Bøker av Rhonda Forrest

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?

THE LURE OF THE JEWEL SEA - Romance in the Whitsundays (Book 3) You won't want to leave! When her friend Frankie asks her to officiate at her wedding in the Whitsundays, Kathleen agrees to fly in and fly out. A quick visit and then back to the comfort of the Gold Coast. Maybe then she'll be able to work out what direction her life is headed. The heat of summer and the plagues of insects reinforce her idea of life in the north and she's excited about returning home. She just needs to get the wedding out of the way. However, fate intervenes, a business opportunity arises and decisions need to be made.Amidst the heat of the tropics, there is also a romance brewing and the business venture is not the only challenging question she needs to ask herself. Will she take a chance, or do what she's always done and take the comfortable path in life?

A small-town romance novella. (Originally published in Love in a Sunburnt Land anthology). Frankie knew one thing. She'd return to the city when the job was done. When Frankie grasps an opportunity to advance her career, it means driving from the Gold Coast to North Queensland to sign off on a new development. Close to her destination, an accidental meeting with local farmer Simon has her arriving in a manner completely unlike anything she is used to. Tense and frustrated, her brief stay is extended, when all she wants is to do her job and head back to the city. Will the serenity of the tiny beachside community full of local characters change her perspective on what is important in life and remind her of her ethics, or will it send her running in the opposite direction?

Having a baby is not on Frankie's list of things to do. A new job and a romantic existence with Simon on his farm in the Whitsundays is enough happiness to last her a lifetime.However, even the best-laid plans can go askew and when fate is taken out of her hands, her relaxed, peaceful days disappear. Some additions are easier than others though and as the heat of summer settles in there is more than just the volatile weather to deal with.Summer by the Jewel Sea is a story of creating a family, making friends, and a continuing romance, set amidst the tropical north of Queensland.

***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 closeAs 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.

In early 1940, Bud joins the United States Navy, his aim, to become a US Submariner. Less than two years later, Japanese forces bomb Pearl Harbour. Those living on the islands of New Guinea lie directly in the path of the oncoming enemy. In Rabaul, Joanie prepares to depart, leaving behind her fiancée, those who she loves and many who she has become friends with. As the volcano Tavurvur gathers its forces and bursts forth from its crater, the ill-equipped, small Australian defence known as Lark Force is left to secure the small town. Overwhelmed by the large enemy forces, the order is given, 'every man for themselves.' Although some will survive, 1053 men lose their lives when a US Submarine sinks the POW Japanese ship, Montevideo Maru. The seeds of destiny are sown and the lives of the American submariner, Bud, and those in Rabaul, intrinsically linked. Will Michael return to fulfil his promise of marrying Joanie and what will be the fate of his young daughter, Gracie, who still turns to the evening star for guidance, for her questions to be answered, and above all to be reunited with her father. Until We Meet is an epic saga, based on actual events that continues the story of Elizabeth's Star. A tale of survival, love and family, set amidst the backdrop of World War II.

When Jess heads west for a fresh start in a small mining town, the dusty outback is 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. 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. The caring warmth of a new circle of friends allows Jess 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 been honest, or is there a hidden secret to justify his distrust of her?Set amidst the rugged outback of Australia, with a cast of eclectic characters, Two Heartbeats is a story of friendship, resilience and the hope that ultimately loving relationships may triumph over obstacles defined by the past. The sequel to Two Heartbeats is Time Will Tell.