Kirjahaku

For most of her life, Cassandra Stillwater lived a life of failure, plagued by disappointment and shame at her own inability to "do better." But through the grace of God, for a time, it seemed she had moved beyond all that. Her abusive husband Howard was gone, dying of a heart seizure under the hot Australian sun. Her beloved sister-in-law Bethany Stillwater had forgiven her for her perjured testimony, which had led to Bethany's incarceration in an Australian prison. As well as forgiveness, she had offered Cassandra a home, and a position, at Stillwater Estate where she could safely raise her four sons. Cassandra had gratefully accepted both in order to leave London, and memories of her failed life, behind. Those events, both Bethany's prison term and Howard's death were now distant memories, and Cassandra was looking forward to a successful life from now on.But unfortunately, her newfound luck has run out and she finds herself failing once again. After a two-year drought, the estate funds have run dry, leaving her scrambling to find a way to save the estate from going under. But when the Duke of Yardley, Bethany's father-in-law, gets wind of Cassandra's troubles at the estate-despite her refusal to ask for help or even admit to there being a problem-he sends his nephew, Lord John Dudley, for a visit with instructions to get to the root of the problem as discreetly as possible. Little does the duke know that, back in Australia, Bethany is matchmaking again, just as she recently did successfully with her friends Joe and Joann. But will John's secretive actions put Bethany's plans in jeopardy? And will Cassandra's determination to leave the estate forever mean she is doomed to a loveless single life in London? Perhaps she is destined to be a failure for the rest of her life, and Bethany's plans will come to naught . . .

"No," said Bethany, taking a step back.Bethany Stillwater, a young heiress living in Victorian England, has her life forever altered the moment she refuses to give her stepbrother any more money from the family estate. Howard Stillwater, steeped in gambling debts, is outraged, and hatches a plan to have Bethany framed for theft. Through his manipulation of the justice system and Bethany's trial, he has her sentenced to seven years in prison. Bethany soon finds herself sailing on a convict ship to Fremantle Gaol in colonial Australia, wondering why God has seemingly deserted her in her hour of need.Unbeknownst to Bethany, while she endures the hardships of living in a crowded steerage compartment, an acquaintance from London society, Samuel E. Yardley, is occupying a cabin just above her head. The second son of the Duke of Yardley, Sam is on his way to find sources of premium Australian wool for the British markets. As Bethany boards the ship, Sam catches a glimpse of her that intrigues him. But it also troubles him as he is certain he has seen her before. But where? Her presence is a mystery he would like to solve before their voyage has ended. However, that is not to be.Howard, meanwhile, will stop at nothing-not even murder-to ensure Bethany never returns to England. This would allow him to do as he wishes with Stillwater Estate, even if means selling it to pay off all his debts.Bethany continues to look to God for strength and hope, even when her faith is weakest. She finds peace and hope in Him, sharing the source of her hope with her fellow inmates. Confined to a dismal prison cell, her very life at stake, she prays for the day of her release, never dreaming the day will come sooner than expected. A Journey to Joy is a missive of God's grace and mercy, and an inspiring love story that will capture readers' hearts and leave them wanting more.

"No," said Bethany, taking a step back.Bethany Stillwater, a young heiress living in Victorian England, has her life forever altered the moment she refuses to give her stepbrother any more money from the family estate. Howard Stillwater, steeped in gambling debts, is outraged, and hatches a plan to have Bethany framed for theft. Through his manipulation of the justice system and Bethany's trial, he has her sentenced to seven years in prison. Bethany soon finds herself sailing on a convict ship to Fremantle Gaol in colonial Australia, wondering why God has seemingly deserted her in her hour of need.Unbeknownst to Bethany, while she endures the hardships of living in a crowded steerage compartment, an acquaintance from London society, Samuel E. Yardley, is occupying a cabin just above her head. The second son of the Duke of Yardley, Sam is on his way to find sources of premium Australian wool for the British markets. As Bethany boards the ship, Sam catches a glimpse of her that intrigues him. But it also troubles him as he is certain he has seen her before. But where? Her presence is a mystery he would like to solve before their voyage has ended. However, that is not to be.Howard, meanwhile, will stop at nothing-not even murder-to ensure Bethany never returns to England. This would allow him to do as he wishes with Stillwater Estate, even if means selling it to pay off all his debts.Bethany continues to look to God for strength and hope, even when her faith is weakest. She finds peace and hope in Him, sharing the source of her hope with her fellow inmates. Confined to a dismal prison cell, her very life at stake, she prays for the day of her release, never dreaming the day will come sooner than expected. A Journey to Joy is a missive of God's grace and mercy, and an inspiring love story that will capture readers' hearts and leave them wanting more.

Joann Canter's life had never been easy, but for almost twenty years now-while imprisoned in Australia's Freemantle Prison for the murder of her husband-it has at least been predictable and structured. When she unexpectedly receives a letter from the High Court of Britain informing her that she has been cleared of the unlawful murder conviction and is to be immediately released from prison, she doesn't know what to do. Her routine life has been upended and the only guidance she is given is to live one day at a time. Frustrated with that advice, Joann tries to cope in her old ways. She takes matters into her own hands but quickly finds her old habits do not suit her new situation. So, having no prospects for employment in Australia, she sets sail for England, hoping for a new life in her birth country.To her surprise, she is accompanied by a new acquaintance, Joe Winter, whom she met a few days after her prison release. Joe, the local mercantile proprietor in Freemantle, has been called back to England on family business. Even though his gentle manners and good looks tempt Joann to get to know him better, she is wary of getting too close. They have different plans for their lives, ones that will keep them far apart. So, not knowing the dangers lying ahead of her, Joann presses on with her own plans, which do not include Joe. She only finds out after a devastating event that God had a different, and better, plan for her life. It was only then she learned that she was freed to live or . . .

Joann Canter's life had never been easy, but for almost twenty years now-while imprisoned in Australia's Freemantle Prison for the murder of her husband-it has at least been predictable and structured. When she unexpectedly receives a letter from the High Court of Britain informing her that she has been cleared of the unlawful murder conviction and is to be immediately released from prison, she doesn't know what to do. Her routine life has been upended and the only guidance she is given is to live one day at a time. Frustrated with that advice, Joann tries to cope in her old ways. She takes matters into her own hands but quickly finds her old habits do not suit her new situation. So, having no prospects for employment in Australia, she sets sail for England, hoping for a new life in her birth country.To her surprise, she is accompanied by a new acquaintance, Joe Winter, whom she met a few days after her prison release. Joe, the local mercantile proprietor in Freemantle, has been called back to England on family business. Even though his gentle manners and good looks tempt Joann to get to know him better, she is wary of getting too close. They have different plans for their lives, ones that will keep them far apart. So, not knowing the dangers lying ahead of her, Joann presses on with her own plans, which do not include Joe. She only finds out after a devastating event that God had a different, and better, plan for her life. It was only then she learned that she was freed to live or . . .