Showing results by author "Rhonda Forrest" in All Categories

In a remote town where emotions can be as volatile as the weather, Elsie and Matt navigate the complexities of trust, love, and the echoes of their pasts. Will they find a way to bridge the gap or have they unwittingly let go of something that could have been extraordinary?

In 1941, Queensland drover Michael McTavish leaves behind his young daughter Gracie and joins the 2/22 AIF, his destination, Rabaul, New Guinea, a small town surrounded by impenetrable jungles and steep jagged mountains, its shores lined by tranquil bays and active volcanos. Joanie has also arrived in New Guinea, with a chance to manage a trading store with her father, Reg, too exciting an opportunity to pass up.

Book 1 - Silkworm Secrets Series 'The ancient trees with their rough bark wrap around me like silk cocoons. Their solid trunks and tendril roots grip the ground as if to say, I will hold you, I will not let go.' In the 1960s the rural suburbs of Brisbane should have been an idyllic place for Ruby and Bobby to grow up. Their treehouse retreat, set high in a mulberry tree is a place to share friendship and watch the events of the yards nearby. However as the two become teenagers, the naive Ruby is exposed to the sinister events that Bobby has to deal with in his family life. As the years pass...

When Jess heads west for a fresh start in a small mining town, she soon learns that the dusty outback plains are a far cry from her former life in the city - but she finds herself loving the isolation and local people she lives with. All she has to do is keep her head down and work hard to create a better life for herself and Johnno, the only person she has ever truly cared about.

Not relying on anyone else and being single is a way of life for sheep farmer, Vonnie. After an accident when she was younger, she has chosen to remain on her parents’ farm and focus on taking care of herself. Just because she let her hair down for one night and revealed what the old Vonnie was like, doesn’t mean anything. Chris is also content living by himself on a sprawling overgrown property at Bindarra Creek. His maintenance and carpentry business as well as renovations and upkeep of his own place keep him busy and a few quiet social events and some close friends provide a ...

Born in 1938 in Brisbane, John Paul's early years were defined by resilience and rebellion. Sent to the Salvation Army Boy's Home at the age of nine, he defied the odds and escaped, laying the foundation for a life marked by adventure and escapades. Venturing into the tropical landscapes of North Queensland, John found himself working in the canefields, as well as picking tobacco and eventually establishing a thriving poultry farm. His journey was one of hard work, determination, and a deep connection to the land. Renowned for his captivating storytelling and a memory that preserves every ...

A small garrison of Australian soldiers is left to defend a town and its people against the might of the Japanese forces. This is a story of those who were left behind and those who waited for them to return.

When Jess discovered love with Daniel in the tiny outback town of Gowrie, her previous troubled life was cast aside. However, differences in their backgrounds, her doubts about real love, and the urge to return and support her twin brother Johnno forced her to make a decision to leave. A new home in the small community of Tamborine Mountain provides an opportunity to contemplate how she really feels and what is important.

Grace MacCullagh didn't come back to Australia for love. Six months ago, after her sister's wedding, Grace spent one unforgettable night with Jasper, her brother-in-law's maddeningly handsome, emotionally unavailable brother. Jasper knows letting her go was the biggest mistake of his life and he's not about to waste his second chance, but Grace isn't making it easy.

At age fifteen, Evie is uprooted from the familiar embrace of her small-town life, leaving behind her father and childhood sweetheart, Chris. The year is 1977, and her new home in North Queensland becomes the canvas for her rebellious awakening, a place where the mixture of sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll paints the backdrop to her newfound independence.

A story that is much more than a romance novel. The Shack by the Bay has the ability to remind us of what is important in life and provide a wonderful insight into Australian history. (Chapter Ichi) An isolated fishing shack on a beautiful bay in the Whitsundays provides Luke with a retreat where he can find peace and solitude. However, the discovery of family war relics, and a developing relationship with the beautiful Lily, connects family histories and reveals a story that threatens to destroy his chance at real happiness. Will the wartime secrets prove to be the breaking point for a ...

Love and new beginnings in the Whitsundays - You may never want to leave! 1. Love by the Jewel Sea ~ Frankie knew one thing. She’d return to the city when the job was done. When Frankie grasps an opportunity to advance her career, it means driving from the Gold Coast to North Queensland to sign off on a new development. Close to her destination, an accidental meeting with local farmer Simon has her arriving in a manner completely unlike anything she is used to. Tense and frustrated, her brief stay is extended, when all she wants is to do her job and head back to the city. Will the ...

Nestled in the heart of the countryside, Bindarra Creek is a charming and picturesque town with an eclectic community of characters. In this delightful three-box series, you'll immerse yourself in the lives of its residents as they navigate the twists and turns of life, love, and happiness. Join in, exploring the heartfelt stories of these unique individuals as they discover what truly matters in their search for fulfilment and joy. Book 1 - Beyond the Gate - When Charlotte leaves her old life to start afresh near the township of Bindarra Creek, she experiences a sense of liberation and ...

Silkworm Secrets Series - Boxed Set - Book 1 and 2 Book 1 - Silkworm Secrets 'The ancient trees with their rough bark wrap around me like silk cocoons. Their solid trunks and tendril roots grip the ground as if to say, I will hold you, I will not let go.' In the 1960s the rural suburbs of Brisbane should have been an idyllic place for Ruby and Bobby to grow up. Their treehouse retreat, set high in a mulberry tree is a place to share friendship and watch the events of the yards nearby. However as the two become teenagers, the naive Ruby is exposed to the sinister events that Bobby has to ...

The 1950s are a carefree time for a young woman like Grace. The war is over and when her family moves to Brisbane, plans are made for her to complete her studies at the University of Queensland. Ewan is also studying the same course and when he meets the beautiful, head-strong Grace, the differences in their backgrounds are pushed aside as they plan their future together. However, not everyone is happy with the romance and when the young couple are forced to separate, decisions are made that will determine their path in life.

After three tours of duty in Afghanistan, Liam Andrews is home safe in Queensland. His weekly life drawing class, full of colourful local artists, helps him manage his post-traumatic stress disorder. But he's struggling to open up about a past that still haunts him. Belourine, 'Billy', is an Afghan refugee who lost everything before arriving in Australia as a child. She finds joy in her daily swims in the lake. After years of upheaval, she's still searching for a place to call home. But her past makes it hard to trust people.

When Amy takes up her first teaching position in an outback Queensland town she feels like her life is going ahead in leaps and bounds. However, her new boss doesn't make life easy and she begins to question her choice of career. Angus, a third-generation local, also struggles with life in the small town. A mistake made in his youth haunts him and stops him from letting anyone get too close. As the two become friends and hostilities within the small town come to a head, Amy and Angus are faced with decisions that could take them in an unknown direction.

In the small town of Matfield in outback Queensland, Elsie embarks on a fresh chapter of her life, leaving behind the shadows of a tough upbringing and a challenging neighbourhood. As she steps into her role as a teacher, the complexities of her past give way to the promise of exciting new beginnings. When she meets Matt, a rugged fencing contractor, a connection forms and a tentative friendship unfolds. Both carry responsibilities towards their families, and soon find they share similar interests.

Thriving on structure and organisation, Lachie's life is a tapestry of travel, surf and sea. Working and living in the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands, he finds solace in the ocean's embrace. But when carefree Irish traveller Kat crosses his path, he senses a disruption looming - a whirlwind of chaos where she treads. Kat's arrival in Australia prompts playful jokes from her family about husband-hunting, yet her desires lie in travel, work and the simple joys of life. Romance is merely a distant possibility if fate allows it.

Penny and her cousin Robert arrive in Australia with dreams of adventure, but when Penny is asked to deliver a mysterious letter to an estranged uncle in the outback, things take an unexpected turn. What was meant to be a brief stopover soon becomes a deeper connection with her uncle and his wife. As she settles into the rhythm of country life, Penny finds herself drawn to Todd, the laid-back, charming local who's always nearby.