Since her husband's untimely death, Rachel Weston has had little time to think about anything except the needs of her two young children and her growing landscaping business. But for reasons she could never understand, she sometimes thought of Quinn Farrelly... A survivor from the wrong side of the tracks, the roguish Quinn had reveled in the role of the town's lovable black sheep. Until that day 12 years ago when she was sentenced to prison for a tragedy she may - or may not - have caused. Released on parole, Quinn needs a job - and Rachel needs a hired hand. Rachel knew that helping Quinn would cause an uproar among her neighbors, but she never expected the dizzying upheaval in her own heart... or how Quinn's wild yearnings would change her life forever...

Australian artist Melanie Jamieson feels her life is on a one-way trip to nowhere. Since the unexpected breakup of her six-year relationship with the author of the children's books she illustrates, Melanie has been unable to drag herself out of an ever-deepening depression. To make matters worse, Melanie is constantly running into Terry and her new girlfriend. Wavering between anger and despair, Melanie decides to leave Melbourne and visit her family in Queensland. Once there, she discovers that her parents are going out of town. In an effort to keep Melanie's mind off her problems, her mother convinces her to stay with their former neighbor, Crys Hewitt, who needs help to make ends meet on her farm. Unknown to Melanie's mother, when Melanie was a shy, confused teenager, she had an incredible crush on Crys, and now feels she made a complete fool of herself trying to win the woman's attention. Despite her initial reluctance, Melanie finds herself back on the farm — and back in the life of the attractive and sensuous older woman.

Having rebuilt her life after a devastating betrayal, Kate Bannister has finally returned to her home town. Leading a quiet, solitary existence as the city librarian, she is busily preparing for a special appearance by a mysterious new author whose first novel, Gold Fever, has become an instant best-seller. But the news that Ashley Maclean is also coming to town quickly turns Kate's carefully controlled world upside down. Growing up together, Kate and Ashley used to be inseparable, first as best friends, then as lovers. Never doubting Ashley's love, Kate thought their lives were mapped out - that they would always be together. But Ashley's family had other ideas. After catching the young lovers together, Ashley's mother forced them to separate. Upon receiving the news that Ashley was about to be married, a distraught Kate left home, vowing never to let anyone get close enough to hurt her again. Although Kate had convinced herself that the pain was behind her, the very mention of Ashley's name brings all of the old memories - and feelings - rushing back. What will she do if Ashley wants to see her again? Even worse - what if Ashley doesn't?

Feeling she needs a change of scenery, librarian and genealogist, Asha West leaves her job and a failed relationship behind to return to her home in Brisbane. With her new library position not due to start for a couple of months Asha plans to take a well-earned break and spend some time with her family. Her plans go awry almost immediately when she is contacted by Vivienne Chaseley, the matriarch of one of the city’s pioneering families. The elderly woman has seen a book Asha prepared for a friend’s family reunion and she wants Asha to do something similar about her own family. Unable to resist the project, Asha soon finds herself moving into the Chaseley’s historic home. Soon research isn’t the only thing on Asha’s mind when she meets another visitor at the house – the cool and attractive Peri Moyland. What would it take to melt Peri’s cool exterior? Any involvement on Asha’s part would be simply asking for trouble and heartache… wouldn’t it?

Singer/Song Writer Shannon "Shann" Delaney has struggled for years to make a life for herself and her ten year old son, Corey. Her career is just starting to take off when Shann’s older sister, Liz, asks for help. Shann has been estranged from her family for over ten years due to an argument with her father. Now Liz begs Shann to return and help look after him while he undergoes surgery. With reservations, Shann agrees to help, hoping she can mend the breach with her family and introduce Corey to his grandfather. Shanns reservations of returning home are not completely concerned with her father, but with the object of her youthful angst. "The girl next door" who broke Shann’s heart is now happily married and no longer a part of Shann’s thoughts. But when Shann arrives home there is a new "girl next door" who turns Shann’s world upside down…

To the casual observer Felicity Devon’s life seems ideal. She lives on an island off the coast of Queensland and succesfanully runs the art gallery that her mother began. She loves her work, her family and her good friends.And as for love? Well, it's been eight long years since Bailey Macrae walked away and broke Felicity's heart... choosing career and conventional lifestyle over love. Eight long years - and Felicity is finally moving on.Then Felicity learns that Bailey - the face of Australian current affairs television - is returning to the island, and suddenly her hard-won composure is being put to the test. But Felicity soon discovers that she isn't quite sure what she fears the most - that Bailey will want to pick up where they left off... or that she won't...

Failure. That's the way Kat would sum up her life if you asked her. The list is impressive: estranged family, two broken relationships. Kat's best friend checks them off one by one, and when Mary Margaret Martin has a point to make there's no stopping her. Kat usually lets Mary Margaret talk while blithely planning to do what she wants anyway. This time would be no different, but for one thing: Kat suspects Mary Margaret is right. She does need to stop drifting and a roof over her head would let her regroup. She knows she deserves better. Is she brave enough to return and face her family? Bestselling author Lyn Denison returns with an irresistible story of facing down the past in order to find a future.