Sworn to Defend

 Sworn to Defend

Sworn Navy SEALs #3

Charlee James

Reviewed by Helen

I am loving this series and the awesome heroes, they are strong, caring and determined to keep the woman and their families safe, and this time we see Hunter “Branch” Green finally open up about how he feels about Hannah Day mother of Collin, it took being shot down and spending time in hospital to do so, will they find their HEA?

Hannah is mother to thirteen year old Collin who is autistic she is a medic who works hard and is so independent and that is mainly because of her life growing up, coming from a wealthy family where her looks and attitude have been criticized and then to fall pregnant caused scandal, Hannah moved away and has bought her beautiful son up alone, so when Hunter opens up about the way he feels just when she is invited to be bridesmaid at her youngest sister’s wedding Hannah’s emotions are flying, will she be able to accept someone else in her life?

Branch steps up to join Hannah and Collin in their life this is so important to him and when they travel to Texas for the wedding Branch feels that there may be some danger involved and nothing is going to take Hannah and Collin away from him now that he has revealed his love for them both, will he be able to keep them safe?

This is such a fabulous story filled with emotion and danger I love Branch and Hannah and of course Collin catching up with the other SEALs and their partners and family had me turning the pages, I do highly recommend this one and the series, bring on Silver’s story, I can’t wait.

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

5 stars

July 30, 2024 by Tule Publishing

The Cuban Daughter

 The Cuban Daughter

The Lost Daughters #2

Soraya M Lane

Reviewed by Helen

Another fabulous story in this series, set over two timelines and three countries this sees present day Claudia searching for the truth about her grandmother this takes her to Cuba and opens up a whole new world for her, will she find love and the answers she so dearly wants?

1950 in Cuba and Esmeralda Diaz is the apple of her father’s eye the eldest of four sisters the Diaz family are one of the richest on the island running a few sugar mills, when Julio Diaz takes Esmeralda on a trip to sign a contract in London she finally meets someone who just might change her mind on marriage, Christopher Dutton the attraction is instant from both but they must part until Christopher arrives in Cuba and one night will change Esmeralda’s life.

Present day London and Claudia has just discovered that her grandmother was born at Hope’s House, a home for unmarried mothers, she is given a small box that contains two items, a family crest and a business card this starts Claudia on a journey to hopefully discover the truth about her grandmother, what she doesn’t expect is to fall in love with not only Cuba and the people but chef, Matteo.

This is a beautiful story filled with emotion, romance and adventure as Claudia searches for answers and discovers herself on the journey, come along and meet the fabulous characters, there were tears and smiles from this reader, I loved Claudia and Matteo, I loved my trip to Cuba and I do highly recommend this one, I loved it.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.

5 stars

March 23, 2023 by Bookouture

Light Up My Heart

 Light Up My Heart

A Point Perry Christmas

Joanne Spiers

Reviewed by Helen

I loved Joanne Speirs debut book set in Point Perry and was eager for another trip to this fabulous seaside small town with such awesome characters, I fell into this one it is Christmas time the weather is hot and Scarlett Reynolds has arrived home after her life in the city has fallen apart, Ryan Black, Christmas Grinch has taken up the job of nurse at the local hospital he did visit Point Perry for a summer holiday when he was seventeen and he has just run into Scarlett and she doesn’t remember him from all those years ago, can they have a second chance?

When Aunt Lilac has a fall Ryan and Scarlett are pushed together and there is no getting away from the effort of Lilac to push them together one problem, Ryan does not do Christmas and Scarlett is a huge fan of Christmas and when the penny drops and Scarlett memory comes back their first meeting doesn’t go that well, but with what needs to be done they are soon opening up to each other and hearts are opening up like they did all those years ago.

This really is a beautiful romance filled with so many emotions it had me turning the pages, Ryan and Scarlett are such beautiful and caring people they deserve to find love and happiness can the Christmas magic bring them together and see them heal from their pasts?

If you love a good Christmas story then this is one that I highly recommend, and being July it is the perfect time to read a Christmas story, thank you MS Speirs for another gorgeous story and I do hope there will be many more visits to Point Perry, I loved this one it left me smiling the ending is so romantic and fun.

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

5 stars

July 25, 2024 by Nurturing Words

Stockman's Sandstorm

 Stockman's Sandstorm

The Stockman's Series #1

Mel A Rowe

Reviewed by Helen

We are back in Elsie Creek and I loved it so much, you cannot go wrong when you pick up one of Mel A Rowe’s books because they will take you on a journey that is witty, moving and just absolutely fabulous with awesome characters who you can easily love and this book had me turning the pages as we get to know Ash and Harper, join them and the Riggs brothers on an awesome adventure.

Ash Riggs has just gone into partnership with his brothers and bought The Elsie Creek Station, things are looking good for this handsome stockman who is happy playing the field with his woman friends nothing two series for Ash, but things just might change when the policeman and nurse arrive with an eighteen month old little boy, Mason who is apparently Ash’s son. He needs a Nanny and fast.

Harper Jamieson is on a mission to get to Elsie Creek, first her car gets a flat tyre now this is something that Harper has never changed after all her life has been spent in high pressure offices around the world, along comes the most handsomest of men and he changes the tyre for her and she zooms away to get to her destination.

A meeting between Ash, Harper and Mason soon sees Harper hired to be a Nanny something that she has also never done but Harper sets rules no romance with the babysitter, soon things are moving along and Harper has met the caretaker Charlie and his granddaughter Bree. Although Harper is finding it hard to get on with Ash’s Brothers Ryder, Dex and Cap she is determined to ensure that Mason is well and safe and to keep her secret.

There is trouble brewing with The Station and the brothers must go on muster, Harper is soon roped into joining them, Harper has hopes that Ash and Mason will bond and Bree who is fast becoming a close friend to Harper has Harper organised for her first muster.

This is an awesome story there is so much happening Harper has arrived in a totally different world to her normal life, she has been through so much lately will she heal and find love or will everything go pear shape when threats are made from neighbours and what if the Riggs’s brothers discover her secret before she gets a chance to tell Ash, will Ash follow his heart?

I loved this one so much there are so many fabulous characters not only Ash, Harper and Mason but Bree is the best and Charlie and Ryder, Dex and Cap all with their different personalities, this is a must read story that I highly recommend it and I can’t wait for the next in the series.

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

5 Stars

July 23, 2024 by R&R Ramblings House

An Augathella Baby

 An Augathella Baby

Augathella Short and Sweet #2

Annie Seaton

Reviewed by Helen

I lovely story, this one focuses on Sophie who we know and love, Sophie married the love of her life, Kent four months ago, Sophie has been through a lot and has lost a little of her confidence but Kent wants a baby and he has reasons for wanting to start now but Sophie is not that sure that she does just yet, she is so busy helping Callie with the twins and the older boys and helping at The Vintage Tea Room, will they open up to each other so as they can move forward?

Then there is Jenna Wilson who has just opened up The Vintage Tea Rooms her story is lovely finding a grandfather she never knew, well known to the town Reg and then meeting Luke while he is in town now both Jenna and Luke are focused on their careers but is there a chance they can find time for each other?

I beautiful story that I do highly recommend short and sweet and I do love visiting Augathella and the fabulous characters who live there.

4 Stars

September 30, 2023 by ASA

An Augathella Surprise

 An Augathella Surprise

Augathella Short and Sweet #1

Annie Seaton

Reviewed by Helen

A new series set in Augathella, fabulous I do love being here and catching up with everyone, this time we are getting to know more about Reg a favourite of mine when Jenna Wilson decides to make a change in her life and do what she has always wanted to do and that is open a vintage tea room and she has chosen Augathella to do so, come along and meet Jenna and her friend Alana.
Jenna buys a house on pictures only and her and Alana make the three day trip from Brisbane what she discovers is a shock this cottage is worse than she thought but nothing is going to dampen her enthusiasm.

Reg is well known in Augathella he has made the decision to sell the house that has been in his family for many years and move into the aged care facility, returning to the house with Callie there are a couple of young woman there and one of them takes him back many years to the one love of his life, but he knows that cannot be true, but so many emotions come back.

Is there some connection between Jenna and Reg, Jenna is going to do her best to get to know Reg and uncover if there is a link, can they be related? Also in this one Callie is just about to have her baby?

I do highly recommend this one short and sweet and I loved it I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good story that will make you smile.

4 stars

July 31, 2023 by ASA

Secrets in Pelican Crossing

 Secrets in Pelican Crossing

Pelican Crossing #2

Maggie Christensen

Reviewed by Helen

Another lovely instalment in this new series, filled with emotion and a beautiful romance and as the title suggests secrets that have been long kept secret, this is Liz Phillips’s story and when her past arrives in Pelican Crossing how will it affect her future first with her family and with newspaper editor Finn Hunter, come and visit Pelican Crossing and find out.

Liz has been divorced for a while now and it seems that she has been yearning for more in her life, mother to two adult daughters Tara and Mandy, she has had no success with online dating then she meets Finn Hunter who has recently moved to Pelican Crossing to be with his family and the sparks fly.

Finn moved from Bellbird Bay when his son in law drowned in a tragic accident saving his young son, he moved here to support his daughter and grandson and took on the job as editor of the local newspaper, when he meets Liz everything changes he has not felt like this in a long, long time and soon they are spending a lot of time together in such a beautiful way.

But life does not always run smoothly when Liz’s past arrives and looks like playing havoc with her daughters but she is also thrilled at the arrival and Finn in her life and that he is there for her, but for Finn there is trouble brewing with the newspaper and this could cause a lot of problems for their budding relationship.

Will everything work out for Liz and Finn, will they find the love and happiness that they both want and deserve and how will the family go forward now. This is such a great story I do love Maggie Christensen’s Heroes and Heroines they are easy to get to know and feel their emotions on their journey to a HEA. I do highly recommend this one to any reader who loves a good romance.

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

4 stars

Forgiving Her First Love by Dani Collins

 Forgiving Her First Love

The Raven's Cove Trilogy #2

Dani Collins

Reviewed by Helen

We are back in Raven’s Cove and this time it is middle brother Logan’s story and none other than Marina Manager Sophie, Logan was Sophie’s teenage crush and it went a bit further when she was eighteen but he left and broke her heart, Sophie went a bit wild after that and now is the single mother of eight year old Biyen. Sophie and Biyen are living with her grandfather but Sophie is still a little mad at Logan will she ever be able to forgive him?

Logan has arrived back to the place he grew up with his estranged half-brothers after the death of their father, he left years ago to design luxury yachts and lives in Florida, but him and his brothers must now get the renovations at Raven’s Cove done so as they can sell it and all move on, but the longer he stays here especially getting to know his new baby sister, Storm and spending time with Sophie and Biyen will he be able to walk away again?

This is such a great second chance romance, there is lots of emotion throughout this story Sophie and Logan have a lot from their pasts that they need to put behind them that is if they can open up first because the chemistry between them is strong and fiery. I loved being back in Raven’s Cove and catching up with Reid, Emma and Storm, Trystan as well and getting to now Biyen I do love Biyen.

This is one that I would highly recommend, it is sure to keep any romance reader turning the pages and feeling every emotion and I can’t wait for Trystan’s story.

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

4 stars

July 16, 2024 by Tule Publishing

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Reviewed by Nas Dean

In "Forgiving Her First Love," author Dani Collins crafts a compelling tale of second chances and emotional reckoning set against the picturesque backdrop of Raven's Cove. Sophie Peterson, managing a marina with determination and grit, finds her world upended when Logan Fraser, her former crush and lover, returns unexpectedly to her life.

The novel dives deep into the complexities of Sophie and Logan's intertwined pasts. Sophie, still nursing wounds from Logan's abrupt departure years ago, is understandably cautious when he reappears seeking her assistance with familial and financial burdens. Meanwhile, Logan grapples with his own demons and familial responsibilities, shaped by a tumultuous upbringing marred by his father's indiscretions and his mother's sacrifices.

Dani Collins skillfully navigates themes of forgiveness, trust, and redemption as Sophie and Logan confront their shared history and the unresolved emotions lingering between them. The dynamics between the characters are palpable, layered with raw emotions and genuine vulnerabilities that add depth to their journey of self-discovery and healing.

"Forgiving Her First Love" captivates with its evocative prose and authentic portrayal of small-town life and interpersonal relationships. 

Overall, "Forgiving Her First Love" is a touching and heartfelt novel that underscores the enduring impact of past choices on present relationships. With its engaging narrative and relatable characters, this book is sure to appeal to fans of contemporary romance seeking a story of love, forgiveness, and second chances.

Down the Track

 Down the Track

Stella Quinn

Reviewed by Helen

What happens when paleontologist Dr. Joanne Tan arrives in the small town of Yindi Creek hoping upon hope to discover some dinosaur bones and build up her career, but what does happen is she runs into someone from her past, Gavin (Hux) Huxtable, someone who meant a lot to her fourteen years ago, there is a lot of water under the bridge now including her ten year old son Luke where will this go?

Hux has never gotten over Jo, although a helicopter pilot he is also now a writer of best -selling series Tyson Clueless Jones, he is not normally in Yindi Creek at this time of the year but when his business partner and brother in law has a problem with a missing customer, Hux arrives home to do what he can and meeting up with Jo was the last thing he expected, maybe it is time for Hux to open up to Jo.

Stella Quinn has written another witty fun and thoroughly enjoyable rural romance, this one is a busy story with lots going on, dinosaur bones, missing men, relationships between families and such wonderful characters that added so much to the story, there were many laughs and smiles reading this one as I cheered Hux and Jo through an up and down journey to happiness.

I would highly recommend this one any lover of a good rural romance.

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

4 stars

June 1, 2024 by HQ Fiction

Her Billion-Dollar Bump

 Her Billion-Dollar Bump

Diamonds of the Rich and Famous #3

Dani Collins

Reviewed by Helen

I do love a Cinderella troupe and this one is the best, come along and meet fashion designer, housemaid Fliss as she enters the world of billionaire tech mogul Saint Montgomery, what happens when a chance meeting waiting by the red carpet turns her life upside down.

Fliss has put her wish to be a fashion designer away for a while when she was caring for her grandmother now though by chance she finds and invitation to a gala and takes a chance never realizing how it will all turn out when Saint whisks her into the dinner and this becomes a night of passion and then months of innuendo from the press. Now she must find Saint and tell him her news.

Saint is a love them and leave them guy after his upbringing love is not in his future but a chance meeting with the beautiful Fliss one night of pure passion leaves him thinking of her but a past lover and the press as well as pressure from his father keeps him from searching for her after the gift he purchased her was undeliverable, but now she has contacted him to tell him she is pregnant, wow this is not what he expected, this was not in his future but he will take on the responsibility but will he be able to protect his heart from falling for the beautiful Fliss?

I loved this one, it is witty, funny, and emotional and so very sensual as Fliss breaks down Saint’s walls, it takes Fliss a bit to fit into high flying society but she does with charisma and caring, this is one that I do highly recommend I loved Fliss and Saint so much, fabulous characters and the settings are the best.

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

5 stars

June 25, 2024 by Harlequin Presents

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Reviewed by Nas Dean

In "Her Billion-Dollar Bump," author Dani Collins delivers a captivating tale of unexpected romance and high-stakes drama. Fliss, a housemaid with abandoned fashion dreams, finds herself thrust into the glamorous world of billionaire Saint Montgomery after a chance encounter at a prestigious event. Their whirlwind night together leads to unforeseen consequences, as Fliss navigates newfound fame and a life-changing revelation.

The novel unfolds with a blend of passion and intrigue, as Fliss grapples with her feelings for Saint amidst the complexities of their divergent backgrounds. The chemistry between the characters sizzles, drawing readers into their rollercoaster relationship filled with misunderstandings and undeniable attraction.

"Her Billion-Dollar Bump" is a delightful read that seamlessly combines romance with elements of suspense and personal growth. It explores themes of identity, ambition, and the transformative power of love, all against the backdrop of opulent settings and societal expectations.

Overall, this novel is a compelling choice for fans of contemporary romance, offering a satisfying blend of emotional depth and escapist allure. It's a story that lingers, long after readers finish off the last page.