Title: Driftwood
Author: Mandy Magro
Published: Harlequin MIRA November 2013
Status: Read on November 06, 2013 — I own a copy {Courtesy the publisher}
My Thoughts:
Dual narratives unfold in Driftwood, Mandy Magro’s engaging fourth Australian rural fiction novel.
In 1861, wanted bushranger William Campbell and his beloved, Anne Margaret Willow, are forced to flee the Goldbury Township of New South Wales, changing their names to evade the law. They settle in Northern Queensland, purchasing Waratah Station and work hard to leave their past behind them, building a future for their family.
In the present day, Taylor Whitworth has fled the city, and the expectations of her family, to pursue her dream of country living, when she stumbles into the tiny Northern Queensland town of Driftwood. Taylor immediately feels at home and within days has gained an apartment, a job in the local pub and an invitation by the handsome Jay Donnellson, to join the next muster on Waratah Station as a jillaroo.
Though I thought there were a few minor issues with the writing, the dialogue was sometimes stilted and the pacing a little uneven, I enjoyed the stories presented in both timelines of Driftwood.
The historical period involves a tale of bushranging, corruption, murder and a beautiful love story touched by both tragedy and joy. The present day timeline focuses on the budding romance between Taylor and Jay but is also deepened by the mystery of Taylor’s father, a man she believes is dead, and enlivened by a cyclone that threatens to destroy everything. Fate eventually reveals the tie between the two timelines, and Taylor’s affinity for Driftwood.
Music is an important part of this novel, Taylor is a talented songstress and Australian country and western singer Adam Brand has an extended cameo in Driftwood. Though I am not much of a country music fan I thought he was a sweetheart after watching his participation in Dancing With the Stars and I really enjoyed his role in the novel. In the video clip below, Adam Brand sings one of the songs mentioned in Driftwood.
A quick read, Driftwood is an engaging story of love and drama with appealing characters and an interesting plot to satisfy fans of both contemporary and historical romance.
Available To Purchase From
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GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Morey Media
I have
1 print edition of Driftwood to giveaway
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Entries Close November 17th, 2013
Drawn via random.org
The classic ‘A Pub with No Beer’ by Slim Dusty still rates with me. 🙂
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Ladies Love Country Boys by Trace Adkins
I just recently heard this and love it, I’m defiantly one of the girls who loves country boys 🙂
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I’ve always had a thing for Johnny Cash. Love his voice. No particular favourite as regards his songs.
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I’ve always been a big fan of Merle Haggard, but I just love Adam Brand singing The Good Things in Life.
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Top of my long list is Keith Urban 🙂
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Too many to list but Lee Kernaghan is a great Aussie country and western singer.
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I know I should probably have an Aussie fave but I just love Garth Brooks
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Kenny Rogers 🙂
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I don’t know if it counts as a real country and western song, but Misty by Ray Stevens.
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I think dolly parton is an exceptional country singer.she has been around for years and her songs are so inspirational
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This is going to sounds like i’m a little girl, but Taylor Swift especially her old music.
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John Williamson’s “Rip Rip Woodchip”
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My favorite is THE McCLYMONT SISTERS, I have seen them live, love their work especially “Piece of Me” , love Aussie C&W, Kev Carmody, Lee Kernahan, Adam Brand, the list goes on
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“I love to have a beer with Duncan” is memorable for me, because I always substitute Duncan with my brother’s name. He is the only person I enjoy a beer with.
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John Williamson … poetry to my ears!
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Keith Urban has a gorgeous voice.
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I grew up singing Tammy Wynette’s D.i.v.o.r.c.e. And Kenny Rogers and Dolly Partons – Islands in the Streams. I was told by a good friend of Slim Dustys that I could take out Tamworth many many years ago , but I was young and didn’t pursue it. This book sounds amazing as my passion is horses. And who doesn’t love a good romance 😆
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