Title: Riverboat Point
Author: Tricia Stringer
Published: Harlequin MIRA December 2014
Status: Read from December 04 to 07, 2014 — I own a copy {Courtesy the publisher}
My Thoughts:
Set on the bank of the Murray River, Riverboat Point is the third contemporary Australian rural romance title from author Tricia Stringer.
Savannah Smith is furious when she realises her brother, Jaxon, has lured her to his property in the middle of nowhere and then disappeared, leaving only a note asking her to run his houseboat hire business in his absence. City girl Savannah hasn’t a clue as to what’s involved and hates having to rely on her brother’s tall, dark and handsome neighbour, Ethan, for help, but she is left with little choice. Despite her misgivings, the charm of Riverboat Point slowly wears down Savannah’s defenses, and she considers taking a chance on a building a new life with new friends and new love. But its a risk that will leave more than her heart vulnerable to danger.
There is a thread of suspense introduced into Riverboat Point when, in his letter, Jaxon warns Savannah about his neighbours, the particulars are missing however, so Savannah is not sure exactly who she should be wary of – Ethan, the reclusive Vietnam vet known as Gnasher, or weekenders, Belinda and Ashton. I enjoyed the tension this subplot brought into the story though I think it was perhaps it could have been seeded more fully into the first half of the novel.
Stringer’s main protagonists, Savannah and Ethan, are well developed and likeable characters. They have both weathered tragedy, Savannah still struggles with injuries she suffered in the horrific car accident that killed her parents, Ethan has recently resigned from the military after two tours in Afghanistan and is still vulnerable to nightmares and flashbacks. Though their mutual attraction is fairly instant, their romance develops slowly. I like the way in which Stringer brings the couple together and I think they complement each other well.
An engaging read blending contemporary romance with a frisson of suspense, I enjoyed Riverboat Point. By the way, I have always wanted to holiday on a houseboat and now even more so!
Available to purchase from
Harlequin AU I
I Booktopia I Bookworld I via Booko
and all good bookstores.
****
Read my review of
Book’d Out 
my mum really loved this book – read it in under 2 days! I haven’t had a change to read it yet but looking forward to it. I love her first book
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Yes houseboat would be nice – maybe just for a time though. I have marked this author for a read in a challenge next year – Queen of the Road. Need a book with Q in the title! Will make it a definite now!
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Me too actually, but sadly the hubby isn’t too keen on living on water, even for a few days. I love these lazy type Aussie towns, even with a suspense, they still seem incredibly laid back and are a pleasure to read. I’ve started reading a few contemporary romance as pleasure reads lately too, not for review but just for my own enjoyment. I absolutely love the characters, all completely relatable.
Lovely review ❤
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I like the author’s idea of including some suspense for added texture!
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