Review: The Windmill in the Silver Gums by Leonie Kelsall

I was so excited to read The Windmill in the Silver Gums I have loved the Settler's Bridge series and it was great to be back with so many familiar characters. It was like visiting old friends.

1915 - Rose is eager to escape the small town she lives in. When she meets the handsome Kurt Jaensch she is impatient for marriage and to move to the grand home of the Jaensch family. She is not interested in farming, there will be workhands for that. However, the war changes everything.

Present day - After Indi's father is involved in a farming accident, Indi finds herself working the farm on her own. Finances are tight but she is determined not to lose the family farm that has been handed down through the generations.

In The Windmill in the Silver Gums Leonie Kelsall highlights the hardships of working on the land for a living. Readers living in farming communities will resonate with her characters' circumstances whilst city dwellers will feel empathy and possibly obtain a clearer understanding of the plight of farmers as they are at the mercy of the weather, shortage of funds and life-altering farming accidents.

I loved how characters from previous books pop in and out of the narrative. It gives that added level of connection whilst also leaving the book able to be read as a stand alone.

The dual timeline gives the reader a feel for how farms are more than just a livelihood as they are handed down from generation to generation. The farm is in their very being.

Leonie Kelsall has ventured more into the farming side of rural life in The Windmill in the Silver Gums than her previous novels which were more community focused.

Even though the story held my interest right from the start I would have liked a bit more romance between Indi and Blake. However, they got there in the end.

My rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 30th June 2026

Genre: Rural Fiction / Romance

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Pages: 368

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#thewindmillinthesilvergums #leoniekelsall #australianauthor #settlersbridgeseries

#ruralromance #ruralfiction #ausbookbloggers

Review: The Diamonds of Tilly Devine by Jackie French

The Diamonds of Tilly Devine is a darkly compelling tale set in Sydney during the 1930's, a time of deep hardship and poverty, especially for women. 

I have seen Tilly Devine and her brothels and criminal activity pop up in many historical fiction novels set in Sydney. However, Jackie French gives her readers a new spin on Tilly Devine's many ventures. She arranges marriages of convenience, for a price.

The Diamonds of Tilly Devine is a riveting read. The story follows Connie as she agrees to an arranged marriage in exchange for a life of luxury.

I enjoyed the character of Connie she was a little naive but soon grew into a  fiery, outspoken women whilst retaining her kind heart.

I really didn't know what to expect with this story as the plot diverged off on different tangents. However, I have to say it was never boring or predictable. I was totally immersed wondering what would happen next. French has delivered a story that is a combination of historical fiction, murder, mystery and romance.

I loved how Tilly was always quietly in the background protecting her girls. Her reach was far and wide.

Everyone of Jackie French's characters is beautifully fleshed out, whether they are the main characters or supporting characters they all made their mark on the story.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Content: sexual abuse

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 30th June 2026

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 368

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Uncorrected proof from the publisher

Review: Finding the Bones by Natalie Conyer

I have quite enjoyed Natalie Conyer's previous books and Finding the Bones was no exception. 

Inspired by the unresolved case of missing heiress Juanita Nielson, in Finding the Bones, Conyer imagines a scenario where the bones of a missing person are found decades after their disappearance.

In 1987 we meet Belle Fitzgerald, a conservation activist living in Kings Cross.

Current day - workmen on a dig uncover an open grave. Acting Inspector Jackie Rose is called in to lead the investigation. It appears to be the bones of missing heiress Belle Fitzgerald.

We first met Jackie Rose in Shadow City where she works on a case with police officer Schalk Lourens, before he returned to South Africa.

Jackie's father is retired detective Stanton Rose, revered hero of the 80's and Jackie feels she is forever working in her father's shadow.

Finding the Bones is an immersive police procedural. As we get Jackie's investigation unfolding we also get real events in a separate timeline decades earlier. This gives the reader insight into information and events that Jackie isn't aware of yet.

Natalie Conyer gives her protagonist a personal moral dilemma that she must work through. A professional conflict of interest.

Finding the Bones is a compelling story that kept me turning the pages. We also get to know Jackie on a more personal level and find this case has life changing consequences for her. Jackie and her work partner Kinsella are both extremely likeable characters and it was good to learn more about both of them as well as getting a gritty police investigation.

My rating 5/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd March 2026

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 309

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

Other books by Natalie Conyer

Shadow City

Present Tense

The Bookclub and other stories

#findingthebones #crimefiction #ausbookbloggers #natalieconyer #australianauthor

Winner of a copy of Finding the Bones announced!!

I will be posting new giveaways in the first week of every month.

Bookmark my page and check back often so you don't miss a giveaway.

A huge thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway for a paperback copy of Finding the Bones by Natalie Conyer.  The giveaway closed on the 14th June 2026 and the winner was randomly selected (using Wheelofnames) from all correct entries.

Congratulations to........ 

The winner has been notified and has seven days to provide a mailing address.

 

Please check under the Giveaway tab for more great giveaways!

 

Review: The Season for Flying Saucers by Brendan Colley

A father who has been abducted by aliens; a mother who sees the spirits of dead people; a sister who communicates with angry dogs; and 29-year-old Noah Grey, whose life has gone off the rails.

When I read the back cover blurb for The Season for Flying Saucers I wasn't sure this book was for me. I'm not a big Science Fiction fan. However, this is more a contemporary story about family and how we perceive our place in the family unit. I would probably call it a Contemporary SciFi.

Tasmania was absolutely the perfect setting for The Season for Flying Saucers. We all know there have been notable sightings of UFO's in Tasmania and a possible abduction; see my review of The Vanishing.

When Noah Grey's father was taken by aliens 12 years ago, the remaining family splintered. However due to unavoidable events and economic pressures the family of three, Noah, his mother and sister, are all living under the same roof again.

It is the beginning of summer and the season for flying saucers. The whole community is sky gazing, watching each night for the lights to appear. They are also keeping a close eye on the Grey family because they believe this family will be targeted for alien abduction.

The Season for Flying Saucers is amazing; wry, funny and heart-wrenching. It is strange and whimsical. As the family hunker down for the summer away from media and prying eyes they are forced to communicate with each other, open up and express their hopes and fading dreams.

The Season for Flying Saucers  is a memorable story of community, luck and coincidence, fate and destiny. This is a story about what it is to be family.

A fabulous twist had me wanting to read the whole book again. Brendan Colley shines a light on the complexity of family. An insightful exploration of love, grief and forgiveness.

Colley's haunting poetry is disquieting and moving.

The Season for Flying Saucers is a highly recommended read. It gets all the stars and some eerie midnight lights. 

My rating 5 / 5 🛸🛸🛸🛸🛸

Publisher: Transit Lounge Publishing

Publication date: 1st April 2026

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Science Fiction

Pages: 304

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Quikmark Media

The book can be purchased here: https://transitlounge.com.au/shop/3815/

#theseasonforflyingsaucers #brendancolley #australianauthor #bookssetintasmania #ausbookbloggers #aliens #flyingsaucers #sciencefiction

Book Giveaway: Finding the Bones by Natalie Conyer

 My June 2026 giveaway is for a paperback copy of Finding the Bones by Natalie Conyer

I haven't reviewed this one yet but I can assure you it was a five star read.

My giveaways are getting a boost. Some little extras to thank my blog readers.

FINDING THE BONES BY Natalie Conyer

BLURB:

Sydney, 1980: Belle Fitzgerald, young, rich and spirited, lives in Kings Cross, the city’s bohemian heart. When she learns of plans to demolish her street and evict its residents, she commits to fighting the development, even though this brings her up against the Cross’s crime lords and their servants, the notoriously corrupt local cops. Recklessly, dangerously, against her better judgment, she embarks on a passionate affair with one of those cops, Sergeant Stanton Rose.
Then Belle goes missing. Her disappearance becomes one of the nation’s great mysteries.

Sydney, today: Stanton Rose, retired, is an Australian icon, celebrated for his undercover work in the Cross. Jackie Rose, his daughter, has followed in his footsteps. She’s a homicide detective, uncompromising and ambitious.

When Belle Fitzgerald’s bones are discovered, Jackie is given the very cold and very public case. This will be her moment to shine. But what she uncovers threatens to turn her life – and the lives of those closest to her – upside down.

As her investigation deepens, Jackie has to decide how far she will go to navigate the fine line between love and betrayal, loyalty and corruption.

GIVEAWAY

Enter via the form below to win a paperback copy of Finding the Bones. The giveaway is open to Australian addresses only and entries close at 6pm AEST on 14th June 2026. 

Review: The Last Resort by Amanda Hewitt

The Last Resort, the debut novel of Australian author Amanda Hewitt, is a heart-warming and emotional story about grasping that second chance at love. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and loved that the main characters were both in their early 40s. Reading a mature-age romance with no huge age gap was refreshing as the characters had real emotional baggage and also had commitments to juggle.

Abbey was looking forward to the big trip planned, to a romantic island resort, to reconnect with her distant husband when six months prior he dropped the bombshell, he was leaving her.

Abbey decides to go anyway to drown her sorrows and wallow in self-pity. On her first night there, Nick sees her in the water and thinking she is actually drowning he rushes in to rescue her. A friendship starts aided by their allotted valet, Oliver. The chemistry is instant but both know this is just a holiday romance.

The Last Resort was simply the best story for holiday reading. The perfect beach read. Abbey and Nick were both broken-hearted. For both the holiday at the resort was meant to be cathartic. Neither were ready to commit to a relationship.

Nick guarded his heart fiercely. His back-story was heart-breaking.

The Last Resort is rich in wonderful support characters with Abbey's fiery sister Kate and her wise and cheeky grandmother Iris, plus Nick's brother and sister all playing an important role in the main characters' lives.

The Last Resort is filled with humour and I loved Abbey's openness finding her voice where love was concerned. She was a little awkward and very real.

Lots of surprising twists and reveals kept the story interesting although I did find the romance dragged out a bit.

It's a long bumpy road to that much welcomed HEA.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd February 2026

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance

Pages: 304

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#thelastresort #amandahewitt #australianauthor #contemporaryromance #ausbookbloggers #beachread #newrelease #bookreview #debutnovel