Goddess Fish Promotions Book Review: Challenging Mountains

Challenging Mountains

by Tricia McGill

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GENRE: Historical romance

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BLURB:

By 1840 the colony of New South Wales was expanding. Transportation of convicts to the east coast ended, and many free squatters set out to settle on lands to the south. In 1836, the Government in London authorised Governor Bourke to establish a settlement in The Port Philip District of New South Wales, and an Association was formed to make the district a separate colony.

Timothy, Tiger and Bella Carstairs eldest son has turned 21. Bored with his Government job and intent on seeking adventure and a new life away from Sydney, Tim decides to journey south in an endeavour to find this adventure, accompanied by his Uncle Carlos. Where else to find it, but in a newly formed settlement.

In the 1840s the road south might not be as hazardous as the one across the mountains travelled by his parents when he was a child, but the month long journey overland holds many dangers and challenges to be faced. Escaped and ex-convicts seek the easy life by forming gangs to take what they can where they can. Forced to fight off the intruders who take claim to the land they have cared for over many, many generations, the Indigenous people are faced with many trials and battles of their own.

Not the least of Tim’s personal challenges is a young headstrong woman who, uninvited, takes it upon herself to join him on his travels. When they reach their destination, their troubles have only just begun.

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Excerpt:

He walked off, but Tim lingered. He knelt to stroke Bracken’s ear as Josephine approached. “Can I come with you?” she asked.

“And just where do you wish to accompany me, young Jo?” Straightening, he began to stroll towards the house with her at his side.

“Rude of me, I know, but I couldn’t help but overhear your discussion with your uncle.” She lowered her voice and bent closer. Tim caught a scent of lavender. Carefree of feminine ways she might be, but she smelt as good as any young miss. “I shouldn’t sound so ungrateful, as your aunt ensured I had employment in her emporium when I arrived here in town, but the tasks are so tedious. I am bored. I thought of running off and making my own way in the world.” Her face grew comical as she wrinkled her pert nose.

“Silly chit. Don’t you dare even contemplate such a rash move,” he scolded. “You are not naïve, I think, and must know the dangers that exist beyond the sanctuary of a safe home. Anyway, I could not consider taking you along on such a dangerous journey.”

She made an unladylike noise. “Don’t you dare suggest I could not cope with such a journey. I roved free for all of my childhood while my parents worked their mine. I told you, my father treated me more as a son than a daughter.

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Review:  I love historical novels set in different settings, and Challenging Mountains was set in New South Wales. This isn't a place I've read about before so it was a learning experience while I read.

I loved the strength of Jo, though at times she could be frustrating. But isn't that how most people are in life? You can't be perfect. I had to remember the setting was the 1840s and that at 17 or 18 a young girl was really  a woman, though Jo often acted more childish and impulsive when it came to important matters

I liked learning about the frontier of Australia, but I really wish I could have read the first two books in this series. I would have liked to have known the family that shaped who Jo were.

Tim was a much more likable character. He is not much older but a little wiser and not as prone to do things that might, oh I don't know, get people killed. Jo is really good for that, let me tell you.

By the end of the book I wanted to choke her for carelessness, especially when she was given warnings about danger and also because her husband was really a great person who cared about her.

I was glad that through a lot of ups and downs Jo and Tim found their happily ever after, though for awhile, I was unsure of it happening

This was a wonderful short read that had me wishing for more

Rating: 4 flowers

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Award winning author Tricia McGill was born in London, England, and moved to Australia many years ago, settling near Melbourne. The youngest in a large, loving family she was never lonely or alone. Surrounded by avid readers, who encouraged her to read from an early age, is it any wonder she became a writer? The local library was a treasure trove and magical world of discovery through her childhood and growing years. Although her published works cross sub-genres, romance is always at their heart.

Tricia’s love of animals has always shown up in her books. Tricia devotes as much time and money as she can spare to supporting worldwide conservation groups and is passionate about supporting those who do all they can to preserve our wildlife for future generations, especially elephants and orangutans who seem to be getting the raw end of the deal even in this enlightened age. She also volunteers for a local community group that helps disabled adults and children to connect to the internet with provided computer equipment. When people ask what she does in her spare time, she is heard to ask, “Spare time, what is that?”

www.triciamcgill.com

http://triciamg.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/authorTriciaMcGill

Buy links for Challenging Mountains: https://books2read.com/Challenging-Mountains

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Tricia McGill will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

a Rafflecopter giveaway