Author: Jackie Ashenden
ISBN: 9780857992987
RRP: $1.19
Escape Publishing have brought together eight talented Aussie authors for a collaborative series of short stories set in the small Queensland town of Milpinyani Springs.
Frankie’s is an interesting story and a little different. Frankie has inherited half of her family farm from her father, the other half went to her stepbrother. The stepbrother who rode into her life when she was sixteen and took up permanent residence in her heart.
Frankie has always been one of the boys, she gets on well with all the men working on the farm and has never had any trouble communicating but when it comes to her stepbrother Mac she gets a little tongue-tied and stuttery. The two could do great things for the farm together but Frankie just can’t focus on what the farm needs with him in such close proximity. A little dutch courage, gained from Lucky at the pub in the form of a couple of beers, and Frankie is ready to approach Mac with a proposition. She has managed to get together the money to buy him out and move him on so she can finally focus on the farm.
Yet again we have the story of two people who have loved one another from afar. Frankie because she didn’t think the older Mac even registered her as a woman and Mac because it wasn’t appropriate to be having feelings like that for his stepsister; it totally disrespected the man who took him in and welcomed him as part of the family, then left him the legacy of half the farm.
Frankie offers to buy Mac out so that she can focus on the farm and Mac sees red, when he starts to calm and recognise what’s going on he has a proposition of his own.
There’s a bit of humour in this story as Frankie tries to bluff her way through Mac’s proposition to try and diffuse the situation and try to resolve their issues without her having to buy him out.
Frankie is a heartwarming tale of home, of love and new beginnings; and another couple I would like to revisit. This is a sweet story of going behind the bluff to really connect.
The Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty series can be found at Escape Publishing.
Down & Dusty – Frankie is available February 2016.
Secret Confessions: Down and Dusty – Frankie was book #83 for #AWW2015
Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty
Casey – Rachael Johns
Lucky – Cate Ellink
Kelly – Fiona Lowe
Brooke – Eden Summers
Clarissa – Mel Teshco
Skye – Rhyll Biest
Maree – Elizabeth Dunk
Frankie – Jackie Ashenden
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