Saturday, 3 January 2026

Book Giveaway: Rumour Has It by Karly Lane

 A big thank you to Allen & Unwin for sponsoring this giveaway for a paperback copy of Rumour Has It.

I also have another copy to give away on Instagram @theburgeoningbookshelf
Everyone is welcome to enter in both giveaways.

Rumour Has It by Karly Lane Giveaway


About the book:
In a small town, rumours can make or break a reputation. But after thirty years can the truth heal a broken heart?

After an enforced end to her tumultuous teenage love story, Aubree's life was so simple—she married Fletcher, had two children, worked in the successful family business and lived in the small town she grew up in.

But thirty years later she's divorced, her kid's lives are imploding and her ex-husband and his father have placed the family into the centre of major scandal and the ruthless gossip mill.

As if that wasn't enough, her old love now rides back into town with a score to settle, igniting even more rumours. The whole town seems to know everything about her before she does.

But as past and present collide, will the truth win out—and maybe even rekindled love, too? 


GIVEAWAY

Enter here to win a paperback copy of Rumour Has It. The giveaway is open to Australian addresses only and entries close at 6pm AEDT on 10th January 2026.

Enter via the form below or HERE

Friday, 2 January 2026

Review: Rumour Has It by Karly Lane

Make sure to check back tomorrow as I will be posting a giveaway for a paperback copy of Rumour Has It by Karly Lane.

Karly Lane is a must-read author for me. I've never read a mediocre Karly Lane book and Rumour Has It, Karly's twenty-sixth novel, is no exception.


This truly engaging second chance romance mystery read had me invested right from the opening pages.

I loved that Rumour Has It featured characters that were a little older than most romance novels. It was nice to move away from the all consuming, heady and often angsty romances of characters in their 20's and early 30's. Aubree and Beau's relationship was based on communication and each had something to teach the other about compromise and balance.

As with previous books, Rumour Has It combines small-town romance with a compelling mystery, a cold case murder investigation and a missing person puzzle. The twists honestly shocked me and Karly Lane shows she is a truly versatile writer to combine these two genres and pull it off, once again.

There is also lots of fun and humour with best friend Ronnie cheering Aubree on and the small-town rumour mill running in overtime.

If you haven't read a Karly Lane book before this is a great book to start with. Like me, you'll be hooked.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐Plus an extra star for a character named Ronnie 💖

Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Publication date: 2nd December 2025
Genre: Rural Romance / Mystery
Pages: 341
RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)
Source: courtesy of the publisher


#rumourhasit #karlylane #australianauthor #ruralromance  #blogtour  #newrelease #ausbookbloggers #mystery

Thursday, 1 January 2026

Review: On the Edge by Kate Horan

Who Killed Maddie Marshall? 

On the Edge by Kate Horan is a compelling mystery read that had me guessing and double guessing all the way to the end.

Nel Foley left the small coastal town of Carrinya as soon as she could, following the death of her best friend Maddie when they were teenagers. Nel was recorded as being the last person to see Maddie alive and her death has haunted her for the last 16 years. Now back in Carrinya, following her father's death from a sudden heart attack, Nel is after answers.
As she digs into Maddie's last few months she stirs up trouble in the community and puts her own life in danger.

Horan cleverly includes a domestic violence plot around Nel's investigations and shows how coercive control can escalate to violence when the perpetrator is under pressure.

Kate Horan's characterisation in On the Edge is brilliant. I could picture each character clearly and they all came to life on the page, flaws and all.

The mystery drew me in which kept the pages turning. I like my books fast paced and On the Edge fit the bill perfectly.

On the Edge is a powerful tale of friendship and loss, long held secrets and having the courage to move on with your life.

I'm eager to read Kate's debut novel The Inheritance now!

My rating 4.5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Publisher: Harlequin Australia
Publication date: 30th December 2025
Genre: Crime / Thriller
Pages: 288
RRP: $34.99AU (trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher via HQ Insiders


#hqinsiders #ontheedge #katehoran #ausbookbloggers #australianauthor #bookreview #crimeread #mysteryread #domesticviolence

2025 ...... My Life in Books


 I'm looking forward to another great year of reviewing in 2026.



I love this fun book tag created by Shellyrae @ Book'd Out and you can see her post HERE
 
The idea is to complete each prompt with a book that you have read in 2025.
I have linked each book to my review.

This is meant to be a fun tag and the answers do not reflect my enjoyment of the actual book.

2025 was the year of: The Reunion

In 2025 I wanted to be: The Sunbaker

In 2025 I was: Searching for Treasure

In 2025 I gained: An Invisible Tattoo

In 2025 I lost: My Hot Housemate














In 2025 I hated: Dancing With Bees

In 2025 I learned: The Dressmaker's Secret

In 2025 I was surprised by: Eva Reddy's Trip of a Lifetime













In 2025 I went to: Rainbow Street

In 2025 I missed out on: The View From the Balcony

In 2025 my family where: Out of the Woods

In 2025 I hope: A New World Rises














If you think this looks like a fun tag why not check out Shellyrae's post here and join in with your own bookish answers. 


 


Wednesday, 31 December 2025

2025 Edition of My Year in Books

My fun 2025 reading stats from Goodreads as at mid December. I've read two more books since then bringing my total to 129 books. I am not a fast reader but I read a lot of children's books which keeps the stats up.

I still have nine read books that I need to post reviews for and hope to catch up on them over the new year.

My blogging goals for 2026 are to host more giveaways. I will be trying to post one per month in the first week of each month. January's giveaway (coming soon) will be for a copy of Rumour Has It by Karly Lane. 

I am also looking into a paid email service which I'm hoping will show a bit more detail, rather than just sending a link to click. I'm currently on a free service.









I read so many great five star books but I think my most memorable book was Sins of the Father by John Byrnes. Click on cover to read my review.



Thank you to all my readers. I do appreciate you sticking with me through the years. Here's to a fabulous 2026 with more giveaways and a multitude of five star reads.

Friday, 28 November 2025

Review: Wartime Wishes for the Land Girls by Ellie Curzon

 Wartime Wishes for the Land Girls is book four in the A Village at War series by Ellie Curzon.

This series is set in the small English farming village of Bramble Heath and features how the war spreads it's destructive web into small country villages.

Wartime Wishes for the Land Girls is told through the point of view of Lottie, one of the land girls. Lottie's sister Martha was killed by a German bomb in book 3, The Wartime Vet.

In Wartime Wishes for the Land Girls we see a lot of upheaval in the small village as hate for the Germans starts to spread through the villagers. A German plane crash lands and the pilot is missing. Lottie is out for revenge for her sister's death and the village bands together to find and lynch the missing pilot.

Wartime Wishes for the Land Girls is a thought provoking story, raising questions of the treatment of prisoners of war and respect for the fallen - whichever side they fight on.

As with The Wartime Vet I found the story quite repetitive and the advantage - or disadvantage- of reading on a kindle is I can see how many times something is mentioned. Martha and her death was brought up 121 times!

I loved that there were appearances of characters from the previous book.
Wartime Wishes for the Land Girls has plenty of drama and also heartwarming moments. Even during wartime people fall in love.

The twist took me by surprise. I seriously didn't see that coming!
The day to day life of a small village during the war and the work of the land girls always intrigues me and these were well portrayed.

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Bookouture
Publication date: 3rd September 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 352
Source: Ecopy courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

#wartimewishesforthelandgirls #WWII #elliecurzon #bookouture #netgalley #historicalfiction #avillageatwar #landgirls 

Sunday, 23 November 2025

Spotlight: Fulvia by Kaarina Parker

Power. At any cost.


Publisher: Echo Publishing
Publication date: 1st July 2025
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 276
RRP: $32.99AUD (trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher


About the book

She was a woman who took no interest in spinning or housekeeping. She wanted to rule a ruler and command a commander -- Plutarch

Fulvia is the daughter of a wealthy but unimportant Roman family. Raised in the countryside, she longs for a life of intrigue and influence. When her father dies and her inheritance is threatened, Fulvia makes her way to the city of Rome to secure her future.

There she marries a young aristocrat named Clodius, who is more interested in partying with his hedonistic friends than politics. Fulvia is drawn into their world of debauchery, and learns just how precarious the balance of power in the Republic is. Her ambition drives them both to political power that draws the attention of the senate, and more seedy underworld opponents. But Rome is a dangerous place, and power can become notoriety overnight. Fulvia soon learns just how high the stakes really are, and that her ambitions may come at a terrible cost.


Some reviews of Fulvia from readers.

An educational, atmospheric and entertaining read about a fascinating woman. - Gloria (Goodreads)

Wholly original in its delivery, Fulvia gives voice to one of history’s greatest women that will hold you in its thrall from beginning to end! - Dan (Goodreads)

An enjoyable, thought-provoking work of historical fiction. Highly recommended. - Jennifer (Goodreads)

If you love fierce women, immersive historical fiction, and stories that bring lesser-known figures to life, Fulvia is a must-read. Alex (Goodreads)