Cirrus@Austlit

'An entrancing new rural romance from the bestselling author of A Homestead in the Eucalypts.

'Forced away from the Outback she both loves and loathes, bush pilot Amelia Fraser has lost everything - except her compassion. Running from tragedy, she finds herself in Settlers Bridge, determined to never let anyone get close to her again... because accepting love might mean she is ready to replace her memories. And she'll never let that happen.

'Widower Heath Brennan has learned to channel his grief into anger and self-recrimination. Haunted by the tragic accident that claimed his wife, he is a recluse, grappling with guilt and a heart full of unresolved anguish. His nineteen-year-old daughter, Charlee, battles her own demons. Once the perfect child, she's now a troubled university student. Her rage towards Heath for her mother's death forms an impenetrable barrier between them.'  (Publication summary)

'When student doctor Taylor Lawrence's city life is turned upside down, she seeks sanctuary on her grandparents' farm in the South Australian countryside.

'During the lonely nights, she fantasises of a time long-gone; of Anna, who, rising at dawn to milk the cows and fetch water from the well, is caught in a bushfire that threatens to leave her reputation as blackened as the surrounding bushland. And of Anna's rescuer, fellow settler, Luke Hartmann.

'Reality blurs as Taylor repeatedly escapes into Anna's world, and she realises she must discover whether her dreams are pure fantasy—or if they recount a story more familiar than she could ever imagine.

'Either way, it seems she'll end up with a broken mind or a broken heart. The problem is, Taylor is no longer sure which she would prefer.' (Publication summary)

'When the very sensible Charity meets the 'sworn-off-women-forever' Lachlan on a wild weekend at a bachelor and spinsters' ball, what could possibly go wrong….or is there a chance it could all go impossibly, incredibly right?

'Charity Farrugia is too sensible to believe she'll find love in a paddock.

'After all, at thirty-four, she's the responsible one with the secure career and the mortgage. The one who raised her two sisters when their mother got sick. The cautious one with strong reservations about Faith and Hope spending a weekend in the country at a Bachelors and Spinsters Ball.

'Lachlan MacKenzie might be divorced, but his cheating ex isn't why he avoids dating—only his brother Hamish knows that secret. But keeping an eye out for Hamish has become part of Lachlan's life, so he reluctantly permits himself to be dragged to the local B&S.

'Charity has no intention of allowing her chaperone duties to be side-tracked. But meeting the intriguing farmer—who seems as reluctant as her to be at the B&S—might be an opportunity to prove to her sisters that she does have a wild side after all.' 

But will she discover that what happens in the country sometimes refuses to stay in the country? (Publication summary) 

'A charming new rural romance from the best-selling author of The River Gum Cottage.

'Samantha, owner of Settlers Bridge cafe Ploughs & Pies, is short on confidence and big on regrets. Married young to fill the void left by an unhappy childhood, she still works in the same small town where she grew up, too filled with self-doubt and insecurity to ever risk spreading her wings. Yet will the end of her abusive marriage force her to start anew? 

'City restauranteur Pierce DeAngelis knows what it is to have his career and family ripped away. However, a chance encounter with the intriguing Samantha ignites his passion, and together they concoct a plan for a destination restaurant. 

'But, with their personalities like oil and water, will old hurts and hidden truths destroy the new business before it's afloat?' (Publication summary)

'Sometimes, home isn't a place: it's a feeling.

'Lucie Tamberlani had it all: a business manager with a passion for naturopathy, she was set to take over the bookwork at the family strawberry farm in South Australia. But the unexpected fallout from a relationship sees her flee to Melbourne, raising her daughter alone.

'Summoned back to the farm after her father's death, Lucie must find a way to deal with not only grief, guilt, and the betrayal that forced her away - but the fear of losing her daughter.

'Jack Schenscher is doing it tough: caring for his aged grandparents and managing their wheat farm while simultaneously pursuing his passion of sustainable eco-farming on his own acreage leaves him with little time and even less money.

'With the death of his business partner, he could lose all he has worked toward. Yet when he meets Lucie, can he set aside one passion for another?

'Both Lucie and Jack must discover that home is wherever the heart is.'  (Publication summary)

'Three aching hearts, a ramshackle country pub and a tangled web of secrets.

'PR executive Gabrielle Moreau knows she has an easy life, but when her business partner claims she lacks career passion she takes ownership of a dilapidated pub in a tiny riverside settlement to prove she can be a success without falling back on her privilege.

'Eighteen months ago, Settlers Bridge stonemason Hayden Paech had it all: a job he loved, good mates and a close family. All he needed was the right woman to come along and he was ready to settle down. But one poor choice stole that chance and he'll never risk caring for anyone again.

'Living at Wurruldi Hotel for ... goodness, so many years, Ilse has seen more changes of ownership than she can recall. Clinging to her failing memories, she's tired of trying to protect the property her grandparents built. With the arrival of the elegant Gabrielle Moreau, however, it seems that finally an owner may recognise the importance of recapturing the grace and dignity of Ilse's past.

'For Ilse to find peace, Hayden forgiveness and Gabrielle her true passion, three aching hearts must reveal their secrets.' (Publication summary)

'An unexpected inheritance, a traumatic past and a family whose secrets are kept by the town

'After a fractured childhood spent in foster homes, city-girl Roni has convinced herself that she has no need of anyone – other than her not-as-tough-as-he-looks rescued street cat, Scritches, and her unborn baby, who she's determined will feel all the love she's been denied.

'Despite facing a bleak future, Roni distrusts the news of a bequest from an unknown aunt, Marian Nelson. But, out of options, she and Scritches leave Sydney behind, bound for the 800-acre property on the edge of the wheat fields of South Australia.

'However, this is no simple inheritance: Marian seeks to control her legacy from beyond the grave by setting tasks that Roni must complete before she can claim the property and a life that could change her future. With everything at stake, Roni must learn to trust in the truth of Marian's most important lesson: everyone deserves love.

'A captivating story of family, friendship and forgiveness.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'They think they can break her.

'But if life hasn’t succeeded, how can four men?

'Now she'll fight for freedom — and revenge.

'Terror and forbidden desire stalk the heart of the Australian Outback

'A trip to the beach with her elementary class turns into teacher Kayla Petrovic’s worst nightmare.

'Abducted.

'Held for ransom.

'For years, she'’s believed she’s nothing more than the whore of her alcoholic mother’s taunts, trading her body for a roof, food, money, and stealing men’s hearts to heal her emptiness. But when the kidnappers threaten her students, she’ll sacrifice everything, including the last vestige of her self-respect, to save them.

'Hardened army veteran, Captain Nick West, bears his own scars—not all of them visible.

'He knows how to handle a world turned to shit. He’ll get in, retrieve the hostages, and get out, doing little damage—except to the kidnappers. They’re fair game. What he doesn’t expect is the kick in the chest—worse than the recoil on a sniper's rifle—of recognizing there’s something special about the woman he rescues. After years of avoiding emotional intimacy, he's sure as hell not interested in her.

'Love is a weakness he will never permit.

'Refusing to be labeled a victim, but haunted by PTSD-induced nightmares and ashamed of her illicit desire for Nick, Kayla is desperate to find a way free. When a kidnapper tracks her down, hell-bent on revenge, can she discover the strength to save not only herself, but the one man she may be able to love?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'EAT I have down pat, whether it's pot noodles in the Solomon Islands or Michelin star cuisine in Europe

'PRAY - praying for your ex to fall off the Harbour Bridge counts, right?

'LOVE? Well, love sucks.

'Corporate lawyer Sara is all about the rules. Until, in a far-too-young-to-have-a-midlife-crisis moment she swaps practicing law for cleaning cabins aboard The Spirit of Ohana, five-star dining for onboard buffets, and love for....well, fantasies are a girl's best friend, right?

'At least, they are until one dark and stormy night, when she drags an impossibly attractive, cocky Brit from the ocean...

'Rick's had his fill of gorgeous women throwing themselves at him. Doing his damnedest to spit out the silver spoon that hampers his philanthropic ventures, the last thing he needs is to be rescued from a tropical cyclone only to find himself consumed by Hurricane Sara.

'Yet the fiery cabin steward is undeniably intriguing—not to mention, hot as sin, all voluptuous curves and sassy innuendo. But she seems determined to keep him at arms' length and, for the first time, he's tempted to commit to the chase.

'Unless Sara can overcome her distrust of wealthy, entitled men, and Rick is able to set aside his belief that women are only after his money, these two natural enemies can never become lovers, their affair doomed to be hotter than Kilauea and shorter than the brief cruise.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The Land of the Lei

'A plan to get laid

'All the best laid plans go astray...

'Summoned to attend her parents' renewal of vows aboard the luxurious Spirit of Ohana cruise line, Lissa is reluctant to leave her job, her home—heck, even her pretend cats. But the newly-diagnosed commitment-phobe is eager to escape the memories of her ex-fiancé. And, according to her bestie, a tropical vacation is the perfect opportunity to conquer the fear of being trapped that has Lissa's knees glued firmly together.

'Luck is on her side when she meets gorgeous military man, Nate. The handsome soldier is more than happy to reinitiate her into the flirting game—and take it a whole lot further when they meet up again on the cruise. However, it seems the heat may melt her reserve—dare she allow Hawaii to play with her heart?

'Yet Nate hides a secret, one that could see Lissa unwittingly break one of life's most forbidden taboos. When she discovers his deception, Lissa has a very particular revenge in mind. But if revenge is a dish best served cold, she'll have to find a way to combat both the tropical heat—and the fire Nate lights within her.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Marine biologist, Jayde Collins, has a love affair with the ocean. While out diving, she's caught by the crew of a trawler, beaten, and dumped as shark bait. Rescued and magically healed by a hot lifeguard, she's not sure if she's dreaming, but with the erotic fantasy he offers—sex with two men—she's not sure she wants to wake up. Trent Okeanós leads an elite group of Australian lifeguards who hide a secret; they are the last of the Mer. His law forbids sex with humans unless another Mer joins them, but when he saves Jayde, he's unprepared for the jealousy warring within him. Yet if he dares let his lust turn to love, Jayde will be bonded to him for life and he'll be stripped of immortality.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Burned by a controlling relationship, professional fundraiser Krissy Bourke is determined to seize every opportunity her barely-even-vanilla relationship with her ex denied her. When a hot-as-hell lifeguard enters the picture, sparking her stifled lust, she's more than ready. Then he suggests his Thor-like cousin join them, and her fantasy of defying all the taboos will finally be realized. Yet, her new lover is hiding something. Erik Okeanós is a member of an elite group of Australian lifeguards who hide a secret; they are the last of the Mer. Their numbers are dwindling, so Mer law forbids sex with humans unless another Mer joins them. He's shared women for over two-hundred years, and this pretty little human is no different. So why is he suddenly yearning for something more? Something that comes with too high a price…his immortality.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'I’m on a dangerous mission with a sexy alien jaguar shifter warrior. The last thing I need is temptation. But his searing kiss unleashes my hidden desire.

'Jag: Like the rest of my band-of-brothers, my guns, fangs, and claws are for hire-but I have a reputation for caution. Pragmatism. Methodology. The Cap, Herc, relies on me for my prudence. But now, with the world collapsing around us and danger pressing in on every side, I'm crazy in lust with Aren, the leader of the Refugees. For the first time, caution seems over-rated.

'I don't know what the Hells is going on. Jaguarkin don't bond. We mate. Rut to produce offspring. Then move on. So why does this feel like more than that? I can't afford to allow a distraction in the form of one little human. One mysterious, desirable woman with the ability to rock my world. And, if I don't handle it right, rock all the worlds.

'Aren: My life has been dedicated to one mission: to kill my father. After that, I'll die, either in a Regime prison, or from my own pair-blade—fulfilling a promise to follow my dead husband, Tracin, to his grave. When Herc & Maya and the crew need someone to infiltrate the Regime army and steal a communicator they need to contact the Aaidarian government, I see my chance. Jag will go with me, pretending to be Tracin. Which means he'll need surgical alterations, and he won't be able to shift or his disguise will be revealed.

'And I'll have to have sex with him to ignite the blades. Shouldn't be too bad, right? A quick round in bed in exchange for a chance to finally see this through. Except, one touch from Jag sets my skin on fire. And I'm falling for him fast. How will I satisfy my Dragarian pair-blade's thirst for my blood if I'm bondmated with Jag?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Lily: I was thrown into an alien gladiator ring, the prize for the victor. Christophus won me. He's kind and sweet and beyond appealing. I'm falling fast. But can I capture his heart?

'Christophus: My captors think they've broken me, forcing me to fight as a gladiator. But I'll never perform the one act they desire the most ... until they throw Lily into the ring, and I instantly know she is My One. Now I'll do anything to protect her and win her heart.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Amelia: Abducted by aliens and taken to their ship, my best friend and I are desperate to escape and return to Earth. I'm tossed into a cell with a reptilian alien and told I must satisfy him or they'll hurt my friend. I never thought giving in to his needs might satisfy my own...

'Then they put me with a new beast and say we're going to compete in a deadly game called the Rampage. Alien Hunger Games anyone?

'The beast is snarly and ferocious, and he could rip me apart with his tusks and claws. Yet in his eyes, I sense something vulnerable. Lonely. With hints of something I found with the other alien.

'I'll do whatever I can to soothe the beast and convince him to help me win the Rampage. Because losing means death.

'Jrecatoa: I was once a man, a Krakarian warrior.

'That's all gone now. Hidden beneath this abominable exterior, far more Beast than man. Not only in appearance, either; because the scent and the sight of this female does things to me. Things that surely no man would ever feel.

'Of course, I've wanted women before. Had women before.

'But I've never needed them like this.

'She's awoken my Hunger.

'But maybe that's just as well—without the fury of the Hunger, neither of us has any chance of surviving the Rampage.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'I've been captured and imprisoned. To escape, I must bond with a
cocky, alien cat shifter warrior. I'll do it, but he won't get past the walls surrounding my heart...

'Lyrie: I have three secrets, but I'll share one with you. I'm falling for Khal, a Cheetakin shifter. But I won't—can't—let anyone know how I feel. Because, if the Regime who holds me captive discovers there isn't anything I wouldn't do to keep Khal safe, well, they'll use my love against me. Use him to break me.

'I must escape the compound and cross the desert to reach the relative safety of the Resistance. Before it's too late. If I don't get away, they'll force us to come together, then steal the child we make for their evil experiments. Turn an innocent baby into a monster. So, I'll fight my growing love for Khal and somehow, resist his touch.

'Khal: There are secrets in my past. Things no-one outside my band-of-brothers will ever know. Guns, fangs, and claws for hire, the guys and I are tight, and I know they'll never judge me for what I did. They don't need to. I judge myself.

'And that's why I have to be alone. That's why I can't allow Lyrie into my heart, into my life. Because loving her means death. But not necessarily for me.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'With my medical career on the line and laser guns pointed at my back, the last thing I need is a sexy alien lion shifter warrior determined to make me his…

'Leo: Dr. Janie Hartlin could've been the woman of my dreams—hells, she is the woman of my dreams—but I clawed my way through life on the streets, and now I have nothing to offer her but a share of my bedroll, military rations, and the life of a guns, fangs, and claws-for-hire mercenary.

'I didn't need the hot-as-hells buzz of our awesome three-part bond to prove that Janie's the only woman for me. The question is, am I the man for her?

'Janie: Regime soldiers are hot on my heels with laser guns pointed at my back. I snooped into their secret project and discovered they're engineering a shifter army they'll use to exterminate the Resistance. Curiosity killed the cat, right? Or, in my case, the cougar. Because, eight years younger than me, Leo is the cat shifter of my wildest fantasies.

'Fleeing across a desert is more exercise than any girl needs. Falling into an armor spider nest only makes things worse. Until Leo rescues me. One touch, and my body's on fire.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.