Rachael Johns

Three women, three secrets, one life-changing journey. Alice has always been a trailblazer as a scientist, activist and mother. She knew her choices would involve sacrifices, but now, on the eve of her eightieth birthday, she's beginning to wonder if she's sacrificed too much. Alice's daughter, Sappho, rebelled against her unconventional upbringing, choosing to marry young and embrace life as a homemaker, but her status as a domestic goddess has recently taken a surprising turn. Ged has always been the peacemaker between her grandmother and mother. A tenacious journalist, she knows what she wants in life and love, yet when everything in her world starts falling apart, she begins to question whether she really knows anyone at all. At a crossroads in each of their lives, Alice, Sappho and Ged embark on a celebratory trip together, but instead of bringing them closer, the holiday sparks life-changing consequences and lifts the lid on a fifty-year-old secret. Can Ged rescue her family if their story is built on a betrayal? From bestselling, ABIA award-winning author Rachael Johns comes an engrossing and wise novel about ambition, choices and what it means to be a woman.

Just One Wish

Little secrets grow up to be big lies... They've been best friends since their sons started high school together, and Felicity, Emma and Neve share everything ... or so they thought. But Flick's seemingly perfect marriage hides a shocking secret which, with one word, threatens to destroy her and her family's happiness. Emma is in denial about a potential custody battle, her financial constraints, the exhaustion she can't seem to shake off and the inappropriate feelings she has for her boss. And single mum Neve is harbouring a secret of her own; a secret that might forever damage her close-knit relationship with her son. When the tight hold they have each kept on their secrets for years begins to slip, they must face the truth. Even if that truth has the power to hurt the ones they love, and each other. Perhaps some secrets weren't made to be kept.

The Art of Keeping Secrets

Meet the Deacons of Bourbon Street, bad boy bikers who are hell on wheels and heaven between the sheets. Fans of Madeline Sheehan, Katie Ashley, Joanna Wylde and Kristen Ashley, buckle up - you're in for a wild ride. Prepare for Fire Me Up by Rachael Johns. Travis 'Cash' Sinclair's biker days are behind him. The only thing he still values from that life is his Harley Davidson and the man who gave it to him. But Priest Lombard is dead, and Cash has inherited the Deacons' old clubhouse and its new tenant. All incense and art, she's exactly the kind of woman he avoids - but he can't deny that he wants this bohemian beauty. Billie Taylor fled her dark past to start over in New Orleans. She refuses to let a man distract her from her dreams - especially a biker outlaw who's trying to evict her. Just one look at Cash and you know he's deadly. But Billie might just discover she's got a taste for danger... For more badass bikers, don't miss the rest of the Deacons of Bourbon Street series: Make You Burn by Megan Crane, Hold Me Down by Jackie Ashenden, and Strip You Bare by Maisey Yates.

Fire Me Up: Deacons of Bourbon Street 2 (A wild biker romance)

Imogen Bates moved to the small rural town of Gibson's Find to start a new life for herself after the death of her husband. Tired of being haunted by the painful memories of her old life, Imogen set her last remaining hopes on the little town and poured her heart and savings into restoring The Majestic Hotel to its former glory. But while the female-starved town might be glad to see a young woman move in, not everyone is happy about Imogen's arrival. Farmer Gibson Black once dreamed of having the kind of family his grandfather reminisces about, but he's learnt not to dream anymore. Living in the mostly male town suits Gibson down to the ground... and he won't have anyone — least of all a hot redhead from the city — change a thing. Imogen has never been one to back down from a challenge — especially when it concerns her last chance at happiness. She's determined to rebuild the pub and create a future for the little town. But can she create a future for Gibson and herself, too?

Man Drought

The ABIA award-winning novel from bestselling author Rachael Johns. How can four sisters build the futures they so desperately want, when the past is reaching out to claim them? When the Patterson daughters return home to Meadow Brook to be with their father after their mother's death, they bring with them a world of complication and trouble. The eldest sister, obstetrician Madeleine, would rather be anywhere but her hometown, violinist Abigail has fled from her stellar career, while teacher Lucinda is struggling to have the children she and her husband so desperately want. The black sheep of the family, Charlie, feels her life as a barista and exercise instructor doesn't measure up to that of her gifted and successful sisters. Dealing with their bereft father who is determined to sell the family motel, their loves old and new and a series of troublesome decisions doesn't make life any easier, but when they go through their mother's possessions and uncover the shocking secret of an old family curse, they begin to question everything they thought they knew. A warm and wise novel about secrets revealed, finding your soulmate and the unique bond between sisters.

The Patterson Girls

How well do you really know the people you work with? For work wives Debra and Quinn, it's a case of opposites attract. They are each other's lifelines as they navigate office politics and jobs that pay the bills but don't inspire them. Outside work, they are also friends, but where Quinn is addicted to dating apps and desperate to find love, Deb has sworn off men. Although Deb is not close to her own mother, her teenage daughter is her life and there's nothing she wouldn't do to protect her. But Ramona has other ideas and is beginning to push boundaries. Life becomes even more complicated by the arrival of a new man at the office. One woman is attracted to him, while the other hoped she'd never meet him again. But when Deb, Quinn and Ramona are forced to choose between friends, love and family, the ramifications run deeper than they could ever have expected. The latest novel by bestselling, ABIA award winning author Rachael Johns will make you laugh, cry and wonder what secrets your friends are keeping!

The Work Wives

Summer in New Orleans means hot days, long nights, spooky stories and surprising new beginnings. Felicity Bell has struggled to move on after her marriage broke down. Her ex has found love again, her children have their own lives, and it's beginning to feel like her only comfort comes from her dog and her job as a taxidermist. So when Flick gets an offer to work in New Orleans for a few months, she's drawn to the chance to make a fresh start. Zoe is ready to start a family with her husband, but when he betrays her, she's left shattered and desperate for a change of scenery. Joining her mother on the other side of the world to drown her sorrows seems the perfect solution. Although both mother and daughter are wary of risking their hearts to love again, Theo, a jazz bar owner, and Jack, a local ghost hunter, offer fun, friendship and distraction. But all is not as it seems in New Orleans... A chance meeting with Aurelia, a reclusive artist who surprises them with lessons from her life, prompts Flick and Zoe to reassess what they want too. Can all three women learn from the past in order to embrace their future? An uplifting novel about three women joyously learning to move on after heartbreak by the bestselling author of The Patterson Girls and Flying The Nest.

How to Mend a Broken Heart

The poignant, heart-warming story of a woman who wants nothing else than to be a mum, and one who never wanted to be a mother. Mother: Female parent of a child Mum: The woman who nurtures, raises and loves a child Radio host Harper Drummond lives for her glamorous career. Every day she meets fascinating people doing extraordinary things, but has begun to wonder whether there's something more for her out there. She's financially secure, happily married and loves her job -- what more could she want from life? An interview with a childless couple prompts Harper to think about whether she could make a contribution. She and her husband, Samuel, know they don't want a child in their lives, but could she help someone else become a mother? The childhood cancer that left Claire Beggs infertile doesn't matter to her husband, Jasper. He loves her unreservedly, and they are passionate about their thriving hot air balloon business in the Hunter Valley. Despite their contentment, Claire is desperate to have a child -- she knows Jasper would be a brilliant father and doesn't want him to regret choosing her over a family in the years to come. An egg donor seems to be Claire and Jasper's only chance of a happy family. Can they find someone who will give them the greatest gift?

The Greatest Gift

A fresh and poignant novel of family, journeys, past decisions ... and dresses ... from the ABIA award-winning, bestselling author Rachael Johns. Four women, one dress, and the secret that binds them all... On a special night that is supposed to be a celebration of new beginnings, Paige MacRitchie's joy quickly falls away when her mother collapses during the speeches at her book launch. In the aftermath, and terrified of losing her, Paige decides she wants to make the ultimate tribute to her parents' perfect marriage: she will wear her mother's wedding dress for her own big day. There's just one problem – her mum, Rebecca, no longer has the dress. As Paige tries to track down the elusive gown, she discovers that Rebecca has a long–hidden secret that, if revealed, could blow her whole family apart. Her new friend Josie is at a crossroads too. She met her husband Nik when she was singing in an eighties–themed bar, but now she's lonely, yearning for a family and wondering if Nik understands her at all. And then there's nurse Clara. When she married Rob Jones, an up–and–coming rock star, she thought she was in it forever. But now Clara needs to make a new life for herself and Rob can't seem to understand that it's over. When the fates of these four women intertwine in an unexpected and powerful way, none of their lives will ever be the same again. MORE PRAISE 'The themes of infertility and pregnancy loss are movingly interwoven into a multifaceted story ... [Rachael Johns] writes wisely and naively, hopefully and cynically, and there's a character for everyone to identify with in Lost Without You. A gorgeously moving read.' - Mamamia 'Heart-warming and compassionate ... Any book lover interested in life's emotional complexities and in the events that define and alter us, will be engrossed in Lost Without You.' - Better Reading 'Rachael Johns writes with warmth and heart, her easy, fluent style revealing an emotional intelligence and firm embrace of the things in life that matter, like female friendship.' - The Age

Lost Without You

Bestselling author Rachael Johns takes you back to Hope Junction and the characters from Jilted. Nurse Lauren Simpson is known in Hope Junction for the wrong reasons - and she's over it. Watching the man she's always loved marry someone else is the last straw - she decides to get out of Hope. But her resolve is tested when the hot new locum doctor arrives in town. Doctor Tom Lewis also has skeletons in his closet - including a painful breakup and devastating family news. He's hit the road with his vintage ute and surfboard, to travel the outback and live in the moment. When Tom and Lauren meet the attraction is instant, but for Lauren Tom threatens to be just another fling and Tom has his own reasons for hesitating. Everyone else - their friends and patients - can see how perfect they are together, but just what will it take for them to admit this to themselves? A brand new Hope Junction story of fresh starts and second chances.

The Road to Hope

Returning home to Hope Junction to care for her ailing godmother, Australian soap opera star Ellie Hughes becomes the subject of gossip and speculation, especially when it comes to Flynn Quartermaine, the man whose heart she broke years ago. Original.

Jilted

"A feisty book-loving heroine, two hot heroes, and side plots about characters you care about . . . this lovely romance will keep you turning pages." —Paige Toon, bestselling author of Seven Summers Librarian Bridget Jones, named after the famous fictional heroine, was raised on a remote farm with only her mother's romance novels for company. Now, living alone in the city, Bridget is a hopeless bookaholic and believes that anyone who doesn't like reading just hasn't met the right book yet. If only fixing her love life was that simple. After handsome Italian barista Fabio catches her eye, Bridget prays she won't ruin things. But when her cranky neighbor Sully insists on making life tricky, she is faced with a new obstacle. Why is he going to so much trouble to drive her 'round the bend? With the help of a colorful cast of friends, Bridget decides to put both men to the test. But will mixing romance and fiction lead to her happily ever after? "Entertaining and charming, Rachael Johns is arguably the best romantic writer in Australia." — The Australian "Pure sunshine for the soul. I just loved it!" —Tess Woods, author of The Venice Hotel

The Other Bridget

Single Dad's Family Recipe

It's the opposite of love at first sight...or is it? Dairy farmer Tabitha Cooper-Jones has a heart of gold, yet she's the eternal bridesmaid. Everyone's best mate. Despite facing some serious challenges over the years, she's built a successful ice-cream business and cafe, she's adored by her family and is an integral part of her hometown - there's just one thing missing from her life. But the last thing Tab wants is a man - or worse, love - to stop her achieving her dream. In town for a temporary teaching contract, Fergus McWilliams thinks the small community of Walsh will be the perfect place to stay under the radar but he couldn't be more wrong. Suddenly, the kids' cricket team coached by Ferg is inundated with female supporters - single female supporters - and that's only the beginning. The only woman who doesn't seem to have her sights set on Ferg is Tabitha. Despite a disastrous first meeting and a visit from a past love, circumstances keep throwing them together. Neither can deny the sparks between them, but can friendship even be possible for these two strong-willed people? A moving story of overcoming obstacles and learning to love, from ABIA award-winning author Rachael Johns.

Something to Talk About

How to break up with someone else's fiancé by Chelsea Porter, aka The Breakup Girl Tell him it's not him, it's her. Try to ignore how gorgeous Callum McKinnel is. You are breaking up with him, after all. Fall just a little bit when he rescues your dog. Try to resist when he asks you to join his family for Thanksgiving dinner in Jewell Rock. Succumb anyway. Succumb to a lot more than that. Remind yourself that you are The Breakup Girl. You don't do commitment. Wonder what would happen if The Breakup Girl stopped following her own advice…

A Dog and a Diamond

Keeping secrets comes naturally to him ... but will it ruin his chance at love? Liam Castle knows the secrets of everyone in Bunyip Bay. As the owner of the pub, he's heard it all - from marriage proposals and farming disasters to family rifts and everything in between. The locals love to confide in him, but no one knows he's hiding a tragic past. And he wants to keep it that way. Agricultural pilot Henrietta Forward lives for her job, choosing work over romance. But when an incident in the air brings Henri home to Bunyip Bay earlier than planned, she finds herself questioning everything she believes about herself. But Henri's secret isn't her only problem. Her mother will stop at nothing to have her settled down back in the Bay, and while Henri had always known domesticity wasn't the life for her, now she wonders what her future holds. So when Liam - always the first to lend a hand to those in need - agrees to play along with Henri's scheme to ward off her mother, she has mixed feelings. What happens when a pretend romance starts to feel like the real thing? Will Henri's demons and Liam's traumatic past prove too great a barrier to love?

Outback Secrets

It seems that wedding fever has hit the little town of Marietta... And that suits single mom, Magdalena Davis, just fine. It means the local gossips will stop hounding her about returning to town and the secret she’s kept for fifteen years. Home to make peace with her sick mother, the last thing Mags wants is to get involved in Marietta’s big celebrity wedding. But when her teenage daughter cajoles her into auditioning to sing with a local heartthrob, all her plans for flying under the radar zoom out of the window. Country music singer, Jake Kohl, has lost his muse. He’s jaded from years of life in the fast lane and wants to settle in Marietta and lead a normal life. He reluctantly agrees to sing at the celebrity wedding, but what he doesn't expect is his co-singer to reignite his passion. But it’s not just the music she awakes in him. Magdalena makes Jake feel and want things he hasn’t for far too long, but there’s more to her than meets the eye. Can Jake solve the mystery that is Magdalena and win her heart?

Kiss the Bride

From International Bestselling Author of The Kissing Season and Jilted comes a new novella. Sometimes going home is the hardest thing you can do...and sometimes the hardest thing turns out to be the best. When Zoe Bennett's boyfriend cheats on her, leaving her homeless, jobless and practically broke, she returns to the only place she's ever felt safe and at home – Wildwood Point. She hopes to heal her heart and find a job to get herself back on her feet – but she has forgotten how small Wildwood Point is. Until a couple of months ago Shaun Elliot's life was sweet – a job he loved and big plans for the future. Until, that is, his long-time girlfriend turned down his romantic New Year's Eve marriage proposal in front of all their family and friends. Angry, hurt and feeling like he is the laughing stock of small town Wildwood Point, Shaun has sworn off relationships while he works out what to do with himself and his life. The last thing he needs is to find his high school sweetheart stranded on the side of the road. She broke his heart when she left him seven years ago, but he's never been the type to ignore someone who needs help...

The Next Season (Novella)

From the author of Man Drought and Jilted comes a funny and romantic Christmas story set in rural Australia. Every family has a black sheep...and Hannah Elliot is it. It's no surprise to anyone when Hannah Elliot makes the spontaneous decision to marry a stranger in Las Vegas. But when she finds herself pregnant and her new husband files for an annulment, she dreads having to tell her family. Returning to her Australian hometown of Wildwood Point, Hannah is determined to become a devoted mum and put her baby's needs ahead of her own. She's also set to prove to her family she can actually be responsible. This means putting her wild past behind her and accepting a job back in the family business...while keeping her pregnancy a secret! Except, when gorgeous Italian Matteo Della–Bosca walks through the shop door, Hannah finds her resolve slipping fast...

Rachael Johns

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