Outback Secrets

by Elle James, Kendall Talbot

She’s unearthing ancient secrets.
He’s desperate to keep his secrets buried.
But the deeper they dig, the deadlier the truth.

Special Forces soldier Mitch Branson swore he’d never return to Koolaroo Ranch, his family’s vast cattle station in the heart of the Australian Outback. But when his tyrannical father vanishes without a trace, Mitch and his siblings face a chilling truth: their father may or may not be dead, but his secrets are about to tear the family apart.

Fiercely independent paleontologist Charlie Macintyre comes to Koolaroo Ranch chasing a career-defining dinosaur discovery and collides head-on with a brooding soldier determined to shut her down. When a flash flood traps them in a maze of hidden caves, survival takes a deadly turn. Buried in the darkness, they uncover evidence of a decades-old murder, and Charlie realizes the land is hiding far more than fossils.

As the merciless Outback closes in, danger escalates and attraction flares between two people who never planned to trust anyone again. But the truth about Mitch’s past, and the brutal confrontation that drove him from Koolaroo, threatens to destroy what’s growing between them.

While the Branson siblings race to unravel their father’s disappearance, they discover some family legacies are meant to stay buried. And if Frank is still alive, Mitch may be forced to finish what he started ten years ago.

Outback Secrets is book one in the gripping Koolaroo Ranch romantic thriller series, where passion runs hot, danger lurks beneath the red dust, and every book uncovers another shocking layer of the Branson family’s twisted heritage.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 21, 2026

About the author

Award-winning author Elle James grew up as an air force military brat. She received her work ethic from her rock-solid father, her creative streak from her artistic mother and inspiration from her writing partner and sister, Delilah Devlin. As a former member of the army reserves and a current member of the air force reserves, she's traveled across the United States and to Germany, managed a full-time job, and raised three wonderful children. She and her husband have even tried their hands at ranching exotic birds (ostriches, emus and rheas) in the Texas hill country. Ask her, and she'll tell you what it's like to go toe-to-toe with an angry three-hundred-and-fifty-pound bird and live to tell about it!

Her adventures in the army and air force reserves, and the wild antics of her life on a small ranch in Texas give her fodder for mystery, suspense and humor in her writing. Elle writes gothic, paranormal mystery for the Harlequin Intrigue line and paranormal romantic comedy for Dorchester Publishing. A former manager of computer programming and project management professionals, Elle is happy she now has the opportunity to pursue her writing full time.

Reviews

[JP18267 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew fossils could be so exciting?! Their two storylines merge perfectly when Mitch and Charlie have the most suspenseful meet-cute ever—I was seriously on the edge of my seat. I couldn't help but hold my breath as they struggled to survive the fury of mother nature. Despite tensions running high, the attraction between them was off the charts. The exciting discoveries, unearthed mysteries, and extremely spicy moments made it impossible to put this book down. Hands down one of the best books I've ever read—not at all what I was expecting. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

*this book was so good I stayed up all night reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special forces Mitch comes home to Koolaroo cattle ranch. He left ten years ago but now home to help his siblings find his father. Who no love between them.
Mitch is shocked to find Charlie a palaeontologist on the ranch. She is looking for a career-defining dinosaur discovery . Not expecting to come to head to head with Mitch. Let’s say a storm and a body in a cave these two close.
Looking for a missing father, who was the body in the cave. One stubborn man and a woman that pushes his buttons. Suspense, action, chemistry and ohh what happens to a missing father.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[janelle beaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitch has returned to Koolaroo ranch after leaving 10 years ago. He's there to help his sibling find their father. There's no love lost between Mitch and his father but, he's there for them. While looking he finds Charlie who's a paleontologist on the ranch she shouldn't be there. When a flash flood happens it's all they can do to survive trapped in a cave where they find a decade old body. There's danger, suspense, murder, chemistry and unanswered questions. Can't wait for book 2 to see what happens next and what we find out about their father.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Charlie and Mitch are amazing characters and you can feel their chemistry right off of the pages. This book is so full of heart racing action with a little spice thrown in. I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I can't wait for book 2.

[Ela La1978 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The find of a century in the Australian Outback doesn’t bring what was expected. Danger closes in and lives are in danger. The elements, animals and a bad guy are not easy to survive.
Action packed, family twist love story about the past, the future and dinosaurs.