Kirjahaku

Sarah Erskine was the third generation of the McGowan tea planter family in India. Her life underwent a major upheaval when she was wrenched from the life she had known and, like so many 'expats' at that time, at age seventeen, she was sent 'home' to Glasgow. There, while being groomed for her entry into society, her life was spent among the entrepreneurial giants of Glasgow. Marriage took her again to plantation life during the dying days of the Caribbean sugar industry. Then, in the death throes of that industry, she returned to spend more than a decade in Glasgow during which she was widowed. A chance meeting with an old friend and his enthusiastic tales of an embryonic Australian sugar industry finally inspired her to leave Glasgow to make a new life for herself in a rough settlement on the bank of a river in a new country, and in a fledgling but familiar industry. Sarah's story takes the reader across five countries over the decades from the 1820s to the 1860s.

How can you live with someone for so long and not know anything about them?It's not until Tremayne Bancroft lies dead in a cane field, and the police are asking embarrassing questions about him, that his wife realises she knows nothing of her husband's background, his family, or anything else about him. Join her in her quest to uncover the truth, and perhaps come to know the man she married. This undertaking causes her to reflect on her own life - a married life spent more apart more than together - and forces her to confront what and who she discovers in the truth about her husband.

Anthea Granger inherits a mansion in the small seaside community of Charlotte Cove. For well over a century, the Granger family has owned the property. The community believes the house is cursed. It is on the day she is to move in that she learns of the place's sinister reputation. It is made clear to her that Wellsprings is an unsuitable house for a young woman, particularly one on her own.With the help of her friend, Suzanne Bennett, Anthea embarks on a quest to discover the origins of the rumours surrounding the house. Her quest to discover the truth takes her back through several generations of her family's history. Almost from the outset, she learns that getting to know those ancestors is a journey of discovery involves both tragedy and distress. Should she heed the townsfolk's warnings and leave Charlotte Cove, or persist with uncovering the past and the truth behind the myths?The story of Wellsprings' history is one of domestic noir with a generous helping of mystery on the side.

This narrative chronicles a life dedicated to seizing every opportunity, weaving a tale of resilience and enterprise set against the backdrop of Australia's burgeoning sugar industry between 1864 and 1915. It traces the intergenerational saga of Sarah (Erskine) Wallace, beginning shortly after her arrival in Australia. This sequel to the novel A Life of Tea and Sugar delves deeper into Sarah's life, highlighting her determination and adaptability as she navigates the challenges and triumphs of her era.Sarah's story is a testament to the power of perseverance. After the untimely loss of her first husband, Sarah, then a widow, marries Cameron Wallace. This union marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with unexpected blessings, including the birth of children she once feared she would never have. Her family grows as she welcomes daughters-in-law and later, the arrival of cherished grandchildren.Sarah's life, however, is far from static. The Wallace family's ambitions lead them to select land in the Burdekin area, marking the start of their involvement in the nascent sugar industry there. This decision splits Sarah's life between Mackay, where they had already established a successful sugar empire, and the Burdekin, where new opportunities beckon. As pioneers in the Burdekin sugar industry, the Wallaces become key players, navigating the complexities of a growing agricultural enterprise.Despite the idyllic appearance of her life, Sarah faces significant trials. The loss of her mentors and supporters-individuals who had been steadfast pillars in her life-brings moments of profound sorrow. These losses test her strength and resolve, yet she continues to forge ahead, driven by the same spirit that has defined her journey from the beginning.The narrative takes a poignant turn with the news of her eldest grandchild, Robert, enlisting in the 2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment as World War I looms on the horizon. This development nearly shatters Sarah, filling her with an overwhelming sense of dread and foreboding. The fear for Robert's safety and the uncertainty of his future in the war cast a shadow over her twilight years, making her question where she will find peace in her remaining days.As Sarah grapples with these fears, the story raises questions about her future. Will she find solace in Mackay, surrounded by the legacy of the empire she helped build? Or will the pull of the Burdekin, with its promises of new beginnings and the presence of her family, provide her with the comfort she seeks in her final years?The tale of Sarah (Erskine) Wallace is a rich tapestry of love, loss, and relentless pursuit of opportunities. It captures the essence of an era marked by rapid change and the indomitable spirit of those who shaped it. Through the lens of one woman's life, it explores the broader themes of resilience, family bonds, and the unyielding quest for growth and prosperity.As the story unfolds, readers are invited to reflect on the complexities of Sarah's journey, the intergenerational bonds that sustain her, and the ever-present shadow of war that threatens to unravel the life she has so carefully built. The conclusion leaves us pondering the ultimate destination of Sarah's journey and the enduring impact of her legacy.