Every year at this time, we Breathless ladies have the unenviable task of nominating our favourite Aussie romance read of the previous year. This year, with so many wonderful books published in 2018, it was an almost impossible task!
The good news is: we did it!
And here they are...
This book is hands down gorgeous, my happy pick for The Breathless List. It has a twin swap - which Michelle absolutely nailed, a suddenly dumped baby, and a befuddled businessman trying to figure out if the baby is his - or related to him somehow (cue lots of family conflict).
It is truly a sweet and lovely romance as Liv and Sebastian find themselves, find each other, and find out what a family really means. The most lovely thing about this book was the nice, decent and fair way Liv and Sebastian treated each other. Sometimes this is forgotten: H&Hs can go all conflict-icky with each other and behave less than splendidly.
Here, despite all the dramas and disasters, their beautiful characters shone through. Plus, cutest cover ever! Bravo, Michelle!
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Alyssa J Montgomery: Shock Heir for the Crown Prince (Book 1 of the Four Kings series) by Kelly Hunter
I’ve always loved Kelly Hunter’s voice and this second chance, secret baby plot romance ticked all the boxes for me. I loved Ana—a strong heroine who attained her career goal, supported by her parents, despite becoming a single mother. I also loved that her mother was a strong woman and that they had a close bond. Even Ana and Casimir’s child is no pushover!
Casimir is also strong but has the weight of his kingdom pressing down on him. His father was an unyielding man and Cas is determined to be a better ruler. Casimir has definite visions for his kingdom, an unshakeable sense of duty and loyalty but will listen to advice—up to a point! Only Ana is able to get him to lighten up.
As is Kelly Hunter’s usual style, there’s lots of humour in the dialogue where the heroine gives as good as she gets and even has Cas on the ropes at times. The royal advisor Rudolpho is also a great character. He’s wise and possesses a droll sense of humour.
Fergus Mackinnon is used to being in command and in unquestioning obedience from his servants and tenants. He became Laird of Achnasheen when he was only a child, and people have met his autocratic expectations ever since. Fortunately, his decisions are always correct, and people understand this. When he marries, he will naturally require the same level of deference from his wife.
Marina Lucchetti is a well-known artist in Florence. She has achieved success, admiration, and independence even though she is competing in a man’s world. Marina is passionate about her art and vows to remain single. No man will stand in the way of the career she loves.
When Marina’s father is injured in a carriage accident, she agrees to remain at Achnasheen and paint the beautiful estate scenery while he recovers.
Fiery desire battles with good sense as both hero and heroine are swept away by irresistible passion, while recognising they can never fully commit to each other.
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Marilyn Forsyth: Three Gold Coins by Josephine Moon
One wonderful memory from my travels around Europe in my twenties is a magical night when I threw a coin into the Trevi Fountain. So, from the moment Laura Foxleigh tosses her gold coins into that fountain, stating ‘I am in Rome’, I was hooked by this book. The vivid details of the Italian people, their culture and the landscape (plus cute goats, plus cheese-making!) brings the story to life in the loveliest way.
I loved the vulnerability of sweet and sexy Matteo, goat farmer, and the bravery of Laura, who leaves Australia for Italy to escape an abusive ex. That both characters have what many consider disabilities (no spoilers) is what draws them together.
The book is sensual without being overtly sexy. It also has a dark edge to it that kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy romance, armchair travelling, and books that deal with ‘real-life’ issues, you’ll love this one.
(And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did go back to Rome.)
I really enjoyed this novel and remember being quite embarrassed that I was tearing up on the plane on the way to see my daughter in Brisbane.
There is a lot of emotional turmoil in this book but the heroine Amy uses her skills as a chef to keep her friend’s cupcake bakery open while also trying to support her friend's husband. I won't tell you why as it will ruin the book. The hero Tom is a fly-in-fly-out contractor who has shunned his part in the family vineyard, but with Amy holding the fort he feels the need to be there for his brother and for her.
This is a book about love, family and friendships.
Maggie’s Run is the first in the Outback Brides series and, wow, it’s magic!
Maggie Walker is riddled with self-doubt and her sleep plagued with nightmares ensuring she’ll never forget her traumatic past. When she inherits Wirra Station, her cold, austere great-aunt Carmel’s home and never really hers, she doesn’t want it, but her visit there brings her back in contact with Max O’Connor. The one person she feels close to yet she fights to keep those feelings back.
Max, owner of the property next door, wants to buy Wirra Station, but he also wants Maggie, the girl he’d long-ago lost his heart to, to know what she’ll miss by selling. Can he convince her to stay?
Witty humour, secrets and intrigue, romance both tender and sensual, and the so-so-beautiful happy ending Maggie and Max very much deserve. Thank you, thank you, Kelly Hunter!
Set in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, The Trouble with Choices follows the story of the three Faraday sisters, Hannah, Beth and Sophie. All carry romantic baggage and are hiding secrets from each other. Each has a choice to make that will direct their futures.
It's a beautiful and heartfelt story that had me laughing, sighing and wishing it would never end.
Was your favourite amongst our top picks? If not, leave a comment mentioning which Aussie romance published in 2018 you absolutely loved. We're always looking for great Aussie authors to read and support.
Love to Love Aussie romance authors and their books.
Love to Laugh Full stop.😄
Love to Learn that the next book in the descriptive
thesaurus series is The Emotion Thesaurus Second Edition! This
new edition has added 55 more emotions, bringing the total to 130 and almost
doubling it in size! You can check out the full list of emotions (and some
sample entries) HERE.
If
you’d like to pre-order, you can find it on Amazon, Kobo,
Apple
Books (iBooks) and Indiebound.
Also,
Angela & Becca are giving away a free webinar recording of
one of their popular workshops on Emotion, so head over
if this is an area of struggle for you.
Morning Ladies
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous list and I have read all but one on this list and have to say that I loved them all, I still need to read Josephine Moon's Three Gold Coins and I do have it on my must get list.
Can I add a couple more Emily Madden's The Lost Pearl and Christine Wells's The Juliet Code both are amazing stories.
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, I LOVE that you've given us more to enjoy!! Thankyou for stopping by! I'm totally going to look those ones up, although I've already heard the buzz about them!
DeleteHi Helen. Thanks for the story recommendations. We love discovering great romances.
DeleteHi Helen! I'm not at all surprised that you've read most of these, being the prolific reader that you are. ;) I'm sure you'll enjoy Three Gold Coins, too, when you get a chance to read it. Thanks so much for your suggestions.
ReplyDeleteThere are some fabulous books in this list. congratulations to all the authors!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow. What a fantastic list of books by some talented Aussie authors. Thank you so much for including Bittersweet. I am glad you enjoyed this book, and I take guilty pleasure in the fact it evoked some tears.
ReplyDeleteI loved Bittersweet as well, Jacquie. All the feels... Keep writing, and we'll keep reading!
DeleteMiranda, I can't tell you how chuffed I am that my A Baby in His In-Tray made the Breathless list. You've made my day! It's a book I love too (even though it presented a few challenges at the revision stage ;-) ).
ReplyDeleteSo many on this list are on my Kindle waiting to be read. My standout Aussie reads for 2018 (and I must confess I didn't read as many titles as I would've liked) were Kelly Hunter's Maggie's Run and Cathryn Hein's Elsa's Stand -- really great, emotional reads. I look forward to reading more Aussie authors this year. :-)
Michelle, I 'knew' when I read it that A Baby in His In-Tray was 'The One' for me for the year. It is one of those special books that come along and knock you sideways - then lingers. I totally loved it, it was such a lovely book with a hero and heroine that were so absolutely nice it made my day. I know you've had a very busy year finishing off your thesis, but how wonderful that in the middle of it you gifted us your special 'Baby'... All the best for 2019, and I can't wait for you next book! xx
DeleteI've read Maggie's Run & Bittersweet of your list and I loved both of them.
ReplyDeleteHi Lily! Thanks for dropping by. :) Happy to see you agree with some of our choices.
DeleteWow, thank you so much for mentioning my Laird's Willful Lass, Sharon. I'm tickled pink. What a great list everyone chose here - isn't it wonderful that there's such variety and talent in Aussie romance writing? I'm always in awe when I look at the books my colleagues write and release each year. Wishing all you breathless girls a wonderful year ahead and lots of good reading.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna! Congratulations on being included in this fabulous list. Deservedly so, I might add. :)
DeleteThanks, Marilyn! As you know, I love you girls so I was absolutely delighted when I saw one of mine had made the faves list.
DeleteCongrats, Anna. Always a wonderful read from you.
DeleteThanks for dropping by Anna. I loved “The Laird’s Willful Lass” and look forward to reading more of your Lairds Most Likely series. So many of the novels outlined here sound fascinating. So many to add to my to be read pile.
ReplyDeleteSharon, it's hard to keep up, isn't it? Next one's out at the end of April. It's quite a dramatic story!
DeleteSounds great. Thanks Anna.
DeleteWhat a great list! I've read Michelle and Kelly's books, and heartily endorse your endorsements! And happily for me, I think I have most of the rest on my Kindle (waiting for my Feb deadline to pass so I get some dedicated reading time). I also loved the Laird's Christmas Kiss by Anna - and looking forward to getting to know all the other Lairds too! Happy 2019 reading to all of us!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Penelope. Happy reading. Regards Sharon.
DeleteHi Pen! Lovely to see you here. Oh no, not the dreaded deadline! Hope you get it finished in plenty of time to relax and read for a bit. xx
DeleteHi Penne. Great to see you here. Hope you get past the deadline hurdle with ease so you can relax and read.
DeleteWhat a fabulous list, and I agree - the cover of A Baby in his In Tray is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve read Maggie’s Run and honestly the other three books in that series are just as good and highly recommended. I also loved The Laird’s Wilful Lass. Lots more for my TBR pile. Another book I absolutely adored was The Bonegilla Girls by Victoria Purman and yet another - Tania Blanchard’s debut novel The Girl From Munich. I have her second novel on my TBR pile now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and for your suggestions Shelagh. Regards Sharon.
DeleteHi Shelagh! I've had The Bonegilla Girls on my tbr pile for a while now. Time to get it read!
DeleteHi Shelagh. Thanks for your suggestions. Will be checking those books.
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