Book Review: In a Great Southern Land (Historical Fiction)

In a Great Southern Land

by 

Mary-Anne O'Connor

Publisher: Harper Collins Australia 
Imprint: HQ Fiction
Publication Date: 18th March 2019
Pages: 416
RRP: $32.99
Format Read: Paperback
Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

From the emerald hills of Ireland to a wild colonial land comes an epic story of love, brotherhood and the fight for liberty....

1851: After the death of her father, young Eve Richards is destitute. Her struggle to survive sees her deported in chains to the colony of New South Wales, penniless and alone. But here in this strange new world fortune smiles on the spirited, clever Eve in the shape of a respectable job offer that will lead to a quiet, secure life. Then the fiery and charismatic Irishman Kieran Clancy crosses her path...

For Kieran Clancy, the kindest man on earth, and his brother Liam, the promise of free passage and land in this brave new world is a chance to leave the grief and starvation of County Clare behind. But while Liam works to farm their land, Kieran has the fire of gold-fever upon him and is drawn to the goldfields of Ballarat. As tensions grow on the goldfields, and with the blood of an Irish rebel still beating through his heart, Kieran finds himself caught up in the cataclysmic events at the Eureka Stockade and faces the decision of a lifetime: whether or not, when it comes to love, blood will remain thicker than water...

 

O’Connor has excelled with this emotional and heart-wrenching saga of a family striving for a new beginning in a foreign untamed land.

I love reading books on early Australian setters, both convicts and free settlers. I quite often find reading about the early days of Australia raw and confronting. In a Great Southern Land is no exception, although not as harsh as some I’ve read that delve into the atrocities against convicts and the aboriginals. O’Connor steers more towards the difficulties of living in a harsh, barren and isolated area and the budding romance between Kieran and Eve.

Irishman Kieran Clancy and his extended family have been granted free passage to New South Wales and a parcel of land on arrival. Kieran had a burning desire for vengeance against oppression. Their leaving doesn’t happen without much controversy and heartache.

Eve Richards finds herself without a job and back on the streets of Vauxhall, Liverpool. A misadventure with police ends with her in prison and sentenced to a life of servitude in Australia.

Kieran was a cocky Irishman very sure of himself but also sure of what was right and what was wrong. He would always put someone else’s safety and rights before his own. He lived his life passionately and impetuously. Always doing what was right.

The story follows Kieran working at the shipyard, in 1800’s Sydney, where he teams up with Dave spending their spare time drinking and fighting then moves on to the goldfields where, like so many others, they hoped to make their fortune.

Kieran’s brother Liam, sister Eileen her husband and three children settle on their property in Orange waiting for Kieran to join them.

A chance encounter with Kieran ends with Eve working as a servant and companion to the mistress of an isolated country property.

In a Great Southern Land encompasses what it means to be free incorporating the free settlers, convicts, the gold rush, Eureka Stockade, prejudice and the general hardships of a harsh landscape.

In a Great Southern Land is an incredibly moving tale and the author’s notes at the end are equally as moving. Set aside some time, this is one book you won’t be able to put down.

My rating  5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*this review is part of the Book Lover Book Review Aussie author challenge

and book #10 in the Australian Women Writers challenge

Letter 'I' in the 2019 A-Z challenge

Photo credit: Goodreads

Mary-Anne O'Connor has a combined arts education degree with specialties in environment, music and literature. She works in marketing and co-wrote/edited A Brush with Light and Secrets of the Brush with Kevin Best.                                                                          Mary-Anne lives in a house overlooking her beloved bushland in Northern Sydney with her husband Anthony, their two sons Jimmy and Jack, and their very spoilt dog Saxon. This is her fourth major novel. Her previous novels, Galipoli Street (2015), Worth Fighting For (2016) and War Flower (2017), have all been bestsellers.

 

 

Mailbox Monday - April 22nd

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog. Head over and check out other books received during the last week. 

 

Received via Beauty & Lace Bookclub

Without a Doubt by Fleur McDonald

Detective Dave Burrows had never even heard of Nundrew in Queensland before. He'd certainly never have guessed that this was where he'd be risking his life.

In Barrabine, as Dave's workload skyrockets, Melinda, Dave's wife, is unhappy about being left alone so much to raise their eighteen-month-old daughter. It's not how Dave wants it either, but crimes still have to be investigated - it's what he joined the force for - and he's the only one able to do it.

Melinda's interfering father isn't helping. He's never thought that Dave is right for his daughter and he's not shy about telling Dave what he's doing wrong. When things come to a head at home, Dave's policing mate, Spencer, comes up with a plan.

In the most dangerous mission of his life, Dave knows what he's risking. If he's found out, he'll never see Melinda or Bec again. Of that he's sure.

eBooks received via Netgalley

 Seraphina Does Everything by Melissa Gratias

  Seraphina wants to do it all. From soccer to ballet to French club, her schedule is jam-packed. However, Seraphina finds she feels blue. With some help from her dad, Seraphina discovers that in trying to do everything, she's missing out on some of her favorite things.

Hide and Seek Little Chameleon by Anita Bijsterbosch

  Little Chameleon loves to play hide-and-seek. He knows a few special hiding tricks. Will you help look for Little Chameleon?

A cheerful seek-and-find book filled with colors, numbers, and animal friends. For toddlers ages 30 months and up, with a focus on the child's language development. 

What Books did your postman deliver this week?

Post a link to your Mailbox Monday or simply list your books in the comments below.

   

 

Winner of Under the Midnight Sky by Anna Romer announced

A big thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway for a paperback copy of Under the Midnight Sky . I had a huge amount of entries which  goes to show how popular Anna Romer is. The giveaway closed on 19th April and the winner was randomly selected from all correct entries. 
Congratulations to..

 Kylie H

You will receive an email shortly and have 7 days to provide a mailing address. I hope you enjoy your prize.

Please see my Giveaway tab for more chances to win great books. I will have a new international giveaway starting shortly.

 

Book Review: What Happens at Christmas (Romantic Suspense)

What Happens at Christmas

by 

Evonne Wareham

 
Another Christmas themed book can be crossed off my list and my plan to finish them before Easter (the end of the Easter weekend) is still on track. I have one more book on my list. 

Publisher: Choc Lit
Publication date: 5th December 2017
Pages: 255
Format Read: eBook
Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

Best-selling author Andrew Vitruvius knows that any publicity is good publicity. His agent tells him that often, so it must be true. In the run-up to Christmas, she excels herself - talking him into the craziest scheme yet: getting himself kidnapped, live on TV.

But when the plan goes ahead and Drew is unceremoniously thrown in the back of a van before being dragged to a hut in middle of the Brecon Beacons, it all starts to feel a little bit too real.
Meanwhile, not far away, Lori France and her four-year-old niece Misty are settling in to spend the holidays away after unexpected events leave them without a place to stay. Little do they know they’re about to make a shocking discovery and experience a Christmas they’re not likely to forget …

 

Successful author Andrew (Drew) Vitruvius reluctantly agrees to a fake kidnapping on live TV as a publicity stunt. However the kidnapping feels all too real when he is left beaten and chained in an abandoned house with no means of escape.

Lori France, an aspiring writer, is looking forward to a few days off to finish writing her first novel. When her four-year-old niece is unceremoniously dumped on her for the holiday break Lori puts aside her plans and takes her to stay at a friend’s cabin in the Brecon Beacons, determined to give Misty a happy Christmas.

I quite enjoyed this Christmasy romantic suspense with likeable characters and a few twists to keep the reader engrossed. It was a light, easy read and had a compelling mystery behind the slow-burn romance between Lori and Drew.

Drew had a heart-breaking past that he needed to work through before he could give his heart to Lori. Both characters worked through problems that arose with patience and maturity. The inclusion of 4-year-old Misty and Lori’s cat, Griff added a sense of fun and humour to the story.

I am adverse to internal monologue and there is an abundance of that throughout the story but the anguish (which is another of my pet peeves) is kept to a minimum.

What Happens at Christmas is the perfect story for a quick holiday read.

My rating: 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

 

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Evonne Wareham was born in South Wales and spent her childhood there. After University she migrated to London, where she worked in local Government, scribbled novels in her spare time and went to the theatre a lot. Now she is back in Wales, living by the sea, writing and studying for a PhD in history. She still loves the theatre, likes staying in hotels and enjoys the company of other authors through her membership of both the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Crime Writers' Association.

 

 

Mailbox Monday - April 15th

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog. Head over and check out other books received during the last week. 

Received for review:

The One by Kaneana May
Publication date: 17th June 2019

Before cameras roll on the final ceremony, three women  will discover just what they're willing to do in pursuit of the one....

A highly entertaining debut from an Australian scriptwriter (Home and Away, All Saints and Headland) filled with heart-warming drama and relatable characters.

If you like the behind-the-scenes action of Unreal and the charm of Zoe Foster-Blake, you'll love this story.


Received from the author:

The Bloodstone Key by Jenni Boyd
Publication date: 21st December 2013


It is Medieval times where the word of the King or Queen is law and a knight swore upon an oath, a code of chivalry to guard the Sovereign and protect the weak. The land is called Zanna, a place where mythical creatures and sorcerers of great power exist, a power used for both good and evil.
The Queen is dying, a secret closely guarded to protect the Princess, heir to the throne. The Royal Duke, the Queen's cruel and sadistic nephew believes the crown is rightfully his and will do whatever it takes to become King.
As a dark shadow of evil spreads across the land, whispers arise of an old legend passed down through the generations about 'The Child of the Gods', a child born to save the Kingdom from absolute terror! 

I really enjoyed this light fantasy. You can read my review  here.

 

What Books did your postman deliver this week?

Post a link to your Mailbox Monday or simply list your books in the comments below.

 

 

Book Review: The Butterfly Room by Lucinda Riley

The Butterfly Room

by 

Lucinda Riley

Publisher: Pan Macmillan 
Publication date: 23rd April 2019
Pages: 624
RRP: $29.99
Format Read: Uncorrected proof paperback 
Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

 

Posy Montague is approaching her seventieth birthday. Still living in her beautiful family home, Admiral House, set in the glorious Suffolk countryside where she spent her own idyllic childhood catching butterflies with her beloved father, and raised her own children, Posy knows she must make an agonising decision. Despite the memories the house holds, and the exquisite garden she has spent twenty-five years creating, the house is crumbling around her, and Posy knows the time has come to sell it.

Then a face appears from the past - Freddie, her first love, who abandoned her and left her heartbroken fifty years ago. Already struggling to cope with her son Sam’s inept business dealings, and the sudden reappearance of her younger son Nick after ten years in Australia, Posy is reluctant to trust in Freddie’s renewed affection. And unbeknown to Posy, Freddie - and Admiral House - have a devastating secret to reveal . . .

 

The Butterfly Room is a sweeping multi-generational saga of long held secrets, devastating despair and second chances. Riley’s writing is rich and engrossing. Her characters are convincing.

I love stories told in dual time lines as the mysteries and secrets of the past unfold and crash into the present day.

Posy is almost 70 and her family estate is becoming too large and costly for her to handle. If she sells she can help her son Sam with his new property development company and downsize at the same time. But everything Sam has touched has failed. Will this new venture go the same way? Youngest son Nick returns home after 10 years in Australia and the arrival of an old flame in Southwold has Posy filled with indecision and confusion.

The story is filled with burgeoning romances but nothing goes smoothly as secret liaisons are made and shocking secrets are revealed as the past explodes into the present.

Each character had their own distinct personality and we get a very good insight into their lives and their different occupations. I really enjoyed the information on Nick’s antique business and Tammy’s work starting her antique dress shop.

The Butterfly Room is a big book, over 600 pages, however the mysteries are captivating and Riley feeds out snippets of information which had me guessing my own conclusions only to find I was wrong every time.

Riley evokes empathy for her characters but there is also plenty of anger, despair and heart-wrenching emotion, confirming that Riley can elicit a full spectrum of emotions from one book.

Despite its lengthy size The Butterfly Room is a totally engrossing and fast read. I was completely enthralled by the Montagues’ lives.

My rating: 5/5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

content: domestic violence. 

 

Photo credit: Goodreads

Lucinda Riley was born in Ireland, and after an early career as an actress in film, theatre and television, wrote her first book aged twenty-four. Her books have been translated into over thirty five languages and sold fifteen million copies worldwide. She is a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller.

Lucinda is currently writing The Seven Sisters series, which tells the story of adopted sisters and is based allegorically on the mythology of the famous star constellation. The first five books, The Seven Sisters, The Storm Sister, The Shadow Sister, The Pearl Sister and The Moon Sister have all been No.1 bestsellers across the world, and the rights to a multi-season TV series have already been optioned by a Hollywood production company.