The Cowboy's Long Lost Christmas Bride

 The Cowboy's Long Lost Christmas Bride

Family Matters of Cowboy Point #3

Megan Crane

Reviewed by Helen

I am loving this series there are so many fabulous characters and Dallas Lisle is one of my favourites that is why I was thrilled to get his story, come along and get to know Dallas and Ruthie.

Dallas left Cowboy Point many years ago joined the army and life changed for him in so many ways but when it turned upside down he made his way back to Cowboy Point without his wife Ruthie and put everything into turning the old lighthouse into an inn and with December arriving with lots of cold and snow he is just about to receive his first guest and this guest is the last person he thought it would be, it is Ruthie his wife but it appears that she doesn’t know him.

Ruthie has been through a lot over the past few months one of them being that she has lost her memory of most things after an accident that took her grandmother’s life, when the family arrive on mass and takeover everything Ruthie finds a postcard that has been sent about a lighthouse inn in Cowboy Point and decides that she wants to go there and when the owner opens the door for her she is instantly attracted but she has no idea why, she has no recollection that this gorgeous man is her husband.

Dallas is in two minds as to what to do when he hears what has happened to the one woman he has always loved and will always love he doesn’t want to lose her again but telling her the truth may do that and Ruthie is finding life in Cowboy Point so good and getting to know Dallas even better and Dallas’s family are very welcoming, will Ruthie get her memory back and will they find their way back to the love they had?

I loved this one it is a beautiful romance and one that I highly recommend and I am looking forward to going back to Cowboy Point.

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

5 stars

October 27, 2026 by Tule Publishing

A Country Pub Christmas

 A Country Pub Christmas

Alissa Callen, Stella Quinn, Pamela Cook, Penelope Janu

Reviewed by Helen

I look forward to this anthology every year, the stories have always been fun and fabulous and this year’s is no different, Christmas stories at their best.

A Gingerbread Christmas, Alissa Callen
We are back in Windamere for this one with Christmas loving, gingerbread making city girl Tory Halifax and Christmas Grinch Blake Randall and his trusty kelpie, Doc Blake is happy to stay away from the town and the residents but when his twin nieces come to stay for a week and they love Christmas Blake will need all the help he can get and Tory is there willing and able and let’s not forget the members of the gardening club and their special matchmaking, there are lots of smiles as Tory and Blake spend more time together, this is a beautiful story that I loved.

A Jillaroo for Christmas Stella Quinn
When Mickey Harding’s grandmother passed away she leaves Mickey a photo album of her childhood in the gulf country in Queensland, Australia and a message to find a real adventure instead of the games she creates, Steve Bruce is doing the best he can to keep the Bruce Station going, money is tight his sister has gone off to earn money for them and the fist day on his own he breaks his wrist, he needs help and when Mickey arrives well lets just say the beautiful woman standing in front of him is not what he expected, far from it but it doesn’t take long before history on the property pregnant cows see these two falling in love, of there were lots of smiles and laughs with this one, I loved it.

Love on the Menu Pamela Cook
Chef and influencer Cassidy Butler has just inherited the pub her grandfather owned in a small country town she hasn’t been here since she lost her heart to the other pub’s son Nate Willis, but she has big plans and turns the pub into a fancy wine bar and bistro and wins the contract for the annual long table Christmas lunch from Nate Willis, Nate is shocked to see Cassidy back in town and it appears they will be in opposition in the pub stakes but things don’t go the way Cassidy would like and there is still a spark between them will it lead anywhere come along and see, this is a fabulous story that had me smiling all the way through.

The Kiss Before Christmas Penelope Janu
MS Janu has taken us back to Ballimore for this fabulous story, Lily Campbell is a contract fencer and she is happy to do all on her own but on a wet stormy evening changing a tyre a stranger pulls up behind her and lifts her tyre and the only thing she can think to thank him is a kiss and after that kiss that was so much more than she thought it would be she thought never to see this stranger again but that is not so, it seems that Barrister Xavier Lucas is in town to help some locals and is here for a longish stay and when Xavier steps in to help save the pub, Lily is losing her heart to Xavier and it appears that Xavier has already lost his to the beautiful strong Lily. Such a great story, I loved this one.

I do highly recommend this book, the stories are Christmassy all set around a pub, they all have fabulous characters that were so easy to love, Alissa Callen’s is part of her new series and I am hoping that Stella Quinn will write some more set in the gulf country and Pamela Cook’s setting is lovely could there be more set there and Penelope Janu has taken us back to Ballimore with characters that have become friends, if you are looking for a fabulous read then this is the one to pick up, a must read.

5 stars

September 29, 2026 by HQ Genre AU

Shock Venetian Heir

 Shock Venetian Heir

Kali Anthony

Reviewed by Helen

This is another fabulous romance taking me on a trip through Italy with characters who are so easy to get to know, come along and meet Rocco and Lily as they journey to a HEA through some ups and downs.

Lily has always done what her parents have wanted her to do even getting engaged to their choice, Lily thought she was in love that is until she overhears a conversations with her fiancé she flees England for a one in a lifetime trip to Venice meets a man who will change her life, one night of passion but it was always to be one night and one night only and then back home Lily discovers she is pregnant.

Rocco is a billionaire who has just discovered something that will rock his life and he finds release when he meets Lily his butterfly at a ball in Venice one night, one night only of the most delicious passion and he is back to working his life out when his butterfly appears on his doorstep weeks later and delivers the news she is pregnant.

Now starts a journey of what Rocco suggests is a passionate but loveless marriage so as their child has a family, will it work though can they both protect their hearts and still move forward? This is a beautiful romance, I loved both Lily and Rocco and I highly recommend this on to any lover of a good romance, this one left me smiling.

5 stars

August 25, 2026 by Harlequin Presents

Enemies at the Royal Altar (Unsuitable Royal Matches Book 1) by Natalie Anderson

 Reviewed by Nas Dean

Enemies at the Royal Altar by author Natalie Anderson is October 2026 release by Harlequin Presents. 

I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance, and the royal setting made this one even more entertaining. The sparks between the characters and the tension in their relationship kept me interested in seeing how things would turn out. 

If you enjoy royal romances with a bit of drama, plenty of chemistry and two people who have to overcome their differences to find love, you might enjoy this one too. Definitely worth adding to your reading list!

I enjoyed Enemies at the Royal Altar by Natalie Anderson. 

This was a fun royal romance. 

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Code Blue Christmas

 Code Blue Christmas

Yukon Vally, Alaska Hospital Series #4

Jillian David

Reviewed by Helen

We are back in the Yukon Valley and it is just about Christmas time, it is dark most of the day and it is cold and as usual the matchmakers of this small town are looking for people they can help find love could it be lab technician Reggie Price and local Veterinarian April Katz turn?

Reggie has moved here to train to race his dog sled team in the North Pole race and Mav is coaching him and he is also loving his job at the hospital, Reggie runs on spreadsheets and timing everything must run to timetable for him and with the race so close nothing can distract him from what he wants. Running into April brings back lots of memories for Reggie ones he would rather forget.

April is working in her father’s veterinarian surgery she is all lights and sparkle especially at this time of the year her and her little dog Alpo come as a team but April has decisions that she must make will she follow her dreams or her father’s? Then she runs into Reggie Price when he brings one of his race dogs in for a check she has never forgotten Reggie and the times she spent as his teach at college years ago and it appears that he can still push her buttons.

So when April goes out to check Reggie’s dogs and a blizzard hits they are snowbound in his cabin and talking is not all they did but can this lead to anything more, Reggie is so set on his ways and April still has decisions to make, can they set everything aside to find love and happiness?

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip back to the Yukon Valley the setting is fabulous and the characters and dogs who all have their own personalities kept me turning the pages in this steamy romance, it is one that recommend to keep you warm on a cool night.

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

4 stars

October 6, 2026 by Tule Publishing

Burrabinda Dawn

 Burrabinda Dawn

Burrabinda #1

Heather Reyburn

Reviewed by Helen

The start of a new series from one of my favourite authors and it didn’t disappoint, come along for a trip to outback Queensland and meet some wonderful characters.

Burrabinda is a large farm with cattle and sheep and has been home to the Westman family for generations but sadly farming is not an easy business and with drought, floods and the cost of fuel and fertilizer running Burrabinda is getting harder and Charlotte has come up with a plan to bring tourism onto the farm and keep it going by giving people the chance to experience farming for themselves, the doors have opened to this sprawling and beautiful land and the very welcoming Westman family, Anthony, Charlotte theirs sons Oliver and Nathan and Roy and Sylvia, Anthony’s parents and Charlotte’s cousin Heath.

Their first visitors are Stella Lewis and her eighteen year old daughter Evie, Stella is a single mum and a hairdresser but while house-sitting her parents home a terrible incident brings back past memories for Stella and shatters her confidence, her parents suggest a holiday and young Evie is very keen for this to happen.

Evie has also had a re-think about her future after a weekend away with her girlfriends goes wrong, so they decide on a trip to the outback they find themselves driving to Winton and Evie is stoked at the dinosaur’s museum and she is sure she has found what she wants her future to be and then they arrive at Burrabinda for a two week stay.

Staying at Burrabinda is what will change their lives, they really open up with the help of the Westman family and discover secrets that had been kept for many years and now the future is theirs to own and the happiness they have both found is what they needed and deserved.

I loved this one from start to finish and cannot highly recommend it enough, a beautifully told story of friendship, and of finding yourself, I loved all of the characters in this one and of course my trip to the outback was amazing, and I am really looking forward to more in this series and another visit to Burrabinda and the Westman family.

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

5 stars

Expected publication October 14, 2026

Harvest Magic

 Harvest Magic

The Enchanted Village #8

Annie Seaton

Reviewed by Helen

It is summer in Lower Thistlewick and there is a lot happening, the filming of Dimity’s book Shadowlands has started in which Alf the publican has a part, it is harvest time, someone new has arrived in the village, Harvey Alf’s nephew, will he stay and then there is the wedding of Hugh and Joanna an exciting time to be there and the residents are their true selves with knowing looks and total understanding of what people need in this enchanted village and of course the flowers are blooming for everyone, it is a very busy time.

This is a lovely series with a fabulous setting and wonderful characters, the village is very special when people arrive the village knows what they need and want and goes about ensuring that it all happens, If you are looking for short moving stories then this is the series to pick up.

4 stars

August 25, 2026 by ASA

The Treasure House

 The Treasure House

Amy Matthews

Reviewed by Helen

This is just the most gorgeous of stories, it was recommend to me by a friend and I dived into it and didn’t want to put it down, when Zoe single mum to Florence who is nearly twelve decides that after the life she has had growing up she wants a home of her own for her daughter a house that will give them a yard and separate bedrooms and when Zoe discovers what they call the treasure houses she searches madly for one that she can afford and of course Flo has her say one where this house should be, after all these houses are very affordable for a reason, they are not in big cities and they are sold filled with junk and when they find one on the coast in Maine they make the trip and decision to move.

They need to pick up the key from neighbour Jake who owns the hardware/lobster shack store and he is not only good looking but he is grumpy and when showing them around the house that is filled to the brim with junk he is doing his best to talk them out of buying it but that does not deter them and soon Zoe and Flo are the owners of a treasure house.

It is the end of summer and Zoe has her work cut out for her cleaning up the place to make it livable before the colder weather sets in, the things they discover along the way are amazing not all of it is junk and Jake is becoming a great handyman and friend as well as the other residents of this very small town, but Zoe has found lots of things that belong to Marley who apparently was the previous owner but no one is giving her much information about her but she is discovering a lot about her as she cleans up and feels a closeness to her.

So many things are coming together for Zoe in this beautiful coastal town her heart is opening up, Jake and her are really getting closer and her and Flo have settled in with cats and so much more, but when her past arrives could this destroy it all or has this town and the people here as well as her foster family helped Zoe see her future better?
I loved this book so much I highly recommend it, it is witty, heartwarming and heartbreaking in so many ways there were many tears from me, smiles and laughter along the way as Zoe, Jake and Flo make a HEA together, learning about Marley and Jake’s connection and the past lives of the people who lived in this house had me turning the pages, this is a story not to be missed it is fabulous.

5 stars

September 1, 2026 by Simon & Schuster Australia

The Cowboy's Forever Promise

 The Cowboy's Forever Promise

The Westons of Montana #6

Elsa Winckler

Reviewed by Helen

Carson Weston is really enjoying being a part of the bigger Weston family after joining the ranches together, he is kind of messy at home and layback he loves ranching and he loves photography, and looking or finding someone to settle down with and love is not in his future after the life he had as a kid with a controlling mother that is until he is in Spokane and he meets the most beautifulest woman and spends one night with her no names it is one night only.

Abby Swanson grew up in foster care and as an adult planning and order are her life and she runs a successful business in Seattle her best friend June has now moved to Marietta and is happily married to Dylan but that future is not on the cards for Abby she really needs to be on top of everything but on her way to visit June she stops in Spokane for a night and goes to a bar, not like her to do and she meets a man that has her acting out of her usual box and spends the most glorious night with him but no names were agreed to and the next morning she is on her way.

Arriving in Marietta Abby is shocked to find out that the man she spent the night with is none other than June’s brother in law and the spark and heat between them sparks up again and with the Weston family happily playing matchmaker do they have any chance of sticking to their life plans or will they realise that love and happiness is for them both together?

If you enjoy a steamy romance then this is one to read, I did very much enjoy this one and it was a good ending to the Weston’s of Montana series having them all together was good.

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

4 stars

September 1, 2026 by Tule Publishing

A Little Taste of Home

 A Little Taste of Home

From the Outback to the Seas #2

Jacinta Peachey

Reviewed by Helen

We are back in Dolphin Cove for another delightful and fabulous story I love this little country and seaside town and the characters we have met so far, this time we are going to spend time at the Dolphin Cove Hotel with Emmie and Cam, come along and meet them all.

Emmie Hewitt is a single mum to four year old Teagan and when her father Keith and mum Fay are ill she takes up the mantle and leaves her event planner job in Perth to take up the reins of the crumbling family hotel, what she discovers is a bully of a chef, Greg the food is terrible and the place needs lots of work but her father has never listened to her before about how they can make things better so she knows her job is not going to be easy and raising a daughter on her own takes a lot of work. Then on a really bad day in the kitchen a hero walks in.

Cameron McCracken is a three hat chef but a breakdown has seen him leave all of that behind to travel around Australia in his van and surf and it has been fabulous so far, that is until he is camping in Dolphin Bay and has his van and everything he owns stolen, he arrives at the Dolphin Cove Hotel in his wetsuit just as the chef is going off his head in the kitchen Cam can’t help but step in and help and then step in again to offer to be chef till Emmie can find someone else is this what he really wanted?

Emmie and Cam don’t get off on the right foot Emmie finds this chef full of his own ego and he wants to change all the food and that is not going to happen because of her father but soon Emmie can see that everything is improving in the kitchen and he also is getting along really well with Teagan but can Emmie and Cam work together and change things around at the hotel and really make things better after all both of them are only there temporarily?

Soon Cam and Emmie cannot ignore the spark and pull that is happening but both have been through a lot and when Cam is offered a top job in Melbourne Emmie is caught between wanting him to take what he really wanted but wanting him to stay, will he leave Emmie, Teagan and the friends that he has made or will he stay?

This is a fabulous story so much fun, moving, emotional oh and the food wow, of course I can’t not mention The Lacey Ladies or The Shedders who help to make this story what it is, I loved it from start to finish Emmie and Cam and Teagan are so good, I do highly recommend this one and am very eager for the next book in the series, will it be Nina’s story?

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

5 stars

September 15, 2026 by Tule Publishing