It’s the 1960s. Life was different then. But Tyneholme, the magnificent, historic home of one of Brisbane’s pioneering families, the well-known Chaseleys, endures. Dickie Chaseley, grandson of the first Chaseley to arrive in Australia, is a respected businessman, and his vivacious wife, Vivienne, is a much-loved patron of a large number of charities.
Circumstances have drastically changed young Laura Dawson’s comfortable and sheltered life, and she gratefully accepts what she sees as a lifeline—a job working with Viv Chaseley. Laura moves into Tyneholme and into the unbelievably amazing world of the Chaseleys. Working with Viv gives Laura the confidence she knows she lacks, and it brings new meaning to her previously uninspiring life.
She meets Dickie and Viv’s elder son, Richard, and his lovely wife, Sara, and their younger son, the dark and slightly dangerous, Nicolas. Then, the Chaseleys’ only daughter arrives home from the UK. Viv had said she was sure her daughter and Laura would become great friends, but nothing could have prepared Laura for her meeting with the poised, worldly, and very attractive Rosemary Chaseley.
Lyn Denison was born and still resides in Brisbane, Australia, and attended school in Brisbane and Charters Towers. Before making writing a full-time career, Lyn was a librarian. Apart from reading, Lyn enjoys genealogy, scrapbooking, photography, playing her 12-string guitar and chatting with friends.
Ohhhh Lyn Denison! This book! This story! The FEELS.
For those that read Past Remembering (which does need to be read before this prequel) we were introduced to Laura, Asha West's stepmother. We got a glimpse of Laura's history, revealed after Asha uncovers some family secrets after undertaking a genealogy job for Brisbane's pioneering Chaseley family. We didn't get a lot of detail about her because the book primarily focuses on the fascinating history of the Chaseley family and two love stories, in both the present and the past.
So although readers knew something of her from that introduction, in For All Time we get Laura's full story. Past Remembering was first published in 2007 and I'm so glad that Denison decided to revisit the character. Set primarily in the 1960s and told in flashback, Laura's life is one of tragedy and hardship in so many ways, but also resilience. She's so innocent in the beginning, having lived a very sheltered existence in her youth. At age 19 when she has to start making her own way in life, through the help of a family friend she is able to secure a position with the Chaseley family as the matriarch's personal assistant. This is where Laura really begins to come into her own - especially after she meets the Chaseley's charismatic daughter Rosemary, who comes home for break from law school abroad. She also forges a relationship with the family, one that will tie them together forever.
With beautiful narration by Aussie narrator Jenny Walters, this story is nostalgic, heartbreaking and ultimately, hopeful. I'm completely in love with her work and am so grateful Denison introduced Walters to us! When I began listening to this book, I thought it might appeal more to an older demographic since it starts in the 60s and Laura is such an innocent. But the story takes a turn and then becomes darker than I expected. But because I read the first book, I did have an idea of what was coming. Don't let that deter you from reading it. Laura's is a story worth knowing and both of these books and their characters will stay with you for a long time to come.
When I first read Past Remembering all I could think about, after what a great read was, I hope Rosemary/Laura get their own story. Thank you Lyn on behalf of Laura, Rosemary and myself. It was great revisiting the Chaseley’s and seeing the beginning of Laura and Rosemary’s love affair. As always a well written storyline, good characters. Still love Viv to bits. Liked the check in with Asha and Peri as well. Have a read it is worth the time.
The follow up to Past Remembering, For All Time takes us back to Tyneholme and the Chaseley family. After the tragic loss of both parents, Laura Dawson ( Asha's stepmother we met in Past Remembering) comes to the Chaseley family as an assistant to Vivian, matriarch of the clan. She's lovingly accepted and comes to cherish this new, comfortable life. There she meets Rosemary Chaseley, and her world is upended in more ways than ever be expected. More secrets, more misunderstandings...more wonderful characters and writing. Fabulous books.
Lyn Denison has been a pioneer of the lesbian book since 1990, when she released her first book. She has written over twenty books formerly published by Bella Books. The 90s were not yet very open to lesbianism. but since that date she has been able to write lesbian romances with sexual relations. Many lesbian books today would not be published if some authors had not taken the lead. Read,The Wild One, Gold Fever, among others. Read her books and see the modernity of what she wrote.