Rebel Spirits

by Paula J. Beavan

In the harsh world of nineteenth-century Australia, honesty has a price—and some risks can’t be undone.

Irish immigrant Ellen Maguire is fighting to keep her family’s roadside inn, The Harp and Hound, from ruin. With the railway diverting travellers and her father lost to grief, desperation drives her to a dangerous solution: distilling illegal poteen from her grandmother’s remedy book—a venture that could save them or destroy them.
When injured Englishman Jack Bell arrives searching for his missing niece, Ellen offers him shelter. Attraction flares—but her family’s future can’t be put at risk, not even for love.
As Ellen’s illicit trade draws the attention of sly-grog operators, ruffians, and the colonial authorities, pressure mounts on every side. Then Jack’s niece appears—with secrets of her own, and a threat that could ruin everything.
Torn between protecting her family and telling the truth to the man she loves, Ellen must decide how far she is willing to go.

Perfect for readers of Tea Cooper, Jackie French, and Darry Fraser, Rebel Spirits is a sweeping Australian historical romance filled with danger, mystery, and heart.

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2026

About the author

I am a Hunter Valley based writer who grew up, farmed, and played along the banks of the Hunter River.

I love the rich history of the area and often escape down the rabbit hole of research. On one such excursion I fortuitously found a family connection to a local landmark and historic figure, William Harpur, one of the founding settlers in the Hunter Valley; assistant to the Surveyor General in 1821; who established his property Oswald on the Hunter River in the mid 1820’s, and is related to my father’s great-grandfather who settled in Australia in the 1840’s.

This discovery piqued my interest in the people who lived here before me, and so I find myself setting my stories in and around the places I grew up. I was fortunate to have lived on a small property and grew up riding horses, mustering with a local cattleman who filled my head with stories of his life growing up on the land, caring for the pit ponies during a strike at the Rothbury Mine Riot and being branded a scab, and learning about horses, cattle, the land, and the area.

My love of reading evolved into a desire to write, and with that, I determined to be the best writer I could be, and so embarked on a series of writing courses both online and overseas. I was blessed to be able to travel to the UK and attend Kate Forsyth’s History, Mystery, and Magic writing retreat in the gorgeous Cotswolds, where I learned the importance of research and taking the time to get it right. I won a mentorship with Charlotte Legder of Harper Impulse with a Romantic Suspense story, and another with Felicity Pulman for Stone of Destiny, a YA timeslip

I’ve dabbled in contemporary romance, YA timeslip and finally have found my home in Australian Historical stories with a good dash of romance, because I love romance.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When, in 1865's New South Wales' Hunter Valley, Irish immigrant Ellen Maguire discovered a lone horse with its rider injured some distance away, she had no idea how her life and that of her family would change. Assisting Englishman Jack Bell back to the family Inn - The Harp & Hound - and tending his wounds, she left him to his devices and continued her work in the inn. Ellen's father, Paddy, was lost in a bottle of grief after his wife and Ellen & Michael's mother had died six months prior. She was the glue of the family - now it was up to Ellen to continue to keep the family safe and well. Mrs Reid kept the kitchen running - her meals were to die for - while young Willie tended the horses and Simon (a llama). But the inn was struggling financially and while Michael was off trying to make money (albeit illegally) Ellen was doing her best to work out another way.

John Clifford, their nearest neighbour, had loaned the family money, and wanted it returned. But how to do that? He said, if he didn't receive the payment in full he would take the inn and the land it was on. Desperation turned Ellen to illegal poteen distilling; it sold well, but the authorities were hovering. In the meantime, Jack Bell had sufficiently recovered to resume the search for his niece who had run away to Australia. Would he find her? Would the inn be lost to the Maguire family?

Rebel Spirits is an exceptional Australian historical novel by Aussie author Paula J. Beavan which I really enjoyed. With completely realistic characters, harsh countryside, cruel men and plenty of illegal happenings, I'm glad I didn't live back then. Although it'd be interesting to be able to go back in time for a couple of days to observe ;) Paula J. Beavan is now well up there on my list of favourite authors. Highly recommended.

With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Red Ink Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebel Spirits – Paula J Beavan

I was given an ARC copy of this story in order to provide an honest review.

Paula J Beavan is an Australia author based in Hunter Valley. She often finds herself setting her stories around places where she has been and grown up. Beavan’s love of writing all started with her love of reading and grew from there. Paula J Beavan has also written “Among the Grey Gums” and “Daughter of the Hunter Valley”.

Ellen Maguire is a young woman doing everything she can to keep her family afloat. They are a family of Irish immigrants who chose to settle in New South Walers and run a roadside inn.

For a while business was good and they were making ends meet. But one day her mother passed and since then they have struggled. Her father drinking their money away and barely lifting a finger, and her brother and his hair brained schemes – each day seeing them passing further and further into debt.

Ellen does the only thing she can think to do, delves into the pages of her grandmother's book of remedies – hoping there is something within the pages to get them out of the hole they find themselves in. Find something she does but it also runs the risk of getting them into trouble they may never get themselves out of.

Then because of all the things poor Ellen has time for, she happens to stumble upon an English gentleman in the bush – injured and lost, but on a journey to find his niece. Ellen takes him back to her family’s inn and tends to him.

There is no denying they both feel an attraction towards the other, but Ellen must do what her family needs and Jack made a promise to his sister on her death bed to find his niece.

However, the venture that Ellen has put into motion to pull her family out of the mountain of debt they have is starting to gain the wrong sort of attention. The local authorities start to poke about, and her brother turns up beaten and almost left for dead.

Jack seems to be chasing whispers and rumours of his niece, and all seems to have come to a dead end; and is about to give up the search. If he only realised how close, she really was.

“Rebel Spirits” is an Australian historical fiction story that highlights the hardships of the time and how familial bonds and the gritty can-do attitude of Australians can mean the difference between failure and survival. The story has a rich historical setting and characters who have a strong sense of responsibility for their loved ones and values that have been ingrained in them. Ellen is such a strong woman who has to overcome more than her fair share of hardships. Jack is a true English gentleman determined to keep his promise but also do what is right and help where he can. This is a story perfect for those who love Australian historical fiction with heart, resilience and above all family loyalty.

[Steve Shipley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Australian historical romance, and Rebel Spirits ticked every box for me—romance, rich historical settings, strong family bonds, and that gritty, can-do spirit that shaped so much of Australia’s early history.

What really stood out was how the novel delivered not one romance arc, but three intertwined relationships, each with its own emotional journey and subplot. That could easily become messy in lesser hands, but here it works beautifully. Every storyline connects naturally, and by the final pages, everything comes together in a satisfying and cohesive way.

The tension runs deep throughout the novel. The characters constantly wrestle with the conflict between obeying the law and protecting the people they love. That emotional push-and-pull drives the story forward and makes the characters feel authentic, admirable, and deeply human.

As a male romance reader, I sometimes struggle with stories where the heroine feels overly controlling or determined to “fix” the hero. Thankfully, Rebel Spirits avoids that trap completely. The heroine is intelligent, capable, compassionate, and strong-minded. She knows when to stand firm for the law, and when family and survival matter more than rules on paper. That balance made her feel real to me.

Every major character has an important role to play, and I especially enjoyed how the redemptive arcs unfolded across the story. Watching damaged people grow, sacrifice, and come together gave the novel real emotional weight.

And honestly, the animals nearly stole the show. The llamas, alpacas, and horses felt like supporting characters in their own right. Who rode which horse, who walked, and how the animals behaved all added texture and authenticity to the story. I loved that attention to detail.

The Australian countryside descriptions were another highlight for me. I could almost feel myself riding horseback or traveling by carriage through landscapes not far from where I live. The setting felt vivid, immersive, and alive.

What impressed me most, though, was the depth of research behind the story. The details surrounding animal lineage, herbal elixirs, poteen, moonshine production, and the recipes used throughout the novel all felt authentic and carefully researched. That level of historical detail added richness without ever slowing the story down.

If you enjoy Australian historical romance filled with heart, resilience, danger, family loyalty, and richly detailed settings, Rebel Spirits is absolutely worth your time, as are Paula Beavan's two previous novels of the same genre.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fabulous Australian historical from one of my favourite authors, Paula J Beavan it is 1865 and we are in the small town of Jump Up Creek in The Hunter Valley of New South Wales and we meet the Maguire’s, Paddy and his two adult children Ellen and Michael, times have been hard since the death of wife and mother and since the railway went through, their roadside inn The Harp and Hound known as one of the best is no longer getting the patronage that it had and Ellen had promised her mother that she would keep things running and look after her father and brother.

Ellen continues to make the woman’s elixir that has been handed down from her granny then to her mother and now Ellen but when needs must with the help of their cook Mrs. Reid Ellen is soon doing something that she never would have thought possible, making poteen to an old family receipt and this could bring them back from the brink of ruin or destroy everything they have known as a family.

When Ellen rescues and injured Englishman Jack Bell who is searching for his long lost niece, Ellen offers him a place to stay and the care he needs for a while but soon there is a pull that she is not sure about, and it appears that Jack is feeling the same but they are from two very different worlds and with what she is doing at the moment nothing can happen.

Dangers seems to be appearing from all corners now when the mystery niece arrives with her secrets and what of her brother Michael and the things he is up to with the poteen she has been making and the sly grog shops and the neighbour who is after their land and the police are doing their best to contain the sly grog throw in a couple of children some Llamas and Alpacas and a race horse and this story has all that is needed for a wonderful story that had me smiling, cheering Ellen on and turning the pages.

I loved this one from start to finish, the author has bought the era, the characters and the events to life on the pages, who will Ellen choose family or the handsome Jack Bell? I do highly recommend this one, I never miss a Paula J Beavan story you will be transported back in time and get hours of reading joy, many thanks MS. Beavan for another fabulous story.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

1865, Hunter River District, New South Wales. Ellen Maguire is desperate to keep her family’s roadside inn, The Harp and Hound, open. The railway has diverted passengers away from Jump Up Creek, and since her mother passed away, her father has lost interest.

Ellen like her Irish grandmother and mam before her, she’s a herb woman and makes and sells tinctures and but the money isn’t enough to keep them afloat. Ellen starts producing illegal poteen, she needs it as a base for tonics and salves, the alcoholic spirit is better than anything she can buy and her brother Michael is keen for them to sell it and despite facing being arrested.

Jack Bell promised his sister he would find his niece Elizabeth, fresh of the ship from England he starts searching, he gets himself into a bit of a bind, Ellen saves him and he rents a room at The Harp and Hound.

Little does he know he too will be drawn into the chaos, from Ellen's menagerie of animals, to the local constable sticking his nose in, a neighbour putting pressure on the Maguire’s to sell, Michael bare-knuckle boxing, where to hide the still, problems with deliveries, being chased by thugs and his growing attraction to Ellen.

I have been a big fan of Paula J. Beavan’s since I read her first novel Daughter of the Hunter Valley five years ago, and I was extremely keen to start her new book Rebel Spirits and it didn’t disappoint. A rollicking tale, based on true facts about Colonial Australia, the Hunter River District, building of the railroad, residents leaving and creating ghost towns and introduction of exotic hooved animals.

I really liked the characters in the narrative, including Ellen, Jack, Michael, Mrs. Reid, and Paddy, youngsters Willie, Enoch and Polly.

Ellen is a determined woman, she would do anything for her family, and she’s capable, kind, loyal and smart. Both Ellen and Jack had responsibilities, they deserved to live happily ever after together and you need to read Rebel Spirits to find out?

I highly recommend and for fans of well written Australian historical fiction, with added secrets, suspense and drama to keep your attention and five stars from me.

[Amy (Lost in a Good Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I was provided with a copy of this book by the author for review.

What I loved about this story is it captures the strength, resilience, and despair of not only the family struggles and heartbreak, but also living in a colony town in the middle of the Australian bush and realising the bush isn’t always your friend. It is a compelling story of found family as well as real family and a desire to establish foundations for the future.

This book is aptly named because while Ellen is rebelling against the law, she herself is a rebellious spirit who doesn’t always line up to what a woman of her time is “supposed” to be doing. Colonial women doing most of the real work is reflected well, with Ellen’s brother and father scheming and keeping secrets from her, taking her stuff unasked, all while she fights to keep the family afloat without much thanks.

The writing is well suited for the historical setting but it is easy to understand and helps cement the bygone era without alienating modern readers. Through detailed and vivid descriptions Beavan captures the harshness of bush life, of colonial men and their approach to women – their wives or strangers – and how women must endure and adapt because of the men around them.

Beavan is good at building drama and tension without affecting the gentle pace. There is mystery around family secrets, tension around the local constable and the natural environment, and the uncertainty over whether Jack will find his niece.

The easy banter between Ellen and Jack is charming and it was delightful to watch as they go from strangers, to friends, to something more. With Ellen’s toughness and Jack’s easy curiosity they make a great pair.

As a character Ellen is a delight; she has the propriety of a woman and she tries very hard to maintain that while completely unaware she bucks expectations at every opportunity because things need to get done. For every time she tries to be proper there are three other instances of her sneaking out in men’s clothes and being socially improper some way or another.

I enjoyed reading about the history of the Hunter region that is woven through the story, and the author’s note goes into additional details as well about the real history it’s based upon. Seeing this little family in a town struggling to survive was powerful, it might end up being a losing battle – mother nature and the reality of progress being what it is – but the determination of people to make their roots and fight for what they want is admirable.

There’s excitement and tension, a sense of community and a clear admiration for the bush. The characters are full of life and their own pasts which comes across naturally and is woven wonderfully into the current storyline. The realities of early colonists is there from orphans to migrants, as well as the hardships of enduring those in control and those who want power. All of that alongside an incredibly sweet love story filled with stubbornness, admiration, and compassion.

[Debra Hely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebel Spirits (2026) by Paula J. Beavan
Review by Debra Hely

I enjoyed Paula’s previous two novels, but I think Rebel Spirits is her best work yet, a richer novel on many levels. Even the title carries multiple meanings. There are some similarities with her previous novels. The setting remains in the Hunter region of NSW during the nineteenth century, however, the circumstances in which we find our feisty female protagonist, Ellen Maguire are as varied as the land itself.

Paula has a knack for for interweaving her meticulous research into the various story threads without bogging down the flow. I enjoyed the atmosphere she created, instantly recognising the beauty and drawbacks of an Australian summer in the untamed bush. The characters were distinct, complex and unpredictable, and this only added to my intellectual and emotional enjoyment.

Several times I thought I had worked out where the story was going but every time I was thwarted, not by trickery but clever writing. There are struggles, there are romances, and although nothing comes easy, the conclusions are satisfying with a few lovely twists.
It’s not just the human characters who are appealing; I challenge any reader not to fall in love with Simon. Who or what is Simon? The best way to find out, is to secure your copy of the book and read it yourself.

Having finished Rebel Spirits, I find myself hoping that Paula is already mulling over the details of book number four.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Paula for gifting us a copy to read and review.
A compelling Australian historical fiction saga from beloved author Paula J. Beavan.
The 1860s comes alive for the reader as the descriptions and storyline become visually appealing and spark the reading mind.
Ellen Maguire feels like she runs the family inn, The Harp And Hound.
Her father, Paddy is a drunk dealing with grief and her brother, Michael is off on his own misdeeds.
And to top everything off, the inn is in financial difficulties.
So Ellen turns to her grandmother’s recipe book to make illegal liquor.
But then in the bushes Ellen finds the injured Jack Bell.
The handsome stranger is in Jump Up Creek to find his niece who has disappeared.
While recovering their attraction is deep.
Nothing is easy going and for both the drama is embedded in the ground they walk on.
Vividly portrayed, meticulously researched and sharply executed, this book is a must read for lovers of Aussie history turned into glorious narratives.
Paula has the gift to tell a story.
Throughly enjoyed and profoundly recommend.

[Brooke - Brooke's Reading Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to the author who sent me this as an advance reading copy.

This is a real treat of an Australian historical fiction, set in 1865. Ellen is an Irish immigrant who is trying to hold it together for her father and brother while also trying to keep her family's inn and home from falling into ruin. Jack is an Englishman who has come to Australia to try and locate his missing niece, and when he meets Ellen there is an instant attraction and connection. I really enjoyed Ellen's character, in particular her spirit and fire. Jack is also very likeable and so there is no doubt that readers will be hoping they can get through their respective dramas in order to live happily ever after. I appreciated the atmosphere of the story which felt like it was taking me back in time, and even though the pacing was a bit slow this was a positive thing as the plot never dragged.
Overall: a very enjoyable read by this author, I look forward to reading more of her work.

[Chris Stack · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is it about romances and confessions - I have to confess that Simon was my first favourite character ☺️ What’s not to like about a pushy, sticky beak who sticks his nose in at the most annoying time and place possible?

This is a sweet romance, with some witty repartee that tweaked a few smiles from me and some quirks that drew quite a few more.This was a book I could relax and enjoy.
If you like romance and you like to smile, this one is worth a look.