AustLit

'Opposites attract when this small-town girl meets a successful, city businessman. But with such different lives, does their romance stand a chance?

'Wealthy, handsome and heir to his father’s empire, Carlin Levy has unfairly earned a reputation in the media of being a playboy. When Carlin’s status causes trouble for the family business, his father gives him an ultimatum—he is to find a suitable bride and walk her down the aisle or he is struck from not only the business but also the will. Carlin has no choice but to comply or he loses everything he has worked for.

'Natalie Richardson is a born and bred small-town girl. She loves her simple life in Mercy Island, a tiny town tucked away on the Central Queensland Coast. But when she meets Carlin Levy, a confident, successful businessman from Sydney, she questions if her humble existence is enough.

'With chemistry that sizzles, Carlin and Natalie free-fall into a romance that moves at a whirlwind pace, but they soon crash into barriers that threaten their future. If only Carlin can look past the life his father has laid out for him and discover what is truly in his heart. And if Natalie can stop hunting for reasons why she isn’t good enough, she may see that what she deserves is right in front of her.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Some rules are meant to be broken.

'Maddy Carmichael was born and raised on the land, destined to one day take over the fourth-generation cattle farm from her father. She’s worked hard all her life to learn the ropes and make a real contribution. But her traditional-minded father continues to overlook her.

'Ryder Leckie loves the small Victorian town of Woodford Creek. He works hard managing a farm in the local region. But when his boss’s brother has a riding accident, he is sent to Central Queensland to temporarily help the Carmichaels out. A new adventure, despite his sense of obligation back home.

'The last thing Maddy wants is some unknown man coming in and running her farm, and she’s not afraid to let Ryder know. But when farm life throws up trials even too big for her, she is forced to rely on Ryder’s strength and knowledge.

'What starts as a working partnership turns into something much deeper. But fraternising with the stockman’s daughter is against the rules. When Maddy’s furious father discovers what clandestine activities Ryder and Maddy have been up to, Ryder is sent packing.

'When all seems lost, Ryder must fight for the woman he loves, but that means having the courage to take the biggest risk of his life. When leaving her destiny behind feels impossible, Maddy has to discover that following her heart will lead her to where she needs to be, even if that means starting a legacy of her own.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'One Family. Three generations. A common goal to unite them. A lifetime of secrets to divide them. But could uncovering the truth be the only way that this family can finally heal?

'Three generations of women find their way back home to Tasmania. They embark on a project together to renovate the family manor and convert it into a bed and breakfast.

'After a tumultuous life of pain and betrayal, Mary swore she’d never let anyone hurt her or her family again. But in order to keep her word, she has to guard a secret she swore to keep fifty years earlier.

'But with the family now under the one roof, and the past tampered with, the foundations of this secret are shaken.

'Mary always believed that hiding the truth was protecting the family, but when all is exposed, she finds that by keeping her secret, she was the one hurting them all.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Three everyday couples, from one ordinary family ... and an astonishing murder plot.

'Outwardly, The Radcliffes are a typical suburban family. But anyone close enough to them will know that it’s all for show.

'Matt and Nikki’s life is perfect. They’re happily married, work great jobs, and are raising two loveable teenage sons.

'Anthony and Belinda have it all—the looks, the big house by the water, and a successful business.

'Vaughn and Paige couldn’t be more in love, and they can’t wait to start a family of their own.

'But underneath, each couple is in crisis and there is one cause. Out of options and their backs against the wall, they discover that murder isn’t a tool reserved only for criminals.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Twelve singles, twelve fun-filled dates, makes for one hot Christmas.

'That’s the plan anyway.

'When Tennessee organised the Twelve Dates of Christmas event to promote her newly purchased bed and breakfast nestled on the Central Queensland coastline, she didn’t anticipate she would become a participant. But when a couple of singles pull out – she’s forced to fill the vacancy.

'After a nasty divorce and a big dose of heartbreak, Tennessee is not willing to start a romance and definitely not fall in love. But when Hayden, the sexy resident tradesman, gets roped into joining her for Twelve Dates of Christmas, he could well be the man who changes everything.

'What starts as a bit of Christmas fun soon turns into something more. If they can put aside past hurts and embrace what’s right in front of them, this Christmas fling may find momentum, opening up a beautiful future for them both.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When love is their only common ground, will they have the courage to meet each other in the middle?

'Neve's battered heart isn't ready to love again. But when she accidentally charges in on her brother's best friend while he is buck naked, she starts to see him in a new light -- far from the brother-figure he used to be.

'For Anders, fighting the demons that tell him he's not deserving of love is an ongoing battle, but he is ready -- he wants marriage, kids, the whole package. He just never thought he would want all of that with Neve. She is his best mate's little sister and, for that reason alone, she is off limits.

'But falling in love is always a risk. Will Neve gain the courage she needs to open her heart again before it's too late? And can Anders be confident enough in himself to fight for what he deserves?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When destiny knocks, do you invite it in?

'When a spell book lands on Ariana's doorstep, her world is thrown into turmoil. That's nothing new for her, except this time it involves bizarre and terrifying creatures who attempt to kill her. Then there's the little fact that she now has the ability to perform magic.

'Hadeon is another new addition in her life. He happened to drop in at the same time the spell book appeared. He's dark, sexy, and mysterious as hell, and Ariana doesn't know if she wants to kill him or love him.

'But all this chaos is nothing compared to what destiny has in store for her. A future is promised of royalty and immense power, palaces and undying love. But hers is a destiny that is not easily won. She will have to fight to the death against those who want to take it all for themselves. And when the real battle begins, just who the true enemy is will surprise everyone.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Matilda James never thought she'd ever return to Alpine Ridge, the small town she grew up in and couldn't wait to leave. But when her desire to have children proves too great a strain on her childless marriage, she heads back home for a tree–change, determined to find a partner with the same life goals. Good luck and good timing lands her a dream marketing role on a breathtaking vineyard. The only hitch is her boss – her old high school flame. But Matilda is a professional, and that relationship is old news.

'Mitch nearly lost everything when he lost his wife, and he's worked hard ever since to support and protect the most important people in his life – his two brothers and his beautiful, miraculous daughter. When his high school sweetheart, Matilda, starts working on the vineyard, he still feels the attraction, but the pain of his past is too close and too constant to ever consider acting on it.

'But soon the sparks between Matilda and Mitch grow so bright they can't be ignored. Matilda is forced to question what she truly wants in life and how far she is willing to push to get what she deserves. And Mitch must learn that moving on is not a betrayal and find the courage to fight for a future he could never have imagined.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Returning home, schoolteacher Brielle hopes a quiet Christmas will quash the ever-present feeling that she no longer belongs anywhere. For single dad Luke, romance is off the agenda - no matter how appealing his one-time antagonist Brielle has become. It's not only his heart that's at risk - it's that of his young daughter too. But after a Christmas wish is cast, the spirit of Christmas conspires to create some holiday magic...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Ellie always falls for the wrong man. After her latest disastrous relationship, she needs a new start, a clean slate, and some time to figure out who she is and what she actually wants. So the opportunity to open her own florist shop in the small town of Alpine Ridge couldn't be more timely – or more perfect.

'Sam Mathews understands bad relationships – he's only ever had one, and that was enough. Now he keeps to himself, throwing his efforts into the family vineyard and his greenhouse hobby, where it's quiet and calm and he can nurture beauty with his own two hands.

'When Ellie arrives in town and discovers Sam's backyard nursery, a shared professional interest soon blossoms into something that feels very personal. But Ellie needs time to rediscover herself, and Sam has never regained his confidence. When they are both tied so strongly to the past, could there be a chance for a future?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A vineyard, a family in pain, and the healing magic of cupcakes...

'Amy Jenkins, a talented and ambitious chef, is left humiliated and debt-ridden, after her city restaurant fails. When her best friend calls asking for help in her small town cupcake shop, Amy jumps at the chance to hide out in the small town of Alpine Ridge while her shattered ego mends.

'The youngest Mathews brother, Tom feels over-looked and under-appreciated. His brothers remember every mistake, but never give him the responsibility or opportunity to take his place in the family business. So, he spends three weeks out of every month working at a mine in the back-end of nowhere. But then Amy moves to town to help run his pregnant sister-in-law’s bakery, and suddenly home seems to be where his heart is.

'Amy’s move was only ever meant to be temporary, but when tragedy strikes the Mathews family, Amy finds herself unable to move on. As she and Tom get closer, Amy finds every excuse to stay: first, she claims it’s for the family, then she claims it’s for the shop. But maybe, it’s for her own heart...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'She can see the dead, but that’s the least of her problems...

'All Zoe wants is to be normal and feel accepted. But that is an impossible goal for a girl who can see spirits. Maybe if she hides her dead-seeing abilities and pretends to be like any other seventeen-year-old girl, she can, at best, appear to be ordinary. That’s her hope when she moves to a new town for high school, but it all depends on keeping her secrets concealed.

'But the dead have different plans, and they expose her for who she truly is. As her reputation around school as the resident freak show grows, her world crumbles. And she soon learns that she can’t trust anyone, living or dead.

'When Zoe believes all is lost, the truth is finally revealed—not only about who she is but what she is. She is shown glimpses of a world after life and her place within it. But with this new knowledge, comes responsibility, and she will be forced to make the most painful and difficult decision of her life.

'Will Zoe choose the safety and comfort of the human life she knows? Or will she be courageous enough to venture into the world that comes after death? A world that may just hold the answers she has been seeking all along.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'The biggest risks yield the greatest gains—especially in the game of love.

Emily Wolfe, real estate agent to the elite, is tired of being alone. So when she gets a 'chance to compete on a reality dating show she decides to risk it all for love in the biggest game of her life.

'The city girl is surprised how much she enjoys switching her high heels for cowboy boots and pedicures for mud treatments—and not the kind you find at a day spa. And she’s falling hard for Wil Parker, the sexy, rugged farmer at the centre of the show.

'Amidst the chaos, tantrums and editing tape, the heat and passion between Emily and Wil reaches boiling point. But can they survive the imminent explosion, let alone the fallout?'

Source: Escape Publishing

'For Hannah, Mercy Island is a refuge, a new beginning, and a place to find safety in her own skin. Here, in this peaceful, beachside place, she will rediscover all those pieces of herself her abusive ex stole away. For Bear, Mercy Island is a prison, a backwater, a place he can’t wait to escape. Away, in the city, he’ll chase his dreams and lose the bad memories haunting him.

'When Hannah's home is damaged in an ugly storm, Bear offers his handyman services to repair it—a last job and a pretty girl to pass the time before he heads out. But Hannah is terrified to lose herself in another relationship, and Bear isn’t in it for the long haul.

'However, their simmering sexual attraction refuses to be ignored, and just because love isn’t on the line doesn’t mean sex isn’t on the table. A no-strings-attached brief fling to curb the tension and take the edge off. No ties. No emotions. No pain.

'But love has a way of coming in the windows, even when you’ve slammed the door, if only Hannah and Bear can stop looking to the past and find hope in their future.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.