For the Love of the Land

Queensland Chronicles #2

by Bonnie Leon

Nearly a year after moving to Queensland, Australia, Rebecca Thornton has learned to love her new home and the sometimes unforgiving land. But living in the Outback has its challenges. A drought has settled on Thornton Creek, and Douloo Station has been hit hard. A visit from Aunt Mildred and the birth of Rebecca's first child have kept Rebecca busy, but she still wishes she could be more help to her husband as he tirelessly struggles to save the family home. As the drought continues, Rebecca can only pray for peace for her husband and for the much-needed rain on which their survival depends. For the Love of the Land, book two in the Queensland Chronicles, is a story of hope, prayer, and trust in the One who always provides, even in the toughest of times.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Historical, Romance, Australia, Christian Romance

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

Bonnie Leon is the author of twenty-three novels, including the recently released One Hundred Valleys, To Dance With Dolphins, the popular Alaskan Skies and bestselling The Journey of Eleven Moons.
Bonnie’s books are being read internationally and she hears from readers in Australia, Europe, and even Africa.
She enjoys speaking for women’s groups and teaching at writing seminars and conventions. These days, her time is filled with writing, being a grandmother and relishing precious time with her aged mother.
Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

You can find bonnie at
https://www.bonnieleon.com
https://www.facebook.com/BonnieLeonAu...
https://www.bonnieleon.blogspot.com
https://www.@bonnie_leon
https://www.pinterest.com/bonnieleon/

Reviews

[Sonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Large amounts of time passed between scenes without any reference to how much when the next scene started. Made it hard to see continuity.
Had trouble "enjoying" the main character with her spoiled, selfish manner---didn't see the development but all of a sudden she would stay with her husband, even though he never saw her.

Some ranching details seemed to be wrong---you wouldn't have to chase cattle away from a fire, they would run on their own...made me question other "facts."

[Jackalyn]

Set in Australia in the 1870s and continuing immediately after book #1 in the series, it was somewhat poorly written and at times hard to follow the story line. At times jumped from theme to theme without making much sense.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

not my fav

This was a rather stressful book. I found it hard to read at times. Actually painful. And the dialogue felt stilted at times

[Ester · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the second installment of the Queensland Chronicles, some of the main events in this book are (without giving out too much) the birth of Rebecca's son and a harsh drought which makes life hard for the family. Oh, and the arrival of Rebecca's aunt Mildred.

There isn't actually that much action in this book, but I didn't mind that much because I know it will probably pick up a bit in the next book. There's a lot written about horses and I did find that interesting. The tidbits she includes about Aboriginal culture are also interesting and as far as I know, accurate. Other parts not so much - for example as another reviewer has already mentioned cyclones like the one Rebecca experienced in Melbourne is rather rare in real life, I think the author romanticizes Australia a bit because she is American. She also calls it a typhoon once which is a term we don't use in Australia. The accents are awful to read, when I read them in my head they don't sound Australian at all. I'm not sure how much the Australian accent would have developed by then, but at least the author tried. Like in the last book, 'No worries' is used way too frequently and inappropriately, we don't say 'no worries' all the time.

And the usage of the words 'grand' and 'fine' are way too frequent. I think this is the worst part of Leon's writing, because she does it with every single book I have read so far. Every second word each character speaks uses grand e.g. 'Oh that will be grand.' 'We'll have a grand time.' 'It looks grand'. It seriously undermines the quality of her writing - there are many beautiful words in the English language that she could have used instead of grand and fine.

But with all things being said, I enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to seeing what happens to Rebecca and Daniel and Joseph.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some pretty good themes and messages but it didn't grab me as much as the first book. It was lovely to see Willa and Aunt Mildred again. I loved the side romances in this story, it kept me reading on.

I kept finding errors which irritated me somewhat. If you are going to write a lot about another country's weather then get it right!! Australia does not experience multiple cyclones in one city in one night - especially in Melbourne!! The flooding story was ridiculous too. I've lived in the area this book is set in so have a fair idea of what happens in flooding. Catastrophic flooding does not come from one storm.

I found Rebecca to be sulky and demanding and pretty much a spoilt brat in this book. Disappointing to see in a supposedly mature woman. I hope she pulls her head in next book.

[Deliasue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate reading book 2 before I read book 1 but I didn't know there was a one until I was done with two, so it couldn't be helped. They both take place in the outback of Australia, a girl from Boston loses her home to the death of her father who was broke, then her friend talked her into marrying him and moving to Australia, she felt out of place there, read the book to find the ending.

[mary Ethington · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could tell this book would have interested me if I would have given it more of a chance, but I just couldn't get into it. Same with the first. I just didn't love the story or the characters. They were ok, but nothing grabbed me.

[Lady Loki Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this one as well. She writes very well of having Faith in God and how he makes all things new! He guides her and her husband to show them how much He cares for them and how God will never abandon them no matter what.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began to wonder if things would get any worse
and they did. Overdone on the misery!!

[Margaret Chind]

*Thanks to Bonnie Leon for sending me a copy.*

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book written by an old friend. An easy read.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't decide which I liked better between this one and the first. Really liked it.