AustLit

'Can its determined inhabitants save an endangered country town? Three different writers tell the stories of the people of Mindalby, a vibrant community threatened with extinction when its cotton mill closes.' (Publication summary)

'Callie has been the IT manager at the Mindalby cotton mill for all of her adult working life, and when it closes down, she realises that she has let everything else slide – including her own dreams. Seizing on the closure as a sign, she decides to open up a craft and quilting shop in town, pursuing her own interests and hobbies and taking a risk for the first time since her husband ran off with her best friend.

'Helping her every step of the way is Nathan, her best friend's ex–husband and the man that Callie could never have. Suddenly, Nate seems to be everywhere, sharing this adventure, offering her a hand. But Callie has been burned before. Is she able to learn to trust her heart again?

'Mindalby, a small town, a community, a home. But when the mill that supports the local cotton farmers and employs many of the town's residents closes unexpectedly, old tensions are exposed and new rifts develop. Everyone is affected and some react better than others, but one thing is certain: living on the edge of the outback means they have to survive together, or let their town die.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Grand Design style renovation – with a literal skeleton in the closet.

'Sixty-year-old widowed school principal Patricia inherits a run-down, historic house in Newcastle, NSW, from Elsie, an old lady she’d befriended.

'On leave following a distressing incident at her school, Pat throws herself into restoring the house with the help of new friends – architect Susan, whose longing for a child threatens her marriage, and Lauren, a single mum stubbornly sacrificing her dreams of self-employment for the security of a nine-to-five job. Attraction flares between Pat and Andy, the historic restoration expert she hires.

'While menacing phone calls and destructive break-ins threaten to derail the restoration project, a shocking discovery causes repercussions no-one could have foreseen.

'Caught between the needs of her mother ravaged by dementia and the demands of her adult children, Pat must learn to put herself first to salvage both her new life and her new love.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Twenty-five years ago, Polly and Matt were in love—but their relationship came to a traumatic end following the death of her best friend.

'Now Polly Chappell has moved back to her home town to open a patisserie and care for her elderly parents, and the last person she wants to see is Matt Enright. Until she actually sees him, that is…

'Their attraction turns out to be stronger than ever, but both have their reasons to resist rekindling their romance—until someone attempts to run Polly out of town with escalating threats and vandalism, and Matt’s protective instincts surface.

'Will the secret she keeps bring them together—or get them killed?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Can they score a love match the second time around?

'Almost twenty years ago, Belinda Morrison’s teenage dreams of playing top level cricket were shattered after a night of fun went wrong. While she lay in a hospital bed, the ute’s driver, her boyfriend Marc, left town.

'Now Marc Orsini’s a cop, and he’s been sent back to Hope Creek as a temporary posting.

'The sparks are still there, stronger than ever, and after a shaky start, their relationship ignites again.

'With many ties to the community, the town is Bel’s life, but Marc has responsibilities elsewhere. She can’t risk a short-term romance, but how can she let him walk out of her life for a second time?

'Chasing Dreams follows on from Letting Go but can also be read as a stand-alone.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Following the loss of her teenagers in a car accident, Rachel Graham travels country New South Wales talking to students about road safety. But with teen road deaths still high, she’s feeling it’s a losing battle.

'Close to burnout, she arrives in Hope Creek for a presentation and immediately feels like she’s come home. Her overnight stay turns into several weeks when she volunteers to help fundraise for a youth drop-in centre in the town.

'She finds herself increasingly drawn to the townspeople. Especially widowed foreman and wildlife rescuer, Bluey Morrison and his mixed-up teenage daughter, Jess. Perhaps in this tranquil town, Rachel will find the peace she so desperately needs.

'Before long, Bluey, with his caring and gentle nature, awakens her frozen heart but is a second chance at love possible?

'How can she move on with her life without betraying the memory of her children?'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Reach for the stars and take hold of your dreams.

'In the small community of Bindarra Creek, Stevie Ryan pours her heart and soul into running Reach for the Stars – her outdoor adventure program for at-risk kids. For her, it’s more than a business, it’s personal. Unfortunately, unless she can gain funding, she’ll have to shut the program down or sell her childhood home. ' (Publication summary)