Outback Blaze (A Bunyip Bay Novel, #2)

Outback Blaze is #2 in the Bunyip Bay series by Australian author Rachael Johns. I have enjoyed the first and third of this series and this one was every bit as good.

Ruby has only been home about six months when a number of calamities hit her, you'd think one would be enough, but no, her author hit her up for three! I am not giving anything away by mentioning the first is a terrible fire that burns her parents' business down. It starts off a chain of investigation as to who might have done this terrible deed. Ruby is hit hard by two more shocking and heartbreaking events that would shake the bravest of heroines up.

The only bright light in the whole situation is the presence of Drew, just out to Australia from Liverpool. Unbeknown to Ruby he has a whole back story that could bring an end to their budding relationship. Drew has had a lot of tough experience policing and he is determined to find who has started the fire and... what turns up next.

The book is full of mystery, I had even pegged the cop boss, but no he turned out to be in the clear! There are all the elements of a small town - support, gossip, prejudice - you name it, Bunyip Bay has it. I loved meeting the characters from the other books, and just had to keep reading on to find out 'who dun it?'.

Ah, Outback Blaze no 2 in Rachael Johns series of 3!. Another attention grabbing story about the lives and tribulations of 2 people, Ruby and Drew and their family's. Both come from different backgrounds and both have a past story to tell eventually.
Ruby's parents own a Rural Store in Bunyip Bay and also also are keeping a large and very personal secret.
Drew has come to Australia under a cloud, and is using an assumed name. He is working within the West Australian Police Force.
Sooo,.......Ruby and Drew are attracted to each other and eventually get together. There is bad blood from Ruby's former relationship and this causes a lot of grief . I really enjoyed this book, I think the whole series is a must read as "Rachael John's takes you on a great journey through the lives of these people.

A nice, uncomplicated lazy read in the "old style" of romantic stories. Down too earth and familiar to readers of Australian romane.

Couldn't wait for this book to come out and read about the mystery that was hinted at

Outback Blaze is the second installment in the Bunyip Bay series and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this small rural Australian town after reading Outback Dreams a little while ago.

I found the main female character, Ruby Jones, very likeable and I've come to realise that Rachael Johns develops her female leads quite well. Ruby has a very painful past and was doing her best to rebuild her life back in Bunyip Bay and live a normal life. The way her and Drew come together and develop their romance is nice and believable without seeming too forced and I prefer this type of romance to the sappy, 'fall head over heels in a heartbeat' kind.

I really enjoyed the interesting back story as to why Drew came to join this little town and I also found his character developed in a realistic way. You really wanted these two people to be together and find happiness within each other.

As for the other characters in the book, there were some interesting developments that those who have read Outback Dreams and are familiar with the history of some of the original characters will certainly appreciate. This doesn't mean you have to have read Outback Dreams to enjoy Outback Blaze at all as it could quite easily be read as a standalone story in itself.

The addition of the suspense element broke this book up nicely and I always find that reading books like these really make me long to experience living life in a small rural town one day just to see what it is really like.

I definitely look forward to reading the third installment in the series, Outback Ghost, in the near future.

Absolutely loved it

There’s usually a few things about a book that let me know that it is a winner. Reading it in one sitting does it every time. Outback Blaze was that book for me.

I am an unabashed fan of Rachael Johns and her gorgeous rural romances, and when I managed to pick my jaw off the ground at the sight of “hot blue-eyed guy” on the cover …. those eyes …. sorry, got distracted …. I dove into the reading of her latest release. There was just so much to love about this book – the wonderful, colourful characters, the hint of suspense that runs through the story, a hero and heroine you want to cheer on and care deeply about.

So, what did I think of Outback Blaze?

I loved the development of Ruby and Drew’s romance. There is that to-ing and fro-ing that I love, along with a good dash of heat. Both have secrets they feel the need to hide, and neither is expecting the attraction to develop as it does. There is no rush towards the sexytimes, and there are some definite bumps and potholes on their road to a happy ending. I loved that Drew wanted to find out the truth about what led to and caused the fire, but still wanted to believe the best of Ruby’s parents. You never feel as if he’s teetering over the edge into either side, which could quite easily have happened.

With this having a suspense thread weaving its way through the story, I have to say a big, big thank you to Rachael for keeping the mystery to the very end. No flashing and obvious red lights here! Just as you think you may have it sorted out in your head, something comes along that makes you think differently. Let’s just say, without me pulling the curtain back to show you the wizard, that you will NOT be expecting things to happen as they do or at the hands of that particular person. I love this kind of suspense – the type that keeps you guessing without making you feel like you’re stuck on the never-ending Gravitron.

The events that bring about the mystery and the reactions of the people of the town are so wonderfully done. Rachael has done a brilliant job of showing how communities like Bunyip Bay can muster the troops in support of those who are suffering, but with the slightest hint (right or wrong) that something sketchy is afoot, can withdraw and shun just as quickly. I wanted to get all punchy on Ruby’s behalf when she and her family were turned on, but luckily she had Drew on her side.

If you are keen for a read that will make you laugh, give you a couple you’ll love, and show a town you’ll want to visit, Outback Blaze will definitely fit that bill. Go back and read Outback Dreams, if you haven’t already! This will introduce you to the town and the series – after reading them, you will be as antsy as I am to get your mitts on Outback Ghost. The covers are edible too.

Oh, and any book that has good looking men running through the streets in their undies has my vote!

I thoroughly enjoyed Outback Dreams and couldn’t wait to read Outback Blaze. I love the idea behind Rachael Johns’ premise. It was great to see where her idea came from for the fire. To be honest I didn’t love this on as much as the first, but I am really excited about reading Outback Ghost. Throughout books one and two, the ghost is present and the mystery behind the ghost is mentioned in book one, but I want to read Adam’s story; the loveable and sweet hottie has to find true love.

Ruby Jones, twenty-seven has returned home and living with her parents again. There is a mystery as to what happened with her fiancé, but they let Ruby have her peace. Ruby is an organising freak and has agreed to organise the local Undies Run for charity. The first stage is promotion, Ruby together with her friend Simone are arranging a photo-shoot with some of the hot runners to get more interest and of course they’re in their undies.

Simone sets the stage and Ruby gets the guys. Adam, Ryan, Liam and Drew have arrived, but it appears Drew, the UK police officer has turned modest, since he was volunteered to participate in the first place. So it’s just the other men and the ladies certainly don’t complain about the three muscled locals.

When the shoot was over, smoke wafts through the town and everyone heads out to see what’s happening. There’s a raging fire in the Ag shop, Ruby’s parents shop. Ruby rushes out and her parents arrive at the same time. They are all devastated, all they can do is watch the volunteer firefighters try their hardest to salvage what they can. The whole town has come out to watch the spectacle.

Drew talks to Ruby and questions are going around about who would have burned down the Ag store. Nobody has a grudge against the Jones, they are an integral part of the community. Ruby’s parents are acting very strange lately too, her father seems very attentive towards her mother and something just isn’t right. What secret are they hiding?

Ruby isn’t looking for a relationship, after everything she’s gone through in the past twelve months, she is trying to focus on her horse-riding business. But when she keeps running into Drew Noble, her attraction towards him cannot be ignored for much longer.

Drew has his own secrets and is determined to keep them that way. Drew isn’t getting along very well with his Sergeant and the investigation on the fire. Drew knows that the answers aren’t right and is resolved to find the truth for Ruby.

Will Drew and Ruby give in to desire? Can Drew find the true arsonists? What is his secret? What happened to Ruby twelve months ago? What is going on with Ruby’s parents?

Outback Blaze is a fun read with the antics of Simone and the Undies Run. I didn’t find this one as addictive as Outback Dreams, but it was definitely entertaining and intriguing. With the secrets of both characters, I was drawn to find out what happened and if they would get together. I highly recommend this series to all romance readers.

Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyed this author.

A nice romance easy read novel type ,was expecting a little more history from the outback but it was entertaining and light