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Black Mountain
An adventure set in the Australian rainforest, where the race is on to discover a precious plant – and an even rarer kind of attraction.
Elly Cooper's friend Jackson has gone missing – along with a journal that contains her dead father's lifelong work and the recipe for a product he described as the 'fountain of youth', potentially worth millions.
The catch is that the main ingredient is a rare plant found only in the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland. And only her father knew where to find it.
Elly enlists the aid of ex–policeman Mitchell Beaumont to help her find Jackson, the journal and the plant. But someone else is on the trail of the precious plant, and it seems they'll stop at nothing – even murder – to get what they want.
It's a race against time in the tropical heat as Elly and Mitchell battle the perils of the rainforest – and the feelings growing between them.
Elly Cooper's friend Jackson has gone missing – along with a journal that contains her dead father's lifelong work and the recipe for a product he described as the 'fountain of youth', potentially worth millions.
The catch is that the main ingredient is a rare plant found only in the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland. And only her father knew where to find it.
Elly enlists the aid of ex–policeman Mitchell Beaumont to help her find Jackson, the journal and the plant. But someone else is on the trail of the precious plant, and it seems they'll stop at nothing – even murder – to get what they want.
It's a race against time in the tropical heat as Elly and Mitchell battle the perils of the rainforest – and the feelings growing between them.
- GenresRomance
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2016
About the author
Kate Loveday
13 books18 followersKate Loveday grew up in a seaside suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. Her two passions as a child were to spend as much time as possible at the beach, and to curl up with a book. Her love of books never left her.
She always wanted to write, and dabbled a bit, but it was not until an extended caravan holiday around Australia with husband Peter that she began writing in earnest. She started with travel articles about places they visited. When these were accepted for publication by travel magazines she began to write fiction. Her first novels, Inheritance and ‘Black Mountain, were inspired by the beautiful, rugged far north of Queensland, and the interesting characters she met there.
A love of history prompted her to research the past of the rural area of the mid north coast of NSW while spending time there. Along the way she looked into the conditions for women in the nineteenth century, when women had few rights and were dominated by the men of the time. This provoked her to write An Independent Woman, the first book in the Redwoods series, which chronicles the life and passions of Kitty Morland, a woman of that era, followed by ‘A Liberated Woman’ and ‘An Ambitious Woman’. This series is set in and around Bulahdelah, an old, historic town situated on the beautiful Myall River.
Her writing career has included publication of travel articles and short stories, as well as novels. She previously worked in real estate and building, as an office manager, and finally as a natural/ beauty therapist, running her own business for many years. She now writes Australian contemporary and historical women’s fiction/romance.
When she is not writing she enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with husband Peter and her family and friends. She loves chocolate, good food and wine, dogs, music, and seeing new places.
amazon.com/author/kateloveday
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 29, 2016
Elly and her three friends are travelling to Brisbane for a weekend away and just maybe, this could be the time her relationship with Jackson goes the next step. But at the last minute Jackson can't go, citing work reasons. On return to Cairns, Elly tries to find Jackson but it seems he has disappeared, he doesn't work for Qantas as he stated and she doesn't really know where he lives. On top of everything, someone has been in her flat and stolen her deceased father's precious notes. He had been working on some research that could delay, or even reverse the signs of ageing, potentially worth millions. With the help of ex policeman Mitchell Beaumont, it's up to Elly to find the elusive plant that her father had been researching, before someone else does.
This was a very easy, quick read. I found it a light romantic, suspense book. With the writing style I never really got invested in the characters but that didn't detract my enjoyment from the story and I liked the way Elly's and Mitch's friendship grew. It was a pleasant winter afternoon's entertainment.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review.
This was a very easy, quick read. I found it a light romantic, suspense book. With the writing style I never really got invested in the characters but that didn't detract my enjoyment from the story and I liked the way Elly's and Mitch's friendship grew. It was a pleasant winter afternoon's entertainment.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review.
June 17, 2016
I really enjoyed this book as it had a hint of romance and bit of intrigue.
Plus I have always found Australia fascinating from afar and for that reason found this read, fun and exciting.
Eloise or Elly Cooper and her girlfriend Gai are going away for a weekend treat with a couple of guy friends. Only Elly’s guy friend, Jackson never shows up for their flight. He does call her the next day to explain away his absence. Meanwhile Elly hangs out with Gai and her guy friend Tim and they enjoy the weekend away without Jackson. When Elly and her friends get back home, she goes to where Jackson says he works and asks about him only they have never heard of him, mmmmm. Who is this Jackson character, is he all Elly thinks he is?
When Elly gets back to her apartment she has this gut feeling something is not quite right in her apartment. She senses that some of her things have gone awry.
She looks in every room in her apartment until her friend Gai says, “do you have something in her that somebody might want?” That is when Elly goes to where her dad’s journal was supposed to be and finds that it is missing.
It was her dad’s work and research for their family’s business.
Her dad had found a plant that might help them in the skincare industry.
The next morning she calls the police about her apartment seemingly has been broken into, but it was whom they were interested in more, that was disturbing. Jackson seems more and more sinister as the story goes on.
Elly had called her mother, Beth and she was there when the police came but did not find them to be very resourceful. They had the locks changed on the apartment and Beth decides they need someone to help them search for the journal and whoever took it. It is an old friend that grew up with Elly and he is an ex-cop now with an injury and does private investigating on his own. Mitchell Beaumont is going to help Elly search for the missing journal and the rare plant that her dad found that could be worth millions. He promises Beth, that he will not allow any harm to come to Elly.
Mitchell and Elly go out for days looking in the “Daintree rainforest and with no success. Being together day in and day out does things to your heart; so are Elly and Mitchell growing fond of one another? Might there be a chance for love to grow between the two? Mitchell does think women are fickle creatures and Elly after all thinks Mitchell is “self-opinionated pig.”
Is their search for the plant her dad found successful?
What about Jackson, did he indeed steal the journal? Is he in it for himself or working for someone else? Are they after the rare plant too? If so, how far will they go to get it?
Will Jackson jeopardize Elly’s life?
There are many more unexpected things that happen in the story that you will miss out on if you don’t take a chance on this enthralling read.
“Black Mountain” is the place where adventure, romance, and mystery abound; what more could one ask for?
I would like to read more books by this author.
I, was given this book, by Netgalley.com for review purposes.
Plus I have always found Australia fascinating from afar and for that reason found this read, fun and exciting.
Eloise or Elly Cooper and her girlfriend Gai are going away for a weekend treat with a couple of guy friends. Only Elly’s guy friend, Jackson never shows up for their flight. He does call her the next day to explain away his absence. Meanwhile Elly hangs out with Gai and her guy friend Tim and they enjoy the weekend away without Jackson. When Elly and her friends get back home, she goes to where Jackson says he works and asks about him only they have never heard of him, mmmmm. Who is this Jackson character, is he all Elly thinks he is?
When Elly gets back to her apartment she has this gut feeling something is not quite right in her apartment. She senses that some of her things have gone awry.
She looks in every room in her apartment until her friend Gai says, “do you have something in her that somebody might want?” That is when Elly goes to where her dad’s journal was supposed to be and finds that it is missing.
It was her dad’s work and research for their family’s business.
Her dad had found a plant that might help them in the skincare industry.
The next morning she calls the police about her apartment seemingly has been broken into, but it was whom they were interested in more, that was disturbing. Jackson seems more and more sinister as the story goes on.
Elly had called her mother, Beth and she was there when the police came but did not find them to be very resourceful. They had the locks changed on the apartment and Beth decides they need someone to help them search for the journal and whoever took it. It is an old friend that grew up with Elly and he is an ex-cop now with an injury and does private investigating on his own. Mitchell Beaumont is going to help Elly search for the missing journal and the rare plant that her dad found that could be worth millions. He promises Beth, that he will not allow any harm to come to Elly.
Mitchell and Elly go out for days looking in the “Daintree rainforest and with no success. Being together day in and day out does things to your heart; so are Elly and Mitchell growing fond of one another? Might there be a chance for love to grow between the two? Mitchell does think women are fickle creatures and Elly after all thinks Mitchell is “self-opinionated pig.”
Is their search for the plant her dad found successful?
What about Jackson, did he indeed steal the journal? Is he in it for himself or working for someone else? Are they after the rare plant too? If so, how far will they go to get it?
Will Jackson jeopardize Elly’s life?
There are many more unexpected things that happen in the story that you will miss out on if you don’t take a chance on this enthralling read.
“Black Mountain” is the place where adventure, romance, and mystery abound; what more could one ask for?
I would like to read more books by this author.
I, was given this book, by Netgalley.com for review purposes.
June 22, 2016
Elly Cooper hasn't had much luck in the romance department but she hopes that a fledgling friendship with an airline pilot, Jackson, will possibly change that. But when Jackson disappears, and she discovers that he is not who he says he is, Elly and her friends are completely confused as to why he tried to fool her. It is not long before Elly realises that her deceased father's journal, containing his life's work, is also missing. Elly decides to head back to her family home where they grow plants and herbs for therapeutic and cosmetic products - if she can figure out the whereabouts of the secret plant that her father had been working with, maybe she will find out who is behind the robbery and what they want. This will lead her on a dangerous journey through the Australian rainforest with betrayals and surprising discoveries along the way. But this is not something she can do alone - and Mitch Beaumont is the perfect man for the job.
Mitch Beaumont's life as a police officer changed when he was injured. Hoping to set up a security firm with a colleague, he has no problem helping out his mother's friend when she needs him. Tracking down this Jackson guy, and finding this unknown plant is not going to be easy, and add in his attraction for Elly, and things might just get complicated. And when danger comes very close who knows how it all may end.
BLACK MOUNTAIN by Kate Loveday is an easy read and I enjoyed it overall. I like the plot as it is different, and the scenery is described in stunning detail. Elly and Mitch are interesting characters, but there were times when Elly irritated me, especially in relation to her dealings with Jackson later on in the story. On the whole, I found BLACK MOUNTAIN by Kate Loveday to be a short, light read.
Mitch Beaumont's life as a police officer changed when he was injured. Hoping to set up a security firm with a colleague, he has no problem helping out his mother's friend when she needs him. Tracking down this Jackson guy, and finding this unknown plant is not going to be easy, and add in his attraction for Elly, and things might just get complicated. And when danger comes very close who knows how it all may end.
BLACK MOUNTAIN by Kate Loveday is an easy read and I enjoyed it overall. I like the plot as it is different, and the scenery is described in stunning detail. Elly and Mitch are interesting characters, but there were times when Elly irritated me, especially in relation to her dealings with Jackson later on in the story. On the whole, I found BLACK MOUNTAIN by Kate Loveday to be a short, light read.
June 6, 2016
I read it in a couple of hours and I enjoyed the story.
Elly has met a very nice airline pilot, Jackson, but he does not show for a weekend away with friends because of his job. When Elly returns someone has been in her house and the only thing missing is her late father's journal. Upset to learn that there is no Jackson Lee employed by Quantas, Elly and her mother seek the help of Mitchell Beaumont. Once a police officer but wounded in the line of duty, he is setting up his own business. They want him to track down Jackson Lee to get the journal with all its important content back.
The writing style is a bit detached, so I never really connected with the characters. But it is still a nice read with an Aussie vibe to it. Between 2,5 and 3 stars for me.
*** I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. ***
Elly has met a very nice airline pilot, Jackson, but he does not show for a weekend away with friends because of his job. When Elly returns someone has been in her house and the only thing missing is her late father's journal. Upset to learn that there is no Jackson Lee employed by Quantas, Elly and her mother seek the help of Mitchell Beaumont. Once a police officer but wounded in the line of duty, he is setting up his own business. They want him to track down Jackson Lee to get the journal with all its important content back.
The writing style is a bit detached, so I never really connected with the characters. But it is still a nice read with an Aussie vibe to it. Between 2,5 and 3 stars for me.
*** I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. ***
June 27, 2016
This is a fantastic short read that is fast pace and exciting. I really enjoyed this story as it was something different and really captured my attention.
Elly is in a race against time to find the flower that holds the secret to her father's fountain of youth oil, she's determined to finish what her father started and she's not going to let searching a rainforest stop her. Only problem is she's not the only one looking for the undiscovered flower but it's difficult to get ahead of someone when you've no clue who they are. Elly's mother calls in the help of Mitchell to find out who stole her husbands research and so Elly isn't out searching the rainforest by herself. Spending so much time with Mitchell, Elly might find more then just the flower.
Elly is in a race against time to find the flower that holds the secret to her father's fountain of youth oil, she's determined to finish what her father started and she's not going to let searching a rainforest stop her. Only problem is she's not the only one looking for the undiscovered flower but it's difficult to get ahead of someone when you've no clue who they are. Elly's mother calls in the help of Mitchell to find out who stole her husbands research and so Elly isn't out searching the rainforest by herself. Spending so much time with Mitchell, Elly might find more then just the flower.
July 2, 2016
Black Mountain is an exciting and complex adventure focusing on a race between greed and love. Elly desperately wants to fulfill her father's dream of developing an amazing herbal based anti-aging cream to add to her mother's line of herbal skin care. She had worked with him until his death but set aside the research in her mourning until someone stole the book in which he kept his notes. With the help of an old family friend she must find the key component, a rare plant, before the thieves find it.
June 8, 2016
Elly is continuing the research of her father when the new love she thought was there goes missing. A series of mysterious events bring Mitchell, a former police officer , into her life to assist in solving the mystery on the insistence of her mother.
First time reading this author and thoroughly enjoyed her description of the country, characters and story line. Will be checking out her other books.
Ebook from Net galley and publishers with thanks.
First time reading this author and thoroughly enjoyed her description of the country, characters and story line. Will be checking out her other books.
Ebook from Net galley and publishers with thanks.
June 9, 2016
After I saw the cover and read the book description of ‘ Black Mountain’, I was very interested in reading this book. An adventure set in the Australian rainforest? Well, that definitely sounds like a great story if you ask me.
In ‘Black Mountain’ we meet Elly Cooper. When Elly’s friend Jackson suddenly ‘disappears’ before their weekend together can begin, Elly is sad and frustrated. When also her dad’s journal has disappeared from her home when she gets back, Elly is afraid someone is after her dad’s hard work to make a youth serum. Together with her mum, Elly hires ex-policeman Mitchell to help them find the ‘secret’ plant for her dad’s serum before someone else finds it.
To be completely honest, this book wasn’t what I expected it to be. From the beginning on I couldn’t really connect with the main characters Elly and Mitchell. Elly was just very naive, and the way she trusted people irritated me. I honestly just couldn’t get her way of thinking. And although that’s not necessarily a bad thing.. In this book it kind of bothered me. Mitchell was a nice character, but I wished we could have read more about him. His character just seemed to be staying a bit of a side character in my eyes. And the whole romance part.. Unfortunately I couldn’t feel the chemistry between Elly and Mitchell.
Than there was the whole ‘youth serum’ part that really couldn’t spark my interest. I’m not a very beauty oriented person, so perhaps that was the main problem for me about this serum.. but I just couldn’t really connect with that part of the book.
The setting in Australian and the rainforest was very nice to read about. I could definitely imagine myself walking through that forest. And I definitely wanted to check out some Australian rainforest pictures after reading this book.
Overall this book wasn’t really for me. It was a nice enough read but I just couldn’t connect with it and missed depth.
In ‘Black Mountain’ we meet Elly Cooper. When Elly’s friend Jackson suddenly ‘disappears’ before their weekend together can begin, Elly is sad and frustrated. When also her dad’s journal has disappeared from her home when she gets back, Elly is afraid someone is after her dad’s hard work to make a youth serum. Together with her mum, Elly hires ex-policeman Mitchell to help them find the ‘secret’ plant for her dad’s serum before someone else finds it.
To be completely honest, this book wasn’t what I expected it to be. From the beginning on I couldn’t really connect with the main characters Elly and Mitchell. Elly was just very naive, and the way she trusted people irritated me. I honestly just couldn’t get her way of thinking. And although that’s not necessarily a bad thing.. In this book it kind of bothered me. Mitchell was a nice character, but I wished we could have read more about him. His character just seemed to be staying a bit of a side character in my eyes. And the whole romance part.. Unfortunately I couldn’t feel the chemistry between Elly and Mitchell.
Than there was the whole ‘youth serum’ part that really couldn’t spark my interest. I’m not a very beauty oriented person, so perhaps that was the main problem for me about this serum.. but I just couldn’t really connect with that part of the book.
The setting in Australian and the rainforest was very nice to read about. I could definitely imagine myself walking through that forest. And I definitely wanted to check out some Australian rainforest pictures after reading this book.
Overall this book wasn’t really for me. It was a nice enough read but I just couldn’t connect with it and missed depth.
July 13, 2016
An adventure set in the Australian rainforest, where the race is on to discover a precious plant — and an even rarer kind of attraction.
Elly Cooper’s friend Jackson has gone missing — along with a journal that contains her dead father’s lifelong work and the recipe for a product he described as the ‘fountain of youth’, potentially worth millions. The catch is that the main ingredient is a rare plant found only in the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland. And only her late father knew where to find it!
This is a gripping tale that is well plotted and contains good character development. The story is fast-paced and kept my interest to the very end, which has a sting! Kate Loveday has captured the true essence of the Far North Queensland fascinating atmosphere, with its warm, tropical climate, its dark mysterious rainforests and the true character of the people living in this piece of paradise.
Mitchell is a very appealing character with his true Aussie approach to life and yet traces of a sensitive side to his nature often appear. He is a strong support for the main character, Elly, and many will find much appeal in Mitchell.
I particularly enjoyed the vivid and wonderful description of the eerie and intriguing Black Mountain. I was fascinated with the myths and mystery surrounding this significant Queensland land mark.
This book will suit all readers with suspense and intrigue and many twists and turns. Lovers of Australia and its fascinating variety of geography and rugged landscape will be well satisfied. A great read!
I rate this 5 Stars
Elly Cooper’s friend Jackson has gone missing — along with a journal that contains her dead father’s lifelong work and the recipe for a product he described as the ‘fountain of youth’, potentially worth millions. The catch is that the main ingredient is a rare plant found only in the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland. And only her late father knew where to find it!
This is a gripping tale that is well plotted and contains good character development. The story is fast-paced and kept my interest to the very end, which has a sting! Kate Loveday has captured the true essence of the Far North Queensland fascinating atmosphere, with its warm, tropical climate, its dark mysterious rainforests and the true character of the people living in this piece of paradise.
Mitchell is a very appealing character with his true Aussie approach to life and yet traces of a sensitive side to his nature often appear. He is a strong support for the main character, Elly, and many will find much appeal in Mitchell.
I particularly enjoyed the vivid and wonderful description of the eerie and intriguing Black Mountain. I was fascinated with the myths and mystery surrounding this significant Queensland land mark.
This book will suit all readers with suspense and intrigue and many twists and turns. Lovers of Australia and its fascinating variety of geography and rugged landscape will be well satisfied. A great read!
I rate this 5 Stars
June 21, 2016
An Aussie adventure in the rainforest, a missing persons thriller and a romance waiting to happen? I think I was dreaming of a modern Romancing the Stone. BECAUSE I LOVED THAT STORY.
But it just fell really flat for me.
I don’t admire heroines that are ready to jump into bed with the next guy that is paying them any attention. This particular gal was just plain inviting people to take advantage of her. She didn’t just make mistakes, her thought processes were just…ridiculously foolish to me. Especially for someone who is doing “research” on a botanical miracle serum.
This romance was hollow lust. I didn’t get into Mitchell and Elly’s dynamics which I felt were rather shallow and contrived. And the mystery just didn’t keep me intrigued.
It was a great idea and a quick read but perhaps just not a fit for me.
But it just fell really flat for me.
I don’t admire heroines that are ready to jump into bed with the next guy that is paying them any attention. This particular gal was just plain inviting people to take advantage of her. She didn’t just make mistakes, her thought processes were just…ridiculously foolish to me. Especially for someone who is doing “research” on a botanical miracle serum.
This romance was hollow lust. I didn’t get into Mitchell and Elly’s dynamics which I felt were rather shallow and contrived. And the mystery just didn’t keep me intrigued.
It was a great idea and a quick read but perhaps just not a fit for me.
July 29, 2016
Review copy received from Escape Publishing
September 27, 2016
i enjoyed this a nice summer read,a nice easy read recommended
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews