Category: Historical Fiction Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
Type: Fiction
Pages: 360
Copyright: July 1,2025
ISBN-13: 9780228636113
In the early 1800s the penal colony of Botany Bay was no place for cowards. Courage and persistence were traits essential to the settlers who carved out a new life in a raw land where suffering and heartbreak were commonplace.
In the1800s the penal colony of Botany Bay was an unforgiving and harsh place. Isabella is transported for wounding a member of the British aristocracy. She loathes the system that sentenced her to seven years transportation, and is determined to hate her new master who dreams of a new life beyond the Blue Mountains.
Mystic Australia is a story of courage and persistence-essential traits for the settlers who carved out a new life in a raw land where suffering and heartbreak were commonplace. The pair face many hardships in their quest for a new life in this untamed land.
Excerpt
A wind as hot as the devil's breath sent the longboat rocking. Isabella tried not to think about her roiling stomach as she raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun that blazed down on them. Fear, like some deadly snake, coiled itself around her innards, sliding viciously into every muscle and bone, every part of her body, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
The woman Isabella now counted as a true friend groaned. "S'pose we'll 'ave to get used to this heat," she muttered as she ran a hand around her nape and blew a strand of greasy hair out of her eyes. "'Tis hotter 'ere than it was on the stinking ship when we was anchored off Rio de Janeiro!"
Isabella grimaced. "That's a fact, Gracie." They had been forced to get used to a lot of things, a deep and abiding despair more than anything else.
"These blooming six days we've been stuck out on the water 'ave seemed longer than the whole bloody voyage," Gracie grumbled. "Gawd but it'll be good to get me old feet on solid ground again."
Isabella wrapped her arms about her middle and shuddered, swallowing the bile that threatened to choke her. "I don't ever want to see the ocean again as long as I live, Gracie." Much as she might wish she were back in Stepney, she would never want to repeat that dreadful voyage. A violent storm lasting for nearly two days coming round the Cape had caused such wretchedness they'd feared they would all perish. No, she wouldn't care if she never saw the ocean again.
Gracie nudged Isabella as the wharf loomed before them. "Well, girl, 'ere we go, 'ow d'ya feel, eh?"
"As if a mess of worms are wriggling about inside me, that's how."
Even when evading the constables in the alleyways and back lanes of Stepney Isabella had always felt that one day things would improve. That certainty died on the day of her arrest. Gracie had tried to give her some hope for better days ahead, but Isabella knew that a woman in her position had little hope for anything in life, least of all a bright future.
Professional Reviews
5 stars AN AMAZING READ BY KC Booklover
“I love any books to do with people travelling to Australia in the 1800s, whether it be as emigrants or convicts, and this book doesn't disappoint. I was hooked within the first few pages and couldn't wait to finish it to see what happened. The story of Isabella who is
transported to Australia after trying to kill the man who rapes her was a powerful one and one that was probably pretty common for the time. This is a fantastic read and I am so glad there is a sequel so I can find out what happens! Highly recommended.”
5 stars Mary Adair- for Sharpwriter
Isabella (Bella) O'Shea arrives at New South Wales by way of a convict ship. Convicted for attempted murder, she is sentenced to pay for her crime in indentured servitude to an unknown master in the British colony of Australia. After a disagreement, her papers are finally acquired by Tiger Carstairs. Tiger has a strong attraction to Bella, which he cannot deny.
However, Tiger plans to marry above his station to obtain for himself a status he could never reach in England. Bella's life is not easy. The pair suffer tragic losses on a journey across the mountains. In the end she and Tiger accept their love and need for one another in a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
Thomas Smith Best convict book ever written 5 stars
"I have read many, many book but this one would to be one of the ones at the top of my list. The descriptions not only had me visually transported to the past, I could also feel and smell the surroundings and the people. Extremely well written AND without the use of miss used word "that" which many top writers use today. Congratulations Tricia , keep them coming as I will be looking for your efforts." Sandra
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