Book: Naked Farmer

Summary:

Ben Brooksby is a fifth-generation farmer from St Helens Plains in western Victoria. When he was younger, he struggled with anxiety and other mental health issues, as do so many others in rural communities. A simple social media post helped him to turn things around. After he shared a photo on Instagram showing himself naked in a truck full of lentils, he received a huge response, with other farmers wanting to share their own photos - and their stories. As the Naked Farmer movement grew, Ben met people from all around the country who wanted to get naked for mental health. As they got their kits off, they also opened up about their struggles. What I Thought: I really enjoyed this. A simple read and some good take home messages.

Book: The Killing (CHERUB)

Summary: Leon is a small time crook who's ridden his luck for three decades. When he starts splashing big money around, the cops are desperate to know where it came from. James' latest mission looks routine: make friends with Leon's kids, infiltrate his home and dig up some leads. But the plot James begins to unravel isn't what anyone expected. And the only person who might know the truth is an eighteen-year-old boy. There's just one problem. The boy fell to his death thirteen months earlier. What I Thought: Really enjoyed this one. Loving this series.

Book: Holding onto Hope

Summary: Stuck in a stressful job and trapped in a toxic relationship, paediatric oncology nurse Hope Rossi needs to run. When her cousin Courtney begs for her help, Hope is on the next bus to Macarthur Point – the quaint seaside fishing village that was home to her happiest childhood memories. Veterinarian Mitchell Davis loves his life in Macarthur Point and loves caring for all creatures great and small at the animal hospital he proudly owns. After a troubled upbringing, he’s finally found peace, people who love him unconditionally, and a place to call home. When Hope comes back to town after fifteen years away, Mitch has no idea whether she’ll still have feelings for him. Fearful of being hurt, Mitch has never admitted how he feels about Hope to anyone – not even her. How can he hold onto Hope and convince her that staying in Macarthur Point doesn’t mean giving up her freedom? Or should he take a risk and give up the life he’s made for himself for a chance of love, even if that means leaving the one place he feels safe. What I Thought: Really enjoyed this one. Great little read.

Book: McCalister Legacy

Summary: As a child, Berry McCalister's family was torn apart by shocking violence. Eleven years on, she returns to the small town of Harlington, determined to confront the past and, finally, to cut all ties and sell the family farm. Complicating her desire to get out of Harlington, Berry is drawn to her childhood crush, Nate Tarant. He never knew she existed back then, but things change, and this time Nate seems to be very much aware of her presence. Berry begins to question the long-believed story of what happened to her family. Will she ever find out the truth? And can one old rumour shed light on the real events of that night? What I Thought: Really enjoyed this one. Could have been more depth to the story but still enjoyable.

Book: Pepperina Grove

Summary: When her world comes crashing around her, Louisa Crothers is torn between fighting for the life she knows—or choosing another path–one she had never considered. A holiday cottage on a Queensland sheep and cattle property catches her eye and Louisa heads west, searching for the opportunity to relive childhood memories, renew her passion for painting and allow the peace and serenity of the country to guide her decisions. While Louisa settles into farm life, disappointment and regrets fade as she becomes embroiled in the lives and loves of the Tullagulla residents. A chance meeting brings an invitation to help paint a mural on the local grain silos while an unexpected bond forms between Louisa and the solitary station hand with a Midas touch for horses. As heart-rending events unravel, Louisa is forced to appreciate the land and those who work with it and she finds herself questioning the value of her return to the city and all it contains. What I Thought: Really enjoyed this one and loving this author and series.

Book: Home Sweet Home

Summary: Sienna Lewis knows firsthand about being an Aussie battler, but she has her beautiful daughter, Zara, to keep fighting for. One day she dreams of giving Zara the life and big family she deserves. For now, Sienna can only focus on her work at the hospital. But when she connects with a new patient who has driven away nearly everyone in his life, she is astounded when he leaves her his sprawling Far-North Queensland property. Mason King has worked tirelessly to follow in the footsteps of his beloved cattleman neighbour, Max, by raising ethically farmed cattle - despite the stream of disapproval from his old-fashioned father. Little does he know that Max, having seen sparks fly between Mason and Sienna, has set up his own plan to bring Sienna to town. As new neighbours, Mason and Sienna discover they cherish similar things in life and are drawn to each other. Although, there's a secret between them that could ruin everything... When all seems lost, will fate then have another twist in store for them? What I Thought: It was ok. Not much depth to the characters. They both annoyed me a bit and the language was a bit flowery for me…

Book: Something Like This

Summary: Jason Weaver just wants to be left alone. It was a tough transition from his army days to civilian life, and he's looking forward to settling into a solitary life. Tilly Hollis is working two jobs to save for her dream career: running an equine therapy program. Tilly loves her horses more than anything, and after losing her husband and business partner just a few years earlier, she's determined to make it work on her own. When Jason walks into the cafe where Tilly works, they're immediately drawn to one another. But can they overcome their pasts to find a future together? What I Thought: Another easy rural read.

Book: Secrets of the Springs

Summary: When Orla Macrae receives a letter asking her to return to the family cattle property where she grew up, she does so grudgingly. Her estranged uncle Palmer may be dying, but he is the last person she wants to see, not when she’s made a new life far away from where she lost so much. But on his deathbed he utters a few enigmatic words about a secret locked away and a clue as to its whereabouts.Intrigued, Orla decides to stay, reconnecting with old friends and taking a chance on a long-time dream of opening the homestead to tourists. Continuing the search for her uncle’s elusive secret, she discovers far more than she bargained for – a shocking truth about her parents’ marriage, and the confession of a chilling murder. What I Thought: Another great yarn from this wonderful author.

Book: The Danger Game

Summary: Fourteen-year-old Travis Delaney is trying to get his life back on track following the crash that killed his parents last summer. The police called it an accident, but Travis isn't fooled. His parents were on to something, and whatever they were investigating . . . ended in their murder. Since Travis's Grandad took over Delaney and Co, things have finally started to look up. But when his private investigation partner, Courtney, is attacked following a routine inquiry into a local business, Travis can't help but get involved, even though he's supposed to be focusing on his own investigation into thefts at school. But what he discovers draws him into more danger than he ever could have realised. Tangled in a web of gang warfare, dirty police and secret organisations, Travis needs to find a way out. But at the heart of it all is a traitor. Someone close to Travis. Someone who sold his parents out. Trust is a dangerous thing. What I Thought: Enjoying this little series.

Book: The Fall of Crazy House

Summary: Twin sisters Becca and Cassie barely escaped the Crazy House alive. Now they're trained, skilled fighters who fear nothing - not even the all-powerful United regime. Together, the sisters hold the key to defeating the despotic government and freeing the people of the former United States. But to win this war, will the girls have to become the very thing they hate? What I Thought: Totally sucked in to the sequel! Loved it.

Book: Crazy House

Summary: Becca Greenfield, 17, disappeared one morning on her way to school. Everyone from her town, including her twin sister, is desperately searching for Becca. They won't find her. Becca is being held prisoner in the crazy house. She's on death row, but is completely innocent. No one has ever gotten out of the crazy house alive. But there's always a first time. What I Thought: Totally sucked in! Loved it.

Book: Lost & Found

Summary: At seven years old, Millie Bird realises that everything is dying around her. She wasn't to know that after she had recorded twenty-seven assorted creatures in her Book of Dead Things her dad would be a Dead Thing, too. Agatha Pantha is eighty-two and has not left her house since her husband died. She sits behind her front window, hidden by the curtains and ivy, and shouts at passers-by, roaring her anger at complete strangers. Until the day Agatha spies a young girl across the street. Karl the Touch Typist is eighty-seven when his son kisses him on the cheek before leaving him at the nursing home. As he watches his son leave, Karl has a moment of clarity. He escapes the home and takes off in search of something different. Three lost people needing to be found. But they don't know it yet. Millie, Agatha and Karl are about to break the rules and discover what living is all about. What I Thought: Loved it – really quirky. Reminded me a bit of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

Book: Bottlebrush Creek

Summary: Between managing a bustling beauty salon, hectic volunteer commitments and the lion's share of parenting two-year-old Claudia, Angie McIntyre barely has time to turn around. And with each passing month, she feels her relationship with fly-in, fly-out boyfriend Rob Jones slipping through her fingers. When Rob faces retrenchment, and the most fabulous fixer-upper comes onto the market, Angie knows this derelict weatherboard cottage will be the perfect project to draw their little family together. There's just one catch: the 200-acre property is right next door to Rob's parents in south-west Victoria. It doesn't take long for rising tensions to set a wedge between the hard-working couple. Angie and Rob have to find out the hard way whether their grand design will draw them closer together or be the very thing that tears them apart. What I Thought: Loved it – enjoying this author as books are set close to where I live.

Book: Shadows in the Dust

Summary: Jenna Montrose is on the run from the man who killed her father. Alone and always moving from town to town, Jenna trusts no one, not even the cops. She arrives in remote Smokey Creek, outback West Australia, where she takes a job as a jillaroo on a cattle station. Perhaps this time her archenemy won't be able to find her. Dan Simmonds has demons of his own to conquer, having spent two years in jail for a crime he didn't commit. He needs to keep this job as a jackaroo to re-build his reputation. But he can't seem to shake the protective instinct Jenna awakens, when he sees through her lies to her desperate vulnerability. She's so full of contradictions, he's not sure she's worth fighting for. When they become trapped together in the desert, Dan admits she provokes emotions he thought buried deep. Jenna is drawn to Dan's courageous heart and welcoming smile, but desperate not to reveal her secret, will she revert to her habit of running away when the murderer reappears? Or will she let him help her, and turn the hunter into the hunted? What I Thought: I enjoyed this one – new author for me.

Book: Death Run (Rich & Jade)

Summary: Twins Rich and Jade Chance are on vacation with their father, master spy John Chanceaor so they think. The British government actually sent their father to keep tabs on a Swiss banker who is trying to escape from the Tiger, a ruthless criminal. But the banker is captured and taken to a remote Scottish castleaalong with Rich Now itas up to Jade and her father to rescue them. Will they be able to stop the Tiger before Richas time runs out? What I Thought: Really loved this one. Off to find the next book in the series.

Book: July (Conspiracy 365)

Summary: The double key code still stumps Cal. He travels to a secluded convent to ask his great-aunt Millicent what she knows about the mystery. What I Thought: Awesome read. Bring on the next book.

Book: June (Conspiracy 365)

Summary: The stakes are raised when small-town cops hunt down Cal after his narrow escape in Uncle Bart's plane. What I thought: Loving this series. Looking forward to watching the TV series too.

Book: A New Ending

Summary: Digging for dinosaur bones in the Aussie outback gets complicated when a helicopter pilot with a heart of gold messes up Jo's plans. Joanna spends her days digging up dinosaur fossils in the Queensland outback, dreaming of one day leading her own excavation team. When she saves a kid from a runaway excavator, she has no idea she’ll be getting a golden ticket in the mail to attend a flash party on New Year’s Eve in Sydney’s glamourous harbour. A ticket for her ... plus one. She’s living in a tent. She doesn’t own a dress. She definitely doesn’t have a plus one. But somehow, at the stroke of midnight, she’s going to find herself with a happy new ending. What I thought: Loved this novella – bring on the next book.

Book: Hurricane Gold (Young Bond)

Summary: As the sun blazes over the Caribbean island of Lagrimas Negras, its bloodthirsty ruler is watching and waiting. Criminals come here to hide, with blood on their hands and escape on their minds. On the mainland, in the quiet town of Tres Hermanas, ex-flying ace Jack Stone leaves his son and daughter in the company of James Bond. What I thought: This was a bit slow but certainly ramped up in the end. Really enjoyable.

Book: The Bush Telegraph

Summary: It's been more than ten years since Maddy Locke left Spinifex, the small outback town where she gave birth to her daughter, Bridget. Now she's back to prove she's got what it takes to run the medical centre and face the memories of that challenging time in her life. But everything's changed - the old pub is gone, her new colleagues aren't pleased to see her, and it's drier and hotter than ever. Station owner, Connor Fairhall, thought he'd left the drama behind in Sydney, but moving back to Spinifex with his rebellious son, Jayden, hasn't been the fresh start he'd envisioned. His brother, Kyle, is drinking too much and the only bright spot on the horizon is meeting Nurse Maddy, who's breathing new life into the weary town up the road, little by little. Can Maddy ignore the rumours about Connor and risk her heart again? Or will the bush telegraph spread along the wire fences and stand in the way of trust? What I Thought: A really enjoyable read – nice to revisit this town.

Book: The Life She Chooses

Summary: Following the loss of her husband and the devastating accusations surrounding his death, Kay Jackson has experienced the icy chill of alienation from the close-knit town of Granite Springs. Thrust into the position of personal assistant to a professor at the local university, Kay, who prefers to stay in the background away from the town gossips, is unsure how she will cope. When Nick Kerr’s wife leaves him for a younger man, the professor is left nursing a broken heart while struggling to adapt to life as a single parent of two teens. Reeling from the indignity of his wife’s actions, Nick has no intention of putting himself in such a vulnerable position again. However, as Kay and Nick’s professional relationship develops, they find themselves drawn to each other. As their friendship begins to morph into something more, Kay’s daughter arrives in town intent on controlling her mother’s life. The combined actions of Kay’s daughter and Nick’s children reinforces the many doubts the couple have on embarking on a new relationship. What I Thought: Another enjoyable read whilst camping.

Book: Holes

Summary: Stanley Yelnats' family has a history of bad luck going back generations, so he is not too surprised when a miscarriage of justice sends him to Camp Green Lake Juvenile Detention Centre. Nor is he very surprised when he is told that his daily labour at the camp is to dig a hole, five foot wide by five foot deep, and report anything that he finds in that hole. The warden claims that it is character building, but this is a lie and Stanley must dig up the truth. What I Thought: Odd and quirky. Interesting read.

Book: The Women's Pages

Summary: Sydney 1945 The war is over, the fight begins… The war is over and so are the jobs (and freedoms) of tens of thousands of Australian women. The armaments factories are making washing machines instead of bullets and war correspondent Tilly Galloway has hung up her uniform and been forced to work on the women's pages of her newspaper - the only job available to her - where she struggles to write advice on fashion and make-up. As Sydney swells with returning servicemen and the city bustles back to post-war life, Tilly finds her world is anything but normal. As she desperately waits for word of her prisoner-of-war husband, she begins to research stories about the lives of the underpaid and overworked women who live in her own city. Those whose war service has been overlooked; the freedom and independence of their war lives lost to them. Meanwhile Tilly's waterside worker father is on strike, and her best friend Mary is struggling to cope with the stranger her own husband has become since being liberated from Changi a broken man. As strikes rip the country apart and the news from abroad causes despair, matters build to a heart-rending crescendo. Tilly realises that for her the war may have ended, but the fight is just beginning... What I Thought: A fascinating read – not quite as good as her last couple of books but still really interesting.

2020 Books in review....

In 2020 I had an excellent reading year with 97 books read. By far and away my best ever. I'm putting it down to COVID which means I was home more and did more jigsaws (84)! So a quick breakdown: Non-fiction - 7 (mainly about rural stuff) Teen - 32 (So many good teen spy series - hooked) Rural Fiction/Romance - 37 (way less than normal) Crime - 14 (so many great Aussies authors - loving them) General Fiction - 7 (a few randoms - bookclub/scratchable poster) I did manage a few Bookclub books - but not many... Incredibly I listened to 62 audiobooks - generally while driving or re-finding my love of jigsaw puzzles. So 2021 is here and I will aim again for 52 books - fingers crossed I get there - just so many other competing demands :)

Book: Conspiracy 365 - May

Summary: Callum wakes up in a bare room, with stabbing pains in his neck. He comes to the horrifying discovery that his identity has been stolen and that he has been locked up in a psychiatric institution. What's even worse - he has lost his backpack! All the clues he needs to solve the mystery surrounding his family have disappeared at a stroke. Where the hell is he? Contact with the outside world is impossible. And nobody believes who he really is ... What I Thought: Another great read – ripper Aussie series.

Book: Cross My Heart

Summary: Tessa De Santis's child-free marriage in inner-city Sydney is ordered and comfortable, and she likes it that way. When tragedy strikes and her childhood friend Skye Whittaker dies, Tess is bound to honour a promise to become foster-mother to Skye's ten-year-old daughter, Grace, throwing her life upside down. Leaving her husband and work-driven life behind, Tess travels to an isolated property where the realities of her friend's life - and death - hit hard. The idyllic landscape and an unexpected form of therapy ease her fears, and her relationship with Grace begins to blossom. But a secret from her earlier life with Skye refuses to remain hidden, and Tess is forced into a decision that will either right the wrongs of the past, or completely destroy her future. What I Thought: This was a good read. Definitely a little deeper than most stuff I’ve read lately.

Book: Theodore Boone - The Scandal

Summary: Theodore Boone, courtroom hero and the only kid lawyer in town, is facing a tough week at school with his exams. But things take a turn for the worse when a huge scandal is revealed - by none other than his best friend, April. And when April makes a decision that Theodore advises against, the scandal suddenly blows up and is all over the news. Their futures are on the line and April's running scared. Can Theodore find a way to reverse the damage and save several lives from ruin? What I Thought: I enjoy these books. Less Theo action here than normal though but I did enjoy still.

Book: Red Dust Dreaming

Summary: Elizabeth Langtree’s has her life in order – safe, organised, planned. Sure, she has her troubles, but they are nothing she can’t handle. Then everything is turned upside down when her family send her to Australia to collect her orphaned nephew. It all seemed so simple in New York, but Australia is nothing like she expected, and she soon falls under the spell of the Outback – the station, the lifestyle, and the seriously sexy owner who has been caring for Luke since the death of his mother. Elizabeth soon discovers that what seemed simple a world away is anything but, and her duty is at odds with the dictates of her heart. She must choose, knowing that a mistake will not only cost her everything, but destroy the future of a devastated little boy. What I Thought: I liked this – new author. Easy read.

Book: Jenna

Summary: Jenna Matthews is a city girl, no question. Despite a childhood spent in the Outback, she's committed to her fast-paced life and the competitive world of corporate law. When her best friend asks her to be bridesmaid, Jenna finds herself in Wirralong and wildly attracted to the best man. A fling? Why not? Dangerously sexy Sam Twist runs his vast family sheep property and is as keen as Jenna to keep their relationship at fling status. Then the authorities turn up on his door step and Jenna jumps in to help despite Sam’s protests. She soon learns that after years of drought, there are others in the district who need her skills. Her dilemma? Spending too much time around Sam is perilous. He could rob a girl of her heart. What I Thought: A nice quick rural read – thoroughly enjoyed.

Book: Fledgling (Jason Steed)

Summary: Jason Steed is looking for a place to call home. He finds what he's looking for in the Sea Cadets—an elite group of British youngsters being groomed for lifelong service in the military. But when a routine training exercise goes awry, Jason finds himself in the middle of a secret mission. The future of the world hangs in the balance...and Jason might be the only one who can save it. What I Thought: Absolutely loved this. Another teen spy series to add to my list!

Book: Where the Dead Go

Summary: A fifteen-year-old girl has gone missing after a party in the middle of the night. The following morning her boyfriend is found brutally murdered in his home. Was the girl responsible for the murder, or is she also a victim of the killer? But who would want two teenagers dead? The aftermath of a personal tragedy finds police detective Gemma Woodstock in the coastal town of Fairhaven with her son Ben in tow. She has begged to be part of a murder investigation so she can bury herself in work rather than taking the time to grieve and figure out how to handle the next stage of her life - she now has serious family responsibilities she can no longer avoid. But Gemma also has ghosts she must lay to rest. Gemma searches for answers, while navigating her son's grief and trying to overcome the hostility of her new colleagues. As the mystery deepens and old tensions and secrets come to light, Gemma is increasingly haunted by a similar missing persons case she worked on not long before. A case that ended in tragedy and made her question her instincts as a cop. Can she trust herself again? What I Thought: Enjoyed this – not quite as good as the first few in the series but still a great read.

Book: This Farming Life

Summary: Farmer Tim Saunders manages to incorporate some writing into his days, and here he describes his life through the seasons: Summer, shearing, slaughter, crop harvest, conservation; Autumn, floods, trading stock, drenching, dagging; Winter, maize harvest, lambing; and Spring, docking, pet sheep, weaning. It's a tough life and through his writing Tim tells of his connection to the land, why he loves farming, how he's also conflicted by it and what it is that keeps him tethered to that place. What I Thought: An interesting read. Quite enjoyable.

Bookgroup: Bad Behaviour - A Memoir of Bullying and Boarding School

Summary: Fourteen-year-old Rebecca Starford spent a year at this school in the bush. In her boarding house sixteen girls were left largely unsupervised, a combination of the worst behaved students and some of the most socially vulnerable. As everyone tried to fit in and cope with their feelings of isolation and homesickness, Rebecca found herself joining ranks with the powerful girls, becoming both a participant--and later a victim-- of various forms of bullying and aggression. Bad Behaviour tells the story of that year, a time of friendship and joy, but also of shame and fear. It explores how those crucial experiences affected Rebecca as an adult and shaped her future relationships, and asks courageous questions about the nature of female friendship. What I Thought: Really fascinating read as basically the author is the same age as me. Gosh women can be nasty.

Book: Men At work

Summary: In Men at Work, Annabel Crabb deploys political observation, workplace research and her characteristic humour and intelligence to argue that gender equity cannot be achieved until men are as free to leave the workplace (when their lives demand it) as women are to enter it. What I Thought: A riveting essay – so very true! I just love Annabel Crabb

Book: Catch Your Death

Summary: Books 3 in series… This time, tigers are roaming the streets of Twinford, and it looks like someone has deliberately released some very rare and very dangerous animals. Things are going to get wild – and Ruby is going to get badly lost in the wilderness. The question is: will she ever make it out alive? Well, as always, you wouldn't want to bet against her… What I Thought: This was ok. Not as good as the first couple.

Book: The Six Rules of Christmas

Summary: Picking up the reins of her father's law practice, Ariella Blake has made a place for herself in small-town Warrandale. But when stand-in farrier Jack Adamson blows in for the holidays, with his good looks and infuriating evasiveness, he challenges her to embrace the rules of Christmas. Step by step, will Christmas - and Jack - get under her skin? What I Thought: A sweet little country town romance. Enjoyed this one.

Book: The Good Turn

Summary: Police corruption, an investigation that ends in tragedy and the mystery of a little girl's silence - three unconnected events that will prove to be linked by one small town. While Detective Cormac Reilly faces enemies at work and trouble in his personal life, Garda Peter Fisher is relocated out of Galway with the threat of prosecution hanging over his head. But even that is not as terrible as having to work for his overbearing father, the local copper for the pretty seaside town of Roundstone. For some, like Anna and her young daughter Tilly, Roundstone is a refuge from trauma. But even this village on the edge of the sea isn't far enough to escape from the shadows of evil men. What I Thought: Wow – this series just keeps getting better. Ripper read.

Book: Something to Talk About

Summary: Dairy farmer Tabitha Cooper-Jones has a heart of gold, yet she’s the eternal bridesmaid. Everyone’s best mate. Despite facing some serious challenges over the years, she’s built a successful ice-cream business and cafe, she’s adored by her family and is an integral part of her hometown – there’s just one thing missing from her life. But the last thing Tab wants is a man – or worse, love – to stop her achieving her dream. In town for a temporary teaching contract, Fergus McWilliams thinks the small community of Walsh will be the perfect place to stay under the radar but he couldn’t be more wrong. Suddenly, the kids’ cricket team coached by Ferg is inundated with female supporters – single female supporters – and that’s only the beginning. The only woman who doesn’t seem to have her sights set on Ferg is Tabitha. Despite a disastrous first meeting and a visit from a past love, circumstances keep throwing them together. Neither can deny the sparks between them, but can friendship even be possible for these two strong-willed people? What I Thought: A lovely read. Love all her books.

Book: Small Mercies

Summary: After enduring months of extreme drought on their modest freehold, farming couple Dimple and Ruthie face uncertain times on more than one front. Ruthie receives the news every woman dreads. Meanwhile, a wealthy landowner, Wally Oliver, appears on the local radio station, warning small farmers like Dimple and Ruthie that they are doomed, that the sooner they leave the land to large operators like him, the better. Bracing for a fight on all fronts, the couple decide to take a road trip to confront Oliver. Along the way, not only is their resolve tested, but their relationship as well. Desperate not to dwell on the past but to face up to the future, Dimple and Ruthie make a crucial decision they soon regret. And when the storm clouds finally roll in across the land they love, there’s more than the rain to contend with. What I Thought: Hmmm. This was odd and quirky and sad. Still grappling with how it left me feeling. Not sure if I loved it or hated it…

Book: Take Your Last Breath

Summary: Everyone’s favorite girl detective is back for a second mind-blowing installment, packed with all the off-the-wall humor, action, and friendship of the first book. This time, though, it’s an adventure on the wide-open ocean, and Ruby is all at sea. . . . Can she crack the case of the Twinford pirates while evading the clutches of a vile sea monster as well as the evil Count von Viscount? Well, you wouldn’t want to bet against her. What I Thought: Another great little read in the series. Lots of humour in these books.

Book: Mallee Sky

Summary: Kate Gilmore hasn't been home in years, but with her marriage over and her job in jeopardy she doesn't know where else to turn. Desperate for comfort, Kate retreats to the Mallee, a place crawling with dark secrets and lingering childhood memories. When she's offered a carer's job on the isolated Rosebud Farm, Kate soon meets old Harry Quickly, an intriguing young boy called Maxie, and a handsome harvest contractor who's not shy about making his intentions known. Under the endless Mallee skies, Kate discovers that she might just have a future in the place that has haunted her past. But are some family secrets better left in the grave or can new friendships heal old wounds? What I Thought: Another incredible read. Just love this author so much!

Book: Christmas at Brigadier Station

Summary: When Tom Carmody buys a run-down cattle station in outback Queensland he is shocked to discover that the woman living next door is none other than Harriet McGuire, his high school crush – the woman who mysteriously never returned to boarding school after the summer break. In a time when women did as their fathers bid, Harriet agreed to marry the charming Daniel McGuire and move to Brigadier Station. But she soon paid the price for her naivety. Forced to protect her children from her abusive husband, she never forgot Tom’s kindness. More than thirty years after their innocent school flirtation, Harriet and Tom begin to rekindle their friendship only to find the flames of their attraction are stronger than ever. As Christmas approaches, rain storms finally break the decade long outback drought. But can the floods wash away the ghosts of the past? Or will they cause yet another disaster? What I Thought: Really enjoyable read – nice to finish off this series.

Book: Conspiracy 365 - April

Summary: On New Year's Eve, Callum Ormond is chased down the street by a crazed man with a deadly warning: They killed your father. They'll kill you. You must survive the next 365 days! Cops and criminal gangs are all searching for Cal, the psycho kid who's meant to have attacked his uncle and put his sister in a coma. Cal is desperate to clear his name, but he also has less than a year to solve an ancient family mystery: the Ormond Singularity. The stakes are getting higher and the closer he gets to the truth, the more dangerous his life becomes. What I Thought: Loving this little series. Easy read, far fetched but a great page turner nevertheless!

Book: The English Oak

Summary: Bronte Miller and her young daughter Madeline leave England and the only home they had ever known when they venture to Australia in search of a new life. A job as Governess on Tullagulla Station in the Queensland outback seems like a good place to start, however the heat, flies and long days of work bring unexpected challenges. As Bronte and Madeline settle into life on Tullagulla, the property is threatened by an unexpected rural crime wave and its residents band together to assist the stock squad. Then, just as a new relationship develops between Bronte and the local vet, a shocking secret is revealed and her life is once again turned upside down. What I Thought: Loved book 2 in this series. Nice easy light reading. Very enjoyable.

Book: Conspiracy 365 - March

Summary: On New Year's Eve, Callum Ormond is chased down the street by a crazed man with a deadly warning: They killed your father. They'll kill you. You must survive the next 365 days! Cops and criminal gangs are all searching for Cal, the psycho kid who's meant to have attacked his uncle and put his sister in a coma. Cal is desperate to clear his name, but he also has less than a year to solve an ancient family mystery: the Ormond Singularity. The stakes are getting higher and the closer he gets to the truth, the more dangerous his life becomes. What I Thought: Loving this little series. Easy tread, far fetched but a great page turner nevertheless!

Book: The Scholar

Summary: When Detective Cormac Reilly's girlfriend Emma stumbles across the victim of a hit and run early one morning, he is first on the scene of a murder that would never have been assigned to him. The investigation promises to be high profile and high pressure: the dead girl is carrying an ID, that of Carline Darcy, heir apparent to Ireland's most successful pharmaceutical company. Darcy Therapeutics has a finger in every pie, including the laboratory where Emma works. As Cormac investigates, evidence mounts that the death is linked to the lab and, increasingly, to Emma herself. Cormac is sure she couldn't be involved, but how well does he really know her? After all, this isn't the first time Emma's been accused of murder . . . What I Thought: Wow – brilliant. Better than the first book. Loved it.

Book: Any Ordinary Day

Summary: As a journalist, Leigh Sales often encounters people experiencing the worst moments of their lives in the full glare of the media. But one particular string of bad news stories – and a terrifying brush with her own mortality – sent her looking for answers about how vulnerable each of us is to a life-changing event. What are our chances of actually experiencing one? What do we fear most and why? And when the worst does happen, what comes next? Warm, candid and empathetic, this book is about what happens when ordinary people, on ordinary days, are forced to suddenly find the resilience most of us don’t know we have. What I Thought: Wow! Such a powerful book. Absolutely loved this and highly recommend reading. I sobbed and laughed and was just in awe of the people.

Book: Dead Man's Track

Summary: A tragic accident, a terrible crime, an unknown threat ... Scarred by a recent tragedy on Federation Peak, Tess Atherton is reluctant to guide a group of young hikers in the wild Tasmanian winter, but it seems safer than remaining amid the violence that threatens them in Hobart. Little does she know that she has brought the danger with her ... Detective Senior Sergeant Jared Denham is closing in on a serial killer, but someone doesn't want him getting to the truth and the case is becoming personal. He already owes Tess his life, and wants to return the favour - but when it comes to enemies, Jared may be looking in the wrong direction. Time is running out, and death is stalking them both ... What I Thought: A ripping read (just don’t listen to the audiobook version when bushwalking)!

Book: The Life She Deserves

Summary: Growing up in the small Australian country town of Granite Springs, Jo and Col have been lifelong friends. Following Jo's divorce and the death of Col's wife, the pair find comfort in their common grief. But as they tentatively explore their new relationship, they have little idea of the challenges that lie ahead. What they haven't bargained for is Jo's interfering ex, along with their three children, all of whom have their own agendas. Can Jo ride out the storm? Will she be granted the life she deserves? What I Thought: I really enjoyed this book. Nice to read about older couples. Off to find book 2!

Book: Double or Die

Summary: Before the name became a legend. Before the boy became a man. Kidnap. Violence. Explosions. Murder. In a north London cemetery a professor is kidnapped at gunpoint. A suspicious letter crammed with cryptic clues arrives at Eton. To decipher the deadly mystery, James Bond must take a series of dangerous gambles. Once the code is cracked, he has just 48 hours to save the professor from the dark forces that threaten to destroy them both. And, if the professor can't escape, it's not only his future under threat. It's the rest of the world's . . . What I Thought: Loved this one. Sucked in from the start.

Book: Just One Wish

Summary: Alice has always been a trailblazer as a scientist, activist and mother. She knew her choices would involve sacrifices, but now, on the eve of her eightieth birthday, she's beginning to wonder if she's sacrificed too much. Alice's daughter, Sappho, rebelled against her unconventional upbringing, choosing to marry young and embrace life as a homemaker, but her status as a domestic goddess has recently taken a surprising turn. Ged has always been the peacemaker between her grandmother and mother. A tenacious journalist, she knows what she wants in life and love, yet when everything in her world starts falling apart, she begins to question whether she really knows anyone at all. At a crossroads in each of their lives, Alice, Sappho and Ged embark on a celebratory trip together, but instead of bringing them closer, the holiday sparks life-changing consequences and lifts the lid on a fifty-year-old secret. Can Ged rescue her family if their story is built on a betrayal? What I Thought: Wow – what a ripper read. Highly recommend this book.