Desert Flame in Aussie Readers

Nov 11, 2015 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: rural, net-galley, aussie-authors, read-on-kindle, romantic-suspense, arc, own-read, 2016-release

In shock from her father’s recent death, Eliza Mayberry couldn’t believe what the lawyer was telling her. The family business was bankrupt, the home which had been in the family for generations was gone – she was alone with no income; no home; virtually nothing to call her own. The one remaining case on the business’ books looked to be Eliza’s only option to move forward with her life. The fact that she would have to leave Sydney and head out near Lightening Ridge, deep in outback New South Wale In shock from her father’s recent death, Eliza Mayberry couldn’t believe what the lawyer was telling her. The family business was bankrupt, the home which had been in the family for generations was gone – she was alone with no income; no home; virtually nothing to call her own. The one remaining case on the business’ books looked to be Eliza’s only option to move forward with her life. The fact that she would have to leave Sydney and head out near Lightening Ridge, deep in outback New South Wales was a little daunting; but she was determined. Her first destination was Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales coast…

Fin McLeod had been working the old opal mine “Ruin Flat” which was located near the little town of Helton, during the winter months as it was impossible to remain at the site during the height of the Australian summer; the urge to continue working while there were daylight hours weighed heavily on him. The mine had been originally owned by his father Logan – his mother Mairi was in a nursing home in Coffs Harbour and Fin didn’t get to see her as often as he would like; but like his father before him, he was determined to discover the black opal, the Dark Flame. Fin was sure it was there, tantalisingly out of reach, but he was sure it would be his one day. When he was surprised by the arrival of an attractive young woman at the mine one morning, both he and Eliza had no idea their lives would change and danger would surround them in the near future.

Fin and Eliza’s attraction was immediate – but these two people were polar opposites. Dark secrets surrounded them both amid the harsh beauty of the Australian outback; would Eliza be able to convince Fin to return to Sydney? Could she trust him? Could they trust each other?

I thoroughly enjoyed Desert Flame by Aussie author Janine Grey. Intrigue, mystery, romance – it had everything needed for a great romantic suspense novel. The country town characters from Helton were classic! Some great laugh out loud moments with Mick and the feisty local women; Pauly and his mannerisms; even crusty old Edward from Sydney was well crafted. Plus the descriptions of the outback were such that it was easy to imagine the landscape, and feel the searing heat. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
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Jan 04, 2016 PattyMacDotComma rated it really liked it

Shelves: australian-author, arc-netgalley-done, kindle, romance, x-explicit-sex-or-grisly

3.5★
This was a well-written, entertaining rural romance / mystery set in the interesting opal fields of the NSW outback area near Lightning Ridge. The Back of Beyond. Beyond the Black Stump. And there is some hot sex in the hot outback, too.

Eliza Mayberry and Fingal McLeod are destined to get together, of course, but their story is well told, and there are plenty of obstacles, real and imagined, that kept me reading. Both have lost a parent or parents, and both have unresolved issues that plagu ...more

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Dec 22, 2015 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it liked it

Shelves: provided-by-publisher, aussie-author, arc-are

Desert Flame is a contemporary novel of romantic suspense set in rural Australia from author Janine Grey.

Eliza Mayberry is stunned when she learns her late father's company is near bankrupt. With little left of her former life of privilege except the company name, 'KinSearchers' Eliza agrees to assist the firms single remaining client who wants Eliza to meet his long lost great nephew. Eliza's search leads her to an opal claim near Lightning Ridge in outback New South Wales where she meets the d
Desert Flame is a contemporary novel of romantic suspense set in rural Australia from author Janine Grey.

Eliza Mayberry is stunned when she learns her late father's company is near bankrupt. With little left of her former life of privilege except the company name, 'KinSearchers' Eliza agrees to assist the firms single remaining client who wants Eliza to meet his long lost great nephew. Eliza's search leads her to an opal claim near Lightning Ridge in outback New South Wales where she meets the disturbingly attractive Fingal McLeod, who couldn't be less interested in reuniting with the family who abandoned he and his mother.

Fin's focus is on his search for the rare Dark Flame opal to provide security for his ailing mother but Eliza proves to be a distraction he can't ignore. The relationship between Eliza and Fin is initially based on mutual attraction and lust, which soon develops into admiration and respect as they get to know one another. The development is perhaps a little rushed but I did enjoy the romance. There are several intimate encounters in the novel and I thought they were well written, offering something more interesting (especially that outdoor shower spectacle) than the standard soft focus bedroom scenes.

Several threads of mild suspense run through Desert Flame. The first involves the suspicious behaviour of Fin's mother's long term companion, the second a series of mishaps at the mine, and the third involves the fate of Logan McLeod, Fin's deadbeat dad. Grey balances the multiple story arcs well with the burgeoning relationship, creating a novel with an engaging mix of drama, tension and romance.

Humour springs from the quirky townspeople of Helton, such as cheeky Mick and the brassy barmaid. I thought Grey's vivid descriptions of the mine and its surrounds evoked the heat, dust and isolation of the region. The only real flaw perhaps was the pacing which I felt was a little slow at times.

A quick and pleasant read, I enjoyed Desert Flame and I'd recommend it to fans of the genre. ...more

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Dec 26, 2015 Bree T rated it liked it

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