‘Brad.’ The uncertainty in his voice overwhelmed her. She’d never seen him so uncertain.
‘It’s okay. Surely they aren’t too bad. A scar is a scar. I have a few from cuts here and there.’
‘They’re more than a few cuts.’
His chest rose, and he tugged up his shirt. Samantha stilled. Tears filled her eyes. His chest had a wide thick scar running down to his navel. Further on the right...she peered closer. ‘My God, what did they do to you?’
‘I told you it wasn’t pretty.’
He turned around and pulled his T-shirt higher. He’d been through a traumatic incident, and she reached out to touch a mass of raised scarring. It was a mess, but a beautiful mess. She didn’t love him any less.
He swung back and their gaze locked. She only wished she could have helped him through those trying days.
‘They don’t worry me. They’re a part of you, a part of the man I love.’
‘I had a punctured lung, a deep gash here.’ He indicated the spot. ‘And another one here. I could go on, but this is the end result after several operations and skin grafts. So what’s your answer?’
‘It’s yes, it’s always been yes.’
‘Positive?’
‘I couldn’t be more positive. I’m not that shallow to worry about a few scars.’
‘I needed to know.’
‘It’s in sickness and health, isn’t it?’
‘Yeah, something like that.’
Now she understood the reason for the singlet. ‘This means when we go to the drop there won’t be any excuse to wear a singlet now, will there?’
‘I thought you’d get suspicious.’
‘I sure was...now I understand. It’s okay. Brad I love you for you, not for your body...well.’ She grinned. ‘That does help a little.’ She lifted a hand ran it down over his arm. ‘As for your pain, I can kiss it away each night, and give you a back rub to help you through it.’
‘Is that a promise?’
‘It’s a promise. I always keep my promises.’
‘We’ll see about that.’
‘Who are you to talk?’
‘Sometimes promises are broken and fibs are told through no fault of the individual.’
She laughed. ‘Well if I break my promise, we’ll be even.’
‘Sam.’
‘Only joking.’
‘Come here. As I said, you’re a remarkable woman and I’m a bloody lucky man.’
She moved into his embrace, entwined her hands around his neck, and returned his kiss as her body filled with warmth and love.
It was the love her mother spoke of, that true love is worth clinging onto as it doesn’t come around often, and when you find that special one you will know. Samantha had found her true love, the one that set her heart on fire, that special person where no other could take their place.
Her father married her mother knowing she carried someone else’s child. To love like that was rare and something to be treasured and Samantha knew her love for Brad ran as deep as her father’s love for her mother.
She looked forward to her life at Raven Falls, looked forward to that part of her life where everything was peaceful, well until she and Brad had children, and her brothers married and had a horde of kids.
Samantha smiled, knowing her mother knew exactly what she was doing, raising them out here in the sticks where the wind blows a different tune, where the night sky is much larger, and the open space is nothing like you would have ever imagined.
It was, after all, Raven Falls.
More books by Suzanne Amazon
The Farm Sitter Australian Rural Romantic Suspense
Blurb:
Someone is stalking her and the stakes are getting deadly.
When Kate loses the last member of her family, she retreats to Farview, a cattle property on the northern tablelands of NSW Australia, to overcome her loss, to be closer to her memories and to take over where her grandmother left off.
But she doesn't expect a Jackaroo to saunter into her home late one night, where she holds him at gunpoint. He introduces himself as Ryan Cross, The Farm Sitter, who remains employed by her late grandmother. According to her will, Kate cannot force him to leave, and it is important for her to honour her grandmother's wishes.
Kate is attracted to the sexy stranger, but suspicion cocoons her. It appears not everyone is willing to admit the truth. Can she trust her confused feelings for Ryan or is he part of the danger?
Review Amazon
The Farm Sitter is yet another example of Suzanne Brandyn 's ability to build an enticing story line. Suzanne has a great ability to provide for the romantics and those who love a great suspense story. I finish one of her books hungry for the news of the release of her next.
Outback Fever Australian Rural Romantic Suspense
Blurb:
A mystery remains hidden for generations.
When Cassandra Kinkaid returns home for her grandfather's funeral with her two-year-old son, she inherits a sheep property, Willow Creek Station. An ongoing feud has existed between the Kinkaid’s and the Thornton’s for generations, unknown to Cassandra until a few weeks ago. Now, someone isn't happy and wants her out.
Cassandra's mother Beth holds a welcoming home party for Jake Thornton, hoping to end the feud for good. When Cassie sets eyes on the one man who broke her heart, the fire she carries inside burns. It's impossible to rein in her feelings for this irresistible Jackaroo, although he appears to be hiding a lot more than her darkest secret.
How can Cassandra forgive Jake for breaking her heart, and how can she give up on her Grandfather's wishes? He'd turn over in his grave if he ever knew she was and still is in love with a Thornton. Besides, her grandfather left the property to her for a good reason and she isn't about to give in for love, or is she?
Review Amazon:
One of the best outback romance books I have ever read. The feuding and suspense make it a "can't put down" book. Most books you can get a fair idea before the end of how they will end, but not this one! I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it.
Outback Flames. Australian Rural Romantic Suspense
Blurb:
A sexy jackaroo and a sultry jillaroo. Will fate take over from where they left off?
Zoe Montgomery's life changed overnight, the night her family and their property, Montagreen, went up in flames. The incident and her previous memories are wiped from her mind. Whisked away moments later by an unknown aunt, Zoe learns to grow up fast and learns the value of hard work.
Fifteen years later, after overhearing her aunt's whispers about Montagreen, and a girl called Zoe Montgomery, the name on her bracelet, Zoe's suspicions increase. She flees the only life she has ever known, and escapes her aunt's bitter lies and abuse, to return home to find answers and rebuild.
However, returning opens not only the devastation she'd left behind, it reveals the torment her childhood sweetheart suffered which almost destroyed his life.
As Jordan works on the restoration of Montagreen, can they battle their way through a mountain of obstacles and take over where they left off, or is it too late?
Amazon Au: Amazon Us:
Review:
Romantic suspense with tension and grit!
What an excellent romantic suspense novel from Aussie author Suzanne Brandyn. The pace was fast, with a delicious mixture of mystery and tension to keep me turning the pages to find out more! The descriptions of the Australian countryside are such that I could see the dry grass, the devastation from the drought, the starkness of the land, the heat of the summer; the last few chapters had me spellbound. In my opinion this is the author’s best work, and I’ll be looking forward to more from her. Highly recommended.
Outback Heat. Australian Rural Romance
Blurb:
The soaring temperature in the Outback is not the only heat Sarah Munro faces when she returns home for her father’s funeral. She wants to sell the family’s cattle station and return to Sydney a
nd to her fiancé as quickly as possible.
Sarah doesn’t want anyone to find out what she’d done in the past. She wants to close this chapter of her life for good and then there will never be a reason to return to this dusty one horse town.
Ethan Wade, her first love claims that he owns half of Munro Station but Sarah wants him out. As they try to settle their differences, a raging attraction ignites.
Will Sarah and Ethan find each other again as Sarah's past creeps back from her storehouse of regrets?
Amazon Au Amazon US
Review: I love this story. It’s just so wonderful! I love Ethan and Sarah. My heart went out to these two and the struggles they go through. It kind of reminds me of “Sweet Home Alabama” as far as once you find your soul mate that’s it. No matter what you go through or where you go, you somehow find your way to the right one.
Very well written, and a very easy read. Could not put it down.
Outback Fear Suspense with a touch of romance
Amazon US:
Amazon Au:
Blurb:
Savannah Harris is determined to raise her three-month-old daughter in the best possible environment, and flees home to Grace Creek, an inheritance from her recently deceased mother.
But even this peaceful property cannot cocoon her from her abusive husband or a stranger who intends to rip her life apart.
In an atmosphere thick with fear, Savannah realises she cannot keep running, she must fight back or risk losing not only her life, but the only family she has left, her precious daughter.
Review: A Suspense Filled Romance!
What a suspense filled book! The author had me hooked from the first page. There were lots of very intense moments that had me cringing! I loved all the twists that the author put into this story.
Savannah inherits property in the Outback from her mother. She feels as if this is the perfect opportunity for her to get herself and baby safely away from her abusive husband. In her new home, she finds herself still afraid and always alert for danger.
This book has made me want to read more from this author as it was a very well written book. The main character, Savannah, was well developed and likable. Although it was mostly a suspense novel, it also had some romance, which made it even more enjoyable.
Cold Fear: Suspense with a touch of romance.
Amazon US.
Amazon Au
Blurb:
Macy Donavan battles a terrifying nightmare to protect her two-year-old daughter, Faith from an intruder, and is knocked unconscious. When she regains consciousness, her daughter is missing.
As the police widen their futile search, Macy struggles to pick up the pieces of an unimaginable life. Urged to take a break she heads to an isolated cabin with a girlfriend to recuperate so she can continue searching, only to face her worst nightmare- times ten.
Trapped by a man she believed dead, he demands she play a game.
She runs, he hunts. There is no place to hide.
Review:
Wonderful mystery
A wonderfully exciting book. It taps into the fear every parent has and keeps up a thrilling pace all through the book. Awesome job!
More reviews on Amazon.
Find out more about Suzanne's books at Suzanne's Author Page on Amazon
Raven Falls: Australian Rural Romantic Suspense Page 27