tears from me and lots of smiles as well and let’s see if Connor O’Brien and Daisy Litton can get a second chance at love and happiness.

Connor and Daisy both knew that there was something between them on their first meeting both had issues from their past but moved forward and found themselves living together and enjoying life that is until everything changed and Daisy moved away, maybe they should have opened up to each other more and not held their secrets so close?

Five years on and Daisy is back in Kurrajong Crossing looking to a new future and she is determined to not get close to Connor again, Connor still feels so bad about what happened and he is determined to help Daisy as much as he can, even though he knows how independent she likes to be, but it soon becomes clear that their feelings are still there in a big way when an encounter see them in the same place they were five years ago, how will things turn out this time, will it help them open up to each other or will it push them apart again?

I loved this one from start to finish, Connor is so caring but vulnerable as well and Daisy wow she is so determined to be independent that is does cause a few issues, but you can feel their love through the words if only they can. Of course being in the Crossing and catching up with friends is so good and the support of family is strong in this one.

I do highly recommend this one and the series, they are truly wonderful stories of love and romance and fabulous characters, it is so good to visit and I am really looking forward to book ten.

My thanks to the Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars
March 28, 2024 by Tule Publishing

Outback Princess

 Outback Princess

One Year to Wed #1

Ally Blake




Reviewed by Helen


I loved this one so much, what a gorgeous story, it had me turning the pages and smiling as I got to know Tilly and Henri, such a fairy tale romance and one that I do highly recommend.

Matilda Waverly has just sat through the reading of her father’s will and was totally shocked at the outcome, for her and her sisters to claim their inheritance they must all marry in a year, Tilly is already married but first she must travel to Europe and find her husband, you see she hasn’t heard from him since their marriage. It is not easy trying to find her husband but by chance in a beautiful French town she finds him but is even more shocked when she discovers the her Henri is a sovereign prince.

Henri is stunned when he spots the woman he spent such a wonderful time with all those years ago, yes secrets were kept but he had never been happier and then just like that she was gone a short note and he has not her from her since and things have changed dramatically for him now but he cannot deny the spark is still there.

Tilly is shocked to discover who Henri is but she soon tells Henri why she is here, will he be able to help her, for Henri he has big decisions to make but above all else he feels that Tilly is the person he wants and needs in his life. They have a long way to go and a few hills to climb first, a trip down under for Henri and hearts are beating fast as they realise that they have never stopped loving each other.

A beautiful emotional, moving and sensual story, a must read for any romance reader, and I can’t wait for books three and four in the series.

5 stars

March 20, 2024 by Mills & Boon Forever



Reluctant Bride's Baby Bombshell

 Reluctant Bride's Baby Bombshell

One Year to Wed #2

Rachael Stewart



Reviewed by Helen


Yes I have read book two first but not a problem at all because I loved it so much, awesome characters, fabulous setting and Rachael Stewart’s special way with her characters had me falling into this one, when we meet sassy, strong Eve and hunky tattooed Nate as they journey to a HEA that has lots of ups and downs.

Eve ran from her home of Garrison Downs a huge cattle station in the Aussie outback many years ago and has only returned for her mother’s funeral and now her father has passed and she has zoomed in from her PR office in London for the reading of the will and what a shock that was, with a stipulation on the will that is arcane and so old and Eve is determined to do what she can to change it to help her sisters. A trip home to Marnie and meeting a gorgeous tattooed biker her first night and a night of passion and excitement and Eve’s life changes forever.

Nate grew up in Marnie the son of the local lawyer, he too became a lawyer but moved away as soon as he could and worked hard but it appears that it is time now to move back home and take over his father’s practice, Nate and his father do not have a good relationship and Nate is determined that he will one day find love and settle and spend more time with his family than his father ever did. When he meets a beautiful woman at the pub the spark between them is way too hard to ignore and what a night it was, but there will be consequences.

Eve is never falling in love and marrying especially because of the will, but when she goes to see her father’s lawyer to do what she can she is stunned to find her lawyer is Nate the man she spent a glorious night with, and Nate is also shocked he does not normally sleep with his clients. But when Nate arrives at Garrison Downs and offers to help with the muster and they learn that a baby is on the way then Nate wants to marry but Eve is not so sure, will Nate be able to help Eve get over her past and see that love is what they both have in abundance to share?

This is a beautifully written story, filled with emotion, passion and so much more, I do highly recommend it and I am reading book one now  This one is sure to leave any romance reader smiling, thank you MS Stewart for another keeper.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars
April 23, 2024 by Harlequin Romance

The Grazier's Son

 The Grazier's Son

Cathryn Hein



Reviewed by Helen


I have been waiting for a new Cathryn Hein story for a while and this one was worth the wait, OMG it is brilliant, this is one of the best rural romances that I have read with awesome character and it has mystery and a some danger added in to make it a must read, a page turner and one not to be missed.

When helicopter pilot Stirling Hawley is left a property, Westwind in the small town of Grassmoor in country Victoria by the father he knew of but had never met he is recovering from an accident, but is keen to discover his inheritance, what he doesn’t expect is the towns attitude towards him, they hate him, but he is determined to explore his new property.

After arriving an accident sees him in a bit of trouble the last thing he expects is to be saved by a beautiful woman, dressed in a gorgeous vintage dress which helps save him she introduces herself as Darcy Sloane, vintage designer, neighbour and now thoroughly invested in his care.

Stirling soon learns that Darcy is true to her word and makes visits to the hospital and is there to help, and soon they are good friends, Stirling learns a lot about the town, Westwind and his father from Darcy and starts to look into the reasons for his father Dougal Kildare’s death and the case of fraud against him, wondering what has happened to the money that has gone missing.

But with his investigation uncovering secrets from the past danger starts builds, is he getting close to discovering the truth, will the people he loves be threatened? He and Darcy are growing closer and their love is growing by the day and he must protect her at all costs.

This is an absolutely brilliant story I loved it from the start, it is sensual, moving and filled with emotion. Stirling is an awesome hero he has been through so much he deserves love and happiness and sassy, strong and beautiful Darcy is just the right person for him, add in the other fabulous characters Lissette, Toby, Gavin and Shiloh and this is a story that is not to be missed. The fashions the epilogue are the best. Thank you MS Hein for another keeper, woohoo this one left me smiling.

My thanks to the publisher Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.

5 stars
April 3, 2024 by HQ Fiction

Buried In Between

 Buried In Between

A Bellethorpe Novel

Leanne Lovegrove



Reviewed by Helen


I do love this town of Bellethorpe and am very happy to be back, this story pulled me in Leanne Lovegrove filled the pages with emotion and so much feeling and I felt it all, I loved Ava, her strength and courage to do what she did and Noah wow things from the past had hurt him but maybe Ava will help him mend.

Ava has taken a big step in her life for herself and her son, she must get them away from a controlling marriage for their safety and she is hoping that the town she lived in till she was thirteen will be the place. She buys a beautiful old home that needs renovations so a builder is needed but her first meeting with local builder Noah does not go well, will she be able to get him to do her renovations?

Noah has been hurt by his wife leaving and taking their daughter with her back to the city, the country is the best place to live as far as Noah is concerned and when someone has bought the house of his dreams life seems to get worse for Noah, but needs must and Noah agrees to doing the renovations for the new neighbour, Ava.

Ava and Noah have a pull between them that is so strong but with all that they have in their pasts things are strained at times, safety is a big issue with Ava and Noah is doing all he can to have his daughter back in the town he loves, but when a huge significant historical find is discovered on Ava’s land this could change everything for both of them.

This is a page turner at its best, will Ava and Noah find the love and happiness that they both really deserve, will Ava and her son stay safe and how will things work out with Noah and his worries, you really need to pick this one up MS Lovegrove has taken issues that happen all the time and handled them so well with care and empathy, I do highly recommend this one, it is a beautiful story with lots of excitement and emotion.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars
March 22, 2024

The Secret of Their Billion-Dollar Baby

 The Secret of Their Billion-Dollar baby

Bound by a Surrogate Baby #2

Dani Collins



Reviewed by Helen


Book two in this wonderful series and from the first meeting of Alexandra (Sasha) and Rafael you just know that this one is going to sizzle with sensuality and emotions, two people who had so much in their pasts, can they get over it all to find love and happiness?

Marrying Rafael for Sasha was to escape her step-father and mother’s control over her, love was never in the plan this was a marriage to help them both and of course the sizzle between them was such an added bonus, but Sasha would love to have a baby but that was not going the way she planned, so when someone from Sasha’s past walks into her life and offers to be surrogate, they accept.

Rafael is happy for them to have a baby using a surrogate but for some reason he is suspicious of the way Sasha and Molly connect, and when a business deal is not going the way he planned and Sasha makes an announcement that shocks him, the connection between them seems to be pulling them apart, then an accident causes even more problems.

Will this child bring them together or tear them apart, can the walls around Rafael’s heart be broken down and will they find the love they truly deserve? So many secrets to be spoken about first I think.

I loved this one, such wonderful characters and the settings are gorgeous and the emotion and sensuality are so strong throughout the story, I do highly recommend this one to any romance reader you are sure to be turning the pages and left smiling. Another keeper from Dani Collins

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars
March 28, 2024 by Mills & Boon Modern

Retreat into Paradise

 Retreat into Paradise

Louisa Valentine



Reviewed by Helen


This is Louisa Valentines first book and it is such a great story, a lovely rural romance not only are there fabulous characters I also learnt a lot about raising cattle, set on a farm just outside of Melbourne, I loved getting to know Hannah and Philip and I am sure any reader will as well.

Hannah Stockton is a writer of history and loves the research that goes with it, but after a rough time with her ex it is time for Hannah to find a place to chill, write and escape the city. When she finds an advertisement for a live-in caretaker on a small farm this sounds like just the thing, there are light duties which Hannah is sure she can handle.

Philip Boulton is a banker in the city during the week but on weekends he escapes to his farm and his small herd of cattle and he loves it, he has a very friendly neighbour, Pat who has taught him a lot about his cattle but he needs a caretaker here during the week and when he is off on work trips, he has had a couple of applications but they didn’t seem right that is until the lovely Hannah arrived and he knew she was the one for the job.

There is a spark from their first meeting but both are determined to ignore it, Hannah is sure that there is something going on between him and over friendly neighbour Pat and Philip is wary because of the research Hannah does into families but spending time together with Philip teaching Hannah about the cows they soon realise that they can no longer ignore that spark, but they must first open up about their pasts and any secrets.

This is a lovely story, well written and I loved seeing Philip and Hannah break down the walls and open their hearts to each other, there are a few ups and downs along the way first but lots of happy smiles from this reader. I do highly recommend this one to any lover of rural romance.

4 stars
Published February 1, 2021

Sworn to Lead

 Sworn to Lead

Sworn Navy SEALs #1

Charlee James



Reviewed by Helen


I absolutely loved this story, it is written with caring and lots emotion as we get to know navy seal Neo “Ransom” Godfrey and Brynn Yarrow add to that young Jacob Godfrey and a band of Seal brothers and this one is a page turner at its best.

Ransom has been a Navy Seal for many years now and the only family he has is his Seal brothers but then everything is turned upside down when he is told that his estranged mother is dead and that he has a thirteen year old brother, who has cerebral palsy is non-verbal and in a wheel chair, his mind spins, firstly who is caring for him and where is he?

Bryn has been Jacob’s nurse for five years now and she loves him like a son so when his own mother runs of leaving Brynn with Jacob and nothing else Brynn steps up and finds a place to stay and cares for him as she usually does with love and care. So when a stranger comes knocking on her door she will do anything to protect Jacob but it appears that this handsome man is Jacob’s brother, Brynn knows what brothers can be like can she trust him?

Brynn has been through so much in her life and trust is hard for her, Neo’s childhood was not a good one and he comes across as hard and tough but finding a brother and spending time with Brynn is breaking down the walls he has built around his heart, they are opening up to each other and the sparks are flying between them. When danger follows them to a new state Neo and his brothers will do anything to save Brynn.

This is a beautiful story, with such awesome characters, I loved it so much, it is beautifully written and one that I do highly recommend, I can’t wait for book two in the series.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars
March 12, 2024 by Tule Publishing

A Stanger in Featherwood Falls

 A Stranger in Featherwood Fall

Featherwood Falls #1

Heather Reyburn



Reviewed by Helen


I started this series on book four and am now catching up, because I loved that one so much, and this one is just as good, a fabulous story that had me engaging with the characters and feeling very welcome in Featherwood Falls.

Ginny Shepherd lost her husband suddenly in an accident on their huge sheep and cattle property, she misses him very much and with the pandemic and her two daughters not at home, Ginny is determined to carry on running the property as always, Ginny had lots of questions regarding her husband’s death but none that were answered, with her brother-in-law and a neighbour putting the pressure on Ginny to sell to them Ginny digs her heals in but when a number of strange occurrences start happening, one that put her life in danger the police are called in.

Kirk finds something from his childhood that takes him on a journey up to Queensland’s Granit Belt a long way from his home in the Snowy Mountains of NSW, he is a builder and is sure to pick up work, he arrives in Featherwood Falls as a stranger but soon has picked up some work on Featherwood Station and he and Ginny are getting along well but with the things that are happening there are some people who are pointing the finger at the stranger in town.

This is a wonderful story that has a little of everything in it, mystery, intrigue and some romance as Ginny and Kirk get to know each other, Kirk is determined to ensure that Ginny remains safe until the police can get to the bottom of who is trying to scare or hurt Ginny, will Ginny get answers about the past and will Kirk uncover what his grandfather had found all those years ago?

I do highly recommend this one, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and look forward to more in the series.

5 stars
July 22, 2022 by Heather Reyburn