AustLit

'Suzannah Casey was just twelve years old when she was transported to the Australian colony from Ireland. Though devastated by her circumstances she was grateful to be given an opportunity, through Caroline Chisholm's scheme for young girls, to start a new life on the Goulburn Plains with ex-convict, George Oakes. However, Suzannah could never have envisaged the trauma and loss that lay ahead of her. She must find the faith and courage to overcome abuse, disappointment, abandonment, illness, religious bigotry and finally her own yearnings in order to discover what is more precious than gold.' (Publisher's blurb)

'Rebecca Maher is a happily married woman, looking forward to the future with her husband, Andrew. Only one thing mars her peace. She is alienated from her sister, Mary. James Taylor, Mary's husband, is a cruel and bigoted man, who hates Rebecca because of her religious and political views. Rebecca, with the support of her husband and her sister-in-law and life long friend, Sarah Oakes, is determined to find a way to stop James from hurting her sister and her nieces and nephews. But Mary resists Rebecca's attempts to help. She is determined to hold onto hope that James will change, until one night when his temper causes devastating results and changes her life forever.

'The story also involves the families at home during World War 1.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.