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Old Balmain House #2
Lizzie
Please note this book was originally published as Lizzie's Tale
Raped and reduced to working in a brothel to keep her baby, unwed, teenage mother, Lizzie, forges a new life for herself and her child in the Kimberley region of Australia. But can she evade her persecutors and ultimately bring to them to justice?
This is a story of a girl from inner Sydney. Her family is poor, her father dies when she is nine, life is hard. But her courage rises above adversity. It is story of her struggle to survive and make a life of her own, first as a prostitute, then with her child in a remote outback town.
This is the second book in the series, "Old Balmain House" and begins in the same house as the first book and continues part of the story of Sophie, the girl who vanished half a century ago. Lizzie, aged eight, meets Sophie, the girl who lived in the same bedroom as a child. Sophie becomes her friend.
When Lizzie turns fifteen Sophie tries to warn her not to go in a car with three older boys. Lizzie ignores her warning and is brutally raped by these three men.
Lizzie becomes pregnant and is determined to keep her child. She leaves Sydney and goes to Melbourne, to have and keep her baby. Here, penniless and desperate, she become a prostitute the only way she can support herself. She is discovered and the authorities try to take her child.
She flees to Broome, a small town in the furthest corner of Australia. Here she assumes the role of widow with a small child and settles into this friendly town. Her life is good until a man from her former life finds her and threatens to expose her or harm her child.
She runs again. On a remote desert road her car breaks down. Without water, with her six year old daughter beside her, they face death from thirst. Help comes in an unexpected way. She takes refuge in a local aboriginal community.
Her school friend from Balmain, now a journalist, seeks retribution from the men who raped Lizzie many years ago and have continued their ways with others. Now, as successful business men, they seek to use the law to deny justice.
Raped and reduced to working in a brothel to keep her baby, unwed, teenage mother, Lizzie, forges a new life for herself and her child in the Kimberley region of Australia. But can she evade her persecutors and ultimately bring to them to justice?
This is a story of a girl from inner Sydney. Her family is poor, her father dies when she is nine, life is hard. But her courage rises above adversity. It is story of her struggle to survive and make a life of her own, first as a prostitute, then with her child in a remote outback town.
This is the second book in the series, "Old Balmain House" and begins in the same house as the first book and continues part of the story of Sophie, the girl who vanished half a century ago. Lizzie, aged eight, meets Sophie, the girl who lived in the same bedroom as a child. Sophie becomes her friend.
When Lizzie turns fifteen Sophie tries to warn her not to go in a car with three older boys. Lizzie ignores her warning and is brutally raped by these three men.
Lizzie becomes pregnant and is determined to keep her child. She leaves Sydney and goes to Melbourne, to have and keep her baby. Here, penniless and desperate, she become a prostitute the only way she can support herself. She is discovered and the authorities try to take her child.
She flees to Broome, a small town in the furthest corner of Australia. Here she assumes the role of widow with a small child and settles into this friendly town. Her life is good until a man from her former life finds her and threatens to expose her or harm her child.
She runs again. On a remote desert road her car breaks down. Without water, with her six year old daughter beside her, they face death from thirst. Help comes in an unexpected way. She takes refuge in a local aboriginal community.
Her school friend from Balmain, now a journalist, seeks retribution from the men who raped Lizzie many years ago and have continued their ways with others. Now, as successful business men, they seek to use the law to deny justice.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2013
100 people are currently reading
2208 people want to read
About the author
Graham Wilson
61 books342 followersGraham Wilson lives in Sydney, Australia.
He has completed and published twelve novels and a memoir.
His most recent novel is 'Mysteries', set in early Sydney about an old house and a mother and child missing for 30 years. His other standalone novel is, 'The Glitter''.
Other novels comprise two series,
1. Old Balmain House Series - 3 books of historic fiction set in early Sydney
2. Crocodile Dreaming Series - 7 books. 5 books (The Visitor, The Victim, The Void, The Vanished and The Invisible) are in the main series which follows English backpacker, Susan, as she travels across remote Australia with a charming outback man. It tells how this idyllic trip becomes a nightmare as she discovers terrifying secrets about this man. It also includes a 2-book Prequel, The Vertigo and The Vortex, which give insights into her travelling companion, Mark.
Graham's family memoir, 'Arnhem's Kaleidoscope Children' tells of his family's life in an aboriginal community the Northern Territory's remote Arnhem Land. It chronicles an idyllic childhood, 50 years of change with aboriginal land rights and discovery or uranium. It also tells of his surviving an attack by a large crocodile and of his work over two decades in the outback of the NT.
Graham's career was first as a veterinarian in a mixed practice treating farm animals and people's pets, before following his love for wildlife through working at a range of Australian Zoos. He also spent two decades working on large cattle and buffalo properties in the Northern Territory before moving to Sydney where he now lives in one of Sydney's oldest houses in the Rocks. He has continued to follow his joint passions working with animals, wildlife conservation and writing stories.
Books are published as ebooks by major ebook publishers. Some books are also available in print online and through selected local bookshops.
He has completed and published twelve novels and a memoir.
His most recent novel is 'Mysteries', set in early Sydney about an old house and a mother and child missing for 30 years. His other standalone novel is, 'The Glitter''.
Other novels comprise two series,
1. Old Balmain House Series - 3 books of historic fiction set in early Sydney
2. Crocodile Dreaming Series - 7 books. 5 books (The Visitor, The Victim, The Void, The Vanished and The Invisible) are in the main series which follows English backpacker, Susan, as she travels across remote Australia with a charming outback man. It tells how this idyllic trip becomes a nightmare as she discovers terrifying secrets about this man. It also includes a 2-book Prequel, The Vertigo and The Vortex, which give insights into her travelling companion, Mark.
Graham's family memoir, 'Arnhem's Kaleidoscope Children' tells of his family's life in an aboriginal community the Northern Territory's remote Arnhem Land. It chronicles an idyllic childhood, 50 years of change with aboriginal land rights and discovery or uranium. It also tells of his surviving an attack by a large crocodile and of his work over two decades in the outback of the NT.
Graham's career was first as a veterinarian in a mixed practice treating farm animals and people's pets, before following his love for wildlife through working at a range of Australian Zoos. He also spent two decades working on large cattle and buffalo properties in the Northern Territory before moving to Sydney where he now lives in one of Sydney's oldest houses in the Rocks. He has continued to follow his joint passions working with animals, wildlife conservation and writing stories.
Books are published as ebooks by major ebook publishers. Some books are also available in print online and through selected local bookshops.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 17, 2018
The book was easy to read .... interesting, etc. I have a problem with a portion of the story. Lizzie is 15 years old, was raped by three young men and ended up pregnant. Then she runs away because she wanted to keep the baby ... if she stayed it would be taken away and adopted. I admire her for that. After running away and having the baby she knows she must find a way to support herself and the baby. She is introduced to prostitution and has to have sex with the "pimp" to see if she would be suitable for the job. What she does during that introduction is beyond belief. No 15 year old virgin would know about these things. This I found disgusting and totally unbelievable. That part could have been left out of the book. This book is recommended for teens and young adults. NOT!!!!! I'm not a prude in any way but I find this part offensive and unbelievable.
April 17, 2018
I enjoyed this book a lot. The pacing of the story was good. I really like the main character, Lizzie. She is kind and very strong. Her life is tough, yet she makes the best of it. She sacrificed so much when she decided to keep the baby. You can only admire how she does anything to keep her baby safe.
December 21, 2024
A new author for me, and superb! I started with this one, but it reads well without the first story in a series. A strong determined woman fighting for a life of her own with a child, despite all obstacles. Enjoyed the historical cultural insights and fight for justice. Will definitely read more from this author.
June 22, 2018
What great characters! Lizzie is awesome! All of her trials and tribulations, she is so amazing. The fact that Sophie is there, to give support helps, I can't wait to read the third book and find out what happens next in Devil's Choice.
June 8, 2018
Very well written and i couldn't stop reading, I really enjoyed this book.
July 14, 2015
As I write I am trying to figure out what I am going to write about this novel. This novel is part of the three stories in the Old Balmain House series. This novel examines critically the treatment of women at this time in a way that was not explored in the earlier novel.
Lizzie's life which was not easy to begin with is made even worse when she is raped at a party by three men. Her determination to keep the baby that results forces her to leave town and steers her life almost completely out of contol with almost disastrous consequences. Only the sheer force of her determination and the good friends that she has made along the way save her in the end.
One of the things that I would like to explore in this reveiw is the relationship that develops between Lizzie and Robbie. Robbie is described to Lizzie as being there to protect the girls but you have to go with him before you get hired and then whenever he calls you. That sounds like a pimp to me. Yet the reader is supposed to believe that he and Lizzie develop feelings for each other that are strong enough to to change their lives. It is clear that as often as Robbie calls for Lizzie he also calls for the other girls. I can understand feelings on her side but altogether this character while integral to the story did not sit well with me.
One theme I did like though was the theme of Sophie to is a friend to both Lizzie and her daughter Catherine. I thought that the continuationo s Sophie's story through the role of playmate and protector to Lizzie and her daughter very touching. Even though she was not able to save Lizzie from the rape she did save them in the end - I am deliberately trying to be vague so that I do not spoil the story.
I am looking forward to the third installment.
Lizzie's life which was not easy to begin with is made even worse when she is raped at a party by three men. Her determination to keep the baby that results forces her to leave town and steers her life almost completely out of contol with almost disastrous consequences. Only the sheer force of her determination and the good friends that she has made along the way save her in the end.
One of the things that I would like to explore in this reveiw is the relationship that develops between Lizzie and Robbie. Robbie is described to Lizzie as being there to protect the girls but you have to go with him before you get hired and then whenever he calls you. That sounds like a pimp to me. Yet the reader is supposed to believe that he and Lizzie develop feelings for each other that are strong enough to to change their lives. It is clear that as often as Robbie calls for Lizzie he also calls for the other girls. I can understand feelings on her side but altogether this character while integral to the story did not sit well with me.
One theme I did like though was the theme of Sophie to is a friend to both Lizzie and her daughter Catherine. I thought that the continuationo s Sophie's story through the role of playmate and protector to Lizzie and her daughter very touching. Even though she was not able to save Lizzie from the rape she did save them in the end - I am deliberately trying to be vague so that I do not spoil the story.
I am looking forward to the third installment.
Want to read
December 25, 2018Fifteen year old Lizzie went to a party with her best friend and is raped by three men that resulted in her pregnancy. This was at a time when young, unwed women were not allowed to raise children alone – so she ran away. It was to here good luck that she makes it through several years and is able to watch each of the men that tried to destroy her, get their due.
September 13, 2019
9/1956, Balmain, Sydney, Australia. Smith St. Lizzie (8) was getting ready for school.
Sophie was Lizzie’s imaginary friend.
Lizzie (14) brother is David (5). Julie is her classmate/BFF.
1963 Balmain HS. Lizzie & Julie just finished their final exam for an Intermediate Certificate.
Julie was going to Croydon Presbyterian Ladies College.
Lizzie was going to work at Pyrmont.
Lizzie was celebrating her 15th birthday.
Dan & Will took Lizzie to Nielsen Park. Martin was trying to put his hand inside her top.
They hauled her to the beach.
Martin took his pants off. Will/Dan held her down, & her dress got pulled up, & she was now naked.
Lizzie was working at Pyrmont. She packed appliances into boxes & labeled it.
In 4 months, she couldn’t hide it anymore.
It was time to move Brisbane, Adelaide or Melbourne.
1 day there was a Union meeting.
The manager called her to his office. Most employees knew she was pregnant.
He gave her a week’s pay. The employees all chipped in & gave her a contribution also.
He had no choice but to let her go, pregnant woman aren’t allowed to work there.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Anne Renford (mother) finally found a place to live she could afford.
Jack Mackenzie wasn’t embarrassed to take her rent money.
His wife would not let Lizzie stay.
Evie Mackenzie # 120 was more than happy to rent Lizzie a room.
It wasn’t very long & the midwife delivered Catherine Julia Renford (daughter).
Lizzie had gone out to buy some baby cloths. When she returned Evie was lying on the floor.
She was rushed to the hospital. They thought she had a stroke.
A few days later Evie had died in the night.
Jack (Evie’s nephew) finally showed up at the front doorstep.
He wanted more money, so Lizzie moved out immediately.
Melbourne. She found a bed in a boarding house for the night. Ruth (landlady) was very kind to the 2 of them.
Rebecca “Becky” (18, single mother, prostitute) was Lizzie’s new BFF.
Later a social worker & policeman came to speak with the Madam & Robbie.
It was time for Lizzie & Catherine to leave.
Spencer St. Railway Station. 1st stop Adelaide, South Australia, & then onto Perth (Capital), Perth, Western Australia
Broome beach resort, W. Australia. Lizzie started to meet town PPL. She was looking for employment.
Ruby (part aboriginal, waitress), Alice (single mother, cook), & Tom (Chinese, waiter) worked for her.
She opened a 2nd place in Derby Kimberley region Western Australia & had 5 employees.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Renford owned a food supply business & a catering service.
The area was quite racially diverse.
Lucy was the newest employee.
Dan Ashcroft (Newcastle Transport mgr. shipping) was a new arrival in town.
They supplied heavy machinery to the mining companies of the Kimberley.
Robbie lay in Port Augusta Hospital, & then airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital.
What were Jack Mackenzie (Newcastle Transport shipping business partner), Martin, Dan & Will up to?
Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material (child verbal/mental/physical/sexual abuse, prostitution) which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, proper great font & writing style. A very well written historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great down under crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It was just OK for me so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free Beyond Books Edition; Smashwords; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn; MSW)
Sophie was Lizzie’s imaginary friend.
Lizzie (14) brother is David (5). Julie is her classmate/BFF.
1963 Balmain HS. Lizzie & Julie just finished their final exam for an Intermediate Certificate.
Julie was going to Croydon Presbyterian Ladies College.
Lizzie was going to work at Pyrmont.
Lizzie was celebrating her 15th birthday.
Dan & Will took Lizzie to Nielsen Park. Martin was trying to put his hand inside her top.
They hauled her to the beach.
Martin took his pants off. Will/Dan held her down, & her dress got pulled up, & she was now naked.
Lizzie was working at Pyrmont. She packed appliances into boxes & labeled it.
In 4 months, she couldn’t hide it anymore.
It was time to move Brisbane, Adelaide or Melbourne.
1 day there was a Union meeting.
The manager called her to his office. Most employees knew she was pregnant.
He gave her a week’s pay. The employees all chipped in & gave her a contribution also.
He had no choice but to let her go, pregnant woman aren’t allowed to work there.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Anne Renford (mother) finally found a place to live she could afford.
Jack Mackenzie wasn’t embarrassed to take her rent money.
His wife would not let Lizzie stay.
Evie Mackenzie # 120 was more than happy to rent Lizzie a room.
It wasn’t very long & the midwife delivered Catherine Julia Renford (daughter).
Lizzie had gone out to buy some baby cloths. When she returned Evie was lying on the floor.
She was rushed to the hospital. They thought she had a stroke.
A few days later Evie had died in the night.
Jack (Evie’s nephew) finally showed up at the front doorstep.
He wanted more money, so Lizzie moved out immediately.
Melbourne. She found a bed in a boarding house for the night. Ruth (landlady) was very kind to the 2 of them.
Rebecca “Becky” (18, single mother, prostitute) was Lizzie’s new BFF.
Later a social worker & policeman came to speak with the Madam & Robbie.
It was time for Lizzie & Catherine to leave.
Spencer St. Railway Station. 1st stop Adelaide, South Australia, & then onto Perth (Capital), Perth, Western Australia
Broome beach resort, W. Australia. Lizzie started to meet town PPL. She was looking for employment.
Ruby (part aboriginal, waitress), Alice (single mother, cook), & Tom (Chinese, waiter) worked for her.
She opened a 2nd place in Derby Kimberley region Western Australia & had 5 employees.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Renford owned a food supply business & a catering service.
The area was quite racially diverse.
Lucy was the newest employee.
Dan Ashcroft (Newcastle Transport mgr. shipping) was a new arrival in town.
They supplied heavy machinery to the mining companies of the Kimberley.
Robbie lay in Port Augusta Hospital, & then airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital.
What were Jack Mackenzie (Newcastle Transport shipping business partner), Martin, Dan & Will up to?
Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material (child verbal/mental/physical/sexual abuse, prostitution) which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, proper great font & writing style. A very well written historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great down under crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It was just OK for me so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free Beyond Books Edition; Smashwords; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn; MSW)
June 10, 2019
My initial response as I began to read Lizzie's Tale: "WWWHHHYYY?! Why, Mr. Wilson?! WHY?! Why are you taking such a sweet character & letting her go through such horrible things & not protecting her?" My heart broke for Lizzie as she endures rape, the threat of losing her baby, running away from home, and prostitution. She's a sweet, naive teenage girl. I wanted her to stand up for herself, stop running, stop letting men assume they could do whatever they wanted to her. I wanted her to reach out to her family & her friends & ask for help. But as I kept reading, Lizzie quietly grew into a strong, independent woman: a practical & no-nonsense woman who wasn't ashamed of her past & I cheered for her successes. She endures so much yet manages to come out on top, beautifully.
I'd characterize author Graham Wilson as more of a storyteller than a novelist, because of the feel of his stories. His writing feels like you're sitting with him at his kitchen table with a cup of tea or cake, as he draws you into a fictional history of Balmain & a certain house there: the people who lived there & their adventures. Soon, he's bringing out old photos and newspaper clippings of events & people, and before you know it, you've spent the entire day listening to this man's stories. You think, "This guy should write this down & publish it - oh wait, he did & I'm reading it now."
I'd characterize author Graham Wilson as more of a storyteller than a novelist, because of the feel of his stories. His writing feels like you're sitting with him at his kitchen table with a cup of tea or cake, as he draws you into a fictional history of Balmain & a certain house there: the people who lived there & their adventures. Soon, he's bringing out old photos and newspaper clippings of events & people, and before you know it, you've spent the entire day listening to this man's stories. You think, "This guy should write this down & publish it - oh wait, he did & I'm reading it now."
March 15, 2023
Growing Up The Hard Way
This book is the second in a series. The books are interconnected but can be read alone. This story is all about the internal strength of our main character, Lizzie. She grows up in the same Balmain house as the other two books in the series. In the late 1950s to the early 1960s, she, her mother, and her younger brother ar poor little churchmice. They are surviving on their dead father's pension and whatever income Lizzie can make from side jobs. This is the story of her life. The tale has some very disturbing parts including rape, prostitution, and abuse by horrible men. If you expect that at the beginning, you can probably enjoy the book. I am so glad that our world has advanced from stealing the babies of young mothers to adopting out. Unfortunately, they are not encouraged to become good mothers, but instead, are encouraged to abort their pregnancies. I enjoyed the book and read it in one sitting. It will haunt me for a while, though.
This book is the second in a series. The books are interconnected but can be read alone. This story is all about the internal strength of our main character, Lizzie. She grows up in the same Balmain house as the other two books in the series. In the late 1950s to the early 1960s, she, her mother, and her younger brother ar poor little churchmice. They are surviving on their dead father's pension and whatever income Lizzie can make from side jobs. This is the story of her life. The tale has some very disturbing parts including rape, prostitution, and abuse by horrible men. If you expect that at the beginning, you can probably enjoy the book. I am so glad that our world has advanced from stealing the babies of young mothers to adopting out. Unfortunately, they are not encouraged to become good mothers, but instead, are encouraged to abort their pregnancies. I enjoyed the book and read it in one sitting. It will haunt me for a while, though.
July 2, 2018
This novel was fast paced, and easy to read. I really enjoyed the story, and my biggest complaint is that it could have been longer, and in some areas more detailed.
Lizzie is a fifteen year old virgin, when she sneaks off to a party with her best friend and is raped by three men. To make the situation even more horrific she becomes pregnant as a result of the rape. Since young, unmarried women weren't allowed to raise children alone she ran away from home rather than let child services step in and take her child away. With a combination of gumption and luck Lizzie makes it through the next few years and is able to watch those that tried to destroy her get their due.
Lizzie is a fifteen year old virgin, when she sneaks off to a party with her best friend and is raped by three men. To make the situation even more horrific she becomes pregnant as a result of the rape. Since young, unmarried women weren't allowed to raise children alone she ran away from home rather than let child services step in and take her child away. With a combination of gumption and luck Lizzie makes it through the next few years and is able to watch those that tried to destroy her get their due.
August 17, 2018
I won this book as a FirstRead.
After graduating from school, Lizzie goes out to celebrate with her best friend and some young men they know. The men rape Lizzie, and she ends up pregnant. Lizzie knows that if she tells her mom, she will be sent to a home for pregnant girls and her baby put up for adoption. Lizzie wants to raise her own baby, though, so she sets off on her own to make a life for her and her child.
I did not care for this book like I did the first book in the series. As with the first book in the series, this one could use a good editor, but the story line didn't keep me hooked to help overlook the need for editing.
After graduating from school, Lizzie goes out to celebrate with her best friend and some young men they know. The men rape Lizzie, and she ends up pregnant. Lizzie knows that if she tells her mom, she will be sent to a home for pregnant girls and her baby put up for adoption. Lizzie wants to raise her own baby, though, so she sets off on her own to make a life for her and her child.
I did not care for this book like I did the first book in the series. As with the first book in the series, this one could use a good editor, but the story line didn't keep me hooked to help overlook the need for editing.
September 23, 2017
As with book 1 in this series, LOVED it. You get a great sense of what life was
like in the era as you follow the main character through their lifes journey. Love that Lizzie never appears to regret her choice of keeping the baby concieved through a rape, she just constantly runs to protect her child and keep from it being taken from her. Love wins and justice is sought. Another great read from Graham Wilson. #australia #GrahamWilson #Balmainhouseseries #australianauthors
like in the era as you follow the main character through their lifes journey. Love that Lizzie never appears to regret her choice of keeping the baby concieved through a rape, she just constantly runs to protect her child and keep from it being taken from her. Love wins and justice is sought. Another great read from Graham Wilson. #australia #GrahamWilson #Balmainhouseseries #australianauthors
April 17, 2018
Another well scripted story that resonates its period within time. Lizzy’s Tale is a mite different from the Balmain house as the intergenerational spears is not so wide. Yet the time chosen for telling her tale becomes important for all the social issues it holds and for the counciousness raising that follows this era.
July 27, 2018
A heart-wrenching and then heart-warming story, "Lizzie's Tale" follows the hard-scrabble life of a young girl adrift in the world. Lizzie finally finds the love and support that she needs--almost to lose it. This is a captivating read. I received this novel as part of the Goodreads Giveaway program.
December 26, 2017
Well I am not sure what to say about this one. The subject matter was ok but a bit strange, the story was a bit mundane and I struggled to read it all. I just didn't get a coherent feel and felt it was missing something.
January 13, 2019
I love Graham Wilson's style. Fiction with enough historical information to make the tale believable even with a bit of supernatural in the mix.
February 27, 2021
I won this Kindle edition book in a Goodreads
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
Well written - great characters!
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
Well written - great characters!
June 21, 2024
Captivating Story
The reader's personal investment in the major characters marks the author's considerable talent. Must read more from this excellent writer.
The reader's personal investment in the major characters marks the author's considerable talent. Must read more from this excellent writer.
June 6, 2025
Another let down, I had hoped for more in this the 2nd book in the series. Oh well!!
January 21, 2021
Lizzie lived a lifetime by 21 years of age. Focused and self assured. I enjoyed the trip across Australia. She picked herself up and went to plan B many times. She did have a guardian angel to guide her when she seemed to falter. And good friends!
April 25, 2018
It was an interesting story to say the least.
The writing was good, the characters were good, the plot was interesting and made me want to keep reading. So in those regards this is a solid book and I recommend people give it a shot.
The reason for the 3 stars is that I got very emotionally involved in Lizzie's plight, and her terrible experience with the 3 men and then being stuck alone with her baby, and I just had to keep putting the book down and re-compose. I would just get very angry or very sad about her situation and need to take a break.
So while the story is interesting and I'm glad to get the opportunity to read it [thank you to Graham Wilson for sending a free e-copy my way] I had to take a few breaks from it.
The writing was good, the characters were good, the plot was interesting and made me want to keep reading. So in those regards this is a solid book and I recommend people give it a shot.
The reason for the 3 stars is that I got very emotionally involved in Lizzie's plight, and her terrible experience with the 3 men and then being stuck alone with her baby, and I just had to keep putting the book down and re-compose. I would just get very angry or very sad about her situation and need to take a break.
So while the story is interesting and I'm glad to get the opportunity to read it [thank you to Graham Wilson for sending a free e-copy my way] I had to take a few breaks from it.
March 3, 2020
This book was interesting and a fast read. But.. I don't think a girl that is 15 years old would be able to make some of the decisions that she did in the story. Lizzie is 15 years old, was raped by three young men and ended up pregnant. So she runs away because she wanted to protect and keep the baby since she is only 15 and if she did not run away they would take it from her. I admire her for that, but she gets into prostitution at that age? I guess some gals do to make ends meet, but I would have liked her to be a little older.
I enjoy the strength that she has at her age, and that Sophie is there to help her along. I did enjoy the story and it flowed pretty well.
I enjoy the strength that she has at her age, and that Sophie is there to help her along. I did enjoy the story and it flowed pretty well.
December 5, 2019
*I won this book as a Goodreads Giveaway
This book was absolutely fantastic! The characters were well rounded and authentic, depicting a life that anyone could have fallen into during the 60's in Australia.
Though I had not read the first in the series, the author graciously emailed me and gave me free copies of the first and third book in this series (unfortunately it wasn't compatible with my phone). It was fine reading as a standalone.
Definitely recommend this one!
This book was absolutely fantastic! The characters were well rounded and authentic, depicting a life that anyone could have fallen into during the 60's in Australia.
Though I had not read the first in the series, the author graciously emailed me and gave me free copies of the first and third book in this series (unfortunately it wasn't compatible with my phone). It was fine reading as a standalone.
Definitely recommend this one!
December 30, 2023
compellingly
I enjoyed this very much. Love the characters and Australian settings. The hardship and will to overcome made this a great one to read for fighting for right. Great job by Mr. Wilson.
I enjoyed this very much. Love the characters and Australian settings. The hardship and will to overcome made this a great one to read for fighting for right. Great job by Mr. Wilson.
October 30, 2019
Throughly enjoyed the storyline and read
March 23, 2024
Lizzie
This is a tragic story about women being used and abused by men in power and money and the woman who stands up for them to get justice
This is a tragic story about women being used and abused by men in power and money and the woman who stands up for them to get justice
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