I am not going to dwell on the story line of this book; other reviewers have already done that. I always feel that the book’s official blurb and what other reviewers have to say give enough indication of the storyline. I prefer to focus on what I liked and disliked about a book to help a potential reader decide if it is for them or not.

Firstly, I rarely read romance but after reading High Country Secrets must admit a romance writer can tell just as good a yarn as any other fiction writer.

The most outstanding aspect of the book I liked was the amazing descriptions of a part of my country that I love.

The beautiful descriptions capture wonderful images of the Australian countryside “ghostly white snow gums….always gave her the shivers”; “fenceposts on their march across bald landscape”; “Rangy clouds were etched in a fiery spread over the western sky” are just a few of the many word images throughout the book

I also congratulate Ms Carter on bringing relevant local issues into what would normally be considered a somewhat gentle genre. Two important background stories impact on Jessie and Michael’s relationship.

The first concerns the take over and influence brought upon farmers by big supermarket chains. These chains then turn around and buy products from overseas, deserting the original producers. This is a very real and important issue impacting on rural Australia.

The other is post war European migration, a significant turning point in Australian history, with its traditions and “different” ways and that had a considerable impact on the Australian way of life.

By including these topics the author adds substance to her romance story and takes it beyond a simple tale of romance.

The main story line, the romance, has just enough mystery, charm, on again off again relationships and some sensual moment to keep the reader turning the pages.

This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review.

This review is also available on my website www.pam.id.au ( )