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Australian #1
Moonfire
An American beauty stranded by a shattered promise on Australia's vast shores...
After sailing to Australia only to find that the man who asked her to marry him has no intention of fulfilling his part of the bargain, Maggie Chamberlain vows to shape a new life for herself in Sydney. Then arrogant, wealthy Reeve McKenna captures Maggie's untried heart, thrilling her senses with a sweet, dark rush of desire. But Reeve cannot be hers alone, for he is obsessed by his search for his beloved brother James, lost two decades before. Reeve's fierce hunger for the Yankee beauty is not yet love, and Maggie wants both the breathless pleasure of his passion and the full surrender of his heart--or nothing at all.
On of American's most romantic writers, Linda Lael Miller brings the white-hot passion of Moonfire to the Australian frontier country in this sensuous story of two lovers bound by desire.
After sailing to Australia only to find that the man who asked her to marry him has no intention of fulfilling his part of the bargain, Maggie Chamberlain vows to shape a new life for herself in Sydney. Then arrogant, wealthy Reeve McKenna captures Maggie's untried heart, thrilling her senses with a sweet, dark rush of desire. But Reeve cannot be hers alone, for he is obsessed by his search for his beloved brother James, lost two decades before. Reeve's fierce hunger for the Yankee beauty is not yet love, and Maggie wants both the breathless pleasure of his passion and the full surrender of his heart--or nothing at all.
On of American's most romantic writers, Linda Lael Miller brings the white-hot passion of Moonfire to the Australian frontier country in this sensuous story of two lovers bound by desire.
377 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
84 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
552 books3,231 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 24, 2024
Not for me, it was slow and boring plus I really disliked the heroine; she was argumentative, immature and slutty…
November 20, 2010
Reeve McKenna and his brother, Jamie are separated as teenagers in Ireland as Jamie is transported for thievery and Reeve departs on a whaling ship for Australia. 20 years have passed and Reeve has spent a good portion of that time trying to find his brother.
Maggie Chamberlain is an actress in London who believes Philip when he tells her he loves her and has her travel to Sydney as an indigent who will then be expected to repay her passage as a servant for three years unless she marries. Of course, Philip has no intention of marrying her and even fails to appear when the ship finally arrives. Maggie is thrust into a situation that is totally beyond her abilities. She has hot hunky men after her, mortal enemies Duncan and Reeve.
I picked this up because I'm fascinated with Australia and hoped to get some good descriptions of the surrounding countryside so I could enjoy Australia vicariously. Unfortunately, there wasn't much "Australia" in the story at all. Yes it took place in Sydney, Brisbane and Queensland but beyond the description of the ocean and the houses, there wasn't much Australian to be had. Oh well, the story was okay but not great. The animosity between Duncan and Reeve was fun. The whore Loretta bopping back and forth between them was annoying. And Eleanor, what a scank.
I simply felt that it was dragged out much further than need be and it didn't even get exciting until about 250 pages in after the whaling accident. Then the action ramped up and it finally turned into a page-turner as expected of a novel by Linda Lael Miller. Interestingly enough, I was more interested in Jamie's story and can't wait to get my hands on that book, Angelfire.
Maggie Chamberlain is an actress in London who believes Philip when he tells her he loves her and has her travel to Sydney as an indigent who will then be expected to repay her passage as a servant for three years unless she marries. Of course, Philip has no intention of marrying her and even fails to appear when the ship finally arrives. Maggie is thrust into a situation that is totally beyond her abilities. She has hot hunky men after her, mortal enemies Duncan and Reeve.
I picked this up because I'm fascinated with Australia and hoped to get some good descriptions of the surrounding countryside so I could enjoy Australia vicariously. Unfortunately, there wasn't much "Australia" in the story at all. Yes it took place in Sydney, Brisbane and Queensland but beyond the description of the ocean and the houses, there wasn't much Australian to be had. Oh well, the story was okay but not great. The animosity between Duncan and Reeve was fun. The whore Loretta bopping back and forth between them was annoying. And Eleanor, what a scank.
I simply felt that it was dragged out much further than need be and it didn't even get exciting until about 250 pages in after the whaling accident. Then the action ramped up and it finally turned into a page-turner as expected of a novel by Linda Lael Miller. Interestingly enough, I was more interested in Jamie's story and can't wait to get my hands on that book, Angelfire.
June 11, 2016
I'm a devoted fan of Linda Lael Miller and was really looking forward to reading this book, but this heroine completely ruined the experience for me. Maggie was young and terribly insecure. She was also severely lacking in the common sense department. I definitely understood all the Taming of the Shrew references dropped into the story. Maggie could whine, pout, stomp her feet and throw tantrums (and crockery) like a wild woman. I was ready to drop kick her into the next decade myself!
The story started out well enough, with two young brothers facing a life of few opportunities in Dublin after the death of their mother. Reeve refused to become a street beggar, or fall into a life of crime, and secured employment on a ship sailing to Australia. His brother Jamie wasn't quite so fortunate. Reeve was forced to leave Ireland without him. Things just went downhill from there.
I will say that it is interesting to see how far Ms. Miller has come in her writing since 1999. I LOVE her Stone Creek series and wouldn't hesitate to pick up any of her newer material. This couple just didn't "click" with me.
So, while I would pass on this book, don't pass on this author! She really is very, very talented!
The story started out well enough, with two young brothers facing a life of few opportunities in Dublin after the death of their mother. Reeve refused to become a street beggar, or fall into a life of crime, and secured employment on a ship sailing to Australia. His brother Jamie wasn't quite so fortunate. Reeve was forced to leave Ireland without him. Things just went downhill from there.
I will say that it is interesting to see how far Ms. Miller has come in her writing since 1999. I LOVE her Stone Creek series and wouldn't hesitate to pick up any of her newer material. This couple just didn't "click" with me.
So, while I would pass on this book, don't pass on this author! She really is very, very talented!
November 15, 2009
This is a story about Two brothers, Reeve and Jamie McKenna, born in Ireland and then forced to leave. One being transported as a punishment for theivery, the other on a whaling ship. Both end up in Australia, but not together again for 20 years.
Maggie Chamberlain is an American who has taken ship to Australia on a promise of love and marriage. When she arrives there is no love and no marriage.
When Maggie meets Reeve McKenna, things start to change for her and she falls for this selfmade wealthy man. Though there are perils and trials along the way to their finding happiness.
This is a fast and enjoyable read of love, triumph, and spirit.
Maggie Chamberlain is an American who has taken ship to Australia on a promise of love and marriage. When she arrives there is no love and no marriage.
When Maggie meets Reeve McKenna, things start to change for her and she falls for this selfmade wealthy man. Though there are perils and trials along the way to their finding happiness.
This is a fast and enjoyable read of love, triumph, and spirit.
March 11, 2023
I have been a big fan of Linda's sagas for years, especially her Western historical stories. I did enjoy the Australian setting and the sprawling landscape for the rambling tale of two rich and powerful men who vie for the love of a beautiful young woman. The beginning where two Irish lads set out for Australia, one on a prisoner ship and one on a whaler, is a good segue into the self-man man theme of Australia. That said, the heroine, Maggie, was annoying. She was supposed to be a 19 year old woman who had taken care of herself but her impulsive and childish behavior seemed more like a 15 year old at times and the men treated her that way. There was also a bit too much melodrama for my taste and vacillating between love and fits of temper. But if you love a big, rousting, historical love story this is for you.
September 23, 2009
This story is about how a girl named Maggie found her unexpected love in Australia. Maggie had gone out with a Australian named Philip, who had promised her that he'll marry him and give her a role in his play when she comes to Australia. Innocently believing him, Maggie leaves her homeland America to a new foreign land to find out that Philip was never serious about keeping his promise. But there she met one of Australia's richest man, Reeve. Famous for having several affairs at once, Reeve and Maggie makes the most unexpected couple. At the beginning, Maggie had a bad impression while Reeve became interested in her and decides to help her create a new life a Sydney. However, Maggie starts to fall for Reeve and ends up marrying him, although there were several obstacles they had to go through.
April 28, 2008
First book in the Austrailian series by Ms. Miller. Not a bad read. This is the story of an American and an Irishman in the land down under. Good story, great character development and it will go on my keeper shelf. I am reading book 2 now and I am enjoying it also
July 21, 2023
I liked this romance and found the story interesting. Maggie boarded a ship to Australia from England to meet her supposed fiance and a part in Taming of the Shrew. Unfortunately, she learns that he was just blowing hot air and never figured that she would leave everything behind. She meets Reeve McKenna, who owns the theater and made his money as a whaler. Reeve and Maggie are immediately smitten with each other, but others stand in their way. Namely, his conniving mistress and Mr. Kirk, her besotted employer (as a governess).
The wildness of Australia was in big contrast to England and reminded me more of western romances. I was intrigued to read about all of the characters' origins and what led them to this frontier land. Reeve has been separated from his brother Jamie for 20 years and he has always been searching for him. Maggie has an unexpected encounter with Jamie which leads to tension between her and Reeve.
Midway through, Reeve suffers an accident and that is where we see how devoted Maggie is to him. Some parts of his recovery did not make sense to me and neither did Jamie's reasons for keeping away from his brother. But overall, it was a good read and I will read Jamie's story next.
The wildness of Australia was in big contrast to England and reminded me more of western romances. I was intrigued to read about all of the characters' origins and what led them to this frontier land. Reeve has been separated from his brother Jamie for 20 years and he has always been searching for him. Maggie has an unexpected encounter with Jamie which leads to tension between her and Reeve.
Midway through, Reeve suffers an accident and that is where we see how devoted Maggie is to him. Some parts of his recovery did not make sense to me and neither did Jamie's reasons for keeping away from his brother. But overall, it was a good read and I will read Jamie's story next.
July 23, 2024
As far as romance novels go,this wasn't too bad.I had read this book previously at least 2 decades go and seemed to like it then. Fast-forward to now I didn't have much memory of this book when picking it up from my shelf to read again after all these years.This was a love story with just a little more plot to it then in typical romances I read before.There is some action and mystery. The lead character was not too interesting and kind of whiny.It was pretty good but not a number one favorite.It could still have been kind of a movie.
October 4, 2020
Moonfire is the first of Linda Lael Miller's books set in Australia in the 1800s. I read Angelfire first which is the second book concerning the McKenna family. I was thrilled to learn there was another book. This one is about Reeve McKenna. Be sure to read Moonfire before you read Angelfire. Both books are sexy and full of fire!
September 8, 2023
Leading Lady Lacking
The book has a decent enough storyline, but the leading lady acts more like a spoiled 12 year old with absolutely no sense rather than an adult woman. Pretty disappointing read, actually.
The book has a decent enough storyline, but the leading lady acts more like a spoiled 12 year old with absolutely no sense rather than an adult woman. Pretty disappointing read, actually.
December 27, 2025
2.5 stars
Normally I enjoy LLM's early romances. They are a bit ridiculous but still very entertaining. This one dragged a bit and I kept wondering what the point was. I was bored a few times and wanted it to end. There was too much back and forth between the main characters and some pretty pointless side plots.
Normally I enjoy LLM's early romances. They are a bit ridiculous but still very entertaining. This one dragged a bit and I kept wondering what the point was. I was bored a few times and wanted it to end. There was too much back and forth between the main characters and some pretty pointless side plots.
October 6, 2017
Really 4.5 stars.
October 22, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book, its a great pen writings.i wish i could read all over and over again
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 7, 2019This is the first romance novel I ever read.
April 5, 2020
Absolutely Fantastic
This is one of the best series I've ever read. Read it out of order bit would recommend reading it in order. I hope she writes Duncan's story next.
This is one of the best series I've ever read. Read it out of order bit would recommend reading it in order. I hope she writes Duncan's story next.
August 18, 2022
Awesome!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2023
it lost a star for the ending!
Not really a spoiler… There is no way any woman would be doing that after she just gave birth!
No. Way.
Not really a spoiler… There is no way any woman would be doing that after she just gave birth!
No. Way.
November 19, 2023
Started out ok, then got a bit ridiculous. Maggie was a woman-child, silly & immature most of the time. Made for a frustrating read.
February 14, 2026
I was glad it was over
March 15, 2017
Another racey book by Linda Lael Miller. Haven't read one of her books in awhile. Hot and steamy.
June 28, 2019
A true romance novel. An American girl traveling to Australia under manipulative circumstances concerning an empty promise of marriage and fame. Maggie not realizing that her present turmoil which brought her from her well established life in Europe as an actress in the theater will soon blossom into a complex passionate relationship with a an Irish man
Reeve McKenna.
A story that is very much an addicting read. I could not simply put it down. Forever a romance favorite. Five stars.
Reeve McKenna.
A story that is very much an addicting read. I could not simply put it down. Forever a romance favorite. Five stars.
April 28, 2008
i really liked this story, except for the fact that there was too much suspence! Well, i mean that if one dramatic thing wasn't happening it was another! Those scenes went on forever, until you just wanted to hurt somebody! (i sure did!!lol) But don't get me wrong, it was an awesome book and it had a very happy ending!!!
October 29, 2012
Loved this new series set in Australia. Complex characters, beautiful and vivid descriptions of different locations in Australia. Nice closure with some happily ever afters and loose ends tied up but I knew there had to be more stories to tell. Was happy to see this is Australia #1 in the series.
Love Linda Lael Miller's cowboy stories and series too. Give her a try if you haven't already.
Love Linda Lael Miller's cowboy stories and series too. Give her a try if you haven't already.
October 23, 2008
Very good book!
October 29, 2009
I've read a lot of LLM's books but this one was the worst written. I couldn't relate to characters or understand their motivation. It was good enough to read but no where near what she usually writes
November 12, 2017
Modern
September 14, 2011
i enjoyed reading this little romance I would have liked a little more suspense and mystery and less goofy story about a whaling trip and the post traumatic stress it caused the hero.
Read
July 27, 2011I have issues with some of the plotting/pacing but otherwise I loved it :D
November 4, 2011
Romance set in the 1800's in Australia. Enjoyed the story and characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews