Northern Heat by Helene Young **Guest Post & Review**

Northern Heat by Helene Young **Guest Post & Review**

Hey Everyone!

I'd like to introduce you to Australian author Helene Young. Her latest book, Northern Heat, was released today. Happy launch day Helene!


Conor, one of the characters in Northern Heat, lives on a yacht. Helene has had some personal experience with this lifestyle. Here's what she has to say.



Helene Young on living aboard a yacht

Living aboard a catamaran was a long term dream of ours and it’s everything we hoped it would be. I love writing onboard when we’re under sail. There’s something intensely soothing about the hiss of the water against the hull and the hum of the wind in the sails and rigging.  I slip into my imaginary world and it’s very easy to stay there. I did worry that it might be tricky finding space to write - and I do have friends who’ve suggested I could always trail Capt G and Zeus behind us in the dinghy if they were interrupting me - but so far it hasn’t been an issue. Because the internet is also a little more inconsistent over a mobile device it limits my habit of procrastinating on social media. And that’s definitely a good thing.
As with my stories which involve flying I think it’s important to make sure any technical sailing details are accurate. I do have to remind myself that I’m telling a story, though, and not trying to sell someone a boat. On a previous book when I waxed lyrical about the engine size of the aircraft my editor pointed out she didn’t want to buy the darned thing so she didn’t care . . . Since then I’ve kept the information concise and appropriate.  I also know sailors are an irreverent lot so they’ll show no mercy if I make a mistake!
The other delight of living aboard is the ever changing view. We’re casting off again in July to go cruising indefinitely. I can’t wait to explore the amazing Australian coastline. So many new places and people to meet. It’s this writer’s idea of heaven.
Head over to Penguin Books Australia to read an interview with Helene, an extract from Northern Heat or to find out about all her other books.


Connect with Helene via:


Northern Heat by Helene Young 

In steamy northern Queensland, Conor is living under an assumed name and rebuilding his shattered life. Working at Cooktown's youth centre has given him the chance to make a difference again, and a chance to flirt with Dr Kristy Dark.

After tragedy tore her family apart, Kristy fled to Cooktown with her feisty teenage daughter, Abby. She hoped being part of the small community would help them both heal, but Abby's sports coach is turning out to be a compelling distraction.

When a severe cyclone menaces the coast, threatening to destroy everything in its path, tensions come to a head – and the weather is not the only danger in Cooktown. Cut off from the world and with her life on the line, Kristy will have to summon her courage and place her trust in Conor, or they'll both lose someone they love.


Hey! Here's my review.

I was immediately drawn to this book because of the setting. I live in a similar climate in the tropical north of Australia. I loved reading about the wet season, cyclone warnings, crocodiles and curling up with a good book in the air conditioning - all concepts familiar to me. 

I loved both Connor and Kristy. They were both strong characters who had baggage from their past, but they were still kind and likable characters. I enjoyed seeing their romance unfold and hoped they would be able to fall in love. The underlying suspense surrounding a murder was heightened by the cyclone. Once the cyclone got real, the tension had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put the book down (well not quite edge....I was actually snuggled up on a recliner with a cup of tea and the air conditioner on).


This book also dealt well with the issue of domestic abuse. It demonstrated how isolating and controlling the abuser can be and how difficult it can be to get out of a situation like that. 


This is the first book I have read by Helene Young and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.


I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

★★★
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