Author Sighting - Brooke Davis (Lost & Found)

Today I met Brooke Davis, the author of Lost & Found. She did a talk at the local library last Friday, and today she was visiting the local bookstores. I was very excited to meet her, I would have liked to have gone to her talk but unfortunately I couldn't make it, so having her pop into the shop was very unexpected and exciting surprise. Brooke was a very upbeat and friendly person to talk to and I hope our paths will cross again. I have added her book to my must read list, it sounds like a good one.

Lost & Found by Brooke Davis

Millie Bird (aka Captain Funeral), seven-years old and ever hopeful, always wears red gumboots to match her red, curly hair. Her struggling mother leaves Millie in a local department store and never returns.

Agatha Pantha, eighty-two, has not left her house – or spoken to another human being – since she was widowed seven years ago. She fills the silences by yelling at passers by, watching loud static on the TV and maintaining a strict daily schedule.

Karl the Touch Typist, eighty-seven, once used his fingers to type out love notes on his wife's skin. Now he types his words out into the air as he speaks. Karl is moved into a nursing home but in a moment of clarity and joy, he escapes.

A series of events binds the three together on a road trip that takes them from the south coast of WA to Kalgoorlie and along the Nullarbor to the edge of the continent. Millie wants to find her mum. Karl wants to find out how to be a man. And Agatha just wants everything to go back to how it was.

They will discover that old age is not the same as death, that the young can be wise, and that letting yourself experience sadness just might be the key to life.

Outback Blaze by Rachael Johns

Title: Outback Blaze
Author: Rachael Johns
ISBN: 9781743565353
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Publish Date: May 2014

Synopsis:

Ruby wasn't looking for love, Drew wasn't looking to stay...until they found each other. Can their fling survive the darkness of Ruby's past and Drew's desire to move on?

Ruby Jones was always an optimist, but the trauma of her past had made her wary. So when she flees to the small rural community of Bunyip Bay to start afresh, she has her sights firmly set on establishing her horse-riding business and rebuilding her life. The last thing Ruby wants is a romance. In fact, after all she has been through, she can't imagine she will ever believe in love again.

Police officer Drew Noble has no intention of staying in Bunyip Bay — he is just an outsider seeking temporary refuge. But as the charm of the town sways him, Drew finds himself increasingly drawn to the community and its inhabitants, as well as another newcomer, the lovely Ruby Jones.

When Drew investigates a suspicious fire at Ruby's parents' business, he finds himself feeling strangely protective of the girl with the flowers in her hair. As the details of Ruby's past emerge and she comes once more under threat, Drew realises he will do all in his power to save her.


Soon these outsiders discover they have both lost their hearts — not only to the town but to each other.

My Thoughts:

The fact that I loved this book will come as no surprise. Rachael Johns has fast become one of my favourite Australian authors and her books have introduced me to rural romance, a genre that I didn't normally read, now I can't get enough of them!

In Outback Blaze we return to the lovely community of Bunyip Bay to find out Ruby's story. Ruby has returned home to pick up the pieces after a failed relationship and get her life back on track, but a whole new set of problem occurs when her parent's business is destroyed in a suspicious fire. Tensions and gossip flare up in the wake of the tragic fire and police officer, Drew Noble is determined to find out the truth behind the fire, what he isn't prepared for are his feelings for Ruby.

Outback Blaze is more than your typical rural romance, the mystery/suspense element makes this book a genuine page turner. I loved the relationship between Ruby and Drew, it was not rushed and was realistic.
Outback Blaze was a great read, definitely my favourite Rachael Johns book so far, her books just seem to be getting better and better. I am now eagerly awaiting the release of her next book, Outback Ghost!

Just a final word of warning, if you are a bit of a softie like me, you may need some tissues while reading this book!

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

Diamond Spirit by Karen Wood

Title: Diamond Spirit
Author: Karen Wood
ISBN: 9781742373157
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
Published: 2011

Synopsis:

Jess's beloved pony has a terrible accident and thinks her best friend Shara had something to do with it. So she feels that she has lost not just one best friend, but two. New friends and new horses come into her life along with the chance to complete in the Longwood campdraft. And does Walkabout help to heal her broken heart?

My Thoughts:

This book has been on my radar ever since it was released and to be perfectly honest I have taken a long time considering whether or not to read it. As most of my readers may have realised I will read a wide range of books and I enjoy reading not only adult and young adult but books aimed at children as well. Being a horse lover and someone who has previously owned and cared for horses, I love reading books about horses. What I have come across in my many years of reading horsey fiction is that a lot of it tends to be the same thing, usually something along the lines of, girl starts riding at new fancy stable/riding school, makes new friends and enemies, enters some form of competition/show and insert resulting conflicts here. Now while I find nothing wrong with this kind of story after a while it does become a bit stale. This book is none of these things!

 I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading Diamond Spirit that although some of the situations are very much the same it comes across in a more down to earth and realistic setting. It really did feel like a dusty, horse smelling breath of fresh air. Diamond Spirit captures the realities of horse ownership and life in country Australia. Strong characters, plenty of drama and a hint of romance really make this book stand out.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to young horse loving teens.

Man Drought by Rachael Johns

Title:          Man Drought
Author:      Rachael Johns
ISBN:        981743560167
Publisher:  Harlequin Mira
Publish Date:  January 2013


Synopsis:


Imogen Bates moved to the small rural town of Gibson’s Find to start a new life for herself after the death of her husband. Tired of being haunted by the painful memories of her old life, Imogen set her last remaining hopes on the little town and, in particular, pouring her heart and savings into restoring The Majestic Hotel to its former glory. But while the female-starved town might be glad to see a young woman move in, not everyone is happy about Imogen’s arrival.

Sheep and crop farmer Gibson Black once dreamed of having the kind of family his grandfather reminisces about, but he’s learnt not to dream anymore. Living in the mostly male town suits Gibson down to the ground...and he won’t have anyone — least of all a hot redhead from the city — change a thing.

Imogen has never been one to back down from a challenge, especially when it concerns her last chance at happiness. She’s determined to rebuild the pub and create a future for the little town. But can she create a future for Gibson and herself, too?

My Thoughts:

Man Drought is the first rural romance book I have ever read and honestly, I am a convert.
Imogen buys an old hotel in a small country town, Gibson's Find, after the death of her husband, desperate to find a new start. She becomes passionate about restoring the hotel to it's former glory and breathing new life into the tiny community.
Gibson's Find like many other small country communities is mostly populated by men, and after a difficult marriage  that is exactly how Gibson likes it. But the other members of the community find Imogen's arrival refreshing and are more than happy to go out of their way to make her feel welcome and much to Gibson's frustration, he can't keep this redheaded beauty out of his thoughts.

It is impossible not to fall in love with the characters in this book. Imogen and Gibson are so determined and passionate, making it impossible for them not to lock horns, but they are also in their own ways slightly damaged which makes it impossible not not to feel their pain.
Although Gibson's grandfather Charlie, was my favourite character. Charlie is just the right mixture of sweet and stubborn, and he really brings the story together.

Rachael's writing style paints a perfect picture of country WA, for me it brought back memories of times spent on the farms of my friends, I could really picture dusty paddocks and smell the gum trees and sheep. Man Drought reminded me that despite my suburban upbringing I am really a country girl at heart, and the love of the country really does run in my genes.

Overall Man drought is a touching and heartfelt story of love, loyalty and community spirit. Easy to read and delightful, a great holiday read.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC