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Under the Southern Cross
American Lee Paynter has built her small travel agency into an international tour company. Brash, confident, and openly lesbian, Lee's great love is her business. Women? They're to enjoy and let go. Alexandra Findlay is pursuing a career in Australian tourism with quiet focus and determination. Now, Alex has been assigned to accompany Lee on the American woman's visit Down Under, to win Lee's company over to Australian tourism. Suddenly Alex's quiet life explodes... And Lee is challenged by a woman unlike any she has ever known.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
8 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Claire McNab
48 books52 followersCLAIRE McNAB, 1940-2022
Claire McNab died on June 30, 2022, after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She also wrote under her real name, Claire Carmichael, an outpouring of children's literature, textbooks, self-help books, and plays. She became (and remains to this day) a renowned author of children’s books in Australia.
Claire McNab is the pseudonym of Claire Carmichael. She was born in 1940 in Melbourne, Australia. While pursuing a career as a high school teacher in Sydney, she began her writing career with comedy plays and textbooks. She left teaching in the mid-eighties to become a full-time writer. In her native Australia she is known for her self-help and children's books. She moved to Los Angeles in 1994 after falling in love with an American woman, and now teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Writers' Extension Program. She is best known for three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She is the recipient of the 2006 Alice B. Medal.
From the publisher's website: Claire McNab has written over 50 books and is known in her native Australia for crime fiction, children's novels, picture books, self-help, and English textbooks. Her first mystery, Lessons in Murder, was published in the U.S. in 1988. Now a Los Angeles resident, she teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. She is the author of three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She has served as the president of Sisters in Crime and is a member of both the Mystery Writers of America and the Science Fiction Writers of America. She lives in Los Angeles and is working on the finale of the Carol Ashton series, Lethal Care.
Claire McNab died on June 30, 2022, after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She also wrote under her real name, Claire Carmichael, an outpouring of children's literature, textbooks, self-help books, and plays. She became (and remains to this day) a renowned author of children’s books in Australia.
Claire McNab is the pseudonym of Claire Carmichael. She was born in 1940 in Melbourne, Australia. While pursuing a career as a high school teacher in Sydney, she began her writing career with comedy plays and textbooks. She left teaching in the mid-eighties to become a full-time writer. In her native Australia she is known for her self-help and children's books. She moved to Los Angeles in 1994 after falling in love with an American woman, and now teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Writers' Extension Program. She is best known for three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She is the recipient of the 2006 Alice B. Medal.
From the publisher's website: Claire McNab has written over 50 books and is known in her native Australia for crime fiction, children's novels, picture books, self-help, and English textbooks. Her first mystery, Lessons in Murder, was published in the U.S. in 1988. Now a Los Angeles resident, she teaches not-yet-published writers through the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. She is the author of three lesbian mystery series featuring Inspector Carol Ashton, Agent Denise Cleever and Detective Kylie Kendall. She has served as the president of Sisters in Crime and is a member of both the Mystery Writers of America and the Science Fiction Writers of America. She lives in Los Angeles and is working on the finale of the Carol Ashton series, Lethal Care.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 16, 2018
This was a tourism brochure with a little bit of romance.
Amazing scenarios it will make you want to go to Australia, the romance was so-so, not much to see there, we don't learn much about the characters and it has a very abrupt ending that left a lot of loose threads
Amazing scenarios it will make you want to go to Australia, the romance was so-so, not much to see there, we don't learn much about the characters and it has a very abrupt ending that left a lot of loose threads
November 22, 2020
Ugh!! Bella Books and Claire McNab need to write out 500 times: "I will not do a brick wall ending." It really is infuriating - it really was a superclass book which I really loved but that ending a) should be publicised so we know and b) lost a star.
January 25, 2020
A great quick read full of feelings, overwhelming desire and great pals. I especially like that this story does not have any physical violence toward the women which I often come across in lezzie stories because this male or that is always threatened by a chick who wants nothing to do with his useless appendage. The baddie is still a dude focused on his useless appendage but in true good lezzie story fashion he gets his comeuppance. This might even be one of those books that i read more than once. Thank you Claire McNab for a great story and for all of those great visuals of a place I have been dreaming of visiting my whole life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2020
One the best romances of all time!
I’ve read this book no less than 20 times. It always makes me want to jump on a plane right away to go to Australia! It’s a beautiful story of a lonely woman, Alex, whom thinks she’s content until she meets Lee and falls in love. This subject of coming out, how and when, is central to this book. Though it was a much more difficult decision to make in the 90’s it’s still a relevant topic today. I love the characters and I understand Alex and of course the ending is so very sweet!
I’ve read this book no less than 20 times. It always makes me want to jump on a plane right away to go to Australia! It’s a beautiful story of a lonely woman, Alex, whom thinks she’s content until she meets Lee and falls in love. This subject of coming out, how and when, is central to this book. Though it was a much more difficult decision to make in the 90’s it’s still a relevant topic today. I love the characters and I understand Alex and of course the ending is so very sweet!
April 22, 2018
I liked the book, the characters, and the vivid descriptions of the Australian landscapes. I wish it hadn’t ended so abruptly. I want to know more about Alex’s job, where is she going to live and I would have loved to have seen the “talk” she had with her parents.
August 5, 2024
Read it in one sitting, was a bit short for my liking. I enjoyed the concept but again just felt a little flat, I didn’t have enough time to really get involved within the story. Meh. Almost felt like a waste of time. Cute story I guess.
March 26, 2013
I love Claire McNab's books and this story was no exception. The only thing I can say I didn't like was that it ended too soon and I would have liked to have learned more about the characters. That said...
Alex, or Alexandra as her boss Sir Frederick insists on calling her, works for a travel/tourism resort in Australia and her job for the next couple weeks is to escort Lee Paynter around to ensure her future business. Lee owns her own travel agency and is in Australia to expand her business by including trips and excursions for her American clientele. Lee is also an out lesbian and has an air about her that lifts her above all the gossip, unfortunately Alex is not. Not only succumbing to family pressures but also a failed relationship with a co-worker has put her farther into the closet. Unfortunately for both women their attraction to each other can't be contained and Alex gives into her lust but still keeps her distance until even she can't ignore the possibilities of what if...
Through the story we encounter strong women, both personally and professionally, bigotry, homophobia (I really hate that word, how about homohating), friendship and love. First there is a rumor spreading that Sir Frederick has the hots for Alex and while she tries to ignore it all she can't look past the fact that he has been coming closer and closer to her and with a promotion hanging in the balance Alex is at a crossroads. Next, one of her co-workers is trying to blackmail a fellow employee, who happens to be gay, into recommending him for a promotion. When Alex finds out that her gay coworker will be coming out to their boss she thinks about being brave also but is still worried about the repercussions. When the meeting goes less than perfect, Alex storms into the office to assure her boss that the blackmail is true and that she is also gay, which of course surprises him since he was making a play for her.
Through all the touring and posturing for business Alex and Lee start a sexual relationship that neither is completely ready for... Alex can't be out of the closet and Lee just wants a sexual good time. As the story progresses Alex wants, craves and needs for from Lee than just a romp in the hay. When she tells Lee that she loves her and wants to be with her Lee says she has no time for love since her lifestyle is all business. When Lee has to leave early from her trip Alex thinks she is just making an excuse to get away but Lee wants to stay but can't. Alex gives the ultimatum of loving or leaving to Lee and unfortunately she chooses to leave saying if she were to be able to love someone it would be Alex but Alex just sees that as words and nothing more and while Lee wants to stay "friends" Alex can't stand the thought of being close and not being able to love so they leave on a business level only. In the weeks after Lee's departure, Alex still has to deal with the business end of things and gets a surprise from her boss when he informs her that Lee is demanding to come along on the first bookings claiming she needs to make sure that everything goes smoothly. But Alex is wary and wonders what the big deal is and is dreading her arrival...
Love is a strong thing but will it be enough for these two women, one who is afraid to open up her heart and the other afraid to open up her world. Changes will come but at what cost??
Alex, or Alexandra as her boss Sir Frederick insists on calling her, works for a travel/tourism resort in Australia and her job for the next couple weeks is to escort Lee Paynter around to ensure her future business. Lee owns her own travel agency and is in Australia to expand her business by including trips and excursions for her American clientele. Lee is also an out lesbian and has an air about her that lifts her above all the gossip, unfortunately Alex is not. Not only succumbing to family pressures but also a failed relationship with a co-worker has put her farther into the closet. Unfortunately for both women their attraction to each other can't be contained and Alex gives into her lust but still keeps her distance until even she can't ignore the possibilities of what if...
Through the story we encounter strong women, both personally and professionally, bigotry, homophobia (I really hate that word, how about homohating), friendship and love. First there is a rumor spreading that Sir Frederick has the hots for Alex and while she tries to ignore it all she can't look past the fact that he has been coming closer and closer to her and with a promotion hanging in the balance Alex is at a crossroads. Next, one of her co-workers is trying to blackmail a fellow employee, who happens to be gay, into recommending him for a promotion. When Alex finds out that her gay coworker will be coming out to their boss she thinks about being brave also but is still worried about the repercussions. When the meeting goes less than perfect, Alex storms into the office to assure her boss that the blackmail is true and that she is also gay, which of course surprises him since he was making a play for her.
Through all the touring and posturing for business Alex and Lee start a sexual relationship that neither is completely ready for... Alex can't be out of the closet and Lee just wants a sexual good time. As the story progresses Alex wants, craves and needs for from Lee than just a romp in the hay. When she tells Lee that she loves her and wants to be with her Lee says she has no time for love since her lifestyle is all business. When Lee has to leave early from her trip Alex thinks she is just making an excuse to get away but Lee wants to stay but can't. Alex gives the ultimatum of loving or leaving to Lee and unfortunately she chooses to leave saying if she were to be able to love someone it would be Alex but Alex just sees that as words and nothing more and while Lee wants to stay "friends" Alex can't stand the thought of being close and not being able to love so they leave on a business level only. In the weeks after Lee's departure, Alex still has to deal with the business end of things and gets a surprise from her boss when he informs her that Lee is demanding to come along on the first bookings claiming she needs to make sure that everything goes smoothly. But Alex is wary and wonders what the big deal is and is dreading her arrival...
Love is a strong thing but will it be enough for these two women, one who is afraid to open up her heart and the other afraid to open up her world. Changes will come but at what cost??
February 17, 2013
The lesbian version of a Harlequin romance, except it's written much better than most romances, lesbian or Harlequin. It's kind of amusing to read an Aussie author, because she uses the more formal British style of English rather than the casual American style. Still, overall it's a decent read.
August 6, 2014
This was a really quick read. The scenery was dreamy (I need to visit one day!) and the characters were somewhat relatable. It was a very cute love story, but I found it was a bit repetitive. Why is Alex so attached so quickly?! Besides that, I enjoyed reading this book.
July 4, 2011
Trashy lesbian romance novel. Sometimes you just gotta read stuff like this. Predictable, but fun. Like bad television--you won't remember it a few days from now, but it's fun while it lasts.
March 26, 2013
Loved this book. Makes me want to go to Australia now and have the same adventure.
August 1, 2014
Very fast read. Great descriptions of Australia, which makes me want to go there sooner. I will read more from Claire McNab in the future.
October 6, 2014
flojo flojo no sirve. En español se titula "En otras palabras".
September 17, 2017
Entertaining read
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews