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Outback Queensland Romance book cover 1
Outback Queensland Romance book cover 2
Outback Queensland Romance book cover 3
Outback Queensland Romance
Series · 5 books · 2018-2025

Books in series

Two Heartbeats book cover
#1

Two Heartbeats

2018

Two Heartbeats - Book 1 - Outback Queensland Romance Series When Jess heads west for a fresh start in a small mining town, the dusty, outback plains are a far cry from her former life in the city. Despite having no knowledge of country life, she finds herself loving the isolation and local people who she lives with. All she has to do is keep her head down and work hard to create a better life for herself and Johnno, the only person she has ever truly cared about. As relationships develop and change, Jess discovers the caring warmth of a welcoming family and a circle of friends who look out for her. She begins to feel that maybe for once, her life is heading in the right direction. However, problems arise when her temper and stubborn nature collide with her new boss Daniel, who is suspicious of her background story. Has Jess told him everything, or is there a hidden secret to justify his earlier distrust of her? With a cast of eclectic characters, set amidst the rugged outback of Australia, Two Heartbeats is a story of friendship, resilience and the hope that ultimately loving relationships may triumph over obstacles defined by the past.
Time Will Tell book cover
#2

Time Will Tell

2021

Time Will Tell - The eagerly awaited sequel to Two Heartbeats. When Jess discovered love with Daniel in the tiny outback town of Gowrie, her previous troubled life was cast aside. However, differences in their backgrounds, her doubts about real love and the urge to return and support her twin brother Johnno, forced her to make a decision to leave. A new home in the small community of Tamborine Mountain provides an opportunity to contemplate how she really feels and what is important. Johnno lives nearby and new friends and a romantic encounter give her a fresh start—but is this what she really wants? And if it isn’t, will Daniel welcome her back with open arms? The tranquil setting of Tamborine Mountain joins forces with the outback of Queensland to continue the story of Two Heartbeats. Will the decision be taken out of Jess’s hands, pushing her further away, or will her heart lead her to where she will find true happiness? Time Will Tell – a rural love story, where friendship, romance and hearts entwine.
Turn Left book cover
#3

Turn Left

2023

\\\*A stand-alone story with some links to the other books in the Outback Queensland Romance Series (Two Heartbeats and Time Will Tell) When Amy takes up her first teaching position in an outback Queensland town she feels like her life is going ahead in leaps and bounds. However, her new boss doesn’t make life easy and she begins to question her choice of career. Angus, a third-generation local, also struggles with life in the small town. A mistake made in his youth haunts him and stops him from letting anyone get too close As the two become friends and hostilities within the small town come to a head, Amy and Angus are faced with decisions that could take them in an unknown direction. Should they trust their instincts, turn left, and leave their problems behind, or would staying and facing their adversaries be a better choice? A Queensland outback story about friendship, family, and love with some unexpected twists and turns in the road.
A New Start book cover
#4

A New Start

2024

~ A Story of Love, Trust and Second Chance ~ In the small town of Matfield in outback Queensland, Elsie embarks on a fresh chapter of her life, leaving behind the shadows of a tough upbringing and a challenging neighbourhood. As she steps into her role as a teacher, the complex trails of her past give way to the promise of exciting new beginnings. When she meets Matt, a rugged fencing contractor, a connection forms and a tentative friendship unfolds. Both carry responsibilities towards their families and soon find they share similar interests. Yet, when they venture on a date, the fragile thread holding them together unravels. Matt wonders if he has pushed away someone he cares for, or is there a chance to mend the friendship they once had. Will Elsie ever trust him again or is this the end of a promising connection that fate has intricately woven? In a remote town where emotions can be as volatile as the weather, Elsie and Matt navigate the complexities of trust, love, and the echoes of their pasts. Will they find a way to bridge the gap or have they unwittingly let go of something that could have been extraordinary?
Outback Magic book cover
#5

Outback Magic

2025

A Journey of Heart and Home Penny and her cousin Robert arrive in Australia with dreams of adventure, but when Penny is asked to deliver a mysterious letter to an estranged uncle in the outback, things take an unexpected turn. What was meant to be a brief stopover soon becomes a deeper connection with her uncle and his wife. As she settles into the rhythm of country life, Penny finds herself drawn to Todd, the laid-back, charming local who’s always nearby. Their chemistry is undeniable, though they can’t seem to stop irritating each other. But with Penny’s time in the outback limited, she’s torn between continuing her travels and the unexpected pull of a life—and a man—she never anticipated. In this romantic tale set in the Australian outback, Penny must decide if her future lies on the open road or in Todd’s arms, while Todd must figure out if he’s ready to risk his heart before she leaves for good.

Author

Rhonda Forrest
Rhonda Forrest
Author · 5 books

An Australian voice creating compelling contemporary fiction - from bush to beach, steamy romances, riveting history and eclectic characters. Rhonda Forrest is an Australian teacher and author who writes captivating contemporary and historical fiction about relationships, family life and social issues, set amidst beautiful and uniquely Australian landscapes. After bringing up three daughters and traversing several different careers, Rhonda went on to teach creative writing, English and History to high school students. Her passion for literacy, history and travelling around Australia fuels her novels. Rhonda currently lives with her husband between two Queensland homes: one on Tamborine Mountain, the other a century-old cottage with a rambling garden, overlooking the waters of the Whitsundays. Readers can connect with Rhonda via her website www.rhondaforrest.com, Instagram @rhondaforrestauthor or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/valeenapress.

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