Set in Australia in the mid
19th century, this is the story of Sarah
Markham whose father is a sheep rancher, and Dominic Gallagher, a Irish convict
who was transported to Australia for a crime he didn’t commit and was then “purchased”
by Sarah’s father to serve out his 15-year sentence. Because he is a man who
speaks up when events call for it, he is whipped and abused. Sarah intervenes
to save his life.
The handsome Irish rogue knows Sarah is
attracted to him, as most women are. But the odd thing to him is that he is
attracted to her—a tall, skinny and plain woman. Robards, as usual, serves up
delicious tension and some exciting action as life in New South Wales on the
sheep station presents many dangers: convict uprisings, fires, rustlers and
draught. Meanwhile, Sarah’s father is trying to get her to wed his ranch
manager who has a cruel, evil side.
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| Original Cover |
I loved the picture of the brooding
sexy Irish hero—an alpha male to be sure—thrust into the dusty Australian
frontier where life is even harder than what he left behind in Ireland where he
longs to return. Both Sarah, who is biased against convicts, and Dominic, who
has suffered wrong at the hands of his mother and now Sarah’s father, have
trust issues they must overcome. And Dominic has connections to an English earl…
Robards’ portrayal of Australia is
vivid (had me reaching for a glass of water!) and her characters very well
drawn. A worthy read combining a favorite hero origin and a fascinating time in
history.
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