AustLit

'It’s been over twenty years since Cass Marshall’s relationship fell apart, and she returned home to Bellbird Bay. Now, although happy with the success of her beachwear business, Cass often longs for someone special to share her life.

'Nursing the wounds of a failed marriage, Mick Roberts has finally accepted his ex has moved on with her life. Determined to avoid his daughter’s attempts at matchmaking, he immerses himself in his whale-watching business.

'When family sickness brings the two together, Cass wonders if her life is about to take a turn for the better. But with Mick’s ex-wife also being Cass’s best friend, a seed of doubt emerges.

'This doubt intensifies when Cass’s recently widowed ex arrives in town, determined to use any means to drive a wedge between Cass and Mick as he fights for a second chance.

'Can Bellbird Bay work its magic again and provide a happy ever after for Cass and Mick, or are they destined to spend the rest of their lives alone?' (Publication summary)

(Publication summary)

'Following her divorce, Greta Roberts has found solace running Birds of a Feather, an upmarket boutique in the seaside town of Bellbird Bay. But when a ghost from her past reappears, Greta’s peaceful, single life is sent into a spin.

'Leo Carlson has built an empire of hotels and resorts but has never forgotten the perfect summer he spent in Bellbird Bay in his teens. When the opportunity to purchase a hotel there arises, he finds it difficult to pass it up.

'Meeting again, Greta and Leo are quick to discover they are different people from the young couple who kissed on the beach and vowed to love each other for ever. Beset with challenges which threaten to keep them apart, can Bellbird Bay work its magic and provide these two with a second chance at love?' (Publication summary)

'Alison Wells has built a successful career lecturing in women's studies at a university in Perth, Australia. When her life unexpectedly falls apart, she decides to escape to the coastal town of Bellbird Bay on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

'Neil Simpson loves teaching and his position as principal at a prestigious boy's school in Brisbane. But when scandal rocks the school, and he learns his father's health is failing, he believes he has no choice but to return to Bellbird Bay, the town where he grew up.

'Determined not to be a burden to her brother and his new partner, Ali is considering her options when her life and Neil's collide. Having avoided commitment all her life, Ali is unprepared for the force of her attraction to the man who is trying to come to terms with the upheaval to his own life.

'At fate conspires to keep them apart, can these two build a new future together; can this small town work its magic on the two lost souls?' (Publication summary)

'Thirty-five years ago, tragedy forced Bev Cooper to cut short her university studies and seek refuge in her hometown of Bellbird Bay. Today, as the owner of the thriving Pandanus Garden Centre and Cafe, Bev has moved beyond the past and is happy in her solitary existence. Following the tragic death of his son's wife, Iain Grant takes early retirement and moves with his devastated son and granddaughter to the peaceful coastal town of Bellbird Bay hoping it will provide the change of scene they all desperately need. When Iain's son accepts a position at Bev's garden centre, the pair find themselves drawn into each other's lives. But as they begin to enjoy an unexpected attraction, issues from the past threaten to derail their growing relationship. Will the healing atmosphere of Bellbird Bay work its magic and provide a second chance in life, or will Bev find it too difficult to put the past behind her and enjoy her own happy ever after? A heartwarming tale of family, friends, and how a second chance at love can happen when you least expect it.' (Publication summary)

Libby Walker never imagined she'd be moving into the dream house she and her husband had purchased for their retirement as a widow. Intent on making a new life for herself in the quiet coastal town of Bellbird Bay, Libby's life is upended by an unexpected call from her daughter.

'Adam Holland's unhappy childhood and broken home has left him scarred. Content with the life he has built for himself as a journalist and author of political thrillers, Adam arrives in Bellbird Bay to fulfil the deathbed request of an old friend.

'When Libby and Adam meet, there is an initial attraction. But Libby is grieving for her late husband and trying to help her daughter sort out her life, and Adam has no intention of forming a relationship, wary of commitment because of how his family was torn apart.

'Will the peace and tranquillity of Bellbird Bay help these two move on from old hurts and make this a Christmas to remember, or will events conspire to keep them apart?

'A heartwarming tale of family, friends, and how a second chance at love can happen when you least expect it.' (Publication summary)

'Can Bellbird Bay provide solace to these two broken souls?

'When Ailsa McNeil's marriage falls apart, an invitation to spend the summer with an old friend in Bellbird Bay offers her the opportunity to escape and regroup. What she doesn't expect is to meet her friend's twin brother, the first man to stir her emotions when she was an impressionable nineteen-year-old. 

'As a young man, Martin Cooper couldn't wait to leave Bellbird Bay. He has spent the past thirty years travelling the world and has accomplished his dream of becoming a celebrated travel photographer. But it has come at a price and, when his career and personal life take a downward turn, he returns to his hometown to consider his future.

'When an accident thrusts the two together, their earlier attraction resurfaces. Torn between the desire to protect herself from further hurt and her renewed feelings for the man she's never forgotten, can Ailsa find happiness again or is it too late? A heartwarming tale of family, friends, and how a second chance at love can happen when you least expect it.' (Publication summary)

'When widow Grace Winter makes the decision to sell the family property in Granite Springs and move to the small coastal town of Bellbird Bay, her children are horrified. Doing her best to ignore their protests, Grace settles into the small-town community and starts creating a new life for herself. However, the surprise arrival of her demanding daughter throws all that she's established into disarray.

'Retired solicitor Ted Crawford has the ideal life. He surfs, takes care of local turtle hatching and is becoming well known locally as a landscape artist. But his calm existence is upended by the sudden appearance of his son whose professional life is in jeopardy.

'Happy in their single lives, neither Grace nor Ted is looking for love, but when their paths keep crossing, it looks as if fate has other ideas. However, as their friendship evolves into something more, family issues threaten to derail any hope of a new relationship. Is a second chance at love going to be torn from their grasp?

'A heart-warming story of families, friends, the importance of living for the present, and how a second chance at love can happen when you least expect it.' (Publication summary)

'Can the past ever really be left behind?

'Liz Pender has lived alone since her dreams for the future were shattered by the death of her husband. She retreated to Granite Springs where her life now revolves around her bookshop, The Reading Corner, and her cat, Marmaduke.

'Newly appointed editor of The Granite Springs Advertiser, Sam Walker, recently moved to the small country town to seek a quieter life.

'When Liz's bookshop comes under threat, Sam and Liz are brought together causing sparks to fly. But a summons for help from overseas threatens to ruin Sam's country idyll and reignites the past for Liz.

'Can Liz put the past behind her and face a future with Sam, or are her dreams destined to remain just that?' (Publication summary)

(Publication summary)

'Sometimes life provides a second chance.

'Ann Baird has never forgotten her first love and the decision she made that brought her a lifetime of guilt and regret. She knows that some refer to her as a bitter old maid, yet underneath the stoic face she shows to the world, beats a kind and vulnerable heart.

'Chris Thomas left Granite Springs in his early twenties. Despite building a successful life and business in Canada, the memory of the girl he left behind has always stayed with him. When an accident forces Chris to return to his native town, despite initial misgivings, the couple acknowledge the spark of their love remains.

'As unexpected challenges threaten to keep them apart, will Ann find a way to overcome her guilt and grasp what fate has sent her way, or is it too late for a second chance?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Peta Forrest has arrived in the country town of Granite Springs determined to help her granddaughter cope with her mother's brutal murder and create a new life for them both.

'Frank Beattie, owner of The Bean Sprout Cafe, has finally accepted that his ex has moved on, and so should he. He finds himself drawn to the town's new arrival - a woman whose vulnerability calls out to him.

'While Frank piques Peta's interest, her courage and energy are channelled into a dilemma she hadn't anticipated - fighting for the right to care for her granddaughter.

'Tempted to lean on Frank for support, she's not convinced he's over his ex and is wary of becoming involved. Can Peta create the new life she's seeking, and will Frank find the happiness he deserves?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A year after a devastating bushfire destroyed Magda Duncan'shome, she returns to Granite Springs determined to resume her life and organise a wonderful family Christmas. But the elation of her homecoming quickly turns to disappointment as she discovers not everyone is in tune with her plans.

'George Turnbull was Magda's late husband's best friend. A bachelor, he has always carried a torch for Magda and remained close to her and her sons. When he finally musters the courage to reveal his true feelings, a life changing surprise from his past threatens to ruin any chance at happiness.

'Emotions are high as Christmas Day approaches. Will this be the most wonderful Christmas ever? Or will the hopes and fears of the past come home to haunt them?

'A poignant story of a Christmas friends of Granite Springs will never forget.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Marie Cunningham's life falls into disarray when she is suddenly thrust into caring for her teenage niece. After operating The Bean Sprout Café with her former partner, becoming a single parent is not a life she ever imagined.

'Drew Hamilton has arrived in Granite Springs to take up the position of principal at the local high school. Recently divorced, he is struggling with the unfamiliar role of single father to his unsettled teenage daughter.

'When an unexpected incident brings the two together, the chemistry between them is not immediately apparent. Forced to associate as their teenage charges become best friends, they gradually lower their defences to discover they have a lot in common.

'But when a ghost from the past threatens to derail her new life, who should Marie turn to for support - the new man in her life, or the ex-partner who's always been there for her?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When Lyn Hudson takes early retirement, her plan is to fulfil a lifelong dream to travel the world. But news of her father's death forces her back to Granite Springs; the town she fled when she was eighteen. While she has fond memories of roaming the paddocks with her childhood friend, Ken, life on the land was definitely not for her.

'Ken Thompson, cheated out of his inheritance in the family property after an argument with his father, has built up a successful business in Granite Springs as a realter and stock and station agent. When the son he intended to inherit his business returns to work on the family property, his plans for the future are shattered and family relations further strained.

'Thrown together by circumstances, the pair discover the spark which they denied forty-five years earlier is still smouldering. But time has passed. They are different people.

'Is it possible they'll find common ground and start afresh, or will Lyn once again follow her dreams and abandon Granite Springs and their chance at happiness?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Fran Reilly has hidden a secret sorrow for the past thirty years. But turning fifty and losing her mother forces her to re-evaluate her future. Returning to her home in Granite Springs, she's determined to make changes to her well-ordered life. However there are more changes in store than she could ever have imagined.

'When Owen Larsen applies for the position as Head of the new School of Music and Drama at the university in Granite Springs, his only concern is to leave the rat race of Sydney and find a more peaceful existence in the country.

'Owen is the exact opposite of everything in Fran's well-ordered world and reminds her of a past she has been at pains to forget. And Owen's country idyll isn't proving to be as peaceful as he imagined.

'Can these two opposites find common ground and is there a future for them in Granite Springs?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Two families. Two troubled pasts. Can they find a future together?

'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.

'Is there a future for Kay and Nick or will their families destroy any chance of happiness?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Drawn together by fate, can this midlife couple find happiness?

'University lecturer Alex Carter is devastated when her partner ends their long-term relationship. Accepting a position at a university on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, she plans to spend time with her family, renovate her beach cottage and forget all about men.

'But, as she is making a new life for herself, the past rises up to throw a spanner in the works and she has to make a determined effort to reset her compass.

'Shocked by a colleague’s suicide, Jack Russo leaves his high-powered city career and travels north, settling in a coastal town in an attempt to simplify his life. Yet, even here, he discovers, everything isn’t what it seems. When his fledgling handyman business appears to be in danger of collapsing, he is forced to make some hard decisions.

'A feel-good story of discovering that there can be second chances if only you can learn to trust again.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.