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.