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

Lavender Hill

 Lavender Hill

A Windamere Novel #1

Alissa Callen

Reviewed by Helen

Ten years ago horticulturist Rylea Laurent left the family Lavender Farm after losing her brother and she also lost the boy she loved, moving to Provence to work and learn more about lavender she makes a new life for herself but never forgets her home, her family or Kane Ashford.

Rylea is now home her father is not well and she has decided that it is time to come home and take over the family farm so her parents can take some time off, being back with her parents and her sister Darcy is what she needs and she also is determined to find the truth behind the death of her brother and his friend Caleb but when she arrives she realizes that Kane is back in Windamere as well.

Kane has decided that it is time to find the answers into the death of his brother, Lucas and his mate Caleb brother of the girl he has never forgotten, Rylea it has been a mystery as to what happened to them for all these years. He is now a successful grain trader and has recently purchased his old family farm that had to be sold when he and his mother and brother Denevan left very quickly to protect not only his family but the secrets he has held for many years.

Kane and Rylea are soon working together to get the answers they need and want along with help from their siblings they are asking lots of questions and spending more time together, the last thing Rylea wants is to fall for the kind and handsome Kane again and as for Kane he feels he is not good enough for anyone let alone Rylea, but of course the local Windamere Gardening Girls who love playing matchmakers have other ideas, will Viola’s special tea make a difference?

This is a fabulous story and a brilliant start to a new series the setting is gorgeous and descriptions of the area in Tasmania made me feel like I was there and as for the characters they are the best not only the human ones but also the wonderful pets that make their presence known throughout the story. I loved Kane and Rylea their love had never gone anywhere it just needed them to be together again to make it grow again, as they dig for answers will they find out what really happened all those years ago and will Kane come to terms with his father and his past so as Rylea and he can make a future for themselves?

I loved this one from start to finish Alissa Callen has taken me on a beautiful trip to Tasmania, she made me smile, she made me cry, this story is witty, moving and emotional and one that I do highly recommend, I can’t wait for book two and see who’s story that will be.

My thanks to Netgalley and HQ Fiction for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

January 28, 2026 by HQ Fiction

Engaged, Apparently

 Engaged, Apparently

Amy Andrews

Reviewed by Helen

Another brilliant story from one of my favourite authors, this one is set in a small country town in Victoria and is sure to leave any reader smiling, I laughed, I cried and I loved it.

When Sweeney Bailey and Fin Murphy arrive back in the small town of Ballyshannon as a surprise to celebrate their mother’s sixtieth birthday they did not realise that they would be engaged, their mothers Ronnie and Connie are the best of friends and after hearing about everyone else’s children getting married and giving them grandchildren they apparently broke a secret that their children had become engaged not realising that said children were just about to enter the pub doors to surprise them.

Finn and Sweeney are not happy there is no way they are going to play along with this they have been the best of friends since they were babies and there has never been anything more in their relationship they haven’t even caught up for a few years with Fin living in Dublin since his father’s death and Sweeney traveling the world with her photography and having a home base in New York, but they love their mothers dearly and in the end decide on a fake engagement till they both leave, Sweeney in a week Fin in four weeks.

But their engagement goes viral in the small town and soon Feeny as they are known are the hot topic in town and on the family social media account and soon it is not just the town but worldwide when Fin takes on coaching the young kids in the Gaelic Football team and Sweeney takes on the position of photographer a couple of kisses start both of them thinking, then off to the Gold Coast with the team and things really heat up in a way that shocks them both, do they want to change their best friend feelings and make it more?

This story is absolutely wonderful not only is it an awesome romance it is about grief and life in small towns but takes is Auslan, Australian sign language. This one is filled with fabulous characters I loved Fin and Sweeney so much it is filled with emotions and it is very moving as we see Fin and Sweeney realise where their hearts belong. I highly recommend this one to any lover of a good RomCom it was hard to put down, Thank you Amy Andrews for another awesome story, I loved it.

My thanks to Netgalley and HQ Fiction for my digital copy to read and review

5 stars

January 28, 2026 by HQ Fiction

The Sheriff's Rescue

 The Sheriff's Rescue

The Southern Hart Brothers #3

Stella Holt

Reviewed by Helen

When Shelby Shepherd gets a call from her beloved Pops she immediately makes her way home to Sandy Point she has not been back for a long time classed as the black sheep of the wealthy Shepherd family she prefers her life in Atlanta. Only thing is the night she arrives a blizzard arrives as well and soon she is being rescued from a ditch by the man who she had a huge crush on while in school deputy sheriff Wesley Hart and he is even better looking now. Shelby soon finds herself staying at Wes’s place and the temperature heats up.

Wes is not happy to have someone invade his space especially the daughter of his arch enemy but Shelby is gorgeous and seems to have a knack for getting herself in trouble surely the feelings he is having for her are only because he has been single for a long time.

It doesn’t take long before neither can ignore the feelings they have but soon a fling is growing and when trouble arises with the Shepherd family Wes is there to help Shelby, and of course his grandmother is eager to push them together.

This is a fabulous story, sensual, emotional, and witty and moving as Shelby shows her strength and stands up to her family and Wes what can I say what a hero, and it appears that this series might not be over, I do hope there is another one. I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good romance it has everything you would want.

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

5 stars

January 22, 2026 by Tule Publishing

Prime Stock

 Prime Stock

The Stock Squad #4

Mel A Rowe

Reviewed by Helen

This book is the last one in this awesome series and I have loved them all but the author has left the best to last Finn Wilde, we have met Finn in the last series set in Elsie Creek and I fell for him then but when the Stock Squad started my love for him grew even more and now wow this one, what can I say is the best.

A federal auditor has been sent to Elsie Creek to close down the stock squad, it appears that no matter how well this team, run by Finn Wilde has done, the amount of cases they have cracked, the amount of cattle and crocs they have saved someone is gunning for them and Finn is determined to do his best to keep them going but when he meets the auditor Taryn Hayes let’s just say she was not what he expected.

Taryn is good at her job and ex-crim Finn Wilde is not going to stop her no matter how hard he tries to ignore her but as she interviews his team and digs deeper into all they have done maybe there is more to him and this team than she has been led to believe and what’s more she needs to find out a few other things that are dear to her personally.

Soon they are working together and trust seems to be growing as well as the spark between them and what they uncover will shake a lot of people up, things heat up in many ways and the team are working hard to get the top guy, Taryn has uncovered so much and with Finn’s maps and plans they just may have cracked to case, but will they get their man?

I have to say I have tears in my eyes will writing this and while I was reading this one knowing that it is the last book in Elsie Creek I have read and loved them all, all the characters I have met and felt that are friends including Cecil and I am going to miss this place very much and I highly recommend to any reader who loves a story that will take you on a journey through thick and thin, ups and downs, sadness and joy then these are the books to read.

This one finished with a big bang and lots of joy and happiness, I loved Taryn and Finn the banter between them had me smiling so much throughout, thank you Mel A Rowe for the hours of reading pleasure you have given me and the trips to the Top End, they are a must read.

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

5 stars

January 23, 2026 by R&R Ramblings House

Summer Nights in Pine Harbor

 Summer Nights in Pine Harbor

Tammy Robinson

Reviewed by Helen

A lovely romance with wonderful characters and fabulous setting, Pine Harbor, Maine summer is here, Taylor Calderwood left there twelve years ago after an accident, she married Adam and they left but now Taylor is single and her mum has begged her to return for three weeks to look after her cantankerous ninety four year old great uncle, Ray while she goes on a cruise, Taylor is now an accomplished tattoo artist and is not keen to leave her business behind in New York but Taylor arrives on her bike to the town that had meant so much to her all those years ago.

Jack Garrity has been in Pine Harbor for seven months running the restaurant and bar that his friend Hannah purchased after the death of her husband, Alex who was also Jack’s best friend Jack is bound by a promise and guilt to take care of Hannah but could this quiet town be the change that Jack needed.

When Taylor and Jack meet in a rock pool late one night they instantly hit up a friendship filled with witty banter, jests and laughs but it is not long before they are both opening up about their lives and more importantly about their past could this be the turning point for both of them and could Pine Harbor become their home?

I did love this story, it is filled with emotion and a sensual chemistry that pulled them together, and I loved Taylor and Jack and was thrilled to see them find their way to a beautiful HEA. This is one that I would highly recommend to any lover of small town romance.

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

4 stars

January 12, 2026 by Boldwood Books