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Border Watch #3
Burning Lies
Kaitlyn Scott is searching for the truth about her husband's death, even if that means revisiting the most painful day of her life. But what she uncovers is a criminal willing to stop at nothing to keep his secret.
Ryan O'Donnell, an enigmatic undercover cop, is investigating arson attacks when he is drawn into Kaitlyn's world. He tries to fight his attraction for her, hoping the case might put his own demons to rest, but it only threatens to push him over the edge.
With Kaitlyn and Ryan on a collision course, the arsonist seizes the chance to settle some old scores. As the Atherton Tableland burns, the three of them are caught in a fiery dance of danger and desire, and not everyone will come out alive.
Set in Australia's tropical far north, this is an explosive story of peril and passion by the author voted by the Romance Writers of Australia as the most popular novelist of the year.
Ryan O'Donnell, an enigmatic undercover cop, is investigating arson attacks when he is drawn into Kaitlyn's world. He tries to fight his attraction for her, hoping the case might put his own demons to rest, but it only threatens to push him over the edge.
With Kaitlyn and Ryan on a collision course, the arsonist seizes the chance to settle some old scores. As the Atherton Tableland burns, the three of them are caught in a fiery dance of danger and desire, and not everyone will come out alive.
Set in Australia's tropical far north, this is an explosive story of peril and passion by the author voted by the Romance Writers of Australia as the most popular novelist of the year.
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2012
7 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Helene Young
11 books214 followersHello! I’m Helene Young and welcome to my author page on Goodreads.
Seven years ago, after a rewarding career as an airline captain and senior manager with the Qantas Airline Group in Australia, I swapped the sky for the sea to go in search of adventure with my husband aboard our sailing catamaran. While that should have given me more time to write it seems the lure of exploring was too strong. But there is good news! My next book is in the safe hands of my publisher and I look forward to sharing title and cover details soon.
And you can be sure that all the adventures we’re having in our floating home will lead to many more books! The rural and remote places we visit, along with the fascinating people we meet, provide boundless inspiration.
I love exploring themes of social justice and delving into the complexity of human nature. Small towns and tight-knit communities are perfect settings for those, along with the messy ties that bind families together. I’d also like to think my varied career from waitress, to gardener, to rock climbing and sailing instructor, to cook, to pilot all help to add a little something to my stories.
I can’t believe it’s been 12 years since my first book, Wings of Fear, (Book 1 in the Border Watch Trilogy) released. I always be grateful for the support of readers so thank you to those who’ve already read my books and welcome if you’re browsing here.
If you’d like to keep up to date on my book news then please click follow button at the top of the page.
You can also find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeleneYoungA...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heleneyoung...
Webpage : heleneyoung.com
I love sharing photos of our travels so come join in the conversations and be part of a wonderful world-wide community of book lovers.
Happy reading
Much love
Helene
Seven years ago, after a rewarding career as an airline captain and senior manager with the Qantas Airline Group in Australia, I swapped the sky for the sea to go in search of adventure with my husband aboard our sailing catamaran. While that should have given me more time to write it seems the lure of exploring was too strong. But there is good news! My next book is in the safe hands of my publisher and I look forward to sharing title and cover details soon.
And you can be sure that all the adventures we’re having in our floating home will lead to many more books! The rural and remote places we visit, along with the fascinating people we meet, provide boundless inspiration.
I love exploring themes of social justice and delving into the complexity of human nature. Small towns and tight-knit communities are perfect settings for those, along with the messy ties that bind families together. I’d also like to think my varied career from waitress, to gardener, to rock climbing and sailing instructor, to cook, to pilot all help to add a little something to my stories.
I can’t believe it’s been 12 years since my first book, Wings of Fear, (Book 1 in the Border Watch Trilogy) released. I always be grateful for the support of readers so thank you to those who’ve already read my books and welcome if you’re browsing here.
If you’d like to keep up to date on my book news then please click follow button at the top of the page.
You can also find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeleneYoungA...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heleneyoung...
Webpage : heleneyoung.com
I love sharing photos of our travels so come join in the conversations and be part of a wonderful world-wide community of book lovers.
Happy reading
Much love
Helene
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 4, 2013
This was an absolute page turner for me.
Five years ago Kaitlyn Scott lost her father Stephen and her husband Chris in a fire in Canberra. It was believed that her husband was the arsonist but Kaitlyn never believed this could be true.
Kaitlyn ends up moving to Atherton Tablelands with her mother Juliia and her son Daniel where she becomes a volunteer with the Rural Fire Brigade.
Ryan is an undercover cop who moves in next door to Kaitlyn. Ryan is working undercover to investigate and find out who is behind the series of fires in the local area.
He also becomes a volunteer for the Rural Fire Brigade. After Kaitlyn has met Ryan she becomes suspicious of him as she suspects he may not be who he says he is. She also finds herself quite attracted to him. But is she really ready to get involved with someone at the moment as the pain from losing her husband is and will always be with her.
I LOVED this book and towards the end I couldn't put it down as I desperately needed to know how it would finish and I certainly wasn't disappointed. What a fantastic read by an Australian author.
Five years ago Kaitlyn Scott lost her father Stephen and her husband Chris in a fire in Canberra. It was believed that her husband was the arsonist but Kaitlyn never believed this could be true.
Kaitlyn ends up moving to Atherton Tablelands with her mother Juliia and her son Daniel where she becomes a volunteer with the Rural Fire Brigade.
Ryan is an undercover cop who moves in next door to Kaitlyn. Ryan is working undercover to investigate and find out who is behind the series of fires in the local area.
He also becomes a volunteer for the Rural Fire Brigade. After Kaitlyn has met Ryan she becomes suspicious of him as she suspects he may not be who he says he is. She also finds herself quite attracted to him. But is she really ready to get involved with someone at the moment as the pain from losing her husband is and will always be with her.
I LOVED this book and towards the end I couldn't put it down as I desperately needed to know how it would finish and I certainly wasn't disappointed. What a fantastic read by an Australian author.
June 24, 2012
I finished Burning Lies back in May, and can finally put my review up! I absolutely loved it! The old ‘I could not put it down’ was so true for me...what a wonderful, gripping, suspenseful and riveting read!
Kaitlyn is now part of the Border Watch team, along with Lauren and Morgan, after moving to the Tablelands with her mother, Julia, and son Dan, to try to escape the horror of the past. The death of her father, Stephen and husband Chris, in the bushfires in Canberra, where it pointed to Chris being an arsonist, and him murdering his father-in-law were too much for them all to bear, and getting away seemed to be the only way to deal with their grief.
But five years later, the past threatened to catch up with them again. Kaitlyn was part of the Rural Fire service, with Speedy in charge of their group, and he was also the local school run bus driver. When a new man arrived on the scene and moved into old Jerry’s house at the end of Kaitlyn’s road, and also joined the Fire service, Kaitlyn wasn’t sure what to think of Ryan. The fact that he was reported to be on sick leave from Sydney, but didn’t seem to know a lot about being a firie, made her suspicious. The attraction was immediate, but she didn’t give trust easily. She was suspicious of everyone, and needed to check him out first, in more ways than one.
It seemed the arsonist was working in her area too, and it brought the horror to the surface again all too readily. Between being away for long stretches at a time with her job in Border Watch, and getting called out to the increasingly frequent number of fires in the area, she wasn’t spending as much time with Dan and Julia as she wanted. Her family was her life, but it seemed she had more problems to try to work through.
Would Kaitlyn find the arsonist before he killed again, would she ever get over the terrible loss of her father, and the grief of not knowing if her husband was really the Canberra arsonist? The more she found out, the more she needed to find out, and with Ryan seeming to not be who he said he was, her nerves were strung so tightly she couldn’t think straight.
Following on from Wings of Fear and Shattered Sky, Burning Lies is a brilliant novel from an Australian author right at the top of her game. The twists and turns of this story, the suspense and fear, along with a hint of romance make for a wonderful read, one I would highly recommend.
Kaitlyn is now part of the Border Watch team, along with Lauren and Morgan, after moving to the Tablelands with her mother, Julia, and son Dan, to try to escape the horror of the past. The death of her father, Stephen and husband Chris, in the bushfires in Canberra, where it pointed to Chris being an arsonist, and him murdering his father-in-law were too much for them all to bear, and getting away seemed to be the only way to deal with their grief.
But five years later, the past threatened to catch up with them again. Kaitlyn was part of the Rural Fire service, with Speedy in charge of their group, and he was also the local school run bus driver. When a new man arrived on the scene and moved into old Jerry’s house at the end of Kaitlyn’s road, and also joined the Fire service, Kaitlyn wasn’t sure what to think of Ryan. The fact that he was reported to be on sick leave from Sydney, but didn’t seem to know a lot about being a firie, made her suspicious. The attraction was immediate, but she didn’t give trust easily. She was suspicious of everyone, and needed to check him out first, in more ways than one.
It seemed the arsonist was working in her area too, and it brought the horror to the surface again all too readily. Between being away for long stretches at a time with her job in Border Watch, and getting called out to the increasingly frequent number of fires in the area, she wasn’t spending as much time with Dan and Julia as she wanted. Her family was her life, but it seemed she had more problems to try to work through.
Would Kaitlyn find the arsonist before he killed again, would she ever get over the terrible loss of her father, and the grief of not knowing if her husband was really the Canberra arsonist? The more she found out, the more she needed to find out, and with Ryan seeming to not be who he said he was, her nerves were strung so tightly she couldn’t think straight.
Following on from Wings of Fear and Shattered Sky, Burning Lies is a brilliant novel from an Australian author right at the top of her game. The twists and turns of this story, the suspense and fear, along with a hint of romance make for a wonderful read, one I would highly recommend.
June 22, 2014
Summer is heating up in far north Queensland where Kaitlyn Scott lives with her mother and young son Daniel on the Atherton tablelands. She relocated her family from Canberra after a devastating bush fire took the lives of her father and husband and her husband was accused of starting the fire. Kaitlyn has a new job working for Border Watch, flying over the coastline watching for illegal drugs and refugee boats. She has built a new house, making it as fire-resistant as possible and has joined the local rural fire service. However, she is worried that there have already been far too many bushfires so early in the season this year and she fears that there may be an arsonist in the area.
Unknown to Kaitlyn, her new neighbour, Brad Ryan, an undercover policeman, has been sent into the area to hunt out the arsonist. Although instantly attracted to this handsome man, she senses he isn't quite what he seems and isn't quite sure if she can trust him. Life becomes even more complicated when Brad's past starts to catch up with him.
This is the first novel I have read by Helene Young and although the main characters have appeared in earlier novels, this did not detract in any way from the story as the author filled in their back-stories well enough for this novel to stand alone very successfully.
An explosive page turner,the author slowly builds the tension and fear as the arsonist becomes more and more dangerous. The characters are very real and the descriptions of the bushfires and fire fighters feels very authentic. A sizzling hot read! 4.5★
Unknown to Kaitlyn, her new neighbour, Brad Ryan, an undercover policeman, has been sent into the area to hunt out the arsonist. Although instantly attracted to this handsome man, she senses he isn't quite what he seems and isn't quite sure if she can trust him. Life becomes even more complicated when Brad's past starts to catch up with him.
This is the first novel I have read by Helene Young and although the main characters have appeared in earlier novels, this did not detract in any way from the story as the author filled in their back-stories well enough for this novel to stand alone very successfully.
An explosive page turner,the author slowly builds the tension and fear as the arsonist becomes more and more dangerous. The characters are very real and the descriptions of the bushfires and fire fighters feels very authentic. A sizzling hot read! 4.5★
February 27, 2017
Burning Lies about Kaitlyn is a single mum who is searching for the truth about her husband death and an undercover cop Ryan who is investigating arson attacks in the area. Burning Lies continuing to twist and turn entwining Kaitlyn and Ryan lives until they fall in love. However, someone is trying to stop Kaitlyn finding happiness and the truth about her husband death. Readers of Burning Lies will learn about the mind of an arsonist and the terrible consequences of fires to the land and the people involved. Also, readers will learn about how to protect themselves when they are involved with bush fires. I recommend this book.
July 2, 2012
I've been eagerly awaiting the publication of Burning Lies, the third in a series of romantic suspense novels by Australian author, Helene Young. Set in far north Queensland the books are loosely linked by character and environment. Burning Lies features Kaitlyn Scott, a Border Watch officer who works with Morgan (Shattered Sky) and Lauren (Wings of Fear), and Ryan O'Donnell,(Wings of Fear), an undercover federal officer. With plenty of action, sizzling romance and page turning suspense, Burning Lies is a fast paced, exciting novel.
Burning Lies is literally more grounded than either Shattered Sky or Wings of Fear. Though Kaitlyn works for the airborne coastal border protection service featured in the previous novels, most of the action in this story takes place amongst the landscape of the Atherton Tablelands. Burning Lies sees Young's characters caught up in the investigation of deliberately lit bushfires during the height of summer.
For Kaitlyn, the bushfires stir painful memories. Five years ago her husband was accused of setting the devastating Canberra fires that he and Kaitlyn's father died in. Anxious to protect her young son and mother from a repeat of the tragedy, Kaitlyn's home is as fire proof as possible and she volunteers as a rural fire service member, but all her defenses may still not be enough against a determined arsonist.
In Wings of Fear, Ryan was working undercover in a bikie gang accused of human trafficking. While the operation was successful, Ryan didn't escape unscathed and now is targeted by the gang. He has been sent to Northern Queensland, not only to escape the men looking for him but also to identify a suspected arsonist at work in the area. Ryan's cover has him as a city firefighter on leave who joins the local volunteer rural fire service, while living at a property next door to Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn and Ryan are well fleshed out protagonists, each battling their own internal demons while facing external challenges. Their relationship begins with a spark of instant attraction and builds through the novel, complicated by their circumstances. I really appreciate the way in which the author develops the romantic relationships in her novels, skillfully creating an attraction that blooms naturally.
The plot of Burning Lies is fast paced and builds suspense from the opening pages. Not only do the fires pose a real danger to the characters, Kaitlyn is being stalked and Ryan is being hunted. There is mystery surrounding the identity of the firebug and the truth of what happened during the fires Canberra and when the climax comes everything falls in to place, leaving the reader breathless.
Burning Lies is a fantastic read, unique but with all the action, adventure, mystery and romance found in both Shattered Sky and Wings of Fear. Helene Young is one of my favourite authors and I am already eagerly awaiting her next book!
Burning Lies is literally more grounded than either Shattered Sky or Wings of Fear. Though Kaitlyn works for the airborne coastal border protection service featured in the previous novels, most of the action in this story takes place amongst the landscape of the Atherton Tablelands. Burning Lies sees Young's characters caught up in the investigation of deliberately lit bushfires during the height of summer.
For Kaitlyn, the bushfires stir painful memories. Five years ago her husband was accused of setting the devastating Canberra fires that he and Kaitlyn's father died in. Anxious to protect her young son and mother from a repeat of the tragedy, Kaitlyn's home is as fire proof as possible and she volunteers as a rural fire service member, but all her defenses may still not be enough against a determined arsonist.
In Wings of Fear, Ryan was working undercover in a bikie gang accused of human trafficking. While the operation was successful, Ryan didn't escape unscathed and now is targeted by the gang. He has been sent to Northern Queensland, not only to escape the men looking for him but also to identify a suspected arsonist at work in the area. Ryan's cover has him as a city firefighter on leave who joins the local volunteer rural fire service, while living at a property next door to Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn and Ryan are well fleshed out protagonists, each battling their own internal demons while facing external challenges. Their relationship begins with a spark of instant attraction and builds through the novel, complicated by their circumstances. I really appreciate the way in which the author develops the romantic relationships in her novels, skillfully creating an attraction that blooms naturally.
The plot of Burning Lies is fast paced and builds suspense from the opening pages. Not only do the fires pose a real danger to the characters, Kaitlyn is being stalked and Ryan is being hunted. There is mystery surrounding the identity of the firebug and the truth of what happened during the fires Canberra and when the climax comes everything falls in to place, leaving the reader breathless.
Burning Lies is a fantastic read, unique but with all the action, adventure, mystery and romance found in both Shattered Sky and Wings of Fear. Helene Young is one of my favourite authors and I am already eagerly awaiting her next book!
July 3, 2012
Burning Lies is the third tantalising romantic suspense novel released by talented Australian author, Helene Young. Another great instalment in this loosely based series where the lead female is a customs pilot and has a major role in solving the investigation that ensues in Queensland’s northern tropical region.
An arsonist is wreaking havoc in a rural town outside of Cairns during an already ferocious fire season. When Kaitlyn Scott moved into town with her son Dan and her mother Julia and joined the local fire brigade as a volunteer it wasn’t just to help the community, save houses and their livelihood but it was more personal. She’s guilt ridden over the fire that was allegedly started by her husband five years ago that ultimately took his life, her father’s and their family home.
Ryan O’Donnell is an undercover cop who moves in next door to Kaitlyn and has a role in uncovering the arsonist but must keep his identity hidden. Kaitlyn immediately suspects that Ryan isn’t exactly who he says he is but she is drawn to him despite her unresolved hurts. Ryan is cocky and flirty but that’s the side of him that forms part of his pseudo identity, there’s also a side of him that is caring and maintains strong values.
It’s not long before Kaitlyn’s past comes back to haunt her and there’s some evidence to believe that perhaps her husband isn’t dead, perhaps he is behind the current fires in the area. Kaitlyn as a character has many layers of depth which slowly unravelled from the strong, independent and headstrong woman to a more vulnerable, emotive woman who becomes open to relying on others and trusting someone, Ryan.
As a love interest, Ryan is a loveable guy who is playful, sexy and committed to protecting Kaitlyn. Another side of him emerges through his relationship with Kaitlyn, the side that he has repressed because of the nature of his work. Burning Lies has plenty of action and suspense which is fast-paced right up until the very end. I love Helene’s writing style and character development and can’t wait to see what she has in store after this series. I’ll definitely have to get a printed version of this book to sit alongside Young’s first two novels, Wings of Fear and Shattered Sky. I highly recommend this series!
An arsonist is wreaking havoc in a rural town outside of Cairns during an already ferocious fire season. When Kaitlyn Scott moved into town with her son Dan and her mother Julia and joined the local fire brigade as a volunteer it wasn’t just to help the community, save houses and their livelihood but it was more personal. She’s guilt ridden over the fire that was allegedly started by her husband five years ago that ultimately took his life, her father’s and their family home.
Ryan O’Donnell is an undercover cop who moves in next door to Kaitlyn and has a role in uncovering the arsonist but must keep his identity hidden. Kaitlyn immediately suspects that Ryan isn’t exactly who he says he is but she is drawn to him despite her unresolved hurts. Ryan is cocky and flirty but that’s the side of him that forms part of his pseudo identity, there’s also a side of him that is caring and maintains strong values.
It’s not long before Kaitlyn’s past comes back to haunt her and there’s some evidence to believe that perhaps her husband isn’t dead, perhaps he is behind the current fires in the area. Kaitlyn as a character has many layers of depth which slowly unravelled from the strong, independent and headstrong woman to a more vulnerable, emotive woman who becomes open to relying on others and trusting someone, Ryan.
As a love interest, Ryan is a loveable guy who is playful, sexy and committed to protecting Kaitlyn. Another side of him emerges through his relationship with Kaitlyn, the side that he has repressed because of the nature of his work. Burning Lies has plenty of action and suspense which is fast-paced right up until the very end. I love Helene’s writing style and character development and can’t wait to see what she has in store after this series. I’ll definitely have to get a printed version of this book to sit alongside Young’s first two novels, Wings of Fear and Shattered Sky. I highly recommend this series!
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July 4, 2012Originally posted here.
The premise of Burning Lies definitely attracted me, as – like so many people around here – I was caught up in the middle of the 2003 bushfires in Canberra, and knew plenty of people who lost their homes. To see a book like this begin in Canberra, and then continue to involve a (pretend) version of what happened here less than a decade ago was very interesting to me.
Hélène Young is one of those writers who makes sure she gets her facts right, down to the little details. Sometimes you’ll read a book in this genre and you just know that the author was making it up on the go; not the case here.
Though this book holds up one hundred percent on its own, it is the third book in a loosely-linked series that features the men and women working for Border Watch. There was a development with book one pair Morgan and Rafe that was completely unexpected (to me!). I do love how Young updated the characters without wading right back into their lives for gratuitous follow-up storylines that overtake the book. I really dislike when a series struggles to move on from past characters.
Australian suspense is a very different beast (I mean “beast” in the best possible way!) to what you’ll find coming out of America. A major factor is that the balance of romance to suspense is usually completely different: Australian books are heavier on the suspense and lighter on the romance.
I’m not saying I have a preference for either kind; simply that there’re some big cultural differences I have noticed. Of course, there’re always exceptions to the rule too!
This very authentically Australian book would appeal to crime fiction readers as much as to the romantic suspense crowd.
The premise of Burning Lies definitely attracted me, as – like so many people around here – I was caught up in the middle of the 2003 bushfires in Canberra, and knew plenty of people who lost their homes. To see a book like this begin in Canberra, and then continue to involve a (pretend) version of what happened here less than a decade ago was very interesting to me.
Hélène Young is one of those writers who makes sure she gets her facts right, down to the little details. Sometimes you’ll read a book in this genre and you just know that the author was making it up on the go; not the case here.
Though this book holds up one hundred percent on its own, it is the third book in a loosely-linked series that features the men and women working for Border Watch. There was a development with book one pair Morgan and Rafe that was completely unexpected (to me!). I do love how Young updated the characters without wading right back into their lives for gratuitous follow-up storylines that overtake the book. I really dislike when a series struggles to move on from past characters.
Australian suspense is a very different beast (I mean “beast” in the best possible way!) to what you’ll find coming out of America. A major factor is that the balance of romance to suspense is usually completely different: Australian books are heavier on the suspense and lighter on the romance.
I’m not saying I have a preference for either kind; simply that there’re some big cultural differences I have noticed. Of course, there’re always exceptions to the rule too!
This very authentically Australian book would appeal to crime fiction readers as much as to the romantic suspense crowd.
September 14, 2012
Burning Lies is a well written thriller that would be enjoyed by all readers, regardless of gender. Its themes are ingrained in our Australian psyche, and there would be few of us who have not been touched by bushfires and their devastating effects. The author's experience as a pilot, and her familiarity with the setting show through in the wonderful detail that helps power the story to life. I cannot recall one incidence where I thought she got it wrong - everything from tow points on cars to firefighting hose delivery volumes was impeccably researched.
The characters came to life on the pages. Complex human beings with both weaknesses and strengths. All thoroughly believable. I recommend Burning Lies for anyone who enjoys a good story, especially a good Aussie suspense story with a touch of crime and romance.
Four and a half stars.
The characters came to life on the pages. Complex human beings with both weaknesses and strengths. All thoroughly believable. I recommend Burning Lies for anyone who enjoys a good story, especially a good Aussie suspense story with a touch of crime and romance.
Four and a half stars.
February 21, 2016
Another fabulous story by Helene Young. Set in North Queensland in a fictional area (because she couldn't bear to write about her beloved REAL country burning! Totally understandable!).
I love that we still got a snippet of the Border Watch folk (some from past books in the series), but that it also took a different turn focussing a lot on the Volunteer Fire Fighters. What a wonderful job they do!
Great suspense and plot ... nail biting in lots of areas!
It's obviously a well researched novel and again, it's evident of the author's love for this country. I love a good Aussie book!
I love that we still got a snippet of the Border Watch folk (some from past books in the series), but that it also took a different turn focussing a lot on the Volunteer Fire Fighters. What a wonderful job they do!
Great suspense and plot ... nail biting in lots of areas!
It's obviously a well researched novel and again, it's evident of the author's love for this country. I love a good Aussie book!
June 25, 2012
I loved this book - I have really enjoyed Helene's other novels as well but this is my new favourite! I borrowed a copy from the library but it was so good now I'm going to have to buy it too! Brilliant, intriguing and likeable characters, a captivating rural setting and a plot intense enough to keep the pages turning well past bedtime. Highly recommended!
July 2, 2012
Ryan O’Donnell is an undercover cop on a new assignment, tracking a suspected arsonist in the Atherton Tablelands in northern Queensland. He’s playing the part of a city fire fighter on stress leave, volunteering for the local brigade hoping to get a handle on what’s going on, infiltrate and find out information. This brings him into contact with Kaitlyn Scott.
Kaitlyn works for Border Watch and it’s her job to help track arsonists using infra-red equipment in the air. She has a painful past, losing her husband, her father and her home in a fire five years ago and she fled north with her mother and her young son, looking to put some distance between her and the tragedy. When she meets Ryan, a mysterious man who is renting the house closest to hers, the attraction is immediate. But Kaitlyn is damaged and scarred, even as she’s drawn to Ryan. The way Ryan is towards her young son softens her heart towards him but she keeps telling herself that he’s too secretive. Too mysterious. And she can’t be drawn in by someone she thinks she knows only to be hurt again.
It is soon obvious that the fires working their devastation in the local area can only be deliberately lit. Fueled by hot weather and dry storms with lightning strikes, the conditions are perfect for the firebug to truly wreak some havoc. Kaitlyn is desperate to not only identify the culprit but protect herself and her family from another devastating loss. But the rumours and half-truths are flying as thick and fast as the flames and Kaitlyn doesn’t know who she can trust. Could she have put her faith in the wrong man again?
Burning Lies is the third and final novel in the Border Watch trilogy. I read the other two recently and this became one of my most anticipated novels of 2012 and I was thrilled when a finished copy arrived on my doorstep courtesy of the people at Penguin Australia. Both Ryan and Kaitlyn appear in the previous novel, Shattered Sky. We didn’t see much of Kaitlyn but Ryan played a small part in the important story and I had liked him immediately so I was excited when I heard he moved to front and centre for the final novel. Ryan is back undercover again, even though the events of his last mission have left scars on him, both physical and mental. His job is to investigate the likelihood of an arsonist at work, taking on the persona of Brad Ryan.
Ryan is so used to slipping into constructed identities, something that he’s been doing for many years now. He’s beginning to recognise that he’s having trouble remembering exactly who the real Ryan is, until he meets Kaitlyn. He feels that he can be himself around her, the person that he really is without any need to dress it up or play a role. Now I was already a fan of Ryan but I enjoyed him even more, especially with both Kaitlyn and also her family. When Kaitlyn’s seven year old son Daniel comes around, Ryan knows he should send him packing. But he can’t bring himself to, instead bonding with the boy and spending time with him. In his friendship with Daniel, Ryan sees what could be his life. He didn’t even know he wanted it until he met them.
Kaitlyn is fragile and inexperienced and although she wants Ryan to be trustworthy, she can’t quite convince herself that he is. She sweats the small stuff, such as Ryan’s age (or assumed age, she really has no idea how old he is) as a way to possibly stall the inevitable. Helene Young has done a great job laying the foundations for a delicious sexual attraction with hidden depths for two characters who are both essentially quite lonely and missing that key connection with another person in their lives. Kaitlyn has deliberately kept herself aloof from people, not forming any real friendships and Ryan’s job means that his connections to people are all made under false aliases and only temporary. In each other, they can both see something permanent.
Like Wings Of Fear and Shattered Sky before it, Burning Lies delves into an important issue facing this country: arsonists. We are a country of long droughts at times and high temperatures. Bushfires are a given and they can be absolutely devastating. But time after time, things are made far worse by people deliberately lighting fires for the sheer thrill of watching things burn. Often these result in homes and even lives being lost. It’s hard enough to fight the destruction of nature without adding in. Burning Lies is meticulously researched but with information and scenarios that don’t slow down the pace building at all. The story keeps moving, never pausing, making its way to the dramatic climax that delivers everything promised throughout.
Burning Lies is a fantastic conclusion to what has been a wonderful trilogy. Fresh and different for me in more ways than one, it was lovely to read stories set in northern Queensland, not often a popular choice of setting despite its beauty. Likewise the characters jobs have been equally new to me but also interesting, giving me a better idea of just how much work goes into monitoring and protecting our vast coastline.
Kaitlyn works for Border Watch and it’s her job to help track arsonists using infra-red equipment in the air. She has a painful past, losing her husband, her father and her home in a fire five years ago and she fled north with her mother and her young son, looking to put some distance between her and the tragedy. When she meets Ryan, a mysterious man who is renting the house closest to hers, the attraction is immediate. But Kaitlyn is damaged and scarred, even as she’s drawn to Ryan. The way Ryan is towards her young son softens her heart towards him but she keeps telling herself that he’s too secretive. Too mysterious. And she can’t be drawn in by someone she thinks she knows only to be hurt again.
It is soon obvious that the fires working their devastation in the local area can only be deliberately lit. Fueled by hot weather and dry storms with lightning strikes, the conditions are perfect for the firebug to truly wreak some havoc. Kaitlyn is desperate to not only identify the culprit but protect herself and her family from another devastating loss. But the rumours and half-truths are flying as thick and fast as the flames and Kaitlyn doesn’t know who she can trust. Could she have put her faith in the wrong man again?
Burning Lies is the third and final novel in the Border Watch trilogy. I read the other two recently and this became one of my most anticipated novels of 2012 and I was thrilled when a finished copy arrived on my doorstep courtesy of the people at Penguin Australia. Both Ryan and Kaitlyn appear in the previous novel, Shattered Sky. We didn’t see much of Kaitlyn but Ryan played a small part in the important story and I had liked him immediately so I was excited when I heard he moved to front and centre for the final novel. Ryan is back undercover again, even though the events of his last mission have left scars on him, both physical and mental. His job is to investigate the likelihood of an arsonist at work, taking on the persona of Brad Ryan.
Ryan is so used to slipping into constructed identities, something that he’s been doing for many years now. He’s beginning to recognise that he’s having trouble remembering exactly who the real Ryan is, until he meets Kaitlyn. He feels that he can be himself around her, the person that he really is without any need to dress it up or play a role. Now I was already a fan of Ryan but I enjoyed him even more, especially with both Kaitlyn and also her family. When Kaitlyn’s seven year old son Daniel comes around, Ryan knows he should send him packing. But he can’t bring himself to, instead bonding with the boy and spending time with him. In his friendship with Daniel, Ryan sees what could be his life. He didn’t even know he wanted it until he met them.
Kaitlyn is fragile and inexperienced and although she wants Ryan to be trustworthy, she can’t quite convince herself that he is. She sweats the small stuff, such as Ryan’s age (or assumed age, she really has no idea how old he is) as a way to possibly stall the inevitable. Helene Young has done a great job laying the foundations for a delicious sexual attraction with hidden depths for two characters who are both essentially quite lonely and missing that key connection with another person in their lives. Kaitlyn has deliberately kept herself aloof from people, not forming any real friendships and Ryan’s job means that his connections to people are all made under false aliases and only temporary. In each other, they can both see something permanent.
Like Wings Of Fear and Shattered Sky before it, Burning Lies delves into an important issue facing this country: arsonists. We are a country of long droughts at times and high temperatures. Bushfires are a given and they can be absolutely devastating. But time after time, things are made far worse by people deliberately lighting fires for the sheer thrill of watching things burn. Often these result in homes and even lives being lost. It’s hard enough to fight the destruction of nature without adding in. Burning Lies is meticulously researched but with information and scenarios that don’t slow down the pace building at all. The story keeps moving, never pausing, making its way to the dramatic climax that delivers everything promised throughout.
Burning Lies is a fantastic conclusion to what has been a wonderful trilogy. Fresh and different for me in more ways than one, it was lovely to read stories set in northern Queensland, not often a popular choice of setting despite its beauty. Likewise the characters jobs have been equally new to me but also interesting, giving me a better idea of just how much work goes into monitoring and protecting our vast coastline.
February 26, 2013
I finished Burning Lies back in May, and can finally put my review up! I absolutely loved it! The old ‘I could not put it down’ was so true for me...what a wonderful, gripping, suspenseful and riveting read!
Kaitlyn is now part of the Border Watch team, along with Lauren and Morgan, after moving to the Tablelands with her mother, Julia, and son Dan, to try to escape the horror of the past. The death of her father, Stephen and husband Chris, in the bushfires in Canberra, where it pointed to Chris being an arsonist, and him murdering his father-in-law were too much for them all to bear, and getting away seemed to be the only way to deal with their grief.
But five years later, the past threatened to catch up with them again. Kaitlyn was part of the Rural Fire service, with Speedy in charge of their group, and he was also the local school run bus driver. When a new man arrived on the scene and moved into old Jerry’s house at the end of Kaitlyn’s road, and also joined the Fire service, Kaitlyn wasn’t sure what to think of Ryan. The fact that he was reported to be on sick leave from Sydney, but didn’t seem to know a lot about being a firie, made her suspicious. The attraction was immediate, but she didn’t give trust easily. She was suspicious of everyone, and needed to check him out first, in more ways than one.
It seemed the arsonist was working in her area too, and it brought the horror to the surface again all too readily. Between being away for long stretches at a time with her job in Border Watch, and getting called out to the increasingly frequent number of fires in the area, she wasn’t spending as much time with Dan and Julia as she wanted. Her family was her life, but it seemed she had more problems to try to work through.
Would Kaitlyn find the arsonist before he killed again, would she ever get over the terrible loss of her father, and the grief of not knowing if her husband was really the Canberra arsonist? The more she found out, the more she needed to find out, and with Ryan seeming to not be who he said he was, her nerves were strung so tightly she couldn’t think straight.
Following on from Wings of Fear and Shattered Sky, Burning Lies is a brilliant novel from an Australian author right at the top of her game. The twists and turns of this story, the suspense and fear, along with a hint of romance make for a wonderful read, one I would highly recommend.
Kaitlyn is now part of the Border Watch team, along with Lauren and Morgan, after moving to the Tablelands with her mother, Julia, and son Dan, to try to escape the horror of the past. The death of her father, Stephen and husband Chris, in the bushfires in Canberra, where it pointed to Chris being an arsonist, and him murdering his father-in-law were too much for them all to bear, and getting away seemed to be the only way to deal with their grief.
But five years later, the past threatened to catch up with them again. Kaitlyn was part of the Rural Fire service, with Speedy in charge of their group, and he was also the local school run bus driver. When a new man arrived on the scene and moved into old Jerry’s house at the end of Kaitlyn’s road, and also joined the Fire service, Kaitlyn wasn’t sure what to think of Ryan. The fact that he was reported to be on sick leave from Sydney, but didn’t seem to know a lot about being a firie, made her suspicious. The attraction was immediate, but she didn’t give trust easily. She was suspicious of everyone, and needed to check him out first, in more ways than one.
It seemed the arsonist was working in her area too, and it brought the horror to the surface again all too readily. Between being away for long stretches at a time with her job in Border Watch, and getting called out to the increasingly frequent number of fires in the area, she wasn’t spending as much time with Dan and Julia as she wanted. Her family was her life, but it seemed she had more problems to try to work through.
Would Kaitlyn find the arsonist before he killed again, would she ever get over the terrible loss of her father, and the grief of not knowing if her husband was really the Canberra arsonist? The more she found out, the more she needed to find out, and with Ryan seeming to not be who he said he was, her nerves were strung so tightly she couldn’t think straight.
Following on from Wings of Fear and Shattered Sky, Burning Lies is a brilliant novel from an Australian author right at the top of her game. The twists and turns of this story, the suspense and fear, along with a hint of romance make for a wonderful read, one I would highly recommend.
October 14, 2012
probably three and a half stars. Kaitlyn Scott lost her father and her husband in a fire in Canberra as a result of arson. Her husband Chris was believed to be the arsonist, who due to misjudgement got caught in his own fire. Kaitlyn never believed that of him, but still the stigma was enough for her to move. She moved with Julia, her mother, and young son Daniel to the Atherton Tablelands. When she meets the man known as Brad Ryan she is attracted, but wary of trusting anyone again. Especially when some things about him don’t seem to add up. Who is he really and what is he up to?
The story line was good and action packed and keeps the reader turning the pages. It is full of suspense and a few twists, with lots of research and detail about fire- fighting backing it up. The characters were complex, so why didn’t I give it a higher rating as many others have?
Even though the story grabbed me, there were times when I considered giving up on this book purely because I was sick of the overload of language. It's a testament to the rest of the story that I didn’t. I could perhaps understand the language from Nemesis, the bikie gang or perhaps Ryan, but just about everyone, except Julia and Daniel but including Kaitlyn used it. I know people say it is the language of the day and in common usage but the people I mix with don’t use it and I found it offensive and hard to read. For me this spoilt what could, given the plot and characters, have been an excellent book. If repeated language is not a problem for you, then you will enjoy it. Readers of Bronwyn Parry will probably enjoy it.
The story line was good and action packed and keeps the reader turning the pages. It is full of suspense and a few twists, with lots of research and detail about fire- fighting backing it up. The characters were complex, so why didn’t I give it a higher rating as many others have?
Even though the story grabbed me, there were times when I considered giving up on this book purely because I was sick of the overload of language. It's a testament to the rest of the story that I didn’t. I could perhaps understand the language from Nemesis, the bikie gang or perhaps Ryan, but just about everyone, except Julia and Daniel but including Kaitlyn used it. I know people say it is the language of the day and in common usage but the people I mix with don’t use it and I found it offensive and hard to read. For me this spoilt what could, given the plot and characters, have been an excellent book. If repeated language is not a problem for you, then you will enjoy it. Readers of Bronwyn Parry will probably enjoy it.
July 12, 2012
I had to have a breather after finishing reading Burning Lies before I could even contemplate writing a review. I must stress that all reviews I do on good reads, and my blog are purely from a reader's perspective, not from a writer. Although the editing was superb which impressed me.
Ms. Young is outdoing herself on this third novel, Burning Lies. I loved book number one, Border Watch, which is now Wings of Fear, and Shattered Sky. Then comes along Burning Lies where she completely immersed me with such suspense I was left breathless.
Burning Lies begins with the life of Kaitlyn Scott as she seeks the truth behinds her husband's death. She uncovers a mastermind that will stop at nothing to keep his past a secret. Burning Lies explodes into such a dramatic, suspenseful novel and outdid any other suspense novel I have read this year.
It also had a degree of romance that was just enough to satisfy the romantic suspense reader. I think it had more romance/passion than her former two novels.
Without giving away the story, which I find difficult not to run around telling everyone what happens in the story, I was with Kaitlyn, her son Dan, her mother Julia, and the hunky hero Ryan, it has tragedy, love, and certainly kept me reading until the end in two sittings. I wanted to read it in one sitting, but at three in the morning, well sleep deprivation got the best of me.
Absolutely loved it. I think you will too if you read Romantic Suspense.
March 27, 2015
A terrific third novel by Helene Young. Her writing is clear and well crafted, and she keeps the pages turning. Her characters are well described and believable, and the story lines hold together strongly. The country - the landscape - is always an important character in Helen's books, and no less in this one. She does it beautifully.
I'm not a romance reader, but I love her books - the romance parts are not squirmy at all!! And they're romantic thrillers, which I guess is a big difference - it's not just about the romance. Looking forward to her next one.
I'm not a romance reader, but I love her books - the romance parts are not squirmy at all!! And they're romantic thrillers, which I guess is a big difference - it's not just about the romance. Looking forward to her next one.
July 27, 2012
Caitlyn is a strong heroine who is out to protect her family and start a new life. The hero Ryan, was multilayered and sexy, a quintessential Aussie hero, so lifelike I went to Cairns hunting for a sexy Aussie male. Didn't find one!
Luckily I had Burning Lies to retreat back into.
Helene is a wonderful writer who will have a long career.
Cathleen
Luckily I had Burning Lies to retreat back into.
Helene is a wonderful writer who will have a long career.
Cathleen
August 17, 2012
Without a doubt, this is Helene Young's best book to date. I highly recommend Burning Lies to anyone who likes a good story, no matter what you prefer to read (it has a bit of everything in it). Such an addictive read, you seriously will not be disappointed. Nor able to put the book down :)
Full review to come shortly.
Full review to come shortly.
August 7, 2012
Kaitlyn Scott is trying to be all things to all people and not really succeeding with any of it. She has unbelievable tragedy in her recent past and has fled from Canberra to the Atherton Tablelands in the hope of a fresh start. Her mother Julia and son Daniel are part of the fragile life she has created for herself in the heart of the bush.Kait is able to pretend she has put her past behind her until the community begins to suspect an arsonist is at work on the Tablelands.
Hunky but troubled undercover cop Ryan is sent to investigate and takes up residence on the property next door.He is immediately drawn to Kait and her family and begins to imagine a life where safety doesn't depend on a lie. But Kait is more involved with the arsonist than she could have predicted and soon all their lives are under threat.
We're used to damaged heroes in romance, and Ryan is definitely one of them,but damaged heroines aren't so common. Kaitlyn is one such lady, trying hard to 'fix' her life so the pain of the past can't hurt her again. She's only half alive as she battles to recover from the past and build a new reality for herself and her son. Guilt is a big motivator for her and she is willing to sacrifice time with her son to battle bushfires in the belief that by doing this she can right the wrongs of her dead husband.
I really came to understand Kait through the book and was fully invested in her future by the end. Ryan was a lovely hero whom I immediately felt empathy for. There were so many small elements that came together to complete the story eg Uncle Jack's diary. Much thought has gone into this book and the technical details felt so accurate. The ending is bittersweet with sadness and more loss for Kaitlyn. Ryan and Kait do get their HEA but tempered with the ever present threat of Ryan's undercover past. Good job Helene!
Hunky but troubled undercover cop Ryan is sent to investigate and takes up residence on the property next door.He is immediately drawn to Kait and her family and begins to imagine a life where safety doesn't depend on a lie. But Kait is more involved with the arsonist than she could have predicted and soon all their lives are under threat.
We're used to damaged heroes in romance, and Ryan is definitely one of them,but damaged heroines aren't so common. Kaitlyn is one such lady, trying hard to 'fix' her life so the pain of the past can't hurt her again. She's only half alive as she battles to recover from the past and build a new reality for herself and her son. Guilt is a big motivator for her and she is willing to sacrifice time with her son to battle bushfires in the belief that by doing this she can right the wrongs of her dead husband.
I really came to understand Kait through the book and was fully invested in her future by the end. Ryan was a lovely hero whom I immediately felt empathy for. There were so many small elements that came together to complete the story eg Uncle Jack's diary. Much thought has gone into this book and the technical details felt so accurate. The ending is bittersweet with sadness and more loss for Kaitlyn. Ryan and Kait do get their HEA but tempered with the ever present threat of Ryan's undercover past. Good job Helene!
August 11, 2014
* 4.5 stars
A high intensity crescendo of mistrust, fear, crime and a dash of sizzling romance all culminate perfectly together in Burning Lies, by Helene Young. Kaitlyn is the heroine of Burning Lies, she is a widower and mother to her young son Dan. Both feel the pain of losing the man they both loved in a shocking fire. As Kaitlyn searches for the truth behind her husband’s shocking death, she comes face to face with an unstoppable criminal, determined to prevent her from learning the shocking reality of her husband’s death. Kaitlyn’s search is comprised further when her livelihood is threatened by a series of arson attacks to her homeland in the Atherton Tablelands, in Far North Queensland.
Burning Lies is full of Helene Young’s signature spot on descriptions of the Australian landscape. She is very good at delivering the reader authentic descriptions of life in the bush and the dangerous job that it is to be a Fire Fighter. The characters both good and bad are well developed in Burning Lies. I loved how Helene Young chose to loosely link this novel to her previous novels, Border Watch and Shattered Skies. It was good to revisit some familiar characters, which helped the reader connect even more to the story. Having said that, this book is written in such a way that it could be read easily as a stand alone novel. The romance element in this book strikes the right balance of passion and suspense. Certainly not light on action, Burning Lies builds the tension flawlessly for the reader to end in a thrilling conclusion, highly recommended!
A high intensity crescendo of mistrust, fear, crime and a dash of sizzling romance all culminate perfectly together in Burning Lies, by Helene Young. Kaitlyn is the heroine of Burning Lies, she is a widower and mother to her young son Dan. Both feel the pain of losing the man they both loved in a shocking fire. As Kaitlyn searches for the truth behind her husband’s shocking death, she comes face to face with an unstoppable criminal, determined to prevent her from learning the shocking reality of her husband’s death. Kaitlyn’s search is comprised further when her livelihood is threatened by a series of arson attacks to her homeland in the Atherton Tablelands, in Far North Queensland.
Burning Lies is full of Helene Young’s signature spot on descriptions of the Australian landscape. She is very good at delivering the reader authentic descriptions of life in the bush and the dangerous job that it is to be a Fire Fighter. The characters both good and bad are well developed in Burning Lies. I loved how Helene Young chose to loosely link this novel to her previous novels, Border Watch and Shattered Skies. It was good to revisit some familiar characters, which helped the reader connect even more to the story. Having said that, this book is written in such a way that it could be read easily as a stand alone novel. The romance element in this book strikes the right balance of passion and suspense. Certainly not light on action, Burning Lies builds the tension flawlessly for the reader to end in a thrilling conclusion, highly recommended!
February 14, 2013
I think my timing was off but still a gripping read.
I've said it before and I really do feel like I have to begin this review by saying it again. I am not sure I timed the reading of this novel as well as I could have. Yesterday saw me arrive home after 4 weeks in Canberra with my family. I happened to be there for the 10 year anniversary of the horrific bushfires that decimated two suburbs, while there were 140 bushfires raging and we weren't sure whether we were going to find ourselves stranded and unable to come home. The timing certainly made the reality of bushfires and the prologue more vivid.
Burning Lies is my introduction to Helene Young so I have only just discovered that this is loosely linked to Young's previous two novels Shattered Sky and Wings of Fear; which means I can quite confidently say this book works perfectly as a stand alone novel.
Complete review to come...
You can read the full review here: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
I've said it before and I really do feel like I have to begin this review by saying it again. I am not sure I timed the reading of this novel as well as I could have. Yesterday saw me arrive home after 4 weeks in Canberra with my family. I happened to be there for the 10 year anniversary of the horrific bushfires that decimated two suburbs, while there were 140 bushfires raging and we weren't sure whether we were going to find ourselves stranded and unable to come home. The timing certainly made the reality of bushfires and the prologue more vivid.
Burning Lies is my introduction to Helene Young so I have only just discovered that this is loosely linked to Young's previous two novels Shattered Sky and Wings of Fear; which means I can quite confidently say this book works perfectly as a stand alone novel.
Complete review to come...
You can read the full review here: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
April 8, 2016
I have been reading Helene Young right from the start with her first book Boarder Watch (now retitled) what I really like about Helene is that she tells us the story without fuss, I love an author who just starts with a good opening sentence and then Bam your are already hooked.
Kaitlyn is a great character in fact I think Helene writes some of the best female characters around, they are strong with feelings and I like that, I must admit I wish I was a pilot too. Helene writes what she knows and that is what makes a good book even better. She is believable and such an honest writer. I didn't want to end this book and really took my time to read it as I love the story so much.
Is she Australia's Nora Roberts, yep I think so and in some ways just that little bit better, Helene has an edge that is hard to beat.
Kaitlyn is a great character in fact I think Helene writes some of the best female characters around, they are strong with feelings and I like that, I must admit I wish I was a pilot too. Helene writes what she knows and that is what makes a good book even better. She is believable and such an honest writer. I didn't want to end this book and really took my time to read it as I love the story so much.
Is she Australia's Nora Roberts, yep I think so and in some ways just that little bit better, Helene has an edge that is hard to beat.
January 26, 2015
I think this book was my favorite of the trilogy! I felt a little more connected to this book than the previous two. Kait is trying to maintain her lifestyle, working with Border Watch and bringing up her 7 years old son, with the assistance of her Mum. Kait lost er husband, her father and her home to an arsonist, and is determined never to be that unprepared again. So when she builds her fire proof bunker house in the bush she is horrified to hear that an arsonist is on the loose in the area that may test all that she holds precious.
Characters for the previous books make cameos in this one, however it is Ryan that gets under her skin. This relationship felt truer to me than the other books, alittle more gritty, and I really enjoyed reading the burgeoning of their romance. Looking forward to more from this author!
Characters for the previous books make cameos in this one, however it is Ryan that gets under her skin. This relationship felt truer to me than the other books, alittle more gritty, and I really enjoyed reading the burgeoning of their romance. Looking forward to more from this author!
March 5, 2015
Another effectively crafted novel by Helene that she has continued to pump out some fine adrenalin moments alongside the unravelling of her characters' issues with trust and truth. "Burning Lies" exposes readers to the unpredictable environment of a bushfire season and its dangers. We can certainly appreciate the commitment that Rural Fire Brigade personnel give to their "other" job which is portrayed so realistically here. The themes of grief, the search for truth, family dynamics(both whole and dysfunctional)and personality unmasking is treated with care and consideration in this novel. I especially enjoyed the playful banter between the protagonists and their own journeys, both together and individually, towards self-redemption. Fantastic read!
February 17, 2013
This story is an exciting romantic suspense with a plethora of likeable characters and hateable bad guys. An intriguing plot meant every one was not what they seemed. I particularly liked that characters from the previous 2 books were involved in this story. Helene has a gift for uniquely describing the Australian landscape and effortlessly revealing details about her characters. I was brought to tears, smiled and even mumbled abuse at a few of the characters, before it came to a nail biting criscendo and satisfying ending.
This author is a staple on my bookshelf.
This author is a staple on my bookshelf.
April 13, 2014
A tale of romance set against a background of arson, bush fires and an uncover police operation and is set in far north Queensland on the Atherton tablelands. It's a good read, even though romance is not really my thing. This is a mix of crime and romance and there is enough action to make it enjoyable as does the setting and the characters. It all comes together in a nice package that makes you want to read more. The ending makes you have faith about people finding their match in this wicked world.
Well worth a read.
Well worth a read.
February 20, 2013
Ms. Young is a new author for me, but one I'll be returning to. Loved Kaitlyn and Ryan and the dynamics she created in the family setting. My kind of read in which an author doesn't overwhelm the reader with backstory but spreads it out throughout the book and keeps us guessing. Not everything is as it seems in Burning Lies, hence the title. A smart, well written read I highly recommend. And, yay, I felt like I visited Australia after this story. Well done!
November 5, 2014
Very good. Engaging from beginning to end with the suspense kept at levels that neither exhausted me nor lost my interest. Very topical. The characters and their motivations are well written and work in the narrative. The descriptions of the landscape work, which is essential to the story, but don't take over the story. I wanted to get back to the story when I had to put it down and read it over two days because I just couldn't stay up late enough to finish it.
November 30, 2012
My second Helene Young book. I was lucky enough to win this one.
Helene writes of the Australian fire fighting services with authenticity and authority. The clever plot unfurls and kept me reading on whenever I could squeeze reading time in. The relationship between Kaitlyn and Ryan is convincing and her doubts about 'the real him' bubble below the surface. Will read more Helene Young.
Helene writes of the Australian fire fighting services with authenticity and authority. The clever plot unfurls and kept me reading on whenever I could squeeze reading time in. The relationship between Kaitlyn and Ryan is convincing and her doubts about 'the real him' bubble below the surface. Will read more Helene Young.
February 6, 2014
I just finished reading Helene Young's BURNING LIES, and, as with all her stories so far, really enjoyed it. After first opening the book, I took it everywhere with me, waiting for the next opportunity to find out what was going to happen to Kaitlin and her loved ones. A well crafted, well written story with just the right amount of adventure, romance and action. Well done Helene!
July 10, 2013
When I started reading this book I wasn't sure that I would finish it......I found the first chapter really dull. However, because I was stuck on a train with no other books downloaded I persevered and was pleasantly surprised. The story picks up and while it isn't a huge nail biter, it was definitely enjoyable.
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