Book: Promises

Summary: Sophie Dixon is determined to leave her tragic past behind and forge a bright future on her beloved farm. While looking to buy a new horse, she is drawn into her neighbour Aaron's Laidlaw's orbit, despite the bad blood between their families. As the racing season unfolds, Sophie and Aaron's feelings for each other deepen. But Aaron is torn, haunted by a dark secret he fears can never be forgiven – especially by Sophie. Sophie believes herself strong, but the truth behind her mother's death will test her strength, and her love, to the limit. She's been broken once. No one wants to see her broken again. Least of all the man who has grown to love her...

What I thought: Loved it! Another awesome country romance. I just so can't get enough of these. There are so many new authors coming onto the scene it's hard to keep up with them all!

Book: Nowhere Else

Summary: On the surface, current affairs reporter Nicola Harvey has the world at her feet — she's at the top of her profession, part of Australian television's celebrity A-list, has a wealthy, successful fiancé and a beautiful warehouse conversion in Adelaide. But appearances can be deceiving and not all is perfect in Nicola's world. So when her boss offers to send her on an extended research trip to investigate the effects of the drought, she jumps at the chance to indulge in some country-style relaxation.

When Nicola arrives in the little town of Nowhere Else, nothing is as she expected: there's no spa in town, the locals are tight-lipped, and she senses it's not just the drought that is making the town nervous. So why has her boss sent her out here? The deeper Nicola digs into the town's history, the more she realises coming to Nowhere Else wasn't a mistake after all. In fact, it may just unlock the mystery of her own past. And hold the key to her future happiness...

What I thought: Once again another rural romance which has me reading like never before. Loved this book. Sure a bit far fetched in places but who cares!

Book: The Cattle King

Summary: At the age of 13 Sidney Kidman ran away from home with only five shillings in his pocket. He went on to become a horse dealer, drover, cattle buyer and bush jockey and he also ran a coach business. Above all Kidman created a mighty cattle empire of more than a hundred stations, fighting droughts, bushfires, floods and plagues of vermin to do so. His enterprise and courage won him a huge fortune and made him a legend.

What I thought: WOW! What an amazing person. This book made me love the outback even more. Just can't get enough of reading out this wonderful country. Also amazing to still see how much of his legacy still remains. Highly recommend reading.

Book: The Bay

Summary: When Sydney corporate wife Holly Jamieson turns 40, she shocks her husband by buying an old house in The Bay, a beautiful and peaceful town on the Australian east coast, and transforming it into a charming B&B. What began as a gesture of independence changes her life. Holly soon discovers that beneath its tranquil surface, The Bay is a whirlpool of passions and conflicts. Once a whaling town, then a sleepy resort that became trendy... and now developers are moving in for the kill. Holly, her family, and an unusual band of new friends are in the battle lines.

What I thought: Once again I really enjoyed. Just love the vivid imagery. Must admit though that in this one there were a few too many characters and I got a little mixed up...

Tuesday Night Bookgroup: Prime Cut

Summary: Meet Cato Kwong — disgraced cop and ex-poster boy for the police force. Banished to the stock squad after the fallout from a police frame-up, Cato is brought in from the cold to solve the case of a torso washed up on the wild shores of the Great Southern Ocean. But Cato faces powerful opposition when his investigation lifts the lid on the exploitation of migrant workers and disturbs an even darker criminal mind...

What I thought: I really enjoyed this. Lots of different layers to work through... Also loved the vivid descriptions of the scenery. Recommend reading it.

Book: Someone Special

Summary: Romy Kilkenny loves her life in Australia – she has her dream job, lots of mates, and a best friend in Keith who understands her better than anyone. Best of all, she couldn't be further from her family. But when her brother rings to say she's needed back in Ireland right away, Romy's world is turned upside down. Flying home to see her mother and her half-siblings, Romy doubts she'll fit in better now than she ever did, and she's still not ready to forgive her mother for her truly disgraceful behaviour a few years earlier. Romy also worries that the accidental half-kiss with Keith at the airport may have brought their easy friendship to a sudden end. Whatever lies ahead, it's not what Romy's expecting – even the people we grow up with can surprise us, and if love is to be found, it will find a way.

This was Ok. Didn't really draw me in like many of her other books have. But still love Irish chick lit.

Book: Race Around the Sports World

Summary: Sports tragic Tony Hardy sets off to see as many great events around the world as he can in 50 days. The problems? Hardy has a delicate constitution, suffers chronic homesickness and loathes leaving his couch. From New York, where he goes to the US Open at Flushing Meadows, and a Major League Baseball game between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, to Belfast for a World Cup Qualifier between England and Northern Ireland. In Dusseldorf for a famous ice-hockey derby, he escapes with singed ears from a fire-loving Turkish barber, only to be cornered while under the influence for a live interview on German television. In Dublin at a hurling game, he discovers goalkeepers who face death without armour. And at the Australian MotoGP on Phillip Island, he finds lacy women's underwear flying from flags and the greatest sportsman on the planet.

This book was really hit and miss. Some funny parts but otherwise a bit boring which is a shame as it was a great idea...

Monday and Tuesday night bookgroup: The Reader

I am trying to get a jump start on my bookgroup books for the year and this one is in both (not until May and June)! Currently feeling virtuous!

Summary: When he falls ill on his way home from school, fifteen-year-old Michael Berg is rescued by Hanna, a woman twice his age. In time she becomes his lover—then she inexplicably disappears. When Michael next sees her, he is a young law student, and she is on trial for a hideous crime. As he watches her refuse to defend her innocence, Michael gradually realises that Hanna may be guarding a secret she considers more shameful than murder.

I enjoyed this book though it is somewhat depressing. More a winter read when it's dark and gloomy outside than a summer one... Think I might get the DVD now to see the comparison.

Book: The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots

My first book of 2012. Thanks to @sharonu for telling me about this one:

Summary: Lena Todd is a city girl who thrives on cocktails and cappuccinos. So when her boss announces he's sending her to the outback to join a construction team, her world is turned upside down. Lena's new accommodation will be an aluminium box called a dongar; Her new social network is 350 men; Her daily foot attire is steel-capped boots.

Unfortunately, Lena can't refuse. Mistakes of the past are choking her confidence. She needs to do something to right those wrongs and prove herself. Going into a remote community might just be the place to do that, if only tall, dark and obnoxious Dan didn't seem so determined to stand in her way ...

I absolutely LOVED this book. Rural romance at it's best. Can't wait for her next book. Just so excited about this genre at the minute.