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Mystic Mountains is currently available as an Amazon US & UK KINDLE countdown deal for 99c. Click on the cover to go there.
In the
early 1800s the penal colony of Botany Bay was an unforgiving and harsh place.
Isabella O'Shea is transported to New South Wales for wounding a member of the
British aristocracy who raped her, so it is understandable that she loathes
members of the upper class and the system that punished her; sentenced her to
seven years transportation. Tiger
Carstairs is rich, ambitious and English-so is it any wonder she is determined
to hate her new master. Tiger dreams of making a new life beyond the aptly named
Blue Mountains, so called because of the perpetual haze of blue surrounding
them.
And here's my six paragraphs for this Friday:
"I'd just
as soon have gone with that Mr Tonkins," she told him haughtily, trying to
get free.
"You have
no say in who you go with. Tonkins now has his woman and is quite happy. Would
you rather have gone with the Irishman? Yes?" he asked when she remained
mute. "Perhaps I should have let him take you. Do you know what the likes
of Malloy would do with you, hmm? Well, let me tell you, he'd use your scrawny
body until it was fit for naught but feeding the sharks out in the cove. The
last woman who went with him is now dead and buried, and probably grateful to
be there, instead of being used by him."
"I might have preferred going with him," Isabella lied. "Anything would be better than being the chattel of an English pig."
"I might have preferred going with him," Isabella lied. "Anything would be better than being the chattel of an English pig."
His heavy golden
brows drew together. "So, 'tis a pig I am is it? If you think I'm a swine
then let me tell you about Malloy, wench. He's a debaucher of the worst kind.
Why else do you think he wanted a skinny little wench like you? Especially one
who walks with a limp and who doesn't have the strength to lift a kettle, by
the looks of her." His strange golden eyes skimmed her from head to toe in
open scorn.
"Then why
did you pick me if you think I'm such a poor choice?"
"Heaven
knows. I must be mad. I should have left you to Tonkins, or let Malloy have his
way. All right. You win."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"It is always a pleasure to read a Tricia McGill novel. Her
characters come alive before your eyes and her ability as a wordsmith paints a
picture you can see. I am already looking forward to another book from her." Mary Richmond. 5 stars
"I
really loved this book (previously published as Blue Haze but re-published as
Mystic Mountains). It was like Pride and Prejudice...ooops, I mean Arrogance
and Obstinacy, meets the Thorn Birds in 1818 Australia. I love realistically
flawed characters--perfect romance H/h's are such bores--and both of these were
so realistically flawed, the way their life experiences from their past
hard-scrabble youth carried over to lead to inappropriate and sometimes foolish
judgments in their present was so well developed into the plot of this book." Janet
Orosz-Kindle five stars
"I
really enjoyed this book. The writing flows, and the story is compelling. The
protagonists in the story are, for the most part, newly-arrived convicts
transported from England to New South Wales, Australia, in the early 1800s.
The author explains a great deal about the early history of Australia without being pedantic. The historical details are very nicely integrated into the story, and are never are intrusive. The author clearly did a lot of research, and the historical accuracy adds to the richness of the tale...
The author explains a great deal about the early history of Australia without being pedantic. The historical details are very nicely integrated into the story, and are never are intrusive. The author clearly did a lot of research, and the historical accuracy adds to the richness of the tale...
Why
four stars rather than five? Well, Tiger and Isabella were a bit too stubborn
and childish a few too many times, in my estimation. But this is just my own
opinion, and others may disagree. Their actions did not ruin the book. S. Harrison four stars
A good six selection, Tricia. Interesting situation.
ReplyDeleteA dramatic excerpt! Isabella's life has been miserable, without a doubt. I can't help wonder how she'll redeem it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a bad situation...I anticipate this man is going to be her saving grace. ;) Wonderful!
ReplyDelete