Emerging Shadows

 Emerging Shadows

Townsend and Gray #3

Tanya Nellestein

Reviewed by Helen

I have been waiting a while for this one and it was worth the wait another fabulous story in this series, Ash and Chad have come a long way since Ash first packed up her life in Sydney and moved to the small Connecticut town of Sergis, they have worked well together solving cases in the small town and opening their hearts to each other life is good, or is it?

Ash is stunned when a man knocks on her door, he is her father the father she thought was dead all of these years, why would he be here now? It appears that Ash has twin brothers Marcus and Noah who are twenty two years old and Marcus is missing and her father Andrew wants her help to find him, Ash knows she will help but what she uncovers pulls her in deeper to a web of criminals will she and Marcus get out alive?

Chad is also hit a brick wall at work he is under review from the town council mainly the mayor he must defend the honest work he has done over the five years he has been police chief will he be able to come though this and still be police chief and what of Ash he can’t be there to help her, he can’t have anything happen again in his life that takes the one he loves.

What an action packed story one that had me turning the pages and I loved it, Ash and Chad are the perfect couple as their love grows danger grows for both of them how will everything work out? Ms. Nellestein has again pulled me into a fabulous story that I devoured and has me eagerly waiting for the next one, I do highly recommend this one and the series, at least I don’t have long to wait, thank you MS Nellestein, it is fabulous.

5 stars

February 4, 2026

Vows to the Boss

 Vows to the Boss

Kali Anthony

Reviewed by Helen

When Italian Tycoon Leo Zanetti needs to seal a deal that has been one of his big plans he needs a wife to do so but even with the help of his EA, Simone Taylor and match makers nothing is going the way he wanted and then what if Simone become his wife in a business deal, his paper wife, would she be up for that she is capable and there would be no attachments involved.

When Simone agrees to become her boss’s wife on paper that is all that she wants and what he is agreeing to pay her, her sister Holly needs help and this would be just the thing, after Simone left her wealthy family years ago she has become a plain-Jane someone who works hard and gets on with life, there will be no hearts involved but maybe love has other plans.

It is not long before the chemistry and pull between them is lighting up every room they are in and the bedroom seems to be a wonderful and passionate place for them both but can they control their hearts and put their pasts behind them to accept the love that is there growing stronger every day.
I did love this one another emotional and sensual story is a gorgeous setting living the high life, I loved Leo and Simone so much their caring hearts have a lot of give each other, a sigh worthy story and one that I highly recommend, don’t miss this one.

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

5 Stars

January 27, 2026 by Harlequin Presents

Business-Deal Bride by Dani Collins

 Reviewed by Nas Dean

Business-Deal Bride by Dani Collins is a classic marriage-of-convenience romance packed with emotional tension and undeniable chemistry. 

Author Dani Collins delivers strong character dynamics, blending vulnerability with sharp dialogue and plenty of simmering attraction. The heroine’s strength and the hero’s gradual emotional unraveling make their journey compelling and satisfying. 

With glamorous settings, heartfelt moments, and just enough drama to keep the pages turning, this is a perfect pick for readers who love intense, passionate romance with a touch of classic Harlequin flair.

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The Last Resort

 The Last Resort

Amanda Hewitt

Reviewed by Helen

This is a brilliant debut, a romance that has so many emotions flowing through the words it made me laugh as I turned the pages and got to know Abbey and Nick, come along and get to know them.
Abbey Parker, forty two is single now, mother to a sixteen year old daughter and has come to The Maldives for a much needed break what will these two weeks bring her?

Nick Northby forty one is a widow and is on his annual holiday in The Maldives, he takes this every year with no intention of mixing with anyone, will things be different this year?

A late night swim after drinking a bottle of champagne sees Abbey going for a naked swim but when Nick staying in the room next door thinks she is in trouble he saves her but did she really need saving? The chemistry between them is immediate and then their shared personal valet seems to be pushing them together and soon these two weeks turn into a very sensual and passionate two weeks but both knew from the start that it would be a holiday fling because Nick cannot fall in love.

Abbey is back home and getting herself off to work as an EA to the CEO of a big hotel in Sydney she knew her boss had retired when she went on holidays and is wondering what to expect when she returns, what she returns to is the last thing she expected that somehow Nick would be her new boss and that the personal valet is his brother Oliver and the first meeting did not go well.

Soon Abbey is realising that there are many Nicks, Holiday Nick, Boss Nick and so many more her life is being turned upside down with pressure from her ninety four year old grandmother Iris and bossy sister Kate Abbey finds herself on a roller coaster of a journey as she finally gets Nick to open up and slowly bit by bit she learns more about him and his family but the big question is can she make Nick realise that he can fall in love? Nick has a lot to overcome from his past and maybe Abbey is the one to help.

I loved, loved this one from start to finish, I laughed and cheered them on, the emotions and the other players in this story, Iris, Oliver, Kate Evelyn make this story a must read, getting to know all of the Nicks and Abbeys, how many can there be, that make themselves known in this story was fabulous, the setting, the sensuality bought everything together. This one is a beautiful story and one that I do highly recommend huge congrats Amanda Hewitt on a fabulous debut, I look forward to many more.

My thanks to Echo Publishing for my ARC to read and review.

5 stars

February 3, 2026 by Echo Publishing

Off Limits Temptation for Dr Day

 Off Limits Temptation for Dr Day

Fiona McArthur

Reviewed by Helen

We are back in Rainbow Bay for another beautiful romance from one of my favourite authors, and what a beauty it is, Dr Amelia Day works hard as a Paediatrician at the hospital and she has also been looking after her twin brothers for five years since they lost their parents with the help of their aunt Luna so she is way too busy to look for love but that might just change when Italian, Dr Marco Macaluso arrives to take up a position as consultant Paediatrician.

Marco is known as a flirt and is known to be popular with woman but he is not looking for HEA but when he starts working with his friend Henry at Rainbow Bay hospital on the Gold Coast and meets Dr Day he can’t believe the way he feels for the beautiful and very caring and competent Doctor could this be the time to open up his heart?

I loved this one, Amelia and Marco both deserve to find love and happiness together, their start is a bit rocky but soon Marco gets Amelia to open up as he does as well and their hearts grow and fill with love, I loved seeing Marco finally find a family and Amelia the love and happiness, this one is moving and beautiful and one that I highly recommend. It was also great catching up with past friends.

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

5 stars

February 1, 2026 by Mills & Boon Medical

The Italian Winemaker

 The Italian Winemaker

European Tycoons

Leanne Lovegrove

Reviewed by Helen

Marcella Armstrong is twenty nine and has grown up in Melbourne Australia with her mother and step-father, she loves her job as a barista and loves going out with her friends in the evening and on weekends life is not always easy for Marcella because of her stutter, although she has never met her biological father she does know about him he is Italian winemaker Marcello Mancini and when he passes away and leaves everything to Marcella on the condition that she spends one month there with a list of things that must be done, she is eager to go but really not sure how this is all going to work out.

Chief winemaker Rocco Berlusconi was Marcello’s best friend and over the years believed that one day this would all be his but that was not to be, Rocco has felt shunned by his parents in favour of his brother and now this but when he meets Marcella he is not sure how he feels but one thing is true he will do anything to ensure that Marcella does not sell the estate, but can he convince her to love wine and the estate as he does?

As they work together Marcella is changing her mind about what she really wants to do and her heart is falling for the handsome winemaker, he is so passionate about the estate and all things and soon after a few hiccups Marcella is feeling the same way, the people who work there as well as Dolly the goose are becoming her friends and family could this be what she needs and wants to become the woman she knows she can be?

A beautiful romance and I loved it from start to finish, MS. Lovegrove has again taken me on such a sensual and moving journey to another gorgeous part of Europe with characters that are so real their emotions and feelings flow through the words and setting, the food, the wine make this one a story that I highly recommend, truly a fabulous story. I will be sorry to see the end of this series, I have travelled to some beautiful places and I thank you MS. Lovegrove.

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

5 stars

February 6, 2026

February Frolics

 February Frolics

The Enchanted Village #3

Annie Seaton

Another beautiful and delightful trip to the enchanted, magical village of Lower Thistlewick, where people arrive broken and find themselves fixed, I loved this one as much as I have the first two in the series.

It is a cold February morning when twelve year old Emma is on her way to feed her Gran’s chooks when she spots a young woman sitting on the bridge, she has flowers in her hair and seems to sparkle and Emma is convinced that she is a fairy, could she be after all this is a magical village.

Fern Rowan has arrived in the village and is camping on the village green she is not sure why here but she ran, ran from something that scared her and now she has to work out what she wants and why really is it everywhere she walks flowers magically appear, she befriends firstly Emma who encourages her to do a reading at the book shop her father owns and that first reading brings in the whole village and soon Fern is making friends with Dimity and Vivian and Joanne and Hugh and then there is Mrs. Willoughby who has a talk to Fern and Fern learns more about herself and her family.

Will the strength that she is gaining from being in the village help her to make changes so as she can accept the love that Callum is offering can she see what a beautiful person she is now and has always been?

This story really is such a joy a magical story of healing and strength and courage, seeing the characters in the village come together and support and help everyone when it is needed, I do love visiting this magical village and I highly recommend this one and the series and I am looking forward to more.

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

5 stars

February 7, 2026 by ASA

The Cowboy's Comeback

 The Cowboy's Comeback

Juniper Falls Ranch Series #2

Nan Rienhardt

Reviewed by Helen

Bo Kennedy is a rodeo star and he is known as a horse whisperer he is injured at the moment but has taken a job for six months at Juniper Falls Ranch to assist owners Del and Beth in the training of riders and their horses, getting them ready for rodeos he is really looking forward to this while he heals and hopping to get back on the rodeo circuit himself the last thing he expected was that one of the clients he is to train is his ex, Cassi and her horse Storm.

Cassie Franklin has had a rough few years firstly the terrible break-up with the man she loved, Bo and then her horse the one that she won so many barrel races with died now she has a new horse, Storm and is changing to cutting competitions and they need some help to get there and has come to Juniper Falls Ranch to get that from Del Foster but that all changes when she discovers that her ex, Bo is going to be the one training her and her horse.

Things are not easy at first but both realise that the chemistry between them is still there will they be able to overcome that and open up and talk about what happened five years ago and move on, it is soon too hard to ignore the spark that is still there and as Cassie and Storm move forward and become the best partners so do Cassie and Bo but will their future be secure in the love that is still there?

This is a wonderful story in a beautiful setting with wonderful characters and I loved both Bo and Cassie and the other characters in the story it was great catching up with Beth and Del and the horses are a wonderful part of the story, I would highly recommend this one to any romance lover and I am looking forward to more in this series.

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

5 stars

January 29, 2026 by Tule Publishing

Under the Lawman's Watch

 Under the Lawman's Watch

Destiny's River #4

Debra Holt

Reviewed by Helen

This is a fabulous series and with book four we get the youngest and last Parker sibling’s story and it was wonderful two people from totally different backgrounds come together when US Marshall Rance Parker is charged with protecting Judge Erin Latham.

Rance is just off some leave when he is assigned to protect a judge he is not happy he prefers to be out after the bad guys but he will do as requested, when he arrives in her court room she is not a happy lady at all to be whisked away by this lawman but when two judges have been murdered she must follow procedure even if she does not want to hide.

Rance decides to take her to the fishing cabin at Destiny River, the family home he is sure that he can keep her safe there especially with his family around, he is soon surprised that Erin seems to be enjoying the fishing the board games and cooking their meals and then even more surprised when the town is hit by a flood that Erin jumps in and helps, could Rance be finally seeing what life with someone could be like?

This is a fabulous romance I loved seeing Erin and Rance open up to each other and really see what could be for them in the future, it is moving and had me smiling, I loved Erin she shows such strength and Rance is the best, this is one that I would highly recommend as with the whole series, it will be sad to leave Destiny’s River there have been many wonderful characters throughout the series and I do love the Parker family.

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

5 stars

January 27, 2026 by Tule Publishing

Echoes of the Outback

 Echoes of the Outback

Outback Queensland Romance #6

Rhonda Forrest

Reviewed by Helen

Book six in this series and although I have not read the first four I have loved book five and six and have the first ones on my list to read Rhonda Forrest writes stories that are hard to put down, she brings her characters and the setting to life on the pages and this one is no exception, I loved it.

Ella Patterson has moved back to her hometown Matfield in the Queensland Outback to work in the family produce store, things in Melbourne did not work out and with the breakdown of her last relationship Ella is now decided that a single life is what she wants and the beautiful sunsets, red dust and the people she has grown up with is what she needs, then a new person arrives in town, a builder and it appears that he is planning to re-build her home town.

Dusty Camilleri has left the city to take on a renovation job at the pub with his friend Eli he loves the job he does and is soon making friends with everyone in town that is except Ella, for some reason she seems to have a grudge against him, thinks he is here to re-develop the town she loves and he has no idea why.

Soon trivia nights and a fundraiser bring Ella and Dusty closer is there a chance that there could be more for them there is a spark but Ella finds it hard to trust and she can be really stubborn and as much as Dusty and some of her friends try to convince her that things are not what she thinks, she is standing firm, until she finally listens and helps him dig a bit into his families past, could this be the start of a future for them?

I did love this story but honestly I found Ella hard to connect with in the beginning she is so stubborn and assumes things too easily, Dusty though is just such a fabulous guy, caring and helpful and I think perfect for Ella if only she would listen and soon when Dusty opens up about the echoes of the past lives of his grandparents Ella becomes the true person she is.

This one is moving and emotional and one that I do highly recommend, and I am hoping that there will be more stories in this series, time for me to catch up on them all.

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

5 stars

February 1, 2026 by Valeena Press