Monday, January 11, 2021

2020 Recap: Helen's Top 10 reads

Woman reading on couch

Welcome to another instalment of our Top Reads for 2020. Here's Helen with her top 10... okay, top 12. Helen had a hard time choosing her top 10 books so she settled on 12. One for each month. I think we can get behind that, right? 😊

Without further ado, let's take a look at Helen's list.

Wildflower Ridge by Maya Linnell

Wildflower Ridge by Maya Linnell
This was a debut story from June 2019 for Maya Linnell that I read this year. It's a rural romance and I loved it from start to finish, filled with emotion and families and such a beautiful ending and the start of a series.


Deadly Falls by Phillipa Nefri Clark

Deadly Falls by Phillipa Nefri Clark
This is the start of a new series, an off-shoot from another of Ms Clark’s series and it’s mystery series set in a small town. There is a lovely romance running through this one and Charlotte Dean is very good at solving mysteries but seems to always put herself in danger that doesn’t make her boyfriend very happy. A fabulous story that had me turning the pages.


The Paris Secret by Natasha Lester

The Paris Secret by Natasha Lester
This is a dual timeline story set in the days of World War 2 in Paris and 2012 Sydney. It takes in secrets that help with the war effort females flying planes and high fashions when some gorgeous. Dior dresses are found and more secrets are uncovered, this one is a must read.


The Highlander's English Bride by Anna Campbell

The Highlander’s English Bride by Anna Campbell
I am a huge Anna Campbell fan and this one was so very good. A marriage is made because of scandal one that got off on a very wrong footing, but when they finally got over their fiery outbursts the sparks and passion flew from the pages.


Marry in Scarlet by Anne Gracie

Marry in Scarlet by Anne Gracie
The fourth in a series Anne Gracie knows how to engage a reader and take them back to the Regency period. I absolutely loved George’s story. She was determined to do things the way she wanted to and The Duke of Everingham didn’t stand a chance. Lots of happy smiles in this story.


The Stockman's Secret by Mandy Magro

The Stockman’s Secret by Mandy Magro
If you are looking for a gentleman cowboy then this is a story you should pick up. It’s beautifully written, filled with emotion and a beautiful setting. It is a fabulous second chance romance and one that is sure to keep you turning the pages.


The Farm At Peppertree Crossing by Leonie Kelsall

The Farm at Peppertree Crossing by Leonie Kelsall
A debut rural romance and a new to me author and it was a big hit. It’s filled with emotion and heartbreak as Roni needs to uncover some secrets as to who she is and what she wants. Yes, this is definitely one I highly recommend.


Last Known Contact by Phillipa Nefri Clark

Last Known Contact by Phillipa Nefri Clark
This is a mystery thriller with the most beautiful HEA. It is fast paced and a page turner for me with lots of twists and turns that I never saw coming.


Revelations Of His Runaway Bride by Kali Anthony

Revelations of His Runaway Bride by Kali Anthony

Wow! What a fabulous debut! This book ticks all of the boxes for a Harlequin Modern/Presents story. It’s beautifully written, filled with emotions and right amount of tension as two people Thea Lambros and Christo Callas join together in a marriage that neither of them wanted. I hope you come along for their journey to a HEA that is sure to leave you smiling.


Serenity's Song by Cathryn Hein
 

Serenity’s Song by Cathryn Hein
I love Cathryn Hein’s story telling she has such a special voice that brings out fun and emotion throughout her stories and this one is a beauty of a story. It is one that I have been looking forward to for a while. Serenity had to have her own story. She is beautiful inside and out and now she has found the best hero or has she?


Xmas Dust by Mel A Rowe
 

Xmas Dust by Mel A Rowe
I do love a good Chrissy story and even better when the heroine, the wonderful bush pilot Monet is a grouch at Christmas time and then you have Tim the farmer who this year is not celebrating anything, and a cyclone hits in The Northern Territory. It adds for lots of emotion, this is the fourth book in this series and a must read.


The Lost Letters Of Playfair Street by Michelle Montebello
 

The Lost Letters of Playfair Street by Michelle Montebello
This is such an awesome story from start to finish over two timelines. 1929: the roaring twenties set in The Rocks Sydney as they are building The Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is a time of decadence and change and then 2020 and some letters are uncovered and there is a mystery to solve. Follow the clues and you are sure to find the answers a must read.

**
This is one thing that is very hard for me to do, I love reading and pretty much always enjoy the books I read, so choosing ten books is probably not going to happen, I have twelve on this list and truly I could add so many more.

I have had a bad year this year health-wise and there was a short time there where reading was very difficult for me, but it wasn’t long before I was reading again. I have to thank all of the authors who wrote books that helped me through a bad time. I really wish I could name all of the 158 books I have read so far this year. I have travelled the world and made many book friends.

A link to the books I have read I’ve kept track of on Goodreads

Have fun, Helen.

So those are Helen's favorite reads of 2012. What were yours?


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13 comments:

  1. They always look so good all together and truly this is one of the hardest things for me to do, there really are so many more books I could have added to this list.

    Check out my reading list on Goodreads and see all of the fabulous books I have read and I would recommend so many of them :)

    Have Fun

    Helen

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    1. You did a great job despite how hard it was. It's a great list.

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  2. Thanks so much for including my Marry In Scarlet in your list, Helen. I always have terrible trouble picking out favorites and I'm sure you did too. You are a wonderfully generous reader and reviewer — thank you for all your support of Aussie writers. And thanks to Deanna for all you do as well.

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    1. Your books are always a favorite, Anne. Gideon is still one of my favorite book boyfriends.

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    2. Anne

      I do love reading so much and get a lot of pleasure out of it and if I could have named pretty much all of the books I read it might have been easier LOL

      Picking favourites is always hard

      have Fun

      Helen

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    3. I always feel a bit meaning asking you to pick knowing how hard it is for you, but well, can't have a top 200, can I? You'd probably include every book you've read for the year. LOL.

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  3. Helen, thank you so much for including my Highlander's English Bride in this great list. So much great reading there! I bet you had trouble getting it down to 12. Thanks, Deanna, too!

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    Replies
    1. Pretty sure your books make the list every year since they are always so fab. :-)

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  4. Wow! What a list. Thank you so much for including Serenity's Song. I'm so chuffed!!

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    Replies
    1. Helen always has a fantastic list with her top reads.

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    2. I loved Serenity :)

      Have Fun

      Helen

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  5. Helen, to see XMAS DUST included among such an amazing list of stories made for an amazing start to my year. I look forward to reading what you share with us in 2021. Happy reading and thank you for being such a supportive reader and reviewer of Aussie Authors. Deanna, thank you so much for sharing too.

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