A Merry Aussie Christmas

 A Merry Aussie Christmas

Stefanie London

Reviewed by Helen

Are you looking for a fabulous Christmas story filled with heart-felt emotion, some sizzle and a hero and heroine who just might get their second chance at love add in a basset hound named Big Ears and the beach side town of Patterson’s Bluff, then this is the story to read.

Jasper left Patterson’s Bluff when he was seventeen saying he would never return, he had his reasons for doing so but life has changed and now he has returned, with mixed emotions, he isn’t his father and even though he seemed to go off the rails for a bit it is not really him. He offers to help the community and play Santa Clause and this brings him together with Evie the girl who had his heart all those years ago and still does.

Evie is not impressed when she finds out that her partner for the festive season is Jasper, there is a lot of water under the bridge between these two and in the last seventeen years Evie has undergone some changes herself and looking for a HEA is not on Evie’s agenda, although the more time she spends with Jasper the harder it is to convince herself.

I loved this story, it is beautifully written, there are some really fun times some sensual times and some really serious thinking and talking which leads to a beautiful HEA in a gorgeous town with Christmas all around. I do highly recommend this one, Stefanie London never disappoints.

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

5 stars

Self Published 30th November

A Contract for his Runaway Bride

 A Contract for his Runaway Bride

Melanie Milburne

Reviewed by Helen

I have been looking forward to this one after reading the first twin Elspeth’s story and Melanie Milburne did not disappoint at all, I do love the way this author brings out the sizzle and sensual in a story that has the right amount of emotion with fabulous characters, I do hope you come along and meet Elodie and Lincoln, you are sure to be left very pleased.

Swimsuit model Elodie Campbell is going to prove to everyone that she is more than a model and become a top fashion designer, that is if she can find someone to back her with financial support, she is tired of being in the headlines for the wrong reasons and when an invitation comes to meet and discuss her plans she jumps at the chance only to be thoroughly stunned when she discovers Lincoln Lancaster her ex-fiancé is the man behind the invitation.

Lincoln has taken a long time to get over being jilted at the alter by the beautiful Elodie, he has worked hard in the last seven years and built up a successful business but now he needs some help and Elodie is the obvious person to offer the contract to, she needs money and he needs a wife for six months someone who he will be able to walk away from at the end, or will he?

The chemistry and spark that was there seven years ago is still there as both of them find out after their first meeting but both Elodie and Lincoln are determined to get their own way in this marriage, what started as a paper marriage soon turns to one with benefits and soon sees them both thinking about the past and the future but it takes a jolt to see Lincoln realise that Elodie has his heart and always has. A beautiful romance, that is sure to hit the spot for all romance readers, one that I would highly recommend two wonderful people who deserve love and happiness.

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

5 stars

Expected publication: November 30th 2021 by Harlequin Presents

Snowy Ever After

 Snowy Ever After

Samantha Chase and Stefanie London

Reviewed by Helen

Destined For Forever

Stefanie London

Stefanie London has taken me into a winter wonderland of romance and love, she has a magical touch with words, witty, fun, sensual and fabulous as we meet Sean and Lily who are in Forever Falls for theirs friend’s wedding, meeting up again after a long time sees their hearts beating harder, can they find love at long last ?

Lily is a screen writer living in Los Angeles, she left her home of Patterson’s Bluff many years ago to follow her dreams life hasn’t been good to Lily just lately dumped in terrible circumstances and being with her family is going to be hard, then she meets Sean her school crush from all those years ago on the trip to Boston the spark is still there and before long Sean has agreed to pretend to be her boyfriend for the short time they are together, no hanky panky but it is not long before that goes by the wayside.

Sean has loved Lily forever and after all of these years and now she is single again maybe it is his chance to finally let Lily know how he feels and when he is more than happy to help her out and be her pretend boyfriend things lead on from there, there is no way they are going to be able to keep their hands off each other the chemistry is way too strong, but there is a lot of opening up that needs to be done.

This is a beautifully written story, emotional, witty , sensual and lots of fun, I loved the setting and I loved Sean and Lily these two people deserved to be together it might have taken a long time to get there but when they did the lights exploded in a gorgeous, gorgeous HEA. I loved this story and highly recommend it no romance reader will be disappointed.

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

5 stars

Published November 16th 2021

Rolled in Dust

 Rolled in Dust

Elsie Creek #6

Mel A Rowe

Reviewed by Helen

I absolutely love this series, I love Elsie Creek and I love the people who live there it is like coming home for a big family hug with every new book in the series and they just keep getting better with each book, this one I think was the most emotional so far, I cried bucket loads but I also cheered new resident Que on and on, what a heroine what a woman and Connor truly he is a hero worth his weight in gold, both Que and Connor have demons from their past that are there and need to be worked through and together they can, this is a must read book.

Que and her five year old daughter Billie have decided that it is time to settle down after years of travelling Australia in their caravan, by luck and a roll of sticky tape the decide that Elsie Creek will be home, Que is normally the quiet stick to yourself person but being in Elsie Creek sees her mixing and helping and then there is her neighbour Connor arrogant and disparaging but wow is there a spark and it is not long before Connor is helping Que in many ways but there are rules that must be stuck too.

Connor has come back home to the town he left when he was fifteen to help his parents after his mother’s heart attack, Connor is the bad boy from town and that reputation is still there after all of these years even though now he is hero in the navy, his first impression of the new neighbour is not a good one but the feisty little woman gets under his skin and it is not long before they are having a holiday fling because that is all it can be.

Que and Connor are settling into their life and fling, Que is really settling into town and her need to help a neighbour opens up some wounds that Que wanted kept buried but with Connor’s help Que is soon showing her strength and courage and when danger arrives in town not only is Connor a hero but so is Cecil. And Connor, Que is the person who can make him see who he really is, together they are the best.

Mel A Rowe has taken a subject that is a hard one and done it so well with understanding and care, she made me cry happy and sad tears she bought out the positivity of neighbours helping neighbours of friends caring for friends and she wrote the most beautiful and sensual romance of two people who need love and happiness so much, this is a story that I would highly recommend to any reader who wants to see a gorgeous HEA not just for Connor and Que.

Words escape me on how wonderful this book is, I was up late reading to the end and am still teary with happiness this morning as I write this review, thank you Mel A Rowe for another story that is etched in me for a long time and I can’t wait for my next visit to Elsie Creek.

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

5 stars

Expected publication: November 23rd 2021

The Greek Secret She Carries

 The Greek Secret She Carries

Pippa Roscoe

Reviewed by Helen

Another beautifully written story by Pippa Roscoe, I am loving this series filled with sensual sizzling romance, a treasure hunt and secrets to uncover this time it is Summer’s time to find love and happiness and her story starts in Greece, where she is searching for her father but finds true love although the journey is a rocky one, but one that must be travelled.

While on her mission Summer meets Theron a very handsome Greek man who comes to her rescue in a café, Summer has led a quiet life studying geophysics and is very innocent in the ways of love but boy does her heart beat when she meets Theron and one dinner invitations leads to a very passionate night that does not end well and it ends with consequences. Summer goes back home and doesn’t forget Theron but the treasure hunt keeps her busy, till he arrives on her doorstep.

Theron arrives in Norfolk after hearing some rumours about Summer the woman he cannot forget and is stunned when she opens the door to him, his life is changing very fast for someone who has felt left behind a few times in life but one thing he is determined that he will protect Summer and his child, but first he must convince Summer and let down some walls that he built around himself.

I loved this story it is sensual, emotional and a must read Summer shows such strength and courage she knows her mind and that she loves Theron and Theron what can I say I do love a Greek hero and Theron ticks the right boxes for me even if he takes a little bit longer to realise that Summer is the person for him. I do highly recommend this one for any true romance reader and not only is there such joy at the beautiful HEA there is the end of the treasure hunt and the three sisters are together for that, it was fabulous.

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

5 stars

Expected publication: November 30th 2021 by Harlequin Presents

Must Love Christmas

 Must Love Christmas

Montana Bachelors and Babies #3

Kelly Hunter

Reviewed by Helen

Kelly Hunter Magic, I just know when I pick up a Kelly Hunter book that I am going to fall in love with the hero and heroine and be totally swept up in a gorgeous romance that is sure to have the emotions flowing and this one does so with bells on, come along and meet, interior designer Madeline Love and building constructor Seth Casey in a Christmas winter wonderland in Marietta, Montana.

It is Madeline’s twenty fifth birthday and she is supposedly meeting her Wall Street father for lunch but instead of lunch she is given the deeds to the ranch that holds happy and sad memories for Madeline it is where she spent the first eleven years of her life until everything changed. It is October so Madeline invites her father for Christmas and she plans on doing up the ranch to bring it back to its glory but she needs help in a builder this is when she meets Seth Casey and this is where her life again will change.

Seth has had dreams of owing the Love ranch for many years his family already lease the land for their cattle but it is the house that Seth wants and now he finds out that Madeline owns it and plans to restore it and he is more than happy to help just to make sure that it is done the way he thinks it should, interior designers have not always been his favourite people, but getting to know Madeline changes his mind on lots of things.

This story is witty, romantic and just beautiful as Madeline finds her real self back on the ranch, she is shy and quiet but spending time with Seth finds her opening up and finding true happiness and Seth the strong handsome and fabulous hero who is there for Madeline as she never stops trying and giving love. I loved this story so much, it made me smile and cry as Seth and Madeline find such love and happiness. This is a must read story, one that I highly recommend and of course who doesn’t love a Christmas story.

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

5 stars

Expected publication: November 17th 2021 by Tule Publishing

The Farmer's Husband

 The Farmer's Husband

Australian Brides #3

Ann B Harrison

Reviewed by Helen

We are back in Casey Plains and I loved being there catching up with friends and making new ones, we have met Portia Wilson before but we really get to know her in her special story, a widow with three young children and a very independent woman and welcome Dean Richards to town he is the new nurse at the hospital and widowed he is not looking for love but he is soon good friends with Portia, come along and join in their journey to happiness.

Portia is feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment she is so busy working and looking after her beautiful children and the small farm they have that there is never anytime for her, it is time for the annual dating competition but when she meets Dean the new nurse he seems to need help and they end up having dinner together and decide that friends is what they want to be, but could that end up being more?

Dean lost his wife and baby in an accident years before and it is time that he moves on, a move to Casey Plains should be just the boost he needs, although he is not looking for love he is soon friends with young local Portia and he loves her three children, he can finally feel his heart opening up when a new nurse Haley starts at the hospital, a nurse he worked with in the city and he is feeling very pressured especially when Portia’s brother-in-law moves back to town as well.

This is a beautiful romance, fast paced and with lots of added suspense and danger but Portia and Dean are meant to be together and nothing that anyone throws in their path is going to stop them in the end, yes there are many ups and downs which is what love is about, I really loved this story the strength and courage that Portia shows and her loving and caring nature and Dean a true hero. This is one that I would highly recommend, it really is a beautiful story.

5 stars

Published October 29th 2021 by Hudson Indie Ink

The Innocent's Protector in Paradise

 The Innocent's Protector in Paradise

Annie West

Reviewed by Helen

Happy sighs from this reader, I savoured the sensuality that Annie West brings to life on the pages of her newest story, a story of forbidden love, his best friend’s sister and one of finding that crushing on your brother’s friend can last a long time, I do hope that you pick this one up and get to know Niall and Lola as they share a very sensual journey to a gorgeous HEA.

Lola Suarez is being stalked and the police have found no evidence to support her at this time, but when a blast from the past her brother’s best friend Niall Pederson arrives on her doorstep he seems to be the only person that can help, he is more than happy and determined to protect her at all costs and soon Lola is whisked away to a very private retreat in the hills of what will be a paradise for her. It is not long before her heart is opening up to Niall as they get closer while enjoying the Gold Coast.

Niall Pederson is a billionaire, self- made when he gets a phone call from his mate Ed to check on his sister Lola he is more than happy to help, but Lola is of-limits forbidden fruit in more ways than one he is not the right person to be trusted for a permanent relationship, but the more time they spend together the less control he has over his feelings and it is not long before they are enjoying a very passionate time together.

I did love this story, it is filled with emotion and so much love, what starts of as protection from Niall ends up seeing the walls he has built around his heart torn down as he realises that Lola is the right person for him and Lola what can I say a strong heroine who knows how to love the man that will always be her number one. This is a romance that I would highly recommend, beautifully written and it was a joy to get to know Niall and Lola and the setting was gorgeous. Thank you Annie West for another fabulous story.

My thanks to the author for copy to read and review

5 stars

Expected publication: November 30th 2021 by Harlequin Presents

A Baby for the Billionaire

 A Baby for the Billionaire

Trish Morey

Reviewed by Helen

This is a beautiful story, a real Cinderella theme for me, I loved getting to know Angie Cameron she has struggled for a long time and when the wrong embryo is implanted and Angie finds herself pregnant with another man’s baby her world is upended, bring in Dominic Pirelli billionaire and father of the baby and the memories from his past are bought to life and another life is changing.

The phone call Angie had to make was maybe, harder than the decision she made to keep this baby and give it over when it was born, life had changed so much since the mistake was made, her husband Shayne has left her she is struggling but she is determined to give life to this baby even if a baby is the last thing Angie wants, but when she meets the father her emotions are all over the place.

Dominic was totally stunned when he received the phone call from a stranger, a woman claiming to be having his baby it never happened for him and Carla why now and when he meets the woman he is concerned that she is after his money and then shocked at where she comes from. One thing he knows is that he must keep his baby safe and he moves Angie into his beautiful mansion by the sea never realizing that she will get under his skin and break the walls that he has built around his heart.

I really loved this story so much it is filled with heart-felt emotion and Angie stands up to Dominic and slowly falls in love with not only the baby but Dominic as well he works his way into her heart and Dominic I do love seeing a strong hero realise he has lost his heart to the his beautiful heroine and Trish Morey has pulled out all stops to bring her readers this beautiful romance that had me smiling and cheering them on. This is a story that I would highly recommend to any true romance reader.

5 stars

Published October 18th 2021

A Place to Start Over

 A Place to Start Over

Barrington Book 2

Susan Mackie

Reviewed by Helen

I loved being back in this beautiful town of Barrington, it was like coming home to family and friends with such a warm welcome after reading the first book in this series Charlie’s Will, this time we meet Harriet, after a rough time in Sydney Harriet wants a new start and is on her way to finding it when she hits a kangaroo and her life changes for the better when she and the town open their arms to each other.

Harriet is still in pain from her past but she is strong and determined, but hitting the kangaroo stuns her a bit thank heavens there is someone there to help after her car is damaged, Drummond Murray is tall and eager to help even if he comes across a bit standoffish. She has booked a few nights at a B&B at the Barrington Homestead where she meets Rose Gordon and her partner Angus she instantly feels welcome.

Drummond offers the use of his spare car while hers is being repaired and soon Harriet is finding her way around the small town, where she meets real estate and stock agent, Ben Evans and her thoughts about finding a place to start over seem to be coming to fruition in this small and welcoming town. Harriet is soon making friends and the town people are loving her and the help she is giving them.

But her heart is also opening up to the strong and handsome Drum Murray and his young daughter Billie, but Harri is keeping a lot to herself about her past and before she can look to the future she needs to open up. Drum is finding it harder to forget Harri he sees her as strong and beautiful but there is a vulnerability about her as he gets to know her better.

This is a beautifully written story filled with heart-felt emotion as Harri and Drum find love and happiness in this town with so many wonderful characters, I want to move there and become a part of this town and I do hope that we can visit again, there are some other people that need their HEA in the beautiful way that Susan Mackie has given Harri and Drum theirs. I do highly recommend this one, it is a true romance and sure to leave the reader smiling.

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

5 stars

Published November 5th 2021 by Small Town Publishing