Montana

Lyrebird Lake #1

by Fiona McArthur

The Midwives of Lyrebird Lake - where every day brings a miracle.




Montana Book 1




For midwife Montana, finding out she was pregnant was the best moment of her life. But days later she was widowed.

Nine months have passed, her daughter is born, and Montana knows she needs a fresh start.

Dr Andy Buchanan is building services at Lyrebird Lake Hospital and he wants Montana for the new maternity unit. He can't get the beautiful new mum out of his mind.




Lyrebird Lake is the perfect place for Montana to build a new life - with Andy?

And then there's the magical myth of the lyrebirds...




Dear Reader

I loved Montana's story from the first moment I pictured the sunrise scene on the mountain. The idea of Montana and her friends moving to Lyrebird Lake to find their forever homes in each book has been such an ongoing pleasure. Revisiting and expanding these stories has been a joy.

I've savoured the wonderful people who inhabit the town and the way it grows, giving me smiles, tears and laugh out loud moments. I hope you, too, grow to cherish the amazing community of Lyrebird Lake and the journeys my caring midwives take to find the happiness they deserve.

Welcome

Fiona McArthur brings you a fabulous new Series...




The Midwives of LYREBIRD LAKE

Every day brings a miracle...

It's time for these midwives to become mothers themselves!

In the first book we meet widowed mum Montana Browne in...




Montana

Book 1

Genres: Romance, Audiobook

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2020

About the author

Fiona McArthur has worked as a midwife for thirty years. She is the clinical midwifery educator inner rural maternity unit and teaches emergency obstetric strategies while working with midwives and doctors from remote and isolated areas.

Fiona has written more than thirty romances, which have sold over two million copies in twelve languages. She has been a midwifery expert for Mother and Baby magazine and is the author of Aussie Midwives. She has also written the novels Red Sand Sunrise, The Homestead Girls and Heart of the Sky. She lives on a farm in northern New South Wales.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Montana drove toward her home in Coffs Harbour with labour pains just beginning, she had no idea that her long awaited daughter would be born on the mountain side. Fortunately, Montana was a mid-wife, and although not ideal, she at least knew what would happen. The arrival of the brother of her best friend, Misty just after Dawn was born meant she was safe and secure. After the unexpected death of her husband eight months prior, Montana had no desire to return to their home – she needed somewhere new to grieve and settle with her daughter in her role as a widowed single mother.

Dr Andy Buchanan – Misty’s brother – had his base at Lyrebird Lake Hospital just over the NSW border into Queensland and suggested Montana spend some time there, resting and enjoying her daughter. He thought also that when the time was right Montana might like to work in their new maternity department. Would Montana settle into Lyrebird Lake? Would the peaceful tranquility of the place settle her soul? And would she catch sight of the famed lyrebirds of the area?

Montana is the 1st in the Lyrebird Lake series by Aussie author Fiona McArthur and it was perfect. With grief, new life, new friendships and love winding its way through this story, plus Montana's great character, it was very realistic. I’m looking forward to the second book in the series when it’s released at the end of this month. Recommended.

With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Fiona McArthur has given her readers a wonderful start to the Lyrebird Lake series, featuring midwife Montana Browne and doctor Andy Buchanan.
 
The story opens on New Years Day and it is the first year Montana will start without her husband Duncan, who had died unexpectedly nine months ago.
Montana is a midwife so it's only natural that pregnancy and birth feature largely in the Lyrebird Series. Fiona McArthur's birth scenes are calm, magical and beautiful.
 
Montana meets Dr Andy Buchanan and finds herself instantly attracted. However she feels deep guilt over this attraction and the fact that Andy makes her laugh. Isn't it too early in her bereavement to be having any happy thoughts?
 
McArthur includes many themes that encapsulate hospitals and childbirth, such as, lack of hospital staff in small country areas, teenage pregnancy, genetic diseases and adequate birthing units in hospitals. There are also emotional themes explored throughout the book such as, feelings of guilt when a partner has died, moving on in life and looking to the future.
 
Montana is a beautiful, gentle read. A feel-good story with depth. Just what I needed this week! Andy and Montana's slowly evolving relationship came across as very real and I love that the story wasn't all about the romance and Montana's angst.
 
Lyrebird Lake is full of lovely welcoming residents and I am eager to read the next book in the series and hopefully revisit a few of these wonderful characters.
*I received an ecopy from the author

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a four book series and it starts so beautifully, this is such a heart-warming story, filled with love and so much happiness. Montana and Andy have both lost their partners and it is or is it time to go forward and start fresh and find that love they both deserve. This is a story that will pull at your heart-strings and make you smile.

Montana found herself pregnant and sadly days later she was widowed, she is a midwife and works at a country based hospital with her two best friends, time seems to be moving fast and it is not long before her baby is born, but now she needs a change she needs to start afresh and one of her friend’s brothers runs a small hospital at Lyrebird Lake and is in need of midwives and Montana moves to Lyrebird Lake.

Dr. Andy Buchanan is a widower and is working hard to build Lyrebird Lake Hospital, he has lots of ideas and Montana will be fabulous running the maternity wing, since their first meeting Andy has not been able to forget Montana she makes him smile and maybe it is time to move on.

Andy is just such a wonderful hero filled with positive energy always there for anyone and his energy is rubbing off on Montana she can feel her heart growing for him but is reluctant to let go of her husband. Lyrebird Lake seems to have a healing vibe and it is not long before Andy and Montana are together. This story filled me with so much joy the emotions flow through the pages and not only are Montana and Andy fabulous all of the other characters are just such wonderful people who add so much to this story. There were tears in this one a lot of happy tears.

This is one not to be missed, I highly recommend it and can’t wait for Misty’s story, thank you MS McArthur for another keeper.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

So predictable 🙄

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in the Lyrebird Lake series by Fiona McArthur, we meet Montana who has recently lost her husband and is about to give birth on a mountain. A trained midwife, she takes this in her stride and when her friends brother Andy comes looking for her he is instantly charmed by her.

I liked Montana, who is still struggling with grief and coming to terms with being a single mum. When Andy offers her a chance to get away to Lyrebird Lake with the hope she will want to work at his hospital, she jumps at the chance.

I really liked Andy, he was single-minded and passionate about his hospital, and he was adorable with Dawn, Montana’s newborn baby girl. I loved how he gave Montana space to come to terms with her loss and her feelings at the same time as gently pushing her to move on and start a new life. I also loved how open he was about his feelings towards Montana, not being afraid to say what he felt even if she rejected him.

The people of Lyrebird Lake all thought a lot of Andy and were so welcoming to Montana, it would be lovely to live in such a great community.

This was a sweet, feel good romance.

I’m looking forward to book 2.

Thanks to the author for providing me with a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

[Alys Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short story that I found wholesome and despite it only being short of 200 pages, I did not find that it moved too fast or too slow but the perfect pace for a book of this length!

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5+

[ANNE BARNES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book cant wait for Misty

[Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5*
Another audio book that has entertained me. Very cheesy but fun, simple and enjoyable to listen to. The characters were likeable and I always like a story set in Australia.

[Lucy-Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Montana Browne is a midwife, expecting her first child but having to deal with it alone after the unexpected death of her husband several months ago. After the unexpected arrival of her daughter on a mountainside on New Year's Day, Montana finds herself not wanting to return to her previous home, but needing somewhere to settle with her new daughter as she adapts to her new life as a widow and a mother.
Dr Andy Buchanan is based at Lyrebird Lake Hospital, and suggests that Montana might find the rest she needs within the small community. With time, he wonders if Montana might like to settle in Lyrebird Lake more permanently and help develop the new maternity department.

Montana and Andy are attracted to each other, but they both have past loss to deal with. Is it too soon for Montana to feel happy? Can she allow herself to love again after the devastating loss of her husband? Will Andy give Montana that space she needs to process her feelings?

The characters are well crafted & develop well as the story unfolds. The storyline doesn't shy away from depicting grief, the feelings of guilt and fear and the conflict between honouring the memories and building a new life.
With the main characters being a midwife & a doctor, there are explorations of childbirth, teenage pregnancy and the pitfalls of rural hospitals but love, friendship and new opportunities help to balance the story well. Andy and Montana's slowly evolving relationship, with a very strong basis of friendship, came across as very real and I liked that the story has nuances and was not "love at first sight, happily ever after".

The book was well paced and overall was a delightful, feel good romance that many readers will enjoy, and it's a great start to the Lyrebird Lake series.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Montana is a heartwarming story about a widowed woman who gives birth to her child after her husband died. She needs inspiration to move on and her best friend's brother gives her that inspiration. Will she find love again and move on so soon after her husband's death? This book includes midwives, teen pregnancy, a second chance for love, moving on, and more. I also learned about the lyrebird which is quite interesting. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Flo Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance love

What a lovely tender story of 2 people having lost their spouses. Both Andy and Montana had to start again in a relationship but with them it seemed to be just what they both needed.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobooked this. The narrator had a lovely voice from Bolinda Audiobooks. I highly recommend listening to Bolinda Audiobooks!!
A Very heartfelt story ♥️
A story about midwives and pregnancy, and new love 💕

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly Recommended

A light, easy read. Such a lovely story! I am looking forward to the next story in this series, and liked the sneak peek at the end of this book.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to listen to …

[Kim Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it & looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Siobhan Considine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about birth, love, and how strong/amazing women are. This book leaves you feeling good and that even when you think your story is written, life finds a way to surprise you.

[Gaynor Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Montana

A soft love story, showing two people meeting a strange way.
Learning a new life together as three.
Very enjoyable.

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. Not a great literary masterwork but as a simple relaxing romantic novel to listen to was great. Very calming and always assured of a happy ending!

[Caroline Moorhouse]

Audiobook

[Kristine Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t realise this book was a romance novel until I was past the point of no return. It was pleasant and filled the time it took to travel from Whitsundays back to Brisbane.

[Tegan Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. I'm looking forward to the next in the series

[Bree T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes, you just crave a quiet read, and this book fit the bill perfectly. And I don’t mean quiet in a negative way at all – sometimes, I prefer a read with lower level conflict and less drama, just as a relaxing read or a palate cleanser, especially after quite a few high stakes or depressing reads. And I always enjoy Fiona McArthur’s books – her main characters are almost almost midwives, which I enjoy reading about and the quiet, slower pace of them is soothing.

Montana lost her husband tragically just after finding out she was pregnant. Nine months later, her daughter was born and Montana is restless. An opportunity to move north to the rural community of Lyrebird Lake presents itself and Montana grabs it. There she can relax into being a new mother but with support around her and also the opportunity to establish a maternity unit at the small local hospital. It would mean local women getting to birth close to home, rather than having to travel to a bigger hospital. Also tempting for Montana is Dr Andy Buchanan, who has experienced loss just like she has and who is making her wonder when the right time to move on is.

This was just a really nice calming sort of read, it was easy and quite quick but despite that, the pace was slower, very mellow. The characters are still well-fleshed out though and there was enough time to really develop the area of Lyrebird Lake and give the reader an idea of who they might expect to see books about in the future. I’ll definitely keep these books in mind for times when I need something to chill out with.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treat this book is , light, and an easy read I found it very relaxing and fullfilling . Strong characters created by the author have ensured a positive story which will be an inspiration to many . Montana Browne is grieving the loss of her husband but finds herself in need of a doctor's assistance at the birth of her daughter . Dr Andy Buchanan is drawn to this woman and her daughter and recognises her need for a change of direction . Fiona McArthur has written a warm medical novel which will appeal to a wide audience. I loved the description of the countryside and the introduction of the Lyrebird is incredible , I did not know they had that special talent .
I read this as an e copy , thanks to the author , and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a medical romance set in Australia, and look forward to reading others in the series

[Anne Blyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet and touching story with an engaging cast of characters. Definitely worth reading.