Sara Powter

Scotch at The RocksGlasgow, Scotland, early 1800s to The Rocks, Sydney 1830sOrphaned children Brodie Stewart and Heather Anderson live on Glasgow's streets. Although hungry, somehow they survive and keep out of trouble. Heather finds a job and looks to be settled; things go pear-shaped for them both. Eventually, they marry by declaration, yet even that gets messed up, and they are both arrested soon after they make their vow. In 1838, they were transported to Sydney as convicts. Heather arrives within weeks of Brodie, and they are assigned close to each other. They are now living on the docklands in Sydney, called The Rocks. They now have to forge a new life halfway across the world from their homeland.Adventures abound, and Brodie gets press-ganged. While he's away, Heather's life changes and soon, she's officially selling Scotch Whisky at a shop in The Rocks.You can take a Scot out of Scotland, but where did the Scotch come from? (Sequel to The Vine Weaver)

Lockleys of Parramatta Series, Book 5Once a Jolly Swagman1870s Parramatta and Kent. Clean Historical Fiction set in Australian during the 1870s.An old battered billy can contain the secrets of an incredible lifeRick's father, Wills, ran away when a lad and now he will do the same. *****Rick Lockley is the youngest son and everyone presumes he will follow in his brother's footsteps and work at the family business, but Rick want to travel and see the world. He overhears something that turns his world upside down.Mary Louise Evans has loved Rick all her life, however, she is equally horrified when they overhear her mother's plans for their union. Will they have no say in if they wish to marry? A plot is hatched and with Mary Lou's assistance Rick runs away.Jack is an enigmatic swagman who befriends Rick on his first night on the road. He hides his identity even after he comes to live with them. His old black billy can reveals far more than expected.Who is this old man and why does he know so much about Rick's family?*****'Once a Jolly Swagman' is the fifth book in a 100 year family saga of Colonial and convict Australia. Set in the convict era Parramatta.*****If you love Australian Colonial history, you will love Sara Powter's 'Once a Jolly Swagman' A clean historical tale love, adventure and enduring friendships.Buy 'Once a Jolly Swagman' to find out about Rick and Jack's adventure.Inspired by twenty of The Seekers songs.If you loved this book, Luke's son-in-law, Jonty's story is found in 'Jonty's Journey' Jeweller Jonty Evans must head to Africa to source gems.

Out Where The Brolgas DanceGold is found, and so is loveParramatta 1840s+How can a question change so many people?It's the 1840s, and discoveries across the Blue Mountains continue. Major Mitchell's new road is complete, and towns are planned and being built. Abundant land is available for those who want it.William "Wills" Lockley, 18, has laid a solid foundation for a respectable career as a blacksmith, but the Lockley lust for adventure flows deeply within his veins. He dreads the monotony of work at the blacksmith's forge and yearns for adventure in a new frontier. Wills meets six Englishmen who have the means to make his dreams come true. What they discover changes the Colony and their lives forever. Gold fever ensues. In the West, Wills has to deal with an uncertain romance. Does she even want him? Book 3 is Luke's story and the discovery of Diamonds.

Waiting at The Sliprails The Bathurst Road 1830sA Convict's TaleBea Dawes's term of conviction nears an end, and she has few options other than marriage to a stranger or going on the street.Jack Barnes, the hired drover, wants a wife. Bea accepts his offer; then she discovers that he could be gone for months, leaving her alone with Billy and Netty, part of the tribe of aborigines who live on his secluded farm. Bea learns to love her husband and also this wonderful aboriginal couple.Drought ravages the farm, and Jack must hit the long paddock with the flock. In his absence, a visitor arrives, destroying everything she has worked so hard for.Can Bea cope? Will the drought ever end? And when will Jack return?

The Vine WeaverHawkesbury River area 1820s+New Beginnings, Old Threats in Colonial AustraliaIn the 1820s, Australia, Joel and Hetty Walker live on a secluded farm on the Hawkesbury River which becomes a healing haven for the protection of young convict women.A series of events brings Fran Rea to the attention of Hetty, and she is taken to the farm. Fran and Hetty develop a cottage industry under the compassionate eye of farmhand Hector Macdougal; lives are changed by Hector's kind words.It is to him that Fran turns when threatened.The vines now must draw them close to survive the revelations of the future.

Gems, Love, Artists and a Golden LionAustralia and South Africa 1880-1902Sydney Jeweller, Jonty Evans' passion for gems takes him to Africa at a volatile time. He finds the diamonds he's looking for and gets given a lion cub. Then Jonty gets kidnapped. His experiences in the Transvaal plunge him into questioning everything he knows of life. Soon nightmares haunt him.On return home, he nearly messes up his love life with Lottie before it even starts, and he struggles to settle. His wife's father, Luke Lockley from Parramatta, takes him in hand and points him to someone who can help.He's recalled to Africa as a liaison and reconnects with his lion, Chimbu, when he saves the life of his security detail. His life journey introduces him to the most amazing Heidelberg artists, politicians, poets, rebels, and the scapegoat soldier Harry Breaker Morant. Can Jonty bury the past and regain the peace he's lost?

A LADY IN IRONSEngland 1800s - Parramatta 1808+FEMALE FACTORY PARRAMATTAKaty is mourning the death of her husband after he dies in a shooting accident. Barely coping, she awaits the birth of their child. If it's a girl, she must hand the family home to her husband's brother. The day after giving birth to a daughter, she and her daughter are literally left on the side of a road. She collapses and is found by someone she thought had died in a fire ten years before. Perry, badly scarred himself, nurses her back to health. They marry and move in with her widowed friend, Mary.After some years, she discovers her husband and friend in each other's arms. Now living in a love triangle, she flees. Grasping the only straw available, she intentionally gets arrested so she can be sent to a colony far away. By doing this, her marriage can be annulled.What happens in the Colony is not what she expects. Governor Macquarie comes to her rescue. The colony changes not only her life but the lives of many.But what of Perry and her children?

Once a Jolly SwagmanAn old black Billy Can contain the secrets of an incredible life.( Although a series- each can books is a complete story)1870s Parramatta and KentRick Lockley's life is seemingly taken from his hands by his family. At seventeen he's not too keen about being told what to do so he runs away and becomes a swagman.Years pass, still heart sore he returns home, arriving wiser, engaged and broke. He has collected some valuable friends, including Jack, a jolly swagman. Rick knows little about the old man who protected him during his years on the road. He understands Jack has secrets, but Rick trusts him. The old man comes to live with Rick and his new wife, and some of his story unfolds. On his death Jack leaves Rick, his precious Billy Can, the contents reveal Jack's identity. Stunned, Rick finds he must travel to England to finalise Jack's wishes. There he uncovers Jack's life of love, betrayal and a link to his own family. Rick finds there is much more to learn about this enigmatic man.

WHAT or WHO IS THE 'SHADOW'?How does it affect so many?Charles is the Earl of Coxheath, convicted yet innocent. He spends his youth as a convict in Parramatta, only to discover he was an Earl and didn't know. He had little education and few social skills. Now faced with his own mortality, he has to work out how to live the remainder of his life after a near-death experience. He is called to step way out of his comfort zone in London. His action will change the world for many.The echoes from the past still haunt his oldest son, Charlie. London is calling the family, and they can't put off the trip.How does Jim, the Cobb and Co coach driver, fit in? And precisely what is the 'Earl's Shadow' that he speaks about. Can handing everything to God be that simple?What happens if the 'Shadow' is gone?

Parramatta 1828 - England 1840sFEMALE FACTORY PARRAMATTAIn the convict Female Factory, Amelia awaits her assignment. Forced to leave, she must face her worst nightmare. The man's foul breath and black teeth reflect his soul's darkness. From the outset, he is violent and abusive. Things get even worse over the next few months when Amelia discovers she is expecting a child.A glimmer of hope arises when she hears from her brother, Jim, who has enlisted a friend's help to contact her. She writes to Jim, pouring out her heart and telling him of the horrors of her new life. He encourages her to stay firm in her faith. All she can do is pray.When Ned, another of her brother's friends, comes into her life, things begin to change, yet challenges remain. How can Amelia forge a new life for herself? What man could possibly want her with her background and a child at her side? Can Amelia ever find true love?

DIAMONDS, LOVE AND MONEYbut there's much more to life. Luke, the youngest Lockley son, has completed University, and his life has no direction. No job, no money and no love. Desperately alone, he prays for guidance, and his brother Wills turns up with a suggestion. Reverend William Clarke needs assistance on a Government Mineral Survey. Would Luke be interested in joining the expedition? The challenge, adventure and their finds are life-changing for many. However, it gives Luke meaning, purpose and direction. How can Luke trust God has a plan for him if he can't even work out how to get a job? He does the only thing he can... he prays. Within a week, life has changed... oh how it has changed The condition of his heart problems also takes a turn. Can he walk away?

GOLD IS FOUND AND SO IS LOVEHow can one simple question change so many people?It's the 1840s and discoveries across the Blue Mountains continue. Major Mitchell's new road is complete, towns are planned and being built. Abundant land is available for those who want it.William "Wills" Lockley, 18, has laid a solid foundation for a respectable career as a blacksmith, but the Lockley lust for adventure flows deeply within his veins. He dreads the monotony of work at the blacksmith's forge and yearns for adventure in a new frontier.Wills meets six Englishmen who have the means to make his dreams come true. What they discover change the Colony and their lives forever. Gold fever ensues.Now on the road West, Wills has to deal with an uncertain romance. Does she even want him?