Review: Inheritance by Kate Loveday

 

Title: Inheritance

Author: Kate Loveday

Published: Scribes Ink Publishers March 2012

Synopsis: An inheritance is usually a blessing . . .could it also be a curse? Yallandoo, the cattle station in the rugged, beautiful and potentially dangerous hinterland of Far Northern Australia – passed down through generations from English ancestors. Now willed to Cassie Taylor, a young woman from the busy metropolis of Sydney. Can a city girl cope with the challenges of running this vast property? Who is out to stop her? And why?

Status: Read on December 20, 2012 — I own a copy {Courtesy the author}

My Thoughts:

Set in rural Australia, Inheritance is an engaging contemporary romantic suspense novel by Kate Loveday.
Cassie Taylor is stunned to learn she has inherited Yallandoo, a cattle station in the Far North, after the tragic death of her aunt and uncle. Though intimidated by the challenge, she is determined to honour the family legacy and refuses to sell, much to her neighbour’s chagrin. Eager to ensure the drought stricken station continues to thrive, Cassie plans to supplement the farm’s income by diversifying into eco tourism, but her efforts are sabotaged by complaints, threats and arson. Facing increasing financial pressure, unless Cassie can put a stop to the disruptions she faces losing the place she now calls home.

Cassie proves to be a likeable protagonist, she takes on her inheritance with the best of intentions and though she is not completely inexperienced, she recognises she has a lot to learn. I really liked the way in which Loveday portrayed Cassie’s bond with Yallandoo, both with the land and it’s people. Yallandoo is vividly described from the dusty cattle yards to the lush tropical rainforest. Loveday is respectful towards the Indigenous, weaving their history with the land seamlessly into the story.

The romantic element of the story takes the familiar path through denial, wild attraction and misunderstandings before reaching it’s happy ever after. I have to admit, I wasn’t such a fan of Mark, there were a few elements to his character that I found quite unappealing, and as such I was lukewarm about the burgeoning relationship between the pair, though eventually I was reconciled to it.

While I felt the thread of suspense started too late in the story, I thought the author developed a strong line of intrigue. Neighbour Mark makes no secret of his desire for Cassie’s property to expand his own, and with his brother pushing for him to close the deal, his romantic interest in Cassie could be seen as little more than an expedient business move. Ben’s unscrupulous deal with Stella gives them both motive for delaying Cassie’s plans, and both seem more than capable of carrying out the sabotage designed to undermine Cassie. Or is it someone from her past who wants to see Cassie fail, hoping she will return to the city to find comfort in his arms? Discovering the identity of at least one of the culprits provides an unexpected twist to the mystery.

Inheritance fits neatly within the popular ‘farm-lit’ genre, incorporating romance and intrigue against the backdrop of rural Australian life. I found Inheritance to be an enjoyable, well written story and would happily recommend it.

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