Review: Never to Surrender

Title: Never to Surrender 

Author: Mary-Anne O'Connor

Publisher: 1st February 2022 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 400 pages

Genre: historical fiction, romance

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

1941. A young German-Australian soldier meets a passionate Cretan girl and together they are caught up in guerrilla warfare during the brutal Nazi invasion of Crete. A heartfelt, sweeping saga of World War II, from the peaceful farmlands of NSW to the Mediterranean's glittering, dangerous shores, for readers of Fiona McIntosh, Nicole Alexander and Natasha Lester.

1939: Australian-born Carl Smith loves his country and despises fascism, but he never meant to go to war. He is training to be a doctor and wants to protect lives, not take them. But if enlisting is the only way he can save his German-born father, Dr Louis Schmidt, from an internment camp, he will.

1941: Athena Papandrakis has grown up on the island of Crete, swimming in jewelled waters and exploring ancient ruins. Now her home is under threat and she is ready to fight to defend it from the hated Nazi invaders, just as her ancestors sought to protect their island home in the past.

When Carl arrives in Crete with Allied Forces soldiers evacuated from the Greek mainland, he and Athena are intoxicated by each other. Carl is not the man her traditional parents would have chosen for their daughter, however, and hiding the secret of his German heritage from Athena could further threaten their love.

Decisions must be made when they find themselves in an intense final stand against the Nazis as the Allied Forces retreat and the Cretan peasants are forced into guerrilla warfare. For Carl and Athena, it becomes a desperate quest for survival ... and love, loyalty and trust will fight a battle to the last.

My Thoughts

A new book by Mary-Anne O’Connor is always cause for celebration - her books are phenomenal - and I am happy to report that Never to Surrender may well be my all time favourite of hers - it’s that good! Mary-Anne is indisputably an exceptional writer of historical fiction with each novel earmarking her as one of Australia’s foremost writers of her genre. Reading one of her books is much like Athena in her latest tale feels … ‘the wondrous thrill it gave her to be here, the dreamy pleasure of being immersed in the past.’ That truly is a gift. 

‘Wherever you are, and whatever happens, I’ll be with you, Carl. Right here.’ He tapped at his chest. ‘You take home with you, always.’

Where do I start? Never to Surrender is a sweeping saga that takes readers from the peaceful pastures of NSW to the shores of Crete as WWII rages. The characters are highly engaging from the eldest to the youngest, from the funniest to the most sadistic! One of the premier aspects of this book is the philosophy from the gentle spirits of Carl and his father Louis - I very much enjoyed their father/son discussions and shared thoughts. Then there are the injustices of war - from internment camps in Australia, to the Cretan village massacres. Mary-Anne brings balance to these horrors through two souls meeting and the depth of their connection in such extenuating circumstances being so real and heartfelt. Then there is Crete itself. There have been a number of books written of this period and place of late but I think Mary-Anne has done a stellar job with her interpretation. From the history of the Minoans and Knossos, to the culture, to the very landscape itself - she takes you on a vivid and inspired journey. 

‘Carl gripped the gun handle, trying not to think about the individual ideology of each man they targeted.’

Never to Surrender is a truly powerful and mesmerising story. The factual events (read the Author’s Notes) are so cleverly combined with Mary-Anne’s own fictional contributions. The melding of fact and fiction being seamless. A tale of family, a tale that touches on what it is to be human with results that are sure to leave their indelible impression on you. 

‘Even if they succeed in battle, we’ll never truly surrender and we’ll never give up until they are gone once more.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Dressed By Iris

Title: Dressed By Iris

Author: Mary-Anne O'Connor

Publisher: 2nd February 2022 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 492 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: historical fiction 

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

A vivid, romantic story of Sydney in the 1930s Depression - the heartbreak, the glamour, the dark underbelly, the struggle towards a better day - and one young woman's dream of designing her way from rags to riches. For readers of Natasha Lester and Victoria Purman.

1930: Seventeen-year-old Iris Mitchell dreams of designing clothes, but there's little spare cash for fashion in their shanty-town home. The gift of a single purple ribbon from would-be boyfriend John Tucker, however, creates an unexpected opportunity ... and when Iris's brother Jim joins the Sydney Harbour Bridge construction, the large, dirt-poor but loving Mitchell family can move to the city. Iris will be torn away from John, but he's Protestant and she's Catholic, taboo in their world, so perhaps it wasn't meant to be ...

1932: By day, Iris scrubs the floors at Caron's, an upmarket department store. By night, she designs and sews in her family's tiny, crowded house. Friendship with gorgeous, livewire Natasha, one of Caron's models, allows Iris to show her skills, but will her talent be acknowledged ... or exploited?

When John reappears, passions are reignited, and Iris must face not only their religious divide, but the apparent impossibility of having both marriage and a career. Meanwhile, the Mitchells must navigate life in a city riven by corruption, dirty politics and gambling. Will their faith, determination and deep family bond save them when tragedy and adversity strike? In 1930s Sydney, the stakes have never been higher ...

My Thoughts

‘The girl from the shantytown was going to seize this opportunity, and if she defied every odd and became wealthy and successful no-one could ever touch her.’

Dressed By Iris is another wonderful Australian saga by author Mary-Anne O’Connor. Set in the 1930s it covers everything from the Great Depression to the building of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Having read Mary-Anne’s other books, I knew she would once more provide her readers with strong female characters and I was not disappointed. 

Mary-Anne does a wonderful job of capturing the life of average Australians from the era. The main focus here is on the Mitchell family - poor Irish Catholics who not only faced great poverty but also great prejudice. It is the eldest daughter, Iris, who has an incredible talent for fashion creations, which Mary-Anne highlights inclusive of the exploitation and sexism surrounding the industry at the time. It brings with it glamour that perfectly balances out the harsh reality of life for many.

‘You should have let me say something,’ he said. 

‘What can you say? That you’re Protestant? That would only make things worse.’ 

John shook his head. ‘What the hell is wrong with people?’ 

Iris sighed. ‘It’s only words. Sticks and stones...’ 

‘But, it’s not, is it? It’s attitude. Belief.’ He looked over at her. ‘It does just as much harm. Maybe more.’

The joy of this book though is through the interactions of the Mitchell family. What a joy! The way they unite through challenging times and just how important love and support is especially given the crippling circumstances of the time. Iris’ mother, Agnes, was the foundation and very heart of the family from her cooking to her enormous courage proving inspirational. The inclusion of Natasha, Iris’ friend, was a pure delight - not only her mannerisms, support, encouragement but her humour was a definite highlight.

Mary-Anne’s, ‘Author’s Note’, at the conclusion shed light on her inspiration and how some characters had been modelled on family members. It also explained certain correlations of the fiction and facts surrounding some of the key aspects from her story. All up, Dressed By Iris provided a wonderful window into the Australia of the early 1930s with detailed depictions of one girl’s dream combined with the unwavering faith, love and support of her family. A joy to read.

‘What should we drink to?’ 

‘Mum,’ Iris said. 

‘Oh no, not me,’ Agnes said, ‘I think we should drink to Iris. This is her dream.’ 

‘It’s yours too,’ Iris pointed out. ‘It’s all of ours now.’ 

‘To dreams then,’ Jim said. 

‘Yes,’ Iris said, looking over at John and smiling. ‘To dreams coming true.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Sisters of Freedom

Title: Sisters of Freedom

Author: Mary-Anne O'Connor

Publisher: 7th April 2021 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 384 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: historical fiction, women’s fiction, romance

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

A passionate tale of three sisters as they strive for freedom and independence and follow their hearts to unexpected places, from a master storyteller. For readers of Fiona McIntosh, Nicole Alexander and Natasha Lester.

Sydney, Christmas, 1901. Federation has been achieved but Australian women are yet to gain the right to vote in their new nation's elections and have a say in the laws that govern them.

Bolshy, boisterous Frankie Merriweather is a fervent advocate for women's rights, determined to dedicate herself to the cause, never marrying or becoming a mother. She can't understand her artistic sister Ivy, who wants a life of ease and beauty with her soon-to-be fiance, law student Patrick Earle.

Meanwhile, their married sister Aggie volunteers in an orphanage, decrying the inequality of Australia's social classes ... and longing to hold a baby in her arms.

When an accident takes Ivy, wounded and ill, into the violent and lawless zone of the Hawkesbury River, a year of change begins. Ivy's burgeoning friendship with her saviour Riley Logan, a smuggler, and his sister, the poverty-stricken but valiant Fiona, will alter the lives of all three women forever.

My Thoughts

Sisters of Freedom is a highly engaging story of three very different sisters, yet all fighting for the same cause - equality for women and the right to vote at the turn of last century. Mary-Anne has once more created a memorable tale of early Australia to lose yourself in - filled with courage and strength, these sisters each have a story to tell. 

‘... sisterly love was a powerful thing and it was holding them all in its grip now as sibling loyalty made prisoners of them all...’

With an overall focus on women's suffrage and independence, there are also subplots involving domestic violence, childless marriage and the willingness to marry for love. All of this Mary-Anne deftly interweaves through each of the sisters' tales. Quiet Aggie and her longing for a child of her own, outspoken and determined Frankie fighting for a cause and Ivy with her life changing experience. My  heart went out to Aggie and her quiet fortitude, Ivy’s heartfelt and sincere qualities shone through but it was the forthright Frankie that brought a smile to my face. 

‘I’m telling you, Albert, they need to hurry up and give us women the vote so we can make laws to protect each other. It’s about time.’  

When the story moved to the small communities living along the Hawkesbury River, I was entranced - as were the sisters - to this impoverished and harsh way of life. The time spent in both the physical environment and Fiona’s world was enlightening. The contrast between this life and that of the Merriweather sisters could not be more stark yet finding themselves imbued with the experience was authentic. 

‘It held secrets, this river, and so did the people who lived along it.’

This is a well told story with engaging characters regaled at a critical stage of this country’s development. Yes, there is the requisite romance (with a twist) but Mary-Anne makes it work within the context of the theme. Read the story of the Merriweather sisters, their strength and determination with their ability to rise to challenges will be time well spent. 

‘We can and we will,’ Harriet predicted. ‘We can achieve anything our hearts desire if we have enough passion and determination, and you all have that in droves,’ she said, nodding at them with pride. ‘What a wonderful day to be a woman, girls. A wonderful day indeed.’  

 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Where Fortune Lies

Title: Where Fortune Lies

Author: Mary-Anne O'Connor

Publisher: 23rd March 2020 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 400 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: historical fiction

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

An epic and lyrical tale of love, adventure and gambled fortunes that ranges from the wild cloaked woodlands of Ireland to the Victorian Alps of colonial Australia from a bestselling Australian author. For fans of Nicole Alexander, Colleen McCullough, and Fiona McIntosh.

1879: 'Invisible' Anne Brown fears she'll never escape the harshness and poverty of her life in County Donegal, Ireland. Until, one heartbreaking Beltane night, her life is changed forever and she leaves to seek her fortune in far-flung Australia.

Upon the death of their father, charismatic Will Worthington and his beloved sister Mari are stunned to find he has left all their money and a ticket to the far shores of Australia to an enigmatic painted woman. It seems their only hope for a brighter future also lies in Australia, where together with Will's best friend, the artist Charlie Turner, they seek their fortunes.

Charlie finds love with a mysterious exotic dancer, yet there is trouble on the horizon. His new friends up in the Victorian Alps might be teaching him to run with the wild horses and find his talent with a brush at last, but life in a bushranger gang is a dangerous game.

As Charlie struggles to break free from his fate, all four are left with impossible choices as fortunes waver between life and death, loyalty and the heart.

My Thoughts

‘Will had disclosed his ambitions to Charlie over many ocean-watching pipe sessions such as this. It really came down to needing one thing and one thing only: a change in fortune.’

Mary-Ann O’Connor has again woven an amazing story about life in early colonial Australia. I thoroughly enjoyed her book, ‘In a Great Southern Land’ (review HERE) and looked forward to being whisked away to bygone days once more in her most recent tale. Filled with many colourful characters, great adventures and locations to lose yourself in, Mary-Ann is to be commended. 

Firstly, this is a great tale with lots of fun characters. If you ever wanted a window into the classic Aussie colonial, this is your book. Mary-Ann creates characters that work together well, there is real depth to their traits. I liked these characters and enjoyed their various journeys. Mary-Ann also does an excellent job of capturing the divide in the wealth status and represents the whole bushranger episode from an interesting perspective. The incorporation of political themes of the day, especially the courtroom drama was likewise engaging and thought provoking. 

‘... there was an abundance of green on that horizon, and flashes of gold on her shores too. Plenty of scope for manifesting good fortune in this land where their futures now lay.’

The imagery is rich as the Victorian High Country comes to life on these pages. The scenic descriptions are superb.  The story, whilst good, gets just a little far fetched for me at times - a few too many coincidences, convenient encounters and tidying up of tricky situations. I l did, however, love the feature of Australian art, particularly ‘Tom’ from the Heidelberg School of painters. That combined with the scenic imagery is well done. 

If an escape to the High Country of last century sounds inviting then take a trip in this action packed drama that is vibrant, fun and full of engaging characters. This is an enjoyable read with good research as once again Mary-Ann presents another quality Australia colonial story. 

‘...it was time to play a part once more, the performance of a lifetime, and find out whether this would all end in love or tragedy. Whether she’d reclaim her fortune, or end up fortune’s fool.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: In a Great Southern Land

Title:  In a Great Southern Land

Author: Mary-Anne O'Connor

Publisher: 18th March 2019 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 352 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: historical fiction, romance

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

From the soft green hills of Ireland to the wild Shipwreck Coast of southern Victoria, the rich farm lands of New South Wales to the sudden battlefields of Ballarat, this is an epic story of the cost of freedom and the value of love in a far-flung corner of the world where a new nation struggles to be born. 1851: After the death of her father, young Eve Richards is destitute. Her struggle to survive sees her deported in chains to the colony of New South Wales, penniless and alone. But here in this strange new world fortune smiles on the spirited, clever Eve in the shape of a respectable job offer that will lead to a quiet, secure life. Then the fiery and charismatic Irishman Kieran Clancy crosses her path...

For Kieran Clancy, the kindest man on earth, and his brother Liam, the promise of free passage and land in this brave new world is a chance to leave the grief and starvation of County Clare behind. But while Liam works to farm their land, Kieran has the fire of gold-fever upon him and is drawn to the goldfields of Ballarat. As tensions grow on the goldfields, and with the blood of an Irish rebel still beating through his heart, Kieran finds himself caught up in the cataclysmic events at the Eureka Stockade and faces the decision of a lifetime: whether or not, when it comes to love, blood will remain thicker than water...

My Thoughts

‘The great southern land,’ Liam said, looking at him, then laughing at his own incredible words. ‘I’m still trying to believe it.’

This is a really great story that I thoroughly enjoyed - quite the saga with both lead characters starting out in Ireland and then ending up in Australia. Firstly there is Kieran, a poor tenant farmer, who (with his family) gains free passage to the Australian colonies to farm. Then there is Eve, a servant, charged with a crime she did not commit and sent to the colonies on a convict ship. This is their story, inclusive of the challenges they faced from firstly, their time in Ireland, to adjusting to life in the colonies.

Firstly this book is a love story with a fair amount of Irish luck involved with coincidences. Still, if you enjoy historical fiction of this era, then you will revel in the times and circumstances. While some meetings were difficult to believe, you let it go as there is just so much to love about so many of these characters. There is a breadth and depth to the people you will meet and it adds a real richness to the story with a few good twists towards the end.

Secondly, this book incorporates a range of places and events highlighting many significant occurrences from history. From the harsh life in Ireland, to being onboard a convict ship, resettlement and farming in the colonies, life on the goldfields in the 1850s culminating in the momentous Eureka Stockade. I felt Mary-Anne’s retelling of key events in colonial history to be highly engaging, bringing to life what it would have been like in a wide range of scenarios.  Her research and in depth presentation of the Eureka battle, especially the consequent fallout, was a certain highlight.

Finally, if you delve deeper and take into account the detail Mary-Anne has gone into, this is a tale of injustices and the fight for equality and rights. Through the story of key individuals, you are shown what it was like to love, to lose, to fight, to win, in a search for a new beginning and true love. The desire to leave behind the controlling gentry in an effort to forge freedoms in an new land.

I was thoroughly impressed and absorbed in this high quality historical drama - the story is rich and filled with emotions, all tied together with factual accounts of major historical events related to Australia’s colonial history. I highly recommend this book.

‘We’ve crossed one to be here, don’t forget,’ he said more softly now, taking her hands again, ‘for different reasons and from different worlds, but somehow we’re standing under the same sky.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release