Leopard Rock

by Tarras Wilding

Rumour and romance get all stirred up in a fabulous read from the heart of the African outback

Roo Beckett knew there had to be a catch when she won first prize in a prestigious wildlife film-making competition. A month's mentorship in the beautiful South African game reserve, Leopard Rock, with renowned film-maker Wyk Kruger, seemed simply too good to be true.

Sure enough, after her free-loading, fashion-magazine colleagues decide to tag along, Roo's solo African adventure doesn't have the best of starts. But that's the least of her worries. Lost in the African outback, Roo's soon struggling with a bigger and more unexpected problem - her attraction to the mysterious Wyk himself...

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 5, 2009

Reviews

[Juliana Es · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an accidental read (if I can say that). I was vetting 2 boxes of books under this label, Little Black Dress, and found myself drawn to read this novel. It's a chic lit no doubt. While other novels under the same label are so direct in describing sexual intimacy, this one plays it subtle.

I rank it 2.5 stars.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read from the little black dress series. The vivid descriptions of South Africa's wildlife is unbeatable. I did a little research on the author and realised Tarras shuffled between Africa and NZ. No wonder! I like Roo 's strength and the mentor-student relationship between herself and Wyk. There's this kinda forbidden, protective feel to it.

The downside to this book is the unclear background of Rica. Why is she the way she is? Personality disorder? Why does she avoid being intimate with Wyk? I didn't really buy the whole idea of how Wyk can just put up with Rica's awfulness. But then again, a surprisingly good number of people do tolerate crappy spouses in crappy circumstances.....

The most touching part was how the Mama Leopard adopted the lion cub... I can almost picture the beautiful scene. I would have expected more electricity from the lovers throughout the story. Their reunion was also a tad bland.

Nice read nonetheless, I would love to visit a safari one day.

[Preet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of this book were the descriptions of Africa and its beauty. It sounded like paradise. The descriptions of the beauties and harsh realities of life in the wild were very well explained.

I liked Roo. What drove me nuts was how an alpha man like Wyk could let himself be emasculated the way he was. When he explained close to the end of the book, it made more sense, but it was still a tough pill for me to swallow.

It seems this is Tarras Wilding's only book. I do wish they had written more.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written, fun, light read. It is a typical chick lit book with the only slight difference been its setting which is in Africa. The only problem with this book is the ending felt a little rushed with the epilogue, set a year later, added just to give the expected ending. However, it did not really affect the book as whole and it was still an enjoyable read.

[Claire Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book actually wish it was longer, the description of the setting was easy to imagine and makes u want to go there its definitely inspiring and romantic and just as you think the ending is disappointing there's a lovely suprise at the end, a good little read :)

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a sweet little book : )

[Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting read. really admire the heroine.

exciting from the start, broke my heart half way, renewed my hope in the end.