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!"
