CHRISTMAS MUSINGS WITH MIRANDA

Dear readers, it's never too early to start your Christmas reading, IMHO. And is it just me, or is there an absolute plethora of Christmas books flooding the market this year? When I first started doing the Christmas blog there were a few Christmassy books every December. Now, whoa, stand aside before the ho-ho-ho-ing sleighs you into oblivion! (See what I did there?) I made an enormous list of all the titles I wanted to tell you about, but you'd be in Yawnsville instead of the North Pole if I went down that path.

So now - and forgive me, I haven't read all of these books, but definitely will - I've narrowed my ridiculously long list down to my Top Picks. By the time you read this I've hopefully read over half, if not more. Okay, deep breath, hang on and here we ho-ho-go!

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I'll start with the Aussies, yes? Four beloved Aussie authors deliver festive fare in A Country Practice Christmas: a physio (and a cake war, yum), a vet, a psychologist and a nurse. Just, ooh. Take a bow, Stella Quinn, Penelope Janu, Pamela Cook and Renae Black. I love love love this!

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More Aussies! Fan favourites Fiona McArthur, Barbara Hannay and Kelly Hunter have teamed up in a terrific Outback Christmas trilogy. Pictured is Fiona's book The Midwife's Christmas Miracle. Barbara's is called One Starry Christmas Night, and Kelly has The Outback Cowboy's Christmas Baby. This powerhouse trio just keep delivering the best series ever - they are so swoonworthy and so, so tender. With babies. We do need babies at Christmas, don't we? 

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I can't wait to read We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey, a new to me author. It sounds like a festive, feel-good, fun romance, with three geeky work buddies brightening up their IT department head's Christmas (which may or may not involve chasing a donkey on Christmas day). I'm told it's perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Beth O'Leary, two other fave authors of mine.

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I've loved Julia London for years (and years and years). While It Was Snowing looks rather special. Single mum Amy's trying to find time to paint for her new exhibition, but time demands on her by everyone (kids, her ex, parents) mean - wow, is she ever going to get everything done? She books into a holiday cottage to 'just' paint but a snafu occurs: professional golfer Harrison is also there recovering from an injury. And they get snowed in. Hmm. And there's a dog, always a plus.

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All Together For Christmas by Sarah Morgan is the Christmas romance you didn't know you needed, with a big dose of family festiveness, chaos and big ol' love. For those headed to US sites, the book retails as A Merry Little Lie. I do enjoy the way Sarah writes relationships. And there's another dog. It wouldn't be Christmas without a new Sarah Morgan! 

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Ditto for a new Trisha Ashley! I cannot tell you how many happy hours I've spent with Trisha at Christmas, and I'm planning on setting aside plenty of time - 'retreating' - for The Christmas Retreat, whisked away to a writer and artist's retreat on a tiny English coastal village for Christmas. Sounds like heaven. If I know Trisha Ashley, there will also be amazing treats to eat, gorgeous people around, and  definitely romance in the (freezing) air. Can't wait.

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Those of you who know me also know it wouldn't be Christmas without another Melody Carlson, who's so written so many books it's dizzying. Bravo! She writes books with a clear faith message that always touches the heart, and I'm expecting Once Upon A Christmas Carol to be full of this same inspiration. This book - excitingly - has Dickens' A Christmas Carol themes. Dear reader, I'm in.

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And speaking of A Christmas Carol themes, I've been sideswiped by Good Spirits by BK Borison. Look at that stunning cover! You all - you all - will fall in love with Nolan, the Ghost of Christmas Past. Including Harriet, an antique shop owner who, well, isn't exactly grumpy old Scrooge. This is a small-town warm fuzzy read that will totally get you into the Christmas spirit. Go on, indulge.

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Another bit of holiday magic happens in our dear friend Debbie Macomber's book A Ferry Merry Christmas. Quick enough to read in an afternoon, this is a story of two siblings unexpectedly counting their blessings when a ferry break-down almost halts their festivities. There is a Christmas miracle, and there is romance. Sigh. 

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I read Love Story by Lindsey Kelk earlier this year, and was highly entertained by the snappy repartee and situations that were poignant but rom-com funny. When I saw Christmas Fling by her I could not resist. It's all about Laura being mistaken for a mystery girlfriend and swept off to the Scottish Highlands with Callum and his whole family (instead of a solo Christmas at home). What could possibly go wrong? Loads, actually. This was merry mayhem!

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Aussie Kandy Shepherd's new Christmas book Second Chance Under the Mistletoe is a stunning second chance at love story, and is absolutely drenched in the romance of London at Christmas. I loved walking the markets with Natalie and Jon (and got a few good tips about gifts, actually). Achingly tender, you'll definitely have high hopes these two find their way back together. And there is a Christmas baby! 

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Another deliciously kissable baby. The Rancher's Mistletoe Baby by Jill Kemerer is perfect for those who enjoy an unexpected baby surprise (me) and a lovely message of faith (also me). Aww, look at that sweet little face. The book's the beginning of a new series set in Wyoming, so lots more specialness to come if (when) you get hooked!

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But wait, where's the Historicals, you say? Ta-da! Winter Rogue by Emma V Leech, a new to me author, looks such fun. Our intrepid heroine proposes a marriage of convenience to an infamous earl. One of my favourite tropes, a marriage of convenience! We all know Christmas will (probably?) work its romantic magic, but still. Sigh.

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The Christmas Book Flood by Roseanna M White (another new to me author) is set in Iceland, December 1944, towards the end of WWII. A publishing house extends itself in the Christmas rush for more books - anything to brighten up the bleakness and rationing of that year. In the middle of it all author Tatiana falls in love with kind editor Anders. This is the origin of Jolobokaflod, Iceland's Christmas book flood - which I totally wish happened here. I could cope with curling up with hot chocolate while I read (and gift) new books every Christmas Eve. I might have to sit under the air con in Oz, but - new books!

Well done, you made it to the end. I hope you find some fab festive reading in the above. 

We at Breathless in the Bush wish all our readers a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year! Be kind to each other, and may you be blessed, safe and happy.

Signing off until next year with oodles of love (and good reading) from my house to yours, 

Miranda xxx

LOVE TO LOVE: Christmas. Such a wonderful time of year. And Christmas romance is the best.

LOVE TO LAUGH: Well, that's easy. I laugh at all the crazy videos where cats climb the Christmas tree and wreak havoc with baubles batted all over the house. I might have had a cat (cough, looking at you, Tess, miss you heaps) who did exactly that. 

LOVE TO LEARN: Always, always love to learn what you're reading. Let me know in the comments!

SINGLE TITLE, OR SERIES?

Miranda's February Musings

Darlings, what happened to January? My stars. Over! Too! Soon! 

So here is a February question for you all while you hibernate from the crazy polar vortex in the northern hemisphere (whaaaat?!), and boil in the record temps Down Under, phew. 

What do you prefer to read? A single title romance, OR a series which can give the same hero and heroine or secondary characters their stories, and prolong the love in the community? 

For example, the amazing Nora Roberts AKA JD Robb began her In Death series waaaay back in 1995 with Naked in Death. This first book introduced prickly NY police detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas - and she meets intriguing Irish billionaire Rourke in the course of her investigations. Huh. Fourty-eight books later - yes, 48! - Eve and Rourke are still fresh, fabulous and intriguing enough for millions of readers to hang out for every new story, with the 49th book scheduled to be released later this year. In hardcover! This is truly a monumental series success story. JD Robb, we are in awe of you! Have you read any Eve and Rourke, and are you keen for more?

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A different series called Outback Brides brought joy to many reader hearts in 2018. Beloved Australian authors Kelly Hunter, Victoria Purman, Cathryn Hein and Fiona McArthur gifted us four different brides, all divinely romantic and lovely and absolutely scrumptious. You simply must read on and enjoy each different bride's story, especially as they pop into the previous books. Yes please, I can cope with that very easily: a finite series of 4 books with a different H&H in each one. Can you? 

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Hands up the stand alone book readers? Those who really love carving time out to read one romance and that's-enough-for-now-because-it's-so-fabulous? Late 2016 (omigosh that sounds so long ago!) I read The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. Totally loved it, laughed all the way through, went looking for another book by her and... eek! Had to wait! Imagine my thrill when her next book 99% Mine, which I pre-purchased months ago, fell into my Kindle last week! I cannot tell you how that sent me into an excited spin, but I need to finish the (fabulous) book I'm reading to get to it... I am sure that, like The Hating Game, reading 99% Mine will be - enough. Something to linger over and enjoy. Hopefully with some laughs and tears, like last time. No pressure, Sally Thorne! I have faith in you. ❤❤ But, YAY for a stand-alone book!

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One favourite stand-alone romance is Molly Cooper's Dream Date by Barbara Hannay. Apparently I'm not alone in loving this book; I've heard a whisper it's about to be made into a film, oh my. Bring it on! I could read this book again and again. Actually, I already have... It never loses its charm, and I love it anew every reread. Have you read it? It's actually a lovely armchair travel read for London, part of the appeal for us Aussies, and a luscious romance. Win, win.

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So, my pick for Single Title or Series is - BOTH, depending on my mood! I'm happy to read a series or a stand alone; they both have their place. What about you?

Love from Miranda xxx

Love to Love:

A new book from a fave author. And a new book in a series I love!

Love to Laugh:

At my teetering, tottering, Read-Me pile of books. I think it multiplies in the dark at night...?!

Love to Learn:

About all the new romances coming out. I know, I know, I've got a mountainous TBR, but there will be a new gem in the newies somewhere. For sure. 

Miranda's Musings for September: Reading Romance and What Else?

 So, You Read Romance, and...?

Hello my fellow readers, and welcome to Spring!

Father's Day here in Oz is over, but the advertising was astonishing. Both my snail mail letterbox and email in-box were filled with delicious book lists for the Dads in your life. I love these! I could sit and happily read book lists and troll bookshops and booky sites for hours. (Actually, I think I sometimes do.) Naturally these 'Dad' lists had some hearty crime and thriller fiction, and heaps of non-fiction about planes, trains and automobiles. And sport. Don't forget sport. And politician biographies. Everything Dad-worthy, but quite a few of them also appealed to me.

...Which got me thinking. This blog is primarily for romance writers and readers, yay! But we don't only read romance, do we? What else do you read?



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In the last month I've read and reread Anne Gracie's wonderful Chance Sisters quartet, finishing with The Summer Bride, a simple scrumptious end to a fabulous series. So romantic, so addictive. I loved revisiting these magic books, and feel a bit sad there are no more sisters to come. But I'm sure Anne is whipping up something equally divine for next year.



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      Picture courtesy: www.amazon.com        

But I also read a couple of English comic novels: The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford (well, not all comic, but some parts were fabulously funny). Also Right Ho, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse, which was marvellously comic.  And both books, believe it or not, featured characters pursuing romantic relationships - love - and all the goings on associated with same. Perhaps another sort of romance? They were both deeply satisfying to read.

Then I read Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, for a Classics book Group. I've read it before, and it was even better second time around: a mix of Scottish politics, boy's own adventure, and a coming-of-age tale. (No romance in this one, though there was a certain wench in a tavern late in the book...?)

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I loved them all, and read across many genres. But I always come back to romance. It's my go-to genre, my favourite; it takes me to my happy place with life-affirming, happy-ever-after endings, heroes and heroines who are simply amazing, and a romance like no other. Romance is simply The Best, and I will always enjoy it in-between my classics, my chick lit, my bios, my cosy crimes, my best sellers, my thrillers, my 'women's lit', my inspirationals, my non-fiction, my everything. 

My next romance is waiting for me on my Kindle: Meet Me At The Teahouse by the wonderful Barbara Hannay. (It's free at the moment; go grab a bargain!) Then I have Barbara's newie The Grazier's Wife ready to roll. Bliss...

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When you're not reading romance, what do you like to read? And do you always come back to romance?

 

Love, Miranda xxx

 

Love to love:

Reading a romance, between every! other! book!

Love to laugh:

...at the show Gogglebox on TV. Those people have me in stitches, week after week.

Love to learn:

About books, booky things, book sites, authors, general book stuff. Keeps me entertained for hours!

Miranda's June Musings

with the always fabulous Miranda

Winter is here downunder, readers! My absolute favourite time of the year! Time to snuggle by the fire with a hot drink and read. (To our northern hemisphere friends, translate that to a cool drink by the pool...) Naturellement this leads to Our Absolute Winter/(Summer)Essentials: books! Last month I promised you some Historicals, so I am delivering.

What did I love to love this month?
Debut books! Lovely debuts! Two beautiful authors I simply adore. Besides being the nicest people ever, these lovely ladies are all talent, talent, talent.

First is the absolutely fabulous Cassandra Samuels, already known to you marvellous blog devotees. How inspirational are her posts here? Have you read her book A Scandalous Wager? Move over heroes, there's a new boy in town, Oliver - and oh my, just look at those dark eyes. He's returned from war to take up the impoverished earldom, and gains access to the widowed (possibly murderous) Black Raven's house on a wager. Their first meeting is surprisingly comic. Oliver's totally foxed, but conscious enough to be endearing and witty. And he continues so right through the book, while The Black Raven, Lisbeth, is very guarded. Every reader's heart will go out to her. I know mine did. Love, love, love this unexpected couple. And Oliver is... just... yes please thankyouverymuch...

   

The second debut is the delicious Elyse Huntington. Pssst! I can let the cat out of the bag and let you know Elyse will be doing a guest blog here later this year, so you've got plenty of time between now and then to read her lovely new sparkling My Dark Duke. I love a good duke story. James, said dark Duke, has been in retreat for years, ever since his first wife died in mysterious circumstances. (Another did-he-or-didn't-he? Delicious.) Then he meets Lady Alethea Sinclair, someone who's very determined not to marry, unless it's for love. Two strong but vulnerable people...it makes your romantic heart go ahhh. After you finish reading, pop over to the tender epilogue on Elyse's website - it brought tears to my eyes: More Good Bits.


What did I love to laugh at this month?

My TBR, which could possibly reach the moon... Happy dilemma! Here's a brilliant book I plucked off the pile and fell in love with: The Game and the Governess by Kate Noble. Lord Edward Granville (another earl!), swaps places with his old military friend and secretary John Turner for a ridiculous wager (another wager!): that he can 'have' any woman he wants without using his title. Snort. We all know how that's going to turn out. His unlikely quarry is governess Phoebe Baker. Lots of catnip here for any romance reader, miaow. Historicals are simply So! Much! Fun! To! Read!



What did I love to learn this month?
That I adore - and will probably always adore - short category romances. Here's two I loved:

Lily Rose is an idealistic archaeologist in Playing by the Greek's Rules by Sarah Morgan. She's a Pollyanna, sunshine and kittens kind of gal. But definitely not saccharine or overdone, she's really one of the most endearing heroines I've ever read (perhaps alongside Molly, in Molly Cooper's Dream Date by Barbara Hannay). On the rebound, Lily decides to have a relationship with her playboy billionaire boss Nik Zervakis, while developing a 'Kevlar' non-caring shell so people can't hurt her anymore. Yes, well, the Kevlar approach doesn't work, and in the end we all care. Blissful.

 

  

Do you read Historicals? Category? Both? Do let me know what you read this month... I can't wait to hear -  I'm always so happy to add to my towering TBR! 

Miranda xx

Favourite Aussie Romances from 2014

Welcome back, everyone! We’re starting the new year with a bang by celebrating some of the wonderful Aussie Romance reads of the last year, and offering a $10 Amazon voucher to one lucky commenter.

Each of us has nominated one (yes, dammit, just one!) fave Aussie Romance read from 2014 to review. Talk about making life difficult for ourselves. We've also invited along a couple of guest bloggers with their top picks.

Breathless in the Bush is an eclectic group so, as you’d expect, we've covered a whole range of sub-genres in our choices. Looking for the next book to add to your TBR pile? You've come to the right place. And with an Amazon voucher up for grabs, don’t forget to leave a comment!


Cassandra's Fave

Lick by Kylie Scott (published by St. Martin’s Griffin) is not in my usual favourite genre but I'm so glad I picked it up. The trope of waking up married in Vegas is well-worn but the author makes 'Lick' feel fresh and bright.

Straight-laced Evelyn Thomas is horrified to wake up seriously hung-over in a hotel room and married to a hunky stranger. She can’t remember a single thing about the night before or her new husband, rock star David Ferris.

I really enjoyed watching Eve and David work through their rocky relationship to find love, courage, and her memory. Thank you, Kylie for a most enjoyable read! I've already purchased the next two books, 'Lead' and 'Play', for my kindle.


Dee's Fave

My favourite romance of 2014 was Anna Campbell’s What a Duke Dares (published by Grand Central, Harper Collins, and Mills & Boon UK).

Ms. Campbell’s third book in the Sons of Sin series harks back to the wistfully poignant early romances that I read as a young woman in the nineteen-eighties! Spectacularly set in three locales, the snow-capped Italian alps, the storm-swept Mediterranean sea, and the almost pastoral beauty of London, Ms. Campbell takes us on a journey into the hearts and souls of Lord Sedgemoor and Miss Penelope Thorne. 'What a Duke Dares' made me believe in romance and ‘happily ever after.’

For an excerpt, visit Anna Campbell’s website at: http://www.annacampbell.info/dukedares.html .


Enisa's Fave

Remember the joyous days of childhood innocence when Grimm's tales swept you into wondrous, magical worlds? Weave in a paranormal atmosphere, twist with a touch of supernatural magic, and you have Nicole Hurley-Moore's 189-page ebook novella Black is the Colour, book one of the medieval fairytale series 'Tales of the Hearthfire'.

In this charming, delightful and sweetly-poignant tale of forbidden love, free-spirited and strong-willed upper-class Ciara loves blacksmith Oran for the kind, humble soul he is and bravely battles dark magic to break the witch's curse placed on him.

I rate 'Black is the Colour' five stars for grabbing at my heartstrings from page 1 and captivating me to the end. I eagerly await books two and three in the series.


Karen's Fave

I loved Anna Romer’s second novel, Lyrebird Hill (published by Simon & Schuster), even better than her first. It is a story about romance, forbidden love, endurance, hardship, family secrets, murder and mystery. These themes and more are present as we are taken from present day and back in time to 1898.

The writing tone is beautiful, sweet and seductive. The narrative is multi-faceted with the two parallel stories being expertly told in alternating chapters. The descriptions are lush, with the settings leaping from the pages in three-dimensional glory. You can hear the bush come alive, you can see the vibrant colours of the flora and fauna, you will smell the smoke of the camp fires and you too will wonder if you are catching glimpses of movement, shadows moving in the corner of your mind’s eye…this is mesmerising, evocative reading.

This is a wonderful enchanting and mysterious read that will engage all of your senses and have you totally captivated from beginning to end.


Marilyn's Fave

Barbara Hannay always delights with her wonderfully poignant storytelling and her latest, Moonlight Plains (published by Penguin Australia), continues the tradition. I love, love, love dual timeline novels and this one cleverly interweaves two love stories, set seventy years apart, in and around the beautiful outback Queensland homestead of the title.

One story is that of Kitty Martin, an Aussie girl who falls for Ed Langley, an American airman stationed in Townsville in 1942 (think 1940s movie-star good looks and charm); the second is that of Sally Piper, a young widow who falls in love with Kitty’s grandson, Luke Fairburn. (Who wouldn't? He’s gorgeous!) Throw in hidden letters and family secrets, and it's a book to lose yourself in.

'Moonlight Plains' is uplifting and it tugs at the heartstrings, it’s traumatic and it's bittersweet…it’s romance at its best. But then, isn't that what we've come to expect from Barbara?


Miranda's Fave

Darlings, it was lovely to find Stone Castles (publish by Macmillan) by Trish Morey in my Christmas stocking! Trish writes in her acknowledgements that this is the book of her heart, written after the deaths of her brother and father. How amazing to write this at such a difficult time.

Set in SA, it's also a love affair with the beautiful Yorke Peninsula; I so want to visit now! Even better, it's a second chance romance between Pip Martin, a NY hotshot bank analyst, and Luke Trenorden, the man she walked out on.

Tender, passionate, and honest, it really takes your breath away. Pip has huge flaws; she's been a broken woman. At times you doubt she'll ever find happiness... but Luke is right there, oh my.

Touching and definitely with heart. Thanks, Trish!


Guest Blogger Lynne B's Fave

A Scandalous Wager (published by Escape) by Cassandra Samuels tops the list of my favourite romances for 2014. I loved this book!

When the Black Raven procures the services of the drunken, dishevelled and down-on-his-luck Lord Bellamy, it is purely a business arrangement meant to benefit both parties. Lisbeth needs help to clear her name and prove she did not murder her abusive husband. Lord Bellamy desperately needs money and has undertaken a list of daring wagers.

There are no wimpy, spineless characters in this story. Indeed the gorgeous Oliver meets his match with the feisty and completely lovable Lisbeth.

Witty dialogue, engaging characters and a credible plot transport the reader to another place in time where one is reluctant to leave. Great page turner. Great read!

Guest Blogger Lyn C's Fave

Deadly Obsession (published by Simon & Schuster) is a great read that continues Detective Lexie Rogers’ story.

I love crime fiction (with a bit of romance thrown in, of course!) and what I enjoyed most about this sequel is the way Karen M. Davis brings together the very real personal and professional conflicts that arise when Lexie discovers someone close to her is the main suspect in a chilling murder.

Returning bouts of PTSD and a warning from Brad Sommers, her lover and police partner, that she’s getting in too deep add to the realism of the drama.

This book is a page-turner that will keep you guessing who the killer is right till the end.

Well, we hope our reviews have inspired you to go out and buy one (or maybe two, or three…or ALL) of our favourite Aussie romances of 2014. 

We love hearing from you! Was your favourite author among our selection? Which of our favourites do you nominate? Remember, by leaving a comment you’ll be in the running for a $10 Amazon voucher. We’ll announce the winner on next Monday’s blog (a guest post by Alli Sinclair, author of ‘Luna Tango’). Be sure to check back then when we'll share more of what makes us "Love to love, love to laugh, and love to learn!"