What do you think?
Rate this book
Coolibah Creek
Even though they had been divorced for some time, Lena hadn't been able to put all memories of her husband Stephen behind her; and now he was begging her to go out to join him in the Australian Outback, with a view to marrying again. She knew she would have to give the whole matter a lot of thought. She wasn't going to break her heart over Stephen a second time - but could she be sure that everything was dead between them? And she found it even more difficult to sort out her feelings in the presence of Stephen's boss, the disturbing Ralph Douglas.....
265 pages, Hardcover Large Print
First published March 1, 1979
About the author
Anne Hampson
150 books154 followersAnne Hampson was born on 28 November 1928 in England. At age six she had two ambitions: to teach and to write. Poverty after WWI deprived her of an education and at 14 she was making Marks & Spencer's blouses at one shilling (5p) each.
She retired when she married. Later, when her marriage broke up, she was homeless with £40 in her purse. She went back to the rag trade and lived in a tiny caravan. But she never forgot her two ambitions, and when Manchester University decided to trial older women she applied, and three years later had achieved one ambition, so set her thoughts on number two.
In 1969, her first novel, Eternal Summer, was accepted five days from posting and she soon had a contract for 12 more. From the caravan she went to a small stately home, drove a Mercedes and sailed on the QE2. From the first book, came over 125 more written for Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Silhouette. Alan Boon (the Boon of Mills & Boon) and she came up with the title for 'Harlequin Presents' over lunch at the Ritz. She suggested to Alan that they have a historical series. He told her to write one - it was done in a month, entitled Eleanor and the Marquis under the pseudonym Jane Wilby. She has the distinction of being number one in Harlequin Presents, Masquerade and Silhouette. Many of "Presents" have been reprinted many times (some as many as 16) and are now fetching up to $55, being classed as "rare" books.
She has had 3 awards, one at the World Trade Centre where she received a standing ovation from her American fans, who had come from many states just to meet her.
She was retired, but in 2005 she wrote two romance and crime novels, both of which were published by Severn House.
She passed away on 25 September 2014. She has been written her autobiography, entitled Fate Was My Friend.
She retired when she married. Later, when her marriage broke up, she was homeless with £40 in her purse. She went back to the rag trade and lived in a tiny caravan. But she never forgot her two ambitions, and when Manchester University decided to trial older women she applied, and three years later had achieved one ambition, so set her thoughts on number two.
In 1969, her first novel, Eternal Summer, was accepted five days from posting and she soon had a contract for 12 more. From the caravan she went to a small stately home, drove a Mercedes and sailed on the QE2. From the first book, came over 125 more written for Mills & Boon, Harlequin and Silhouette. Alan Boon (the Boon of Mills & Boon) and she came up with the title for 'Harlequin Presents' over lunch at the Ritz. She suggested to Alan that they have a historical series. He told her to write one - it was done in a month, entitled Eleanor and the Marquis under the pseudonym Jane Wilby. She has the distinction of being number one in Harlequin Presents, Masquerade and Silhouette. Many of "Presents" have been reprinted many times (some as many as 16) and are now fetching up to $55, being classed as "rare" books.
She has had 3 awards, one at the World Trade Centre where she received a standing ovation from her American fans, who had come from many states just to meet her.
She was retired, but in 2005 she wrote two romance and crime novels, both of which were published by Severn House.
She passed away on 25 September 2014. She has been written her autobiography, entitled Fate Was My Friend.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 24, 2019
Coolibah Creek is now etched in my mind as the most terrible place on earth. The landscape is referred to as "austere and inhospitable" and that goes for the people, too. The scenes where the h and H are romantic together should be read to middle schoolers in order to encourage permanent celibacy until they are adults who are able to afford therapy -- not because they are horribly graphic but because they are incredibly depressing.
Also, he suggests using a whip on her, which makes this the second Hampson in a row where this particular weapon is mentioned. But don't worry, all you AH purists -- the hero does administer a brutal shaking, and threatens a spanking several times.
Updated to add new shelves.
Also, he suggests using a whip on her, which makes this the second Hampson in a row where this particular weapon is mentioned. But don't worry, all you AH purists -- the hero does administer a brutal shaking, and threatens a spanking several times.
Updated to add new shelves.
May 3, 2022
A very superficial half hearted effort from the author. She tries her hand at the great Australian outback romance theme. But fails to invest life and depth to her characters.
The result - You have a hero who is the lord of the land, You have the quintessential English miss landing up in Australia looking for a new life. And absolutely nothing more to add to their characters !!
After reading the poignant, evocative romances that Lucy Walker churns out on this theme, I am quite disappointed with Anne Hampson's lukewarm story.
Lena is a doormatty divorcee coming to Australia in search of a new life. With whom? She is considering getting back with her scum bag ex-husband who cheated on her and swept her bank balance clean during the divorce settlement !! Now does she qualify to be heroine material? Nah ..
Ralph, the great outback rancher, land lord. Nothing remarkable about him. Has a local girl in tow, considering a match between two land lord families. The OW in question is of course the typical high society bitchy types.
There is the ex-husband who works on the hero's ranch. I can understand why he wants the heroine back in his life. She is easy game ! She is a dumbo, barely points out his erroneous ways, even lets him kiss her at will. After being cheated of her money during the divorce !!
Anyway, the regular story tropes are all there - The customary ball dance event, a cliched air plane crash which maroons the leads in isolated territory for days.
During the marooning, they remain dull and distant during the day. But DO IT every night !!!! Why, you may ask !?!? Just to pass the time !!!
For some stupid reason, Lena the fool, never reveals to any one that the OM is her ex. So most people on the ranch see her as a floozy, kissing the hero and OM at will !
Finally, there is the stupid confusion caused by the "I thought you were his girl" non-sense. For crying out loud, she's been DOING IT with you for 17 days in the marooned desert, man. How can she suddenly become the OM's girl !#$@#$%@#$
The last pages are all about Ralph promising to be a stern husband, threatening to spank his wife for disobedience. And our girl happily sighing over this post-matrimonial prospect. Yuck ! She just doesn't learn does she, just loves being a door mat all over again !!
Nope, dint work for me.
The result - You have a hero who is the lord of the land, You have the quintessential English miss landing up in Australia looking for a new life. And absolutely nothing more to add to their characters !!
After reading the poignant, evocative romances that Lucy Walker churns out on this theme, I am quite disappointed with Anne Hampson's lukewarm story.
Lena is a doormatty divorcee coming to Australia in search of a new life. With whom? She is considering getting back with her scum bag ex-husband who cheated on her and swept her bank balance clean during the divorce settlement !! Now does she qualify to be heroine material? Nah ..
Ralph, the great outback rancher, land lord. Nothing remarkable about him. Has a local girl in tow, considering a match between two land lord families. The OW in question is of course the typical high society bitchy types.
There is the ex-husband who works on the hero's ranch. I can understand why he wants the heroine back in his life. She is easy game ! She is a dumbo, barely points out his erroneous ways, even lets him kiss her at will. After being cheated of her money during the divorce !!
Anyway, the regular story tropes are all there - The customary ball dance event, a cliched air plane crash which maroons the leads in isolated territory for days.
During the marooning, they remain dull and distant during the day. But DO IT every night !!!! Why, you may ask !?!? Just to pass the time !!!
For some stupid reason, Lena the fool, never reveals to any one that the OM is her ex. So most people on the ranch see her as a floozy, kissing the hero and OM at will !
Finally, there is the stupid confusion caused by the "I thought you were his girl" non-sense. For crying out loud, she's been DOING IT with you for 17 days in the marooned desert, man. How can she suddenly become the OM's girl !#$@#$%@#$
The last pages are all about Ralph promising to be a stern husband, threatening to spank his wife for disobedience. And our girl happily sighing over this post-matrimonial prospect. Yuck ! She just doesn't learn does she, just loves being a door mat all over again !!
Nope, dint work for me.
August 10, 2021
Hero made his moves on Heroine inspite of knowing that she is there to get know another man and marry him. I could almost understand why the Heroine wanted to give a shot to her ex-husband but I can't understand the relationship with her Mother in law who is cold and self serving 🤦♀️.
May 6, 2025
THIS BOOK PROMOTES MARITAL VIOLENCE AS BEING NORMAL
Apart from being written in a very dated style, the book normalises physical violence by a husband to a wife. Totally unacceptable, and the author should be ashamed of herself.
Apart from being written in a very dated style, the book normalises physical violence by a husband to a wife. Totally unacceptable, and the author should be ashamed of herself.
January 31, 2024
The main characters lack charm which is the worst part, but also, although I love vintage outback romances, this is the most dreary place on Earth. The heroine (not a very good one) is bitter from her divorce but at the same time hopeful and the hero is one of the least favourite I have ever encountered. The supposed romantic interlude when they are alone together for days was more like a cheap OW encounter. The hero is not fully developed, but what there is of him, I could never fall in love with.
How did Anne Hampson get this so wrong? Some of her other stories (not all!) are much more upbeat, or romantic or escapist - this drivel I just needed to escape from.
How did Anne Hampson get this so wrong? Some of her other stories (not all!) are much more upbeat, or romantic or escapist - this drivel I just needed to escape from.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews