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Even in the
prospering colony of New South Wales, it would be far-fetched to think a
convicted man could consider marrying the daughter of a wealthy property owner.
But Remy has larger
problems to contend with than Sara’s bigoted father. Forced to leave the woman
he loves behind, Remy faces overwhelming odds and an ordeal that threatens to
strip him of everything; his pride, his strength, his health—even his life.
Sara has many struggles
of her own and when Remy finally thinks he has a future with Sara within his
grasp, he is sent to a place where pain and suffering are everyday occurrences.
Will the lovers ever find true happiness?
“I ain’t a gentleman, Sara. I’m a convict, plain and simple.
Does that bother you?” Sitting beside her, he pressed his thigh to her skirts.
She didn’t move away, although her look said she was slightly shocked.
“No, it doesn’t bother me. Unless, of course, you intend to
act like one and be brutish. What did you do to get transported?” she asked.
Rem shrugged. “Same as most. Not a lot. Pinched food to help
my family. Most convicts are just like me, ordinary men and women charged with
transportation for petty crimes.” The memories, dulled in the past year,
resurfaced. “Papa died in prison, our mum died the year I was sent out here,
and one of our sisters died of starvation and the cold.” Rem grimaced as he
remembered the awful winters they had to endure; winters with no food, no heat,
and the threat of disease a part of their everyday existence.
“How sad.” She seemed genuinely appalled by his plight. “So
is Bella all the family you have left?”
“No. We have another two sisters and two brothers still in
Stepney, although Carlos, the eldest, will more than likely end up here soon.
Likely the others will too eventually. It’s the way of things. A fact of life.”
“Carlos? What a foreign-sounding name. Why would your
brother be named such?” Her limpid eyes turned on him inquisitively.
“Our papa was Spanish.” Her eyes widened, and Rem quickly
asked, “Does that bother you?”
“Bother me? Why no.” With a careless flick of the hand, she
said, “But it does surprise me. Although it shouldn’t really, for your sister’s
name, Isabella, is Spanish, is it not?”
“Right.”
“And now that I look at you closely I can see you do have
the appearance about you unlike most of the English men here in the colony.”
Her gaze roved over his face. He sincerely hoped she liked what she saw.
“And is my different look distasteful to you?” Rem knew he
was seeking compliments from her, but couldn’t help himself. How he yearned for
her to be as entranced as he was by everything about her.
“Distasteful? Why of course not.” Leaning closer, she said
in a husky tone that set his pulses to racing and his heart pounding at a
fierce rate, “You're extremely handsome of face. But I expect you’ve been told
so by countless women.” With a sniff, she looked swiftly away.
Rem chuckled, feeling ten feet tall. “A few have assured me
I’m not ugly. In truth, you’re the first to tell me I’m handsome,” he lied.
“And I can’t say how much it pleases me to know you admire my looks, for I must
tell you that I find you the most entrancing woman on earth. You’re beautiful,
clever, witty…”
“Stop.” With a laugh, she held up both hands then tapped him
on his knee. “You’ll turn my head with your compliments.”
“I only speak the truth.” Rem bent his head to whisper near
her shell-shaped ear, “I love you with all my heart. And when I’m out of my
term and a free man; then I’ll ask your father for your sweet hand.” He placed
a kiss on her knuckle, and a tremor raced over her skin. He hoped it wasn’t
just the cool air causing it. He hoped
she was as enamored of him as he was of her. “Will you wait for me?”
Her eyes widened at his impudence, but he knew without being
told that his words captured her interest. “What nonsense. How can you speak of
love, Remy? You’ve only just met me. How can you possibly have such strong
feelings for me on such a short acquaintance?”
“Love knows no boundaries, of time or place. I’ll feel the
same fifty years from now as I feel at this moment,” he swore with fervor,
cupping her chin with his palm. Strangely, he knew his words were true. He had
felt a strong attraction for a few women before, but nothing like this
all-encompassing devotion that seemed to fill all his senses.
WELL RESEARCHED, GRIPPING STORY SET IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA
Verified Purchase
Another amazing, well researched story from the
pen of award winning author, Tricia McGill. I have read several of her
books, and can honestly say I have never been disappointed.
Remy spends time in Bathhurst and Sydney, New South Wales. Also the convict settlement of Moreton Bay, where severe punishment and cruelty are rigorously enforced to break not only a convict’s body but also his spirit.
Add to the mix, Sara, the daughter of a wealthy but bigoted land owner. Against all odds Remy and Sara fall in love, but can they overcome the many obstacles in their path and get their happily ever after ending?
Remy spends time in Bathhurst and Sydney, New South Wales. Also the convict settlement of Moreton Bay, where severe punishment and cruelty are rigorously enforced to break not only a convict’s body but also his spirit.
Add to the mix, Sara, the daughter of a wealthy but bigoted land owner. Against all odds Remy and Sara fall in love, but can they overcome the many obstacles in their path and get their happily ever after ending?
Please take a moment to hop on over to these participating blogs to read more snippets:
http://mizging.blogspot.com (Ginger
Simpson)
http://authorjamiehill.blogspot.com/ (Jamie
Hill)
http://romancingscifi.blogspot.com/ (Vijaya
Schartz)
http://connievines.blogspot.com.au/ Connie
Vines
http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/ Juliet Waldron
Visit my Web Page for information on all my Books We Love books. |
Makes me want to read more! Great snip Tricia. Shared.
ReplyDeleteMargaret says it all in her comments. Great snippet, my friend. But then you're a favorite author for a reason.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ginger.
DeleteI love Tricia's Australian--another frontier, but the same harsh mother country, and so many challenges to face these faithful and often parted lovers! A tasty sample.
ReplyDeleteWell that was "Australian stories." It's a strange shore to this American reader in search of adventure.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Juliet.
Delete