Reivew of Half Moon Bay by Helene Young

Half Moon Bay
by Helene Young

I've always enjoyed watching mystery/CSI kind of shows on TV but this was probably my first foray into the world of Romantic Suspense books and I wasn't let down.

The story starts with photojournalist Ellie Wilding on her way to Afghanistan to meet up with her sister, investigative journalist Nina but she ends up having to bring her home in a coffin. Two years later she is back home in the not so sleepy coastal town of Half Moon Bay when the locals need her skills to fight corruption and possible drug running which pulls her into the path of danger that had gotten Nina killed. Nick Lawson fell in love with Ellie the first time he saw her trying to organise a medivac for his sister and has never been able to get her out of his head. But she was the last person he expected to see in Half Moon Bay.

Ellie doesn't know who to trust, and trying to avoid falling for the hansom Mr Lawson is harder than expected, and if she could just remember where she knew him from he might be able to put the pieces of the puzzle together. But with so many lies can Ellie find the truth in time??

I loved this fast moving novel that has twists and turns to keep you hooked right to the end.

I'm looking forward to reading her Boarder Watch Series just as soon as I can swing past Torquay Books and pick them up!

I was fortunate enough to meet Helene at a recent Get Reading Author Tour visit to Waurn Ponds Library and this Award Winning Author is just as lovely in real life and she is in print.

If you haven't read her books yet check out her website and Get Reading! http://www.heleneyoung.com/

Children's Books

Ok, so I will admit I don't have kids of my own but I do love and treasure children's books. I still have all the books I had as a child. I have fond memories of being read to as a child and my dad can still recite by memory one of our favourite stories.

What do I love about children's books? They are simple and to the point, many have BEAUTIFUL illustrations. And I believe all kids should be encouraged to read from babies which is why I always give books as presents to babies and children of friends and family - I'm known for it :)

Here are a couple that I have read recently.

A Year on Our Farm by Penny Matthews Illustrated by Andrew McLean This is a beautiful well illustrated book which discusses the what happens in a year on the farm. It is truthful account and if your reading it to young children you may have to "gloss over" some of it but I really liked this book. It covers topics like the different months and seasons, Life and Death on the farm, feral animals and the weather (including Drought and Flood). Andrew's illustrations are beautiful. Little Mates Series by Susannah McFarlane Illustrated by Lachlan Creagh These cute book series have 26 (so far they have released up to Vocal Violet) plus some bonus books. Each book is based on a letter of the alphabet with Australian animals and very cute (if not somewhat of a tongue twister sometimes). They are aimed at young kids but will need adults to read the books to them. These make great gifts, especially if your fortunate enough to match the child's name to the book like I did with my cousin's little girl Amelia her mum Katie and a friend's girl Ruby.

Books always make great presents - no sugar and can be used again and again

Happy Reading
xoxo

Review of Read my Lips by Jana Novotny Hunter

Read My Lips

by Jana Novotny Hunter

I really enjoyed Jana's book about the battles that deaf people can face (she has a brother & sister who are deaf). In this story "Cat" who lost her hearing at 5 when she contracted meningitis, is sent to a boarding school for deaf children. She feels abandoned by her parents, especially her mother. She is now in her final year at school and worried about going "outside" into the hearing world. At "Deaf City" (the nickname given to her school) the is a war between signers and speakers (deaf who also speak) and Cat get's thrown in the middle when, as a signer, she falls for a speaker. She helps bring the argument to a head with a school debate but at what cost?

I have read a few books about deaf kids (my own sister is hearing impaired) written by both hearing and deaf and found Read my Lips up there with the good ones.

Review of Saved by the Bride by Fiona Lowe

Saved By The Bride (Wedding Fever #1)

by Fiona Lowe
(available as an ebook)

When small town clutz Annika gets nominated as acting Mayor of Whitetail she can't seem to say no and finds herself quickly in over her head when she tries all she can to save her town and attract new business and jobs.

It doesn't help that she can fall over on flat ground, or that the biggest business target for Whitetail just happens to be the very hot Finn Callahan. But while Annika does all she can to help the town attract a new company and hide herself away from her own heartache the town has other ideas. The locals are convinced they can become the a Wedding Destination town and that means attracting Finn's sister Bridie who is trying to create the perfect wedding to break the family track record.

Throw in some crazy family dynamics, simmering tension between Annika and Finn - who is convinced he's never falling in love - and you have a delightful story that will have you laughing, smiling and cheering for Annika (and if your clumsy like me, rubbing your knees in sympathy).
Looking forward to the next instalment in the Wedding Fever series.

And if you haven't read Fiona's book Boomerang Bride do yourself a favour and check it out!

Review of Heartland by Cathryn Hein

Heartland (Paperback)
by Cathryn Hein



Cathryn Hein does it again!

I loved reading Cathryn's new book Heartland. Her characters are so real and relatable I felt I could easily be friends with Callie and spend weekends on her farm.

The setting of Heartland was also so familiar (didn't hurt having a mention of my hometown as well). I could total imagine where Glenmore would be if it was real. I could picture young Matt being shipped off from England to board at Geelong Grammar - counting down the days til he could spend holidays at Uncle Wal's farm.

Cathryn's writing is so real and honest and they lay their heartache and fears in the open.
Heartland made me want to move to the country with my own farmer Matt.

I can't wait to read Cathryn's next book.

If you love your stories with lots of country heart do yourself and favour and grab one of Cathryn Hein's books today.

Review of Three Hours Late

Three Hours Late
by Nicole Trope



One word comes to mind reading Nicole's new book - WOW. I wanted to just find a comfy spot and just devour it in one go.

Three Hours Late deals with a very sensitive and all too real subject of domestic violence and parents using their children to punish their exes and handles it with the care and dignity it deserves.


Like Jodi Picoult before her Nicole unwinds the story from various angles of the main characters to round it out and then as the story unwinds she exposes snippets of the backgrounds of the important people that come into Liz's life during those stomach churning 3 hours. Unlike some books with multiple points of view Nicole has done this in a way that keeps the story flowing quickly and without those annoying repeats that can put you off.

I'm not going to spoil the ending for anyone but to say this was an amazing read and I felt like I was holding by breath right to the end.

Review of In Search of a Love Story

In Search of a Love Story (Love Story Book 1)
by Rachael Schurig


Rachel Schurig's new series "Love Story" doesn't fail to deliver with her first book In Search of a Love Story. When the loveable tom-boy Emily Donovan gets her heart broken again her well meaning friends Ryan and Ashley decide its time they teach her the finer points of love. But her lifelong friends Brooke and Chris have doubts that reading Jane Austen and watching chick flicks can really help. Will Prince Charming Chris sweep her off her feet just like the movies for a happily ever after finish or will Emily realise to find true love you need to be true to yourself?
You will fall in love with Emily and her friends and wish you were joining them for a beer and a laugh. I've already downloaded book 2  & 3  and look forward to continuing the adventure.