Heart of the Sky (Aussie Outback Medical #7) in Aussie Readers

Jan 16, 2017 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, reviewing-by-request, rural, own-read, 2017-release

Tess Daley knew she needed to get away from Coffs Harbour, the town on NSW’s east coast where she had known such happiness. Now as the twelve month anniversary of her husband Victor’s death approached, she couldn’t bear the thought of being in the place they had both loved so much. So when she saw the opportunity of the position of Breast Care Nurse with the Flying Doctor Service in the remote NSW outback town of Mica Ridge, she jumped at the chance.

Soretta Byrnes owned the beautiful homestead B Tess Daley knew she needed to get away from Coffs Harbour, the town on NSW’s east coast where she had known such happiness. Now as the twelve month anniversary of her husband Victor’s death approached, she couldn’t bear the thought of being in the place they had both loved so much. So when she saw the opportunity of the position of Breast Care Nurse with the Flying Doctor Service in the remote NSW outback town of Mica Ridge, she jumped at the chance.

Soretta Byrnes owned the beautiful homestead Blue Hills which was situated just outside Mica Ridge. When Tess was offered a room at the place Soretta had turned into a boarding house, only one look was needed to make Tess realise Blue Hills could be home. The women who already lived there, from elderly Lorna down to teenage Mia, made it a friendly and welcoming place; the vast openness; the peace and tranquillity – all a balm to the soul. Then the new pilot for the FDS arrived; Charlie Fennes joined the women at Blue Hills making him and Lachlan, Soretta’s grandfather, the only men on the property.

As Tess settled in to her position on the base, she met the outback women who had adversity thrown at them. She felt passionate about her role and was keen to make a difference to these women’s lives – also the lives of their families. Tess’ connection wasn’t immediate but gradually these outback women let her in. But there was tension at Blue Hills – someone had secrets they weren’t sharing. What was happening? What would happen?

Heart of the Sky by Aussie author Fiona McArthur is another intriguing rural novel set around the Royal Flying Doctor Service in remote outback NSW, a few hours from Broken Hill. Meeting up with the characters from The Homestead Girls again was great – the introduction of a couple of new characters enhanced the story. I thoroughly enjoy this author’s writing and will be watching for her next book. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Penguin Random House for my copy to read and review.
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Jan 23, 2023 Helen rated it it was amazing

Picking up one of Fiona McArthur’s stories is like being with family they are like a warm hug filled with emotion and every feeling that comes with living life, this time we get to catch up with some friends from The Homestead Girls and meet newcomer Tess Daley as she takes on the position of breast care nurse at the Flying Doctor Service in Mica Ridge.

Tess has just had her life turned upside down with the loss of her husband and living in the coastal town of Coffs Harbour is not what is used t Picking up one of Fiona McArthur’s stories is like being with family they are like a warm hug filled with emotion and every feeling that comes with living life, this time we get to catch up with some friends from The Homestead Girls and meet newcomer Tess Daley as she takes on the position of breast care nurse at the Flying Doctor Service in Mica Ridge.

Tess has just had her life turned upside down with the loss of her husband and living in the coastal town of Coffs Harbour is not what is used to be and Tess needs a change, a fresh start and the opportunity to help woman in the outback with her role with the FDS. Here she meets patients and makes new friends when she moves into Blue Hills.

Soretta Byrnes lives on Blue Hills with her grandfather the property is special to them both and they have been through some tough times in the past and honesty is a big thing with Soretta. With her borders, Lorna, Daphne, Billie and Mia living there to help financially, life has been good. Daphne has moved out and Tess has moved in now and then Charlie Fennes arrives, to take on a three month stint as a pilot with the FDS, but can Soretta trust him, he may be a good looking pilot, but she feels he is not telling the truth from the start.

It is not long before Tess is feeling a big part of this family living on Blue Hills and loving her new job, she sees how much it is helping the patients and her confidence grows as she sees a future here in Mica Ridge, there is a lot going on and soon they know why Charlie is there, will it cause trouble as secrets are uncovered or build new friendships and dare I say love.

A beautifully told story with wonderful characters, some that I loved catching up with and some new friends to add, there are some very emotional moments in this book, I loved the setting the FDS is such a great organisation and breast care nurses are the best, I would highly recommend this story, I loved it. I know it has been on my TBR pile for a long time and I am so glad I read it.
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