Emerald Secrets

 Emerald Secrets

Saltwater Romance #2

Rhonda Forrest

Reviewed by Helen

Another beautiful story in this series, this one set in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and Ireland two totally different climates and one Aussie hero and an Irish heroine, come along and get to know them and see how they get to a gorgeous HEA with a few ups and downs along the way, I am sure you will love it as much as I did.

Lachie, grew up on Stradbroke Island with his loving parents, who we met in the first book with his siblings his life is filled with love, surf, fishing the best life, he is now living on Emerald Island in the Whitsundays an island the family owns it is a holiday resort and he loves his work and life, he likes thing to run smoothly and easily, but when an Irish backpacker arrives on the island for work, Lachie feels himself falling for this beautiful woman, has he found love?

Kat also comes from a loving family in Galway, Ireland she has a very close relationship with her Granny and is encouraged by her to travel, to visit Australia, off she goes with a ring and hopes for a fabulous trip that is if she can stay away from some of Australia’s scary animals and insects and the burning sun. Arriving on Emerald Island she starts working in the bars and kitchens and cleaning, always willing to work but then she meets the boss Lachie and there is an instant attraction but an overheard conversation and a couple of cousins arriving put a spanner in the works and Kat is shocked that Lachie has trust issues.

Will they work things out between them, the love is there but these are two different people, and trusting is not always easy but time spent away makes the heart grow fonder they say and when Kat goes home, to Ireland will Lachie follow?

I loved this one so much and cannot highly recommend it, a beautifully told story of love, caring trust it had me turning the pages, smiling cheering them on, I felt every emotion that they went through and the settings are just gorgeous, I loved my trip to both parts of the world, so many fabulous characters that added to the story and catching up with Evie and Chris was fabulous, a must read, thank you Rhonda for another awesome tory I look forward to more in this series.

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

5 stars

Expected publication October 12 2024 

Christmas with the Texas Cowboy

 Christmas with the Texas Cowboy

The Texas Wolf Brothers #4

Sinclair Jayne

Reviewed by Helen

This is the first book in this series that I have read, but it is also linked to the Coyote Cowboy’s series which I read and loved, So Wolf Conte, Special Forces Soldier has returned home to Texas to complete something that a lost mate has told him he should do and that is to check out his biological half-brothers, he doesn’t want anything but he needs to finally do this, but what he discovers will change his life and ensure that he makes changes in his life.

Wolf arrives in town just before Christmas and the first person he sees is Taya Youngblood the woman he walked away from two years ago but he immediately steps in to help her when she is being accosted by a drunk, his need to protect will always be there, but when she picks up a young boy who has the same eyes as he does his heart starts jumping.

Taya was a barrel racer and has known Wolf since they were in school but their lives took them in different directions but catching up whenever they could was always good, until Taya decide that she wanted a life, a husband and children and she knew that Wolf would never be able to give her that with his job, so they parted but then she found out she was pregnant and now she would always have a bit of Wolf with his son Jackson, but seeing him standing there after two years and her heart is jumping.

This is a beautiful story, a second chance romance will they find their way to a HEA find the love and happiness they both deserve, will Wolf actually meet his half-brothers and how will that workout? This is one that I do recommend filled with emotion and a sensual romance, with wonderful characters and if you love Christmas stories like I do then read this one.

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

4 stars

October 16, 2024 by Tule Publishing

A Country Farm Christmas

 A Country Darm Christmas

Pamela Cook, Penelope Janu, Lily Malone, Stella Quinn

Reviewed by Helen

The Christmas Contract
Pamela Cook

Bridie is running a small farm hoping to get an organic tick, she has a five year old son Finn, life hasn’t been easy since she kicked her partner out and with pressure from her father to ensure everything is up and going by Christmas, Bridie is under the pump, When she meets her neighbour’s on the road, Uteman aka Rhys Tucker and soon he is offering her something that might just work in her favour if she can let go of her independence, but with the chemistry sparking between them life might just move forward in a very nice way.

A thoroughly good read filled with emotion and wonderful characters.

A Fairytale Christmas
Penelope Janu

I am a lover of fairy tales and Penelope Janu’s stories and this one is just so good, come along and meet city lawyer Juliette and farmer and landscape designer Beau not a good start to their first meeting and some bartering for Juliette to stay in Beau’s small cabin, when Juliette steps in to help the town they are soon working together and their hearts are growing but will they make it to a HEA?

I loved this one two strong characters who were made for each other.

The Christmas Kindness Project
Lily Malone

We are back in one of my favourite towns Chalk Hill and after the breakup of her marriage Rosie has moved back to her childhood town and is starting work in the Real Estate office her father used to own, she has been nominated to represent her employer in the town’s annual project she is not sure how this will go but she will give it a shot. When Rosie meets Fletcher real estate valuer, she feels something that she has not felt for a long time, not looking for another love this shocks her but soon things are warming up for them both.

I loved my trip back to Chalk Hill and I loved Rosie and Fletcher’s story, heartwarming and fabulous.

Christmas at Yindi Creek
Stella Quinn

Paramedic, Angela has lost one of her late mother’s opal earrings and is desperate to replace is as there is a ritual that her and her twin sister follow each Christmas day and she decides that a trip to Yindi Creek were they were bought many years ago is necessary but the opal dealers are closed, going to the pub she finds herself crying on the publicans shoulder, ever the matchmaker, Maggie directs her to Wirra Wirra station to meet Robbie it is about time that he got over his past, but will Angela and Rob get over their first meeting on the road to go forward to the future together?

I loved my trip back to this area and Rob and Angela, a story that had me smiling and cheering the on.

Four lovely stories that had me turning the pages, fabulous characters, fabulous settings, I do highly recommend this one to any romance reader who loves a rural romance, Thank you all for such fabulous stories.
My thanks to the publisher Harlequin HQ for my copy to read and review.

5 stars

October 1, 2024 by HQ Fiction

Texas Lawman

 Texas Lawman

Wishbone Texas #2

Anne B Harrison

Reviewed by Helen

I really needed to catch up on this wonderful series, and I did love this one Clay Wilson is the eldest of the Wilson siblings and sheriff of Wishbone, he is popular and very well loved, he is yet to find his forever love, because there has been someone in his heart since he was a young boy and he knows she is the one, so when Kate Miller returns to Wishbone, Clay is hoping that life might change for him.

Kate has not been to Wishbone for many years and has put that part of her life well behind her, but when her uncle passes away and leaves her his house with a few stipulations and with what has just happened to her she goes back and the first person she meets up with is Clay her best friend as a child.

Kate has to get her uncle’s garden ready for the annual garden walk and she has a short time to bring the garden back to what is was and she is determined to get that done and sell the place and go back to her city life, but now she finds herself the owner of a dog and cats something she is not happy about she is not the little girl who came to Wishbone all those years ago.

Clay is determined to get to the bottom of the changes in Kate, will he be able to get her to open up and will he be able to convince her that love and happiness can be found in Wishbone with him? It is not long before Kate is seeing things in a different way and memories of her past time in Wishbone are making her smile but can she get over all that has happiness to her to look to a future with Clay?

This is a beautiful story filled with emotion, it is sure to make any romance reader smile, I do highly recommend this one. I am looking forward to reading the next one.

4 stars

January 29, 2022

Wanting a Family Man by Dani Collins

 Wanting a Family Man

Raven's Cove #3

Dani Collins

Reviewed by Helen

Another fabulous installment in this series, and it finishes it so well, the third of the Fraser sons Trystan, celebrity TV star, and will he find his HEA in the fabulous Raven’s Cove.

Cloe Vance has been through a very tough time, losing her sister was hard but she is finally allowed to leave The States and that means she can get to meet her niece and make sure that she is being well looked after, she is broke, homeless and unemployed but determined to get to Raven’s Cove and meet Storm.

Trystan returned to Raven’s Cove with the death of his father and his new partner, him and his brothers are left in charge of Ravens’ Cove and more importantly their sister Storm, they have put a lot in place these last few months and he is loving his little sister, but there has always been the worry of Storm’s Aunt showing up and when she does Trystan is shocked at his attraction to Cloe.

Trystan needs to get to know Cloe and make sure she is not going to take Storm from them. Cloe is working for Trystan on one of the tour boats and the chemistry between them sizzles so hot, can they have a secret short fling because Trystan wants to get back to his filming nature and well Cloe needs to think about her future, she is more than happy to see that Storm is well loved and cared for.

I loved Trystan and Cloe’s story it is filled with sensual emotion and had me turning the pages, I was cheering them on and of course the setting is just beautiful meeting up with the Fraser family was so good, this story has so much going for it and I highly recommend it to any lover of a good romance, this one left me smiling.

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

5 stars

October 1, 2024 by Tule Publishing

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reviewed by Nas Dean

"Wanting a Family Man" by Dani Collins is a heartfelt romance that delves into the complexities of love, commitment, and personal desires. 

The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, and Collins skillfully balances emotional depth with engaging dialogue. The story explores the struggle between personal aspirations and the longing for connection, making it relatable and compelling. Fans of contemporary romance will appreciate its warmth and sincerity. 

Overall, a delightful read that captures the essence of finding love when you least expect it.

Fame and Festivities

 Fame and Festivities 

Savannah Blaize

Reviewed by Helen

Are you looking for a quick and lovely read then this one is one to pick up come along and meet Dr Ava Morgan and actor Carter MacDonald, has Ava’s crush finally become a real love story?

Ava is sixty years old and a heart surgeon, she has had a crush on the very handsome Carter for a long time and when she is given tickets to a press conference with Carter she of course is thrilled but was it fate that bought her there when Carter has a heart attack on stage and Ava is there to do CPR and save him, then she operates and ensures that all is well.

Carter is forty five years old and full of energy and life but when things go pear shape and he is on the floor there is a beautiful silver haired angel telling him it is not his time and her lips feel just right against his. With a new doctor to look after him he is doing his best to convince Ava that they should be together that age is no barrier to love, will he convince her?

This really is a lovely story, well written with fabulous characters. It is a quick read and I loved it and highly recommend it to any readers of romance, it has all the feels.

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

5 stars

May 22, 2024 by Savannah Blaize

A New Dawn in Pelican Crossing

 A New Dawn in Pelican Crossing

Pelican Crossing #3

Maggie Christensen

Reviewed by Helen

Another wonderful trip to Pelican Crossing, Maggie Christensen brings out so much in her characters, they are easy to get to know and this one is no exception, we have met Gill Dickson before, divorce lawyer and very good at her job it is a shame that her ex is causing so many problems with their divorce, then there is Mayor Joe Harris, widowed, Joe works hard for the town he spends lots of time with his Labrador Coco both are well liked.

Gill has sworn off men and is not shy in saying so, she is estranged from her daughter and throws herself into her work, when she literally runs into the mayor one day will this change the way she thinks about men, when Joe asks her to take on his sister Erica as a client after she has left her abusive husband in Perth this will bring them together but can Gill change her way of thinking?

Joe feels a pull towards Gill instantly but she has big walls built around herself and they are going to be very hard to break down but he is determined to do so as they start to open up with each other the more they see each other, will they find love?

I did thoroughly enjoyed this one, I do love seeing older couples find the love and happiness they deserve and Maggie Christensen does it so well, I highly recommend this one and the series, they are sure to keep you turning the pages, wonderful characters and a beautiful setting. This one delves into the issue of domestic violence and it is done so well.

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

4 stars

September 26, 2024 by Cala Publishing

Making a Texas Cowboy

 Making a Texas Cowboy

Home at Last #1

Justine Davis

Reviewed by Helen

This is a sweet, moving and heart-warming story, meeting Hollywood Heartthrob Jackson Thorpe and his seven year old son Jeremy as they arrive in Last Stand, Texas, will this trip help with their grieving after the tragic loss of wife and mother?

Jackson is starring in the hit Stonewall he is happily married to Leah with a young son when everything turns upside down when Leah is killed in a car accident, two years on and his son is not coping maybe it is time to move on, packing up himself and Jeremy they take a trip to visit his widowed sister in Last Stand Texas, will this be what they both need?

Nic Baylor is known as a horse whisper, she loves her horses and her life and is not interested in any handsome Hollywood star who works on something that is not real as she believes, but when he arrives in town with his young son her heart goes out to Jeremy and soon they are visiting her family ranch learning to ride and as Nic gets to know Jackson maybe her ideas about him are changing as well.

Could Nic and Jackson find a life together, one filled with love and happiness, a new life for them as a family after all that has happened? This is a beautiful story one that I highly recommend, fabulous setting, wonderful characters that had me smiling throughout I look forward to more trips to Last Stand Texas.

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

4 stars

September 24, 2024 by Tule Publishing

Stockman's Stowaway

 Stockman's Stowaway

The Stockman's Series #2

Mel A Rowe

Reviewed by Helen

And we are back at Elsie Creek Station for another brilliant trip and I loved it again, my visits to Elsie Creek just get better and better, I love the setting the characters and the fantastic stories that Mel A Rowe brings to her readers and this time it is Cap’s turn to find love, with someone he rescues, come along and meet Mia Dixon and Cap Riggs.

Mia Dixon is a botanist who has been working with a mining company on revegetation and when she is in trouble she runs and finds a ute with dogs on the back and climbs in to save herself, but when she is discovered by the owner while driving away from the local pub she is worried but it appears that maybe she need not be when Cap Riggs is helpful and caring, there is hope surely for Mia.

Cap is all about conserving the environment and caring for his rescue muster dogs, with him and his brothers now owning Elsie Creek Station he is doing his best to get things in place for the future when he discovers the beautiful young woman in the back of his ute, seeing she has been hurt his caring instincts come forward and soon they are all about the conservation together and he offers her a job, but falling in love was not on the cards but soon that is where his heart is going.

Mia is happy to get dirty with Cap in the paddocks, drafting cattle and working on wildlife passages and planting wind breaks, she is fitting in well at Elsie Creek Station with Bree and Harper and Cap’s brothers, after what she has been through finding love was not expected but Cap is hard to ignore, but there is danger afloat with the neighbour and will she be safe from the person who hurt her? Add to that the mystery of Charlie’s missing brother and this story just gets better at every turn of the pages.

Truly I cannot highly recommend this one and the series enough, it is fabulous and has everything that any romance reader would want, it is witty (you gotta love Bree) moving, emotional and the romance is the best, the characters are awesome and so easy to be friends with, I loved it and can’t wait for the next book, this is a must series and visit to Elsie Creek is always fabulous.

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

5 stars

September 23, 2024 by R&R Ramblings House

Coming Home to Starr's Fall

 Coming Home to Starr's Fall

Kate Hewitt

Reviewed by Helen

This is a lovely story and I think the start of a new series, I absolutely loved the setting Starr’s Fall, it is autumn and the leaves are turning and Laurie Ellis is making a big change in her life, packing up with her small dog Max and moving to firstly open up a new business, Max’s Place a pet store and pet bakery, but she is also there to see if she can find some answers about her biological mother.

Joshua Reilly grew up in Starr’s Fall and is now running the Antiquarian Bookstore that was started by his grandfather then run by his father, a lot has happened to Joshua and he is known for his grumpiness in the town, and meeting his new neighbour with her ideas for a pet bakery, sounds silly to him, but he can’t help noticing her.

Soon thanks to a cat and Max Joshua and Laurie are spending more time together and opening up about their pasts could this be love growing and with help searching for her mother not only from Joshua but the patriarch of the town Henrietta Starr, Laurie is soon making friends and feeling very at home in Starr’s Fall.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable story a beautiful romance that is slow to start but then moves very nicely, I do recommend this one if you are a romance reader looking for a moving story that will have you feeling like you are in this beautiful town. I do look forward to more stories set in Starr’s Fall.

My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for my copy to read and review.

4 stars

September 18, 2024 by Boldwood Books