Out of the Blue

 Out of the Blue

Penelope Janu

Reviewed by Helen

Another totally awesome story from one of my favourite authors, Penelope Janu’s stories are always filled with emotion, they are moving with strong caring and for her male heroes somewhat arrogant characters and her story lines involve the environment and the care it should be having and this one takes us to the sub-Antarctic, come along for a story that is sure to keep you turning the pages.

Felicity “Flick” Atherton has had a somewhat emotionally troubled past but has moved on and is an ornithologist who studies the migratory patents of birds and she also shares the care of her late brother’s daughter Matilda and has to contend with her uncaring and demanding mother, she has had many jobs and at present is at the Dubbo Zoo but that job is coming to an end and she needs something else to help pay the bills when an offer comes from UN Environmental team funding to take on an assignment on Morrison Island in the sub-Antarctic Flick is challenged because of her past but needs must but the UN representative Sebastien Thorsen comes across arrogant and she will not let a man tell her what to do but she will do her job efficiently.

During the flight and ship crossing Seb stays by Flick’s side but, Sebastien is not sure in the end that Flick is the right person for the job and their relationship is one battle after another this is a very close knit community and Flick has been making friends and they can see the tension that is there between them and Flick is so determined to her job and more if she can to prove Seb wrong about her but the feelings between them grow and get more complicated and then when Nate arrives and asks Flick to do more danger arrives and Seb is determined to keep Flick safe but will he be able to?

Flick arrives home to her life with plans to change some things for the better, but can she truly leave Seb out of her life forever?

This is such a brilliant story I loved it from start to finish and of course it is always great catching up with characters that I have gotten to know from other stories and to finally see Nate get his story was so good, this is a story that I do highly recommend Penelope Janu’s tenth and they just get better, her take on environmental issues and the research she does makes the stories not only wonderful but you learn so much from them as well, the characters, Nate, Angelina, Robin added so much to the story and the setting what can I say it was the best I felt like I was there with the penguins, the albatross and the seals, yes don’t miss this one, and I would really love to see Fin get his story now. Thank you, MS. Janu, for another awesome story.

My thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.

5 stars

May 26, 2026 by HQ Fiction

Beneath Still Waters

 Beneath Still Waters

Daughters of the Darling #4

Annie Seaton

Reviewed by Helen

Another fabulous story in this series that I am loving, this is Shea O’Byrne’s story the fourth of five daughters and also the story of Catherine O’Byrne from the 1870’s and one that had me turning the pages.

Shea is a veterinarian nurse a caring and loving woman who feels for people in so many ways but when a relationship goes wrong and a loss brings her heartbreak Shea takes off from the job she loves in Broken Hill and makes her way to Melbourne where she can hide she keeps thing from her family and sisters and that is not like her, but Melbourne brings her hope when she meets Eliza and Heath and takes on a new career in counselling leaning towards woman who have lost babies, and Heath is breaking down walls that she has built around her heart.

Catherine loves travelling the paddle steamers along the Murray and Darling Rivers with her father the country opens her heart better than Melbourne but when she makes a decision that leaves her pregnant and single Catherine takes her future in her hands and moves to Wentworth here she makes her life as a healer and her and her daughter live a rewarding life.

Shea and Heath are both living in Wentworth now and she feels the pull of the rivers and with her father’s search into the history of their family they find a link to Catherine in Wentworth the missing daughter they have been looking for and Shea feels a connection with this ancestor, and for the first time in a while Shea is feeling like her old self and the closeness with her family is back and her heart is filled with love for Heath.

This is a fabulous story that I loved, and I am now ready to dive into book five Bridget’s story, I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good romance with a duel timeline one that has wonderful characters, it is moving and will keep you turning the pages.

5 stars

November 20, 2025 by ASA

Home to the Cowboy

Home to the Cowboy

The Westons of Montana #5

Elsa Winckler

Reviewed by Helen

 We are back in Marietta for another lovely story about The Weston’s now that the cousins have come together and re-joined the ranch, Dylan and brother Carson are settling in with their cousins and getting used to the intuition that seems to run through some of them, but will their match-making see Dylan find the love of his life?

Dylan can’t see himself ever falling in love after his early years with his mum and dad but when he finds a woman walking into town from her broken down car in the pouring rain there is some feeling, pull that is something that he has no idea about but rescue her he does and from then on in she stays in his mind as they spend more and more time together.

June Kincaid who we have met before is returning to Marietta, she visited once and maybe it is time for a holiday she will be working as well as her publishing career is important to her and she really wants to write that children’s book that has been in her mind for sometime but looking or finding love was never on the cards that is until she meets Dylan Weston.

The pull between them is too hard to ignore as their together time heats up and with the match-making Weston’s around there is not much they can do except go with it all and lose their hearts to each other, this one is a steamy and moving romance that I would recommend to any lover of romance.

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

4 stars

May 5, 2026 by Tule Publishing

May Day Magic

 May Day Magic

The Enchanted Village #6

Annie Seaton

Reviewed by Helen

We are back in Lower Thistlewick for another magical and enchanted story this time teacher Patrick Doyle has arrived to take on a new position at the high school in the English department, teaching has always been what he wanted to do even if his family thought he could have excelled at another profession, life had been good at his last school in Bristol until it wasn’t, an incident changes everything, resigning he takes this new job hoping that he will become himself again.

As soon as he arrives in the town and moves into Lavender Cottage he can feel the peace the cottage oozes, he meets Lily Morrison and as friendship grows Patrick can feel himself returning to what he knows he was once, Lily helps him by listening and then there is one of his students, Emma she too is a help and she knows that Lily and him could be more than just friends.

Another heart-warming and up-lifting story in this series, the village works its magic again, the characters are wonderful and I loved catching up with friends that I had already made, this is one that I do recommend to any reader who loves a story that will leave them smiling.

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

5 stars

May 20, 2026 by ASA

By the Billabong

 By the Billabong

Daughters of the Darling #3

Annie Seaton

Reviewed by Helen

I am loving this series and catching up is so good, visiting Ceann Mara a property that has been in the O’Byrne family for over one hundred years is so good and this time Erin has arrived home alone without her husband Jack, will they overcome their separation and what of the story from the past that Tom O’Byrne is researching Gilbert and Matilda, two stories one from the past and this one had me turning the pages.

Erin arrives home broken hearted and worried about Jack, he left on a photographic assignment to Africa and for nearly three months there has been no contact with him, he promised to be home for Cat and Logan’s wedding but it appears that he is not coming, she is camping in the motorhome by the billabong when another camper Miles McKenzie arrives his booking was supposed to have been cancelled but he appears quiet and easy company for the lonely Erin.

Erin’s father Tom is a real history buff and has been researching the family history for many years with Cat’s help and they have hit a road block with Gilbert O’Byrne they know he went to war in 1916 but after that there is nothing about him, not even a notice from the government about him missing in action, there must be something and when Erin on a walk around the billabong discovers a stone deep in the ground this appears to me something that has been put there by their neighbour Matilda Ellis all those years ago and this may just give them a new lead to follow up and find the answers they have wanted?

Erin is not sure if her marriage is over still no news from Jack and with Logan and Tom both wary of the camper Miles it appears that they are correct when things turn on a visit to neighbour, Reg Erin finds herself in danger she has confidence that her family will be there for her and save her and Reg but will they get there in time and what of Jack.

This is a fabulous story both timelines are moving and pulled me in, wonderful characters I love the O’Byrne family the strength that they share and the love they give and after all that Jack has been through will their love be strong enough to last? Gilbert and Matilda’s story was so moving and beautiful.

I loved this one and highly recommend it, I am looking forward to Shea’s story next.

5 stars

April 18, 2025 by ASA

Cinderella's Outback Boss

 Cinderella's Outback Boss

Michelle Douglas

Reviewed by Helen

This is book one in the Outback King’s Quartet and it was fabulous, I loved it from start to finish, the setting is so good the characters are wonderful and the story had me sighing come along and meet the first of four King Brothers who grew up in the Kimberly’s on a huge cattle station, Kings Reach you will fall into this one.

Tom King is widowed with a five year old daughter Bea, he is a finance guru and runs a very wealthy financial business he now lives in Sydney after the King family fractured many years ago but there is a ball in his late mother’s honour and for the first time in many years all four boys are home for it but when his father, Fraser drops a bombshell on them will they join together as they were when children or will this pull them apart? Tom will do his best to pull them together, even if it means staying on in The Kimberly’s.

Charlie Ashwell grew up on the property next door to the Kings, Melaleuca Downs, she is a strong and very capable woman who is no cowpat but she is after some proof of what Fraser King has done to her family and when Tom King offers her a job to be Nanny to young Bea she takes it but soon she is having feelings that she did not want, she has sworn off city boys after she was burnt by her ex but the more time they spend together the more her heart opens, the pull is too strong to ignore for long, where will this end?

This story is truly the best I think it might be might favourite of MS. Douglas’s so far, I loved Tom and Charlie and Bea is so lovable, the sensual pull, the emotion in this story had me turning the pages and not wanting it to end I really wanted to stay with them for longer, but love won out and left me feeling so good. I can’t wait to read the other three books in this series and get to know the other brothers better.

I do highly recommend this one to any lover of an awesome romance, I loved it.

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

5 stars

Expected publication May 12, 2026

Taming the Wild Cowboy

 Taming the Wild Cowboy

Bad Boys of Rodeo #1

Jeannie Watt

Reviewed by Helen

Do you love a cowboy romance, with a fabulous setting and wonderful characters then this is the one to pick up, first in a new series and I loved it come along and meet Maclyn and Trev.

Maclyn Kane is going through some hard times she is an equine specialist and needs a job badly after losing her last one, she has two horses of her own and a dog that she needs to care for so when an opportunity arises on a ranch in a town she loves she needs to be strong and try for it, even though she has history with this cowboy not any romantic history but they do have a past that caused problems will he give her the job?

Trev Mathews is back on the family ranch after his uncle broke his leg and needs help ordinarily, Trev works in IT but ranching is his first love and being back on the ranch he sees that even more but they are short handed and they need staff and quick and when Maclyn arrives asking for the job he is reluctant after what happened all those years ago but needs must and soon Maclyn has settled in well and he is having feelings that he probably should not but at least he now knows what really happened back then, could there be a chance for them?

Time spent together sees them both opening up, love and a relationship is not what either of them wanted but love grows and there is no denying it for long, this is a beautiful romance and one that I highly recommend I loved Maclyn and Trev and they both deserve happiness, thank you MS. Watt for a fabulous story, I look forward to Jordan’s story.

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

5 stars

April 28, 2026 by Tule Publishing

Now and Always in Hope Creek

 Now and Always in Hope Creek

Hope Creek #3

Alyssa J Montgomery

Reviewed by Helen

Book three in this fabulous series and we are back in Hope Creek and this is Morgan’s story, Morgan is an RFDS pilot and she is feisty, determined and so very caring about everything, she has been burnt by her last relationship a RFDS doctor and she has no intentions of finding a relationship again especially with a work colleague so when new doctor Matt Carter arrives Morgan is staying strong and not being very friendly with him how will this all turn out?

Morgan has been living with the Richardson family since she was nine years old, she lost her parents in an accident then her uncle Craig became her guardian, he too was a pilot delivering mail to the outback but when his plane goes down and he is presumed dead Morgan begins a new life with the Richardson’s and Stella and Callie, where she has been very happy, while on a clinic run an old ringer makes some comments about her uncle and what he was really doing while delivering the mail and Morgan sets a course on finding out the truth about what happened all those years ago.

Matt Carter has always wanted to be in a rural community and has planned his training well to be a good RFDS doctor and now he has come to the place that he wants to stay and meeting the team is good expect maybe the reaction he is getting from Morgan, she is very standoffish with him and he can’t understand that but one thing he does know is that he is very drawn to this feisty beautiful woman, will she let him get closer but what about his own past will that pull them apart?

Soon they have become friends and Morgan has uncovered some facts that she is determined to get the answers for and being Morgan she goes ahead and soon is in danger and Matt is by her side to help and keep her safe but it appears that maybe Matt’s family connections might be related and as danger looms very close will they come out the other end safe?

I loved this one so much I think it might be my favourite of the three so far, MS. Montgomery has pulled together a wonderful romantic suspense with such fabulous characters, people who were very easy to make friends with, Morgan is strong and feisty and Matt is so caring, this one is moving and filled with emotion and a must read, I do highly recommend this one the series, thank you for a fabulous story.

My thanks to Escape Publishing and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

5 stars

May 1, 2026 by Escape Publishing

The Home Paddock

 The Home Paddock

Forrest Gully #2

Laurelle Cousins

Reviewed by Helen

We are back in the best country town, Forrest Gully this time the author is telling us about town favourites Hughey Chalmers and Meg Sommers, we did get to know them in the first book and I was eagerly awaiting their story and I was not disappointed.

After Hughey lost his butcher shop in that terrible fire, the town has got behind him and Hughey has kept his business going sharing a space in Lexie’s bakery but he is now re-building a new shop but with big plans to make it a Providore and he has high hopes that the girl he has always loved, Meg Sommers, the best barista there is will join forces and move her café into the new shop, but can he get her to break down the walls she has built after all that happened with their parents and tomato sauce all those years ago?

Meg loves her café and her coffee machine and she loves this town but one thing she feels she has to do is keep Hughey at arm’s length because of the hurt his parents caused hers, with both sets of parents not residing in Forrest Gully anymore, she is happy to make coffee for Hughey and she knows how caring and helpful he is and she does know how hard it is to keep her heart safe against the feeling she truly has for this man the one who has been a part of her life since childhood, her friend but he can be no more than that.

Things are moving fast for Hughey and his Providore and Meg is determined to hold her own in her café not with Hughey but then things change for her and with parents arriving back in town the pressure is on, how will Meg make things work could she do her own tomato sauce or was that going too far, add to that the arrival of a cat never seen before but he befriends both Hughey and Meg and seems to want them to get closer, will it happen?

This is another wonderful story in this series, I loved catching up with Gus, Kate and Riley as well as the other CWA ladies and residents, and as usual from this author the food delights are amazing, I am sure I gain weight reading these books, this is a story that I highly recommend, a visit to a small country town with all of the support that abounds in these towns, don’t miss this one and as always I look forward to the next one.

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

4 stars

May 4, 2026 by LCP

Where There's Smoke

 Where There's Smoke

Karly Lane

Reviewed by Helen

If you love a good second chance romance then this is one to pick up, come along and meet Kenzie and Ewan, this is one sure to keep you turning the pages, I Loved it.

Mackenzie (Kenzie) Knight lives on the Gold Coast in Queensland she is a single mum to four year old Poppy and runs a very successful event planning business and she is exceptionally good at wedding planning, all is going so good, until the man she had a one night stand with five years ago walks into the room with his bride to be, Kenzie is stunned to see the man who she thought had left the country to go home all those years ago and the man who fathered Poppy, what will she do now?

Ewan Campbell arrives to be at this wedding planning meeting even though he is busy but this meeting is going to upend his life forever when the wedding planner turns out to be the woman that has stayed in his mind for all of these years he never really forgot her and when he discovers that he is a father Ewan has some choices to make.

A meeting between Kenzie and Ewan is not easy and now Ewan is not getting married and Kenzie needs to get away for a bit and takes Poppy on a trip to her mother and step-father’s farm and Ewan comes along to get to know Poppy and soon they are talking lots and thinking about how life is going to be for the three of them, Ewan suggests a trip to his family’s property in South Australia and road trip is planned that turns out to be fun, and all is going well when they spend time at Laire-Mor their relationship is growing, Poppy is loving having a daddy and another family and then something happens that will upend everything again, will they overcome this and find love and happiness?

I loved this one so much Karly Lane has again bought her readers a story to fall into with wonderful characters and settings I loved Kenzie, Ewan and Poppy and I highly recommend this one, it hit the spot beautifully, moving, emotional and awesome.

My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.

5 stars

April 28, 2026 by Allen & Unwin