Cirrus@Austlit

'An epic tale of modern day Australia, where greed, desire, tragedy, and ambition collide . . .

'Alexandra Ross has always known Lavender Hill will be hers one day. The grand old house, with its waving jacaranda fronds circling around it like a canopy against the white-hot Australian sun. The acres of orchards, trees heavy with sweet-smelling mangoes and prickly pink lychee. The rushing emerald creek that claimed her brother’s life; the genteel boudoir where her mother died of grief, gin, and stroke. Even the quad bike her bullheaded father uses to tear around the plantation like a teenager, as his covetous young wife plays tea party with Alex’s mother’s favorite china.

'Someday Alex will undo her father’s blunders and be the good neighbor her childhood friend Rafe Rutherford deserves. The yearning she feels for Rafe can never overcome the heartbreak they’ve lived through together, but at least she will have his companionship.

'Until her father is killed and the plantation is divided. If she wants to keep the land she loves Alex must break free of guilt and hesitation. And once she begins to fight for what her heart desires, there’s no telling where she’ll stop . . .'

Source : publisher's blurb

'In this passionate saga set in present-day Australia, the passing of a wealthy patriarch leaves one young woman with a chance to change her life—if it doesn’t bring her world crashing down first…

'After losing her parents in a tragic accident, young Charlotte was taken in by her grandfather, Sir Reginald Mansfield. Despite his tyrannical tendencies, he cherished her above all—a fact made clear by his surprising bequest. In her early twenties, she intends to follow in his illustrious footsteps in the field of law. And now she is the beneficiary not only of his vast financial assets, but of Clouds—the stunning sandstone house in New South Wales with a breathtaking view of the Blue Mountains and a bountiful garden of fragrant flowers. Unfortunately, not everyone is pleased for her.

 'Charlotte’s grasping aunt and uncle, as well as her controlling, entitled cousin cannot hide their fury. As rivalries simmer and naked greed roils the socially prominent clan, only Brendon Macmillan, Charlotte’s longtime friend, seems genuinely happy for her—despite the bitter, scandalous history between their families. Charlotte’s dream is to use the funds to open a shelter for abused women, and Brendon intends to support and protect her. But often, more money means more betrayals, secrets, and lies—and as Charlotte tries to determine who she can trust, she may be a woman in danger herself…'

'Modern-day life on the Australian Outback is a high-stakes game, even among the most privileged—and love must be strong to survive . . . 

'Royston Stirling has all the strength, money, and power that his infamous father wielded over the family cattle station deep in the dusty bush of Australia’s Channel Country. But from the moment she sees him, Amelia Boyd knows Royce struggles to be a better man. His tense energy attracts her, fueling the spell of remote, manor-like Kooralya and its lush gardens of gardenia and roses—even as she recognizes that the wedding bringing their families together is a terrible mistake. 

'Amelia knows her sister has snared Royce’s brother more out of greed than passion. But she can’t abandon her, no matter how conniving she seems. And with the groom besotted with Amelia even as he prepares to walk down the aisle, the ill-fated match stirs up nightmares of the past.

 'Amelia might almost forgive Royce’s suspicions. But the arrogance of a wounded man is a powerful force, one Amelia knows too well. And as the desire brewing between Royce and Amelia grows irresistible, the distrust, heartache, and family secrets seething beneath the surface are bound to burst forth . . .'

Source : publisher's blurb