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Book Review: The Land Girls by Victoria Purman

Every time Victoria Purman releases a new novel, I know I’m going to find great characters; with her historical novels, I know I’m going to learn about a part of Australian history that I had very little knowledge of before picking up her book. In The Land Girls, she draws on the experiences of women from The Women’s Land Army as well as those left behind to do the jobs the men have left when they joined the armed forces during WWII, to weave an emotional tale of love, loss and courage.

The Land GirlsI thoroughly enjoyed this novel and learning about this important part of our history. There are three main female characters whose lives we follow, Flora, Lily and Betty, I loved each one of them, working with them on the farms, sharing their losses and heartbreak all the while discovering so much about themselves.

My favourite of these characters though was Flora. I really engaged with her, whether it was because she was older and still searching for her place, her loyalty to her family and those she called friends, or just her wonderful character, I loved the journey that the Land Army took her on. Flora meets Charles during her first posting as a Land Girl and I loved watching the relationship between the two of them grow and change them. I held so much hope for the two of them and the future.

There were many emotional moments throughout this story, as I’m sure you can imagine, happy as well as sad ones. And it has a wonderful ending đź’•.

The work these women did during the war was inspiring and shows just what people can achieve. Without these women filling the places of men, most farms and factories would have gone out of business. I definitely recommend this wonderful novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

Release Day Book Review: Lone Star Protector by Jennie Jones

This is book two in the Calamity Valley series, I’ve had book one: Lone Star Hero, on my kindle for ages and after reading this I will have to get to it sooner rather than later.

IMG_20190225_215707The first thing I fell for in this book was the way West Australian Author Jennie Jones infuses humour into her characters. From the get go when Lauren and Mark meet in the airport  the stage is set for all kinds of humour. Lauren’s Cousin, Molly, her aunt Momma Marie and her grandmother Wild Ava all add their own kind of quirky charm and humour to the mix in the town of Surrender.

Lauren and Mark both arrive in Surrender with very different agendas. Lauren is there to help save her home town after losing everything she’s worked for, whilst Mark is there to protect his family from the danger  his estranged father’s corrupt dealings have threatened them with. The chemistry and banter between these two was really enjoyable and you just never knew what each one was going to do or say next, or if it would be the right thing.

The corruption that has bought Mark to town is part of a realestate takeover that the bad guy wants desperately and he seems willing to resort to whatever it takes to get it.

I loved this little town of 30 people, all willing to work together to create a new beginning for their town. The way they stood by each other, including newcomer Mark and their decision to fight against the realestate company, was simply wonderful, as well as infused with the humour I mentioned.

There is a bit of everything in this novel, romance, suspense and a touch of the paranormal. I look forward to catching up on book one and will wait in anticipation for book 3.

Thanks to Tule Publishing and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book

About the book: If you don’t fight for what you love, you won’t know what you’ve lost When Lauren Mackillop’s shady business partner gambles away her small business, she heads home to Surrender in Calamity Valley, Texas, to lick her wounds and plan her next move. But she walks straight into another battle to thwart a development company’s scheme to take over their charming Texas haven. Determined to safeguard her town, her senses are on alert when the sexy stranger she flirted with while briefly stranded at LAX turns up as the new owner of the saloon. Something’s going on, and this time, Lauren isn’t going to give in without a fight. Mark Sterrett has trouble on his heels and more on the way. To protect his family’s reputation from ruin he’s been tasked with ensuring this land deal goes through. But he’s up against more than he bargained for. Making his life more complicated, he’s drawn to the intriguing and enticing Lauren and as their attraction simmers and the threat to the town heightens, Mark wonders if he can get through the next two weeks with his conscience and his heart intact.

Amazon AU

Amazon US

Tule Publishing