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Northern Heat
In steamy northern Queensland, Conor is living under an assumed name and rebuilding his shattered life. Working at Cooktown's youth centre has given him the chance to make a difference again, and a chance to flirt with Dr Kristy Dark.
After tragedy tore her family apart, Kristy fled to Cooktown with her feisty teenage daughter, Abby. She hoped being part of the small community would help them both heal, but Abby's sports coach is turning out to be a compelling distraction.
When a severe cyclone menaces the coast, threatening to destroy everything in its path, tensions come to a head – and the weather is not the only danger in Cooktown. Cut off from the world and with her life on the line, Kristy will have to summon her courage and place her trust in Conor, or they'll both lose someone they love.
PRAISE FOR HELENE YOUNG
'I love Helene's books. They have it all – romance, mystery, suspense. I guarantee you'll love her too.' Fleur McDonald
'Helene Young has been compared to Nora Roberts… and she doesn't disappoint.' New Idea
'I don't think there's a better romantic suspense writer out there at the moment… Another truly stellar novel.' 1 Girl 2 Many Books
'Helene Young is showing no sign of slipping from the top of the genre – rather, she just keeps getting better.' Write Note Reviews
'Helene Young is a very accomplished writer, building her romance and suspense with verve and skill.' Sisters in Crime
'This amazing writer of romantic suspense never ceases to thrill.' Good Reads
After tragedy tore her family apart, Kristy fled to Cooktown with her feisty teenage daughter, Abby. She hoped being part of the small community would help them both heal, but Abby's sports coach is turning out to be a compelling distraction.
When a severe cyclone menaces the coast, threatening to destroy everything in its path, tensions come to a head – and the weather is not the only danger in Cooktown. Cut off from the world and with her life on the line, Kristy will have to summon her courage and place her trust in Conor, or they'll both lose someone they love.
PRAISE FOR HELENE YOUNG
'I love Helene's books. They have it all – romance, mystery, suspense. I guarantee you'll love her too.' Fleur McDonald
'Helene Young has been compared to Nora Roberts… and she doesn't disappoint.' New Idea
'I don't think there's a better romantic suspense writer out there at the moment… Another truly stellar novel.' 1 Girl 2 Many Books
'Helene Young is showing no sign of slipping from the top of the genre – rather, she just keeps getting better.' Write Note Reviews
'Helene Young is a very accomplished writer, building her romance and suspense with verve and skill.' Sisters in Crime
'This amazing writer of romantic suspense never ceases to thrill.' Good Reads
368 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2015
5 people are currently reading
577 people want to read
About the author
Helene Young
10 books215 followersHello! I’m Helene Young and welcome to my author page on Goodreads.
Seven years ago, after a rewarding career as an airline captain and senior manager with the Qantas Airline Group in Australia, I swapped the sky for the sea to go in search of adventure with my husband aboard our sailing catamaran. While that should have given me more time to write it seems the lure of exploring was too strong. But there is good news! My next book is in the safe hands of my publisher and I look forward to sharing title and cover details soon.
And you can be sure that all the adventures we’re having in our floating home will lead to many more books! The rural and remote places we visit, along with the fascinating people we meet, provide boundless inspiration.
I love exploring themes of social justice and delving into the complexity of human nature. Small towns and tight-knit communities are perfect settings for those, along with the messy ties that bind families together. I’d also like to think my varied career from waitress, to gardener, to rock climbing and sailing instructor, to cook, to pilot all help to add a little something to my stories.
I can’t believe it’s been 12 years since my first book, Wings of Fear, (Book 1 in the Border Watch Trilogy) released. I always be grateful for the support of readers so thank you to those who’ve already read my books and welcome if you’re browsing here.
If you’d like to keep up to date on my book news then please click follow button at the top of the page.
You can also find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeleneYoungA...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heleneyoung...
Webpage : heleneyoung.com
I love sharing photos of our travels so come join in the conversations and be part of a wonderful world-wide community of book lovers.
Happy reading
Much love
Helene
Seven years ago, after a rewarding career as an airline captain and senior manager with the Qantas Airline Group in Australia, I swapped the sky for the sea to go in search of adventure with my husband aboard our sailing catamaran. While that should have given me more time to write it seems the lure of exploring was too strong. But there is good news! My next book is in the safe hands of my publisher and I look forward to sharing title and cover details soon.
And you can be sure that all the adventures we’re having in our floating home will lead to many more books! The rural and remote places we visit, along with the fascinating people we meet, provide boundless inspiration.
I love exploring themes of social justice and delving into the complexity of human nature. Small towns and tight-knit communities are perfect settings for those, along with the messy ties that bind families together. I’d also like to think my varied career from waitress, to gardener, to rock climbing and sailing instructor, to cook, to pilot all help to add a little something to my stories.
I can’t believe it’s been 12 years since my first book, Wings of Fear, (Book 1 in the Border Watch Trilogy) released. I always be grateful for the support of readers so thank you to those who’ve already read my books and welcome if you’re browsing here.
If you’d like to keep up to date on my book news then please click follow button at the top of the page.
You can also find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeleneYoungA...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heleneyoung...
Webpage : heleneyoung.com
I love sharing photos of our travels so come join in the conversations and be part of a wonderful world-wide community of book lovers.
Happy reading
Much love
Helene
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 54 reviews
December 31, 2016
Conor Woods is trying urgently to leave his past behind him. He hopes by starting a fresh in Cooktown that eventually his past will be just that the past. Only when such tragedy has occurred in one's life can it so easily be forgotten by just moving to another place?
Whilst on his morning runs, Conor crosses paths with Dr Kristy Dark. Conor has gotten to recognize some of the locals Kristy being one of them as he works as a sports coach. Kristy also has a painful past which she is keeping locked away, but as time passes will their pasts return to haunt them?
What a page turner this book was. Aussie author Helene Young is fast becoming one of my favorite writers. Northern Heat is packed with suspense, mystery and romance and I simply couldn't put it down. From the very first page I was hooked, but as I was coming close to the end, I just didn't want it to end. I loved this book and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who loves a good read which has a bit of everything in it.
Whilst on his morning runs, Conor crosses paths with Dr Kristy Dark. Conor has gotten to recognize some of the locals Kristy being one of them as he works as a sports coach. Kristy also has a painful past which she is keeping locked away, but as time passes will their pasts return to haunt them?
What a page turner this book was. Aussie author Helene Young is fast becoming one of my favorite writers. Northern Heat is packed with suspense, mystery and romance and I simply couldn't put it down. From the very first page I was hooked, but as I was coming close to the end, I just didn't want it to end. I loved this book and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who loves a good read which has a bit of everything in it.
December 10, 2022
This is a book I have had waiting for me for a long time and I should have read it a long time ago it has to be one of the best books I have read, fast paced, action packed with such awesome characters, set in Cooktown in northern Queensland, come a long for a heart stopping journey and meet Conor and Kristy.
Conor is living on his Yacht on the Endeavour River and he has a past that he would much prefer to keep secret, he is working at the local PCYC with the kids and loving it, he is doing all he can to make a difference in his life and these kids, here he meets Dr. Kristy Dark mother of young Abby and his heart is finally opening up but when he almost witnesses a murder life is about to get very tough for Conor again.
Dr. Kristy Dark has moved to Cooktown with her teenage daughter to make a fresh start after the tragedy that they have been through they are still close enough to her parents and the family cattle station, she is drawn to Conor, Abby’s sports coach this is not what she has in mind but when she is called to treat a gunshot victim this brings them closer together.
When a cyclone is just about to hit the small town life gets very dangerous in more ways than one as Conor realises that one of the local families may be linked to his past this puts Kristy, Abby and her friend Sissy in grave danger with the wind blowing the rain pouring down and guns firing life is on the edge for this couple, will they make it through.
I loved this story so very much Kristy is brave and strong and so caring and Conor no matter his past he is the best, if you love a fabulous romantic suspense filled with danger, suspense where your heart is in your stomach then pick this one up you will not be sorry, I have now read all of Helene’s books and would love some more, she really is a wonderful story teller. I do highly recommend this one.
Conor is living on his Yacht on the Endeavour River and he has a past that he would much prefer to keep secret, he is working at the local PCYC with the kids and loving it, he is doing all he can to make a difference in his life and these kids, here he meets Dr. Kristy Dark mother of young Abby and his heart is finally opening up but when he almost witnesses a murder life is about to get very tough for Conor again.
Dr. Kristy Dark has moved to Cooktown with her teenage daughter to make a fresh start after the tragedy that they have been through they are still close enough to her parents and the family cattle station, she is drawn to Conor, Abby’s sports coach this is not what she has in mind but when she is called to treat a gunshot victim this brings them closer together.
When a cyclone is just about to hit the small town life gets very dangerous in more ways than one as Conor realises that one of the local families may be linked to his past this puts Kristy, Abby and her friend Sissy in grave danger with the wind blowing the rain pouring down and guns firing life is on the edge for this couple, will they make it through.
I loved this story so very much Kristy is brave and strong and so caring and Conor no matter his past he is the best, if you love a fabulous romantic suspense filled with danger, suspense where your heart is in your stomach then pick this one up you will not be sorry, I have now read all of Helene’s books and would love some more, she really is a wonderful story teller. I do highly recommend this one.
May 26, 2015
Conor Woods hadn’t been living in Cooktown for long but he was beginning to know the locals. His past was one he was trying to forget – taking one day at a time was helping him put his life back together; one way or another. As he ran through the early morning streets, blowing away the overnight cobwebs, he passed Dr Kristy Dark running in the opposite direction. He admired Kristy – working as a sports coach at the town’s youth centre meant he met a lot of the mums of the youngsters he taught; Kristy was often there with her daughter Abby. Abby’s best friend Sienna, her little brother Buddy and mum Freya also frequented the centre.
The events which occurred during that morning run created problems for Conor with the local police; he had no idea if it was a case of “wrong time, wrong place” for him, or something much more sinister. But it also brought him into further contact with Kristy, which he didn’t complain about. Kristy and Abby had had tragedy in their lives as well; but it was a subject both were unwilling to talk about…
When Cyclone Kate was bearing down on Cooktown, the scramble to secure possessions, boats and animals caused tensions to run high. But the dangers were not from the cyclone alone – Conor was sure his past was catching up with him. As Kristy struggled with her issues of trust, Conor wondered if once again his life would be shattered. And as the intensity of the storm passed directly over Cooktown, the race to stop a tragedy was acute. Would they all be safe? Or would the horrors of the past return?
Wow! Aussie author Helene Young’s best yet in my opinion! Northern Heat isn’t a sequel to Safe Harbour, but tells Conor’s story after he was introduced to the readers in Safe Harbour. Northern Heat is full of gripping suspense – I read it in a few hours as I couldn’t put it down. My heart was pounding; it was breathtaking! Both Conor and Kristy are strong characters; Freya’s story is traumatic. Helene Young never disappoints; she’s at the top of her game and I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Northern Heat highly.
With thanks to Penguin Australia and NetGalley for my copy to read and review.
The events which occurred during that morning run created problems for Conor with the local police; he had no idea if it was a case of “wrong time, wrong place” for him, or something much more sinister. But it also brought him into further contact with Kristy, which he didn’t complain about. Kristy and Abby had had tragedy in their lives as well; but it was a subject both were unwilling to talk about…
When Cyclone Kate was bearing down on Cooktown, the scramble to secure possessions, boats and animals caused tensions to run high. But the dangers were not from the cyclone alone – Conor was sure his past was catching up with him. As Kristy struggled with her issues of trust, Conor wondered if once again his life would be shattered. And as the intensity of the storm passed directly over Cooktown, the race to stop a tragedy was acute. Would they all be safe? Or would the horrors of the past return?
Wow! Aussie author Helene Young’s best yet in my opinion! Northern Heat isn’t a sequel to Safe Harbour, but tells Conor’s story after he was introduced to the readers in Safe Harbour. Northern Heat is full of gripping suspense – I read it in a few hours as I couldn’t put it down. My heart was pounding; it was breathtaking! Both Conor and Kristy are strong characters; Freya’s story is traumatic. Helene Young never disappoints; she’s at the top of her game and I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Northern Heat highly.
With thanks to Penguin Australia and NetGalley for my copy to read and review.
September 14, 2016
Three and a half stars.
This was a good read. I liked the main characters. Conor Woods has started to settle into Cooktown after the murder of his wife and daughter. Because of his past, he is wary about getting too close to others. Then he meets Dr. Kristy Dark and realises he’d like get to know her as more than just the mother of one of the girls he coaches at the local town youth centre. Kristy and her teenage daughter Abby have their own past they are trying to deal with. Danger comes in the form of Cyclone Kate honing in on Cooktown, but other dangers also exist and pose equally as severe a threat to Conor, and to Kristy, Abby and her friend Sienna. Sienna’s mother Freya also has a situation she is trying to find a way out of without endangering her life or Sienna’s.
The action is full on with murder and suspense building and yes, there is romance as well. I also liked the descriptions of the north Queensland area. I did find the action seemed a little too forced toward the end and I got tired of prolific use of the f word. But that’s probably just a personal reaction. Others may find neither aspect worries them and enjoy it even more than I did.
This was a good read. I liked the main characters. Conor Woods has started to settle into Cooktown after the murder of his wife and daughter. Because of his past, he is wary about getting too close to others. Then he meets Dr. Kristy Dark and realises he’d like get to know her as more than just the mother of one of the girls he coaches at the local town youth centre. Kristy and her teenage daughter Abby have their own past they are trying to deal with. Danger comes in the form of Cyclone Kate honing in on Cooktown, but other dangers also exist and pose equally as severe a threat to Conor, and to Kristy, Abby and her friend Sienna. Sienna’s mother Freya also has a situation she is trying to find a way out of without endangering her life or Sienna’s.
The action is full on with murder and suspense building and yes, there is romance as well. I also liked the descriptions of the north Queensland area. I did find the action seemed a little too forced toward the end and I got tired of prolific use of the f word. But that’s probably just a personal reaction. Others may find neither aspect worries them and enjoy it even more than I did.
May 11, 2015
Helene Young delivers another exciting and engaging romantic suspense novel with Northern Heat, her sixth novel.
Northern Heat begins with a murder and the suspense and action continues as Connor is targeted by both police and the bad guys. Throw in a vicious assault, a frightened wife, rebellious teens and a cyclone bearing down on the town, and the story is fast paced and tension-filled. The last few chapters in particular had me frantically flipping the pages.
Readers familiar with Safe Harbour will recognise Connor as the stranger rescued from wild seas by Darcy Fletcher and Noah Moreton. A financial manager who turned over evidence against the Russian Mafia, Connor is living under an assumed named on a yacht moored at Cooktown, investigating a lead on the identity of the hitman who murdered his wife and child, while doing his best to atone for his past sins.
Connor first meets Dr Kristy Dark at the Cooktown PCYC as the coach of her daughter's basketball team. After losing both her young son and husband in tragic circumstances, Kristy has made a home for herself and her teenage daughter, Abby, in the small community of Cooktown. She is attracted to Connor but wary of relationships given her history, and has her hands full with her concerns about her daughter's eating habits, and with helping a friend, a victim of domestic violence.
The developing relationship between Connor and Kristy is complicated by Kristy's unresolved feelings for her late husband, and the secret of Connor's true identity. While Kristy is worried about maintaining her hard won equilibrium, Connor feels opening up to Kristy will put her, and Abby, at risk from the dangers that haunt him. Despite the conflict, they are inevitably drawn to each other and when faced with a cyclonic crisis are forced to trust in each other to survive.
With a dramatic storyline, strong characterisation, passion and fast paced action, Northern Heat is another stellar read from Australia's Queen of romantic suspense.
May 30, 2015
Northern Heat has everything I should want in a book. Australian author, set in a far north Queensland town not far from where I live, romance, mystery, natural disasters, yachts, and mature main characters. I should have lapped this up with a spoon. But… Yes, there’s a but.
The novel opens with our hero, Conor, witnessing a shooting. Our heroine, Kristy, is a doctor and on hand to help. Conor and Kristy were already acquainted at this stage; he is her daughter Abby’s basketball coach at the local PCYC, and apparently they’ve flirted and have chemistry. I know this because Young told me. I’m afraid I never really read any evidence of this flirting or chemistry. And I must admit I felt a little cheated that they had no ‘meet cute’, not even in flashback.
Anyway, the plot moves on, with Conor and Kristy being thrown together a few more times as they start to unravel the book’s ‘mystery’. Their mutual friend Freya’s abusive husband, Jonno, instantly becomes their prime suspect. (I’m not sure why. Because he’s beating up their friend, I suppose.) Conor also somehow makes the leap to believing Jonno was involved in a tragedy from his past. A tragedy that happened in Melbourne.
Yes, the coincidence here is a little hard to swallow. As is the idea of so many violent crimes occurring in a place like Cooktown.
Meanwhile, everyone’s blase attitude made me squint. In fact, most of the characters continue to go about their business despite all the carnage around them. Conor shows little emotion when finally coming face to face with his family’s murderer, and he and Kristy grab a cuppa before they go off to rescue Abby from a supposed rapist/murderer.
Another event that made me scoff was the fact the Cairns police arrive in Cooktown to investigate the murder and leave within a couple of days. I’m sure they might have stuck around a little longer. There is the obligatory annoying redneck local cop though...
The last quarter of the book has the mystery building at the same time as Cyclone Kate. I think this might have been when Young lost me completely. I didn’t think there was much tension at all. Jonno wasn’t very scary. I don’t think Conor and Kristy were particularly worried about him either, considering the amount of times they stopped mid-action to make another hot cuppa.
In fact, I was so disappointed with the last few chapters I ended up skimming, especially the part where Conor explains all to Kristy.
As I said, I live not far from Cooktown, and it’s a beautiful place. And one thing Young does do well is describe the area authentically. Crocodiles do lurk in the Endeavour River, and category five cyclones do cross there.
Overall, I feel terrible that I didn’t like this more. I’m sure lots of readers will and, for me, this just wasn’t the right book at the right time.
The novel opens with our hero, Conor, witnessing a shooting. Our heroine, Kristy, is a doctor and on hand to help. Conor and Kristy were already acquainted at this stage; he is her daughter Abby’s basketball coach at the local PCYC, and apparently they’ve flirted and have chemistry. I know this because Young told me. I’m afraid I never really read any evidence of this flirting or chemistry. And I must admit I felt a little cheated that they had no ‘meet cute’, not even in flashback.
Anyway, the plot moves on, with Conor and Kristy being thrown together a few more times as they start to unravel the book’s ‘mystery’. Their mutual friend Freya’s abusive husband, Jonno, instantly becomes their prime suspect. (I’m not sure why. Because he’s beating up their friend, I suppose.) Conor also somehow makes the leap to believing Jonno was involved in a tragedy from his past. A tragedy that happened in Melbourne.
Yes, the coincidence here is a little hard to swallow. As is the idea of so many violent crimes occurring in a place like Cooktown.
Meanwhile, everyone’s blase attitude made me squint. In fact, most of the characters continue to go about their business despite all the carnage around them. Conor shows little emotion when finally coming face to face with his family’s murderer, and he and Kristy grab a cuppa before they go off to rescue Abby from a supposed rapist/murderer.
Another event that made me scoff was the fact the Cairns police arrive in Cooktown to investigate the murder and leave within a couple of days. I’m sure they might have stuck around a little longer. There is the obligatory annoying redneck local cop though...
The last quarter of the book has the mystery building at the same time as Cyclone Kate. I think this might have been when Young lost me completely. I didn’t think there was much tension at all. Jonno wasn’t very scary. I don’t think Conor and Kristy were particularly worried about him either, considering the amount of times they stopped mid-action to make another hot cuppa.
In fact, I was so disappointed with the last few chapters I ended up skimming, especially the part where Conor explains all to Kristy.
As I said, I live not far from Cooktown, and it’s a beautiful place. And one thing Young does do well is describe the area authentically. Crocodiles do lurk in the Endeavour River, and category five cyclones do cross there.
Overall, I feel terrible that I didn’t like this more. I’m sure lots of readers will and, for me, this just wasn’t the right book at the right time.
July 11, 2015
Loved this book, I have only read one other of this author and liked the book, however, she has got me, this is her latest novel, I believe. I liked the main characters, hated the bad bloke and the story line was great, not too much romance. I was hooked from the first couple of pages.
June 19, 2015
Another gripping romantic suspense from Helene Young. Her characterisations, as always, are strong, and the setting - the tropical north, complete with wild winds and cyclone - are evocative.
April 8, 2015
I received an ARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley, but any and all opinions are mine.
Now for my thoughts on Northern Heat:
Helene Young has crafted another wonderful and enthralling romantic suspense in her May release, Northern Heat.
If you have read her fabulous story, Safe Harbour, you will recognize the hero, Conor. I have been hoping we get to discover more about him for some time, and I was delighted to find out that Northern Heat was to be his story. His world, dogged by tragedy and danger of late, is changed when he meets Kristy, a doctor with an equally tragic past.
Now, seeing as release date is not until late May, I'll leave the spoilerific bits to one side. However, even without revealing the finer detail, watching the attraction and romance unfold between Conor and Kristy was thoroughly satisfying. Both are mature, equally flawed and damaged, and real - knowing what each has been through made me want for them to find in each other the happiness both so deserve.
From a suspense and mystery standpoint, Northern Heat is another winner from Helene Young. The drama and the ever-present spectre of danger are wonderfully crafted, and never once ring false or appear unreal. I read the last few chapters on my train journey home this afternoon - I was totally absorbed.
Pop this one on your pre-order list, people. You will not be disappointed.
Now for my thoughts on Northern Heat:
Helene Young has crafted another wonderful and enthralling romantic suspense in her May release, Northern Heat.
If you have read her fabulous story, Safe Harbour, you will recognize the hero, Conor. I have been hoping we get to discover more about him for some time, and I was delighted to find out that Northern Heat was to be his story. His world, dogged by tragedy and danger of late, is changed when he meets Kristy, a doctor with an equally tragic past.
Now, seeing as release date is not until late May, I'll leave the spoilerific bits to one side. However, even without revealing the finer detail, watching the attraction and romance unfold between Conor and Kristy was thoroughly satisfying. Both are mature, equally flawed and damaged, and real - knowing what each has been through made me want for them to find in each other the happiness both so deserve.
From a suspense and mystery standpoint, Northern Heat is another winner from Helene Young. The drama and the ever-present spectre of danger are wonderfully crafted, and never once ring false or appear unreal. I read the last few chapters on my train journey home this afternoon - I was totally absorbed.
Pop this one on your pre-order list, people. You will not be disappointed.
December 23, 2015
4.5 stars. Northern Heat is a fantastic romantic suspense novel set in the eastern coast of Australia above Cairns. Having read Safe Harbour, a previous book by Helene Young I guessed it was going to be action packed. I also surmised that characters could die, because Helene Young doesn't seem to hold back when it comes to the seamier side of life.
I enjoyed this novel very much. Kristy is a local doctor and has a daughter Abby who is in early adolescence and has those problems that go along with that age. Was a little surprised to see Kristy just let one issue ride, but perhaps wiser than I know!
Conor we met in Safe Harbour so it was great to carry on his story, if you haven't read that one it doesn't matter too much as Helene Young does give you enough to either help you take up this book, or in my case just gives that jog to memory that helps a reader remember. Loved Conor and his part in this story, if he is trying to atone for previous mistakes he has paid in full to my way of thinking.
Action packed and yes there are baddies, most likely you could give that a capital B! Does anyone die you'll have to read the book for yourself to check that out. One of the baddies has a wife who is also friendly with Kristy and there is a daughter who is a good friend of Abby. There is a domestic violence situation in this family that is echoed in Kristy's life in the past. It is partly what draws Kristy and Freya together. Tension! Tension!
The description of the local setting and the weather in a cyclone is detailed and really adds authenticity and drama to the story. All in all it is fast paced, has fully fledged characters and issues that just pull you in. Loved the action of the cavalry in one of those last showdown moments. A fitting end to someone!
I enjoyed this novel very much. Kristy is a local doctor and has a daughter Abby who is in early adolescence and has those problems that go along with that age. Was a little surprised to see Kristy just let one issue ride, but perhaps wiser than I know!
Conor we met in Safe Harbour so it was great to carry on his story, if you haven't read that one it doesn't matter too much as Helene Young does give you enough to either help you take up this book, or in my case just gives that jog to memory that helps a reader remember. Loved Conor and his part in this story, if he is trying to atone for previous mistakes he has paid in full to my way of thinking.
Action packed and yes there are baddies, most likely you could give that a capital B! Does anyone die you'll have to read the book for yourself to check that out. One of the baddies has a wife who is also friendly with Kristy and there is a daughter who is a good friend of Abby. There is a domestic violence situation in this family that is echoed in Kristy's life in the past. It is partly what draws Kristy and Freya together. Tension! Tension!
The description of the local setting and the weather in a cyclone is detailed and really adds authenticity and drama to the story. All in all it is fast paced, has fully fledged characters and issues that just pull you in. Loved the action of the cavalry in one of those last showdown moments. A fitting end to someone!
June 13, 2015
My View:
This was a dramatic page turning read which had all the elements I desire in a great contemporary novel - well developed characters- some you will like, some you won’t. A complex plot that has several story arcs; this novel has threads that discuss such issues as domestic violence, bulimia and life in rural Australia/life on the farm. The settings are amazing – although we have only travelled a small area of Queensland I was able to recognise this setting in so many coastal towns we visited. There is plenty of action, drama and intrigue - the pages almost turn over by themselves urging you to read on and did I mention the writing? Excellent.
This is a well-crafted and executed narrative. My only difficulty with this novel was trying to decide how to describe the style of this book – I don’t think the term rural fiction does it justice – the book is located in rural Australia but is not defined by its location. Romance/romantic thriller? The books does have characters and so of course there will be a range of relationships in the book – there is a blossoming romantic thread but romance is not the sole purpose of the novel, there are discussions re family dynamic/relationships, friendship and comraderies – all aspects of community are to be found here. A cosy crime this is not. Action packed, tense, full of suspense – tick. I think best description for this read is contemporary Australian fiction. How would you describe this book?
This was a dramatic page turning read which had all the elements I desire in a great contemporary novel - well developed characters- some you will like, some you won’t. A complex plot that has several story arcs; this novel has threads that discuss such issues as domestic violence, bulimia and life in rural Australia/life on the farm. The settings are amazing – although we have only travelled a small area of Queensland I was able to recognise this setting in so many coastal towns we visited. There is plenty of action, drama and intrigue - the pages almost turn over by themselves urging you to read on and did I mention the writing? Excellent.
This is a well-crafted and executed narrative. My only difficulty with this novel was trying to decide how to describe the style of this book – I don’t think the term rural fiction does it justice – the book is located in rural Australia but is not defined by its location. Romance/romantic thriller? The books does have characters and so of course there will be a range of relationships in the book – there is a blossoming romantic thread but romance is not the sole purpose of the novel, there are discussions re family dynamic/relationships, friendship and comraderies – all aspects of community are to be found here. A cosy crime this is not. Action packed, tense, full of suspense – tick. I think best description for this read is contemporary Australian fiction. How would you describe this book?
August 5, 2020
This is the first book I have read by Helene Young and what an introduction!
From the very beginning I was drawn into the book with very interesting characters with a lot of depth.
Conor has had a traumatic past and is trying to rebuild his life by moving to the town of Cooktown in northern Queensland for a new start. There whilst working at a youth centre, he meets a stunning woman, Kristy, who has a daughter he is training, and who turns out to be the local doctor.
Kristy also has some issues from the past and is bringing up her teenage daughter by herself.
About two-thirds into the book the pace becomes frantic when a cyclone hits in the midst of a rescue, a revenge, and gun-wielding hitmen running around.
A must read and can't wait to read more of Helene's titles.
From the very beginning I was drawn into the book with very interesting characters with a lot of depth.
Conor has had a traumatic past and is trying to rebuild his life by moving to the town of Cooktown in northern Queensland for a new start. There whilst working at a youth centre, he meets a stunning woman, Kristy, who has a daughter he is training, and who turns out to be the local doctor.
Kristy also has some issues from the past and is bringing up her teenage daughter by herself.
About two-thirds into the book the pace becomes frantic when a cyclone hits in the midst of a rescue, a revenge, and gun-wielding hitmen running around.
A must read and can't wait to read more of Helene's titles.
July 3, 2015
When I picked up this latest by award-winning romance writer Helene Young I hadn’t realised that it was very loosely linked to her previous novel Safe Harbour, so what a delightful surprise it was to discover that the mysterious stranded sailor who had crossed paths with Darcy and Noah was going to get his own story.
Conor isn't known for staying in one place for too long, preferring to drift around on his boat and, whilst grieving the loss of the two most important people in his life, plot his revenge whilst discovering the identity of the perpetrator. It doesn’t help that when he becomes involved in a murder case merely by trying to offer assistance, his suspicions are heightened when attempts to clear his name reveal that there may be links between this murder and that of his loved ones. He just hadn't counted on the complication of intense attraction to Kristy Dark.
Unlike Conor who prefers to drift from place to place, Dr Kristy Dark has sought the solace of the northern heat after the break-up of her abusive marriage, to not only give her daughter the stability that she needs, but to help heal her own wounds. The last thing she wants is for a man to come into her life and unbalance everything she’s worked so hard at. Even though he has been implicated in a murder, Conor threatens to do just that and she can’t help but feel that there is far more to this man than meets the eye.
As the mother of all storms closes in on the small town, the danger intensifies as Conor tries to clear his name, Kristy’s daughter disappears to help a friend in need and a deranged killer sets Kristy in his sights. In the heat of the storm will Conor be able to save both himself and Kristy so that they can let go of their broken pasts and build a future?
It just makes my day when Helene Young releases a new romantic suspense because I can always count on her bringing a sense of reality to her stories, relatable characters in whom I can become emotionally invested, nail-biting suspense, a good dose of romance and social issues prevalent in our society of today.
A pilot by profession, Helene writes with the self-assuredness that goes with “knowing what you write” and has always injected doses of realism into her stories by giving us heroes and heroines with flying as their background. Now, in Northern Heat, that realism turns to her experiences on board her floating home, Roo Bin Esque, helping her add to the story by giving us a hero with a sailing background and I thoroughly enjoyed this deviation.
Helene touches on so many things in this novel such as grief and the way different people deal with it, the raising of teenage girls (and all the “distress” that goes with it), the frighteningly real issue of domestic violence (both psychological and physical) and the way a partner can isolate a victim from all those they hold dear.
In terms of the characters, Abby and Sissy had me thinking of my own thirteen-year old daughter, making her observations spot-on with regard to behaviour, peer-pressure, social media and everything else that goes with the raising of teenage girls.
Both Conor and Kristy are emotionally bruised and battered people who we can only hope will get out of the storm unscathed. They are brilliantly portrayed and I really loved the caring friendship between Kristy and Freya – another woman who has suffered domestic abuse. A subject close to my heart after growing up in a home in which I witnessed the devastating effects of this abuse whereafter a woman very close to me went into a marriage where she unwittingly became isolated from her own family, Helene tackles it with grace and sensitivity.
A fierce storm, societal issues and some heated romance blended with gripping suspense, which saw me flipping pages as fast as I could, make this possibly one of my top ten reads of 2015 with Helene Young fast making her mark on becoming Australia’s romantic suspense queen.
Conor isn't known for staying in one place for too long, preferring to drift around on his boat and, whilst grieving the loss of the two most important people in his life, plot his revenge whilst discovering the identity of the perpetrator. It doesn’t help that when he becomes involved in a murder case merely by trying to offer assistance, his suspicions are heightened when attempts to clear his name reveal that there may be links between this murder and that of his loved ones. He just hadn't counted on the complication of intense attraction to Kristy Dark.
Unlike Conor who prefers to drift from place to place, Dr Kristy Dark has sought the solace of the northern heat after the break-up of her abusive marriage, to not only give her daughter the stability that she needs, but to help heal her own wounds. The last thing she wants is for a man to come into her life and unbalance everything she’s worked so hard at. Even though he has been implicated in a murder, Conor threatens to do just that and she can’t help but feel that there is far more to this man than meets the eye.
As the mother of all storms closes in on the small town, the danger intensifies as Conor tries to clear his name, Kristy’s daughter disappears to help a friend in need and a deranged killer sets Kristy in his sights. In the heat of the storm will Conor be able to save both himself and Kristy so that they can let go of their broken pasts and build a future?
It just makes my day when Helene Young releases a new romantic suspense because I can always count on her bringing a sense of reality to her stories, relatable characters in whom I can become emotionally invested, nail-biting suspense, a good dose of romance and social issues prevalent in our society of today.
A pilot by profession, Helene writes with the self-assuredness that goes with “knowing what you write” and has always injected doses of realism into her stories by giving us heroes and heroines with flying as their background. Now, in Northern Heat, that realism turns to her experiences on board her floating home, Roo Bin Esque, helping her add to the story by giving us a hero with a sailing background and I thoroughly enjoyed this deviation.
Helene touches on so many things in this novel such as grief and the way different people deal with it, the raising of teenage girls (and all the “distress” that goes with it), the frighteningly real issue of domestic violence (both psychological and physical) and the way a partner can isolate a victim from all those they hold dear.
In terms of the characters, Abby and Sissy had me thinking of my own thirteen-year old daughter, making her observations spot-on with regard to behaviour, peer-pressure, social media and everything else that goes with the raising of teenage girls.
Both Conor and Kristy are emotionally bruised and battered people who we can only hope will get out of the storm unscathed. They are brilliantly portrayed and I really loved the caring friendship between Kristy and Freya – another woman who has suffered domestic abuse. A subject close to my heart after growing up in a home in which I witnessed the devastating effects of this abuse whereafter a woman very close to me went into a marriage where she unwittingly became isolated from her own family, Helene tackles it with grace and sensitivity.
A fierce storm, societal issues and some heated romance blended with gripping suspense, which saw me flipping pages as fast as I could, make this possibly one of my top ten reads of 2015 with Helene Young fast making her mark on becoming Australia’s romantic suspense queen.
March 13, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
In steamy northern Queensland, Conor is rebuilding his shattered life. Working at Cooktown's youth centre has given him the chance to make a difference again, and the opportunity to flirt with Dr Kristy Dark. The local GP is hiding her own secrets and struggling to raise her feisty teenage daughter alone.
When a severe cyclone menaces the coast, threatening to destroy everything in its path, tensions come to a head – and the weather is not the only danger. Cut off from the world and with her life on the line, Kristy will have to summon her courage and place her trust in Conor, or they'll both lose someone they love.
Australian romantic suspense novels aren't in over-abundance, so to come across such a good one was very pleasing. What was so good about it? So glad you asked, let's discuss them:
* Location, location, location: Australia is not an easy country to describe. I really do believe only an Australian could do these locations justice. Far North Queensland is a beautiful place and one that the author just gets perfectly. I felt like I was there, the whole time.
* Characters: I do prefer books that have mature characters who are struggling with their own issues. I like characters that come across as interesting and worth knowing - not the annoying "I'm so hot you could cook an egg on me" farmer guy, or the "I look like a librarian until I remove my glasses then - WHOA!!!!" women. One dimensional characters are a dime-a-dozen. What the author has done here with Conor and Kristy is give us two people that we all can relate to. A single mother, dealing with a teenage girl and a heartbreaking loss, a man who is working at a youth centre, trying to rebuild his life. We know these people. We know these towns. It is great writing to be able to do that.
* The storm: The heart of the suspense side of the story, this aspect of the story was excellent. The emotional side of having to leave their homes, the rush to get whatever they could out before the storm touched down, and the fear of what would be there when they returned was well told. On the back of that, Kristy's trust issues and Connor's past rise again, bringing their budding relationship to a head...
I really did enjoy this story. I certainly think it is worth recommending, for sure!
Paul
ARH
In steamy northern Queensland, Conor is rebuilding his shattered life. Working at Cooktown's youth centre has given him the chance to make a difference again, and the opportunity to flirt with Dr Kristy Dark. The local GP is hiding her own secrets and struggling to raise her feisty teenage daughter alone.
When a severe cyclone menaces the coast, threatening to destroy everything in its path, tensions come to a head – and the weather is not the only danger. Cut off from the world and with her life on the line, Kristy will have to summon her courage and place her trust in Conor, or they'll both lose someone they love.
Australian romantic suspense novels aren't in over-abundance, so to come across such a good one was very pleasing. What was so good about it? So glad you asked, let's discuss them:
* Location, location, location: Australia is not an easy country to describe. I really do believe only an Australian could do these locations justice. Far North Queensland is a beautiful place and one that the author just gets perfectly. I felt like I was there, the whole time.
* Characters: I do prefer books that have mature characters who are struggling with their own issues. I like characters that come across as interesting and worth knowing - not the annoying "I'm so hot you could cook an egg on me" farmer guy, or the "I look like a librarian until I remove my glasses then - WHOA!!!!" women. One dimensional characters are a dime-a-dozen. What the author has done here with Conor and Kristy is give us two people that we all can relate to. A single mother, dealing with a teenage girl and a heartbreaking loss, a man who is working at a youth centre, trying to rebuild his life. We know these people. We know these towns. It is great writing to be able to do that.
* The storm: The heart of the suspense side of the story, this aspect of the story was excellent. The emotional side of having to leave their homes, the rush to get whatever they could out before the storm touched down, and the fear of what would be there when they returned was well told. On the back of that, Kristy's trust issues and Connor's past rise again, bringing their budding relationship to a head...
I really did enjoy this story. I certainly think it is worth recommending, for sure!
Paul
ARH
May 29, 2015
4.5 stars
Helene Young's novels are an addictive mix of nail-biting tension and characters to emotionally invest in. Northern Heat is no exception, I couldn't put it down, finishing in the wee hours ... the sleep deprivation was totally worth it.
Northern Heat is definitely a stand-alone novel but if you've read Safe Harbour you'll recognise Conor as the yachtsman pulled from wild seas. I didn't pick up on that from the synopsis but I was so happy to get more of Conor.
Kristy and Conor are two of my favourite characters; scarred by tragedy but strong, passionate and resilient. They're portrayed with depth and compassion and I was completely pulled in to their lives, cheering them on. Whilst the attraction between Conor and Kristy sparks immediately, I loved seeing their relationship play out naturally over time.
Helene tackles the subject of domestic violence with sensitivity, Kristy and Freya's story rang true for me and I read with my stomach churning and my heart in my mouth. The vivid descriptions of our Australian landscape show respect and appreciation of the harsh beauty and diversity, the challenges faced in remote areas, the weather extremes, from drought to devastating cyclones. Cyclone Kate bearing down on the community of Cooktown heightened an already tense plot ... talk about building to a crescendo.
It's no easy feat to advance a plot at a cracking pace without sacrificing character development and authenticity. Helene Young finds the perfect balance and makes it look effortless. A favourite read this year.
Recommend: In a heartbeat
Helene Young's novels are an addictive mix of nail-biting tension and characters to emotionally invest in. Northern Heat is no exception, I couldn't put it down, finishing in the wee hours ... the sleep deprivation was totally worth it.
Northern Heat is definitely a stand-alone novel but if you've read Safe Harbour you'll recognise Conor as the yachtsman pulled from wild seas. I didn't pick up on that from the synopsis but I was so happy to get more of Conor.
Kristy and Conor are two of my favourite characters; scarred by tragedy but strong, passionate and resilient. They're portrayed with depth and compassion and I was completely pulled in to their lives, cheering them on. Whilst the attraction between Conor and Kristy sparks immediately, I loved seeing their relationship play out naturally over time.
Helene tackles the subject of domestic violence with sensitivity, Kristy and Freya's story rang true for me and I read with my stomach churning and my heart in my mouth. The vivid descriptions of our Australian landscape show respect and appreciation of the harsh beauty and diversity, the challenges faced in remote areas, the weather extremes, from drought to devastating cyclones. Cyclone Kate bearing down on the community of Cooktown heightened an already tense plot ... talk about building to a crescendo.
It's no easy feat to advance a plot at a cracking pace without sacrificing character development and authenticity. Helene Young finds the perfect balance and makes it look effortless. A favourite read this year.
Recommend: In a heartbeat
May 2, 2015
I'm fortunate to have had the opportunity to read Helene Young's soon to be released title - Northern Heat.
Helene Young never disappoints; in fact she gets better with each book. Even though Border Watch (re-titled: Wings of Fear) remains a firm favourite, she has won me again with this fast-paced story about the fury of Mother Nature and mankind, and what happens when the two converge.
I love a story in which the author tackles contemporary issues with intelligence and sensitivity. Helene does both. The storyline and characters in Northern Heat are very real and relatable. (As I write this review I am sitting here in the caravan I now live in with an east coast low having battered us for 48 hours or more, so, yes, very relatable!)
Helene Young always manages to bring authenticity to her narrative and she provides just enough sexual tension to satisfy both the reader of women’s fiction and the more romantic! (The book title says it all!)
Helene Young never disappoints; in fact she gets better with each book. Even though Border Watch (re-titled: Wings of Fear) remains a firm favourite, she has won me again with this fast-paced story about the fury of Mother Nature and mankind, and what happens when the two converge.
I love a story in which the author tackles contemporary issues with intelligence and sensitivity. Helene does both. The storyline and characters in Northern Heat are very real and relatable. (As I write this review I am sitting here in the caravan I now live in with an east coast low having battered us for 48 hours or more, so, yes, very relatable!)
Helene Young always manages to bring authenticity to her narrative and she provides just enough sexual tension to satisfy both the reader of women’s fiction and the more romantic! (The book title says it all!)
May 25, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it has a bit of everything - suspense, action, drama, romance. Be sure to put this on your pre-order list - you will not be disappointed. Helene Young has gone to one of my fave Aussie authors.
“Find the joy in life again, live in the moment, not the future”
Full review at:
http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...
“Find the joy in life again, live in the moment, not the future”
Full review at:
http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...
June 7, 2015
Another really enjoyable read by Helene Young. There were a few little things that stopped me giving it 5 stars. I thought the introduction of the characters was a bit abrupt and the taking time to have a cup of tea slowed the suspense.
May 24, 2015
Helene Young's novels are highly addictive, fast paced and full of passion and intrigue. It only took me a few pages of her latest release, Northern Heat, to realise that his novel was going to be no different, in that regard, to her five previous novels. So if you like strong, passionate characters, fantastic writing and a story that will both move you and leave you wanting more, than this is the perfect book for you.
For those who've read Safe Harbour, you'll already be familiar with our leading male, Conor (don't worry if you haven't read Safe Harbour, you can read this one as a stand alone). Conor is in Cooktown, living on a boat and teaching the kids basketball team in his spare time. But Conor has a secret; he's in Cooktown for one reason only, and that's to seek revenge for the death of his wife and daughter. Having adopted an alias whilst in town, Conor buys his time waiting for any leads to appear, but then he meets the mother of one of the girls on his team, his life is thrown into a tale spin of epic proportions. Now the sole witness to a murder, and having gained the distrust of a stubborn small town cop who will do anything to solve the mystery of his true identity, Conor's life has never been more complicated. The stakes in life and love have never been higher, and it's up to Conor to decide what's more important.
Dr. Kristy moved to Cooktown with her teenage daughter Abby to escape the trauma of her families past. Still living with the grief that comes with losing your son and husband in the space of a year, she's hoping the small town can put her back together again, or at least find some sense of stability for her thirteen-year-old daughter Abby. A goal she thought she might be making headway on as Abby's making friends and is happiest when on the basketball court. With the past wrongs fresh in her mind, and the heavy burden of survivors guilt and dark secrets resting heavy on her shoulders, Cooktown may just yet prove to be anything but safe for Kristy and Abby, especially when it comes to a certain basketball coach.
As I've come to expect from a Helene Young novel, the character's in this narrative are both strong and resilient, but also plagued by past secrets that continue to haunt them today. They are both stubborn and cautious, deeply passionate and protective, leading both Kristy and Conor to fight their obvious attraction at the start. Although this novel is fast paced and the stakes are often life and death, Young has gone to great lengths to make sure that the relationship between these two characters develops at a slow and natural pace. Albeit it may be heightened by their surrounds and the chaotic happenings at the time.
Helene Young has never shied away from serious and/or topical issues in her books (Boarder Watch series alone dealt with issues of Security Intel issues, coastal boarder patrol limits, arsonists and isolated areas etc...) and Northern Heat is no different in that respect. For once again Helene Young takes us back to Northern Queensland, in particular to Cooktown, where the small rural community is getting ready for a cyclone to hit their doorsteps. Not only does she deal with the limits and dangers placed upon small communities when facing such a fierce natural predator, but she's gone a step further and included the issues of domestic violence and it's impact both on individuals in the family sphere, but also on the community at large. All of which are combined and told through an explosive and whirlwind narrative that is sure to have you on the edge of your seat.
With the majority of the east coast of Australia (myself included) having recently survived weather conditions very similar to those described in the book, I think a lot of people will be able to relate to a lot of the character's reactions in this book, particular when it comes to things like fear and isolation - albeit, perhaps not so much the murder aspect. By saying this I don't mean to lesson the severity of cyclones up in northern Queensland, but having been battered by rain and cyclonic winds in the recent storms, I was able to relate to this book on a whole other level. The fierceness of the wind and constant hounding of the rain was insane, and I can see why it would make such a perfect setting to have everything implode within this narrative.
When Northern Heat releases on May 27, I suggest you clear your schedule ASAP. For when Helene Young masterfully, and effortlessly I might add, revs up the narrative's suspense by positioning Conor and Kristy's growing sexual awareness and chemistry alongside the town's underlying criminal activities, that just so happen to come to a head during the building cyclone (Cyclone Kate), you won't want to spare a second on anything but this narrative. For it's just that good.
Believe me, you won't want to miss this one.
** Helene Young is going on tour to promote Northern Heat, to find out more details regarding her book tour click here ***
This review originally appeared on my blog - The Never Ending Bookshelf - and can be found here: http://wp.me/p3yY1u-Df
For those who've read Safe Harbour, you'll already be familiar with our leading male, Conor (don't worry if you haven't read Safe Harbour, you can read this one as a stand alone). Conor is in Cooktown, living on a boat and teaching the kids basketball team in his spare time. But Conor has a secret; he's in Cooktown for one reason only, and that's to seek revenge for the death of his wife and daughter. Having adopted an alias whilst in town, Conor buys his time waiting for any leads to appear, but then he meets the mother of one of the girls on his team, his life is thrown into a tale spin of epic proportions. Now the sole witness to a murder, and having gained the distrust of a stubborn small town cop who will do anything to solve the mystery of his true identity, Conor's life has never been more complicated. The stakes in life and love have never been higher, and it's up to Conor to decide what's more important.
Dr. Kristy moved to Cooktown with her teenage daughter Abby to escape the trauma of her families past. Still living with the grief that comes with losing your son and husband in the space of a year, she's hoping the small town can put her back together again, or at least find some sense of stability for her thirteen-year-old daughter Abby. A goal she thought she might be making headway on as Abby's making friends and is happiest when on the basketball court. With the past wrongs fresh in her mind, and the heavy burden of survivors guilt and dark secrets resting heavy on her shoulders, Cooktown may just yet prove to be anything but safe for Kristy and Abby, especially when it comes to a certain basketball coach.
As I've come to expect from a Helene Young novel, the character's in this narrative are both strong and resilient, but also plagued by past secrets that continue to haunt them today. They are both stubborn and cautious, deeply passionate and protective, leading both Kristy and Conor to fight their obvious attraction at the start. Although this novel is fast paced and the stakes are often life and death, Young has gone to great lengths to make sure that the relationship between these two characters develops at a slow and natural pace. Albeit it may be heightened by their surrounds and the chaotic happenings at the time.
Helene Young has never shied away from serious and/or topical issues in her books (Boarder Watch series alone dealt with issues of Security Intel issues, coastal boarder patrol limits, arsonists and isolated areas etc...) and Northern Heat is no different in that respect. For once again Helene Young takes us back to Northern Queensland, in particular to Cooktown, where the small rural community is getting ready for a cyclone to hit their doorsteps. Not only does she deal with the limits and dangers placed upon small communities when facing such a fierce natural predator, but she's gone a step further and included the issues of domestic violence and it's impact both on individuals in the family sphere, but also on the community at large. All of which are combined and told through an explosive and whirlwind narrative that is sure to have you on the edge of your seat.
With the majority of the east coast of Australia (myself included) having recently survived weather conditions very similar to those described in the book, I think a lot of people will be able to relate to a lot of the character's reactions in this book, particular when it comes to things like fear and isolation - albeit, perhaps not so much the murder aspect. By saying this I don't mean to lesson the severity of cyclones up in northern Queensland, but having been battered by rain and cyclonic winds in the recent storms, I was able to relate to this book on a whole other level. The fierceness of the wind and constant hounding of the rain was insane, and I can see why it would make such a perfect setting to have everything implode within this narrative.
When Northern Heat releases on May 27, I suggest you clear your schedule ASAP. For when Helene Young masterfully, and effortlessly I might add, revs up the narrative's suspense by positioning Conor and Kristy's growing sexual awareness and chemistry alongside the town's underlying criminal activities, that just so happen to come to a head during the building cyclone (Cyclone Kate), you won't want to spare a second on anything but this narrative. For it's just that good.
Believe me, you won't want to miss this one.
** Helene Young is going on tour to promote Northern Heat, to find out more details regarding her book tour click here ***
This review originally appeared on my blog - The Never Ending Bookshelf - and can be found here: http://wp.me/p3yY1u-Df
May 24, 2015
I first had the pleasure of hearing Helene Young speak earlier this year, and boy, is she interesting! (Not to mention that she puts clips and pictures of great movies and lovely looking gentlemen in her Powerpoint presentations). My mother has been reading Helene avidly since her first book, and I have been neglectful in taking daughterly advice and reading her novels. Until now. Northern Heat is a gripping, action-packed novel set in the sultry climes of Far North Queensland during cyclone season (you know what that means, don’t you?) In between the action, there are well developed, intense storylines and the story is topped off with a sweet and steamy romance. What more could you ask for?
Set in Cooktown, the story follows two main characters, Conor and Kristy. (Some readers will recognise Conor from Helene’s previous book, Safe Harbour, but it’s not necessary to read it first. I didn’t.) Conor lives on his yacht Veritas in the harbour. He’s got a tragic past that appears rather shady to some of the other people in Cooktown, such as the police. No real job, no real ambitions…who is this man? So when a man is murdered at his front door, suspicions turn to Conor. Meanwhile, Dr Kristy Dark has escaped to Cooktown after the deaths of two members of her family to be closer to her parents. Her daughter Abby is trying to match make Conor and Kristy and sparks definitely fly between the pair. But, as Kristy’s friend Freya is trying to leave her violent husband (something Kristy knows all too well), romance takes a back seat after a minor accident causes a disproportionate reaction on Kristy’s behalf. Then Cyclone Kate decides to take in Cooktown and things turn dangerous for Kristy and Conor as they race to save Abby and Freya’s daughter Sissy. Who will win – Mother Nature, the bad guys or Kristy and Conor?
Northern Heat could be classified as romantic suspense, but I think anyone with an interest in action-packed reads should give it a go. I found it more suspense than romance and I don’t think there is a better contemporary author writing suspense than Helene Young. The cyclone scenes are wonderfully atmospheric and true to what it is like to be in the middle of such extreme weather. The build up to the finale was also taut, making me wonder if a happy ending was going to be a possibility! But it’s not just action that Helene excels at. All her characters are intricately crafted and completely different. The characters right down to the minor ones have a backstory and nuances that make them memorable. I also enjoyed how Kristy and Conor’s dark pasts were revealed in stages - just enough to understand how they were reacting to various events, but leaving me hungry to know more. The topic of domestic violence was also handled sensitively, showing the different forms through the characters but also offering hope.
I’m eager to read more books now by Helene Young now that I’ve started – I think her books would be perfect for holidays (making the travel time just fly by) or for when you can stay up late into the night reading!
Thank you to Penguin Australia for the eARC. My thoughts are 100% honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Set in Cooktown, the story follows two main characters, Conor and Kristy. (Some readers will recognise Conor from Helene’s previous book, Safe Harbour, but it’s not necessary to read it first. I didn’t.) Conor lives on his yacht Veritas in the harbour. He’s got a tragic past that appears rather shady to some of the other people in Cooktown, such as the police. No real job, no real ambitions…who is this man? So when a man is murdered at his front door, suspicions turn to Conor. Meanwhile, Dr Kristy Dark has escaped to Cooktown after the deaths of two members of her family to be closer to her parents. Her daughter Abby is trying to match make Conor and Kristy and sparks definitely fly between the pair. But, as Kristy’s friend Freya is trying to leave her violent husband (something Kristy knows all too well), romance takes a back seat after a minor accident causes a disproportionate reaction on Kristy’s behalf. Then Cyclone Kate decides to take in Cooktown and things turn dangerous for Kristy and Conor as they race to save Abby and Freya’s daughter Sissy. Who will win – Mother Nature, the bad guys or Kristy and Conor?
Northern Heat could be classified as romantic suspense, but I think anyone with an interest in action-packed reads should give it a go. I found it more suspense than romance and I don’t think there is a better contemporary author writing suspense than Helene Young. The cyclone scenes are wonderfully atmospheric and true to what it is like to be in the middle of such extreme weather. The build up to the finale was also taut, making me wonder if a happy ending was going to be a possibility! But it’s not just action that Helene excels at. All her characters are intricately crafted and completely different. The characters right down to the minor ones have a backstory and nuances that make them memorable. I also enjoyed how Kristy and Conor’s dark pasts were revealed in stages - just enough to understand how they were reacting to various events, but leaving me hungry to know more. The topic of domestic violence was also handled sensitively, showing the different forms through the characters but also offering hope.
I’m eager to read more books now by Helene Young now that I’ve started – I think her books would be perfect for holidays (making the travel time just fly by) or for when you can stay up late into the night reading!
Thank you to Penguin Australia for the eARC. My thoughts are 100% honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
March 1, 2018
HELENE Young is fast making the romantic suspense genre her own.
She creates believable, compelling and vivid characters we want to see overcome danger and end up together.
In her novel, Northern Heat, we meet Conor, a man living under an assumed name after a brush with a dangerous crime syndicate shattered his life.
Conor coaches sport, lives on a yacht and hopes those hunting him don’t track him down.
He certainly doesn’t need to be at the centre of a police investigation, especially when one officer thinks Conor isn’t a witness but guilty of murder.
Conor knows it’s dangerous to be around him, so how can he risk falling in love? Yet there’s something about Dr Kristy Dark that draws him.
Kristy moved to Cooktown with her teenage daughter Abby, hoping to heal their lives after tragedy tore their family apart.
She finds Conor just too damned sexy for his own good but isn’t ready to risk her heart.
As a category four cyclone rips towards Cooktown, Conor and Kristy are caught up in not only the storm but find themselves in the path of a killer.
Northern Heat builds tension in a delicious way; not only between Conor and Kristy, but in a tight plot that involves drugs, murder and the various faces of abuse.
Conor is a rather gorgeous hero, very sexy. The determined, wounded Kristy is entirely likeable and we badly want her to put aside her reservations and be with Conor.
Helene Young’s writing is accomplished, creating a well-crafted story that combines a slow-building romance with mystery.
That it’s set in northern Queensland is the icing on the cake, with the author wonderfully capturing the heat, distance and lifestyle of Cooktown.
Northern Heat will draw you in at once, then keep you hooked as it rips towards a dramatic end.
It has characters you’ll invest in and a setting you’ll relate to. For those who love their
romance with a large dash of action and danger, this is the right book.
She creates believable, compelling and vivid characters we want to see overcome danger and end up together.
In her novel, Northern Heat, we meet Conor, a man living under an assumed name after a brush with a dangerous crime syndicate shattered his life.
Conor coaches sport, lives on a yacht and hopes those hunting him don’t track him down.
He certainly doesn’t need to be at the centre of a police investigation, especially when one officer thinks Conor isn’t a witness but guilty of murder.
Conor knows it’s dangerous to be around him, so how can he risk falling in love? Yet there’s something about Dr Kristy Dark that draws him.
Kristy moved to Cooktown with her teenage daughter Abby, hoping to heal their lives after tragedy tore their family apart.
She finds Conor just too damned sexy for his own good but isn’t ready to risk her heart.
As a category four cyclone rips towards Cooktown, Conor and Kristy are caught up in not only the storm but find themselves in the path of a killer.
Northern Heat builds tension in a delicious way; not only between Conor and Kristy, but in a tight plot that involves drugs, murder and the various faces of abuse.
Conor is a rather gorgeous hero, very sexy. The determined, wounded Kristy is entirely likeable and we badly want her to put aside her reservations and be with Conor.
Helene Young’s writing is accomplished, creating a well-crafted story that combines a slow-building romance with mystery.
That it’s set in northern Queensland is the icing on the cake, with the author wonderfully capturing the heat, distance and lifestyle of Cooktown.
Northern Heat will draw you in at once, then keep you hooked as it rips towards a dramatic end.
It has characters you’ll invest in and a setting you’ll relate to. For those who love their
romance with a large dash of action and danger, this is the right book.
November 27, 2016
This is Conor's story.
In Helene Young's Northern Heat Conor Wood is chilling out in steamy Cooktown (far north Queensland), working on a trawler and coaching kids at PCYC, when he witnesses a car fleeing from a cold blooded murder. He soon becomes a major suspect. Meanwhile, Dr Kirsty Dark is trying to leave the tragic deaths of her son and husband behind her while working as a doctor at Cooktown Hospital and raising her teenage daughter. Both Conor and Kirsty become entangled in the shady MacDonald family, through Kirsty's friendship with Freya, Jonno MacDonald's beautiful wife. It becomes apparent that the MacDonald's are hiding dark secrets and, as tensions heighten, a category 5 cyclone threatens to batter Cooktown and the surrounding areas with the potential for tragic outcomes.
Helene Young brings far north Queensland alive with its crystal seas and reefs, cattle raising country further inland and larger than life characters. The romantic tension between Conor and Kristy builds as they both struggle to overcome dark tragedies in their past and to learn to trust and hope again. It all builds toward an explosive finale in the middle of a major weather event. As with Young's other books, there are explicit sex scenes and strong language though these are never gratuitous. While I'll not as inclined to feel leniency towards the involvement of colourful old characters like Bill for past sly grog running (supplying alcohol to dry aboriginal communities at a huge profit) and drug running - and I'm not sure it's a matter of 'balancing the ledger' rather than the grace of forgiveness - I did enjoy the sense of place in this book evokes as well as the redemptive journeys for the main characters and a thrilling, emotional and satisfying ending. Young's prose is a joy to read.
In Helene Young's Northern Heat Conor Wood is chilling out in steamy Cooktown (far north Queensland), working on a trawler and coaching kids at PCYC, when he witnesses a car fleeing from a cold blooded murder. He soon becomes a major suspect. Meanwhile, Dr Kirsty Dark is trying to leave the tragic deaths of her son and husband behind her while working as a doctor at Cooktown Hospital and raising her teenage daughter. Both Conor and Kirsty become entangled in the shady MacDonald family, through Kirsty's friendship with Freya, Jonno MacDonald's beautiful wife. It becomes apparent that the MacDonald's are hiding dark secrets and, as tensions heighten, a category 5 cyclone threatens to batter Cooktown and the surrounding areas with the potential for tragic outcomes.
Helene Young brings far north Queensland alive with its crystal seas and reefs, cattle raising country further inland and larger than life characters. The romantic tension between Conor and Kristy builds as they both struggle to overcome dark tragedies in their past and to learn to trust and hope again. It all builds toward an explosive finale in the middle of a major weather event. As with Young's other books, there are explicit sex scenes and strong language though these are never gratuitous. While I'll not as inclined to feel leniency towards the involvement of colourful old characters like Bill for past sly grog running (supplying alcohol to dry aboriginal communities at a huge profit) and drug running - and I'm not sure it's a matter of 'balancing the ledger' rather than the grace of forgiveness - I did enjoy the sense of place in this book evokes as well as the redemptive journeys for the main characters and a thrilling, emotional and satisfying ending. Young's prose is a joy to read.
July 18, 2015
Northern Heat was a fun and comfortable read. I purposely chose this book to accompany me on my first back at work so I have something to look forward to in the cold and dark morning train rides. It was a good pick as it was easy to read and drew me right into its world (which was fantastic, considering that we’re in the middle of winter whilst the book is set in the middle of a scorching summer).
The story opens on a hot and sticky morning in which Conor found himself an unwitting witness to a crime. As he isn’t a local and with his secret past, he easily became a suspect. Was he just at the wrong place at the wrong time or has his past found him at last?
Along with Dr Kristy Dark (Conor’s love interest), there are quite a few interesting characters and each with their own cross to bear. Kristy has recently settled in town; widowed and with a teen daughter, Abby, struggling to find their own feet. Freya looks polished at all times but yet lives in fear of her life and her children’s. These issues unravelled just as the weather broke and tension ran high.
I didn’t have a clear expectation of this book so I was surprised at being surprised with the romantic content. It was written a little more like what you’d expect in a romance novel with tensions running high between the two main characters and the way they described each other; I guess I really wasn’t expecting there to be that much romance. I do read (and love) my share of romance novels so I found this just as exciting as the mystery / suspense part of the story. If you’re not a fan of romance, this may not be the book for you though if you’re crazy about romance, you may be disappointed.
Thanks to Penguin Australia for copy of book in exchange of honest review
The story opens on a hot and sticky morning in which Conor found himself an unwitting witness to a crime. As he isn’t a local and with his secret past, he easily became a suspect. Was he just at the wrong place at the wrong time or has his past found him at last?
Along with Dr Kristy Dark (Conor’s love interest), there are quite a few interesting characters and each with their own cross to bear. Kristy has recently settled in town; widowed and with a teen daughter, Abby, struggling to find their own feet. Freya looks polished at all times but yet lives in fear of her life and her children’s. These issues unravelled just as the weather broke and tension ran high.
I didn’t have a clear expectation of this book so I was surprised at being surprised with the romantic content. It was written a little more like what you’d expect in a romance novel with tensions running high between the two main characters and the way they described each other; I guess I really wasn’t expecting there to be that much romance. I do read (and love) my share of romance novels so I found this just as exciting as the mystery / suspense part of the story. If you’re not a fan of romance, this may not be the book for you though if you’re crazy about romance, you may be disappointed.
Thanks to Penguin Australia for copy of book in exchange of honest review
August 30, 2015
When I read Helene's books I experience this physical sensation of having like a bubble in my gut which I've since recognised as been pent-up excitement as I'm reading and anticipating sequential moments of high drama (or the love scene/s) in her stories. A worthy author will create a story and dynamic characters who make you want more of them even when the story is finished. Helene does this so well and constantly in all her books.
I especially liked "Northern Heat" for its setting and impending danger of a cyclone. which I could relate with when I lived in Darwin. I really appreciated that she penned a female protagonist who was a "real" woman - one with curves and stretch marks thanks to pregnancy! It was easy to love Conor as he was a character I empathised with in "Safe Harbour". The ending was justifiably as it should be and extremely satisfying for Kristy and Conor who needed a new start in life filled with renewed hope and promise, given that they both experienced extreme pain and loss. Helene dealt with the theme of domestic violence with respect and admirable insight and thankfully avoided it being something that's distasteful to read.
Love your work, Helene! Keep writing about those characters who annoy you!!
I especially liked "Northern Heat" for its setting and impending danger of a cyclone. which I could relate with when I lived in Darwin. I really appreciated that she penned a female protagonist who was a "real" woman - one with curves and stretch marks thanks to pregnancy! It was easy to love Conor as he was a character I empathised with in "Safe Harbour". The ending was justifiably as it should be and extremely satisfying for Kristy and Conor who needed a new start in life filled with renewed hope and promise, given that they both experienced extreme pain and loss. Helene dealt with the theme of domestic violence with respect and admirable insight and thankfully avoided it being something that's distasteful to read.
Love your work, Helene! Keep writing about those characters who annoy you!!
May 12, 2015
I was immediately drawn to this book because of the setting. I live in a similar climate in the tropical north of Australia. I loved reading about the wet season, cyclone warnings, crocodiles and curling up with a good book in the air conditioning - all concepts familiar to me.
I loved both Connor and Kristy. They were both strong characters who had baggage from their past, but they were still kind and likable characters. I enjoyed seeing their romance unfold and hoped they would be able to fall in love. The underlying suspense surrounding a murder was heightened by the cyclone. Once the cyclone got real, the tension had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put the book down (well not quite edge....I was actually snuggled up on a recliner with a cup of tea and the air conditioner on).
This book also dealt well with the issue of domestic abuse. It demonstrated how isolating and controlling the abuser can be and how difficult it can be to get out of a situation like that.
This is the first book I have read by Helene Young and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved both Connor and Kristy. They were both strong characters who had baggage from their past, but they were still kind and likable characters. I enjoyed seeing their romance unfold and hoped they would be able to fall in love. The underlying suspense surrounding a murder was heightened by the cyclone. Once the cyclone got real, the tension had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put the book down (well not quite edge....I was actually snuggled up on a recliner with a cup of tea and the air conditioner on).
This book also dealt well with the issue of domestic abuse. It demonstrated how isolating and controlling the abuser can be and how difficult it can be to get out of a situation like that.
This is the first book I have read by Helene Young and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2016
'Northern Heat' by Helene Young earns two stars for the exciting description of the category 5 cyclone that sweeps through Northern Queensland toward the end of the book. The rest was a hodgepodge of ideas that covered bulimia, domestic abuse, family murders, a criminal dynasty of thugs, the death of a child, and a very flat romance. The author kept telling us that these two characters were drawn to each other but they spent so much of the book grappling with their pasts that I got tired of them. The hero was supposed to be brooding over his past but always seemed to be chatting, flirting and lighthearted and eager to be friends with our heroine who liked him but kept him at arm's length for no apparent reason other than she had a teenage daughter to look after. I realise I am in the minority here judging by other reviews but, apart from the lovely descriptions of the countryside and the tension-filled cyclone sequence, it all seemed a bit cliched and by-the-numbers.
December 26, 2016
Northern Heat by Helene Young is the second book I have read. It is the story of Conor who moved to Cooktown after the murder deaths of his wife and daughter. He is working at the PYC centre helping trian the basketball team and working as deckhand for Bill a fisherman. He meets Dr Kristy Dark the local doctor after finding Danny dead on his run. Kristy is a single mum to Abby who thirteen and is in the Basketball team that Conor trains. Abby tries to get her mum interested in Conor. Kristy has a friend called Freya who has a teenage girl the same age a Abby and a son Buddy who married to an abusive husband. Kirsty tries to get her to leave him as she knows what it like to live with a husbands abuse. While police investigate the murder a Cyclone is on the way to Cooktown. Kirsty needs to learn to trust Conor to help save her daughter from Freya husband and find a chance to love again with Conor. There is plenty of drama and Suspension in the Story as well.
May 25, 2015
I am terrified of strong winds. Reading Northern Heat, during the cyclone, my heart was beating rapidly. I felt as though I was in the middle of these winds. This is definitely the sign of outstanding writing. I truly felt as though I was experiencing the wind and rain that Helene Young was describing. Her descriptions, and the passion of her writing make the book so realistic. I felt as though I was experiencing everything with Conor, Kristy and the girls.
The story is set in Cooktown, a place I have seen and enjoyed. The story is about Kristy, a doctor who is working at the Cooktown Hospital, and Conor, a share trader who is helping old Bill with his trawler. A murder occurs and there seems to be a lot of underground mystery in Cooktown. Conor and Kristy become involved in the search for the murderer, which has repercussions for them and their daughters.
A brilliant book.
The story is set in Cooktown, a place I have seen and enjoyed. The story is about Kristy, a doctor who is working at the Cooktown Hospital, and Conor, a share trader who is helping old Bill with his trawler. A murder occurs and there seems to be a lot of underground mystery in Cooktown. Conor and Kristy become involved in the search for the murderer, which has repercussions for them and their daughters.
A brilliant book.
December 20, 2015
Helene Young has written a brilliant story that had me glued until the very last page. The author cleverly weaves contemporary issues, very real life events and relatable characters with mother nature's fury. The storytelling is done with an authenticity that adds to the slow building of tension - both the drama and just the right amount of sexual tension to maintain the story and give a little more meaning to the title!!!!! I loved Conner and Kristy's relationship. I was there with them every inch of the way until they 'got their man'. The drama and the cyclone grew together and once that storm hit I could not put the book down, regardless of the late hour. This is great Australian fiction.
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