When I picked up Watershed by Cd Brennan, I knew it was a romance, but for some reason, I thought it was going to fall into the category of paranormal romance. I've been getting a lot of review requests for that genre lately so that's kind of where my mind was at. However, Watershed is a straight forward, lovely romance that I really enjoyed. Here is the publisher's blurb:
She left home to find
herself...and found love along the way.
Maggie isn’t looking for love on her backpacking trip
through Australia. She’s got enough man troubles back in Ireland. Australia is
her escape, a place of adventure where she can create memories to last a
lifetime.
But some memories won’t be left behind.
Gray is ready to quit hiring backpackers to help with the
work on his remote Queensland cattle station when Maggie turns up. She’s just
passing through, but the connection they forge during the long nights herding
cattle won’t be so easily cast aside.
CONTENT WARNING: A strong-willed Irish heroine, a stubborn
Australian hero, and oceans of difference to bridge for love.
A Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance
Maggie is a great character. Witty, down to Earth, and willing to try new things, I think she embodies what many women strive to be. She is a bit down on her luck when the story begins, but is immediately attracted to Gray, the brusque rancher who is tired of all the backpackers that pass through his land. However, she soon shows him that she is capable of carrying her own weight--despite being bitten by a snake and not having any experience with cattle herding.
Gray is what all romance heroes should be--built, mysterious, and at times, a little bit oblivious to the obvious romantic overtones that Maggie is making. Of course, in the end, he realizes he can't be without her!
If you are a romance fan, this book will meet all your requirements: passion, characters who grow together, a twist where their future is shaken, and then a fabulous happy ending.
For me, this book went a step further. I really enjoyed the way Ms. Brennan blended the culture of Ireland with Australia. She really captured the Irish lilt of Maggie and the strong Australian accent of Gray. I could clearly hear their voices in my head as I was reading. They both use slang terms that are common for the their native countries, but may not be as familiar to readers. Both characters explain what some of these terms mean, and I felt like I'd been to Australia by the time I finished the book. Her description of the cattle drives and the country itself were very well written!
I look forward to reading more of her work. I've also included an excerpt from Watershed to tempt you into exploring the Amazon link for the book.
AMAZON LINK FOR WATERSHED
Excerpt:
“In Ireland we have the Banshee.” Maggie broke Gray’s
daydreaming with a start. “She is the omen of death and the messenger from the
Otherworld.”
She continued in a whisper. “Often she appears an old hag.
Folklore says she may also appear as a stunningly beautiful woman.” Maggie
raised her brow at him, her eyes twinkling with fun.
Gray threw his head back and laughed, and she joined him.
There was no shaking her. He decided he wasn’t going to best Maggie, and for
the first time in a long time he was content with that.
He shifted so she had to settle against him. He heard her
sigh as he wrapped his arm around her. They sat watching the fire, listening to
the sounds of the bush settle for the night. It was peaceful and, Gray had to
admit, romantic. He smiled, fulfilled after a long day’s hard work, some good
bush tucker and a beautiful woman by his side. He had almost worked up enough
courage to kiss her when she shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.
“I’m going to sleep.” Pulling off her trainers, she climbed
into her swag. “Goodnight.”
About the author:
Having traveled and lived all over the world, Cd Brennan now
talks with a strange accent, a mix of distant terminology, a blend of
culturally cute but confusing euphemisms that leaves everyone looking at her
with a blank stare. Luckily, her Australian husband (who she met in Ireland)
and her two Aussie/Yankee sons have no problem understanding her – well, except
for the word “NO”.
Now settled back “home” in Michigan, she enjoys reliving her
glory days by writing about them. She considers the last fifteen years abroad
the perfect research for her Love Where You Roam series; matchmaking women and
men from different cultures, even different hemispheres, helping them find
their true one across oceans of difference.
As destiny plays a hand in all the stories, Cd Brennan truly
believes that what is for you, won’t pass you by. She hopes to inspire others
to get out there: “Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in
your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” [Mark Twain] And of course, fall in love.
Get in touch with her at www.cdbrennan.com
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